In the next couple of weeks I kept away from the hospital and focused on my training. I couldn’t just cut all the ties with Ella. My magic was dangerous and even with the new potion in my system I wasn’t prepared to be around her in case I could harm her even more. Ella’s mother wasn’t in very good shape. I called her a few times trying to be supportive and show that after all I was still worried sick about my best friend. It killed me that I had to make up some lies about a contagious virus that I had been infected with, just to keep away from Ella. We talked a lot and from what her mother told me, Ella’s results were looking good. We both hoped that sooner or later she would wake up.
I arrived at Tron’s old Victorian home a few days after I was released from the hospital, determined to ask him when I was allowed to see Ella next.
Tron’s trainings were all about concentration. He wanted to show me how to capture tiny sparks of energy and gather them in one place, but my reflex was off and I kept missing the connection. Every time I tried to created a bolt of even power something around his house exploded. Soon all the bulbs in his living room were shattered.
‘Your mind is somewhere else. You are not talking to your magic!’ Tron shouted after I cracked his antique mirror. My magic was all over the place, electrifying my hair, burning my skin, giving me a headache.
‘I’m trying, but you are not telling me how to do it!’ I yelled back, swallowing my tears.
Tron muttered something under his breath. ‘Calm down and listen to your body, bring positive emotions into the source. Imagine the spell working its way to you.’
I closed my eyes, focusing on that tiny warmth that pulled my body and lifted my hands. I stood there for about a minute, feeling haunted and useless. That evening Tron lost his patience with me. We both agreed that I wasn’t focused enough and there was no point training more tonight.
The next few days or even weeks were hectic. My days were filled either with training or Quentin. Ella woke up and we spoke briefly over the phone. She was confused and didn’t blame me for anything. She believed that I was at home ill filled up with a serious virus. My heart ached that I had to keep lying to her, but I knew that this was for the best. I continued to practise defence spells, read Tron’s books about elves magic, trying to find out any information about blackouts like mine, but it seemed like I was getting nowhere.
Some nights when Quentin was around, thoughts about Nathaniel slipped through my mind, but I pushed them away, afraid of what might happen to my lethal energy if I brought him back to my life. Lucinda didn’t mention him while I talked to her and there was no news about his wedding. Kate was watching me more closely at work, as if she was afraid that anyone around me was in danger. I didn’t mind that someone was looking after me. It was easier that way, knowing that I had people that cared about me.
There was no news about Craig, but I’d been hearing news about a new group of shifters that tried to take control in certain areas of London. This news was alarming and it meant Kelsie had to be more careful.
It was Friday night and nearly the end of the day for me when Quentin walked into the office. He showed up unexpectedly, dressed in a red jumper and jeans. He was in a good mood and smiled as soon as he saw me. Rufus was in the office, collecting some reports before he headed home.
‘Julia, who is that giant by the door?’ my regional manager asked, eyeing my boyfriend suspiciously.
‘He is the guy I’m currently seeing,’ I said, ignoring his eyes, my voice high.
Rufus widened his eyes in surprise. He gave me a friendly pat on the back. ‘At least you’re choosing less bloody breeds this time.’
‘I’ll pretend that I didn’t hear that,’ I said, laughing.
Rufus sent me a wink. He obviously approved that I was going out with a giant. He often looked out for me and had tried to warn me about Nathaniel before I got hurt. In fact, I remembered everyone warning me about Nathaniel, but I had thought I knew better and now I was paying for my mistake.
‘Hey, what are you doing here?’ I asked. ‘I thought you were going to wait for me at home?’
‘I have a surprise for us,’ he said, beaming. ‘It’s the start of a weekend and the weather is supposed to be glorious. We are going to Brighton. You had a tough few weeks, so you deserve a break.’
‘What? When?’
‘Right now. I packed all our bags; we can leave straight away. If you’re all right with this, of course?
‘Are you joking? Of course I want to go.’
I liked Quentin’s idea and we both knew that I needed a break. Kate wished me good luck as I left. My mind was spinning with excitement.
