“Oh, well excuse me.”
“You’re excused.”
“Spill.”
Silva sighed and mumbled something Kalinda had no chance of hearing.
“What was that?”
“I don’t know what to tell you or what I can tell you.”
Okay, so that wasn’t ominous at all … not! Kalinda was already pretty tired of not understanding, and she figured the last three days had proven that while her magic was changing, the danger they all thought she was in was not as immediate as they originally thought. The Viscount Pride nor the Council had made no contact, and Kalinda was starting to think there was some conspiracy going on around her, and she didn’t like it.
“Not really an answer after I was truthful with you, and I won’t accept it,” Kalinda admonished.
“And you and I both know you didn’t tell me everything, and that happens. We’re both protecting something.”
“How would you know if I was hiding something?”
Silva rolled her eyes. “Probably because your magic now feels older than mine, and mine is old, like three-wise-men, baby-in-a-manger, immaculate-conception old. No, I’m wrong, probably closer to when humans first walked the earth. But you get it. Old.”
“Did you just say …” Yep, that was about the time Kalinda lost it. Tears rolling down her cheeks, she laughed until her sides hurt. “Wait, what sort of magic is immaculate-conception old? Who says that?”
Silva twirled her fingers before her face, laughing. “Me?”
“What does that all even mean?”
“It means your magic hasn’t just changed or elevated, it’s …” Silva moved her hands through the air between them. “It’s hard to explain. It’s not just yours anymore, and the magic added to yours is very powerful.”
“Well, that’s the only thing I didn’t tell you, but it’s because I don’t really understand it. Zahara said I was touched and that the Council could be contacting me, but nothing has happened. It all seems like people keep telling me what my magic is but nothing is changing in how I can use it. It only happens in random spurts.”
Silva nodded. “I can’t tell you much more either. I wasn’t lying when I said I don’t know what to tell you or how much. I know where I come from, but the secrecy around that isn’t just my own to hold, so I cannot share, but as far as why I’m here, I don’t know.”
“Sounds like your problem may be worse than mine.”
“Tell me about it.”
The timer dinged and Kalinda got her cakes out to cool before putting another batch in, along with several muffin trays. What a beautiful invention double ovens were, and she had a few of them. They made work a lot easier when she had larger orders. But still, her skin felt tight, and her normal comfort when she cooked was lost. She took the prime rib to Giuliana, who barely looked up from a show about home renovation with a quiet thank you, and Kalinda still felt off.
It was stupid, but she sort of felt like reaching out to Romano, and that made her groan out loud. She didn’t need anyone, especially not their comfort, or their arms around her, or their …
What are you thinking about, K? Are you serious?
But one thought led to the next, and she couldn’t stop herself from thinking about Romano. His lips, the strength in his body, the hard planes pressed against her softer curves. Okay, so she could admit he was a hot piece of man, even if annoying as hell, but she couldn’t afford to get tied up with him.
He’d always flirted, but he seemed to be that way no matter whom it involved, and she couldn’t take him seriously. The only interaction with him after the fact was, well, tied up into her magic that apparently wanted to jump his bones.
“This can’t be happening.”
Kalinda shook her head, trying to clear it, and headed back into her kitchen. Thoughts of sexy time firmly under control, she continued to work on her order. So no, she wasn’t thinking about Romano’s mouth, or his eyes, or his body, or the way he curled around her when she came out of the Chaos Realm. And, of course, she wasn’t thinking she sort of, really, maybe just a bit, but kind of a lot, enjoyed how her magic touched him in all the right—wrong!—places.
Nope, she wasn’t thinking about any of that.
She and Silva worked steadily, for hours, until she was ready to box her orders. But first, she needed to taste a bit and always made a side cake from any batter to make sure it came out well. Silva, used to her manner of working, had her fork ready.
“Should we call the babysitter in here too?” Silva didn’t even look up as she asked, her gaze was firmly on the molding from the lemon cake. The girl had a serious sweet tooth.
