Annie's Song(4)

“You are not his mother, Claire.”

Cold fury slapped him.

“Another word in that direction, and you will never again step foot in this house, or our lives.” The amethyst heart at her throat threw off the power she claimed she no longer had, sparks of white and gold. “The moment I agreed to help him, gave him my grace to help him fall, he became my responsibility. And I love him, Marcus.” The fury died, her power smoothing out. “In my heart, he is my son. As much as I love you, that will never change.”

Marcus felt her slipping away. The panic all but choked him. “Claire—I need time.”

She sighed, as if she had been waiting for his confession. “And I need you. But Zach needs me, too. He is first on every list, Marcus. Once you understand that, you’ll be ready to—”

She let out a gasp when he yanked her forward. His lips cut it off, kissing her with all the need, and the desperation he felt. He could not lose her—not again.

Expecting a fight, he trapped her in his arms. Instead she pressed herself against him, her hands sliding up his chest. With a low moan he pulled her off her feet, desperate to feel every inch of her—

“Mom!”

Zach’s voice echoed through the house, followed by the slam of the back door.

Claire pushed away, hands going to the shirt he had already started to unbutton. Her gaze flew up to him, surprise flaring across her face. Along with the beginning of a smile. She rebuttoned her shirt, smoothed both hands over her skirt, met Zach at the doorway to the living room. “Hi, sweetheart. Marcus is here.”

“Yeah.” His gaze swung past her, irritation in the blue eyes. “I saw his car out back. When’s dinner?”

“Not much longer. There are some apples on the counter if you’re hungry. And Annie sent an email from England,” she said, speaking after him as he disappeared into the kitchen. “With an interesting invitation. I’ll tell you about it at dinner.” With a quiet sigh she turned to face Marcus. “I would invite you, but I doubt it would be a pleasant meal.”

“Understood.” He moved to the front door, wanting to pound something, just to relieve the ache. “I am not giving up, Claire.” He raised his voice, knowing the boy would be eavesdropping. “I love you, and in my world, that means forever.”

She paled. “Marcus—”

“Are you busy tomorrow night?”

The change of subject startled her. Blinking, she shook her head. “Just the usual workday.”

“Good.” He opened the door. “I would like to take you out to dinner.”

“Out. Like a date.”

A smile tugged at her lips. Damn her charm, he wanted to kiss her until she couldn’t stand upright. “Exactly like a date. I will come for you at seven.”

Before she could refuse he stepped outside and closed the door between them.

It had been centuries, but he would romance her, and that stubborn boy. He was Jinn, after all.

Charm was his stock and trade.





FOUR



“Morning.” Eric kissed Annie’s cheek, sat at the small table in their hotel room and lifted the cover off his plate. “Room service?”

“Rain. Again.” She rustled the newspaper, smiling over at him. “I felt like taking the day off from slogging through puddles and staring at drenched ruins.”

Laughing, he picked up his fork, sampled the eggs. She watched his eyes glaze over. “You had them put cheese in. Will you marry me?”

“A man so easy to please? In a heartbeat.” She smiled as she rummaged for the front section. Her smile faded, anger grabbing her as she read the headline. “Oh, hell no.”

“Annie.” Eric dropped his fork, started to get up. “What—”

She turned the paper until he could read the headline. “More vandalism at the local standing stones. This time they damaged one of the stones. Damn it—I hate people who think they can violate places like that. Don’t they know—” She cut herself off as nausea burned her throat—quickly followed by the sudden, vile need to throw up.

Clapping one hand over her mouth, she dropped the paper and ran for the bathroom.

Eric followed her, crouched behind her, supporting her until she slumped against the toilet. “Here.” He handed her a glass of water, then leaned forward and flushed, taking the glass out of her shaking fingers. “Let’s get you off this cold floor.”

Picking her up, he carried her back out to their room, laid her on the rumpled bed. She felt clammy, shivering even though she wore a heavy robe. Eric grabbed the throw off the end of the bed and tucked it around her.

“Talk to me, blondie.” He brushed damp hair off her forehead, worry almost hiding the fear in his blue eyes. “This isn’t the first time, is it?”