“Think about a time you were intimate with Jaxson.” Her voice seemed to boom too loudly, like they were suddenly in an immense room, and her aunt had grown ten times her original size. The office walls warped in the periphery of Olivia’s vision. “Find a time when he touched your very soul.”
Images of Jaxson flashed before Olivia’s eyes—his smile, his deep chuckle, their lovemaking—but the image that zoomed up and stayed was him leaning close to her, forcing her back against the door of her apartment and whispering, You’re worth fighting for.
“Oh my,” Aunt Gwen breathed in appreciation. “I can see why you’re fond of that one.”
That made the image wobble a little, and hot embarrassment shot through Olivia, but she grabbed hold of the memory—it was also the reason she was trying so hard to lift his curse. Without it, Jaxson wouldn’t fight so hard and come so dangerously close to her.
The image was frozen before her now, and the blue sparks from the spell cloud swirled around his body, buzzing like bees looking for a place to land.
“The magic is strong with this one,” Gwen murmured. “His own, as well as another’s.”
The vision vanished, returning Olivia to the plain, reality-filled sight of the office. It was jarring to her mind, making her teeter for a moment.
She blinked away the vertigo. “Well? Did you get what you needed?”
Gwen’s lips were turned down. “I’m afraid the spell is still tightly bound to him.”
“How can we break it?”
“We can’t, dear,” Gwen said with a sigh. “Only the one who cast it can break it. Alternatively, we could let the spell fulfill its original purpose. Then it will dissipate of its own accord.”
“It’s purpose was to kill Jaxson’s mate!” She could hardly believe her aunt would suggest that as an option.
“I agree it’s an unfortunate turn for that particular female,” she mused. “On the upside, he would be free to mate again.” She waggled her eyebrows.
“Gwen!” Olivia’s mouth dropped open.
Her aunt shrugged like it was no big deal. “It was just a thought.”
Olivia’s shoulders slumped. “There has to be another way.” She turned away from her aunt, still horrified by what she suggested, and pretended to study the multitude of glass jars and boxes on her shelf. What other awful things had her aunt contemplated doing, much less carried out, with all these powders and the incantations that went with them? Jaxson was right to believe that witches were basically evil… and not just the one who cursed him. Although that witch definitely took it to a twisted level. How selfish would you have to be to deny someone a chance at true love simply because he wouldn’t please you in bed? Not that Jaxson’s pleasuring-abilities weren’t epic, but still.
Then it clicked… Olivia turned back to her aunt. “You said the witch who cast the spell could break it.”
Gwen’s face twisted up in disbelief. “Well, the moon could fall out of the sky tomorrow… but it’s highly unlikely to do so.”
Olivia strode back to her. “You know who she is.”
“Yes,” Gwen said emphatically. “And I know the last thing on earth she would consider is revoking a spell of this kind.”
“Maybe I can persuade her.”
“You?” Gwen shook her head, eyes wide. “Olivia, my dear, you’re not even a fledgling witch. You shy away from the smallest of spells. Sybil would eat you alive.”
“You could help me.” Olivia edged closer. “Please, Aunt Gwen.”
“Oh, for the love of magic.” Her aunt gave her a look like her long-lost niece might be more trouble than she was worth.
Olivia rushed out. “I’ll do anything, Aunt Gwen. I’ll… I’ll even try some magic. Maybe. Nothing too crazy. Only because it’s dangerous. I’m dangerous.”
Her aunt’s green eyes softened. “You’re not dangerous, dear. You’re just… inexperienced. And you come from a very powerful line of witches. With the right training, you could become an amazing asset to our coven.”
“I… I would like to learn how to control it.” That was a complete lie. Joining a coven of witches was the last thing on earth she would ever do. But she could backtrack on her promise later. Or think of something. “Do this for me, Auntie Gwen, and I promise, I’ll give it a try.”
“It’s been my dream all these years to have you join us, Olivia, but… you have to understand. Sybil is very unlikely to grant your request. Even with my… persuasion.” Her aunt’s face pinched up with worry.