Angus

by Melissa Schroeder

  "When I lost my abilities, some of my memories dissolved too. As if...well the simple conjuring spells I used were gone. Erased."

  "That must have been...weird."

  "And frightening. Just like losing sight."

  "So these are helping."

  "Yes. My mum put the spells I used when I was just teenager in there. And it comforts."

  "Comforts?"

  "Yes. There is a...I know you will find it weird...but there is the scent of my mother. It makes me feel closer to her somehow."

  He hated hearing how sad she was. "So, do all witches keep books like that?"

  "Yes. Well, I am assuming. I think just about every one of my friends had one at one time."

  "Including your husband?"

  She shrugged. "Ian's powers...it was more of what you would call a siren ability. He could sway people with the sound of his voice. He was good but he wasn't as good as some."

  "You knew others like that? What could they do?"

  "They could convince people to give them money, jewels, jump off cliffs. They are always a little scary. I knew one years ago...she was really scary. I was just happy she was my friend and not my enemy."

  "Are you sure she was?"

  She laughed. "Yes, Meghan was definitely a friend. One who tried to warn me away form Ian and his brother."

  "A lot of people in your world seemed to have done that."

  She snorted. "Yes, I was a wee bit hard-headed in those days."

  "You mean you were worse?"

  She looked at him, then her lips curved slowly until she was laughing out loud. The sound of it moved through him and sent a rush of delight and lust coursing through his blood. He couldn't stop himself from leaning over the table and kissing her laughing mouth. It was just a peck, a little peck, but heat burst through him and need built and clawed at his belly. It took every bit of his control to sit back down in his chair.

  “Why did you do that?” she asked.

  “I couldn’t help it.”

  She stared at him for a moment longer, then she got up from the table. “I think you need to start helping it.”

  She rinsed her cup out at the sink and he followed her. He stopped her by grabbing her arm. He turned her around and pulled her close. He didn’t think of the consequences, just the need. Angus couldn’t deal with being dismissed like that. Something primal opened up in him, urging him to claim, to let her know he wanted her in a way that was driving him utterly mad.

  Slamming his mouth down on hers, he backed her up against the wall. Angus hoped he would have let her go if she had resisted, but she didn’t. She moaned, opening her mouth to him. He stole inside, tasting her, teasing her, driving them both to a fevered pitch with just a kiss.

  There was a sharp clang behind him and they both jumped apart. A pot that had been hanging on the wall had fallen to the floor. When he looked back at her, Maggie looked shell shocked.

  “That cannae happen again.”

  Again, she turned to go, but he did not try and stop her with his hand.

  “Don’t go away mad.”

  “I can’t deal with this, Angus. I have too much to lose, for me, for Jack, for your family. I can’t deal with losing it all because you couldn’t help yourself.”

  “I would never force you.”

  She sighed and pulled away so she could turn and face him. “That’s the problem. You wouldn’t have to. Just…we have to stay sharp. Please.”

  He heard the need mixed with recrimination and he could do nothing but nod. It went against everything his body was pleading for, but he knew in this, he had no choice. He had to give her what she needed.

  “I’d better get back to bed and try to get some sleep. We’ve only a few days left.”

  She left then, leaving him in the kitchen alone. The warmth seemed to seep way at her departure and he sighed. Angus had always been a man who could control his needs. They had all been taught to be gentlemen when it came to dealing with women. Still, this was different than just stealing a kiss. He had wanted her with a force that had his hands shaking even now.

  He shook his head as he walked over to pick up the pot and hang it back up. He needed sleep too, but he decided a cold shower would be best first.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Dylan’s palms were sweating. The benefactor had arrived at his flat unannounced. He splashed more water on his face to rinse away the evidence of last night’s drinking. He looked in the cracked mirror, watching the water dripping from his chin. Bags darkened the flesh beneath his bloodshot eyes and his skin was sallow. He looked like fucking bloody hell.

  Dylan looked at the crack on the top right corner of his mirror. The little space was disgusting, dingy, and depressing. And there was Maggie O’Conner, living in a mansion, as pretty as she fucking pleased.

  He pushed that aside. It was better to let the anger simmer, boil beneath the surface. It would serve him well. When he felt composed enough, he stepped out into the hall that led to the minuscule living area. The Benefactor sat there, wearing a suit that cost more than Dylan had earned in the last six months.

  “Sorry you had to wait.”

  He nodded but said nothing.

  “Is there something you needed?”

  The Benefactor looked at his manservant, who glanced at Dylan, then left the flat.

  “I understand they have been invited to the Gala. You will ensure they do not steal the jewel?”

  There was something in his voice that made Dylan pause. Something wasn’t right, but he couldn’t put his finger on what was bothering him.

  “Yes. If they do, I have a backup plan.”

  “Good. I have some business in town tomorrow, but will be heading back home before the Gala starts. Please inform me when you are done.”

  He nodded.

  “You understand this is your last chance.”

  Not a question.

  He nodded, but apparently it wasn’t enough. Searing heat blazed through his blood, then he felt the skin in his right hand split apart. He tried to fight the scream but the pain was overwhelming.

