A Warlock's Secrets

by Tena Stetler

  A smiling Matiah appeared beside Hannah and touched her shoulder. “Men will be men. Willow and Angie are in the bedroom at the top of the stairs to the right.”

  “Thanks. Guests are arriving already?”

  “Only hair stylists from the Salon. They’re here to fix the bridal party’s hair. So scoot.”

  She sprinted up the stairs, opened the door to the bedroom. Angie and Willow said in unison. “It’s about time.”

  “Late night or should I say early morning, huh? Heard Tristian created quite a stir this morning.” Angie giggled.

  “Yes to all three,” Hannah said, heat rising in her cheeks. One of the stylists, brush in hand, motioned her into a chair.

  “I don’t know what you’ve done to my brother. But whatever it is. Keep it up.” Angie glanced in the mirror at Hannah’s reflection.

  Willow nodded her head vigorously as the stylist frowned, pushing her curls back in place.

  “I’ve never seen him so relaxed, almost fun to be around.” Angie snickered.

  Hannah tilted her head and gave Angie a puzzled look. “I’m not sure what you mean. He’s not so different from the man I met in the diner.”

  “You met in a diner? Really?”

  “Yes, he was distressed at your leaving.”

  “He told you that? A complete stranger?”

  “Well, I’d had a bit of bad luck and was venting to the waitress I know there. I suspect he overheard. He came over, and we kinda compared notes on life’s little zingers. One thing led to the other.” She smiled. “Then I was whisked away, you were snatched, and you know the rest.”

  “A whirlwind romance,” Willow said with a sigh.

  “Not exactly.” Hannah shifted in her seat, uncomfortable with the conversation, peered from Angie to Willow. “All ready for the weddings?”

  ****

  Tristian towel dried his hair and dressed in a light-colored suit, turquoise shirt with matching tie, a cream stripe running through it, casual shoes. He glanced in the mirror. Not bad. He stepped onto the porch to survey the area, inhaled the sweet floral scents along with a slight mist from the waterfall wafting on the breeze. Andre was nowhere in sight. He wanted to get a look at the operation center before the wedding, if possible. The unfamiliar people, caterers, employees of Andre and Matiah, made him a little edgy. Too many dignitaries in one place for his liking.

  “Looking for me?” Andre appeared on the porch beside him. Tristian jumped at the deep resounding voice.

  “Didn’t mean to startle you.” Andre chuckled. “Heard you were interested in the control center. Good as time as any to do a quick tour, before the guests arrive.” He touched Tristian on the shoulder. “Follow me.”

  Andre led the way up the path that wound around behind the waterfall. He sidled between the falls and steep rock wall, a portion of which disappeared giving way to a narrow tunnel lit with flaming torches set in polished brass hangers. Several yards inside, Andre ran his hand along what appeared to be a solid rock ledge, it fell away to reveal a room banked by state of the art computers and monitors that beeped and hummed quietly. At the center of the room stood a six-foot wide, flat screen monitor.

  “Good morning Alish. I’ve brought someone I’d like you to meet,” Andre said as a pair of large luminous sapphire eyes appeared and blinked at them from the screen.

  “Hello, Andre.”

  “This is Tristian; he works security for my son. I thought you could put his mind at ease regarding the security around here.”

  “Of course.” The almond shaped eyes faded in a swirl of sapphire as the tropical paradise that Andre and Matiah called home swam into view.

  “Give us a close up of the cove and Seraphim,” Andre instructed.

  The screen enlarged the cove area around the yacht.

  “Show us the waterfall and the wedding venue.”

  The falls swirled into view. Matiah wandered through the tables, Owen walked around the arbor, and Tobi touched the flowers climbing the structure.

  “Wow, this—I mean she is unbelievable. Hannah has got to see this.” Tristian gasped. “She’s a computer guru and security specialist,” he said proudly.

  “Perhaps another time,” Andre said absently.

  “This is how you keep a finger on the pulse of the outside worlds.”

  Andre nodded. “At first I thought Bruce would need assistance when he won the Overlord position. But it wasn’t necessary. He always had a firm grasp on what was needed. And chose your father, then you to assist him. A wise decision. Alish keeps me informed.”

