Roman gathered Wren’s friends at the pool.

Trish looked expectant, her irises glistening in the faint light, identical to her beaded swimwear. Sabrina gobbled cole slaw. She ate more than he ever had before he’d been turned, yet she couldn’t have weighed a hundred pounds soaking wet.

Cassie focused on Wren. “Still doing good? Need a sip?” She held out her wrist, presumably where Wren had fed earlier, yet there were no puncture marks from fangs.

Wren shrank back. “No. I’m fine.” She elbowed Roman. “Tell them.”

All eyes zipped to him.

Before he shared his plan, he wanted confirmation on a few essentials. “If I use a spell for a devil against Dimitri, it will work, right, since he is half demon? At least, that’s what the witches on Charmed said about warlocks and a character claimed in a book I read. Or is the heritage something the writers made up?”

“Nope.” Cassie sipped her beer. “It’s real. Since Dimitri’s the lowest of the low, I say we triple the spell, maybe quadruple it, for extra oomph.”

Sabrina finished her corn on the cob, butter coating her lips. “I agree. His human side is already a weakness we need to exploit.”

“Exactly.” Roman’s excitement grew. “We’ll choose the baddest spell, supercharge it with the others we found, then finish him off with power from you three.” He took each in.

They looked baffled. Trish spoke first. “You want us to be there when you do this?”

Sabrina swallowed the food in her mouth. “Sort of like a cheering section?”

“Not exactly.” Wren wrung her hands. “And I’ll understand if you guys don’t want to do this.”

Roman frowned. “I won’t. They’re your friends. This is what friends do for each other.”

“Concerning what?” Cassie slapped his arm. “Quit keeping us in suspense.”

“Fine.” He inhaled deeply and gestured to an opened book on his and Wren’s chaise. “I found a spell where a witch can give her powers to someone else. The instructions didn’t specify who or what exactly—mortal, para, whatever—so I’m guessing the magic would work if you three transferred your talents to me.” He held up his hands before anyone could interrupt or bitch. “Not forever. Only for a couple of hours, according to the incantation. Then everything flows back to you.”

Wren cut in. “Except you guys will be vulnerable during that time without your powers. No.” She stepped back. “We can’t ask you to do so much. Roman and I will have to find another way.”

He gave her a look. “There isn’t one, babe. Remember, the power of three? I need all the help I can get.” He spoke to the ladies. “I’m not asking here, I’m begging. Please do this for Wren.”

She whimpered.

Instantly, her buddies flocked to her, rubbing her back, giving her a hug, consoling.

Cassie looked at him. “Of course, we’ll do it. We can stay here and play with Nuncio while you guys are taking Dimitri down. Where’s the spell?”

He gave her the book, his enthusiasm returned and growing. “There’s another on page seventy-eight. It involves corralling a demon. I’ll need it, too. And one to make walls melt.” He pointed at a third volume. “It’s in there, page fifty-four.”

Sabrina checked it out. “Do you need this one for you and Wren to escape in case the other stuff doesn’t work on Dimitri?”

“It will.” Roman wouldn’t accept failure. “I had something else in mind for it. I’ll also need a spell to conjure daggers.”

Trish lowered her beer. “Wow. You’re getting hardcore. I like. Be sure to bring a smartphone and take pictures. I want to see the carnage.”

“There won’t be any.” Wren hugged his arm. “He’s too decent to be mean.”

Not when it came to her safety and happiness. He’d annihilate anything in the way, not that he could tell her as much. “We better get started. I have a lot to learn.”

The ladies worked him hard. Luckily, he caught on faster this time, and his skill had improved exponentially since conjuring Nuncio. Even so, he insisted on practicing until he had the incantations down pat.

Their second dawn here had already arrived. Sun spilled past the mansion.

Cassie drooped to a chaise. “I take it you’re going to ambush Dimitri at the club?”

Roman nodded and finished the Pop-Tarts Sabrina had given him, wiping his fingers on his jeans. “I’m sure with Wren back at work, he’ll want to know why and if she’s desperate enough to use him as her blood slave.”

