“She didn’t fall. Morton got her down gently. And she knows better now than to touch Mother’s things, don’t you, Ruby?” His sister nodded, still crying. Lucas pulled her into a hug again.
“Shhh, Ruby it’s okay. It’s gonna be fine. We’ll sort it all out, okay?”
“Yeah, Ruby,” Brian added. “Morton said he’ll take all Mother’s grimoires and will look through them for any dangerous stuff. You know he’s good at all this magic stuff, way better than Mother ever was. You saw how easily he disabled the trap spell while also levitating you down to the floor. And he didn’t even need any rituals for it like Mother used!”
“Mhm.” Ruby sniffled and wiped her nose on her sleeve, pulling away from her dad’s hug. Lucas seemed reluctant to let her go but he did anyway. “He’s really good. I hope sometime in the future I can cast spells without even saying them out loud.” Lucas opened his mouth as if to say something but then just shook his head as if he’d thought better of it.
“I told you, Ruby, it’s all a matter of focus. You need to learn how to centre yourself and focus your magic. Some witches have trouble with it, and they use ritual to help them concentrate. But if you do the meditation exercises regularly, I’m certain you’ll get to a level necessary to cast without speaking aloud.” Morton’s normally nervous voice was sure and even when he was talking about magic. He came down the stairs carrying an armful of what looked like notebooks. “Ah, Mr. Cartwright, good to see you feeling better. I know being in a presence of malevolent magic can be quite a shock.” Jack thought that it was very clever of the boy to point out that Lucas’s reaction had been due to the malevolence of the magic and not because of his kids’ actions.
“Indeed.” Lucas nodded, clearly catching onto it. “I was horrified by what happened to Ruby and my own inability to help her. I’m glad you boys were there to take care of the matter,” Lucas admitted grudgingly.
“Yes, about that.” Morton balanced the book with his arms while also nudging his glasses up his nose. “I gave your late wife’s books a quick examination for any other volatile spells, and I found something worrying. There is a trace of an old spell on one of them that I don’t like. I’m afraid that if Brian and Ruby were near that spell, there might be some side effects that they could suffer. Nothing too dangerous, mind,” he added, noticing Lucas’s alarmed expression. “And I do have means to counteract it, but I will need to take Ruby and Brian with me to my flat where I keep my supplies.” Lucas looked like he wanted to protest but then only pursed his lips.
“Okay, I trust you to look after them. We didn’t have anything planned for the rest of the day anyway. But you need to bring them back in time for dinner, yeah?”
“Of course, Mr. Cartwright. We’ll be back before eight, definitely.”
“Okay then.” Lucas seemed to brace himself and put on a good face as he got to his feet. “Ruby, go and wash your face. Brian, have you got your phone?” The teenager only rolled his eyes.
“Yes, Dad!”
“Okay, here.” Lucas fished out his wallet and gave Brian twenty quid. “Get a pizza or something for lunch, yeah?” Brian nodded and put the money away. Just then Ruby came running back, the hair around her face still damp from the water and her backpack slung over her shoulder.
“I got my notebook to take notes about that curse, Morton!” she exclaimed then gave her dad a wary look. Lucas returned it with a strained smile.
“Okay then, off you go.” The kids waved at their dad and followed Morton out the door. Toby lingered a little bit longer and gave Jack a meaningful look.
“Get him up to speed on what you think is necessary, yeah? I’ll let Jay-Jay and Ty know about the situation when they come back.”
“Okay, see you later.” Jack nodded at his friend. Toby left, shutting the front door behind him, and Jack was left with the dreadful and unenviable task of introducing Lucas to the paranormal world. He took a deep breath and turned just to see Lucas disappearing back into the living room. Jack grimaced and followed him. As he entered Lucas was falling back into the sofa with his glass of whiskey. Jack was not looking forward to the upcoming conversation.