  The Benefactor stood and walked over to him. He pulled a knife from his belt, and slit his hand. Without asking, he grabbed Dylan’s hand. The moment their blood mixed, a sharp sense of evil tore through his body, tainting every cell and molecule. Bile rose in his throat as he fell onto his knees on the floor. The Benefactor leaned down, his fingers dug into Dylan’s hand.

  “You are one with me, now Dylan. You will do my bidding and if you succeed, you will be rich beyond your imagination, your power will grow.”

  As the last of his humanity seemed to seep away, Dylan felt a surge of power so strong he screamed. In the next instant, the Benefactor released him and Dylan collapsed to the floor.

  “Inform me when you have succeeded.”

  He left as Dylan lay on the floor, curled into a ball as pain radiated through his body. The only thing in his mind was that it was worth it. Everything was worth it to watch Maggie suffer.

  ****

  The next morning, Angus wandered down the hallway to the room they had given Maggie to practice her work. Work…inwardly he snorted.

  As he neared the door, heat rose. It wasn’t normal. In fact, this part of the house was usually ice cold.

  “I think you should be careful, sir.”

  He turned and faced Belvidore. “Indeed?”

  “She’s powerful, that one.”

  “Yes, but that’s what we need.”

  He nodded. “But that isna what I’m talking about.”

  “Then what are you talking about?”

  “You’ll learn.”

  Then he moved on down the hall.

  “Belvidore?”

  “I’ve got an appointment with Master Jack.”

  He smiled as he watched the old retainer walk down the hall. Jack had definitely livened up the place in the last week. The somber child he had met in New York was running them all like his puppets. Even Callum was spending time wit
h the lad. Of course, Jack didn’t give anyone a chance to say no. He just barged right in and took over the place.

  He looked at the door and decided to take a page out of Jack’s book and opened it without knocking. As the door opened, a blast of heat hit him first. It was as if he were in the tropics. Stepping over the threshold he had to duck out of the way of a flying book.

  “Bloody hell!”

  He straightened and looked at the room. Various objects, mainly books were flying about.

  “What are you doing?’

  And just like that, everything stopped and fell to the floor. The heat dissolved and was replaced by a burst of freezing air.

  Maggie’s eyes focused on him finally.

  “Angus?”

  “Yes, Angus. What the fuck are you doing in here?”

  She blinked. “You cussed.”

  “I always cuss.”

  “Not out loud.”

  That much was true. He had a filthy mouth, but he usually kept it to himself.

  “You read my thoughts.”

  She frowned. “I do not read your thoughts.”

  “But you read other’s thoughts?”

  She sighed, the sound leaving him no doubt he was offending her in some way.

  “No. I cannot read minds. What are you doing in here?”

  “I just thought I would pop in and see what you are up to.”

  Her eyes narrowed slightly at that. “Okay, if you don’t want to tell me the truth, then I’ll play along. I’m exercising my abilities, seeing how far I can push them.”

  It was then that he saw the paleness of her skin, the bruises beneath her eyes. This wasn’t easy for her.

  “You’re draining your energy.”

  She shook her head and turned away. She said nothing as she walked about the room picking up the items that had fallen.

  “Maggie.”

  She set the books on the table against the far wall. “What?”

  She had been very standoffish since she had agreed to help the Clan, but the last day or so, she had literally frozen him out. She refused to make eye contact and worse, she had often left a room to avoid him. She didn’t say that was the reason, but he had an idea it was.

  He knew it was best not to confront her about it though. She had a horrible tendency to retreat further when he did.

  “So, why didn’t you just pick them up with your Magick?”

  She didn’t answer right away and he felt as if she were trying to come up with a clever story to tell him.

  “I don’t have the energy.”

  He said nothing to that. The fact that he had seen it with his own eyes didn’t make him any more comfortable with her abilities. He knew most people would think he was an idiot for questioning Magick. Lord knew Phoebe was right when she said they were Magick…at least in their own way. But, the truth of the matter was…Angus just didn’t want to accept it. And he didn’t feel comfortable around a woman who could wield Magick as easily as some women could wink, but he couldn’t seem to stay away.

  “Nothing to add, Lennon?”

  “You call all my cousins by their first name. But you never use their last name like you do with me. Why?”

  “You are the one I cannot figure out.”

  The simple statement confused him. “What do you mean?”

  “I know where I stand with the others, but I feel that you haven’t made your mind up about me. “

  True enough. “But you have no problem with Fletcher, who has made it clear he doesn’t like you.”

  She leaned back against the table and crossed her arms beneath her breasts. He didn’t know if it was because of the chill that seemed to have taken over the room, or to comfort herself. Probably a little bit of both. If she knew he saw her as vulnerable, she would be mad at him.

  “I’ve no problem because your cousin has been very open about his feelings. You, on the other hand, have not.”

  “I’m the one who brought you here. That should tell you.”

  She cocked her head to the side. The long straight hair she had arrived with had slowly given way to curls. The sunlight danced over her tresses, bringing out the bright red. Her eyes, now more greenish blue than anything else studied him as if she were trying to figure him out.

