Chapter 7
7
A very scrutinized the brunch crowd through the back door window. She could lie to herself and say she was scouting the location of friends, but they all knew each other. This was a Where s Eli check.
People everywhere. They spilled down the wooden stairs onto the small grassy lot and out to the beach. She listened to the hum of muffled conversations with intermittent laughter, gulls crying, and the nonstop waves.
No obvious Eli. Perhaps he was smoking with Will.
Based on Will s freak-out expression when she last saw him, she bet he begged off.
As she stepped outside, shouts came to her. Over here, Avery.
Ah, the ladies. Such a rare moment to have all seven of the Pleiades in the same place at one time. Their lives were busy and Matt was always concerned about security, even though he d relaxed a lot once everyone realized they were more powerful together than apart. However, if even one of them died without leaving an heir, then their ghost ancestors would cross into this world for retribution. Bad scenario. They were the keepers of the veil that separated this world from the world of the ancestors. If only the witch hunters understood this.
What s going on? Shannon asked next to her.
Avery jumped.
The concern and kindness in Shannon s expression comforted her. Her yellow sundress complemented her light eyes and blonde hair. Cute and perfect for the bride-to-be.
I love that dress on you. I need to talk to everyone. She grabbed Shannon s hand and stalked to the circle of Pleiades ladies.
Avery was engulfed by several half hugs from the other five Pleiades witches. Sure, there were other women here, but there was no tighter click than the seven of them. They were cursed with powers and a destiny none of them asked for but had been raised to accept. They were bound by the tragedies of maternal death to grant them their abilities. She d inherited the witchy powers young, at eighteen.
Avery asked Nicole, Why did you push me to go to Paris to save Eli? I never saw anything threatening him, but now that I m back something s not right with him.
I don t understand everything about my visions. Only some things. Nicole dropped her gaze and sighed. My vision revealed it was important for you to be there and bind your soul to him. You doing so was critical to his survival somehow. I don t know anything beyond that. I don t know if it was a soulmate issue or something else. Sorry.
She squeezed Nicole s hand. Thank you for doing what you could, but please promise me next time you have a vision concerning me you ll just tell me. I prefer to be in on the plan. I don t like being in the dark or the victim of a spell. She gazed around at the girls who d all frozen staring at her with wide eyes. I can t believe you guys cast some sort of mega attraction spell to force him to become attached to me.
What? came from several of them.
What re you talking about? A spell? Nicole asked.
You guys didn t cast an attraction spell on us? Her gaze shot to Shannon.
Shannon cringed and shook her head.
No spell? Then what happened between us if it wasn t spell-induced?
Shannon s jaw dropped. You slept with Eli?
I didn t say that. Her cheeks burned. No use lying. Her gaze met that of Kat, the witch who could read minds. Kat s small smile indicated she knew the truth.
You did, Shannon accused. I always believed your mom s Tarot reading meant you , not your sister, even though you d never listen to me. I figured if you thought there was a spell in effect then you d take the leap with him. Oh, I want details, girl. That man s usually wound so tight. Lord knows he doesn t date. Don t get me wrong, he s got more guts than you can hang on a fence, but I can t imagine he s spent a lot of time between the sheets. Or has he?
I m mad at you. If her face scorched any more it d burst into flames.
Shannon hugged her even though she tried to wiggle away. You ll thank me someday. I did it because I love you, and you know it.
I ve got bigger problems than whatever s going on between Eli and I. I don t know how to put this. He s not into me like normal.
Eli s always into you. Shannon had a smug look that was all about her thinking Eli was the man the gods had chosen for her.
I don t know if he s the one for me or not. I. Don t. Know. All I know is he seemed more into Will than me earlier. The Eli over there with Matt is not the Eli I know. She cast a glance across the wooden deck to where Eli stood with Matt drinking what looked like a mint julep. Eli hated mint.
Eli s head s a mess. I can t read anything from him, Kat said.
His aura looks weird, Shannon announced. It s like there s a purple-hued shell around him. I don t know what that means.
Merck s going to assess him. He promised me, Avery said.
Assess him? He thinks someone did something to him? Shannon asked.
Avery shrugged.
Merck s good at what he does. There was pride in Shannon s words. The Catholic church hired Merck last month as a special consultant. The decision came down from the Pope himself. Turns out when the Archdiocesan exorcist couldn t help the Pope s nephew, they asked Merck to consult. I don t know how he deals with that stuff. I mean, he doesn t only do exorcism, but also fights evil warlocks and whatnot. Talk about dabbling in the terrifying and the bizarre.
