Chapter 12
Colin leaned over on the couch and sniffed Maddy’s hair. “Do I smell like that too?”
She nodded and drank half the bottle of water before she replied. “Yep.” She leaned her head against the back of the couch. “It’s a good thing I don’t have neighbors, or they’d call the fire department on us.”
He held the bottle up to his mouth. “Or the police. I swear that one of them smelled like pot.” He took a quick drink. “At least until it puffed up bluish smoke.”
Maddy motioned to the list. “How many are left to try?”
Colin rubbed a hand over his forehead. “A couple of dozen of each.”
“Uh—I can’t do any more today. My head is floating, and I feel nauseous from all the smoke.”
He sighed, “Agreed.” Glancing at the clock, he sat forward. “I’ll start dinner. You can have the shower first.”
Maddy gave him a shocked look. “You cook?” He nodded. “Great. I’m in the shower then.”
He stood up when she did and beamed at her. “There’s a price.” Maddy gave him a wary look. “A kiss.” She cast him a look of relief. “I’ll take that as a yes.” He lowered his mouth to hers and kissed her, lingering for a few moments. Lifting his head, he let out a slow breath. “Shower, dinner, and then we see about getting rid of our spirit chaperones.”
Maddy just nodded slowly and turned away.
Colin watched her walk out of the room. He turned to the cat lounging on the floor. “You don’t mind me here, do you?”
-No!
Colin walked towards the kitchen. “I hope not because just between you and me, I don’t plan on being cut out of the picture by dragon lady once we figure all this out.”
-Dragon lady, I like that better than old bat.
Opening the fridge, Colin looked to see what there was to make. He turned to see if the cat had followed. Sarabi sat in the doorway, watching him intently. “I could use a little help with convincing Maddy, you know. Feel free to help that along and help me keep one foot in the door when the curse is gone.”
-I will hold the door wide open for you.
Colin straightened up and studied the cat. “I’m glad we had this talk, I feel much better.” He grinned.
-Me too. I’ll go start on helping you.
Colin watched the large animal turn and leave. “Well, at least she didn’t bite me.” He turned to look in the freezer.
~
“Should I feel nervous? Because I feel nervous.” Colin looked over the candles to Maddy as she sat on the floor across from him.
Maddy crossed her legs. “No. It’s just like Ronnie said. I’m not doing a spell. The candles are charged, the oils help, we just have to focus on the candles and call them.”
“Okay.” He tried to pull his legs and sit like she was, but it wasn’t going to happen, so he turned a little and straightened one. “And if they do show up?”
“We inform them they’re dead and their time has passed.” Maddy closed her eyes and focused on getting the lights to dim or actually asking them to brighten so they would dim.
“Let’s hope they’re agreeable with this plan.” He looked around when the room darkened.
“Ready? Keep looking at the candles and call Robert inside your head.” She exhaled slowly and rolled her shoulders. She was nervous too but wasn’t about to admit it to him.
He watched her light the rest of the candles and sprinkle the oil around them. At least it smelled better than the plant research. Taking a deep breath, he tried to clear his mind, which wasn’t easy with Maddy’s beautiful eyes across from him over the candles.
“Focus on Robert,” she said softly. “I call Brenna Darcy to join us here. I call Robert MacGregor, to join us as well.” She focused on the candles and pictured the man she’d see Colin become in the woods. “Robert MacGregor, come to us now.” She moved her eyes from the candles to see Colin staring at them. “I call Brenna Darcy to us.”
Maddy closed her eyes and tried to recall the feelings that she’d had when they had appeared. She thought their names over and over. Taking a few slow breaths, she waited but felt nothing. Opening her eyes again, she looked around them. Sarabi was lying at the door, and she clearly sensed nothing.
“Keep trying,” Colin said quietly.
Sighing, she closed her eyes and called to them again.
-It’s a no show. I sensed it outside in the trees and the yard—there’s nothing moving here.
Maddy opened her eyes and looked at Colin. “Sarabi’s radar isn’t picking up a thing.” She looked around the room again. “I don’t think these are the type that can be called up.”
Colin jerked his head towards the Quaich. “Let’s include that, maybe they’re tied to it somehow.”
“I suppose it can’t hurt anything.”
