Shadows Fall

by Rivers, Brandy L

  A shudder rocked through her, and she looked away. “Let me guess. You’re going to suggest I bump uglies with him to get rid of him.”

  “That or let me get rid of him in a more permanent fashion. I don’t trust that little shit. I never have. You do realize that filth is a warlock.”

  Amethyst snorted. “Barely. He has almost no magic to speak of. He’s just desperate, and I don’t even understand why.” She rubbed her hands up and down her thighs and shook her head. “We fought constantly. Carl didn’t even really talk to me. He just wanted me to agree to everything. I may not be as commanding as Fallon, but I don’t let people walk all over me.”

  “Yes, but Ame, you are a beautiful young woman, and he’s the type of bastard who wants to possess a beautiful woman.” His gaze slid over to her for a second. “You deserve better than that.”

  She groaned. “I know. I’m not stupid. Why do you think I kicked his butt out?”

  “Yet, he keeps coming back, and I know you don’t want me to put him six feet under, so do us all a favor. Just fuck him and get it over with. He won’t be back. I know you have it in you. It’s just once, and trust me, there are worse things to suffer than a roll in the sack with someone you can’t stand.”

  Amethyst’s gaze swung back to him as her mouth fell open.

  “No. Don’t ask, kiddo. I’m not sharing those details. Just do it before he does something worse than sending you to the council.”

  A hysterical laugh bubbled up. “Don’t. You stopped worse from happening with Jarvis. So don’t.” She dropped her head and closed her eyes. “I’ll think about it. Okay?”

  “That will have to do for now. I just don’t want anything to happen to you.” He reached over and squeezed her shoulder, sort of like her own brother always did. One more reason she had grown out of her crush.

  “Thanks,” she muttered.

  “By the way, I warded your place against Carl. At least until you decide to let him in long enough to get rid of him for good.”

  She nodded as a feeling of defeat poured through her. The more she thought about it, the more she realized that was the best way to deal with him.

  Preston parked the car. “I knew you wouldn’t let me check the place for you. So, I made a trip and did it before I came to pick you up. I’ll know if he tries anything.”

  With a glance his way, she smiled weakly. “I truly appreciate everything you’ve done. Thank you.”

  “Don’t worry about it.” He gave her hand a squeeze, “Just think about what I said. Okay?”

  “I will, I promise.” She climbed out of his Maserati and forced herself to keep moving.

  Carl’s eyes were on her, she could feel the caress of his gaze. It was the same sensation he gave her when he used to drag his fingers across her bare flesh. There was a time she had craved the way he watched her. Now it gave her the heebie jeebies.

  The feeling faded as soon as the elevator doors closed. It was the first time in weeks that she could relax.

  * * * *

  Carl was hidden in shadow across the street from Amethyst’s building, where he’d been waiting for nearly twenty minutes. He watched as that prick mage dropped her off at her door. He was ready to stomp over there and get payback for the sludge, but he didn’t have the skills to go up against Preston. So he stayed out of sight.

  Once the coast was clear, Carl sprinted across the street and up the steps to the front door. A jolt of electricity shot through him as his hand came in contact with the knob. He landed on his back and the air wooshed out of his lungs. His whole body trembled as he sat up, and then slowly stood.

  What the hell was that?

  He picked a wrapper up off the ground and tossed it at the handle. Nothing. He stood slowly, raising one finger and reached for the knob. The jolt promptly knocked on his ass again. This time he stayed down.

  A dry chuckle snapped Carl’s attention to the little old man who lived down the hall from Amethyst. He brushed past and said, “I heard the little lady tell you to leave her alone. Best be doing that, son.” He slipped through the door and out of sight.

  Carl launched himself to his feet and tried to slip through the open door, but was thrown onto the ground in a wave of blinding pain.

  That fucking mage did this. It had to be him. Preston had been snooping around the building before going to the Silver Council.

  He picked himself up, and made his way back to his car to think the situation through.

  Chapter 4

  A week later, Amethyst sat at the front desk of Painted On You, staring out the window, trying to form a plan to deal with Carl. She jumped when her phone rang and nearly dropped it in her haste to answer.

  “Hello?” Her voice was shaky and Gabriel’s eyebrow rose.

  “Why haven’t I heard from you in three weeks?” Fallon demanded. “Three weeks? You called about moving, and now you just don’t call?”

  “Oh fudge. I figured Gabriel told you.” She felt it again, Carl’s greedy eyes sweeping over her.

  Gabriel gave her a pointed look, but his voice was quiet. “Couldn’t tell Fallon anything when you still haven’t told me where you were.” Of course he hadn’t asked, but he was the type to wait for someone to come to him with their problems.

  “He didn’t,” Fallon answered. “Gabe just told me that Preston, of all people, assured him that you were okay. That was it. I found it awfully funny when Preston left Jamie to go back to San Francisco. Even stranger that he told Robert to translocate him when it makes him sick.”

  “Oh.” She slumped back in her chair, and took a deep breath before letting it out. “Carl claimed he was fairy struck. He went to the council about it.”

  Gabriel stomped over to her, seething with fury. Crap, probably should have broken that to him a little easier.

