He was her mate. No matter what, she would protect him and defend him with her dying breath, even if he'd murdered the high priestess, which she didn't believe was true. Not her alien.
Walking into class, she noted that Joseph and Jonah had the room in an uproar with their lizard performing tricks. The boys were a delight, but could create more mischief than any student ever taught before.
"Everyone quiet down. It's time to start."
Most days it took the children a few minutes to settle in and stop talking. It was best to give them some time before she began to hand out punishment.
“Today, I think you're all ready to learn how to put magic into the foods you prepare and how magic will change how you eat. My sister Daisy Blanchet ran the Touch of Decadence bakery. How do you think her magical cookies and cupcakes are created?"
Pausing, she glanced around the room to make certain she had everyone's attention. "By putting the magic into the dough."
The door opened and the ogre came running to her side, his face a grim mask. A nervous ripple went down her spine as she leaned down. "What's wrong?"
Keeping his voice low enough the children couldn't hear, he warned, "Ten black Tahoes and two army Humvees just pulled into town. We're on lock down. You need to keep everyone inside."
Fear gripped her stomach, making her nauseous. "Jaqarg has gone to the hardware store. Please, Ogre, rescue him. Get him out of town."
"I'll try. I'm warning as many of the magics as possible. If I see him, I'll send him to you. The black suits won't come near a school and scare the students. That would be wrong. At least, I hope not."
Swallowing the fear that raced through her, trying to appear strong for her kids, she hugged the little man. "Thank you. Tell him to hurry."
"I will, Petunia. Stay inside."
"We will," she said.
The ogre hurried out the door and she faced the room full of kids who were more acutely aware of their surroundings and what was going on than most.
"What's wrong?" Tabitha asked.
Petunia had made the decision to never lie to her students. Special children, they knew what it meant when the black Tahoes arrived in their magical world. "We have visitors."
"The government is back," Jonah, one of the twins said.
"Yes. Turn your spell books to the geometry section and we will discuss MC Square and how it relates to magic."
Smart kids, they deserved to know the reality of the situation and learn how to accept that occasionally the government visited Magic, New Mexico. If those men in black suits got too close to the truth, Sheriff Theo had a way to magically make the problem disappear.
"I want to go home," Tabitha said, her face scrunching up like she wanted to cry.
"Shhh, witches face these challenges every day. We'll get through this just fine," Petunia said calming the child.
A knock sounded at the door and she prayed it was Jaqarg, though it seemed too soon. Running to the door, she threw it open to see Kaine.
"It's time, witch. Time for me to kill you."
Jaqarg watched the black Tahoes rolling into town from the window of the hardware shop. His hands were full of the things he needed to build his charger, but now he wondered if he should just leave. The door to the store opened and the ogre came running in breathing heavily.
"I just spoke to Petunia. She wants you to come to the school."
"Go out the back door," the man behind the counter said. "I'll hold your purchases until after this is over. Looks like they're going to be here a while."
"Thanks," Jaqarg said and followed the short little man out the door. Doubts filled him and he realized for the second time in as many weeks, he was once again running instead of facing his adversary. When had he become such a coward? A ripple of--not fear--but apprehension caused his stomach to tense and he slowed.
Being at school, Petunia would be safe with her students. Surely, these black suits would never harm children. Maybe it would be best if he turned himself in.
"Don't even think it, alien," the little ogre said as he all but ran down the back alley. "You turn yourself in and they would be crawling even thicker over our community, trying to find another one like you. Then the spectators would descend on Magic and our lives would be miserable. So shut off your do-gooder thinking cap and follow me. I'm taking you to Petunia the back way."
The ogre opened a solid wall of rock, and closed it behind them. Damp and dark inside the mountain, the tunnel was barely big enough for Jaqarg to squeeze through in places. But he refused to let the little ogre out of his sight.
"How did you know what I was thinking?" he asked.