I don t want to ruin your pre-wedding stuff with my issues, but I m worried. I think everyone should be on alert and keep some distance from Eli until we figure out what s going on. Avery wanted to smile, to reassure Shannon her wedding would go forward as planned, but she didn t know.
We should tell all the boys. Kat sighed and glanced toward Matt, who was blowing bubbles for their daughter.
Matt knows, Avery said.
Nicole spoke up. You need to keep your link with him, Avery. I don t understand this any more than you. Wish I could be more helpful.
Keep the link? You want me to yank him into a bedroom and get it on with him even though I think he needs Merck to do an exorcism on him?
Nicole shrugged. Shannon chewed on a nail. Kat frowned. The other ladies didn t look any more helpful.
Avery said, How about if I get all of us some mimosas? Then we can try figure out what s going on with him before I do any connection renewing, at least not until after Merck does his thing.
Avery made it to the drink table without getting waylaid by ghosts or people. This wasn t a chintzy card table in a corner, but a solid wood table with every kind of liquor imaginable including mixers, ice, and small pieces of fruit. She lined up six plastic flutes and filled them with orange juice and champagne.
She caught Eli laughing with a distant male cousin of hers. Eli touched the guy s arm in a way highly abnormal for him. If he d been interested in men, she d consider it perfectly natural. Her cousin didn t seem to notice. Eli laughed a hearty, strange sound. Avery knocked over four of the plastic glasses. With a curse, she sopped up the mess with paper napkins only to make it far worse by knocking over an open bottled water.
I got it, a male voice said.
Thanks. She glanced up, surprised to find Will. In a T-shirt. She couldn t remember the last time she d seen him cover his chest. He enjoyed showing off his eagle tattoo. Or maybe it was a hawk.
He moved in close until his chest touched her back and reached around in a more-than-friends way to clean up. Just want to be helpful.
What re you doing? Her stomach twisted. She bowed away from him to avoid contact. Her midsection smashed painfully against the edge of the table as she arched away from all contact with him. Back off.
Huh. That s weird, he whispered.
What s weird? You feeling the need to get up-close-and-personal when you know damn well it s a no-go between us? I m real sorry. I think you re a great guy, but you and me aren t-
Eli isn t paying attention to you, Will interrupted. Under normal circumstances if any one of us looks at you wrong, touches you, or does anything like I just did and he d be all up my ass about it for the rest of the day. He wouldn t realize why he d be doing it, either, which is what always made it entertaining to push him. Now he s He nodded his chin toward Eli, who seemed absorbed by something her male cousin said.
I don t like games. She scooted away from Will to make a pile of soppy napkins at the edge of the table since there wasn t a trashcan in sight.
Will s eyebrows drew together as he broke his stare in Eli s direction. I know you picked up he was hitting on me earlier. Like seriously. Eli made a pass at me. What s up with that? Look, don t ever tell this to Eli. I ve deep read his thoughts and feelings several times. That man has had it bad for you for as long as I ve known him. There was the whole supposed-to-be thing with your sister, but he was always messed up about wanting you, not your sister. Until today.
Was that her chest expanding? He d always preferred her despite the card reading and everyone pushing him toward her perfect, beautiful, older sister?
I thought you weren t supposed to use your deep read skills on anyone. It was part of the rules for you being allowed at events. She waved a dismissive hand. It s water under the bridge. I m glad you did it on him. What d you get from Eli today other than him suddenly being into men?
Will blanched.
You have to tell me. You started this. She put her hands on her hips.
I ran into him on the front porch right when he got here. I can t help reading people. It happens. Will shrugged apologetically. He acted like everything was great, but when I reached for his mind I heard him screaming for me to help him. He sounded far away.
Screaming for help. Oh my God. There was something or someone else inside him, perhaps trying to take over. Maybe it was a demon possession. Her necessity to renew a connection might be more important to do sooner rather than later. Did he say or ask anything odd or unusual?
After you left he asked me some odd stuff about Shannon. I was distracted by him being interested in me for more than information. He wanted to know about her powers. Then he asked who were Merck s real parents. I was spooked and told him I don t really know.
Did you tell all this to Matt or Merck yet?
Getting to it. They re both kinda busy. He nodded to where Matt stood surrounded by ten people. And neither one will like the fact I deep read him when, like you said, I m not supposed to do it.
I wish Merck could evaluate him right now. Where is Merck? So many people. So much noise.
He s at the tux store fixing some problem. He ll be back soon. You think Eli got too close to a demon or something?
Maybe. I don t know. You can t take him hitting on you personally.
