Page 86 of The Noldrin Witch

She thought about calling Morgaine through the mirror, but it was no use. The witch had already told her she knew nothing about how to invoke the powers of the stone. She had suggested going at midnight, but beyond that she hadn’t dared to guess.

A light drizzle began to fall, pattering softly against the bushes and barely reaching Elise’s shoulders and the hood of her mulberry cape. She sat down on the ground to think while the fine rain slowly dampened her clothes. Beneath her cape, only a purple linen dress protected her from the weather. During the workshop celebration, a few had approached more warmly and complimented her dresses. She had proudly told them they were all her own creation. Gwern herself had been the first to comment on how good her designs were and, setting her sharp tongue aside for once, she had congratulated Elise for completing the potion.

Elise sighed. It was as though everything was finally settling into place. Tomorrow she would see Kurt, and all that was left was to hope he would return unharmed.

“Ramara, cara mara ra,” she whispered as she closed her eyes.

Nothing.

She could have spent the whole night trying. The rain was falling faster, but she paid no heed to the inconvenience. That was until an unamused chuckle made her open her eyes. The fiendish sound could only belong to one man.

She raised her gaze to find a demonic vision. A cloud of smoke high above. As the fog dispersed, the very image of arrogance and disdain appeared. An unfortunately handsome face atop a tall frame draped in black velvet and a long cape.

“I knew you’d come without me,” Seth said, suspended in the air. A half-smile played across his face.

“Were you waiting for me?” She looked around, not entirely sure where he could have been hiding or for how long. How did he know she would come here tonight?

Elise got to her feet and smoothed the fabric of her dress. She didn’t look at the demon, but from the corner of her eye, she could tell his gaze was on her, studying her every move, laughing inwardly at her failed attempt, waiting for her to accept her defeat.

She was not one to suffer from an excess of pride, but something about Seth made her reach the limits of her humility and defend her dignity at all costs.

“I’m perfectly capable of doing this alone,” she said, closing her eyes and resting a hand on the porous surface of the stone. “I’m feeling something already. Although perhaps it would be wise for me to come back later. Midnight, I heard, is best for this sort of rite.”

The demon descended toward her, shaking his head as the smile faded from the corner of his mouth.

“You are yearning for a man. I can smell it,” he said.

Elise felt the blood drain from her face.

“What?” she said, aghast.

“You are yearning for a man. I can smell it,” the demon repeated to Elise’s horror. She had hoped the sound of the rain had somehow distorted his words, but no. The remark was just as outrageous the second time.

She was torn between slapping that arrogant face and landing a good punch. With the energy of the male divinity running through her, it seemed only natural to consider relieving the demon of a few teeth.

In the end, she opted for a good slap. She closed the distance between them and drew back her hand, putting all her strength into the blow. The demon’s head snapped to the side, and tall as he was, he nearly lost his footing.

“Why did you do that?” he rasped angrily.

Elise shook her head. Seth seemed genuinely outraged, his confidence completely unshaken by the slap. Though Elise was still offended, the look of utter shock on the demon’s face was so amusing that she couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Are you out of your wits? Why in heaven would you say something like that?”

“You are the one who’s out of your wits,” Seth replied.

Elise tried to swallow the offense. Perhaps the comment was perfectly acceptable where Seth came from. She was ready to let the affront pass, but, as luck would have it, the demon had only just begun what would become a string of outrageous remarks.

“Hasn’t your mentor taught you anything?” he grumbled.

“What do you mean?”

“You cannot let magic flow through you if you don’t release…you know,” Seth made a face of disgust.

Elise felt a small blush rise to her cheeks. Then, as if heaven itself were in approval of what Seth was telling her, rain began to pour. Her clothes dampened fast, but she couldn’t care less about it.

“What do you propose then?” Elise asked.

Seth drew out a deep breath and moved closer to her. The closer he came, the stronger his scent became.