Black Magic

by Angel Lawson

  “Not here,” he says.

  “I’m not a little girl, bitch.” I’m now on my feet and I press a hand to my guardian’s back. “Yeah, move.”

  He glares at me with ice blue eyes. “Not a chance. Not now.”

  Of course we have important things to do, but Hildi brings out the fire in me. The Darkness flickers to life, wanting a fight. The Morrigan always wants a fight.

  Dylan holds his hand up to Hildi and she looks like she may just bite it off. He turns to me and says in a low voice, “If you do this it has to be you, Morgan. Just you. You can’t cave to the Darkness this time. Are you up to that?”

  I think about what he’s saying. Can I do it? The look of skepticism on Dylan’s face makes me even more eager to prove myself. “I think this is one of those times you don’t get to tell me what to do, Sentinel.”

  There’s a flicker in his eyes, a cross between anger and desire. He nods and steps out of the way. “At least move under the bridge. The last thing we need is a crowd.”

  Hildi smirks and leaps over the railing. I hear her feet land quick as a cat on the ground. Dylan raises his shoulders as if saying, I warned you. I take a deep breath and mount the railing. The ground looks so far below and I hesitate.

  Kill her.

  I blink, mentally swatting the Morrigan out of my head. I take one look at Dylan and jump, feeling the sharp twist of my belly but land on both feet—way more gracefully than I expected. Although not as skilled as Hildi.

  Hildi waits for me at that bottom, her face made of stone, like a warrior. Her muscles are lean but developed. Her abs tight. She clenches her fists and I drop to a defensive stance. Dylan lurks in the shadows silently watching—assessing. I don’t wait for her to make the first move, instead launching myself at her.

  Her fist clips my chin and her foot cracks against my knee. I manage to punch her in the side and it’s hard enough for her to recoil. She aims for my nose and I catch her fist with my palm. Her eyes widen in surprise at my reflexes but I’m in the zone and kick her hard in the gut, with more strength than I knew I had.

  Hildi flies backwards, hitting a stone pillar under the bridge. Her head cracks against the hard surface and her eyes narrow. She’s pissed. Super pissed, and I need to think fast. Spotting a small ledge I race toward the wall, jump up with one foot and flip back toward Hildi, who is coming at me full force. Coasting through the air I feel free for the first time in ages, my mind completely zeroed in on the moment. When my feet land hard, punching the Valkyrie in the chest, I instinctively know what to do next.

  The fight is quick, a series of kicks, punches, and jabs. I taste blood in my mouth, feel the ache in my side. I also hear silence in my head. I’m fighting Hildi—not the Morrigan. The realization of this clicks in the Valkyrie’s head when I sweep her feet from under her.

  I’m breathing heavy and bend over. She squirms on the ground but the fight is over. “Are we square?” I ask.

  “Yeah.” She winces. I offer her a hand and she takes it warily. Dylan comes out of his hiding place as I’m helping her off the ground. He assesses my body for injury, but his eyes hold mine, searching for the Darkness.

  “We’re done,” I declare, brushing my hands together. “You’re a worthy opponent, Hildi. We’d be better on the same team than apart.”

  She studies me for a minute. “You think you need a team?”

  “I hope not, but if I ever do, I’ll give you a call.”

  “You do that,” she replies, squaring her shoulders with pride. She wipes the blood from her lip and walks away.

  “Are you okay?” Dylan asks.

  Instead of telling him how I feel, I push up on my toes and kiss him. Heat fires between us but not the desperate kind. Nothing dark.

  His fingers skim my cheek and I feel the warmth of his healing touch.

  “What just happened?” I ask Dylan, who has pushed me back up the hill to get on the path toward home.

  “I think that actually was a test,” he says. “And you passed.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  Morgan

  Back in my room, I feel better than I have in weeks. Maybe since I arrived in New York. The sense of balance that started the night before with the WishMaker and proceeded through the day until my fight with Hildi makes my head clear and my heart at peace. The lustful hunger that normally taints my every move seems to be soothed, even if I haven’t had sex with my Guardians in the last few days.

