Worry had rendered both Kalen and me useless. We went back to the other room and sat on the floor, next to the open trunk. He fiddled with the brass lock on it, a pensive scowl firmly in place, silver eyes resting on me heavily with concern and worry. Although he tried hard to hide it, there was always a noticeable battle, the dichotomy and turmoil he had to feel with me in his life. His affection for me at constant war with his hate for my kind. He’d lost some of his family during the Cleanse. I understood his anger and frustration.
“What do you think is going to happen?” I asked.
“Mr. Lands said for people not to panic and let the government agencies help, so I suspect people are going to panic and do some vigilante justice.” He was right, and I was appreciative of him being straight with me.
I looked down at my phone for the third time in fifteen minutes, waiting on Gareth to return one of the three calls I had made or at least answer the four text messages.
Kalen gave me another long, assessing look and then said, “You should go talk to him. If you need to take tomorrow off”—he looked at the unfinished pile of goods and the large trunk that was still unsorted—“maybe I can get Blu to help. She seems pretty interested in this stuff.”
Interested in this or you? I wondered but bit back. I wasn’t sure what I let out was any better than what I had censored. “What’s the deal with you two? There isn’t anything that interesting about clothes, shoes, or accessories that would require this much attention.”
“I find her interesting.”
“Interesting or interesting?” I asked, making a kissy face on the latter.
He gave an exaggerated gasp before placing his hands over his mouth in pseudo offense. “Control yourself, young lady, this is a place of business and you will behave yourself in such a manner.”
I laughed. I needed some levity, anything that lifted some of the weight of this situation that was getting harder to control.
“We’re just hanging out, getting to know each other,” he said. “Unlike you and Gareth, we’ve managed to do it while remaining fully dressed. How about that?”
I flushed, and if he only suspected it, he now knew. The knowing smirk remained on his face as I left.
Kalen was right: telling people not to panic was a surefire way to cause pure panic. The protests didn’t take long to form. Outside one of the shops on Coven Row was a small group of protesters, and I slowed my car to take a look. It hadn’t seemed to hurt business. Not too many things were going to get between a person and their herba terrae or love potions or whatever magical needs they felt they had. Although witches were just as dangerous as mages or fae, they had carved a little niche with their stores, making them the “pleasure supernaturals” and innocuous in the eyes of most. But there were exceptions, and those exceptions were standing outside the door with signs and chanting. At least they didn’t have torches, stakes, and pitchforks.
CHAPTER 7
Despite not hearing from Gareth, I decided to go by his office. The Supernatural Guild’s large light-gray multistory headquarters always seemed to blend in as just another building on the block. The drapes were drawn on the large picture windows giving an unobstructed view of the streets. Beautifully trimmed hedges surrounded the building, and the lawn was always manicured and so verdant green that it looked like there was more magic involved than landscaping. Usually when I entered the building I was met by agents dressed too casually for their position but that day they had traded their business casual attire for bulletproof vests and military-style weapons. They were never a friendly group, especially the shifters, who seemed to consider smiling a crime in and of itself, but now everyone seemed to be on edge. They watched me carefully as I walked into the front door of the building, something I was sure they were doing to every visitor.
I was surprised to see Beth at the front desk without Avery.
Responding to my look of curiosity, Beth responded in a dry tone, “Mr. Reynolds sent him home and lifted his punishment.”
I looked back at the door: there were guards placed at it, something they hadn’t had before. I was sure that having a powerful fae such as Beth at the front desk wasn’t a coincidence. She’d manipulated my emotions once, with such ease and deftness that I hadn’t realized it until she’d forced me into a state of calm.
“Is Gareth available?”
“I’m sorry, he will not be available for the rest of the day.” I scanned the room and hallways, noting that the activity in the building had increased significantly. There were men in suits walking around, and their conversations seemed intense but too low for me to hear.
“Is he here?” I asked.
