Elemental Faith
Page 1
Table of Contents
Books by L.M. Somerton
Title Page
Legal Page
Book Description
Dedication
Trademark Acknowledgements
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Read more from L.M. Somerton
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About the Author
Pride Publishing books by L.M. Somerton
Single Books
Mountain Rescue
Black Dog
The Portrait
Stroke Rate
Chemical Bonds
Testing Lysander
Owned by the Sea
The Wyverns
Mantrap
Deathtrap
Rattrap
Sand Trap
Steel Trap
Tales from The Edge
Reaching the Edge
Living on the Edge
Dancing on the Edge
A Double-Edged Sword
Rough Around the Edges
Scorched Edges
Driven to the Edge
Binding the Edges
Investigating Love
Rasputin’s Kiss
Evil’s Embrace
Tarot’s Love
Warlocks
Elemental Love
Elemental Hope
Elemental Faith
The Retreat
Serving Him
Trusting Him
Fairground Attractions
Ghost Train
Merry-Go-Round
Helter Skelter
Anthologies
Racing Hearts: Keeping the Luck
His Rules: Tagging Mackenzie
Warlocks
ELEMENTAL FAITH
L.M. SOMERTON
Elemental Faith
ISBN # 978-1-913186-51-7
©Copyright L.M. Somerton 2019
Cover Art by Erin Dameron-Hill ©Copyright December 2019
Interior text design by Claire Siemaszkiewicz
Pride Publishing
This is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the author’s imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places is purely coincidental.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form, whether by printing, photocopying, scanning or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher, Pride Publishing.
Applications should be addressed in the first instance, in writing, to Pride Publishing. Unauthorised or restricted acts in relation to this publication may result in civil proceedings and/or criminal prosecution.
The author and illustrator have asserted their respective rights under the Copyright Designs and Patents Acts 1988 (as amended) to be identified as the author of this book and illustrator of the artwork.
Published in 2019 by Pride Publishing, United Kingdom.
No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the authors’ rights. Purchase only authorised copies.
Pride Publishing is an imprint of Totally Entwined Group Limited.
If you purchased this book without a cover you should be aware that this book is stolen property. It was reported as “unsold and destroyed” to the publisher and neither the author nor the publisher has received any payment for this “stripped book”.
Book three in the Warlocks series
When you’re a warlock, proving your worth can be fatal.
Evrain Brookes had thought that being a warlock was about genetics—a freak offshoot of evolution that somehow allowed him to manipulate the elements. So when his godfather explains there’s a deeper purpose for warlocks being around, one that stretches back into the reaches of time, Evrain is intrigued.
Warlocks have been using their abilities to tweak the course of history for the better since records began but before Evrain can be allowed to fulfill his destiny, he has to pass a test. This challenge takes him and his life partner, Dominic Castine, back to Scotland, to the Isle of Skye. What they both face there will determine the course of their future.
Evrain has no way of knowing if he will prevail, but both their lives depend on it.
Dedication
To falling under someone’s spell.
Trademark Acknowledgements
The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction:
The Godfather: Paramount Pictures
Range Rover: Jaguar Land Rover
Disney: The Walt Disney Company
Yoda: The Walt Disney Company
Ninja Turtle: IDW Publishing
Captain Sparrow: The Walt Disney Company
Deadpool: Marvel Entertainment
Batman: DC Comics
X-Men: Marvel Entertainment
Velcro: Velcro BVBA
Skype: Microsoft Corporation
Cheetos: Frito-Lay
Jack Daniel’s: Brown-Forman Corporation
Sharpie: Sanford Brands
YouTube: Google LLC
The Walking Dead: AMC Networks Inc.
Star Trek: Paramount Television
Toy Story: The Walt Disney Company
The History Channel: A&E Television Networks, LLC
Chapter One
The view from Evrain’s top floor office window at ThInk, the design company where he worked, was enviable. His drawing board was set up so that he got the best light in the building and could daydream whilst admiring Portland’s cityscape and Mount Hood in the far distance. The rare sunny days were a gift. Today wasn’t one of them and his view was nonexistent.
“I swear the weather here is worse than in Scotland.” Evrain scowled at the scudding clouds and lashing rain.
“Talking to yourself again, Mr. Brookes?” Pete Markowitz, Evrain’s office-mate, wandered over to peer at his work.
“How else am I going to find intelligent conversation around here?” Evrain grinned. “All you ever talk about is the Winterhawks or your latest conquest and I don’t care about either.”
“You know the boss put the two of us together in here for a reason,” Pete said.
“Because we’re both gay?” Evrain knew that wasn’t the case but this was a familiar conversation and he was required to follow the pattern to keep Pete happy.
“That applies to half the staff here. It’s because you’re the only employee that knows squat about hockey and therefore will not dispute my opinions on the Hawks. I end up brawling with everyone else and that’s not good for the office furniture budget, apparently.”
