Free CarnalHealing by Virginia Reede Page A

to spread everywhere though her body at once, making
her gasp. Her magic recoiled like a finger that had come in contact with a hot
flame.
    What is this? Leonore’s vision blurred and panic
threatened to overcome her. There was something familiar about the sensation,
but she couldn’t quite remember why. She looked around her, both to check
whether anyone was noticing her discomfort and to try to find a source for the
ghastly sense of…of evil that was weighing her down. Luckily, no one
seemed to be paying any attention to her, and Leonore began to feel a lessening
in the panic and apprehension that surrounded her.
    Then, from the corner of her eye, she saw something dark
move quickly. She spun just in time to see the figure of a man turning the
corner near the elevator. The suffocating sensation seemed to lessen as he
moved farther away.
    Leonore looked at the elevator and then at the hallway where
the man had disappeared. She longed to escape the floor where, at any moment,
Lucy’s parents might appear. Or Jeff might decide to come in early. But
suddenly, Leonore felt—no, knew with complete certainty that the figure
she had glimpsed was responsible not only for the cloud of malice that was even
now dissipating, but for Lucy’s relapse.
    Running would attract unwanted attention, so Leonore strode
very briskly toward the corner where the man had disappeared. She couldn’t
remember ever being in this particular section of hallway, which she usually
avoided because it required walking very closely past the nurses’ station.
Luckily, only one person was currently behind the desk and he was engrossed in
a telephone conversation. He took no notice as Leonore rounded the corner and
headed down the hall, trying hard to display a sense of confidence she did not
feel.
    Longer than the hall where Lucy’s room was located, this one
also ended in a glass door with an exit sign above it. The man, who Leonore
could now see had very dark hair and clothing to match, had almost reached the
end of the hall, and seemed to be heading for the stairwell. She wondered if an
alarm would sound if he opened the door, like the sign in the other hallway
warned.
    Leonore soon had her answer. The man reached the door and
pushed it open without hesitation. No sound ensued, and Leonore felt a sense of
panic. He’s getting away! She was tempted to sprint.
    The man paused, turning. As his face came around and his
gaze met hers, Leonore felt a flash of recognition. She knew, also, why the
sensation of evil had felt familiar. It was the man from the parking garage
yesterday morning, the one who had stared at her as if he knew she was hiding a
secret. She had felt the same stir of malice then, although to a much lesser
degree. Unbidden, she slowed down and then stopped, wanting to pursue him but
unable to do so. Her magic hummed, communicating a warning beat. Danger!
Danger!
    Then, he smiled. Malevolence seemed to engulf Leonore like a
cloud, leaving her breathless. Then the man turned and slipped through the
doorway, and the sensation of ill will was gone as suddenly as it had appeared.

Chapter Six
     
    “I’m sorry you had to wait. One of the girls came in an hour
late, and we’ve been trying to get back on schedule all day.” Ludmilla settled
herself in the chair opposite where Leonore sat with her hands soaking in a
bowl of warm, fragrant water. Unlike less elegant spas, Millie’s customers were
served in private rooms with curtained doors. She lifted the fluffy towel she
had been carrying and held it in front of her, an indication that Leonore
should withdraw her hands from the moisturizing solution and dry them. The towel
was soft and warm, and Leonore tried to relax as Millie gently massaged through
the fabric.
    “What’s with the worried expression? After our phone call, I
was expecting you to be a picture of post-coital bliss.”
    Leonore shivered. “Something strange happened after we
spoke. It was…weird.”
    Millie withdrew the