Never Marry a Warlock
Never Marry A Warlock
Beware of Warlocks, Book 1
By Marilyn Vix
© 2013 Marilyn Vix
All rights reserved.
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This book is intended for readers eighteen or over. Adult content is meant for entertainment purposes. This book is a work of fiction. All the character names, places, or incidents are fictional. Similarities to real people, places, or events are coincidental. The author acknowledges the trademark status and trademark owners of products that are mentioned in this work of fiction.
Never Marry A Warlock
Format: Ebook
Author: Marilyn Vix
Cover Design: Melody Simmons of eBookindiecovers
Editor: Shelley Holloway,
hollowayhouse.me
© 2013 by Marilyn Vix
Table of Contents
My husband’s arms were wrapped around her naked body. The blankets were strewn and interwoven between their legs. He was spooning her with his biceps draped over her. I stood in the doorway taking in the scene of my husband and my best friend. It was the end of the world, at least for me. But I wasn’t going to take it lying down. I should have known better than to have married a warlock.
I hit him with a force spell that knocked him up against the headboard. He fell back down and braced his hands out to catch his fall. Cassandra scrambled out of the bed, dragging the silk comforter with her. Bitch. She better get out of my way. She was next.
Rich was naked as he sat up to look at me. Normally, the abs-flash trick would work. But not now. I was too pissed off. I knew what spells he used to look like that. It was easy to fool a mortal and ex-best friend on the floor. But not me. Thing is, we were too evenly matched. I think that was the problem.
He threw a counter spell that lanced light through my arm, digging into the flesh as it tried to anchor and link me to him. I flicked out a removal spell that broke the connection, laced my hands together, and hit him with a burst of everything I had. He went flying backward, through the window into the pool. It was satisfying to watch. He tried to rise up and hover toward me, but I knocked him back in the water with another force spell.
He yelled from the pool. His wavy, brown hair trenched with water. “Baby, we can talk it out. It’s just a moment of weakness. You’ve had them with mortals.”
I’d drown him if he couldn’t breathe water. Blowing up the six-million-dollar house probably wouldn’t kill him either. Like I said, never marry a warlock. I shot another burst of energy, creating a field that pushed him under. He swam back up and came to the side, with both chiseled arms on the edge of the pool. His brown eyes tried to melt my insides. I wasn’t going to let him win again.
I walked through the window ledge, broken glass crackling under my heels. “It’s over Rich. Just over. I’m done with playing the games, or sharing you with the next mortal you pick up. Really, when I said my vows, it was forsaking everyone. Including mortals.”
“I haven’t touched another witch in ages, Catherine. Really. Scout’s honor.”
I blasted him into the pool again. Rich came up from the bottom, laughing. He swam back to the side and got out. He walked toward me with glistening, rock-hard muscles. I fought down the attraction, along with the writhing anger. Maybe blowing him up was too good for him. Slow, painful death. Maybe.
He walked up to me, his brown hair wet and slicked back, brown eyes mirroring the puppy I had as a kid. “It’s only good fun. Really, I haven’t been with another witch the entire year of our marriage.”
“Which is now over.” I crossed my hands in finality. “I’m not renewing the yearly vow. It’s done.” With a final touch to his arm, I put a lock spell on him. He froze for a moment and grinned with a snarl. Rich vibrated and lines glowed on him as he tried to counter the spell.
I knew it wouldn’t hold him for long. It was just my time to get away before he tried to kill me. Sweet-talking would only buy so much time before he’d retaliate. Like I said, we were evenly matched, and our marriage had been a good peace between us. Until now.
I raced through the room, past the ex-friend mortal cringing under the comforter on the floor. I yelled to her, “You’re lucky I don’t have time for you.” I could see Cassandra’s blonde hair and blue eyes as she brought the blanket down to get a better look at me. “How did you do that?” she whimpered from under her tent city.
“I’m a witch, you bitch.” But then I felt Rich’s energy building behind me, and knew I had to get out of there before he brought the house down on me. I ran down the hall through the broad mansion living room, knowing that all that decorating would be wasted now since I wasn’t coming back. I’d had the crystal chandelier in the dining room imported from Prague. My hand-crafted antique oak table would be splinters in moments. Damn, I’d miss that. I heard the click of my heels as I jammed across the marble front entryway and got through the front door.
My right heel slipped, but I kept my balance as I raced for my Jag. A lightning bolt shot through the house. I only had seconds to dodge or counter. I spun, faced the bolt aimed at me, and countered its direction. It split into several sparks that veered off in opposite directions. They ended in a shower of fireworks that would impress a small town on the Fourth of July.
I jumped in my burgundy Jaguar, got the engine running with a push of the button, and started down the main driveway before he could send another bolt. I knew the car could ground more bolts because of the spells I’d set on it. But a direct hit could fry the entire electrical system. The car was definitely worth more than the man right now.
I needed to get out of Rich’s range. I floored it on the winding road, hearing a hiss and burst of dirt behind me. I knew he’d miss if I kept moving and got out of range in time. Zigzagging lightning on a winding road sucked for aiming. Thank the gods it was to my advantage right now.
I drove north along the coast until I couldn’t hear any more blasts behind me. He was a sore loser, but he’d taken the last step in the wrong direction. Luckily, witches only married for a year. With renewals every anniversary, it could be annulled if not renewed at the vow date. This was one marriage I would be happy to walk away from.