"A sixth sense," he said. "I'm unable to read minds, but sometimes I instinctively know what people are considering. You're a do-gooder who wants to make things right." Picking up the pace again they rushed along the dark path. "What were you thinking back there."
Jaqarg smiled, keeping up with the man as they wound through tunnels in the mountain. "Maybe it would be better for the citizens of Magic if I turned myself in. I'm not used to running from a fight. This is twice I've not faced threats. Both times, it's been to my advantage for me to leave rather than face the truth."
"Sometimes the visible truth is not real. Sometimes it's an illusion that appears one way when really it's the opposite."
Wasn't that what happened with him and the high priestess. The truth appeared that he killed her, but as Stryhn continued to dig and learn, he knew more and more Jaqarg was innocent. It was only a matter of time before Stryhn learned the truth.
The ogre stopped, his face flushed. "This is where I leave you. Go straight and then hang a right at the first tunnel. Climb the stairs and you should come out right next to the playing field of the school. And, alien, I suggest you hurry. Petunia needs you. The warlock has arrived."
"Thanks, ogre." Those four words had him charging down the path that wound through the mountain. Their life together had been so peaceful this morning and now the NSA was here and Petunia's warlock.
His mate needed him. He'd defend her with his life. No running this time.
Chapter 9
Petunia glanced over her shoulder at her class. No way would she let them witness her fighting this evil warlock. No way would she die in front of them.
“Not in front of the children,” she said staring at him, a chill rippling down her spine. A former teacher, he had to have some care remaining for the children.
He shrugged. “Fine. I’ll meet you on the hill in five minutes. If you don't show, I’ll kill you in the classroom, in front of them. Your choice.”
Turning, he walked away, leaving her nervously standing at the door. The time had come to fight Kaine.
Going to her desk, she sank down and looked at her class that stared at her their eyes wide with fright.
”Stay here," she said to them. "Do not leave this room."
Walking out the door, she walked the short distance from the building to the hill outside the school where Kaine was waiting.
"Your timing sucks. The NSA is here."
"And everyone is busy hiding or preparing the town. Seems like the perfect time," he said, turning and facing her. "Your mate is being captured at this moment. Who do you think tipped them off?"
Anger surged through her like a hot flash on steroids at the thought of Jaqarg being taken by the government. She had the craziest thought to lunge at him, but her mother's calming voice, warned her.
He's trying to provoke you. If you become enraged, you will fight with your emotions.
"Good," she said, breathing to release the outrage surging through her. "Maybe they'll catch you."
He laughed. "Touché."
A ball of fire came rushing toward her and she placed a protective spell over her as the orb deflected off the bubble surrounding her.
"Your magic is stronger than your mother’s," he said, moving to her side.
Gathering her thoughts, she relaxed and knew she could take him. After today, this d
ark cloud of useless humanity would no longer be something she feared.
"Thank you," she replied in her fighting stance, trying to ignore his words. "Mother's witchcraft was strong."
Petunia sent hail flying from the sky battering him, but he cast a shield around himself and the hard ice bounced to the ground.
"Ah, you were such a sweet child. So innocent and naive, taking me to your house. You thought I wanted to talk with your mother, but really I lusted after your sister. I'd seen her around the school and she was breathtaking. I couldn't wait to experience her lovely, young body."
Rage simmering just below the surface rose and she pushed it away, her jaw clenching with determination not to let him rile her.
Petunia, this is how he gets to you. He's going to say vile things that he did to Ianthe and even probably about me to upset you. Stay calm and remember he can't harm us any longer. Give him first a blast of fire and immediately change it to frost.
She could sense her mother's presence, giving her encouragement, strength and talking her through the battle.
Shouting the magic, she waved her hands as an inferno rained down on the warlock and then changed to a cold ice, covering him. Moving in, he blocked her punch, his arms breaking the frost that covered him.
He lifted his leg and kicked her in the chest, breath exploding from her as she slammed onto the ground. Rolling with the momentum, she jumped, barely missing his side step and punch.