  Something has changed.

  There will be no skipping supper tonight, despite the fact our after dinner activities include splitting my soul. Sue made it clear with a message left in my room. I assume the others received a similar one. Dinner will be ready at seven sharp.

  I’m changing when my phone rings and I’m pleased to see it’s my friend Shannon from back home.

  “Hey,” I say, holding the phone between my shoulder and ear. “I’ve got ten minutes before I have to be at dinner.”

  “So you’re still doing that roommate dinner thing every night?”

  “Mandatory. Well, other than yesterday.”

  “Ooh, what happened to break the rule?”

  I sit on my bed. The WishMaker is on the bedside table. Crystal clear at the moment. “The last few days have been really weird.”

  “Weird? What’s going on?”

  In a moment of honesty I tell her the truth—well sort of. I tell her about Anita and her brother’s death and how I’d been with him right before he fell ill. I tell her about going to a fight club with Clinton and spending time with Sam in the park. I go into detail about Dylan taking me to the special collections room at the library. Without the death and darkness and magic it all sounds pretty normal.

  “So seriously,” she says. “It sounds like you’re dealing with five amazing men.”

  “Truly amazing.”

  “But five? I can’t imagine juggling all that. One guy is enough for me.”

  One guy.

  One mate.

  Shouldn’t that be enough?

  “Yeah, but…” I stop.

  “But what? You want them all?” She laughs.

  “I mean, do I really have to choose?” I say the question to her, but the words resonate in my mind—my heart.

  “Okay, Morgan, if that’s the game you want to play. What do they think?”

  They want what I want. They want me to be happy. Safe. Powerful. I think about how I’ve felt since the night before when I had a taste of them all. I’ve been more balanced. More controlled.

  I can’t tell Shannon that so I just say, “They think I need to choose. And believe it or not, they’re like really cool about the whole thing. But yeah, I need to choose.”

  “You’re just a girl that wants it all.” She’s quiet for a moment. “You know that’s not a bad thing—not really. Don’t settle until you’re ready.”

  My phone alarm rings, giving me notice that it’s time for me to head downstairs. I say goodbye and consider that after the decisions I have to make tonight, things will change. I hope when I see my friend face-to-face I’ll have made the right ones. I pick up the WishMaker one last time and peer into the glass. This time there’s no doubt about the figure staring back at me. At long last I know the truth. The one that belongs to my heart. It’s been obvious this whole time and I’m a fool for not realizing it sooner.

  I drop the orb on the bed and head to the door.

  It’s time for dinner.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Bunny

  I don’t know why or what happened, but I am certain the moment a shift occurs in the house.

  Morgan has made a decision.

  I’m sure the change in energy is partially from the runes I’d placed on her body. An alarm and security system of sorts, but even so, we’ve all become so attuned to her emotions, her body, that it’s not a surprise I felt it.

  Nerves flare as I button my shirt, using one hand, as I’m used to. The gods blessed me with dexterity and precise skill—for wo
rking in paint as well as managing my disfigurement. Who will she pick? Me or one of the others? I’d heard the Morrigan the other night, spewing her hate and paranoia, but she’s got nothing to lose and the truth always lurks in the lies.

  Does Morgan feel guilt when she sees me? Pity? It wasn’t pity in her eyes when I brought her to a violent orgasm on my work table. Nor when she saw what my runes could do.

  I adjust my glasses in the mirror, touching my copper brown hair one last time before heading downstairs to find out my fate.

  Chapter Twenty

  Damien

  The tremor hits and I cling to my workbench. An earthquake? No, I know better than that. I’ve survived hurricanes and tidal waves, erupting volcanoes and fault lines that cracked to the center of the earth. I look toward the house—up to Morgan’s window. That wasn’t an earthquake. It was a decision. The one we’ve been waiting for.

