Chaotic Magic: A Snarky Paranormal Romance (Modern Magic Book 6)

by Nicole Hall

  “That’s true, but we need information, and as much as I appreciate your granola bars, I’d like a meal with some meat in it.” His gaze lingered on the bird still standing in the street watching the stragglers hurry to their homes. “Poultry isn’t my first choice, but it’ll do in a pinch.”

  “It looks like those birds are for riding, not eating, which makes sense when you consider how remote this village is. I wonder which clan controls it?” The fern bush curled a tendril around her hair, and Samantha swatted it away.

  Mischief glittered in his eyes. “We need two of those birds.”

  “That’s unlikely to happen. I think everything is done on a barter system, and we don’t have much to barter.”

  Luc raised a brow and picked up a couple of small, loose stones from the ground. He clasped his hands together and brought them up to his mouth to whisper into the crevice. His eyes stayed locked on hers, and Samantha felt the warm touch of his magic brush against her.

  The rush faded, and Luc held out his hand. Samantha was strangely reluctant to look down, but when she did, she gasped. The stones had become faceted and clear. Even in the near darkness, they glittered.

  “Are those diamonds?”

  He shrugged. “Technically, no. They’re closer to an expensively cut crystal, but they’re shiny. Will this allow us to barter?”

  Samantha reached out, but stopped herself before touching Luc or the stones. She wasn’t sure which she’d been going for, but both were a bad idea right at the moment. “Those should work. I know the coastal clans often barter with pearls.”

  Luc tilted his head. “How do you know all these details about the clans and their realm if you’ve never been here before?”

  Samantha felt the weight of his question. As they’d talked all day, she’d wanted to share more of herself with him. Her childhood had been shaped by the trauma of her visions, so she’d limited herself to funny stories of her adult years. He’d provided the perfect opening to explain her gifts, but a lifetime of caution made her hesitate, and a heaping dose of fear made her hedge her words. Would he turn his back on her if he discovered the truth? She wasn’t ready to find out.

  “I’ve been working with Keris for years.”

  Luc searched her face, but she knew he wouldn’t find anything there to doubt her. A large portion of her knowledge had come from Keris, with colorful tidbits added in from Oren and Seth. They’d simply confirmed images of Aecantha that she’d seen in visions.

  He nodded slowly, and Samantha felt a twinge of guilt. He trusted her, and she continued to hide valuable information from him despite their extraordinarily dangerous situation. The magic from their bargain twisted, but not enough to be painful. Luc looked back toward the village, and Samantha rubbed her chest. Icy fear skittered along her nerves. What if holding back was the wrong choice, even if he left her? The visions offered her so little information, and the last time, her mother had paid the price for Samantha not sharing what she knew.

  What if her current actions led to the vision of his death?

  7

  LUC

  Disappointment tainted his enjoyment of the last few hours. Samantha was still hiding something. He tried not to begrudge her the secrets she kept, but he’d hoped she trusted him enough to know she could share them with him.

  Then again, less than twenty-four hours ago, he’d accused her of betraying him to the elders while he’d ravaged her with his magic. And he wanted to do it again, though perhaps without the indictment.

  Luc adjusted his position and moved the vine that continued to try to curl around Samantha’s ponytail. He understood the fascination. Her hair fell in curls of blonde silk halfway down her back, and he had vivid memories of the noises she made when he grabbed handfuls of it in his fist.

  “Get down.” Her frantic whisper broke his reverie just in time. Two bickering men astride white birds patrolled the small, clear area between the forest and the village. The men walked the birds close enough that Luc caught part of their conversation.

  “—Elsbeth got that mead she knows I like, but when I came home last night, she’d drunk it all herself.”

  The other man shook his head sadly. “Why would she even bring that into the house? She knows you’re trying that new ritual cleanse, and it clearly states no alcohol. What’d you do?”

  “What could I do? The mead was gone, and the next trading pass just left. They won’t be back for two weeks.”

