by Lisa Emme
“But do they hurt or something? Why are you wearing the cuff?” I brushed a finger over the two little dots.
Nash groaned and took a deep breath. His eyes locked onto mine, full of need. He pinned me to the wall with his body. “No minx, they don’t hurt.” He rocked his hips against me and I could feel his hard length push against my belly. “They’re so sensitive right now, any time my sleeve brushes against them I get a massive hard-on. All I’ve been able to think about today is…” He dipped his head, locking his lips to mine. “Fucking you, over and over.” His thoughts washed over me, followed by a chaser of pure lust. I’m not sure if it was his or mine. My lips parted and he deepened the kiss.
“Ahem,” a voice called out. “You two might want to get a room.”
With a growl, Nash broke the kiss, and we both turned to see Christina standing in the hallway, hands on her hips.
“Sis,” Nash said sharply. He snapped the brace back on his wrist.
“Hey Christina.” I gave her a little embarrassed wave. Nash placed his hand on the back of my neck, his fingers brushing across his mark and a shiver ran down my spine. I threw him a dirty look, playfully elbowing him in the stomach for good measure. I took a step away from him. “Isaac’s not up yet, I don’t think.”
“Actually, he is. He called me a little while ago. He’s cooking a roast upstairs.”
“Mmmm, yum.” I turned to look at Nash. “You want to stay for supper? I’m sure there will be enough. Isaac always cooks for an army.”
“Yeah sure, thanks.” He leaned over and grinned down at me wickedly. “Although, I’m hungry for something other than roast.” He cleared his throat. “Just let me talk to Dev first,” he said as he started walking back towards the shop.
A little laugh escaped me, earning a strange look from Christina. “Do you and Isaac have plans for tonight?” I asked, coming to stand beside her. “I’ve sort of been summoned to go see the Magister and I was hoping Isaac would be around to help Hilde watch the shop.”
Christina smiled. “That’s actually why Isaac called me. He’s been summoned as well, so he was wondering if I would watch the shop for you.”
“Oh, I couldn’t ask you to do that!” I shook my head. “We can just close up for the evening. We aren’t even officially open after all.”
“Nonsense,” Christina gave my arm a little pat. “That’s what pack is for. We help each other out. Besides, I’ll have lots of company.” She gave her hand a little wave, gesturing into the shop and I looked over in surprise. Barbie was behind the counter talking to Tiffy.
“Barbie! What are you doing here?” I hurried over to the counter.
“I heard you needed some evening help.” She smiled and gave a little shrug.
“Are you sure?” I looked at her with concern. She had received quite a scare the night before.
“You bet. Besides, I’ll have plenty of protection.” She looked over to the tables by the window and winked at Tank. The big werewolf bouncer saluted her with his mug.
“Tank?” I walked over to say hello. “What are you doing here?”
Tank set down his mug, the big cappuccino bowl looking positively dainty in his large, beefy hands. “I heard you might need some evening security. It’s my night off, so I figured I’d come check the place out. Heard you had good coffee.” He smiled. “Seems it was true.”
“Wow, that’s great. Thanks so much. But I feel bad you giving up your night off.”
“Not a problem.” Tank looked at me, his face serious. “You really saved my bacon, you and Isaac both. I didn’t think I would get out of that lab alive.” Tank had been one of the captured werewolves that Bellemare and his cronies had experimented on. He gave a little shrug, something that looked almost comical with his big, broad shoulders. “I figured it was the least I could do.” He looked across the room to where Barbie was getting a lesson on foam from Tiffy. “Besides, I’m enjoying the scenery.” He turned and gave me a wink.
I gaped at him, looking back at Barbie. Huh. Tank and Barbie. Now that was an interesting couple. I gave him a friendly slap on the shoulder. “Well, thanks Tank. We appreciate the helping hand.”
