He’d been so damned proud of her, just a moment ago. She’d successfully scried on her first attempt! She was a Seer, of course, so he shouldn’t have been surprised that she took to it so easily. But even so, with no training, no practice…
…And then her hands had settled on his chest and her magical touch had raced through him. And he wanted nothing more than for her to touch him once more. What he wouldn’t give to kiss her. Probably his entire fortune, if he was honest.
Fierce?
Fanciful was more like it. At least in her presence. The strange thing was, he didn’t mind that. How badly had he hit his head when he’d fallen from his horse the night before?
“Captain?” her melodic voice his ears.
“Woolgathering. Apologies.” Alec refocused on the matter at hand. Then he offered her his free arm. “I am your humble servant, Miss Elstone.”
Ha!Humblewas also not a word one normally associated with Alec, but he let that thought pass him by when she took his arm and her magic washed over him once more. She was like a balm for all that ailed him…
“I don’t think I’ve ever been this anxious in my life,” she told him once they were in the corridor.
Alec smiled down at her. “I’m certain it will be a relief to have the Branwyck grimoire in your possession.”
She agreed with a nod of her head. “This last year, Laurel and I have been completely lost. To think there was a guidebook, of sorts, within our grasp this whole time.”
“Once you go through it, you’ll have to look for a protection spell.”
“A protection spell?” Her hazel eyes rounded in surprise as he led her down the corridor.
“I doubt hellhounds are the only creatures stalking the nearby woods.”
“Hellhounds?” she echoed and almost tripped on the rug, but Alec kept her steady.
“The pack that attacked Daniel and me last night. If I was a wagering man, and I am,” he told her with a wink, “I’d say your powers have drawn them here like a scent on the wind.”
The color drained slightly from her cheeks. “Those awful beasts are here because of us?”
“As your aunt died after restoring your powers, it does not seem that she cast a protection spell before she died.”
“Oh, goodness,” she muttered under her breath.
He hadn’t meant to worry her, just letting her know what needed to be done. “No reason to fret. They’re simple spells. I’m sure your grimoire will explain all.”
“Mr. Barrow. Something…some creature killed one of his shire colts last night.”
“Mr. Barrow?”
“Our neighbor at Summerwynds. He came this morning to see if we knew anything about what might have happened to the poor animal.” She looked up at him, misery splashed across her face. “Are you saying those dogs, those hellhounds, are here because of us?”
“It’s not your fault, Poppy,” he said, hoping to ease the worry from her brow. “You cannot be responsible for things that want to harmyou.”
“If I’d known—”
“Then it would be different,” he said reasonably. “But you didn’t know. Now that you do, you can make certain the area is protected moving forward.”
“You are very pragmatic,” she said as they reached the door to the attic.
Pragmatic.That one he heard often enough. “I’ve had to be,” he said, and then gestured for her to precede him up the staircase to the attic.
As Poppy ascended the staircase, Alec followed behind at a slightly slower pace. Narrow stairways were always made more difficult as he had to rely upon his cane. Of course, she didn’t seem to notice that about him, and he liked that about her. How refreshing it was to be seen for who he was instead of what had happened to him on the continent.
As Alec stepped into the cavernous attic, he instantly spotted the bats on the rafters that had so terrified the Elstone sisters not long ago. They were just tiny little things, nothing to get worked up about. Not really. Still, she glanced in that direction with more than a bit of trepidation.
Alec smiled at her. “You’ll also be able to dispel thosefearsomecreatures.”
