LITMIR.BIZ

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      “Oh, I think it’s too late for that,” Zachary’s lips hinted at a dangerous smile.

      Not wanting to be the reason someone was hurt, Tiara reached out and touched Guy’s arm to get his attention back on her. “I will call Carley’s soul… not her body,” she whispered, “and you can talk to her.” Now that she had his full attention she reached up, cupping his face between her palms. “I will need something from you first.”

      “I’ll give you anything,” Guy said with desperation. “And after it’s done… if you need me.” He placed his hand over one of hers and turned his face toward it, kissing her palm softly and dropped to his knees so he wouldn’t be so tall for her. “I’ll be there for you.”

      Zachary growled inwardly knowing exactly what Guy was suggesting and he didn’t like the sound of it. He moved his angry gaze to Tiara’s face wondering what she thought of the idea of trading necromancy favors for sex.

      “Thank you, Guy,” her full lips lifted in the barest hint of a soft smile. “But what I need is for you to let all the love you feel for your sister wash through you. I can use it to call to her soul.”

      Even from where Zachary was standing, he could see Guy’s eyes soften and his face relax but he couldn’t stop himself from taking another step forward when Guy wrapped his arms around Tiara’s waist and pressed himself against her as he closed his eyes.

      Tiara took a deep breath and also closed her eyes feeling a brother’s overwhelming love for his little sister in the way he was holding on to her so tightly. She could even feel his hands shaking with emotion. It was so pure of heart that she felt a longing to know such a love.

      Zachary watched in wonder as Tiara seemed to shimmer and Carley’s likeness melded within her own. Carley’s soul was clinging to Tiara’s and gazing down on her brother in confusion. In the span of a few seconds, Zachary’s distrusting expression faded into something that could only be described as gentle.

      “Guy,” Carley said softly.

      Guy’s eyes shot open and he quickly lifted his head to look up at his sister standing in the circle of his arms.

      “Carley,” Guy's voice shook as tears started falling from his eyes. “Why did you do that? It should have been me.”

      Carley smiled, “It was my turn to protect you. I don’t regret it and I wouldn’t change a thing.”

      Guy shook his head in denial, “I didn’t need protecting… what I needed was my sister.” He tightened his arms around her possessively. “I promise I won’t let you go this time.”

      “You were always taking care of me.” Carley said. “But look at me now,” she spun around in a circle since it was really Tiara’s body he was holding… not hers. “I can walk again. If I want to… I can even fly.”

      “We can make things better this time. I’ll find a way to make you happy,” he promised and readied himself if she said no.

      Carley sighed softly and leaned down to give him a tender kiss on his cheek. “I’m happy now Guy. The only thing I ask is for you to find a way to be happy… and for heaven’s sake, find a girlfriend!”

      Guy lowered his head drawing as much magic from the earth as he could, “Tiara can bring you back Carley. Don’t you want that as much as I do?”

      Carley reached out and ruffled his hair like he used to do with her. “I’m sorry Guy, but no… please don’t take this away from me.”

      Guy’s eyes widened guiltily and he jerked his tear blurred gaze back up to his sister, “There is a way for both of us to get what we want.”

      Just as his sister’s lips parted in confusion, Guy thrust the palm of his hand hard against her and Tiara’s chest, quickly whispering the words of the spell he’d memorized less than an hour ago. The burst of power blew Tiara backwards, leaving behind a momentary shadow of herself before it faded into an image of Carley still standing in front of him.

      “What have you done?” Carley whispered.

      Guy blinked now that she was stabilized without Tiara’s connection. She hadn't given him another option and he refused to let her leave him again. So, he’d made his decision and bound her spirit to this world.

      Zachary lunged forward with his arms outstretched, catching Tiara before her head hit the sandy beach. Quickly making sure she still had a pulse and was breathing, he glared over at Guy noticing the warlock was still looking at the same spot Tiara had just been standing as if he could still see Carley.

      Carley looked over her shoulder at Tiara then back at her brother disapprovingly, “That was mean… you could have at least warned Tiara what you were going to do.”

      “I’ll make it up to her,” Guy smiled and wiped some of the tears off his cheek. “Now that you hold the link between worlds, we won't need anyone to be a medium for us.”

      Carley giggled knowing the spell was harmless but at least now she could visit, even if he and Tiara were the only ones that could see her. “Just remember not to talk to me in front of people. They will think you’ve lost your mind.” Looking up at the castle, she realized she could even be Guy’s secret spy if PIT needed her. She would talk to him later about it.

      “I love you big brother, but you might want to go apologize to Tiara before Zachary decides to roast you.” She leaned down and swept her lips across Guy’s forehead again even though she knew he couldn’t feel it. “I’ll be right here.”

      Guy watched as Carley smiled brightly at him before her image faded away leaving Zachary’s angry form in his direct line of vision.

      “What the hell did you do to her?” Zachary growled while cradling Tiara’s limp form against his chest.

      Looking down into Tiara’s relaxed face, he brushed some of her hair away when the wind lifted it across her cheek and lips. He immediately stilled, realizing several things all at once. Her skin was just as soft as it appeared to be… and so was her hair.

      Zachary shivered as it fell from his fingers like silken thread. His gaze moved to her full lips in stunned silence when the urge to kiss her made his chest tighten. Her retained innocence made her so much more beautiful and tempting than he’d ever thought her mother was… that knowledge frightened him in ways he couldn’t grasp.

      Guy watched the emotions play across Zachary’s face as the other man interacted with Tiara’s unconscious form. A tight ball formed in the pit of his stomach not at all liking that Zachary was so close to her… conveniently forgetting who’d had her in his arms just moments before.

      Pushing himself up from the wet sand, Guy quickly closed the distance between them and stood over Zachary for a moment. He unconsciously fisted his hands before falling back to his knees beside Tiara and gazed lovingly down at her soft face.

      “I didn’t hurt her… I swear it. I would never hurt her.” Guy said in a deep voice, meaning every word. He reached out and ran the back of his fingers across her soft cheek and almost growled when Zachary’s arms tightened around her body but gained control of himself. “She gave me the one gift no one else could and I owe her everything for that.” Guy tried again.

      “I asked what the hell you did to her that knocked her out.” Zachary demanded, pushing Guy’s hand away from Tiara’s cheek, not trusting the warlock to touch her. He’d already made that mistake once. “She’s not like us when it comes to healing. She’s human you idiot, and that makes her fragile.”

      Guy let his hand fall to his side understanding Zachary’s protectiveness but didn’t back away. “I combined a spell Carley and I found a few years ago with the necromancy power that was emanating from Tiara while she was allowing Carley to use her body as a conduit.” He reached out for her again only for Zachary to knock his hand away a second time.

      “Back off,” Zachary ordered.

      “It’s

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