I went over and grabbed a small box from behind the counter, opening it up and pulling out three small cheesecloth sachets, each hanging on a leather string. They were filled with fresh herbs: rue, mugwort, wormwood and chrysanthemum. The first three were plants known for their properties in aiding sight. For my purposes, I had combined them with a small spell for true sight. I hoped it would prevent another incident like last night’s, allowing whoever was wearing the amulet to see through any enchantments. Both rue and mugwort were pretty acrid smelling so I had thrown the chrysanthemum in hoping to improve the smell. I don’t think it really worked.
“Here,” I said, handing one to Christina. “Wear it around your neck. It should prevent that little bastard from tricking your mind, just in case he comes back.” Christina reached for it, wrinkling up her nose. I’m sure the rue smelled awful to her sensitive werewolf nose. “Sorry about the stench.” I shrugged. “It has to be touching your skin, so wear it under your shirt.” I handed the other amulets out to Barbie and Tank.
Tiffy had disappeared at some point between my saying hello to Barbie and handing out the amulets. Gone Underhill, or wherever it was she and Mrs Potts disappeared to with the setting of the sun. I left Barbie and Christina in charge after giving Barbie a quick refresher on where everything was kept and how to work the register. We still didn’t have our point of sale machine hooked up, so we were a cash business for now. I was sure Isaac would be down to give his almost famous coffee machine lessons to Christina before we left to go see Salvador.
Nash and I headed upstairs after saying goodbye to Dev, who was heading back to the station to coordinate the SRU’s patrols. I gave the shop one last worried look. It wasn’t the shop I was worried about, I just didn’t want anyone else to get hurt because of me.
“They’ll be fine,” Nash reassured me, reading my worry.
“I guess.”
“They will. Tank can take care of just about anything and the SRU will be out on patrol tonight and they’ll stop in to check on things.”
“So what do you think Salvador wants this time?” I looked at Nash and he growled. He didn’t like the attention Salvador appeared to fawn on me. I wondered how he’d feel once he learned the truth about Salvador and me.
“Who knows? But I guess we’ll find out soon enough.”
Chapter Seventeen
The doors slid open with a ding and I started down the hallway that I now knew led to Salvador’s penthouse. Isaac and Nash were with me. I wasn’t particularly happy about being summoned as I was, but now, after an emergency message from Bryce, I actually needed to speak with the Magister, so I wanted to get it over with and go home as quickly as possible.
“Salvador,” I started to say as I entered the large living space. I came to a stop abruptly, Nash almost bumping into me. Salvador wasn’t alone. I snapped my mouth shut and gaped at his guests.
Scattered about the room were some of Riverton’s most powerful supernaturals. Present were all three members of the werewolf pack’s ruling Triad, including Eleanor, Nash’s mom. Elders Angelica and Marshall of the witch community’s Conclave were also in attendance. Another mage, a man in his early thirties, was seated next to Eleanor. Although I didn’t know him personally, I recognized him by reputation, his distinctive jet black hair with one white lock at his right temple, giving his identity away. His name was Maxwell Hart and he was the newly elected Hammer of the Conclave, the youngest mage to ever hold that position.
“Oh, excuse me,” I mumbled, my cheeks turning red. “I didn’t realize you had company, Magister.” I took in the fancy dress of the guests, suddenly feeling shabby in my jeans and sweater. I hadn’t bothered to dress for the occasion, mainly
because I didn’t know there was an occasion.
Salvador raised an eyebrow at me, the corner of his mouth quirking up at my sudden show of deference. “Not at all, my dear Harry. You are right on time.” He rose from his seat with the grace of a panther and held open his arms in welcome. “Do come in.” He waved towards the bar. “Fix yourself a drink. I won’t be a minute.” He turned back to his guests. “Again, thank you all for coming. I have prepared refreshments in the boardroom down below. Please feel free to enjoy my hospitality while we await the arrival of our...” He paused, tipping his head as if searching for the correct term, “guests.”
The others began to rise from their seats and I hurried across the room to the bar area. Nash stopped to greet his mother and the other alphas. I stood at the bar and contemplated pouring myself a stiff drink. The bottle of Gran Patron beckoned to me on the counter, but I finally decided against it, thinking I’d need to keep my wits about me. When I sensed someone come up behind me, I turned, coming face to face with Maxwell Hart.
