Aaron never even looked over at Star. He did not consider sleeping with some club kid getting lucky. But, maybe Lucas did have a point; maybe he was coming off too desperate. He knew that they were meant for each other. If that was the truth, she'd come to him, if he could only wait that long and he wasn't sure he could hold out much longer.
“Yeah, Aaron and I are at Heaven...He's great, never better. He had a date tonight and it looks like he's taking her home too...Hell yeah ... Really? ... Wow, man, congratulations...I'll tell everybody I see...okay, so we'll see you later, hey, and don't think because you aren't sleeping at home that you don't owe rent! ... Love you too man. Later.” Lucas shoved the cell in the same pocket as Aaron's keys. He slapped Aaron on the arm, “JD and Jolie are getting married!”
“Why'd you tell him I was going home with a girl? I'm not taking Star or anyone else home.”
“I know. JD's at the compound with Jolie and all those lovely ladies. Lucky bastard. Now Maeve'll hear about it and maybe she'll get the urge to see you again. Look Aaron, she isn't coming. I'm going to get Becca and we'll drop you off on our way home. Meet us at the car in fifteen minutes.” Lucas didn't wait for Aaron to agree before walking off down toward the dance floor level where his girl-de-jour was dancing.
“So, you slept with her, huh?” Rob the bartender leaned over resting his forearms on the bar in front of Aaron. “An impossible task – resisting a girl like that, but you made it longer than anyone I know. At least tell me it was worth it. I hear she's a real pro in the sac.”
“Look, Rob, this really isn't any of your business. You don't know anything about me or Maeve.”
“I know enough to know that now you've gotten a taste, you're hooked; only she won't return your calls anymore. Tough break, man. Can I get you anything stronger than cola while you tell me all the dirty details?”
“Yeah, how about an ice cold glass of 'shut the fuck up'. Rob, I'm serious. Get the hell away from me.”
Rob threw up his hands in mock surrender and backed away. He ran off to answer a wave down the bar a bit. Aaron knew he'd be back, though. He was the kind of guy who couldn't take a hint. He thought everything was a joke.
The stranger on the other side of Aaron leaned over toward him, close enough that Aaron could smell the liquor on his breath. “Look man, the bartender's a douche. He doesn't know shit about the sisterhood either. Maeve is the Vinculum Primo, right?” When Aaron nodded, he continued, “Yea, my girl's a Primo too so I know a little about your situation. I feel a little more justified in offering some unsolicited advice. You can take it or leave it, but here it is: Be assertive and strong. Women like the Daughters need strong men. They need someone to back them against the wall and tell them how it's going to be.”
Aaron almost did a spit take. This guy did know his stuff. “I did that. I did things with her I'd be ashamed to tell anyone about.” Aaron couldn't believe he was telling these things to a stranger when he had just told someone else to fuck off when they asked. What was it about him that made Aaron feel comfortable talking?
The stranger raised his eyebrows in disbelief and then smiled. He looked as if he were impressed by what Aaron had just told him. He took a business card out of his pocket and slid it over to Aaron. “I can help you gain control of your...situation. I know it's not what you want to hear about the woman you love, but she's probably told you a lot of lies. If you are interested in the truth, give me a call.”
Aaron turned the card over in his hand. There was no name, no address, nothing but a phone number.
As if sensing his hesitation, the stranger added, “If you're thinking about just waiting here night after night to talk to her you are gonna be sadly disappointed. The abbess has them on lock down. Maeve is the only one being let out, but her mate's always with her.” He gestured the bartender for another round as Aaron stared at him in disbelief.
Rob made his way back over with a smug look, like he knew they would include him eventually. He filled the man's order and then stood there waiting.
“What do you mean, Maeve's mate? Who are you talking about?”
“You've seen him dozens of times. Really big guy, hard to describe, tan and usually barefoot.”
Rob jumped in, “Yea, now that you mention him, I remember. Whenever Maeve's here he's somewhere nearby. He's usually in the shadows, but sometimes he touches her and she looks like she is going to cream her pants.”
Aaron had seen him too. Many times. And he had seen her with that look of ecstasy on her face when he had his hands and lips on her. “I think I told you to get the hell away from me Rob.”
“Look man, this's my bar post for the next three hours. I'm not going anywhere. You're welcome to move your ass or I can call the muscle over here to help you move it.”
Aaron looked like he was about to tear Rob's multi pierced ear right off of his head, but the stranger had his arm and was pulling him off toward a couch. Aaron went with him. He needed to hear more about Maeve.
“So they're a matched pair? Maeve and the golden god?” Aaron asked when they were out of Rob's earshot.
“Not exactly, but they're linked in a definite way. They're always together and she carries his child.”
All color drained from Aaron's face. Could it be true? Could she had have been lying to him the whole time? No, he couldn't believe it, especially from a guy he just met, but a lot of what he had been saying was accurate.