“Probably. Hey, Giuliana, there’s free cake in here!”
Silently but lightning fast, Giuliana was at their side, and Kalinda swore her expression was the human form of a dog wagging its tail.
“Can I try them all?”
Kalinda smiled. “Sure. I love when people enjoy my food.”
“The prime rib was amazing. You should really make that for the pack one day. They’d love you forever.”
“It may be on the menu since they’re taking care of me.”
“I’ll let Dominic know.”
Fork in hand, the ladies dug in. Kalinda always added a touch of comfort and love into her food, hoping that when people ate, they’d enjoy a sense of care and release from the stresses of their lives. She’d always loved how her magical gift may not have been something huge and showy, but it still helped people just the same.
“Whoa.”
Kalinda blinked and looked over at Giuliana. “What is it?”
“Um, what did you put in this?” Giuliana gestured at the small red velvet muffin tray she was currently scooping massive bites out of.
“I didn’t put anything beyond my recipe, if that’s what you mean.”
“No,” she cleared her throat, “ingredients meant to get you hot?”
“What?”
“Yeah, I wondered that too,” Silva added, fork hovering over her lemon cake. Her face was flush and her eyes wide as she licked her lips. “This shouldn’t be happening. It shouldn’t be possible.” Her hazy gaze fastened to Kalinda’s. “Okay, we may have a problem with my conception of how old your magic is.”
Come to think of it, Giuliana didn’t look much different, her knuckles white from clenching her fork. And what the hell was Silva talking about?
“What is wrong with you guys?”
“I don’t know, but it’s really hot in here. Can we open some windows?”
Before Kalinda could stop Giuliana from snapping the wards, she’d already done it, muscling through the magic and throwing the bay windows in the kitchen wide open. She fanned herself, pulling at the neckline of her shirt as she sucked in big gulps of air.
Silva danced in her seat, clenching her legs before uncrossing them. She gripped the side of the table and crossed her legs again. Then. She. Moaned. The sort of moan that said, “Right there, and don’t move or you’ll die.” Silva let her head fall and rested her forehead on the table.
Kalinda groaned. “What have I done?”
Chapter Six
Kalinda had two withering women in her kitchen who were craving doing the vertical tango after eating cakes, and she didn’t know what the hell had happened or how to fix it. She raced around, grabbing ice and giving it to them to cool off, but that was an utter disaster.
Giuliana let it slide down into her shirt and damn near ruined the paint under the window when she clawed her way to the floor. And Silva? The ice somehow slipped and fell between her legs. Apparently, cold isn’t deterred by a cotton-based material, and that made Silva’s entire day.
Like, bucking and screaming yes sort of day.
“I’m never cooking again. I swear. Never.”
She tasted her food again. Maybe not be the best idea, but she hadn’t been affected at all by the food she’d made.
Oh. Wait.
She did have some of that chocolate batter that
resulted in the magical head. All she could figure was every time she made something, someone was getting their freak on. Kalinda groaned. Her world was turning upside down. Red faced and not knowing what else to do, she picked up her phone. The jerk picked up in two rings flat.
“Kalinda? Where are you?”
“Well—”
“Are you watching a porno? Because I could have helped with that. All you needed was to ask, baby.”
Kalinda breathed and counted to ten. Of course, that only gave time for Silva to do another crazy moan that made Kalinda’s ears turn red.
“I can be home in five minutes. I’ll run all the way there if I have to.”
Ugh! Men. “It’s not a porno, you fiend. And I’m not at your house. It’s … well, Silva and Giuliana.”
“Come again?” He sounded far too intrigued.
Okay, she had to admit that had sounded bad. “Well, I’m in the room with them at my shop, and—”
“I mean, I’m all for experimentation, but I’m more interested in pleasing you. Wait. Did you say your shop?”
“Shut up for one second! I made food and they ate it, yes, at my shop, and now they are having sex with the air.”
