Free Demons of Bourbon Street by Deanna Chase Page A

modifying people’s memories lately.” I sidestepped, putting myself between Philip and Kat. If he tried anything, I didn’t want her on the receiving end.
Philip’s face hardened. “I don’t have that particular ability. Even if I did, I certainly wouldn’t use it.”
“ But you did with me, last night,” Lailah spat. “Jade saw you when she did a tracking spell. You were the only other person there. Then you showed up on my memory recovery. Twelve hours I lost.”
He turned in her direction, his eyes softening. “I was there, but that’s not why you don’t remember.”
Her lips pressed into a thin line.
“ Why then?” I asked, breaking the silence.
“ It’s the circle.” He gestured around the clearing. “It’s been compromised.”
“ What?” I took an unconscious step backward, putting distance between me and the circle.
“ It’s tainted. All spells performed here have the potential to do serious harm.” He stopped and turned back to me. “They can’t remember because they were infected by the circle’s magic. It took over their conscious thoughts, with only one goal in mind.”
“ And that would be?” A pit the size of a crater formed in my stomach.
“ Destroy the one who tainted it.”
I stopped breathing and forced out, “Me?”
“ Yes.” Compassion and no small amount of apprehension radiated from him. “Your magic tainted the circle. Your black magic.”
 

Chapter 8
     
Chaos erupted. Everyone spoke over each other while I stared at Philip, frozen in shock. He met my gaze, a trace of sadness in his pale green eyes. One blink and the emotion vanished, replaced by stony determination.
Goodwin’s voice rose above the others. “We need to bind her. Now.”
“ Jonathon, don’t be ridiculous,” Lailah scoffed. “Clearly Jade isn’t posing an immediate danger. No need to be drastic.”
Magically binding me would keep my soul from being corrupted. It would also put me in a coma. Forever. Unless someone managed to neutralize the black magic. And I was the only witch I knew strong enough and stupid enough to attempt such a thing.
Goodwin stalked toward me, and I glared at him. Bind me first and ask questions later, huh? Yeah, not gonna happen.
Kat and Lailah appeared beside me, each flanking one side.
Kane stepped in Goodwin’s path. “Turn around and walk away.”
“ Who are you?” Goodwin asked, impatience lacing his voice.
“ The guy who’s going to send you to your own special version of Hell if you don’t get the fuck away from my girlfriend.”
Goodwin started to glow, magic building around him. He took a small, challenging step toward Kane. “Go ahead and try.”
“ Jonathon!” Lailah barked. “Back off.”
Neither of the men acknowledged her. Kane’s arms flexed, and Goodwin’s magic rippled. Jonathon raised his arm, ready to throw the magical equivalent of a punch.
“ Kane!” I cried as he took a swing at an honest-to-Goddess man of the cloth. Not that Goodwin didn’t deserve it.
A bright white light materialized between them and forced them a good five feet apart before either could strike the other. Kane stumbled and grimaced as he clutched his thigh—the same one Meri had stabbed during his stay in Purgatory—but he managed to stay upright. Goodwin tripped over his own feet and landed on his backside.
They both stared at me.
I raised my hands. “I didn’t do it.” Jerking my head toward Lucien, I added, “That’s his magical signature.”
Lucien stormed over and positioned himself in front of me, power still brimming at his fingertips. “Enough. We’re not binding Jade. At least, not until we figure out what’s happening.”
Goodwin scrambled to his feet, a challenge already forming on his lips.
“ One more word and I’ll curse you,” Lucien snapped, an icy calm radiating off him.
I’d never seen him work so much magic by himself. Something suspiciously close to pride welled in my chest. My second in command was growing stronger.
Philip,