Magic's Love

by Alexandra Von Burg

  “Come Monsieur, this concerns you too.”

  Evan put his phone away and walked over.

  “There is whiskey in the cabinet behind you,” Catherine said before he sat.

  Evan looked at her, and she nodded, so he turned and went to the cabinet. It was a full bar. He chose a tumbler, filled it halfway with whiskey, and walked back to the chair and sat.

  Catherine looked at Evan, then Lila, and then began.

  “I don’t know what you’ve heard about Isobel De Medici, but rumour has it that she has returned to New Castle from her birth home in disgrace. It seems that she tried to con the wrong billionaire with her feminine wiles, and her relations, who have control of most of Europe, do not appreciate her dragging their good name through the mud.”

  Catherine paused, maybe for dramatic effect, and then began again:

  “According to my good friend Artois, she was devastated the other night to discover that her old flame, Evan, was not just uninterested, but newly bonded.”

  “Old flame?! Fecking, NOT!” Evan exclaimed.

  “These are Claude’s words, Mon Cher.”

  Lila had to bite her cheek in order to stop herself from smiling. He was so adorably incensed at the very idea.

  “What had she hoped to gain by returning to New Castle?” Lila asked. Now that she found such a font of information, she wanted to get as much as she could from it.

  “Well of course she thought she could pick up where they left off a century ago!” Catherine said as if it was obvious. Then she turned to Evan and said, ”She still believes that you would do anything for her favor! Or she did before, and I quote Artois, ‘this complication arose.’”

  Evan sat frozen and silent, staring at Catherine DuBois in total disbelief.

  “Sooo, Evan has a stalker,” Lila summed up.

  Catherine and Evan both looked at her.

  “Am I wrong?”

  Catherine suddenly let go of a trill of laughter. It was genuine, and melodic, and surprisingly delightful.

  “Oh Lila, I hope you will allow me to be your friend, life has been so dull lately!”

  Lila smiled, wondering how many years ‘lately’ related to.

  “Catherine, you honour me with your respect, I would welcome your friendship,” she grinned at the other woman.

  “Besides, us dames gotta stick together.”

  “Chicks before dicks?”

  Lila and Evan both nearly fell off their chairs they laughed so hard.

  “Did I say it wrong?”

  Lila shook her head no while a fresh bout of uncontrollable laughter burst out of her. She had to put her plate down and hold her head in her hands to gain back her decorum. She wiped her eyes and giggled one more time before pulling herself back together.

  “How many friends does Isobel have, and how high up are they?” Lila asked. Her face sobered with her words.

  Catherine watched the young mage and was pleased to see her intelligence. Only a nitwit would dismiss a jealous ex out of hand. Lila seemed to understand the threat that Isobel imposed and took it seriously.

  “She has a few friends left here who believe what she says. None of them are smart, and none of them will support a female Chosen One, so they would be at her disposal.”

  “Are you speaking of mages?” Evan asked to clarify.

  “Unfortunately, yes. As you know, Isobel can only manipulate a fellow vampire for so long. Artois indulges her only for old time’s sake, but he will not allow her to...run over others to get her way. She must now focus on those who are unfamiliar with her ways. The pompous old mages are ripe for her to pluck. Too vain to listen to warnings, and too stupid to see through her games. She is out for blood, Monsieur O’Connell, and she wants you back.”

  “Crazy stalker ex,” Lila muttered, “I knew it was too good to be true.”

  Evan met her eyes and his expression was filled with sympathy and apology. Lila shook her head and smiled. She didn’t blame him for Isobel’s psycho behavior. It was a hundred years ago! Bitch needed to get over it, already.

  They spent the rest of their time together talking about the damage and repair of Catherine’s mansion, and the women made a date for lunch together the following week. Lila wanted to host Catherine at her house, but she was afraid Sebastian would try and insert himself into the lunch and make it more formal. Catherine seemed to like to host, so she let it slide, promising herself that she would reciprocate soon.

  Evan looked like he was brooding on the drive home, so Lila forced herself to ask the question of the day.

  “What actually happened between you and Isobel De Medici?”

  She hoped that her anxiety and possessiveness wasn’t being transmitted through their bond.

  Evan looked over at her and smiled. Apparently, all of her anxiety and possessiveness had transmitted. He put his hand on her knee and squeezed.

  “It was a hundred years ago, Angel.”

  “I know, but she’s still carrying a torch, so I feel like I should know.”

  “Even then, I had a reputation for no commitment,” he began,”But Isobel is one of those people who doesn’t take no for an answer...One night became another and another, I left for a job, but when I returned she was always there, in front of me, available, easy. The first couple of months she let me think it was casual for both of us. She never made demands, always agreed with me when I said I didn’t want more than a casual dalliance. She thought she was building some kind of trust between us, like I wouldn’t question her motives, but she didn’t really understand me. She didn’t know my history. She thought I’d be just like all her other young lovers, so enamoured with her beauty that I’d deliberately ignore all signs of treachery.

