A Demon's Witch

by Tena Stetler

  “No, I’m ready.” She kicked her shoes off before taking his hand. “I want to walk barefoot on the beach.” Wriggling her toes, she reached for his hand and leaned out of the swing, bumping lightly against his chest as she stood regaining her balance. “Oops, a little off balance.” She took a step back, surveying the light blue linen shirt that he wore open to mid-chest level, decided that wouldn’t do and began unbuttoning the remaining ones.

  He watched amusement light her violet eyes. “Right here?”

  She looked up at him bewildered at first, then tossed her head, her long golden hair fanning out around her shoulders and down her back. “No, I just want to enjoy that muscular bronze chest while we walk.”

  “Ok,” he said slowly, raising a brow and a mischievous smile curving his lips. “There’s much more to see, if you like.”

  “Oh, is there?” Smiling seductively, her eyes wandered over his entire body lingering longer in one area than in others. “I think we’ll save that for later.” She turned heading toward the beach, then stopped staring out at the water. “Is that a yacht floating out there?”

  “Yes. It belongs to my parents.” His hand slid around her waist settling at the small of her back as he guided her toward the path. The torches flamed high radiating heat in a wide swath as the couple passed by, the shadows danced over their faces and across the windswept sand. Bruce’s shirt bellowed out behind him as they walked along the path. He stopped to roll his pant legs above the knee before following her into the surf. But he wasn’t opposed to skinny-dipping in the warm waters of the cove. In fact, he intended to encourage it, to see and feel her warm fragrant flesh beneath his hands. He went hard at the thought.

  The warm sand under her feet and squished between her toes made Angie smile. It had been too long since she’d enjoyed such simple pleasures. For the next few days, she would indulge herself in many more fun activities with Bruce by her side and commit them to memory for darker days she feared loomed ahead. Enough with the depressing thoughts, she told herself and ran into the warm surf, glad she’d changed her slacks for shorts when she’d freshened up.

  Bruce took off his shirt and pants and left them folded on the sand to join her in the surf. Catching her by the waist, he whirled her around just above the water. “How about a midnight swim?” he murmured suggestively against her ear, floating backward into deeper water he drew her body over his, nuzzling her neck, he bit lightly and soothed with the flick of his tongue.

  “But your parents.” Angie twisted trying to look back toward the house but had to wrap her legs around him for balance, feeling his erection, a hungry desire spiraled though her.

  “They are otherwise occupied by now,” he whispered as he peeled the wet blouse off her shoulders and took her taut nipples into the warmth of his mouth. She arched against him tightening her legs bringing him where she wanted him most.

  “Li’l witch, let’s take off those shorts so we can both enjoy where this is leading.”

  She loosened her legs, gripping his shoulders; she floated over him while he removed the offending clothing.

  He tossed her wet clothes to the shore and floated her out to deeper water. In the warmth of the tropical water, she wrapped her legs around his hips again and welcomed him, one thrust and pleasure radiated through her as she felt him pulsate inside her.

  ****

  Sated and sleepy they wound their way up the moon lit path to the little veranda just outside their room. He opened the sliding glass door and scooped her into his arms. She encircled her arms around his neck and rested her head on his shoulder breathing in his musky scent as he carried her into the shower. With gentle caressing hands, they rinsed the sand and salt water from each other’s bodies then stumbled into bed.

  ****

  A terrifying scream roused Bruce out of a sound sleep, to find Angie writhing, damp with sweat next to him. Sitting up he curled her onto his lap and held her tight against his chest, cheek resting against her hair. Still the screams escalated. He rocked back and forth crooning, “Angie, it’s all right, you’re safe, it’s just a nightmare. Bruce shook her lightly and murmured, “Wake up sweetheart.”

  Matiah and Andre burst through the door. “What’s wrong?” Andre asked urgently.

  “It’s just a nightmare, she has always had them, but this is the first time in a long while and I can’t seem to awaken her.” He drew back from her and shook her again by the shoulders, his voice louder. “Angie, wake up, it’s ok. Only a nightmare.”

