Chapter 13

James pulled up to the Storm House gate. Unsurprisingly, it was locked. He tucked his notes into the book and opted to leave his phone in the truck. There was no point taking it when the battery would just drain away.

He climbed over the wall.

Storm House looked the same as it always did. James couldn't help glancing toward the paddock, at the path where he'd found Sebastian in the middle of the night. Nothing was there now. Relief flooded James as if he'd been worried he'd find Sebastian there again, left out in the cold with no one to help him.

The house's sinister presence felt like it had kicked things up a notch. Figuring out Sebastian had most likely been magically silenced made James's anxiety almost unbearable. His stomach hurt. He never would have guessed something like this was going on.

As he climbed the steps to the front porch, the cow came around the side of the house and started eating the grass beside him. It didn't seem at all concerned with his presence. James walked past it and knocked on the door.

There was no immediate answer. Impatient, James knocked again.

The door swung open, revealing Sebastian dressed exactly as he had been when James left yesterday morning. A few scratches were visible on the backs of his hands and on his neck. He looked perfectly fine otherwise.

"James Gray." Sebastian eyed him as if he weren't surprised. His lips twitched, a smile briefly shaping his face.

"Sebastian." James felt frantic. He pushed past him into the house, needing to get away from the property's haunting effects. His anxiety calmed once he was over the threshold, but only slightly.

"What have you got there?" Sebastian pointed to the book.

James clutched the leatherbound volume desperately with both hands. "Has someone bound your tongue? Is someone forcing you to keep secrets? Secrets about Storm House?"

Sebastian's casual demeanor disappeared. He seemed frozen, his eyes wide, then his face split into a beautiful grin. He reached for James, gripping him by both shoulders. "I could fucking kiss you, you perfect, perfect man."

James blinked. His voice didn't seem to be working. Did that mean he was right? Sebastian was probably prevented by the spell from confirming directly, so this might be as good of a yes as he was going to get.

"So your tongue is bound?" James couldn't help asking again. If Sebastian wasn't under the influence of a spell, surely he'd say so.

One of Sebastian's hands found its way to the back of James's neck. He hummed as his fingers caressed James's skin. "May I kiss you? I'm so happy right now."

Kissing had nothing to do with the questions James was asking, but he found he couldn't deny Sebastian anything just then. He wanted to help Sebastian, take care of him, and express all the feelings he'd been trying to push away.

"Okay." The word came out breathy, chills running down James's spine.

Sebastian didn't hesitate. He leaned in and pressed a closed-lip kiss to James's mouth. It was quick, a brief moment of firm pressure before Sebastian pulled back. He took hold of the sides of James's face with both his hands and leaned down, locking their eyes. "I knew you were clever."

"Um, thanks." James wasn't exactly sure what was happening. The kiss had been much more chaste than he'd hoped it would be. Was this just Sebastian trying to communicate to James that he was right about the secret-binding spell? Did Sebastian's whole seduction plan have nothing to do with liking him? Was it only tied up in getting James's attention when he couldn't ask directly for what he needed?

He didn't want that to be the case when the images that had filled his mind for days were so pretty and comforting. His eyes dropped to Sebastian's lips, longing for another kiss.

His desire must have been evident in the way he was staring. Sebastian made a soft, pleased sound and pulled him close, one of his hands threading through James's hair, and James angled his face upward, his lips parting involuntarily.

Their lips met again, and this time, Sebastian didn't pull away. His mouth moved in an exploratory kiss, careful but confident, and James eagerly matched every touch.

Sebastian took the kiss deeper, working James's mouth open so they could taste each other. James's pulse pounded in his ears. His arms were trapped between them, holding the book, but he wanted to wrap them around Sebastian. He wanted to touch and be touched, have this kiss go on forever.

Sebastian's kisses became more consuming. James had heard kissing described as hungry but had never felt anything like that until now.

When Sebastian let out a soft moan, James thought he might die. Hot desire rocketed through him. It was the most beautiful sound he'd ever heard.