“I'm sorry to tell you, but it's true. Now, that's not to say that you don't have a chance with Maeve, because you do, but it won't be easy to get her away from him. Here, take a shot of this. It'll help get you your color back”
The man handed him a tumbler with something that smelled like bourbon in it. What the hell, he wasn't driving. Aaron threw it back and the burn was just the thing to get his mind off of Maeve. He thought he might grab another one on the way out.
“You need to get out to your friend. He's waiting. But one more thing I have to warn you against before you leave: Don't confront Maeve's mate. It won't work. She's probably told you that men can't work magic, but that's a lie. A few can. He's one of the few. He could make you forget everything. But, you, Aaron, can work magic too. Let the voice on the other end of that phone number guide you.”
As Aaron stood to go, the man wished him, “Good Luck.”
The man sat for a while longer savoring his drink. He noted that the room was spinning a little bit and he smiled at his drink before noticing that Rob was still standing there looking across the bar at him. He looked at the bartender and the man actually pumped his eyebrows at him and made a suggestive movement with his hand. Was this bartender really dumb enough to think that he was a fagot? If he wanted to be treated like a woman, the man could certainly oblige, but he was certain that Rob wasn't going to enjoy it the way he expected to.
The man smiled at the tragically moronic bartender and raised his glass to him before downing the rest. Black magic murder was work, but a pleasure kill of a stranger was just what the man needed after a long day. He didn't even have to feel guilty about this one since it was a man. His girl couldn't get upset about this. He was just taking out one more undesirable from the world.
The stranger took his empty glass and headed back over to the bar for a refill. It was so rare that he got really drunk anymore and tonight was as good as any. Murder was thirsty work and he could do it blindfolded at this point. Maybe drunk would be a challenge, but he doubted it.
***
On his way out, Aaron caught sight of her. Maeve was here after all. He fought through the crowd to get to where he could see her dance. He recognized the moves but they had none of the enthusiasm that used to characterize her dances. The big bodybuilder was there, just like the guy upstairs and Rob said he would be.
He was not dancing but standing as close to her as possible. His eyes were darting around, suspiciously, Aaron thought. They were holding hands. Maeve got the flush and started making matches, never ceasing her hand hold.
The giant saw him coming. Maeve didn't even finish her matches before he scooped her up and carried her off the floor. The crowd opened up to let them through, but did not do the same for Aaron.
He stood helpless and watched them go. His vision was blurred by anger. How dare that man hold Maeve as if she were his own! Even just the momentary glance was enough to reaffirm his commitment to her. Maybe he would call the number. She didn't look happy. Maybe that big guy was holding her against her will.
***
The guardian had never carried her before. Maeve did not like the feel of his hands on her skin. She couldn't remember it feeling this way before when he was transferring power. It felt the same, but less focused. It felt like being held by a live wire. She was being shocked everywhere their bodies touched. She noticed the crowd was avoiding his touch, parting to let them through.
She hit at his chest once they were outside, “Put me down right now. I did not give you permission to touch me.”
He set her down rather abruptly. “My apologies, Mother.”
“Why the hell do you keep calling me Mother? I'm not a mother and don't intend to be any time soon.”
“I witnessed your gift to the Maiden Mother at Midwinter, why would you perform the ritual if you did not intend to conceive?”
Oh, shit. That was an accident. It didn't count as a votive offering if Marcie ASKED for it, right? Shit.
He reached up and gently cupped her cheek. “You have made me the happiest on earth, for you will give birth to the One.”
She slapped his hand away from her face and poked her finger in his chest. “I won't warn you again, don't touch me without my permission or...or...or you'll never be allowed to see Her.”
Why had she said that? It didn't even make any sense. She'd just told him she didn't intend to conceive and now she was threatening not to allow him access to the One. For whatever reason, it seemed to be working.
“You cannot keep me from the One. I am for Her.”
“If I'm Her mother, I can. You'll be amazed at the sway a mother has over her daughter. Do not cross me.” She stormed over to their car and got in the drivers seat. She turned on the heat, but knew it would be some time before she was warm. She felt bad about getting mad at her guardian and decided to apologize to him.
Her guardian got in the passenger side and laid his hand on the dash. Instantly the air blowing on Maeve's face and feet was hot.
“I'm sorry. I don't know what's wrong with me. I think I have PMS; I've got the worst mood swings.”
“It is to be expected when a woman is with child.”
“I'm not pregnant. I told you already.”
He bowed his head, but not fast enough. Maeve caught his smirky smile. How would he even know anyway? She hadn't even missed a period yet. Impossible.
“How are you so sure?” If he wanted to act so 'know-it-all', he was going to have to back it up. He looked as if he wasn't going to say anything so she pushed. “If you insist on being my permanent guardian you're gonna have to be honest with me. I can't have you smirking secretly like you know something that a doctor couldn't even know yet.”
“I must protect you; it is not a choice. She exists.” He said it plainly, and then closed his eyes. “Her heart does not yet beat, but within you, her cells multiply and already... they call out to me. I was made to protect her and provide for her.”
