Precarious Possessions (Maxwell Investigations)

by Dawn Ibanez

  Two pairs of golden eyes looked at her. “We helped Uncle Donald,” Kayin answered squirming in his mother's grip.

  Aiden nodded. “We cleaned the floor.”

  Madison fought a smile. They helped clean the floor alright. “You boys made a bigger mess for us to clean up,” she said standing straight. She could not help but smile as Kayin started to walk on his hands while she held his ankle. If she did not know any better, she would swear that he was part bat.

  “Are we in trouble?” Aiden asked sweetly.

  She couldn’t be angry with them. Maybe that was the reason why they got into so much trouble. “No,” she sighed, “but you have to say sorry to Uncle Donald. He busted up his ankle pretty good.”

  Both boys started to wiggle to get out of Madison’s grip. As she sat them down, she noted two figures coming across the lawn. “Looks like Grandfather’s coming to get you two,” she said as she lowered both boys to the ground.

  “Grandfather!” Aiden cheered. He hugged his mother’s leg before running over to Victor. Kayin was soon to follow.

  Madison watched them with distant eyes. Her boys were getting bigger and wilder each day. When she came home and saw Donald barely conscious in the hallway, she didn’t have to ask if the boys had been trying to help. They always seemed to be getting in the most trouble when they wanted to help.

  It reminded her of when she was little and it made her think of Troy.

  Madison wondered if he was as helpful as the twins when he was little. She also wondered if there were any other traits of his that either of the boys showed. A soft smile crossed her face as Aiden latched on to Victor’s waist. There was no doubt in her mind that he would be the momma’s boy.

  Madison smiled happily as she saw the second figure lift Kayin and toss him in the air. She had not seen him in years. “Casper?” she called out.

  Casper Solomon, the younger Prince of the Vampires, smiled as he played with the boy in his arms. “Hey Pixie,” he greeted. He looked at his father and smirked as the little one in his arms tried to climb up to his shoulders. “She did good, Dad. These boys are cute.”

  Victor ran his fingers through Aiden’s messy brown hair. “Yes, she did very well,” he mused. “But they are rather energetic.”

  Madison smiled as she looked at her foster father. “What brings you two by?” she asked. She held her hand out and as expected, Aiden ran over to her.

  Casper snorted, “We got word from Don. He said something about hellions and baby oil.”

  Kayin ran his small hands through Casper’s thick blonde hair. “What’s hellions?” he asked innocently.

  Victor frowned as he took the toddler off of his son’s shoulders. “A word that young gentlemen do not say,” he answered before giving Casper a cutting glare. He then turned his eyes to Madison. “Aside from what Donald has told us, I wanted to see how you are faring.”

  It was one of Victor’s typical visits. Madison lowered her eyes as she tucked her hair behind her ears. “I’m fine, really, Father,” she said before looking up into his face.

  Victor ran his hands through Kayin’s hair as he placed the boy on the ground. “Will you and your brother see about getting Uncle Casper some cookies and milk?” he suggested.

  “Oreos!” Aiden cheered. He gave Madison’s leg a hug before running towards the house.

  Madison smiled as Kayin gave her a quick kiss and took off after his brother. “Don’t eat them all,” she called after them.

  Casper reached out and tugged on a lock of her hair. “They won’t,” he promised before running after the boys.

  “That goes for you too,” she replied.

  Victor looked at Madison as she wrapped her arms around her body. “Will you continue to lie to me?” he asked simply. When she gave him a quizzical look, he shrugged. “You looked at my nose. Not into my eyes.”

  Madison mused. “I’m trying to lie to myself,” she said lowly. “One of those fake it till you make it deals.”

  Without another word, Victor pulled her into his arms. “When are you going to let Dennis tell him the truth?”

  Her eyes closed tightly, turning her face into his shirt. At first, she didn’t want Troy to know about her magic. He didn’t know anything about his heritage or Mages in general. Then it became a matter of her reputation. The boys would love her no matter what, but once Troy discovered that she was the infamous Necromancer, there would be no stopping his departure. After the twin’s second birthday, Madison’s fear of her reputation became overshadowed by the entirely possible thought that Troy would hate her simply for keeping him away from his children.

