Witch Fury ew-4

by Anya Bast

  Sarafina looked down at the red hardcover book in her hands. “What’s this?” “That’s all we know about what we are. Micah, our scholar and the cousin of the head of the Coven, compiled it and had it bound for the members of the Coven. It’s our history, as much as we know.” She picked up the thick volume and turned it over in her hands, a thoughtful look on her face.

  “Take it home, read it, and then ask me any questions you have.” Hopefully, that would ensure they have contact after she left this apartment, so he could keep his eye on her.

  “Answer one for me right now?”

  “Shoot.”

  Her face tightened. Theo recognized fear when he saw it. “Do witches have red eyes?” He stilled, a nasty icy jolt going through him. “There’s only one thing I know of that has red eyes and they’re not witches.” “What are they?”

  “Where did you see someone like that?” “At the farmhouse. He woke me up in the middle of the night and nearly made me soil the mattress. He didn’t hurt me, but everything about him was threatening.” She paused. “And he was big, almost unnaturally so. When I asked Stefan about the creature, Stefan never told me what he was, only that he was curious about me.” Theo ran his hand over his jaw and looked away from her. Demon. Probably an Atrika demon. What the hell was an Atrika doing Earthside. . again? He sighed, weariness bubbling up from the depths of him. Gods, he did not want to have to deal with Atrika again. “It wasn’t a man.” “Okay.” Pause. “Not a man. So what did I wake up to in the middle of the night, Theo?” “My guess is a demon.” He let her absorb that for a moment. Theo had grown up with this stuff, she hadn’t. He could only guess how shocking it was. “They call themselves daaeman and they come from a place called Eudae. It’s all in the book.” “I just can’t. .” She trailed off, putting a hand to her forehead. “I think I need a drink.” “I’m sorry.” Her body was trembling slightly and her face had gone pale. “There’s a bottle of Scotch in the kitchen, if you’re serious about needing that drink. Look, I’ll give you a minute. I need to make a phone call.” “Sure.”

  He got up and went into his bedroom, pulling his cell out of his pocket. He punched the speed dial for Thomas. “Yeah, we got another Atrika.” Silence.

  “Did you hear me? The woman I thought was a warlock, but isn’t, says she saw one at the farmhouse.” “Fuck.”

  “I just thought you should know right away, man.” “Tell me everything she saw.”

  Theo told him what Sarafina had said.

  “Okay.” Thomas’s voice was heavy and a little tired sounding. “Somehow, some way Stefan’s allied with the Atrika. That’s the implication. It’s nothing we didn’t already suspect might somehow happen.” “Our worst nightmare.”

  “Pretty much.” Thomas exhaled slowly. “Micah and Isabelle have determined Sarafina is no threat, right?” “Yeah, we’re sending her home.”

  “Let’s keep an eye on her, though.”

  “I’m already on it, boss.”

  Theo hung up the phone and returned to the living room where Sarafina still sat on the couch, her knees pulled up to her chin and Grosset by her side.

  He sank into the chair near her and pushed a hand through his hair with a heavy sigh. “Doing okay with the demon thing?” She looked at him and wrinkled her face. “Are you crazy? How am I supposed to be okay with the demon thing?” “Yeah, that was a dumb question. I know this is a lot for you to absorb.” He looked at the book. “Read that, okay? It will answer a lot of your questions.” She turned her face away. “I just want to be left alone. I want to go back to my life as it was four days ago, even with the death of my foster mother, the debt, and the dumping. Why did the warlocks want me? Why go to all that trouble for me?” Theo considered her a moment, deciding how best to answer. “The warlocks have been abducting and converting vulnerable witches to their cause since as far back as we know. Lately, though, they’ve been taking more. Almost like they’re building an army.” She shook her head. “I’m not military material.” “Stefan seems to have taken a special interest in you. Or at least, normally he doesn’t meet personally with witches they’ve abducted, let alone go on the initial kidnapping. He doesn’t take risks, you know? He’s got underlings for that. Hell, ever since Isabelle almost nabbed him, he never even goes anywhere without bodyguards. He took a risk for you and he’s given you all kinds of personal attention, but we don’t know why you’re so special.” “I feel like Alice and I just slipped down the rabbit hole.” “So who does that make me?”

