Warlocks & Warfare_A Grimmer Legacy novel

by Eleanor Rousseau

  “Okay, what’s happening?” asked Felix, rubbing his fingers over the same spot.

  I glanced down, just in time to see silver scales disappear in the place he had tried to poke the needle. “Try again,” I encouraged.

  He brought the needle down again, only to come up short when it hit thick scales.

  “I think a blood test it out,” I said thoughtfully.

  He sighed and set the needle down, then he pulled out a test tube. “Spit,” he ordered.

  I huffed softly, why did everything have to be so unpleasant? I did as told before screwing the lid back on and placing it in his hand. “That’s all you’re getting for now, I’m out.” I jogged over to take Avon’s hand, snagging my jacket on the way.

  He walked with me to where we had first landed. I glanced up and the disk of clear water which floated a few feet above our heads. “Down,” I said and the disk dropped to the floor.

  Avon kissed my cheek, “See you on the other side.” He jumped through.

  I glance over at the book one last time, bit my lip and stepped through the portal. Avon caught me in his arms again and bent down to kiss me. I turned my head at the last moment and his lips pressed against my cheek.

  He sighed softly and placed me on my feet. We didn’t speak on the way back to the office and when we reached the main reception we were confronted by my mother and both of my aunts.

  Amber frowned, “What is this? What’s happened?” she said, gesturing to me. Then she glanced at Avon, “Did you do this?”

  I kept a tight hold of Avon’s hand and slowly backed us towards the lift. “Of course he didn’t. You see, what happened was-” I stabbed the button repeatedly. “I was on this mission at an underground club-”

  The doors opened and I shoved Avon in the lift, then I ran both hands through my hair, making it do the shimmery think Jay had mentioned as much as possible. They all paused as Avon repeatedly pressed the ground floor button, their eyes were glazed over a little so my plan must have been working.

  They had just started to shake off the daze when the doors came together. “Kia!” my mother snapped but she was too late.

  “How’d you do that?” asked Avon, wrapping his arms around my waist.

  “My hair apparently has a mild mesmerizing effect.”

  “Wow, that’s cool.... especially cool because it doesn’t appear to have any effect on me.” He ran his fingers through my hair.

  “As always you appear to be my kryptonite. Now we better make a run for it,” I said, taking his hand and hurrying out of the building. Once outside he led me to his car and we climbed in.

  “Your brother was just teasing when he talked about a test, right?” asked Avon.

  I wasn’t sure he would have got the implications there. “Yeah, you don’t have to worry about that,” I assured him.

  He glanced at me and if I didn’t know better I would have thought he was blushing. “I know we probably haven’t been taking the correct precautions.”

  “It’s okay, Gordo sort of did a spell to make me...” I paused, searching for the right word. “Infertile.”

  “What?” He frowned.

  “It’s easily undone and has no negative effects. It’s just a precaution.” Some people in our family used their Wiccan powers to save lives, Gordo used them to help people practice safe sex. Not all heroes wear capes.

  Avon nodded, although he still didn’t seem all that happy. He switched gear and then reached over to rub my neck. Tilting my head forward, I moaned softly in pleasure as he kneaded the tension from me. “Probably a good one, considering I’m not always in my right mind around you.” His voice had dropped to a low seductive tone.

  “Ditto.”

  His hand came down to squeeze my thigh. I shifted and rested my hand on his, the action feeling surprisingly natural. He let go as he pulled up outside my flat. Once inside I dropped the book and my jacket on the table, then he reached for my shirt and tugged it over my head.

  He cupped my breast, not hesitating for a moment, and I moaned softly as I reached for his shirt. He snagged my hands, keeping control, “I want you to try and change.”

  “I thought this was going to a completely different place.” The stripping was particularly misleading.

  He chucked, “Later,” he promised as he unbuttoned my jeans before removing them and my boots.

  “You’re sending mixed signals,” I breathed.

  “The transition will be easier without the restrictions of clothes.”

  “In that case, we should take this in the bedroom.” I took his hand and led him to my room.