  The screams finally became whimpers and her eyes opened slowly. She grabbed hold of Bruce, her nails digging in and holding tight, sobbing.

  Matiah laid a hand on Bruce’s shoulder, reaching behind him to draw up the blanket around their naked bodies. “She’ll be more comfortable this way.” Taking a corner of the sheet, she knelt down and wiped tears from Angie’s face, then looked up at Bruce. “Have you considered she may be a precog?”

  “Yes, we’ve discussed that. She doesn’t think she has the sight, though her mother did.”

  Breath ragged, Angie buried her face in Bruce’s warm chest. “It was terrible. His body was twisted and thin. His face, it was horribly scarred. He yanked at a shiny metallic collar locked on his neck. I could see his decaying teeth as he screamed revenge would be his against you and Tristian. The whole time he laughed manically. His eyes were crazy wild.” A shiver of fear shot up her spine as she turned her face to Bruce and fought for composure.

  She drew in a long breath and let it out slowly as their eyes met. “The man was covered in sweat and violent tremors racked his entire body. When the tremors slowed, I think he held up something. It looked like airline tickets, but it was hard to tell. I’ve never had such a vivid nightmare.”

  Bruce brushed the damp strands of hair from her eyes and cradled her close against his chest, turning his eyes clouded with worry, toward his parents.

  Matiah nodded confirming his fear as she sat on the side of the bed.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Bruce sat on the couch in the room just off the bedroom, his arms around Angie as she snuggled into him, both wrapped in robes. Matiah knocked lightly on the door then pushed it open a crack. “Thought you might need something in your bellies.”

  “Come in,” Bruce said

  She pushed the door open wider, the breeze from an overhead fan ruffling her wing feathers lightly and motioned her husband inside the room.

  Andre brought in a tray of iced tea, chilled water, juices, and a pitcher of iced-cold milk to go with the plate of double chocolate fudge cookies, one of Bruce’s favorites. He put the tray down on the glass table between them. “We’ll see you in the morning.”

  “Thanks. Good night,” Bruce said.

  After the door closed, Angie shivered, blinking her eyes slowly, then straightened against Bruce. The signs were all there, she had inherited her mother’s gift. The vivid scene that played out in her dream left her shaken, but the realization of her talent was a kind of relief. After all she’d come from a long line of witches with the ability, but it manifested itself differently in each person.

  She’d long ago decided the talent had skipped a generation, and was ok with that, never considering the role her nightmares must have played in her ability. Did Tristian know? She shook her head as if to shove the remaining questions to the back of her mind, so she could deal with the situation at hand.

  “If that was the future I saw, you can’t leave me behind. You have a much better chance of taking Rezar out with my help.”

  “Absolutely not,” he said in a flat tone that left room for no argument.

  Ignoring his gruff response, Angie continued. “Is there any way we can confirm his movement, or location?”

  “Possibly, but I’ll not put you in danger. If you are a precog or seer of some type, your abilities are too new to control. Depending on them would be foolish.”

  “Not if you are willing to help me get a handle on them.” She stifled a yawn. Despite the terrifyi
ng nightmare that spiked her adrenalin, now her body was exhausted. Perhaps she should try to go back to sleep and maybe learn more about where Rezar was located or where he was headed. Could she control her ability? If not, convincing Bruce to let her help would take all the energy she could muster, so it would be to her benefit to get some rest.

  “There’s a couple more hours before dawn, do you want to go back to bed and try to get some more sleep? You’re worn out.” He looked closely at her still ashen face, as her eyes blinked slowly.

  She nodded and curled warmly against him drifting off to sleep. Bruce lay awake strategizing and deciding how to confirm Rezar’s whereabouts and possible relocation. By Angie’s description he still wasn’t anywhere near a hundred percent, giving the advantage, if there was one in this situation to Bruce and his teams, if they moved quickly enough.

  ****

  Slivers of rich golden sunlight spread over the bright red and black patterned comforter. Bruce opened his eyes and sighed watching his li’l witch still sleeping peacefully, her head on his shoulder, his arm wrapped possessively around her.

