Free Through a Crimson Veil by Patti O'Shea Page A

between them, not with this bond. The thought made her shiver. And while it was a connection that they could fight for a short time, the longer they spent together, the more difficult it would be to resist. Which made it a foregone conclusion where they’d end up.
    And once they became lovers, their link would only solidify. They would want each other more, and the need to protect the other would grow. She felt it already, suspected Conor did too, and that it played a part in his agreeing to watch over her.
    Mika sighed. She needed to get off the sofa and begin searching. It was already full dark and she had no idea how long McCabe would be away, but she didn’t move. She was in no big hurry to find the spell. It might be a longshot, but if Conor had more time with her, grew to like her, maybe he wouldn’t be unforgiving when the truth came out about her duplicity.
    Did he know of the vishtau? Probably not, and that was to her advantage. He couldn’t battle it as easily if he didn’t understand what it was. Since the bond was viewed with reverence in Orcus, it was unlikely any demon had spoken of it to a human, and it wouldn’t be in one of his books.
    At some point, she’d have to explain it to him. The thought was daunting. He wouldn’t want that kind of tie with her—especially after she completed her mission.
    She tugged at her shirt, pulling the hem down to the waistband of her shorts, and laughed as her sense of humor surged back. Poor Conor. Part of the vishtau was overwhelming sexual desire. More than desire, it was need, craving, yearning…There wasn’t a word in any human language strong enough to describe the urge to mate. And the longer they were together, the more powerful it would grow. It was part of being a demon even he wouldn’t be able to deny. Not for long.
    With another laugh, Mika pushed herself to her feet. Shecould think while she searched, and she needed to start looking. The Council was positive McCabe had the incantation of legend, and that he was only one capable of using it. After spending time with him, she had some doubts. Not that he had it— that wouldn’t surprise her—but that he might perform it.
    According to the legend, the spell not only enslaved all demon will to the one who wielded it, but would lower the veil that kept her people imprisoned in Orcus. Given his feelings, Mika was sure the last thing Conor McCabe would want was demons loose again in the human world. It didn’t matter if he had control; simply seeing them would remind Conor of what he was—and of what he hated.
    Though she doubted McCabe would ever use it, Mika knew she couldn’t take any chances. As long as that incantation existed, so did the possibility that it would be enacted, and she wouldn’t allow her family to become thralls to anyone.
    She looked around, trying to choose a starting point for her search. It was difficult. If the spell wasn’t part of a grimoire, it could be anywhere: tucked in one of his books, in a pocket of a jacket, on his computer. And while Conor was neat, he also seemed to have accumulated a hell of a lot of paper.
    Mika huffed out a long breath and, with one hand, pushed the hair off her forehead. She’d begin with his desk and work her way through his office area first. That was the most likely place. If that failed, she’d keep looking. She had no choice.
    When she sat in his chair, she felt his essence strongly. Obviously Conor spent a lot of time here. For a moment she stopped and indulged herself in the sense of him, at least until she felt the ache of the vishtau return between her thighs. Mika squirmed, trying to make it ease, and reached for the deep purple geode paperweight. It was heavy and big enough that she needed two hands to hold.The geode held Conor’s vibration too, and as she cradled it against her chest, she found it somehow calming.
    Reluctantly, she returned the stone to the desktop and, with a sigh, forced herself to get to work—the Council