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  Channie wove her fingers through Josh’s hair and said, “Yes, I want that kiss. And a thousand more. But I think we better wait until we finish removing the stains. I don’t want to get distracted and miss the deadline. Besides, it can be our reward for enduring our ordeal.”

  Josh took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “You’re right, and the anticipation of kissing you will distract me from the pain. Let’s get back to work.”

  ~***~

  Channie cut the legs off a pair of Daddy’s sweatpants for Josh so she could remove the stains from his legs as well as his chest and belly. He cinched them up as tight as he could with the drawstring, but they were still too big. They hung low on his hips but not low enough.

  “Josh, I need you to pull the waistband down so I can get rid of the rest of this stain.”

  “No.”

  “Why not?”

  “There’s no way to expose the rest of the stain without exposing … the rest of me.”

  “I see.”

  “No. You don’t.” Josh grinned at her. But it was a forced smile that did not reach his eyes. “And I intend to keep it that way.”

  “Do you want to feel like you’re on fire for the rest of your life?”

  “No. Of course not. But I can’t ask you to do this.”

  “You aren’t asking. And neither am I. Now drop your pants.”

  Josh pushed his hair off his forehead with both hands and stared at the ceiling. He took a deep breath then dropped his head and his hands at the same time, expelling the air from his lungs with a whoosh. “Turn around. And close your eyes. I’ll try to cover myself with a sheet or something.”

  Channie tried to ignore the sound of rustling sheets as Josh crawled under the covers.

  The Book of the Dead had neutralized all the other spells. Without Josh’s shield making her crazy and her own moon-curse holding her back, Channie was left with the natural urges, fears and confusion of a sixteen-year-old girl.

  Part of her wanted to lock herself in the bathroom and hide. Another part of her wanted to get naked and crawl into bed with Josh.

  He said, “Alright, I’m ready.”

  The trepidation in his voice drove every lustful thought out of Channie’s mind. She opened her eyes and turned around. Josh was lying on top of the bed with a sheet draped over his groin and left hip. The entire right side of his body was exposed. He’d hidden his eyes under the crook of his elbow. All she could see of his face was his nose, mouth and trembling chin.

  She looked beyond the beautiful young man lying naked in her bed and saw the vulnerable boy, trying so hard to be brave.

  “Channie?”

  “I’m right here, beside you.”

  “Okay.” Josh nodded but kept his arm over his eyes. “Warn me first. Before you start.”

  “Just tell me when you’re ready.”

  His teeth chattered for a split-second before he clenched his jaw. His skin puckered into goose-bumps as a tremor ran up and down his body. Channie bit her lip as she examined the rest of the stain. It was less solid below his navel, but it flowed across the muscular indentation where his right hip joined his torso and down the front of his thigh. There was no way she could get it all with one pass. Unless she used something besides her hands.

  She quickly, but silently, removed everything except her bra and underpants, then decided that was too reckless. Stains still covered her arms. She couldn’t help Josh deal with his pain if she were in agony, too. In fact, he’d probably try to help her. She pushed her arms into the sleeves of her shirt like a jacket, but left the rest of her torso bare, then crawled onto the bed.

  Josh lifted his arm off his face and stared at her. His eyes widened, but his gaze never left her face. A testament to the power of pain over every thing else, even lust. “What are you doing?”

  “I’m going to use my body to get the stains off.”

  “Why?”

  “So I can do it all at once. My hands are too small and as soon as I touch you, you’re going to jerk away from me.”

  “I don’t think that’s such a good idea. There’s nothing but a sheet between us.”

  Channie didn’t even try to argue with him and fell on top of Josh before he could squirm out of reach. He screamed and bucked like an angry mule with a burr under his saddle blanket. She scrambled off as fast as she could, but not fast enough. Josh smacked the side of her head with his elbow, knocking her onto the floor.

  He was still panting in pain, but that didn’t stop him from crawling to the edge of the bed and reaching his hand out to her. “I’m so sorry! Are you okay, baby?”

