Promise Me

by Tara Fox Hall

  I didn’t reply. I just rolled my sleeves back down.

  “Sar—”

  “Yes. I admitted helping you, but he already knew. He lost his temper and held me a little too hard. He apologized as soon as he saw the bruises and promised it would never happen again.”

  “Isn’t that what abusive boyfriends always say?”

  “It isn’t like that,” I said softly.

  “Isn’t it? It sounds exactly like that.”

  “He hasn’t threatened to kill me or hurt me like you have,” I pointed out, making him look away. “He took bullets for me, cried over me, and fought for me. He took care of me when I was hurt and scared. I’ll excuse him an accidental squeeze.”

  “Sounds like the perfect guy,” he said sarcastically.

  “And you are? Theo told me you killed Alexa and your brother’s girlfriend.”

  “That’s true. My brother’s girlfriend came on to me one night several years ago. I turned her down but she persisted. She wanted me because I was supernatural. She said she loved my eyes and heat.” His disgust was palpable. “She hung onto me, and I pushed her away when I got angry. She fell and hit her head. My brother found us. He might have forgiven me but I think he believed I’d done it because of what I was. I moved out after that.”

  “And how is what Danial did to me any different?”

  He ignored my question. “Alexa was a different story. I went after her the night I left here. She’d escaped Theo and was hiding at a local motel. I confronted her and asked if she’d tried to kill me. She admitted that she had, so I killed her.”

  I didn’t care one way or the other. “Please get out.”

  “I came to see you because you’re the only person next to Keriam and the woman who taught me magic who was ever kind to me. Everyone else just looked at me and couldn’t get away fast enough. You’re different.” He reached for my face and I flinched. He took his hand back. “I came to tell you something else.”

  “Then tell me already; I’ve got to go.” The sun had set. Theo would send someone soon to find out why I was so late. Finding me with Terian wouldn’t be good.

  “Danial’s been trying to buy some unusual stuff from other alchemists. Two have e-mailed me to ask if I could make a particular potion for a large share of the profit. I can, but I’m wondering if I should.” He faced me. “I had to be sure it wouldn’t hurt you.”

  Danial had said that Terian ran an online shop selling different spells. I was amazed that there was enough of a market to support him. But the Internet was a big business and people were gullible. Maybe he was good at magic and what he sold worked. How much would people pay for a spell to make themselves handsome or lucky?

  “What’s the potion? A love spell? An enslavement spell?”

  “There are two actually. One is a spell to strengthen virility.”

  I was shocked. Danial had more virility that anyone I knew. He shouldn’t need any help in that department. But he was centuries old, so maybe he did. Or maybe he wanted to impress me by going all night. I cursed his foolish male ego. I could have told him it wasn’t necessary. But no man would ask a woman if she thought he needed “help.” Even Brennan wouldn’t have been so forthcoming.

  Just because he’d placed the order didn’t mean it was for him. He had several people working for him. One of them might have asked him to order it for them. Even Theo. It didn’t make sense, but I’d been around enough men to know that sometimes what they did didn’t make sense.

  “And the other?”

  “The other is to keep warm.”

  “That’s enough to freak you out?”

  “It’s not the result of those spells that’s so troubling. It’s the complex nature of them. These are old spells that need blood as an ingredient. The potency one specifically calls for supernatural as well as human blood. Do you understand?”

  I gave him a blank look to let him know I didn’t.

  “There are other spells that would work the same that require no blood and have less prep work. They would also be a fraction of the cost.”

  I saw what he was getting at. “You’re saying he has some reason to want these old spells, and you think it involves me.”

  “Maybe. He’s a monstrous bastard.”

  I’d finally reached the maximum level of bullshit I was going to take. “There are simple explanations, I’m sure. Danial likely ordered these for someone else. I can’t speak for the Viagra spell, but the one to keep warm would be useful for anyone outside in winter. As for his preference for older spells, Danial is old himself. He might trust these more than newer ones. Maybe they don’t give the same results.” I paused. “Or maybe he got these for himself and me. He knows I have a pretty drafty home.”

  “If you think it’s nothing, I’ll make them for him.”

  I took a deep breath and let out all the tension “I appreciate you telling me. It means something that you bothered, knowing you might have to expose yourself to Danial. Feel free to make the spells. Or don’t, if you don’t want to. But stop worrying. No one is going to force me to do anything I’m not ready to do.”

  I gave him a hug, which he seemed to like a little too much. I told him to leave a message on my cell phone if he wanted to get in touch with me and gave him the number No one ever checked it but me. I left him standing in the parking lot as I drove away.

  The ride home was too short. I dreaded telling Danial about Terian’s visit. I had an idea I hadn’t shared with Terian of what Danial might want with these potions. He wanted to create vampires. I remembered the conversation he’d had with his brother. Maybe together, the potions could serve that purpose. My only question was why he wanted to. Just to know he could?

