Page 94 of Dark Embrace

He saved you, protected you, healed you and made love to you.

Brie reminded herself that Aidan didn’t love her—not at all. He could not have rejected her that morning so callously if he did.

“I’ll heal them,” Allie said.

Brie saw Allie standing on the threshold with Royce, their expressions grim. She crossed her arms, wanting to defend Aidan, as Allie went to the women to heal them. Her hands on one, Allie glanced at Brie. “He didn’t have sex.” She gave Brie an I-told-you-so look and focused on the blonde she was healing.

Brie found a chair. She had never been more relieved. So much for refocusing and being a pro. She was still in love. And what the hell did Aidan’s behavior mean?

“Ah, lass, he’s fond of ye,” Royce said.

She looked at him.

“I canna lurk on Aidan, he blocks me. But I dinna have to. ’Tis evident.”

She was afraid to believe it, especially after being so hurt by him that morning. “Does he have enough power to destroy Moray?”

“I dinna ken.”

“Where is he?” But even as she spoke, her senses flew to Aidan’s, and she realized he was nearby. She felt his savage, predatory intention.

“He’s in the tower, where he hunts.”

He was safe for now, she thought. “And when he finds Moray? Can you please go with him? He needs backup. I don’t care how powerful he has become.”

Royce nodded and walked out. The other women had gotten up and were leaving, looking no worse for wear. Allie came to stand beside Brie. “Are you okay?”

Brie hesitated. “I don’t ever want to feel that kind of lust again.”

Allie gave her a look. “I can’t imagine what the lust for life feels like, but…La Puissance is pretty darned amazing.”

Brie was pretty sure she knew what Allie referred to. She felt herself blush. “Do you mean the rapture that comes from so much power?”

She nodded and grinned guiltily. “It’s all forbidden. Masters do not take power unless they’re in mortal danger, and usually they don’t need to—they’re so superstrong that they can fight anything. But we dabbled in it. Royce was desperate for my healing power and boy, with sex factored in, what a rush!”

“I was fine with the good, old-fashioned version,” Brie said tersely. She did not want to recall last night.

“They say it can be addictive, like a drug. It’s why once a Master falls, he usually turns all the way. They start lusting for that power and that rapture…” Allie shrugged.

Brie wondered where that would leave Aidan, if he ever was redeemed.

Allie touched her. “He leaves his victims alive. But he may always fight the urge to take power, the lust for it.”

“I’ll worry about that later,” Brie said tersely.

“Good idea. Tabby’s setting up for the séance.”

“Right now?” The summons to Urquhart was hanging over their heads, no matter how resolved Brie was to stop Aidan from heeding it.

Allie nodded. “I don’t think we should delay. Royce and I have discussed it with Malcolm and Claire. We think you’re right. Aidan needs to speak with his son. We think it could set him free and bring him back to us.”

He’ll die if he chooses to die. Brie hugged her hard, recalling MacNeil’s cryptic words. “Let’s pray first,” she said.

BRIE PUSHED OPEN THE DOOR TO Aidan’s bedroom and slipped inside. Tabby had asked for an item of Aidan’s for the séance, and Brie had given her the black plaid she’d been wearing. She was tired of being so swaddled up, anyway. Tabby had also asked her to find something of Ian’s.

She had never been in Aidan’s chamber before. The air within was charged with his testosterone and his authority. She closed the door behind her and glanced carefully around.

The room was barren and cold. Pillar candles were on the mantel, but nothing else. She glanced at the bedroom’s only table. A pitcher was there and a single mug. One chair was beside it, without upholstery or even a pillow. It did not look comfortable. She looked at the bed, with only two pillows, blankets and a fur throw. His bedchamber was not a personal retreat; it was neither warm nor welcoming. It was as bleak as the rest of his life.