Part 21 (1/2)
The older woman looked up with regret in her eyes. ”I'm sorry. I've never seen anything like this. The damage is extensive.”
The little woman's answer slammed Sydney's composure. She covered her mouth with her hand as the little woman left. Somehow, Millie's poise had made her hope that she could solve Aquarius's crisis. To hear otherwise crushed her.
”I think I know someone who might be able to,” Olivia said. ”A moment, please.” She disappeared. Sydney had no notion what to do or say, so merely grabbed her friend's hand and held it tightly in her own.
”Fight,” she whispered to Aquarius. ”It's bad karma for you to leave me all alone.” Her breath caught in her throat, and tears stung her eyes. Guilt stabbed her. If Sydney had listened to Bram when he'd said to get out, Aquarius would be well. If I hadn't struggled to escape Zain or if I'd found some way to protect my friend, no harm would have befallen her. But Sydney couldn't change any of it now. All she could do was hope.
”It's not your fault,” Sabelle offered, stroking her shoulder. Sydney blinked.
”How-how did you know?”
”I can read your thoughts. Sorry. Thought I should give you fair warning. But I've delved into your friend's mind. Deep. She's worried about you.”
The tears started flowing in earnest. Only a friend like Aquarius would be near death and still worry about someone else.
”I feel so helpless. Aquarius would at least have some healing crystal, sacred chant, herbal tea. All I've got is my hand.”
”And the power of your friends.h.i.+p. She feels it.”
Sabelle's understanding sank into Sydney. Even if she thought the gorgeous blonde was full of rubbish and trying to soothe her, Sydney appreciated the gesture. Perhaps Sabelle wasn't so bad after all-as long as she kept her hands off Caden.
”In the future, I will. He's all yours, I promise.” Sydney hiccuped, smiling despite her tears. ”You're not intimidated by me surely?”
”Caden and Bram both said you're tough, but no. My attentions are . . . engaged elsewhere.”
”Olivia said you wanted to see me,” a voice growled from the door.
Sydney turned, along with the other two women. Ice stood there. His behemoth shoulders bulged out of a black tank. An expressive mouth and the dark stubble dusting his otherwise sleek head, along with the faded fatigues, made him an intimidating figure. And when Sydney looked at him, the hunger in his expression, directed purely at Sabelle, blasted her like a heat wave.
The blonde merely blushed and cast a demure glance down. Then she sent Ice a nervous smile. ”I think Olivia believed you might be able to help.”
He frowned as he glanced at Aquarius. ”I know blast and d.a.m.n about her condition.”
”Zain cooked her from the inside out,” Sydney blurted.
”I'm not a healer.” His craggy face gentled in apology.
”But Olivia sent you.” Sydney couldn't understand why she had if Ice couldn't help.
He shrugged uncomfortably. ”To stand guard?”
Sabelle edged around Sydney and approached Ice, drawing in a bracing breath. ”Your nickname, does it imply ability? Maybe . . .”
At his scowl, Sabelle broke off. Sydney's thoughts raced. Did Ice have some ability to cool down Aquarius's insides?
He swallowed, hesitated, then nodded. ”But I don't know how to heal.” Ice turned away, and Sydney moved to chase him down, anger flas.h.i.+ng through her. He's giving up, just like that? Aquarius may not mean anything to him, but her friend meant the world to her. Sabelle pulled her back and held up a steadying palm. Then she stopped Ice herself, wrapping her hand around his huge biceps.
”Please . . .”
Sabelle looked up at Ice, beseeching blue eyes wide open. Renewed hunger stormed his face. The wizard wanted her. Badly. And he was letting her see it. Sabelle didn't back down; she gripped him tighter, though Sydney sensed that the witch was overwhelmed by Ice. Yet she held her ground for Aquarius's sake, a woman she did not know.
Initial impressions be d.a.m.ned. Sabelle had just earned herself a new friend.
Ice huffed, then groused, ”I need a conduit. I can create objects of ice, but transferring it to something living is beyond me.”
”I can try,” Sabelle a.s.sured, her hands dropping from his biceps.
”How?”
The blond witch licked her lips. ”I'm part siren. I can often influence people's feelings by touching them.
If you can pa.s.s the feeling onto me . . .”
Part siren? There was such a thing? And they could change other's feelings? Wow, the material she'd have to put in her next article.
Ice retreated. ”Your brother will object.”
”Bram can't always have his way.”
He clenched his jaw. ”Sabelle, I have to touch you to use you as a conduit.” She drew in a shaky breath, clearly nervous. And excited. She stared at Ice as if he was the forbidden fruit. ”Touch me how?”
Desire leapt in his gaze again. ”As much as you'll let me. The more contact, the more successful I'm likely to be.”
The witch paused.
”Worried my insanity is contagious, princess?” Ice challenged with a dark raised brow.
”No,” Sabelle snapped, then glanced at Aquarius, who labored for each breath. The witch bit her lip.
Something about Sabelle's demeanor told Sydney that her reticence wasn't about Ice's intimidating demeanor, but the s.e.xual vibes floating between them.
”I'll do it.” Sabelle said in a voice that cracked and wobbled.
”Relax and trust me. You can't be afraid, no matter what.” Sabelle gave a shaky nod. Sydney suspected that Ice's request was easier said than done. Either way, she wished they'd hurry. Aquarius's clock was ticking down.
”Do we need anything else?” the blond witch asked.
”Just put your hands on her and concentrate. Whatever happens, don't move away from me.” The gorgeous witch positioned herself at the side of the bed, arms out so that her hands rested on Aquarius's torso. She drew in a deep breath, as if bracing herself.
Ice moved in behind her, stopping a mere breath away.
”Ready?”
She nodded, but her body tensed. And no wonder, the s.e.xual tension between them was thick and undeniable.
Closing the last bit between them, Ice wrapped his arms around Sabelle's middle, just beneath her b.r.e.a.s.t.s. His legs shadowed hers, thighs to thighs, s.h.i.+ns to calves, his feet braced around hers. The woman's breath caught when Ice dropped his head, resting his cheek against her neck. His breath fanned the little tendrils of hair at her nape. Some of the hair artlessly piled on her head slipped free of its clip, caressing Ice, and she leaned back into him.