Quinn’s face darkened at Cade’s silence. “You’re judging me,” he said finally, his voice harsh.
Cade shook his head. “No, I’m not doing that. I just don’t know what to say. It’s a terrible story but I wasn’t there. I didn’t have to make the decision. You did.”
They were quiet and Cade finally looked at Quinn. “Who was Edward? I remember the name from somewhere.”
Quinn closed his eyes in pain. “Edward was the Warlock who picked me up and got me out of my parent’s apartment when they were killed. Edward Mistral.”
“Why would you feel guilt about him?” Cade asked quietly. “What did he do?”
Quinn laughed harshly. “It’s not what he did, it’s what I did. About five years ago, I was with Edward on the Isles of Scilly. He’d gone there to check out a book collection someone had. It was a sixth-century collection, something I’m familiar with because of Taliesin, and he asked me to go with them to verify the progeny of the books. It turned out to be a trap. There was another Warlock there lying in wait for Edward. Antoine had always been bitterly jealous of Edward’s success and the fact that he was a well-respected collector himself. I got the feeling there was more to their relationship than simply business. I think they’d been lovers at some time.”
His voice tailed off as he recalled the events that tormented him.
“We invoked our Withinners at one stage as we needed to get somewhere quickly. When we arrived there, I revoked Taliesin but Edward was always slow to do that. He tended to let Adelphi, his Withinner, stay a little longer in his place. It was an agreement they had. Antoine attacked Adelphi with a dragon claw containing dragon’s blood. Adelphi died in front of me.”
His voice was hoarse from talking. “I’ve never seen a Withinner die before. It was a horrible thing to witness and I couldn’t do a fucking thing. Not as Taliesin or myself. All I could do was watch Adelphi die. And when he died, he just disappeared and Edward was left behind. I don’t know if I’ve told you what happens when a Warlock’s Withinner dies. The psychic shock after so long of having someone else inside you, being you, it’s beyond compare. Edward was suffering there on the shore of the sea, in complete agony and being driven out of his mind.”
Cade reached over and wiped away more blood trails from under Quinn’s nose.
“He begged me to kill him. I told him I couldn’t. He said he deserved to die after what he’d done and I had the right to kill him. I never quite knew what he was talking about. I put it down to the loss of his mind.”
Quinn closed his eyes as he leaned forward in the bed, his hands over his face.
“He was suffering, so I killed him. I channelled an energy burst at him and I stopped his heart. I tried not to burn him; I couldn’t have faced that. He died in my arms. He was the man who saved my life when I was a boy and I had to be the one to kill him.”
His voice was anguished at the memory.
Cade sat there, feeling both horror and compassion at his stories. “What happened to the other Warlock—Antoine? Did you kill him too?”
Quinn shook his head. “No. Taliesin killed Antoine. He was so incensed at Adelphi’s death, he wanted to kill Antoine himself. So I invoked him and he destroyed Antoine.” Quinn smiled tiredly. “At least that was one death I don’t have on my conscience.” He leaned back and closed his eyes, exhausted.
Cade reached out and touched Quinn’s face gently. “Come here. Lie here with me.” Quinn came to Cade gladly as he pulled his shattered lover closer. Quinn laid his head on Cade’s stomach as Cade stroked his hair.
“You’ve seen so much death and I don’t know how you do it, keep going like you do. But I can tell you one thing. The man I love wouldn’t have needlessly killed people just to justify the ends. I know it’s your mantra but I happen to believe there are limits to what you’ll do. I don’t believe you let those people die purposely. You have to believe that too.”
“It eats me up inside,” Quinn whispered. “I thought I was a monster.” He trailed his fingers across Cade’s stomach lightly.
“You have to let it go, Quinn. Accept it happened and don’t blame yourself, like Daniel says. You’re no monster,” Cade said softly. “I couldn’t love a monster. And I love you dearly.”
Quinn sat up, pulling Cade into his arms, burying his face in his neck. “I love you too. You’re my rock, you know that? I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
Cade kissed him gently. “Go to sleep. I’ll be here when you wake up. Try not to have any more nightmares.”
