Natural Witch

by K. F. Breene

  “I don’t understand.”

  “Dual-mages are like yin and yang—they work in opposites. When you combine two elements that seemingly contrast, the forces become complementary. When I’m strong, my partner can lean on me. When I’m weak, my partner takes the lead. There is no fighting for control. It’s a graceful dance. Rage and turmoil in one partner should be buffered by temperance and steadfastness in the other. The two halves merge to form an interconnected, unshakable, balanced bond. My brother and I had an unshakable bond, but not a balanced one.”

  “But no one is temperate all the time.”

  “Exactly. When one partner rages, the other must keep their head. And vice versa. The roles shift…”

  “In the dance.”

  “Yes.” The word wasn’t much more than a breath. “Now I see…”

  The words lingered in the air, twisting and turning in the sudden silence between us.

  Pressure pushed down on my chest. “What do you see?” I asked, my voice barely making it past my lips.

  “I see you, Penny Bristol. With a magic as white as a dove. A soul as pure as my brother’s. Full of innocence and wonder and light. I wish I were good enough for you.”

  Tears filled my eyes, and it wasn’t just the beauty of what he’d said—it was the feeling behind it. The aching rawness and absolute conviction that he wasn’t good enough. I knew it wasn’t me he didn’t feel good enough for. That line of thought was absurd. It was himself. He didn’t feel he warranted his own good opinion. Which was why he thought he was evil.

  “Don’t be ridiculous,” I said, because it was the first thing that came to mind and something my mother would’ve said. I was freaking turning into my mother. “You have a grasp of magic that I can only wish for. You have friends that let you crash in their failed attempt at a man cave, even though it’s dangerous for them, which is loyalty at its finest, and chicks that want you to call them, which I can only assume is for a hookup, even though you’re a wanderer. You’ve had some bumps, some horrible losses, but the color of your magic doesn’t decide if you’re good or evil. You decide that. And an evil guy wouldn’t have put up a magical roadblock to keep innocent passersby safe before he killed his enemies. Evil people don’t think like that. You’re so much better than me. Experience rates ten times as high as innocence ever will. Trust me, I’ll be shedding this naivety as soon as possible. So stop with that line of—”

  He wrapped his hand around the back of my neck and pulled me toward him. Despite the rush of movement, his touch was gentle. His lips connected with mine.

  A shock of electricity ran my length. This time it wasn’t painful—it was pure pleasure.

  I moaned into the kiss and ran my hand up his chest. I fell into the feeling of him. The deliciousness of his lips moving against mine. His thumb stroking my jaw.

  He pulled back slowly, and my body rolled with his, wanting to linger. Wanting to spend the whole night glued to his kiss.

  “I’m sorry,” he murmured against my lips. “I didn’t mean for that to happen. I’d intended to ask first.”

  “If you’d asked, I would’ve made it awkward somehow.”

  His lips grazed against mine again and his hand swept down over my shoulder. He gently pushed me away. Regret and relief washed through me in equal parts.

  “We need to get some rest, Turdswallop, or we’ll be a danger to ourselves tomorrow.”

  I released a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. He really knew how to kill the moment.

  He rolled back, and the light slid over his smile. I chuckled and lay back down on his chest.

  “Speaking of tomorrow, what’s the plan?” I asked, hearing his heart beat quickly against my ear. It matched the pace of mine.

  “I need to visit someone that speaks Italian.”

  “Do you know someone?”

  “Yes.”

  “But what if what’s written on that letter isn’t Italian? Do you know enough about the language to be sure?” Because I was pretty sure I didn’t. Though he did have a phone with internet. He could probably look it up.

  I was about to say as much, but he answered.

  “I’m going to this…person specifically because he speaks many languages. If it’s one of the other Romance languages, it won’t be a problem. If there are nuances there, hinted political maneuverings, he’ll suss it all out. I’ll also be able to trade my work for money and afford a nicer place to stay. I feel like this is the right move because…your mother said to ask for help from a friend I would rather not ask.”

