A Demon's Witch

by Tena Stetler

  “I see.” Andre swirled his wine around in the glass, then took a sip.

  Those two words seemed to convey an understanding beyond explanation, Angie thought, as she wished fervently her friend had accompanied her here.

  Bruce gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “She’ll be fine. This whole business should only take a couple of weeks.” He raised his glass toward his father and nodded. “With the information that you provided.” Then he took a sip of the wine.

  “If there is a problem, we’ll intervene and make sure she is brought here safely with her mate, Andre said

  “No, I won’t have your life complicated any more than we have already. Mother blessed this place with angel magic when you retired to assure a safe haven for you both. I won’t endanger that.”

  “Son, relax. The magic here is strong. And just so you know my magic had a hand in it too,” Andre said dryly. “We can provide protection for your mate and if necessary her lifelong friend and her partner without endangering our existence.” Andre leaned back against his chair and smiled at his mate. “It took centuries for Matiah’s people to accept that she’d chosen to spend her life with a demon. They even went so far as to blacken her wings when she ignored their ultimatum and chose to stay with me. Your birth is what finally brought them around. Now all that is left of that terrible time in our lives is the dark fringe of feathers on her wings. Which I think is very becoming.” He ran his hand lightly over the charcoal fringe and brushed his hand over Matiah’s face lovingly.

  “I am well aware of that but Willow won’t come without Caleb, therein lays the problem.”

  “It won’t be a problem, if an intervention becomes necessary. That will mean that things have gone terribly wrong and Caleb’s joining her here will be the least of our problems.”

  “True.”

  “For tonight, let’s put the reason that brought you here aside. Your mother and I want to get to know the wonderful woman who has brought out the best in you. The changes we see are monumental.”

  “Oh give it a rest. I wasn’t that bad.” Bruce rolled his eyes even as the blood rushed to his face.

  “Need I remind you how things were left the last time you were here.”

  “No. You don’t,” he said fiercely. Then shifted his gaze to Angie’s questioning one. “Last time I was here, I’d just won Territory Overlord at the cost of many good friends and allies lives. I spent over a year proving my right to rule and fighting many vicious and bloody battles. All he said was congratulations. It seemed cold and calculating at the time, I guess I was looking for comfort. I didn’t find it here.”

  “How long ago was that?” Angie asked.

  “Longer than it should have been.”

  “And now?” Andre inquired.

  “Now I understand that there is a price for the freedom we enjoy. Not everyone will obey the rules we live by. There is always someone waiting to take advantage of a moment of weakness. They have to be dealt with swiftly and permanently.”

  “Or you have the situation we are currently dealing with.” Andre added with a stern glance.

  “Let’s not go into that. If I’d had the opportunity to finish the job, I would have. Paul’s poisoning and eventual death then Tristian’s near death shook my focus. We had no reason to expect an ambush, though I know to expect the unexpected. I’m not perfect and won’t be caught off guard again.” He viciously slammed his wine glass on the table where it shattered. Bruce pushed up from the swing and strode off the veranda toward the falls.

  “Still a sore point,” Andre said calmly watching his son.

  Angie got up slowly glancing at his parents, then toward the falls. She walked toward the steps and turned at Andre’s voice.

  “Let him go girl. He’ll walk it off and be better for it.” Andre commanded.

  Matiah glanced at Angie and back to Andre with fire in her eyes. “Andre, stay out of it, you don’t know your son as well as you think you do.”

  Angie stopped for a moment and looked over her shoulder at them then calmly said, “We’ll be back later, don’t wait up for us.” She continued down the steps and then sprinted toward Bruce. He’d stopped in front of the falls, standing in the mist, fists clenched at his side.

  Angie came up behind him and put her arms around his waist, laying her cheek on his back, listening to his heart thunder. She thought she felt him relax against her and then he jerked forward.

  “He had no right to bring that up again.” His hands fisted now on the rock he leaned against and turned his head toward her, his eyes whirling orange.

