Free Addicted to Witch by Billy London Page B

Auden took the hint and sat in front of her instead.
    “You need to start talking, because I am doing something mad here.”
    “I don’t know where it comes from either.” He tucked a lock of hair behind his ear.
    “What?”
    “That feeling that I know you.”
    “We had quite a lot of sex over the space of twelve hours. I’d feel like I’d know you, too.”
    He smiled. “No, it’s not that. Although that did help.”
    She wanted to feel the slightest bit of embarrassment but it had been wonderful to be with him. His fingers curled into her own. “Now what’s the deal with you and this woman? Dr. Deans?”
    He closed his eyes again, his jaw working as if he were trying to push words past his lips and was unable to.
    “Why can’t you tell me?”
    He banged his fist on the table, releasing her hand to grip his hair. “Have you ever just trusted your instinct about anything, a person, an animal, even if you were scared?”
    Her thoughts went instantly to the lion, which had been her giant teddy bear for a public nap. “Once.”
    “I need for you to do that again. It’s the only way.”
    “Auden, you can’t ask me to that. She stood there and said she was your girlfriend. And you didn’t say otherwise.”
    His jaw locked, his eyes turning red from strain. She stared at him. I should be able to do this. Diagnose what’s wrong with him, but it isn’t physical. The depression, it’s not bi-polar, I know that. It’s from his situation, not a condition. What’s really wrong with you? She leaned forward and cupped his cheek.
    “Look at me, please?”
    Staring at those violet eyes, she mentally flipped through her medical knowledge, discarding theories. That did no good. Spiritual causes then , she commanded and the light of the action over Auden reflected briefly blue in her own eyes. “Curse,” she whispered. Auden’s eyes closed in relief, his hands finding her own. “She cursed you.”
    “Do you believe in that sort of stuff?” he asked, desperation in his tone.
    She gave a shrug. “I was born in a small village in Ghana. Believing in witchcraft can be par for the course. And that woman cast a spell. Why?”
    He shook his head again. “Can’t.”
    She circled the table and wrapped her arms around him, tucking her head under his chin. “I understand. We’ll get you back to the house. See what we can do from there.”
    “Thank you.” His voice broke over the second word. She held him tighter, knowing just how much it meant to be simply believed.
     

Chapter Eleven
     
    Urban London faded into spring green countryside as the train sped to Kent. Helena didn’t say anything more, and she didn’t need to. That tiny spark of hope was now a raging bonfire in his chest—there could be an end to this. No one else could have helped him, but her. Whether his soul would be ripped to pieces or not, he didn’t care. He wouldn’t let Romely anywhere near her again.
    Official sunset was in less than half an hour, and he’d need to be inside the gates if he wasn’t to change. The curse of Romely’s unwanted love. Strange how he was desperate to escape her clutches, and yet he would be happily bound to Helena for the rest of his days. His heart took another leap. If she loved me too, then maybe… Calm down.
    The train rolled into the station. With Helena glued to his side, they took the first taxi to his home. Not feeling confident he would be able to say anything more, he stayed silent as the sky’s light dipped below the horizon streaking it midnight blue. He winced as he felt his ribs began to expand.
    “What is it?” Helena asked, hearing his muffled grunt.
    “I’m all right.”
    Helena tapped on the driver’s seat. “You really need to move. Please. I’ll give you a hundred quid extra if you do.”
    The driver put his foot down as Auden caved in on himself, straw-coloured fur sprouting over his arms. He pulled down the sleeves of his hoodie so she wouldn’t see. Fuck, he was really scared