He had once dreamed of telling Lucas all about paranormal, had imagined Lucas being amazed, maybe even astonished but ultimately excited. He had hoped to have a future with this man, a future that involved Lucas accepting him just the way he was. That was all taken away by Ariana the witch. But even after losing Luc, as much as it hurt, Jack had always wished him well. He had wished for his ex-boyfriend and prospective mate to have a happy, fulfilled life. He could have never predicted his one-time wish to turn into this twisted parody of itself. He could have never imagined having to tell a recently widowed Lucas all about the paranormal. Explaining how his late wife the witch had put a love spell on him. Grinding his teeth, Jack wondered what vengeful god had it in for him. Hadn’t he suffered enough? But almost immediately he shook off the thought, bashful. It wasn’t about him. This situation was all about Lucas, and that’s what Jack should focus on. How could he hope to be a good mate someday, if he selfishly focused on himself rather than the suffering man in front of him? With that realization came the resolve to do better and make it as easy on Lucas as possible. Taking a deep breath to brace himself, he faced Luc.
* * * *
“You’re telling me it’s all true?” Lucas asked after hearing Jack’s fantastic tale. “What my kids kept telling me about my wife being a witch and putting a love spell on me, all of it?” Lucas sank heavily back into the sofa, feeling suddenly nauseous and very tired. He eyed the dregs of whiskey in the bottle but decided against drinking it. His head seemed clear despite at least two doubles he’d already drunk. No point ruining it now. He needed his brain to work for this conversation.
“I’m sorry,” Jack only said, looking apologetic. As if any of this had been the man’s fault. Lucas examined him closer. Here was the man who had been his first real love interest, the man he was, once again, beginning to care a great deal about. Jack looked worn out and about as tired as Lucas felt. It wasn’t the first time Lucas noticed the change in Jack, but for the first time, he didn’t attribute it to changes made by the passing of years.
“What happened to you, Jack?” Lucas asked, eager to focus on something else than his own fucked up life. If he never had to think about his daughter floating helplessly under the ceiling and himself being magically controlled by his dead wife, it would still be too early. Jack smiled sadly, with understanding.
“It’s a long story, one I’m sure you don’t want to hear right now. I should probably leave you to absorb all the news you were just delivered.”
“What, you mean about my children being paranormal creatures?” Lucas snarked then felt immediately guilty when Jack flinched. None of it was Jack’s fault. If what he said was true, Lucas owed him for helping with Ruby’s mysterious illness. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to sound…” He wasn’t sure what he wanted to say. Condescending? Ungrateful? Angry? So he didn’t finish. “I don’t think I’m dealing with this very well. Could you please not go just yet? I could use the company right now.” Jack seemed unconvinced, so Lucas added with what he hoped was an earnest expression, “Please?” Jack nodded and sat on the edge of the chair opposite Luc. For a long minute Lucas just stared at him. His head felt suddenly empty, his thoughts in loose threads not wanting to assemble themselves in any kind of order. He should probably ask questions. Many, many questions. Learn about the paranormal world, magic, shape-shifters, and all kinds of things. Instead he asked. “So, what now?”
“Now?” Jack seemed startled.
“Yes, now. Do you kill me because I learned your secret? Wipe my mind? Lock me up somewhere so I can’t reveal the truth to anyone? What happens now?” Jack gave him the same nonplussed look Lucas remembered from their university days. It was the look he would give people when he thought they were being obtuse but felt it rude to point it out.
“Well, I would hope none of these would be necessary.
It’s your children we’re talking about. They would be the ones at risk of being turned into test subjects if you found someone who believed your claims of the paranormal world.” Lucas sighed and shook his head, hugging one of the sofa cushions.
“I’m sorry. You know I would never tell anyone. All this… It’s just too much. Yesterday I was a widowed father dealing with a couple of children who in their grief made up stories of magic and witches. That was difficult enough. Today I’m a father of two witches and surrounded by paranormal creatures of many kinds.
“Well, Brian is actually a warlock, not a witch…” Lucas knew he was giving Jack a blank stare because the teacher paused and finished. “But that’s not your point, I suppose.” Jack sighed, rubbed his forehead, then said, “Listen, nothing really changed, you know? So yes, your children have some special abilities which should be cultivated, but it’s no different from them being musically or artistically talented. Whatever talent your child has should be nurtured and encouraged, don’t you think? It only so happens that your children’s talents are slightly more unusual.”
“Well, when you put it like that it sounds reasonable. But I don’t know anything about magic. How do I even make sure that they’re doing all right?” Jack’s gaze was earnest when he answered.