  Chapter Nineteen

  “You’re getting frustrated,” he said, running his fingers through my hair in a gentle caress.

  I glanced back at him, shifting restlessly from our spot on the bed. “I can’t do it. I’ve tried everything you’ve suggested.” I pursed my lips and scrunched up my nose in frustration. I really wanted to get this, somehow it had started to feel like if I couldn’t do this I’d lose a part of myself. I wasn’t sure I could handle it.

  He sighed softly and I back to see him removing his shirt. Was sex back on the table? “We’re going to try one last thing.” Then he reached up to wrap the fabric around my face, tying it over my eyes so I couldn’t see.

  “Kinky,” I murmured. This, I was totally on board with.

  He chuckled and I felt his breath tickle my neck, making me shiver. “I’m going to change and I want you to try to change back with me,” he said, kissing my neck.

  I relaxed back against him, enjoying his reassuring presence. “You don’t want me to see?” I asked softly. Sight wasn’t always needed when it came to most types of magic but it sometimes came in handy.

  He nuzzled my neck, “My other form is not the beautiful specter that yours is, love. I do not wish for you to see the beast that lies within.”

  The compliment made me smile. “I don’t think it can be much worse than your personality,” I teased, trying to ease the tension which was clear in his tone and the arms that held me.

  He kissed me again. “It’s not a laughing matter, love, just concentrate on the way it feels, on the energy that rolls off me during the change.” He still sounded concerned and his body was unyielding against mine, even more so than usual.

  He pulled my arms to his knees which rested on either side of my hips and he set my back against his bare chest, resting his arms over mine to lace our fingers together. The intimate position felt nice, I loved being wrapped up in his warmth but I made an effort to focus on the task at hand and not his musky male scent. He took a deep breath and suddenly magic began to emanate from his pores.

  I gasped as his skin’s textures changed, hardening and claws grew from his fingertips, they're tips just touching the backs of my hands. My breathing sped up. Razor sharp teeth teased my neck. “Mate,” he snarled possessively, his voice had changed, becoming deep and gravelly. I wondered what else might have changed.

  “Avon?” My heart rate increased but I couldn’t quite tell if it was from fear or arousal.

  His teeth pierced my skin a little and I moaned. Arousal. He licked at the wound and then bit down harder. I shivered. Fear? He grabbed my hair and pulled my head to the side, baring my neck further. Nope, definitely arousal.

  “Change back,” I whispered.

  He growled but I felt the change roll over him, as it did I grasped onto that energy and felt it burn through me too. I gasped and my senses dulled as the scales disappeared. I collapsed as the energy was drained from my body.

  “I’m so sorry, love, I thought I would have better control.” He lapped his tongue against my neck, like a wild animal caring for his mate.

  “You did it,” I murmured.

  “You did it, love, I just helped.” He kissed my cheek.

  “I think I need a nap.” I turned over and snuggled closer to his warm body as he tugged the shirt from my face. Sleep hadn’t been my intention but I found that suddenly all the strength had bee
n drained from me.

  “You rest, love, for as long as you need to.” His hand rubbed my back in a way that felt pleasant and soothing.

  I AWOKE TO LARGE WARM hands massaging my back again, with a firmer touch this time. I sighed softly in pleasure. “There you are, fully human, with all this soft human flesh,” his voice was a deep rumble that caressed my senses.

  I smiled. “Which do you prefer? Human or Witch?”

  “It doesn’t matter to me, both are you and both are incredible creatures.”

  Someone knew how to treat a girl. I sat up and moved to straddle his hips, “Thank you. I know taking your other form while I’m here was difficult for you.” I kissed him softly.

  “I am happy to have been able to help.” He kissed my cheek and breathed in my scent. “You must be starving, food is in the kitchen.”

  I was starving. “You’re the best.” I climbed off him and quickly pulled on my robe. He chuckled, following me to the kitchen where Chinese food had been spread out. There was nothing better than a man willing to feed you. Some girls liked diamonds and jewelry, and some will settle for free food. Goddess, I was easy.