Quinn nodded sleepily as he snuggled in to Cade’s side. Cade lay stroking his forehead until he fell asleep then stayed awake himself for a while before falling into an uneasy slumber.
Chapter 15
Quinn stood in front of the bedroom mirror, scowling as he tried to fix his bow tie. He normally managed to do them up just fine but tonight for some reason he was struggling to get it straight. Tonight was Cade’s annual ball at the Institute of Anthropological Studies, something he’d been looking forward to for the past week. Not for the dancing, he’d been quick to say, but because it was a great opportunity to let his hair down and get Cade to dress in a tuxedo. He looked very alluring in formal wear.
Quinn turned as Cade came in and he did a double take. “God, you look as sexy as hell. You clean up nicely.”
Cade grinned as he performed a mock twirl and checked out his reflection in the full length mirror. “Yep, I thought I looked pretty good. My arse definitely suits these trousers.”
Quinn agreed. His boyfriend might be more used to jeans, tee shirts and polo shirts, but in a suit, his lean, broad-shouldered frame was show cased with sophistication and sheer sexiness.
Cade saw him smile and looked at him quizzically. “I’m glad you like it. What’s with the smile?”
“I was thinking about the first time I saw you, the night I ‘ravaged’ you,” Quinn said drily. “I was wondering why the bloody Mirrabar blood wasn’t working as all I wanted to do was bury my face in your crotch. It was a wonderful but rather alarming desire. I had visions of myself being arrested.”
Cade chuckled. “All I could think about was ripping that white shirt you had on off your shoulders and biting them. It was fairly overwhelming as well.”
They grinned at each other in shared memories.
“You do look amazing,” Quinn said quietly. “I’m a very lucky man.”
Cade kissed his cheek softly. “You look as sexy as hell too. I love a man in a tux. Especially this man.”
He reached down and cupped his crotch teasingly and Quinn shook his head warningly. “God, don’t start. Or we’ll never make it to the party.” He smiled slyly. “And I’ll never get to meet Cooper.”
Cade pulled away and regarded him with narrowed eyes. “You promised me you’d behave and not give poor Cooper a hard time.”
Quinn shrugged. “I have no intention of giving anyone a hard time. Except you perhaps, when we go to bed.”
“Honestly, is that all you think of?” Cade shook his head. “Come here and let me fix that bow tie. It’s all askew.”
Quinn moved over to him, his nostrils flaring at Cade’s distinct woodsy scent as he expertly fixed the tie. Not for the first time, Quinn’s senses tingled when Cade was close to him, his boyfriend’s body heat sending signals to his brain and nether regions.
Quinn took a deep breath to suppress the urges that surged. Tonight, they couldn’t be late, and doing what he wanted to do would definitely make them tardy. Tonight he wanted everything to be perfect. He had great plans for the evening, plans that made him feel very nervous indeed.
Finally Cade stood back and regarded him in satisfaction. “All done, so I suppose we should get off now or we’ll be late. Come on, handsome. Our carriage awaits.”
They arrived at the luxury hotel of the Wyndham Grand London in Chelsea Harbour about an hour and a half later, the taxi having been expertly manoeuvred through the busy London traffic. The couple got out and walked into t
he glittering entrance of the luxury hotel. The grand ballroom in the hotel was a magnificent venue and the Institute had definitely done itself proud. Quinn thought wryly that some of his grant money had probably gone into paying for all this extravagance tonight. He took their small overnight bag and put it behind the reception desk with a charming smile at the receptionist, who blushed.
A short, thin man in John Lennon glasses hurried over to them as they arrived. Professor Ambrose Tickler Brown smiled at them both as he clasped Cade’s hands tightly and inclined his head at Quinn.
“Cade! You look very smart. Quinn, it’s good to see you again. It’s been a while.”
Quinn grinned. “It has indeed, Ambrose. You’re looking well. I’m glad to see the grant money has been put to good use.”
Ambrose looked slightly embarrassed. “You know what it’s like. You have to keep the facade up and the investors happy. It takes money to make money unfortunately.”
