This Wicked Magic

Chapter 6



Paging through a few grimoires in search of a spell to help CJ, Vika was worried she wouldn’t find anything for casting out demons. Her grandmother’s magic had been focused on earth spells, and it was the rare spell that dabbled with the dark. Though certainly she would associate demons with the earth and the lower realms.

“What do you think?”

Libby spun into the room, purple crocheted skirt skimming the air. The concoction was tightly knit and hugged her sister’s ample curves in all the right places. It stopped scandalously high upon her thigh with a wave of crocheted ruffles as Libby did a guitar-strumming rock star move.

“Uh.” Vika pushed aside the spellbook and vacillated on the truth or the embroidered truth. “I love the color. It’s perfect with your hair.”

Libby pouted. “What’s wrong? Is it too tight?”

“No, it’s just right. You’ve such nice breasts. I always wonder why I wasn’t gifted that attribute,” she said of her smaller assets.

“Because you got the bright hair.”

“Is this wild red flag of hair I have a better trade-off than sensuous breasts? Some days I’m not so sure.” Vika twisted the strands of jade mala beads wrapped around her wrist.

“Wow. You rarely feel down on yourself. And after the high you were on last night? What’s up, sis?”

“Nothing. I...” She tugged the natty, cloth-covered grimoire closer. “I’ve spent hours going through grimoires but can’t find anything for expelling demons that hasn’t already been tried.”

“For CJ? You must really like him. Have you tried to comb his hair for him yet? I can’t imagine that mess is something you could stand to look at for more than a few minutes.”

“His hair doesn’t bother me. And it is combed. It’s just long and in need of a trim.” And it usually covered the bruise on his neck, which she hated looking at. A demon mark. Awful thing, that. “He doesn’t have time for a visit to the barbershop because he’s stuck in a literal struggle for survival against the demons inside him.”

“How many?”

“I’m not sure. I’m thinking it’s an infestation. The light keeps the demons back. Most of the time. But it must be a specific kind of light. Prismatic,” she said, remembering with a shudder the terrible constellation that had hovered in CJ’s loft. “Yesterday when the menace demon reared its nasty head, the clouds had come out and it was merely an overcast sky.”

“You have to be careful around him, Vika.”

“I am wary.” Wasn’t she the chick who avoided dark magic? So what had that kiss been about?

That kiss.

After CJ’s initial awkward kiss, she’d been compelled to answer, and he’d quickly gotten over his nervousness, and their contact had stirred her from the tips of her toes to the ends of her eyelashes. A truly wow moment. And as a woman who prided herself in sensuality and knowing exactly what it took to turn her on, it had surprised her in a good way.

“It’s not so much I like the guy—though he is growing on me....”

“It’s that you want to clean him up. I know you, Vika. I can see your fingers twitching to get into the mess of Certainly Jones and sort him out. He’s got a strange, sexy vibe going for him. Nice broad shoulders, darkly handsome. I’m sure there’s more tattoos under those clothes, too, and the goddess knows I do love a man with tattoos.”

Her sister blew out a surprised breath and, with a sheepish smile, curled her fuchsia lips. “Did I just say that? Anyway, do you think you can focus on cleaning him up, literally exorcising his demons and also kissing him? Sounds like a conflict of interest.”

“It does?” Vika sighed. “I don’t know. Does it have to be?”

“Wow, you’ve got it bad.”

“I do not have it. Nor is anything bad. Yet. I had hoped to have something solid to bring him today when we meet later.”

“Ooh, the second date.”

“It’s not a date, it’s a— Okay, it is a date. So I’m stepping out of my comfort zone with the guy. What’s wrong with trying something new?”

“Nothing at all, as long as you’re careful. And I know you will be. As for exorcising the man’s demons, familiars bring demons into this world from Daemonia. And you know how they do that.”

“The familiar must be sexually sated, open to provide a bridge from the demonic realm to the mortal realm,” Vika said. “Then the witch casts the spell and summons the demon. These demons weren’t planted in CJ via a familiar, Libby. They hitched a ride on his soul when he was tromping around the place of all demons. And I wish you would refrain from giving it its proper name. I don’t wish to accidentally invoke anything by speaking it.”

“Sorry, I’ll be more careful. So what if you do a little reverse engineering?”

“I’m not following.”

