“I think you would, curious thing.” He snatched her wrist, placing her hand on the table. “Do you have a preferred part of mine?”
“Wait, let’s skip the parts, we have enough to protect ourselves from each other.” She called up a field of magic that buzzed and popped against Decker’s hand.
He turned to her, dropping his grip on her hand. “Friends don’t cast magic against each other.”
“I’m sorry. I was afraid.” Alice reached for his hand to see what she’d done. “Let me heal you. I shouldn’t have done that.”
The motion Decker used to press her hand down again and chop the tip off her finger was so fast, Alice didn’t register what happened until she looked down at the blood.
She screamed and fainted.
Chapter Twenty-Three
“GOOD TO SEE you up and about. Do have a seat.” The man sat behind a desk with the cluttered look of a person who had real work to do, and not enough time for the management of paperwork.
Alice lingered in the door a moment, assessing him. He was not a man. Almost a man. His skin tone was a little too blue tinted, his eyes too golden, and his features too stretched. “Thank you, sir.”
“Maxwell. Please, just Maxwell.” He shuffled through a stack of papers and his lips pursed. His fingers drummed the stack and his jaw twitched. “How are you feeling today? Quite an ordeal to face dark elves on your own. And with so little missing parts as a result. Most impressive.” He dipped his head and gestured toward the chair.
Alice stepped into the room and walked around the chair. She lowered herself, resting on the edge. She swallowed and glanced back at the door she’d left opened. Her calves tensed, and her palms started to sweat. She wiped them on the fabric of her pants.
Maxwell blinked a few times and the corners of his mouth turned up. “That won’t happen here. We don’t condone collecting parts. Relax.”
Her gaze drifted to her left hand, now rested on her knee. Even bandaged, the finger was considerably shorter.
She closed her eyes against memories of Decker catching her as she fainted. He probably thought it was kindness to leave her right hand intact. None of that mattered. Decker had his bits now. Her bits.
Alice raised her hand to a small, v-shaped notch in her ear. Decker’s gift to her. A permanent reminder that not all creatures will treat you as you treat them. “Chester said you wanted to see me.”
“Yes, I don’t have time to put this any way aside from bluntly. It is my deepest hope that you will not take that as anything other than my being terribly overworked.” He offered a smile that was almost warm, and flipped through a few more papers.
Alice dropped her hand, holding the arm rest. “I broke rules. Stole magic books from witches. In fairness, one is mine. It would have been.”
Impatience danced across his face for an instant, before he flashed her another smile. “May I continue?”
“Yes, of course. I’m sorry, sir. Maxwell.” She looked down, feeling heat in her cheeks.
After Decker, she promised not to allow herself to be mousy or get pushed around, but something in his aura demanded respect. What was he? Not human, not entirely.
“You are a magical hybrid. That is only allowed here. I’m afraid that leaves you few options. Both have you staying here.” When she sat straighter, he put up a hand, stopping her question. “Due to the service you provided and the excellence with which you brought the dark elves into the new treaty, I can give you two options. Most hybrids only get one. However, you have acquired allies in high places.”
“You make it sound like I can’t go home.” The heat drained from her face as a chill raced up her back.
“Then we are clear, good. You can work, as most hybrids do, as staff. It is a vital function, we couldn’t operate without a staff to see to the daily things onsite for our soldiers and ambassadors. There are many positions you might find pleasing and the accommodations are comfortable.” His frown lifted as he tugged out a paper, sitting it on top of his stack.
“Maintenance? Cooks? Hybrids are the slaves of the PPK?” Her entire face bunched and her legs twitched as the urge to get up and flee raced across her.
“I’ve never thought of them as such, nor do they. You are welcome to walk the entire site, talk to anyone and then make your judgements as well as your decisions.” He lifted a cup to his mouth, sipping slowly, eyes still on her. “I wasn’t finished explaining your options.”
