Warlocks & Warfare_A Grimmer Legacy novel

by Eleanor Rousseau

“Most of the time they look a blue-grey colour but when you use magic they tend to look more grey, nothing like that, though.”

  “We should head back, I want to run a few tests,” I told him.

  He nodded, “Car’s outside.”

  “You mind staying to make a statement?” I asked. The police and the Grimmers had a healthy respect for each other

  “Sure, you go figure out what happened.”

  Chapter Eleven

  “How much longer?” I asked, my voice high pitched and whiney.

  “It wouldn’t take nearly as long if you would stick your head under,” said Felix.

  I took a deep breath, closed my eyes and ducked beneath the liquid before coming back up. I wiped the thick substance from my face before opening my eyes, “You know I hate this, right?”

  He grinned “You’re the one who came to me.”

  “And I’m starting to regret it.” I twirled my finger in the liquid. Felix was Tyler’s twin brother, he was also blind which was the only reason I was comfortable sitting in a tub, naked, in the same room as him.

  “It’s for the best. My brother’s been telling me you’re now the concubine of a Demon Blood.”

  I smiled, he had to be talking about Gordo. Tyler would never discuss my sex life. “Concubine is such a great word, feel free to spread those rumours.”

  He laughed, “Are they just rumours then?”

  “Absolutely not. I have found my calling in life and it is to be a concubine. I think I need to get my bathroom fitted out like this, with the whole roman bathes theme.”

  “And just how would you pay for that?”

  I bit my tongue, “You know, I’ve got a small fortune saved up.”

  “How is that even possible?”

  “I’m actually quite cautious with money. And don’t tell anyone but after I got back I took a few gigs outside of the Grimmers.”

  I could hear the frown in his voice, “That goes against your contract.” As soon as I’d officially started working for the family business I’d had to sign a contract that was about twenty pages long. For a group of mercenaries, we’re a surprisingly professional bunch.

  “It wasn’t a merc gig,” I told him.

  There was a pause, I glanced over to see that his head was tilted thoughtfully. “Then what was it?”

  I felt heat rise in my cheeks. “It was... well, technically it was a modeling job.”

  His face went blank for a moment, then he burst out laughing.

  “Hey, it’s not that far-fetched!” I exclaimed indignantly.

  He shook his head, “Of course not, you look stunning,” he lied, I knew it was a lie because he had never seen me. “It’s just that you don’t really have the personality of a model.”

  “Come here,” I said, wiping my hands on a towel at the side of the tub.

  He walked over cautiously.

  I offered him my hand, “Feel my hand.”

  He took it in both his hands, “Why am I doing this?” he asked.

  “I’ve done some hand modeling.”

  He laughed again, “You do have pretty hands,” he said, moving his hands over mine. “Surprisingly soft for someone who spends as much time in the gym as you do.”

  “I know. It happened after I leant a friend of mine is actually a famous model in some country I’ve never heard of, apparently there’s a lot of money in it. I don’t really fancy the idea of becoming a model but the pay’s not half bad and I just turn up and put on a ring or watch or whatever.”

  He let go of my hand and moved back to his chair with an ease that was surprising for a blind man. “Wow, I bet the others love that.”

  “Don’t you dare tell them. This stays between you and me, old man.”

  He grinned. “What happens when you start throwing money around and everyone gets suspicious?”

  “I’m a Daemon’s concubine, I can just say that’s how I get the money.”

  He laughed. “Okay, that’s long enough, you’re done.”

  “Yes!” I rested my hands on either side of the tub and pushed myself to my feet.

  The door suddenly opened and I yelped, using my hands to cover myself as best I could.

  “Get out!” called Felix on my behalf.

  I turned and saw Avon standing at the door. A growl had been building in his chest but it stopped as his eyes dropped to my body. “Avon!”

  “For God's sake, grab a towel, girl,” murmured Felix.

  I was torn, I didn’t want to dirty a towel with the gunk that still covered my body. I had been planning to step straight into the shower. “Avon, could you step outside, just while I shower and dress?”