  Channie slipped her clothes back on then probed the side of her head with her fingers. She’d have a good sized lump by morning if she didn’t heal herself, but she didn’t want to get sidetracked. “I’m okay.”

  “I didn’t mean to hit you. I was just …”

  “Reacting to the pain?”

  “Yeah.” Josh wrapped the sheet around his waist like a bath towel and got out of bed. He squatted in front of Channie and stroked her cheek with the back of his fingers. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

  Channie was dizzy, but it had nothing to do with the blow to her head. She leaned into Josh’s touch. He took her other hand but when he wove his fingers through hers, an agonizing bolt of pain made her jerk away from him and scream.

  Josh picked her up and stumbled down the hall. The back of her hand was even more sensitive than her palms. The pain was just starting to fade when he shoved her hand under the faucet. As soon as the cold water hit her skin, the pain stopped.

  Channie took her hand out of the water and poked at it. It was a little tender, but nothing like what it should have been.

  Josh set her on her feet and said, “Did that help?”

  Channie stared at the fading pink marks on the back of her hand. “Yes.”

  Josh pushed the stopper down and filled the sink with cold water. “Stick your other hand in there.”

  Channie pressed her palm against the bottom of the sink and spread her fingers. Josh slowly lowered his hand into the water and touched a stain on the back of her hand. It tingled and stung a little, but it didn’t burn. It did however leave another pale pink mark.

  She lifted her hand out of the water and stared at it. “I don’t understand.”

  “I knew it! I knew water would make a difference.”

  Channie gripped the edge of the sink with both hands and looked at Josh’s reflection in the mirror. His grin lit up his whole face.

  “But, how did you know?”

  “When the thought came to me, it just felt … true.”

  The accusatory thoughts that pierced Channie’s heart, also felt true … She should have listened to him. She should have trusted him. She should have at least tried to touch him underwater.

  Channie bowed her head. Tears fell out of her eyes and splashed into the sink, each drop rippling concentric circles across the surface of the water.

  “Channie?” Josh kissed the top of her head then stroked her hair. “What’s wrong, baby?”

  “I can’t believe I put you through all that torture.”

  “It’s okay.”

  Channie spun around and brushed the tears out of her eyes. Josh’s eyes widened as he took a step back. Channie put her hands on his bare chest and shoved him away from her. Then advanced on him, poking his breastbone with her index finger to emphasize her words.

  “You passed out from the pain. You bit through the pillow, trying to hold back your screams. You let me hurt you when you knew how to prevent it. So, no, it is not okay!”

  The sheet wrapped around Josh’s hips slid dangerously low as he backed away from her. He grabbed it and gathered it to his waist, holding it in place with one hand and pushing the hair off his brow with the other.

  “But … you said you were afraid we might drown if it didn’t work.”

  “Why didn’t you suggest we test your theory in the sink? Like you just did with me?”

>   “I didn’t think of it.”

  All the anger drained out of Channie’s body, leaving her weak and ashamed.

  It was bad enough that her stubborn refusal to listen to Josh had caused him an unbelievable amount of pain. Did she also have to blame him for it?

  “I’m so sorry, Josh. Can you forgive me?”

  “There’s nothing to forgive.” He knelt beside the bathtub, stoppered the drain and turned on the cold water. “I’m going to go put your dad’s sweatpants back on, even though they look ridiculous. Wait here.”

  Channie closed the lid on the toilet and sat down to wait for Josh’s return with her elbows on her knees and her head in her hands.

  She couldn’t undo the suffering she’d already inflicted on Josh. But maybe she could atone for it. She turned off the water and opened the drain.

  Josh knocked on the door, then opened it and frowned. “What happened to the water?”

  Channie squared her shoulders. “I’m not going to use it.”

  “Why not?”

  “After what I did to you?”

  “Look, Channie, I know you feel guilty, but it wasn’t your fault—”

  “Yes, it was.”

