mythean arcana 07 - witchs fate (12 page)

“I’ll be right back,” he said, then crouched down and grabbed each demon by a wrist. He disappeared. 

A moment later, he returned. He slipped the cuff back on and wiped the blood from his forehead. No one would be able to tell he’d just been in a fight.

“Where’d you take them?”

“Siberia. It’ll take them a while to get sorted out. We should be gone by then.”

“Good.” She glanced around at the creepy alley. “Let’s get out of here. Find somewhere else.”

He nodded and led the way down the alley. Sofia’s shoulders relaxed a bit when they reached the main street. It was still vaguely creepy, like all of Salem, but it was far nicer than where they’d just been. Even Kitty seemed less nervous as she stalked at Sofia’s side. 

Sofia rubbed the back of her neck. Were they being watched? Or was it just creepy Salem? Full dark had fallen while they’d been in the cell, and clouds drifted in front of an orange moon. The leaves rustled on the trees overhead. Dim yellow light from shop windows and gas street lamps gleamed on the cobblestones.

Most of the shops were empty now, as was the street. Everyone had holed up to get out of the cold. If she had to guess, the temperature had dropped at least ten degrees. Miserable.

“Let’s find a place that’s not quite so hidden,” Sofia said. “I don’t exactly want to run into any more demon bouncers.”

“Agreed.” He pointed up the road. “What about there?”

The road curved left and Sofia could see the gleaming windows of a pub. The Spiked Potion. It bustled with people and didn’t look to have any hulking bouncers. “All right.”

They slipped inside a moment later and she heaved a sigh of relief when warmth from the crackling fire enveloped her. The pub was large with a low ceiling. The gleaming wood bar took up the back left corner, while trestle tables jutted out from the rest of the walls.

The space was about three quarters full. No one sat alone. About half could pass in the mortal world. The other half… not so much. Besides the wings and horns, there was fur, scales, and an assortment of skin tones that fell closer to rainbow than beige or brown.

They approached the bar.

“What’ll you have?” the bartender asked, wiping her hands on a towel. Her gaze lingered on Malcolm and Sofia had to stop herself from sneering. 

Of course she didn’t care if the hot bartender gave Malcolm an
I-would-bone-you-immediately
look. Why would she?

“I’ll have a coke,” she said. “And tuna water for my familiar.”

The bartender nodded and looked at Malcolm.

“Pint of porter, if you have one on tap.”

“We do.” 

She filled their orders and Malcolm paid her, then turned and headed toward a table in the back corner. Sofia grabbed her Coke and the saucer of tuna water and followed.

“You don’t drink?” he asked as they sat. They each took a chair in the corner. Kitty sat on a chair of her own, facing out toward the room so that she could watch the going’s on.

“I do. But I’m not as big as you. One beer can make me a little lightheaded, and since I don’t know what’s coming at us tonight…” But Malcolm clearly wouldn’t have that problem. It’d probably take a lot more than a few beers to dull his reflexes.

“Of course.”

They eyed the patrons. Sofia tried not to focus on how close Malcolm was to her.  His arm was only a few inches from her own. If she really focused, she imagined she could feel his heat.

Oh, how she wanted to feel that.

She started and almost smacked herself. What a damned stupid thought. It didn’t matter how handsome he was, or how powerful he’d looked when taking care of those demons.

Or how skilled he’d been with his hands last night.

The memory sent a shudder through her that she barely repressed.

No matter how angry she was with him for leaving her and how much she didn’t trust him now, she wanted him. Even if it was only for one night. Which was all it could be. He couldn’t keep an oath. He couldn’t be in any kind of real relationship. 

He’d ensured that when he’d become a warlock.

She scowled at him and asked, “Is your plan to just approach the first person who walks in alone?”

He nodded.

“No. Too obvious. I’ll make them come to us.” She conjured a cigarette—magic that was small enough to not require her wand—then got up and headed to the door as if she were going to have a smoke. Kitty hopped off her seat and followed. “I’ll be right back.”