  “What about the guild? Can you trust him to keep knowledge of your—our—whereabouts safe?”

  “There is no fear of him turning us over to the guild. The fear is how he’ll try to use the knowledge, and us, to his own ends. You can never trust a vampire.”

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  “Listen to me carefully,” Emery said the next evening as we turned a corner and our destination, an upscale hotel sitting on the water, spanned out to the side and in front of us. Lights twinkled along the sidewalk and the building, showing a red carpet at the front, leading into the hotel. An expensive car pulled up to the front and two people climbed out of the rear doors. Bellboys walked forward to help them. “He’ll be charming and captivating. He’ll seem civilized and cultivated. All the finery, his dress, his mannerisms—they’re intended to seduce you. His very smile will seduce you. But make no mistake, he is a predator. He’s above you on the food chain until you learn more of your magic. Keep your wits about you.”

  I nodded as the energy around us twisted and boiled. It pushed at me in strange ways. Violent ways.

  “Is he going to attack us?” I asked, trying to remember how I’d made that magical spear. Or even the lower-powered mouse zappers. Any defense was better than nothing if Emery needed help.

  “No. But you should always keep your wits when dealing with a vampire. They’re smart and cunning. If a vampire can get one over on you, or use you, or…something else you probably wouldn’t even think of, they will. Without hesitation. They have no loyalty.”

  “Yikes. They sound like a lovely sort of creature.”

  “They are, in their human form. That’s part of the danger.”

  I frowned, but before I could ask what other form they had, streams of magic—no, Emery would call them elements—drifted up around us.

  “If the worst should happen…” Emery wiggled his fingers, and a weave started to form. “Do not try to fight them. Not until you have as thorough a working relationship with magic as I do. They are unbelievably fast and strong. Vicious beyond anything you’ve experienced thus far. If anything happens, now or down the road, try to find somewhere to hunker down until I can come for you.” Magic twisted through Emery’s hands, the weave so slow it tried to dissipate at every turn.

  “No problem,” I said, studying what he was doing. “I excel at fortifying closets.”

  “That was a spell for corrosive acid. I’ll do it again. It’s a good spell to throw right before you run.” He wiggled his fingers and went through the spell again, walking more slowly as he worked. We were drawing near the entrance now. When he was through, he let the spell dissipate. “Do you have it?”

  “The energy around us is…not right. So I’m not sure if the spell will stick in my head. Whatever I put together might have a completely different impact.”

  His gaze hit mine. “I’m sorry—this is a bad way to train. Balance us out, and I’ll do it again.”

  “It is a way to train, and at the moment, that’s good news.”

  A grin tweaked his lips. “You’re so positive. Is there any badness in you?”

  All the stories I’d told him of my exploits thus far, and he had to ask? His memory wasn’t the best.

  I focused on the world around me, getting in tune with it—feeling the energy and nature, the chill of the air and smell of the sea. The vibe mellowed out and he went through the spell again, muttering about how much easier it was this time arou
nd. By the time he’d gone through it twice, a little too quickly for my taste, we were at the doors.

  He dropped my hand and strutted into the hotel like he owned the place, his shoulders back and his head held high. I slouched in next to him, not great at making entrances. I found it better not to be noticed at all.

  Hard plastic antlers reached from the walls all around the lobby, held in place by bold metal brackets. Two ladies stood behind a smallish check-in counter to the left, and a few guests converged toward the large sitting area at the back of the room. The lobby was tastefully furnished with a few groupings of chairs and couches. A large stone fireplace adorned the wall to the right, and floor-to-ceiling windows showed the blackness beyond. In the day, that window would be filled with the crystal-blue waters of Elliot Bay.

  Vampires clearly liked luxury.

  Emery stood straight and tall at the check-in desk, holding his frame with power and confidence. Despite his stained shirt and messy hair, he looked like he belonged—like he was born to the right of finery.

