Free Alix (The Coven's Grove Chronicles #1) by Virginia Hunter Page A

hand too, ya know,” Alix scoffed. “And most of those didn’t have any power in them.”
    Sam laughed. “Yeah, I know.” She pulled her shirt over her head. “Ready.”
    Alix opened the bathroom door, and stepped out. “She’s good to go.”
    Sam followed her out, and began primping in the mirror.
    Troy sat in the same cheap, particle-wood chair he’d been sitting in all night. He gave her a nod. “How about you?”
    “I’m good,” Alix replied, making her way over to him. She had already reapplied the imprint that had disappeared when she was shot. The only difference being that she tried to put a little more stopping power behind her thoughts as she applied it. Hopefully this new one would prevent some of the pain and bruising. She took a seat on the bed across from Troy. “That leaves you.”
    Troy arched one of his ginger brows. “I didn’t think there was much more you could do for me.”
    Alix was tempted to let him know there was a lot more she could do for him, but held her tongue. She was feeling a little out of sorts since their much-needed tension breaker. Well, a lot out of sorts really. She no longer had any doubts that Troy was into her, but given their current situation, Alix was afraid of getting him killed. Losing Hank and everyone else at the shop had been a terrible blow that she was still recovering from. If she lost Troy, or Sam for that matter, she didn’t think she would be able to handle it. Bullshit timing, Alix thought with a grimace.
    “You sure you’re okay?” Troy asked, in a low voice.
    Alix shook off her grim thoughts. “Yeah, just dealing with what’s happened, ya know?”
    His features relaxed, and he gave her a solemn smile. “I get that.”
    Alix was glad her excuse had put him at ease, but the weight on her shoulders didn’t lessen in the slightest. She glanced down at his hands to change the subject. “I want to try something. You mind?”
    “Of course not,” he replied, offering one of his fists.
    She steadied herself with a deep breath, and took his hefty hand in both of hers. The tingling, sensual warmth that always came from his touch danced along her fingers, up her arms, and through her body like a spring breeze. His manly scent intensified to the point that she could smell nothing but him. The tingle caressed its way down until it stirred her core, causing sweat to bead on her brow.
    Troy had tensed upon her gentle touch, but remained still, except for his low, heavy breathing.
    Alix swallowed the sudden dryness in her throat, and forced her thoughts away from naked images of her and Troy, to the imprint she intended to place on his hand. She imagined explosive, fiery power, releasing from Troy’s fists, as they made impact with his foes. An image of fire and smoke came to her mind, and she let the combination of thought and image out into the real word. When she looked again at Troy’s fist, the imprint had taken hold. Wicked flames of crimson and gold crawled up the back of his hand all the way up to his elbows, while light tendrils of smoke filled the spaces between the licking flames.
    “Whoa, that’s badass,” Sam said, whistling as she walked over. “Can I get one of those?”
    “I’ve never tried imprinting over another imprint,” Alix replied, gesturing to the thorny vines on Sam’s wrists. “I don’t think experimenting on you is such a good idea.”
    “I suppose you’re right,” Sam said, still studying Troy’s arm.
    Alix repeated the process on his other hand. “I don’t know what’s gonna happen the next time you punch something, but I’d suggest closing your eyes when you do.”
    “Gotcha,” Troy said, as he examined the new imprints. “Hopefully I won’t have to use them.”
    “No way,” Sam said. “You gotta use those on something—”
    “But not now,” Alix interrupted.
    “Don’t worry,” Troy said, as he rolled his sleeves down and smiled. “I’ll use some restraint.”
    Alix yawned suddenly. She’d