“Actually, yes. We have twin little sisters, Eileen and Chelsea, just finishing secondary school. I have pictures in my wallet. But go change. It can wait.”
“There is a sandwich shop around the corner. Why don’t we meet you there in half an hour? That will give us time to finish up here, and Meadow can change,” Brencis said, slipping his arm around Meadow’s waist.
“All right, I’ll meet you there in a few,” Garrett said, smiling before he turned and headed for the door. “I really am glad to have found you, Meadow.” Then, he waved and walked out the door.
“I think I’m in shock or dreaming. Do you think he’s on the level? Pinch me so I know I’m not dreaming.”
“He seems sincere,” Brencis said, giving Meadow a quick squeeze. “I don’t smell a lie on him, and he seems to have the same cinnamon scent you carry, though his is deeper somehow. Did you know about this Witches Council he was talking about?”
“I think Mary mentioned something about a governing body. I never thought much about it. I know we registered and paid annual dues to some kind of association, Mary always took care of those things.”
“Well, let’s get done here so you can change. We don’t want to keep your brother waiting.”
“My brother, that sounds so strange. I have a brother.”
“And two little sisters. Hurry up, Printsessa Volshebnaya. You still need to change your clothes.”
§
Brencis helped Meadow finish closing the shop and led her upstairs to change. While she decided what would be best to wear, he pulled out his cell phone to call Grigori.
“Bren, is there a problem? I thought you were coming for dinner.”
“We won’t be able to make it tonight. A man showed up claiming to be Meadow’s half-brother, and he says he’s from the Witches Council. Have you ever heard of such a thing?”
“Witches Council. I thought that was a myth.”
“So you know about it?” Was Meadow right in thinking she was a witch?
“Not really. I remember one of our elders saying something about the witches having a governing council. I thought she was senile. How could there be such a thing in this day and age?”
“Well, evidently there is, and Garrett, Meadow’s brother, works for the council. He recognized me as being a lycan just by looking at me. He also saw our mating bond.”
“This is rather troubling. Keep me informed, and be careful. If I’m not mistaken, the witches and the lycans have not always been on good terms.”
“We’ll see you tomorrow,” Brencis said, closing the cell phone as Meadow walked up beside him. He slipped his arm around her. His mate really was a witch.
She had removed the bright-red curly wig she had been wearing, letting her white-blond hair fall gently to her shoulders. The purple sundress was rather understated for Meadow, but it set off her lovely eyes, and Brencis wished he could take time to make love to her before they faced her unknown family.
“Do I look all right?”
“You look beautiful, and I want nothing more than to strip you down and make love to you,” Brencis said, drawing her closer into his arms.
She laughed. “You always say the right thing to make me feel better. My feelings are all mixed up. After all this time I have a father, a family. It’s . . . frightening.”
“There’s nothing to be afraid of. You are my mate, and I will keep you safe, even from your family if necessary. Unless you want to insult your brother, we should go.”
Meadow’s hand trembled as she tried to put the key in the lock of the apartment door. Brencis gently took the keys from her hand and locked the door, before handing them back to her. She decided to have a key made for him and put it on her mental to-do list. Putting his arm around her waist, Brencis pulled her close, tucking her beneath his shoulder. He always made her feel so safe. Needing his strength, she let his warmth and presence seep into her.
There were so many questions running through her head. If she had a father, why didn’t her mother tell her? Meadow knew, of course, someone had fathered her. When her mother said she didn’t know who the father was, Meadow figured it was a one-night fling, and her mother didn’t know which of the men she slept with was her father. Garrett said he had searched for her for years. How was that possible?
Brencis opened the door to the deli and held it so she could walk through. She was so preoccupied, she hadn’t paid any attention to the walk over. He followed her through the door, reaching for her hand as he came up beside her. Garrett looked up at that moment and smiled and waved.
As they moved forward, Meadow felt more and more confused. Could she do this?
