The Seal of Solomon

by Nadine Travers

I’m asleep in my bed, but I can feel someone kissing me, it feels like butterflies touching my skin. I smile.

  “Ah, my love, you’re awake.” His broad Scottish accent turns me on each time he wakes me up.

  “I’m not sure yet.”

  He continues his exploration. His touches become more precise on my body, and my hunger for him increases. Turning over, I look into his deep blue eyes, that paired with his long dark red hair, stand out. His tanned skin is a stark contrast against my pale skin.

  “I love seeing you like this every morning. You’re beautiful.”

  I smile, knowing I look a mess. My long blueish black hair is all over the pillow. “Are you sure you don’t need glasses? My hair has to be all over the place.”

  He chuckles and kisses my forehead. “I love your hair like this. It means you had an excellent night of entertainment with your mate.”

  I slap his shoulder. “Huh. More like it’s because someone plays with it during the night.”

  He kisses my nose, his lips so close to mine. I bite my lip, craving his lips to be on mine, to lose myself in him. He is my everything. He finally crushes his lips to mine and I moan as he caresses my breasts. I put my arms around his neck to touch his skin, I want every connection with him I can get.

  I’ve had plenty of lovers in my life, but because of him, I now know the difference between lovers and fated mates.

  I met him while I was on a mission in Scotland. In the beginning, I didn’t think a warrior witch like myself could have a mate; my life was just too dangerous. However, he refused to let me go, and I couldn’t let him go either. When he discovered I was a witch, it didn’t change his feelings for me. After that mission, he came with me to Montreal and we lived happily together for a decade, until that fateful night.

  He followed me everywhere when I was on a mission. We couldn’t be apart, but human bodies are fragile. So many people tried to warn me, but I didn’t listen. I wasn’t careful and that mistake cost me everything. My love, my mate, was gone.

  “Hey, are you with me?” Josh asks me.

  I blink a few times to clear the memories from my head. “Sorry, I was lost in my thoughts.”

  He smiles at me as a father would smile at his children. “Don’t worry. I was wondering what happened that caused you to space out on me.”

  I shake my head. One thing I don’t discuss is my life with and without my fated mate. It’s been years since anyone has talked or asked about William. Years since I vowed to help the new witches integrate into the coven. My life now consists of my missions and supporting the new witches like I was their mother. My body will always crave him, but I can’t stay stuck in the past. That only reopens wounds that are only half-closed and will never totally heal.

  “Why the sadness?”

  I look at Josh. “Sorry, I was just reliving the past for a moment. Not all of it was bad, but part of it didn’t end well.”

  He puts his hand on my arm. “I’m a good listener if you want to talk.”

  I give him a weak smile. “Sorry, but no, it’s private, and it will always be that way.”

  I step away, I need to put the sadness to the back of my mind and only focus on the good parts. A light breeze rises, and a chill sweeps through my body. Looking around, I can tell something is wrong. Even Josh stops in his tracks and looks around. The light breeze transforms into a cold one; most of the humans can’t feel it as only those that are close to their powers do.

  Josh looks at me, he feels it too. “Vampire.”

  Why would a vampire be here? I survey the area. “I need to find the vampire.”

  “I need to find Roan, he’s immune to magic, but may not be to a vampire’s suggestion or control.”

  With that, Josh leaves me, and I continue to wander around. I need to find the vampire soon or it could end in a blood bath. I also know the vampire is here for the Seal. I don’t know much about half-giants so I don’t know what kind of a threat one would pose to Roan, but when I get back to the coven, I’m going to change that.

  All these people having fun have no idea what kind of danger they’re in. My fingertips are tingling with my magic. I need to be ready for anything to happen as I move closer to the intense energy. The vampire was here, but not anymore. All of us who have power, and even some humans, can not only track magical objects, but paranormal creatures as well.

  It’s not my specialty, but I can track to a degree. Other witches are specialized in that area and are part of what those in the human military would call search and rescue. The energy shift is getting closer to the church. Silence surrounds me, which isn’t good at all. I run, and the cold energy is there.

