Touching me, tasting me, he was going to send me over the edge too soon. Tugging his shirt off, I stroked his torso. There weren’t many men who had the sexy hip bone muscles, but as I traced my finger down one, I had to roll my shoulders to contain the thrill that ran through me.
“Just think,” Gerard said as he kissed me again. “Once you’re off the case, you can practice your magic and totally harness both. We could do some freaky magic things in bed.”
Freezing, I pushed him away. The warmth that had radiated only moments before fizzled out. Covering myself, I looked at him. “What do you mean, off the case?”
Frowning, he sat up but didn’t back away. “Don’t you think it’s best that you’re not involved? You’ve got way too much emotional involvement now.”
“I’m going to therapy to sort that. I assumed I’d be back on the case once I was done with that. I won’t rest until she’s dead.”
The mood had changed extremely quickly. The coldness that crept over my skin made me swallow the lump in my throat. Gerard hadn’t said anything about love. He had jumped on me, although I had encouraged him, but did he just want me for one thing?
It was a good job I had found out what he really thought before we’d had sex. Once we’d gone all the way, there would be no going back.
“What was all that crap earlier? About forgiveness and not being weak?”
Shuffling back, he sat on the edge of the bed, clearly understanding that I wasn’t going to sleep with him anytime soon. “You’re not weak,” he said through clenched teeth. “You’re reactive, which is no good in our line of work.”
Biting the inside of my cheek, I tried to prove him wrong. I couldn’t.
Getting up, I grabbed the nearest clothes I could find. Jeans and the top from the day before, and my boots.
“Where are you going? Don’t leave like this. Not when that just happened.”
Reaching the door, I looked over my shoulder. “You might as well pretend this never happened. I’m not going to be with anyone who doesn’t think I’m fit enough to be professional. You might think you know me, Gerard, and yes, I’ve been having a few flashback problems recently, but I’m going to prove you wrong.”
Chapter Twelve
Everyone was against me, even the man I was in… lust with.
My parents had pressed Gerard’s point when I had tried to get them to hear me out. Justina had also expressed a wish that I keep on with the therapy and see where it led. Which meant they were going to kick me off the case.
My feet were strong on the ground as I approached the guard and flashed my badge. Nodding once, he allowed me entrance, not even bothering to check the hefty bag I had slung over my shoulder. Ah, well, at least one person still trusted me.
The prison walls were infused with a spell that disarmed all magic. And, yet, an agent got a pass. My magic was recognised by the spell, so I could still use it.
As the cell door squeaked open, I couldn’t help but feel a little sorry for the person who sat on the side of the bed, her hair hanging down where she leant over.
“Lucia?”
Tilting her head to the side, she looked at me through those lovely dark locks. Even with a swollen face, and bruised eye, she was pretty. How did she do it?
“What do you want?”
Either this would work, or it would backfire and cause me all sorts of grief. Stepping into the cell, I closed the door behind me.
Lucia’s eyes widened when I lowered the bag to the floor and opened it.
“I need your help.”
Taking Sammy, the cat, out of the bag, I cradled the familiar to me, holding tightly when she squirmed to get to her owner.
“Give her to me.” Lucia was on her feet in a flash, reaching forward.
Moving Sammy, I held up a finger. “I need your help,” I repeated.
Putting her hands on her hips, Lucia glared at me. There was no reason that she should aid me. Not when I’d beaten her senseless. And, yet, the longing in her face almost made me cave in. Sammy was to her what Kingsley was to me. A best friend.
“What do you want?”
Hissing when Sammy scratched my arm, I handed her over. The little sod had drawn blood. Felines could be vicious, which was why I’d chosen my rat.
Rubbing the wound, I watched as Lucia hugged the cat to her, a genuine smile coming to her face. It was the first time I’d seen real emotion since she’d been in custody.
“I need to find a way to contact my grandmother. I’ve been thrown off the case.” Okay, I lied, but it was going to be true in the future. “And, I want to reacquaint myself with her.”