Surprisingly, I’d never been in Brighton and I’d lived in London all my life. My parents were more settled on Cornwall and holidays abroad.
I sat back and closed my eyes, knowing that this weekend away would be bliss. I had a lot of on my shoulders recently, but I was determined to enjoy myself. My stomach made a small contraction because I remembered Paris and how happy I was with Nathaniel. That time seemed so far away now, when I had to deal with blackouts and terrifying visions. I felt that my mother would be safe if I was not near her.
The drive to Brighton should have taken an hour and a half, but we left on Friday afternoon when the weekend was just about to begin. By the time we reached our hotel, it was dark outside. Quentin booked our break in a hotel just on the beach.
I dragged Quentin to the shower and after getting rid of all his clothes we made silky, slow love under streams of water. I loved that he made me so relaxed and calm. He took care of me, not expecting anything in return.
‘My turn now,’ he muttered, lifting me up and carrying me to the bed after we were both clean. My fingertips started sparkling and I giggled with excitement. Quentin was tall and well built, but his gentleness was reviving. He moved on top of me, kissing my breasts, swirling his tongue around my pink nipples. I stroked his back feeling the desire blossom in me fast. His mouth was on mine and his hands started moving inside me. I groaned with pleasure, ready for a long lovemaking session, when we both heard a knock.
‘Who is that?’
‘I ordered some room service, to have a little nibble before the dinner.’ He breathed out, moving his fingers down to my stomach before he got up and put on a dressing robe.
After I had a bite to eat, my energy settled down and the tingling all over me stopped. We enjoyed our small canapés and made love. When he was inside me, kissing me throughout and touching my body with his skilled hands, I was happy, forgetting about the problems. Sometimes I compared him to Nathaniel and the way we both exploded when we were together, but right now Nathaniel cherished another human being and I didn’t matter to him anymore.
Later that night, in a restaurant that looked out at the sea that was shaded in darkness, we had more food and a couple of drinks. I didn’t remember what time we came back to our room. I was completely wasted. When I fell into a blissful sleep, my problems didn’t seem to exist anymore.
The sun poured into the room blinding me. A hangover hit me, but I stayed cuddled up to my boyfriend and listened to his slow breathing. After a few minutes, I slipped out of bed and went to the balcony admiring the sea views. It was late morning and the sky was cloudless. I inhaled the saltiness, mesmerised by the calm sea. This weekend started out perfect and I couldn’t wait to explore Brighton.
Then out of nowhere, as with the wave of a magic wand, a strong, fine current of electricity passed through my core, increasing my heartbeat, pushing me down to the terrace floor. I gasped, grabbing the railing barrier. Waves of magic shattered through me quickly.
I remembered Tron’s voice in my last lesson, so I concentrated on bringing in happy thoughts and the Latin spell that was supposed to calm me down. My breathing became even heavier, laboured, but my fingertips were like an inferno, melting the metal that I held on to. Something wasn’t right. Since my last session I could maintain my excess magic, but right now my body was quaking, riddled in the
rhythm of raging light.
I did the only thing that made sense. I went back inside. The energy decreased slightly, but my hearing seemed hypersensitive, and morning light hurt my eyes.
‘Hey, baby, come back to bed,’ Quentin growled. He wasn’t quite awake yet. I felt a little lightheaded as I slid inside the covers, bringing my body closer to his. He kissed me, while I pushed the rolling waves of heat away.
Then his phone started vibrating next to the dresser. For some reason I felt relief when he turned to the other side to answer it. My breaths were short and rasped. It was like someone tricked my magic, deliberately hoping for me to pass out, as if I was going to go through another blackout.
Chapter fourteen
I swear to God, I’m going to lose it, right now.
‘Van Rooyen speaking,’ Quentin snapped into the phone. He was probably annoyed that someone dared to interrupt our dreamy morning.
I felt my energy racing up and down through my body and hurried to the bathroom. Quentin was talking loudly to someone, so I splashed some cold water over my face. I held my breath, afraid to move. Cold water on my face didn’t make any difference in the floods of power that were swirling over me like a galaxy.
