by Jen Talty
“Don’t you think we gave the paparazzi a good enough show at my house?” Jackson glanced over his shoulder, waving at the half-dozen reporters and photographers. Most usually camped out in the lot to see what new rising couple would make an appearance.
“So not the point.” She pinched the bridge of her nose. “Remember when I looked inside you, at your inner—”
“I’d like to forget the after effects of that. Seeing you as an ice princess is an image I’d like to erase.”
“Me too, but my aunt will see both my inner and outer aura and right now it’s not filled with love and devotion.”
He undid his seat belt, reaching over, cupping her chin. “Does it really matter what she sees? We’re here to confront her and if she’s not the witch we’re looking for, then what she sees is your fear of confrontation.”
“If she didn’t cast the spell, I want her to accept you, so if she thinks we aren’t really mates, then she’ll make your life a living hell.”
“You’re not a wolf, so we’re not going to mate in something like a scenting ritual, so all that will take time and we’ll get there and she’ll see.”
Amanda cracked a smile. “I saw something about that on a show once and all I could think about was, no way would I ever want my butt sniffed.”
“It’s not like that.” He groaned. “When we mate with other creatures, it’s an imprint on each other. Really hard to explain.”
“I’ve heard my dad use that term with witches and finding soulmates. He swears the first time he laid eyes on my mom, he knew she was the one he was destined to be with, which is kind of creepy because she was like ten, and he’s almost ten years older.” She knew there was nothing sexual about the imprinting process, from what she’d read about it. The concept was simple enough. More like making a claim on a future relationship.
“It’s weird, but not unheard of with paranormal creatures,” he said, pulling her so close, she could hear his heart pounding. “Reach inside my right back pocket.”
“I wanted a kiss, not groping in the parking lot.”
He let out a small laugh. “Just do it.”
“Do you care that my sister can see us from across the street?”
“Do you?” he asked.
“Hell, no.” She slipped her fingers into his jeans, grabbing a small, thick piece of paper that almost felt like plastic against her fingertips. “It’s my youngest sister, who is so freaking drop-dead gorgeous we all want to strangle her, so making out with hot werewolf in front of her might be fun.”
“For future reference, and just to be clear, you’re the hottest woman in any room, hands down.”
“You haven’t met Alicia.”
“The ballerina? I’ve seen her perform, and she’s kind of bland-looking.”
Amanda smiled about as wide as any woman could without her cheeks exploding. Her sisters were all beautiful. She pulled the paper out of his pocket and glanced at it.
She gasped, staring at herself as a baby, and a young boy that she knew deep down was Jackson. “Is that us?”
“It seems I might have imprinted on you as a baby. Even weirder than your parents.”
“But more romantic.” She gave up waiting for him to initiate what they both wanted. Her lips sizzled as they pressed against his in an erotic dance that promised more than passion.
It foreshadowed something that would last forever.
The kiss didn’t linger very long as her body chilled. “Do you feel that?”
“I feel a coolness that makes no sense since it is eighty-five out.”
“Danger is close,” she whispered. “Remember what my dad said.”
“Constant contact so his powers can protect us both. Too bad I don’t actually have the ability to use his magic.”
She laughed, though it was more nervous than humorous. “You couldn’t handle it.” She slipped from his Jeep, waiting for him to walk around the front, guilt tearing up her insides. Hopefully, she never had to use the spell.
“Ready?” He took her hand, squeezing tightly.
“Let’s do this.”
Her aunt’s limo had been parked across the street, taking up two parking spots, without having to pay the meter, something Amanda, her siblings, and her parents would never do, but Auntie Alley constantly used her privilege to avoid what the rest of the common fold had to deal with. Humility wasn’t her strong suit and while she made it clear that she didn’t like werewolves, Amanda had never known her to use her magic to hurt others or to benefit herself. She’d been all bark, no bite.
The second Amanda walked into the restaurant with Jackson, heads turned. The restaurant was always packed, but it seemed someone alerted the public to their destination, because the line went out the back door to be seated.
“Lady Amanda, your aunt is waiting for you in the back room,” the hostess said.
Wonderful, she probably made them clear it from all the rest of the patrons. “Thank you.”
The hostess stepped in front of Jackson. “We were told to allow only the Lady in the back room.”
“You can tell my aunt that breakfast is cancelled then if she’s not willing to meet with me and my boyfriend.” She loved how the word boyfriend rolled off her tongue. She’d said it with other men, but it always felt like a temporary term that would never lead anywhere.
And until Jackson, that was just fine with her.
But out of the blue, she wanted more than a career. She wanted everything that being with a soulmate could offer.
“I’ll be right back.” The hostess scowled.
Customers from around the restaurant lifted their cell phones, snapping pictures. Normally, it didn’t bother her when she went out. Part of being a Royal, and a movie star. But this was different. It was like the press was waiting for Jackson to whip out a gun and go bonkers. She squeezed his hand tighter.
“She already knows we suspect her,” Jackson whispered, leaning in close to her ear. “Something is really off.”
“We need to get to the back room,” she said, tugging him through the main dining area. Not once in her life had she used black magic, but she’d use it now if she had to.