“Never.” She bristled. “I’m going to turn him inside out and not in a good way.”

“You bet.” He pulled her close and spoke to the others. “Before then though, we’ll be at her house. Where’s the spell for me to take us there?”

“Give me a sec.” Sabrina opened a volume to the correct page and offered it to him. “Halfway down.”

Trish brushed croissant crumbs off her bikini bottom. “You don’t want to hang out with us here until it’s literally showtime?”

He needed to be alone with his woman. “Sorry, no.”

“Better get started, then.” Cassie pushed off the chaise and gestured to the others to follow. They surrounded Roman. Cassie looked up at him. “Before we begin, get Nuncio back here.”

He did as she asked.

Nuncio flashed his signature smile, lust oozing from every pore he owned.

“Stay over there until we call you.” Cassie swung her arm to the tables at the shallow end then faced Roman. “Ready for this?”

As much as he’d ever be. He put down the book and nodded.

Wren stepped back.

Sabrina grabbed his right hand, Cassie his left. Trish gripped his tattooed bicep. Eyes closed, they chanted in time, ancient, mystical words he’d never heard and couldn’t hope to understand.

The breeze stilled and the sun disappeared, casting the world into darkness.

Their power sizzled through him, as if they’d set him on fire. He stifled a shriek. Invisible forces filled his veins, muscles, and everything else until he wasn’t certain he could take much more, terrified he’d explode from the intense pressure. His joints ached, and each hair on him stood on end, even the ones on his balls. He ground his teeth, making them ache, too.

Fuck.

The torment grew to impossible proportions. Sweat bathed him. He shook worse than someone freezing to death.

“Done.” Cassie released him first.

The others did the same.

Sun warmed his face, the world bright again.

The agony gripping him loosened and receded. Lightheaded, he swayed.

Wren slipped her arm around his waist. “You all right?”

He felt fucking awesome, more powerful than he could have imagined. “Oh yeah.”

“Careful with our stuff.” Cassie shot him a warning look. “Don’t strain yourself trying to be a badass or by testing your prowess.”

“I won’t.” He didn’t want to lose an ounce of their power and regretted having to whisk himself and Wren back to her place. “How much magic will I need to reach her house?”

“A smidgen.” Trish pinched her thumb and forefinger together, demonstrating. “It won’t affect your capability in the least.”

“And what I’ll need to transport us to the club when the time comes?”

“The same.”

“I guess we’re good to go, then.”

“Wait.” Wren hugged her posse. Everyone’s eyes grew wet, even his.

“Before you leave…” Trish tossed him her phone. “Remember, I want pictures.”

“You’ll get them.” He pushed the device into his pocket and gathered Wren close. “Ready?”

She rested her head against his shoulder and held tight. “Uh-huh.”

Didn’t sound like it. His confidence waned. I can’t fuck this up. I have to do it right.

Unnerved, he recited the spell.

Air rushed by. Something popped. He prayed he hadn’t broken their bones. The sun dimmed. Shit, he couldn’t have doused it.

Terrified, he wanted to run but couldn’t move, except to open his eyes.

He and Wren were in her living room.

She glowed. “You did it.”

He had. Amazed, he held back a whoop and lifted her into his arms.

She snuggled against him. “Where are we going?”

“Bedroom.” He raced down the hall and settled her on the mattress.

Her hair spilled over the comforter, haloing her face. She stroked his neck. “Need to take a nap?”

He’d never been less tired. “Nope.” He backed away and stripped off his jeans. Nude, he joined her.

She rolled away from his grasp, positioned herself on all fours, and looked over her shoulder at him. “How’s this?”

“Another time.” At the moment, he wanted intimacy rather than an uncivilized fuck. He eased her to her back, facing him.

She gave him an odd look. “What’s wrong?”

So many emotions swirled within him he could scarcely contain them, love at the forefront. He needed her as he never had another woman. She completed him. No matter the shit he’d face through eternity, if she was at his side, he’d not only endure, he’d rejoice. “Nothing. I want to look at you.”

