Everwish: The Primati Witches Book One

by Amelia Oz

  "Stop your pretty tricks, Daria. You make me weary to be in the same room with you." I took the deadly bracelets from Murad and prepared them to engage.

  Without my direction, Daria thrust her hands through the thick gold cuffs. She grasped my wrist quickly with both hands.

  "No one will love you as I do. How many women have seen your beast and run screaming? I am not afraid, Alaric. I love you as you are. One day you will tire of these games and find me again," she said confidently. My lips curled as I withdrew from her grasp.

  “Tell me about the sorcerer named Marcus.”

  “There are many with this name. I know who you refer to but have no knowledge of this person. Don’t forget I’ve been absent from my court for the last five years.” She rolled eyes towards Murad. His response was bland.

  "Marcella awaits you in the garage. We are entrusting you into her care. If you try to run, she will face the same punishment and your covens will vote on their next Queen. By the time you rise from the ground, no one will remember your name. Consider your actions carefully, Daria."

  Daria stood abruptly, a petulant flash of temper on her face before she concealed it beneath a practiced smile.

  “You both have so many enemies. How many great vampire families were slaughtered because Murad wanted it so? How many have witches on retainer? You may never know who hired this sorcerer you speak of.

  "But don’t worry, I’ll be a good girl and attend the Council," she said, tapping a long nail against her cheek. "I wonder if it will work out the way you hope, though? I hear whispers that Murad's little piece is Lila's descendent. Only a handful remember Lila except through stories. They think the Noble King is a fool, tricked by a calculating mortal teenager. A fragile, nasty Ancilla. How pathetic," Daria taunted in a sweet voice that belied her ugly words.

  Murad moved so fast even I barely tracked his movements. Daria was on the ground, bent painfully backwards with her hair trapped in Murad's fist. Despite her predicament, her expression was excited, even triumphant. I shook my head. He’d given her the reaction she wanted.

  "Rumors? I wonder who started them. You depend on your gender too much, Daria," my brother ground out. In the next instant, Daria was on her feet by the door while Murad straightened his tie beside her.

  "Show yourself out, dear Daria. Give my best to Marcella and pass along my message, please." Murad walked towards me as Daria glared at his back. She left with Grayson close on her heels.

  Murad eyed me incredulously and I shrugged. I led us to my private sitting room and pulled out a bottle of Raki from the fridge, pouring the liquid halfway up two glasses before topping them with chilled water. The anise flavored liquor turned cloudy. We each took a glass and silently saluted one another before downing the drinks.

  "It's a wonder you haven't killed her already, little brother," Murad said flatly.

  "In her sick, twisted head, that would only convince her that I cared. I won't give her the satisfaction unless her actions require it," I responded.

  "I am worried about the council. They will not disrespect Stella in my presence, yet I think it a good idea to put out feelers and understand who might be spreading these rumors. Honestly, I think Stella could take her," mused Murad.

  "What do you mean?" I did not like how he said her name.

  Murad shook his head. "She is unusual, don't you think? Obstinate, defiant, has a mean temper but is also...fun. Do you know that she put salt in my tea? All because I suggested she spend her days learning to cook. Why would she want to remain a terrible cook? Doesn't she want to feed her children one day?"

  I stilled at the mention of Stella's children. An image of little girls with wild tangled hair came to mind, needling my chest. "Stella is a fine cook. She prepares meals for herself and her grandfather. Besides, why wouldn't their father cook for them?" I asked with a slight smile, refilling our drinks. My brother was too used to people catering to him. Murad laughed.

  "Why am I not surprised she tricked me? I suppose I deserve it. For all her mischief she is still...wonderful. Witty, kind to the servants and just a little bloodthirsty. When I told her that I drink from animals she suggested I drink from people instead because they deserve it. I couldn’t tell her what I really drink for sustenance.” He sighed.

  "Did you find anything else out about how the druids entered your penthouse?"

  "No trace of druids. The videos show no sign of another person or creature," I lied easily to my brother for the first time. If Stella hadn't told Murad about Thomas, I was not going to out her. My hand crept to my pocket, tracing the outline of my mother's ring.

