Magic's Love

by Alexandra Von Burg

  “Good morning,” he whispered. “Want some breakfast?”

  Lila nodded and got out of the bed. In the kitchen Tee helped her get a bowl and cereal down from the cabinet. He waited for her to get a spoon and sit at the table before he poured the milk for her. He was better at pouring than Lila was. It was one of the things she liked about Tee. That, and he looked like her.

  They had the same hair and eye color, and the same mouth. Tee’s hair was longer, and he let her braid it whenever she asked. His ears were a little pointy, something she discovered the first time she played with his hair, and he had a whole bunch of earrings in them. Lila liked to count them. There were five on one side, and seven on the other.

  They liked the same things, too: running, tumbling, swinging on the practice trapeze, and helping take care of the circus animals. On rainy days when there was nothing else to do, she would sit with Tee on the couch snuggled in his arms and he would read to her. He always let Lila turn the pages.

  When Lila finished her cereal and put her dish in the sink, she took Tee’s hand and pulled him into the living room. They played with her animal farm set until the morning brightened and noises of other people stirring told her it was time to dress and help Jerry feed the lions.

  “Give me a hug before you go,” Tee said, opening his arms. Lila threw herself into his embrace and got a giant bear hug and a smooch on her cheek. She giggled and ran off to get dressed.

  Lila woke from the dream as light was brightening her windows. She lay still for a while thinking about her dream of her childhood friend. She had totally forgotten that she’d had an invisible friend when she was little. It brought a smile to her face, especially when she remembered how real his hugs had felt to her, and his wet kisses. She marveled at her own imagination, and rolled over to doze some more.

  Chapter 5

  August

  One night at dinner Sebastian announced that they would be going out to meet with some “friends” at a club in town. This would be her introduction into a new magical social life, and Lila panicked momentarily.

  “What kind of club? What do I wear?”

  “Something with long sleeves,” was all he said as he left the kitchen.

  Lila rushed through the dinner clean up and ran to her room to find something to wear. She was excited about the possibility of meeting new people and having variety in her routine. She wished Sebastian had been more helpful as she perused her meager clothing for something. Sophisticated wasn’t really in her repertoire, and sexy was inappropriate, so she settled for trendy comfort: a dark skirt, silk blouse, and strappy sandals. She looked at her makeup and worried about looking like she was trying too hard, so she settled on just eyeliner, mascara, and lip gloss. She brushed out her hair, and was ready to go.

  Sebastian met her in the front hall. His gaze traveled from her head to toes slowly and appreciatively.

  “That will do, but I suppose we should go shopping this weekend.”

  “What’s wrong with this outfit?” she asked self consciously.

  “Nothing.” He opened the door and gestured for her to precede him out the door.

  “Then why the negative comment?” Lila was confused. His eyes said one thing while his words said another.

  “I don’t think I’ve ever met a woman who thought that going shopping was a bad thing.”

  “It’s not your words but the attitude behind them that is negative,” she retorted a bit too sharply.

  “Lila, my dear, you are exquisitely beautiful. Your wardrobe, however, is decidedly pedestrian.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “Pedestrian means dull, lacking inspiration, boring.” Sebastian was wearing a custom fitted light beige suit. His shirt was perfectly pressed, a red necktie knotted at the top, and silver cufflinks glimmered in the front lights of the house as they walked to the car.

  “This isn’t boring, it’s normal. And you gave me no clue as to the kind of place we are going to, or who we are meeting,” Lila ended with a huff as she sat in her seat.

  “A lady who is always dressed up is dressed appropriately for all venues, people, and occasions,” Sebastian answered condescendingly.

  Lila snorted,

  ”What century were you born in?”

  “The 18th,” Sebastian answered nonplussed.

  Lila did a double take and then stared at him. “What?”

  “I was born in the year 1752, in Spain. And FYI, it is rude to ask an immortal their age.” He glanced over at her. “Close your mouth, my dear, you look like a fish. Very unladylike.”

