Brush with Catastrophe

by Tara Lain

  Ryder bent to one knee. “Father.”

  The elf materialized fully, although it appeared his edges would always look less than solid. “Ryder.” He raised his head—a glorious bird testing the air. Sammy knew the moment his eyes met Killian’s. A ribbon of fire crackled across the room. The great elf lowered his head. “Witch Master.”

  Ryder nodded. “Father, may I present Dr. Killian Barth, Master of Witches, and his husband, Dr. Blaine Genneau. And this is Samlyn Raphael, my dear friend. This is my father, Ondemion, Lord of the Elven.”

  Holy shit. Ryder’s a prince or something.

  Ondemion looked at his hand as if uncertain what to do with it. He extended it to Blaine. “Dr. Genneau.”

  Then it was Sammy’s turn. Holy gods, those eyes were like chunks of topaz as Ondemion gazed at him. “Mr. Raphael. Yes.” Ondemion made a slow appraisal and extended his hand. Sammy inhaled and took it. Tingles like electricity ran up his arm.

  The elf released him and turned to Ryder. “Since you were about to answer the question regarding your plans, I thought I should be present to hear it. But I am confused. I was told you had undergone your second transformation and were ready to travel. I find you still in first transformation.” He cocked his head. “Or at least, in appearance.”

  Sammy took a huge swallow. “That was my fault, sir. I changed his appearance.”

  Ondemion frowned. Okay, that’s scary. “How is that possible? Witches can change appearance for periods of time, but actual physical alteration? This is not within your skill set, as you say.”

  Sammy shrugged. “I painted him.”

  “You what?”

  Killian pointed toward the couch. “Why don’t you sit down, and we’ll all discuss it.”

  The giant elf stared at the lumpy couch. Yep, this was going to be a challenge.

  Blaine scooted past Killian and grabbed the last straight-backed chair from beside the TV. “Please, take the couch.”

  Ondemion slowly lowered himself as if he expected the structure of the ancient sofa to collapse. Sammy was pretty sure he was right, but the couch’s old bones held up as Ondemion sat next to Killian. Aloysius peered over his shoulder. The elf looked startled but delicately scratched under the cat’s chin. That reduced his scariness a little.

  Blaine took the extra chair beside Ryder, and Sammy sat back on the floor. Here they were. One big happy supernatural family. Not a gathering he’d ever anticipated having in his living room.

  Ondemion leaned forward tentatively. The couch squeaked but held. His edges had gotten firmer. Sitting on Sammy’s couch was a pretty “real” experience. “Please explain about the painting, Mr. Raphael.”

  Sammy crossed his legs. “Well, see, I’ve always been a prophetic painter. I wake up in the morning, and I’ve painted something that always comes true.”

  Ondemion nodded. “You predict the future.”

  “I guess so, but nothing I painted was ever important. At least until I painted Ryder in his new body.” He looked up at the man he loved and smiled. “And of course, I painted the arrival of Lucien Eshel. But predicting his arrival didn’t help much.”

  “But I don’t see what that has to do with Ryder’s current appearance.” Ondemion did not seem too happy about it.

  “Recently I’ve noticed that as I paint, sometimes the things I paint happen. I mean, like I’m causing them, not predicting them. It’s hard to explain the difference.”

  “Causing them?”

  “Yes, like what I paint has to happen.”

  Ondemion’s eyes got wide. He looked at Killian, who nodded.

  The elf’s voice rose like a wind whispering through pines. “You’re telling me that this”—he waved a hand toward Sammy—“child can cause the future.”

  Killian smiled. “Yes, that’s what I’m telling you. He changed the course of the world for humans and witches in the battle between Ryder and Lucien.”

  Ondemion looked at Ryder. “Battle between Ryder and Lucien? That was the great pain I felt? Goddess, what have you gotten into? You are not supposed to become involved. And you don’t yet have your full power.”

  Killian held up a hand. “But sometimes in cases of extreme injustice, heroes must arise.”

  Sammy smiled at Ryder. “And Ryder is a full-on hero.”

  Ryder kissed Sammy’s hand. “But I’d be dead or in chains if it weren’t for you.”

  Ondemion’s head snapped around. “What?”

