In fact, it was more than likely the reason she’d shielded herself from love ever since and refused to give up her control. Sure, she’d been briefly engaged since, but only because it had felt like the right time, the right place, the right opportunity. In that relationship she hadn’t been abused physically. Emotionally was more like it. Her fiancé had cheated on her on Valentine’s Day, originally prompting her to move to Toronto and take over half ownership of Triple-A so she could have a fresh start.
Eden’s love life had always been one big fat joke. She couldn’t help but be guarded, even now. Even with Darrak.
Maybe it was because of her mother’s influence. Caroline had never exactly been a glowing example of someone who had healthy relationships. She’d had a one-night stand with an angel and become pregnant from it. Who did that?
“Morning,” Andy McCoy greeted her as she entered the office. Darrak held the door open for her. “Or, rather, late morning. Just strolling in now whenever you feel like it, is that how it is?”
Darrak shrugged as he hung both his and Eden’s coats up on the rack near the door. “Had to see a wizard about a problem.”
“I will assume that’s not a euphemism.”
“Eden’s magic is no euphemism.”
Andy nodded gravely. “Tell me something I don’t know.”
“Well, for starters, you’re going to turn into a werewolf tomorrow night.”
Andy recoiled slightly. “No, I’m not.”
“You are.”
“Am not.”
“Are.”
“Not.”
“You can deny it all you like, Andy, but it’s going to happen. You got bitten by a werewolf. Mauled, actually.”
He shuddered. “I remember that part.”
“And that means you’re a werewolf, too. I’m not sure why this is so difficult for you to grasp.”
Eden felt bad for the guy. He was still in serious denial about what would happen. It was a discussion they’d had several times in the last couple of weeks, but no progress had been made to get him to accept the inevitable.
Maksim had given them a spell that would allegedly help safely contain Andy and cloak the area. Wouldn’t want someone to walk by and see a werewolf clawing at the door to be let out.
Apparently werewolves could shapeshift anytime they liked, but when it came to the full moon, they didn’t have a choice. It was all werewolf all the time, for one night a month.
She glanced around the office, trying to judge how much damage there would be if they made this the containment area. Seemed like as good a place as any. She’d done some research into werewolves, along with Darrak’s knowledge of them, and knew Andy would go one of two ways. Either a rabid, out-of-control beast who had none of his human traits and only wanted to rip things — or people — apart. Or he’d be Andy. In wolf form.
She was hoping for the latter, but planning for the former.
“I am not going to turn into a werewolf tomorrow night,” Andy said firmly. “Just stop it. Both of you.”
He went to his desk, sat down, and took out a silver flask from his top drawer, draining it in one gulp.
Denial was a thirsty state of mind.
Darrak hadn’t looked directly at her since the impromptu lap dance in the car, but they had to talk. If her magic was truly identical to Selina’s, then they had to give it a shot. First with the spell and then, if they were successful, with the curse.
Could it really be that easy after all this time?
The bell above the door jingled as someone familiar entered the office. She was short, with bleached blonde hair, red lips, and a smile that stretched a mile wide. Nancy was the assistant manager at the coffee shop next door, a place called Hot Stuff that Andy also owned. She came by with coffee and donuts first thing every morning, the scent of which usually made Eden’s mouth water.
This morning it seemed to have the opposite effect. She felt a little queasy, actually.
Great. Word had it that the flu was going around. Getting sick was the last thing she needed to deal with right now.
“Hello all!” Nancy exclaimed cheerily.
“Nancy, you’re back bearing more delicious treats. Twice in one morning. What’s the occasion?” Andy grinned at her as if thrilled for the excuse to avoid the werewolf topic. Nancy was blissfully ignorant about a great deal of paranormal activity in the area. She’d come face-to-face with some dangerous magic recently at a local singles club that happened to be possessed by the demon Lord of Lust, but had recovered nicely. Well, except for one very unfortunate result.
The blonde was currently dating Stanley, the weaselly wizard’s assistant whom Darrak had made cry earlier on the phone.
Some women had questionable taste in men.
“I saw Darrak and Eden just got here. Had to bring over more munchies.” Nancy held up a paper bag emblazoned with the Hot Stuff logo.
“You’re an angel,” Darrak said. “And I mean that as a compliment, not an insult.”
Nancy had a large crush on Darrak for a while, but thankfully it had subsided. There was a time she’d demonstrated this crush by making Darrak chocolate donuts in the blobby shape of hearts. Now they were regular blobby-shaped ovals.
“Here, Eden.” Nancy held out a coffee to her.
“Thanks.” Eden took it and couldn’t help but notice something glitter on Nancy’s finger. Her eyes widened. “Wow, Nancy. Nice ring.”
“Oh, this?” Nancy held her left hand out to show off the diamond solitaire and then wriggled her fingers.
“You’re not…” Eden frowned. “Are you engaged?”
She would have thought it impossible, but Nancy’s smile shot up another fifty watts. “Stanley popped the question last night.”
“Congratulations!” Andy exclaimed.
“Popped what question?” Darrak asked.
“Stanley asked me to marry him, and I said yes.” More finger wriggling. “I’m going to be Mrs. Dancy!”
“Nancy Dancy,” Darrak said. “It’s catchy.”
Eden’s brows drew together. “I’m glad you’re so excited. Don’t take this the wrong way, but you’ve only known him a couple of weeks. Are you positive this is the right thing?”
The brightness dimmed a little at the edges. “Now you sound like my mother.”
“I’m just saying—”
“She was all ‘Is this going to be like last time? Marry in haste, repent at leisure,’ or whatever. But it’s not true. It’s not like the last time. That wasn’t true love. This — what me and Stanley have? It’s real. I feel it deep inside of me like nothing I’ve ever experienced before. It’s real and it’s lasting and I want to spend the rest of my life with that man. He’s the most wonderful person I’ve ever known in my entire life.”
“Stanley is?” Eden cleared her throat as Nancy’s cheery smile turned into a glower. “I mean, sure… he’s, uh, great. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to rain on your parade. I’m just practical about this sort of thing. I don’t want you to get hurt.”
The blonde’s expression softened again. “I know. And I appreciate it. Don’t worry about me, Eden. You’ve always been like an older sister to me.”
“I believe I’m a few years younger than you, actually.”
“It would mean a lot to me if you’d be one of my bridesmaids. Will you do that?”
Eden was at a loss. It felt wrong talking about things like true love, bridal plans, and weddings when she was getting used to dealing with curses, demons, and an unavoidable working relationship with Lucifer himself. “I… I would be happy to be one of your bridesmaids.”