Outlaw Magic: An Arcane Angel Adventure

by Lelana Croft

  I watch the transition as Adonis went from being a giant white tiger back to his normal kitty-sized self.

  He shook himself and jumped up on one of the bar stools.

  “How did you…?” I began to ask.

  “Do you remember to pick up cream?” Adonis interrupted.

  I let out a little laugh and nodded, making my way into the kitchen.

  “Warm?” I asked.

  “Of course.”

  “So, you obviously have another power, other than just being able to pop in and out at will. How come you didn't tell me?”

  “Do you tell all your secrets?” he asked.

  “No, I don’t. And I wouldn’t, if I didn’t need to.”

  I heated up the cream and put it in a saucer on the counter. He lapped it up gratefully.

  “Well…thanks,” I said. “Although, I’m not sure how he got in here. I thought vampires had to be invited in to be able to cross a threshold?”

  “They do. But it has to be an invitation from the owner of the house. If you are not the owner, then whoever the true owner is, has invited Sebastian in at some time in his life. Only the original owner can rescind the offer. Or sell the house and the new owner would then have to give him the invitation.”

  My heart sank as did my expression. Adonis noticed.

  “What’s the matter? Pardon the pun, but you look like you’ve seen a ghost,” he asked.

  “I know who owns this house.”

  “Who?”

  “My father.”

  Chapter 16

  The realization that my father had invited Sebastian inside this house in the past confused me. How could he do that? I couldn't imagine why or for what reason that’d happened.

  I needed to contact my father and find out the specifics, but it was the middle of the night and I felt confident that Adonis would make sure Sebastian wouldn't be bothering me again. At least, not at the house.

  Dragging my ass upstairs, I decided to get some sleep and try not to think about Miles or Sebastian.

  I slipped out of my jeans and t-shirt and into a light nightshirt and shorts. I went into the bathroom and grabbed a wash cloth, getting it warm and wet to wipe the smell of Sebastian off of me. The last thing I needed was his scent stinking up the place, especially my pillows.

  Slipping the dagger under my pillow, I fell into a deep sleep.

  I rolled over and opened my eyes. Adonis was laying on his back, all four paws in the air and snoring softly. I wondered what other secrets he had. Maybe someday I'd find out.

  As I lay in bed, I pondered the day. I was supposed to go with Miles to the winery and while part of me was looking forward to it, the other part was full of anxiety.

  I needed to nip this in the bud. I needed to let Miles know that nothing going to happen between us, no matter how hard he tried. I just wasn't the relationship kinda girl.

  Going through all the possible scenarios in my mind, I tried to come up with a good way to tell him, with as little push back as possible. I knew he was going to be persistent. He always got his way.

  I also wanted to be careful, so as to not ruin any possible alliance I might need. Who knows when I’d actually need his help on something.

  The smell of the coffee maker doing its job pulled me out of bed. I made my way down to the kitchen and poured a cup, just as it finished its brewing. Grabbing the cream out of the fridge, I put some in the pan to heat up for Adonis. It's the least I could do, considering he’d shifted into a freaking tiger the night before.

  No sooner than I’d taken it out of the fridge, when I saw the white fluffy tail making its way down the stairs and onto the bar stool.

  Adonis yawned and looked sleepily at me. I gave him a little smile and poured the warm cream into his saucer before pushing it to him. He looked like he enjoyed lapping it up as much as I enjoyed my coffee.

  Walking out onto the deck, I leaned against the railing and watched the river flow past. The quiet sound of the water gently lapping at the edge gave me a sense of peace. It was really nice out here and I could see how people would want to escape the city for this kind of life.

  I had to be honest with myself. If it hadn’t been for meeting Katie and Patty, I’d already be bored out of my skull. With all its beauty, at my age, I was at the height of my social life and couldn't imagine being stuck out here forever.