  “They move pretty slowly when they’re bogged down with goods. You might be able to catch them—”

  They moved too far away to hear, but Luc stared after them for a few more seconds. “Those birds are so strange,” he mused, then shook his head. “Not important.”

  “They’re not very observant, are they?” Samantha’s gaze had followed them as well.

  Luc eased out of their hiding spot and drew her farther back into the trees. “The riders? Not so much, but their mounts both looked our way as they moved past.”

  “I noticed. We can’t stay here within sight of the village.”

  “Why not see if there’s a tavern of some sort that will rent us a room for the night? Isn’t that what fantasy adventurers do?”

  Samantha glared at him. “This isn’t a game. I think we’re better off in the forest until we get a better grasp of the area.”

  “If that’s what you prefer. I’ve slept in worse places.”

  Sympathy softened her face. “When you first got to Terra?”

  He shuddered. “No. Last year, I stayed at a motel in New Jersey.”

  Samantha snorted out a laugh, then slapped her hand over her mouth, staring at him with wide eyes. He grinned, glad to have earned that merriment. She turned to march farther away, tightening her ponytail, but he caught the answering smile on her face.

  They walked a few minutes in silence, and he couldn’t help poking at her a little more. “Ah, I understand now. You’re frightened of what might transpire if we have to share a room.”

  She spun around immediately, fire turning her blue eyes dark. “I am not afraid of you.”

  He cocked his head and spread his arms. “Your reaction to me then. I understand. To many, I’m irresistible.”

  Samantha snorted and shook her head. “Incorrigible, maybe.” She pulled off her pack and dropped it on the ground. “This place should be fine.”

  Luc followed suit, setting his satchel near his feet. “Am I to assume we don’t want a fire tonight?”

  “I’m not sure if we’re far enough away to make it safe, so no.”

  Moonlight spilled through the branches, offering patchy illumination in the small clearing she’d chosen. Ferns grew over a fallen log on one side, and a tight copse of trees formed a barrier on another. The irregular open space in the middle would barely accommodate his height lying down, but at least soft grass covered the ground.

  Samantha sat cross-legged on her side of the clearing, closest to the log, and tossed him another half of a granola bar. Luc groaned dramatically.

  “You’ve ruined granola bars for me.”

  She took a big bite of hers and chewed carefully before answering. “Enjoy it. This is my last one. From here on out, we’re living off the land.”

  Luc frowned. “You need more than half a granola bar to replenish the magic you’re using to hide us.”

  “I’ve eaten just as much as you. I’ll be fine.” She crumpled the empty wrapper and stuck it back in her bag. “Besides, your handy diamond trick should get us some rations tomorrow.”

  He wanted to argue with her, but it would only make her more stubborn. If he’d had any food in his satchel—or any way to procure some for her—he’d take on the challenge. As it stood, a full night’s rest would have to suffice.

  Samantha must have had the same idea because she curled up facing him with her pack under her head. “Did you notice what the villagers were wearing?”

  Luc thought back to the scene, but his focus had been on the strange birds. “No. Why?”r />
  “The little girl was in a toga-like dress, but several of the others looked like they could be from Terra. Even the guards, or whoever they were, had on tee-shirts.”

  He propped himself against the closest trunk and crossed his arms. “If you believe we’ll be able to blend in, why aren’t we currently stuck in a room together arguing about who gets the bed?”

  “First, we wouldn’t be arguing because I’d get the bed. Second, we’re new faces in an isolated village. I think we’ll stand out no matter what we’re wearing. I’m hoping there will be fewer villagers around during the day to see us. Third, where do you think they got those fashion concepts? Keris always wore an adult version of the little girl’s dress, but I think I’d notice if Seth or Oren showed up in a toga.”

  Luc yawned and stretched his legs out in front of him. “According to Oren, the clans have had contact with Terra all along, but the elders—the Aecantha elders specifically—control access to the doorways. Only a rare few like Oren were allowed to travel back and forth.”

