by Claire Marta
Twitch seemed to feel it too. His eye had dilated and he was staring at her in wonderment. The wounds on his arms began to heal. Ruined flesh restored back to the old marks he’d had.
“NO!” Teasag screamed, calling on his own powers to protect himself. But it was too late. The connection had been made.
Something surged between them. Power. Rage, pain, need, lust, love, they were all poured into the enchantment gathering between Jasmine and Twitch. No words were needed. No chants. It came to them as natural as breathing. It was in their essence. But they were not meant for so much.
In a brilliant shock of white, it rocketed out of them so fast it almost took them off their feet. It ripped into the old King, lighting him up so spectacularly, no one could watch the whole thing. A terrible shrieking and gurgling followed.
Jasmine looked on in horror as the pale, mottled flesh melted from the monster’s bony body. The black, coarse hair on his legs sizzled and fried.
Twitch curved his arm around her waist. Hugging her close, he was careful not to hurt her arm. Jasmine pressed her face into his chest. She could feel the rapid beat of his heart mirroring her own as his body shook from exhaustion. Magic still quivered over his clothes and skin. Closing her eyes, she blotted out the hideous scene.
Silence fell.
“Well, that was the closest I’ve come to a heart attack, so let’s not do that ever again,” Twitch panted as he rested his cheek on the top of her head and nuzzled her hair.
Jasmine agreed with him. That was not an experience she ever wanted to repeat.
“Are you ok?” The mage asked abruptly. Gently, he unwrapped his arms so she could tilt her chin to look up at him. With worry, his gaze scanned over her pale expression.
Jasmine nodded jerkily. She was feeling light headed. A strange floaty, muzzy sensation, which was starting to make her feel pretty damn good. The throbbing pain in her shoulder was forgotten. With Teasag gone, the barrier which held the magic wielders prisoner faded away. A chorus of voices rose as everyone began to speak at once.
Ella was already in Dane’s arms. They were sharing a rather passionate kiss which neither of them had bothered to hide. His wandering hands roamed down to squeeze her buttocks and she gave a little squeak.
Kaysin was nearby. Jasmine could sense him hovering to the left of her. It was if he wanted to come closer, but was hesitating.
Teasag’s remains were smouldering. Smoke was rising from the decimated flesh, the scent of charred meat thick around them.
“I would say that it’s as dead as a doornail.” Benedict informed them as he kicked the carcass with a booted foot. “You just put me off BBQ’s for the next year.”
Twitch moved from Jasmine’s side to take a better look. He did not look completely convinced.
Dane and Ella finally broke away from each other. Clearing her throat in embarrassment, Ella had gone a deep shade of pink.
With a tender look, Dane smiled down at her, his fingers laced through hers in a show of love and possession. “You did good, baby. I have never been more proud of you than I am right now.”
Jasmine felt a pang of envy. They looked so happy. So in love. She could hear some of the older magic wielders making noises of disapproval. No one took any notice. They had risked their lives to save their arses. The least the elders could do was be grateful.
Carbrey appeared on the edge of the square. Leaning heavily on his walking cane, he was limping toward them with precise determined steps. He looked pleased. His sea green eyes were twinkling with relief and pride. It made Jasmine wonder just how long he had been watching. He had appeared far too fast.
“Melinda….” Twitch’s voice broke, as his gaze fell on the lifeless body of his twin.
“She sacrificed herself to save us,” Ella hugged him close. “I’m so sorry…I couldn’t stop her.”
“I guess it was the only way she could think of to fix what she had done.” Dane told them gruffly as he reached out a hand and squeezed the mage’s shoulder.
“Mother? No, fuck, I can’t lose you too.” Twitch panicked, pushing out of their hold. Rushing across the distance, he fell to his knees next to her prone form in red robes.
Hands shaking, he stroked her cheek. “Mother, can you hear? Please...please don’t leave me too.”
Her eyes were closed. The black thread which had sealed her mouth had vanished. Freckles stark against her pale skin, her long, sleek reddish hair lay in disarray. Still frantic, Twitch checked for a pulse, his shoulders relaxing slightly as he found one. Carefully, he brushed the strands from her face.