  Lila snapped her mouth shut and stared out the front windshield. She couldn’t decide whether she should be shocked, incensed, or insulted. She settled for all three. Intellectually she understood the concept of immortality, and the fact that she would never grow any older, but practically she just couldn’t wrap her head around the idea. After all, she was only 28. The fact that she was living with a man who was well over 250 years old but looked like he was in his 30’s was astonishing. No wonder he was such a chauvinist. After some processing, she came back to herself.

  “Sebastian, I think you and I will have to compromise a bit when it comes to my behavior and dress.” He pressed his lips together in a disapproving line, but said nothing.

  Fifteen minutes later Sebastian pulled into a parking lot on the outskirts of town. A nondescript concrete building sat low at the opposite end of the lot. There were no windows or signs, just one red door with a lamp above it.

  Sebastian took Lila’s elbow as they crossed the half full parking lot. He held the door to allow Lila to enter ahead of him, stepping right up behind her to fit into the small entry. A large muscled bouncer type sat at a podium with a clipboard and desk lamp on it. The man was late twenties, very short hair, like he’d finally gotten tired of a crew cut and was now growing it longer, and many, many muscles on his arms and chest. He was staring, mouth open, at Lila.

  Sebastian studied the bouncer for a moment before saying, “Sebastian De La Cruz and his Student, Lila.”

  “Uh, I.D,” the bouncer said, obviously not hearing Sebastian. He repeated himself, and the man seemed to snap out of some kind of trance. He looked at his clipboard, made a mark at the bottom of the first page and parted the curtain behind him with his right arm.

  “Welcome Mr. De La Cruz, and Miss Lila.” He was staring again. “If you need anything at all, Miss Lila, I’m here all night.”

  Lila returned his stare with an amused look.

  “Thanks…what’s your name?”

  “Jeff. My name is Jeff, Miss Lila.” He blushed and started to stand, knocked the podium sideways and then lurched to catch the podium and lamp before they could fall. He righted them in time, but the clipboard and pen went flying and Jeff scrambled after them.

  “Okay Jeff, thanks,” Lila tried not to laugh outright at the man who was so obviously falling over himself.

  She had a huge grin on her face when she turned to Sebastian and said, ”That was cute.”

  Sebastian, however, was not amused. He put a proprietary hand at her back and guided Lila into an enormous room. Tables and chairs filled much of the space in front of them except for a large empty dance floor in the middle. A long bar ran the width of the back wall, and had five bartenders behind it. To their right was a corded off VIP area. It was fully carpeted and had comfortable looking couches, armchairs and coffee tables. Top hits from the 80’s played throughout, thankfully not too loudly, and the lights changed color, but to Lila it was more like a very large bar than a club. The tables were mostly occupied, but only two groups of people were seated in the VIP lounge. Sebastian steered Lila towards one of these.

  Lila recognized Alexander as they climbed the two steps up into the VIP area. There were two other men with him, and they all looked over when Alexander raised a hand and smiled in greeting. As if Alexander and Sebastian weren’t good looking enough, two of the most gorgeous men Lila had ever laid eyes on turned their gaze on her. A
ll three men stood to greet the newcomers. They were all tall, model handsome, with Olympic level fitness and clothing that showed it off. Lila didn’t know who to stare at first. There was a moment of stunned silence as the strange men stared back at Lila. Energy surged among the group, and Lila realized that they were all staring at her. Sebastian’s hand reached for hers, as if to guide her closer. When their hands touched, there was an electric shock just like the one that had happened in Alexander’s office. Lila and Sebastian jumped apart as Alexander chuckled.

  “Haven’t gotten that under control yet Bastian?” Alexander teased him.

  “Welcome Lila, please let me introduce you,” he turned to the two men to his right, ”This is James and Adam, they both work for me.”

  Lila began to reach a hand out but pulled back halfway and guiltily crossed her arms in front of her chest. “Hi,” was all she could get out.

