Free Cursed by Destiny (WG 3) by Cecy Robson Page B

me. I pictured Aric’s large hands as my own slid down my body. I loved him, needed him, and desired him. My hands idly traced my curves as I continued to think of his caress. I wanted him to touch me, to feel his strong hands grip my—
    “Hey, Celia. We’re out of soap. Can we borrow yours?”
    “ Liam! ”I tried to cover my girl parts. “What are you doing here? ”
    Liam seemed confused. He scratched his spiky blond hair. “I told you, we’re out of soap and I was wondering if—”
    “ Get the hell out of my bathroom! ”
    Liam sighed dramatically and shook his head. “Celia, you need to get over your shyness. I told you, the body is a marvelous wonderland—”
    I hit him in the face with a bottle of conditioner. Emme appeared as I reached for the liter of shampoo. “Liam, honey, not everyone wants you to see them naked. We’ve discussed this, sweetie . . .”
    Emme guided Liam out of the bathroom while he continued to hold his bleeding nose. I’m sorry , she mouthed to me over her shoulder.
    I fell back against the tile. The water grew cold the longer I stood there alone, a painful reminder that nothing would change when I stepped out. Aric wasn’t there to fight beside me. I was on my own. And monsters had already begun to hunt.

CHAPTER 7
    “There is something I believe we should do.”
    I quirked a brow at Misha. He leaned across the kitchen table. Most of the things he “believed we should do” involved fur cuffs and frosting. I paused in the middle of pouring my juice. Behind me Chef swore as he cut watermelon to resemble a blooming flower. “What might that be, Misha?”
    “We’ve been focusing on training your physical abilities, but have neglected your other talents.”
    I didn’t like the direction of this conversation and put the pitcher of OJ down. “I’d rather you concentrate on landing me a new mission so I can kill the big creepy bastards hunting me before they strike again. My beast has grown restless with the need to protect me, Misha. If I don’t sink my fangs into evil soon, I’ll go nuts.”
    Misha continued unaffected. “If what seeks to kill you recognizes you as the key to its annihilation, perhaps you need an additional weapon.” He smiled at my unyielding stare. “Your dormant magical abilities need to be awakened, dearest one. And I believe I know how.”
    “My magical abilities are just fine and dandy. Leave them the hell alone.”
    Misha met my scowl with a sigh. “I disagree. From what you describe, you cannot control your change when exposed to animals.”
    “Yes, I can. If I know they’re there, I can block their spirit and not accidently change into them.”
    “That’s not what I mean, my darling. You need to train yourself to absorb their spirits and control the change , as opposed to trying to prevent it. It would please me if you could transform into any animal at will.”
    “I don’t want to be considered a shape-shifter; those things are freaky.”
    “Shape-shifters spend decades making blood offerings in order to command their forms. I assure you no lives will be taken or virgins sacrificed. I’m merely suggesting an experimentation of sorts.” A vampire entered the room. Misha sent him scurrying with a subtle wave of his hand.
    I slammed my palm on the table and grinned. “Good to know virgins are safe in your hands, but I’m still not doing it.”
    Chef placed more food in front of me and glowered at my plate. “ Merde! Eez zat all you are eating?”
    Misha ignored my protests. And we both ignored Chef. “My love, developing your gift would give you an advantage no one else on earth possesses and would further add to your uniqueness.”
    “Don’t you mean my weirdness? Misha, I think you believe I’m capable of more than I am. Aside from my tigress, all other forms I’ve managed have been temporary. Besides, it’s not pretty when I come in contact with an animal—I have seizures during which I’m vulnerable. I drool, and my skin