  I pulled into the driveway to find Theo, Cia, and Danial standing in the snow by Danial’s Expedition.

  What the hell? I put my SUV in the garage and walked up to them. “Why’s everyone here?”

  “Where have you been?” Danial asked.

  “Come inside, and I’ll tell you.”

  As we entered the house and took off out coats, Ghost and Darkness whined for their walk.

  “Cia, take care of the dogs. I have to speak to Sar.”

  I raised my eyebrows. Cia put on her coat back on and left with the dogs.

  “Why are you so late?”

  I related to him and Theo that Terian had stopped by to say hello. I emphasized that there’d been men working nearby, within hearing distance. I also left out the hug when Danial’s eyes went red and Theo swore under his breath. I didn’t bring up the question of why Danial would want the potions, just in case they were for him. I expected Danial to be angry, but when I had finished, he looked calm. The red even faded from his eyes. Theo was pissed, though.

  “There’s no way we can stop that half-breed from dropping in on Sarelle unless we put her under twenty-four-hour guard,” Theo said. “But say the word, and it’s done.”

  “Why bother?” I said. “He doesn’t want to hurt me. His intentions were just misdirected. And I told him not to come by again.”

  “Bullshit—”

  “I’m beginning to think Sar is right about him,” Danial said slowly. “At any rate, she seems able to handle herself with him. Cia will stay with her, but that’s the only guard we’ll leave here. She already knows to call if Terian is seen around the house or tries to contact her.” He came to me and took me in his arms. The feel of him comforted me almost instantly. “I have to go, but I’ll come back to stay tomorrow night if that’s acceptable.”

  “You’re always welcome here; you don’t have to ask.” I gave him a sexy look. “You should give me a heads up so I can get some extra sleep the day before.”

  “Until tomorrow then,” he said, kissing my hand.

  “Tomorrow,” I said, nodding.

  I waved goodbye as they drove off, then went out to join Cia and the dogs. I met her coming through the woods and we walked in silence for a while.

  “I’m sorry you have to stay with me
.”

  “It’s fine,” she said in her tiny voice. “I just miss the other foxes.”

  “Is there someone special?” I asked hesitantly.

  “Not really,” she said with a sigh. “But it’s natural to be with your own kind. Being here reminds me of when I was alone before we joined Danial.”

  “How did it happen?”

  “I can’t speak for the others, but I was the only daughter of two werefoxes. They were good parents. They helped me learn how to take care of myself as a fox and a woman.” She swallowed hard. “They were murdered one night. A bounty hunter had been after a rampaging werecoyote. He’d killed the coyote, but the scum had given up my parents in an effort to save himself. The bounty hunter thought he’d get a little extra cash and killed them. I came home to see him standing over them with a skinning knife and butcher tools laid out in a row on the floor.”

  “Why?” I choked out.

  “Our pelts are used for various spells and bring a high price. Some creatures consider weremeat a delicacy.”

  “I’m sorry,” I said, sickened.

  “I ripped him apart,” she said with enmity. “I was arrested for killing him. Theo had met Danial by that time. He found out what had happened to me and arranged for me to be found dead in my cell. With more of his help, a body was found that matched my description exactly.”

  How clever. With friends like Tatiana, Danial probably could have made someone like Theo appear to be Cia. “And then?”

  “I’ve worked for Danial ever since, doing whatever he asks. And yes, that includes donating blood in an emergency and fighting for him. Mostly, we just guard him when he needs us to.”

  We kept walking in silence as I digested her words.

  “What is it?” she said finally. “You smell curious.”

  “Foxes aren’t very powerful,” I said. “I’m surprised he chose you as his bodyguards.”

  She laughed. “What do you think is appropriately menacing?”

  I started laughing myself. “I just meant—”

  “I know what you meant.” She wiped her eyes. “It’s true; foxes aren’t as strong as a wolf, but we’re good at our job. We don’t rely on our werepowers. All of us are trained in light combat and carry weapons with maximum stopping power.” She paused. ”It might be easier on everyone if we were all like Theo.”

  “What do you mean? Theo isn’t werefox?”

  “He’s cougar. Or, if you prefer, mountain lion.”

  Wait a minute. “He told me about how the land where he was scavenging had been sold to developers and—”

  “—how Danial saved him? How enough people had seen him and were lining up to get a shot at him? The last mountain lion living in the Northeast?”

  “I didn’t hear that,” I said quietly. “And he never said he was a fox.”

  “Don’t be too hard on him,” she said. “I think he didn’t tell you everything because he wishes he were a fox. He doesn’t like being cougar and won’t change if he can help it. He spends a lot of time with us, and I think that makes him happy. Down deep, though, he knows he’s not one of us.”

  “Why doesn’t Theo want to be with other cougars the way you want to be with other foxes? Aren’t there more like him?”

  “Out west there are some, though not many. But it’s a moot point. He’s committed to serving Danial in return for what Danial did for him.”