  Victor pressed his lips to her forehead as he saw images of custody battles and a young man with angry golden eyes taking her children in Madison’s mind. “You do know that I would never let that happen, correct?” he asked simply.

  Madison shook her head. “You can only stop but so much,” she said with a resigned sigh. She gave him a puzzled look when he chuckled. “What?”

  Victor gently caressed her cheek. “There was a time you used to think I was Superman.”

  Madison smiled and shook her head. She wrapped her arms around one of Victor’s and started towards her home. “Superman was a pussy,” she corrected. “I thought you were Batman.”

  Victor frowned. “Batman did not have any powers.”

  She shrugged. “But he was rich and had so many different toys to play with. He didn’t want for anything.” She looked at her overly large house. “And you always use your head.”

  Victor watched as she released his arm and seemed to fold in on herself. “Madison,” he said quietly.

  “You don’t do things out of anger. I’ve noticed that.” Madison tucked her hair behind her ears and rubbed her eyes. “No matter how angry I’ve made you, you never acted like you didn’t want me around. You never threw me out. Hell, you bought me a house after I refused to stay with Crispin and Dylan.”

  The frown Victor wore continued to deepen as Madison continued to ramble. He glanced up and frowned at the darkening sky. “Let us go inside and talk my dear,” he suggested wrapping an arm around her waist.

  Deep brown eyes looked up at him. “I’m sorry. I’m just out of it tonight.” She allowed him to walk her into the house and leaned her head on his shoulder. “You shouldn’t see me like this. It ruins my rep.”

  Victor mused. Madison’s reputation was the last thing he ever cared about. “I was there when you used to wet the bed. I do believe we are past that.” When he guided her into the living room, a single eyebrow arched. “What is going on here?”

  Madison lifted her head and frowned deeply when she saw Claudia, Victor’s long-lost granddaughter blushing and looking away from Madison’s own foster son, Alex. “I hope we’re interrupting something,” she said darkly.

  Alex smiled as walked over to Madison. She had taken him in four years ago, and he adored her ever since. “Mom, I was just telling Claudia that I got accepted into the Ashley Michaels Business Program,” he replied happily. “We’ll be able to take some classes together.”

  Victor held onto Madison’s waist as she turned to glare at Claudia. “That’s wonderful Alex.” He then looked at Madison with wide eyes when thoughts Claudia’s bloody and broken body crossed his mind.

  Claudia blinked as well. She then swallowed and moved to the far side of the room. She had always known that Madison had a dangerous temper, and she had never wanted to test it.

  She still didn't.

  Alex looked into Madison’s eyes and felt his shoulders fall. “It’s a full moon tonight, isn’t it?” he asked lowly.

  Madison read his expression and closed her eyes tightly. She never wanted to be that person. Someone everyone would have to walk around on eggshells in fear of a meltdown. It was especially heart wrenching when Alex would give up all of his plans with friends to take care of her and/or the twins. “Why don’t you two go to a movie or something?” she suggested. “Just to get out and away for a while.”
<
br />   Alex put his hands on her shoulders and made her look into his eyes. “It’s cool Mom,” he said softly. When she started to shake her head he hugged her. “Don’s hurt, so I’ll just look after the boys.”

  “Actually, that is why Casper and I are here,” Victor said lowly. When Alex and Madison looked at him, he shrugged. “He does not wish to be around Crispin and Dylan all of the time either.”

  Madison slowly nodded as she continued to hold onto Alex. She adored him, and hated herself for needing him so much. “Go out and have fun.” Before he could try to argue, she stepped away from him and went to the window.

  Victor gave Alex a long look before nodding. “Go and have a good time,” he said stepping around the young man.

  Both Alex and Claudia took note of how Victor placed his own body between them and Madison. Claudia looked at the window and saw Madison watching her in the reflection. “If it helps,” she started. “I came over to tell Alex that I’ve been accepted into the Foreign Exchange program Grandfather wanted me to try for.” She did not say anything as Madison slowly turned to her. “I’ll be leaving for Germany on the first of the month.”