  “I’d like to speak with Mr. Regent, please.” Emery’s hard words of command seemed to fill the room.

  Eyes drifted our way. The check-in ladies both looked startled.

  “Tone it down, there, chief,” I muttered, resting a hand on his arm.

  “Do you have an appointment?” the blonde check-in lady asked, her smile frozen, uncertain. The other woman motioned to the couple standing behind us and started to check them in.

  Emery lowered his voice. “I have a standing appointment. Tell him the natural has resurfaced. That’s all he need know.”

  My phone buzzed in my pocket. I fished it out, not catching the check-in lady’s words but understanding their tone just fine. She intended to brush him off.

  I flipped the phone open and clicked the button to read the text message. The letters came up on the antiquated screen. You need the boss of the boss. He’ll connect you to the highest level of power in the underworld.

  I stared at my mom’s message, tremors racking my body. This was evidence that my mother had seen something. I could scarcely believe in my own ability to work magic, let alone hers. But there was no way she could fabricate this message.

  I tugged on Emery’s sleeve and put the phone in front of him. He cut off whatever he was saying and glanced down, his brow furrowing as he read the message.

  “Are you looking for the boss of this establishment?” I asked quietly.

  His gaze hit mine, and I could see the affirmation in it…and the wheels that had started turning.

  I pushed him to the side, purpose sizzling inside of me. It was time to own a little of my mother’s side, God help me.

  The check-in woman’s stubborn blue gaze slid from Emery to me, and her chin lifted a fraction. I could tell by the set of her jaw and the height of her shoulders that she didn’t intend to budge.

  “Hello.” I gave her a pleasant smile. “We seem to have some confusion here.”

  “Mr. Regent does not take unsolicited—”

  “Yes, that is the confusion.” I leaned over the counter, my smile turning fierce. This was happening, and it was going to happen now. “He is waiting for us, not the other way around. He is hoping for our call. Now, you will let him know we are here so that you don’t get fired. Not only that, but you will tell him we need a meeting with his boss.” Fire licked at my insides, and I felt the familiar yank I now recognized as magic. “Get him on the phone as soon as possible. We’ll be sitting by the fireplace. You can see in my eyes that, should you ignore me, I will do something you will regret. Is that reading clearly?”

  Her widened eyes were glued to mine. She nodded mutely. No one around us seemed to notice the exchange.

  This was why skulking worked so incredibly well for me.

  I straightened up, releasing the fire I’d been holding inside of me. Sparkles danced before my eyes for just a moment before settling and winking out. She blinked twice, and immediately reached for the phone.

  “This way.” I grabbed Emery’s forearm and steered him around the couple still checking in. Near the fireplace, I chose a seat in which I was facing one direction, and gestured to the seat opposite me so he was facing the other. If someone came at us, we’d see them coming.

  Then it occurred to me. I’d forgotten to look for a single closet on the way over.

  I mouthed a swear, which didn’t really count as swearing, and glanced behind me in case one was hidden in the wall. Nothing. There was the luggage holding area that bellboys used, and the hallway disappearing behind me led to rooms, it looked like, so there were bound to be closets that way. Should the world fall down around me, I had options.

  Satisfied, I turned back to Emery, only then noticing his steady, blank-faced stare.

  “What? Is he coming?” I glanced around, looking at people this time. Well-dressed hotel guests roamed around the lobby, or headed to the bar and disappeared down one of the hallways. No one seemed unnaturally pretty or alluring, and no one noticed us, except for a teenage girl who wouldn’t stop staring at Emery.

  “I have no idea what spell you did back there.” His tone was flat, giving nothing away.

  “Oh.” I frowned as I thought back. A part of me had realized I was using magic, but it hadn’t occurred to me that I was doing anything constructive with it. “Did you see the weave?”

