Magical Sex: Magical Sisters, Book 1 Page 12

  “Allie, what the hell are you doing?”

  She ignored Tom and concentrated, blocking out the sounds of the town. The urge to feed filled her in a hot flash of hunger and, carefully, she let it take her over. Heat pulsated through her, calling to the man’s life energy. Almost at once, the sweet taste filled her mouth to flow down her throat and spread through her body. Power swept through her, power that wanted to grow stronger, wilder. She moaned and pressed her body to him.

  “Allie, stop!”

  Strong hands broke the man’s arms away from her, then slipped under hers. She resisted the attempts to pull her back, wanting nothing more than to keep drawing the elixir of life into her greedy body. A voice, barely breaking into her consciousness, called to her, begging her to stop.

  “Allie, please, let him go!”

  Tom? Is Tom okay? Does he need me? Allie opened her eyes and jerked, flinging her body away from the strange man who then slumped to the ground.

  “Are you all right?” Tom knelt beside her, his hand on her cheek, his eyes filled with worry.

  “I’m okay. Is he…” She couldn’t ask the question. “Please tell me he’s alive.”

  Tom checked the man for a pulse, his body heaving with a sigh of relief, then came back to her. “Yeah, he’s alive and his pulse is strong. But should we get him to the hospital?” At that moment, the man moaned and rolled onto his back. “Wait. Is he snoring?”

  Allie giggled, letting the man’s life force spread throughout her body. She’d taken from the man but Tom had stopped her in time, proving that she could count on him. “I think he is. He’ll sleep until his body recovers. I doubt he’ll remember what happened. And even if he does, he won’t know whether or not to believe it.”

  Tom collapsed beside her and ran a shaky hand through his hair. “Holy crap, what the hell was that?”

  “I told you. I’m a succubus and that’s what I have to do to survive. I pulled his energy from him with my kiss.” She started to reach out, then abruptly withdrew her hand. What if he wouldn’t let her near him again? What if he was afraid of her now?

  “I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes.”

  “That’s why I had to show you.”

  The emerald of his eyes darkened as he searched her, seeking an answer she wasn’t sure she could give. “Allie, have you done that to me?”

  Shame flooded her, no longer allowing her to look at him. “Yes.” She rushed on, her words stumbling out with the hope of making him understand and, if she was lucky enough, to forgive her. “But, unlike this time, I didn’t mean to do that to you. I just wanted what every other girl has: a chance for sex, a chance for real love. When I met you, after we talked, I felt so close to you. I needed to be near you, to make love to you. Nothing more and nothing less.”

  “But you did that to me?” Tom focused on the man who was already beginning to stir. “Then why don’t I remember?”

  “Meg put a spell on you so you wouldn’t.”

  He sat beside her and she could almost hear his thoughts. He struggled to come to grips with everything he’d learned. On top of that, he wrestled with the realization that they’d taken advantage of him, lied to him, put him under a spell. All because she hadn’t controlled her need to feed.

  “Tell me, Allie.” He pivoted toward her, his features hardened. “Was I anything more than a source of energy?” His unyielding expression morphed into a hurt that broke her heart.

  “I never wanted to do that to you. Never, Tom, I swear. You mean so much more to me. More than I could ever have hoped.” Her vision blurred as the tears welled. “Please believe me. If I could change things, if I could change what I am, what I have to do, I would. But I don’t know how else to be.”

  “Tell me, Allie, do care about me?”

  She struggled not to fling herself at him and beg his forgiveness along with his love. “I know you probably don’t feel the same way, especially after what I’ve done, but I do. I care for you so much. You’re all I think about and everything I’ve ever wanted.”

  “But you don’t have any control over this?”

  “Not yet. Although I know there’s a way. My mother was a succubus who fell in love, married and had children. The problem is that I don’t know how she did it.”

  “Does anyone else know? Is there another succubus you can ask?” He laughed, the sound coming out in a bark. “I can’t believe I’m even talking about this.”

  “Maybe. Meg’s trying to reach my aunt who’s a witch, too. We think she may know.”