  “She eventually came around to askin’ for what she really wanted from me, money, to keep her in the life she was accustomed to. She wasn’t even cunning about it. She flat out told me that I should support her lifestyle, and thank her for the opportunity to do so. When I told her she was bat shite crazy, she froze. It was like no one had ever said no to her, and it didn’t compute. She tried to threaten my reputation socially, and I laughed at her. Then she threatened to ruin my work, but she didn’t realise how much I didn’t care for any of it. I think that’s what made her crazy for me. She was sure I must be a billionaire because I cared so little for money. In her little brain she thought that age and disinterest equaled dollar signs. Such a stupid cunt.” The last was said more to himself.

  “So you’re not worth billions?”

  Evan glanced at her and smiled. He knew from their bond that Lila didn’t care about his net worth, she was just curious about his story.

  “Angel, you and I will never be destitute.”

  That was good enough for Lila. After all, she had been an admin, a receptionist, a waitress, and a side show entertainment. If Evan could always find work as a bodyguard, he’d get paid. Together they would always be able to make ends meet.

  Lila smiled at her handsome, precious man.

  When they arrived home, Lila and Evan were surprised to find the whole team in the kitchen waiting for them.

  “We have news,” Sebastian said without a greeting.

  “Xander has heard from the shifter council. The Buffalo pack was taken over by a new alpha.”

  Lila and Evan took their seats and listened to the report.

  A strong unattached alpha heard about trouble in the Buffalo pack and came south to take it for himself. He challenged the alpha and killed him. He had five followers with him and they killed the pack’s second and third, neatly installing themselves as the new leaders.

  “Is that legal?” Lila couldn’t believe the tribe mentality.

  “For shifters, yes. Of all the Magique races, shifters have held on the longest to the old ways of doing things. They still respect brawn over brains, even though the smarter alphas hold their position longer.”

  “So this take over is totally accepted by their council?”

  “It is,” Xander answ
ered, ”But the council will be watching them closely. Franklin, the council Head has promised to keep me informed if the new alpha tries for more territory or people.”

  “People?”

  “New leadership attracts unattached males---males who are not connected to another pack by blood or mating.”

  “Bachelors.”

  “Yes, but also men who want to climb the hierarchy, get closer to a power position. Shifter society is all about ranking in the pack. Sometimes the only way for a man to gain a ranking is to change packs.”

  “So we’re waiting to see if the new Buffalo pack is for or against the Chosen One.”

  “Precisely.”

  “Can I go meet them? Try to gain support?”

  “It’s a bad idea to walk into it blind. The new leadership came from the northern territory, but Franklin has no idea of their origin. Shifters who have less contact with civilization tend to be much closer to their beasts, and less inclined to care about our laws.”

  That sounded completely terrifying. Lila thought about the Bishop women and children and how happy they were. What would the Buffalo pack women and children think of their new leaders? If they were close to their animals, would the leaders try and get rid of the fatherless children?

  “What is Franklin doing for the women and children?”

  Alexander smiled at the Chosen One, pleased that she was concerned about the weak and powerless.

  “It’s Franklin’s responsibility, and he will take it seriously. Trust him to do the right thing for his people, Lila. You have your own mission.”

  Lila huffed out a sigh and leaned back into Evan’s body. His hands found hers and she calmed a bit, sharing her anxiety with him always made it easier to think straight.

  “Our biggest concern for now is your continued safety. We need to discuss the idea of adding to your guard. At least when you go out.”

  Lila groaned at the idea, envisioning herself surrounded by stiff men in black suits.

  “I’m thinking of having Adam trail you, giving Evan backup only if he needs it.”

  “Why Adam?”

  Adam was human. He seemed like the last choice, not the first.

  “He’s a soldier, Lila, specially trained for this kind of detail.”

  “And I volunteered for it,” Adam said. “I’m tired of the desk job.”

  “Sorry you missed the fire and explosions?” Evan asked.

  Adam grinned at him.

  Evan liked the young human. He was smart and a good fighter. He would welcome another set of eyes to look after Lila, and he was infinitely easier than James to be around. He just hoped that if they were attacked, he and Lila could keep him safe.

  Evan looked at Xander.

  “It’s all right with me,” he said.

  “Hunh, I thought he’d put up a fight,” James commented.

  Chapter 14

  November

  The weeks leading up to Thanksgiving were quiet. At home, routine was re-established with morning workouts and magic study. If Lila had a lunch or meeting in town, Adam would follow discreetly and secure the perimeter or entry of whatever building Lila had entered that was not the ISF building.

  Lila and Catherine DuBois continued to meet once a week for lunch, and Catherine would tell her all the mage gossip. Lila and Evan also met with Claude Artois, and one day Alexander and Sebastian accompanied them to a luncheon hosted by the Shifter council Head, Joshua Franklin. Lila’s team was helping her to slowly gather allies.

  Her favorite new acquaintance was Alexander’s mate, Matilda (Mattie) Brown. The whole team had been invited to Xander’s home for dinner. Evan warned Lila in the car on the way over that witches aged, though not as fast as humans. Lila was both shocked and delighted by the dark skinned grandma who greeted her. She was dressed in an elegantly old fashioned style of dress and her white hair was braided and gathered on top of her head in a fancy up-do. She was warm and welcoming to everyone, but especially Lila. The two women instantly liked each other and spent the evening chatting and all but ignoring the men.