  When I feel the Seal leaving the church, time stops. I need to find out where it went. Rushing around the corner, I see Roan running toward a man I don’t know.

  “Roan, what are you doing?” I ask, but he doesn’t stop or acknowledge me, not even when Josh tries to reach him.

  I hear him say, “Here, master,” as he hands him the Seal—my Seal—that I need to get the Seal back to the coven. The man doesn’t have an aura but as he turns in my direction, I immediately know he’s a vampire and he’s enthralled Roan to give him the Seal.

  “Protect me, my slave,” I hear the vampire order Roan.

  Josh tries to reason with Roan, but all he does is grab him by the throat and shake him.

  “Roan,” I scream at him. “Stop, you’ll hurt him, and you’ll regret it for the rest of your life.” I know enough to know Roan thinks of Josh as a father and he’ll be devastated if he seriously hurts him, or even worse, kills him.

  Roan growls at me and I decide to try another tactic. “Show yourself, vampire. Don’t be a coward and hide behind the half-giant.”

  A laugh sounds as the man steps further out of the shadows. “Well, if it isn’t a warrior witch. It’s been an interesting week for me. First I met a daywalker, and I’ve now crossed paths with a warrior witch. I wonder who I’ll run into next.”

  “And you are?” I dare to ask.

  “Oh, where are my manners. I’m Jeremy, but you don’t have the pleasure of knowing me.” His eyes become redder. We both know that controlling the half-giant will take most of his strength, but I can see he plans to enthrall me as well.

  “Don’t even bother, vampire. We witches are immune to your suggestions.”

  He smirks. “Maybe you are but he’s not.”

  I look to my right and see Roan preparing to fight. I know magic doesn’t have an effect on him. It would be nice if it kept vampires from controlling him as well.

  “Bring it on, vampire,” I say as I beckon him closer.

  He looks at me with surprise in his eyes when he sees my hands are empty. “A warrior witch without a weapon. How are you going to beat me?”

  “Well, you’ll soon discover I have a few tricks up my sleeve and don’t worry about my lack of weapons, I can easily remedy that.”

  Mihi videtur guns!

  With my guns firmly in my hands I face the vampire.

  Ultraviolet ammunition!

  Jeremy flinches a little. Yes, vampires hate anything that has ultraviolet properties.

  “Now, we can have some fun.” With that, I charge at him, casting a sleep spell before he runs toward Roan, instructing him to protect him once again. He knows the half-giant is fucking immune to my magic.

  Chapter Eight

  Jeremy

  I’m always amazed at how easy humans are to manipulate. It was incredibly easy to get inside the church. I knew this place was just a front; it’s really a temple for different kinds of paranormal and lessor species. Usually, the older creatures have their own spaces, but empaths, telepaths, and others that don’t belong in the significant factions are more likely to join together somewhere where others can’t breach. Nonetheless, they’re still human, even if they are enhanced.

  When night fell and Donovan told me about their plan and this celebration, I was more than happy to roam the streets full of people to gath
er information. It was easy to lure those enhanced humans and get information about the church and the half-giant. They couldn’t pinpoint the exact place where the Seal is kept, but most of them know Father Josh and are happy to tell me about the half-giant they call Roan who protects them. Donovan and the enhanced humans also told me the warrior witch is here. Oh well, more to play with.

  I didn’t succeed in rescuing Damaris, and I’ll always be indebted to him. No matter what, I’ll make sure this revolution happens and everyone has a chance to live without the factions controlling them.

  Moving closer to the church, I easily spot the half-giant, he’s hard to miss. I need to find the warrior witch, but she doesn’t stand out as well as Roan does. I’ll attempt to enthrall him first before finding the warrior witch.

  “Hey, you need to come with us, we’re going inside the church and then we’ll dance while the musicians play.”

  I look at the young lady speaking to me; it’s obvious she doesn’t know what I am. “Is it always like this?”

