Page 94 of Twilight Longings

“Are you ready?” she asked, when the bottle was full.

Holding tight to Kadie’s hand, he nodded.

Suddenly apprehensive, Kadie glanced from the witch to Rylan.

Izabela capped the bottle and set it on a nearby table. “This way.”

They followed the witch through the house to the back yard. An iron cot covered by a white sheet stood in the middle of a grassy square. Candles in tall, wrought-iron holders stood at each corner.

“Take off your shirt,” Izabela said. “Then lie down on the bed.”

Lifting one brow, he slipped his shirt off and handed it to Kadie, who clutched it to her breast. There was magic in the air. It crawled over her skin, making her shiver as with a chill though the night was warm.

“There may be some pain,” the witch said. “But you must not move.”

Saintcrow grunted softly as he stretched out on the cot.

Izabela looked at Kadie. “It would be better if you went inside.”

“Why?”

“Because I said so.”

Kadie looked at Saintcrow, who nodded. Clutching his shirt to her breast, she returned to the house.

Izabela lit the four black candles. Reaching into her skirt pocket, she withdrew a set of handcuffs.

Saintcrow tensed as she cuffed his right hand, then locked the second cuff to the iron frame. He hissed as the silver, treated with the witch’s blood, singed his skin.

“For my protection,” she murmured. Reaching into her pocket again, she withdrew a plastic bag.

“What’s that?” he asked.

“Earth, from Morgan Creek.” She sprinkled it on either side of him, tossed the bag on the ground, took a deep breath,and began to chant. At the first word, the earth around him began to burn. The fire didn’t touch him, but he felt the heat of the flames.

Chanting all the while, the witch reached into yet another pocket and withdrew the Methuselah Stone and laid it in the center of his chest.

He let out a harsh cry as it touched his bare skin.

Next, she removed the small ampoule from the center of the medallion.

Saintcrow went still as she held it to his lips.

Shouting, “No!” Kadie flew out the back door and knocked the vial from Izabela’s hand. The fire around him went out, as did the candles. Standing protectively beside Rylan, she said, “Don’t touch him.”

“Kadie, what are you doing?” he asked.

“I changed my mind! I fell in love with a vampire. What if I don’t like the human you? Why would I want you to be ordinary? I love you, Rylan. Just as you are.” With tears streaming down her cheeks, she kissed him.

“Well, well, isn’t this a tender sight.”

Saintcrow swore at the sound of Eleni’s voice. Looking past Kadie, he saw his sire standing in the shadows. “What the hell do you want?”

“I sensed what was going on and I had to see it for myself.” Eleni shook her head. “I see I came at just the right time. Make all the threats you want. You can’t save her now.”

Shit.Saintcrow glanced at the witch, who had backed up when Kadie intervened.

Izabela met his gaze and shrugged.