I reminded myself never to marry a warlock again.
I floored the Jag. All I knew was that I was heading north. I could find another town, make another identity, and find another man. One tear started to well in my eye. I sniffed. No. I wasn’t going to let Richard get to me. It was over. Anything had to be better. I would just head north. I’d find it along the way.
I pulled into a small beach town along Hwy 1. It was like the rest, with a diner, main market, and tourist trap shops that hawked knick-knacks with shells. I’d seen it a thousand times. I needed something more permanent. I saw the sign, “Firewater Bar.” That would do. I needed something strong to dull the pain.
I sat at a stool and ordered a glass of port. At least the one thing about this part of California, right below Carmel, they usually stocked the good stuff of everything. Everyone from the very rich to sometimes famous could drop in without notice, and they usually had cash. I had at least the cash, and the will to forget. Too bad I had a witch’s metabolism. I would have loved to get drunk. Except it would take ten times what it would take for a mortal. But no one ever would know that, unless you were one of us.
“How come a pretty lady like you is sitting alone?” It was some local at the other end of the bar. I swiveled on the barstool, not an easy thing to do in a white cotton knit dress. It clung around my legs, highlighting the tan I’d worked hard to develop by the pool. “Feeling like I need a shot. Would you like one?”
The guy got up and walked over to the stool next to me. “You look like you need me to buy you the drink. That bad huh?” Interesting, he actually sounded concerned.
I knocked the port back and signaled the bartender to load us both up again.
“Just caught my husband with another woman.”
“Oh shit. That does sound like it’s been a bad day.” He slid down as he gave the bartender a look.
The bartender walked over between the mortal guy and me to pour my shot of port. He turned to the guy next to me. “The usual, Jed?”
The bartender pulled a bottle of bourbon from under the bar and refilled his glass. Jed took a drink and nodded to the bartender. “Thanks, Alan. You serve only the best.”
I took a sip and sighed. “You’re right, was it Jed?” The guy next to me nodded. “It just sucks.” I took another sip of the port. I had to get a grip. But at least, if I said it out loud, it might help. I closed my eyes, still seeing Cassandra entwined in Rich’s arms. “He was with my best friend.”
Jed whistled in response. “Better make that a double for her, Alan. I’ll catch the tab.” He leaned into me. He seemed like an ordinary guy, complete with baseball cap, plaid shirt, and jeans. Not remarkable, but a solid ear to listen.
I snorted as I lifted my glass to clink with his. “It’s been a shitty day. But I’ve got my health.” I raised my glass after the bartender poured me another shot. At least, I had my hide, but I had one pissed off warlock that might be on my ass in a few hours. I’d eventually have to deal with him. But hell, it had been a bad day. I looked around at the cowboy décor of the bar. Willie Nelson was playing on the stereo in the background. Amazing what you miss when you’re distracted by emotions.
“So,” Jed said as the bartender walked away. He gave me an up and down look. “What kind of man would do that to a fine kind of lady like you? Is he nuts?”
I smiled. I’d like to wrap something around Rich’s neck. I considered wrapping his nuts, but I knew they wouldn’t be big enough. I tried to block the memory of Cassandra with him. I remember him doing the same thing to me. I closed my eyes. “Damn it, why does it have to hurt so much? We’ve only been together a year.”
“Shit, that is rough. Cheating that early. You are better off without him.” Jed put his hand on my shoulder.
I nodded and sipped my drink, the syrup texture glided down my throat. Something had to anchor me. I crossed my legs Maybe I just needed a completely new start. Maybe I needed a new face, town, and life.
“I think I need to start over.”
“Amen to that.” Jed concurred as he took a drink.
I took out a fifty and tossed it on the bar. “Give Jed another round on me, and you can keep the change, Alan.”
Willie sang me out as I walked through the door, not looking back. I needed somewhere else to sort myself out. But where?
Anchored in the Jag, I felt more in control. The rhythm of the road turns gave me a sense of power and strength I’d lost over the last year. I felt stronger than I had in a long time. I was on my own again, and I liked it. The ocean breeze blasted through the window. The shore crept onward, guiding me north away from him, the past, everything.
I saw the turn off to Pacific Grove and took the exit. A good hotel, a night to rest, and cleaning up would be a good way to gain focus. I needed something to reset my inner compass. The ocean was always so cleansing. I picked a B&B near the shore. It was one of those Victorian restorations that always looked so quaint.
I parked the Jag and stepped out onto a gravel drive. I walked to the office door, smelling the fragrance of roses and rosemary. A cat lounged on one of the wicker chairs on the porch as I opened the screen door. I walked into a small reception area complete with wooden desk, old-fashioned key boxes, and Victorian ottoman. A tall man looked up and smiled. It was the only one I’d seen all day. I set my sunglasses on my head and smiled at the man behind the desk. “A room for one please.”
A bath can do wonders. I slid down in the bubbles, letting the water slide over my body. The room came furnished in a rose motif with all the special touches you expect in a B&B. Candles dotted the bathroom with matching pink towels. The lavender bubble bath worked to relax my mind and muscles. However, the romantic feel was lost on me. The decorations of romantic bliss gave the illusion of comfort. Luckily, I did like pink. But having a room like this by myself was lonely.