I leaned toward her slightly, and she raised a pale, slender hand. Golden bangles clanked at her wrist, the gems sparkling under the glow of the lamps. Her eyes met mine. “May I?”
“Yes.”
As her hand moved toward my temple, I looked at Carrow. She watched, interested. She seemed to have forgotten her coffee.
Genara’s cool fingertips touched my temple, and I forced back a shudder of distaste. Carrow’s touch I enjoyed…but only hers. Everyone else’s was a burden, even Genara’s.
“Focus on what you want to know,” she murmured.
I felt her magic flow from her fingers into my mind, sparking through my head as her power attempted to unlock my memories. It took all my will not to fling her away. The beast inside me did not appreciate the riskiness of this endeavor. Connection with anyone—particularly connection through the mind—was dangerous.
But I was more powerful than the beast. These days, at least. I forced it to quiet, letting Genara’s magic flow through me as I tried to recall the past that was locked up tight.
Nothing came.
I frowned and tried harder, thinking of everything that Carrow had told me and everything I’d seen. That should have acted as a road map pointing me toward the part of my mind that I’d forgotten. With Genara’s help, I should have been able to unlock it.
But I couldn’t.
Why not?
Carrow set her coffee cup down, her hands twitching as if she wanted to try again now that there was someone who could teach her. The interest in her eyes glowed more keenly.
“Would you like to try?” I asked. “Perhaps Genara can show you.”
Genara’s eyes widened. “And give a possible competitor the drop on me?”
“I would never,” Carrow said. “I’m just interested in learning.”
Genara scoffed. “Hmm.”
“Your power is not working yet,” I said. “I can feel it inside me, but I remember nothing. Perhaps your gift and Carrow’s combined can find what is lost.”
“Fine.” Genara held out her hand for Carrow. “Take my hand.”
Carrow gripped her hand gently, her gaze fixed on me.
“Now touch the Devil’s other temple with the fingertips of your free hand.”
Carrow’s fingers rested gently against the skin of my temple. Heat and comfort surged through me, tempting me to lean into her touch.
I stiffened, unwilling to show any interest or weakness. Their fingertips still rested against my head, and I forced myself to stay still. I hated this, but it was often worth it.
Genara gave Carrow directions, explaining how her magic worked and how Carrow could mimic it. Carrow’s power flowed through me, feeling like pleasure and pain all at once. I should hate it like I hated Genara’s touch, but I didn’t.
I thought of the past, of trying to dredge up the lost memories. The harder I tried, the farther they seemed to recede behind a barrier between me and what I sought.
Carrow gasped and jerked her hand back, her eyes wide. “Something is wrong.”
Irritation and confusion pricked at me. She was right.
I looked at Genara. “What’s going on?”
“I think there’s a block on your memory.” She frowned. “I’ve never seen anything quite like that before.”
“What do you mean, a block? I’ve forgotten something forever?”
“No, not quite. More like a curse, cast by another.”