Chapter 19
Chapter Nineteen
ZOE
Seb wants me. The sexual energy coming off the dude is thick enough to make me feel light-headed.
And holy hell am I into it. It’s been a long time since I had sex.
My last boyfriend, if you could call him that, was the drummer from Raven’s Wish, and our time together was mostly physical.
It was serious enough for him to attend Mabon festivities with my coven once, but we never used the L word.
It was all about using each other, the convenience of meeting our physical needs when we were touring.
It ended when I entered rehab. I’ve never been someone to have casual sex, though, and by casual, I mean one-night hookups where you don’t know the person’s last name.
I do think there has to be a spiritual connection.
Maybe not love in the sense of hearts and flowers and permanence.
But a connection. I had that connection with Alex.
If I called him tomorrow and said I was in trouble, Alex would help me.
Not because he loved me or wanted a relationship with me, but because we were and are really, truly friends with a history of being lovers.
I don’t know Seb that well, but I think he’d make a good lover.
The way he took care of me last night demonstrates a tenderness that appeals to me.
The chemistry is through the roof. And the rumble I felt when he kissed me, it was like the best purr I’ve ever felt against my skin.
That dragon part of him intrigues me. I sensed a connection in the Gold Room—a spiritual one.
Maybe something that was there before we even met, although maybe that’s too “woo-woo” even for me.
“When’s your birthday, Zoe?” Remus asks. While I’ve been lost in my thoughts, we’ve all sat down at the dining room table, where Patrick has served what looks like lobster bisque.
“I’m a leap year baby,” I say brightly. It’s always good for a little light conversation.
“February 29th?” Seb asks breathlessly.
“Yep. I’ve been on this earth for twenty-four years, but technically, I’ve only had six birthdays.” I give a light giggle and try the soup. Delicious.
“You’re a Pisces.” Seb says my zodiac sign with reverence, and I remember that he’s a zodiac dragon. I’m sure my birth sign is important to him.
“Boring, right? The fish sign. Nothing exciting like a bull or a lion.”
“Nothing boring about Pisces. You’re said to be the most spiritual of the signs. Known for your intuition and mysticism,” Remus says.
I take another bite. “Spiritual… Yes, I am. People think we’re human beings with a spirit, but I think we’re spiritual beings having a human experience.
It’s like, when I ascend to the Gold Room, I’m not traveling somewhere new, I’m going back to where I’ve come from.
What I was made from. I just have to navigate beyond the constraints of my human mind to get there. ”
Another few bites and I notice the table has grown silent. When I look up, Seb and Remus are staring at me, nodding.
“So that’s how witches do magic? You astral project to the celestial realm? That’s what you mean by the Gold Room?” Seb asks.
I shrug a shoulder. “Yeah, I guess. I mean, that’s not the language we use as witches, but yeah. Why does that interest you so much?”
Seb smiles. “Dragons are celestial creatures. That’s how you saw my dragon in the Gold Room. The bigger part of him is always there, unless I shift and allow him out here.”
“It’s just interesting to us because we thought witches were, like, different,” Remus adds.
“You thought our magic was made of some mystical, unknowable force that had nothing to do with you, when really, witches and dragons just play different sides of the same coin.”
They both nod.
I raise my wineglass. “Well, here’s to learning we’re more alike than different.” We clink our glasses together.
Patrick rounds the table, collecting bowls and replacing them with plates of white fish and rice pilaf. He gives Seb a little wave on his way out.
“Does Patrick ever join you for dinner?” I ask, still marveling that this very successful musician just served me a plate of fish.
“Most of the time,” Seb says. “He just has other plans tonight.”
I look between them both. “Speaking of plans, what is this mystery mission you two are going on tonight? You’ve mentioned it twice now, and every time I ask about it, you change the subject.”
Seb glances at Remus and takes a long sip of wine. “We are going ring collecting, in hopes of reducing the threat to our kind.”
“Ring collecting?” I’m not sure what he’s talking about at first, and then it hits me. I lean back in my chair, suddenly feeling ill. “You—you’re going after more of those enchanted weapons? Are you for real? I’ve seen that thing up close. You don’t want to be anywhere near one.”
He frowns. “It’s not a matter of want. It’s a matter of necessity. We have to start culling their numbers. We’re in hiding now, but we can’t stay that way forever.”
My stomach clenches, anxiety gripping me for reasons I don’t understand. “So, what, you’re going to hunt one of these Order members down and kill them before they can kill you?”
Seb darts a glance at Remus. “We’re going to try to cut the ring off. We’d prefer not to kill anyone, just lower the number who can hurt us, until we have another option.”
“Until I figure out a way to somehow neutralize the ring’s power, you have to remove the rings physically or kill the men who wield them, is that what you’re saying?”
He nods. I rest my head in my hands. “I should go back in tonight. You don’t have time for me to do this on a schedule.”
Seb reaches over and squeezes my hand. “You’re not going back in tonight. Go to bed early. Heal. Get stronger. We’ll try again in a day or two.”
I get the sense that’s an order and nonnegotiable. Probably wise.
We finish our dinner in relative silence, and then they both stand from the table. Remus mutters his goodbyes and disappears, but Seb lingers, collecting the dirty dishes. Patrick must have left for his event.
“Is your cabin comfortable? Did Patrick get you everything you needed?” he asks.
“Yeah. All stocked up.” I follow him to the kitchen, where he places the plates in the dishwasher. “I don’t want you to go tonight. That ring, it gave me the creeps.”
He takes my shoulder and kisses my cheek. “This is what a zodiac dragon does, Zoe. We’re warriors first, and we’re going to fight to protect our people. But I’m flattered you care.”
I don’t know what to say. I just fold my arms and shake my head.
“Feel free to stay in the main house for as long as you like. There’s a home theater in the basement.” He walks past me and heads for his bedroom. And I’m left wondering why I have the strongest desire to throw myself in front of the door and refuse to let him leave.