Real Magic

by Lissa Michaels

  Her tongue slowly stroked across her top lip.

  No, not long at all. Hell, he wanted it so bad he could taste it. He unclipped his cape and draped it over the chair at the foot of the bed, then sat and tugged off a boot.

  “It’s been too long, lover.” She knelt in front of him and took a firm hold of his other boot. “I’ve been thinking about you.” She tugged it off.

  Drake chuckled. “Sure you have.”

  She smiled, rising up on her knees, her nimble fingers making quick work of the fasteners on his shirt. Purring, she pulled his shirt open. Her hands hovered over his chest. “Can I?”

  “No, not just yet.” He grazed her pouting lips with his teeth then kissed her.

  She moaned, leaning into him, and slid her arms around his neck.

  An image of Jelena formed in his mind—his fingers tangled in her soft curls, her sparkling eyes dark with passion, a welcoming smile on her lips. It set off a yearning in him so strong, he felt as if he’d been sucked into a cyclone.

  Ishello slid her fingers up into his hair.

  Drake jerked away, more from his thoughts than her touch. “That’s against the rules,” he whispered.

  “I’m sorry.” She leaned in for another kiss.

  He grasped her shoulders, stopping her a breath away from his lips. He’d come here to chase Jelena off and forget her. It wasn’t working. Now, he doubted it would.

  His stomach growled, loudly, giving him a reason for refusing that wouldn’t insult her. “I’m starving. Eat with me.”

  “Can’t have you starved.” She glanced down at the bulge between his legs. “We want you to have enough energy to use that.” She turned away to order their meal.

  It wouldn’t go any further. Damn it, he wanted Jelena! He remembered each and every time she’d insulted him, rejected him, but he still wanted her. It was lust, pure and simple.

  She stared at him like she wanted to drek him until he collapsed, yet acted as if he were demon spawn. For some reason that had him hotter than hell for her.

  A quick tumble would probably cure him of that, but he wouldn’t touch her. She’d interfered with his mission, and he couldn’t forget that no matter how bad he wanted to toss her onto her back and—

  Drake swore softly and shifted his hips, adjusting himself in leather pants gone too tight. He wouldn’t forget her interference.

  Three years ago, he’d found Morgan’s records in the Jotnar computer, listing every man and woman that had played a part in his captivity. Because they had failed to get the information they wanted from Morgan, they’d all been reassigned and were en route to new posts when the Bellarissians activated the force-field, imprisoning the Jotnar on their home world. After three years, he’d found all but one—Threaden.

  And Jelena helped him get away.

  Drake clenched his fists. She wouldn’t interfere again.

  A soft scratch sounded on the metal door.

  Drake jerked his gaze to Ishello. Her hand hovered over the wall terminal. It wasn’t their food; she hadn’t finished keying it in.

  Drawing his blaster, he padded quietly to the door and took position beside it. He nodded for her to answer it.

  She drew in a deep, shaky breath and touched the opener.

  A familiar musty odor reached him as the door slid open.

  Ishello gasped, jerking back at least a foot. To her credit, she didn’t glance in Drake’s direction. “What do you want?”

  “We heard the Magician is here.” Hovex’s gravely croak sounded nervous, anxious. “We must speak with him. Important information.”

  Drake stepped away from the wall. He motioned Hovex into the room with his blaster. The lizard’s tail twitched as he entered, allowing the door to slide closed behind him. Ishello scrambled around the bed and curled up in a chair, putting as much space between herself and the lizard as she could in the small room.

  “What information?”

  “More bodies found.”

  Zanera. “Where?” Drake sat on the bed, setting his blaster on the mattress next to him, and yanked on his boots. Hovex didn’t budge from his place by the door. Smart lizard.

  “Not far. Blue Light Inn.”

  “You don’t want to go there,” Ishello protested from her corner. “That’s a stud house.”

  Drake fastened up his shirt then swirled his cape around his shoulders. “Show me.”

  “Rico—”

  He tossed her a tile. “Another time.”