He looked around the room. “I suppose I’d better get in and mingle, keep everyone happy. Cade, my boy, enjoy tonight. Have a great time, both of you.”
He disappeared to mix with his guests.
Quinn looked around for the bar, and spotting it against the far side of the room, he pulled Cade over to it as they negotiated the throng of people in the room.
“I need a stiff drink,” he muttered. “I think Ambrose has me giving some speech tonight as one of the patrons so I need a little bit of Dutch courage.” He needed it for what he intending doing later on tonight as well.
“You didn’t tell me you were speaking tonight. I’m so proud of you.” Cade squeezed his hand as he ordered a glass of white wine and a large whisky on the rocks.
“It must have slipped my mind. I don’t intend talking for long. I can’t abide people who rabbit on about their good causes, it’s so bloody boring. Short and sweet is what I like.”
Quinn sipped his whisky as he looked around at the crowd. “It’s a damn good turnout. There must be at least four hundred people here.”
“Did you bring your glasses?” Cade asked anxiously. “You may need them to read your speech.”
Quinn nodded and patted his chest. “In my pocket. But I won’t need them because I haven’t written anything down. It’s all in here,” he said loftily, tapping his head. “I don’t need bits of paper.”
“You’re such a smart arse.” Cade chuckled. “You might need them when we get to the room though. I have a yen tonight for the professor to make his debut. I feel like being his naughty college student who wants to jump his bones, so be prepared.”
Quinn looked down at him, his eyes darkened with the promise of tonight. “I look forward to it.”
“Cade! God, you look absolutely gorgeous. Come here and give me a hug.”
A tall, stocky man with pitch-black hair and bright green eyes reached out with arms that looked like thick tree branches and pulled Cade into his arms, enveloping him in a hug that almost swallowed him whole. Eager lips pecked at Cade’s, who leaned back, fending the man off with a low laugh. Quinn raised an eyebrow at the action but made no comment. Eventually the man released him and Cade shook his head, looking breathless.
“Cooper! For God’s sake, how many times have I told you not to suffocate me?”
Quinn’s eyebrows furrowed at the indication that this wasn’t the first hug Cade had had from this man. He felt a tingle of both suspicion and annoyance at the man’s impudence. Turning you into a toad, Cooper, is beginning to look more and more like an option.
“Coop, I’d like you to meet my boyfriend, Quinn Fairmont.”
Coop? That is a little too familiar for my liking.
Quinn shook hands with the man, who smiled at him openly and seemed genuinely pleased to meet him. “Quinn. It’s good to meet you at last. I’ve heard so much about you from Cade.”
“Likewise.” Quinn remarked laconically. “It’s good to put a face to a name.”
A younger, handsome and masculine face, one I am sure men go gaga for, even though I don’t care for it much myself.
Cooper turned to Cade. “I need to speak to you at some stage about the dissertation I’m working on. I need some advice on Kenneth MacAlpin and I know you’re the chap to give it to me.”
Quinn hoped that was simply a figure of speech.
Cade smiled. “If it’s Pict history you’re looking to pick my brains on, you’ve come to the right place. We can chat about later when we’re sat down for dinner. I think we’re at the same table.”
Quinn sighed. Wonderful. Now I have to have the chap in close proximity all night.
He wasn’t sure why he had this irrational dislike of the man who seemed pleasant enough and he was a little nonplussed by it.
Taliesin interjected slyly.
I feel your jealousy, Quinn. Your man has an admirer, one who seems quite ‘touchy feely,’ as you would say.
Quinn tried not to let the green-eyed monster take root in his head as Cade turned to him. “Cooper is writing his thesis on early Pict settlements and history, and as you know, it’s one of my specialities. There’s a possible research programme in the works to go to Scotland for a month to do some studies up there. I’ve put my name down for it if it ever comes to fruition. It will be an incredible opportunity.”
Quinn’s ears pricked up at Cade’s words. He hadn’t been aware of this plan.
“Scotland? Any idea when it might be planned for?”
Cade shook his head. “Not yet. It depends on funding and some other circumstances. Ambrose is working on it with Cooper.”