  He grinned but walked closer, “Don’t let me stop you, nothing I haven’t seen before.”

  He was right, I wasn’t sure why I was covering myself. It was just awkward with my uncle there.

  “So, why the white muck?” he asked Felix.

  I hopped out of the bath and into the nearby shower stall, quickly turning on the spray.

  “It’s a solution that measured all types of magical energy. Your concubine is concerned she’s been jinxed,” he said.

  “My concubine?” Avon sounded both amused and satisfied. I would practically feel his gazed burning a hole in my back. We really needed to get some kind of curtain around this shower.

  I felt myself blush.

  After a few minutes, I had finally gotten all the stuff out of my hair. The moment I turned the shower off Avon enveloped me in a towel, kissing me briefly. I wanted to pull him back for a longer kiss but I somehow resisted the urge.

  I took a deep breath. “Okay, give it to me straight, Felix.”

  He turned to face us, “You’re not jinxed, or cursed or bespelled. You’re the same as always.”

  “Are you sure?” I’d been sure that something had caused my bizarre reaction to the incident at the bar.

  He nodded, “I’m heading for lunch, I’ll write up a full report and send it to you later.”

  He walked out the door as I moved away from Avon and towards my clothes. He followed closely and yanked the towel from me before pulling me against his body. “Good evening, love.”

  Boy, he felt good. “Good evening.”

  “Have you been telling people you’re my concubine?” he asked curiously, eyes sparkling with delight.

  “To be fair, Gordo started it.”

  He nipped at my neck, “I’ve never had a concubine before, it’s exciting.” His dark eyes danced with mischief.

  I laughed softly, “I need to get dressed.”

  “You spoil all my fun.”

  I pushed him aside lightly before pulling on my clothes. I’d ditched the dress for a set of clothes that had been in my locker. The Daemon slapped my ass as I pulled down my shirt so I shot him a mock glare, he hadn’t done it gently. “What was that for?”

  “You’re my concubine, I can do what I wish with you,” he informed me, cupping my cheeks as he kissed me.

  “Not here you can’t.” I made an effort to sound grumpy.

  “Wanna bet?”

  “Not at all, let’s go home.”

  He took my hand and led me outside, to his car. “My place or yours?” he asked.

  “Mine, my flat, actually. Maya’s away visiting her sisters.” Maya was my roommate, we’d lived together for years but I hadn’t been home for a while and we didn’t talk much. We had a relationship that went beyond the realm of speech.

  He rested his hand on my knee and squeezed gently. It wasn’t a long drive, my flat wasn’t far, I liked to be able to walk to the office. Once inside Avon lifted me against him, kissing me possessively.

  “Slow down,” I murmured, resting a hand on his forearm.

  “I need you, love.”

  “Just wait right here,” I instructed seriously before heading to my bedroom and quickly changing. The door opened just as I was straightening my skirt. “Hey!”

  “I couldn’t wait, love. Is this for me?” he asked, tugging playfully at
the dress. It was a lot sexier than the one I’d had on earlier and if the hungry look in his eyes was anything to go on he appreciated the effort.

  “I was going to cook us a meal, seen as your diet seems to consist of junk food.”

  He kissed my neck, “It can wait.”

  I moaned softly and he scooped me up before sliding his hand up my stocking covered leg. I shivered before relaxing back against the mattress.

  “You’re so beautiful,” he murmured.

  I ran my fingers through his hair, “Oh, Avon,” I murmured as his hand pressed beneath the skirt, stroking the sensitive skin of my inner thigh.

  “That’s it, say my name, love.” He nipped gently at my neck.

  “Avon, I need you,” I breathed. I let my head fall back and my legs part, arching my back in pleasure as his clever hand traveled higher.

  Chapter Twelve

  “This is great,” Avon said as he tasted my cooking for the first time.

  I smiled, surprisingly pleased by his reaction. “Thanks.”