“Well.” Libby sidled up to the spell counter and toyed with a jar labeled For Use in Daylight Only. Inside, something luminescent fluttered about. It had been half price during a blowout sale at the witch’s bazaar. “Sex is a common means to summon a demon to this realm. What if, in turn—” Libby’s green eyes glittered and her smile fixed at the corner of her lips “—sex could be used to send one back? The sex part opens the familiar to be a conductor to the mortal realm. What if sex relaxed and opened CJ to enable you to go in and tear out those demons lurking inside?”

“Are you suggesting I have sex with the man in order to clean out his demons? Wait. You did say that. Libby, I’m sure Certainly Jones has had sex since he’s returned from—that place. As well, I suspect more is involved beyond getting one’s rocks off.”

“Yes, like having sex with a witch who knows an expulsion or exorcism spell. There must be something in one of these grimoires. And combined with grandmother’s magic?”

They touched the nails at their necks.

“There is, but...” Vika gave her sister the most incredible look. She didn’t care anymore her skirt was too short. “Seriously? You think I should— With the dark witch? No. I barely know the guy.”

“You’ve kissed him. That’s a lot more knowing than some of us have lately.”

She alluded to her crush on Reichardt. If the day ever came Libby afforded a kiss from the soul bringer, Vika would not only be startled speechless, but also have to check outside to ensure the sky had not fallen.

“I don’t mean jump his bones the moment you lay eyes on him again, but you know... It’s an idea. Something to keep in mind.” Libby winked and flounced around toward the door. “I’m going to do some shopping. I’m in the mood for some new shoes.”

“Put a skirt on!”

Libby tugged at the dress hem. “Really?”

Vika nodded. “You don’t want to flash anyone.”

“Fine. I’ve got a cute white knee-length number that should look good with this.”

“That’s perfect. And Libby? Sex? Seriously?”

“You know you want to.” With a wink, Libby skittered away.

And Vika caught her forehead in a palm. All focus on finding a spell vanished. Libby’s suggestion raised all sorts of images to mind. Kisses and sensual caresses. Clothing falling at their feet. Bare skin touching and rubbing in a symphony of discovery. And CJ’s interesting tattooed hand gliding over her skin. She sensed it would stain her indelibly with his darkness, and she shuddered at the thought. But it wasn’t an entirely horrified shudder, more so, one of anticipation.

Dashing out her tongue to lick her lips, she considered Libby’s suggestion. CJ had called her a purveyor of anticipation....

“No.” Vika sat up straight, dismissing the images of the dark witch’s hands skating over her skin. “It’s irrational. Nothing in the texts mentions sex will work to send a demon whence it came.”

At least, that she’d found so far. She hadn’t searched beyond the few volumes she and her sister owned. There was an incredible database of grimoires worldwide. The answer must be recorded somewhere.

“The archives.”

The Council kept copies of every grimoire ever written. Not to mention the Book of All Spells, which did the same, magically. Every time a spell was created—no matter where in the world, or by whom—it was magically recorded in that book. But she didn’t know Dezideriel Merovech, the witch who kept the Book of All Spells. CJ must have a means to contact her and look through the book. And if not, he did have the entire library at hand.

“I wonder if he’s gone through them?”

When had he the time?

“Would he let me take a look at the archived grimoires?”

Her spine straightened. The idea of getting to look over the Council’s collection of what should be all grimoires ever written was too exciting. Almost on line with the prospect of engaging in sex to see whether or not it could prove a useful tool in exorcism.

“I should go fix my hair. Gotta look right for this afternoon. So he’ll say yes.”

And then she caught herself grinning madly. Yes to the grimoires, or yes to sex? A positive answer to either would please her. A girl couldn’t survive on spellcraft and cleaning alone. One must tend the sensual demands her body craved.

Did she crave CJ?

“No. Yes. Maybe? Oh, yes, I do want another taste of his chartreuse kiss.”

* * *

The sky was fast growing dark. CJ did not like this. The weather service had predicted rain all week. Not the most favorable conditions for him to spend any amount of time with a gorgeous witch whom he’d like to kiss again. But he refrained from an inward chastisement of his demonic hitchhikers, knowing his emotions regarding the woman would only feed their determination to overtake him. The sun was still high in the sky, albeit slipping behind clouds every few minutes.

He’d hope for the best.

He strode to the place where the werewolf had died. He and Vika had agreed to meet here. He kept an open mind and heart for the feeling if any wayward soul may inadvertently brush against him. If the soul were anywhere in his vicinity, he should sense the brightness again.