“Elder Hart,” I said, dipping my head in acknowledgement. I didn’t offer him my hand. Witches don’t shake hands, don’t ask me why - the reason is probably lost in antiquity - it’s just one of those things now where the answer is ‘that’s how it’s always been done’. If I had still been a member of the coven, I could have shown deference by tugging on my forelock, again, just another one of those things, but I didn’t feel the need to do so, since I had unceremoniously left the coven a couple weeks earlier prior to Hart’s elevation to Hammer.
“Angharad Russo,” he replied, pronouncing my name correctly. “A pleasure to finally meet you. I’ve heard so much about you.”
I choked down a laugh. I’m sure he had. I wasn’t exactly one of Elder Marshall’s favourite people. “Please, call me Harry. Everyone does.”
Hart smiled. “And you must call me Max, none of this elder nonsense. It’s so stuffy and outdated, don’t you think?”
I nodded carefully. Of course I did. I had never heard a member of the Conclave admit to their ways being out of date though. Maybe he would be the breath of fresh air the coven needed.
“I hope you know that we, the coven, are here for you if you ever need us.” Max smiled kindly. “We still consider you one of our own,” he added. Elder Marshall, who had come up to stand behind Max in time to catch his last few words, made a sour face at his tacit invitation.
I raised a skeptical eyebrow, looking directly at Marshall. “I’ll keep that in mind. It was a pleasure meeting you, Max. Now, if you’ll excuse me?” I walked away, not waiting for a response, crossing the room to join Nash and Eleanor.
I hadn’t seen Eleanor since my little outburst at the hospital and I didn’t particularly want to see her now, but I had to get it over with sometime. I smiled hello and Eleanor scooped me into a hug. Have I mentioned that werewolves are huggers?
“Harry dear, so nice to see you.” She gave me another motherly squeeze then let me go, holding me out at arm’s length to take a good look at me. “You are looking well, dear. Fully recovered from your ordeal, I think.”
“Thanks, Eleanor. It’s nice to see you.” I gave her an awkward smile.
Nash took pity on me, taking me by the arm. “Let me introduce you to the rest of the Triad,” he said, indicating the two other werewolves standing with the group. “James Martin, Charles Harris, this is Harry Russo…my mate.”
I turned and gave him a little scowl. “Seriously? Do you have to make it sound so possessive?” Nash huffed out a surprised breath, trying to cover a laugh. He gave my arm a little squeeze.
“Nice to meet you, Harry,” Charles said, holding out his hand. “Call me Charlie.” I shook his hand. His grip was strong and confident, but not excessively so, like he had to prove something.
“Harry,” James said, a wide smile on his face. He held out his arms and chuckled. “I’m a hugger. Lay one on me.”
I couldn’t help but laugh, giving him a quick hug. “Nice to meet you both,” I replied. I looked around the room and spotted Salvador watching me. “If you’ll excuse me though, I really need to speak with the Magister.” I gave Nash’s hand a squeeze and then left him to say his goodbyes.
I crossed the room to stand beside Salvador. “Harry,” he said, eyeing me critically. He held out his hand.
“Salvador.” I frowned at his outstretched palm. The last time I gave him my hand didn’t go so well for me. He raised an eyebrow, a slight smile on his face. I let out a deep breath and set my hand in his.
Instead of bending over it and touching his lips to my hand like he usually did, he clasped his other hand on top. “A pleasure to see you as always, Pequeña.”
“Listen,” I said, pulling my hand out from between his. “We need to talk.” I looked around the room. The others had gone, leaving Nash, Isaac and me alone with the Magister.
“Yes, we do.” Salvador gave me a calculating look. He indicated that I should have a seat.
I rolled my eyes with impatience and stomped over to the sectional, flopping down at the end. “Listen,” I tried again. “I have valid reasons to believe that the Mariposa and her entourage are going to be here earlier than expected. She could even be here now.”
