Free Missing Magic by Karen Whiddon Page A

this
could be.
    Everything that lived had some small particle
of magic. Even in the human world traces of magic remained in every
living thing, from the smallest blade of grass to the tallest,
towering oak.
    But now, in the swirling black air around
Mick’s house, there was none. No magic. Nothing. Only a complete
and utter void, as though someone – or something – had sucked all
the magic from the immediate universe surrounding the house.
    If this was true, Mick must be dead. Or
worse, one of the Soulless.
    Intrigued and puzzled, Cenrick moved away
from Dee, towards the house. Immediately, he fell to his knees as
wave after wave of negative energy swamped him, sapping his
strength.
    “Cenrick?”
    He could only point towards the house,
praying she’d understand.
    She crossed to his side. “Take my hand.”
Touching his hand, she threaded her fingers through his.
    Right away, he felt better. Protected. Her
touch restored his strength, allowing him to climb to his feet. Her touch .
    How was this possible?
    Experimentally, he pulled free. Instantly,
everything went blurry as the thing – whatever it was – hammered at
him.
    Again he grabbed her hand, holding on as
though she was a lifeline.
    In a way, she was.
    “Your touch…” He lifted his head. “Helps
me.”
    “Let’s get out of here.” Dee moved quickly.
One arm under his, supporting him, she helped him get back to her
car. With fumbling urgency, they got the passenger door open and,
without him touching any metal, he dropped himself into the
seat.
    Without another word, she cranked the engine,
slammed the car into drive, and took off.
    He felt better as soon as they turned the
corner. Better still by the time they reached the main road. One
stark truth stood out – anywhere near Mick’s house was extremely
dangerous for him.
    Except, he shot her a glance, when Dee
touched him. Somehow, she blunted the effects of the
magic-stealer.
    He didn’t understand how such a thing was
possible.
    “Are you going to live?” she asked.
Something, some catch in her voice, made him turn to face her. The
streetlights illuminated her delicate features and lush figure and
suddenly, he wanted her.
    What the hell? This was wrong. More than
wrong, completely bad timing. They were partners, co-workers in a
way. She’d freak if she saw his arousal.
    No. He could control this, would control it.
He’d survived a magic-stealing attack. He’d channeled the rush of
adrenaline to desire. Very natural and normal and, now that he
understood, easy to control.
    He hoped.
    Analyzing the why and how didn’t change the
way he felt.
    Still, he wanted her. Badly .
    “Yeah,” he managed. “I’m okay.” His swollen
body pulsed, despite his attempts to think of something else.
    “I’m not,” she said, her voice shaky. She
pulled into a deserted parking lot, driving around the back of the
closed store, and parking.
    He tried to concentrate on the fact that
she’d left the engine running, but all he could think about was how
badly he wanted to touch her.
    The seat creaked as she swiveled to face
him.
    “What is this?” Her eyes widened,
pupils dark, and he knew she felt the same, overpowering need.
“What’s happening to me?”
    He swallowed. “I know. Maybe you’d better
drive.”
    “Drive? I can’t. I wouldn’t be able to
concentrate on the road. All of a sudden, I’m overwhelmingly aware
of how large you are.” She took a deep, shuddering breath. “How
tightly corded your muscles are. You’re beautiful, Cenrick of Rune.
And I want you.”
    Each husky murmur acted like oil poured on
his fire. Staring back at her, he clenched his gloved hands to keep
from touching her. He could feel his pulse, heavy and urgent, his
body, thick and ready.
    “I—.” He tried to articulate a warning, but
couldn’t speak.
    “Damned if I’m not,” she licked her lips, the
quick, sexy movement sending his heartbeat into overdrive, “aroused
as hell.”
    Unable to help himself, he