Page 23 of Fateful Reunion

“Only witches can see that kind of depth in their fellow witches’ auras. Other preternatural creatures can only identify that her aura is that of a witch. I saw her colors change when you comforted her. You made the evil subside. For now. But not for much longer.”

Roxanne breathed heavily, clearly affected by his words. “What are we gonna do?”

“Get backup before Ilaria kills somebody,” Zane snapped.

Roxanne whirled around to him. “Didn’t you hear what Charles just said? If we show fear and hatred, the evil will lash out.”

“Well, what do you suggest? Hug her to keep her and us safe?” Zane snorted in disgust.

“While that’s a little too simplistic, it does help temporarily,” Charles had to admit.

Zane glared at him and gritted, “I was joking.”

“Could’ve fooled me.” Charles doubted that the vampire was capable of a joke. Or a smile. A tender embrace would really stretch the imagination.

“Charles, focus,” Roxanne demanded. “What can be done?”

“I’ve already done it.”

“Done what?” Zane asked full of suspicion.

“Tonight I sought out the witches who conquered their marks. They’re willing to take her and help her fight the evil. Tomorrow night.”

“Oh crap,” Zane cursed. “More fucking witches.”

“I don’t know what you’ve got against witches,” Grayson threw in, crossing his arms over his chest. “I like them.”

“You just want to get into his niece’s pants,” Zane snarled.

Anger made the hybrid’s eyes glare red. “Don’t be so disrespectful. Her uncle is standing right here.”

But Zane wasn’t bothered by such a tiny detail. “I’m not fucking blind, am I?”

“Stop it!” Roxanne yelled. “Both of you! We have a decision to make.”

“I’ve made mine,” Zane claimed.

She glared at him. “As a team.” Then she looked at Charles, and her expression softened. “Will you be able to control her until tomorrow night?”

Barely. Now that the evil was manifesting while she slept, it wouldn’t be long until Ilaria would lose her valiant fight. “I’ll need help.”

“Anything I can do,” Roxanne offered.

“Not from you.” He motioned to Grayson. “From him.”

Grayson pointed to his chest, which seemed to swell a little. “From me?” He grinned. “What do you want me to do?”

“How are you with compliments?”

Grayson grimaced. “What the…?”

“When Ilaria wakes, I want you to distract her. Pay her compliments, flirt with her. Keep her occupied. Make her think you’re interested in her, like a young man would be interested in a young woman. Tell her she’s pretty.”

“Sure, but why?” Grayson asked, clearly confused, yet definitely interested.

“Because love helps her fight evil. When Ilaria first set eyes on you, her aura changed to the purest white I’ve ever seen. It signified goodness and purity. Somehow when she’s with you, she’s stronger, so much stronger than I’ve ever seen her. If she believes a handsome young man is interested in her, it’ll help her more than I could at this point. It might just be enough to see us through the next twenty-four hours until the witches come to take her.”

“Of course, I can do that. No problem.” The words sputtered from Grayson’s mouth, but Charles didn’t miss the grin that was spreading on his lips.