“You are crushing my hand, lyubov moya. Relax,” Brencis whispered into her ear as they moved to the side of the booth.
“Meadow, I was afraid you’d changed your mind. I didn’t catch your mate’s name,” Garrett said, rising from his seat and motioning the couple to join him.
“I’m sorry. This is Brencis Solovyov, my fiancé,” Meadow said, watching as the two men shook hands. Bren’s nostrils flared, and she knew he was catching Garrett’s scent, trying to discern his intent.
“Please, sit,” Garrett said, moving back into his seat. The smile on his face revealed that he knew what Brencis was doing.
Meadow slid into the booth next to the window, and Brencis followed her in, pressing close to her. Ordinarily, she would have felt a little squished, but now she felt protected. They waited to place their orders before speaking about what brought them together.
“It’s unusual for one of us to mate with a lycan. How did it happen?” Garrett asked, leaning forward when the waitress finally moved away.
“Before Meadow explains how we met, perhaps you would like to tell us why Meadow’s father has been searching for her?” Brencis suggested, his hand giving a gentle squeeze to Meadow’s leg.
“Of course, forgive me. I suppose the most obvious reason is you are his daughter and as such you have powers. Powers need to be used wisely. Powers can get you in trouble. In fact, your existence caused Father to be fined and lose prestige in his coven. Children and having them are closely monitored. I’m not trying to hurt you, but your birth was a mistake. My father paid your mother to get an abortion, and she took the money and spent it on partying instead. When he found out you were born, he tried to keep an eye on you. But your mother kept moving from place to place. Then, when you turned sixteen, he contacted her so he could send you to magic school. She threw you out, and we lost track of you. I say we, because by that time I had joined my father in looking for you.”
“Why didn’t he ever contact me? Why did he keep me in the dark?”
“He tried, your mother wouldn’t allow it. He sent letters and gifts. She sold the gifts and returned the letters unopened. After a while, it was better to watch and wait for you to come of magical age. Normally, we gain our powers around the age of sixteen. So until that time, you were safe from being found out or exposing us.”
The waitress appeared with their sandwiches, and everyone immediately stopped talking. Meadow sat quietly thinking, fiddling with a chip on her plate. This was all about her powers and whether she was going to expose them? This wasn’t about family. She felt her hopes drain away. Her father never wanted her. She was a mistake he needed to contain. Her shoulders slumped as she sank deeper into the booth, losing her appetite.
I am here, Meadow mine. We will make our own family. You are not alone. I love and need you. I want you.
Brencis’ thoughts and love poured into her heart, filling the places left empty by Garrett’s explanation. She was so thankful she wanted to throw herself into his arms. Instead, she burst into tears. Brencis growled and gathered her close. Meadow buried her face in his chest, too mortified to do anything but sob.
“Oh no, I’ve explained it badly haven’t I?” Garrett said. “Please don’t cry, Meadow. We want you to be a part of our family. We never meant to lose you. Father kicks himself daily about not taking you away from y
our mother when you were born. You’re my sister. You belong with us.”
“No.” Brencis growled. “She belongs with me.”
“Yes, of course. Please, Meadow. Stop crying. I didn’t mean to hurt you. Father is going to kill me when he hears I made you cry.”
“If I don’t kill you first,” Brencis growled before turning to Meadow. “Come, lyubov moya. Hush now, your brother doesn’t mean to be unkind. He sincerely wants to get to know you.”
“I’m sorry to be such a watering pot. It’s all very overwhelming,” Meadow said, wiping the tears away with the napkins her brother quickly put in her hand. As soon as she crumpled one, he pulled another from the dispenser and pushed it into her hands. The look of pure panic on her brother’s face was so extreme, Meadow felt herself start to smile even through her tears.
“I guess I should stick to my day job. I’m not very good imparting personal information. You’d never guess I am a barrister.”
Meadow looked at her brother in amazement. Her brother was a barrister? Though now when she looked at his suit, it did look expensive.
