A Demon's Witch

by Tena Stetler

  “No, no, I’m fine, the penthouse? Wow, look a camera in every corner and two in front of the elevator. What if we are seen together going up to your penthouse? Won’t that blow the low profile we’re trying to keep?” She took his arm as offered and walked toward the elevator.

  “I’ve taken care of the cameras while we go to my apartment. The cameras never photograph my coming and going. On the outside, it looks like a selfish use of magic, but it’s necessary to keep my personal habits and locations a mystery.” He stepped into the elevator first, giving the inside a sweeping glance then tugged her quickly in beside him. The plush carpeting under foot and soundproof tiles overhead quieted their steps and hushed their words.

  “Ok, I’ll buy that, but how?” She stepped into the elevator.

  “That’s a question I am not at liberty to answer. The lives of many depend on my secrecy, yours included. Now, shall we exit to my apartment and entertain ourselves in a more pleasurable way?” The air whooshed out of her as he swept her up in his arms and carried her through the door.

  She wrapped her arms around his neck and sighed. “That was so romantic. You take my breath away.”

  Lowering her down lightly on her feet, his hands glided down the length of her back ending at the small of her waist. He curved her into his body and whispered, “There is nothing I’d like to do more than take you to bed with me tonight and show you what romance is all about. But, I fear the wine has lowered your inhibitions. When I make love to you the first time, it will be slow and gentle and with your complete consent, because after that there will be no turning back for either of us.”

  She pulled away, her violet eyes blazing. “I am not drunk. I only had a couple of glasses of wine.”

  “I know, but for some reason it affected both you and Willow. Maybe it was the wine tasting at the end that did you both in.” He moved around the room turning on soft music and starting a fire in the stone hearth.

  “Fine, I’ll just go to bed by myself. Where is my room?” Her arms crossed over her chest, she glared at him.

  “Let’s not end this wonderful night with a disagreement. Come sit with me on the couch while I enjoy my glass of wine along with your warm fragrant body curled against me. Then I’ll carry you into our room and share my bed with you, without the intimacy we will save for another time. Perhaps at my estate.”

  The gentle nature of his request and the faint twinkle in the depths of his dark amber eyes, made her relent and follow him to the couch. She settled next to him and rested her head on his shoulder. “Would you like a t-shirt to sleep in? Or are you going to lay naked all night, just to tease me with your sensual body?”

  “My first instinct would be to sleep naked, just to get back at you. But I’d be mortified to wake up naked next to you in the morning.”

  “If it would make you feel better, I’ll sleep naked too. I’ve no inhibitions about naked flesh. Just not under the covers with you. Even I have my limits of self-restraint.” He cradled his arm around her and sipped his wine as they enjoyed the soothing music and crackling fire. “Would you like some sparkling juice, hot chocolate or soothing tea?”

  Angie shook her head.

  Chapter Eleven

  As they wound their way through the DC morning traffic discussing the anticipated day’s events, his cell phone chirped. Bruce checked the caller ID and looked over at Angie. “Excuse me, I have to take this.”

  “No problem,” she said quietly.

  “I’m on my way to the office now, can it wait?” He hesitated and listened intently before responding. “I understand. I’ll call Bobby. See if his team can handle the situation. If not, then we’ll need to call in Tristian. I’d rather discuss any further details from my office, security you know.” He disconnected the call and glanced over at Angie. “Sorry about that.”

  “No problem. Sounds like your day is starting off with a bang.”

  “Yeah.” He stopped the car at the back door of The Krystal Unicorn. Unfastened his seat belt and leaned over to brush a kiss across her lips, then laid his cheek against hers. “Do me one favor, please be locked in your apartment before dark.”

  “You’re worse than my brother.” Angie gave an exaggerated eye roll and felt for the door handle.

  Bruce shook his head. “Nope, pro-active and maybe a bit protective. There are issues we’re trying to settle, and until we do, extra caution is required. I may not see you for a couple of days, depending how my day sorts out and I don’t want to worry about whether you’re safe or not.”