  Respecting her wishes will be a challenge. Fighting in her army will not. We’re bonded to her regardless, and my heart and soul belong to her no matter what her choice. When we rid the world of the Morrigan—tonight or in the future—that’s when I’ll take my leave, if she doesn’t choose me.

  It’s hard to think she won’t. The way our bodies work with one another. The fearless smiles she gives me from the back of my bike. We fit. We’re good and I want nothing more than a lifetime of her body and mind.

  The clock on the wall shifts toward seven and I grab my jacket.

  It’s time.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Sam

  The clock says ten ‘til seven, and I think I can process at least one more photo. I’ve been in the darkroom all day, looking over image after image. The future is changing and I’m not sure if it’s because Morgan has chosen a mate or if we’re going to be successful with the split.

  Because the future looks good. Really good.

  I hold up the photo I took this morning from the rooftop. The sky is clear. The park, bright green. The typical signs of the apocalypse are gone. Something happened during that encounter with us all the night before. She’d definitely used some kind of magic but whatever it was, it was strong enough for her to see more clearly.

  I hang the photo to dry and exit the darkroom.

  Between the experience with Morgan the night before, the photo, and the warm sensation in my lower belly I’m feeling good. Feeling right. I’ve come to treasure Morgan so much. I’d never want to lose her but I want her to fulfill her heart. That’s what is most important to me.

  I’m a Guardian first.

  A friend next.

  And a lover third.

  And it’s time to go face a brighter future.

  Chapter Twenty-two

  Clinton

  After a long workout the steamy hot water from the shower feels divine. I like the burn on my skin, cleaning away the sweat and grime. My time is limited—dinner is in a few short minutes. Even though I’m in a rush my mind wanders to Morgan. Her strength, her beauty, and gods help me, her body.

  I’m a man of maximum control. I’ve been this way for centuries, since I was nothing but ash. But the woman upstairs breaks my resolve. Everything about her keeps me focused. I want to protect her. Fight her. Love her.

  It must be the steam that’s making my head spin—filled with images of the night before. My cock grows hard at the memory. My size may give the impression I’m a brute, but I’m skilled in many ways. Music flows in my blood. As much as I’m greedy over my time with Morgan, the way her skin feels against mine, she’s just as alluring when she’s with the others. I like to watch her move. Her face is a mystery as she struggles against each of us.

  A mystery I hope to have an eternity to unlock.

  I run a hand down my growing length, thinking of the way her lips taste, the way her ass curves. My hand presses against the tile as I recall the gentle swell of her breast and the scent that is uniquely hers.

  Tonight is important. She’ll make her choice. I feel it in my bones as well as deep in my loins. I close my eyes and think of her, stroking myself into a heightened ecstasy.

  There’s no room for distraction tonight. No time for lust. I groan under the blast of the shower, preparing myself for the next step in the battle.

  Chapter Twenty-three

  Dylan

  Sue sets the table. Soups and salads first. She’s aware tonight is important. An evening to memorialize. How much she truly knows, I haven’t the faintest idea, but along with the secrets of this house, the Guardians, the magic, the history, she and Davis seem to be part of it. They may be pawns of the gods as well. I’m not privy to all things. It’s my job to be on the lookout.

  Which is why I’m first here, waiting for the others to arrive.

  We spent the hour before dinner preparing for the separation spell. The ingredients have been mixed. The incantation is ready. Once Morgan announces her mate, we can begin.

  I feel the tension growing in the house. The Guardians are aware that what we’ve been waiting for—training for—is finally coming to fruition. One of us will be chosen. The others will focus on the spell—the battle ahead. It will be an honor to serve Morgan in either capacity.

  I hear the first footsteps on the stairwell and brace myself. I may be the only one that is hesitant to become her mate. I may be a man of conviction but I’ve known from the beginning this woman could destroy me. If I win her heart it means she will consume mine—and if I let her inside will I be able to fulfill my duties?