Lucia’s eyes zoned in on me, the brown irises diluting, judging. “I don’t believe you.”
Throwing my head back, I groaned. Why was everything so difficult lately?
“I’m being serious. No one wants me at the agency,” I spat. “They all think I’ve lost it since she tortured me. I need to see her. Ask her why she thought I was so special.”
Shaking her head, Lucia sat on her bed. “Oh, I see. You’re feeling rejected by everyone because you’ve lost yourself, so you’re running to grandma. Just to get attention.”
When she put it like that, it did sound immature. In fact, what was I doing? Why was I seeking out the one person who I wanted to end? It was completely childish.
“You’re right,” I said to myself.
“No, don’t be so hasty. I know exactly why you’re seeking her. She knew you when you were growing up. Accepted you, even though she knew you were part warlock. She taught you how to use Essex witch magic, even training you to connect to part of the ley lines.” Lucia’s face was blank as she spoke, as if she wasn’t really there.
“She did? How do you know that?”
A laugh exploded from Lucia’s chest, the tone different from the girl’s usual voice.
“Helena!” My grandmother was using the girl as a channel.
How long had she been doing that? Probably the whole time. What a crazy and genius witch she was.
“Come to me, Devon. I can show you how amazing you can be. I promise that if you agree to be with me again, like when you were a child, I’ll let all the witches go.”
That sounded like a bargain. One that I’d need to consider. If I could save the witches at the same time as being accepted for who I was, I would be able to stop the whole operation. Saving those who were still suffering.
“You have to promise me you will break apart your ring and release all of the magic that’s not yours.”
Lucia’s eyes screwed up before a smile blossomed on her face. “If you promise to come back to me. I love you, my child. We spent a lot of time together when you were a young girl. I miss you dreadfully.”
The words were truth, I could hear it in the tone of her voice. Even though she was using Lucia, it was Helena I spoke to.
“Okay. Tell me where to meet you.”
Lucia jumped up, jolting the cat in her arms. Trying to clap her hands, she gave up when Sammy clawed her. “Come to London Victoria station. John will meet you there.”
“John?” My palms prickled as I thought of the man.
“I give you my word, darling, that we will not harm you in any way. Please, trust me.”
I had to do it. Yes, it was selfish, but at the same time, it would save the other witches. We had to put an end to her atrocities one way or another. And, if it meant that she got me again, probably to use my power, then so be it. I would end this once and for all.
“Okay, I’ll flash there now.”
“See you soon, my love,” Lucia said before she slumped on the bed, eyes closed.
Going over, I tried to pick Sammy up. She hissed at me, warning me away. Whispering a cloaking spell, I stroked her head before putting her back on the bed. Lucia woke up, her hands instantly grabbing her old familiar.
“She feels different,” she said, her eyes growing wide. “What have you done?”
Standing back, I held my hands in the air. �
��I’ve disconnected her as your familiar.”
“You bitch!” She went to fly off the bed but slammed straight into my protective wall.
“Listen to me,” I hissed. “I’ve taken the link away, so she can stay here with you.”
Her shoulders dropped as her mouth fell open. Yes, it was probably a stupid thing to do, but my invisibility spell should stop anyone from knowing she was there. I’d even brought a litter tray for her.
“Just feed her some of your food and when you clean her out, flush it down the toilet. No one will be able to see her, I used a very strong spell.”
I didn’t go into details about how I’d used a spell from the grimoire. Centring myself, I’d somehow drawn enough energy from mother earth’s pure magic to cast the spell. My nose had bled, my body collapsed, but I’d done it.
“Thank you,” Lucia whispered. “I… it’s lonely in here.”
Her choices had led her to her cell. I didn’t feel sorry for her because of that. But, I knew that if I’d ever found myself alone, Kingsley would be the only thing I thought about day in, day out. And, maybe Gerard’s strong arms.
