A Warlock's Secrets

by Tena Stetler

  She still knew how to push his buttons. “Get out of here,” Tristian growled playfully.

  By the time Hannah returned, the torches lit the way to the shoreline. A warm breeze ruffled Hannah’s hair as they walked barefooted down the sandy path to the beach. Once at the water’s edge, Hannah sprinted into the surf laughing and looking over her shoulder as Tristian ambled after her.

  Catching up with her, he brushed the hair from her eyes and noticed tiny copper feathers sticking out at her hairline. He touched his finger on one. It was soft. “What’s going on? You going gryphon on me?”

  “Oh, probably. I need to—she stripped out of her bikini top and bottoms, then ran down the beach, shimmered and transformed. With a couple of beats of her rainbow-feathered wings, she glided over the waves.

  Tristian leaned against a tall rock face and glanced up the path. They were alone. She probably knew that. He hitched a hip on an outcropping of rounded rocks and settled in to watch her soar through the night sky. In love with a gryphon, who would have thought? Now what to do about it.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Decisions, Decisions, a Surprise Guest, Change of Plans and a Heart Warming Scene No Matter Who You Are

  In the wee hours of the morning, Hannah finally landed and shifted back to human form. Once they got to bed, Tristian tossed and turned for what seemed like hours. Finally, he got out of bed and quietly slipped out the French doors onto the deck. Settled into one of the chairs outside, he watched the massive waterfall enjoying the cool mist on his face.

  Plants swishing and twigs snapping broke the silence of predawn. Lazily, he turned his head in the direction of the sounds, sensing his sister long before she appeared. Grinning, she stepped on the porch and plopped into the other chair. Her legs slung over the arm of the chair, while she leaned against the other one.

  “To what do I owe the pleasure of your company?” Tristian snarked and remembered how their parents used to holler at Angie to use a chair as it was intended.

  “I couldn’t sleep. Did you see the shadow across the crescent moon around midnight? I tried to get a better look, but it disappeared among the cliffs. “

  Tristian made a noncommittal noise and turned his attention back to the waterfall.

  “So you didn’t see it?” Angie persisted.

  He couldn’t lie to his little sister. “Yes, I saw something cross the moon and night sky, but it was well after midnight.”

  “What do you think it was? You don’t think it was a harbinger of bad things to come?” She nervously picked at the bottom of her dainty scalloped edge blouse.

  Heaving a heavy sigh, he shifted in the chair to face her. “No, I’m sure it wasn’t a harbinger of doom.”

  “Come on Tristian, spill it. You know more than you are telling.”

  “It’s Hannah’s tale to tell. So, you’ll have to ask her.”

  “I knew it. She’s some kind of magical creature.” Angie bounced up from the chair and flounced to the railing, turned and leaned against it. “I thought that was her magic a couple times, but it was disguised so quickly.”

  “All ready for the wedding?”

  She paused, putting her finger to her lips and opened and shut her mouth as if deciding whether or not to pursue the Hannah secret then sighed. “Almost. Which is why I’m here. I felt you up and around. Something bothering you?”

  “Yes, the heat.” He grinned over at her. “Nothing else.”

  “I like Hannah. She’s good for you.”

  “I like her too, though she drives me crazy at times.”

  “Tristian—” She paused licking her lips and blew out a breath, returned to the chair gently putting her hand on his.

  He glared at her hand then caught her gaze, held it. When she was a little girl this is how she always wheedled her way out of me and Dad. “What do you want, Angie?”

  She smiled sweetly. “Would you walk me down the aisle and give me away at the wedding?”

  His eyes rounded, and he stared at her. “You want me to give my little sister away—willingly—to a demon?” He shook his head. “Not just a demon but a Demon Overlord and my boss?”

  “Yes.”

  “You’re asking an awful lot. I’ve accepted that you’ve made your choice. But…” He tented his fingers and waited for her tirade.

  “But nothing Tristian Shandie!” She stood and stamped her tiny foot. “You know Mom and Dad would be happy for me. Dad would have welcomed the chance to walk me down the aisle. He’d recognize Bruce is a good man.”

  “Demon.” His lips twitched.

