She froze. “The Book of Magical Charms.”
“Indeed,” he returned grimly. “Sexual activity is used in many rites. The purpose is to use arousal with the visualization to produce a desired result. In this instance, to restore your abilities. Certain universal energies can be harnessed to transcend one’s normally perceived reality. However, in order for the magic to be fulfilled, both partners are supposed to achieve orgasm at the same time.”
She shifted in her seat. “I don’t recall anything so… fulfilling that night.”
“Perhaps not,” he concurred. “But it was enough to restore some of your sight that you had lost. Hector wants you so that he can finish what he started.” A muscle ticked in his jaw. “It explains the sensual encounters you’ve been having of late. He’s trying to manipulate you into arousal so that he can complete the sacred incantation.”
Marlene put a hand to her forehead. She wasn’t sure if she could fully comprehend everything that he was telling her, but somehow it made perfect sense.
“I should have figured it out long ago, but without knowing your history with Hector, I had no idea how far his reach truly went.”
She suddenly felt the hopelessness of her precarious situation. She understood now that Hector wouldn’t stop until he gained what he wanted. The Book of Magical Charms. And her. “What do we do now?” she whispered.
His brows drew together in a frown. “I have already considered that. I am going to call a meeting of the coven to discuss the situation. I met with one of the members in London, and she is supposed to be gathering the rest. I expect they will be here within the week, but I am waiting on word to hear for certain.”
Marlene wasn’t sure if she was pleased to hear that his contact in London would soon be at the estate, but she wasn’t about to ignore assistance to end this nightmare. As she regarded Alaric, with his dark hair pulled back in a queue, and his silhouette perfectly tailored to suit his muscular frame, she had another thought. One that had her heart pounding with anticipation. “You said that Hector was trying to use sex magic against me.” She paused, ensuring that she had his attention. When his eyes narrowed slightly, she added, “Is it possible to do the same, but use it against him? To keep him from invading my visions?”
He appeared to consider this, and she held her breath until he spoke. “I never considered the possibility, but I suppose it might allow us enough time to keep him at bay until the coven arrives and we can finally put an end to all of this.” He regarded her steadily. “But you know what that would mean if so.”
She nodded her head, remembering their solitary night together, and how miraculous it had been. She knew she would be playing with fire if she gave herself to him again. Each time would chip at her resolve, but she saw no other way to break Hector’s cycle. “I do.”
He clenched his jaw, but otherwise, it was the only movement he made. “You’re willing to do this?”
“I will do whatever it takes to ensure that Hector doesn’t acquire what he so desperately wants.”
He hesitated but a moment, and then he walked over and held out his hand to her. “Come with me.”
Chapter 17
Marlene hadn’t been expecting Alaric to take her to his chamber, but when he led her inside and shut the door, turning the key in the lock, the flutters of desire rose up within her. He led her over to the bed and urged her to sit down.
“Give me a moment to prepare,” he said next to her ear, and then he walked around to the other side of the bed. She didn’t dare turn around to see what he was doing, because she thought she might lose her nerve.
She waited patiently for him to return, and when he did, she noticed that he had discarded all but his trousers. He held a sheath and set it on the table near the bed.
He looked at her in that sensual manner she had come to crave like nothing else. “Do you trust me?”
She nodded lightly.
He held up a hand between them and closed his eyes, reciting something in a tongue that she didn’t recognize. When he opened his eyes, they were piercing and full of passion shimmering inside. Her breath caught, and then it left her body completely when he held up a black strip of cloth.
“Do you have any objections to being blindfolded?”
She wasn’t sure she could talk, her tongue seemed to be stuck to the roof of her mouth, but somehow, she managed the impossible. “For what reason?”
“It will heighten your senses and make your orgasm even more pronounced. You will need to endure the le petite mort in order for the ritual to be successful.”
Marlene’s mouth fell open slightly, but she managed to agree to his proposal.
He reached up and set the cloth over her eyes, and then he tied it carefully but firmly at the back of her head. “Can you see anything?”
If she didn’t know better, she would say his voice had become huskier. “No.”
“Good.” She could feel his hands at her bodice, starting to disrobe her. “All you have to do now is relax and allow your desire to be your guide. Rely on the sensation of touch. I won’t hurt you.”
She nodded, because she couldn’t seem to make the words form properly anymore.
Slowly, he removed each layer of her gown and underclothes, until the cool air on her naked skin was the only thing she could feel. She waited, the air expelling from her lungs with every breath, but nothing happened.