  Her happiness is evident. I suspect she’s more than just a regular human but I’m not sure what she is exactly as there are so many new species now. The oldest paranormal creatures are vampires, werewolves, witches, and fairies. Now there are several more. Over time different species have mixed with humans and new breeds have emerged. I assume she’s one of them.

  “Come.”

  “Are you inviting me inside?”

  “Yes, I am. It’s special. You need to loosen up a little. Come join us.”

  I smile, usually, we can’t enter this kind of place—a real church with religious people inside—we’re forbidden to enter even if we’re invited. In this case, I know it’s a front. Thankfully, this isn’t a real church like humans create, and I follow the girl inside. They are so easy to lure. Humans believe in everything.

  “You’re not from around here, are you?” she asks me.

  I smile a charming smile. “No, I’m a tourist. Can you tell me more about this place?”

  As she talks, I concentrate all my thoughts on the half-giant. I’ve never met one, and I wonder if they’re easy to control. I need to get closer. As I make my way closer to him, I create a control link and his mind opens enough that I can see the Seal. Donovan and his mate were right, the beast knows where it is. I almost laugh at how easy this is going to be.

  Get the Seal of Solomon and bring it to me. I continue my chant; the mental link with him growing stronger. He moves, the priest beside him calls his name, but the half-giant doesn’t answer. He continues walking; the priest gives up, shrugs his shoulder, and turns his attention to someone else

  Get the Seal of Solomon and bring it to me. I continue my mantra. He exits a tunnel a couple of minutes later and runs toward me.

  “Roan, what are you doing?” a woman’s voice calls to him.

  I turn and she’s right behind me. The half-giant doesn’t answer, and I immediately know she’s a damn warrior witch.

  “Roan, bring it to me.” The half-giant does as I say.

  “Here, master, ” he says.

  “Protect me, my slave,” I order after he gives me the Seal. I look at the priest as he tries to reason with the half-giant, but he grabs him by the throat and shakes him.

  “Roan,” the warrior witch screams. “Stop, you’ll hurt him, and you’ll regret it for the rest of your life.”

  Roan growls at her and she turns to me. “Show yourself, vampire. Don’t be a coward and hide behind the half-giant.”

  I laugh as I step further out of the shadows. “Well, if it isn’t a warrior witch. It’s been an interesting week for me. First I met a daywalker, and I’ve now crossed paths with a warrior witch. I wonder who I’ll run into next.”

  “And you are?”

  “Oh, where are my manners. I’m Jeremy, but you don’t have the pleasure of knowing me.” I decide to try and enthrall her as well, even though controlling the half-giant is taking most of my strength.

  “Don’t even bother, vampire. We witches are immune to your suggestions.”

  “Maybe you are, but he’s not.”

  She glances at him before focusing back on me. “Bring it on, vampire,” she says, beckoning me closer.

  My eyes widen in surprise when I notice she doesn’t have a weapon in her hands. I wonder how she thinks she’s going to fight. “A warrior witch without a weapon. How are you going to beat me?”

  “Well, you’ll soon discover I have a few tricks up my sleeve and don’t worry about my lack of weapons, I can easily remedy that.” She casts a spell and two guns appear in her hands as she faces me.

  Her next words cause me to flinch. She’s summoned ultraviolet bullets. Vampires hate anything that has ultraviolet properties.

  She smirks when she sees my reaction. “Now, we can have some fun.” With that, she charges at me, casting a sleep spell. If she hits me with that, she’ll get the Seal. Retreat is a better option and ordering the half-giant to protect me once again, I spin and run as fast as I can away from her.

  “Stop him, now,” The witch yells again.

  I know witches have tools to help them run but I’m determined I will win today. It will be another victory toward our end game, just like the Lady told me. We need the Seal and the power that comes with it.

  Something stings me on the back of my head but I’m too far away for her sleep spell to have an effect. I glance over my shoulder to see the half-giant is trying to attack her, but the priests are holding him back. I don’t care that in a few miles I’ll be too far away and my link to him will end. I got what I came for and that’s all that matters.

