by Jaymin Eve
“I felt something for him the moment I first saw him.” Her smile was wobbly. “And he’s just … perfect – gorgeous, charming, and so sweet.”
Well shit, was she talking about my Maximus? He was a man-whore of the worst kind.
“Can a shifter and vampire be true mates?” she asked me.
I scratched the side of my ear in a kind of nervous twitch. I had to remind myself not to continue the twitching. I never wore makeup, and no doubt before this date was over I’d forget about the eye stuff and smudge it all over my face.
She was still staring at me. I took a deep breath. Why was I always the one to deliver bad news?
“No, your true mate will be within the same race.” I hurried on as her face fell. “But that’s rare – you can have a mated relationship without being true mates. You can choose who to love.” While I adored the thought that somewhere out there fates had chosen the perfect match for me, I also liked thinking I could choose my other half, that my heart could decide.
“I never said anything about love.” The slightest pink tinged her cheeks. Her hands trembled a little as she shoved her hair behind her ears. “I barely know him.”
“You wouldn’t have asked about mates if it wasn’t a little more than I barely know him,” I mimicked her. I wondered then if maybe Mischa was the reason Maximus had had no alibi at the trial.
She gritted her teeth and was just opening her mouth to speak – or yell at me – when there was a knock on the door. I stood in one fluid movement, my questions forgotten as I ran my damp palms along the swishy skirt of my dress. I resisted the urge to check my appearance one more time. Nothing would have changed, I was simply searching for a distraction or something to alleviate my nerves.
“Why am I nervous?” I murmured. “It’s a date and I don’t even particularly like this magic user.”
His voice echoed through the wooden door. “I can hear you, Jessa. You might as well let me in before you convince yourself out of tonight.”
Mischa laughed then. “I’ll never get used to these extra strong senses.”
“Yeah, well magic users don’t generally have super hearing. Clearly Louis is an overachiever,” I said as I stomped across to the door. My cheeks wanted to blush, but I refused to let the blood pool there.
I slammed the wooden barrier open to find his big body crowding the doorway and his handsome face staring down at me. The slightest grin tipped up the corner of his lips. Frigid air wafted in around the sorcerer. It was cold tonight.
“Hey,” he said, all casual-like, his eyes sparkling at me. He was like a brilliant sunset, spectacular to look at but kind of blinding at the same time.
A smile crossed my own lips, and then the laughter followed. I felt ridiculous all dressed up, but I was looking forward to this date, weirdly enough.
“Are you ready?” he asked, when I didn’t say anything.
I nodded and pulled on my long coat, zipping it up. I waved to my sister, stepped out onto the deck, and kicked shut the door behind me. I didn’t have a bag or anything, there was no need. Stratford had a few restaurants and the dining hall, but there was no money exchanged. People were expected to contribute to our community, so we had various businesses but money was only involved for exchange with humans.
Louis was relaxed as we strolled away from my house. He dipped that smile in my direction again. “I’m surprised one of the quads aren’t here giving me a lecture and questioning my intentions.”
The sun was just setting and there were still plenty of young supernaturals playing in the street. They paid us no attention, enjoying their variety of games.
I wrinkled my nose at him. “I forced them to leave. As much as I love that they care, it can be awfully awkward having so many protective men in my life. You’d be amazed at how many of my male friends have been scared off.” In reality, I couldn’t think of one sexual partner I’d had who wasn’t wary or outright petrified of the Compasses. No wonder I didn’t date.
Louis chuckled. “I wouldn’t be amazed at all. They have spread the word far and wide that you’re off limits.”
Those bastards were going down.
Louis reached out and took my hand. I tensed and almost yanked it free; his power licked along my arm and the sensation was uncomfortable. Gritting my teeth, I stuck it out and soon the sensation subsided. Which was a relief.
Louis didn’t comment on my reaction, he was still focused on the Compasses. “I’m not sure you realize how far the quads’ reach actually is. I would say the only reason you’ve had any options of sexual relationships is due to the fact that you’re … utterly desirable.” I must have made a choking sound, because he pulled me to a halt. “I know you can’t see how magnetic and fascinating you are. It’s not just that you’re gorgeous … it’s something from inside.”
I examined him closely, wondering if he was talking about my dragon mark.
“Men have told me I’m beautiful before,” I said, shrugging, “but at the end of the day I’d rather be thought of as more than looks.”
Louis’ eyes roamed across my face and I could see thoughts churning in their unusual purple depths. “Yes, people have told you, but you don’t really believe them. Or maybe it’s that you don’t really seem interested when they say it.” He pulled on my hand and we started walking again. “Why is that do you think?”
I knew I wasn’t ugly, and I had some striking features like my hair and eyes, but I thought I was much more beautiful in wolf form than in human.
“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. So my only hope is that when I fall in love, find my one, that he finds me beautiful.”
“And there we have a perfect demonstration of the very reason you’re desirable,” I heard him murmur under his breath.
I changed the subject.
“So where are we eating tonight?” I wasn’t sure if Louis was aware but I judged harshly on food quality, so it better not be Murphy’s. Their restaurant was for the demi-fey and catered to a select clientele. Which unfortunately did not include me.
