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Thierry cocked a brow. “Selling shoes doesn’t appeal anymore?”
“I’m moving on.”
“I’m a consultant for the Ring, not its leader or even an elder.”
“You founded the Ring. You could lead the Ring again if you chose to, but you refuse to grasp hold of that kind of power. Do you fear it, Thierry?”
“No. I’m simply not interested in that kind of responsibility anymore.”
“Liar. Perhaps you’re fearful of what it might do to you. Power. Ultimate power. It might corrupt you to the point that a woman like Sarah would never wish to be in your presence again.” Shadow-Damon chuckled. “If only you could see what I did to your little wife, Thierry. It was so very amusing.”
“I saw,” Thierry said evenly. “And I admit, your spell is a bit amusing. But it’s nothing that can’t be reversed.”
Thierry’s confidence abruptly halted Damon’s laughter.
“Enough,” Damon growled. “The spell is set. The grimoire’s magic is far too powerful for anyone to resist. Farewell, de Bennicoeur.”
“Farewell, Damon,” Thierry said, his gaze steady with the shadowy entity.
Damon lunged for Thierry, and a scream escaped my throat as I watched the pitch-black shadows envelope my husband. I scrabbled closer to them, pulling myself across the patio surface with my claws.
The shadows circled Thierry like a tornado, faster and faster, but they didn’t disappear. Instead, they began to slow, and the shadows took their Damon-like form again.
“What the hell is this?” Damon hissed. “The spell—”
“Is very powerful,” Thierry cut him off. “Absolutely. My skin crawls from this dark magic.”
“What’s happening?” Alicia managed.
Thierry swiftly closed the distance between us and scooped me up, placing me gently on his shoulder. “Do you know anything about vampires, Alicia? You’ve been one for over a century, but have you done no research whatsoever?”
She just stared at him.
Damon stalked closer to Thierry again. “You have been possessed before,” he said.
“I have,” Thierry replied. “Quite recently, in fact. I admit I hadn’t done my own research on the subject until that experience, but I learned something very interesting. Once possessed by a spirit, a demon, or a greedy warlock, the vampire can physically withstand another possession. Had you taken me by surprise, perhaps you would have been successful. But luckily, Sarah warned me of what was to come.”
“This can’t be,” Damon snarled.
“Oh, but it can. And I also know something else. Your current incorporeal state is very volatile, and you should cease to exist in about a minute.” Thierry spread his hands. “It’s terribly unfortunate, but facts are facts.”
“Oh, my God,” Alicia whispered. “Damon, I’m so sorry. I didn’t know.”
Damon’s shadowy, featureless face whipped in her direction. “I have a minute, do I?”
The shadows flowed toward Alicia, whose eyes widened as her incorporeal boyfriend loomed in front of her. “A woman’s body is not my first choice, of course. And a vampire, no less. But it’s far better than oblivion.”
Alicia shrieked as Damon began to swirl around her, ready to possess her and take over her body and her life.
But then he stopped, frozen in the air as if his pause button had been pushed. I clutched Thierry’s shoulder and turned to see someone else join us on the patio.
Monique, who had her hands held out to her sides, green light sparkling around her hands.
“Salut, Thierry,” she said, nodding at him. “It’s so very good to see you again.”
“Monique,” Thierry replied with surprise.
“And Sarah,” Monique said. “I see you successfully found your husband.”