A corpse light. Shouldn’t he be able to see it? They usually glowed phosphorescently. Not that he’d ever seen one before.

The white hearse was parked near the brick wall, the opposite side from where the incident had occurred. Vika had wanted to broaden the search today. He spied her brilliant red hair, curling over her narrow shoulders and down the center of her back. She must always wear long dresses, which he liked, because they fit tightly and emphasized her slender curves. She had a bit of the Morticia style going, while he had noted her sister was Retro Rocker Chick.

Either way, Vika looked amazing. Like a porcelain doll standing on a natty Paris street, she looked as if someone had plucked her out from their collection and set her against an urban backdrop for a high-fashion photography study.

She waved as he approached. A goofy grin spread on CJ’s face, and he surprised himself because he couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt so unfettered with worry. He felt great, and if being around Vika did that for him, he planned to spend a lot more time with the witch.

He walked up to her, threaded his fingers through hers and spun her into an embrace so he could kiss her. Just going with his feelings. And she responded in kind, affixing her body along his and melting into the kiss like a sweet Sunday treat.

“Well, hello,” he said. “Feels like you’re happy to see me.”

“A girl could never have enough of those kisses.” She tucked his hair behind his ear. “I don’t know what it is between us,” she said on a breathy tone, “but whatever it is, I like what’s happening so far. You ready to do a little soul hunting?”

“I am.”

“Will the cloudy sky interfere?”

“Probably. You prepared for that?”

“I’m not sure. Are you?”

He shrugged.

She stepped from his embrace and smoothed her palms down her unwrinkled skirt, worry shifting her eyes from his to all about them. “Don’t you have some kind of safety measure? A flashlight? It worked in the car.”

“Yes, well, Menace was winding down already when it worked for you. When I’ve attempted the same, the demons usually break the flashlight in half and toss it at the nearest passing human. I’ve found if a demon does break free and takes over, its steam runs out quickly. Usually no more than ten, fifteen minutes tops.”

She absently clutched the nail at the base of her throat. “A war demon could do a lot of damage in that time.”

“I know. And I happen to have one inside me. Maybe I should do this alone while you wait in the hearse for a speedy getaway?”

“We’re both needed. You might feel the soul, and I need to draw it into me. And...I thought if we could find it, and if the timing was right, I might try...”

“Another sneeze?”

“I don’t think I could make myself sneeze, but I do have air magic. A forced gust would produce the same result a frenzied sneeze would.”

“But then you’d lose the soul again.”

“No, this time I’d keep an eye out for it. If it moves through you, I just need to track it. Right before it enters or exits a body it glows brightly.”

“I sensed that brightness, but I didn’t see it.”

“You didn’t know what to look for. If that happens, I should be able to snag it. Well, I’m not sure about anything, really.”

“That you are willing to try is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me, oh, Nightingale Nurse to My Dark Infestation.”

He kissed her again and felt the stirrings of lust grind roughly against his bones. Or was that warning vibrations from her grandmother’s nail? No, the lust demon inside him purred and lifted its incorporeal head. It was that harsh reaction that warned CJ he had best keep his distance from Vika.

He tapped the nail wound about the leather cord at her neck. “This should be strong enough to keep the demons away from you.”

“Or attract them,” she said.

“True. They are unable to access my magics from within me, so they would seek to obtain power elsewhere. Hell, Vika, you should ward yourself. Just in case.”

“I’ve a white light ward on always.”

“Yesterday?”

“Yes, but the demon didn’t attack me. It took control of the car, which was not warded. Probably explains why I’m still in one piece.”

He ran his fingers over the mala beads at her wrist. Jade for immortality and the search for truth?

“Don’t worry, I’m a big girl. I know to run when running is necessary.”

He hated to think anything he did could make her run from him, but in his next thought, CJ was glad for her street smarts.

“All right then, you start over there. I’ll go this way,” he said. “I’ll keep you in sight, should I feel anything.”

The witch methodically tracked along the sidewalk, arms out and head lifted, while CJ wandered around behind the brick wall for a tour of the crime scene. From here, he could see the top of the Eiffel Tower, and he remembered the years during its construction. The city had been in such an uproar over the iron monstrosity. A mar on the landscape! It must be torn down immediately following the World’s Fair! He always got a chuckle to look back through history. That had been about the time he’d met Lucian Bellisario, a new vampire, transformed against his will, with whom he’d become fast friends.

