Bewitching the Beast Page 30

  Tess gritted her teeth. “What do you care? I thought our friendship was over.”

  Holly’s arms dropped away. “Don’t say that.”

  “You turned your back on me.”

  “What was I supposed to do? You’d obviously gotten yourself into trouble, and you wouldn’t let me help. Do you know how that feels?” Holly shook her head. “We used to trust each other with everything.”

  “I couldn’t tell you what was going on, for your own good.” Tess turned to the painting. “Things were getting dangerous. The less you knew, the better.”

  “Protecting me? Was Ethan a criminal?”

  “No!” Her voice boomed in the tiny apartment. He hadn’t been a monster. “Ethan was the good guy. I tried to tell you. You didn’t believe me. You didn’t trust me.”

  “Tess, the last time I saw you, you were a mess—obviously upset, actually shaking. You’d been crying. I could tell. And all the while, Ethan hovered over you like he wouldn’t let you out of his sight.” Holly rubbed her temples with two manicured fingers. “I thought maybe he hit you, threatened you or something, but you wouldn’t confide in me.” Helplessness shadowed Holly’s eyes. “I couldn’t sit by while you followed the same path that killed my . . .” Holly frowned. “If I couldn’t stop it, I didn’t want to witness it either.”

  “Oh, Holly.” Tess huffed out a harsh laugh. “Even if I could have told you everything, you wouldn’t have believed it.”

  “Yes, I would have.”

  Sure. Holly, the atheist, who didn’t believe in ghosts, superstitions, anything magical or unexplained by science, would have opened her eyes to witches and dragon spirits. “There’s no way.”

  Holly ran a hand down Tess’s arm. “You didn’t give me a chance.”

  Tess scanned the room, and the paintings that had consumed her—images that told a story no one in their right mind would believe. Of course, now that the beasts were gone, no one would have to. “Did Mom tell you I’m pregnant?”

  “She’s thrilled to be a grandma.”

  She laid a hand over her stomach as guilt weighed her down. She should be more thrilled to be a mother. This baby was all she had left of Ethan, but right now, the memories were too painful. Her breath hitched, and those damned tears trickled down her cheeks again.

  When Holly’s arms came around her, Tess held her tight. “I’m sorry,” Tess croaked.

  “I’m sorry too.”

  Tess cried harder, memories of Ethan flooding her mind, the pain almost too much to bear. “Oh Holly, he’s gone.”

  ~ ~ ~

  Tess stared up at her painting hanging on Ellison’s gallery wall. Her painting. Unbelievable. Okay, not technically on a wall, more like a partition. But, who was she to be picky?

  That’s exactly the emotion I’ve been waiting to see in your work. Mr. Ellison’s words still gave her the shivers. And now a show. Granted, she wasn’t the headliner. In fact, Holly had barely managed to squeeze her into the exhibit, but it didn’t matter, not tonight. Chatter from the well-dressed crowd around her mingled with the stoic chords from violins.

  Weird. Now that she was getting the hang of this whole witchy thing, she could sense the energy of each person in the room without trying. In the relaxed atmosphere, the knowledge soothed her.

  One source of energy came up beside her. Tess caught a whiff of perfume, and her stomach rolled. She recognized the woman who had strolled up. Britt Young, art critic. Tess’s hands began to sweat.

  Nondescript, in a black turtleneck and slacks, the woman scrutinized Ethan’s portrait. Her red hair hung straight, elongating her narrow face. Tess held her breath, both to keep her wits and to avoid the clinging floral scent.

  Ms. Young squinted hard and moved in closer, her silence deafening.

  Taking too long. Need to breathe. Tess sucked in a slow breath through her mouth and almost gagged from the unavoidable cloying odor. The sweet perfume wafted up her nostrils and dove straight for her stomach. She leaned forward in a mirror image of the art critic, both their noses inches from the painting. The familiar smell of paint and varnish calmed her. Easy there, baby. No need to lose our cookies, again. Not now anyway.

  After a minute, the critic backed away. Tess followed suit, although the sickly feeling remained.