“I’m sure not every parent of a musical virtuoso or a computer genius is well versed in music or IT themselves. You do the same they would do. Research it, ask for advice. It just so happens that your children already found willing tutors in their magical studies. All that is left for you is to monitor their progress and listen to your children, be there for them.” Jack paused, seeming to give his next words some thought. “And as to all the rest of this paranormal stuff… Nothing says you must get involved in it. Of course, the pack would be happy to have you, and I’m sure Alpha Jason would assign you a pack friend status like he did with our other human, Joel. But nobody will force you into anything. You’re welcome to take part or not. It’s up to you.” Jack looked away, clenching his jaw and fisting his hands. Lucas realised it then. If he decided he didn’t want to have anything to do with the larger paranormal world, he would be rejecting Jack himself, who, by his own words was a cuberow-shifter. To his own surprise Lucas didn’t want that. Something deep inside was telling him that if he lost Jack, he would be making a huge mistake. Inhaling deeply, Luc decided to take a leap of faith and trust his instincts.
“Tell me more about this pack,” he said, and Jack’s shy smile was confirmation enough that he made the right choice.
Chapter Eight
Luc was trying to get Ruby Rose ready for school when the doorbell rang.
“Brian, get the door, will you?” he shouted from the bathroom where he was trying to tame Ruby’s hair. It wasn’t easy. He took Brian’s grumble as an agreement and got back to work. Less than a minute later Brian poked his head through the bathroom door. Lucas took in the kid’s wide-eyed look and felt his stomach clench in nerves. What now?
“Um, Dad? Aunt Linda is here.” For a second or two the statement didn’t register with Luc. And then it did, and his anxiety increased. This couldn’t be good. Still, Lucas needed to keep his head and appear calm. No need to alarm the kids.
“Show her to the kitchen, will you? And offer her some tea or coffee. I’ll be there as soon as Ruby’s hair is done.” Brian nodded and seemed slightly calmed seeing Lucas’s level-headed reaction. The hair took a bit longer, but finally it was done. “There!” He patted his daughter’s head. “We’re never gonna win any hairdressing contests, but you look presentable enough,” he said.
“Dad.” Ruby looked up at him with big frightened eyes. “What does Aunt Linda want from us?”
“I’m not sure, love, but we’ll find out soon enough. Maybe she just came to visit?” But Luc didn’t really believe it. His wife and her sister had never been close, and Linda did not try to keep in contact with him and the kids after Ariana’s funeral. He had the impression that both Linda and her parents looked down on Lucas and the kids. Before, he didn’t have a clue what they all had against him, but now he thought maybe it was because he was not a witch. Maybe they didn’t want their daughter mixing up with a simple human. Regardless of the reason Linda was here now, and Lucas needed to tread carefully around her, not alert her that he knew about the paranormal world. For some reason he just knew that would be bad.
“Hello, Linda,” he said, entering the kitchen, where Brian was handing his aunt a cup of coffee, keeping a wary eye on her. “To what do we owe the pleasure of your visit?” Luc tried to keep a neutral tone. A feat he hadn’t always managed in the past whenever faced with his wife’s family. Condescending and full of self-importance were the first things that came to mind whenever he thought of them. Linda gave him a warm smile, more effort than she had ever spared on him before. Lucas’s instincts screamed danger and he restrained himself, trying not to betray it.
“Now, darling, can’t I visit my favourite family members just like this?” Linda asked, sauntering closer to him. She put one hand on his shoulder and gave him a kiss on the cheek, her fingers teasing his neck. A strange tingle went through him, an unnatural mellow feeling trying to invade him. With dread Luc remembered the same feeling from his date nights with Ariana. He hadn’t been aware of it at the time, but now it was stupidly easy to recognize that his sister-in-law was trying to magically roofie him. Lucas’s insides twisted even as he outwardly smiled and gave her a look that he hoped was indicative of a magically drugged person. On the plus side Linda had never been near Lucas after one of his and Ariana’s date nights, so she didn’t know how he should look.