So Cooper would be going too? Quinn definitely didn’t like the sound of that plan. He wondered if he’d be asked to provide the funding. He’d have to think about that if so. He wasn’t paying for Cade to go on a nice long weekend with Cooper and no Quinn.
Are you going to stand for this young upstart to spirit your Cade away to a place of privacy, Quinn?
Taliesin’s sly words were not helping Quinn feel comfortable about the rather effusive Cooper.
“Cade is a wonderful teacher,” Cooper enthused. “He has a lot of patience and his knowledge is incredible. You should be very proud of him.”
“Oh, I am.” Quinn said silkily, drawing Cade closer to him possessively. “Extremely proud. I can safely say he’s taught me a lot.”
And he’s mine, you arsehole, so back off!
Cade poked him hard in the ribs and Quinn smiled at him innocently. “It looks like everyone is making their way to the tables. I suppose we’d better find ours.” He looked at Cade who nodded.
“Nice meeting you, Coop,” Quinn said lazily.
Cade glared at him. “We’ll go sit down for dinner. Cooper, we’ll see you there.”
Quinn took Cade’s elbow and steered him away toward the bar.
Cade shook his head. “You said you’d behave!”
“I did behave. I didn’t do anything untoward, did I?” Quinn grinned. “The man is still human and hasn’t been turned into a chicken or lost his hair. I did think about making him bald.”
Cade sighed in exasperation. “I know you. You have this way of charmingly brushing people off and making them feel that they should be glad they even had a minute to spend with you. You can insult people without them even knowing you’ve done it.”
“I can’t help my charm, it’s who I am. I was just born this way.” He ducked adroitly out of the way of Cade’s fierce punch to his ribcage and chuckled at the swear word he heard.
“Hell, you’re supposed to be a gentleman. Gentlemen don’t say rude words like that.” He leaned in and whispered in Cade’s ear. “Not unless they’re in the bedroom.”
“God, you can be such an arrogant tosser.” But Cade was smiling and Quinn knew he’d won him over.
They found their table and sat down whilst Quinn ordered more drinks. He was pleased that the crowd at the table were quite talkative and the time seemed to pass fairly quickly. Even Cooper had his moments of interest. Dinner was served, the drinks flowe
d and the conversation became animated. Quinn looked at his watch and nudged Cade on the shoulder.
“I’d better make my way to the front. Ambrose wanted me there at ten.”
Cade nodded as Quinn picked up his jacket and disappeared toward the stage at the front of the room. The gong sounded and the ballroom drew quiet. The stage lit up as the ballroom lights dimmed and Ambrose Tickler Brown appeared with a microphone.
“Ladies and gentlemen, your attention please. Firstly, can I say how pleased I am that everyone is here enjoying themselves? I am very gratified at such a huge turnout, and I must thank you all for coming, especially as I know you may have much better things to do on a Saturday night.” He cleared his throat.
“As you all know, the Institute for Anthropological Studies in Golders Green does a myriad of things. It teaches, it researches, it promotes studies of the subject to local youth groups and schools, and it tries to get the subject of our past across to people who might otherwise never have the opportunity to hear of what life used to be like before Blackberries, smartphones and the internet. Not to mention social networking.”
There was low laughter throughout the room.
“But we cannot do what we do without the benefit of organisations who graciously fund us, giving us the money to create such programmes and get our message over to the public. Grants allow us to send our researchers to find out more about our past, the people and cultures that inhabited it and put together undergraduate and graduate programmes for people to study and propagate the research. The company that helps us with our funding is generous to a fault and has been supporting us for over fifty years. QuinnCo was started by a man called Christopher Fairmont all that time ago, and today we are very privileged in having his son and the current patron of the Institute, Mr. Quinn Fairmont, with us to say a few words. Quinn, we’re very glad to have you with us tonight.”
Cade’s heart swelled with pride as Quinn appeared on the stage, the stage lights glinting on his tawny blond hair, looking very handsome in his tux. He saw more than a few avaricious stares at his man as he stood there, from men and women alike.
Double Alchemy: Climax Page 12