Page 36 of Christmas Magic

What the hell—?

Briiinnnng. His cell phone rang like an old, rotary-dial telephone—the special alarm warning of magic.

As Cora pushed the door closed, a tapping sound erupted from the shelves of dark magic antiques. In its box, the desiccated pinkie tapped out Morse Code. Lucian heard buzzing, too: The Ancient Egyptian scarab beetle revved its wings.

Cora wouldn’t hear the noises, though—or the alarms sounding in the rear room.

Why were the devices going off? Cora was a Reg.

Something bad is happening.

A strange sensation—as though strands of thread were being pulled out of his brain—filled his head. He grabbed for his cell phone. He’d call Julius—

“Hello, Lucian.”

At the sound of Cora’s voice, the prickling heat became a pins-and-needles sensation. It rushed to the middle of his chest.

No! Fight it.

The pins and needles enveloped his heart.

Abandoning the phone, his hand dropped to his side.

No….

Drugging warmth spread through him, as though he lay tanning on a Key West beach. A most pleasant, desirable sensation. “Cora,” he murmured.

“Lovely day out there,” she said.

“All the lovelier now you are here.”

Why had he said that? He fought to grab onto the little flare of resistance, but it dissipated like sand scattered by the wind.

How had he not noticed Cora’s beauty long before now?

She lifted her hand and smoothed her hair. Her rings glittered. Such a purposeful display of wealth. She must belong to a rich family; one of important noble bloodlines.

“Very lovely indeed,” he murmured.

She tittered, obviously enjoying his flattery. “Lucian, you’re teasing me.”

“Teasing you?” He strove to be gallant in all ways. He must make that known to her. “I am not teasing at all, Fair Maiden.”

Cora’s gaze tinged with curiosity. “Fair Maiden?”

He nodded once.

“I’m hardly a maiden.”

“To me, you are. ’Tis clear you are a lady, and one of distinction.”

A blush colored her face. “How nice of you to say.”

His pulse drummed harder. “’Tis the truth.”

Her left hand fluttered to her throat. Her eyelashes lowered, veiling her pretty eyes. She said not a word, but he sensed his flattery delighted her.

Good.