Salvador, who had sat himself opposite me on the U-shaped sectional, looked at me with narrowed eyes. “Yes, I am aware of the Mariposa’s movements. She is in fact here in Riverton, having arrived early this morning. But how do you know that?”
“I, uh, I did a worldwide search on the computer for any aircraft registered to the Mariposa or her companies and set up an alert for any flight plans filed to North America.” Which was true, indirectly. I was the one that set Bryce on the Mariposa’s trail, asking him to find any information he could and to monitor her whereabouts.
Salvador raised a skeptical eyebrow, tapping a finger against his lips in thought. “Bueno, well done Pequeña, but as you now know, I had my own resources on the job.” He tipped his wrist, glancing at his very expensive-looking watch. “We don’t have much time. I imagine she and her people will arrive here shortly, hoping to take us unawares, I don’t doubt.” His lips curved up in a small, feral smile. “She will be disappointed.”
So that was what was up with all the dignitaries waiting downstairs enjoying Salvador’s hospitality. It also explained my summons. He could have told me that on the phone.
Salvador rose from his seat. “I’ve taken the liberty of having clothes set out for both you and Detective Nash. You will find them upstairs in your room.” He indicated to the sweeping staircase in the corner of the room that led up to the second level of the penthouse.
“My room?” I looked at him in surprise. Nash scowled. He obviously didn’t like the sound of me having a room in Salvador’s penthouse any more than I did.
“Yes. I have had a suite prepared for you here. You will stay in it for the duration of the Mariposa’s visit, for your safety.” Salvador looked at me, as if waiting for my protest. I didn’t disappoint him.
“What? No way. I’m not staying here.” I jumped to my feet, glaring at him. “I have a business to run, a life. I can’t just drop everything because of some stupid vampire politics.”
“Harry,” Nash groaned in my head. I threw him a quick look. I was getting an anxious, over-protective vibe from him.
“Might I remind you, Angharad, that you belong to the group you call stupid vampires.” Salvador’s voice was icy.
“That’s not what I meant and you know it. I just mean that I don’t want to be involved in all this…this stuff. I just want my old life back.”
Salvador’s gaze remained hard. “There is no going back, Harry. You must accept your role. Your very survival depends on it.”
“My role? What role? To be a pawn for you to fight over? Is the Mariposa just the first of many, all wanting to get their hands on the necromancer?”
&n
bsp; Salvador’s gaze became fierce. “You are mine, Harry. Make no mistake.” Nash growled. Salvador gave him a condescending look. “You, Detective, must also learn this fact. Harry is a vampire, she is mine.”
Nash came to stand beside me, bristling, his protective alpha kicking in. “Cian, stand down. I can take care of myself.” I whispered in his head, trying to radiate more calm than I felt. He let out a slow breath.
“I am no one’s pawn, Salvador.” I stared at him defiantly. “I make my own decisions.”
Salvador tipped his head, giving me a thoughtful look. “You will abide by my wishes in this matter. Your safety is my prime concern. I’m sure both your wolf and your servant,” he flashed a glance at Isaac, who as usual was being his inconspicuous self, “will agree that you are not safe as long as the Mariposa and her people are in the city.”
Isaac tipped his head, acknowledging his agreement with Salvador. Nash growled softly. “He’s right Harry,” Nash’s thoughts slipped into my head. “I don’t like it, but you should stay here where we can keep you safe without endangering anyone else.” Oh, that was a low blow. He knew how to get to me, using my concern for my friends against me.
“Fine,” I said sharply. I held up my hand to stop Salvador’s reply. “But only at night. I’ll be safe enough at the shop during daylight hours. Nash can fill it full of werewolves for all I care, but I’m keeping the shop open.”
Salvador gave a little shrug. “This is acceptable, but you will return here each day, two hours before sunset and not leave until dawn.”
“Two hours!” I started to protest, but then stopped at Salvador’s implacable expression. “Fine.” I crossed my arms and gave him a disgruntled look.
“Very well.” Salvador glanced at his watch again. “You should hurry and get changed. I imagine Catalina will be here soon. I need to see to my guests.” He turned, his words clearly a dismissal.