Shaking my head to clear the thought, I waved goodbye as I picked up my bag and flashed to London Victoria.
The train station was bustling. People’s energy, harassed, rushing, hit me. I swallowed as I flung my bag over my shoulder and walked towards the food stands. After I’d grabbed a burger, I sat on the floor to eat it. There were no seats in the station, which was stupid.
Two mouthfuls down and nausea flooded my stomach. What was I doing? I was waiting in the middle of a busy station for the man who had tortured me. So, he could take me to the woman who had ordered him to do it.
“Hey, gorgeous,” a young vampire said as he passed. “You wanna share that burger with me?”
Getting to my feet, I handed him the rest of it. “You can have it.”
Moving away, I kept my senses alert. My feet went forward, my heart went back. I was betraying everyone. For my own selfish reasons. No, not just that. Helena had promised me that she would give up everything. I was naive to believe it. But, I would be close to her, able to change my mind if she changed hers.
“Devon.” The voice was sniffy.
Turning, I put a hand on my stomach as it threatened to expel the nibbles of burger I had consumed. John stood there, a smirk on his face. If he wasn’t careful, I’d take his lips off his face. Not that I’d brought my dagger along. That would’ve been stupid. Especially as it was an Essex witch heirloom. No, I’d stolen one of Gerard’s guns. I wasn’t sure if he would kill me for either the betrayal, or the fact that I took one of his weapons. Either way, I wasn’t sure I’d ever find out. If I went with John now, I was cutting all ties with the agency. They would never have me back.
“I hear you made a deal with the devil,” John said, holding out his hand.
Shrinking away from him, I refused to touch him. He was vile. Tall and weak minded, he literally made me feel sick. Especially as the memory of what he’d done to me came flooding back.
“I can’t do this,” I said. “How do I know you’re not going to tie me up again?”
Shrugging, John crossed his hands over his chest. “Because she gave you her word. She rarely goes back on her word.”
“Rarely?”
The smug grin that came made me clench my hands into fists. I would take him down. In fact, going to Helena would give me an opportunity to get her on my side. Then, when we were good, I’d take John down. Just that thought was enough to make me reach out.
As soon as our fingers touched, we landed in front of a mansion. The one in the painting from the hospital. Justina had studied it for prints and searched the database, but nothing had come up to match it. And, yet, here it was.
“Helena is waiting in the rose garden for you.”
Gesturing to a walled area at the side of the house, he went up the steps and entered the front door. I clung to the strap of my bag, horrified by what I’d done. Every second that ticked by was a betrayal. Not only to them but to myself. I had given up, when I most needed to keep fighting.
“Devon!” Helena called me from the entrance to the rose garden.
She wore a long, red flowing boho dress that moved as she waved her arms in the air, indicating that I join her.
My boots crunched the small stones of the driveway as I made my way over. This place was ridiculously grand. Grand was an understatement. How had my grandmother owned so many amazing houses, including a bloody castle, when she’d been cut off from her Essex line?
“My darling, I’m so pleased to see you. Before anything, I want to apologise for what we did to you. It wasn’t fair. I was out of my mind, I treated you terribly.”
She went to reach for me, but I stepped out of the way. Nothing could make me embrace her as I would a loved one. I didn’t even hug my parents that often. Only when the emotions took me.
“You did treat me badly. Very badly. I’ve not forgiven you.”
Helena’s face softened as she cocked her head. “Why have you come here?”
Her voice was soft, kind. She really was the spitting image of me, it was a little unnerving. If she did follow through on her plan to give up the magic, she would age very quickly.
“My memories have been coming back. The ones of us when I was young. You… really did love me.”
And, she did. My dreams had shown me flashbacks to times when she would read to me at night, tucking me in and making me feel safe. She had adored me, even more than my parents had. Okay, so it might have been a little obsessive, but I remembered the feeling I got whenever I saw her. Acceptance, pure acceptance.