  Victor lowered his eyes as Claudia walked out of the room. As he had expected, Alex quickly chased after her. He sighed as he looked at Madison. “You know that they like each other,” he observed.

  Madison rolled her eyes as she turned her attention back to the window. “I know. And really, I have nothing against her.”

  “You should not. She is a lot like you.” He placed his hands on her shoulders and kissed the back of her head. “I am not sure if that is necessarily a good thing.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “She wants to open her own sex shop.”

  A snort left Madison as she looked at Victor’s face. “You’re kidding me.” When he shook his head she laughed outright. “Oh, that’s good. One of the Crown Princesses of the Vampires wants to own a sex shop.”

  Victor gave into his own humor. Crispin’s marriage to Dylan caused some ripples in the Noble Court, as well as the governing Council. But even he had to admit, Claudia's endeavors would cause outrage, chaos, and upheaval…

  And he could not wait for it.

  * * * * *

  Dylan closed her cell phone and frowned at Crispin. “I’m really getting sick of this,” she sighed. When he simply looked at her, she tossed her phone onto the sofa next to him. “We don’t want to make her uncomfortable so we stay away during the full moon. What happens as soon as we back off? The boys break Donald’s ankle.”

  Crispin took a slow breath as he tried to think of a way to calm his wife. “It was an accident, Sweet,” he said in a reasonable tone.

  “Baby oil on the floor,” Dylan argued. “Do you know how dangerous that was? And that they could have hurt themselves? Do you have any idea what she would do if anything happened to the twins? Or Alex?”

  The front door to their home opened to reveal the nineteen year old young man and Claudia. “She’s going to kill me,” Claudia cried walking over to Crispin. Without a word, she threw her arms around Crispin’s waist. “The minute she gets a chance, Madison is going to beat me bloody and leave me for the worms.”

  “You don’t know that,” Alex comforted as went to her side.

  Claudia snorted. “You didn’t see what was in her head.”

  Dylan frowned as she pulled Claudia gently away from Crispin. “Why don’t you start from the beginning,” she suggested.

  Alex reached out to Claudia and took her hand into his. “She’s just been stressed these past couple of months. Mom doesn’t have anything against you.”

  “Is this why you want to go to Germany?” Crispin asked.

  Cat green eyes looked at Alex for a long moment. “Madison believes that I’m trying to encroach on her pack. Like any female Wolf, she’s going to react swiftly and with little to no restraint when it comes to removing said threat, aka me.”

  Alex found his own hands balling up into fists. “And what about me?” he asked. “Is what I think and feel completely mute?”

  Claudia pushed her hair away from her face. “You don’t get it Alex,” she said lowly. “You didn’t see in her mind.” She looked at Crispin and shook her head. “It makes what I did look like fine art.”

  Dylan remembered pictures of a man brutally murdered from New Jersey. Frank Scarpelli's murder was the case that brought Crispin to her doorstep. Claudia had torn the poor bastard apart in a fit of uncontrolled blood lust. But that had been before she had been trained, and before they embraced her into their family.

  Crispin looked at Dylan as she went to pick up her cell phone. “What are you about to do?”

  Alex went over to Claudia and took her hand into his. “I’ll tell her after the moon,” he reasoned. “She would have calmed down by then, and you don’t have to run to Germany.”

  Crispin turned to the pair with disappointed eyes. “I told you two to tell her when you started dating.”

  Dylan snapped her phone shut as she looked at her niece and nephew. “You’re what?” she asked lowly.

  Alex held onto Claudia’s hand and he looked into stunned eyes. “Claudia and I have been seeing each other for the past year,” he confessed.

  Dylan looked at Crispin as she tried to process what she just learned. “And you knew?” she asked.

  Crispin shrugged. “They asked Father and me not to tell anyone.”

  Dylan shook her head before pointing to Claudia. “You are going to Germany,” she ordered. She then turned her attention to Alex. “And you’re going to stay away from Claudia.” Alex opened his mouth to argue, but Dylan cut him off. “I know you trust Madison, but stop fooling yourself. If you go home smelling like another woman, she going to come hunting for Claudia.”