Nah, I take it as a compliment. Happens pretty often. Men, women doesn t bug me. I just didn t expect it from him. Will scrutinized her with an intensity that belied the flippancy of his words. It hurt you. Avery
Stop deep reading me. Seriously. I m pretty good at casting spells.
Will snorted. Not what I heard. He held up his hands, obviously picking up on her planned retaliation. Chill. I don t want limp dick for the next month. I won t read you again. Swear. I don t know what s going on with Eli, but, believe me, you re the only one who he s ever for real been messed up over.
The confirmation made her smile and strengthened her resolve to save Eli s soul from whatever he fought. How did she help him without getting hurt? She d never personally dealt with a possession, if this was possession.
I ll keep an eye on Eli, said Will. Uh, oh. My sister needs me for a few minutes. She s been fighting with her bodyguard to get some space. Seems to be a trend with you ladies, the clashing with your bodyguard thing. So glad that s not my job. He waved across the deck at Nicole. Behave. Stay away from Eli.
Just going inside to get orange juice. After mimosas, behaving may or may not happen. She grinned at his wary glare before he marched away.
Inside, she yanked open the refrigerator and pulled out the only carton of orange juice. Hopefully, it d be enough.
Avery, darling.
She spun in the refrigerator doorway to face Eli. He d never called her darling in the past. Her skin crawled beneath his calculating perusal.
In her discombobulated state, she didn t move out of the way of the closing refrigerator door. It slammed her arm. Juice exploded all over the floor. She jumped to grab the hand towel off the sink, but to avoid touching Eli she hopped back too fast. Her feet slid on the wet floor, propelling her into him. They both went down. Somehow she managed to land on top.
The startled gaze now watching her seemed less cold. Less shrewd. The magnetic draw he always held over her was back, seductive and luring.
Eli? she asked tentatively. Are you okay?
He nodded and stared around, disoriented. I think your knee might ve
Yeah, I think it did.
She rocked up to her knees, accidentally grazing his crotch again. With a moan, he cupped himself and rolled to his side.
Sorry. She stood and backed up against the sink. You need help up?
No. I m good right here for another second. Might be impotent for life, though. This sounded like normal Eli drama.
I didn t mean to. She forced a laugh, unsure if this was real Eli or the demon within him talking. She didn t want to give the demon any reason to fear she thought Eli possessed.
Dread crested in his eyes as he sat up. He glanced at the mess. We should get the juice off the floor.
Forget the floor. The fear from him sent up red flags. She remained with her back against the counter, unwilling to make any move to get close to him. What s going on with you?
He blinked several times as if trying hard to formulate an answer and then covered his face to rub his forehead. In the end, he whooshed out, Nothing.
That s a lie. Tell me what s going on.
He stood and gazed at her, but respected the few feet she d put between them. God, those eyes light blue with a darker blue ring around the edge. His lids lowered as if in want. Avery refused to give into the maddening drive to lean into him and push this one step further. Not with him possibly possessed. Not without knowing whom she d be kissing. Don t kiss him. Do. Not. Do. It.
You have to let me in. Tell me, she pleaded.
He glanced out the window toward the back deck. What the hell was going on with you and Will out there?
Now you re jealous of Will? She leaned in and hugged him. You shouldn t be doing this. As if on reflex, his arms went around her, hugging back.
I Don t do this, Avery. We had Paris. That has to be enough. He didn t let go, though.
Blood thundered through her, springing nerves alive and awake. She pulled back, still in his hold. Silence stretched out between them as they stared at each other. Her gut might tell her this was real Eli-dangerous and sexy wrapped in temptation-but for how long would he be the man she knew? She slid her hand along his jaw. Stubble prickled her palm. Her gut said she needed to make their connection stronger, bind him tight.
I m going to help you. Not sure how since you won t tell me what s going on, but I will. I promise.
Avery His mouth pressed to hers. With a gasp of pleasure, her lips parted. His tongue slipped around her lips before spearing inside her mouth. He tasted of heavy liquor.
His kisses dragged sensations out of her that was both freeing and terrifying. Worry and doubt slipped away.
He jerked back. No. We re not doing this. We re done. We have to be. You have to forget about all this. Please.
Done? she mimed, struggling to get her brain to catch up to the kiss being over. Oh, dear. Merck said not to kiss him, but she d done it anyway. She didn t feel any different after the kiss in so far as infected by evil, but perhaps she wouldn t know. What about Paris? What do you think happened?
He thought it was a spell. Oh, my. Standing here, wanting this man, allowed reality to seep in. What they had was real.