  He glanced at the lizard trying to back his way out the door. Drake’s blaster stopped him. “Lead the way.”

  Hovex set a fast pace as he bounded down the stairs and outside, pausing only long enough to draw the cowl of his green cape over his head.

  Drake followed far enough back to avoid that wildly swishing tail. Despite his strength and stamina, he quickly fell behind. Kaxin were just too damned fast.

  “This way!” Hovex called over his shoulder then disappeared around a corner.

  Drake slowed. He didn’t like the feel of this, not one damned bit. He cautiously rounded the corner and searched for Hovex.

  Halfway up the street, the lizard waved and disappeared through the doorway of the Blue Light Inn.

  Drake had two choices. He could walk into whatever trap they had waiting for him, or he could call in reinforcements.

  Or he might not have a choice.

  Screams of fear and shouts of excitement assaulted his ears as people scrambled to clear the street in front of him, making way for four Ursurs—bear-men.

  His blaster would be useless against their armor. He glanced over his shoulder. Two more behind him. They surrounded him. Damn. One he could take. Two? Maybe. Six? Not a chance. He was getting the hell out of here. Now.

  He pushed the emergency transport button on his wrist cuff.

  Nothing happened.

  A wicked laugh jerked his gaze to a doorway on his right.

  Jerrek leaned against the open frame. “You’re not going anywhere.” He held up a signal jammer.

  Drake swore. “What do you want?”

  “Your head, of course, but Zanera has other plans for you.”

  “Zanera.”

  “Yeah, she’s just itching to get her hands on you.”

  “I’ll just bet she is.” Drake crouched, ready to fight, turning constantly to keep them all in his sights. Who would make the first move?

  “Where’s your little girlfriend? I was hoping to meet up with her again.” Jerrek rubbed his bruised jaw. “She isn’t going to save your ass this time.”

  “I don’t need her to save my ass.” He nodded toward one of the Ursurs. “That’s more than I can say for you.”

  Roaring, Jerrek drew his knife and leapt at Drake.

  Drake spun and kicked, knocking Jerrek into the crowd of onlookers.

  As the growling Ursurs closed in on him, he couldn’t help wondering if Jelena would be relieved to know her assignment was nearly over. There’d be little left of him when the Ursurs were through.

  Better that than whatever Zanera had in mind for him.

  The Ursur directly in front of him charged.

  Drake yanked off his cape and flung it over the bear-man’s head. He stumbled and fell.

  Another charged.

  Drake dropped, planting his feet in the bear-man’s belly, and rolled, sending him sailing over his buddies’ heads. Grinning, Drake leapt to his feet.

  The fight was on.

  Chapter Six

  SIGHING, JELENA sat, folding her legs beneath her, and trailed her fingers in the warm waters of Faery Lake. On the other side, a pure white unicorn bent his head to drink, his opalescent horn shimmering in the sun. Two fairy children slowly crept forward, each bearing a fistful of sweet clover, hoping to coax a ride from the ancient beast. When he accepted the treat, the children squealed with delight and leapt onto the unicorn’s back.

  Jelena smiled, watching them joyfully ride off, disappearing into the forest. She’d loved this place as a
child. After she’d reached adulthood, she’d come whenever her time allowed and gaze into the magical waters to see the man destined to be hers. She’d lie on her back, staring at the sky, daydreaming about when they’d finally meet, and she’d wonder if he’d feel the same mystical pull she felt every time she saw his image.

  But that was before she’d discovered who he was, what he was.

  When she left Drake, she’d ported here instead going directly home. She wasn’t ready to answer the questions her early return would bring. An angry flush filled her cheeks as she imagined what he was doing with that woman. It wasn’t right. He belonged to—

  Drake’s face appeared on the water’s glassy surface.

  As she swished the image away, she heard the tinkle that always announced the arrival of her dearest friend and mentor.

  “I don’t understand him, Enola.”

  “Must you?” Enola sat beside her and, wearing a gentle smile, brushed a stray lock of hair off Jelena’s cheek.

  “Yes.”