  Then again, if I’d had the freedom to go to the city whenever I wanted, maybe living out here wouldn't be so bad. Plus, I didn’t have any friends in the city. Most of the people I knew were either humans who had no idea what I was, or supernaturals who thought I was a half-breed and figured I was beneath them.

  There weren’t too many half-breeds around these days. At least, not half human. I wondered about the differences between Sebastian and Miles.

  “You’re thinking about him,” I heard Adonis say as he jumped onto the railing and gave me a look.

  “Oh, you can read minds now? How do you know what I’m thinking?”

  “I can sense it. You flush a little when you think of him.”

  I could feel myself blushing now. I hated that. I hated when anyone could see my weaknesses.

  “I’m just wondering how he and Sebastian are brothers. They are just so different.”

  I finished off my cup of coffee.

  “I also wonder how Sebastian was able to get inside. I mean, what is the relationship he has with my father? Because it could've only been him or my mother that invited him in.”

  I had the sudden fear that maybe it’d been my mother. No, she wouldn’t have done that. I don't think. Then again, she was human and he would have been able to glamour her.

  Crap. Now I had to know.

  I pulled out my cellphone and reluctantly dialed my father’s cell. It went to voice mail. Figures. He never answered anyway. He always let it go to voice mail and then would call back whoever it was. It was one of his ways of showing dominance and control over the situation.

  My message just said that I wanted to know some things about the house and to call me back. I didn’t want to leave details on a voice mail. I'd learned that lesson the hard way years ago. Never leave important things on a voice mail. There was always a chance that someone could hear it and use it against you.

  I decided to shower and get ready for meeting Miles. I wasn’t sure what to wear, since I’d never really been to a winery before. I assumed it would be something casual.

  My usual attire was jeans and a t-shirt, and sometimes, I’d wear my leather vest. It made it easier to tuck my dagger into the back of my jeans. I always wore boots, so I could keep another one in the boot.

  I figured it would be easier to tell Miles to take a hike, if I didn’t look like I was trying to be a date anyway.

  I put on a little makeup, just to make it look like I wasn’t cleaning the house and went downstairs, looking again at the books I'd picked up from the library.

  What if the mummy wasn’t some kind of college prank switch? I mean, if it was just kids playing a joke, most of the time they wear it out and it no longer becomes fun, especially if no one acknowledges that it's happening. Plus, it was a lot of work to dig up graves. How was it that this had continued for so long and yet no one has been reporting dug up graves?

  I began to think that I really needed to get access to Miles’ databases. Since he owned all the newspapers in all the small towns all over the state, surely there'd be some kind of story here and there about family grave plots being dug up. I decided that I’d ask him if he’d let me investigate. Of course, that meant I’d have to tell him about Marilyn if he didn’t already know. Or at least, tell him about the mummies piling up in Hobbs' cold storage.

  Flipping through the pages of the old library books, I was distracted by the sound of crunching gravel and the roar of a car engine. A rush of heat forced me to swallow hard as I shook off the thought of being alone with Miles.

  I stood up in the living room and stared at the door. His footsteps echoed on the old w
ood porch before a soft tapping rattled the leaded glass.

  “You’ll be fine…” Adonis said as he took a seat on the bar stool, waiting to see what happened.

  “I know…I just…” I stuttered and shook my head, making my way over to the door and opening it.

  “Right on time, I see?” I said, then immediately wished I hadn’t. I stepped aside to let him in. He stayed outside.

  He chuckled softly. “You ready to go?”

  I noticed he hadn’t crossed the threshold. Interesting.

  “Almost. I need to grab my purse upstairs. Say hello to Adonis.” I said, pointing towards the kitchen and leaving the front door open while I made my way up the stairs.

  When I got up to the loft, I looked back and he was still standing outside the threshold, looking up at me and smiling.

  “Oh, hello, Adonis!” he yelled into the space, not able to actually see Adonis from where he was standing.