Alice chewed her bottom lip. Don’t make snap judgments. “What is my other option, Maxwell.”
His chuckle was dry and amused. “I did imagine you would have some spunk to do what you did. That is why the other option is to stay as an ambassador.”
She closed her mouth, and straightened her shoulders. “Like Chester? Go out and face life and death every day? Those are my two options? Dishes, or death? Is there a door number three that has chocolate and a beach vacation?”
Maxwell rubbed his temples with the pads of his thumbs. “Walk around. Talk to anyone, everyone. Not soldiers, that section, I must insist, is off limits to civilian personnel, ambassadors included.”
“Are there perks for being an ambassador?”
“Perks?” Maxwell tapped a pen on the desk.
Alice ran the fingers of her right hand on the fabric of her pants. “Well, life and death is asking a lot more than vacuuming the halls.”
“There are more sections opened for your use. You will have extensive training, different accommodations.” He handed her a stack of papers and a pen. “These are your contracts for staying here. Once you decide your role, there will be more paperwork. There should be a packet in your room with rules. Again, I must remind you this is a special offer to be made to a creature that shouldn’t be allowed to leave these premises. You would be on probation and not given an assignment until you are properly assimilated.”
The cold nature took her by surprise. “Are you part dark elf?”
“The disconnect is needed. You will develop it overtime.”
“I hope not.”
He stood and walked to the door, holding it. “You may take your time deciding. I understand you still have recovering to do. Your contributions are not demanded in your state.”
Alice muttered a thank you and held the papers against her chest. “I’ll get these back to you very soon.”
“I will need the guest responsibility form back today. If you like, I will show you where the library is, your guest is waiting.” A hint of mischief glinted in his golden eyes.
“My guest?” A tremble raced over her. Who could it be? “I don’t know many people, or creatures, and can’t say I want to see any of them.”
“The elf who brought you.” He started walking down the long gray corridor. “Follow me.”
“Decker? No. I can’t be responsible for that monster. Yes, he’s not entirely, well, I hope you didn’t leave him to run about alone.” She looked at the paper on the top of the stack, walking as she skimmed the form for a name. “Jasper.”
“Yes, though you must know, that isn’t his name.” Maxwell laughed. “Once you turn in the form, I will have his clearance granted and he may come and go as your guest. You can have two at any given time. Your other friend doesn’t need your guest pass. As a clan leader, he is welcome in restricted emissary sections already.”
“Decker, welcome?” Alice scribbled her name at the bottom of the form. “This gives Jasper clearance for what exactly?”
He took the form. “You should read things before you sign them. I suggest you read the rest carefully. He will be cleared to be on premises in the communal areas only. If you are with him, he may join you in all areas you have access to, aside from briefing areas, and records rooms.”
“I assume you know he is a dark elf.”
“We show no prejudices to any creature, human aside. Non-magical humans are not allowed anywhere onsite.” He stopped at a set of large wooden double doors. “This is the public library. Your guest is inside.”
“Is t
here a private library?” Alice put her hand on the door knob.
“For ambassadors only. It holds secrets of every species we are aware of, and therefore is not open to the regular staff.” His head dipped and he stepped back. “Chester can answer your questions. Have a nice visit.”
Alice watched him hurry away. Hurry, hurry. She drew in a breath through her nose and opened the door.
A small gasp escaped when she entered the vast room. The smell of old books greeted her, causing the tightness in her shoulders to ease. Her boot heels against the floor echoed in the hushed space.
Behind rows of towering bookshelves, walls of books reached up several stories on two sides. The back wall was broken with a balcony that had tables and chairs.
In the center of the floor, a large desk dominated the space. Behind it a slight being with purple skin, silver hair, and dragonfly wings sorted stacks of books. It looked at Alice with rapidly blinking yellow eyes a moment before returning to the books.
There were only a few creatures milling about and reading, that made it easy for Alice to zero in on Jasper. She strode toward the right corner, navigating between shelves.