  Killian nodded. “Ryder attempted to defeat a fallen angel. As you say, his power was not yet great enough, but Sammy saved us all by… painting a different conclusion than would surely have occurred otherwise.”

  Ondemion rose. “I am speechless.”

  Sammy shook his head. “Sir?” He turned to Ryder. “What are you talking about? You saved the witches and humans, not me.”

  Ryder leaned down and took Sam’s hand. “Killian would still be lying in a coma if you hadn’t altered the future. You have the power to change reality. You’re the most powerful witch in the world. Possibly the most powerful supernatural being in existence.”

  “What?”

  Blaine laughed. He looked down at Sammy. “Sams, you’re a badass witch.”

  He knew his mouth was hanging open. “But I don’t have any of the regular witchy powers.”

  Ryder smiled. “No, just the extraordinary ones.”

  Ondemion sat back down. “So I am to understand that you have saved my son’s life… and changed my son’s appearance by painting?”

  Sammy got up and grabbed the portrait he’d done of Ryder, now completely dry. He held it up. “Yes, sir. But I can change him back.”

  Ondemion stared—and then he laughed. A sound like the booming of a great drum filled the room. “I have never seen such power given to one with less conceit at having it.” He paused. “Perhaps there is a great lesson in that.” He turned to Ryder. “But now it is time to stop playing and get on with your life.” He nodded at Sammy. “I shall ask you to return my son to his appropriate appearance so that we can travel home.”

  Ryder swallowed visibly. “No, sir. I plan to stay here with Sammy. That’s why he changed me. I love him, Father. And if I look human, there’s no barrier to my remaining.”

  Those topaz chips looked more like thunderclouds before a lightning storm. “No barrier except disregarding all the plans I have made for your future.”

  Ryder set his jaw. “I won’t marry anyone besides Sammy, so forget your damned plans.”

  Sammy’s eyes widened. Marry me? Wow.

  Ondemion rose from the couch, and the room trembled. “You defy me?”

  It took metal balls to stand up to that creature. Fortunately Ryder’s were silver.

  Ryder stood to his not inconsiderable height. “You can make me return home, but marriage is a voluntary agreement, and I will never agree.”

  Ondemion looked at Killian. “You see the wickedness he has learned from your community?” Ondemion pointed at Sammy. “Change him back now.”

  Hells! Sammy jumped up. “No. I’m sorry, sir, but Ryder wants to stay here, and in my world, you don’t have control of him.”

  “In your world, puppy?” The words shook the walls. Sammy stared back at Ondemion. The great elf’s face changed as if some enormous light were dawning on him. His eyes widened. “You are threatening me?”

  What? Sammy gasped. Am I? “I, uh….”

  Killian raised a hand. “The boy barely knows his own power, Ondemion. I’m sure he meant no challenge.” But the Witch Master smiled a little.

  Ondemion stared at Sammy like he’d turned into a snake. Sammy slowly sat back on the floor. Ondemion turned his gaze to Ryder. “Your time among witches has taught you to disrespect your family and defy your father.”

  Blaine laughed. “Actually I think he learned that from us humans, just like the witches did.”

  Killian nodded. “Our young are also very willful, thanks to the humans. I must confess, I’m one of them.” He grinned.
“But I would suggest that Ryder has been and will continue to be very useful to the elven if he remains here. He can be your link to the outside world, so you don’t become too insular.” Killian smiled. “And rest assured, no one here knows what he is.”

  Sammy cocked his head. “How’s that possible, Killian? Ryder was front and center in the battle with Lucien.”

  “Because he was well covered thanks to his disguise, and the fallen angel did his work on the community. They were all bespelled, at least a bit. I think our witches will simply assume that Ryder is a half-human witch like many of us are.” He grinned. “Especially if we support that fiction. As for you, Sam, few witches actually saw you do the painting. It was behind the chairs, and they were riveted on the fight. If they did catch a glimpse, they’ll think you predicted the future, not created it.”

  “Wow.”

  “So assuming Ondemion agrees, you can have a future together.”

  Sammy couldn’t breathe. “Hells.” He looked up at the huge elf.