Adoration for him flooded her features.

The best a man could hope for. He eased his rigid cock into her pussy.

Her mouth fell open on a contented sigh. “Nice.”

Not even close. What they felt for each other was miraculous. He pumped slowly, savoring her inner heat, her tight, slick channel.

She drew her legs back farther, giving him greater access.

Their gazes never left each other. They smiled then became solemn in respect for such a blessed act.

Her eyes grew unfocused, her pussy tightening around his shaft.

He stroked her nub.

A pleased moan tore from her. She arched her back, her areolas pebbled, tips erect.

He drew the left one into his mouth, thrust his shaft gently inside her, and rubbed her clit, her warmth, softness, and scent undoing him and making the room spin. He tensed to steady himself.

She writhed.

Unlike the other times they’d made love, he didn’t want to rush, needing to savor these moments as long as he could. To witness the wonder he delivered to her.

No longer dizzy, he lifted his head.

Arousal flushed her skin. Her shoulders tensed as she tried to keep from coming. She clawed the comforter and squeezed his arms.

He longed to give her everything good the world had to offer and then some. Safeguarding her future and seeing to her pleasure was his only goal. To let her down wasn’t an option any longer.

Desperate for closeness, he pumped harder, faster.

The bedframe creaked.

Her fragrant breath spilled out, and her legs tightened around him.

He made love as he never had in the past, tenderness and devotion showing him the way.

They came as one, Wren moaning her release, him gasping.

Before he lost his remaining strength, he rolled them over to put her on top with him still deep inside, and caressed her to him. Her pussy quivered around his cock from her orgasm. He’d done well. “Thanks.”

She kissed his collarbone and rested her cheek against it, her breath warming his neck. “I should be thanking you for making me so damn happy.”

He hugged her harder than he should have then let up before he injured something. “I hate to think what would have happened if I hadn’t been at the club that night. Wait a sec. No, I don’t. I wouldn’t have put you in harm’s way.”

“What?” She pushed up and cupped his face. “Do you honestly believe Dimitri would have breezed by rather than hounding me if you hadn’t been around?”

“You wouldn’t have lost your powers.”

“Says who?” She brushed her lips over his. “There was nothing stopping him from stripping away everything I had to make me vulnerable to him. I’m guessing he didn’t because it would have been too easy. He likes to play with his victims. Make their lives miserable until he goes in for the kill. If anything, you saved my ass.”

Sounded nice, but he didn’t buy her kind words completely. “If he had trapped you before I’d come along, what would he have subjected you to?”

Terror filled her eyes. “I’d rather not think about it.”

“Sorry.” He eased her into him and held her gently. “I shouldn’t have mentioned it. I won’t again.”

“It’s okay. You didn’t know.”

Now that he did, he couldn’t believe Dimitri had gotten away with his monstrous behavior. “Why hasn’t anyone stopped him? Don’t you guys have an organization you belong to with rules and stuff?”

“Sure. Same as mortals. When have their laws ever stopped them from murder, arson, rape, and everything else?”

“Prisons do. If you guys don’t have them, shouldn’t you at least consider conjuring one to keep jerks like him off the street?”

“I thought that’s what we were going to do tonight at the club.”

If his plan worked. Shit, it had to, or he’d have to spend eternity helping her dodge Dimitri. “Right. I need to ask you something, and I’d like you to be honest. Please.”

She kissed his cheeks, eyelashes, nose, and chin. “I adore you.”

Grateful tears stung his eyes. He blinked them away. “I feel the same about you. But it’s not what I need to know.” He eased her away to see her face. “Are you scared about tonight?”

She averted her gaze then slumped. “Yeah…I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. I’m scared, too. Our fear will keep us alert. We have to remember what Cassie said about me not getting too cocky.”

“You won’t. You’re too good to behave like a fool.”

He wished he had her confidence in him. “No matter what happens, I’ll protect you.”

“Uh-uh.” She hugged him. “We’ll protect each other. The power of two.”