“I also work for the Witches Council, of course. I have an ability to read auras, among other things. When people use Black Magic, it muddies their auras. There’s no way to hide it from someone like me.”
“You mentioned a complaint?” Brencis asked, while Meadow finished wiping her tears and blowing her nose.
“Yes, it came in anonymously,” Garrett said. “Someone believed Black Magic was being used at Magic Herbs. Did your coven celebrate the summer solstice?”
“I don’t know. I was out at Brencis’ family estate. What exactly is Black Magic?” Meadow asked.
“Sorry, I forget you weren’t sent to school as you should have been,” Garrett said. “Black Magic requires a blood sacrifice as part of the ceremony. In most cases, that of animals, but there are some ceremonies that require a human sacrifice. The energy is evil. I can tell from looking at you that neither one of you has used Black Magic. In fact, most lycans can’t use magic and are often immune to it. There have been a few exceptions.”
“So when you came by the store today, you didn’t know Meadow was your sister?” Brencis asked.
“All I knew was there was a Meadow Seymour registered as a witch and listed as part-owner of the shop. Meadow’s mother was going by the last name of Thomas when my father met her. She gave Meadow her maiden name as a last name. I should have thought of that. Mary Peasely sent in the registration almost four years ago. In all the years I’ve been looking for you, you were right here under my nose.” Garrett shook his head ruefully and sighed.
“Mary offered me a safe place to live. She took me in and taught me to be a good witch,” Meadow said, wanting to relieve some of the guilt emanating from her brother. She could feel his grief.
“I am glad she found you,” Garrett said. “There are others who would have exploited your lack of knowledge or worse. Everywhere there are good and bad witches, as there are good and bad people, though we like to call them white and black because of the kind of magic they use. Is your sandwich okay?”
Meadow glanced down at the Portobello mushroom sandwich sitting forgotten on her plate. “I guess I’m not as hungry as I thought.”
“You should eat, Meadow. You ate only a salad for lunch,” Brencis said, his tone filled with concern.
“I know, but my stomach is tied in knots right now. I’ll take it home and try to eat later. I promise.”
“You know I will keep you to your promise,” Brencis said. Then, leaning closer, he whispered in her ear. “Maybe I should feed it to you while we lie naked in bed.”
Blushing, Meadow ducked her head. “Sometimes you are wicked.”
“Yes, but you like me that way.”
Garrett, clearing his throat, reminded Meadow they weren’t alone. “I didn’t mean to steal your appetite. I could help you feel more like eating if you would let me.”
Meadow felt Brencis bristle beside her, and she agreed with him. She didn’t want anyone working magic on her. Not even her brother, who was still a stranger to her.
“No. Thank you, no. I’ll eat later.”
“As you wish. I’m sorry. I keep putting my foot in it. I hope we can be friends, Meadow. I think of you as my little sister. I want to get to know you.”
“I appreciate that, Garrett. And I do want to get to know you and the twins. I would love to meet my father, if he’ll see me.”
“Of course, he’ll see you. He has been searching for you as I have. He even paid for a magical detection spell. I wonder why it didn’t work. It should have led him straight here. There seems to be a bit of mystery surrounding you, sister dear. Not to worry, we’ll get it figured out. Oh, there is one little thing. You’re not marked by our clan. It’s a simple little spell. You’ll end up having a tattoo like this one on my wrist.”
Meadow leaned forward and saw the prancing unicorn tattoo on his arm. “It’s a unicorn?” she asked, surprised.
“Yes, everyone who is related to the Amhursts has one. Our clan is very good at Earth magic, though all the Elements will answer to our command.”
“Why is there a sword lying over it?” Meadow asked.
“Oh, you will have the unicorn. The sword is a symbol of the Guardians. They act as the witches’ police force and are chosen by the powers themselves. It’s a small spell. May I?”
Meadow glanced at Brencis and nodded. “I guess that would be okay.”
“Blood to blood, and heart to heart, ties that bind bring family’s mark,” Garrett intoned in a quiet sing-song voice.