  Ryder sat down on the floor beside him. “Could this be real?” He also looked up at his father.

  The walls practically vibrated with tension. Killian and Blaine held hands and looked amazingly serene. Serene? Shit. This was Sammy’s life.

  Ondemion stared at Ryder. His son had the guts to stare right back. Ondemion frowned. “You have always gone your own way.”

  Killian nodded. “May I suggest that his independence is one of the things that makes him a great leader? Well suited to guide your people into the future.”

  “But he will be here… with him!” Ondemion pointed at Sammy. It was hard not to cringe.

  “At the center of the world, from which he can report back to your community.”

  Blaine grinned. “And married to the baddest supernatural being on the planet. Not a mediocre catch, I’d say.”

  Wow. I’ve got to be dreaming.

  Killian looked at Ryder. “What will you do if you stay here, Ryder?”

  “I’d like to get an advanced degree and teach.”

  Killian beamed. “That’s a splendid idea. But the question is, can we trust the two of you?”

  Sammy looked up. “What do you mean?”

  “This is especially directed at you, Sam. Ryder has been protecting his people and his incipient power for years.”

  Ryder raised his eyebrows. “You knew that, sir?”

  “No. Not completely. Your father’s power to shield is very great.” Killian smiled. “But even when you first came, those ears were not ordinary, and I suspected. The fact that witches don’t know about the elven protected you and will continue to do so.” Killian’s face got serious. “Sam, I have to be able to trust you not to use your power.”

  “But, sir—”

  Killian held up a hand. “For the most part, reality is as it should be. I believe this test was provided to reveal your power to me, but your power is awful. Too terrible to use.”

  Sammy dropped his head on Ryder’s shoulder. “Holy gods. I just wanted to be able to tell if someone was a witch.” He took a deep breath. “Actually, sir, the state I have to get into to paint the future isn’t all that fun. It’s pretty scary. I wouldn’t be tempted to do it as a lark. But surely you’ll call on, uh, this power, if it’s needed.”

  Killian looked serious. “It’s kind of like the Ring of Power in the famous book, Sam. All of us must control our desire to use it. Having control of the future could make a person forget to appreciate the present. So your power must remain unused. But knowing it exists will be, shall we say, an excellent deterrent to certain ambitious witches. After all, you could just paint them out.” He grinned.

  Sammy smiled. “I’m glad I’m good for something.”

  Ryder wrapped an arm around Sammy and pulled him close. “You’re very good for me.”

  Sammy couldn’t stop beaming. “That’s all I really wanted.”

  Ondemion stared at his son for a moment, then stood. Sammy took a breath. The elven king sighed. “The world is changing, and I suppose the elven must change with it.”

  Sammy and Ryder struggled up from the floor. Ondemion cracked a tiny smile. “I will not try to impose my will. It takes a bit of force from my decisions when I know you could just paint the future some other way.”

  Sammy grinned at him. “Of course I wouldn’t do that, sir. I wouldn’t think of it.” He peeked at Killian, who didn’t look too upset that Sammy was throwing his power around—just a little.

  “Ryder, will you be coming home to visit?”

  Ryder’s carved jaw set again. “Only if I can bring Sammy.”

  Sammy shook his head. “Oh no, that’s okay. I’m a witch, and you should go—”

  Ondemion lifted one finger. “I’m sure we can make an exception.” He paused and eyed Sammy. “For the most powerful witch in the world.” Faster than he had appeared, his form dissolved back into air.

  Sammy stood there. He glanced up at Killian. “Uh, sir, that’s not really true.”

  Killian laughed. Pretty soon they were all laughing.

  Aloysius jumped onto Sammy’s neck and started to purr.

  SAMMY HELD on tightly to Ryder’s hand as they climbed the courthouse steps. He blew out his breath.

  Ryder bumped his arm. “Nervous?”

  Was he? “Sure. Like every bride on her wedding day.”

  “Oh, are you the bride?”

  Sammy stuck out his foot. “I have on the white sneakers.”

  Ryder laughed and put his arm around Sammy. “Want to wait and plan a big ceremony? We’ve got the license. It’s good for a while.”

  “No. We’re supposed to stay low-key.”