“Mr. Reynolds isn’t available” was her simple monotone response. I’m not sure if that was the generic line she’d been instructed to tell everyone. Uneasiness was there. Was he trying to distance himself from me or was he unavailable to everyone? Was he busy working with Harrah on damage control?
“Will you let him know that Levy—”
“I know who you are.” And she treated me to a gentle broad smile. “Levy, don’t fret, he tends to be proactive rather than reactive so he’s trying to get ahead of things. He’s good at his job. But I’m sure you know that.”
I could feel the magic creeping near me, like a gentle wave as it eased upon the sand. That cool wave changed the slightly humid air to crisp and refreshing. Light and breezy and she did it effortlessly. I pushed it back with force, and she gasped a breath. I should have been gentler, but I wanted to send a message. No illegal magic on me. I felt it ease before it disappeared.
“What’s happening?” I took another look out the door at the police cars in front of the building, the increased number of people walking around, and a few SG people who looked unfamiliar. I knew I didn’t know everyone who worked for the SG, but I could tell who did by the assurance, sinewy movement, and subtle lethality to them. It was the hint of severe repercussions if you crossed them. And if that didn’t deter you, there were the flashes of magic from the wielders of it and the sharp looks from shapeshifters whose rings glowed ever so lightly, a warning sign.
Things were bad, I just didn’t know how bad.
By the next morning, I still hadn’t heard from Gareth. The significant changes that had occurred over the past twenty-four hours had me distracted and debating whether to go by SG headquarters before work. If that hadn’t been my focus as I walked out of my room, I would have found seeing Lucas, the Master of the city and one of the most powerful vampires in the world, in the Warrior One pose with Savannah a little humorous. He was immortal, stuck in the same state he was in when he’d been turned—perpetually stuck in his midthirties, despite being several hundred years old. His blond hair would forever stay that way without the threat of graying, and his body would be eternally lean and muscular.
“You keep it up Lucas and you’ll live to be a thousand,” I joked as I walked into the kitchen and grabbed one of the muffins I’d purchased the day before as I watched them. He moved with ease and grace into various poses, mirroring Savannah while wearing a suit. A suit!
“I’ll give you a dollar if you actually put on yoga pants,” I offered once he stopped moving with Savannah and started to approach me.
“I’ll give you two to never make that request again,” he countered. His tone held humor but not much. He watched Savannah, her svelte body moving fluidly into several more positions. She was art in motion, elegant and beautiful, making each transition look far easier and more fun than it was. It looked like she was executing a dance rather than exercising. We both stood in silence watching her intently, appreciating her beauty of movement for different reasons.
When she finally finished, Lucas looked as though he’d been treated to an award-winning show, his lips wide in appreciation. She strode by me, giving me and my second muffin a disapproving look. She stopped by Lucas to give him a kiss on his cheek.
So, this is really happening. It was the first time I fully conceded to it, preferring
to live in a perpetual state of denial and just assume it was far more casual than it was. My roommate, who was a die-hard vampire groupie, was involved with the vampire of all vampires, the hottest of hot zombies. There wasn’t anything I could do about it, and I’d tried it all. Even pointing out that technically he was older than her grandpa.
I wasn’t going to ever forget the power he wielded not only as one of the oldest vampires in the area but also as a member of the Magic Council—powerful, wealthy, and feared. But I was happy when he used those qualities to protect Savannah. After recently finding out she was an ignesco, I was more concerned than ever: her function as a magic booster was something that people would want to possess for their own benefit. Her dating the hot zombie was a good thing. I’d learned to ignore the light blush of red on her neck and arms from her feeding him.
“I didn’t hear you come in this morning,” I said. Okay, maybe I haven’t totally conceded to the idea.
He gave me a sly smile. “That’s because I got here last night,” he said in a deep, seductive drawl that seemed to be as natural as my breathing. He just couldn’t help himself. The art of seduction was so deeply linked to his existence and innate need to find his next donor that he seemed to have a hard time turning it off—or wasn’t aware he’d turned it on. His smoldering dark eyes rested on me. Hey, turn those things off or at least direct them at my roommate.