  A smile flickered across her mouth. “Not the Cheshire cat, that’s for sure. You don’t smile enough for that.” She frowned. “You don’t smile at all.” “Yeah, well, not much to smile about these days.” “God,” she breathed, looking down at her lap and toying with a small hole in the knee of the sweatpants. “My mom. I always just assumed she was schizophrenic. The human torch thing, well, no one had an explanation for that.” “Now you do.”

  “I’ll say.”

  “Micah told me that it made all the supernatural unsolved mystery shows.” Suddenly, she looked about ten years older. “Yes.” She sighed. She looked down at the book in her lap again. “So, does this mean I can go home now?” “Isabelle is downstairs in the library. I’ll take you to her. She’ll give you some clothes to wear that fit, something decent to eat, and take you home.” She looked up at him. “Isabelle sounds really nice, but if it’s okay, I’d rather you just took me home now.” She glanced down at her clothes. “I mean, as long as you don’t mind that I’d be taking your clothes with me. I’ll wash them and return them—” “I don’t mind that you’re wearing my clothes.” Actually, she looked damn good in them. He let his gaze wander down her torso. His clothes engulfed her slim body, making him wonder what lay beneath all the bulk. Making him want to undress her and find out. It was intimate to think that the material that had lain against his skin now lay against hers.

  Theo ripped his gaze back to her face. Clearly, he needed to get laid sometime soon. It had been too long. He hadn’t taken a lover since Ingrid had died last year.

  There had been no great love between him and Ingrid. They’d been in the relationship for the sex and the companionship, to ease a little of their loneliness. But Ingrid had been a good friend and she’d died in a horrific way. It had hit him hard and he was still grieving her loss.

  “Will you just take me home, then? I want to get back to my stuff. Familiarity, you know? I have phone calls to make. Friends of mine will be worried, not to mention my boss.” “Okay. I’m ready whenever you are.”

  She pushed off the couch. “Then let’s go. It’s not like I have a lot of luggage.” He walked toward the door, stopped, and turned back to her. “Uh, except. . I drive a bike.” “A bike? You mean like a motorcycle?” He twisted his lips. “You think I ride a ten-speed? I drive a Harley.” “That figures. I can’t really see you driving a sedan.” She only waved her hand absently. “As long as we can get Grosset home on the thing, I’m past caring. I just want my own bathtub and bed tonight.”

  SIX

  THEO BROUGHT HIS HARLEY TO A HALT IN FRONT OF Sarafina’s home, which was housed in an older building that had been converted into apartments. He let the bike idle as Sarafina unwrapped her hands from around his waist and got off.

  They’d strapped Grosset to her for the short ride to her house and he’d seemed to enjoy the trip. Theo had to admit Sarafina looked cute in the helmet he’d given her. She unstrapped it and handed it to him.

  “That was fun!” Her eyes were shining bright with excitement. He liked that look on her face much better than the anger or sorrow he’d been seeing.

  He shut the bike down and got off. “I’m coming up to ward your place. Since we don’t know why Stefan took such a special interest in you, there’s no telling if he’ll come after you again.” As an earth witch, Theo possessed the ability to ward, and his wards were stronger than most.

  She looked alarmed. “You mean the bad guys aren’t done with me yet?” “We
don’t know if they are or not. After the raid, Stefan went on the run, so I wouldn’t worry too much about it. The wards are just a precaution.” He’d leave off the part where he was hoping Stefan did show up. He was using her as bait.

  “Ward? What does that mean?”

  “It’s a magickal barrier that’s set up. A perimeter. It wards away certain types of people or magick, whatever you charm it for.” “Uh-huh. And what about the creepy demon?” “A demon won’t go out of his way to track you down when there’s easy prey all around him. It’s the Duskoff you need to be concerned with.” “Great.”

  Together they mounted the stairs to her apartment. When they reached the top, Sarafina stilled, staring at the door. Theo followed her gaze, saw that it was ajar.

