Power [The Angel Pack 11] (Siren Publishing Classic ManLove)

by Maggie Walsh

  “The oncologist gave her medicine to help with the pain, but there really was nothing else they could do. When she told my father, he started spending more time away from us, so I was left alone to take care of her. Some days she was just too weak to even use the bathroom alone or get clean. These are things that an eleven-year-old shouldn’t have to do for his mother, but I did it. She was so embarrassed, but I would always tell her that it was okay, that I closed my eyes during those times, so that it would ease her. But I know she knew I was lying.

  “When she died, I called my father over at his whore’s apartment and told him to get home and say good-bye to his wife. Then I called the police. They came and found me all alone with her. Her body was taken away and I told the police everything. I didn’t lie to them. They stayed with me until my father showed up two hours later. They threatened him with arrest and placing me in foster care, but he lied and told them that I had lied because I was mad at him for having to work instead of staying with Mom throughout her illness. It was my word against his and I couldn’t really prove myself, so they left me with him.”

  The tears began to flow freely down Sage’s cheeks as the memories assaulted him. Slade wrapped his arms around him and held Sage close. He pressed his face against Slade’s strong chest as he let the tears come. After a few minutes Sage lifted his head and looked to Micah. “I really hated that man. My grandma offered to take me so that he could go live his life and not have to worry about a kid. He never had before. But he refused her and moved us to Tampa. One of his business contacts promised him a big opportunity to make a lot of money. That was my dad. Every get-rich-quick scheme, he was right there. We were there a week when he stopped coming home for days on end. I was all alone in a strange apartment, in a strange city, with no one to help me. That’s how I learned to live with nothing. Sure he paid the rent on the apartment. It wasn’t that much because it was in the worst area, but I did have a place to crash. He would stroll in once a week and drop off a bag or two of groceries, but it was never enough to last until he came back and I stretched it the most I could.

  “Then his visits stretched out longer. Instead of once a week, it was once every two or three weeks, but still the same measly amount of groceries. Once when he came I was so weak from being hungry, that I couldn’t move. I had spent four days in bed. Well, the mattress on the floor. He came in and got angry with me because I was being lazy. He said I was ungrateful. That I didn’t appreciate that he was out there working his ass off trying to make us rich and I was just lying around. He got me back to health, but that was because school was starting soon and he didn’t want them questioning us. I asked him why he didn’t just let me go live with Grandma.

  “Do you know what he said? He said he would never give the old bitch the satisfaction. Her not seeing me or taking care of me was his way of hurting her. She had told my mother to leave him and file for divorce and he would teach the nosy bitch a lesson. As time went by he still left me alone, but made sure as long as I was in school that he brought just enough for me to get by and not have the schools come after him. Then one day I was walking home from school and these guys jumped me. I didn’t have anything to give them so they beat the shit out of me. This cop who was patrolling came along and found me. He took me to the hospital and they called my father. I had a broken leg, a broken arm, and four broken ribs, as well as a black eye and split lip.

  “He was so pissed because now he would have to pay the hospital bills and stay home to watch me. The next day when my black eye and bloody lip were gone, and then a few days later when I walked around like nothing was broken, he wanted to know how it was possible. He went screaming at the hospital for trying to rip him off when his kid didn’t have anything broken. They showed him my X-rays but he wouldn’t believe it. They took new ones and sure enough, nothing was broken. The people at the hospital were confused, and so was I. I knew I had broken bones, but now they were all healed like they never were.

  “When it happened again two months later, when I broke my wrist falling down a flight of stairs, my father started looking at me like I was the golden goose. He grabbed a baseball bat and broke my fucking leg!” Sage growled. “He wanted to see how long it took to heal. I couldn’t take it anymore. I could see what was coming. He was going to use me in some way or keep beating me to use me to show others. I lay there in my bed one night scared of what was going to happen and wishing I could go live with my grandma. Then I wished my father dead. I wanted him to get into a car accident and have his head removed from his body and the car catch fire so he would burn. And do you know what happened?” Sage looked at each of them, and found all three with tears streaming down their cheeks.

  “He did. Exactly as I had wished is how he had suffered. At the time I had lain there wishing it, he was on his way home and his car flipped seven times, then slammed into the back of a flatbed truck and the rear of it went right through the windshield, and his head was cut off, then the car burst into flames and no one could get him out. I heard from witnesses that it was the strangest thing. He was just driving along, he didn’t hit anything, and nothing caused him to slam on his brakes. His car was traveling fine one minute and the next it flew into the air and began to roll. It missed eight cars and headed right toward the flatbed. They said there was no way for it to catch fire because it wasn’t leaking anything, even after all that flipping.

  “The police came to tell me about it and they even questioned me if I knew anything about cars. They thought I had done something to his car and they kept me in an interrogation room. As I sat there, again I wished they would just stop and call my grandmother. The next thing I know, two seconds later the door flies open and the cop says they were done with me and asked what my grandmother’s number was. I had never mentioned my grandma, so how did they know about her? I started getting freaked out and I wanted to see if what I thought was true. So I wished this guy would shut up and get me a Coke. And he did. So long story short, I realized there was something different about me and when I went to live with Grandma I started researching things online. That’s when I found out I was a witch. It still didn’t explain how I was able to heal so fast, but at least I had somewhere to start. Then that little slimy man, Malachi, showed up―”

  “Malachi!” Micah growled and took a step closer. “You met Malachi?”

