“Oh, I see. So, Josef, if I’m not running again, then what do we do? I don’t think you realize how powerful he is.” Peri was, of course, talking about her father, but she didn’t like even calling him that.
“Oh, you are not running, baby! No way!” Gabe’s voice was forceful and strong, and his anger was very clear for her to see.
“Gabe’s right, you’re not going anywhere. Liam, the wards you placed around here, will that shield Peri?” Josef needed to know if they had to move. If so, they would be gone from here in an hour.
“I think so, Josef, as long as Peri doesn’t use a lot of magic, she shouldn’t come onto their radar. The magical ones that is. The others...I’ve heard there are several Wolves and Vampires looking, too. Well, they’ll be doing it the old-fashioned way. I was careful this morning. Tried to make sure I wasn’t followed. However, just about everyone knows who it is I work for. I can’t be certain that some fucker won’t just show up to see if Peri’s here. I’m sorry I didn’t realize the extent that this went. I’ve already asked for more guards, Josef, but you have to stay with her. She will need your personal protection.”
Gabe growled low, his anger great. How dare anyone threaten his mate.
As the thought came to his mind, his anger stilled, he looked at the little Witch sitting in a huge robe on the chair. Her face white in fear. He strode over and picked her up, holding her tight against his body. He would never, not ever, let anyone hurt her.
“Gabe! I can’t breathe!” Peri was astonished at the strength in the Wolf’s arms, and she could feel the anger rolling from him as if waves were crashing against rocks in a storm.
“Sorry, baby, just the thought of anyone trying to hurt you makes me mad as hell!” Gabe released her and she sat back down.
“Indeed, Gabe, we will both need to stay with Peri until this is over.” Josef didn’t think that was going to be a hardship for any of them.
“How? Josef, how is this going to be over?” Peri had run for years, not knowing how she could ever stop. How could Josef do anything?
“I’ll find him and I’ll kill him, it is simple, little Witch. He poses a threat to you and that I just cannot allow. As soon as my resources locate him, I’ll destroy him!” Josef’s voice was as calculating as she had heard it, and she knew the truth in his words.
However, Josef hadn’t met her father.
“Josef, he’s very strong. I’ve never felt power like his. He could hurt you!” Peri’s eyes filled up with tears, the thought of that hateful man hurting Josef making her heart ache.
Liam was shaking his head. “No, you have no idea of Josef’s powers. Peri, when we touched, you felt my power did you not?” Liam asked.
“Yes, and you’re powerful, Liam, but not as powerful as him.” Peri was sure of that fact, very sure indeed.
“I know, however, my power is like a single snowflake in a blizzard compared to Josef.” Liam was smiling now, as he looked at the frightened young woman.
“What?! How is that possible?” Peri looked at Josef again – knew he was powerful – had felt it. The power Liam was talking about though, was that even possible?
“You don’t need to know how it is, only that it is. Trust me, Peri, when we find your father, Josef will take him out in the blink of an eye. However, Peri, when we touched, I also felt your power. Who trained you?” Liam asked.
“Nobody, I hid them until I could escape and then I’ve been running. I’ve never even met another Witch, well, not properly.” Peri had felt power from folks before, knew they were some kind of Witch, but never, not once did she talk to them.
“I thought so. Josef, I would like to spend some time with Peri. She has a phenomenal amount of magical energy in her. She needs to learn how to access it and control it. Peri, look at me, you are far more powerful than I.”
“What? No, don’t be silly!” Peri knew she could do so much more than she had in the past. She hadn’t, mainly because she found out early on they could track her. More powerful than Liam? No, that was absurd!
“Yes, Peri, if you are trained and learn how to harness your power, you would probably be as powerful as your father. I don’t say this lightly, Peri, I know what I’m talking about. That’s probably why your father wants rid of you. It’s nothing to do with the rubbish he’s spouting about your blood. It’s your power he wants to kill, Peri.”
Realization crept over her face. “Really? Can you help? What about you saying I’m not supposed to use my powers? Won’t they be able to track me?” Peri’s heart was beating way too fast in excitement.
“I’m going to bring some people over. They have a different kind of power, based in black magic, their wards will shield us. I would like to start tomorrow, once the wards are in place. Is that okay? Say about midday?” Liam smiled at the astonished young woman.
Peri nodded her head, was this possible? Was she as strong as her father? She hoped so, she really, really hoped so.
“Until you have a control of your powers you are still in danger, Peri. Do not – I repeat – do not go anywhere without Josef, okay?”
Liam’s voice was stern and she smiled. “That won’t be a problem, Liam.”
“Okay Josef, if I get any more information, I’ll call. Keep Peri safe. I’ll see you all tomorrow. The people I’m sending over won’t need access in here. They’re going to do it around the entire area. Nice to have met you, Peri.” Liam smiled at her, as he turned and left.
She sat dumbstruck in the chair and finally felt a hand on her cheek. Josef was gently rubbing it and she moved her head closer, wanting to feel the tingles that his touch brought on her skin.