But Sebastian pulled back, letting go of James's face. He was sporting one of those sly smiles James was never sure how to interpret. "So what's the book for?"

James was dazed. The kiss had him reeling. The crush he'd been trying to deny had solidified and was growing in intensity. He wanted to get to know Sebastian, to talk to him without the spell holding him back. He wanted to spend more evenings together having home-cooked meals in the cheery pink kitchen, to see what Sebastian was like when he wasn't trying to get James to decipher Storm House's secrets.

Did Sebastian share any of those desires? It didn't seem like the kiss had phased him. If anything, he appeared smug, satisfied, and maybe like he had James right where he wanted him.

James looked down at the book. He needed to focus. They could figure out their feelings later. "It's on counter magic. If you've been bound to secrecy against your will, we have to break the spell."

Sebastian crossed his arms. He didn't speak, only stared. Now this behavior made sense. Sebastian most likely couldn't talk about anything to do with the spell and didn't seem able to acknowledge it unless you counted that significant look in his eye. Or the kiss.

James was going to have to figure out how to undo the spell on his own. He was nervous about doing that kind of magic but determined to help Sebastian. "I've never done magic like this before." James pulled the scrap of paper out of the book. "I mean, obviously. It's blood magic." He hesitated, watching Sebastian closely. "We could report this. Get professional help instead."

Sebastian took the paper from James. "I trust you," he said like it was the only thing that mattered.

James found some comfort it that. He was more confident undoing the secret-binding spell than he was snooping around Storm House and the grounds, looking for the reason it was draining the power out of everything. At least he had instructions for the counter spell. He understood the principles behind it and had always been good at magic when he had clear guidance.

"We'll need your blood." James reminded Sebastian, but he didn't look the least bit alarmed by the news. "I've written down the symbols required. They should release any secrets bound within you when written in your blood."

Sebastian took a moment to study James's notes. He didn't look up or acknowledge James at all.

Even if James was sure he could pull off the spell from a technical point of view, he was still uneasy. "I know you can't answer me directly, but if I'm getting this totally wrong, maybe you could crumple the paper, run screaming, or something. Let me know if you don't want to do this."

Sebastian laughed, and James cracked a nervous smile. "I'm not running away from you."

James had to assume that meant Sebastian was on board with the plan, but there was one more thing. "I may need to channel you to have enough energy to complete the spell," James admitted.

He'd looked up information on channeling magic after reading warnings about the energy required for blood-magic rituals. Channeling itself was blood magic and could be dangerous if you took too much of the other person's power. Sebastian might not have realized James would need to do this and might not be willing to go there.

"Your magic is stronger than mine." Sebastian handed back the papers. "But I don't want you hurting yourself trying to do too much, and I really do trust you more than anyone I've met in my entire life."

That decided it as far as James was concerned, even if he had no idea why Sebastian felt that way. They hardly knew each other, even if he wanted to be someone Sebastian could lean on.

Thinking he could actually be that person made him glow with warm satisfaction.

"Okay, let's do this." James walked toward the kitchen, trying not to be squeamish about needing a bowl to collect Sebastian's blood. Halfway down the hall, James realized Sebastian wasn't following. He turned back. "You coming?"

Sebastian hadn't moved from the entry. "I'm having trouble actually."

Trouble what? Following him down the hall?

James took a step toward Sebastian, who immediately stepped back. Sebastian's eyes widened in surprise. James took another few steps, but Sebastian continued to back away. James reached out a hand. Sebastian jerked out of reach, his expression turning frustrated, as if he didn't want to avoid James but wasn't in complete control of his actions.

An unpleasant chill ran down James's spine. "It's the magic, isn't it?"

Sebastian grimaced, backing away. "Nothing is easy, is it?" He made a frustrated sound, expression turning wild and almost angry. "I—I won't just lie there and let you do what you want with me."

James froze. This complicated things. It seemed like the secret-binding spell was fighting to preserve itself. It must be extremely strong to not only control Sebastian's ability to reveal information but also prevent him from passively accepting help.