Avery, please I can t resist you. He hooked a finger under the spaghetti strap of her sundress and moved it out of his way to kiss her shoulder. As if switching off, he replaced the strap and stepped away massaging his forehead.
Are you you ? You don t seem yourself. Tell me something only you would say the way you say it. That way I ll know you re you.
Fuck if I know what that means. His eyes closed for a few seconds. He continued rubbing his temples.
She watched him struggle. I want to help you.
Bad headache, he gritted out. He took her hand. God, you re beautiful, even if you do have half your head slathered in orange juice. He leaned forward to kiss a path from her neck to her ear, catching her earlobe between his teeth.
She pushed to get space from him, conflicted between need to lean into him and terror he wasn t all himself. She used the dish towel on the counter to rub moisture out of her hair. With a twirl, she had her hair up in a messy bun and off her neck.
You want to fuck, don t you, darling? He reached for a discarded bottle of vodka she hadn t noticed earlier on the kitchen counter and took a swig from the open top.
Her body cooled. She gripped both sides of his face and stared into his eyes, Whatever you are, you can t have him. He s mine. Get the hell out of there.
The muscles around Eli s eyes spasmed. The vodka bottle hit the ground, spilling, but not breaking. He dropped his hands to his sides where his hands fisted, then open and shut a few times. Get out of here, Avery. Stay away from me.
Hey, guys. Whatcha doing? Will gave them both a once-over, hesitation in his gaze. Covered in juice?
She jumped away from Eli. You keep appearing everywhere, Will.
Eli said, Bloody hell, man. You ve got to stop doing that.
What? Will goofy grinned. His relaxed manner didn t equate with the wariness in his eyes nor the way he assessed each detail of the room and them.
Appearing out of nowhere. Stalking Avery. It s irritating as hell, Eli said.
Stalking Avery interesting idea. So, that bothers you? Will slowly inserted his body between Avery and Eli on the pretense of filling a cup with water at the sink.
What were you up to out there on the deck? Eli s eyes narrowed and he took a threatening step toward him.
Calm down, man. This is the beach. We don t fight over women at the beach. We drink pi a coladas and surf. Will smiled, but his body tensed as if readying for action.
Yeah, sure, whatever. Eli retrieved the vodka bottle from the ground and took a swig of what remained. I m going back outside. Get a new drink.
Avery s heart pounded against her ribs while Eli strained to drink the last few unspilled drops of vodka. He dropped the empty bottle before stalking toward the door, not even giving them a backward glance.
Eli s not doing well, Will said quietly.
He s either developed multiple personality disorder overnight or he s possessed.
Are you okay? The serious, protective man asking startled her. The surfer bum was Will s mask. Pretty good one, too.
I m fine. He found me in here. Didn t do anything to hurt me but kept going back-and-forth between normal and not. She pointed at the empty vodka bottle. He hates vodka.
And this mess? he waved at the juice.
He surprised me. I dropped the juice. Then I slipped and we both fell. Best to clean the rest before someone else slips. No more hand towels so she unrolled about twelve paper towels. They were the cheapies that barely soaked up the wetness before falling apart.
Who s supposed to be your bodyguard? Where is he? Will stood like a sentinel guard at the edge of the counter as if Eli might circle back around.
It was Benjamin, but he quit after Paris. He didn t like being left out of the loop in the car overnight. Might not have been the first time I left him somewhere and forgot to text or call. I ve been hanging around Matt and Kat a lot the past two weeks while they tried to figure out a new person.
Will glanced out the window and then back at her. All right. You and me, then. I m not a Sentry druid, but everyone s so distracted by this wedding that I ll step up. Whatever s going on with Eli isn t safe for you. He s naturally drawn to you, which means when he s himself he s going to gravitate toward you. You can t be around him while he s like this.
Your sister said I had to secure my connection with him.
Will gripped the counter and threw his head back to stare at the ceiling. No. Just, no. From right now until Merck figures out how to make Eli himself, you will stay far, far away from him.
But-
Avery, I m not trying to steamroll you. Listen to me on this. Whatever Eli is fighting wants to own him. That s all I read from him. He s fighting hard and it doesn t like that. Once that thing realizes you re its biggest threat, you re the reason he s fighting, guess what it s going to target?
Eli wouldn t let it hurt me.
You re right. Eli wouldn t. His primary directive in life is to protect the Pleiades, especially you. He s in there, but he s not steering the ship one hundred percent of the time.
She opened her mouth to argue.
Will cut her off. It ll kill him, literally deaden his soul, if he can t stop himself from hurting you. If that happens and you and he are a realer deal than everything thinks, then we ll lose you, too. Don t suicide him or yourself.