Page 62 of His Eternal Temptation

“Itself.” Nicole grinned, triumphant. “We’ve worked out a spell that should force it to feed off its own power.”

“And once it devours itself, it’ll be over?” Lane kept his hope in check. If this didn’t work, it didn’t seem like there’d be another option.

“That’s the plan,” Vera agreed.

Rowan settled beside Lane, his presence sturdy as a pillar. “You really think this will work? There’s nothing in the magic preventing it?”

“Not specifically,” Nicole said. “It’ll be more of a challenge than stopping the feeding cycle, but it’s definitely possible.”

Rowan looked at Lane questioningly. “What do you say?”

His fear from yesterday returned. This could go wrong and leave him to die, but they couldn’t stay like this. “I’m ready. Are you?”

Rowan nodded and took Lane’s hand. “I think I have to be.”

Nicole and Vera stepped forward and placed a hand each on Lane and Rowan’s heads. They began to chant. Magic thrummed through Lane, much as it had last time. His stomach was in knots, but no pain came. It seemed like nothing was happening beyond the tingle of active magic flying around the room.

What if it wasn’t working? Lane’s hopes crashed, and Rowan stiffened, his grip on Lane tightening.

The chanting stopped.

“I feel something…” Rowan’s gaze swept over Lane.

Vera nodded, her eyes closed and face twisted in concentration. “I can sense the spell working. The curse is feeding off its own magic now.”

Lane experienced nothing other than nerves, the air caught in his lungs.

“It’s not feeding off me.” Rowan’s hard expression gave way to something open and bright. “My hunger is fading. Really fading, like it hasn’t since it took hold.”

His eyes glowed, flashing bright, and his fangs lengthened. For a split second, he looked hungry despite what he’d said. Then, he smiled, and relief shone through.

A wrenching feeling took hold of Lane’s insides and pulled sharply upwards. He gasped. “What was that? Is it gone?” He felt nothing except nervous jitters. “Rowan, how do you feel?”

“Better. Not hungry at all, thank all that’s damned.”

Nicole and Vera shared triumphant looks before their gazes slid out of focus, a sign they were silently assessing them with magic. After a long moment, Nicole announced, “It’s gone.”

“No trace of the curse remains,” Vera agreed.

“Hell yeah.” Hunter did a fist pump. “You two are brilliant. I’m so glad you didn’t need me.”

“Me too,” Lane said with all his heart.

Rowan stood. “Thank you. I can’t say it enough. Make sure you get some much-deserved rest. All three of you. I’ll let the coven know the curse is dealt with.” He clapped Nicole, then Vera on the shoulder. “You have my unending gratitude, and Hunter, thank you for everything.”

They accepted his thanks and departed. It was over. Lane was safe and no longer one wrong step away from death.

An awkwardness filled the office. He could leave.

Rowan settled behind his desk, poised as ever, and typed out a message on his phone. Lane couldn’t help thinking of him laid out on the wooden surface, stuffed full of his cock and begging for someone to take care of him. It felt like a dream, and not in a good way. Like it had never happened at all.

There was no way to know if the feeling was mutual. Rowan’s face was impassive, and Lane remembered why he’d hated this blankness. It left him alone. Unsure.

Rowan set the phone aside and considered Lane with detached authority, the barest hint of curiosity peeking through.

Had all the emotion he’d shown been the curse wearing him down? Had he not wanted to let Lane in? His insides curdled.

“Will you return to your coven to warn your father?” Rowan asked.