The Libertine (Taskill Witches 2)

She looked up at him.

“Hold tight to me,” he whispered.

“Always.”

“Don’t be afraid.”

She had already walked through fire to him, and now he tells her not to be afraid?

What was he about to do? Forcing down her nervousness, she looped her arms around his neck and kept her eyes trained on his face.

Lennox lifted one arm in the air, pointing skyward, and chanted in that strange tongue of his. A moment later the sky overhead lit up and a dazzling flash of lightning struck close by. He chanted again, and once again lightning bolts flashed all around. Chloris could hear screams, and through the flames she saw the shadowy figures outside the circle running in all directions.

Lennox glanced back over his shoulder.

From behind them a mighty thundering of hooves sounded, and a carriage approached at great speed.

“Are you able to run?”

She nodded.

He grasped her hand in his and held it tightly.

With his free hand he pointed at the flaming circle. “Be gone!”

In a heartbeat the fire disappeared. Only smoke remained, but it shielded them, rising from the charred ground in a thick cloud.

Holding tight to her hand he urged her to run. As they approached the carriage the door was flung open. Lennox lifted her in.

Jessie was kneeling on the floor inside and she pulled Chloris close to where she huddled on the floor.

“Ramsay, strap yourself down, tightly,” Lennox shouted up to where the coachman sat, then he clambered in.

Before the door was even closed, the carriage shunted off at great speed. Chloris’s heart thundered in her chest, beating as hard and fast as the horses’ hooves that carried them away. Her entire body shivered, shock, relief and gratitude making her senses swim.

The carriage rocked violently and Jessie clung to her side. They were on their way. Chloris could scarcely believe it. She stared across at her lover in awe. Lennox had drawn back the curtain and watched from the carriage seat where he perched, whispering beneath his breath, his arm out to shield the two women in case something was thrown. His eyes had that sheen in them that showed her he was still working magic, and then she felt as if the carriage moved faster still.

The carriage rattled and jolted and Chloris wondered how it was able to stay upright. They were traveling so fast she sensed they were already beyond the city walls.

“Oh, my belly.” Jessie groaned.

Chloris wrapped the girl in her arms, holding tight to her.

Lennox turned to look at them, apparently satisfied they were on their way.

When he saw the way the two of them were huddled together, he shook his head and laughed. “We must find a way to cure you of this malady you have. No sister of mine should be afraid of anything.”

Jessie lifted a hand in acknowledgment then buried her face in the curve of Chloris’s neck.

“She cannot abide heights, and yet we are scarcely off the ground,” Lennox explained.

“I will learn,” Jessie mumbled.

Chloris felt for Jessie and hugged her tighter still.

She stared at Lennox in wonder. He was himself again.

Beyond him the curtain was still drawn back and everything appeared to shift fast outside, but he was still and solid and smiling at her.