  I stopped myself from inviting him in. I wanted to see if he’d come in on his own. He didn’t. He just waited outside. This sent up all kinds of red flags, but I decided to just keep an eye on him.

  Grabbing my purse, I made sure my daggers were tucked in their places and bounced down the stairs.

  “Don’t wait up,” I said to Adonis as I closed the door. He knew I was joking. It was only noon and I had no intentions on spending the day and evening with Miles.

  I pulled the door closed and locked it behind me. Turning around, I was stunned at the sight of a 1969 Boss 429 Mustang. I should have known. It was a sweet ride.

  Shiny black with chrome trim on the outside, black vinyl seats and wood grained trim on the inside. Even a girl like me could appreciate a muscle machine like that.

  He walked down and opened my door and I slid into the passenger seat, the cool vinyl pressing into me. I took a deep breath as he walked around and got in. He turned toward me, giving me a smile and a wink.

  He started the car and it roared at first, then settled to a soft purr. He shifted into reverse and expertly moved us down the driveway and onto the road.

  “So where is this winery, anyway?” I asked.

  “It’s a few miles out of town. It’s a beautiful location and the drive is just as nice. Just wait until you see it. I think you'll love it.”

  I could see that the leaves on the trees were starting to change as we made our way down the winding road. We were going deep into Missouri wine country, and it was beautiful. Being in the city, it's easy to forget the beauty of the countryside. The rolling hills would peek through the trees as the mid-day sun flickered and the breeze caressed my face. If I allowed myself, I could easily forget all the stuff that was going on and just pretend to be normal, if only for a moment.

  We came around a curve and the trees opened up to wide open spaces. Over the horizon, I could see rows and rows of vines and a huge building set off the road, with another smaller building next to it.

  We pulled into the almost empty parking lot.

  “Doesn’t look like it gets much business,” I commented.

  “It’s early. They don’t actually open for another few hours, but the owner is a good friend of mine and I can come and go as I please.”

  I gave him a side-eyed glance. “Must be nice.”

  “It is,” he grinned and got out of the car.

  Before he could make it around to my door, I’d already opened it and was getting out.

  “You should wait for me…allow me to be a gentleman,” he scolded.

  “I think I can get my own car door. Besides, this isn’t a date, remember?”

  “I get it. You’re a strong and independent woman, and can do anything a man can do. Got it,” he laughed.

  “You mock me?”

  “Hardly, I was just stating the obvious. But allowing me to be the gentleman I can be, isn’t a reflection on your ability. It is allowing me to honor you as a woman. By letting me treat you a little special, actually raises you in my eyes, not the other way around.”

  I wasn’t sure exactly what to say. I’d never thought of things that way and the feminist in me always thought about just trying to be equal. Perhaps being a little better than equal wasn't such a bad idea after all.

  He closed the door and we made our way into the large building. It was cold inside, which was unexpected. I felt my skin prickle and wished I'd brought a sweater.

  Inside, there huge stainless-steel vats that went from floor to ceiling, and ramps that took you up to the top. We made our way up the stairs as he talked to me about the different types of grapes that were grown here, as well as how the wine was processed. It was so fascinating, but my mind was wandering to places it shouldn't have been. Like watching his lips as he spoke, or catching a whiff of his cologne as he walked past me.

  I shivered a little, but the truth of the matter was that I was on fire on the inside. I knew it was just my hormones taking hold and tried to reign them in. I needed to keep control.

  After we’d toured the main area, we walked down into a huge cellar that was filled with bottles and bottles of wine. It smelled of old wood and clean dirt.

  He pulled out a bottle and handed it to me.

  “This is the first year’s harvest. It is probably one of the best as well. Take it with you. I'll let Edwardo know. He won’t mind.”

  I looked at the bottle and admired the label. It was creative, yet simple. Similar to the wine I’d tasted the other night.

  Miles leaned into my personal space. “Maybe we could share it one night?”