Circling each other, his brows raised. "Your alien trained you well."
"Yes," she said, watching him carefully, not trusting him, knowing he contemplated his next move.
"Too bad someone hadn't taught your sister. I took her when no one was there to help her. I ravished her. Plunging into her luscious, young body over and over. And then I watched her die."
Hate flooded her soul, making her want to lunge at him and claw his eyes out. Caution held her back, waiting for the right moment, when she would swoop in for the kill. Then Ianthe's death would be avenged. "You were not her mate. Your senseless act killed her."
"How was I to know you girls can only have sex with the chosen one. Maybe that was why she screamed. I thought it was with pleasure," he said with a laugh.
Petunia, her mother cried in her head. Do not let him get to you. Ignore him.
Loathing overwhelmed her and she focused on chanting her next incantation. Black spiders fell from the sky onto him, crawling all over the evil warlock. A giant lizard appeared and began to lick the arthropods.
"You're a sick warlock," she said with a gasp. "Raping a young woman."
"Eighteen is the legal age of consent."
"She was innocent. She didn't want you," Petunia said, the rage crushing her chest, almost too much to bare at the thought of her sister.
Pushing the emotions down, she regained control and wondered if he had any remorse. If there was even a glimmer of the man she believed him to be still inside this shell of a killer. And then with sudden clarity she knew how to reach him. Remind him of the man she believed him to be, then take him down.
A burst of light zoomed at Petunia and she ducked, just missing being hit by the fireball. "As a teacher, I trusted you. Ianthe trusted you. How many others did you force yourself upon? Are you such a pathetic man that this is the only way you could get a woman?"
Howling, he ran at her. Outstretching her fingertips, she chanted the spell that threw knives at him. Deflecting them, halted his progress.
"Do you think I care?" he said as a net fell from the sky, entrapping her.
Fear clawed through her and she turned the emotion into power, spinning under the mesh, shredding it with the blade that chanted into her hand.
"Yes," she said. "We looked up to you and respected you as a learned man who could teach us. That man is hidden deep inside you and you loathe the animal your evil has made you. But don't worry, I'm going to trap the beast and end his misery."
His face turned red and his breathing exhilarated and she could see that her words were making him uncomfortable. "You were once an honorable man and you let evil overtake you."
He growled. "Enough talk. Now, I kill you."
Jumping, his feet slammed into her chest, knocking her to the ground again. She rolled instinctively, bringing her arms up to protect her, and throwing a punch, met his jaw. Swinging her boot up, she kicked him, connecting with his head.
Staggering back, she gave him a right jab with her fist, his head flying back. His eyes glassy and dazed looking. Stunned, she chanted the weaving enchantment, wrapping him in a spider’s cocoon, binding his arms to his sides.
"Isn't this how you killed my mother, warlock? Wrapped her in the spider’s cocoon and thrust your knife through her heart?" she said with growing confidence she'd won. "Now you're in the same situation. How does it feel?"
"Go ahead and deliver your death blow, witch. Kill me and live with the fact you're a murderer just like me."
His words were like a slap to her head and her heart. The voices of the fates, her mother, and even Jaqarg, telling her taking a life was not easy echoed in her brain and left her doubting.
"Do it," he yelled. "Kill me."
Staring at him on the ground, she remembered her beautiful sister Ianthe. Her voice laughing gaily in the wind and gazed at the scoundrel. It was over. Never again could he hurt anyone she loved. A hard fight, she battled and defeated him, but standing over Kaine, as much as she hated him, she couldn't stab him. She just couldn't.
"No," she said. "Live with the knowledge of how you raped and killed innocents. Live with the knowledge of who you are."
Turning, she walked away. She needed to get back to her children. She had to find Jaqarg. There was so much more to life than killing a desperate, hideous warlock. Murdering Kaine would not bring back her loved ones.
A roaring guttural scream ripped through the air, the sound of the cocoon tearing apart. Whirling around, he stood swaying, a gun in his hand.
