Magic, New Mexico: Tainted Magic (Kindle Worlds Novella)

by Sabine Priestley

  The emotions were a mix. Fear, anger, and a spattering of…hope maybe?

  Arabella turned to her mother. “In all this time, there must have been others like me. Like Dante and I.”

  “Yes. A few over the centuries. Excommunication comes with a purging of our records. But the families remember. Many have stayed in touch.”

  “You’ll be expected to not communicate with us.”

  “You were never supposed to be one of the few, but yes. That will be the coven’s expectations.” Serina met her gaze with her same green eyes. “They will be disappointed.”

  This would possibly be harder on her mother and father than on herself.

  “Change is coming, but how quickly remains to be seen,” Jorah said. “Stay the course. You’re here for a reason.”

  Echoes of her own thoughts. Destiny could be thunderous.

  Chapter 7

  The council was convened and waiting for them upon their arrival. Their bags remained in the car as her mother led them to the chamber within the main building. A castle really, it had stood on these grounds for centuries. Always the property of the witches, even during the dark ages of persecution and burnings.

  Not every coven had the power to shield themselves from humans. It had been the reason for the mandate of keeping the coven pure. The one thing that had kept them protected throughout time.

  Although modern technology was present, it wore old clothes. The lights were designed to look like gas torches, and all modern conveniences such as air conditioning and plumbing were always out of sight and discreet.

  Except for the kitchens. Those were places of beauty with stainless steel and granite counters. Had to draw the line somewhere, she supposed.

  The council chamber itself was a study in understated elegance. The massive wood table that occupied the center of the room was almost a thousand years old. The carpets, although following the ancient designs, were brightly-colored and looked as they would have centuries ago. Same with the tapestries on the walls. Beautiful scenes depicting their history, beliefs, and various representations of the energies that created their world. The source that everything came from and returned to.

  There was a muted commotion when Arabella entered the room with Dante at her side. She held her head high, proud of the man next to her.

  The collective energies were thick and heavy with anger, fear and betrayal.

  Serina held her hand up, checking the dissent from the council before nodding to the lead councilman. A warlock named Bane. He was relatively young for such a prestigious position at only eighty-five. Short and wiry, his youthful face belied the intelligence in his eyes.

  “Arabella Visante, you have been summoned here today to discuss the matter of your mating with a wolf-shifter. Let it be stated for the records that said shifter is present in our chambers. Do you deny this allegation?”

  “With respect, I do not, your honor. And if it please the council, let it be stated for the record that my mate’s name is Dante Liekos.”

  As with the people of the coven outside, there was a mix of responses from among the council. Many were staunchly opposed, true, but not all. Perhaps she would not be exiled after all.

  “Do you have anything say for yourself?” Bane asked.

  She met each and every set of eyes at the table. “This was not a choice I made. In fact, we both tried to avoid the union.” A wave of shame hit her, and she smashed it like the little bug it was. “I have realized that finding one’s true soulmate is not something to be fought. Regardless of who you are or where you come from. I do not apologize for our union. I do, however, accept that I have broken with coven law, and I am ready and willing to accept your judgment.”

  Bane looked at each seated member. All nodding their approval to continue. Some were happy, many were not. “It is with heavy heart that I must exile you from Coven Starfall. Although our laws haven’t changed in this regard for as long as we can remember, and many of us disagree in this day and age, I have no choice. I hereby pronounce you excommunicated.” He hesitated before ending with, “As per our laws, no one will communicate with Arabella Visante from this day forward.”

  Her mother’s defiance, anger, and determination washed over her. She held the smile of response in check and returned the love.

  Her heart tightened, but she would shed no tears. She’d been naive to assume she’d be able to see her friends and say goodbye. The suitcases in the car mocked her.

  Bane approached, and she held out her right arm.

  He did something next she never thought she’d see.