  “You have accepted the Oracle’s prediction?”

  When Nar’galira came of age, they were allowed one vision into their future from the Oracle. Jelena saw Drake. Because he was a stranger, an outsider, she’d kept her vision close to her heart. Now she knew that was a wise decision.

  She shook her head. “I desire him, but I don’t know what part in my future he is supposed to play. For now, he’s my nevash.” She wasn’t sure he could ever be more.

  “Are you sure that is your position in this?”

  “Isn’t it?”

  “Perhaps.” Enola tilted her head, a hint of a smile on her lips. “Only the gods know for certain the true way of things.”

  In other words, Jelena had to figure it out for herself. Enola had no intentions of telling her. “I’m so confused.” She rubbed the throbbing ache in her forehead.

  “Why don’t you talk to him?”

  “I can’t. He’s very angry with me right now.”

  Enola closed her eyes. After a moment, she nodded. “He is very angry. Even from this distance, the feelings are strong, clear.”

  Jelena dropped her head in her hands and sighed. Ali’ra help her, she’d sighed more during this assignment than she had in her entire life. “Enola, if this Threaden is as evil as he says, why haven’t the gods called an Executioner to go after him?”

  “They have.”

  “Who?”

  “That will be revealed when the time is right.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “You will.”

  “Enola, your riddles make my head ache even more, and I’m no closer to finding the answers I seek.”

  The old woman smiled her knowing smile.

  “I’ll have to seek those answers elsewhere.”

  “Don’t take too long in the seeking. You still have a duty to perform.”

  “Hmpf! I’m sure he’ll be occupied for some time yet.” She kissed Enola’s cheek then rose to her feet, knowing exactly who she wanted to see. She pictured his regal face in her mind and whispered the teleportation spell.

  Seconds later, Jelena stood in the presence of Morgan Lysandros Fontinara, Leader of the Sullust Federation, future king of Bellariss. He stood leaning against the balcony railing, with his back to her, watching the sun set.

  He stiffened and spun around, ready to defend himself. When he saw her, he appeared both confused and surprised. He relaxed his stance a bit, but was definitely wary of her sudden appearance. “What are you doing here?”

  “Shouldn’t you ask how I came here?”

  He shook his head. “Galen told me you’re a Guardian.”

  “You believed him?”

  “He’s my brother.” He said it as if that fact alone were proof enough. Perhaps it was. “Shouldn’t you be guarding Drake’s back?”

  Jelena released a short, bitter laugh. “Believe me, when I left him at the Spacer’s Paradise, he assured me he wouldn’t need my help for quite a while.” She expected the prince to laugh, or at least grin about his friend’s sexual prowess. He frowned.

  “That’s not like him.”

  Jelena raised an eyebrow.

  The prince chuckled, leaning against the balcony railing. “Don’t get me wrong, Drake’s not celibate, but he is the most private person I know. What you said just isn’t like him. I take it you two aren’t—?”

  “No!” Not exactly, she thought, remembering in vivid detail the dreams she’d had. Heat filled her cheeks.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to embarrass you. Would you like to sit down?” He gestured toward the table and chairs on the other end of the spacious patio.

  “Yes, thank you.” She ported there, not realizing she’d done so until she met his surprised stare. When he said nothing, she leaned back against the plump cushion and waited for him to join her. “You know him well?”

  “As well as anyone can, I guess.” The prince shrugged. “We’re not as close as we once were. Things happened.”

  “He became an assassin.”

  “He did what he had to do to stay alive. As soon as he could turn it around, he did.”

  “But all those people—”

  “Were Jotnar. He took out Jotnar.”

  “That doesn’t make it right.”

  “It was war, Jelena.” The look on his face told her she’d pushed as far as she could.

  “I’m sorry. I thought that if I understood how a man like you could befriend a man like him—”

  “Drake’s life had always been difficult, but he’d made the best of what he had. Before he’d been banished, he was our brightest technological engineer.” Pride gleamed in the prince’s eyes. “Did you know he devised our planetary defense system?”

