“I’m always ready.”
“Luthian? You’re sure this is what she wants?” His anger was dissipating, and Anahid didn’t like the look of that.
“Well, I’m not sure. I mean for all I know he might just want to screw around with her and then dump her.” Good, he looked downright livid again. “Where are you going?” Her voice was soft and concerned.
“Luthian needs to answer some questions before I kill him.”
She stood in the empty waiting room, gave herself a mental pat on the back, and smiled. It was Luthian’s turn to work on Zahir.
* * *
Zahir focused on controlling the surge of anger at Anahid’s words. He arrived at the warlock’s house to an open door. The man in question stood in the middle of the room as though he’d been expecting him.
“Come in, Darkrath. I know why you’re here, but do you know why you’re here?” He walked out to the yard without looking back.
Zahir was forced to follow if he wanted to continue the conversation.
He waited until the warlock turned to look at him. “Let’s cut the crap. What do you want with Shar?”
“I want a lot, but not with Shar. She’s yours and will always be yours. The question is why don’t you want her?”
The anger he’d been feeding disappeared, leaving him wary. “What are you talking about?”
“It’s obvious you love her. She loves you. What’s stopping you from being together? And don’t try to lie to me. I might be your age or about, but I know a lot more than you know. I can help you if you only talk.”
Zahir stood motionless for a moment. Could he trust the warlock or not?
“You need me, Zahir. I can and will help you if you allow me.”
“I have power, a lot of power. It’s sometimes hard for me to control. When I’m angry I destroy things. When I was with Shar in the past, I destroyed entire buildings. I never want to leak to the point where she’s in danger.” The angry beats of his heart made him lightheaded.
Luthian walked around the yard and then turned to him. “I can help you. Do you want me to?”
“Yes.” Hope surged that the warlock knew a way to fix his leaking dark powers.
“Consider it done.”
Everything became lighter in Zahir’s mind and body. Lightness overcame the darkness inside him.
“There is something you’re going to need to do to keep the darkness at bay.”
“What?”
“You’ll need to open yourself up completely to Shar’s love. It’s the only way the light will reign inside you. That link you share with Shar? It’s not one way. When you left, her magic leaked. However, if you open yourself to her, that same link can help you.” Luthian’s face bore concern. “Oh, one more thing, what are you going to do about Shar?”
He’d been fighting the urge to run back ever since her mother healed her. There was no need to fight it any longer.
“As you said, she’s mine and will always be mine. I’m going to find her.” Some groveling may help him back into her arms. He never wanted to be away from her again.
Chapter Nine
Shar nibbled on her lip and paced her bedroom. It was now or never. Lifting her hands up, she used the spell her mother had given her and decreed her wish. A soft glow surrounded the surface of her bed until a body appeared on it. Using her newest bit of magic had allowed the spell to work. She grinned and stared at the naked man chained to her bed.
“What the— Shar?” Zahir frowned and looked at her. He glanced around and realized where he was. “What am I doing here? Why am I naked? And why am I chained?” His frown dissipated. He could have easily remove the chain with his power, but he didn’t try to.
Her eyes darted to his growing erection. Apparently he wasn’t averse to being tied down. Good to know. She needed to focus on her task or she’d never get any information out of him.
“I have some questions, and I want answers. You’ll be free to go after we talk—if you want to.”
He paused and then gave a quick nod. “OK. Whatever you want to know, ask.”
She took a deep breath. Where should she start? “Why did you leave me five years ago? You knew I loved you.”
“Shar—” Sorrow filled his face.
“You led me to believe you had feelings. Deep feelings like me. But then you walked out and not once looked back. Did you care that I suffered? That it broke my heart for you to leave me like yesterday’s trash? Why did you do that to me?” She wiped at the tears with the back of her palms. This was harder than she thought it would be.
“I’m sorry, baby. I only left you because it would ensure your safety. My powers were unstable, have been for a long time. I tend to destroy things when I’m under strong emotions. Rage, jealousy, lust, and frustration have all enhanced the destruction. Didn’t you see your shop after we were there? The inside was almost ruined because of my lack of control.”