She wound her way through the tables and patrons, ignoring a few appreciate glances that were tossed her way. The door swung open easily and she stepped out into the frigid air and lit the cigarette. She didn’t particularly like the thing, but if one was going to be hovering in doorways, it was good cover. 

Once she’d determined that the coast was clear and she stood near enough to the door that people couldn’t see her through the pub’s windows, she drew her wand and ran it around the door frame. Satisfied, she stubbed out the cigarette and went back in, Kitty hot on her heels. She dropped the butt in the trash and found her seat next to Malcolm.

“What was that all about? You don’t smoke.”

“Know me so well, do you?”

“I once did.”

True enough. But she ignored it. “I charmed the door. The next individual to walk in alone will be attracted to me. They’ll come sit with us. Then you’ll ask the questions. It won’t look so strange.”

“No one would have noticed us approaching a loner. I’d have seen to it.”

She didn’t know how, probably with some sort of enchantment, but it wouldn’t be a problem for him. “My way is easier.”

“Perhaps.”

“You’re such a bastard sometimes, you know that? You steal my dagger, kidnap me, and are generally a jerk.  Yet you throw yourself in front of lightning for me. What’s with that?”

He glanced at her, his expression closed, then back at the door. It opened and a man walked in. “He’s got potential.”

“No he doesn’t. Someone’s behind him. And you’re changing the subject.”

“Now’s not the time.”

She scowled. But he was right. She needed to keep her eye on the room. They were outsiders here. Though she’d heard of tourism even in Salem’s Hollow—Mytheans loved going places where there were no mortals—she didn’t know how well they blended. Tight-knit communities were always wary of outsiders.

“We need to have some kind of lighthearted conversation. So we look normal, not like vultures waiting for our prey.”

He huffed a laugh. “Fair visual. Fine. What are your hobbies?”

“Don’t have any.” No time.

“All right. I suppose you’re too busy taking care of Bruxa’s Eye.”

“Nailed it. Not that you’d know anything about that. Loyalty isn’t exactly your thing.” She kept her gaze focused on the crowd. If she looked at him, she was afraid he’d see how much that hurt her. The barb had sounded acidic, but it tasted bitter.

“I’d like it to be. With you.”

“Don’t exactly have that choice, now do you? You’re stuck. A warlock. Can you even—”

Her words stopped when a woman walked through the door. Young and pretty, with golden hair and a red dress, she was alone. Her gaze went straight to Sofia and she walked toward them, her stride intent.

“Women, too?” Malcolm asked.

“I’m not a homophobe.” Sofia smiled at the woman as she neared.

“May I?” The blonde asked. Her tone was slightly confused, as if she wanted to sit near Sofia, but she wasn’t quite sure why. But she didn’t even glance at Malcolm. The spell was working.

“I’d be delighted,” Sofia said.

Kitty had smartly arranged herself in the seat next to Sofia, so the woman sat next to Malcolm.

“I’m Caroline,” Sofia said. “What’s your name?”

“Lucy.” Her blue eyes were riveted to Sofia.

Out of the corner of her eye, Sofia saw Malcolm slip the cuff off, then reach up and touch the woman’s temple. He quickly slipped it back on and glanced around. Sofia did as well, but no one looked at them. He’d been quick enough that they hadn’t noticed his power when the cuff was off. It would have felt like electrical tension, or a tickling on the skin, to be near someone as powerful as he for the first time. But they felt nothing, thank fates.

“Lucy, look at me.” Malcolm’s voice was low and commanding. 

She looked his way immediately.

“What are you? fae?” he asked.

She nodded and slipped her hand into her hair, drawing it back. A pointed ear showed. 

“What sort?”

“Melusine.”

“Water fae?”

“Yes.”

Good. They were powerful, but not overly so. Sofia doubted their new friend would be able to break Malcolm’s enchantment or remember it if he told her not to.

“Are you meeting anyone here?” Malcolm asked.

“Yes. But I’m early.”

