Free Shadows of Bourbon Street by Deanna Chase Page A

floor. I was one hundred percent trapped, mind and body, in this witch’s house and could do nothing. Again! My magic burned uselessly through my veins. Goddamned son of a witch! How dare she?
    My gaze locked on Kane’s as Dayla leaned in and brushed her lips over his, not a kiss but a soft, loving caress. My stomach turned and more magic burned through me. I was going to fucking kill that dirty old witch. Get your hands off my man!
    And then, just as I thought my magic was going to combust and rip me apart right there in her living room, a shimmer of red-tinged light outlined Dayla’s body and spread, encompassing Kane until they were locked together in a magical cocoon.
    Fiona waved a hand, releasing me, and somehow took all my built-up magic with her. I slumped forward, totally spent and unable to even reach the faintest spark of magic.
    “Hey!” I cried and ran forward but was so weak my feet didn’t obey. I flailed forward and crashed into the loveseat headfirst. “Shit!”
    “Settle down, Jade,” Fiona said in a soft tone that was full of calming energy and a twinge of magic. The combination filtered into me, achieving exactly what she’d commanded. I could have staved it off if she hadn’t just wiped all my energy from me. Instead, I was at her mercy. And dammit, that was unacceptable.
    “What the hell is going on here?” I demanded. “What is she doing to Kane? And why did you attack me?”
    Fiona held out a hand to help me up. “My apologies, sister witch. It wasn’t my intention to overpower you. Dayla and your Kane are in an energy bond right now. If you’d interfered, it would have been dangerous for both of them.”
    Her eyes were apologetic, and through her touch, I felt the heavy weight of her regret. She hadn’t wanted to spell me, but she’d done what she thought was best for everyone.
    “Don’t ever do that again,” I said, not caring that she was remorseful. Kane was still snared in Dayla’s hold, certainly against his will. “We came here to help, not to be assaulted.”
    “My sincere apologies, Ms. Calhoun.” Fiona’s tone and intent were sincere. I struggled to get past my fear and outrage in order to understand what was going on.
    “What is she doing to him?” I asked, fear lacing my voice. I swallowed it down. Now wasn’t the time.
    “She’s giving him the tool he needs to bring Matisse home.”
    “What?”
    But she didn’t answer. She only turned and raised her arms high over her head and chanted, “Lilith, Goddess of the night, hear our call. We give you one of your sons. Awaken the gift within.”
    The lights flickered once and then went out, leaving us in the dim glow of the red cocoon still holding Dayla and Kane together.
    I wanted to run to him. To scream at these witches. To drag him away and break their hold on him. But they’d just called up a demon Goddess. And she’d responded. To interrupt now would have far greater consequences than whatever they were trying to accomplish. One did not tempt the wrath of Lilith.
    I bit down hard on my cheek, keeping quiet, and forced myself to stay still. The red outline grew brighter and then the magic started to shift from Dayla to Kane, pulsing over him in the double rhythm of a heartbeat.
    Tears burned my eyes. What were they doing to him? “Kane?” I said so quietly, I was certain no one heard me. But as soon as the words were out of my mouth, he turned and pierced me with a red gaze, all the molten chocolate gone from his gorgeous eyes.
    I stood there in Dayla’s parlor, horrified. His face was contorted in an evil sneer and pure hatred stared back at me.
    My breath left me in one long whoosh as the horror of what he’d become sucker-punched me in the gut. “You turned him into a demon!” I cried and ran forward toward Dayla, small shocks of magic finally sputtering through me.
    But just as I was about to reach her, Kane’s arms came around me and pulled me to him, my back against his chest. He leaned down,