Always Practice Safe Hex (Stay a Spell, #4)

by Juliette Cross

I couldn’t help the grin cracking my normally cool façade. I think I’d smiled more in the last hour than I had all of last month.

“Grims have a strong core belief that information is everything. More powerful than money or fame or anything else. We also prefer to keep ourselves in check.”

“Is there something you’re hiding from other supernaturals?” She was so smart, my Lavinia. My palms drifted up to cup her jaw. “Yes. We are.” “Is it dangerous?”

In truth, she couldn’t overpower me with her magic if she tried. Few who walked this earth could.

A vision of glassy eyes, tears of blood, and twisted limbs flashed to mind. I shook it off and took her hand.

“Every time you realize they’re gone, you can remember what we did together in here.” Her brow pinched. “It’s weird you want to keep my panties.” “Since when did you ever think I was normal?” She laughed. “Pervert.” “Only for you,” I mumbled as I guided her out the door and back into the loud pumping music.

“It’s a really cool club. Perfect branding. Tell them for me.” I turned then and backed her to the wall, hands at her hips. “Tell him yourself. Right now.” Realization dawned and she lifted her chin and laughed, leaning her head against the wall. “No. Now your ego will be unbearable to deal with.”

“Take the time you need to settle this in your mind, Lavinia,” I told her with sincere earnest. “But know this. I won’t stop until I have you in my bed.” And then I’d never let her leave. She had me utterly bewitched. Body and soul. I couldn’t walk away.

The darkness purred in agreement, whispering to me, telling me she was mine whether she accepted it or not. The monster wanted her at all costs, twisting my will. The jarring sensation of the black rattling its cage pierced a stabbing pain into my chest. It was demanding to take over.

The fuck? I’d always kept my personal demon under control. The beast who lived in that hollow cave where I’d chained him always craved to break free and devour what it needed. I pressed a hand to my sternum, stunned by the stinging ache. I’d managed to live with and control my monster my entire life, but now it was pushing to escape.

The thing about grims was that our inner demons weren’t simply psychological struggles or conflicting emotions. They were sentient creatures, given life by our ancestral curse. Not just dark magic, but black magic. Blood magic. It was sealed to our souls by our twisted, malevolent forefather and the things he’d done. The unbreakable spells he’d cast.

Tonight was…surprising. Shocking really.

Not to kiss her, touch her, taste her. The mere thought had my blood burning again. But it was the other stirring that hadn’t simply been surprising but disturbing. A touch horrifying.

She didn’t only tempt me, but my monster as well. A creature that should never be unleashed and should never be fed. I blew out a breath in the cool night air, knowing I’d better keep the reins on him choke-hold tight. Because one thing was for certain. There was no way I was giving up Lavinia.

I wanted to look in her eyes and see if there was any regret there. Or perhaps longing.

True to his word, Richard had come to check out our first fundraising event. But I knew that wasn’t what or who he’d come to check out. The darkness stirred again. So soon. Too soon.

I couldn’t help but let a smile slip. Jackson’s wolf instincts told him that something was wrong with Richard. He may not be able to detect it for what it truly was like I could, but his wolf wanted his assistant far away from the likes of him.

About that time, Richard noticed me, his expression tightening. Not surprising. I’d been cold as fuck to him from the first. He gave me a terse nod then looked away.

He was the kind of man who expected respect and deference. I didn’t mind pretending. For now.

Though I hadn’t discovered his secrets yet, his mannerisms had already persuaded me he was a narcissist, which made complete sense. Most criminals able to evade getting caught tended to think rather highly of themselves. I knew he was of this ilk. He reeked of overindulgent self-importance.

She glanced my way, her delicious mouth—highlighted by dark red lipstick—then slid into a smile. I believe she knew exactly what that swimsuit was doing to me.

I almost missed the halo of malevolence pushing against me. Usually, it was my own darkness that spread to others, urging them toward their baser desires. But no, this had nothing to do with me. This was that same innate evil I’d sensed from Richard before. Except now, his focus was entirely on Lavinia.

I had no actual proof of what he was, but my instincts told me I was right. And I’d never been wrong yet. Still, I decided to take the opportunity to test my theory. Obtain a little more circumstantial evidence until Peonie came through with a solid lead for me.

“Darkside” by Neoni started to play, and Lavinia moved to the music, knowing exactly how to angle her beautiful body and face for the camera.

“She is,” he agreed, returning his gaze to Lavinia. “So sweet.”

That was a lie, of course. Lavinia was bisexual. But I was baiting him. “Does she now?” he chuckled lightly. “That’ll make things interesting.” “How so?” I asked casually. “I already tried. Trust me. Men don’t stand a chance.”

“Maybe for you,” he huffed on another laugh, still not tearing his gaze away from her. “My chances are a given. No matter what she prefers.” Mother. Fucker.