When I glanced at my reflection in the mirror I saw a pale face and tired blue eyes. My fingertips were sparkling with flames, yellow and sun orange colours. I kept seeing small white dots in front of my eyes. Sweat rolled over my back as I tried to figure out what was going on. My magic became so alive all of the sudden. I kept splashing more water on my face and even considered a cold shower, when Quentin walked into the bathroom. I guessed that he was still on the phone, as he was pressing his palm over the speaker. He looked pissed.
‘My partner is on the phone. There has been an accident around twenty miles from here. He was on his way to the auction when some imbecile drove into him.’
‘Is he okay?’ I asked through gritted teeth, trying not to move, feeling the enchantment of magical energy blazing over my back.
‘Sounded fine to me, but the ambulance is taking him to hospital, so it’s probably more serious than he tries to make it out. Some of my most priceless pieces are shattered on the road. Police are insisting on moving it and I can’t let them touch the art. I need to leave to deal with it. I’m so sorry, Julia. I’ll be back as soon as I can.’
‘Fine, fine go. It’s not that far anyway, right?’ I asked.
‘Probably forty minutes drive. I promise I’ll make it up to you.’
‘It’s fine. I can have breakfast and then use the pool. Just drive safely.’
Quentin kissed me quickly and he was gone within a few minutes. I held on to the sink, breathing in and out. I felt like someone used a stun gun on me, as electric shocks were spasming through me. My head was spinning. In the back of my mind I kept thinking another blackout was on its way, as my energy was raving. I had no idea what to expect, but I didn’t want to be stuck in my room for the rest of the day. People were in danger if I was alone, without any control.
I started putting on some clothes, thinking that if I could force some food into my empty stomach I’d feel better. Quentin was going to be out for couple of hours, so I had some time to figure if I should cast a spell. I had to get outside, away to the beach or somewhere where I could be alone to relieve my magic. Then there was a knock at my door.
Figuring Quentin probably ordered room service for me before he left, I quickly opened it, glad that my boyfriend thought about everything.
But it wasn’t a room service. It was someone else. For a brief moment I wondered if my brain was making me delusional, creating this unbelievable image in my head.
Nathaniel stood outside looking at me. Clouds of my magical power kept churning between the door and the space where he stood. My heart started pumping more blood into my veins than was necessary. I was so shocked that I couldn’t even react.
‘Its true, then, isn’t it? He is in love with you?’ he asked, walking inside the room and closing the door behind him without a blink or a shrug.
I was numb from head to toe, chained to the same spot without a way out. My fingers itched like something alive was crawling under my skin. The roaring in my ears was impossible to handle.
I found my voice after some time, breaking away from these unexpected agonising emotions. ‘I want to you leave right now,’ I ordered him, pushing my body backwards. Arcs of flame escaped from my shoulders, crackling around me.
He ignored me completely, his eyes averted to the rumpled sheets where Quentin and I made love last night. He exhaled sharply, probably recognising Quentin’s scent.
I swear to God, I’m going to lose it, right now.
Only one question occupied my mind: how did he know that I was here?
He looked good, wearing a white flannel shirt and black pants. His hair was a bit longer than necessary and it looked like he didn’t shave this morning. I was furious, gathering my magic, hoping that I could use it against him. Strike him away with it once and for all.
‘Julia, I’m here for you. I made a mistake last year. I’m in love with you and only you,’ he said, taking a step towards me, his eyes never leaving my face.
Ten months ago I’d imagined this moment. For so long I craved it, believing it would be the happiest moment of my life, the one I would celebrate, cherish, and remember forever. Right now those three words made me livid. Anger roared through my pores, coursing deep down to my core. Magic was burning holes in my body, oxidising the love that I’d once had for him.
I bared my teeth and swiped my hand, slapping him as hard as I could. It burned with pain, but I wanted to keep hurting him until he disappeared, until he was gone.
‘Fuck you!’ I screamed.