  Jelena’s eyes widened. She knew Drake was intelligent, but she hadn’t realized just how much. “He thinks very highly of you as well.” Enough to risk his life on vengeance.

  “I love him like a brother.” The prince’s hand shook as he ran his fingers through his hair. “Maybe more, because I know what he suffered being my friend.” His already whispery voice had lowered even further.

  “I don’t understand.”

  “Drake’s father resented the fact that my mother chose my father over him. He came from an old royal bloodline and thought that alone deserved my mother’s hand in marriage. He considered Drake’s friendship with me a personal betrayal, and Hastin wasn’t one to let a betrayal go unpunished.”

  “Father and son seem to have that in common.”

  “No, you’re wrong. Hastin doesn’t have a loyal bone in his body. Drake’s loyal to a fault.”

  Jelena nodded, remembering Drake’s loyalty to Mandek. The man treated him little better than a slave, made him a killer, yet Drake had remained loyal to him until he hurt Mayori.

  But, it could have ended with Mandek’s life. Instead, the terror known as the Magician was born—a terror that would have continued if not for the Bellarissian rebellion. With assassination illegal in the restored federation, the Guild was forced to take other avenues of employment. “I heard his father was his first bounty.”

  “Drake brought him in because of me. If it had been just himself Hastin betrayed, Drake would have let it go, like he always does, but Hastin gave me up to the Jotnar.”

  Another person who’d hurt him, yet he’d done nothing until that person hurt someone he cared about. Jelena ached for the man he was, for what he suffered, yet how could she condone what he’d done after he was free of Mandek? “He told me about his parent’s abuse.”

  Morgan’s eyes widened. “Then you can understand why Drake doesn’t trust many people. He’s been hurt so many times that he prefers to keep his own company. If he keeps to himself, no one can get close enough to hurt him.”

  If you couldn’t trust your own parents not to hurt you, who could you trust? “He told you this?”

  “He didn’t have to. I’ve seen him draw farther and farther away, especially after Nina.”

  Jelena’s
stomach burned just thinking about how much Drake loved the dead woman. He must love her still if he couldn’t bear to talk about her. “What did she do to him?”

  “You should ask him that.”

  “I did.”

  “If he chose not to discuss it with you, I won’t betray his confidence. I’ve only said what I have to help you see that he’s not a bad man. I don’t want you neglecting your duty to protect him because of the things you’ve heard.”

  “I won’t.”

  He stared at her, sizing her up, judging. “If you hurt him—”

  “An army of Nar’gadesh won’t save me. Yes, I know. That’s a popular threat with you Bellarissians.”

  “It’s not a threat.”

  She sighed, shaking her head. Why did they all believe they were impervious to the forces of magic?

  A violent tremor ran through her, chilling her blood, raising the fine hair on her arms and nape, and chill-bumps down her spine.

  He’s in trouble. The blood drained from her face; she swayed from the sudden dizziness it caused. I shouldn’t have left him!

  Morgan grasped her shoulders. “What’s wrong?”

  She pushed away from him. “I have to leave.” Picturing Drake in her mind, she whispered the teleportation spell.

  “Jelena.” Morgan stepped toward her, but it was too late. She’d disappeared. “Take care of him,” he whispered. “I can’t bear to lose him, too.”

  CALLING ON her camouflage spell when porting into an uncertain situation had long been automatic; her sudden appearance would have caused chaos. Right now, Jelena doubted anyone would have blinked an eye. The wall of spectators in front of her was too intent on what was happening.

  She flicked her wrist, using magic to move them aside, and hurried through the temporary clearing. She spotted Drake immediately and stumbled. He lay on the ground, unconscious, bleeding. Jerrek crouched over him, holding a wicked-looking dagger at his throat.

  “No!” Unleashing the full force of her magic, Jelena shoved out with her hands, sending Jerrek tumbling end-over-end into the three Ursurs behind him. More lay in the path between her and Drake. She leapt over two dead bear-men, skirted , and finally knelt beside Drake.