Sebastian slowly moved away until he was across the entryway from James. "Did I ever tell you I've got a kinky side?"

"What?" James had no idea where that had come from. The random comment felt like a slap in the face, one that made his cheeks hot.

"I've got handcuffs in my room." Sebastian began backing down the hall toward the sunroom. Soon, he'd be out of sight.

But James was distracted by thoughts of Sebastian cuffed to a bed, or even more appealing, the thought of himself restrained and at Sebastian's mercy. He shook off the idea and took a step after Sebastian. "Wait."

Sebastian ran.

Fuck, James was an idiot. Sebastian was trying to tell him he'd have to restrain him to undo the binding spell, but he couldn't state it plainly, just like everything else. And here James was lost in fantasyland.

He chased after Sebastian. "Wait, come back."

Sebastian didn't stop. Was James seriously going to have to hunt him down? He sped up as Sebastian rounded the corner, cutting back toward the kitchen.

"Come on, James. I'm not even the athlete here," Sebastian called as he headed toward the ballroom.

"Fuck. This is ridiculous." James gained on Sebastian, reaching for him. He almost caught Sebastian's robe before he made it to the ballroom.

Sebastian slammed the door in James's face. The lock clicked.

"This makes me feel like I'm doing something against your will," James called through the door.

After a pause, Sebastian responded, "Be smart, James."

The ambiguity in the statement didn't make James feel great. Was he seriously going to do blood magic on someone without their explicit consent, after they'd tried to run away? It felt so fucking wrong. But James was positive the spell was keeping Sebastian from agreeing to have it removed. He said he trusted James. He had to do this. There was no backing out now.

James stalked to the kitchen, grabbed what he needed, and proceeded to Sebastian's room.

He found the handcuffs at the bottom of the second bedside-table drawer. James felt distinctly uncomfortable going through its contents. What he and Sebastian were about to do wasn't sexual. He wasn't ready to know exactly how many dildos the man owned. That sort of thing was private.

James grumbled his way back down the stairs and along the hall. He found the ballroom door still locked. James set his supplies on the floor—except the pink fuzzy handcuffs—and called out, "Sebastian!"

There was no answer. James couldn't believe things had led him here. He gritted his teeth and took several steps back, then charged the door, slamming his shoulder into it. The old wooden frame cracked and the door burst open, sending James careening into the room.

He looked around, ignoring the way his shoulder ached. Sebastian had shed his robe. The purple fabric lay in a heap in the middle of the large room. That was too bad. The flowy garment would have made it easier to grab him.

Sebastian was over by the window, standing behind the piano. "You here to hunt me down?" he taunted, sounding way too gleeful. Almost like he was loving every bit of this.

James supposed it was better than fear. If Sebastian had looked scared, he'd doubt he was doing the right thing and might have been unable to follow through. As it was, James wasn't thrilled about having to forcibly capture Sebastian, even if Sebastian seemed happy about the turn of events.

Maybe he could lull the spell into a false sense of security instead.

"We don't have to do this," James said cautiously, pausing where he stood. "Just come over and talk to me."

"See, I know you're lying," Sebastian called across the room.

Dammit. James inched forward. "I'm afraid of accidentally hurting you."

Sebastian laughed. "You worry too much."

"I know, but I can't help it. It's just how I am." James started moving to his right, not heading directly toward the piano, hoping he could get a better shot at running at Sebastian if he came in from an angle.

Sebastian didn't take his eyes off James. "There's no need to worry. I promise. You can rest assured that being chased down by you was one of my teenage fantasies."

"No, it wasn't," James snapped, even as his face heated. Sebastian was being absurd.

"Don't try to tell me what I used to dream about. Though this would be much more fun if we were in a pool. I wouldn't stand a chance at outswimming you."

James did not need to be thinking about capturing a squirming Sebastian clad in nothing but swim trunks. He inched closer, opening the handcuffs so they'd be ready. "I think this might be easier if we stopped talking."