  “Did you ever meet any other clan members?”

  “Yes. I knew one other. A contemporary of Seth and his ilk. I met her through a friend of a friend, but I can’t remember who any longer. She used to visit me at my hotel, only at night.”

  Her brows rose. “You had a booty call from another realm?”

  “Some might call it that. We shared information for a bit, then we shared my bed. I haven’t seen her in some time, but I understand the doorways have been closed since our finding spell.”

  Tamra was young, beautiful, and manipulative, a means to an end and a pleasurable distraction. Luc had been very clear up front about what he’d offered her, and they’d parted ways without a goodbye. Still, she’d never set him alight the way Samantha could with only a frosty glance.

  Her eyes narrowed. “How long is some time?”

  Luc smiled. “Not for a year or more.” She’d be doing the math in her head. He’d lost interest in Tamra about the time that Samantha had caught his attention. “To answer your original question, I assume the ones who traveled brought ideas from Terra back to the collective. A boon for us since we won’t have to find clothes as well as food and transportation.”

  Her shoulders relaxed, and her eyes closed. “Do you think they actually wear clothes? I’ve always wondered if shapeshifters could simply make themselves appear however they wanted. Have Oren and Seth really been naked this whole time?”

  Her voice started to fade at the end, but Luc chuckled. “I hate to ruin your dreams, but Oren at least wears actual clothes. He insisted I take him shopping when he first arrived looking for his dryad. I can’t say one way or the other for Seth. Do you think they have to quickly disrobe like Superman if they want to shift?”

  Samantha’s breathing had evened out, so she surprised Luc when she answered. “I don’t know, but I’m sure Dru would love to regale me with Oren’s intimate details.”

  A quick flash of jealousy wiped away Luc’s smile. He liked Oren, considered him a friend even, but he wanted all of Samantha’s intimate thoughts for himself. The idea unsettled him. He’d never been the possessive type, preferring temporary female companionship.

  A loud thump in the brush had her sitting up with a gasp, and Luc’s smile returned. A small woodland creature popped its head over the log, chittered, then scampered away with its bushy tail twitching. He’d been tracking it with his magic as it approached their little clearing.

  “Don’t worry. It’s harmless. Go to sleep, love.”

  She shook her head, but lay down again. “You took watch last night. I should take a shift.”

  “I don’t need as much sleep as you do. Fragile human body and all.”

  Samantha turned her back to him and muttered, “That’s not what you said last night.”

  Luc laughed, pleased at her disgruntled tone. He couldn’t guess what she’d say next, if she’d veer soft and vulnerable or strong and sassy. Her mind fascinated him, and he respected her dedication to helping those who were less fortunate, even if he thought too many took advantage of her.

  Given the chance, he’d worship her fragile human body night after night—temporary companionship be damned—but he wouldn’t take advantage of her vulnerability for that chance.

  Samantha fell asleep at last, leaving him alone to consider his strange new obsession with her. Hours passed, and the temperature dropped. The change didn’t bother Luc—it would take a much colder night to affect him—but Samantha had curled herself into a shivering ball.

  Luc spent some time creating a low-level ward that would warn him of any intruders, then walked the perimeter of their clearing setting it in place. Sustaining it took no magic once it was set, only a connection to the symbol at the base. The squirrel-thing wouldn’t trigger it, but anything much bigger would jerk him awake.

  Alarm done, he moved his pack next to Samantha and lay down. He wrapped himself around her, sliding an arm over her waist to keep her there. Her shoulders relaxed almost immediately.

  He tucked his face against her hair and inhaled her apple scent. How did she still smell so good after a full day of hiking? As his body heat banished her chill, she scooted closer, pressing into him with a little wiggle.

  Luc groaned and concentrated on keeping his hips still. She wouldn’t remember this, but he didn’t want to tarnish their newfound trust, uneven as it may be. Against his usual misgivings, he wanted that trust.