  “Stay back,” he ordered her. “And keep the dog quiet.” He approached the door carefully, wincing every time the old floorboards beneath his feet squeaked. With his metaphysical grasp, he loosely fisted a couple of defensive charms from his stores of magick and pushed the door open the rest of the way.

  Sunlight streamed in from huge windows in the living room and small kitchen, bathing brightly patterned furniture and throw pillows in buttery light and nourishing the five hundred houseplants in her apartment. Nothing seemed out of place in the small, comfortable-looking place. Her apartment was a lot like her: friendly and beautiful.

  But someone was in here; Theo could sense their presence.

  Behind him, out in the corridor, Grosset yapped.

  A brunette stepped out of the kitchen at the sound, took one look at him, and let out a scream so loud Theo swore his eardrums popped.

  Sarafina raced past him and threw herself into the woman’s arms, who only then ceased her ear-piercing shriek of terror. Grosset danced around the woman’s feet.

  “Maria, it’s okay! I’m okay,” Sarafina said.

  Maria held her at arm’s length, letting out a stream of Spanish before switching to English. “Where the hell have you been? We’ve been so worried about you.” She glanced at Theo, then at Sarafina’s clothes. “Don’t tell me that you. . you. .” She waved her hands.

  “Uh, Maria, this is Theo,” Sarafina interrupted, blushing. “Theo, Maria. She’s a good friend of mine. Theo is. . he’s. .” Sarafina’s blush deepened.

  Maria gave him a slow once-over, female appreciation on her face. He was familiar with it, even though he almost never welcomed it.

  Theo shifted and looked out the living room window, clearing his throat.

  “So, what’s going on, sweetie?” Maria asked. “Everyone expected you home from Kentucky three days ago. When you didn’t show up for work, Daniel was really concerned. You need to call him. Even Alex has been beside himself.” “I’m sorry, I—” Sarafina broke off. Clearly, she was looking for a way to explain her absence without revealing the truth and was at an uncharacteristic loss for words.

  Theo stepped forward and smiled. Sarafina’s mouth snapped shut. “It’s my fault. Sarafina and I have been seeing each other for a while, and when I saw how much she was grieving the loss of her foster mother, I insisted she drop everything and come away with me.” He paused. “I didn’t even let her pack a bag, which is why she’s wearing my clothes.” He stepped to Sarafina and took her into his arms, pulling her up against his side. “Isn’t that right, sweetie?” Sarafina stiffened. “Uh.” He rubbed his hand along the chilly skin of her upper arm. “Uh,” she said again.

  “Wow, Sarafina. Dating for a while? You never told me. What about Alex? You guys just broke up like two weeks ago!” Maria gasped and grinned mischievously. “Were you cheating on him?” “Did I say a while?” Theo asked. “Actually, we just met. It just feels like I’ve known her a long time.” He pressed a kiss to her temple and Sarafina’s eyes widened. “Isn’t that right, snookums?” “Maria. .” said Sarafina with a shaky smile. She pulled away from Theo and led Maria toward the door. “I’m really tired. Thank you so much for your concern. You are the best of friends. Once I get myself in order, take a shower, and call Daniel, you’ll be the first person I contact, and I’ll tell you everything.” Maria grabbed her purse off a small bright red and blue painted table by the front door. “Okay, you promise to call me? We can go out for mojitos or something.” “Absolutely.”

  Maria hugged her again. “I’m just so relieved you’re all right. Never do that again!” “I promise. I just. . just got carried away.” She cast a furtive glance over her shoulder at Theo. “We’re kind of, uh, into each other right now.” Maria leaned forward and whispered something in Sarafina’s ear, glancing at Theo. Sarafina giggled nervously. Then Maria disappeared out the door.

  Sarafina turned. “Thanks. I had no idea what to say.” “What did she whisper to you?”

  She smiled, her eyes sparkling. “No wonder, he’s gorgeous.” Theo cleared his throat and looked away.

  Sarafina laughed. “You’re bad with people, but especially women, it seems. A pity, since. . well, it’s a pity.” “It’s a pity since what?” His voice came out a gravelly, low growl and he narrowed his eyes at her.

  “Uh, because most women probably think you’re pretty hot. Most women would agree with Maria.” “Most women? That include you?”