  “Yeah. He showed up and told me my real mother was a witch and that she would be coming for me soon. The next day I shifted and it scared the fuck out of me, but it explained so much. The day after that when Grandma was talking to the police about the animal attack I had lied to her about, because I didn’t want her to know I had shifted and that’s why my clothes were torn, he showed up again. He said he was sending my mother to me and she was coming to claim me so that they could teach me how to control my magic. He said it was the amount of draw on the power that brought him to me. When I used them to the extreme to kill my father and control that cop’s mind, it called to him and he could track its signature. He also said that my magic was black and they would teach me how to use it to help their cause. I was scared shit. I didn’t want to go with him, or this mother he spoke of, and I was terrified my magic would hurt others, including my grandma, so I ran,” Sage finished softly, then buried his face against Slade’s chest.

  Micah, Slade, and Zane just stood there, but they didn’t say anything. Sage started to get anxious waiting to see if they would turn on him, call him evil, and banish him. But then he felt Slade’s arms tighten around him as he kissed the top of his head. Slade released him, turning him, and Sage was startled to see Micah standing right in front of him.

  Micah reached out and placed his hand on the back of Sage’s neck in a sign of acceptance. Sage’s eyes filled with more tears from the realization that his alpha was telling him he was accepted. Micah stepped closer and wrapped his arms around Sage, pulling him close. Sage closed his eyes and relaxed in the embrace as he breathed in deep through his nose, allowing his alpha’s scent to sooth
e and calm him.

  “I understand why you wished your adoptive father dead. Hell, if I could reach him now I would kill him myself. I also understand why you left Lillian. And I hope you know that none of that is your fault, Sage. All the blame falls at Allison’s feet. She left you behind at the hospital, and you were unprepared for what was to be your life. You had to have been so scared. Someone so young should not have to deal with all of that. You were afraid that if you told Evan, or if I found out, that Evan would reject you, or that I would banish you, right?” Sage nodded against Micah’s hard chest. “I wish you would have come to us sooner, but I understand why you didn’t. But from now on don’t you ever try to do this alone again. We are your family and we will do everything we can to help you and protect you. Raith will stop at nothing to ensure your safety and well-being. And I know your mate will fight to the death for you,” Micah said with conviction, then released Sage and stepped back.

  Sage moved away to stand by Slade and his mate immediately pulled him close. “So what now?” Sage asked.

  “Now we go meet up with the others and we find your familiar and keep you both safe until after your birthday. Then once you claim your powers we will help you to learn how to use and control them.”

  “But if they are too strong and I become evil? I don’t want to be like that,” Sage cried.

  “I know of a spell that may work in binding your powers to your familiar until you are ready for them. I just can’t make any promises that it will work. Usually it is done by a family member, but this spell allows another witch to bind a fellow witch’s powers. I know that part of it will work. I just don’t know if it will allow me to put them into your familiar,” Zane explained.

  “Is it maybe worth a shot?” Sage asked.

  “Of course it is, sweetheart,” Slade said encouragingly. “It’s another option until you feel ready to take your magic on.”

  “Okay, so when do we leave? I…think…I need to talk to…Maddy and…my father,” Sage said hesitantly.

  Micah gave him a big smile. “And I know they can’t wait to talk to you. Let them in and tell them everything. I promise they won’t disappoint you.”

  Sage returned the smile and looked to Slade. “Okay, so let’s go.”

  “Not yet, young man.” Lillian’s angry voice came from the doorway.

  Everyone turned in her direction. The tone of her voice and the look in her eyes, had Sage worried. Lillian crossed the room quickly and stopped right in front of him, her face tight with anger.

  “Grandma―” But Sage was cut off when a hard slap crossed his face, making his head snap to the side.

  Chapter 8

  Slade growled and pulled Sage back, stepping in front of him and snarling. “I know he is your grandson, but he has been through enough and you have no fucking right to lay a finger on him.”

  Lillian’s cold gaze locked with Slade’s. “Shut up, you disgusting beast. Your opinion means nothing,” she seethed.

  “Lil, what’s going on?” Micah asked cautiously. Sage could tell that his alpha was trying to keep his voice calm.

  “What’s wrong? I’ll tell you what’s wrong. All of you are sick and twisted and I will not have my grandson having anything to do with any of you ever again.” Lillian raised her hand and motioned down the hall. “If this is what your kind do to each other, like those boys in there, then I want no part of your world and I certainly don’t want Anthony to be a part of it either.”

  She turned back to face Sage. “No more of this running around. You and I are going home and we’ll talk this out and move on with our lives. And I will try to find a way to get past all your whoring ways.” Sage’s eyes opened wide in shock as he gasped. “Yes, Anthony, I know about all the porn movies you made and all the drugs you took. And living in sin with a man, then stealing from him. Your poor mother, may she rest in peace, would be torn apart with heartbreak if she knew all that you have done,” Lillian bellowed in outrage.

