Captivating Magic (The Thorne Witches #14)

Chapter 29

29

FIVE MONTHS EARLIER

C lutch couldn’t show it, but internally, he was smiling for Laszlo and Ebba. He’d hoped by stalling Death when she’d initially met Ebba, it would give Lo enough time to come up with a plan. Fortunately, it had worked, but not without annoying his lover. They were currently at odds, with him trying to make it up to her. Hence taking the job as a full-time Reaper, which he’d never wanted.

Now, as he waited to consume Spencer Barlowe’s soul for the journey to the waiting room, Clutch basked in satisfaction. Soon, Laszlo would be as happy as he deserved, and with any luck, Divina would view Clutch as an equal instead of a boy toy. The stubborn woman refused to be tied down, stating she’d been burned in the past and wouldn’t be vulnerable again.

It was a surprise to learn that the “past” was the Traveler.

He understood Alexander Castor’s appeal. The man had charm to spare, and the jealousy Clutch was experiencing because of it had no place in his well-ordered life. Yes, he loved Divina, and like him, she’d fallen into feelings. Yet he was the only one willing to do something about it. Until she was ready to move forward with him, Clutch would bide his time, do his job, and respect her boundaries. And he’d deny her what she sought whenever she turned up at his apartment.

Movement from the corner of his eye indicated the approach of Spencer, and Clutch turned to greet him. But what he saw threw him.

Malice.

At this game stage, spirits were at peace and ready to cross, not belligerent or prepared for battle. It appeared his latest charge wasn’t going without a fight. Clutch opened his mouth to speak but was gripped with a disconcerting dizziness. Around them, lights shimmered and sparkled, cloaking them from the others.

A taunting smile curled Spencer’s mouth.

“Ebba stays. I stay.” He lifted an enchanted metal talisman. “It’s time for you to enter the circlet, Reaper. If you’re a good little boy, I’ll release you in twenty years or so.”

Clutch shifted to block the spell, but the object was designed to draw his soul out, similar to the globe he’d given Laszlo to exorcise Spencer. The warlock shouldn’t have had the magic to pull a stunt like this one.

“Bastard!” He grunted as he twisted back and forth, fighting the pull. “How?”

“I was awake and privy to the conversation. There was no way in hell I was letting the Aether take all the magic and knowledge I’ve accumulated. I hid just enough to exchange places with you inside this little trinket.” With a tsk, he pressed the wreath-shaped talisman to Clutch’s throat, cutting off his scream of pain. “None of that. We can’t alert the others to my plans to woo Ebba—as you .”

Lip curled in rage, Clutch wanted to blast the man, but his strength was bound by whatever black magic resided in the object.

“This group was dismissive, assuming I’d fall in line. The Aether didn’t question the fact I didn’t possess the level of magic of a Thorne or Reaper.” Spencer’s triumphant smile grated on Clutch’s last nerve. “It was a simple matter to store my power inside this until no one was looking. And I know what you’re thinking, but I will get away with it. Just like I got away with possessing Ebba. The difference is that you don’t have anyone who knows you well to notice a personality change when you return to your proper timeline, do you, McClutchin Adams?”

PRESENT DAY

Spencer glared at Laszlo Thorne. All his problems could be laid at that man’s door. If Ebba hadn’t been ridiculously enamored with the asshole, Spencer might’ve had a chance. He still could if he removed the dickhead from the playing field. It required being smart about it. Perhaps a body hop from the Reaper to Laszlo. Ebba was sure to want him then.

When she entered the room, she appeared as luminescent as she always did to him.

Her flat, “It’s Spencer,” hurt his heart, but it was only because Laszlo’s handsomeness dazzled her. That would be rectified soon enough. To remove his soul from Clutch’s body, Laszlo would need to get close. That’s all Spencer needed with the excision circlet in his pocket. Like the Reaper’s, Laszlo’s spirit would be drawn in and contained, giving him the freedom to take over.

The downside? Ebba would know. But if she was only hung up on Laszlo’s physique—and honestly, how the hell did she tolerate the jerk’s overbearing personality?—then Spencer could put on his meat suit and be all that she could dream of and more.

Satisfied with his plan and confident Clutch was physically stronger than his rival, Spencer beckoned Laszlo closer. “Come into the circle, and we’ll settle this like men.”

Ebba stepped forward and placed a hand on Laszlo’s chest before he could answer the call to action. “No, Lo. Kyrella is about to bust out again. She doesn’t trust him.”

Yeah, the wolf was a problem. Spencer had to find a way to separate the woman from the beast, and soon, before it ripped his throat out.