  I head toward the camp. We need to leave now. I’m not going to give the witch enough time to find us. We’ll be long gone with the Seal, heading back to Montreal where the Lady is waiting on us. Today is a good day. Today day the rebellion became stronger.

  Just as I reach our camp, I hear a noise behind me and turn to see the warrior witch right behind me.

  Chapter Nine

  Lilandra

  I watch the vampire turn and run. “Josh, Roan has been enthralled. I need you guys to distract him while I chase that vampire.”

  Josh approaches Roan again. “No, Roan, don’t do this.” Josh’s voice is weak from where Roan had him by the throat.

  Tracker, activate!

  Targeting that fucking vampire with my sleep spell, I see Roan charge at me out of the corner of my eye, but Josh’s group is able to stop him. I don’t have the time for this, the vampire is getting further away the longer I stay here.

  “Go, Lilandra, we will keep him busy. Take care of the Seal.”

  I nod and run, needing to catch the vampire. I can’t lose him, and I hope I don’t have problems with my magic due to the delay in getting my hands on the Seal. Seeing him in front of me, I cast a push spell to give myself more speed.

  “Give it back, bloodsucker,” I scream as I close in on him.

  He stumbles as he looks over his shoulder and for a split second, I see surprise in his eyes. “Forget it, witch. The Seal is mine,” he calls then increases his speed.

  Lifting the gun in my hand, I shoot him in his thigh, a regular bullet won’t do anything to a vampire, but the ultraviolet ones do. He slows down before turning and looking at me.

  “You will pay for that.”

  Taking a stance, I once more gesture to him to bring it on.

  He holds up the Seal. “You know that with this I can control every demon or beast around here.”

  “Only if you know how to use it, which I doubt.”

  “OK, witch, have it your way. Now we fight.”

  He charges me, and damn, even with a bullet wound he’s fast but thankfully not as fast as he was before. “Are you losing blood, vampire?”

  I know better than to tease a vampire, but he somehow brings out the worst in me. I need to keep him busy while he bleeds. The wound itself isn’t fatal, but the blood loss will be, which should make him lose control. His eyes turn red, a sure sign h
e’s pissed. Good, this is just how I need him to be if I want him to make a mistake. “If you think I’m working alone, you’re about to find out how wrong you are,” Jeremy screams at me.

  Before I have a chance to react, someone grabs me from behind and throws me on the ground. Shaking my head, I see a werewolf. I cast a spell for another gun, but with silver bullets this time. I have two separate enemies now and I have to be prepared. I aim at the wolf, about to take the shot, when I’m stopped by someone throwing a fire spell at me.

  “Watch it, witch. I’m not going to let you hurt my mate.”

  From her spell, I know she’s a fire witch, and I don’t get it. This makes no sense and I address the female without turning my attention away from the vampire and werewolf. “Why are you working against your kind?”

  “You know about fated mates, right? I know who you are, Lilandra.”

  That voice, no it’s not possible. I turn and she signals the others not to move. “I see you remember me.”

  “Sophia? What the heck? The coven told me you were dead.” Why had they lied? Why was I not told she’d found a mate and rebelled or whatever it was that was going on here?

  She laughs. “Well, dear friend, you can see they lied, not only to you but to all of us. You know what it’s like to have a mate.”

  That bitch, she knows about my fated mate, she knows everything. She was my best friend. I cried for her when they told me she was dead. A memory flashes in my head.

  “Sophia, I can’t live without him. I’m empty.” Sophia puts her arms around me as I cry on her shoulder.

  I don’t have a lot of friends. Being a warrior witch means people see you differently, but not Sophia. She was always there for me and was my closest friend. I didn’t want to remember, and it hurt that I didn’t want to remember. I laugh. “You mated a vampire?” The werewolf growls beside me.

  “No. A werewolf is much better than someone who needs to suck blood to live.” Sophia stands beside the werewolf as he transforms and runs her fingers through his fur. “You remember the pull, the fact that you couldn’t think of anything other than him and only him? That’s what Donovan is for me. The same as William was for you.”