  Sage stepped back and wrapped his arms around his middle as the tears began to fall and his whole body shook. “Please let me explain, Grandma,” he begged.

  “What is there to explain, Anthony? First I find out that you’re not a human but some beast. Then they say you are also a witch. Then when we find you’re already here in this pack I have to live with the realization that you are gay! Living a disgusting lifestyle. Now I find out that you made those pornographic movies, did drugs, shacked up with some guy and stole from him. And now I come walking in here to you explaining how you murdered your father as if it were no big deal and they are just letting you get away with it. Just brushing it aside as if a human life didn’t matter―”

  “Wait a minute, Lil, you know how―”

  Lillian spun to face Micah as she cut him off angrily. “All I know is how you have all tricked me, and I won’t have you doing that to my grandson.” Lillian turned back toward Sage and took a step closer, Slade blocked her path, holding out his arms to stop her from advancing. “You are nothing but a disgusting freak, Anthony! A murderer! And now you are going to allow this power inside you that will make you evil? It can’t be any worse than you already are!”

  The tears ran heavily down Sage’s face as he moved back until he hit the counter. His body shook violently as his heart shattered. “I’m sorry,” he whispered brokenly. “I never meant any of this. I don’t want to be bad. I don’t want to be evil.”

  “It’s too late,” Lillian sneered. “You already are. And if your poor mother was here she would spit in your face.”

  “That’s enough!” Micah yelled and grabbed Lillian’s arms, pulling her back. “I don’t care who you are, you will not speak to a member of my family like that. Look what you are doing to him!”

  Slade turned and walked toward Sage, but he held out his hand, stopping him in his tracks. “She’s right. I am evil and I don’t belong here. I’ll only wind up hurting you and destroying them.”

  “No, Sage. She is not right. You are good, and kind, and sweet. I know you are,” Slade insisted.

  Sage stared into Slade’s eyes and his heart broke even more. He had a wonderful mate for a short time, but he knew he needed to let him go. No matter what anyone said, he knew his grandmother was right. He was already evil. He didn’t deserve any of these people in his life and he certainly didn’t deserve to be happy.

  “Don’t you dare, mate,” Slade growled. “I can see it in your eyes.”

  “I’m sorry,” Sage whispered, then began to chant under his breath. Just before he disappeared he met Slade’s gaze one last time. “I’ll never forget you.”

  * * * *

  “No!” Slade yelled as he tried to close the distance between them before Sage disappeared again. He could see it in his mate’s eyes that he was going to run. He could see that Sage was thinking about protecting them all again by leaving. Couldn’t he understand that all of that just proved that he wasn’t evil? Damn it, he was going to paddle his mate’s ass when he found him. And he would find him.

  “Zane, can you follow him?” Micah asked. His voice pulling Slade back from his thoughts. He turned to face the others.

  “Yes, but I have to go now.”

  “I’m coming, too,” Slade demanded.

  “Hold on and let’s go,” Zane said and held out his arm for Slade.

  Slade walked to the witch and placed his hand on Zane’s arm. His furious gaze met his mate’s grandmother’s and he could see something in her eyes. Was that satisfaction? “And what of her?” Slade growled.

  “Go after your mate and we’ll meet you all in Saint Louis with the others,” Micah said, giving him a pointed look. Slade understood what Micah was trying to tell him. He had everything here under control and he would meet them in New Orleans later. Slade nodded his understanding and Zane began to chant. Then they vanished.

  * * * *

  Micah tightened his grip on Lillian’s arm and she cried out, then looked at him. “You’re hurting me.”

  “Sorry
about that, Lil, but there’s something we need to take care of. You and I are going to have a long talk, but first we need a few others.” Micah had called some of his enforcers to come to the kitchen while Lillian raged against Sage. He knew something was off. This woman was not Lillian. There was no way she would have ever treated Sage like that.

  Just then Crew, Christian, and Xavier walked in. “You called, Alpha?” Christian asked.

  “Did you talk to your mate, Crew?”

  “Yeah. I called Laylen using the mate link and had him do what you asked. They should be here soon.”

  “Good. Lord Lucifer, I request your presence here amongst these others!” Micah called out to the room.

  “So formal, my friend? You know, all you have to say is ‘Yo, Lucifer, want to talk?’ And if I’m not torturing some asshole or playing with my mates, I’ll come hang,” Lucifer said mischievously. When he didn’t get a reply from Micah, he teased again. “Come on, I see you want to smile.” Again when he got nothing he looked into Micah’s gaze intently, then Lucifer’s face hardened. All humor was gone and was replaced by the true lord of hell. “What?”

  Just then Laylen walked through the wall with Duma, Nuriel, and ten other Legion. They all bowed their heads respectfully to Lucifer, then looked to Micah. “What can we do for you, Prime?” Nuriel asked.

  Micah motioned with his head, down toward the small woman he held. Nuriel and Laylen came right over and grabbed her.