“So, my little Witch, you’re more powerful than you thought. Liam will teach you well. Trust in what he says and do exactly as he asks, okay?” Josef wanted to kiss those lips, especially as she was doing the biting thing again.
Gabe groaned, he saw Peri’s teeth biting her lower lip, and he had visions of her mouth last night as it took him into it.
“We’ve got business to attend to, Gabe!” Josef knew exactly what was on the Wolf’s mind. However, he and Gabe had to make sure Peri was safe. They had things to attend to.
“Yeah, right, of course.” Gabe sighed, he would’ve much preferred taking Peri back to bed.
“So, Josef, I wanted to wash my clothes, do you have a machine?” Peri wanted to get her casual jeans and stuff cleaned. The things she had bought all seemed too expensive to wear for what she wanted to do.
“Oh, yes, the kitchen’s at the back, the door at the rear is a laundry room. However, we don’t use it. I could get housekeeping to do them, Peri.” Josef didn’t even know how to work the damn machine.
“Uhm, no, I’ll do it.” Peri got up and started out of the room.
“Peri, there’s breakfast in the kitchen, I ordered it earlier and it’s being kept warm in the oven. There’s juice and stuff in the fridge.” Gabe knew the girl would be hungry, he had already eaten.
“Thanks, I’ll get something after I put my clothes on to wash. See you two in a bit.”
Peri went back to the bedroom and sorted through her clothes. She put just about everything in one pile to wash, but kept a pair of well-worn yoga pants and a crop top to the side.
She had a quick shower and dressed. The yoga pants and top sliding over her thin frame. She picked up the large pile of clothes and walked to the kitchen. As she entered, she smelled the food. Her stomach rumbled and she realized she was going to have something before her training instead of after this time.
There were two doors at the rear of the kitchen. One held the laundry room and one held, well, nothing. It was a smallish room, but she didn’t know its purpose. It would do well enough for her regime.
After putting the washing on, she ate a little breakfast. Not a lot, she didn’t think she had ever trained with a full stomach and didn’t want to chance it. She replaced what she didn’t eat and moved
to the empty space.
She stretched and did some warm-up exercises and when her body was nice and ready, she went into her moves. She knew they were a bit hotchpotch, but she hadn’t the luxury of training in a proper environment. Her trainer had taught her moves with one purpose in mind, keep her safe.
Her first time getting hurt and scared had been not long after she had run away. A drunk grabbed hold of her and scared the shit out of her. She realized she had to learn how to protect herself, so she started to look for training gyms, anything from boxing to martial arts.
She was in San Francisco trying hard to survive, when she came across a small dojo with an old Japanese gentleman who took the classes. She would either watch through the window, or sometimes be a little bolder and stand at the doorway, watching every move and trying them out on her own.
The man, Daiki, had seen her, ignored her to begin with to see what she would do. She had obviously been a runaway, and he saw great fear in her eyes. The protector in him made him want to help, but he felt if he approached her too fast she would run. He bided his time and slowly started to make eye contact.
If she had copied a move, and it was correct, he would smile and nod his head. She slowly, very slowly, looked a little bit more at ease and finally he spoke to her. After a class, he motioned her forward. She had come, but only hesitantly, and he stayed well away, not wanting to scare her.
They spoke that first day, although she was guarded in the information she gave. Daiki knew she was running from something bad. He had caught glimpses of extreme scarring on her back, and he knew they had been made with some kind of blade. Daiki knew blades very well.
Soon she practiced every day with him, after classes had finished. He knew she was trying to learn this for one reason only, to protect herself on the streets. He taught her many tricks, ones that did not find their way into his classroom!
Down and dirty street fighting that’s what he taught the small, thin girl. He had been surprised at her dedication and she learned quickly. She stayed for a few months and one day rushed in as he was in the middle of class, a look of dread on her face.
The look made him fill with anger at whoever had placed it there. She said she had to go, that ‘they’ were near, she thanked him and said if she could, she would come back. Daiki tried to talk her out of running, said he would help her, she looked so distraught and shook her head, turned, and ran.
It was many, many months before he saw her again and when he did, his heart soared. She was safe.
He taught her more, much more than he ever taught any of his students. She took it all in and perfected even some of the moves he taught. Once again, she disappeared, this time without a word. His heart ached for the little girl.
A year later, she appeared again and he felt like a heavy load had lifted from his shoulders. This time she stayed only a few weeks before again running. She would never tell him from what.
Daiki saw more and more of her back, as she started to wear little sports tops for training. She never spoke of them, even when he would point and raise his eyebrow in query.
Again, she ran and he didn’t see her for another long while. This time his worry was great, thinking she had been found by whoever she was running from. When she appeared again, she was older and much wiser, her eyes holding the signs of her time on the streets.
His heart hurt for the girl, tried to get her to stay, offered her a room. But no, she said it was too dangerous – for him – she didn’t want him getting hurt.
The last time Peri had seen Daiki had been over eighteen months previous, and she knew her calm tutor would be worrying. She thought she might ask Josef if they could visit.