When she turned down the aisle where he stood, with a book in his hands, intently reading, she stopped, holding her breath.
The book lowered, revealing his warm eyes and too-large smile. “Alice, I can’t tell you how good it is to see you up.”
“Is it?” The firmness she hoped for wasn’t in her voice. “You left me here.” The familiar feeling of being alone welled up, triggering ingrained fears of abandonment.
“No, I brought you here for your safety. I have to live in the cave, the same as you have to live here.” Jasper studied her face as if it were the first time he’d seen her. “I will always come see you as often as I can, as often as you wish.”
She stared back at him. His words exposed his need. He would always be there for her, but he needed to hear she wanted that. Did she? He never denied he was like Decker. “Will we always be connected?”
“Yes, does that bother you? It need not be anything other than it is right now. Perhaps I can come study with you.”
Alice saw the hurt hid in his words, due to their connection. “The studious dark elf.” Her eyes softened and she reached up, touching his jaw. “How honorable.”
“It’s not as noble a pursuit as you think. Not for me. I love the chaos of learning when it turns your world upside down. Look what we did, when we discovered your soul.” He leaned his head down, his nose brushing her forehead.
Alice stepped back, feeling confused at the intimacy of the moment. “What is that?” She pointed to a small bag on the ground.
Jasper reached down and plucked up the bag with a finger, holding it toward her. “They are from him. He didn’t want his parts left to anyone aside from you. You will find his dagger and all the bits you are due.”
“He really sent them?” Alice gripped the bag, drawing the string tight. Did she want to look inside?
“I told him you were there to teach him. He’s grown. Trusting a witch. When you are settled, I can help you make a ward.”
“Then he hasn’t grown, if you think I need to do that.” The corners of her mouth turned down.
“Baby steps.” He started to reach for her, but balled his hand and pulled it away. “Regardless of what happens, you must know that my soul and yours will never harm each other.”
Alice flicked her gaze away, avoiding the temptation to look in his eyes and invade his mind. “I don’t know what to believe in anymore.”
“Fair enough. I’ll be here however you have need. Your life is at the start of a wonderful adventure.” He paused, licked his lips, and continued. “Alice, if you need something to believe in, start with yourself.”
The end.
Continue reading for chapter one of Blessedly Bound, part one of the Elemental Witch Trial series.
Blessedly Bound
An Elemental Witch Trials Novel Book One
Chapter One
GWEN GLARED AT her raven, Lewis. Were they going to argue about the weather now as well? “You can help me, or mind your own business.”
“Will it be my business when you lay freezing in a snowstorm?” His words whispered in her mind.
She stepped out of the main room and into the hall, ignoring his question. The burgundy carpet runner muffled her footsteps, muting her presence in the cavernous corridor. The stale air devoured the light aroma of roses from her shampoo, erasing her trail.
Lewis flew by her face in a flourish of feathers.
She kept walking. Dignifying his temper tantrum wouldn’t accomplish anything.
At the end of the hall, she stopped. A large wooden door barricaded her from the harsh weather, also blocking the answers she craved. The wood grain on the panel formed patterns of faces. Guardians.
Gwen unlatched the chain, and then gripped the brass handle, using her thumb to depress the lock. A blast of cold forced its way inside through the screen door. She flicked the latch, and then pushed on the small frame.
Lewis flapped past without a word.
The wood boards of the porch creaked under her weight. With a tug, she closed the door and ended the stream of warmth from inside. Gwen let go of the screen door. Its spring slammed it closed.
The waist high siding, along with the screen blocked much of the snow. Tiny collections gathered in the corners where the frames met, giving hints at the intensity of the wind.
Gwen pulled at her already zipped outercoat before shoving her gloved hands in her pockets.
Lewis remained a silent observer.
She thrust her shoulder against the outside door. Once. Twice. The high snowdrift held it in place.
The raven changed to his man form, stormed past her, shoved the door open, and shifted back before he took flight.