  Ms. Young turned to her. “Well done. Your technique is extraordinary.”

  “Thank you.” A wave of heat washed over Tess, and she lifted trembling fingers to her nose. Please go away now. Please go away.

  Waving her hand toward the painting, the critic continued, “But what are you trying to say with this piece?”

  Oh, crap. Tess’s stomach churned like a storm ready to spew a tornado.

  “I don’t think it’s so much what she’s saying as what she’s obviously feeling.” Holly’s voice behind her nearly sent Tess to her knees with relief. “If you take a look at this scene over here, I think you’ll see what I mean.” With a backward glance, Holly guided Ms. Young to another painting along the wall.

  “I love you,” Tess mouthed to Holly as they walked away.

  Tess’s mother strode toward her. “You feeling all right? You’re looking a little green.”

  “Nothing nose plugs and a few crackers wouldn’t cure.”

  Her mother dug inside her purse. “I had soup at lunch . . . Here they are.” She pulled out a pack of saltines.

  “Once again your purse of wonders comes to the rescue. Thanks, Mom.” Tess accepted the crackers and tore open the plastic. “You wouldn’t happen to have nose plugs, would you?”

  “Not this time.”

  Tess nibbled a cracker, and her nausea subsided as the scent of perfume dissipated. “Where’s Dad?”

  “Talking fishing with someone in the corner.”

  “Of course.”

  “If I can get him away from there, I think we’re going to the hotel. My back is giving me trouble.”

  Tess gave her mother a squeeze. “Thanks for coming.”

  “We wouldn’t have missed it. We’re so proud of you.”

  Those words were heaven. Tess smiled. “See you tomorrow?”

  “You bet.” Her mother waded through the crowd toward the corner.

  Each step her mother took, loneliness seeped farther into Tess’s skin. It had been weeks since the building collapsed. Tess stared up at Ethan’s image, now captured forever in paint. Ethan’s blue eyes drew her in as they always had. It would do no good to pine for him. She wouldn’t do that again. She couldn’t. For the baby and for herself, she had to stay strong. Their baby—not a beast, but a healthy little girl, or so Gram had said last night in her dream.

  She nibbled her last cracker and turned away, determined to mingle. Never comfortable barging in on some stranger’s conversation, she scanned the room for Holly. Holly never had a problem with that. She was the mingling queen.

  Holly could take her around to rub elbows with . . . Tess sucked in a breath sprinkled with cracker dust and had to fight not to choke. Black sweatshirt, the hood pulled up. Kade?

  She slipped behind a partition. Swallowing dry bits of cracker, she peeked around the edge. His profile was the same. Short dark hair, same height. His gaze roamed her way, and she stepped back, her pulse going into overdrive. It was him. But how?

  More brew. She needed to get home. Without her mother’s brew, he’d be able to control her mind. She had to get out of here. Tess glanced around the edge again. He still stood there, searching. In her best casual race-walk, she made her move and slammed into a chest blocking her way. She stumbled, and two hands reached out to steady her.

  “Tess.” That voice, the low timbre. She shivered and looked up. Blue eyes. Ethan’s eyes. The smell of warm leather penetrated her senses, warm leather and Ethan.

  The room spun as Tess h
yperventilated. Was it too late? Had Kade already latched onto her mind, making her see what she wanted to see?

  Ethan’s hold tightened. “Tess, are you all right?”

  She’d be better with a paper bag and some beast repellent.

  Too late. Her knees buckled beneath her, and she crumpled, the world going black.

  ~ ~ ~

  Tess cradled in his arms, Ethan followed Holly to her office, cursing himself for being such an idiot. He could have handled this so much better. Just showing up here wasn’t one of his best ideas.

  Holly opened the door and led the way to a small sofa along the wall. “Is she okay?”

  “Seeing me was a shock, that’s all.” He lowered her onto the sofa cushions and knelt by her side. “Tess.” He brushed his palm over her cheek. His hand shook. He’d waited so long to see her again. Too long. “Tess.”