  They sat in silence for several minutes, then Tom rose and stood with his back to her. Allie bit her nails, her stomach churning, and waited for him to speak. He’d never want anything to do with her. She knew it but couldn’t ask the question. Instead, she’d wait and let him tell her. After that, who cared what happened? Yet, when he turned to face her again, she wasn’t prepared to hear what he had to say.

  “Allie, if we have any chance at all, you can’t hide anything else from me. Not ever again. Do you understand?”

  “I do and I swear from now on, I’ll tell you anything and everything you want to know.”

  He studied her as though trying to see into her very soul. “Do you think we can move forward from here?”

  “I want to.” She held her breath and watched as his decision played out across his face.

  “I love you, Allie.”

  Allie gasped, her hand coming to her throat. Had she heard him correctly? But how? How could he love her after what she and her sisters had done? “I’m sorry?”

  He took her hand and drew her to him. “You heard me. I love you.”

  “Oh my God.”

  “I should be angry at you, even hate you, but I can’t. From the first minute I saw you I knew you were special. Granted, I didn’t know how special, but I had a gut feeling and I always listen to my gut.”

  “And your gut’s always right.” She flattened her hands on his chest, amazed that he still cared.

  “It always is.” He clasped her hands and squeezed. “But until we figure out what to do about this problem, we have to be careful. And no more letting your sisters pull any tricks. Agreed?”

  She’d have agreed to anything if it meant having Tom with her.

  “Agreed.” An ache tightened inside her chest, making her do what was right for the man she loved. “But this isn’t any way for you to live.” She leaned away, the pain of the separation shaking her to the core.

  “You let me decide that.” He pulled her into his arms again and pressed his lips to hers.

  She fell into the kiss and felt the urge to drain swelling inside her. But this time, she wasn’t the one to break their hold. Tom held her at arms’ length and blew out a breath. “We need to find your aunt, and find her pronto.”

  Chapter Ten

  “How long before Meg and Hilly figure out that you’re not coming back to the bakery?”

  Allie clicked open the delete folder in Meg’s email, then glanced up from the computer to find Tom peeking out the bedroom window. “My guess is that Meg’s already performed a finding spell and knows I came home.”

  “And Monroe’s probably blown his cover as the gumdrop man.”

  “Then you’d better stop searching the street and start going through the papers on Meg’s desk.”

  “I still don’t like this. Why not just ask Meg if she’s found your aunt?”

  “Tom, you don’t know my sisters. They keep things from me and, after hearing them whispering this morning, I think they’re doing it again.”

  “But why would they? They want you to learn to how to manage your urges, too, right?”

  “Of course they do. But not until they’ve checked it out first and made sure it’s the way they want me to do it. I’m always the last to know and the last vote to be counted.” She clicked open another email, her gaze landing on the signature at the bottom of the message. “Oh my God. I was right. This message is from my Aunt Matilda. She
and Meg have been emailing.”

  Tom came to her side and read over her shoulder. “I guess you pegged them correctly. Hey, she’s in Raleigh.”

  Elation filled Allie as she read the good news. “She says she knows how my mother managed to live with my father without hurting him.” Spinning around in the desk chair, she let the grin on her face spread wider. “How do you feel about taking a road trip?”

  “Sounds good to me. Let’s get a move on.”

  Minutes later, Allie sat on the passenger side of Tom’s convertible Mustang, enjoying the wind as it whipped through her hair. Dark sunglasses hid his eyes but she could imagine the sparkle in them. He was as excited as she was. “I can’t believe this is really happening.”

  “Believe it, baby. In another hour, we’ll be knocking on your aunt’s hotel room door and finding the answer to our prayers.”

  “Wow, in just a little while I’ll have a whole new life.”

  “A whole new life with me, right?”

  More than the rays of the sun warmed her. “A whole new life together sounds amazing.” So much had changed in so little time. They’d spent their time on the road talking, laughing, trading ideas for the future. She couldn’t believe how comfortable they were together, as though they’d already spent a lifetime by each other’s side.