  He shifted slightly to lay the other arm over her. She opened her eyes and blinked sleepily. Nuzzling against him, she placed her warm moist lips to his neck kissing him lovingly. “Good morning,” she murmured against his neck.

  “And good morning or more appropriately afternoon to you.” He rolled her against him and brushed a gentle kiss across her forehead, trailing his lips across her cheek he took her mouth with his. She deepened the kiss lingering and savoring every moment.

  He drew back searching her face. “No more nightmares?”

  “No. I’m sorry I upset everyone last night with another nightmare.”

  “I think we both know last night’s dream was more than just one of your nightmares. You’ve inherited your mother’s abilities, whether you want to admit it or not. I think you’ve always had those abilities. I also believe Tristian downplayed them and made you believe they were just regular nightmares caused by your parent’s deaths.”

  “Probably.” Sitting up she swung her legs over the side of the bed reaching for her robe folded neatly on the nightstand. “I don’t mind having the abilities so much, if they will help keep you safe,” she said over her shoulder as she padded to toward the bathroom.

  “The only safe you’ll be involved in is your own and right here,” Bruce said dismissively yawning widely and stretching his arms over his head. He rolled to his side and slid out of bed.

  She stopped and turned to look at him, her violet eyes glittering with determination. “You are not leaving me behind to wait, wonder, and worry, when I can help.”

  “Again, I repeat, absolutely not,” he roared, temper flaring. “I can’t do my job and worry about you too. You’ll stay here where I know you’re safe.”

  “I can take care of myself.”

  Bruce snorted. “You’ve been protected all your life from this world. Sure, in your world, you’re a powerful witch, but in mine, you’re completely unarmed. Never had to be vicious, never faced a kill or be killed situation. Never saw your best friends and allies die protecting you and what you stood for. No. You’re not going. End of discussion.” His words were clipped, and nostrils flared as he shook his head angrily. Orange whirled in his dark amber eyes and under his skin, dark runes appeared as barely visible scales formed across his upper body.

  Prepared to stand her ground, she fisted her hands on hips, feet planted firmly and shoulders flung back. “You can’t tell me what to do.”

  “I can and I will.” He took a deep breath, blew it out slowly, and attempted to rein in his temper as it vibrated through him. “But first I’ll ask you to respect my decisions since I’ve just a bit more experience in these matters than you.”

  Wanting to slam his fist into something, anything, he yanked on his jeans instead and strode out the sliding glass door, it shattered as he slammed it shut. “Shit.” Glaring angrily he watched the shards of glass skitter across the floor. He raised his hands up palms out; a blue mist engulfed the fragments transforming them into a sheet of glass and back into the door. One hand on the veranda railing, he vaulted over landing on the lush grass below and sprinted toward the path leading to the beach. He needed to find some objectivity where Angie was concerned.

  ****

  She watched him disappear down the path then flopped in a chair, propped her bare feet on the edge of the glass table and laid her head against the back of the chair. Pressing her fingers against her eyelids, she felt the anger ebb away. Why can’t I see at will what is going to happen, like my mother could? Random nightmares that’s all I have and not even concurrent ones. She pounded her fist into the pillow beside her. Was he right? Would I be a liability rather than an asset? No, I can’t believe that. I’ll find a way to help keep him safe. I can’t lose him now.

  A soft knock sounded at the door. “Angie may I come in?” Matiah’s comforting voice inquired from the other side of the door.

  “Of course.”

  Matiah pushed the door opened and rolled a stainless steel cart with white enameled side panels and hand painted flowers into the room. The top of the cart contained a basket of sweet coconut bread, an iced bowl of fresh fruit, and couple bowls of dry cereal. An iced bucket contained a carafe of fresh squeezed orange juice and one with ice-cold milk. The warmer below the first shelf contained sweet rolls and a small plate of scrambled eggs.

  “Thought you might be hungry after the night you had.” Matiah reached down to the third shelf in the cart and brought out two glasses and filled them with orange juice, handing one to Angie.

