“Beguiled?”
Russell cleared his throat. “He slept with her and when he was … exhausted, she escaped.”
Kay stared at her father, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. Victor had slept with the witch. As far as she was concerned, it was a match made in heaven. Or, more likely, hell.
Russell sat back, his arms folded over his chest. “Have you nothing to say?”
“Yes. I want a divorce.”
Russell scowled at her.
“He cheated on me.”
“That’s hardly an argument in your favor, considering I found you in another man’s bed.”
“I don’t love Victor. I never have. I never will.”
“Until I decide what to do about your marriage, I think it’s best for the two of you to live apart.”
She couldn’t argue with that.
“He tells me the witch came after you because of the vampire. Is that true?”
“Yes. She wants to use me for bait so she can catch Gideon again. His blood keeps her young.”
Russell grunted softly. “Victor told me that and I called him a liar. Seems I owe the boy an apology.”
“I won’t be safe anywhere as long as she’s alive.”
“Or as long as the vampire lives.”
Kay felt her heart go cold. “If you destroy Gideon, I’ll hate you forever.”
“Forever is a long time,” her father said, rising. “The only way to protect you is to kill them both.”
Filled with impotent anger, Victor lingered outside the fence of the Shadow Pack’s compound. Alissano had taken Kiya home without so much as a by-your-leave and then, after Victor had delivered Kay’s clothing this morning, the old man had sent him packing as if he was some wet-behind-the-ears pup. Alpha or not, Alissano had no right to take Kiya home. She was his wife now, dammit, and he needed her. At least until she had given him a son. Without the Alissano heir, his plan for becoming Alpha of both packs was in jeopardy.
Damn the witch! If he ever got his hands on her again, she’d rue the day. He didn’t know what kind of magic she had worked on him, but it must have been some powerful spell to make him forget the ugly old crone that lay beneath her outward beauty.
Dammit! Even now, he was hot for the old hag.
Verah reclined on the sofa in her living room, staring at her reflection in the window. She was young again, inside and out, filled with the vigor and beauty of youth. Rama lay curled up on the top of the couch’s curved back, purring softly.
Verah glanced around the room, admiring the paintings on the walls, and the figurines of Morrigan, goddess of war and magic; Hathor, the goddess of cunning; and Vesta, the goddess of fire, that adorned the mantel. Her favorite was the life-size statue of Hecate, the Greek goddess of magic, that stood in the corner beside the fireplace.
It was good to be home again. She had showered for half an hour, scrubbing away the stink of the Rinaldis’ cellar, and the touch of the boy who had vented his lust on her.
She grinned inwardly. Not only had she seduced him with her siren song, but she had bespelled him so that he would never be able to satisfy another woman. If there was one thing the world didn’t need, she thought, it was the likes of Victor Rinaldi siring whelps that would grow up to be just like him.
Tomorrow, she would decide how best to recapture the wolf girl, but for tonight, she was content to be safely ensconced in her own home, rested, clean, and well fed, with Rama to keep her company, and thoughts of vengeance to keep her warm.
* * *
Chapter 32
It was near midnight a week later when Gideon left Kusuma Ila’s untidy but cozy home, a small brown bottle tucked into his pants pocket. He made a brief stop at his lair in Phoenix where he took a long hot shower, then slipped into a comfortable pair of old jeans, a long-sleeved black T-shirt, and a pair of supple, knee-high leather boots.
He considered contacting Kay, but decided against it, knowing she would worry if he told her what he was about to do. If things worked out as planned, he would get in touch with her in a few days and together they would figure out how to get her away from Victor and her father. If this didn’t work, well, it might be a good long while before he was able to contact her. Hell, if it didn’t work, there was a chance Verah would kill him. But one thing he knew for certain: If he survived, Kay would be waiting for him when it was over, no matter how long it took.
Leaving his lair, he went in search of prey. He needed to feed, and feed well. Knowing Verah, it might be a long time between meals.
It was an hour past midnight when he transported himself to Verah’s home in New Mexico. Standing on the doorstep, he took a deep breath, then rang the bell.