“How early?”

“About thirty minutes.”

“Do you know anything about the Salem Coven?” Malcolm’s voice had dropped so low it was nearly a whisper.

“Some.”

“How many are there?”

Lucy’s brow crinkled. “Thirteen, I think.”

“All right. Good. Are any here right now?”

“No,” Lucy said immediately.

“Where do they live?”

“Near the shore. By the park. Halibut point. The land is enchanted so mortals can’t see it. Some Mytheans can’t either. But when I’m in the water, my vision is better.” She shivered. “It’s terrifying.”

“Are there any patterns to their movement? Do they ever leave the house?”

“No pattern that I’ve noticed, but I don’t go close very often.”

“Good. Can you take us there?”

“But I’m meeting my friend tonight. He’ll come looking for me.”

“Tomorrow, then.”

“Yes, I think so. As long as I’m in the water. That’s the only way I can find it. And where my vision is best.”

“Excellent. We’ll meet you at Salem Harbor. We’ll be in a boat.”

“All right. But we need to do it at night. I can’t let them see me.” Her eyes went a bit wild with fear.

“Of course, Lucy. Of course. We’ll meet you an hour before dusk at the marina. Then you’ll take us.”

“All right.”

“Thank you, Lucy. If you’re asked, you thought you recognized us. You were wrong. We’re just here on vacation. We’ll see you tomorrow.”

She nodded and stood, still slightly dazed, but it was only visible if you knew to look.

“That was good,” Sofia said.

“It was. Let’s go.”

She followed him out into the cold night air, Kitty at her heels.

“We’ll head back to my house,” he said.

“Shouldn’t we get a hotel? Scotland is far.” The magical energy required to aetherwalk that distance was pretty large. It’d take her nearly a day to recoup and she’d rather have it on hand for spells and the like.

“Distance doesn’t matter for me. I’ll aetherwalk and take you with me.”

Of course. He could recoup whatever he spent directly and immediately from the aether.

“Fine.” She didn’t want to wander the streets looking for a hotel anyway. She held out a hand.

He ignored it and pulled her into his arms. His warmth suffused her immediately. The strength of his arms was impossible to ignore, as was the hardness of his chest. Her annoyance at his heavy-handedness made it easy to stifle her sigh of pleasure.

Sofia glanced down to see Kitty pressed up against Malcolm’s leg. A second later, they stood in his library. The fire was bright and cozy and she broke free of his embrace to rush toward it.

She soaked in the warmth as she rubbed her arms, grateful that the fire was enchanted to burn continuously. Kitty had sprawled out on the floor and was trying to toast her belly.

“I’ll get us something to eat. You can stay there. Get warm.”

She glanced over her shoulder to see him leaving the room. He’d bring her food while she waited in front of the fire? That was nice. Was he taking her words to heart?

Or was she crazy for seeing kindness where there was only more machinations?

Idiot.
It didn’t matter how nice he was about the little things. He’d stolen her dagger. Kidnapped her. When it had counted, he’d left her. He’d chosen power over anything they could ever have together. That choice made it impossible for them to have a future. So what did it matter if he cooked for her and saved her from danger? 

He returned ten minutes later with three heavy bowls full of fragrant stew. He handed one to her and put one on the floor for Kitty.

“Thanks.” She inhaled. Fates, this was just what she wanted after a long day. She ignored him and went to a big chair that sat to the right of the fire. It enveloped her in heavenly softness and she ate while staring into the fire. Kitty made contented purring and snarfing noises at her feet.

Malcolm took the chair across from her, but she ignored him. 

CHAPTER EIGHT

Malcolm watched Sofia eat, entranced by the way the firelight gleamed on her skin and hair. She was so bloody beautiful.

And so pissed off at him.

This wasn’t going to be easy. 

He realized that he’d forgotten his stew and started eating. He barely tasted it as his gaze continuously returned to Sofia. When she finished, he took her bowl and his own to the kitchen. By the time he got back to the library, she was standing up to leave.