Sebastian inched around the piano, away from James. "At least admit you're having fun."

"This is serious." James tried to sound convincing. "But I'm glad you're enjoying yourself." And he was glad. He wanted to make Sebastian happy, give him the things he desired even if they confused the hell out of James.

"I am enjoying myself. This might be the best night of my life," Sebastian said without sarcasm, grinning like a mad man.

"It's the afternoon." James tried to grumble, but it came out more like a laugh.

Sebastian rolled his eyes. "So? Stop trying to kill the mood, James. Have fun with me."

James lunged. He was close to the piano but not close enough. Sebastian bolted in the opposite direction. He almost collided with the window as he tried to keep an eye on James but corrected just in time and headed back toward the center of the room.

With a burst of speed, James grabbed for Sebastian, but Sebastian dodged him easily. James swore.

Sebastian cackled gleefully.

James had to catch him before he escaped the ballroom. Chasing him all over the house would be a nightmare. Sebastian wasn't that far ahead. He could almost reach him.

Sebastian stumbled, his feet caught up in his discarded robe. He didn't fall, but it was enough for James to gain on him. He grabbed Sebastian around the waist. Sebastian squealed, and they fell to the side, landing hard on the floor. James let out a grunt of pain.

"Stop moving," he growled in Sebastian's ear.

"Come on. You can do better than this. Restrain me," Sebastian taunted as he tried to wiggle out of James's hold.

James let out a frustrated growl. They struggled, but Sebastian failed to slip free. James finally got enough leverage to roll on top of Sebastian, sitting on his thighs and holding his arms tight against his body. "Got you."

They stared at each other, both breathing hard.

Sebastian's cheeks were pink. His tongue darted out to wet his lips. "Not quite. I'll escape as soon as you move."

James stared at Sebastian's lips. He couldn't believe any of this was actually happening and was even more surprised to find he wasn't hating it. Sebastian's playful mood made it hard to remember this wasn't some sexy game. But James had a knife out in the hall. There was nothing playful about that, and Sebastian was right. He'd slip away before James could even get the spell started.

James held Sebastian tight as he considered his next move. Looking into each other's eyes wasn't helping anything, and neither was thinking about the kiss they'd shared. James shook off his thoughts and made a snap decision, jumping up. It took a half-second for Sebastian to realize what was happening, and in that time, James grabbed a hold of the man's legs, lifting them into the air. Sebastian struggled but couldn't get free. James dragged him by the ankles over to the piano. He was going to cuff Sebastian to it.

When James had Sebastian as close to the piano legs as possible, he pounced, sitting on Sebastian's chest. His captive squeaked and his arms flailed as he tried to fight James off.

James got a handcuff around Sebastian's right wrist. They were stronger than the fuzzy padding made them look. James shoved Sebastian's arm above his head and slung the handcuff chain around the piano leg. He was panting, his face close to Sebastian's, whose eyes were bright with what looked like desire.

This whole thing was a mind fuck. James wanted to kiss Sebastian as he struggled beneath him, and James was sure Sebastian wanted it too. He'd never had someone look at him like they wanted him as badly as Sebastian seemed to right now.

James got a hold of Sebastian's hand and pulled it up to meet the other, closing it in the second cuff. Sebastian yanked his arms, but the cuffs held strong. The piano leg was thick and not in danger of moving anywhere.

"You got me." Sebastian sounded faintly surprised. "I'm totally going to have bruises tomorrow." He didn't appear upset by the idea.

James tried to catch his breath. "I feel like a fucking predator right now."

"It's kind of hot."

"Stop that." James barked, quickly shifting to his knees so he wasn't sitting on Sebastian, just hovering over him—straddling him—which wasn't much better. "Those kinds of comments aren't helping."

"No?" Sebastian arched his body, pressing back into James. "I'm having fun, and I think you are too." His gaze was much too knowing, causing James to blush. "Just so you know, you can do whatever you want to me now that I'm trapped here. You have my permission."