  Her eyes fluttered open. When recognition took hold, they filled with tears. “You’re alive.” She threw her arms around his neck and squeezed him tight. “I can’t believe it.”

  His heart ached. He held her close, breathing in her scent. “God, I missed you.”

  “I’ll leave you two alone,” Holly muttered behind them. The click of her heels trailed out the door.

  Ethan found Tess’s lips, his kiss desperate. She leaned into him, and her tears fell to his chest. He’d dreamed about this moment, believing it might never come. Clasping her closer, he ignored the guilt that lingered and let himself believe they could be together forever.

  Tess drew back, and her body tensed. “Kade. He’s here. We need to go.” She tried to rise. He held her in place.

  “Kade’s not a problem now. The beasts are gone.” Ethan drank in her stormy eyes and golden hair, memorizing every detail. “You saved us.”

  “Saved you?” Tess grabbed his left hand and held it up. No glove. No claw, only scarred fingers. “Really?” She clasped a handful of his leather jacket. “The spell worked. It actually worked. On both of you?”

  He nodded. The excitement that lit her face brought a smile to his lips.

  Too soon her joy faded. “Then where have you been? I thought you were . . .”

  “I know. I’m sorry.”

  “You’re sorry?” She pushed against his chest and stood. “Dammit, Ethan. You have no idea what you put me through.” Wrapping her arms around herself, she stepped away.

  All he could think of was pulling her back against his chest and never letting go. “I didn’t want to risk you or the baby. I needed to know The Beast was gone for good . . . And I wasn’t sure you’d want me back.” Staying away had been the hardest thing he’d ever done, but he’d thought it would be best for everybody.

  “What?” She spun around to face him with confusion and pain in her eyes. “Why?”

  Ethan stood, the truth impossible to escape. “I killed Matt, and there’s nothing I can do or say to change that.”

  “Oh, Ethan.” A tear slipped down her cheek. “I wish I’d handled things differently. I had no right to blame you for Matt’s death.”

  “You had every right.” The words stuck in his throat. He’d never deserved her.

  “No.” She came to stand before him and took his hand. “It’s funny how perspectives change after someone dies. Everything becomes clearer. Those things that really matter come to the foreground, and everything else fades away.”

  He studied the slender hand holding his.

  “Once you were gone, I realized blaming you was an excuse, an attempt to stop caring before I could get hurt again.” She shook her head. “But the joke was on me. Love doesn’t work that way. You can’t turn it on or off because you’re afraid.”

  All the while he recuperated, he’d told himself to forget Tess. She didn’t need him as a constant reminder of all she’d lost. He had only planned to check on her, make sure she was all right when he came across a flyer for the show. And now . . .

  Tess stared into his eyes with love. “Matt’s death wasn’t your fault.”

  Ethan looked for one hint of uncertainty, an ounce of regret, and saw none. “Are you sure that’s the way you feel?” He didn’t have the strength to give her up again. “Because once I’m back in your life, I’m back for good.”

  Her eyes sparkled. “I’m sure.”

  He pulled her close, clutching her to him, and contentment settled in for the first time in, well, for the first time.

  Tess stiffened in his arms.

  “What? What is it?” He followed her gaze to the doorway. Kade. Light scars ran along his face where dark scales once marked him.

  Ethan turned Tess and wrapped his arms around her, her back against his chest. “It’s okay now. Look into his eyes. They’re not green anymore. They never will be again.” Even as he said the words, his arms tightened protectively. Trusting Kade without reservation would be a long time coming. The guy had lived in hell for too long. He’d come out of it with scars on the inside and out.

  Kade took in the scene. “Would you like me to leave?” His voice was raspy, although not like it once was.

  Tess took a deep breath. “No. It’s all right. I’m just jumpy.”

  Kade raised his hand. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to scare you.”

  “Could you put that down?” Tess shivered in Ethan’s arms. “Sorry. Déjà vu.”

  “Right.” Lowering his arm, Kade glanced down at his palm, and a flash of disgust crossed his face.