  Alex snapped his mouth shut. He lowered his eyes as Claudia moved away from him.

  Crispin felt sorry for the boy. He was in love with Claudia. And after chasing her for a year and a half, she gave in… only to have this happen. Crispin placed his arms around Dylan’s shoulders. “Dylan and I are going to leave you both here so you can talk. Alex, you can have your old room tonight. I’m sure Father would rather you stay away from your mother for now.”

  Dylan looked at Crispin before turning to the other couple. “Stay in your own rooms,” she ordered before leaving the living room.

  Claudia took a deep breath as Crispin followed his wife out. While she loved her family, her uncle could be on the overbearing side. She jumped when she felt Alex’s hands on her shoulders. “You shouldn’t be touching me,” she whispered.

  “I’m spending the night,” Alex said lowly. “By morning I’ll change my clothes, and take a shower in that Axe crap that Tony buys. If anything, Mom can hunt him down.”

  Claudia felt a reluctant smile cross her face. “I’m sure Uncle Cris will like that. Lacey follows Tony around like a groupie.”

  Alex chuckled before kissing her neck. “So that settles it, we’ll frame Tony.”

  “And no necking,” Dylan replied storming back into the living room. When she saw Alex and Claudia jump away from each other, she folded her arms. “This is a Vampire’s house… it’s very cliché. And both of you know better.”

  “Yes Aunt Dylan,” they said in stereo.

  Chapter 2-

  Tonight was a full moon. Troy knew that he should have been running with the other Wolves, but something was bothering him. After talking with Tara, his thoughts were scattered. He was glad that Michelle and his niece were doing fine. Her ex-husband, Jack, was finally giving up custody of their infant and going into rehab to deal with his alcoholism. Troy was going to see about going to visit his family for Easter.

  And while he was there he was going to make his way to Madison. He inhaled the sea salt air as he thought of the woman that haunted him for the past few years.

  After his training, Dennis convinced him to move to California. He started a new life but he didn't feel complete. Even falling in with the local Pac
k in San Diego Troy couldn’t stop thinking about the small woman that had captured his attention.

  Troy only lasted six months out of training before he found a private investigator to track down Madison. Ironically, all Troy had to do was mention her name and the PI, another Werewolf from the East Coast, was able to give him the rundown on her.

  Madison Maxwell was famous in the supernatural world. She was the second youngest child of the Maxwell family, a family of skilled and powerful Mages. For some reason, Madison was sent to live in New York while the rest of her family stayed in the DC area. While she lived a rebellious adolescence, she came into and embraced her area of magical expertise.

  She became the feared Necromancer.

  Her magic was focused around death. Madison could make any wound fatal. If she felt the desire to, she could drain the life out of the very land around her.

  Troy frowned as he heard footfalls approach him. “I wanted to be alone,” he said. He knew who was behind him. She never failed to always catch him when his thoughts turned to Madison.

  Leigh shrugged as she leaned against the car hood. She could always count on finding Troy brooding during the full moon. “I know. But the Pack is starting to get restless. We have to meet up with them.”

  Golden eyes rolled. He hated politics when he was in school and he hated them even more now. As the son of an Alpha it was expected of him to find his own Pack soon if he didn’t take control of his father’s. While he was in someone else’s territory, nearly every move he made had to be cleared by the reigning Alpha.

  “Troy?” Leigh questioned.

  “What?” He looked at the frown she wore as he stood next to his car.

  She shook her head sadly. “Why are you doing this to yourself?” When he continued to look at her, she frowned. “Ever since I met you, all you’ve done is pine away for this woman. You two had one night together. I understand what the Mating Fever feels like, but I’ve never seen a case this bad.”

  “So I’m a case now?” Troy said with a deep frown.

  “No!” Leigh took a breath before continuing. “This is coming out wrong. And you’re going to take this completely wrong.” She ran her fingers through her hair and tugged it back. “You’re an Alpha, and I like you.”