  An hour of more talking and planning later, Tom pulled the car into a guest parking space at the hotel where her aunt was staying. Getting the room number from the desk clerk took a little haggling and some overt flirting by Allie but at last they stood outside her room.

  “I’m afraid, Tom.” Allie bit her lip and rechecked the number of the room.

  “Why?” He slid his hand across her shoulders and tugged her closer. “This is what you wanted.”

  “I know. I’m being silly, right?” She took a deep breath, raised her hand and knocked three times. For one horrible moment, she didn’t think anyone would answer. But then she heard movement and the door swung open.

  Blue eyes much like her own twinkled in an oval face that reminded her of her mother’s. Gray hair fell past the woman’s shoulders, loosely tied back in a haphazard ponytail, and tendrils stuck out in odd angles around her cheeks. The mouth, pulled into a soft smile, was full and ripe despite the years that had bestowed wrinkles on the face. “Oh, cupcakes and molasses! Bernadette Tristan, is that you?”

  “No, Aunt Matilda, I’m Allison Tristan. Bernadette was my mother.”

  Sadness diminished the smile but was followed by an even bigger one. “Hee-hee. How silly of me. Of course you’re not my dear deceased sister, God rest her soul. But you do favor her so.” The sharp gaze landed on Tom. “And who’s this handsome devil?”

  “My name’s Tom Halloran. I’m a friend of Allie’s.” He stuck out his hand, but Matilda waved it away.

  “Uh-uh-uh. I don’t believe in handshakes.” Opening her arms, she enveloped them in a group embrace. “Hugs are much better, don’t you think? Come on in.” She whirled on her heel, sending the bottom of her silk skirt floating around her. “It’s been such a long time. Why you were just a youngster when I last saw you. Tell me about your sisters. Are they well? Do you still live in that little town?”

  “They’re fine, and yes, we’re still in Cottageville.” Allie waited for Matilda to clear the clutter off two chairs before she found a place to sit. Tom sat beside her and sent her an encouraging wink. “As much as I’d love to reminisce, I came here with a purpose.”

  Thankfully, instead of being offended, Matilda plopped down on the small sleeper sofa. “Now there’s your father in you. Always impatient and wanting to get right to the point. What do you need, sweetie? Money? A love potion?” She crooked her finger at Tom. “No, I don’t think that’s what you want. Anyone can tell this one’s already in love with you.”

  She could see that? But how? In the way he looked at her? By the fact that he was here? Did her aunt see the hot desire in his eyes? “Uh, no, not exactly. Auntie, you knew my mother was a succubus, didn’t you?”

  “Pish-tosh, of course I did. I’m her sister.”

  “And since you knew she’d married and had children, you knew she’d learned to manage the urge to feed.”

  “Again, right on the money, honey.” Matilda leaned forward, her blue eyes cooling. “So that’s what this is about? You want to know how she did that without hurting your father. I’m right, aren’t I?” Her stark appraisal ran the length of Tom. “Have you two had problems in that area? Close calls, perhaps?”

  Allie sensed that her aunt already knew the answers to her questions, but wanted Allie to voice them. “Too close, Auntie.”

  Tom scooted his chair closer. “Can you tell us how she did it? We have to know.” He took Allie’s hand without turning his attention from the older woman.

  Her smile disappeared. “Just because I can tell you, doesn’t mean I will.” Her aunt set her jaw, grim determination taking over.

  Allie’s stomach flipped over. She’d never even considered the possibility that her aunt might not tell her. “But, Auntie, you have to help us. If you don’t…”

  “Sweetie, it’s not that I don’t want to. But the answer involves a dangerous transformation.”

  “What kind of transformation?”

  “How dangerous?”

  Although they’d both asked a question at the same time, her aunt decided to answer Tom’s first. “Extremely dangerous.”

  Her aunt rose and paced to the window. “What you’re asking me is impossible. I won’t risk harming you, Allie. Believe me, if there was any other way, I’d help you.”

  “But are you sure? How do you know it’s dangerous?” Allie couldn’t give up. Not when she was so close.