“I thought maybe I’d cook for you.” His relaxed demeanor did not change, but I sensed a slight tension filtering into his stance.
I curved my lips upwards. “Wow, are you actually taking me to the mystery home of Louis the great sorcerer?” I didn’t really know what to think about that.
He shrugged. “I like my privacy, but there’s no mystery. The longer I live, the less I feel the need to socialize with others.”
Which felt strange to me. I was a shifter, and a wolf to boot. We loved our packs, and in fact could get very sick if we were isolated for too long. We needed the touch, the energy of others.
“Probably why shifters and sorcerers don’t generally go on dates,” I offered, keeping my voice even.
“Probably,” he agreed.
Damn, this man was unfazed by my lack of tact. First test passed.
His power whistled over me again. “Besides, I heard there was an incident in class today. I figured you needed quiet and relaxing.”
Of course he’d heard about that.
“I can have a word with Melly if you like?” His calm tone wasn’t fooling me, I had too much experience with that false calm men got in their voices right before they killed someone.
I shook my head. “Thanks, but it has been handled already.”
“As you wish.” And he left it at that, which was a welcomed relief.
We crossed the town, moving away from the houses and into the industrial area where most of our manufacturing took place. Anything we couldn’t produce was delivered through our networks in the human world. Scattered worldwide were human liaisons who knew about these prison towns. They were pivotal to our being able to exist within a society but not be discovered. We called them the Guild Guides or ‘Guilds’ and it was a family business. They served us for their entire lives and passed the information down to their children; for most it was considered an honor to work for us. Plus we paid them a crap-ton and mostly they did
very little. But it was through them we cleaned our money to be used in the human world, procured identification if we had to venture out, and safe housing. Not to mention their valuable knowledge of how to blend. They were becoming more and more important in the age of computers. Humans had a sneaky way of keeping track of everything nowadays.
It was obvious that Louis was not someone who felt the need to fill silence, he just held my hand and walked. Which was driving me a little crazy. I wanted to ask questions, but everything seemed so personal.
As if he’d read my mind, he started talking. “You were so tiny the first time I saw you. Jonathon contacted me, he was frantic. I’d been very good friends with your grandparents before they left for Spain, and I think your dad knew I was the only one who could help him.”
I wanted him to continue with this story, so I kept my mouth closed to my many questions.
“I had to touch you to place the protection over your mark, to make sure its energy could not be detected.” Using his free hand he rubbed at his chin. “I touched you first, before Mischa, and the power you contained was unlike anything I’d experienced before.” Our eyes locked. “For the first time I started to believe some of the stories, that the marked had a strength that would unite across continents and the supernaturals would fall again. I thought I should kill you.”
He said it so casually, and I shivered as I scented truth. This man had almost ended my life twenty-two years ago.
“But then you looked at me, your eyes so large and blue, crystal clear with the innocence only a young babe can have.” His arm fell to his side again. “I stayed my hand. I let you both live and convinced Jonathon to send away Lienda and Mischa. Together, the mark’s energy pulsed off each other. You were stronger around your sister, and I couldn’t risk that the hunters would find you. I needed to know you would stay safe.”
I was hanging on to every word. Fear and fascination flooded me simultaneously. “Is it safe to be speaking of this here?” My eyes darted around. I could sense no one near, but plenty were strong enough to hide from my senses.
A smile started slowly on his lips, before spreading broadly across his entire face. “Damn, you keep my ego in check without even trying.”
I had no idea what he was talking about.
“Our words are disguised. If anyone were listening in, it would sound as if we were discussing the weather. No one hears my words unless I want them to.”
I snorted out my laughter. “Right, I forgot you’re the big bad sorcerer.”
“And there you go again.”
We were still walking, past the industrial area and into the forest behind. It was not a place I’d ever ventured into. Which was weird because we had searched the forest all over for the prison.
“Doesn’t seem to have affected your confidence too much, so I’m not doing my best job,” I said distractedly. “Wait, what is this place? Why have I never seen this part of the forest?”
We were moving closer to a spectacular waterfall, surrounded on all sides by row after row of lush flowers. The scents were washing through me, I had to close my eyes and stop for a moment – tantalizingly sweet and spicy with hints of floral. Finally I looked up and found a pair of purple eyes regarding me. His expression was guarded. He no longer held my hand, so I tucked them into my back pockets and waited.
“I like my privacy.” His low words seemed to drift along the breeze and there was sadness layering them.
This was getting a little intense for me. I didn’t do serious relationships for this very reason. Subject change required immediately.
“Food,” I blurted out.
His grin wiped clear some of the sadness, and the heavy emotional tone lightened.
“Well, let’s get you some food then. I’ve heard stories of what happens if you get too hungry.”
I rubbed the bridge of my nose. “Don’t believe everything the Compasses say.”
“These stories were from your father,” he said with a laugh.
Great. Everyone was a comedian. Oh well, I might as well own it; the truth doesn’t change, no matter how much I pretend different.