“Please tell me you got it on camera because I’m never going to let Giuliana live this down.”
“Shut up and just get here.”
“I’m already on the way. I’m bringing Dominic in case she needs Alpha power to calm Giuliana. Don’t know about Silva, but we’ll figure it out. Until then, if you need any help, I’m your man. I’ll kick the air’s ass, too, for touching you.”
“Do you know how you sound right now?”
“Still true. I’m on my way.”
Kalinda wasn’t going to admit knowing he was on his way made her feel better. For now, she tried to keep the undulating women in a contained area and away from the treats they tried to keep coming back to. While she loved anyone coming back for seconds or thirds, she didn’t think this was a good time for that at all. She tossed the cakes out of her kitchen, figuring she’d be able to clean the mess up later, and was on guard duty.
That was until the people appeared, like, out of nowhere, in front of her kitchen window.
“So you’re the one.”
The first, a tall man with pure white hair tied into a messy bun atop his head, dove-gray eyes, and at least six feet tall and middle-aged, stepped over Giuliana. Maybe the better way to say was he floated over her, landing softly in the kitchen. A woman, about as tall as Kalinda, with coal-black skin, dark eyes, straight hair down to her waist, and a dark fitted dress simply stepped over the wall of the bay window and stood at the first man’s side. The last male, shorter than the others, was hard to pinpoint. It was like his features morphed and swam from non-descript to beautiful and back again, even his hair color changed. He was outside one minute, and the next, inside standing next to the three with a clap of thunder.
What the fuck?
Chills raced down her spine looking at the walking Rorschach test, and her skin crawled. No, no, no, no. That was creepy as hell, and she was not into scary things or movies. Her chest tightened, and it was all she could to keep from running and screaming.
Kalinda stumbled back, too afraid to say a thing. Silva, who’d been jerking and twisting, reached for something on the table. Still moaning, she gazed steadily at the people in front of her. She croaked something, but Kalinda didn’t understand.
She reached again, and Kalinda saw it was a knife. “R … un.”
Run? Run where? But Kalinda didn’t think twice. If Silva was worried enough and had fought through the fog of whatever spell Kalinda had put on her to tell her that, she wasn’t going to argue. Kalinda spun on her heel, ready to get out of her kitchen and out the front door, when a clap of thunder sounded again. Wavy Man, because that was totally his name right now, was in front of her and reached for her.
“We’d like you to be our guest.”
Kalinda had never heard a voice like that. Every word was a different tone and octave, punching at her eardrums and soothing at the same time. She couldn’t have ignored it if she tried.
“You’re scaring me,” she forced out. She knew Romano and Dominic were coming. She’d be okay once they arrived and Dominic could get Giuliana back in action.
“They won’t make it.”
That was from the woman behind her, and Kalinda turned sideways so she could see them both.
“The men you’re waiting for. Or should I say the wolves? They won’t make it here in time. But you aren’t under attack, my child. We are here to help protect you. We’ve been searching for you for days but have been unable to find you. The wards around you have been rather strong, until today.”
“If I’m not in danger, why can’t we just wait until they get here?”
The white-haired man stepped forward. “Let me explain it to her, Amalia.”
Amalia nodded and stepped back.
“Because the Capo di tutti Capi and his Enforcer cannot make this choice for you, nor does their word have authority over us. It is the other way around, as you see.”
“Who are you?”
“I am Lennox. This is Amalia and Yon. We are the Trinity of the Mage Council.”
Kalinda knew about the Council. No magic-blood could live outside of Enchanted Zones where there were portal cities. The Federal Bureau of Magical Containment, or the FBMC, did sweeps to find those with magic in their blood, no matter how small. The FBMC worked as a liaison between the National Council and the FBI counterpart in the non-magic world. And the direct control within Enchanted Zones was a Mage Council who answered only to the National Council.