“She is lost within her own mind, my boy.” Carbrey informed him as he reached the place his grandson was kneeling. “Lost, but not gone for good.” he smiled kindly as he smoothed his white moustache down with a finger. “With time we can bring her back to us. The other puppets were merely trapped shells withered inside from Teasag’s long enslavement. Your mother was recently taken. I can sense her deep within.”
“You can really help her?” Twitch asked with hope, as he bundled the unconscious woman in his arms and rocked her gently.
Carbrey nodded. “Yes. We are family, after all. I will not let you lose her, I promise.”
Jasmine was more than dizzy now. The almost drunken feelings she was experiencing had intensified. Taking a pace back, she giggled when her back greeted something solid. Turning her head she stared up at Kaysin. His head was tilted to one side as he stared down at her. A tender look was burning in his golden regard, and he couldn’t seem to take his eyes off her.
“Jazzy?” Twitch’s concerned voice dragged her from the Jinn’s mesmerizing gaze.
A goofy grin spread across her face as she swayed forwards. “We did it! We killed the mother-fucking-humungous-arsed thingy-ma-jiggy.”
“Are you all right?” Twitch asked, as he got to his feet his mother still safely tucked in his arms. “You seem a little…odd.”
“I am super-duper.” Jasmine giggled again. Her eyes were glazed, cheeks flushed with colour. “Hey Twitchy, did you see? I’m not weak, I’m fucking awesome! Eric can go screw himself.” She continued to ramble, slurring her words. “I don’t give a shit what he thinks anymore!”
An arm anchored itself around her waist. The touch drove almost every thought from her head. Swaying slightly, she peered up into the Jinn’s grotesque mask in confusion. Brows knitting together, she couldn’t seem to think clearly. Her mind was all a jumble. Kaysin’s lips were pressed together in a thin white line. Pain flashed in his gaze before his eyelashes lowered to hide the emotion from view.
“I really like your mouth.” Jasmine turned in his arms to caress the black leather clad chest, clumsily. “You’re not that creepy…you’re kind of growing on me. Like a sexy fungus,” she murmured loudly. Her hands continued to work their way over his brawny muscles as her expression became lustful. “Do I know you, because you really seem familiar?”
Kaysin was watching her intently.
She liked the way he couldn’t seem to look away. It was as if he really wanted to kiss her, but was holding back. Jasmine licked her lips. She really wanted to taste him again. Feel his tongue invade her mouth. Fuck. She would like to feel other parts of him sliding into her too.
“Does this have a zippy thingy?” She asked breathlessly, her fingernails digging teasingly into the leather of his costume. “I really want to touch you...” Her hand changed direction and slid down towards his crotch. “Or better yet, keep it on...I only need to find one zip.”
Kaysin grabbed hold of her wrist. His grip shackled any further movement before he guided her touch gently back up to his chest.
“She’s on her first magic high.” Carbrey explained calmly from where he stood watching. “It will wear off in an hour or two. The effects are very similar to being drunk.”
Eric wanted to crush Jasmine’s lips beneath his own. The only reason he held back was because of the audience around them. People were curious why a Jinn had remained. He could he
ar their distrustful whispers. Taking a kiss could taint their view of Jasmine. It was something he would not do. Something that would wait until they were in private.
Jasmine had battled exceptionally well. He was impressed. More than once he had almost died inside thinking at any second he was about to lose her. She was not as fragile and weak as he had come to believe. She was a tigress. Green eyes slightly unfocused, she was staring up at him. Lust glittered in their depths. She wanted him.
Eric could smell her arousal, but knew she did not truly know what she was doing. She was intoxicated. High on the magic she had somehow been able to manipulate and conduct. That was another mystery. One of many he was discovering about her. It made her all the more intriguing. Releasing his grip on her wrist, he stepped away from temptation. Curling his gloved fingers into his palms he resisted the urge to caress her.
Jasmine pouted. Why wouldn’t Kaysin touch her? She knew he wanted to. Could see it in his stare. Everything was so pretty, and she had a warm fuzzy feeling inside. A thought popped into her head.