Louis’ home was hidden in an alcove behind the spectacular waterfall. It was single level, simple and spacious. He didn’t need much and it showed. Still, there was a feeling of quality and warmth in the dark gray walls – comfortable furniture and a roaring fireplace. I sat at an island bench in the kitchen while he moved around, gathering, chopping and cooking. For all of my love of food I had no clue how to cook. His confidence in the kitchen was eye-candy.
He placed a large glass in front of me. It seemed to be filled with something that looked like wine. I was feeling a little overwhelmed, so I didn’t question. I clutched the cold vessel and took a huge gulp. It was sweet and bubbly, tickling my throat as it descended. Warmth followed its path. Maybe it was a little stronger than wine.
“Go easy on that. It’s fey and can be a shock if you haven’t had it before,” Louis said before turning back to whatever was sizzling on the stove.
I was surprised. The fey had many amazing things, but most were lost to their dying world. I wondered how the sorcerer had gotten his hands on the drink. It was delicious though. I took another smaller sip, swirling the flavors on my tongue. Tart, but sweet with a strong hint of mint, berry, and … something like a spicy herb.
“Why have you waited so long to ask me on a date?” Okay, seemed as if the drink had already loosened my tongue.
“You’re young … still far too young for me, but I took the opportunity presented and decided to at least make your acquaintance.”
He spoke in an old fashioned manner, which was not a surprise, considering his age. He continued speaking and also managed to cook, wipe the bench down, and refill my glass. Wait, when did I finish that?
“I know you don’t do serious relationships, which suits me perfectly fine, and I’d like to have you as a friend.”
I twisted the glass in my hands, the sweating condensation on the outside coating my fingers.
“I’d like to be friends also. I’m not exactly sure what I can offer you, besides my scintillating wit and ability to eat that of two grown men. But … I’ve seen stranger friendships.”
“You have plenty to offer,” he said as he started to dish up. It looked like a stir-fry with thick noodles. The smells were delicious. My stomach started to grumble as the scents of garlic, lime, and chili hit me.
We moved into the dining area, which was a low slung wooden table with six chairs around it. I hadn’t realized, but it was already set, and there was more wine and crusty bread in the center. I placed my glass down and Louis set the large dish in front of me. It was definitely a chicken stir-fry, mixed with a colorful array of vegetables. I was almost tempted to start without him. He grinned as he left to get his plate. Damn sorcerer was reading my mind.
To distract myself from the food, I drank some more wine, which I really needed to stop doing. The room was starting to get slightly woozy. Usually I could handle my alcohol no problems – not that I drank a lot, but the fast metabolism burnt off any excess. But this fey wine was potent. Louis was back within moments.
His laughter rang out as he sat across from me.
“What?” I said. Yeah, okay I might have been sitting there with my fork in my hand staring at the plate.
“Looks like you’re waiting for me to say, ‘Ready, steady, eat.’”
Wait, what? Yeah, okay, maybe I was a little.
He waved a hand at me. “Dig in, don’t stress manners for me. I usually eat on my own and have no one to impress.”
He forked the first lot into his mouth, and with a sigh I stabbed a piece of meat and lifted it. As my lips closed around the fork I sighed again. The flavors burst across my tongue, and for a moment I might have died and gone to heaven.
“This is amazing, Louis. I’m impressed that you took the time to cook for me,” I said around bites. It was taking all of my coordination to stuff my face, breathe and talk. But
I nailed it.
“You’re welcome. It has been fun.”
I could see he didn’t have a lot of that in his life.
“Aren’t you lonely out here, isolated all the time? Why don’t you move into town?” More tactless questions.
He examined his plate for a few moments and I wondered if he was going to ignore my questions, but he didn’t.
“When you live for a long time … well, there’s plenty of tragedy to live through. I made a decision many years ago that I was done with the constant pain, and to prevent any more heartache I removed myself from the world, stopped caring so much.” His voice lowered. “Problem being that to have no love in my world only demonstrated to me how little I was actually living. The pain was gone, but so were the joys.”
I swallowed. “Sort of like without the lows you can’t appreciate the highs.” I had so much happiness and love in my life, and in part it was thanks to Louis. If he hadn’t spelled my marks…
I locked my eyes on his face. There was something that had to be said. “I need to thank you. I’ve had a wonderful life and I might have been stuck in the prison if my marks had been discovered as a baby.” I was pretty impressed with my ability to multitask. I got to express my gratitude and at the same time lay the groundwork to investigate his possible involvement in the Compass’ imprisonment.
He blinked at me a few times. “What makes you think the dragon marked are in the supernatural prison system? Jonathon was sure that you both would be killed.”
I shrugged. “The Compasses said that the prisoners are rife with rumors of breakouts of dragon marked, and that there are some in Vanguard. Brax even met a little boy in there named Nash. He’s trying to find the prison again to free him.”
My words were kind of muddled and slurring. The wine was going straight to my head, and the food was not helping with the sobering.
“Did you know there were marked in Vanguard?” Eh, crap, did I just say that out loud?
“I should stop drinking,” I muttered as I stared at my empty glass. Empty again? “Hey, who drank my drink?” I was sure I’d had a quarter left.