Fighting the Flames (Firefighter Romance #1)(48)
“No. It's dangerous.” Jacqueline’s raised voice caught the attention of the hag.
Wide eyes and a grim smile settled over her rotting features. Toby cringed as a shudder wracked through his body. Nails clawed at the window as she opened her mouth, releasing a beautiful song. Its power tickled at his soul as the hag transformed into a young, gorgeous woman. Wrinkled skin faded away, replaced by the nubile flesh of youth. Red lips and long eyelashes complemented her exotic green eyes. Dark locks of chestnut hair fell to her shoulders, balancing her rosy complexion. Despite the danger the woman possessed, Toby couldn't help the sexual thrill stirring within at the sight of her. The same pleasure he survived in Jacqueline’s presence every evening since she’d tumbled into his bar.
“No.” Jacqueline grabbed his arm as he took another step forward. “No. She wants to hurt you.”
“I know.” His lips pressed into a thin line. “I know.”
She yanked his shirt free of his jeans. “You do? Then why the hell would you go out there?”
Toby spun on her. “Things aren't always what they seem, Jacqueline.” He removed her hand, holding it for a second. Like the rest of her, it was soft. Too delicate for his world. She drew her hand away, shaking her head. With that, Toby strode toward the front door. He paused but didn’t look back. “No matter what you see, don't come out. Not until I tell you it's safe.”
Without waiting for her response, Toby shoved through the door and faced the waiting hag locked out from his standard protection spells that warded against other creatures. Her eyes gleamed at the sight of him, and she licked her lips. The sexual action repulsed him. Beneath her fa?ade, she was still a hag.
“Well, lookie what we have here. A fine strapping young lad.” The woman's voice carried the soft lilting sound of the Irish with it. “Come to give me a kiss, have you?”
“I don't really like kissing dead things,” he said, sneering at the putrid scent wafting in the wind.
Her eyes narrowed. “Dead things? My boy, you are protecting one half-dead as we speak. Send the little pet out so I can properly meet her.”
“I don't think so. In fact, I think it's time for you to head back to your native home.” Toby kept his hands at his side, but his fingers twitched, ready for the coming fight.
“But my home is so far.” She smiled, taking a step closer to him and revealing rotten teeth. “So far. And like the poets say, I have miles to go before I sleep.”
“Leave. You're not welcome here.”
“Silly boy.” Rich laughter played havoc with his senses, clouding his mind. “I'm welcome everywhere that death visits, and let me tell you something—death is setting up camp in your town. Make no mistake about it. My welcome here has just begun. Send the woman out to me.”
Toby gritted his teeth. “Stay away from her.”
“Would that I could, but it doesn't work that way.” A finger wagged in his face. “She's an anomaly. A freak of nature. I must have her.” She lowered her voice. “He says I must.”
“Who does?” His brows rose and fell.
“One like you, of course.” Disdain tainted her spitted words. “One like you who sings of ancient powers and spells. My master. I get him what he wants.” A nail tapped the glass window. “I don't have to be polite, you know. I could take her by force.”
“I won't let you.” Toby curled his fist.
The hag placed a palm on his chest. “Have it your way, my handsome man.” She cocked her head, pausing as she regarded him as if allowing him to change his mind. He lifted his chin. “Have it your way.”
Releasing him, green light pooled into her hands. Toby muttered a spell as she unleashed the magic and sidestepped her attack, leaving a burned hole in the bar. Holding the spell in his mind, he released the words, and white fire shot from his palm. The hag deflected the spell, but not entirely as it singed her arm. Her fa?ade melted away as she spat, “You can’t keep her.”
Circling one another, Toby conjured two more fireballs and bounced them in his palms. Jacqueline pounded on the glass. The hag twisted as Toby released magic, sending both sailing into her belly, and lighting her robes on fire. She shrieked. Jacqueline banged harder, screaming at him from inside the bar. The hag extended her palms and her knees plummeted into the gravel parking lot.
Cautious, he approached. That was almost too easy.
“I'm her clan spirit,” the hag whispered. “She must take on the mantle I leave behind. It's been a year. What's happened to her isn't natural, and the others want her badly.”
He contemplated her rushed words as if sensing her time was short. “Others?” Toby kneeled, ready to hit her with another spell.
“Please. She has to die. It's the only way she'll be safe. You know I speak the truth.” She glanced toward the woods. “They will use her.”
Toby stared at her and nodded. He understood precisely what she meant, though the understanding didn't make the situation any easier.
“There will be others coming,” the woman said.
Before he asked who was coming, she exploded. Burnt sulfur hung in the air. The odd sense of somebody watching from the bushes reminded him of a year ago, when Jacqueline had first come to his attention. Toby turned his head to study the area the hag was eyeing.