  "Have you thought about a ring for her, yet?" I asked. Murad appeared taken aback.

  "I hadn't thought about it. Do you think she will expect one? She seems such a practical girl. I'll have to ask her what she likes after the council meeting. Thanks for the reminder, Abi."

  “Actually, I have a suggestion …”

  Chapter 29

  The Magician

  Stella

  paused at the top of the marble steps leading down to the party below. It was a scene from hell. Tons of people in fancy clothes chatting about superficial things and judging one another. Looking down their nose at me. A fraud with no magic. I smoothed down the crisp fabric of my black Victoria Beckham capri pants and jacket. I wore a white cotton shirt beneath it and pointy toe flats. The flats were a concession from Clara when I'd balked at stilettos and threatened to kill someone with them if she tried to make me wear them. Overall, I was pleased with the outfit. It was much more comfortable that the dress Tess had originally asked me to wear.

  "I know. Pretty bleak, isn't it?" Amanda grumbled next to me. She wore a beautiful blush-colored dress that suited her dark hair. I reached out impulsively and squeezed her wrist. I'd missed her so much. She smiled and we exchanged a look that said we would always have each other's backs. I wasn’t lying to her, but I just couldn't confide in her about Lila yet.

  When she snagged a glass of pink liquid from a suited server, I did the same.

  "You're going to love these. They're called 'Dirty Snow Whites'—appletinis without alcohol and made from enchanted apples. They give everything a little glow but without the headache," Amanda explained.

  I took a sip and promptly gulped the entire glass. It was delicious. Crisp and sweet.

  "Slow down! You want to keep your head here. Let me introduce you to some of the nicer people." When Amanda said "nicer people" it wasn't about status. She meant good people. I relaxed a bit, grateful to be navigating this weird new world with my best friend.

  I grabbed another Dirty Snow White and didn't protest when Amanda tugged me between groups of people. She stopped in front of two laughing young women.

  "Stella, this is Tori, my friend from Novice classes. Tori is a Water Witch, third generation. Also, an aspiring artist, so you have something in common."

  Tori was a soft young woman, with wise brown eyes and caramel hair. We said our hellos and I admired the Grecian white dress she wore, trying my best to be sociable.

  "And this is Irem, an exchange student, also from my Novice classes. Irem is an Earth Witch." I shook hands and admired their clan tattoos.

  I genuinely liked both girls right away. Irem had long golden hair and sharp hazel eyes that missed nothing.

  “I like your name. Does it mean star?” asked Irem.

  “Yup. Twinkle, twinkle little star…” I trailed off, nervous.

  “…how I wonder what you are,” the other girls recited as if on autopilot. They met my bemused face with sheepish smiles.

  "There you are, Stella!" Clara approached, flanked by two women. She wore a pleated green dress that made her look like a goddess. Her strawberry curls were held up in emerald clips that sparkled, and her lips were slicked with deep raspberry lipstick. She might as well have been painted by Botticelli...I choked on my drink. Was it possible? She gave me a critical once over as she waved to the girls to
relax.

  "I’d like to introduce you to Bromely, my Second in the region. My formal Second is missing at the moment and so Bromely is filling in," Clara said. I immediately recognized Bromely as the girl from the bookstore. The one who’d run away in terror at the sight of Alaric. She wore a plum top with a crimson crinoline skirt and boots. Her hair was purple today, coiled in sections all over her head. I nodded and she gave a bob of her head.

  "And this is Marcella, First Sister Witch for the Earth Covens. Marcella is Second for Daria Demir, the Queen of Earth Witches."

  Tall, with coppery brown skin, Marcella radiated grace and intelligence. Her hair was pulled from her face with gold encrusted braids that transitioned into flowing waves down her back. She wore a golden dress that clasped above one shoulder, the other bared.

  "It's a pleasure to meet you both," I said politely.

  "Do you have an agenda, Stella?" Clara asked. Amanda quickly pulled one out of her clutch and handed it to me. Clara spoke as I read.

