Free BloodWitchInferno by Mary C. Moore Page B

performed the spell. She reveled in her power. Her mother’s
training showed.
    The candles extinguished, leaving the room in darkness. Mira
waited, cross-legged on the floor, breathing regularly. The sensation was
different than she remembered, calmer. When the ball of light appeared, her
heart beat quicker.
    The light faded and she smelled him before she saw him.
    “Karnon?” she whispered. Something was wrong. Her body didn’t
react with overpowering lust.
    “Mira.”
    Her heart skipped a beat. It was he.
    “Yes, I am here.” She struck a match.
    He blinked in the sudden light.
    “What’s happening? Why aren’t we, you know?” she swallowed
her question and giggled, the wine’s influence still present.
    His mouth quirked into the grin she remembered so well. She
had an urge to lean forward and run her fingers over his full lips but she
could control the urge. Instead she busied herself lighting candles.
    “Mira.”
    She looked up at him. His expression was gentle and maybe
even sad. Did he pity her? What if he was too busy? Did he want to tell her she
shouldn’t Call him? Was he more powerful now because of a new position? Why
wasn’t he saying anything?
    He didn’t speak, simply looked at her. She stared back at
him, unable to break the silence. The candlelight flickered over his body and
she was glad she still wore clothes—at least a small protection for her
vulnerability.
    His expression changed. Almost…fearful?
    “Mira,” he whispered and reached out a hand.
    She gasped. It wasn’t the candlelight. His body was
flickering.
    “What’s happening?”
    He watched her, not responding.
    “Karnon! Are you leaving?”
    He shook his head.
    “Then why are you fading away?”
    The flickering subsided. He turned misty.
    “Karnon! What’s happening? What’s wrong?”
    He opened his mouth but no words came out.
    He let his hand fall. She rushed to him, arms outstretched
but they went right through him. He had disappeared. Only the shadow of his eyes
watched her.
    “No!” she screamed, grappling at the air.
    He was gone.
    “No.”
    She staggered and slipped to the floor, her cheek pressing
against the salt, mixing with the tears welling from her eyes.
    “No.”
    Somehow she knew he hadn’t just returned back to Hell. What
had she done? Why had she waited so long? Her pride? What did it matter if he
had rejected her? At least he would have known before—before—a sob heaved from
her—she couldn’t think it.
    “I love you, Karnon. Don’t leave me alone.”
    * * * * *
    Sunlight filtered through the window of the attic. Mira’s
eyes were heavy and dry. She lifted herself off the cold floor. With salt
sticking to her cheek and nose she sat with her head bowed. She had fallen
asleep but she didn’t know how long she had lain there crying before she did.
    “Mira.”
    The sweet and joyful warmth flooded through her body. A hand
stroked her shoulder. She looked up.
    Karnon smiled at her. “I love you too.”
    They leaned in, lips brushing. The kiss grew in intensity
and he wrapped his arms around her. She relished in the moment, in amazement.
He loved her too! He was here, with her, without a spell.
    He kissed her deeper. She welcomed it and returned the soft
passion. Gently he laid her down on the ground, unbuttoning her shirt, tracing
his fingertips over her naked skin, sending shivers through her. He flicked his
tongue over her nipple, causing her to arch up. This wasn’t the Calling, it was
more. He buried his face in her breasts. She stroked the muscles of his back,
wrapping her legs around him. They pressed against each other, skin on skin.
She shivered from the sensation.
    She reached for him, hungry to have him. After waiting for
so long, she didn’t want to wait any longer. He responded to her request
eagerly, pulling his body up and kissing her deeply. He entered her, and she
both cried out with delight and love. They moved in rhythm, their bodies and
souls united, until she released with