  “Want me to come up there?” Fallon just about shouted.

  “No. I’m finally going to take care of it. I can’t deal with him always being around.”

  “I’ll take care of it,” Gabriel growled the words.

  She shook her head. “I don’t want him dead. I just want him to leave me alone so I can move to Edenton.” Her eyes closed and she winced as she directed her question to Fallon, “That is if you still think I could get a job?”

  “Don’t you worry about that, Ame. I have you covered there. If he does anything, call me so I can get there.” Fallon’s confidence was appreciated. Her sense of vengeance, not so much.

  “Fine, but I’ll be moving up just as soon as I take care of a few things. I already have my things packed.” She did. The apartment didn’t feel like home anymore, so she started packing right after Preston took her home.

  “Hurry up and get here soon as you can. Since I know you won’t do what you should.” Fallon sighed heavily.

  Amethyst’s face scrunched up, and she balled her free hand into a fist. Everyone thought it should be so easy to sleep with her ex to get rid of him. The magic part would be, but she didn’t think he could turn her on enough to make it work. She had an idea though, one that she really hoped would work.

  She was finally tired of being underestimated, and heat infused her words. “Actually, I plan to screw him. It’s the only way I can be sure he won’t follow.”

  “Sorry.” Regret laced Fallon’s tone. “It’s for the best though. Look, Ame, I’ve got to go. Call me later.”

  “I will,” she promised, and hung up. Gabriel was still standing over her when she opened her eyes. He was the man who raised her. She couldn’t read his emotions, probably because they were all warring with each other.

  “The Silver Council had you for two weeks, and you didn’t think to tell me that little slimy bastard put you in their hands?”

  She swallowed hard, and shrugged lamely. “What could you have done about it?”

  “Killed that fucking punk,” he exploded. “In fact, next time….”

  Amethyst stood up and shook her head. “No. Just let me handle this the way I should have before Carl w
ent to them. Please. Maybe Mom will be proud of that.”

  The rage still burned in his eyes, but his expression softened as he pulled her into a hug. “She loves you, babygirl. I promise she loves you, and she respects your decisions, even if she thinks it would be better to just do it.”

  “It’s an old argument, Dad. I just hoped I wouldn’t have to resort to it.”

  “Can you do it?” He asked softly.

  She put on a brave face. “Yes. I need to do this.”

  He nudged her chin up to look into her eyes. “If you can’t, you call me. Or any one of us who love you, and we will take care of it.”

  She almost laughed. “Don’t worry. I need to do this myself. I can do this.” At least it sounded a heck of a lot more confident than she felt. “In fact, I know he’s out there watching. So why don’t you let me go, so I can lure him away, and get this over with.”

  Before Gabriel could say another word, she slipped out the front doors and walked calmly to her jeep.

  * * * *

  Carl watched as Amethyst left the shop and then made her way to her Wrangler. A bead of sweat dripped down his nose as he attempted to scratch his head through the itchy wig. Then he scrubbed a hand over the scraggly beard that had filled in since Amethyst was first taken by the mages.

  He knew he looked ridiculous, but it helped him to stay out of sight. Her damned guardian mage always seemed to be nearby.

  His girl would go home, and probably sulk some more. He just knew she was planning to slip away. He had overheard a couple of her neighbors talking about her packing her things a couple of nights before. That was when Carl placed a tracking spell on her jeep.

  Take Her From You by Dev started to play. Amethyst was finally calling. He sat up straighter as he answered.

  “Amethyst, is it really you?” His voice came out shaky. Had she changed her mind? Did she finally want him back?

  “Can we talk?” she asked. Her voice was low and sultry like it always used to be before their problems started. “Please. I just need to see you.”

  “Of course. Where?”

  “My place. Half an hour.”

  Anger flashed through him. “Will that spell still be on the building?”

  “No. I had to convince Preston this was best, but he finally gave in.” She sighed. “I wanted to talk to you sooner, but….”

  “It’s okay. As long as you’ve come to your senses, we can work this out. We’re meant to be together. You’re meant to be mine, always and forever.”

  “We’ll talk. Okay?” It sounded hopeful, but she didn’t sound sure.

  “I’ll be there.” He would convince her, one way or another. Shedding his disguise, he rushed to his car and slammed the door. Half an hour was enough time to shower and shave. He’d been such a mess since she shut him out that he hadn’t taken care of himself.

  * * * *

  Amethyst was a ball of nerves, with a whole lot of anxiety and a little fear swirled in. She wrung her hands as she took another look through the apartment. All the boxes were in the closets. It looked a little bare, but it would have to do.

  The phone rang. She almost smiled when she saw Preston’s name on the display. “He’s on his way up. Just scream if you need me, I’ll be nearby,” he promised.

  That mental image made her shudder. “Seriously, Preston, that’s kind of hinky. I know you mean well, but I’d rather not know you’re close enough to hear me.”

  “Why’s that?” Now he merely sounded amused.

  She knew she was blushing. “I tend to be loud. You may mistake my pleasure for something being wrong.” Her face wrinkled up, imagining what he was thinking.

