And it is coming from Pie.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN – PIE
“No!” I say it again because I’m not sure they heard me. For a moment I wonder if I’m invisible again, like that first time I talked to Russ Roth through the gate. But when I check my finger, the ring is still there. “No!” I yell it louder now.
Tomas turns and I have a small rush of relief that I am, indeed, still here and visible.
But in that same moment comes a voice from behind me. “Well, well, well. Aren’t you a vision in plaid.”
My heart skips a beat. Then it thumps wildly as I turn and face him.
Sheriff Russ Roth.
And he is inside the walls of Saint Mark’s.
We haven’t seen each other since I banished him. And can I just say that a spell that required me to open a portal door, go into slave-debt to a minotaur, and cut off my man’s horn to make it work should last longer than a few weeks?
I tip my head up because deep down I know he can’t hurt me. And I’m actually not afraid of him anymore. “Hello, Sheriff.”
“I think you owe me an explanation.”
“I have to disagree.”
“We can do this later,” that Big Jim guy says. “Come on, Russ. We got what we need.”
“Not so fast,” Russ says. And now he’s walking towards me. And as he gets closer, I realize how much bigger than me he is.
And that scent.
Oh, shit.
I put my hands up and take a few steps back. “Stay away from me. Don’t come any closer!”
He just grins. “What is it about me, Pie? Hmm? Why can’t you be near me?”
Tomas practically snorts. “Oh, come on now, Sheriff. Surely you’re not going to tell us that you don’t understand what you are?”
“What I am?” Russ laughs. “Why don’t you enlighten me?”
“Tomas!” I caution. “Do not—”
“Why not?”
“Because.” Which is not a good reason, but my head is suddenly swirly and light. “Fuck,” I mutter. Then take a few more steps back. But Russ Roth is still coming towards me, so there is no relief. I feel myself… smile. Then I’m twisting my hair between my fingers and swinging my hips and… holy fuck! I’m flirting with him! But I manage to yell, “Stay away from me!” one more time.
I bump into Tomas and he puts his arm around me. “Stay back, Sheriff. What you’re doing right now is tantamount to assault.”
Russ Roth laughs. And oh, my God, it’s such a beautiful laugh! And those green eyes! Wow. They are so beautiful! Then I notice his lips and I want to kiss them. I lean forward, but Tomas pulls me back.
“Stay here, Pie.”
But I don’t want to stay here with Tomas. I want to go with Russ Roth. I don’t even care where we go, I just want to touch him. Kiss him. Feel him inside—
A sharp stinging across my face snaps me out of it. I place a palm on my cheek. “Ow, Tomas! What the hell?”
Tomas doesn’t answer me. Instead, he points at Russ, then at the gate. “He leaves. Now. Pie stays here and Madeline and I will go with you, Big Jim. But the sheriff needs to get away from Pie immediately.”
I want to pay attention. I really do. I want to hear all the little details being discussed right now. But I can’t stop looking at him. I can’t stop wanting former high-school quarterback Russ Roth.