“You don’t have opinions, you make blinkered statements based on a relationship bordering on obsession. You’re a hockey stalker, Pete, and you know it.”
“You still have to listen and nod at my sage pronouncements. It’s in your contract. Read the small print.”
“Go back to work, you idiot. Or get me a coffee. At least that would be useful, and you don’t appear to have anything better to do.” Evrain stood back to examine the artwork on his board. The designs were to sup
port the launch of a new perfume and lived up to every fragrance advertising stereotype ever created—exactly what the client wanted. “If I never have to use a shade of pink again, I won’t object.” Silence met his statement and Evrain realized he was speaking to an empty room. He hoped Pete had taken the hint about coffee and was making a trip to the independent coffee shop down the street rather than the vending machine in the staffroom, which dispensed brown-colored liquid of indeterminate origin. Evrain would rather drink some of Dominic’s organic liquid fertilizer.
He took the opportunity provided by Pete’s absence to use his power to manipulate some of the natural inks on his drawing, making subtle changes to the depth of the colors. The delicate work was difficult to manage with Dominic out of range. It was easier when Evrain could channel his power through his lover but he couldn’t stash him in an office cupboard, however much he’d like to keep him close. He fiddled with the gold bracelet around his wrist. The heavy links pressed close to his skin and the clasp was robust. It wasn’t a pretty piece and not worn for show. In fact, it was a little too similar to a manacle, something Evrain chose not to think about. Chains belonged on Dominic, along with an assortment of other bondage accoutrements, not on him, but the pure metal served to dampen his power, something essential to keeping the city of Portland intact.
Evrain’s dick stirred at the image of Dominic chained naked to their bed. It wasn’t a fantasy, it had been reality just the previous evening and Evrain couldn’t wait to get back to his lover. He relished the challenge of turning him into a begging pile of need, with or without the use of his powers. “Perhaps I can get away with taking a few hours off this afternoon,” he murmured. His current project was almost done and he’d been putting in a lot of extra time in recent weeks. His grandmother had left him enough money that he never needed to work again if he didn’t want to, but he enjoyed the normality of having a career. Of course he wasn’t normal and never would be, but sometimes it was nice to pretend. He pressed the heel of his hand to his crotch.
“Thinking filthy thoughts about Dominic again, I see.” Pete elbowed through the door before shoving a take-out cup into Evrain’s hand. “Can’t say I blame you. If I had all that gorgeousness waiting for me at home, I’d have a permanent woody too.”
“A woody? What are you, ten years old? And that makes me think of Toy Story, which is all kinds of wrong.” Evrain took the coffee and mulled over a few ideas of how to get revenge on Pete. Not that he would act on any of them, but it was fun to imagine softening the tarmac so that Pete’s car sank to its hubcaps in the street, or turning the cotton threads of his underwear back to their original plant form. “Now that one has potential.”
“What does?” Pete asked.
“Just an idea for those science textbook covers I’ve got lined up as my next project.”
“Right. I don’t believe a word of it.” Pete took a noisy slurp of his drink. “The three of us should have a night out soon. Drinks, dinner, hot, sweaty, shirtless dancing… You know the kind of thing.”
“Nobody sees Dominic shirtless but me,” Evrain growled.
“I know, I know… No need to get all dommy with me. He’s not my type.”
“He’s everyone’s type.” Since Symeon Malus had worked his evil magic on Dominic, the man’s beauty and allure were irresistible. Evrain would happily keep his lover locked away from public view but Dominic tended to get irritated if Evrain tried to prevent him from mowing his customers’ lawns. Not that he did much of that work anymore, but he refused to give up a few of his elderly clients who relied on him the most. Those he was gradually handing over to a small start-up outfit he’d found, working with them until his favorite customers were content they could be trusted upon. Most of his work was now at Hornbeam Cottage, where his organic herb business was thriving.
“Show some pity. When we go out together you two attract all sorts of attention, which means I get to cruise the fringes of your admirers. I’m pathetic, I know, but I haven’t gotten laid in weeks. I need you two to facilitate my sex life.”
“I can name at least three clubs where you could pick up a one-night stand seconds after walking through the door,” Evrain said. “You need to get less selective, that’s all.”
Pete stuck his tongue out at him. “How did you meet Dominic?”
“He was my grandmother’s gardener, believe it or not. I helped him out potting a few seedlings and the rest is history.” The truth was a lot more complicated than that but Pete didn’t need the details and the part about potting seedlings was true.
“Unbelievable. Some people have all the luck.” Pete went back to his own drawing board on the other side of the room, muttering under his breath. “Perhaps I should get a hobby, join a club or something. Flower arranging, or cake decorating.”
“Then you’re either after a nonexistent stereotype or switching sides. Without wishing to generalize, I think you’ll find that most attendees at either of those classes will be female.”