  “My Darling,” James exclaimed. ”Where have you been all my life? Marry me now so we can continue in bliss.” The gregarious man with neatly cut blond hair and wearing slacks and a button down clutched at his chest as he exclaimed his adoration for her and she giggled. She heard a growl of displeasure from Sebastian as he took the seat to the left of Lila.

  “Don’t be an ass, James. And where did that accent come from?”

  “The ladies love it,” James replied as he wiggled his blond eyebrows and looked salaciously at Lila.

  “Are you not English?” asked Lila.

  “Not even close,” said the man next to him, Adam. He had brown hair, cut short and neat. He was dressed in dark jeans and a polo shirt that hugged every muscle of his defined torso. He had an easy smile for Lila, and chocolate brown eyes.

  “Shut it, Corn Bread, you’re cramping my style,” James scoffed good naturedly.

  James had an accent, Lila just couldn’t figure out from where. Maybe northern Europe?

  A tall handsome man with wavy brown hair on the long side and a two day beard walked up carrying a bottle of whiskey and three glasses. He set them down on the table and pulled a chair up between Sebastian and Alexander. He poured three shots and passed one to Sebastian. He looked up as he handed the other to Lila and froze like a deer in headlights.

  “And this is Evan,” Alexander said.

  Evan found himself staring into the eyes of an angel. Funny, because he’d always assumed that he would end up in Hell. He hadn’t even felt the killing blow.

  Sebastian noticed the effect that Lila was having on his colleagues.

  The new man visibly took a long breath. His eyes were so dark they looked black, and their intensity disarmed Lila. He had a sharp nose, high cheekbones and perfect cupid’s bow lips. Lila’s mouth watered at the sight. His chiseled jawline was softened by beard growth that was decidedly sexy.

  “Evan, this is Lila.”

  “Hullo.”

  That one word had Lila’s heart tightening, and she couldn’t look away. She clenched her teeth to be sure her mouth would not drop to the floor. The staring match must have gone on too long as James reached across the table and took the glass still hovering in front of Lila.

  “Back off Evan, I saw her first,” he said, downing the shot.

  “She’s too good for the likes of you,” returned Evan, eyes still on Lila. The sound of his voice rolled across Lila in a lyrical fashion that made the skin of her neck pimple.

  “She’s out of your league, potato farmer,” James challenged.

  “Um…” Lila looked nervously at all the men staring at her. “Did someone spray me with pheromones when I wasn’t looking?”

  Sebastian was the first to come to his senses.

  “Gentlemen, and I use the term loosely,” he said looking pointedly at James, ”Lila is my student and my ward. She will not be seeing any of you outside of a work environment.”

  James looked at Alexander, ”Did he claim her already? Can he? It can’t be ethical to boff your student right out of the gate, can it?”

  “I think I need a drink,” muttered Lila. She stood to go to the bar and nearly ran into a waitress. She caught herself before colliding with the woman.

  “Can I get you anything from the bar?” the waitress asked.

  “Another round, and something for the lady,” said Alexander.

  The waitress looked at Lila.

  “I’ll go with you, I need something with some Estrogen in it.” And she walked off with the waitress in tow.

  The five men followed her with their eyes appreciatively as Lila walked away. They watched as all the other male heads in her path turned towards Lila as she walked to the bar, and then watched as four of the five bartenders rushed the service area to fill her order.

  “Are you all seeing what I am seeing?” asked Sebastian of the group.

  “I suspected it after meeting her, but that is extraordinary,” said Alexander.

  “Do you think she’s doing it on purpose?” asked Adam.

  “Fuuuck me,” said James.

  The Irishman, Evan, said nothing, but his whole body was taught with tension. It had been nearly 600 years since anyone had affected him so strongly. The young mage was tall and lithe, like a dancer, with long legs shown off by the short skirt. Her shapely ass was high and tight, and begged for caresses. Her hair was too short for his taste, but it did frame her perfect face nicely. He still was not sure whether or not he was alive, so he downed another shot of whiskey.