James's thoughts ran wild. His adrenaline was already pumping from the chase, and he couldn't deny there was something exciting about all this nonsense.

If he could do whatever he wanted with Sebastian, what would he do? James couldn't decide where he'd start, which was for the best. Sebastian was only trying to give him permission to do the spell. Right?

Okay, the look in Sebastian's eye said he meant other more explicit things too, but James couldn't think about that right now. Blood magic wasn't a joke.

"I'm going to have to take off your shirt." James swallowed. He wasn't helping matters, but he had to draw symbols on Sebastian's chest. That was the only reason he wanted Sebastian's shirt off.

"Lucky me." Sebastian squirmed, but not as if he were trying to get away. It was an obscenely seductive motion.

James tried not to lean into Sebastian's movements, even though the urge to ravage him was overwhelming. James took a breath, trying to calm himself. He'd never been so caught up in someone before. It felt dangerous. James should have told Sebastian to stop trying to seduce him days ago. But that wasn't what James wanted.

He forced himself to concentrate on the problem at hand and managed it by sheer power of stubborn will. He got off Sebastian and stood, stepping back. "I need to go get the supplies. Stay here."

Sebastian gave him a wicked smile. "Yes, sir."

James was in over his head with this man. He turned and hurried to the hall. At least the sight of the knife sobered him. This wasn't a fucking game.

Back in the ballroom, James set everything on the floor beside the piano. He looked down at Sebastian, who'd stopped struggling but still seemed to be breathing harder than normal, almost like he was panting in arousal or anticipation.

"Strip me," Sebastian ordered, the command sending a jolt through James. "And please, do whatever you want with me."

"Stop saying that," James muttered without conviction.

He briefly considered granting Sebastian's request and sucking him off before doing the ritual. Shit, it was tempting, but he wanted to be able to talk to Sebastian without magic in the way before doing something like that. He knelt and grabbed the hem of Sebastian's shirt. "How am I going to get this off? I don't want to leave it tangled around your head."

"Get creative." Sebastian made it sound like a challenge. He seemed completely comfortable being at James's mercy, the excitement in his eyes impossible to ignore.

James liked that. It meant, among other things, that Sebastian's trust in him was real.

He knelt and picked up the knife, then pulled the shirt away from Sebastian's body before slicing the hem. He set the knife to the side and ripped the shirt the rest of the way open.

Sebastian gasped, his bare chest heaving. His cheeks flushed and his lips parted as he stared up at James.

Even though he'd seen Sebastian's chest before, James took a moment to appreciate the freckles cascading along his collarbone and how his dusky pink nipples pebbled in response to his stare.

James's whole body was on fire. He wanted to bend and press his lips to Sebastian's skin. He wanted to lick him up and down until he was writhing. But that wasn't what they were doing. That wasn't why they were here.

"I need to link us before I begin the unbinding spell," James said. "I won't know for sure if I'll need the extra energy until I start the unbinding, but it will be too late to stop and link then."

"Okay. Got it. You're in charge," Sebastian said, a little breathless.

The linking spell allowing James to channel Sebastian was relatively simple for something that could be so dangerous, and now that it came down to it, James was nervous. For the obvious risk-of-harm related reasons, but also because blood magic felt intimate. Too intimate. He was doing this with someone he had feelings for. In a situation they both found arousing. James felt exposed, like he and Sebastian were about to share something deeply personal.

James took off his jacket and pulled his shirt over his head.

Sebastian's eyes raked over him. "It's not fair that my hands are bound."

James had to agree. He wanted Sebastian's hands on him too. "Concentrate," he grumbled as if he didn't care.

Sebastian pouted, sticking out his bottom lip. "I am."

He might be, but James suspected he was concentrating on all the wrong things.

James pricked the index finger of his nondominant hand with the knife. He waited for a large drop of blood to well up, then pressed his bleeding finger to Sebastian's chest, approximately where his heart would be, completing the first step in binding them together. Sebastian sucked in a breath at the touch, some of the overt playfulness disappearing from his features.