  “I’m sorry.” Tess stepped toward Kade, and Ethan followed. “I can’t imagine what you’ve been through.” Her voice held no fear, only sadness.

  “No need to apologize. The things I did . . .” Kade scowled. “What I tried to do to you . . .”

  “It’s over now,” Tess insisted.

  Kade stepped inside the office. The look in his eyes was sincere. “It’s over, but not forgotten. If it wasn’t for you . . .”

  Tess smiled. “I’m just glad the amulet worked.”

  “It was more than just the amulet.” Snagging her fingers, Ethan tugged her closer.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Your magic protected us from the building collapse.” Kade shifted on his feet as if he’d rather be anywhere else. His nervous energy had been a constant companion these last weeks.

  “I don’t understand.” Tess leaned into Ethan’s arms. “How? I saw the building crumble on top of you.”

  Ethan enjoyed the feel of Tess’s soft curves and her silky hair teasing his chin. “The pillar next to us didn’t quite give way. We were trapped in a cavity, surrounded by rubble. That’s the last thing I remember.”

  “He passed out,” Kade explained. “We were stuck there for a while, until the building shook, and I saw light. I dug us the rest of the way out.”

  “Why do you think my magic saved you?”

  Kade’s gaze darkened. “The dragon spirit left me with an acute awareness of magic. As soon as the first pile of concrete dropped, you must have done something. I could feel the vibration of your power. Your spell secured the rock around us, preventing it from falling. And later, when the ground trembled, the power was stronger, the air static. We escaped because of you.”

  “Amazing,” Tess whispered. “But why didn’t you yell to the rescuers or go to a hospital?”

  “I didn’t believe the spirits were gone for good”—a muscle flexed in Kade’s jaw—“and once they came back, they would have needed energy—lots of it. It would have been a bloodbath.” The horror of what could have happened hardened his features.

  “Makes sense,” Tess muttered. “So where have you been all this time?”

  “I took Ethan to a doctor I know. He’s been watching over us.” Kade cleared his throat. “I came to thank you for saving my life. Hell, for saving my soul.” He reached out. “Thank you.”


  She took his hand. “I should thank you too.”

  “Thank me?” Surprise lifted his brows.

  “You left us clues. Without you, we wouldn’t have gotten the amulet.” Tess twisted in Ethan’s arms to better snuggle against his chest. “And you took care of Ethan. You brought him back to me.”

  “I wish I could’ve done more.”

  Holly approached the door and knocked.

  “Everything okay in here?” she asked.

  “Yes.” Tess stared up at Ethan. “Better than okay.”

  Ethan squeezed her. “You should get back out there. This is your night.”

  Tess shook her head. “Let’s go home.”

  “I’ll walk you out.” Kade brushed past Holly in a big hurry, as if demons still haunted him.

  Tess hugged her friend. “Will you forgive me if I leave early?”

  “Go. I’m just happy to see a smile on your face again.” Holly pointed a finger at Ethan. “Be good to her.”

  Ethan took Tess’s hand and led her out the door. “I will.” He’d be good to her for the rest of his life if she’d have him.

  ~ ~ ~

  “Hold still.” Tess rubbed the Tide stick over the stain on Ethan’s blue shirt, still amazed to have him back.

  He leaned against her dining room table and chuckled. “This doesn’t seem very manly. They should make a Tide stick that gets rid of the stain by eating a hole in your shirt. Now that would be manly.”

  Tess laughed and stopped her scrubbing. “You told a joke. You. Ethan. I can’t believe it.”

  “You must be wearing off on me.”

  “It’s about time.” Tess ran her hand over the wet spot she’d made on his shirt, his warmth radiating through. “Looks like it’s gone. Taco sauce vanquished.”

  “Amazing.” Ethan packed up the trash left from his midnight snack.

  Her stomach rebelled against the spicy odor, not with the gusto it had with Ms. Young’s perfume hours ago, but enough that she was glad her garbage can had a lid. “How does it feel not to have super luck anymore?”