  On the other hand, if there’s one thing I detest, it’s losing.

  Chapter Twenty-four

  Morgan

  We dine together like a happy household. Everyone in their seats; Dylan across from me, the others flanking the sides. Conversation is light—we talk about the gorgeous weather. The fantastic meal. I hold each of my Guardians’ eyes, letting them know I hear them. I’m with them. No matter what happens at the end of the night.

  When the chocolate soufflé has been consumed and our plates are bare I pick up my glass of wine and say, “I’d like to make a toast.”

  I stand, making it a dramatic moment—shouldn’t it be? I’m changing all of our lives. Holding my glass high, I begin. “I won’t bore you with a long speech about what tonight means. You all know—probably more than I do. I never dreamed this is where my life would end up—okay, maybe I dreamed it—wrote it in my journals, but I did believe that was a fantasy. I had no idea there was truth and history behind my words.”

  I gaze at the men. “It’s been an adjustment,” I confess. “And frankly some would say I adapted too easily. That I fell into insta-lust and easily in love with my handsome roommates. But it was never that simple. I knew in my heart that we had something different. A bond. People outside this house would never understand. But we understand each other.”

  “That we do,” Sam says, his green eyes twinkling.

  The lustful desire I carry for these men grows in my belly. I’d been at peace all day but the more I talk about it—them—the more restless I become.

  “I won’t drag it out any longer. I’ve made a decision.”

  The men lean forward, all but Dylan, who looks a little ill.

  “I’ve decided not to choose.” The words hang in the room. “I want you all. Each one of you. In my bed. In my heart. I know it’s the right thing to do.”

  Clinton’s eyebrows rise to the top of his head. “All of us?”

  No!

  “Yes.” The feeling grows in my chest. A sharp twist. The flicker of a whisper in my ear. “You each bring me something equally important. But most of all, it’s exactly what we need to fight the Morrigan. At least right now.”

  My final statement is accompanied by a sharp stab to the temple. I’d wondered if this would happen, when she would appear. I’d beaten her down but this was too much. I drop my glass, the wine spilling across the white table cloth, and clutch my head.

  “Morgan?” Damien cries; he’s closest and gets to me first.

  “Pr
epare the spell,” I direct through gritted teeth. “She’s coming.”

  Bunny hops from the table—he and Dylan already in motion. The Morrigan screams in my ear.

  You fucking idiot. All of them! What are you trying to do? Shatter my heart times five? This won’t work. It won’t keep me away. One. One is all you get. You may not share the power of five. You cannot beat me down with love and lust.

  Sam crouches next to me and holds my hand. “Stay with me, babe.”

  “With only one of you she can control me. Manipulate me,” I say through the pain. “But not all of you. She can’t penetrate me when I’m bonded to you all. I realized that last night. Ah!” Another stab of pain. It’s like she’s clawing at me from the inside. “Today was much better. Calmer. This is all she’s got and we need to kick her out for good.”

  A thunderous crash brings my attention to the table. Clinton has cleared it in one dramatic swoop. Bunny and Damien carry the ingredients for the spell. Dylan, the parchment for the incantation.

  “Ready?” I ask, feeling the Morrigan squirm inside. She doesn’t want out—she wants to take over.

  If you let this happen, you’ll never get to that castle. You’ll never meet your destiny. You were born to rule worlds! The Otherside and this one! Don’t be a fool.

  Sam brings me to my feet and I feel unfamiliar hands on my back, tugging at my skirt. With a pounding headache I spin and find Sue and Davis stripping me of my clothes.

  I start to argue but Sam presses his lips to my ear and says, “Stay calm. It’s okay.”

  It doesn’t feel okay—yet none of my Guardians stop them. In seconds, I’m naked and lifted from the floor on top of the mahogany table. Flashes from my fever dream return. All five men surrounding me, loving me. It had been a vision—not a dream.

  Last chance, the Morrigan hisses, before you lose it all. You need me to access the castle. You need me for power.