“Come, let me show you my roses.”
Walking ahead, she trusted me enough to turn her back. Hesitating for only a second, I followed her into the walled garden, my eyes instantly drawn to the thousands of different coloured roses. There were even colours that weren’t physically possible. White roses with a rainbow glitter on them, black and red swirls. They were oddly gorgeous.
“You have a thing for the rose,” I said as we stopped in front of a traditional red rose bush.
Holding up her arm, she pointed at her tattoo. It was the one in Lucia’s picture. I had noticed it when she had kidnapped me.
“Yes. My father was a gardener. His Essex ancestry adopted this witch coat of arms to show their legitimacy. Although I gained my ley line connection from my mother, naturally, I always wanted something to remind me of my father. His love of roses was inherited by me.”
Glancing at her sideways, I marvelled at the softness in her gaze. A woman so able to hurt other witches had some sort of heart. Otherwise, sentiment wouldn’t be possible.
“Well, you’re more thorn than rose, if we’re honest.”
My blunt words made her brow furrow. Was she…? Did she seriously feel offended by what I’d said? Oh, please, grandma.
Keeping my mouth shut, I studied the garden. If the woman could weave words of poetry, when she drained people of their magic, she could cut my throat in a second. And, I didn’t want to get blood on my top. I’d just bought it the other day.
“When you were a child, your mother tried to get you to honour both sides of you. One day, you’d learn about witch history, the next she’d rabbit on about warlock rubbish.”
Not bothering to batter an eyelash, I listened as we stood there. I’d let her waffle on about my childhood, maybe her view of things might help me.
She tucked her hands into the big pocket on the front of her baggy dress. “Every time we spoke, I taught you magic. You wanted to learn spells from a very young age, but your mother was adamant that we wait until you were older. I disagreed, training you when they weren’t around.”
That made sense. My mother had been surprised by how well I could perform magic when she had started to teach me. I had obviously blocked the memories of my grandmother from a very early age.
“You were so gifted, even with your warlock side. I could feel the Essex
magic coursing through you. That’s how I realised that you were connected to the ley line, like your mother. I was shocked, considering you were part warlock.”
Anxiety suddenly hit my body, making it harder for me to breathe. A memory, clear as anything, flashed into my mind. One that I had completely forgotten.
“You made me use the ley line magic when you got me to write that spell,” I muttered. “But, when mother found out, she dragged me away from you. Told me that I would never see you again because you’d made me do something evil. You… you caused the ancestors to disconnect me from the ley line.”
Grabbing my chest, I walked backwards, away from her. The creation of the spell had ramifications. If pure magic was used for dark, there were always consequences, without fail. “You’re the reason my witch magic is so weak.”
For so long, I’d blamed my warlock side, but what if my disconnection from the ley line had gradually decreased my witch power? It would explain why using my warlock magic drained it even more. That imbalance was always supposed to be balanced out with the great pure magic I was connected to from birth.
“Devon, your witch magic is weak because you refuse to choose a side. Your body cannot handle the power you used to be able to harness. You’re so extraordinary, my child. I knew that, I could see it, which was why I had you doing spells from the age of two.”
Reaching for me, she managed to grab my wrists. Pulling me towards her, she looked into my eyes. “I’m the one who told you that no matter what anyone else said, you are amazing, Devon Jinx. You will always be amazing whether you’re part witch and warlock, whole witch, or whole warlock. And, I truly believe it, darling, I really do.”
The truth was there, in her words. I could feel it. She had supported me, accepted me as a child. When everyone else in the underground world had rejected me because of being different, she had loved me for who I was. Okay, so she took advantage of that for her own gain, but… she had loved me.
“Let’s go inside, we have so much to catch up on. I want to hear about your handsome witch partner. He’s gorgeous!”
Hunted Witch Agency Box Set Books 1-3 (Hunted Witch Agency Set) Page 41