  Lila and Evan made plans to visit her mother and the circus family for Thanksgiving. After much debate over Lila’s safety in crowded airports, the team decided that the safest way to travel would be by private plane. A charter was booked and a rental car was reserved.

  Sebastian drove them to the small private airport twenty minutes outside of New Castle. They checked in at a desk inside a small building and met the pilot who greeted Sebastian like an old friend. He turned out to be a retired ESF pilot, of course. Lila was no longer surprised when people and connections came back to high level clearance and bone deep trust.

  The plane was a jet, and the interior cabin was more like a living room with comfortable armchairs, a couch, and a coffee table. The difference was that every seat had a belt and all the furniture was bolted to the floor. There was a small galley at the back of the room, and behind that was a toilet, bedroom, and even a shower room.

  The co-pilot helped stow their two pieces of luggage and Lila and Evan buckled into the couch and got cozy for the three hour flight.

  Lila gripped Evan’s hand with nervous excitement. She couldn’t believe she was finally going to introduce her mate to her family.

  Evan leaned over to kiss her temple and put his arm around her shoulders. He breathed in her scent and smiled to himself that she was his now and forever.

  “Evan, have you ever been in love before?” Lila must have been feeling the same way.

  “Not like this, Angel,” Evan said gently, knowing the comment would spark an in-depth conversation.

  Lila looked at him questioningly, but said nothing. When it was apparent that she was not going to ask a question, but just wait for him to elaborate, he finally acquiesced.

  “I was in love a long time ago. Twice—Or at least I thought I was.” He took a long breath in, realizing that now was the time to reveal his personal history to his mate.

  “I was born in Ireland to a farming family. We lived in a feudal system. My parents were serfs to a chief. When I was ten years old I was pledged to serve my lord, and left my home to become a lackey in his army. By age 14, I was a squire to a knight. I hated the life, even though I was taught to fight and survive on my own. We were always at war with someone. Saxons, Gauls, Romans, it didn’t matter, life was miserable. Every day I assumed would be my last day on this earth. By the time I was 18, I was looking for a way out of the tedious war I’d been shoved into.

  “Men in the ranks talked about serving a queen and receiving eternal life in return. There were rumors and stories for years before I came to understand that the stories spoke of someone specific; someone with magic, and power. The rumors said that one only needed to catch her eye, and they would be granted eternal life and endless riches.

  “As a young man tired of war, I wanted to believe such a queen existed and could in fact grant me wishes. I spent the next ten years working towards my goal of finding this magic queen. I intended to pledge my fealty to her if she would grant me immortality as was rumored.

  “Finally I met her. Her name was Morine, and she was a Vampire. She was sexually voracious and powerfully intoxicating. In a time when the church ruled as equally as the king, she was mesmerizing in her desire to dominate all men. She bent the powerful to her whim, and she was attractive physically and philosophically.

  “It took no time for me to pledge myself to her. She was beautiful, and I was young and naïve. When she offered me a night of pleasure, I said yes without hesitation or forethought.

  “That night I lost my naivete along with my mortal life, but I gained immortality and a host of other tortures that came with it.”

  Lila was riveted by the story.

  “What? What came with it?”

  Evan looked at her, worried that she would judge him. Then he remembered that they were already blood bonded, and any separation would be painful to both of them.

  “She turned me into a blood and sex slave. I s
pent the next thirty or so years at her mercy. In order to survive as a vampire I needed blood, and she only gave blood if I did what she wanted. She was a deviant of the likes only Bosch could envision.”

  “Are you talking about Bosch the painter?”

  “Yes.”

  “How were you enslaved?”

  “A wooden spike and withholding blood will control any vampire.”

  Lila took a few minutes to process this information.

  “So withholding blood makes you weak?”

  “Aye.” Evan tried to remain aloof and factual, but he was sure that some of his trepidation was seeping through their bond.

  “Did she...um, circumcise you?”

  “She did.” Evan’s cheeks pinked. ”It was sort of the fashion for sex slaves, to make us more responsive.”

  “Who is ‘us’, and what did she want you to do?”

  “I was one of several slaves, and she was, as I said, a sexual deviant. She not only wanted us to do unusual things to her, but she rented us out to friends and watched as well as let others watch.”

  Lila recalled the Bosch paintings she had studied in Art History class.

  “She forced you to take part in orgies?”

  “Essentially, yes.”

  “Oh Evan, I’m so sorry!”

  “There’s more.”

  “What?”

  “She had another slave, Fallon. He was my age. We were imprisoned together for years. We were made to perform together, as well as interact with clients, together.”

  Lila understood that he was talking about gay sex or at least anal intercourse, and maybe bisexual intercourse.

  “She made you do everything with whoever?”

  “Yes, but,.. I liked it… When I forgot that I was a slave, I liked the sex. I liked sex with women and men. I especially liked sex with Fallon. We comforted and loved each other, and made love when caged together, away from voyeurs.”