  She swiped at him. “And be happy for me. I love him, and he loves me. I know you see that.” Hands on hips, she gave him a hard stare.

  He returned her stare, unable to continue the ruse, he roared with laughter. “Of course, I’ll give you away. You don’t seriously think I’d let my little sister flounder her way down the aisle, trip, and fall flat on her face on her wedding day?” Sucking in a breath, he gave one final guffaw.

  “Oh Tristian, you’re incorrigible.” She stood on tiptoes giving him a hug.

  “So I’ve heard,” he said in a bored voice.

  Hannah’s form in a silky robe appeared behind the glass. The French doors squeaked when she pushed them open. “What are you two doing out here?” she asked sleepily.

  “Talking wedding. What else?” Tristian sniped.

  “Oh, okay.” She yawned again and stretched, dragged a chair from inside the cottage and sat next to Tristian, laying her head on his shoulder.

  “Hannah, you scared the bejeebers out of me last night,” Angie said.

  “How’d I do that?” Hannah raised a brow, more alert.

  “Flying around in the sky. You know only witches fly across the moon, and it’s supposed to be full when we do.” Angie settled into the chair.

  “I’m sure I don’t know what you are talking about.” Hannah shrugged. “A little too much wine last night?”

  “Nope. You’re a sly one. Good at disguising your magic signature. But you’re busted.”

  Hannah switched her attention to Tristian frowning.

  Angie giggled. “No. He didn’t say a thing, but your actions sure did. Guilty as charged.”

  Bruce came around the tall tropical foliage and stepped onto the porch. “Who’s guilty as charged?”

  Angie raised her hand then lowered it. “Tristian, he’s incorrigible.”

  “So what’s new?” Bruce blinked and blew out a breath. “Did he agree to give you away?”

  “Of course.”

  A puzzled look on her face, Hannah slid her glance from Tristian to Angie. What just happened? she asked Tristian silently.

  After a start, he gave a little shrug, wafting his words through her mind. I agreed to walk Angie down the aisle. She saw your escapades in the night sky. They’re going to find out soon enough. Might as well come clean. You know your secret is safe with my sister and her mate. He rubbed his wrinkled forehead. How long have you been able to communicate like this?

  Forever. It’s a talent.

  Tristian shoved up from his chair, leaned over, and brushed his lips over Hannah’s, then turned toward Bruce. “Hey, got a couple minutes?” He stepped off the porch and walked toward the waterfall.

  Bruce shrugged one shoulder, kissed Angie on the cheek, and followed Tristian. “Sure.”

  Stopping far enough away so the roaring of the falls didn’t impede their conversation, Tristian pointed to the path slightly behind the waterfalls. “Where does that lead?”

  Bruce paused for a couple beats. “Father’s got an—operations—computer center carved out behind the rocks, where he keeps a finger on the pulse of the magical world and a bit more.”

  “Really. Retired but couldn’t let go?”

  “Not so much. Kinda of a safety net for them. Ask him for a tour. He’ll happily do so. But I don’t think that’s what you wanted to talk about.”

  “Partly. You’re right. Should I agree to the new position.”<
br />
  “I thought we’d hashed all that out. Refusal is not an option.”

  Tristian ignored his interruption. “What if I wanted multiple locations to work from? Would that be a problem?”

  “Not while I’m in residence, handling things. But when you cover for me, as I said before, you’ll need to be in D.C. at the Salon. You’ll stay in my apartment rather than a hotel, for security reasons.”

  “Okay.”

  “Why all the questions? Taking up residence at a new location?”

  “Leaving my options open. Never know what the future holds.”

  Bruce nodded. “I see.” Before he could make further comment, Angie came bounding across the path through the lush tropical gardens. Grinning, Bruce caught her by the arms and gently lifted her off her feet, kissing her lips. The demon eyed his mate and bride-to-be with amusement. “How much caffeine have you had this morning?” He eased her down on her feet.

  She fisted her hands on her hips. “Not enough. I told you she wielded magic. Couldn’t pin point what kind. I was right,” she crowed, turned, and glowered at Tristian.

  Bruce gave a subtle eye roll. “When aren’t you, my li’l witch? She who?”

