Chapter 10
CHAPTER TEN
I’m not sure what I was thinking, but of course Ranth followed me upstairs. The soft thud of Ori leaving through the front door still rippled through the house, sending an echo of “you are now alone-ness.”
Ranth’s sandals slapped against the wood steps behind as I climbed the stairs. When we got to my bedroom door, I stopped.
“Hey, so I’m gonna grab a few things. Maybe you can wait out here? Like I might want to change or something.” I gestured to my still-damp clothes.
“Sure, but if you move too far away, I will have to come in.” He stretched one arm and then another above his head, pulling the T-shirt up to the middle of his chest. Then he leaned against the wall.
“Whatever,” I replied, entering my bedroom, but the size of him had imprinted on me. My bedroom wasn’t far enough away for me to have space to think before we went to Rose’s place. I also did need to change.
Nervously glancing at the door, like he’d walk in at any second and catch me doing, well, nothing, I pulled out a long, layered skirt.
Deciding it was not great for maneuvering quickly, I switched it for a two-layer, midnight-purple skirt cropped to mid knee in the front, but the back was ankle length.
I paired a tank and over shirt in similar purple tones.
Purple was my version of black. Everything matched.
I chose a new set of herb-infused socks and gloves and my other pair of Docs with lavender spiderwebs.
Skulking past the open door, I took the bundle of clothes into the bathroom.
The air was steeped in the parsley, sage oil, and the St. Johns.
I grabbed a towel and cleaned up the mess, then closed the door, and locked it.
That one quick deciding motion made all the difference.
I sat on the toilet and breathed like it was the first breath I’d taken in hours.
The weight of Brenda, the little demon’s attack, and my ruined garden dropped on me.
Fighting tears, I stripped off the damp clothing, rolling over what the hellebore I could do with the problem in the hall.
I came up with nothing. If only Mom was here.
Her voice echoed an answer as if I’d asked her.
You have everything you need inside you. Find your path through.
That didn’t help at all because I’d figure it out eventually, but I didn’t want to wait.
Finally dressed, I opened the bedroom door.
Ranth was sitting on the bed, reading.
“I thought I told you to stay in the hall?”
“You moved too far away.” He waved a hand at me but didn’t raise his eyes from the book.
My Book of Shadows.
This touching my stuff had to stop. “That’s private!” I lunged forward.
He stood up, holding the book above my head with one hand. I caged his wrist to pull it down, but it was like he was stone. The touch ignited, and a golden cloud sparkled behind my eyes.
He leaned forward, and swept an errant hair from my cheek, then tucked it behind my ear.
“Sorrel,” he said but his voice seemed far away.
“Sorrel!” he said again. This time it broke whatever spell I was under, and I let go of his wrist.
He handed the book to me, his chin raising. “I would appreciate it if you would stop talking to me like I’m a two-year-old.”
“Then stop acting like one.” But I was shaking. I carefully reset my bookmarks, then replaced my Book of Shadows on the table while focusing on my breathing. I had to hold it together. No one had ever affected me the way he did—a blend of magical energy and sexual desire. It was… unsettling.
My bed creaked as he settled on it again. “I was merely trying to figure out what you are.”
“And did you figure it out?” I tugged out my falling braid and rewove it.
“No, and that is perplexing. You’re some sort of wizard, but with no training.”
“I am not a wizard, and I do have training.” I bristled.
“Not proper training. These pages are an example of experimentation without focus or method. Initiated scribblings. Nothing that would help us with our immediate issues.”
“Thanks for the compliments,” I snapped.
“Your suggestion that methodology teaching is better than free-learning is something that’s heavily debated.
I believe free-learning is highly superior.
But it sounds like you don’t have any experience with it.
If you were more worldly educated, you’d know a Book of Shadows is all about experimentation.
It’s not supposed to be focused. That sort of formality is for a grimoire. ”
He rubbed his chin. “And do you have one of those?”
“Of course.”
He smiled and stood up. “May I see it?”
“Maybe I can show you later.” That was if, and it was a big if, I decided I could trust him. My grimoire was safe in the planar crevice that Mom and I had created in our oven.
“Do you not realize we are being hunted? There is no later for us.” He crossed his arms, baring his stomach.
“Since my client almost died and my garden is completely ruined by those pink demons, yeah, I think I get we’re being hunted.”
“And they will take you or end you.”
I picked up my messenger. “They can try. I’m pretty good at sending demons packing. Just not pesky wizards, apparently.”
“Are you always this prickly?” He adjusted the waistband of the camo pants, and his belly button became my world for far too many seconds.
I pursed my lips. “Says the vexing wizard with hands that he can’t keep in his pockets?”
Ranth shoved his hands into the pockets of the camo track pants, pulling them taut. My memory wasn’t faulty.
I gulped and sorted through my pouches, trying to think about anything other than that. If only he was a demon or spirit I could easily dispel.
We had mugwort, holy water tampons, jaggery, and maca root, in case I needed to engage. I reordered the pouches, but we were set for any wandering demons. We had everything.
I looked up. “Okay, I’m set. Since you’re a wizard, I assume you can do something of use if we encounter another portal?”
“Of course.” A smirk curved his lips.
Tethered to the pesky, smug wizard with the substantial cock. Great luck I was having. “Okay, well then, what do you need in case we encounter a demon?”
He pulled his hands out of his pockets and held them, palms out, at me.
“I mean like herbs or spell ingredients?”
He shook his head. “Ahknim have no need of artifice. Like your fluffy energy balls, which were impressive by the way, my innate energy is enough.”
“Finally, a compliment. Thank you.” My cheeks heated, and it was ridiculous. “While we’re talking about spells, what spell did you cast on me when I grabbed your wrist to get my book back?
“Spell?”
“You cast some kind of glamor or something, to confuse me?”
“I did nothing.” He rubbed his jaw.
“You’re lying. You affected me somehow.” His finger ran along his lower lip, and I could not look away.
He smiled as if noticing. “Perhaps it is because we are bound together. Our proximity blurs. I expect when you touch me that it has some effect, but maybe it is enhanced by your natural abilities.”
“So, you felt nothing? No golden glowiness?”
“Golden? No. Nothing like that. Your touch was not unpleasant.” He grinned.
“Thanks.” The light from the window caught the silver of his scar. I wanted to ask how he’d gotten it, but it wasn’t the right time.
He studied me. “I want to be honest with you, as I think you’re now stuck with me for a while. This is not a bad thing for me, but it might be for you. I’m sorry about that. Truly. I’m interested in what else you’re able to do because you may be my only hope at returning to the Garden.”
I laughed at him. “That’s a famous movie line: ‘You’re my only hope.’”
His brows pulled together. “Well, you might be.”
I settled my messenger over my shoulder. “Whatever it takes to get rid of you. I assure you I’m up for that. Come on, let’s get to Rose’s before she takes her afternoon nap.”
“This Rose is a flower seller?”
“Yeah, she sells flowers, herbs, crystals, candles, and a bunch of other essentials. But she’s way, way more than a seller. She’s a friend, and she might have an idea of how to deal with you.”
“You mean how to send me back to the Garden?”
I nodded and opened the bedroom door, but as the bracelet slid down my wrist, the only thing I was thinking about was the gentle brush of his fingers against my cheek.