  “No, he didn’t but don’t you think Rezar will do worse, if its psychological games he intends to play? You said a clear head and calm demeanor would finish this.” Looking up at him with an arched brow, she said softly. “I think your Father was testing you, not taunting you.” She moved her hands up his sides and around his shoulders, standing on tiptoes she pulled herself up to his neck to nuzzle and breath a warm affectionate kiss there. She felt his shoulders shudder then relax as he leaned his head against hers.

  Bruce turned in her arms and wrapped his around her. They stood there silently for quite a while listening to their synchronized heart beats against the roar of the waterfall.

  We are truly one, she thought, in more ways than she could have imagined when she agreed to be his mate. She considered her brother’s troubling words regarding their parent’s disappointment with him in allowing her to become involved with a demon. Tristian was wrong. She was sure of it and had only to look at Bruce’s mother, an angel to confirm her feelings. That explained a lot about the man she’d come to know. Bruce’s touch as he lightly brushed the damp hair from her eyes brought her back to the present.

  “You ok?” His eyes clouded with concern as he leaned down eye level with her. “Seemed to be lost in your thoughts.”

  “I’m fine, just thinking about my brother’s reaction if he knew your mother was an angel.” She patted his check and smiled mischievously. “You know that explains a lot of what puzzled me about you.”

  “Really? But that’s something he’ll never know. I keep my family information heavily guarded.” He ran his fingers through his damp hair and rubbed the back of his neck wondering if she truly understood the price she could pay for being his mate.

  “I understand, but it’s fun to imagine the look on his face after all the things that he said to you, to us.” She nodded toward the house. “Your parents are still on the veranda, want to return or walk down to the beach?” Angie murmured against his neck.

  He glanced up at the house and decided to return. “Let’s see if we can salvage this evening. We’ll take a walk later.”

  “Sounds like a plan.” She kissed the tip of his nose and followed him up the path.

  Away from the roar of the waterfalls, Bruce heard the murmurer of his parent’s voices.

  ****

  “Shit Matiah, did you see that. She walked right up and put her arms around him. He didn’t flinch or push her away. His temper under control already.”

  “You don’t know him anymore. He’s finally found his mate and they love each other. She brings out the best in him, he’s learned to appreciate and enjoy that. Sort of like someone else I know.” Matiah turned her eyes lovingly toward her husband and sighed. “Remember.”

  “I do. It seems to me it was years before we settled into our relationship as they have in a few months.”

  “He’s as much like me as he is like you allowing him to compromise and show his true feelings, to her anyway. It also appears she’s a fiery sort and won’t back down from him.”

  “You didn’t back down from me on very many occasions,” he said with a smile as he put his hand over hers entwining their fingers.

  She looked down at their hands and out to the falls where Angie and Bruce were walking toward them. “Looks like you haven’t ruined the evening after all.”

  “Me, I was just trying to…”

  “I know.” She patted hi
s hand with her other one. “Just try being supportive, that’s what he needs right now. Not the hell on wheels demon, making him tough enough to survive. He’s got that part.”

  Sauntering up the steps like nothing happened, Bruce waited for Angie to sit on the swing and slid in beside her as he cocked a brow and looked over at his parents. “Now tell me, how have you and mother been spending your time?”

  Andre and Matiah looked at each other and smiled then Andre winked at her. “Enjoying each other in every way possible.”

  “Should have known better than to ask.” Bruce shook his head and reached for the bottle of wine refilling his replacement glass and Angie’s.

  Andre picked up his own wine and took a drink. “Seriously, we also enjoy the company of old and trusted friends that visit on occasion. That’s how I came upon the information I called you about.”

  “So you aren’t completely retired.” Bruce swirled the amber liquid, watched the sun’s rays sparkle through the crystal and across the surface of the wine before he took a sip then set the glass on the table. Angie pulled her legs up under her and cuddled into his side as he leaned back against the swing putting it in motion.

  “Yes and no. We can’t sit idly by when that kind of information comes our way.”

  “I understand.”