  She tipped her head to the side. “Are you. . flirting with me, Mr. Winters?” He grunted and turned away from her. “I’ll do the warding now.” While he pulled the proper charms from his stores and cemented them around her windows and doors, Sarafina went into her bedroom and changed out of his clothes.

  The wards snapped into place just as she emerged from the bedroom with his clothes neatly folded over her arm. Now she wore a pair of tight-fitting, worn blue jeans that did good things for her ass and a long-sleeved blue shirt that did good things for her eyes.

  Not that he noticed her ass or her eyes in any way but a perfunctory one.

  She handed him her clothes. “Sorry I didn’t get a chance to wash them.” “No problem. Your wards are in place. They’ll keep out Stefan or any of the Duskoff.” He jerked his head at the book she’d placed on her coffee table. “Read that and get back to me.” “Oh, that’s my first priority. I’m making a pot of tea, maybe some dinner, and settling in to read.” She glanced at a small table near her kitchen. “Right after I listen to the fifty messages I have on my recorder, probably all of them panicked.” Damn, she had fifty-two messages on there. Apparently, Sarafina had lots of people to care about her. That must be nice.

  He left the apartment, intending to walk down the stairs and go back home. Instead, he turned in the hallway outside her apartment to look at her. He didn’t want to leave her. It bothered him. There was something odd about her, something off, something he wasn’t comfortable with—“Why are you staring at me like that?” “Was I staring?”

  She rolled her eyes. “You know, you really need to work on your people skills. Good night, Theo.” She slammed the door in his face.

  Something really irritating about her.

  SARAFINA SLID INTO HER OWN BED, WITH HER OWN sheets and her own pillows, snuggled down, and sighed. It was almost perfect. She was just missing. . Grosset jumped up and settled at her feet. Ah, now it was perfect. She smiled and closed her eyes.

  Immediately, an image of Theo popped into her mind. Her smile faded and she shook her head a little, grimacing.

  She tried to snuggle back down and immerse herself in the treat that was her own bed and apartment after the hellish few days she’d had, but rest didn’t come. Really, it was no surprise. The book Theo had given her lay on her bedside table. She’d spent all afternoon and evening reading it.

  It was not material that made for good dreams.

  Warlocks — witches gone bad — and demons? Demons? Really? And she was part demon? Or at least, created through a demon’s magickal tampering. It was all so unbelievable. Yet she’d felt the power inside her. She’d wielded it. She knew it was all for real, no matter how bizarre it was.

  Earth, air, water, and fire. She was fire. At the thought, the seat of her magi
ck gave a little pulse.

  There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy. That was Shakespeare, she was pretty sure. Had it come from Hamlet? She wasn’t sure, but wherever it had come from, it was true.

  She’d spent most of the evening stunned that she wasn’t more surprised by the contents of the book and by what had happened to her. In an odd way, the information she’d been given completed a circle of knowledge within herself. She’d always known there was something more, that she was something more, but until now she hadn’t known what.

  Like a puzzle piece finally fitting into place. Now she had the complete picture.

  Her mother had been crazy, there was no doubt about that, but maybe she hadn’t been quite as crazy as everyone thought.

  Ugh.

  She couldn’t think about her birth mother without a cold knot settling in the pit of her stomach. As she always did, Sarafina turned her mind from the woman who’d given her life. . then had tried to kill her. Anything else caused too much pain.

  And who knew that witches were men, too? She’d always thought that women were witches and men were. . wizards or warlocks or something. The term witch had always meant something feminine to her.

  There was certainly nothing feminine about Theodosius Winters.

  Why did she have to keep thinking about him? He was like some kind of virus she couldn’t shake.

  It was true she did feel better with the wards up around her apartment. If she concentrated, she could sense them: solid, unyielding, better than a moat around a castle. Ironically, Theo would help her sleep tonight.

  Forcing Theo and the book from her mind, she closed her eyes. After her foster mother’s death, she’d taken all her paid vacation from work and planned to use the time to get her head together. She would just have to ask her landlord to give her an extension on her rent. If she gave blood or something, maybe she could actually afford a few groceries and some dog food.