Page 120 of His Wicked Charm

Con grimaced and muttered a curse. “Oh, very well. Take him.” He scowled at Peter. “This is only because it would upset Lilah. But you better lock him up, however you can, or the next time he’ll end up in prison. I swear it.”

“I will. I promise. Come, Father.” Peter led his father away, still muttering and weeping.

After that, the magistrate could think of no more questions, and the four of them returned to the house. The servants had laid a midnight repast of cold meats and cheeses on the dining table, and after Lilah and Con went upstairs to wash up and change their clothes, they joined Alex and Sabrina at the table. As they ate, Con and Lilah went over what had happened in fuller, more coherent detail.

“I still cannot believe Aunt Vesta tried to kill you!” Sabrina said when they had finished. “She was always peculiar but harmless.”

“She was desperate after she learned we planned to shut the whole thing down. She convinced herself that she if she sacrificed me, she would gain the Goddess’s favor and be given all my power. I think over the years, feeling her powers diminish, she grew...obsessed with getting them back, until it reached the point that nothing else mattered. Not even her own life,” Lilah finished sadly.

“I’m sorry.” Con squeezed Lilah’s hand. He hadn’t let go of her since they’d escaped, holding her hand even during the magistrate’s and doctor’s visits. “I shouldn’t have released her arm. I never guessed she would run back in like that.”

“Don’t blame yourself. There was nothing you could have done. She wanted to stay there. She wanted to be with her ‘Goddess.’ Now she is. Forever. Maybe she’s happier.”

“How did you know what to do?” Sabrina asked. “What the Sanctuary really wanted? Or how to return it to the Otherworld?”

“I can’t explain it. I just felt it deep inside. It wasn’t even a conscious thought. I knew in my bones, it seemed, that it wanted its freedom, but I realized that we were wrong in thinking it would run wild and destroy everything. It just wanted to go back where it belonged.”

“I think that when your grandfathers found the place and did their ceremony with blood, even though it was a lark to them, it actually called the entity and anchored it to that room,” Alex said. “They imprisoned it, though I don’t think that was their intention. They believed they were honoring something and being given blessings in return.”

“It’s no wonder the gifts came with bad consequences,” Sabrina commented. “Do you think it’s really gone? The curse, too?”

“I no longer feel the energy beneath the ground,” Lilah said. “Or inside me. Do you?”

“No.”

Lilah smiled. “I think we’re safe from it.”

“At least there’s that.” Sabrina yawned, delicately covering it. “I’m sorry. I’m afraid it’s catching up with me.”

“You should spend the night here,” Lilah urged. “There’s no need to go back home.”

“Thank you.” Sabrina nodded. “It’ll take care of the chaperonage problem, too.”

“The chaperonage problem?” Con echoed, suddenly wary.

Sabrina nodded. “Yes. I mean, now that Lilah’s aunt’s not here. Of course, now Con can stay with us, so that would make it respectable.”

Con stiffened. “Sabrina,” Alex said in a careful tone. “That can wait until tomorrow.”

Sabrina glanced at the others and began to blush. “Oh. Yes.” She jumped up from the table. “Well, then...”

“We’ll just be off to bed.” Alex joined her.

Quickly Sabrina bent and kissed Lilah’s cheek, bidding her good-night. Lilah rose, too, but Con reached out. “Lilah. Wait. Please, stay. I need to talk to you.”

* * *

LILAH TURNED. SHE had turned to ice when Sabrina had pointed out that it would be scandalous for Con to stay here with her. It was over. Con would leave now. That was what he wanted to say to her. Somehow, she must gather her courage and accept it. She wouldn’t break down.

“About what Sabrina said,” Con began slowly.

Lilah sank onto her chair, her legs too shaky to hold her up.

“I suppose she’s right,” Con went on, not looking at her. “It would be more respectable if I stayed there. Would you rather...”

“If that is what you wish,” Lilah said through bloodless lips.

“It’s not what I wish,” he shot back. “I don’t wish it at all.” He drew a breath. “But I don’t want to do anything that might harm your reputation. I know how much it means to you to remain above scandal. I don’t... Oh, the devil.”