  How could she when he had no idea why he was behaving this way?

  “Yes, because you always do Callum’s bidding.”

  “You make me sound like a bloody hound.”

  She smiled but it didn’t reach her eyes. There was something in him that wanted to make her eyes sparkle with happiness. And there was something definitely wrong.

  “I will be honest with you. I can usually handle this level, or could, but it is really wearing me out.”

  She sounded so tired and defeated. He didn’t like it. Not one bit. “I think you need a break.”

  She sighed and nodded. “Yes. A break is definitely needed.”

  “Maybe a walk outside.”

  She shook her head. “I really would like to have a lie down.”

  “Fresh air will be good for you.”

  “I appreciate that.”

  “But?”

  “I’m really tired. Practicing wears me out and we only have two days until the Gala. I need to be sharp.”

  He nodded and let her walk out, but something had him saying, “Please don’t tell me you’re ignoring me because of what happened in the kitchen.”

  She stopped at the door and looked back over her shoulder. “Not entirely. It isna good for me to have to deal with you and deal with this. But part of it is that kiss. You’re too much temptation for me to resist.”

  Then she turned to leave.

  “Maggie,” he said passed the lump in his throat.

  Without turning around, she said, “Please, Angus, let me be. I have a job to do and you are a distraction I cannae afford.”

  He watched her slip out the door and, this time, he let her go.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Jack watched her again. “Are you sure you feel okay?”

  Maggie glanced at him, unsure of what she should say. She had been feeling out of sorts as the day of the Gala approached. Jack was so perceptive, not to mention empathic. She knew she needed to be careful because her moods could affect his.

  “I’m fine,” she said, threading her fingers through her hair. “I’m feeling anxious.”

  “About the Gala and your Magick?”

  And Angus, but she couldn’t tell her son that. He would want to know why Angus made her feel that way. Explaining that she wanted to bed a man to Jack was a bit further than she wanted to go. Ever.

  She nodded. “I’ll be fine. I thought you had plans with Belvidore or Logan or someone.”

  “If you feel that you will be okay.”

  She nodded and he ran out of the door. She had one thing to thank the Lennons for. Her son still had that serious look and he had his premonitions, but he had more time to be a boy. Of course, they were all a bunch of big boys in full size male bodies. Even Callum hadn’t complained about it. In fact, he seemed amused when Jack followed him around.

  With her son occupied, Maggie decided to get some more work done. Grabbing her mother’s book, she settled down to go over the spells again.

  * * * *

  "Where are you off to?" Phoebe asked him as she stepped out of Callum's office. He stopped, knowing there was no way out of it. Thankfully, he noticed that Callum wasn't sitting behind the massive desk.

  "I was going to check on Maggie."

  "Indeed?"

  He heard the speculation in her voice. If it had been anyone else in the family, he would've told them to bugger off. But it was Phoebe and she understood him in a way none of the others did.

  "I feel responsible." Okay, so he was going to tell her but he definitely wasn't going to tell his sister-in-law that he wanted to bed the witch. He felt bad enough about it because he had been on Callum not to mess with Phoebe.

  "I'm sure it's more than that. Come in w
here we can talk."

  Now he really wanted to tell her to bugger off, but again, it was Phoebe. They were alike the two of them, plus, now as Callum's wife, she was the matriarch of the family. Angus followed her into the room.

  "Shut the door."

  Lord, she wanted to have a private chat. That was never good. They had all learned that having private chats with Phoebe was painful, liking to being called on the carpet with their mother. He did as she requested. She sat at her desk, and turned her chair to face his as she settled in.

  "I understand feeling responsible."

  He said nothing because she continued to stare at him. Bloody hell, she had perfected his stare.

  Then, she laughed, that loud laugh that always seemed to put them all at ease. "Sorry, seeing you under scrutiny is just too much to resist. Professor Angus is sniffing around a witch."

  "I expected this from my cousins, but not from you."

  "Oh, poo. You can let go of that stern expression right now, Angus McLennan. I know you better than even your own brother."

  "We've spent centuries together so I doubt that."

  She sat back in her chair and crossed her arms beneath her breasts. "I am sure there are things I can pick up on that they never will. Mainly because we are alike."

  "Indeed?"

  She nodded. "Maggie isn't a woman you would normally go for."

  "So, you've been paying attention to my bed mates, have you?"

  Not that there had been many the last couple of months, but that was something a man could only admit to himself.

  "Oh, yes, what was the name of that one you brought to the wedding? Something tedious."

  "Beatrice. You think her name was tedious?"

  "She was a bit too pretentious for my liking."

  "Is that a fact?"

  She nodded but didn't focus on him completely. "She had plans for you, Angus. Big plans."

  "And you would know this how?"

  “She told me, that's how I knew."

  "She told you?" Beatrice had been an educated woman he had met while at a conference in London. They had hit it off and she had come up for a visit or two. Thinking that she said anything to Phoebe about their relationship was kind of embarrassing.