  “It’s definitely too good to toss onto the floor so I can make passionate love to you against the table,” he informed me casually, though the look he shot me was anything but casual.

  I blushed. As if he hadn’t just done that in the bedroom not half an hour ago. We both sat in our underwear when I had tried to redress he had protested strongly, so I was glad I had chosen to put on my nicest lingerie for him.

  He pulled my hand to his lips. “Why did you think you had been jinxed?” he asked.

  I waved it off with my free hand, “Just something that happened today. It doesn’t matter now.”

  He reached to draw a finger down my cheek, “If it has concerned you then it matters to me,” he informed me firmly.

  “This couple was being attacked, I didn’t even know it was happening but some kind of compulsion drew me there, I still can figure out why.”

  “Perhaps the fates intervened.”

  I glanced up at him, “You believe in the Fates?” I asked curiously.

  He smiled, “You’re a Witch, I’m half Demon, why wouldn’t the Fates exist?”

  I smiled back at him, “Good point. Still, I feel like I should have sensed something. Even Felix’s goo couldn’t give me an explanation.”

  “Is Felix’s goo typically reliable?”

  “Yeah, when we were growing up it’s how he would determine our dominant powers.”

  His eyes sparked with curiosity, “Yet it never sensed your innate memory magic?”

  I thought about it, “I guess not. That’s weird.”

  “Maybe you’re simply developing another power.”

  I blinked, “I hope not, I couldn’t control myself, if it happened right now I would just run out here half naked.”

  He frowned, “We wouldn’t want that, I am the only one who should see you like this.” He reached over and caressed my bare stomach.

  I closed my eyes, absorbing the warmth of his touch as I fought the shiver that ran through me. I forgot about the food as he drew me closer, onto his lap. He grasped my hips and pulled me down so I was pressed against his hard shaft.

  I moaned softly in pleasure.

  “This is what you do to me, love,” he murmured, kissing my neck. “You drive me wild.” He balled up his fist in my hair and bit down on my neck. He was being a little rougher than usual but I wasn’t about to complain.

  He kissed me possessively as I rubbed myself against him. I drew my hand down his chest.. and then there was a knock at the door.

  We both paused, “Could that be Maya?” he asked softly.

  “No, she would at least call first.”

  He kissed me again, briefly. “I’ll go tell whoever it is to take a hike.” He lifted me from his lap with ease and dropped me to my feet. He slapped my ass again on the way to the door and I growled softly, glaring sternly at his back.

  He was back a moment later with a bottle of liquor, “This was on your doorstep,” he told me, offering it to me.

  I blinked as I read the label, “Ambrosia?”

  “Someone must like you. Would you like me to pour?”

  “I’m not sure, it doesn’t say who it’s from.” I studied the bottle. Ambrosia was practically worth its weight in gold.

  “It is common knowledge that Ambrosia cannot be bespelled in any way that might negatively affect the drinker.”

  The temptation was just too much. I gave him the bottle and walked over to the glasses. He pushed me against the counter, rubbing himself against my back. He slapped my ass again before reaching around me to pour us drinks.

  “What is it with you and my butt?” His seemingly constant need to touch me thrilled me but, of course, I couldn’t let him know that.

  “It’s so firm and supple, I can’t resist.” He handed me a drink.

  I eyed the golden liquid and took a careful sip. As the cool, sweet liquid ran down my throat I moaned aloud, there really was nothing better.

  “Damn, that is good,” he murmured after he took a sip from his own glass. He downed the rest far too quickly before shaping his body against mine. “Not half as good as you taste though,” he murmured, licking my neck. He sounded drowsy.

  I laughed, “You’re drunk.”

  “Am not. I need to be completely sober so I can wreck your sweet little body,” he murmured, tugging gently at my hair.

  “You’re definitely drunk, Demon’s must have a very low alcohol tolerance.” Ambrosia was supposed to be particularly potent and it was made by the Fey, creatures of the Overworld. Maybe being a creature of the Underworld would explain Avon’s reaction. The liquor warmed my stomach but didn’t affect me to the degree it did Avon.