  “Yes. It was extremely intricate, which comes with experience.” His eyes glittered and a smile broke through his stoic expression. “You are very tricky, Turdswallop. I am rather impressed. Have you ever used that with your mother?”

  I waved the comment away, trying to ignore the horrible pet name he insisted on using. “I’ve tried to sweet-talk her. It never goes well.”

  “Your mother isn’t strong in spell-casting magic, but she has hidden depths. Her strength of will is incredible. It has to be, to get out from under the kind of spell you just blindsided that poor woman with. No wonder your mother was able to match with someone like your father. And keep you in line. Fate has plans for you, Penny Bristol. I wish I could watch them unfold.”

  “I have news for you—you’re going to get a front-row seat. Just as soon as danger comes our way, we’ll experience my reactions together, equally as clueless as to what I’ll do next.”

  His smile slid away, slowly replaced by sadness. He averted his gaze.

  That was when I noticed the handsome man gliding through the room in black slacks and a white button-down shirt, the top two buttons opened.

  I didn’t need anyone to tell me. The vampire was on the scene.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  “Emery, hello,” the insanely handsome man said as he stopped near our seats. His expressive, deep brown eyes shone as he stuck out his hand. His smile curved perfectly shaped lips into a mouth-watering smile. “So good of you to visit.”

  Emery stood, his face stoic but not any more so than usual. He almost seemed bored, which went against the warnings he’d given me earlier.

  Then it occurred to me about his power and strife in what I assumed was the wilds—he strove to be the top of the food chain. In this room, he clearly thought he was.

  “Hi, Clyde,” Emery said, shaking hands.

  Clyde? What kind of a vampire name was Clyde?

  “And who is your beautiful friend?” Clyde turned to me, his gorgeous features made even more attractive by a wide smile. But his eyes weren’t shining with delight. That sheen was something else. Something lurking. Predatory. Watchful.

  I closed my eyes, unable to help it. My sleeping-while-standing-up look wasn’t exactly appropriate mid-greeting, but the vampire’s energy had changed the tune of my surroundings. I needed to know if my imagination was running amok, or if the magic within him was speaking to me.

  I sucked in a breath. Though I could hear Emery’s deep bass mingling with the enchanting, alluring song of Clyde, the words eluded me. Spicy, silky, and masterful, the vampire’s magic caressed my skin and flirted with my senses. It soaked i
nto my being and settled into my core, tightening my body pleasantly. But unlike with Emery, this wasn’t a natural feeling. It was magical in nature, and its intent was my ultimate submission.

  Electricity rolled over my skin, spicy and hot. I opened my eyes and met the keen gaze of the ultimate predator.

  Emery hadn’t needed to tell me what vampires were capable of. I could see it plain as day—and, for better or worse, feel it in every fiber of my being.

  It would be so good.

  I knifed the thought curling out of my consciousness.

  Yes, they were the ultimate predators—turning their prey against themselves.

  But I was not prey. And he’d die before I submitted.

  Emery took two quick steps to my side and grabbed my wrists, holding them low. Our electricity merged, as it always did, amplifying the power and energy dancing around us. Within us. He took my wrists in one hand and wrapped his other arm around me, holding me tightly to his body.

  It was his Penny is not stable positioning. And he was exactly right: I was far from stable. I felt threatened to my very being, and every fiber in my body wanted to meet that challenge. Wanted to show this vampire that I would end him if he tried to move in and take what was mine: my body, my choice, my freedom.

  “Take us to somewhere private, Clyde. Now.” Emery turned me away from the people passing us. “Deep breaths, Penny. Deep breaths. Try to calm it.”

  The energy changed again, now supercharged. The vampire’s magic screamed destruction. Clyde’s demeanor had changed, as well, the cultivated grace from a moment before turning fluid and deadly. Fangs dropped down from blackening gums and his pupils enlarged until they filled the whites of his eyes. A strange, gristly hue coated his once-flawless skin.