Swinging back around, she examined the ground. “Where did Excalibur go?”
“I have it here, sweeting.” Merlin called as he strode towards them, casting a long shadow in the soft glow of the torch light. He was still wearing the medieval tunic with the red and white dragons embroidered across the shoulders. Grey steely gaze smiling, he was stroking his long grey beard with one hand, the sword in the other.
Morgana was beside him. As usual, she was in a flowing dress, this time the colour of quicksilver. Her long, mahogany hair was loose around her dainty shoulders.
“Merlin, you came.” Jasmine voice rose enthusiastically as she leaned sideways and almost lost her balance. “Hey Morgana, you too. I finished your quest. Do I get a gold star or something sparkly?” She waved one hand uncoordinatedly around.
“Shit Jazzy, you’re really fucked up, aren’t you?” Twitch shook his head in exasperation. “That’s just Wyllt.”
Jasmine snorted loudly. “I’m not the one who’s dumb enough not to recognize my own ancestors,” she told him, swaying in his direction.
“Jasmine is indeed correct. I am truly Merlin, and my wife is Morgana.” Merlin informed them as he came to a stop. “And we can prove this if anyone disbelieves our claim.” Ancient magic quivered in the air. It caressed those around them with a feeling of well-being and love. Excalibur’s power vibrated to life in response.
“Wait, what?” Dane and Twitch asked in perfect unison. “Why didn’t you help us?”
“You had things well in hand,” Morgana responded with a regal tilting of her chin. “This darkness was for your generation to overcome, not ours.”
Even Carbrey looked stunned. “My Lord and Lady, if this is true, why have you not revealed yourselves until now?”
“We have been happy to live among you anonymously all these centuries past,” Morgana continued with a sly smile. “But after these events, we have decided that is no longer possible.”
Jasmine was only half listening. Benedict had gotten closer and was grinning at her with a sexy look. She couldn’t deny that the big muscled idiot was very lick-able. He was hot.
“Ohh, Ben. I would like you so much better if you weren’t such an arsehole, you know?” she told him, slipping her arms around his powerful chest for a touchy feely hug.
Laughter echoed around them. Wrinkling her nose, Jasmine scowled drunkenly at the growing crowd.
Benedict grinned down at her with an interested gleam in his eyes. “I can make you like me a whole lot more, babe, don’t you worry. Why don’t we get you changed outta those things and into something more comfortable, like your skin.”
Kaysin growled. In one fluid movement he was beside them, tugging Jasmine free of the male’s groping hands.
“Hey, you had your hug already!” Jasmine complained as she found herself wedged up against his chest. She felt his hand caress her hair.
“Hey, Grandpops, did your pet Jinn just growl at me?” Benedict grumbled, raking his hand through his blue mohawk. “And what the hell is it still doing here? Shouldn’t it have vanished with the rest?”
Carbrey limped forwards to draw Jasmine away from both men with a firm grip on her elbow. “Kaysin is not like other Jinn, which is all you need to know. Come along, Jasmine, you need time to sleep off your high before you get yourself into any more trouble.”
Eric sat, sprawled in a chair beside the fireplace in Carbrey’s library. The last few hours had been exhausting. Seeing Jasmine again had been impossible. He was taking a moment to contemplate the passing events. His true identity had remained concealed.
A meeting at the council chambers had been called at dawn. This had given each house time to take stock of their damage and losses. Although Avalon had been saved, everyone had suffered and paid a price. They had dead to bury, and their memories to honour. The Island’s inhabitants were still in turmoil.
He had accompanied Carbrey in his disguise at his request. A few had been wary to see a Jinn among them so soon again. Fingers had been pointed. Blame and mistrust had been in abundance.
Merlin and Morgana’s appearance had set things right. Grey eyes blazing with anger, the ancient sorcerer had speared every member in the room with a hard, sharp look.
“All this bad blood, let it dry. You have all become too petty and distrusting. This is how you almost lost Avalon, and your lives. It is time, children, to let it go. No more alienating those for who they love. This is now a new law,” he had told his kin.