“Of course, you can,” he answered her with a smile still firmly in place. “I’m just disappointed you didn’t wait till the weekend. I need to send the kids to school, and I’m sure they’d love to spend time with you.” He dared a quick look towards Brian who looked disgusted and then Ruby who seemed on the verge of tears. He suspected they somehow saw or sensed the magic their aunt used and thought he was under her influence. Luc wasn’t but he had no way of reassuring them without revealing that to Linda.
“I’m sure you can make an exception today,” Linda said, keeping her hand firmly in place. Lucas felt another wave of something enter him, something that was trying really hard to convince him he wanted to please the woman. Lucas felt nauseous. “Just call the school and tell them the kids need a day off to bond with their family.”
“You’re right,” he said even as internally he swore a blue streak. His hope was that taking the kids to school would let him get away and inform the pack of what was going on. Now he had to improvise. “The school knows about their mother. I’m sure they’ll understand.”
“But, Dad,” Brian protested a bit desperately, “I promised Mr. Robinson I won’t miss any more of his lessons!”
“Well,” Luc said, grateful for his son’s interruption, “then I’ll call him directly and explain it all to him.” Brian gave him a half-disappointed, half-hopeful look. Lucas just smiled at him blandly as he pulled out his phone and typed in the number he knew all too well. He was never so grateful that he neglected to change Jack’s contact name in his phone from the joking “Mr. Robinson” he put it in as. Linda was watching his every move with hawk’s eyes, and he didn’t want to do anything to alert her.
After a brief chat with Jack, Lucas sent a quick prayer to whatever deity listened that the man understood his very obscure message. He really needed the pack’s help. He wasn’t sure what Linda was up to, but with the way she tried to influence him with magic he was fairly sure it couldn’t be anything good.
“What should we do now?” he asked, not sure what the witch had planned.
“Why don’t we sit down in the living room and catch up? I haven’t seen you all in a while. I’m curious about the changes in your life,” Linda said pleasantly enough. She stopped touching him and led the way to the living room. They all followed her, Luc with as bland an expression as he could manage, Brian looking sullen, and
Ruby Rose unsure. Lucas had a feeling that this was going to be a long and stressful day.
* * * *
Jack left the building, his chest swollen with emotions. He clutched a notebook containing his biography. This had been his last NET therapy session, and he had finished his EMDR therapy last week. He couldn’t believe how much difference those made. When he agreed to visit the psychologist Annette recommended, he was desperate, but he didn’t truly expect it to help. How surprised had he been when Dr Summers prescribed him group sessions of narrative exposure therapy with other survivors of the trafficking as well as individual sessions of eye movement desensitisation and re-processing. Both therapies were incredibly successful, first helping him realise how much his trauma still impacted his life, then giving him the tools to deal with it. He came out of that last session a different man. He knew his problems weren’t gone, but he could now identify his triggers and had ways of processing and dealing with them. He was full of gratitude. For Dr Summers, the surprisingly kind and knowledgeable man, for Annette, who attended the NET sessions herself, for suggesting it in the first place. He was doubly grateful to Jason, Toby, and Ty for giving him the support he needed when he needed it most. The therapy helped him understand that because of having that safety net of friends, of his new pack, he didn’t suffer from any even more severe PTSD symptoms. Jack was also full of hope. He believed now that he could have a future, that he was a survivor, not a victim. He knew he was strong and could deal with any leftover aftereffects of his ordeal. He had hope that he could have future with Luc.
Lucas had taken the news of paranormal world hard at first, and who could blame him? His introduction to it wasn’t the most pleasant. The man had taken his kids for a long holiday at their grandparents’ house. Thankfully, it coincided with school half-term so there were no repercussions from that side. Still the time away must have helped Lucas process his findings because he came back with a vastly different mind-set. He was determined to learn all he could about the paranormal world and its dangers. Naturally, Jack, as a kind of an expert on all things paranormal, was his go-to on this road to knowledge. They’ve been spending a lot of time together, and Jack had admitted the truth of what happened to him. Luc had been furious on his behalf and supported him in going to therapy. They were slowly working on a way to build a relationship. Neither of them had said anything yet, but they both knew that was where they were going. Luc’s children both seemed okay with that. Jack really liked them. They were smart and good kids, despite being raised by an unscrupulous witch.
Real Love Page 9