  “You won’t tell me what’s going on. You’re sheltering me just like my brother,” she sputtered, bristling with indignation and hurt.

  Keeping his anger and frustration under control, he said in a low composed voice, “No, I’m not. I just don’t have time to go into it all now. I will soon and maybe by then we’ll know more. What we know is even our well trusted sources are afraid to talk and that concerns me greatly.”

  “What about Willow?” Angie asked.

  “Willow grew up aware of my world. She knows. However, I’m going to check out her boyfriend anyway. Please let Willow know to be extra vigilant, until we know what we’re dealing with.”

  Angie reached into her bag for the keys to the shop, then opened the car door and stepped out. Bruce appeared beside her as she turned the key in the lock and shoved the heavy wooden door open. Peering in cautiously, he held it open for her as she entered and deactivated the alarm. He followed her in then walked the entire shop. Sensing no danger, he kissed her forehead as he ran his fingers through her hair and was gone.

  Bruce left the blue luxury SUV parked in the lot behind The Krystal Unicorn. He decided to walk the couple of blocks to the The Wycked Hair, and check on her store before he got in his vehicle to go home tonight.

  ****

  The alarm’s LED light glowed steady red indicating no intruders during the night. He unlocked the door to the salon and entered the disarm code, then closed and relocked the door. The salon wouldn’t be open for a couple more hours and the employees had their own keys.

  He’d forgotten how well he liked the quiet of the salon before anyone arrived. Bruce filled the glass coffee pot with filtered water and slid it under the coffee system, poured beans into the grinder and pushed the button. He sniffed and sighed, the aroma of fresh ground coffee beans, nothing better in the predawn light. He took the cash drawer out of the floor safe and slid it into place under the counter next to the computer. Owen made the bank deposit when he left yesterday, so there was only a couple hundred in small bills and coin to make change for the early customers. Reaching across the counter he pushed the power button on the computer and monitor watching as they came to life, ready for a new day.

  Finished with the opening duties of the salon, Bruce climbed the stairs to his office, with his steaming mug of black coffee, to continue the business that had interrupted his morning commute. The only sound in his office was the rustle of the leather as he sat in the chair, leaned back, and took a sip of the fresh brewed coffee. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, letting it out slowly, turned the laptop on, and prepared for a busy day.

  The cell phone he’d laid on his desk was the first intruder in his quiet world. It emitted two different tones, letting him know there were callers on both lines and the computer chimed the arrival of over eighty new e-mails. Yep. It was going to be a long day, he’d be lucky to get out by midnight.

  As he picked up his cell phone and tapped the green button to answer, the salon phone on his desk rang. He watched all seven lines light up. “Hang on a minute Cade.”

  Where the hell was Reka, she was supposed to answer the phone while Owen and Tobi were gone. A quick glance at his watch, told him she wouldn’t be in for another half hour. He flipped the phone switch to silent, routed the calls back to the night answering service, and returned his attention to the call on his cell phone.

  “I’m sorry Cade. It’s crazy around here. Owen and Tobi have a few well-deser
ved days off, I’m paying the price already, and it’s only the first day.” He blew out a breath. “Now bring me up to speed on what’s happening down south.”

  Bruce listened intently, eyes narrowed. “I see. But I still want to give Bobby and his team a chance to see if they can straighten it out without bloodshed, if not then we’ll call in Tristian. I’ll have Bobby down there by midday. Good enough?”

  “There’s a vampire involved? That’s just great, I’ll call the Vampire Council and see if they want to handle it or leave it to us. I’ll be in touch.” He ended the call and dialed Bobby’s number. He rubbed his temples to ease the throbbing headache and the salon wasn’t even open yet. Then he remembered there’d been a call on the other line, he checked the ID, it was Tristian, probably just checking in. I’ll have to get back to him.

  A deep voice answered on the second ring. “Morning boss. To what do I owe the pleasure?”