  I was halfway through the meal when I noticed the book had been left open on the counter. “Been reading up on your ancestry?” I asked curiously.

  “Not exactly, I will explain after you’ve eaten.”

  My curiosity peaked but I said nothing until I had finished eating. Then I glanced at him expectantly. He took a deep breath. “I made you a promise, I have been exploring ways in which I might keep it.”

  I glanced down at my hands, “I don’t expect that you will always be able to protect me,” I said softly. Part of me may have felt that way when we were together but at heart, I was a realist, I knew all too well how much life could suck.

  “That is exactly what you should expect, you are mine and no one else shall have you,” he said firmly.

  I smiled a little at his conviction. “So what are you going to do, big guy?”

  He took my hand and tugged me over to the book. I glanced down at the page and saw an image of a ring, with words written in a language I couldn’t understand.

  “I can’t read this,” I told him.

  “You’ve heard of handfasting?”

  I blinked, biting my lip, “Of course, assuming it means the same thing to Demons as it does to Wiccans.” I blushed.

  “I believe so, although due to various cultural differences the circumstances are often different.”

  I shot him a flat look, “‘Cultural differences’ is a nice way of putting it.”

  He reached to cup my cheek. “So, you understand what it entails?”

  My blush deepened, “I do.” At least, I hoped so, or I’d make a fool out of myself if I tried to explain.

  “This ring is part of a traditional Underworld Handfast ceremony. It’s primitive but it gives the male a direct link to the female, he could find her anywhere.” He pulled my hand to his lips.

  “I should have guessed you guys would do something invasive like that.” And I wasn’t surprised that it was one-sided either. Apparently, feminism hadn’t quite reached the Underworld. Shocking.

  “I would never do it without your consent and the link could be broken whenever you wish,” he assured me.

  Okay, this was a lot to take in. “Would the whole Handfast ceremony be required?”

  He rested his hands on my hips, pulling me close while keeping his eyes on mine. “Would that be a problem?”

  Wow, was there suddenly less oxygen in here? “Recent generations of my family have used a more Christian ceremony but traditional Wiccan Handfast ceremony used to last a year and a day, and if they were still going strong after the year it would be renewed and made permanent.” It used to be a fairly common practice.

  “You would give me less than a lifetime?” he demanded playfully, nipping at my bottom lip.

  “Hey, you’re a good lay but I don’t know how good you’ll be in the long run,” I said with a straight face.

  “Insolent little witch,” he growled, grabbing me by the hips and pressing me into the counter. He kissed me hard and I melted against him. “Well, love, will you be mine?” he asked softly.

  I ran my fingers through his dark, soft hair, “I think maybe I’ve been yours for a while now.” It was probably the sappiest thing I’d ever said but that didn’t make it any less true.

  He wrapped an arm around my waist and took a deep breath. “Yes, you have.” He kissed me again. “Now it’s just a matter of paperwork. It will take some time for me to forge the ring but I can have it done soon.”

  “You move fast.”

  “I know what I want and more than anything I want you safe, with me.” He caught my hair and tilted my head back before devouring my mouth.

  I moaned softly, wrapping my arms around his neck. He pulled open my robe and guided my panties down my legs with sure, strong hands. Then he lifted me onto the counter and his hand found my breast. I broke the kiss, gasping for breath as his hand teased me.

  He kissed my neck, biting gently as his hips began to move against mine. I reached to unzip his jeans. “Now who’s moving fast?” he teased, pinching my nipple and sending pleasure sparking through me. I rested my head against his shoulder as I panted softly for breath.

  He helped me shove down both his jeans and boxers, then his hands grasped my ass as he filled me. I cried out softly in pleasure. He pulled my legs around his waist as he thrust in long, hard strokes.

  “Oh, Avon!” I gasped.

  He nipped at my lower lip. “You feel so good,” he murmured, groaning. “I want you... always.”