  "We’ll move to the grand chamber to mingle. Then we'll hear an announcement from King Murad before we adjure ourselves to the Grand Council meeting and vote."

  I lost her after the word "mingle" and was relieved when they said their goodbyes soon after. Amanda led us back up the steps, across the enormous veranda, and into the main hall. The room was already filling with men and women, and I noticed a lot of curious looks shot our way. A tall man with thick grey hair approached, giving me the stink eye. He took Irem's elbow and shepherded her away without a word. Irem cast an embarrassed look in our direction as she mouthed goodbye. Amanda's lips pulled down. She turned to me.

  "Stella, can you stay here for one moment? I need to talk with Clara about something."

  Did she mean stand here alone with all these strangers staring at me?

  "Sure. No problem. I have Tori to keep me company." My smile must have been convincing because Amanda slipped into the crowd. A girl resembling Tori tapped her on the shoulder.

  "Mom and Dad want to talk to you. Now." Tori introduced me to her sister and apologetically promised to find me later. I thrust my shoulders back and met the hostile glare of a woman in black. Maybe there was credence to what Hillary said about how the witches believed I was a fraud. I walked along the edge of the crowd and found a small nook that allowed me to see the room with my back against a wall.

  Marcella walked towards my spot in the alcove and met my tentative smile with a regretful one. Before I could wonder the cause, she stepped aside, revealing a living doll with tanned skin, tawny eyes and jet-black hair. The woman was dressed in a tight red dress that showed every curve and she examined me as if I were covered in bat dung.

  "May I introduce Daria Demir, Queen of Earth Witches?" Marcella didn't even wait to announce my name before she glided away. Marcella worked for Daria, yet I had a feeling she didn't like her job very much.

  "Er—I'm Stella." I held out my hand. Daria inspected it. I continued to stubbornly hold out my arm until she limply pinched my fingertips with hers. Was she for real?

  "So, you're supposed to be Lila's girl." She studied me dispassionately. "It's been a long time, but you might have something about her in that faded blonde hair of yours and pointy chin. You might want to engage a witch with more skills to fix that for you." She waved a small hand in the general area of my head. She wore so many rings I wondered how she could even lift her hands.

  "Thank you." I smiled. "You must be ancient to remember her." Daria's eyes tightened.

  "It's interesting that you were just—discovered—after all these years. We thought the lot of that little second family of hers perished eons ago. Exterminated. But then you suddenly pop up. What was your mother's name?"

  I gritted my teeth behind a banal smile. My cousins had taught me that allowing a predator to scent blood only increased their hunger. I shrugged and her expression turned icy.

  "If I wasn't on probation from magick—" she jangled heavy gold bracelets "—I would compel you to tell me her name." The bracelets glowed as she shook them. I recall being told that she’d recently been taken out of punishment to attend the Council. It looks like they didn't trust her very much if they kept her from using magick.

  I lowered my chin and stepped closer to the woman who threatened to take my free will. My hands closed into fists, thumbs rubbing.

  "If you ever try to compel me against my will, I will give you a reason to magick scars from your face before you can blink."

  "I have no idea what that means—but I do as I like. You don’t want me as an enemy, little imposter Ancilla." I got the impression that not many people stood up to Daria Demir.

  "Before you can blink," I repeated. Daria’s brilliant smile revealed overlapping lower teeth. Finally, a sign of imperfection around here.

  "We'll see. Catch me on a good day, and I'll have you singing like a parrot," she stated with an arrogant shake of her head. Her flashing hands smoothed the ends of her hair.

  "Parrot? Do you mean canary? Sing like a canary?"

  "Whatever. English is not my favorite language." She waved a hand. "There are many here who believe you are a liar. That you're only taking advantage of a certain similarity of looks—pretending to be Lila's family to gain Murad's interest—and his throne." Her expression grew sly before she continued.

  "Then there is the rumor that you cannot do magick. I find it hard to believe the human lineage of the Goddess Danu is just a common Ancilla. This business of claiming you for a coven is a waste of time. No one will support your marriage."