  “Bobby, I have a job for you.”

  ****

  All the opening duties done, Angie sat down to peruse a book she’d just unpacked, The Latest Healing Power of Herbs. The door chimes rang as Willow flitted in.

  Angie chuckled. “Can’t stay away even on your day off, huh?”

  “Caleb had to go to the gallery to finish the sale paperwork for several of his paintings.” Willow leaned on the counter, glancing around the store to make sure they were alone. “So…how’d it go last night? Did you go home with him?” Willow raised her brows.

  “Yes, I did. His apartment is in the penthouse and security is tight, cameras all over the place. Although he still uses magic to cover exits and entrances.”

  “Well…did you?”

  “Willow.” Angie let out an exasperated breath. “We’re not teenagers any more. I’m not going to tell you what did or didn’t happen last night.” Angie’s violet eyes snapped with impatience.

  “Why not? We’ve shared most everything all our lives. I didn’t ask details, it just requires a simple yes or no answer.”

  “Well, did you?” Angie shot back at Willow.

  “You know the answer to that, I told you the next day. So there’s nothing new with me. But you, a handsome, powerful demon…well, you know kinda like your prince? So you’re really not going to tell me?” Willow’s shoulders drooped and her gaze dropped to the floor.

  Angie relented. “No, ok, we didn’t. Happy? We spent the evening in front of the fireplace cuddling and talking. I fell asleep and woke up in his bed, dressed in one of his t-shirts with him beside me on top the covers. At least there were no nightmares.”

  Willow’s face clouded with worry when her gaze met Angie’s. “Glad there weren’t any nightmares. The one you had while Tristian was here, scared the shit of out me. Not your normal night frights. Did you tell Bruce about it?”

  “No, I figured if I had another one, then I’d tell him. I think it was just the stress of learning about Tristian and being with Bruce, then worrying about Tristian finding out. I’ve come to terms with all of that now, Bruce and I will deal with it together when it happens.” Angie shrugged. “No more nightmares, so that must have been it.”

  “I hope so.” Willow lifted a black eyebrow. “Enough trying to side track me, let’s get back to the more interesting subject at hand. Why didn’t you? If it was me, I couldn’t keep my hands off him. He’s absolutely gorgeous and so sensual.”

  “If you must know, it’s because he felt the wine clouded my judgment, and he was right. I vaguely remember offering to sleep naked beside him, if he’d do the same. He agreed, but I must have fallen asleep before the discussion was finished, because I woke up in his t-shirt.” She sighed just a little. “It smelled so good. I just love the way he smells.”

  “Ohhh, now were getting somewhere. Was he naked?”

  “None of your business. Except.” She giggled feeling silly about admitting it. “I stuck his t-shirt in my bag. I love his spicy scent. When he’s not around, I feel safer wrapped in his shirt.”

  “How romantic.” Willow rested her chin in her hands and her eyes went dreamy.

  “He also keeps mentioning that once we commit, it’s forever, there’s no turning back.” Angie tilted her head. “Strange huh? There’s always a choice.”

  Staring openly at her, Willow swallowed hard. “Not if…that depends on if you believe in destiny, fate or whatever you want to call it, and apparently he does.”

  “That stuff is just fairy tales.” Angie flipped her hair over her shoulder and turned the book she’d been reading over in her hands.

  “Think about it. After six hundred years, he’s never found a woman he wanted to commit to or spend his life with. He must feel pretty strongly about your relationship to risk Tristian’s wrath, possible betrayal, and not to mention his position as Overlord.” Willow picked at the edge of her blouse. “Not that I think your brother would carry it that far, but he’s gonna be pissed.”

  Angie sobered and she grasped her friend by the arm. “Are you serious?”

  “Yes. When you’re in Bruce’s position, there is always someone waiting in the shadows to take advantage of a weak moment, seize the opportunity to kill him then take over his position.”

  “I’m kinda expected to have his back?”