  “Nice. Little goes on around here that you don’t know about.”

  “There are privacy settings, which is why you were sent to the Seraphim during and after the party. Didn’t really want to spy on our guests. Bedrooms are off limits for obvious reasons as well.”

  “Magic?” Tristian nodded in Alish’s direction.

  “Some. The rest is a lot of computer savvy and connection to worldwide security cameras. They exist in the most intriguing places.” Andre’s lips curved in a mysterious smile. He glanced up at Alish as it showed Matiah glaring at the falls, hands on hips. “Time to go.”

  Tristian followed his gaze and snickered. “Looks like you’ve been missed.”

  “Yes, and the guests are beginning to arrive.” He jerked his chin toward the screen again as Lady Rose and Stefan entered the veranda, along with a small group of people escorted by Terra. Andre touched Tristian’s shoulder, and they reappeared inside the cottage. Andre shoved open the glass French doors. “Showtime.”

  Andre nodded to a few, stopped and visited with others, introducing Tristian as Bruce’s right-hand man. It felt strange to be out in the open rather than lurking in the shadows, keeping a low profile. Tristian wasn’t sure he liked this new spotlight.

  Waiving Andre on, he stopped beside Stefan Talltree just as Lady Rose glided over to talk with a tall man accompanied by a beautiful redhead on his arm.

  “Stefan, how’s the world treating you?”

  “Not bad. And you?”

  “Good. I heard a rumor that you are leaving the employ of the Vampire Council. Striking out on your own. Any truth to it?” Tristian raised a brow in question.

  “It’s a possibility.”

  “It’s more than a possibility.” Lady Rose’s melodic voice intoned. “He’s paid his debt to the Council. I’ve released him with the Council’s blessing. And that’s what I want repeated in answer to any rumors.”

  “Yes, my Lady.” Tristian gave a deep bow.

  “Oh, stop that nonsense. I dropped my title at the door of a friend’s wedding. I understand congratulations are in order on your new position as well.” Lady Rose smiled. “I guess we’ll be seeing more of you.”

  “Apparently. News does travel fast.” He glanced in Stefan’s direction and switched his gaze back to Lady Rose who looked in the direction of new arrivals on the veranda.

  “Nice to meet you face-to-face, Tristian, under happier circumstances. Now if you don’t mind, I need to mingle. Nathanial Cross and his wife have arrived from the Angel Legion. Looks like the ceremony will be starting soon.” She glided off toward a group being escorted to their seats.

  Tristian glanced toward the house, where Owen was gesturing for him to join them. “Gotta go. Giving my sister away today. Oh, congrats on your freedom.”

  “Thanks,” Stefan said in a deep, smooth baritone and sauntered over to where Lady Rose sat. He shook hands with Nathanial and nodded to his wife, then settled in the seat next to Lady Rose.

  Tristian sprinted up the path and steps to the veranda where Angie stood just inside the glass doors. Hannah at her side in a turquoise off the shoulder dress that hugged her curves, slit almost to the thigh. Her hair held up by a pair of combs with diamonds and emeralds sparkling across them. He let out a low whistle as his gaze lingered on her.

  Owen cleared his throat, and Tristian adverted his gaze to Angie and took his place beside her. He took her hand through the
crook of his arm and let out a slow breath. This was it. She would be officially someone else’s responsibility from this day forward. Soothing chords floated on the air played by a petite woman seated behind a large harp as the small crowd quieted. The traditional Wedding March played on a harp seems so ethereal.

  Tristian looked over at his sister, dressed in a long strapless silk gown, embroidered pastel flowers scattered over the pale pink material. She looks so much like Mom. He straightened at her touch to move forward behind Hannah and Freesia, walking down the rose petal covered path to the archway where Bruce and his best man, Owen, waited on the right side. Willow and Birch walked beside Angie and Tristian. Caleb smiled, his brother standing next to him on the other side of the archway.

  It was like a dream, then he gave Angie over to Bruce, said something, and slipped into a chair in the front row beside Matiah. Birch handed Willow off to Caleb and eased into the chair next to Tristian. He slumped back against the chair. A vision of his mother and father swam into focus.

