Eliza Gayle Witch Bundle (paranormal romance), Eliza Gayle [books suggested by bill gates txt] 📗

“Selene, let go. It's hurting you. You're absorbing it, I can feel the transfer.” He rushed over to where she sat, grabbing at her arm to pull her away. “Shit!”

She knew the heat of her skin was too hot for him to hold on to. She couldn't let go. Didn't want to. She had to help him. Save him.

Pain sliced through her as the dark aura ripped from Cash's body and flooded into hers. His limbs jerked and spasmed while her own shook from the intensity.

“Goddamn it, Selene. You are going to kill one or the both of you if you don't stop. Cash wanted you safe. Away from the danger he represents. He wouldn’t want this.”

She ignored his protests and shot up flames around her and Cash to keep him out.

The agony in her body grew to unbearable levels as she let loose a scream of anguish. Pulling on every ounce of discipline and strength she ever had in her body, she held fast as the last of the magick left Cash for her. It rumbled and roared through her like a violent storm. She wouldn't be able to hold it for long.

She let go of Cash, and he fell limp to the floor next to her. His pallor was even more deathly than before but his heart beat strong.

“Are their fire extinguishers in this apartment?” She looked at Denn through the growing flames.

“Yes, why?”

“You need to get them now.” She pulled herself upright, fire growing around her, and made her way to the door. She tried to form the excess power into an object she could get rid of to no avail. It clung to her like a second skin. With a last look at Denn, she walked out the door and back into the townhouse garage.

Flames and power crawled across her skin, pulling her, forcing her to expel it any way she could. With no control of it, she watched the fire spread from her body throughout the concrete room, surrounding the gas tank seconds before it exploded in a fiery burst. Once again the flames engulfed her.

Cash will survive.

Cash's eyes shot open and he was immediately blinded by the harsh sunlight streaming in through the sheer white curtains billowing in the breeze at the open window. He glanced around the room, unsure of where he was. The walls were painted a pale orange that reminded him of the skin on a fresh peach. Ornate moldings framed the room in exquisite craftsmanship. His gaze rested on the open French doors, revealing a terrace just outside. The small space was enclosed with black iron work forged in an old world style. Soft strands of jazz filtered to him from outside on the street as well as the scents of Creole spices. Realization dawned as he acknowledged his location.

New Orleans.

He lay there trying to remember what had happened. The last he rememebered he’d been in Boston with Selene. Oh hell, Selene!

Before he could move the door swung open and his brother sauntered in. “You're finally awake. About time. Thought I was going to have to cast a spell to get your ass out of my bed.”

“What the hell happened?” His voice came out rough and gravelly even to his own ears. “Where is Selene?” He gingerly lifted his head and shoulders, trying to push himself into a sitting position.

“Slow down, Cash. You've just woken up after nearly two weeks in a coma. Too much too soon and you'll find yourself right back where you started.” Denn grabbed his shoulders and pushed him back down on the mattress.

“I need to get up and check on Selene. Make sure she's all right.”

“She's all right.” Lie still and follow my finger. His brother raised his finger in front of his eyes moving it back and forth.

“How do you feel?” Denn asked.

“You mean other than feeling like I have been dragged to hell and back?”

“Yeah, there is that. Although I don't know what you expected, the way you’ve been using. You have a lot of explaining to do.”

Cash cringed at the admonishment in his brother's voice. He closed his eyes, not wanting to see the anger there. Nor did he have any desire to explain his actions.

“What happened, Denn? How did I survive? I felt the darkness win.”

“You're right. There was nothing even I could do for you.”

“Then what the fuck happened?” He pushed past his brother's hands and sat up in the bed.

“Selene did it, Cash. She saved you. It nearly killed her to do it, though.”

“I need to see her. Now. Take me to her.” He swung his legs over the side of the small bed, testing his strength with a little weight at a time. He looked down at himself, realizing he only wore a pair of shorts.

“I'd like some clothes, too.” Finally he stood and stretched his stiff limbs, feeling every pull and strain of his muscles. All considering, he felt pretty damn good. He walked across the room and strode through the open doorway, pausing for his brother on the landing. When Denn didn't follow him, he poked his head back through the doorway.

“Let's go, brother.”

“We can't” The hesitation in his brother's voice struck fear in his heart. He had to force the breath in and out as he imagined the worst.

“Why not?” He moved closer to Denn.

“Well, she isn't here.”

“What do you mean she isn't here?” He took a few heavy steps closer.

“She left three days ago.”

“She did what? And you just fucking let her go? What the hell happened to make her leave?” He stormed over to the open doors, gulping in the fresh air. He couldn't look at his brother right now. Didn't want him to see how he felt.

“Of course I didn't just let her go. Jeez, Cash. I think if I had tried to stop her she would have blown my ass up. She’s quite the hard ass, you know.”

Cash laughed at that image. Hard