  Ryder stopped and turned Sammy to face him. “Sams, if you want a big wedding, I don’t care if my whole family comes in full elven regalia. You got it.”

  His white shirt was too small for his expanding heart. “Gods, I love you.”

  Ryder kissed his nose. A couple of humans walking down the steps frowned. Ryder grinned. “I don’t think they approve.”

  Sammy growled, “They should change their attitude, or I might paint them out.”

  Ryder burst out laughing. “You naughty boy.”

  “Killian said I can’t use my powers, not that I can’t imagine using them.”

  They linked hands and walked up the rest of the steps. After a couple of false turns, they found the room where marriages were performed, looked through the words of the ceremony, and chose what they wanted the clerk to say, then sat on a bench beside a human couple. The young man and woman went into the office, while Sammy held Ryder’s hand.

  Sammy leaned against Ryder. “I want to tell my family first thing, okay? My mom will be excited. Dad too.”

  “Definitely.”

  “And Killian and Blaine.”

  “Yes, them too.”

  “Oh, we should call Chen. And I hear Jimmy and Lavender will be home soon.”

  Ryder hugged him. “Yes, when Killian acquainted the European covens with the power of his secret Sammy weapon, they gave up pretty easily. They let Jimmy and Lavender go.” Ryder laughed.

  Sammy gave a little smile. “It sure is weird being powerful for a change.”

  “You were always powerful.”

  Sammy looked up into Ryder’s green eyes. “True. I got you.”

  A voice called, “Mr. McMasters, Mr. Raphael.”

  Ryder stood and offered his arm to Sammy. “We’re up.”

  Whoa. This is it. Sammy got up and took Ryder’s arm. They walked into the clerk’s office, where a pleasant-looking bald human waited, holding a book. Sammy looked down at his best pants and white shirt. He was ready.

  Sammy and Ryder held hands in front of the man, and a middle-aged lady stood to the side. Witness, probably. The clerk said a few words about the importance of marriage, and then he plunged in. “Do you, Samlyn Raphael, take this man, Ryder McMasters, to be your lawfully wedded husband?”

  Sam’s heart beat in time. I do. I do. I do. “I do.”


  “Do you, Ryder McMasters, take this man, Samlyn Raphael, to be….” Did it count that neither of them was actually a man?

  “I do.”

  “Do you wish to present a ring as a token of your union?”

  Oh gods. A ring. He’d forgotten.

  Ryder reached in his pocket and pulled out a band of platinum set with winking emeralds. Just like his eyes. Ryder slipped the band on Sammy’s finger; then he put his hand in his other pocket and pulled out another ring just like it. He handed it to Sammy, who slipped it on Ryder’s long finger. Sammy smiled. Where does an elf get a ring? Anywhere he wants.

  Ryder grinned. “If you don’t like them, you can change them later.”

  “By the power vested in me by the State of New York, I now pronounce you a married couple. You may kiss the groom.”

  Their lips touched. A spark of perfect love rippled through the universe. Sammy gasped.

  Ryder peered at him. “You okay?”

  “Yes. I didn’t think I could ever be more committed to you than I was, but this moment is so special.”

  The clerk’s smile looked like it would crack his face. “Oh yes. Don’t you know? Marriage is magic.”

  Ryder and Sammy laughed and hugged that sweet little bald human who knew so very much.

  They walked out of the office, and Ryder pulled Sammy into his arms and kissed him deeply. “How about we celebrate at the best possible place?”

  Sammy thought about the great restaurants of New York. Then he grinned. “Mrs. Potorsky’s coffee shop?”

  “Of course.”

  On the subway, Sammy leaned against Ryder and smiled.

  As they walked up to the coffee shop hand in hand, Sammy wished Al were there to keep his neck warm. This was the place where it all started. The friendship of the four of them—him, Ryder, Jimmy, and Chen—learning they were witches, watching the Witch Master fall in love with his human, and most of all, Sammy’s passion for his new husband.

  Ryder held the door, and Sammy walked in.

  “Meeeerwaor.” A flying furry missile leaped through the air and landed on Sammy’s shoulder.

  Ryder gripped Sam’s arms to keep him from falling over. “Al. Where did you…?”