  “Sorta. It’s not likely to happen because he was born and bred to be Overlord, as his father before him. Just the same, you shouldn’t take the responsibility and dangers of being his mate lightly.”

  “Then why doesn’t he just say what he means, instead of being so cryptic?” Angie tilted her head questioningly at her friend. “And when did you become such an expert in all things demon?”

  “When my best friend became involved with not only a demon but a demon Overlord much to her detriment,” Willow countered. “If your feelings are the same, it must be your decision without any influence from him. You said from the very start that the connection between you two was like nothing you’d ever felt. Right?”

  “Yes, I still feel it every time we’re together and it’s getting stronger. What do you think?”

  Willow shook her head. “I’ve said too much already, these are things your mother should have told you.”

  Angie glared at Willow. “And she couldn’t, she died.”

  Willow winced. “I know, I know, she died before she had the chance. Instead, your difficult, hardheaded, jackass of a brother chose to disregard the possibility something like this could happen. Left you naive to the magical world and mistakenly felt you were safer in the mortal world.”

  Angie’s brow creased in confusion. “Something like what? I don’t have a mother or a sister. You’ve got to tell me how this works.”

  Willow grimaced and drew in a breath, letting it out slowly. “I think you are his predestined mate, he’s waited a long time to find you. I see it in your eyes when you look at him, so does he…believe me. The fact he hasn’t seduced you yet, shows great self-restraint on his part. He wants you to come to him. It has to be your free choice.”

  “Ok, so let me get this straight. If you were in love with Caleb, not just lust, and he’s from the mortal realm or raised there, you couldn’t just tell him how you felt?”

  “First of all, I’m not royalty in the magic realm, so different rules apply, and I’m female so I’m allowed a certain amount of latitude. But for your question, no, it’s forbidden. We have to let our actions speak for us.” Willow waved her hands over her head then let them drop to her sides.

  A half smile crossed Angie’s face. Willow couldn’t talk if someone tied her hands.

  Willow frowned then continued. “Then it’s up to the mortal or in your case, a witch raised in a mortal world, to decide if what they feel is strong enough to want to be with that person or demon forever. There are no divorces in the magic world, only by death and that’s more common than you’d like to think.” Willow studied the floor then slowly brought her eyes up to meet Angie’s.

  Angie sat silently taking it all in and staring at her hands clenched on the top of the gl
ass showcase. Willow covered Angie’s hands with hers. “Sorry I didn’t tell you sooner, but I promised my mom and your brother I’d not interfere in how he wanted to handle it. I just had no idea he wouldn’t tell you this stuff or at the very least release me from my promise or send you to talk with my mom.”

  “Wow, Bruce warned me when he thought I was trying to force my way into his world. I just didn’t see how different our worlds could be.”

  The door chimes sounded announcing the arrival of a customer. Angie turned her attention to a well-dressed middle-aged man and Willow slipped into the back room.

  ****

  It was past midnight when Bruce walked down the steps from his office, set the alarm, and locked the door, thankful for the end of a brutal day. The volume at the salon dictated that he help customers too, which he’d not done in years. Truth be told, he enjoyed the couple of haircuts he’d done. One customer looked so much better, in short, shaped hair than the long stringy style she’d come in with. He’d never enjoyed coloring, but the older woman looked ten years younger when he was done. She was thrilled with the highlights and he enjoyed the satisfaction of making his customers look their best.

  On the opposite end of the spectrum, it looked like he’d have to call Tristian to neutralize the situation in the south. The Vampire Council already sent their envoy who took out the rogue vampire leader quickly and quietly, but the remaining changelings, demons, and werewolf were determined to control the election outcome, and remained his responsibility. The independent candidate disappeared and the front-runner of the election was in hiding. Bobby planted a news story cover implicating terrorist factions, but no one had taken responsibility nor demanded a ransom.

  This has gone far enough. He pulled out his cell phone and called Tristian.

  “Well it’s about time, wondered if you were going soft on us, not a good message to send,” Tristian said tersely.