|
|
|
|
|
|
|
He patted Kyna's knee. "Take it easy. I'll be right back." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"You believe her?" Paula asked when Cyrus joined her at the register. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The woman gave him a crooked smile. "Let me have her cut the cards and we'll know for sure." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cyrus peeked into the back room. Kyna was still in the chair, but now with her head back and her eyes closed. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"No," he said at last. "It wouldn't make any difference. I think I love her." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
He turned his gaze on the beautiful witch. "You've heard of love, I take it?" |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Heard of it? I sell it in small black bottles to fools who think their lives are over if they can't possess Alice or Clarence or whoever their heartthrob of the moment is. I may not know what love is, my friend, but I know what pain is. Pain is what you will feel when she starts to grow old and you don't. Pain will be watching her die a day at a time. If you love her, spare her that . . . cut her loose." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"How do you know she loves you?" |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pauala snorted. "Men! Man or wolf, you're all the same. I tell you, there's a lot more going on here than she's telling you." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Paula frowned and then pursed her lips. "I'm not sure. I can't get a reading on her. It's like she's surrounded by a psychic fog." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"A damping field. Has she ever said anything about dabbling in the occult? Attending sabbats? Does she carry any good luck charms or odd-looking dolls?" |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"No. Nor sleep with black cats nor fly about on a broom." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"In your position, I don't think I would be making fun." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"My position? What's wrong with my position? All I have |
|
|
|
|
|