“I'm not pregnant.”
“Yes, you are.”
Echhh...He could be so infuriating sometimes. How could she be expected to keep her cool when he was always being so irritatingly stubborn? “I still don't want you to touch me without permission.”
“As you wish, Mother.”
Chapter 14
Aaron sat alone in his condo staring at the phone and the little white card lying next to it. His home was no longer his own; how could he live here when everywhere he looked reminded him of Maeve. She'd only been here once but already every corner radiated his need for her. He knew they belonged together. Could the man from the bar really force her to see it too?
He was nine digits in before he realized he was dialing. He hadn't been this drunk in several years. Just a few shots had done what it used to take a dozen to do. The room started to spin if he closed his eyes, so Aaron kept them focused on the cat suit she had left there on the floor. He had not moved it, convincing himself she would come back for it and for him. She had left wearing nothing but the coat that the giant had brought when he came to pick her up.
“Good morning, Mr. Wright.”
The gravelly voice startled him, but Aaron recovered quickly, “How'd you know it was me?”.
“I would love to impress you with a story about magic and prophesy, bit it is more simple than that. Caller id.”
The voice paused as if waiting for Aaron, but when he didn't say anything, it continued. “You made the right choice. I can help you.”
“How, when she won't even talk to me? She doesn't answer her phone and that giant bodyguard of hers won't let me get anywhere near her.”
There was another silence on the other end. “If there is any hope, you must get her away from that one. He is using magic to keep you apart, but I can tell you how to gain influence over her. It will take some work, but if you can get over your hang-ups then you will have Maeve to yourself.”
The thought that that beastly man was controlling Maeve in any way, much less keeping them apart, was enough to solicit Aaron to the voice's side. At least in his current condition. “What do I need to do?”
“I'll give you the list of items you need to gather in order to complete the spell. It may take you some time and will power to gather them, as some of them may be repugnant to your sensibilities.”
“Go ahead. I'm ready to take it down.”
“We're going to make your loved one some jewelry. Let's start with the easiest item to obtain. You need a ribbon or cloth that could be cut into lengths and tied into a long enough cord to fashion the necklace. It needs to be something she has worn before. The more times the better.”
“Will a corset tie work? She's worn it against her skin for years.”
“That's perfect, Mr. Wright. Then we need a few strands of her hair. It will have to be long enough to tie into a fairly elaborate knot.”
Aaron was sure there were several strands in his bed, maybe even one woven into his chest hair. He'd been finding them nonstop since she was here. As to them being long enough to tie, that was “Not a problem. What else?”
“Next is the hardest, you need a small amount of her blood. If that is impossible, the spell will work if you get some from each of her two biological parents.”
Aaron glanced at the knife he had used to slice off her corset. It had been an accident, but he had cut her during that activity. “How much are we talking about?”
“Just a drop will do, but it can't be menstrual blood and you have to draw it personally for the binding to work.”
“I cut her the last time she was here and didn't wash the knife. If the blood doesn't have to be fresh, I have that covered.”
Again, the voice was silent for a heartbeat. “I am impressed Mr. Wright. You have the three components most difficult to come by without her knowing. The other items are household and won't be difficult to procure. Let's begin immediately.”
***
Maeve sat alone in the library. Libby and Leonard had gone to bed but they left her some very interesting reading. Some men of The Family had powers, limited as they were. It was rare, but it was real. Aaron was the rarest and most valuable of men to the organization. He could provide a woman with the power of ten or more lovers. With a man like him, a woman like Maeve could change the world. “How could the council do this to me?”
She had whispered to the dark empty library, knowing he would answer her inquiry. Now that he thought the One
was growing inside her, he never left her side, except to help Camilla clear the black energy. He spoke softly, never leaving the shadows. “They did not know that you would be the Mother to the One. They thought you would be the mother to the relationship that would produce the One. We were certain Aaron Wright was to be the father, but no prophesy ever hinted that a matchmaker would be the mother. We did not intend to hurt you.”
Maeve was too deep in thought to notice that he switched the pronouns from 'they' to 'we'. All she could think was that she was hurt. Perhaps mortally. If she had known what she did now, Maeve could've saved herself a lot of heartache. She didn't have to matchmake for Aaron to fulfill her vows. With her connection to the capacitors, she would be steadily increasing power to them just by having Aaron as her lover. And now that they thought the prophesy was fulfilled, their need for men of the Family to be mated was no more. It was just a misinterpretation of prophesy. She couldn't blame them. They were just human after all.
***
Aaron stared at the bracelet as he absentmindedly listened to JD on the other end of the cell phone. “I'm sorry man. I tried. But she told me it was his baby and he confirmed it. Jolie said that there's talk now about Maeve taking some final vows and retiring from public life after the baby's born. I don't know where she would go or do or what that's about, but it seems pretty sure that Maeve's not for you, Aaron.”
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