A blue light started to glow around her wrist, and Meadow gasped in surprise. Suddenly, the blue light jumped to Bren’s hand. The light started to sizzle, and the smell of something burning filled the air.
“Govno, Shit. What have you done?” Brencis yelled, blowing on his hand and then shaking it as if to fling the blue light away from him, before going back to blowing some more.
When the blue light winked out, Meadow looked first at her wrist, which now possessed a prancing unicorn tattoo on it, and then at Brencis’ hand, which now sported a tattoo of a candle with a star over the tip of the flame. He continued to blow across the surface, and she could see where the skin was red and puffy around the mark. Another strange reaction to magic. Poor Brencis, lycans and magic just didn’t seem to mesh.
“Why are our tattoos colored in, while yours is just the black outline?” Meadow asked.
“Because you have found your destined one. When I find mine, my tattoo will change and the colors will come in. What tattoo does Brencis have? That’s not possible,” Garrett said, looking at Brencis’ hand and shaking his head. “That is the mark of the Royals, the house of Avery. They were the first wish-makers and rank higher than all the other clans.”
“Wish-makers?” Brencis asked.
“Yes, the first of our kind were called the wish-makers. Wishes turned to witches as those in power began to fear our abilities.”
“Why would their mark appear on Brencis?” Meadow asked, confused.
“I don’t know, he must be related to them somewhere in his line,” Garrett said with awe. “They are very rare and automatically hold a seat on the Witches’ Council. There is only one here in England we know of. Her name is Mabel Avery.”
“Well, it hurt like hell. What if I don’t want to be one of these Averys?” Brencis asked, more than a little irritated. If they thought he was going to sit on some witches council they were sorely mistaken. His allegiance was to Meadow and to his Alpha. He didn’t have time for this nonsense.
“I don’t know what to say. I’m terribly sorry, Brencis. I’ll have to get back to you about all this,” Garrett said, waving his hand to encompass both Meadow and Brencis. “Meadow, I’ll call you in a few days. Father will want to meet you. And Brencis, the council may need to meet with you over this development. If for any reason either of you believes you might know someone practicing black magic, summon me at this number. I wi
ll come straightaway,” Garrett said, handing Meadow a business card before standing up and reaching for the bill. “This is on me. I’ve got to run. It really is good to meet you, Meadow.”
“I’m glad we had this chance to talk, Garrett,” Meadow said, smiling up at him.
Brencis reached out to shake Garrett’s hand, wincing as the new tattoo stung when pressure was applied. He was glad to be rid of his new brother-in-law. Grigori was not going to be happy about his possible new job with the Witches Council. Being Meadow’s mate was like opening Pandora’s Box. What would happen next?
Chapter Nine
Brencis turned off his phone and looked over at Meadow as she tried to watch television. Her half-eaten sandwich still sat in the takeaway container from the deli. He knew she wasn’t really paying attention to the show, because she kept chewing on her bottom lip and didn’t laugh at the obvious humor. Meeting her brother had her questioning who she was and where she belonged.
The wolf in Brencis wanted to point out she belonged to him and to no one else. But that wasn’t what she needed to hear right now. Perhaps, there was another way to remind her of their bond.
Reaching over, Brencis brushed his fingers down her arm. Meadow blinked and looked up at him.
“Does Grigori know anything about the Avery line?” she asked.
“He is going to look into it. Right now I need you to come over here and let me love you.”
“Now?”
“Right now,” Brencis said, pulling Meadow’s face close for a kiss. “Hhmm, you taste like mushroom.”
“Sorry about that. I could brush my teeth.”
“No, don’t. I love the taste of you,” Brencis said, taking her mouth in another kiss.
Meadow opened to him and their tongues dueled. She liked the taste of Brencis, as well. He was addicting. She could never get enough of him. Needing to be closer, she scooted across the couch, accidently knocking the takeaway box onto the floor.
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