No sooner did they make it to the private room, guarded by two employees of her Aunt and the Royal Family, then the hostess stepped through the door.
“She wants to see you alone, but said if you insist, Mr. Ledger can join you.” The hostess quickly breezed past them, her face pale and fear etched in her features.
One of the guards opened the door, glaring at them both, but giving Jackson a disgusted look of pure hatred. He opened his mouth.
“I wouldn’t try a spell,” Amanda warned. “Not unless you want to be food for my niece’s pet python.”
The guard stepped back.
“I’d heard about that snake once,” Jackson whispered. “I thought it might have been folk lore.”
“I wish. That damn snake is dangerous.”
With Jackson’s fingers still laced through hers, and her head held high, she entered the room with her heart in her gut. Her aunt sat at a table, sipping a cup of tea as if there wasn’t anything wrong in the world.
“I knew you’d bring that fifthly creature.”
“Nice to see you too, Auntie Alley,” Amanda said, her words sopped with sarcasm. “But Jackson is now family, so I’d appreciate it if you treated him with kindness and respect.”
“That’s never going to happen,” her aunt said, dabbing her lips with a napkin. “He’s vile, just like his father.”
“It’s nice to meet you, too,” Jackson said with a snarl. He actually showed his teeth. “I do think we should get to know each other, considering this vile animal mated with Lady Amanda, and there isn’t a damn thing you can do about that.”
“Sure there is.” Her aunt stood, graceful as always. “You see, witches stick together no matter what.” She snapped her fingers, waving at one of the servants, who turned and opened the door where Arianna stood. “You see, your sisters know your
father has lost his mind and frankly, so have you.”
“You can’t be serious,” Amanda said, swallowing the lump in her throat. If her sister had betrayed her, then this wasn’t going to end well for her and Jackson.
“Your other two sisters are outside, waiting for instructions,” her aunt said.
“Sorry, sis. But who wants a werewolf as a brother-in-law?” Arianna brushed her shoulder with her left hand three times, as if she were flicking something away.
Amanda bit back her excitement. That had been their signal as small children, indicating that no matter what it seemed, the other sisters had her back. The sisters had never told anyone about their secret code. It had come in handy for skipping classes, dealing with boys, and girls, who wronged them, without having to use magic.
“You won’t get away with any of this,” Jackson said, his gaze darting around the room.
She had no way to know for sure what he was doing, but instinct, and her growing bond with him, told her he was searching for exits and any possible surprises. His need to protect what he felt was his, seeped from his skin to hers.
That would help with what she now knew she had to do.
Her sister pulled out a gun.
“What the hell are you doing?” Amanda asked.
Her aunt held up her hand. “You see, she’s going to shoot me. Not a fatal wound but damaging enough. I’m going to go running from this room, screaming that your dirty wolf tried to kill me, and he was about to turn on you. If you don’t play along, your sister will shoot you too.”
“Then she’ll have to shoot me,” Amanda said with conviction.
“Please dear, don’t make me do this.”
“No one is making you do anything,” Jackson said, his hand gripping hers so tightly it cut off the circulation. “But we know all about your spell to prevent Amanda and I from mating. How did you know we were destined for each other?”
“You’re not,” her aunt said, practically spitting. “Your kind always imprints themselves on the wrong people. For years, we’ve been hunting this kind of bonding down and doing our best to destroy it.”
“Well, you failed, because we’ve mated,” Jackson said with a sense of pride that filled her body with a warm glow.
Ha. Her aunt would see a positive aura now.
“I haven’t failed because you’re either going to die, or go to prison, with your father, and my niece here will get over you and your stupid imprinting. I will make sure of it.”
“You can’t,” Amanda said. “We’re beyond a simple claim. Your spell actually bonded us faster.”
“Not to mention your brother knows everything, and you’re only going to destroy yourself.”
“Shut up, wolf.” Her aunt waved her hand dismissively. “You know nothing, and you will always be nothing. Your luck has run out.”
“You? You cast a second spell on him?” Amanda swallowed the bile that kicked up in the back of her throat.
“Of course, I did. I needed him out of the picture. Only, I underestimated his determination. My only mistake.”
Jackson stepped forward, but Amanda yanked him back.
“Amanda, dear. I’ll forgive you for choosing him over blood, but don’t stand in my way, because I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure his kind never enters the sanctity of our coven.” Her aunt held up her arm. “Let’s get this over with.”
Summoning all the power Amanda could gather, she sucked all the energy from the room. When her father had sent her the spell from the cursed Book of Shadows, warning that she should only use it under the most dire of circumstances, she wouldn’t let herself believe she’d need it.
“Cast my pain unto my niece, let her know what it means to be least,” her aunt said. “Shoot me in the arm, now.”
Arianna pressed the weapon to their aunt’s bicep.
“Trust me. No matter what happens, don’t let go until I yank free,” Amanda whispered, hoping she could get through the spell before Jackson let go of her hand. “The werewolf and wizard are one. Though two different creatures, they are bonded by me and until the deed is done. Out of the cauldron and into my mate, I cast the powers of fate.”