  “You would be right, I’m starved. That’s quite the set up,” Angie said nodding to the cart. She took the plate of eggs and added a piece of the coconut bread. Taking a bite of the bread, she moaned. “Mmm this is fantastic. Did Maeva make this?”

  “Yes, we are quite lucky to have Maeva. She is a very talented chef.” Matiah said smiling.

  “And Maeva is married to Tane?”

  “She is. Tane is the younger brother of Bruce’s housekeeper, Megan. I assume you’ve met Megan.”

  “Oh, yes many times, she is wonderful. It amazes me how with just a few words she can tame Bruce.” Angie grimaced, hoping she hadn’t been out of line with that last statement.

  Matiah threw her head back and roared with laughter until tears streaked down her face. “That’s one of the reasons we allowed Megan to remain with the estate when we retired. Though she was like family to us, we all agreed she would be best suited to stay with Bruce and run his household. He can be a bit difficult from time to time.” She rolled her eyes and wiped the tears away with the back of her hand taking in a deep breath. “Tane was married and living in Tahiti at the time we retired and were a wonderful fit for us. They take care of everything.”

  “So is Maeva a magical…?” Angie began.

  “Oh, no. She is just a very intuitive mortal. The Tahitians seem to be born with the gift, not to mention she is extremely talented in the kitchen. Tane enjoys getting his hands dirty and really has a way with plants and flowers. The landscaping has never looked better. He helps Maeva with the household chores too, so it’s like family around here and that’s the way Andre likes it. He’s not a very trusting soul,” Matiah said.

  ****

  White capped waves crashed on the shore as Bruce waded out into the surf. Dark clouds gathered just beyond the protected cove. Bright white lightning slashed through the air electrifying it. The hair on the back of Bruce’s neck stood up and a shiver ran down his spine.

  The gleaming blue and silver yacht that stretched over seventy feet was moored in the middle of the cove last night was gone. Father must have moved it in advance of the storm. Buried deep in his thoughts, Bruce jerked involuntarily as a hand gripped his shoulder. He’d felt his father’s presence earlier but ignored it preoccupied with his own problems.

  “We moved the Seraphim to safer waters. Hell of a gale moving in, the sky will soon be blac
k as your mood.” Andre chuckled. “Woman troubles?”

  “You could say that.” Bruce picked up a rock and flung it violently into the churning ocean.

  “It appears you’ve found a fiery, opinionated, and stubborn woman, who’s fiercely protective and loyal to a fault.” Andre paused nodding. “I like your choice, son. Shares the traits of another woman I’ve known for centuries.” A laugh rumbled deep in his chest. “But your li’l witch can also be of great assistance to you, if you let her.

  “Not you too!” Fury sparked in Bruce’s eyes as he whirled around to face his father.

  “Oh give it a rest and follow me. Show you what I mean. By the way, her intelligence and passion will keep life interesting for centuries. I know whereof I speak.” Andre winked and slapped his son on the back as he turned and headed toward the falls.

  “Good to know.” Scowling, Bruce shoved his hands in the pockets of his soaked jeans and walked alongside his father.

  Andre sidled between the falls and rock wall, a portion of which disappeared at their arrival, giving way to a narrow tunnel lit with flaming torches set in polished brass hangers. They entered the damp corridor. Several yards inside, Andre ran his hand along a solid rock ledge. It fell away to reveal a room banked by state of the art computers and monitors, in the center of the room stood a six-foot wide flat screen monitor.

  “Good morning, Alish,” Andre said as a pair of large luminous sapphire eyes blinked at them from the screen.

  “Good morning, Andre. Who’s the handsome young man you’ve brought with you?”

  “My son.” He smiled broadly turning to whisper to Bruce. “A woman who knows her place even if she’s Artificial Intelligence.”

  Bruce watched the screen blinking in disbelief. “So this is how you spend your retirement?”

  “Yes. Wanted to keep a finger on the pulse of our world. At first, I thought you might need my help, but it soon became apparent you were capable of handling things on your own. So your mother and I just watched with pride as you grew into a respected and powerful leader.”