Free Fierce Enchantment by Carrie Ann Ryan Page B

What is it?”
    “The Conclave. It’s a summons.” The roaring ceased, and he blinked then cracked his jaw, trying to make his eyes quit blurring. “I need to go.” He looked down at Arya and then over his shoulder at where Juliana had gone. “I can’t leave them here alone.” He met Faith’s wide eyes and shook his head. “I’ll call my parents and have them come.” He brushed Arya’s cheek. “Grandma and Grandpa would love seeing you, and I’ll be home as soon as I can.”
    Arya didn’t speak but leaned into him more, as if afraid that, if she let him go, he’d never come back. He understood her fear, as he’d once been forced to do just that, but he wouldn’t be doing it again.
    Not even for a Conclave that thought they owned his soul.
    “What do you need me to do?” Faith asked, her face pale.
    He didn’t blame her, considering the Conclave had not only started her new course in life with the lightning strike but were also the ones who had tried to kill her friends on the battlefield. It might not have been everyone on the Conclave, and it sure hadn’t been him, but he still represented the group who had irrevocably altered her life.
    “I’ll take you home on my way to the Conclave,” Levi said. “I’m sorry our day ended the way it did.”
    She gave him a small smile then shook her head. “It’s okay. But you’ll be safe, won’t you?” Faith asked. Faith She looked down at Arya and winced.
    “Arya, honey, will you go and sit with Juliana?” he asked. She lifted her arms, and he picked her up, kissing her cheek. “I’ll be back home. I promise, Arya darling. I promise.” His little girl sniffed then hugged him tighter before allowing him to set her down.
    Then, she did the most astonishing thing. She turned to Faith and hugged her legs before running off toward the stairs.
    He blinked at Faith, who stood staring wide-eyed at him. “I…I don’t think I’ve ever seen her hug a stranger,” he said dumbstruck.
    “That…I…well…has she spoken?” Faith asked, apparently ignoring what had happened. He didn’t blame her since he didn’t understand it himself.
    He shook his head. “Not since I left.” The roaring came back, and he staggered toward Faith. She caught him then cupped his face.
    “Call your parents and get me home. You need to take care of whatever you need to with the Conclave.” She took a deep breath. “I know you’re not one of the members who are going batshit crazy, but it’s still hard to think you’re one of them.”
    He nodded then winced, his head aching. “We can talk about it when I get back.”
    “We have a lot to talk about when you get back it seems,” she said, her hands on his arms, not holding him up anymore but still keeping him steady.
    Odd that her touch would do that when part of him wanted to push her against the wall and take her as his. He shoved that part down though, knowing it wasn’t the time. He also had a feeling she didn’t think him capable of doing that. He might act the calm and cool wizard, but inside, his veins flowed with the fire of a man who wanted the woman in front of him. He had a feeling he’d surprise her when he took her to bed, or on the floor, or a nearby table.
    He cleared his throat then took a step back, pointedly ignoring the lead pipe in his pants.
    “This isn’t over,” he said, his voice more of a growl.
    She raised a brow. “I figured. But one step at a time. Okay?”
    “Of course.” One step at a time. That’s the only way they could move forward. But where they were going? That he didn’t know.
    Yet.
     
     
    By the time his parents arrived to watch their grandchildren, Levi felt as if his head was going to explode. To expedite matters, Faith stood on the back porch and waited for him to open a portal to her home from there. Neither of them had wanted to deal with the meeting of the parents right then. Of course, he knew Juliana would mention Faith to them as soon as he was gone, so he was