  Aunt Matilda shuddered as though a cold breeze had blown over her. “I’ve tried three transformations. Two of the women were dear friends.”

  Allie took Tom’s hand, needing the support he would give her. “What happened, Auntie?”

  Aunt Matilda turned toward them. Her features hardened, not from anger, but from a great sadness that overtook her. The cheerful blue eyes grew glassy with a faraway gleam. “I failed my friends.”

  Tom’s inhale matched her own. “How did you fail? Did each remain a succubus?”

  Her aunt shook her head, the simple gesture filled with grief and remorse. “No, honey, they both died.”

  Two had died trying to change? Would she risk her life to be with Tom? Allie looked at the man beside her and knew her answer. Her life would be nothing without Tom.

  Tom squeezed her hand, yet even he couldn’t comfort her. She strengthened her resolve. “Why did they die, Auntie? Did something go wrong?”

  Aunt Matilda returned to her seat, clasped her hands in front of her, then bowed her head. “No nothing went wrong. At least not in the way you think. Survival depends on the woman herself. Whether or not she’s strong enough to handle the change.”

  “But Aunt Matilda—”

  Her aunt glared at her. “After I lost Hettie, I never wanted to try the transformation again. But then Margaret talked me into it and I gave in. Oh, how I wished I hadn’t.”

  “Still, it was their decision. They made the choice to take the chance. You can’t blame yourself.”

  “I know.” She reached to take Allie’s other hand. “But that doesn’t make it any easier to lose someone you love.”

  Allie grasped her hand with both of hers. “I know and I’m sorry you lost them. But you gave them what they wanted and they took the risk. They were willing to die in order to live the way they wanted to live. That’s what I want, too.”

  The three of them sat in silence for several moments, each deep in reflection.

  Allie released her aunt’s hands, determined to make her understand. “You said it happens often, but not every time, right? You’ve heard of others living through the transformation?”

  “I have, sweetie. Still…”

  “It doesn’t matter, Allie.” Tom rose to pace away from them. “If it’s that d
angerous, then I won’t let you do it. I couldn’t. Not for me.”

  “I’m sorry, but you don’t have the final say so. And it wouldn’t be just for you. I’ll do it for us, for me.” She could see the torment in him, but wouldn’t let that sway her. “I’m sorry, Tom, but this is my call.”

  She knelt in front of her aunt. “This is my decision, isn’t it? Please, Aunt Matilda, give me this chance. If I can’t be with Tom, in every way, I don’t want to live at all.”

  A tear rolled down her aunt’s face and she placed a hand on Allie’s cheek. “You have to understand all the consequences, sweetie. Not only do you tempt death, the transformation changes you. Not in appearance, but inside you.”

  Allie waved off Tom’s protest and coaxed her aunt to continue. “Go on.”

  “Your succubus power would be removed and you would become human.”

  How many times had she wished she wasn’t a succubus? “But that’s exactly what I hope will happen. Trust me, I won’t miss being a succubus at all.”

  Her aunt glanced at Tom, then back to Allie. “Neither did your mother. And I can see how much you love each other. More love than I’ve seen in two people in a long time. Since your mother and father, in fact.”

  “Wait.” Hope lit up Allie’s heart. “You said you did three transformations. Who was the third?”

  Aunt Matilda’s demeanor changed, the tension releasing from her body in waves. “You, my dear, are a smart one.”

  “The third was my mother, wasn’t it?” Allie grinned, unable to control her excitement at her aunt’s brief nod. “Don’t you see? My mother was strong and I’m strong, too. Give me the chance you gave my mother. Give me the life you gave her.”

  Aunt Matilda sought out Tom for help, the plea in her eyes unmistakable. Tom bent his head for a moment, and Allie could see the war raging inside him. “Tom, you have to believe this was meant to be. You have to trust that we were meant to be. Trust me, Tom. Can you do that?”

  He lifted his gaze to meet hers. “I can’t ask you to do this.”

  “You’re not asking me.” Allie gave him a quick kiss, then raised her eyebrows in question at her aunt. “So? Will you help us or not?”