“Maybe I need a new girlfriend. She’d have better tips for hunting down a man than you do, that’s for sure. Oh, I think your jacket’s vibrating.”
Evrain had turned his phone’s ringer off during a staff meeting earlier that day. He retrieved it from his jacket pocket just as it cut off but when he saw who had called, he rang back immediately. “Dominic?”
“Hey. I’m sorry to disturb you, but is there any chance you can come home early?”
“Why, what’s happened? Are you okay?” Evrain gripped the phone harder.
“I’m fine, but there’s something here you should see. I don’t want to talk about it over the phone. Don’t worry— it’s not dangerous. At least I don’t think so.”
“I’ll be there in less than an hour.” He disconnected reluctantly, a hard knot forming in his stomach. Dominic sounded scared and that was not to be tolerated. If there was even the remotest chance that he wasn’t safe then Evrain had to be with him. “I have to go, Pete. If the boss wants my designs for the new perfume project, they’re all here on my board.”
“Sure, I can show him the poufy pink passion pong. Is everything…?”
“I don’t know but I’ll be in touch, okay?”
“Sure. Do what you need to do.”
Evrain grabbed his jacket then ran for the elevator. He and Dominic had been living an uneventful, peaceful life for the last six months, something they had both enjoyed. “Should have known it was too good to last. Fuck,” he yelled at the elevator doors, fear driving his temper. I swear I’m never letting that man out of my sight again.
* * * *
Dominic threw his phone into one of the armchairs in front of the fire. He hadn’t wanted to disturb Evrain but at times like this he didn’t have a choice. If he hadn’t called and Evrain had arrived home to find what Dominic was now staring at, Dominic had no doubt that he wouldn’t be sitting comfortably for at least a week. He brushed a strand of hair out of his eyes. “What do you think it means, Shadow?” He addressed his comment to the large, hairy black cat spread across the hearth rug. “Even in this household, that can’t be normal.” He stared at the sooty symbol that had appeared on the wall above the mantel. “I hope it’s not dangerous.” He was reassured by the cat’s utter lack of interest. If the symbol was any threat to Dominic, Shadow would be herding him out of the door by now. She was almost as protective as Evrain.
Dominic checked his watch. It would be at least half an hour before Evrain got back from Portland. Not long enough to do anything useful in the garden, but too long to stand staring at black lines that meant nothing to him. He made a pot of coffee then sat at the kitchen table with one of Agatha’s ancient gardening books. There was a big demand for saffron from the upscale restaurants in the city and Dominic wanted to try growing it. It appeared that saffron crocuses weren’t a difficult crop to produce—the corms could be planted in summer for an autumn harvest. The local climate was going to be a problem though, because according to Agatha’s book, the flowers
needed reasonably warm and dry summers and autumns, although a little rain was fine. “We get more than a little rain here, Shadow, don’t we?” The soil needed to be light, sandy and well-drained because saffron didn’t tolerate heavy or wet ground. Of course, there were advantages to having an elemental warlock as a lover. Evrain could help with conditioning the soil, but weather control was beyond him for more than a short period—it took a huge amount of effort.
“The crocuses bloom in October, and you need to pluck the flowers and harvest the filaments as soon as possible after they’ve bloomed. The corms divide with the passing years, and you can separate and replant them to increase the stock. That’s good.” Shadow rolled onto her back, giving one paw a desultory lick. “You could pretend some interest, fur ball.” Dominic read on. Though the crop was easy enough to cultivate, harvesting it was so labor-intensive that it would be almost impossible to make any profit from it. “It says here that the flowers have to be hand-picked as they bloom. The filaments—just three per blossom—have to be extracted then dried. It takes one hundred and fifty blossoms to make a single gram of market-ready saffron, and tens of thousands to make an ounce. Wow. I think I might have to restrict myself to growing enough to flavor the occasional fish stew. I can picture Evrain’s face if I ask him to help hand pick crocus filaments—he’ll get out that paddle with bumps on it.” At the mention of fish, Shadow delivered an intense stare, lurched to her feet then ambled in Dominic’s direction. She rubbed around his legs, head-butting his shins. He reached down to scratch behind her ears and a rumbling purr vibrated through his fingers.
“I suppose you want food. It’s too early for your dinner.” Shadow jumped into his lap and proceeded to knead his thighs with a set of needle-sharp claws. “Ow! Fine. You can have a few biscuits.” Dominic knew he shouldn’t give in so easily but once Shadow got an idea in her head there was no changing her mind. Her stubborn nature was something else she had in common with Evrain. “Let me up then.” Shadow launched herself toward the cupboard containing her treats, meowing at the top of her voice. She was shoving her face into a bowl of biscuits when Evrain arrived, coming through the door with a gust of damp wind and a scattering of leaves. He slammed the door closed, paced across the room then took Dominic in his arms, marching him back until his ass hit the kitchen cabinets.