  “Even if it were, why do you want to punish me?”

  Channie wrapped her arms around her ribs and hunched over as if making her self smaller would minimize her shame. “I don’t want to punish you. I want to punish myself. Penance, I guess.”

  Josh knelt in front of her. He leaned forward, tilting his head to look up into her eyes. “That won’t change what I went through. My ordeal is over. Or at least I thought it was. I would rather go through it a hundred times over again than inflict even one second of that kind of pain on you.”

  He put a hand on Channie’s leg and rubbed little circles on the inside of her knee with his thumb. “You missed a spot on my arm.” He pushed up the sleeve of his robe and showed it to her. “I could make you remove it without using water.”

  Channie jerked upright. “No. Please don’t—”

  Josh gave her knee a gentle shake. “I wouldn’t do that to you. Please, Channie, don’t ask me to hurt you. I’m not that strong.”

  “Alright.”

  Josh laid his cheek on Channie’s knees and said, “Thank you.”

  Carefully avoiding touching him with any part of her stained skin, Channie ran her hands through Josh’s hair. It felt like silk as it slipped between her fingers.

  He patted Channie’s knee and stood up. “Let’s get your stains taken care of. I owe you a kiss. Or two.”

  Channie grinned and said, “Or two hundred,” then ducked her chin and blushed.

  Neither of them spoke as the tub filled. Channie’s excitement rose with the water level. So did her anxiety. Why was she so nervous? She’d had her hands all over Josh’s body, removing his stains. Why did the thought of kissing him make her feel like she was going to faint?

  Josh shut off the tap and said, “Alright. You ready to do this?”

  Channie nodded and rolled up her sleeves. She knelt in front of the tub and lowered her arms into the freezing water. Josh knelt beside her and slowly slid his fingers down her arm, leaving streaks of pale pink and a tingling sensation behind.

  “Does it hurt?”

  “No. It just tingles a little. I’m so sorry—”

  “Shush, none of that.”

  “I just wish there was some way for me to make it up to you.”

  “You can pay me in kisses.”

  Channie pulled her bottom lip through her teeth then giggled when she realized what she’d done.

  Josh’s breath hitched. Apparently, it had the same effect on him as it did on her. He used both hands and ran them over her arms, the back of her hands and between her fingers.

  He said, “Dry off and let’s take a look. We need to be sure we removed every last spot.”

  She was completely clean, not a speck on her. Channie put her hands on Josh’s cheeks. He put one hand on her shoulder and the other on the back of her head.

  It was just like the image in the book — only more magical. As they leaned in to kiss each other, Channie remembered the tiny spot on Josh’s arm that remained. If she let the sun rise before she’d removed that spot, he’d feel like someone was pressing a cigarette into the tender flesh of his inner arm for the rest of his life.

  His lips were so close to hers she could taste his breath. Spearmint. “Josh, wait a minute.”

  His eyes fluttered open but remained heavy lidded. “What?”

  “We have to remove the spot on your arm.”

  “Now?”

  “Yes. Now.”

  Josh’s hand slid from Channie’s shoulder to her back as he pulled her against him. A noise that was half-growl-half-groan rose up from deep inside him. The feel of his bare chest vibrating against her cheek loosened all Channie’s joints. She clung to him to keep from falling.

  “Come on, baby, just one kiss. Then you can remove my last spot.”

  “No. It will only take a second and then we won’t have to worry about it anymore.”

  Josh’s chest expanded within Channie’s embrace. He pressed her even closer for a second then let go and stepped back. He lowered the robe to his waist, knelt next to the tub and twisted sideways, submerging his arm.

  Channie leaned over and slid her palm across the dime-sized stain.

  She stood up, and handed Josh a clean towel from under the sink, then dried her hand on the one she’d already used.

  Josh kept his gaze locked onto Channie’s as he rubbed the towel over his arm and shoulder. His chest rose and fell faster with each breath, perfectly synchronized to her own breathing pattern. They dropped their towels at the same time and stepped closer, mirroring each other.

