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Nikki nodded. “I'll remember."
"When you can, call me, or if you need some words of wisdom. Ain't nothing much else I can offer once you go under the barrier.” Camille squeezed her shoulder a final time, then turned and walked back up the hill.
Nikki's gaze met Jake's. Neither of them said anything. Neither of them needed to. With a smile that was more a grimace, Jake kissed her forehead, and then quickly followed Camille. Nikki had never felt so alone in her life. Had never felt as frightened. Crossing her arms, she watched the slow approach of the wizened figure. He stopped ten feet away and glanced at his watch. He didn't say anything, just stood there, waiting. Given little other choice, she did the same.
After a while, energy began to buzz the air, standing the hairs on her arms on end. The old man glanced at his watch again, then motioned her forward.
Nikki picked up the second pack and walked to the right of the white rock. The tingling in the air grew stronger, slithering across her skin with the warm stickiness of blood. Every step became an effort, and the buzzing grew so loud it thundered through her head, matching the rhythm of her heart. Then it was gone, and she stumbled forward several steps before regaining her balance. The old man snorted. “I would have expected a little more grace from an old witch." She straightened and met his gaze. His eyes were the gray of ghosts. “Why?" His gaze slid down her body, becoming heated. Disgust shimmied through her. Old lecher ...>"Hartwood was an old mining town. He'd have to have enough people to cover the main players—barman, saloon girls, general store owner, preacher, people like that. At least a dozen, at a guess. And it is a guess, remember that. I have no idea what path his magic has taken."
"How can he possibly manage all that magic and still control all those people? Surely it would sap his strength?"
"It would, but all he would have to do is perform regular sacrifices, and his strength would be maintained."
"Meaning I might also have to try and stop those sacrifices?"
"Yes."
Great. She worried her lip for a moment then asked, “What about Michael? He has a strong mind and strong shields. How on earth would Weylin force him to play this little game?"
"Weylin tried to kill you. If he could enforce the belief that he had into Michael's mind, then he would put Michael in the same frame of mind that he was in a century ago."
"That doesn't answer my question.” She and Michael had their connection—he would know, deep down, she wasn't dead.
"It would take magic to enforce the role-playing. If what we've discovered on Lenny and Nadia is any indication, you will discover symbols painted on and around his spine."
"Meaning all I have to do is erase those symbols, and he'll be free of Weylin's magic?"
"Again, I fear it is not that simple."
"Nothing ever is,” she muttered.
Amusement filled Seline's voice as she said, “Not when it comes to magic, I'm afraid." Nikki sighed. “So, what's the problem in this case?"
"It's twofold. First, the symbols will be inked into his skin, and they will need to be washed with a special soap before they start to fade."
"Meaning we take lots of baths?"
"This is a ghost town, remember,” Camille commented, amusement touching her thin lips. “It won't have running water, let alone hot running water."
"Guess that means electricity will also be at a premium?"
"Hartwood did have power a century ago, but I'm guessing only the section where the rangers stay would have power now,” Camille said. “And it wouldn't be necessary for any of Weylin's spells." Nikki rubbed a hand across her eyes. She'd roughed it on the streets as a teenager, but her teenage years were long ago, and she was well and truly used to life's little luxuries—water on tap, hot food, clean sheets. It was sounding like those were going to be a little sparse on the ground. “Am I able to take anything in with me?"
"Weylin has provided a list of what can and can't be taken in. Candles, matches and a small camp oven are on the list. But we'll try and sneak some soap in, as well."
"What about food?"
"He has apparently stocked the general store, probably because I had a lot to do with the store owner." Nikki had a feeling she didn't want to know the exact details of that. “So, what's the second problem with removing the symbols from Michael's back?"
"Michael himself."
Nikki's eyebrows rose. “Why?"
"He will be role-playing, remember, and will see you as me. He and I were never intimate, though my role as saloon girl meant we did share a kiss or three." Seline paused, as if waiting for a reaction. Nikki shrugged, even though she knew Seline couldn't see the gesture. Michael had told her many times he and Seline had never been sexually intimate, and Nikki trusted the truth of his words. But he'd never said they hadn't kissed or touched, and she'd be a fool to think otherwise.
After another second of silence, Seline continued, “While instinctively he will be drawn to you, he will fight it, because deep down he knows that he and I never happened."
"So that's another way of maybe tripping the spell—dragging him into bed."