  His father’s words floated through is mind. “You’ve done well, son. We are proud of you. Angie’s married a good man. He’ll take good care of her. Now, live your life without fear. Hannah is a wonderful woman. You’ll be happy together.” His mother smiled, and they faded away.

  Tristian swallowed hard. The raw grief of losing his parents renewed. He turned his attention to Hannah standing with Angie. Did he want to take her down the aisle and forever?

  Matiah touched his arm an understanding sparkle in her eyes. “You all right?”

  He nodded, words failing him.

  Halfway through the ceremony, Tristian noticed out of the corner of his eye, Terra slip away from the end of the waterfall and disappear behind the cottage. He started to push up from the chair, and Matiah put a hand on his thigh, gave a nearly imperceptible shake of her head.

  He glanced behind him to the empty chair beside Nathanial’s wife. Something was wrong.

  Bruce and Angie exchanged rings, Willow and Caleb followed suit, and nothing seemed amiss. Andre pronounced them husband and wife, giving Tristian a reassuring smile. He stood and rushed toward the cottage, rounded the corner, and disappeared. He reappeared at the edge of the mist concealing the portal to find, Terra, her team, Nathanial and his angels standing over several piles of ash, some still floating in the air.

  Stepping out from the mist, Tristian said, “What the hell happened here. And why wasn’t I informed?”

  Terra turned calmly around to face her boss. “Had a bad feeling, brought the team out to check, and found these guys”—she motioned to the warrior angels—“in a battle with four demonic creatures.” She directed her gaze to the piles of cinders. “A couple of additional concussive blasts from our team, and the battle was over. Didn’t see any reason to interrupt the wedding. It was handled. I’ll send a full written report to you by the time you return home, sir.”

  “Tristian, you need to get back to the wedding,” Nathanial commanded.

  “I don’t take…” Bruce’s words echoed through his mind. “You’ve trained your teams well; it’s time you trusted them to do the job.” He nodded and disappeared to reappear behind the cottage. When he slipped into the greeting line beside Hannah, she frowned at him.

  “Where have you been? Is everything all right?”

  “Just fine. Minor security breach, Terra took care of it.” He smiled and focused his attention on the receiving line, offering his hand to the guests as they passed by.

  While staff cleared the chairs away, a platform appeared for the band to set up on. The end of the line finally passed by, and Tristian relaxed, wrapping his arm around Hannah’s waist. They proceeded to the table where a seven-layer cake sat among plates, napkins, and silverware.

  “I’m going to skirt around tradition and toss my bouquet now so we can get to the cake. It’s devil’s food you know.” Angie dissolved into gales of laughter. “My favorite. Yum.” She eyed Bruce who was standing beside her grinning. She turned her back to the guests and tossed the tropical flower bouquet over her head, far into the crowd. It nearly hit an unsuspecting Hannah in the face as she conversed with Birch and Tristian.

  At the cries from the crowd and the look of surprise on Birch’s face, she raised her hands up to shield herself and snagged the flowers in the process. Her eyes rounded and her lips formed an O as she glanced at the flowers and back to Tristian. She snickered.

  Not to be outdone, Willow turned and tossed her bouquet over her shoulder into the crowd. One of the stylists caught the flowers and danced from one foot to the other. “Guess I’m going to have to find a man. Any volunteers?” she called out waving the bouquet above her head.

  Freesia rushed over all smiles. “You know what this means.” She laughed. “You’re next to be a bride.”

  Birch stared at a stricken Tristian and slapped him on the back. “Well, looks like fate gave you a little shove.” Guffawing, he watched as a laughing Angie put her hand over Bruce’s at one side of the cake. Willow and Caleb stood on the other side, and simultaneously they sliced the cake and offered pieces to each other. Angie was quick enough to shove Bruce’s piece in his mouth, smearing the frosting across his cheek. She ducked to avoid the same fate. He licked the frosting from his lips and picked up a napkin brushing the crumbs and frosting from his face, a smirk playing on the corners of his mouth. Willow gently took a bite of the cake Caleb offered and returned the favor.

  Bruce spun Angie out onto the dance area for the first dance, while a caterer sliced the rest of the cake and put pieces on plates.