  “Good to know.” He chuckled. “I’ll try to keep that in mind.”

  “I swear, you’re such a perv,” she muttered. “Look, he’s going to be here any second. I need to go.”

  “I’ll be close.”

  “Right, cuz that shouldn’t make me feel weird about this at all.” She hung up and hid the phone in her dresser. It would only cause a fight if Carl knew she had been talking to Preston. He was always so jealous about anyone who gave her the slightest bit of attention.

  There was a sharp knock on the door and she jumped.

  Breathe, just breathe, she told herself. She smoothed her skirt out as she walked to the door and let a few of her old Preston fantasies play through her head. He might be off limits, but she still thought he was awfully yummy. If she could just think about him, and not Carl, she might just be able to pull this off.

  * * * *

  Carl was just about ready to knock again when the door swung open. Amethyst still looked a little thinner than before her captivity, and there were dark circles under her beautiful eyes. A seductive smirk twisted to her pouty lips. “Come in. I need you.”

  That was all he needed to hear. That she wanted him in her life. The anger slipped away as everything shifted back into place. He stepped inside and kicked the door shut before taking a step toward her.

  She took a quick step back. “I’ve missed this.” Walking backwards, she moved to her room as she pulled her shirt over her head and tossed it aside. Her full breasts spilled out uncovered, and he couldn’t help licking his lips as he followed her.

  Next, she unzipped her skirt, and let it fall to the floor. Her long purple hair fell around her, dancing along her hips as she sashayed back.

  “I’ve missed you,” he murmured as he rushed out of his clothes. “I’ve thought only of you.”

  “I know,” she whispered as her fingertips trailed up her stomach, over the curve of her breasts to her taught buds with their little barbells.

  His mouth watered as he watched her play. She laid back on the edge of the mattress. One hand slid back down and between her thighs while she spread her legs. Her head kicked back as a lusty moan escaped her lips.

  He knelt before her. She was so sexy. Her delicate fingers dancing over her tiny clit. Her back arched when she pressed two fingers into her sleek heat. The whimper that rumbled out of her made his cock throb.

  He missed her taste, and leaned in to lick her fingers as they withdrew. She made a needy sound that made his balls tighten. She wanted him, and he would give her everything. His tongue replaced her fingers, and her hips bucked against him. She was already so close just like she always was.

  Her taste was unreal, sweet and all her. He took his time, exploring until she was a writhing sweaty mess. He curled his tongue around her clit and sucked as he filled her with his fingers. She came undone.

  Before her body stilled, he stood and plunged into her in one hard stroke that made her cry out. She gripped him and it was almost too much, but he needed her, and she needed him.

  “Hard, fast,” she screamed as her legs locked around his waist.

  He grabbed her hips, lifting her for the right angle, and drove in and out of her little body.

  “Look at me, Carl,” she moaned. Damn, but she was already there again.

  He locked gazes with her as she spiraled into release, pulling him with her. A deep calm enveloped him a second before the urge to flee swept through him. He couldn’t stand to look at her as he came, but he couldn’t look away.

  Not mine. Leave her alone. Never again. Go, and never come back. The words whipped through his head like a whirlwind.

  He stumbled back and gathered up his clothes before rushing out of the room.

  * * * *

  The door slammed, and Amethyst rolled onto her side as tears broke free. She’d done it. She let her power wash through her and into him, sending him away for good. Now she felt filthy and cheap.

  Her phone rang, but she ignored it. She made her way to the bathroom and locked herself in.

  It didn’t matter who it was because she needed to be alone. She cranked the water as hot as it would go and stepped inside. The compulsion she gave Carl was the safest way to end things, but she still felt guilty about using him that way.

  Tomorrow morning she would load her jeep and drive away s
o she wouldn’t have to see his face ever again. She didn’t think she could handle knowing he was even in the same town as her.

  Chapter 5

  Carl wanted to stake a claim on Amethyst, but no matter what he did, he couldn’t turn around and go back to her. The compulsion to leave was too strong to resist, and he had run to the hall before bothering to get dressed.

  As soon as his shoes were on, not even tied, he scurried down the stairwell and out of the building like the hounds of hell were on his heels.

  He saw Preston step out of the alley with his arms crossed over his chest and a smug smile.

  Fear flooded Carl, and he hit the gas, speeding down the road on his way home.

  Go. Never come back. Just leave her alone.

  Then he realized it was Amethyst’s voice screaming in his head. She forced the suggestion on him, she did this. She planted the suggestion in his head to stay away from her for good.

  There was only one option left. He saw it in his dreams. The shadows would change him, but he would turn this around even if it killed him.

  * * * *

  Amethyst sat in the rocking chair with her arms curled around herself. She heard a knock on the door, and her heart stopped. She couldn’t breathe.

  I screwed it all up. He went to the council. Oh no.

  “Come on, Ame,” her mother called from the hall. “Open up.”

  She would almost rather have the council there. Amethyst forced herself to her feet, and trudged to the entryway. Dreading the conversation, she unlocked the door and only opened enough to see her mother’s long silken white hair, and the concern in her opalescent eyes.