  "I doubt Murad would lie," I said, my voice treacherously unsteady, recalling that Ancilla was a derogatory term for human. She smirked and tilted her glossy head, clicking her nails against a gold bracelet. A tattoo of roses and golden vines encircled her thumb and wound up and around her hand.

  "Murad has been unstable for centuries in grief over Lila. He is desirable because he holds a heady combination of beauty, power and tragedy. The unattainable heart. Once he finds out you're just a pretender he'll fall into the abyss again. There will come a time when he will truly go off the deep end, and The Lion will become Noble King—making me the Noble Queen," she gloated. Her eyes flashed as she tilted her chin smugly. I swallowed past the sudden lump in my throat. Wouldn’t her declaration be considered treason in the normal world?

  "I didn't know he was engaged. Congratulations?" I was extremely uncomfortable, bordering on claustrophobia.

  "Thank you. The Enforcer is a powerful creature. He is for women who live on the edge and play with fire. I’ve allowed him lovers but none know his true form. You do know by now that all witches carry a trace of angelic blood from the time before such things were forbidden? We both hold the blood of angels—even if my father fell from Grace—and so will be a wonderful match. In all things." Her lips curved in a confident sneer. My stomach threatened to barf Dirty Snow-White cocktail all over her handkerchief of a dress.

  "I thought The Lion came from a different lineage?"

  "Oh, his mother was daughter to the archangel Michael, blahdey, blahdey, blahdey," she said dismissively before she continued.

  "This is true, but I refer to the demon bite. The Lion carries the blood of both Michael and Morning Star—but it is the beast that I love the most. We met before all of that—in fact we've been inseparable since we were children," she shared, clearly expecting me to be impressed.

  "That sounds like a very long engagement," I replied dully. The arrogant convict scowled, and I was saved from further conversation when a bell clanged three times. Everyone moved to either side of the cavernous room, leaving a path leading from an arched doorway on one side to an impressive raised dais on the other.

  "Excuse me," Daria said with glittering eyes. She made her way to the dais where she was joined by Clara, Tess, and a small old man with a large white mustache.

  The bell clanged again, three times. The entrance doors were flung wide. I pressed my way through the crowd
until I was in the front and able to see the show. Amanda and Tori appeared at my sides just as a man in a velvet suit broadcast the newcomer.

  "Announcing the Noble King, Murad!"

  Murad strode into the hall, a true Prince of night beneath the glittering chandeliers. His thick hair gleamed chocolate mink. His chiseled features and smoldering eyes were almost too pretty on a man, yet his physique and the set of his jaw was the epitome of all that was masculine. He wore black leather pants, a fitted black shirt and leather vest that molded to his chest and flat stomach. His boots were gleaming Italian leather.

  He wore no crown yet a swath of cloth across his chest appeared embroidered with gold. He was every girl's dream before they knew what to dream for. Just not my dream. He paused, scanning the faces lining the long aisle. They lit up the moment he found me. He crooked two fingers in my direction.

  Heads turned to see who he was gesturing to. Their faces reflected curiosity, jealousy, and even disdain once they saw I was his intended target. Whispers rose all around us. Murad remained posed in place, waiting. Amanda sucked in a breath at my side.

  "I think you've been summoned. It’s okay—go to him," she whispered. Please, please let the floor swallow me. If there was ever a time for me to acquire magick, I prayed it happened now. I could disappear and transfer back into my attic bedroom, content with never knowing this world existed.

  I gave a small, not so subtle shake of my head. Heads whipped back and forth between us. He smiled and raised an eyebrow in challenge. The whispers grew louder, a few titters audible behind raised hands.

  I turned to Amanda for a way out, but her eyes were glued to Murad. Startled by the dreamy quality of her smile, I made a mental note to tease her about this later. She nudged me gently and I took a tiny step away from the relative safety of the crowd. Murad offered an encouraging twitch of his lips. I kept my eyes trained on his as I slowly walked towards him. It felt like the longest walk of my entire life.