  Slowly, with reverence, he loosened the blue ribbon around her wrist sleeve, and unwound it. He took the symbol of her position and pooled it into his slightly-shaking palm before closing his fist around her past. “The car will take you as far as the airport,” he said.

  They left the room in silence.

  In the car, Arabella blew out a breath and eyed her wrist. She couldn’t bring herself to remove the black sleeve.

  Dante took her hand and kissed her palm. “I’m not sensing the distress I was expecting.”

  He wasn’t wrong. She took a moment to evaluate her state of mind as they left the streets of the coven behind. “I’m not sure how I feel, to tell you the truth. It’s not what I expected either. I’m not happy so much as hopeful. This is hard, Dante, but it’s right. We’re setting a precedent. One that is long overdue. I just hope we get to see this through in our lifetime.”

  A bolt of surprise hit her from Dante. “What?”

  He had a boyish grin she hadn’t seen before. It was sweet. “I have no idea how old you are.”

  She laughed. “I’m a babe at twenty-five.”

  The answer pleased him. “Perfect.”

  “And you?”

  “Only forty. We have at least a hundred years ahead of us.”

  She’d never expected happy. Not from this turn of events, but here it was. “Carl, take us to my mother’s flat in Edinburgh.”

  “As you wish.” His tone held a hint of understanding. “Excellent choice, in fact. The weather could be better.”

  “But it could be worse. Thank you for speaking to me.”

  “I feel the council has made a mistake. I, of course, will always speak with you.”

  “You know, it wouldn’t be terrible thing if Jace Marlow were to stop by the flat sometime in the next day or two.”

  “Funny you should mention that. I believe he was planning on doing just that. Purely coincidental, of course.”

  Arabella smiled, then turned to Dante. “I want to show you Edinburgh. I can’t let all the clothes I lugged across the ocean go without a single use. Besides, another day or so and I’ll be able to create a portal back to Magic.”

  “You don’t need your coven’s help for that?”

  “Not with Circe in our corner. My parents would help too, I’m sure, but no need to make them break any more laws.”

  It was a twenty-minute drive, and Arabella pointed out her old haunts along the way. “I want to bring you here during the summer. It’s beautiful.” Old world charm was everywhere, as was the lilt of accents the humans carried.

  Carl helped them take the luggage up to the top floor of the building. The back of the unit overlooked the Edinburgh Castle, which was a sight to be seen. Especially at night.

  “Dante, come look.” She flung the doors wide and stepped out onto the small balcony. “Wait till nighttime. It’s beautiful.”

  She left Dante and returned to Carl. “Thank you.”

  A good six inches shorter than her, he didn’t flinch when she wrapped him in a hug. He’d been with her family since before she was born. “Always a pleasure, Miss Arabella. Interesting times.”

  “Indeed.”

  Back outside, she slid her arms around Dante’s waist and leaned on his shoulder.

  “Am I worried about you hugging witches?” he asked, arms leaning against the iron railing.

  She laughed. “If you have a problem
with Carl, wait till you meet Jace.”

  He turned in her embrace to face her. “Be careful, sugar. You don’t want to push a newly-mated wolf.” The rims of his eyes were a glistening gold.

  “I think I know how to ease the beast.” The kiss was teasing, tempting, taunting.

  A low rumble, more felt than heard, vibrated through her.

  She leaned back in his embrace. “Given that we’ve only made love twice, I’m thinking it’s time for another go. You know, just to make sure we’re compatible and all that.”

  He laughed and led her inside. “Such a smart woman.”

  The bed was small by US standards, but it fit the space perfectly. Old Europe was filled with small accommodations. It was part of the charm. The mattress, at least, was relatively new. Arabella and her parents had spent many nights in this flat while visiting Edinburgh. It was the perfect place to host non-Wiccan visitors, or just to get away from the coven for a time.

  As Dante undressed, Arabella simply disapparated her clothes.

  “That’s cheating,” Dante said tossing his jeans to the floor.

