Chapter 9
As I freed Chase from his bonds, he took hold of my hands. “Camille…”
I knew what he wanted. He was as hungry as I was, but I also knew that if we did, we’d both regret it. I’d hurt him, and I didn’t want to do that. I’d be using him, and he’d succumb to my glamour, and it would cause one huge mess.
“No, Chase. It’s not meant to be. We’re not meant to be.
You can wish for it all you like, but I know you’re not meant for casual relationships.
And right now, all I could offer you is a fuckbuddy.
Even then—it wouldn’t be for long. But the spell worked.
I can tell,” I said, proud of myself for managing to free him from the curse.
He held my gaze for a moment longer, then nodded and let go of my fingers. “Thank you for freeing me. I take it I’m no longer demon fodder?”
I nodded. “Correct. If you see another demon, it won’t be because of the spell. But there aren’t a lot of demons over here. I doubt if you’ll see another for years, if ever.” I tried to reassure him, and—after a moment—he smiled.
“Then I guess I can go home?” he asked.
I nodded. “Yeah, you can. But why don’t you stay and have dinner with Delilah and me? She wants to watch Jerry Springer later on.”
“Well, I guess we can’t all have the best tastes in television, can we?” He stood. The paste I’d smeared on his forehead had vanished into smoke. “Seriously, thank you. I’m glad you were here,” he said.
“Me too,” I said, nodding. And indeed, I was.
That night, after Chase went home, Delilah, Menolly, and I stood outside on my balcony, watching the moon overhead. It was shrouded by clouds, but still, the Moon Mother called to me and I held her tight in my heart.
“Well, that was exciting,” Delilah said. “I think I like Chase.”
“He’s all right,” I said. “I trust him more than I did.”
“That’s a good thing, I think,” Menolly said. “All right, I need to get down to the Wayfarer. What are you two doing tonight?”
“I don’t know,” I said, thinking about the boxes in the parlor. “I guess we should finish unpacking. I think I’ve been putting it off because I didn’t want to face that we’re really here, and we’re here for good. But maybe that won’t be such a bad thing. What do you think?”
Delilah shivered as the scent of bonfire smoke wafted past. “I don’t know. Autumn’s come in with a vengeance, and I have the feeling that it’s never going to end. I know that sounds ridiculous but…. I’m both looking forward to the future and yet… I’m afraid.”
I knew what she meant. The future drifted in front of us, beckoning. But somehow, I had the feeling that we weren’t prepared for what was coming our way. Until then, all we could do was stand strong together. Three sisters…under the wild moon in a world a long ways from our home.