But enough mental wandering. He needed to stay sharp. Tapping his left index finger against his neck where a vita tattoo would enhance his senses opened him to the minutia skimming the edges of reality.

An insect fluttered near his ear, and he brushed it away. CJ twisted his head about but didn’t spy anything with wings or hear a buzz. Had it been the soul? He didn’t use this spell often, so he was out of practice. Drawing in a breath, he calmed his anxiety to enhance focus.

Where was Vika? The shift of her black taffeta skirt didn’t sound.

Thunder rumbled overhead and the sky darkened.

You want the red witch. She’s tasty.

CJ’s heart dropped. The stirrings within him increased in intensity. This was not going to end well.

It will be what you make it. Are you strong enough to protect the girl? Prove it.

It was hard to determine if the inner voice was his or if it belonged to something darker and incorporeal. But he was strong. He could protect the girl. And he would.

CJ set back his shoulders, opening his chest, and inhaled the clean, tangible air charged with the foreboding of rain. The electrical sensation of the altered air shivered over his skin and made him feel alive. Hungry. And open for anything.

“You find anything?”

He swung his head around. Vika stood there in a pose that silhouetted her slender figure against the darkening sky. Her breasts were small but high, and his fingers tingled to touch them, to mold against her heat and squeeze until she moaned and pulled him closer.

Want. Can have.

Bowing his head and running his hands down his chest, CJ eyed the pretty piece of flesh. She’d tasted good. Her mouth fitted to his in a blissful connection. Wonder how sweetly she’d cry out should he find her core and bring her to orgasm? The fingers on his left hand twitched. The protection ward on his palm, used to prevent things from entering him, burned. It hadn’t been effective in Daemonia.

He crooked a finger at the witch, and she stepped toward him, tilting her head in question. That perfect bow mouth set beneath bold emerald eyes was like a cat’s face, only sexy and as curious.

Just a few more steps, witch. Come to me.

“What did you find?” she asked. “The soul?”

The earthy scent of her coiled about his head and into his senses. His skin prickled with want. Inside he growled, a long, moaning noise vibrating within his rib cage. So easy to take her.

You need to take her. We need her. Touch the nail at her neck. Feel the power.

She studied him, and he swept out a hand and grabbed her by the wrist, slamming her against the brick wall and pinning her there with ease. He dragged his tongue from her jaw, up along her soft, smooth cheek and to her temple, where her pulse thumped and her salty sweetness tempted his taste buds.

“CJ, what are you—?” Ineffectual fists beat at his chest. “You’re not CJ. Let me go!”

“No, no, sweetie, you’re mine. I get to taste you now, because he spends far too much time thinking about how you’ll taste rather than indulging in you. Yes, you will be delicious.”

He dove to her neck and licked her vein. It pulsed hot and thick beneath his tongue. He could bite it, but unlike the vampire, he hadn’t fangs to pierce the skin. Stupid dark witch. So ineffectual. This body provided little advantage to the game.

Vika kicked, but her long, tight skirt wouldn’t allow her effective defense. Though her heel smashed the top of his boot, it hurt, yet only Pain quivered within—in joy.

“I like it when little girls struggle,” Lust growled. “Stirs your pheromones to a delicious soup of fear and anger. You, you little thing, have some aggression bottled up inside this gorgeous trapping. Let’s lick it out, yes?”

“Xum!”

A blast of something hit him in the chest, and he lost his grip on her and stumbled backward a few steps. What had that— Ah. Air magic. When he had control of the body, the dark witch’s defenses were not so strong, and any wards he’d put up or wore on his skin were ineffective. Lust slapped a palm to his chest and grinned at the red witch with the fiercely defiant expression. She did not wish to be trifled with; he didn’t care.

She pointed through the air, slightly above his head. “It’s here. The soul.”

What was she talking about?

“Hang on, CJ, I’m going to get rid of Lust for you.”

“You are foolish—”

The witch recited a Russian incantation, and with a gesture of her hand, directing some invisible energy toward him, a blast of brightness entered the dark host’s chest.

Lust clawed at the insides of the stupid witch who’d had the audacity to venture into Daemonia and steal. Lust would not be expelled without causing as much damage as he could to the thief. Clinging to the muscles, plasma and bone that fashioned the feeble witch, the demon fought against the dazzling corpse light moving through skin, sinew and the witch’s very heart. One intangible claw hung on, and then...