“Thank you.” Her words filled the emptiness around her, before vanishing, unacknowledged.
With her head turned so the chill didn't slap her face, she walked down the steps into the storm. The wind swirled the fluffy new snow, making it hard to see. The deeper into the chilling white she walked, the more she needed to use memories and instinct to guide the way. Her eyes scanned for Lewis as she inched forward.
Snow crunched under her feet as it had the first day she walked the estate grounds alongside the police officers. The detached voice of the local sheriff drifted on the wind. That’s where the remains were found.
The muscles in her calves and thighs burned with each step. How far had she walked? Not far enough. She tugged the neck of her coat over her chin, and pressed on.
Yellow crime tape flapped against the trees. A warm spot grew from the coldness, wrapping around her. The whistle of the wind stopped. Burned pine, death, and ice mingled together in the air like a macabre barbecue. This was the spot.
Trees cast dark shadows, creating images of unknown monsters on the snow. Behind her, the white swallowed the manor. An isolated sense of dread washed over her. The air dried her throat. Every exhale formed a cloud, before it disappeared, sucked into oblivion.
Her teeth chattered. Stings came from numbing fingertips. To delay any longer meant a real risk of frost bite.
A flash of black cut through the snowy air. Lewis.
She pulled off her gloves, crammed them in her pocket, and then rested her bare palms on the rough surface of the burnt tree. The tree where her grandmother died. Bound and burned.
Nothing came to her.
She knelt and removed her boots. Standing again, with her hands on the tree, she dug her toes into the icy layers. As a reflex they recoiled. She forced them deeper. Her toes wiggled through the snow while she ignored both the wind cutting through her clothes, and the hot pin pricks of freezing flesh on her feet.
It was easy to dig away the new fluffy flakes, but it took some extra effort as she worked at more compressed layers. She did not register she hit the soil under her feet until her mind took her back to the near past.
S
tars sparkled in the inky sky. A breeze blew. The air carried on it had a dry warmth. From where? It must be a summer night. No, it can't be. The air itself was cold. A winter night, but with a warm breeze.
Her eyes opened wide.
Fire burned in front of her. As the flames grew higher, they scorched her skin. She wanted to back away from the heat, but couldn't move. Shades of yellow and orange danced around her. She wrestled against the rope holding her bound. Tied to a tree.
“Burned at the stake.” The words echoed in the night.
Her eyes scanned past the flames that licked closer to her. Sweat beaded on her forehead. A wicked laugh filled her mind. Brown eyes flashed in front of her.
“Now you will burn, witch,” the same genderless voice said.
The flames reached higher. Two distinct sets of screams rang out, her own and her grandmother’s. The heat swallowed her thoughts. The unmistakable stench of skin on fire, blended with the reek of singed hair. Things blacked out as agony enveloped her.
As soon as her consciousness closed to the fire, cold washed over her. She lay sprawled on the ground, gripping the snow beneath her.
Her eyes opened again. Crimson replaced the ivory world. If only the ropes would burn.
Blackness came. Coldness woke her.
Again, her eyes opened to heat and fire. She tried to back out of the past, but flames continued to cook her skin.
Her eyes closed. The sweat on her skin froze in the arctic air.
“Lewis,” she managed to say before the flames sucked her back.
When she returned again, warmth wrapped her. Body heat. Some-one carried her in their arms. The wind howled. Snow swirled. Too weak to do anything more, she rested against the familiar body of Lewis.
The next time she opened her eyes, she was on the couch, in the main room of the manor. A heavy blanket tucked around her, holding in her body heat. The fire crackled, casting shadows across the dimly lit room.
Lewis perched on the chair to the right of the couch.
“Thank you.” She sat up, and leaned back on the pillows.
“You could have died,” he said, still as a voice in her head.
Tainted Waters: A Dark Paranormal Fantasy Novel (Paranormal Peacekeepers Book 1) Page 23