going to the garden to pick a sunflower.” Libby kissed her and scampered out.
Recalling the symbolism for the flower, Vika murmured, “Sunflowers for foolish infatuation. Oh, Libby.”
No one ever said first loves were easy. Vika believed a person could have many first loves in their lifetime. Sometimes the relationship ended with one of the twosome being turned into a cat.
Other times?
“There be demons,” Vika said on a sigh, and pushed the doors open leading into the living room.
Certainly stood beneath the chandelier, arms out to receive her, and she walked up and took that offer. It felt great falling into his arms after the incident in the kitchen. It wasn’t every day her life was threatened, as well as her sister’s. Despite her job and the awful things she witnessed almost daily, she’d never worried for her life or injury, because until now she’d never put herself in danger.
CJ’s kiss reached down into her soul and swept warmth across it she never wanted to lose—including her soul. If it fell into Reichardt’s hands, she wasn’t sure what she’d do. People could survive without their soul, but they would grow dark and tainted. Open to evil.
Did evil trace this man’s veins?
Don’t think about it. Fall into his arms. Take this moment.
Inwardly, she chastised herself for any words that may have turned Libby against seeking love with Reichardt. Love was too lush and wondrous not to take it when it came to you.
“I love you, too,” she said. “I didn’t answer earlier when you said it because my mind was on my sister. But I feel it. It’s real.”
“I didn’t say it to get you to reply in kind, but now that you have, you can’t imagine how that makes me feel.”
“I have an idea.”
His confession he’d avoided relationships because he’d been so busy studying magic reminded her anyone could become obsessed with anything. Like cleaning. And soul bringers.
“You healing?” he said with a tap to her wound.
“Yes, it doesn’t hurt at all. That was something weird. How about you?”
“The healing wards have done their work. How’s Libby?”
“She’s going to be fine. As weird as it is, I think I want her to find what it is she seeks with Reichardt.”
“I’ve never known a soul bringer to show interest in others. But that was lipstick on his mouth.”
“She said he actually kissed her back.”
“Wow.”
“I know, right? And I don’t think it was a heat of the moment, wanting it to be true when it really wasn’t, either. He really kissed her.”
“Stranger things have never happened. And trust me, I’ve seen all kinds of strange.”
“I bet you have.”
“Get this for strange...” He pressed her palm over his chest. “When Reichardt held us suspended in the kitchen, I think the spear he shot through us exorcized another demon.”
“Really? You felt it leave?”
He nodded. “Grief, I suspect.”
“That leaves what?”
“Two remaining.”
“You’re so close, CJ.” And to stare into his gaze too long might reveal those strange things to her. Vika tilted her head to break the look. “So talk to me, dark one. Tell me about this Nacht März, and is it as terrible as it sounds?”
“If you think calling all demons who walk this earth to order to slaughter all mortals in their path terrible, then yes. But don’t worry, I would never think to send forth the call.”
“That is what you brought here from the place of all demons? A means to call them out?”
“I did. It is the call to the Nacht März.”
Just the two words, said with a gruff German tone, sent a chill up Vika’s spine. “Why would you do that?”
“It is the reason I went to Daemonia in the first place. I wanted to obtain something another witch wanted desperately. It was purely selfish on my part. Well, mostly. I mentioned earlier my parents did something horrible. They once enacted the Night March. I don’t know their reasons, but father was always dabbling about the edges between dark magic and malefic magic. They were branded warlocks, and not soon after is when the witch hunters got them.”
“Certainly, I’m so sorry. But...why would you want the same device if...?”
“The last thing I ever wanted to touch in this known universe was that bedamned call to the Nacht März. But recently I discovered another witch had his sights set on it. I knew if I didn’t get to it first, the other witch would, and that he would actually use it.”
“What other witch?”
“Have you heard of Ian Grim?”
Vika’s heart thudded hard against