  Examining her perfectly manicured red fingernails, she buffed them lightly against the front of her blouse. “Well there is that,” she cooed, smiling up at him, batting her long golden eyelashes. Then as if she’d nearly forgotten her important information, she straightened. “Anyway, Hannah, she’s a—” Angie craned her neck surveying the surrounding area. “Gryphon. Isn’t it great?”

  “A what?”

  She huffed out a breath. “You know—a gryphon. The not so mythical creature, part eagle, part lion with rainbow colored wings. Or at least hers are. Hannah is what I saw last night, and you hinted I’d had too much to drink.”

  He cocked an eyebrow. “Learn something new every day.”

  “That’s it? That’s your only response?” She flung her arms in the air.

  “Well, I’d heard rumblings of the same when Tristian was in D.C. earlier this year. But discounted it.”

  “And you didn’t tell me?” Angie demanded, color rising in her cheeks.

  “Business dear.” He patted her on the shoulder, leaving his hand resting a little lower. “We better get back to the house; Maeva will have breakfast ready.” He glanced at Tristian. “Join us?”

  His lips twitched to keep from grinning; he’d seen that look before from his sister, and Bruce was in for a tongue-lashing, overlord or not… “Let me check with Hannah, but I’m sure we’ll be along shortly. She’ll be starved.”

  Angie glared at Bruce, shrugged his hand off her shoulder. “See you on the veranda.”

  Bruce grasped Angie’s hand, she flailed the other while walking sideways facing him chattering as they walked the path to the main house. When they arrived, a woman was setting a pitcher of orange juice on the table.

  Tristian turned his attention from the veranda to his woman. Amused at that thought.

  Hannah ambled down the path and met him halfway to the cottage. “We’ve been invited to breakfast,” he informed her.

  “Great. I’m starved.” She reached around his waist and leaned into him, brushing her lips over his.

  “Figured you would be.” He smiled. Sharing his life with her was growing on him. He could do this and keep her safe. Would she accept his conditions?

  Hannah glanced up the path and jerked her chin toward Angie and Bruce. “What’s that all about?”

  “You.” He smirked and guided her toward the big house.

  ****

  After breakfast, Tristian and Hannah meandered down the path to the beach. Hannah splashed along the water’s edge ahead of him. When she stopped, she bent down, scooped up two handfuls of water, and flung it at him. In a flash, his hands wrapped around her pinning her arms to her sides. “A bit daring today?”

  “Nope. Having fun. A little water never hurt anyone.” She smirked. “Unless you’ll melt or rust and I don’t think there’s a chance in hell of either.”

  He scowled and shook out his black polo shirt with silver threads woven through it. “It’s salt water and leaves a white residue on my favorite shirt.”

  She eyed him speculatively. “It is a nice shirt. Shows off your sculptured upper body.” She ran her fingers over his chest, slithered her body around his, her fingers slipped inside the neck of the unbuttoned polo. “But, I prefer you…”

  “There you are,” Bruce’s voice rumbled behind them with a slight chuckle. “We apparently need to rehearse the wedding before guests arrive for this evening’s dinner. The courtyard is all set up for the wedding, so Mother has decided to hold the rehearsal dinner aboard the Seraphim. He motioned in the direction of the seventy-five-foot blue and silver yacht moored in the middle of the cove, waves slapped gently at her sides.

  “Okay, we’ll be right up.” Tristian swept Hannah into his arms and kissed her, whispering against her lips. “Hold that thought, we’ll get back to it later. Maybe on the…?” he smiled seductively with a quick peek in the yacht’s direction.

  “I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that,” Bruce said with amusement. “One other thing, after the rehearsal, I’d like you to go out to the Seraphim and make sure everything is ready for this evening. Tane, Maeva’s husband, will oversee the additional help my parents have employed, but…”

  Tristian eased Hannah’s feet onto the sand, still keeping an arm around her waist. “Not a problem. The only other guests you are expecting outside the wedding party are Owen and Tobi. Correct? The wedding guests will arrive tomorrow morning.”

  “Yes, but I didn’t plan on security for the yacht. Seems the size of this event is—I don’t want to put my parents at risk after this is all over. Too many people know.”

