Predestined (Existence Trilogy #2)(35)

So far this was good. I’d have been here much sooner tonight if I’d thought this was the kind of reception I would get. Pulling her tighter up against my chest I inhaled the smell of her shampoo and kissed her temple. “Mmmm, this is nice,” I muttered against her head. She sighed in my arms and then pulled back enough to see my face.

“I’m afraid it all goes downhill from here,” she explained.

Not what I wanted to hear. I was hoping the next move would be her asking me to kiss her and then maybe take her home so I could cuddle in bed with her.

“Leif was here,” she began and I tensed tearing my complete focus off her to let my senses scan the area for spirits. But I felt nothing. Except a small icy cold somewhere close by. It wasn’t strong enough to be an actual spirit but it wasn’t good either. Holding Pagan closer to me I reached further for the unwanted presence and realized it was inside the house.

“Who’s inside?” I asked placing Pagan behind me and heading to the backdoor.

“What? No, he’s gone. Miranda’s in there sleeping,” Pagan hurried to keep up behind me but at the mention of Miranda being alone I closed the distance quicker than a human could possibly travel and opened the door to find the throbbing dark essence lying on the kitchen table in the shape of a moon. The red stone almost had a pulse the evil inside it was so strong. Red and pink roses lay beside it and I stared at the items trying to figure out what it was I was seeing.

“That’s what I called you for,” Pagan huffed out after finally making it inside.

“The necklace?” I asked

“Yes, Leif left it and I’m scared to touch it.”

My eyes shifted back to the roses. Had Leif brought those too?

“It isn’t a necklace. It holds part of a voodoo spirit. Not the entire being, just enough so when you are near that spirit you will feel an attachment to it.”

I heard the hiss of her breath as Pagan inhaled. “I knew it was something like that,” she muttered angrily. There was my girl and her spunk. The voodoo prince had pissed her off. If I wasn’t so upset about those dang roses I’d laugh.

“Where did the roses come from?”

“Leif, why? Are they full of evil crap too?”

So Leif had brought her the roses. Wait. There was something I was supposed to remember about today. The heart shaped boxes of chocolate I’d seen everywhere today as I’d retrieved souls.

It was Valentine’s Day.

And I’d forgotten.

Well, hell.

“No, they’re just roses,” I replied. I didn’t point out that they were beautiful roses. The kind only magic can produce. They’d probably never die. They’d be eternally beautiful if she placed them in a vase in her room. And then I could remember what an incredibly lousy boyfriend I was every time I saw them. Why is it that a voodoo spirit is better at this than I am?

“I still don’t want them. Can I burn them?”

My heart didn’t feel as heavy at hearing her distaste. I snapped my fingers and the roses caught on fire.

“Dank! What are you doing? You’ll burn down the house or at least the table,” Pagan ran over to the sink and I glanced back to see her filling up a pitcher of water. Crazy girl didn’t think I’d protect the table. I snapped my fingers for effect and the fire went out leaving nothing behind. Not even a small pile of ash.

The water turned off behind me and I heard Pagan let out a small laugh. “Guess I saw fire and didn’t think things through.”

“It was cute,” I replied and she blushed adorably.

“What about the necklace?” she asked her gaze flickering to the evil stone on the table.

“I can get rid of it just as easily if you promise not to run to the faucet for a pitcher of water this time,” I teased.

Pagan giggled and nodded, “I think I can refrain.”

I didn’t even bother snapping this time. Instead I stared at it while the flames erupted and within seconds nothing remained.

Once there was nothing left behind by Leif, I turned my complete attention to Pagan.

“I’m sorry I missed Valentine’s Day.”

She smiled up at me, “It’s okay. I spent most of the day with Miranda. We ate cookies and watched Vampire Diaries.”

Tucking a lock of her hair behind her ear I remembered I did have something for her. I’d been waiting for the perfect time to show her and I couldn’t think of a better time than now. “Come outside with me, I have something for you,” I whispered before bending down and pressing a chaste kiss to her lips.

“Okay,” her voice was soft and wispy. I liked knowing I still affected her even after everything I’d put her through.

Holding her hand I led her outside and down the stairs of the back porch until we were in the flower garden located in the far corner of Miranda’s yard. I nodded my head to one of the ornate stone benches that lined the garden and then reached behind my back grinning. The crisp smooth texture of the wrapping paper I’d selected filled my hands and I pulled it around watching as her eyes lit up at the sight of the iridescent pale blue package.

“Nice trick,” she teased grinning up at me.

I knelt down in front of her and placed the box in her hands. “Yeah well, I’m good for a few entertaining side shows now and then.”