  “We make up for it in stamina and tenacity.” He set the glass down and nipped at my neck. “You’ve been a bad girl,” he murmured, biting his way lightly down my spine.

  “Have I, now?” I purred, getting a thrill out of his sudden playfulness.

  He nodded and then spanked my ass again. I moaned softly and, to my carnage, it was a sound of pleasure so he did it again. Then he knelt down and sank his teeth into my behind. I growled softly but he kissed the sore spot before lapping at it with his tongue.

  “Stop that,” I said, without conviction.

  “I am going to spend all night claiming you as mine, my sweet little witch.” He bit me once more, hard, before pulling me down onto his lap. “Right here.” He kissed me hungrily, pinning me to the floor beneath him.

  I grasped his shoulders, unable to disguise my excitement even if I’d wanted to. “Yes!”

  I SIGHED CONTENTEDLY, my cheek pressed against a firm, muscular chest. “My back hurts,” I mumbled.

  “Sorry, I was rougher than I should have been,” Avon said, pushing off the covers.

  I smiled. “I didn’t mind.”

  He pushed himself up to study my backside, “You might mind when you try to sit down.” He reached down to cup my ass and I felt that familiar healing warmth. “There.” He kissed my cheek, one on my face. “All better.”

  I snuggled closer to his chest as he gently rubbed the small of my back. If I got this treatment afterward he could be as rough as he wanted. I was attempting to fall back to sleep when my phone rang on the bedside table. I growled in its general direction.

  Because he was a God amongst men, Avon made the ringing stop, but then he pressed the phone to my ear and I decided he was definitely more Demon than Deity. “Kia?” It was Jackie.

  “Mmmhmm.” That was really the best I could do.

  “It was the Wolfskin, which is now tucked safely away in the vault with a nulling field.”

  “Oh, good.”

  “I would have called you to help but you seemed to be having some difficulties of your own.”

  “Mmh, good call.”

  “Our job is pretty much done but there are probably going to be some internal conflicts with the Griffins for awhile, apparently the newbies knew about the Wolfskins power.”

  “Jerks.”r />
  She chuckled, “Yeah, so I’ll let you go until such a time as you can form coherent sentences,” she teased.

  “Cool.”

  The Daemon in my bed glanced over at the clock as he set the phone back on the side before sighing heavily. “I need to leave soon, shower with me?” he asked.

  I smiled, “Okay.” I regretted the agreement the moment he untangled himself from me and left the bed, taking his warmth with him.

  Chapter Thirteen

  “I’ll call you later.” He bent down to kiss me lingeringly, biting down on my bottom lip and tugging gently before he pulled away.

  “I’m surprised you’re not hungover,” I said as he straightened.

  “That stuff hit me much harder than I expected,” he confessed.

  I grinned, “You were hammered after one glass, you’re such a lightweight.”

  “If anyone else was as insolent as you are I’d break their neck,” he informed me, tugging at a lock of my hair and guided me to my feet.

  I rested my hand against his chest, “I’d like to see you try,” I teased.

  He growled menacingly, then winked, “Later, love.” He slapped my ass on his way out the door.

  “Who’s being insolent now?” I called, grinning. I sat back down at my desk and switched on my hairdryer. Morning showers meant it I wanted to leave the house I couldn’t wait to let my hair dry naturally. It would be easier if I’d just cut off a few inches but I did love my hair.

  A warm hand came around my neck and I glanced up. Avon was back but he didn’t look happy. “You here to apologise?” I teased.

  He raised a bunch of flowers and a small card.

  I smiled at the roses, they were Osiria, a rare kind of rose with petals that were red on the inside and white on the outside. I knew the name because they were my favourite kind of flower. Then I glanced at the card and my smile dropped,

  Hope you enjoyed the bottle,

  With love, your father x

  How had he known? “Damn it.” They definitely weren’t from James. For one thing, he wasn’t into weird creepy gestures.

  “You should come with me, I don’t want you alone,” Avon said firmly.