Colin got up and quickly went over to get it. He carried it back and set it between the two candles burning. Sitting down, he nodded to her. “Try now.” He really had no clue about all of this. Until four days ago, all he’d known about magic was what characters in movies had done. Now he was one of those characters.
Maddy inhaled slowly through her nose and breathed it out. “Brenna Darcy and Robert MacGregor—join us here and now.” She continued to chant their names inside her head and focused on the cup as the candlelight reflected against it. She sensed no magic, no vibrations of any sort.
-I’m bored. That’s it for me.
Opening her eyes, she watched her cat get up and leave. “No vibes of any sort are happening here.”
“Back to square one then?” Colin leaned back on his hands and watched her over the candles.
“Yeah, I guess so.” She picked up the cup and turned it slowly over in both hands. “Tomorrow, I’m finishing those plants. I don’t care if I have to wear a gas mask.” She looked at him and offered a half smile. “I think I’ve had all the fun I can take for one day.” Standing, she took the cup over and put it back into the opened case.
Colin picked up the two candles and carried them over to her desk. “We should probably recheck the distance tomorrow.”
Maddy tucked her hands into her pockets and watched him blow out the candles. Concentrating, she brought the lights back up a bit. “If it’s gotten shorter, even by an inch, I’m going to have a moderate fit of sorts.”
He winked at her. “We could fix it all and just go make a baby.”
Maddy laughed. “That’s not all of it, Colin, the heart must covet—I think you’re confusing your heart and your—lust.”
He grinned. “I just wanted to see you smile. Go get some sleep.”
She walked over and kissed his cheek softly. “You too. Good night.” She wrapped her arms around him and leaned against his chest for a few seconds.
He brushed a hand lightly down her hair. “Good night.” He stood there and watched her leave. Was he really willing to have a child to end this? He didn’t know. He definitely wanted Maddy, that part was easy, but a child? He ran his hand through his hair and walked over to turn off the lights. How did he bring this up to her? He didn’t know that either, and with her anger about the whole situation, did he want to bring it up? What happened when a witch got angry? Sighing, he shook his head and decided he needed sleep before anything else.
~
Maddy nudged the large animal over. “Since when do you sleep with me?”
-I wanted to talk to you.
“Now? Can’t we do it in the morning?”
-No, now is good.
Maddy sighed and turned her head to look at her bothersome pet. “What is it?”
-I want Colin to stay.
“I know because he—”
-No, for you.
Maddy’s eyes opened wide. “For me?”
-Yes.
“He’s not a puppy we found, he has his own life and will want to—”
-He told me he wants to stay.
“He did?” Maddy leaned on her elbow and watched the yellow eyes in the dark.
-Yes.
“He just wants sex, okay I do too, but—”
-No, it’s more than that. He watches your every move.
“So he’s observant.”
-Now you’re just being obtuse.
“I don’t know what to say.” She dropped back down and looked up at the ceiling.
-Admit you like him here.
“Yes, I do.”
-So what’s the problem?
“We’re not even sure if we’re attracted to each other without the curse.”
-Oh please! Have you looked at that man? I’m not even the same species, and I’d lick him.
“I can’t believe I’m having a sexual discussion with my cat.”
-Maddy?
“Yes?”
-It’s always been you and me.
“Yes, it has.” Maddy stroked a hand down the warm fur of her best friend.
-I’m telling you it’s time to let someone in.
“But what if Alice is right?”
-Dragon lady is not right.
“Oh great, now you’re picking up Colin’s phrases.”
-Just think about it, okay? I can judge a human with one sniff, and he’s one to keep. Look how well he accepted the curse, magic, me.
Maddy sighed. Her cat was right. Colin could have freaked right out over any part of this. “Okay, I’ll relax and see what happens.”
-That’s all I ask. Don’t worry I’ll bite him if he messes this up.
“I’m a little worried about your sudden wanting to bite people.” Maddy yawned. “Can I sleep now?”
-Yes.
~
Colin opened his eyes when he felt his hand being pushed. Sarabi was nudging it. He patted her head a few times.
-You’re in, big guy, don’t mess it up.
“Good night to you too,” Colin mumbled.
The cat sat there and watched him for a moment.
-I need to work on my communication skills.