At the top of each Mage Council was the Trinity, a group of three who could be a tiebreaker for any vote and who also stood as the magical last word in disputes if necessary. Very few people ever saw them.
And they all stood in Kalinda’s Katering with a half-blitzed wolf and a Fae trying desperately to fend off an orgasm while attempting to stab one of the Trinity.
Great. “You want me to be your guest? Where?”
How much longer until they show up?
Amalia shrugged. “They are about ten minutes out, if you’d like to know.”
What the hell?
“I know. I hear that a lot.”
Kalinda’s eyes widened as she stared at Amalia.
Amalia tapped her temple with a long red fingernail. “I read these.”
Well, isn’t that—
Kalinda cut off her thought, afraid Amalia would still be snooping. “What does being your guest mean, and why would the Trinity have need of me?”
Lennox cocked his head to the side. “Well, to be on the Council, of course.”
How about no? Dammit!
Amalia chuckled. “You can’t stop your thoughts any more than you can stop the breeze. But we are getting ahead of ourselves. Lennox, darling, you always cut too quickly to the chase when diplomacy would be better. She hasn’t even heard our offer. Let’s move this conversation, shall we?”
Lennox inclined his head to Amalia. “Of course. Yon?”
Thunder boomed so loudly, Kalinda couldn’t make out what Silva tried to say, only reading her lips.
No! Run!
Well, duh, Silva. But I can’t run, now, can I?
Her head hurt. Correction, everything hurt. Was it possible that gums could disintegrate? Kalinda checked to find out, but her gums were still there, even if sore. She groaned and shook her head, trying to clear the cobwebs, but that only made it worse.
“Give yourself some time. The first phase is always the hardest.” Amalia’s voice was soothing.
That was the understatement of the year. Kalinda took the advice though, letting her body rest—on a sofa?—on the soft material under her. She sank into the cushion, taking big deep breaths and mentally taking stock of all her body parts. It felt weird to do so, but she wasn’t sure if she was coming or going. After a few minutes, she finally opened her eyes.
She was surro
unded by decadence and sitting on a couch with deep gold cushions and red pillows. A matching chaise was across from it with a red lacquer table in between. The walls of the room were white and covered in glowing, golden words she couldn’t hope to read, but as she kept staring at them, something deep inside rejoiced.
She stood, slowly, and walked toward the walls, ignoring the Trinity standing in the room with her, and approached with one hand raised. The scrolling lettering was an odd mix of runes and written words similar to Sanskrit blended in between. One sentence stuck out.
Bransg micaloz.
She had no idea how she was able to read it or what it meant.
You know this.
It was the voice she’d heard inside the Chaos Realm. She jerked.
Do not fear me, child. We said we would be with you, the voice said.
Sure, and where were you when they scared the hell out of me and stole me from my store?
Sometimes, you need to be uncomfortable to grow. We will ensure you are not harmed. Trust us.
I trust no one.
You will.
“Who is she communicating with?”
“I don’t know, Lennox. Her mind is blocked from me. It’s a blank slate.” Amalia’s voice was filled with shock.
“Impossible,” Lennox protested.
“And yet true. She is one of the Old Ones,” Amalia argued.
Lennox hmphed. “We won’t know until she is properly tested.”
“We will get to that. Kalinda? That’s your name, right?” Amalia finally addressed Kalinda directly.
Kalinda forced herself to look away from the lettering on the walls. Now that she looked, she saw bransg micaloz everywhere, and the words formed into recognizable patterns. Protect light.
“Yes,” she answered after a moment.
“Please, sit. You’ve been through a lot,” Lennox offered.
Are you still here? She was talking to spirits, in her head, but that was better than being alone. No way she was going to get in touch with Romano now, and her spell phone was God only knew where.
Always, the spirits alerted her. Amalia will not read you within these walls where our words are written. She miscalculated.
Mated to the Enforcer (Mafia Wolf Shifters) (Encantado Shifters Book 2) Page 6