  “Relax. I’ve got this. But what I don’t understand is your mother’s magic signature. She’s not…

  A mischievous glint in his eye, Bruce waved a hand dismissively. “She’s an angel,”

  “Most mothers are,” Tristian agreed.

  “No, I mean an angel, wings and all. She’s keeping them under wraps while there are guests on the premises.” Bruce grinned at the shock registering on Tristian’s face.

  He quickly schooled his features into a thoughtful expression. “A demon wed an angel? Well, that explains a lot.”

  “If you say so. Now back to the security.” Bruce glanced toward the house.

  “Oh, yes. There’re a couple extra guys with Terra’s team. We’ll put them on the yacht tonight.” He shot Bruce a sideways glance. “Not having a case of wedding jitters?”

  Bruce straightened his shoulders and glared at Tristian. “Of course not. I’ve fought…”

  “Matters of the heart are a different animal. At least that’s what you keep telling me.” He clapped Bruce on the shoulder. “I’ve got your back.” He nudged Hannah forward with his hand at the small of her back. “Let’s get the rehearsal over with, then I’ll take a couple of guys and return to the Seraphim.” He paused for a couple beats. “Will Hannah be needed after the practice wedding?” he asked with a smirk.

  “You’ll have to check with Angie. You know she’s running the show.” Bruce winced and muttered something about the whole thing being Tristian’s fault.

  “Hey, you’re the one who took my little sister as your mate, a witch, and agreed to abide by our family traditions.” Tristian’s swagger was short lived.

  Bruce pinned him with a dangerous look. “Don’t push it.” He turned on his heel and strode away.

  “Way to go Trist. Piss off the groom at your sister’s wedding.” Hannah elbowed him in the ribs lightly as they wound their way up the path to the wedding venue. Once they crested the hill, Hannah’s lips formed an O before she covered her mouth.

  Tristian whispered, “Wow.”

  The whole courtyard and gardens in front of the waterfall transformed into a magical fairyland with twinkling lights over transparent umbrellas placed through the center
of each row of tables forming a large semicircle in front of the waterfalls.

  Bird of paradise plants bloomed over the rock wall between the falls and the garden. Flowering ivy peeked out through the nooks and crannies of the stones where tiny multi-colored lights glowed. In the middle of the wall, a wide archway rose up covered in climbing orange roses.

  “Bet that’s where Andre will stand presiding over the ceremony as the couples say their vows,” Hannah whispered, then peered up at Tristian. “Why are we whispering?”

  In his smooth baritone voice, he said, “I have no idea. Seemed appropriate, I guess. Looks like Freesia had a hand in this.”

  Hannah jumped, brought a fist up to eye level as she whirled around when someone put an arm around her shoulder. Angie took a couple steps backward nearly colliding with Willow who stood behind her.

  “Didn’t mean to scare you.” She stepped closer to Hannah. “Isn’t it beautiful? Matiah and Freesia created the paradise this afternoon. Then decided the dinner would have to be held elsewhere. They didn’t want anyone messing up the wedding venue.”

  The closer they got to the waterfalls, the quieter the sounds, though the water continued to crash down the cliffs creating a fine mist. Rainbows sparkled on the spray from the waterfall and bounced across the umbrellas and tables. “Someone cast a muting spell over the waterfalls. Probably so everyone can hear the ceremony,” Tristian observed.

  “That was my handiwork,” Megan said proudly, a witch-angel and Bruce’s long time housekeeper. She surprised Angie from behind with a hug.

  “What are you doing here?” Angie squealed wrapping her arms around the woman.

  “I wouldn’t miss this wedding for anything. Besides, it gives me a chance to check on my brother, Tane, and his wife.”

  “Does Bruce know you’re here?” Angie asked.

  “Not yet, but that’s about to change.” She chuckled as Bruce’s gaze shifted to Angie and then to her while talking to his mother.

  A wide smile spread across his face. He bounded down the steps of the veranda, through the tables to the edge of the garden where they were standing. He picked her up off her feet in a strong hug. “What a wonderful surprise. Mother said you couldn’t…” He laughed and touched his hand to his forehead. “Oh, it was all a ploy to surprise me.” He glanced at Angie. “Us. Good job.”