The Rose Witch - Chandelle LaVaun Page 0,55
way that made me still feel naked despite having clothes on. “I suspect I won’t be getting that shirt back.”
I grinned and looked down. I’d decided to wear his shirt still. It smelled like him and that made me happy. I also had my Uggs back on. I’d really only added black faux leather leggings and a black Burberry coat. “Hey, newsflash soulmate, your clothes are now my clothes.”
He arched one eyebrow. “Does that work both ways?”
“Just don’t rip what you can’t replace.”
“Come here.” He chuckled and held his hand out.
I put my hand in his and let him pull me into his chest. And then his lips were on mine. That fire started inside of me so I stepped back and shook my head. “We have to focus. I want this soul sucker off of me.”
“Right.” He grinned and his black smoke wings popped out. “Spot, we’re going to the Lancaster’s and I’m not sure where after. Find me when you can move again?”
Spot grumbled and then flopped his head back to the ground.
Malachi shook his head again and rolled his eyes, but when he turned back to me he was smiling. “Hellhounds. Ready, love?”
Love. My heart fluttered and my insides squirmed with excitement. I skipped over and jumped, wrapping my legs around his hips and my arms around his neck. “Ready, love.”
He arched one eyebrow. “What was that about focusing?”
“What? The Prince of Hell can’t handle it?”
He growled and darkness wrapped around us. When it faded away, we were standing outside the front doors of the Lancaster Estate. Of home. I hadn’t had a chance to tell my mother or granny that I was leaving last night, I could only imagine what they were thinking.
“What’s wrong?” He reached up and touched my forehead. “You’re making your worried face.”
“Oh I just realized someone kidnapped me from here last night in the middle of a ball and my poor mother and grandmother—”
“I’m sorry,” he groaned. “I told you, I’m not good at peopling sometimes.”
“You’re adorable and terrifying. I like the combination.”
I unhooked my legs and jumped down — and bounced off the ground. I flew into the air and screamed. Malachi appeared in front of me in an instant, his arms snaking around my waist and pulling me flush to his body. His brow was furrowed low as he narrowed those gold eyes on the ground like there was an ambush awaiting us. Slowly, he lowered us down but held me up higher so his feet touched first.
He landed on the gray stones near the door and then lowered me down. I gripped his arms and tried to land but couldn’t. It was like something or someone was pushing up against me, like holding two magnets together and trying to force them to touch. Something was repelling me. I jumped but I bounced off the invisible barrier like it was a trampoline. He cursed in that language I didn’t recognize. He was frowning at the ground, his eyes distant like he was thinking real hard.
“Uh…Malachi, what’s going on? Why can’t I touch the ground?” I tried again, but every time I hit an invisible wall.
“This estate sits on Holy Ground.”
I froze. “What does that mean for this?”
“I used demonic spells to try and get it off. It shouldn’t have prevented you from touching Holy Ground but…” He cursed again. “Lilith’s power is growing stronger in the pendant.”
Cold hard dread filled my stomach. “Get it off of me.”
His eyes met mine. “I’m trying. I promise. Lilith is powerful and conniving, but we can figure this out.”
“But I can’t be here? I can’t go home to my own house anymore?”
“Yes, but…I am the Prince of Hell. That comes with its own tricks.”
He pulled one hand free from my grip and held it in the air. His fingers curled in and the veins in his forearm darkened. He whispered in a language that sounded dangerous. It sent a shiver down my spine. Black smoke swirled between his fingers, growing bigger and bigger until it was a few inches tall. Then he flicked his wrist and the black all flew right at my feet.
Hot air coiled around my feet like I’d buried them in hot sand, but it wasn’t painful. My body lowered toward the ground. I didn’t get all the way down but the invisible wall now hit me about an inch off the stone.
I turned and hobbled toward the door. Walking while hovering on black shadows reminded me of trying to wear