  I giggled. That was quite a bold statement, almost like he figured I’d be sharing it before sex or something. That wasn't going to happen any time soon. Even if I wanted to, I don’t just jump into bed with any man who thinks I’m cute.

  “Maybe…” was all I could say before he pushed me up against the wall and pressed his lips against mine, stealing a kiss.

  My first reaction was to push him away, but something stopped me. Maybe it was just the pure hunger with which he kissed me. But then again, that could be the conqueror in him, just trying to claim another prize. I imagined him claiming most women in town and figured since I was new blood, it was like a new chase to him.

  I pulled from deep inside and pushed him away. It was one of the hardest things I’d ever had to do.

  As he pulled away, I could see it. There was no doubting it. It was fangs.

  Chapter 17

  I recoiled at the fangs and reached for the dagger in my waistband. For someone that I’d only met a few days prior, he'd taken a little more liberty than I desired, but the fangs were what was my current concern.

  Miles took a few steps back and turned his back to me. A moment later when he turned around, the fangs were gone.

  “I…I’m sorry. I sometimes can’t control them. They come out when I’m…well…excited. I apologize if I frightened you,” he said, trying to console me.

  “But how? I mean, I thought you were a hunter?”

  He lowered his eyes to the brick-paved floor, moving a pebble around with the toe of his shoe.

  “Yes, and no. It’s complicated. Yes, I’m a hunter and yes, I am also a vampire. But only partially. Just let me assure you that I don't consume blood, nor do I have the desire to. I have some vampire traits, but that’s because…” he trailed off.

  The tension in the air was palpable. He was obviously uncomfortable which was fine by me. It was almost cute.

  “I’m half vampire. So I have some traits, but I didn’t get the blood-sucking gene. I am a hunter because I don't like what the full-blooded vampires do to humans. My job is basically law enforcement. Because I am half vampire, I have a lot of the abilities like they do, such as speed and strength.”

  “Can you glamour people? Make them do what you want?”

  He pursed his lips as he contemplated his answer.

  “Yes, I can do that. But I don’t. I mean, I don’t anymore. I did when I was younger, but I realized it was not what I really wanted. If someone wants to be w
ith me or do something I want, I want it to be of their own free will, not because I forced them. I stopped doing it years ago, unless it was an emergency or something.”

  “An emergency? You mean, like getting girls to go to bed with you?” I snarked.

  He frowned and shook his head. “No, never for that, ever. I don’t do that. Is that what you think of me? That I try to entice women just to sleep with them?”

  He stepped back from me, visibly wounded by my words. I’d made a judgment about him that was speculative at best. Unfortunately, my past with men was littered with wounded hearts.

  I straightened my spine and squared my shoulders. I didn’t know exactly what to say so as usual, I blurted out what I really thought. Sometimes it was a good idea, other times it wasn't.

  “You’re good-looking, wealthy, and obviously charming. I figured you’d already had everyone here that knows you. Why wouldn't you?”

  He leaned against the back wall, his hands behind him and studied me.

  “Your view of men has been jaded, I see. I’m sorry for that. Sorry that any man took away your ability to trust us. Men, I mean. I assure you, I haven't slept with all the women in town. None of them, in fact. Yes, I like to flirt because it’s fun and exciting. And I have dated many women and kissed a lot of them. But sleeping around isn’t my style.”

  I looked at him and wondered, if that was the case, why hadn’t he slept with them? Was there something wrong with him? As if he’d read my mind, he blurted out. “And no, I’m not a virgin and there is nothing wrong with me. I just respect women and don’t have the need to conquer all that I see. Let’s just say, I’m quite selective. I want my intimate life to be romantic, intense, and deserved. Taking a woman out to dinner and expecting her to screw me isn’t how it should work. No matter what society says.”

  Was this guy for real? Most men were dogs. There were very few with morals and scruples. I wasn’t sure if I believed this or if he was just playing some kind of con game. I decided to change the subject.

  “So, what’s your deal with Sebastian?” I asked.