She gritted her teeth as her hand burned under Jackson’s touch.
He let out a low growl, showing his teeth as his body shook violently.
“Shoot me before she finishes the spell,” her aunt yelled.
“I’m trying. The trigger won’t move,” Arianna said.
Amanda waved her hands. “The wizard shall regain strength in a foreign form, to protect all he holds dear until the spell is torn. The magic rises in the east, setting where she’ll see it least.”
Her aunt tried to grab the gun, but it floated to the ceiling, out of reach.
“In his human body the power of the wizard shall yield, and in his werewolf spirt the blood of the royals, and keeper of all things wicked and good, shall he shield.” She reached into her pocket, pulling out a vial, smashing it against her leg. She winched in pain as the glass cut her flesh. The liquid bubbled in the air, forming a thick cloud of heavy smoke.
“No!” her aunt screamed, dropping to the ground.
“I need you to go touch her,” Amanda said. “Gently, on the shoulder.”
“Why?”
“Do you trust me now?”
“What are we, a Verizon commercial? Yeah, I fucking trust you.” He stomped over, raising his hand just over her aunt’s shoulder. “I have no idea what is about to happen, and I don’t care. But I will tell you that no matter how hard you tried, you couldn’t stop me from mating with Amanda. Someday my seed will fill her belly, and you will have to bow to my pups.”
Amanda covered her mouth with one hand, her stomach with the other. “Just touch her shoulder please.”
Jackson rested his hand on her aunt’s body. Sparks flew from his fingertips.
Her aunt convulsed, her powers releasing from her pores in various colors, forming a giant ball.
“Now hold your hands as out as if you’re holding a basketball.” Amanda held back a tear. She’d loved her aunt. Still did. She hated doing this to her, but it was the only way to stop the madness she’d brought on the Royal Family.
Jackson raised his hands and the swirls of colors floated across the air, forming a ball in-between his arms. Once all the colors had gathered, Arianna held out a jar.
“Repeat after me,” Amanda said.
Jackson looked at her with a crinkled brow and wide eyes, his body trembling at the cosmic supremacy he held.
“The powers of a princess are beautiful and rare. Place hers in this bottle and keep her bare. Cast her cauldron to the darkness and protect the family from madness.” Amanda nodded, and Jackson repeated the words. The ball zipped from his hands to the jar where her sister made sure she secured the lid.
“What now?” Jackson asked, his face had lost all color as he leaned against the windowsill.
She could tell he grew weak. A warlock’s power was not meant to be harnessed by a werewolf.
Or anyone else for that matter.
“We wait here for my father, so he can gather his powers,” she said, sitting next to him. “Look at me.” She knew the risks of casting that spell, but Jackson didn’t, and she feared he may never forgive her.
If her father could get there fast enough to save him.
Chapter 10
Jackson blinked his eyes open and rubbed his temples. A dull ache filled his brain and a wave of nausea swirled in his gut. He glanced around, grateful he was in his own room, but he sucked in a sharp breath when he saw Amanda’s parents, and his mother, hovering over him.
“His color is back,” Amanda’s mother said.
“He looks like he has a fever,” his mother said, reaching out, putting the back of her hand on his cheek.
“I’m fine,” he croaked, his voice dry and brittle.
“What do you remember?” Albert asked.
“Weird shit. Then more weird shit. Then I wanted to vomit.”
/> Albert laughed. “Believe it or not, it’s the weirdest thing I’ve ever been through.”
“I hope I never have to go through anything like that again,” Jackson muttered. “When I asked Amanda about me having your powers, well, that’s a wish I never hope comes true again.”
“Me neither,” her father said.
“But get used to tricks and whatnot because your children could be witches,” her mother said.
“They could also be werewolves,” his mother said.
He groaned. He’d barely had a chance to know anything about his mate and he was going to take his time.
“I’ve heard of a mixed race that is both,” Alfred said. “I’m pulling for a werewolf witch. Now that would be cool.”
Jackson closed his eyes. The insanity of the conversation made him want to burst out laughing. “Where’s Amanda?”
“I’m right here,” her voice echoed from the other side of the room. She sat on the edge of the bed.
“Why don’t we give the lovebirds some time alone,” his mother said, patting his shoulder. “I’m going to spend the night, whether the two of you like it or not. Just to make sure you’re both okay.”
“Whatever you say, Ma.”
She kissed his forehead.
“We’ll be by in the morning.” Alfred took his wife by the hand and followed his mother out of the master, clicking the door closed behind them.
“Not sure what was weirder, what happened at the restaurant, or waking up to having all of them staring at me.” He rolled to his side, resting his hand on her thigh. The room teetered as another wave of dizziness rocked his system.
“I’m so sorry,” she whispered.
“For what?” He blinked, the room still not quite in focus, and he wanted to be able to see her glorious face and all its wonderment.
“Casting that spell on you without telling you what was going on. I know I promised not to do things like that, but if I didn’t, we’d all probably be dead in some way.”
He tugged her back to the mattress, nuzzling his face in her neck, inhaling her sweet strawberry scent, getting drunk on her. He would do anything for her, and her family, a fate he would never deny.