  “It’s efficient.”

  “True, but one of these days I’d like to see you undress. Slow and sexy.”

  “That could be arranged with the right music.”

  His shirt joined the jeans and he prowled over to her. “Now there’s some research I could get behind.”

  In a fluid movement, he had her on her back, splayed across the bed. “Need to be inside of you now.” His eyes were nearly full-blown wolf and she was more than ready, slick with desire as he slid home.

  It was the perfect melding of their energies and bodies. While their first pairing was frantic and chaotic, this was a solid intensity born of their bond.

  Pleasure swirled and surged, intensifying as the tempo increased. They reached a crescendo that had every muscle in her body tense until the orgasm washed over her and released the energy.

  Dante was right there with her, his heart pounding in time with hers. He peppered her with kisses, nipping and licking his way from her shoulder to her lips.

  The kiss was the perfect icing for the exquisite cake they’d just consumed.

  Long moments later, he raised up to his elbows and swept the stray hair from her face. “In case you were wondering, that was the appetizer.” He rocked his hips, his erection hardening with each motion.

  “There’s no place else we need to be.” She closed her eyes, focused, and flipped them, leaving her straddling him.

  His laughter filled the room, and her heart. “Oh, sugar. I’m going to like life with a witch.”

  “You have no idea.” She leaned forward and bit his shoulder as she resumed the pace for round two.

  The following morning, Arabella was sitting at the small table off the kitchen with Dante, who was shaking off jet lag with strong coffee, when she sensed Jace. “He’s here.” She bolted for the door and flung it wide before Dante had a chance to react.

  “Jace!” The only place she’d ever felt this at home before Dante was in Jace’s embrace. They were a perfect match. Everyone always said so. Their parents had nearly arranged a marriage, but even as children they’d known that wasn’t their path. Of all the first kisses that took place in the coven’s barn, theirs wasn’t one of them. The only kisses they ever exchanged were of the familial kind.

  She breathed in his honey chocolate scent and ran her palm across his bearded chin. “You need to shave that thing.”

  “Nah, the women love it. The guys, too.” He winked in his signature move. His hair was longer than when last she’d seen him; the wild waves of his blond locks always gave him a just-got-out-of-bed appearance.

  “Say what you want about you and Jace being friends,” Dante said from behind her. “He touches you again any time soon and he’s going to be dealing with the wolf.” His voice was laced with the animal’s displeasure.

  “Easy, big guy.” Arabella slid her arm around Dante’s waist and pulled him close. “Jace, meet the love of my life, Dante.”

  Jace had a way about him. Always had. He could charm the skirts off a nun. “Nice to meet you.” He stuck out his hand and grinned like an idiot.

  Arabella gave him an eyeroll fit for a king.

  Dante eyed the hand and growled. “I’m not a human.”

  “Jace,” Arabella chided.

  “What? It’s funny.” He spun and called to a figure out of sight in the hall. “I brought someone who wanted to see you.”

  A snap of destiny cracked through the air and an auburn-haired woman who looked to be in her mid-forties for a human stepped to Jace’s side.

  “Margain,” Arabella said. “It’s so good to see you.” She stepped forward and embraced the woman.

  “Dante, this is Jace’s grandmother.”

  Arabella hadn’t seen her since she’d been a child. She didn’t live in the coven, preferring the colder climbs of the north. Her energies were strong and steady. Always had been.

  “Please, come in.” Arabella kept one arm around Dante, sensing his wolf’s jealousy. The animal sensed her affiliation with Jace. He’d calm in time, but she wasn’t going to miss this opportunity to catch up. Interesting that Jace had brought his grandmother, however.

  Arabella made tea and coffee.

  “I hear you’ve gone and got yourself excommunicated,” Margain said with a knowing look.

  Arabella threw her a smile. “True love.”

  A sadness rippled over the woman.

  Arabella set the tea down in front of the others and moved to sit next to Dante, but he grabbed her hips and guided her onto his lap.