James's pulse pounded as he marked himself with his own blood in the same way. "I'm going to have to cut you now. So I can mix our blood and complete the link between us." He looked down at Sebastian, searching his face for any hint he'd changed his mind.

"I know. Don't worry about it," Sebastian said with full confidence. "Just make sure I won't need stitches."

"I'll be careful. I looked it up. I'll use magic to draw blood out of a small cut, then again to stop the bleeding. I'll take what I need to free you from the secret-binding now. That way, we only have to do this part once."

Sebastian nodded.

James placed the bowl under Sebastian's arm and checked his notes. He made a shallow cut on his forearm while reciting a spell to bleed Sebastian safely. Magic drew out more blood than a small wound in this location would normally produce. It dripped steadily into the bowl.

Sebastian's breathing was shallow, puffs of air hitting James's chest as he leaned over him.

James took his eyes off the cut to check Sebastian's face. "Are you okay?"

He gave a tiny smile. "Perfect."

James stopped the bleeding with a second spell. He'd taken less blood than a routine blood test would have. The magic use made him momentarily woozy, but he recovered after a few deep breaths.

Trying not to think too much about it, James moved on to the next step of the linking spell and dipped a finger into the bowl. He pressed the bloody pad of his finger to the smear of blood already on his chest, mixing the two together. James repeated the process on Sebastian, then moved so he was straddling Sebastian's hips, leaning over him so their chests aligned. All that was left to do was the incantation, and he'd have access to Sebastian's magic.

They looked at each other for a moment. James wasn't sure exactly what he was feeling. It wasn't as simple as affection or desire, but now wasn't the time to stop and analyze it.

James pried his gaze away from Sebastian's to double-check his notes, then began reciting the linking spell.

As the spell connected them, a surge of power seemed to rip James open and expose all his fear and uncertainty, not just about the ritual but everything in his life. Was that supposed to happen? He had a moment of panic.

His emotions were quickly overwhelmed by a desperate need. James didn't think it was coming from him, but it felt oddly familiar, so he wasn't sure. He hadn't expected any of this. Was this neediness Sebastian's emotion? If so, this process was even more intimate than James had thought, more intimate than he'd ever been with anyone. Raw emotion wasn't meant to be shared, yet the link between them seemed to be doing just that.

Before he could dwell on it, the clash of feelings was overtaken by the buzz of magical energy. It came as a relief, and James welcomed the distraction, hoping to forget the first part had ever happened.

James had never felt magic like this before. It was as if he was being consumed by the connection growing between him and Sebastian. "I thought you said you had less power than me," he gasped.

Sebastian blinked at him. "I do."

That didn't make sense. The energy James felt seemed enormous, almost unfathomable. It was nothing like when James scoped out the power left in a battery. He swore he could feel life in the magic. He could feel Sebastian. How wild was that? Maybe being linked to another person was what was so unfathomable, the vast power not about magical strength but about human life.

"Okay," James said, mostly to himself. He was panting, but not from magical overexertion. His mind was overwhelmed. All his fear was gone, but its absence wasn't as calming as it should have been.

"M-maybe we need to give it a minute." Sebastian's voice shook even though he didn't look frightened. "To s-settle down."

"This is so—" James let his eyes close. "Yeah, let's get used to it before starting the next spell."

James let his head drop until his forehead rested against Sebastian's. Their breath mingled. The magic winding between them slowly became less overpowering, almost like it was solidifying, the sensation turning warm and welcoming.

Sebastian shifted, the handcuffs clinking. He turned his face, rubbing his nose against James's. They were a hair's breadth away from kissing. James could feel Sebastian's chest rising and falling beneath him as he breathed. The motion was inviting, as if the idea of sharing breath was a precursor to sharing other things, moving together in other ways.

James's cock swelled. All he had to do was drop his hips, let his weight rest against Sebastian, and they could see what all those other shared movements would feel like. Shared blood, shared breath, shared pleasure.