  “I HAVE TO GO, I NEED you to stay safe, love,” he kissed my neck as we lay in a tangled mess on my bed.

  I murmured something unintelligible, “It’s late, I’m not going anywhere,” I mumbled.

  “Good, I’ll be back as soon as I can.” He kissed my lips briefly, stirring my body to attention when what it really needed was sleep.

  I reached up to cup his cheek. “Or you could stay.” I pulled his hand to my breast.

  He chuckled, squeezing firmly. “Goodnight, love.” He kissed my forehead and then his body was gone, taking its heat with it.

  I moaned in disappointment and shifted deeper beneath the covers. My eyes fell shut and I fell contently into sleep.

  I awoke from a nightmare some hours later, clutching the sheets. “Avon!” I gasped. Then I remembered that he had left. Of course, he had left. Why would I expect him to be there? And why should I be so disappointed that he wasn’t?

  I took a deep breath, trying to shake off the threads of the nightmare but they remained, like a weight in my stomach. I needed a distraction. I picked up my phone and dialed a number that was on my contact list. “Hey, could you come over for coffee?” I asked.

  “Where?” he asked.

  “My flat.” I rubbed my face.

  “I can be there in an hour?”

  “Thanks,” I hung up and stretched out, working all the kinks out of my body before grabbing my robe and walking to the bathroom. The shower was already going so I walked to the kitchen to get a jump on breakfast.

  Maya appeared a few moments later, hair still dripping. “You two were loud last night,” she grinned.

  I blushed furiously, glancing at her with wide eyes, “What time did you get back?”

  She chuckled, “Not until ten but the neighbours complained.”

  My blush somehow deepened, “Oh my God, Mrs. and Mr. Anderson?” I glanced away, mortified that the kindly elderly couple may have heard me having sex.

  She nodded, eyes sparkling with amusement, “They wouldn’t have minded so much if they hadn’t had guests.”

  “Oh, sweet baby Jesus.” I pressed a hand to my mouth.

  She grinned, “Mrs Anderson applauded the young man’s stamina.”

  A second hand covered the first, this was too much.

  “She also said she would like to one day meet Avon.”

 
I winced, “She said his name?”

  She nodded, her shoulders shaking with laughter.

  Goddess, had I accidentally shouted his name last night? Yes, I had. Repeatedly. Shit. “Oh God.”

  She waved dismissively, “Just take them over a batch of cookies at some point and all will be forgiven.”

  “Are you kidding? I can never show my face again, I’m mortified.”

  She laughed, clearly enjoying my suffering. “You were just enjoying yourself, no harm in that.”

  “There is if I give the poor couple next door a heart attack. This discussion is over, I’m going to shower.” I ran away, showering quickly before getting dressed. It was when I reached the mirror that I saw the red mark on my neck where Avon’s teeth had bitten me. He had only partially healed it, the ass.

  I had just finished drying my hair when there was a knock at the front door. “Anthony!” I answered and he stepped in to hug me, after a quick glance around our quaint little kitchen.

  “Hey. I was surprised you invited me here,” he said pointedly.

  Apparently, he knew Avon would not be pleased that I had invited him to my flat. “I’m sort of on house arrest.”

  “I bet there’s an interesting story behind that.” He took a seat as I switched the kettle on.

  “Oh, there is, and it’s a doozy.” And I unloaded, confessing everything.

  I had just about come to the end of my tale when he broke out laughing, his whole body shaking with the strength of it. “How old are you neighbours?” he asked.

  “They’re both in their fifties.”

  He held his stomach, “What the hell were you doing that they could hear you next door?”

  I blushed, “We can’t all afford soundproofing, you know.”

  He grinned, “You, Kia, lead a most interesting life.”

  “That I do. So, how are you and the teacher?” I asked curiously, feeling much better for sharing the events of the recent past.

  “Still going strong, I even introduced her to my father.”

  “Oh, I bet that went down well.”

  He nodded, his gaze elsewhere as a small smile curved his lips, “She surprised me, it’s been awhile since anyone’s done that.”