  “Wolves are extremely territorial, especially when they’ve recently mated,” Arabella said by way of explanation. “It’s lovely to see you, Margain. May I ask why you are here?”

  “You’re mixed up with the elves.”

  That was possibly the last response she would have guessed. “The elves?”

  “You’re living in Magic, New Mexico.” Margain blew on her tea.

  “Not far from there,” Arabella said. “A place called Haven.”

  “You’re doing something with the elves that live near there.”

  The memory of the female horse shifter hit her hard. “I've yet to meet any of them.”

  “You have a role to play in that tale.”

  “A role? With the elves?” Dante asked. “No disrespect, but I think Arabella’s role has more to do with Coven Starfall.”

  Margain gazed at Dante for a full minute before speaking. She radiated the energy of one who is present in simultaneous time-flow, meshed in temporal entanglement. “They thought it was me.”

  Dante cast Arabella a questioning glance. She shrugged. Witches in this state didn’t process linearly. There was literally no telling when or where she was.

  Jace placed his hand on her shoulder. “Who thought you were what?”

  “The Fates.” Margain’s eyes were unfocused as she gazed unseeing out the balcony doors.

  A shiver of destiny enveloped Arabella’s entire body. The once rare phenomenon was becoming common place.

  “They were just protecting themselves at first,” Margain shifted her gaze to Arabella.

  “Who?”

  “The elves. Those horses kept them enslaved for nearly a hundred years. Until they discovered the binds. That gave them the power they needed. It wasn’t supposed to go this far. To last this long.” She wasn’t talking to Arabella. “The shifters will lose their humanity if you don’t stop them.” She stared into Arabella’s eyes, but the gaze was empty. “You must stop them.”

  She thought of the shifter horses. They were slipping away from that which tied all sentient beings together. Their humanity.

  “I’m sorry. I don’t know what I’m supposed to do.”

  “It wasn’t me, though,” Margain looked at Dante.

  Arabella felt the connection.

  “There was one before. Like Arabella, she loved a wolf from the states. They thought it was
me.” She turned back to Arabella with those non-seeing eyes. “You will bridge the gap between three.” Margain’s energies bounced around dangerously.

  “Easy, grandmother,” Jace said. He placed his palm on her cheek and turned her face to him. “Margain? Come back.”

  The woman blinked a few times and her focus returned. She eyed everyone in turn. “It’s always most perplexing when I don’t recall these fugues.”

  They filled her in as best they could. When they mentioned the one before who'd loved a wolf, the sadness returned, but Margain said nothing of it.

  The remainder of the visit was pleasant, but Arabella kept it short. Dante was having serious trouble with his wolf needing to protect his mate. Not that she needed protecting, but she was learning to understand his other half.

  She sat curled into his side on the couch after Jace and Margain had left.

  “What did she mean by all that? And three what?” Dante asked.

  “I don’t know, but she’s like The Fates in her abilities to delve into the future. I think she’s right, too. Those horse shifters are losing their grip. I have no idea what I’m supposed to do, which means I just have to pay attention. If I’ve got a role to play, something will spark.”

  They spent two days exploring Edinburgh. It was a magical time, and felt more like a honeymoon than anything. On the third day, she woke and found that the last of the feral effects had finally vanished.

  Dante was already up and in the kitchen. She padded into the small space and wrapped her arms around him. He was solid and fit her like her favorite jeans.

  “Good morning, sugar.” He placed a kiss on her forehead.

  “It’s time to go home.”

  “I like the sound of that.”

  “Me too.”

  The trip back to Haven was as the universe intended. Through a portal, taking all of fifteen seconds.

  Arabella was glad to have had the experience of flying like a human. In hindsight, every paranormal should, but she hoped she’d never have to again.

  They arrived in early afternoon and spent the following hour moving her things out of the Inn and into the apartment over the annex.