  Sebastian regarded the men sitting around the low table; three mages, one human, and one vampire. Not one man in the whole room seemed to be immune to the feminine attraction of Lila. He fleetingly wondered if there were any gay men in the place.

  “I don’t believe that she is doing anything. I think it just happens.”

  “Shite.” Evan suddenly shot up from his seat. Four men from different tables in the club had risen and started walking toward Lila. In the blink of an eye he was at Lila’s side, his vampire speed allowing him to reach her first. Lila gave a start as his arm slid around her waist protectively. She decided to ignore his physical presence in the hope that her lack of reaction would discourage him. Attraction or not, Lila never liked a man who assumed too much, it smacked of conceit.

  “Did you order something, Angel?” he asked into her ear. The sound of his sexy lilt and breath on her ear sent a shiver of desire down her spine. Before she could answer, one bartender laid down a napkin with a lime on it while another set a shot of tequila and a shaker of salt next to it. Lila grabbed the lime and the shot and ignored the salt. The third bartender backed it with a long necked beer. Lila bit the lime and shot the tequila without even looking at Evan. She grabbed the beer, looked at the waitress next to them and said, “Another, please,” and she turned to walk back to the VIP section. Evan’s fangs descended as he followed closely behind her.

  “What is with you guys?” she asked while trying to separate herself from his side.

  “I think it's part of your magic.” His low words came out in a thicker brogue than earlier, saying ‘tink’ instead of ‘think’. She liked it. Holy hell, she thought, he’s going to make me melt. He must have noticed the shiver because he chuckled. The sound reminded her of a Barry White song, and Lila mentally whimpered.

  Sebastian met them halfway back to her seat, and glaring at Evan, took her elbow. Lila shrugged it off as she sat. She let herself sink into the deep club chair, using its architecture as protection against the men’s attention. She stole a glance at Evan, though, and mentally sighed like a 13-year-old girl.

  “The physical manifests only with skin to skin?” James asked Sebastian.

  “It would seem so,” answered Sebastian, giving Evan the side eye.

  “We’ll have to remedy that before our date,” said James, and he winked at her.

  “WTF,” muttered Lila. Had they been talking about her this whole time? She took a sip of her beer and spun her chair away from the men to look at the other patrons. She noticed that a number of them were looking her way.

  The
waitress returned with the next round of drinks, and a few minutes were spent trading empty glasses for full ones. Libidos seemed to calm with the new round, and Lila relaxed a bit. She regarded the men at her table from the corner of her eye as she swivled her chair from left to right. Sebastian cleared his throat, and Lila recognized his lecturing tone when he spoke.

  ”Lila, every Mage has a unique skill or talent. It would seem that, for better or worse, yours is the ability to attract the opposite sex.”

  “Sounds like a curse,” Lila grumbled.

  “I agree that it will often be an inconvenience, but history has shown us that there is a karmic reason for these unique skills that eventually aid most mages.”

  “Oh? Am I destined to have a harem?” Lila snarked.

  “Hah!” James laughed with her, ”Where do I sign up? I’ll take Fridays and Mondays please.”

  Adam slapped James on the shoulder with the back of his hand while Sebastian and Evan scowled at him.

  Alexander spoke up.

  “With the exception of James, we should be able to control ourselves now that we understand that what we feel is artificial.”

  “Speak for yourself, man. It’s true love as far as I’m concerned,” James batted his eyelashes at Lila. She couldn’t help the laugh that came out. He was too ridiculous to be offensive. “Sense of humor is the number one most desirable attribute on Cosmo’s list of ‘What Women Want.’”

  “Well this woman only wants to be friends,” Lila smiled at the forward James.

  He gave her a dramatically pained look before saying, ”Friend zoned in the first 10 minutes of meeting. That hurts.”

  “Dude,” said Adam, “not every woman likes being hit over the head and carried back to a cave. Try some subtlety once in a while.”

  “Human women love my directness.”

  “The human women who go to the same clubs that you go to are Magique sluts,” said Evan.

  “You would know,” James shot back.