Laszlo studied him with considering eyes. It was disconcerting to feel like an object under a microscope, and Spencer fought the urge to fidget. What did he see? Was he gifted with the ability to delve deeper and recognize the threat, like the wolf?

Lifting her hand from his chest, Laszlo kissed the inside of her wrist. “Thanks for the save. Are you okay here on your own with him if I leave for a bit?”

“Of course.”

“Don’t be tempted to engage. It might be a good idea to wait in the other room, if only to keep Kyrella from shifting.”

“Yes. This close to the moon, she’s stronger.”

“I get it. Safety first, Sweet.”

With adoration in his gaze, Laszlo smiled down at her, and Spencer experienced a moment of doubt. The urge to pull them apart was stronger than any he’d experienced, and yet, it might work to his disadvantage.

“I’m not intending to hurt anyone,” he lied. “When I was ready to transition, something strange happened to the Reaper, and I found myself inside his body. I came here looking for help.”

Ebba’s eyes turned golden brown and flared wide with rage. The low growl she released raised the fine hair all over his body.

“Liar,” she snarled in a voice deeper than her norm.

He froze.

What would happen if the wolf took over and charged through the protective wall? Could he remove it with his talisman?

“Don’t try it,” Laszlo warned him with a hard edge to his voice. “It will kill them both.”

A chill chased along his spine, and Spencer fought off a tremor. How had Laszlo guessed his thoughts?

Ebba kept an eye on Spencer from across the room. Lo had been gone for over thirty minutes, and Kyrella was getting antsy.

“Kill him and be done with it,” she said.

“You know we can’t, Ky. If we cross that barrier, he could hit us with whatever spell he used on Clutch.”

“He deserves to die.”

“Not going to disagree, but we’ll wait for Lo. We’re stronger together.”

“I’m strong enough now,” Kyrella retorted.

“We are not having this argument. Period.”

“Humans are fearful creatures. The strongest reigns supreme in every species, and we kill the weak.”

“Not fearful. Civilized. We don’t go around maiming or killing without a damned good reason,” Ebba told her.

“Wrong. Maroke was shot by those wishing to kill my kind.”

A pang struck Ebba’s heart, a mere echo of what Kyrella must feel to have her mate taken in such a brutal way.

“I’m sorry, Ky. I can’t begin to imagine what it must feel like to be hunted because you’re different and have people fear you.”

“It is why your mate and others like him don’t reveal what they are. It would mean persecution and death for their kind.”

“Yes. He told me about the Witches War.”

The wolf stilled. “When?”

“What?”

“When did he tell you? Not while I’ve been merged with you.”

“I’m sure of it. When else…”

The entire conversation returned and, with it, a migraine of epic proportions. She bent over and clutched her head with a cry, alerting Spencer to her pain.

“Ebba! Ebba, what is it? Are you okay?” He banged his fists on the wall of his cage. “ Fuuuuccckkkkk! Hold on, baby. Hold on!”

“Blech. Please let me rip his vocal cords from his throat. I can’t take the noise coming from his mouth.” Kyrella shuddered inside her.

“I’m not your baby,” Ebba croaked. “When will you get it through that thick skull? I’m not your anything , Spencer! I love Laszlo!”

His look turned to one of horror, and Ebba experienced a similar sensation. She’d let her anger get the better of her, leaving Kyrella room to take over.

All of Ebba’s bones began the excruciating breaking process as the skin of her arms tingled, then thickened. The amulet around her neck heated, and as the temperature of the stone rose, a scarlet light pulsated and lit the room. A scream was torn from her throat as it seared her flesh, and from a distance, the slamming of a door registered.

Her last conscious thought was that Niall, her ever-vigilant protector, would be charging into the apartment at any second. There was no telling what he would do if he saw Spencer in the foyer with a wolf at his throat.

“Yesssss.”

Kyrella padded toward Spencer, taking great pleasure in seeing his fear. Since her merge with Ebba, she’d grown to double her size. Her prey always froze when they saw her, allowing her the advantage.

“Kyrella, no !”

She hadn’t heard Laszlo return but had felt him the instant he materialized beside her. Head positioned at his chest height, she tilted her chin to meet his worried gaze.

“Please, Ky. If he hurts you, it’s the end of Ebba, too.”

“He’s not strong enough to beat me.”

“Perhaps not physically, but his magic is,” Laszlo replied, scratching behind her ear. “Please stand down.”

“You know nothing about me or my magic,” Spencer said, but his fear hadn’t resided.

“There’s a man at the door,” Kyrella warned.

“Fuck.” Laszlo closed his eyes and teleported. Leaving her alone with the evil entity.

She grinned a second before she lunged.