"Witch, you should have shoved the knife in my heart when you had the chance. Now you die."
Like an avenging demon, Jaqarg ascended out of the hillside. He booted the weapon from Kaine's hand, and when the warlock tried to use his magic on him, Jaqarg knocked him unconscious with an elbow to the head.
Jaqarg checked him one last time to make certain he wouldn't move and then hurried over to her. She stood in a daze realizing he'd defended her from the warlock's final attempt to slay her.
"Great job, witch. You won."
"You saved my life," she said, her hand reaching out to stroke his cheek.
"Petunia, you are my witch," he said, his voice rough.
Destiny, one of the fates, shimmered in front of them. "Well done, Petunia and Jaqarg. You had the opportunity to kill him, but you didn't. Now rejoin your classroom and rest easy knowing the NSA found their supposed alien. Only his mind has been wiped and he has no powers, no memories and will do no harm."
Petunia sighed, knowing this time it was truly over.
"You showed wisdom and grace today, Petunia."
"Thank you, Destiny."
Gazing at Jaqarg, her heart overflowing with love. "I couldn't have done it without Jaqarg."
"Duly noted," Destiny said and disappeared, taking the unconscious warlock with her.
Jaqarg took her in his arms. "I saw the last few moments. I was so proud of how my warrior witch fought."
"I've never been so frightened."
"You conquered your fear. Now, all I want to do is take you home and celebrate."
He hugged her close and a giddy warmth filled her. She smiled. "Let me go back to the children and tell them the danger is gone and they are free to leave."
Stepping out of his embrace, she felt a brush of something warm and then the scent of her mother's favorite cologne. You did well, my daughter. I love you. Now tell your handsome alien what mating means to our family.
"I will." When they arrived home, Petunia would explain about the curse established generations ago on her c
oven, but now was not the time or place.
Jaqarg frowned at her. "What?"
Taking Jaqarg's hand. "My mother is pleased."
"As well she should be. Let's go home, Petunia," he said.
An hour later, they walked through the door to her house. She was eager to fall into his arms and into bed with her alien, but a strange man, dark and brooding and very muscled with jet black hair stood waiting inside her house.
"Jaqarg, you are under arrest for the murder of the High Priestess," the man said. "You'll return with me to Bierilla."
Jaqarg stiffened beside her. "I'm not going back with you. I didn't kill her, Taqrok."
Jaqarg faced Taqrok knowing with certainty he didn't kill the high priestess. Yes, someone drugged him, but he would have protected her with his life. There was no way he could ever harm her, even under the influence of a drug.
"No one takes the alien from here without my permission," Petunia said.
Jaqarg glanced at her in surprise. The witch was getting sassy and he liked this new trait of hers.
"By order of the head of Bierilla security, I am taking you back. What this earthling says doesn't matter," he said glancing at Petunia like she was a small fish and he a whale.
"What proof do you have I killed her?"
Taqrok looked at him like a mad Bierllian. "She was found murdered in your chambers. Her blood all over your bed."
There was something about Taqrok that made Jaqarg uneasy. The soldier always seemed to hover nearby, never volunteering, but always wanting the glory. Of all his recruits, he trusted him the least. What could he be up to now?
A blinding white light appeared and Stryhn materialized before his eyes.
"Stryhn," he said. "Good to see you, my friend."
With Stryhn there, Taqrok would have a fight on his hands to kill him.
"Likewise, Commander. Our ship is landing as we speak. Taqrok I wondered where you'd gotten off to. The captain was searching for you."
"I'm arresting Jaqarg for the murder of the high priestess."
"He didn't kill her. I have proof."
"I have proof he did. It will be my word against yours and since she was found stabbed to death in his bed, by his dagger, who do you think they're going to believe."
Magic, New Mexico: Touch of Deceit (Kindle Worlds Novella) (The Magic Mirror Book 2) Page 9