I didn’t really want him directing them at Savannah, either. He was too smart and old to be oblivious to the many tactics that I’d used to keep Savannah from him. My failures had amused him; it was aptly displayed by the kink in his thin supple lips and the glint in his midnight-colored eyes.
As I picked at my muffin, I was aware of his gaze lingering on me: an assessment. “Savannah worries about you, and I think rightfully so,” he started slowly. He slipped his hands into his pockets as he started to walk around me in a semicircle, making me ever aware of his speed, stealth, and predaciousness. Even dressed in his expensive, tailored suit, he could probably kill me at any given moment if he willed it. I hated that I thought about it. But I did, and him walking so close to me caused me to reflexively reach behind me for the twins, which weren’t there.
“Things are getting tense. Last night I even had a group of thugs approach me to tell me I needed to get out of their city.” His mirthless, dark laughter drifted throughout the room. “They were quite unhappy to find that I am the city. I was here before they were, and I plan to be standing if this city burns to the ground.”
“You wouldn’t have happened to tell them this over a nice drink in a less threatening tone?” I asked, with a big cloying smile.
Again, I was treated to his bone-chilling laughter. Hot zombie, I reminded myself. But reducing him to a hot guy with fangs didn’t help.
“I told them in a way designed to ensure they won’t bother me again. I clearly have better things to do than entertain overzealous xenophobes,” he said. In the time it took me to blink my eyes and break off another piece of my muffin he, was on the sofa sitting with his arms outstretched on the back and one leg crossed over the other. Casually dangerous—the worst kind. I liked my danger in your face and a little asshole-ish.
“Has it been like this before?”
“We weren’t out like this. Before, we were known, but not really known—feared. After the war, we became a novelty; my clubs are based on that. We’re salacious danger: an extreme activity, with the slight chance you might not come out of it alive. Entertaining for others, and I’ve adapted to it. This is new, and I don’t like it.” When he inhaled it seemed weird. I had gotten used to him not doing it and each time he made an attempt to seem human, occasionally breathing at an irregular rhythm too infrequently for it to be considered normal or comforting, it freaked me out even more.
He’d delved so far into his thoughts his face had become stoic, but his eyes were dark and a mixture of anger and umbrage shadowed them. “I’m not sure this will end well,” he admitted.
Another war? “What do you mean?”
It took him several moments to answer the question and I hoped it wasn’t to censor his answers.
He shook his head and frowned. “I heard that Conner has been very busy,” he confided. “Last night he broke the wards of the Baratrum.” It was where the Magic Council and the SG sent their worst offenders. “So the SG is dealing with that and now the new head of HF. I suspect things will get worse before they get better.”
Conner would essentially win. Humans would want the Cleanse to rid them of the supernaturals. Conner’s recruiting would be even easier. Even if he couldn’t get enough to do a global Cleanse he would have enough to go from state to state, like a traveling virus ridding the humans of supernaturals, leaving only the Vertu and Legacy—leaving things worse off. Humans would not stand a chance once they’d served their purpose.
“This is a mess,” I said, frowning. I didn’t need to think about it any longer; I needed to see Gareth before I went to work. I headed to my room to get my bag and weapons.
“Levy.” Lucas called my name, catching me just a few feet from my room. “I think it will be better if you are not alone.”
Okay, this doesn’t sound good at all.
“I’ve decided I will have two of my employees accompanying you until things are better controlled.”
“Oh, did you?” And just as I responded, Savannah came out of her room in time to hear my response and tried to slip back in unnoticed. Jabbing my finger in her direction, I stopped her midstep, fixing her with a sharp glare, and then I curled my fingers, beckoning her to come closer. I wasn’t fool enough to believe this was just Lucas’s decision. He wasn’t at his home pondering my safety; my little blond roommate was, and he was overly concerned with her and her desires. He’d become one of the many weapons in the arsenal that she used to mother hen me.
