Pretty When They Collide (Pretty When She Dies 0.5)(29)

Chapter 12:

Entangled Further



The rich scent of incense filled the room as it slithered from the sticks burning near the cauldron. Aimee kneeled before the fireplace Frank had installed just for her. It was just big enough to fit her cauldron and light a low fire beneath its dark, bulky shape. At her side, the elements for her spells were laid out on a swatch of white cotton. The fragrance of the herbs mingled with the incense, giving the room a rich atmosphere.

Magic crackled along her skin while the crystals set around her in a circle glowed softly. Despite the growing warmth in the room, Aimee felt the breeze of her magic fluttering her hair and cooling her skin.

Aimee had been mixing all day and already a small cluster of spells sat in a big white ceramic bowl near the circle. Some were made entirely of dried herbs and were wrapped with white cotton thread. Others were liquid, and sloshed around in small stoppered vials. Seven empty cotton drawstring bags sat piled ready for the most powerful of her concoctions.

Drawing in a deep breath, Aimee held the air in her lungs, pulling her stomach in and holding her spine straight. Gradually, she exhaled, eyes closed, concentrating on the energies shimmering around her.

A smile upon her lips, she started to add ingredients to the white soapstone mortar resting on the hearth. Fingers tingling, she ground the herbs with the pestle, gently twisting her wrist as she infused her magic into the concoction.

The bedroom door slammed open, startling her. Looking over her shoulder, she saw Frank recoil as the incense hit him.

“Frank, I’m busy! You’re ruining this spell!” she yelled. The energy around her spiraled into chaos and she felt the spell dissipate. “Dammit. You did ruin it.”

“I don’t care. Get out here,” Frank ordered. “You’ve been in there all day according to Ivan. Now I want you out here with me.”

“I thought you wanted the spells ready for the dhamphir,” Aimee retorted.

Setting his hands on the door jamb, Frank glowered at her. “You know, you’ve been getting a little cocky lately.”

Licking her lips, Aimee tried to still the sudden panic swelling within her. “I just need to concentrate,” she said in a softer tone. “Interruptions ruin spells.”

Studying her, Frank shifted on his feet, resting a shoulder on the door, and folded his arms over his chest. It was a dangerous pose for him. It meant he was calculating something in his head. “Get out here.”

“My circle is formed. Let me finish.”

“What are you making? I can’t enter.” Frank held out a hand, then winced.

“It’s the herbs to repel the dhamphir.”

“Well, they’re repelling me and I don’t like it.”

“Frank, you know that the herbs I use aren’t always vampire-friendly.”

“I should burn that damn garden. I can’t even go out on the patio.” Frank was testy and growing increasingly agitated.

Aimee stilled herself, sitting quietly before her hearth, her head bowed. She hoped she looked submissive. With a sigh, she picked up two of the crystals, opening the circle.

“Get out here,” Frank ordered yet again.

Reeling in her power, Aimee shifted her weight so she could cover her spell ingredients with white cloths.

Frank snapped his fingers at her.

“I have to take care of my ingredients, Frank!”

“There’s that mouth again. Flapping at me, irritating me. Defying me!”

“I’m doing what you want!” Aimee shouted at him, losing her temper. Instantly, she knew she had made a mistake.

The vampire attempted to step into the room, but when thwarted by the spells Aimee had created, he motioned irritably to someone in the hallway. With a haughty expression, Frank stepped away from the doorway, straightening his jacket cuffs while Ivan barreled into the room. Aimee was sorely tempted to close the circle and defy Frank, but she knew it wouldn’t stop him. A circle could hold out interfering spiritual entities and even a physical assault, but it wouldn’t hold against a firearm. She’d witnessed Ivan shoot one of the blood minions in the leg for being in the house without a summons.

The mere fact she could contemplate such an act without it instantly being smothered by the bond to Frank startled her. She was breaking free of his influence and he knew it. Fear ripped through her as Ivan reached down and dragged her to her feet.

“Frank, I was obeying you,” she whimpered.

Ivan pulled her out of the remains of the circle, upturning some of the crystals. Fingers digging into her upper arm, Ivan shoved her toward Frank. The temptation to turn and blast the guard through the wall was nearly irresistible.

Snagging her around the waist, Frank ushered her down the long hallway. Her bare feet pattered against the cold stone tiles and her simple white dress fluttered around her ankles.

“I should have realized that you were slipping away,” Frank said in a terse voice. “I’m used to your little quirks, but the defiance in your eyes that usually turns me on has been turned up a few notches.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she lied.

Frank whirled her about and shoved her against the wall. Holding her in place with one hand pressed against her throat, he gazed at her through the red tinted lenses of his glasses. “It drives me crazy that I never feel I can totally possess you. I realize you’re a witch and it’s always been tricky with your kind.” Tightening his grip, Frank cocked his head to one side. “I admit I rather enjoy the fact that I feel like I’m always stalking you and you, my feisty prey, are just beyond my claws. But this...” He jabbed his finger toward her eyes, making her wince and clench them shut. “...this defiance just won’t do.”