  He closed his eyes and breathed slowly, willing himself to fall asleep. They both needed to rest, and Luc was determined not to jeopardize that for the fleeting pleasure of Samantha’s body against his. Another wiggle brought her luscious ass into full contact with him.

  Luc spread his fingers over her stomach and called his magic to cover her like a blanket. She sighed and melted the rest of the way against him. Theoretically, he could have used the spell without strictly touching her, but the magic would fade quickly without a physical anchor. Hence, the need for a bit of a cuddle. Or at least, that was his flimsy excuse.

  Samantha would probably have some choice words for him in the morning. So be it. He couldn’t provide her food or allay her fears, but at least he could keep her warm.

  SAMANTHA

  Samantha sighed at the luxurious heat wrapped around her. She shifted slightly to ease the ache in her neck, and the heavy weight of Luc’s arm pulled her closer against his body. He’d joined her at some point in the night, right around the time she’d been dreaming of slowly drowning in ice water.

  His movements had jostled her from the dream, but she’d gladly fallen back asleep next to his blessed warmth. Samantha cracked her eyes open, startled to find herself face to face with the squirrel-thing from last night. Her jolt must have woken Luc because he nuzzled her hair, then brushed his lips against her neck.

  A shock of pleasure brought her fully awake, but the intense stare from the squirrel effectively doused her ardor. “We have a visitor.”

  Luc shifted to lift his head and look over her shoulder. “That’s the creature I sensed before. It seems to have brought you an offering.”

  Shivers chased down her spine at his husky voice drifting over her ear, and she noticed the small pile of nuts and berries almost hidden in the shadow of the log. Beyond it, a gauzy mist shrouded the forest in the pre-dawn light.

  “Thank you.” She felt weird talking to a wild animal, but she wasn’t sure what else to do. The squirrel flicked its tail twice then turned and scurried away.

  Luc’s chest shook with laughter. “I’m not sure it believed you.”

  Samantha turned slightly and discovered his face inches from hers. She caught her bottom lip between her teeth, and his gaze followed the motion. “We should get up.”

  “Yes, we should.”

  But neither of them moved for several long seconds as the tension made it harder to draw in air. When Luc broke the stillness, it was to trail his fingers along her jaw and down her throat. The soft touch left her buzzing with sensa
tion and craving more.

  Samantha caught her breath, but he stopped at her collarbone. There in the near-darkness, she could admit that she wanted him to keep going. To make a move that she had no intention of resisting. When had that changed? When had she gone from stoic dismissal to actively longing for his touch?

  Sleeping cradled in his arms was one thing—especially when she’d started off alone—but she’d been awake for several minutes now and hadn’t made any attempt to distance herself. Apparently, all it took to win her affections was a couple of nights of cuddling and a large amount of body heat. Samantha lifted her hand to his face, but to her surprise, he caught it before she could make contact.

  Luc pressed a kiss to her fingertips, flashed her a pained smile, and rolled away. Samantha couldn’t read his face, but he stood and offered her a hand up. The thrill from the kiss mixed with disappointment and confusion. Was he playing a game?

  What would he do if she accepted his offer, but didn’t stop there? What if she stood up and kept going until his wicked mouth was tormenting her again? She’d been snuggled as close as she could get, and Luc hadn’t bothered to hide his reaction. He’d always been forthright about his attraction to her. If she started them down that path, he’d finish it.

  The combustive nature of their reaction to each other had never been in question. Only what came after.

  Samantha slid her hand into his, and he hauled her up, but she stepped back once she was upright. A rustle from beyond the log reminded her that they weren’t safe in Terra. Being with Luc tended to be all-consuming, and distractions like that could be deadly in a strange realm.

  Not that it mattered if he’d lost interest. The way he’d touched her face made her think nothing had changed, but something clearly had. She’d given him the perfect opening to take advantage, and he’d refrained. A matter of honor? Or was he only interested if she fought back?

  She frowned as he kicked detritus over a sigil drawn in the dirt at the edge of the clearing. “What’s that?”