  Birch and Freesia watched the newlyweds dance in the courtyard cleared for dancing. Freesia wiped a tear from her cheek as Birch slid a hand around her waist. As tradition dictated, Birch cut in on Caleb and swept his daughter into a dance.

  “Oh, don’t look so horror struck. It’s only an old wives’ tale.” Hannah took Tristian by the hand and led him to the edge of the courtyard. “You need to cut in and dance with your sister.” She kissed him on the cheek then gave him a little shove.

  The earlier vision flashed through his mind, and he tapped Bruce on the shoulder. “My turn.”

  Bruce gave a slight bow and backed away. “Of course.”

  Bruce walked to Hannah, bowed, and offered his hand. “May I have this dance?”

  She smiled and gave a nervous curtsy. “I’d be delighted, my lord.”

  “Oh, don’t even start that crap.” He grimaced. “It’s Bruce, and you know it.”

  At the end of the dance, Andre stepped onto the stage and swiped the microphone. “The buffet is set up in the garden. If you’re hungry, hurry over there before it’s all gone.”

  Tristian found Hannah and enjoyed a slow dance before getting in line at the buffet. Prime rib, salmon, and tuna steaks were offered along with several styles of potatoes, wide variety of veggies, coconut bread, and assorted rolls in the warmer along with several bottles of fine wine available. Pieces of cake were arranged on a table next to a chocolate fountain. A crystal bowl of huge strawberries rested in a silver tray of ice near the fountain.

  Hannah plopped four strawberries on her plate, stabbed them with a skewer and rolled them in the chocolate until they were well covered. She took a bite then put the berry to Tristian’s lips. “It’s yummy.” She licked her lips and wiped a napkin over her mouth, catching the juice.

  He steadied her hand and nibbled on the fruit. “Wonderful.” He took a drink from his wine glass. “Goes well with wine.” Next, he nibbled on her neck breathing a kiss at the hollow of her throat. In a husky voice, he suggested, “How about a moonlight walk on the beach?”

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  A Time for Us

  I’m not sure we’re dressed for a walk on the beach,” she whispered against his ear, teasing kisses along his jawline.

  “Oh, I think we can manage. Kick our shoes off beside the path, pick them up on our way back.”

  “Okay. Shouldn’t we say goodbye to Angie and Bruce and some of
the guests?”

  “Oh, probably.” He took her hand, entwined their fingers. They meandered through the guests saying their goodbyes and waved to the newly wedded couples. On their way to the path, they passed Andre and Matiah standing at the far end of the waterfall.

  “We’re going to take a moonlit stroll on the beach. Care to join us?” Tristian asked cordially.

  Andre raised a brow, his eyes sparked with mischief. “I doubt you are looking for company. But I will see that the torches are lit for your stroll.” He chuckled deep in his throat, giving a wave of his hand toward the path. One at a time flames flickered on each torch down both sides of the trail. A golden glow lit the way to the beach, shadows bounced on the sand as the wind teased the fire atop the torches.

  Once out of sight of the reception, the path veered to the left and turned to sand. Tristian paused to remove his shoes, offered a hand to Hannah as she kicked off her sandals. He caught the hem of her dress in his hand and touched her waist, the dress gathered at that point allowing her freedom to walk without fear of ruining her dress.

  “Now that’s frivolous use of magic,” she huffed.

  He shrugged and leaned over rolling up his pant legs. “A minor infraction at best, given the fact that it’s your safety that concerns me. What if you trip and face plant into the sand? Nope, not taking a chance.”

  She giggled. “My knight shimmering in magic.” Winding her arms around his neck, she teased his lips with the tip of her tongue, then sprinted down the path to the beach.

  With a laugh, he gave chase. The ocean breeze caught strands of her hair and blew them across her face. When he caught up with her at the water’s edge, she pointed behind them.

  “That wasn’t there last time we were here.”

  Tristian glanced in the direction she pointed. A yellow and white striped, three-sided cloth cabana resided where there had been nothing before.

  “Andre must have put it up for wedding guests that wandered to the beach before or after the ceremony,” Tristian said brushing the hair from Hannah’s face, letting the soft curls slide through his fingers. He leaned over and inhaled deeply.