As the thoughts of her teacher entered her mind, she went over and over his training. Her heart beating fast, her breathing fast, her skin covered in sweat, as she pushed herself more and more.
She had to be able to defend herself against anyone, she just had to.
Peri pushed herself even more, not letting up, and her body was aching from the workout.
Good. Daiki always told her that if your body did not ache at the end of a workout, then you hadn’t worked out.
She could see his smiling face and hoped she could see him soon.
Chapter 9
Josef sat back down after Peri left and he stared at his friend. He could feel the power and anger running through the Wolf.
He had some work he needed to do and then he was going to speak to him, he had a few things to straighten out with his young Wolf.
Gabe paced back and forth, Josef worked on his computer leaving him be. He needed to cancel some meetings he had set up for that day and the coming week. After all, Peri was more important than mere business, regardless of how big the deals were.
He emailed several of his managers, asking them to take over for the time being, knowing they would wonder what the hell was going on. But he didn’t care what they thought. He paid them handsomely, and they would do what he told them...or leave. That left him able to focus entirely on the Witch they now had staying with them.
As he worked, he felt Gabe start to calm down, a little anyway. After about an hour, he finished what he was doing and turned to his friend.
“So we need to be very careful now, Gabe. If Liam is right, then there may be some uncalled for visitors. Obviously, our first priority is Peri. I know you like a fight, Gabe. I also know you are good at it. However, as this is Peri’s safety we’re talking about, I must insist that if we are attacked here, then your first priority is getting to Peri and making sure she’s safe. I will deal with any interlopers.” Josef waited, knowing the Wolf would not like this.
“What? I can fight, Josef, if it’s a Vamp or Wolf, then I’ll be able to take them down!” Gabe couldn’t believe Josef thought he would run from a threat to Peri.
“Yes, Gabe, I know that. However, if there is more than one, or if they bring any kind of Witch, then you would be at a disadvantage. This isn’t about your prowess as a Wolf. This is purely and simply about how best to protect Peri. You must make that your priority. If there’s trouble, we can’t have her getting hurt in the crossfire, you get to her and keep her safe. I’m afraid I have to insist on this, Gabe. The thought of Peri getting hurt does things to me that I do not like, nor do I understand. So, your job, your only job is keeping her safe while I deal with anybody or anything that comes after her!” Josef’s tone had gone cold. Gabe never thought he would hear that tone while his friend was talking to him.
“Jo, my Wolf is howling in anger, it wants to rip something apart! The thought of anyone trying to hurt her, fuck, that is so not happening!” Gabe had started to pace again and his blood felt as if it was literally boiling in his veins.
“Ah my friend, I think your Wolf wants to mark its mate, does it not?” Josef could feel it in the Wolf inside of Gabe and knew it was having a direct effect on the man’s actions.
“Do you think?! Duh! Jo, we need to talk to her about this. I know I want to mark her and I’m fucking sure you do, too. Don’t even try and deny it, Jo, I can see it in you. You want to bond properly with her, just as much as I do!” Gabe’s breathing was getting faster, as his anger and arousal fought for dominance in his system.
“I can’t deny it, my friend, because it is, of course, true. Although I’m not sure how she’ll react to us wanting to do so! If the opportunity arises, we will talk to her about it. As it is still very early days for us three, we cannot scare her, Gabe. We cannot make her run from us. Okay, Wolf?” Josef looked at his young friend and knew it would be very hard for him.
“Okay, now where is she? I haven’t seen her come back from the kitchen.” Gabe wondered what was keeping her so long.
Josef wondered also. She was obviously still inside, she hadn’t passed by the office. They both wandered down the hallway and into the kitchen. The oven was still on and most of the food still there. Why hadn’t she eaten properly?
Josef placed a finger to his lips, shushing Gabe. They moved to the slightly open door and pushed it further. The sight was one that shocked them both and had them aroused at the same time.
Peri was going through a brutal martial arts regime. The moves were not quite like anything either of them had seen before. Her body was slick and the small sports top she had on was literally dripping with sweat. Her red hair was back in a ponytail and some stray strands stuck to her forehead. The look of total concentration on her face was awesome to see, and both men stood watching her.
Josef motioned for Gabe to come back into the kitchen. If she had been doing this for the past hour, at least, shit, she would be exhausted and starving. “Order some more food, she’s going to need it.” Josef had seen the dedication in her stern face, and he realized this was how she had managed to bring down the bounties she had gone after without using magic.
Gabe moved into the hallway and used the phone there, placed the order and came back in. Both moved to the door again and continued watching.
Josef started to worry. She had been going at this for a long time and was too skinny. Underfed and undernourished, he didn’t want her collapsing on them.
A few minutes later, just as Josef was going to intervene, Peri’s movement brought her towards them. Her eyes going wide in shock at seeing them there.
She slowed and finally stopped, doing a slow jog, wanting to cool down her muscles properly so they didn’t ache. Well, not ache as much.
The Witch, The Wolf and The Vampire Series Boxed Set Page 9