“My Lord, do you intend to take over governing the Island?” One of the elders asked with a hint of worry.
“No. I shall leave that to you all,” Merlin had replied gruffly.
“But we will intervene when we think it is prudent,” Morgana interrupted beside him. Merlin had given a small sigh of exasperation as he looked down at his wife. She had pouted back prettily.
“What of the red headed woman…this Jasmine Hunter. What is to be done with her?” Another elder had asked. “I was told she was a mortal.”
“I believe Carbrey can answer that,” Merlin had replied, his grey eyes landing on the old man.
“The girl is of my house. She is a Le Fey,” Carbrey told them all calmly from where he sat.
Eric was shocked by the news. Why the old man had not confided this in him earlier, he was not sure. This was something he had never imagined possible. Whispers had filled the council chambers.
“Are you sure?” The elder who had asked the question replied, stunned.
“I am.” Carbrey had nodded. “She has a birthmark. The one she was born with; a crescent moon on her hip. I saw it myself before her mother took her from here as a baby.”
“A similar looking birthmark proves nothing.” Someone else argued loudly.
“It was imprinted with the magic of our house at birth. I tested it last evening myself. The magic recognised its own,” Carbrey continued as he banged the end of his walking stick on the marble floor. “And no, she does not know.” The old man continued tiredly. “She was raised by mortals with no other family to guide her.”
“Then the task to tell her falls to you Carbrey,” Morgana said softly. “She is our kin, and must know the truth. We all owe her much for the part she played in saving our home.”
The council had fallen into murmurs as their session had come to an end. Merlin and Morgana had remained. They mingled with their progeny and reassured them of their presence. Everyone was still in shock to find their immortal ancestors among them.
“I thought I might find you in here,” Carbrey said, limping into the room and dragging Eric from his thoughts.
“What do you intend to tell Jasmine?” Eric asked, not wasting any time on small talk. He needed to know. Her heritage changed everything. She was no longer alone. The blood which ran through her veins had centuries of history and power.
“The truth. That her family is here, and she is welcome to stay with us if she so wishes.”
&nbs
p; Eric raked a hand roughly through his hair. He had not even considered the possibility. “Do you think that she will?”
The old man shook his head as he eased himself into the opposite chair. “She has her own life in the world beyond this place she will want to return to. But I do believe she will visit us. Twitch will be there to guide her if her magic surfaces fully, which is still uncertain.”
Eric felt a small sense of relief. His time here on the island was limited. The longer he stayed, the more he risked exposure. It was something he could not jeopardize. Although he and Carbrey were friends, the council would not be as tolerant.
“Do you love her?”
Eric’s gaze rose to meet his friends. “Yes.” He could not deny it. Love burnt through every part of his immortal being. A strange emotion that left him elated, yet feeling even more vulnerable. “I would ask you not to tell Jasmine that I was here.”
The old man nodded in understanding. “Very well. I can see you have hurt her in the past. She seems...fragile.”
“It is something I intend to make up for, I assure you,” Eric responded quickly. His chest tightened with pain. He had never meant to hurt her. Guilt assailed him. He had made her more than miserable, and bound her to him through blood. Then taken the job she had so loved from her.
This was something he knew he could not deny her even if it put her in danger. One phone call was all it would take to put things right. His female would be back at Scotland Yard in a day or two. Eric would see to that. Making sure she was safe while doing so was something else he could arrange without her knowledge.
He loathed having to leave her. It was something he always seemed to be doing. So many things needed to be said. Everything burned inside him to confess the love that swelled within him. Yet logic dictated caution. It told him the best course of action was to wait. His feelings were not about to change. Eric was more than sure of this. He felt a strange warmth in the vicinity of his heart.
With a sigh, he rubbed a hand tiredly over his eyes. He had no idea if she would return his affections. Could she come to love him even a little? All she felt now was betrayal. An almost desperate sense of panic gripped him for a moment. For once in his existence, Eric was unsure what to do. This was uncharted territory. He had no experience with love.