Giving me a faint smile, she shrugged, feigning shock over the statement. I kept looking at her. She widened her eyes innocently. “He can be really overprotective. It’s weird, isn’t it?” I wasn’t falling for this doe-eyed look of blamelessness.
I stepped closer to her. “Then it’s a good thing he listens to you, isn’t it?”
Moving past me, she kept the same smile and quiescent look on her face as if it wasn’t her idea at all.
“Lucas,” she said in a gentle, pleading voice, “I don’t think Levy likes that idea.”
“I think it’s a good decision, she’ll learn to.”
She turned and shrugged, giving me a sympathetic smile. “Sorry, I tried.”
“Thanks. I saw that you gave it your all. Will he ever recover from that confrontation? It was painful to watch. It was a verbal brawl. One of those takedowns that’s implanted in your mind forever. It was a true bloodbath. I didn’t think you were going to come out of it unscathed. Are you okay?”
Pursing her lips together, she fought the smile that was threatening to emerge. Instead, she busied herself with playing with the golden ringlets of her hair to avoid meeting my eyes. Then she straightened her shirt and dusted off the invisible dirt and flecks of lint from her pants. “Well, it seems like he’s made up his mind. You know how he is. I can’t really change his mind. Sorry.” Her words were incongruous with the odd twist of her lips and the miscreant gleam in her eyes. I wasn’t buying it for one minute.
Savannah was like the cute toy dog you see, adorable and playful. You can’t help but smile whenever you see one. And just like a little toy dog, she showed dominance in other ways. She yapped. If you didn’t listen she yapped some more, and if you dared to ignore her she’d take a chunk out of your ankle. Afterward, she’d quickly step back and bare a grin of innocence. Pretty much like she was doing now. Apparently, I wasn’t being careful enough—or careful enough for her. She’d just taken a chunk out of my ankle. Savannah and I were opposites on many things, but when it came to tenacity I wasn’t so sure.
I glared at her for a long time, trying to decide if this was a battle worth the energy it would
take to win. Jaw clenched tight, I bit back my words and comments. “Lucas, thank you. Just have them meet me here at ten. That’s when I need to leave for work.” I wasn’t sure if Lucas was staying or going with Savannah, but I had two and half hours to get out of the house and to Gareth before they arrived.
The goal was to get out ahead of the new guards. I didn’t want guards. It was bad enough I had Gareth, who tended to get bossy and had a domineering personality. I’d gotten used to it, but if I was going to have to deal with Lucas and whoever he sent to “protect me” every time Savannah overreacted to a situation, life was going to get even more complicated. Avoiding my guards was going to be harder than I expected. The moment Savannah and Lucas left, they took up position on either side of the door waiting for me to leave. Two unfriendly sentinels—with deadly scowls permanently edged across their faces—that no one wanted to mess with. Anyone would think twice before trying to get past them. And I’d twice tried the surly vampires. Deep obsidian eyes narrowed and watched me carefully. They had sharply cut square jaws that made their appearance harsher and deadlier. Anyone landing a punch on one of those mugs would probably be hurt more than the intended receiver. They moved with predatory alertness. One of the pair was tall, nearly six foot eight with auburn hair, and except for the scowl, his appearance was pleasant. The other guy was a little shorter by maybe four inches.
As with anyone that surrounded Lucas, they were dressed in suits, designer suits. Which made the whole situation even more obnoxious. Being followed around by men in suits seemed pretentious, and I had pointed that out several times to Lucas, who seemed to have an entourage most of the time he left his home. When he visited Savannah, he usually came without them. But in his clubs, they were there. When he went out, they were present. It made me wonder what in his past required him to have guards all the time. Was he the only Master of the city who had them or did he have enough enemies that they were warranted?
Renegade Magic (Legacy Series Book 3) Page 7
