“Why didn’t she just let you marry, so you could get your money?” Tori snorted in disgust. “She was really going to pimp out her own kid?”
Malik frowned. “Your terminology exceeds my understanding, but based on your obvious distaste, I would have to agree. I needed the blessing of my bloodline to wed, and Merada’s mother was not a woman of patience.”
Tori giggled. “And Merada went along with that?”
“Oh, no, but she had no choice. Times were much different back then. We continued to see each other, but we were forced to conceal our relationship. Her mother despised me and was quite obsessed with finding a wealthy man to ask for her daughter’s hand.”
“Did you two ever end up together?”
He rubbed his face. “Merada became with child. My family conceded, and I was able to convince her to marry me at that point. We did so quietly without her mother’s blessing.”
“And things went well after that?”
“Things went horribly wrong after that. Unbeknownst to me or my beloved, Merada’s aunt was a high witch with strong powers who practiced in the dark arts. Her coven enacted the spell that put me in that gargoyle.”
“What happened to Merada?”
His eyes clouded and for a moment, Tori feared that he was going to burst into tears.
“Her pregnancy was discovered after I was already imprisoned; I hadn’t been allotted enough time to take her to my realm. Merada was shunned and locked away. My darling felt as though she failed me, condemned me into an immortal hell. She did not have the strength that you have now. Her heart shattered, and she begged one of her siblings to help her end the torment.”
“What did she want them to do?”
“She wanted to die. One of her sisters finally obliged and snuck Merada a tiny vial of poison with her dinner tray. One drop. One tiny drop and both my wife and my child passed away together.”
Tori flew to the couch and pulled him into a hug. “Malik, I’m so sorry. I had no idea.”
His lips found the side of her neck. “Of course you didn’t.”
She loosened her hold to put a little distance between his mouth and her skin. “How did you find all this out?”
“While I was unable to communicate, I was well aware of everything that went on. Her mother kept my statue placed so that I had complete access to the circumstances. When Merada and my unborn child died, I did the same in my tomb.”
“And that’s why you hate witches.”
“I understand that not all witches were those witches that imprisoned me, but the magical blood flows between them all. For me to remain free, they must be destroyed.”
“But what if I can keep you free? I thought you said that your one true love could do that. And if I’m a reincarnation of Merada, why can’t I?”
His eyes burned into hers. “Because one witch with breath left in her body could take it all away from me again. I can’t let that happen.”
Tori pulled away from him. “Felicia is my sister. We’ve talked about this.”
“And I reiterate that a witch without knowledge is worse than a seasoned, powerful one. She could put me back without even realizing her intent.”
Her heart dropped. No matter what I feel or what I do, he’s going to kill Felicia. It’s a no-win situation.
Chapter Nine
Tori yawned and shifted on her pillow. It was barely light in her room, and she rolled over and tried to get comfortable, unsure of what had awakened her.
Then she heard voices. Angry voices.
She bolted upright as she recognized Felicia. Her heart froze as she heard Malik speak.
Oh, shit.
She yanked open her door and flew down the hallway to the kitchen. Two sets of eyes turned to her as she burst into the room.
“I don’t believe you. You’re telling me that my sister just randomly let you live here?”
“I believe that what I said was that it was none of your business.”
“Excuse me.” Tori tried to read the situation in a glance. “What are you two doing?”
“Why do you have a man in your house?”
“What is she doing here?”
Tori waved her hands around. “Stop. Both of you. Malik, Felicia is here most of the time. Felicia, he’s just staying for a little bit because he needed a place to stay.” She held up a hand when they both started to speak. “And no one else is to say anything until I get coffee.” She ran her tongue over her teeth. “And a toothbrush. Can I trust you two not to kill each other before I get back?”
Her eyes flew to Malik as she realized what she’d said. She read humor in his gaze, but also something else. “Poor choice of words on my part. I’m not awake yet.”
“I assure you there will be no killing in your kitchen.”
Tori backed toward the bathroom. “Or the living room. Or back yard. Nowhere on this property.”
Felicia frowned. “Are you okay? What the hell are you talking about? And I’m here because I need to talk to you. Now!”
“Just stay there. Right here in the kitchen. I’ll be right back.”
She brushed her teeth in record time and grabbed a robe. A quick glance in the mirror caused her to grab her brush after she washed the smudged mascara from her eyes.
After this morning, I won’t have to worry about sleeping with the guy. He won’t want any part of this mess.
Felicia had made coffee and handed her a mug when she returned to the kitchen.
“How’s Rosie?”
Felicia burst into tears. “That’s why I’m here. She died sometime early this morning.”
Shock resonated through Tori. “She... what?”
“Apparently she had a brain bleed that they either didn’t catch or a blood vessel burst.”
Tori wrapped her arms around her sister. “I’m so sorry.” Felicia’s sobs echoed around the kitchen.
Malik’s brow raised. “Rosie?”
Tori kissed the top of Felicia’s head. “One of her friends. She was injured in an... accident... the other night.”
“Ah.” His eyes never left Tori. “Accidents happen.”
She held his stare. “Yes. They do. Remember that.”
Felicia pulled away and reached for a tissue. “Umm, hello? I’m here, remember? You two sound like you’re talking in code.”
Malik flicked her a glance. “Sometimes curiosity really does kill the cat.”
“Malik,” Tori warned.
Felicia spun around. “Excuse me? What the hell are you doing here?”
Tori reached over and cupped Felicia’s hand. “It’s a really long story that you don’t need to hear right now.” She paused, unsure how to explain. Or how much to explain.
Malik sipped his coffee. “I’m simply here to right a wrong, and your sister was helpful enough to offer me a place to stay until my finances are back in order.”
Felicia peered at Tori over the rim of her mug. “How do you two know each other?”
“Work.” Tori left it at that.
“Why have you never mentioned—”
“Felicia, leave it alone. My house, my life. I don’t have to explain things to you every time I allow someone to use my guest room.”