  “How about Tristian? Still mortal enemies?” Andre asked as a chuckle rose in his throat and he shook his head. “Only you would find yourself in such a situation over a female.”

  “Not just any female, my one and only forever.” He smiled at Angie, putting his arm around her pulling her tighter against him. “As far as Tristian is concerned, we’ll be ok. The dynamics have changed substantially, we are family now, and he’s got to come to terms with it. As far as work, I’d still trust him with my life.”

  “Glad to hear it. That was a tough situation, no matter whose prospective you were looking from.” He crossed his foot over his other knee and relaxed against the chair, still holding Matiah’s hand.

  “Angie, I want to hear what attracted you to him.” Matiah asked. “Since we missed the courtship, will you tell us all about it?”

  “Sure. He tried to ignore me, but I won.” She laughed and poked Bruce in the ribs. “People told me he was evil and not to mess with him, but I saw through that façade and decided he was worth the effort. Something about him just kept drawing me in. Then he tried to scare me off, with his big bad demonic routine. That didn’t work either. I just felt, as he later admitted he did, we belonged together. I don’t mind telling you the sensation that runs between us is the strangest thing I’ve ever felt.”

  Matiah smiled. “I know exactly what you mean.”

  “So you’ve seen him change, physically?” Andre asked refilling his wine glass.

  “What. Change how?” Angie’s brows flew up and her eyes widened as she turned to look at Bruce.

  “Just can’t keep your nose out of my business, can you?” Bruce heaved a heavy sigh. “No she hasn’t seen me change, but she will before I leave here. Unlike you, I rarely take on physical demon characteristics of dark red skin and black symbols etched across my body. My cover has always required human form, so it’s more natural to me. Even if I lose control of my emotions, I’m still able to stay in human form. Which is more than I can say for you.”

  “In your father’s defense, he’s pure demon, born to a mated pair of demons. You on the other hand have a balancing set of DNA. So as to speak.” Her lips curved slowly in an affectionate smile and she patted Andre’s fisted hand “I don’t know if you would be able to change completely, due to my angel blood.”

  “Oh, so when you get angry, the whirling orange eyes are part of a shifting from human to demon?” Angie hadn’t thought about the possibility of him changing, physically. Now she wondered exactly what that entailed and if he made the change completely from human to demon would it bother her. She decided that discussion could wait until later. Nothing he could do would change how she felt about him. Besides, she always had a weakness for the bad boys.

  “You’ve brought up a good point, mother, I don’t look like him even when I loose complete control. My transformation resembles a bad sunburn with much lighter etched symbols and only on my upper arms, shoulders and a few scattered across my chest. There isn’t much of a scaly texture to my skin either, like I remember on him.”

  “You two do realize I’m sitting right here,” Andre grumbled.

  “Of course, dear, how could we ever forget?” Matiah smiled, poking her husband in the ribs.

  The glass doors to the veranda opened quietly and a petite Tahitian woman with waist length black hair, dressed in a white starched apron over a red flowered dress stood silently. Andre acknowledged her with a nod.

  “My lord, dinner is prepared and set out in the formal dining room, unless you would rather eat out here?”

  Andre paused for a moment and glanced toward Matiah. “The dining room will be fine. We will be in shortly. Thank you Maeva.”

  “As you wish,” Maeva said and backed through the glass doors, which closed silently behind her. Once inside the house, she turned and disappeared down the hallway.

  Andre rose from his seat and stepped toward the doors. “Shall we?” He held a door open as Matiah brushed past him, caressing the small of his back gently with her hand, a twinkle in her eye. Bruce and Angie followed his mother through the door and down the long hallway.

  Bruce smiled when Angie gasped as he entered the large dining room at her side. An oval glass table with beveled scalloped edges engraved with small flowers and oak accents occupied the middle of the room. A huge oak cabinet stood against the wall closest to the table filled with several styles of fine china place settings and exquisite crystal stemware. White china plates with a tiny rose bud pattern sat on multi-colored crocheted placemats next to matching napkins. Crystal water and wine glasses sparkled in the candle light next to the place settings. Heated dishes of lobster and tuna sat in the middle of the table beside a bowl of yams, a platter of sliced fresh pineapple, and a basket of freshly baked bread. Small crystal bowls of melted butter and silverware also sat next to each plate.