 

*****

 

Never in her life had Wren experienced a longer afternoon. Roman kept suggesting they mess around and let sex take the edge off her increasing blood lust and his worry about tonight.

She nixed the idea, afraid bed play would tax him too much. He needed to be hyper alert to everything Dimitri tried even before it happened. On her suggestion, they filled their time with cable movies. She wanted sci-fi. He preferred action-adventure. They compromised and watched zombie flicks.

At last, the sun sank below the horizon, bathing the world in darkness.

“Do you think it’s okay if I arrive like this?” He gestured to his naked chest. “Is there a rule at the club about no shirt, no shoes, no service?”

There was. “Better conjure up a top for yourself.”

“I hate to use the power.”

“It won’t be much.”

“Sure?”

Not in the least. She still couldn’t recall anything concerning magic. “If Trish said you bringing us here only used a smidge, getting a T-shirt can’t be nearly as much. It weighs far less than you and I do, especially together.”

“You’re right.” A black tee materialized.

She liked how the fabric hugged his biceps, pecs, and chiseled abs. “You’re going to have to help me out.” She gestured to her nudity. “We broke my chains. And I tossed my panels to the patrons. As a rule, I simply conjure more before returning to the stage.”

“Not a problem.”

In a flash, the items clothed her. “Whoa.” She gave him her best smile. “You’re getting good.”

“Tonight, I have to be great.”

She rushed into his arms. He staggered back from her speed and force. “Sorry.” She righted him and held on. “I have no doubt you’ll be magnificent.”

“Thanks.”

They held each other for the longest time, neither speaking, uncertainty pushing away everything else.

The world outside her windows grew darker. Streetlights created yellow pools barely sufficient to fight the increasing gloom.

Showtime had arrived in more ways than one.

He laced his fingers through hers. “Ready?”

Her stomach twisted from anxiety rather than hunger for blood. “Uh-huh.”

“If anything goes wrong—”

“It won’t. We won’t let it.”

He squeezed her hand. “If it does, promise me you’ll run.”

“Never.”

His sigh mingled with wind rustling the trees and bushes. He fingered her panels. “At least stay on point with what you’re supposed to do with these, okay?”

“Of course. I know the plan and won’t deviate. I’ll follow your lead.”

He looked sicker than she felt, but patted his pocket, Trish’s phone inside. “In case I forget, remind me to take pictures.”

“I will.”

He nodded. “Here we go.” He recited the incantation.

Wren materialized center stage as they’d planned, in time for her performance. The DJ brightened at seeing her and waved. She nodded in greeting, heart racing.

Roman stood at a nearby table, his stance alert, gaze sweeping the crowd.

Dimitri wasn’t here yet.

The mike squealed. Wearing a sheepish grin, the DJ tapped the thing. “I swear, I’ll get this thing right eventually. For now, prepare yourself for a treat!”

The first strains from “Girl on Fire” filled the smoky room.

Patrons faced the stage. The spotlight flashed on, illuminating Wren, her back to everyone.

Whistling broke out. Suggestive comments followed. In times past, she would have considered nothing more than the dough she’d pull in tonight and how much she needed to give her troubled teens for tutoring and other stuff their parents couldn’t afford. With her and Roman’s future on the line, she found it hard to think.

Allowing the music to take over, she swayed in time to the beat then spun around to face the crowd, face down.

Cold air wafted close.

Dimitri.

She wanted to recoil but braced herself for the worst and looked up.

He stood yards away, ignoring Roman’s glare and the smartphone in his hand to focus on her alone.

Her skin went clammy.

He smiled.

There wasn’t anything scarier in the universe. More frightened for Roman than herself, she stuck to the script and strode across the stage, her steps matching the music. At the point where Alicia cut loose and made the tune burn with passion, Wren spun a tight circle, faster than she ever had.

Her panels flew upward and elongated, morphing into ropes from Roman’s incantation, precisely as they’d decided.

The cords snaked away from her.

The audience let out a collective gasp. Applause thundered through the room. Alicia sang her heart out.

One rope broke free, then another, and still another.