I watched Richard pull his phone from his pocket and pretend to check something then subtly slant it toward the set. This asshole was actually snapping pictures of Lavinia.

I was going to kill him if I didn’t walk away. Not figuratively. I was going to literally dismantle his skull and force the bone fragments inward till his brain turned to jelly.

I heard Richard cursing to himself. His phone had just stopped working for some reason. Probably because I’d melted the motherboard with a tap of my finger. My telekinesis was a special brand of magic. I could move microscopic components not even visible to the eye.

I smiled as I disappeared through the door and down the hall, satisfied that if I wasn’t permitted to murder him—yet—then at least I could be sure he wouldn’t have stolen photos of her to use for jacking off later.

I’d wait here for Lavinia then calmly tell her she wasn’t permitted to be anywhere around that fuckface, Richard Davis, when I wasn’t around. I already knew how she’d take this news, but it wasn’t open for discussion. She simply needed to agree that I was right.

Okay, apparently the beast was still riding me hard, those darker urges to dominate and master still lingering close to the surface.

If I knew she was out of harm’s way, then maybe I could think straight long enough to figure out how to discover what Richard had actually done in his past. Something that whispered wickedly to my own demon, calling him out to play. Whatever sins stained his soul, he’d kept them well-hidden and s...

I had my suspicions, but I needed proof. Until then, I had to keep him the f...

Especially after he’d walked over to talk to Richard. They seemed to be having a cordial conversation from my small glances in their direction. But that was completely ridiculous. I knew that Gareth hated his guts. By the time I’d moved around the bike to try a pose Jackson wanted, Gareth was gone.

She grinned and opened her mouth to say something, but suddenly Richard was there. “Terrific work, Livvy,” he crooned, gray eyes devouring my breasts. I pulled my cover-up tighter and tied it at the waist. “Thank you. Once I get changed, I’ll check on the live feed on YouTube and interact with our subscribers.”

He grinned, and though yes, I was well aware of the old marketing strategy sex sells, there was something in his greedy gaze that made me cringe.

“Very impressed. I’d love to talk to you about your plans beyond this contest. You’re an extremely bright young woman. Maybe we could talk it over when you’re available.” “At the office, sure.” My survival instincts were on full alert.

I nodded my head toward the door. “I need to change.” Like, don’t try to fucking follow me, creeper. “Of course. Don’t let me keep you. You and your team are doing great work.” He glanced at his watch. “I’ll check in with you all tomorrow for final results.”

There was no mistaking that he had a thing for me. But just when I thought he was a complete lecher, he turned professional and polite.

Slowly, he lifted his head, onyx eyes spearing me in place. They didn’t waver, not even to take in my half-dressed state. I was all ready to tease him a little today, knowing he’d seen me in barely nothing at all. And yet, the look he gave me now spoke to deeper depths than lust or desire. It was jarring to say the least.

His legs were set wide, his body relaxed, but his eyes weren’t. They were fierce with an emotion I couldn’t identify. I suddenly wished Clara was here, so she could tell me what was going on inside my grim reaper.

“You wore this swimsuit for me.” I made it for you. “Maybe.” He smiled, and my world tilted.

You have to understand. Gareth Blackwater was the broodiest, coldest, most untouchable man I’d ever met. Or so I’d thought. Now that I’d lifted that layer and stepped inside his private circle, a place he seemed not to allow anyone, I never wanted to leave. And when he granted me smiles like this one that struck me near mute, I wanted to kneel in front of him and do anything he asked. Or commanded. Preferably commanded, actually.

“Definitely for me,” he murmured more to himself. Deep breath in, then out. “Why’d you leave the studio?” “So that I wouldn’t kill Richard.” I laughed. He didn’t. “Are you being serious?” “Deadly.” His fingertips dragged across the backs of my knees then gripped firmly again. “Why did you want to kill him?” “Because he has plans for you.” “You have plans for me.”

His black eyes darkened. I didn’t think it possible but they so did. His irises were pure obsidian, actually bleeding into the white. My God, what were grims truly?

“That’s not why.” “Then tell me.” He was holding back, something I needed to know. “Because my—” he paused and licked his lips— “I can’t touch you the way I want when I’m in this state.”

“I need you to listen to me and do what I ask.” The deep baritone of his voice dropped even deeper. “Under no circumstances are you to be alone with Richard Davis.” I didn’t comment that this was an order not a request as he’d implied. “You’ve already warned me about this.” “That was before I know what I know now.” “Which is?” “The evil of this man is much greater than I originally thought.”

He looked up then, obviously hearing the plea in my voice. I wasn’t begging because I needed to know all of his secrets. I was pleading for him to open up to me. I wanted to know more about him. I couldn’t explain it, but my feelings for him had morphed beyond the scintillating desire and strained animosity always radiating between us. It was more tender now—fragile—something I wanted to explore and truly wanted to expand.