Brightness exploded upon him and pushed him out of the body. Unable to survive in the mortal realm without a host, and not having been summoned to this realm, Lust was immediately sucked to Daemonia.

Certainly fell to his knees, catching his palms on the tarmac. Sweat beaded his brow, and he gasped in exertion. He’d felt the soul enter through his chest and leave out his back. The lust demon had torn at his heart, unwilling to relent. His muscles felt shredded, damaged inside.

Barely aware of his surroundings, the brush of fabric dusted his arm. Vika moved about him. Looking for something. And then she declared, “I got it!”

He rocked to the side and sat, legs sprawling before him and arms falling forward to rest his hands on the ground. Exhausted from the expulsion, Certainly could but nod and manage a loopy grin.

“The demon is gone from you? Yes, I think so. I knew it was a demon when you pushed me against the wall. You’re not that kind of guy.”

He winced. Wasn’t he? Shouldn’t he strive to be some kind of guy?

“Your voice was different, too. Deeper, kind of raunchy.”

“Lust,” he gasped, and smirked regretfully. A demon had attempted to seduce the woman he was only just warming up to. “The demon wanted to do things with you. Things I...”

Wanted, but wasn’t sure how to ask for.

She kissed him on the cheek and pressed a finger to his lips. “I don’t need an explanation. All that matters is it worked. I expelled the demon from you and I managed to capture the werewolf’s soul again. I have it inside me. The soul bringer will get his due.”

She hugged him, and he pulled her onto his lap and nuzzled into her silken hair, losing himself in her eager excitement. She’d done it again, had now successfully defeated two of his demons. He couldn’t let this woman go. He had to keep her.

Because she made him feel light amid the weird absence of darkness.

His fingers curled about her hips possessively and he pressed his lips to the nail at the base of her neck while the demons inside him cackled.

“Let’s head to my place,” she said. “Reichardt usually senses when I’ve souls for him. He’ll be there, I’m sure.”

“Do I recall seeing a chandelier in your living room?”

She gave him a reassuring squeeze. “You did.”

* * *

The prismatic light from the elegant chandelier mastering the center of the St. Charleses’ living room was just enough to send the demons prodding at CJ’s edges cringing into the dark nooks and crannies pocking his soul. CJ relaxed and blew out a breath. Safe here. For now.

Alone while Vika had disappeared up the curving marble staircase, CJ watched as a black cat curled about his ankles, and he bent to scratch the critter behind the ears. The cat’s tail was interesting, striped with thin white bands, while the rest of its body was grayish-black.

“Oh, hello, Monsieur Jones.” The sister sallied into the room in a flirty white skirt and purple top. “I see you’ve met my sister’s ex-boyfriend.”

CJ straightened, the cat in his arms. “Her what?” Pausing midscratch, he turned the cat to study its intent gold gaze.

“This is Salamander,” Libby said, giving the cat’s tail a tug. “Vika’s ex.”

“Vika used to date a cat?”

Libby nodded negatively.

He held the thing out at arm’s length. The feline stared accusingly at him, flicking its tail angrily. Seriously? “A familiar?”

“Nope.”

Well, that only left— “You mean he was once human? Isn’t that kind of cruel?”

Libby laughed heartily. “Don’t worry. We don’t believe he remembers anything from his former life. It wasn’t Vika’s fault. Sal ran into a nasty warlock, and that’s what you get when you play with the big boys, isn’t it, you silly thing?” she said in baby talk to the cat.

The cat flicked its tail and would not look at Libby, showing her its disdain.

“Vika dated a man named Salamander?” CJ didn’t know what disturbed him more. The name, or to learn the cat used to be— No, he wouldn’t think about it.

“His name was Sal,” Libby explained. “But it felt weird to call him that, so Salamander it is.”

“Right. Because there’s nothing whatsoever weird about naming a cat Salamander.” He tried to hand the thing off to Libby, but it wrapped its tail around his wrist and clung like a...lizard.

Libby managed to snag the cat and sent it scampering. “So, you’re looking fine today, CJ. And not so desperate.”

“Thanks. I think. Not desperate, but tired. Your sister exorcised another of my demons.”

“Ah, so that’s why she’s beaming. Good for you. I bet it’s a real riot inside there, eh?” She tapped his chest. “But more important, did she find the soul?”

“She did, and it’s stuck to her soul right now.”

A man suddenly materialized in the living room near the kitchen door.