Everyone fell silent, even Alicia’s song.

At last, the final cord snapped free.

Wren stopped.

The ropes raced toward Dimitri.

His mouth fell open. He lifted his hand.

Fearing he’d stop them, she zipped from the stage and ran around him fast enough to blur.

In his effort to follow and try to grab her, he forgot the ropes.

She hadn’t and stepped back.

Quicker than a blink, they encircled him and tightened.

He bellowed.

Roman rushed to her side, camera lifted to film this, and held her.

Encased in ropes from head to toe, except for his eyes that he’d managed to keep free, Dimitri couldn’t move or speak. However, his power hadn’t been fully tamed. His irises turned silver.

He blasted them with his dark magic.

They held tight to each other, their love a barrier against evil. Cassie’s, Sabrina’s, and Trish’s power within Roman helped, too.

Dimitri’s curse bounced off them, flipped, and did a U-turn, slamming into him.

He flew off his feet and crashed into the wall.

Before he dropped to the floor, Roman shot the scene and recited an incantation. The plaster liquefied, surrounded Dimitri, then hardened, encasing him below the “love note” he’d left them the other day.

As before, his eyes were still uncovered and blazed. He sent another blast, which petered out before reaching them.

Roman shouted, “Switch us back the way we were, or spend the rest of your existence in there.”

The wall shook from Dimitri’s gyrations, but he couldn’t break free.

“Fine, have it your way.” Roman conjured numerous daggers then spoke to the servers. “Ladies, would you care to show this prick what you really think of him?”

They grabbed their weapons.

Shifters and other paras made bets on who’d make the best shot and jockeyed for the most advantageous position to watch the coming show.

The servers let loose. Given their lousy aim, few daggers hit the wall, none his eyes.

Roman lifted the smartphone in one hand to take his pictures and held up several more knives in the other, using them to taunt Dimitri. “Seems the ladies are too nice to give you what you deserve. I’m not. Remove the fucking curse you put on Wren and me, or I’ll take out your eyes. One by one.”

Dimitri screeched something.

Wren pressed against Roman. “What did he say?”

“Not the reverse curse, that’s for sure. I feel the same as I have since he screwed us. How about you?”

She nodded.

Roman hollered at him, “Say bye-bye to your sight.” He threw.

The dagger shot across the space then wobbled, Dimitri controlling it.

Shit. Wren bit her lip.

Roman threw the other one and dozens more.

Dimitri wailed something and closed his eyes.

Something whisked from Wren, leaving her empty. No. No. What in the fuck has he done this time?

Wait. Another feeling arrived, comfort and confidence surging within. Her true self.

She didn’t trust the change and gripped Roman’s wrist. “Conjure more daggers.”

He glanced at the remaining one in his hand and stared at her. “I can’t recall how.”

“Are you sure?”

He nodded. “Do you crave blood?”

She didn’t, the persistent ache gone. “No. Do you?”

He made a face. “Yeah.”

Crap. “I’m going to fix everything now that I have my power back. As soon as I take care of him.” Without further ado, she sealed Dimitri in the wall, including his eyes this time, and used extra power to secure his prison so he couldn’t possibly get out.

Roman’s eyebrows shot up, but he filmed the scene. “You’re going to trap him forever?”

“I’d like to, but I figure after a couple of centuries, he will have learned his lesson and we can let him loose. For now, we’re free.” She threw her arms around him.

The patrons decided who’d won the bet, paid off, and settled back in their chairs. The DJ selected a new tune.

Roman hugged her gently. “I’m glad you’re free.”

“You will be, too.” She cradled his face. “This is our start on the future, okay?”

Doubt filled his eyes. “You’re sure you want to spend more time with me? I might always crave blood.”

“I don’t care. Until I can find a spell to eliminate your hunger or we locate the idiot who did this to you and get her to turn it around, you’ll feed on me.” She poked his chest. “Try to do so with any other woman and I’ll have your ass.”

He laughed and teared up some, too. The same as her. “You don’t mind being my blood slave?”

“Serving you will be an honor and my pleasure.”