  Josh extended his hand and cupped Channie’s cheek.

  Pain, white-hot and violent in its intensity, scalded her face. She screamed just before oblivion rescued her from the unbearable agony.

  She woke with a wet towel pressed against her cheek, the sight of Josh’s tear-streaked face hovering over hers — and cramps.

  She reached up to wipe the tears from his face.

  He jerked his head back and said, “Don’t. There’s a new curse.”

  “A new curse?”

  “Yeah. When I touched your face, it burned my hand. It must have scorched you too, because you screamed and passed out. I managed to catch you, but your face fell against my chest, and I … I nearly dropped you.”

  “But you didn’t, did you? You fought through the agony and lowered me to the floor.”

  “I didn’t want you to get hurt.”

  “Is there no limit to what you are willing to suffer for me?”

  “Look inside your own heart. You’ll find the answer there.”

  Josh was right. Channie would have done the same thing for him. And for the same reasons. When you truly loved someone, no sacrifice was too great.

  ~***~

  Channie felt like she was drowning as they walked back to her room. She should have kissed him when she had the chance. She could still see Josh’s face, his lips mere inches from hers, she could still feel his breath, warm and moist, on her cheek.

  She was only trying to be responsible, trying to do the right thing and now she’d never get to kiss Josh. She sat on the edge of her bed, buried her face in her hands and let the tears come.

  Josh knelt in front of her and put his hands on her knees. Her jeans protected her so it didn’t burn, but it made Chastity’s energy buzz.

  Channie looked up and gazed into Josh’s eyes. She took a deep breath and decided to fight for what she wanted. And she wanted Josh.

  He grinned at her and said, “You’re energizing my shield again.”

  “Sorry.” When Josh’s touch reactivated the curse, it must have restored everything else, but something had weakened Channie’s moon-curse. She tapped into Chastity’s power-well and gave it boost, gritting her teeth when the cramps intensified.

  Josh said, “I gu
ess this means we’re back to where we started.”

  “We’re much worse off than when we started. We don’t just zap each other when we touch, it feels just like those damn stains.”

  Tears pushed against the back of Channie’s eyes, but she was done crying. She stood up and walked across the room to retrieve the evil book that seemed intent on ruining her life. It was lying in the same spot on the floor, but it was closed. She was certain that she’d left it open.

  “Josh? Did you close the spell book?”

  “No. I didn’t touch it. And I don’t think you should either.”

  “Well, I can’t just leave it on the floor.”

  Josh stripped the case off one of Channie’s pillows and before she realized what he was doing, he used it like a glove to pick up the book.

  “Josh, No!”

  “Too late.”

  “What are you doing?”

  “I’m going to put this thing back where it belongs.”

  “The lid to the chest is gone and the window’s broken.” Momma and daddy were going to be pissed. It was a good thing Channie had Chastity’s magic to protect her. They had a right to be angry, but she’d be damned if she’d let either of them ever curse or hit her again.

  “So?”

  “We can’t leave it where it might get damaged.”

  “Why not? It sure as hell damaged us.”

  “It’s too valuable.”

  “Valuable? This thing is trying to kill us.”

  Anxiety squeezed Channie’s heart. “Give it to me!” Her voice was harsh and tyrannical. She sounded more like Momma than herself, but she felt compelled to protect the book.

  Josh narrowed his eyes and pressed his lips together. He turned the pillowcase inside out over the book and tied the top in an overhand knot then gave it to Channie.

  She stuffed it into her backpack then pushed it under her bed. “There. That should keep it, and us, safe … at least for a little while.”

  “Until the new moon.”

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  Complications

  Josh put on one of Daddy’s flannel shirts. It hung off his shoulders, but the cuffs didn’t quite reach his wrists. Channie found him another pair of sweatpants so his legs would be covered and waited for him in her room.