“The warehouse would be best. I can reseal the door after breaking the curse. You’ll need to be invited in again after that, along with any other vampires you want to allow access.”
Mikhail stuffed his hands in his pockets. “I’d prefer to keep my warehouse sealed to all but myself.”
“Oh! Then, Sly can’t come with me?”
Sly turned and watched them. He might have jumped in and offered to go with her or stay away. Any kind of hint would be nice, but no. He was letting her decide what she wanted and needed.
“I—I guess I can let him stay here,” Morgaine said. “Or better yet, wait just outside the warehouse door. He can try to come in after I seal it, then you’ll know it worked.”
“Or didn’t.”
“Oh, it’ll work,” she said, slightly affronted. “If there’s one area I’m competent in, it’s magic.”
“I’m sure you’re competent in many things and I apologize if it sounded like I doubted you, but I’ve never seen your work before...”
She took a deep breath. “I understand. There’s no need to apologize. I’m just a little touchy right now.”
“Oh? Is anything wrong?”
She glanced at Sly. He remained as he had been—just watching and waiting for things to play out however she let them.
“No. I’m fine. Let’s go.” She rose and gathered her satchel which she jokingly referred to asHave altar; will travel.
Together they tromped down to the refurbished elevator and rode it to the main floor. Sly took her hand and gave it a squeeze. When she glanced at his face, she saw pride shining there. She smiled and whispered. “Don’t worry. I can do this.”
He leaned close. “I know you can.”
There were two entrances to the warehouse, one on either side of the polished travertine corridor. “He came in this door,” Mikhail said as he pointed to the left.
“It won’t matter which door he used. I’ll need to seal them both. Do you know who invited him in?”
“No, I’m afraid I don’t. No one would own up to it. I was pretty pissed, and I can be an intimidating guy when I’m angry.”
Morgaine could only imagine it. Mikhail was dark, but not swarthy. He could probably get red in the face if he’d fed or had enough wine.
“Sly, you don’t mind waiting right here, do you?”
“Not at all.” He gave her a quick kiss before she and Mikhail entered the warehouse.
Row upon row of wine racks were filled with products.How in hell did he manage to make so much with a long-ago dried drop of blood on a tiny piece of ancient cloth?
Mikhail gestured to his space. “Where would you like to do this?”
The rows of wine racks were fairly close together, but the perimeter allowed for a nine-foot circle. “Right at the bottom of the steps should be fine.”
As she was preparing her altar and arranging the four woods to break the hex it occurred to her in a flash of vision. They no longer needed the rag. They used a bit of wine from one bottle to pass on the cure to the next. It was like sourdough bread. She almost gasped aloud when she realized she’d uncovered his precious secret. Now all she had to do was earn her case of wine and start adding it to their own concoction. Hopefully, it would take. At least they’d have plenty to experiment with until they figured it out.
“Morgaine, are you all right?”
“Huh? Oh, um, yeah. I just need one more thing and we can do this. I gave it to Sly for safe keeping. I’ll be right back.”
Mikhail frowned, and his eyes followed her as she left.
She didn’t care if he was suspicious or not. She had to let Sly know about this new revelation before she began messing with hexes, just in case something happened to her.
She opened the warehouse door, but before she closed it, she asked Mikhail, “Will this lock if I let it close?”
“Yes. Why don’t I go with you so I can let you back in again.”