Libby clutched CJ’s hand. “He’s here. Vika, Reichardt is here! And for once I’m not holding the toilet plunger. Can life get any better? Hello, Monsieur Reichardt.” She shook her hand from Certainly’s and made a nervous little curtsy to the soul bringer. “My sister will be right down.”

The man, silent but seeing all, CJ suspected, gave him a nod and waited, hands calmly folded before him. He’d never met a soul bringer before, but he knew they were not conversationalists or social. They lived to ferry souls. Day and night, all hours of the day. Must be a boring life. Yet, being angelic in origin, they were some of the most powerful beings to tread this realm, and he respected the man’s silent strength.

Vika sailed down the stairway and greeted the man. “CJ, this is Reichardt, the soul bringer.”

“A pleasure to meet you.” CJ offered his hand, but the stoic soul bringer merely nodded as if a bored bouncer standing guard before a nightclub door.

The soul bringer looked to Vika. “Remove your clothing.”

“What?”

Vika cast CJ a sheepish glance. “It’s a requirement.”

“I don’t think so.” He stepped before her, putting himself between her and the soul bringer.

“Is there going to be a problem?” the soul bringer asked.

“No problem.” Libby tugged CJ away from her sister, and he only reluctantly followed. “You two go into the kitchen.”

“Yes, the kitchen.” Vika shook her head admonishingly at CJ and directed the soul bringer through the swinging kitchen doors. “You stay under the light,” she called back to CJ.

“Uh-huh. The light.” The French doors swung shut with a snap. CJ looked to Libby. “What the hell?”

“It’s routine,” Libby said, still holding his arm, as if she had enough strength to hold him off from storming the kitchen and making sure his woman did not strip for the brutish stranger.

His woman? Far from it. But wouldn’t he like to make that claim, and mean it? Not if she got naked for every man who passed through her front door, or her ether, as the situation was.

“Is that how it’s always done? She gets naked for him. Every time?”

“Well, she usually has on her bra and undies—which I’m sure she’s wearing today. Maybe. Rarely is she completely naked. Though there are occasions. It’s all cool. Reichardt is...” Libby sighed heavily. “Emotionless.”

“Doesn’t mean he’s not copping a feel.”

“Oh, I think it does. He doesn’t actually touch her to scrub the souls. He uses a form of catoptromancy, but the mirrors he uses are his eyes. They go all silvery when he’s performing the scrub. I’m not sure he sees the nude body in the same manner a normal man would.” Again, another sigh. “I wouldn’t let it bother you. Trust me. It’ll only screw with your head.”

Less than five minutes later, Vika breezed through the kitchen doors, followed by Reichardt. Vika tugged at the neckline of her dress and flipped her hair over a shoulder. CJ eyed the soul bringer warily. He didn’t look overly satisfied to have just felt up his girlfriend.

She’s not your girlfriend!

Still.

“Libby,” the soul bringer said.

Libby perked.

“Have you another of those cookies?”

“Really? Yes!” With a delighted squeal, Libby headed toward the kitchen, grabbing Reichardt’s hand as she did and tugging him bodily through the swinging doorway.

Vika approached CJ with a smirk. “She’s a crush on the guy.”

“That explains the wistful sighs.”

“Sighs and fantasies that will never come true. Poor girl. Of all the paranormal breeds in this universe, she had to fall for the one completely lacking in emotion. I’m not sure his glass heart beats. How sad is that?”

“The sad part is, he just got to see you naked, and I did not.”

“I was wearing panties. And he doesn’t see me. He goes into some weird trance and I think he only sees the souls. He got the soul, by the way. I’m safe.”

“Safe, but still not naked,” CJ said teasingly. “Just panties? So he saw your...?”

“Is that all you men think about? Getting a woman naked?”

“It is a favorite thought, but not exclusive to the male brain. We also think a lot about food, entertainment—usually of the sporting kind—sex, cars, magic—in my case—sex, and yes, more naked women. Tell me you ladies don’t undress we men with your eyes?”

“Well.” She let her eyes travel down his chest, and CJ suddenly felt very naked. It was not an undesired feeling, either. “Yes, I suppose we do.”

She turned and walked off, turning to crook a finger at him. “Want me to show you my spells?”

Thinking he’d rather see her panties, CJ cast a look to the chandelier above. Out the window the sky had brightened, and the clouds had moved away. Safe, for now. He followed the witch into the spell room.