"Magic shouldn't be this erotic," James whispered as Sebastian continued to nuzzle their noses together, making soft little sounds. It was like the spell had removed the filter that would normally have stopped him from saying the thought aloud, but at the moment, he didn't care.

"Why shouldn't it?" Sebastian's voice came out husky. "It's so good, James. This feels so good."

James turned his head to close that last little bit of space between them and let his lips brush over Sebastian's. He was rewarded with a painfully needy sound.

"I want to know everything about you," James breathed as he trailed his lips along Sebastian's jaw to his neck. "I want all your secrets, Sebastian."

He felt Sebastian swallow. "Everything?"

James had to be losing his mind. He'd normally never say anything like that. He didn't mean just the secrets Sebastian had been bound to keep. James wanted all of Sebastian's intimate secrets too. He wanted to know all the sounds Sebastian made in the throes of pleasure. He wanted to know how to undo Sebastian as completely as Sebastian had undone him.

"Yes, everything," James promised.

But to have that, they needed to finish the ritual. Pulling back, he eyed the smear of their mixed blood on Sebastian's chest. The sight shouldn't have filled him with a fresh wave of affection, but it did. "Are you ready for the next part?"

Sebastian had a dazed look but nodded without hesitation.

James checked his notes, concentrating on the paper until he was able to push his lusty feelings away. He dipped his finger in the bowl of blood, preparing to draw on Sebastian's skin. The first symbol went on his forehead. James carefully brushed Sebastian's hair out of the way with his unbloody hand before tracing a red circle.

Sebastian watched as James moved on to the symbols on his chest. Desperation lined his face, and Sebastian made a raw, helpless sound as James began to recite the unbinding spell.

James pushed on.

The bloody symbols began to glow as James poured power into the ritual. He was glad he and Sebastian were linked. If he didn't have the extra energy, he was sure he'd have drained himself.

His arms shook from holding himself up, so he leaned back, resting all his weight on Sebastian's lap. Sweat prickled James's brow. He was almost through the incantation, the glowing blood shining brighter. Sebastian stared at James, wide-eyed and even more desperate than before.

James dipped his finger in the last of the blood to draw the final symbol to release Sebastian. As he painted the design, energy poured out of James so quickly that it stole his breath.

Sebastian cried out, writhing beneath him before going completely still. Light flared, turning all the symbols white, and then snuffed out.

James was lightheaded. He sucked in air until his mind cleared and he could see straight. Sebastian seemed alert, eyes wide, as he went boneless beneath James.

The spell was over. They'd done it.

James fought the urge to flop onto Sebastian's chest and fall asleep. "How do you feel?"

"I don't know." Sebastian looked down at himself as best he could in his current position. "It felt like someone ripped my fucking soul out."

"Sorry." James reached out and stroked Sebastian's cheek before he could stop himself.

Sebastian leaned into the touch. "It's okay. I think it worked." He closed his eyes as he nuzzled James's palm. "You were right. Someone bound me to secrecy, but it isn't just about what's going on with the energy here. It's not about the draining power. That's only a symptom." Sebastian's eyes snapped open like he'd surprised himself. "Oh my god, I just said that. Aloud. That's more than I've been able to tell anyone in years."

Years? How long had he been forced to keep secrets? James had so many questions. "Let me get these cuffs off." He fumbled in his jeans pocket for the key.

As soon as Sebastian's hands were free, he sat bolt upright and grabbed James on either side of his face. The sudden movement caused James to rock backward in Sebastian's lap. He almost fell over but steadied himself in time, his hands on Sebastian's hips.

Sebastian dug his fingers into James's hair, but the touch wasn't anything like their sensual exchanges from earlier. "I'm trapped," he rasped in a voice that sounded completely unlike the Sebastian James knew. "I'm trapped, James. You have to help me."

James's heart hammered. "What do you mean?"

"I'm trapped here. At the house. On this property!" Sebastian's voice rose to a shout. It felt like he was going to pull James's hair out. "You've got to get me the fuck out of here!"