  Bruce pulled out a chair for Angie as his father did the same for Matiah. When they were all seated, Andre pointed to the carafes of wine at each end of the table. “I didn’t know if you would prefer a rich white wine or a fruity red since both can be delicious with tuna and my lovely angel prefers a white with her lobster.” Andre winked at Matiah. “So I selected one of each for your pleasure.” He motioned Maeva over to the table. “Just let her know your preferences and she will serve you.”

  Angie sat with her hands in her lap and watched as Maeva, knowing Matiah’s preferences, took her plate, placed a succulent lobster tail, one small yam, a slice of pineapple along with a piece of bread on it and returned the plate to its original position.

  Maeva turned to Angie reaching for her plate. “My lady, what may I get for you?”

  Angie smiled up at the woman. “First of all it’s just Angie, and I would love a piece of tuna, a couple of slices of pineapple, and a piece of bread. Is that tuna prepared with ginger?” Angie breathed in the savory aroma.

  “Yes.” Maeva smiled. “It’s the best way. The pineapple is from the valleys of Moorea, they are small but very sweet.”

  “You’ll really miss their fresh picked flavor when you return home,” Matiah said as she licked her lips. “Nothing quite like it.”

  Maeva filled Andre and Bruce’s plates as instructed and quiet descended on the room as the couples consumed the deliciously prepared food. Angie reached over once and forked a piece of the lobster from Bruce’s plate, dipped it in her melted butter and popped it in her mouth.

  She closed her eyes. “Mmmm this is good.”

  Angie opened her eyes and looked at Bruce from under her long lashes. “Sorry, I just wanted a taste,” she whispered and smiled over at his parents, who were grinning at them.

  Tane, Maeva’s golden haired husband wit
h just a bit of gray at the temples cleared the table. Maeva brought out a tray with colorful fruit tarts on it. She placed a tart and clean spoon at each place and stepped back.

  Matiah picked up her spoon and pointed at the dessert. “This is Maeva’s famous Vanilla Tart with fruit and sweet wine glaze. It is fantastic.” Matiah scooped up a spoonful of tart slid the spoon in her mouth and closed her eyes, slowly pulling the spoon from her lips. “Nothing like it,” She whispered chewing slowly.

  Angie scooped up a spoonful and tasted the sweet concoction. “Mmm, this is wonderful.”

  “Eighty percent of Tahitian vanilla is grown on Taha’a, an island not far from here,” Andre said proudly.

  “You have really embraced the Tahitian way of life,” Bruce teased.

  “We enjoy the islands.” Andre grinned. “Shall we return to the veranda and enjoy a relaxing glass of wine?”

  Bruce refilled the wine glasses and they all strolled out to the veranda. Bruce and Angie stood at the railing sipping their wine and once again taking in the breathtaking view. Andre and Matiah settled into the wicker loveseat facing the waterfalls.

  Angie finished her wine and padded over to swing to sit down followed by Bruce. It was a companionable silence as they watched the shadows grow longer and the sun disappear behind the trees.

  “I think we’ll call it a night, I promised to take Angie down the torch lit path for a walk on the beach.”

  “Thank you so much for dinner,” Angie said. “Everything tasted wonderful.”

  “Yes. Enjoy yourselves. We’ll see you in the morning.” They rose and started into the house, Andre’s arm around Matiah’s waist sliding slowly to the curve of her ass.

  Angie quietly giggled watching them. “Now I see where you get it.”

  “I told you demons have a carnal nature and it doesn’t diminish with age.” He stood and brushed the wrinkles out of his pants, then offered his hand to help her out of the swing still in motion. “You ready for a walk on the beach or do you want to change your shoes?”