Nathaniel didn’t move and didn’t remove that arrogant smirk from his face. My hand left a red mark on his cheek. His eyes burned with heat, growing with love for me. I didn’t want to feel loved by him, but a sudden dose of desire began wreaking havoc on my body, increasing my pulse. Pouring the raving flames into my heart.
‘I love you and I’ll keep saying it until you let me back,’ he repeated in a softer voice, moving closer.
With another intake of breath, shaking with anger, I slapped him again. This time harder and my hand went completely numb with pain. ‘Fuck your love!’ I yelled. He caught my other hand as I tried to dodge away from him.
‘I love you!’ he yelled it again, pulling me close.
Then he grabbed my face and started kissing me hard and furious. I knew that my battle was over as soon as his lips found mine. My body continued resisting, but my heart gave up the struggle. Once I inhaled his scent of mint, lime zest and lemons, I was lost in a violent desire that came over me like a heavy storm.
His touch brought me back to life, his voice won me over, and his mouth sucked breath out of me. I kissed him back, slamming into his chest. The wind swept under my feet, caressing my skin, things started to circle around us. Savage turmoil swung through my whole body. Nathaniel pressed his lips down to mine and I moaned as his tongue teased mine. As his fingers wrapped tightly in my hair, his weight came down on me, pushing his hips forward hard, grabbing my arse.
We were like two lost souls that couldn’t find peace on earth, that searched for redemption in a different universe.
Nathaniel’s mouth went to the side of my neck, nibbling my skin roughly, like he wanted to bite me, but his fangs never pierced my skin.
The air around was filled with magic, so pure and white that it changed us, electrifying our bodies. He lifted me above the floor, kissing me until I was breathless and dizzy with surging lust. His hands found my bare skin when he placed me back on the bed. The sheets smelled of Quentin, but I pushed that thought away and started stripping down. Nathaniel got rid of his shirt and trousers, his fangs were out as his eyes lingered over my naked body. For a moment we stared at each other, as our thoughts from the past bonded us as one again. Then he was on me, touching my core, which was on fire, drenched, swollen and
so ready for him. His finger moved over the soft spot, rolling it, tasting it over and over. I thought that I was going to come then, but he stopped, pulling his fingers away. Grinning like a schoolboy, he pushed my legs apart and began kissing me there. The heat inside of me was dangerously fast as I gasped for breath. Every swirl of his tongue made me wetter and more turned on.
He stopped again when I panted, waiting for release. He got up and he grabbed my ankles and pushed my legs up, placing them on top of his chest. Blackness obscured my vision, magic lashed through my bloodstream, igniting the inferno in my core.
He pulled down his boxers and with his gleaming eyes, silently asked if this was really what I wanted. The voices in my head screamed that if I went through with this, there was no way out, that there was still a chance to pull away, but my heart had never galloped so fast in my chest.
Nathaniel hesitated for a moment before he thrust his length into me. I got lost in his incredible pulsing sensation between my legs as he filled me. His body took over; his hips began to move as I shut my eyes, drifting away. He was grinding, pushing hard, making my head swim.
‘I missed you, my firecracker, I missed you so much,’ he growled, panting heavily.
My energy rocked through me faster, as the burning between my legs grew. His lips were on my ankles, kissing me softly while thrusting himself inside me fast.
Clouds of energy and surging waves of heat collided within me, while papers, glasses and my clothes were flying around the room.
I seized under him, released myself as the orgasm shot through me, nailing me down, taking my breath away. I felt a sharp pain that was gone within a second. Nathaniel bit into my ankle and sucked in, swallowing large gulps of blood. I came in shattering waves, screaming his name, losing myself forever. My whole body convulsed as he climaxed a moment later, before collapsing on top of me.
***
Foams of vibrations filled my mind as we both lay naked in the bed. I stared at the celling, empty, stripped of my power. My breathing was irregular, but I felt relaxed, so much calmer than before. Better than in the past two months, because excess magic had been removed, sucked away by sex.
Paranormal Personnel Saga Box Set - Books 1-3 Page 62