“Home it is,” I said, saluting them before flashing myself away.
They knew that I needed my space. My front door opened with a flick of my finger, allowing me access. It was a bit lazy to use magic to enter my home, but tiredness literally poured out of my body, almost dragging it to the ground. The disappointment of our lead escaping caused tears to pop into my eyes. My teeth clenched as I locked the door behind me and thumped my fist against the wooden frame.
“Come now,” a male voice said behind me. “Tears do not become you.”
Every inch of my body went still. I knew that voice. I knew the scent of leather that now slipped up my nostril and caused me to cringe. Shit. My enemy was in my home. How the hell had he gained entrance?
“We’re connected, you and I.” The usually muffled voice was clear, echoing throughout my hallway.
Slowly turning on my heels, I took a deep breath as I faced the man who thought I was his. An evil man who had no idea that I was about to end his life.
Forcing myself to relax as much as I possibly could, I stared at him. The mask was gone. His light grey eyes were just like my father’s. The smooth skin that was marked by stubble was nothing like the man who’d sired him. Another woman might have thought that the serial killer was attractive, but his medium framed figure pulsed evil as he stared at me.
“My father made a bet with yours,” I said, trying to eradicate the shake of my voice. “I brought him back to life because he had a message. Apparently, if I don’t marry you, the veil between Hell and Earth will fade so much that evil spirits will be able to gain access to our realm. Is that why you’re so insistent on us marrying?”
The tick in his jaw was the only giveaway that he had heard my question. Every part of him was solid as he stared, his eyes creeping me out like nothing ever had before. I’d faced a few weirdos in my time, but Lucien Harvey was in a whole new league. How the hell would I be able to try and tell my team that I needed backup?
“I’m a fan of books, too. I never used to be,” he muttered, “until I started to stalk you. You see, when my father told me that he had a woman in mind for me, I wasn’t best pleased. I was in love with my high school sweetheart, but he killed her to prevent me from having a happy life.”
Swallowing, I debated whether to reply. The wedding dress wasn’t just to do with me. The pain of losing the woman he loved was obviously the driving point for his obsession.
“When I saw a photo of you, I must admit that I was intrigued. You wore a book T-shirt that said If life were better, I wouldn’t need all the books. Readism is escapism. I was intrigued by that.”
His staring was freaking me out. His eyes dipped to read my current T-shirt, but I didn’t give him time to speak again. This was my home, my domain. My magic worked best right here. Lifting my arm, I muttered a freezing spell, knowing full well that I probably couldn’t hold him for long. My feet were moving towards him before he could even blink. My arms shoved him hard, my body slinking past, Lucien almost pushing me against the wall as he tried to grab me. When his hand made contact with my wrist, I grabbed it and pulled with me as I spun.
“Don’t!” His exclamation was said in shock as I wrenched his arm behind his back. “I told you I didn’t want to fight you. I want to marry you.”
The man was fucking deluded. As if I would give myself over freely. I didn’t know on what part of Mother Earth anyone could assume that I would willingly marry someone that my father had lost a bet to. Or, his son, anyway.
About to break his arm, I shuddered when he shouted a Latin spell that I’d never heard before. My skin started to burn where I touched him, my fingertips melting into his skin. Wrenching away, I swore as pain exploded in my head.
Reeling backwards, I dived into the living room and shoved the door closed. My familiar’s meow drew my attention as Smudge paced over to me. I had neglected my familiar for the last few weeks. I wouldn’t be surprised if she wanted to allow Lucien to harm me. Not that she would. It was her role to protect me, but she was a female cat after all.
“Smudge, get out of here.” Waving her away, I placed a barrier spell over the door.
The cat wound herself around my legs before jumping on the couch and disappearing behind it. Good, at least I wouldn’t have to worry about her getting hurt by my serial killer admirer.
“There’s no point in trying to keep me away,” Lucien shouted. “I’m stronger than you. Your death has weakened you.”
He moved closer to the door, his voice muffled as he obviously put his mouth right next to it. How was he more powerful than me? Surely, the ancestors hadn’t...?
“You hate Essex witches, but you are one!” I shouted, getting out my phone and typing an emergency message to Dave.
Unless my desk friend could take magic from someone to transport himself to my house, he had no chance of reaching me anytime soon.
The crack of wood made me reel back, my feet almost tripping over