  “You’re saying that Danial wouldn’t release him? Not even to find a mate?”She looked at me as if I was dense. “Danial told him to go several years ago, when it became apparent that Theo had started to suppress his nature. Theo said no, that he would go when he was ready; not before.”

  “That sounds cryptic enough to come from him,” I remarked. “Let’s get inside; I’m freezing.”

  As we took off our coats and boots, Cia said she would be happy to sleep downstairs if I preferred, or she could curl up in front of the fire. I wanted to see her change into her other form, but I didn’t ask her to. She wasn’t my plaything to perform for me, so I told her to do whatever made her most comfortable.

  She went downstairs. A few minutes later, I heard scratching at the basement door too loud to be a cat. I opened the door and saw her standing on four legs, looking up at me. Her eyes were a golden brown much darker than Theo’s. Her coat was a brilliant red-orange, with black socks and a snow-white tipped tail. She stepped out of the cellar stairway and trotted over to the wood stove. She made almost no noise as she walked. I was surprised how delicate and breakable she seemed.

  She looked at me and gave a sharp bark.

  “What?”

  She turned around, looked at herself pointedly, and then back at me expectantly.

  “You’re gorgeous,” I said, smiling.

  Cia stuck out her tongue and gave me a fox smile.

  I laughed and headed for the door, calling for Ghost and Darkness. I let them out one final time and then turned out the lights. When we came back, Cia was curled up in front of the fire, the cat next to her. The dogs sniffed her curiously, and then continued into the bedroom with me.

  “Have a good night,” I said.

  She put her head down, sliding her tail over her nose. Cavity was already asleep at her side.

  I lay in bed awhile, thinking about what Terian had said. Danial seemed to be mellowing out. Maybe I would get my happy ending with him after all.

  How naive I was.

  Chapter Eighteen

  I walked into the kitchen around ten thirty to find Cia dressed and waiting for me.

  “Good morning—”

  Cavity let out an ear-splitting yowl at my feet.

  “Don’t let him fool you,” Cia said. “I already fed everyone an hour ago.”

  Ahh, this was nice. I put back the cat food and headed over to my fridge. “Thanks for that.”

  “Danial will be here after dusk. You need your rest.”

  I didn’t reply, focused instead on the twelve pounds of fresh meat occupying my whole second shelf.

  “I hope you don’t mind. It tastes better unfrozen.”

  “I don’t. This should work out fine.”

  I ate quickly, washed the dishes, and let the dogs out. They barked joyfully, rolling in the fresh snow, even eating some. After letting them in, I threw another log on the fire, grateful I didn’t have to start one. “Did you have a good night?”

  “I love being in front of the wood stove. It reminds me of our home on Danial’s land. There’s a big fireplace in our common room.”

  “Where is it? I didn’t see it driving in or while I was there.”

  “You might be more accurate in thinking of it as a barracks. It was an older home Danial converted into a big common room with surrounding bedrooms for each of us. There’s only a tiny kitchen converted to a walk-in refrigerator-freezer. We have some nice perks: a Jacuzzi, a gym, and an indoor shooting range.”

  “I’m sorry you’re not able to be there.”

  “Don’t be,” she said, catching my mood. “You mean a great deal to Danial, and he means a lot to us. I’m happy to stay here to keep you safe.”

  “Are you going to stay the night?”

  “Probably not, now that Danial’s staying over. But he’ll tell me when he gets here.”

  After I showered and got dressed, she helped me get a load of wood into the basement from the woodpile. We also shoveled the new snow from last night off the deck.

  “Should I plow out the drive? I usually don’t unless I have to work or there’s over five inches.”

  “Danial’s vehicles are all four-wheel drive, so you don’t have to bother.”

  It was a moot point a minute later. My neighbor arrived and cleared the driveway with a few deft movements of his plow truck. I waved to him as I went out to fill my birdfeeders. He waved back and drove off. I walked back on the iced over gravel, reminding myself to thank Danial again later for hiring him.

  “Is there anything you need help with?” Cia said abruptly.

  The
re was a lot of stuff I should do, but nothing I felt like doing. “No thanks.”

  “Then will you teach me how to make pie?”

  She was so shy, and yet so eager, I let out a laugh.

  She looked up in alarm. When she caught my eye, she laughed herself. “Is that a yes?”

  “Sure. What kind do you want to learn to make?”

  “The ones you made before, to start with.”

  “It’s Aran, isn’t it?” I said softly. “You like him.”

  She turned red all the way to her ears.

  I patted her on the shoulder. “He’ll literally be eating out of your hand in no time. Let’s get started.”

  I checked my shelves. “We have most of the ingredients.” I shot her a smile. “And we can wing the rest.”

  She bit her lip in unease. “Won’t it come out badly if we do that?”

  “No, Grasshopper. Let’s get started.”

  We spent the rest of the morning and most of the early afternoon baking the pies. Cia was a quick study, asking questions and making notes on a piece of paper. Inspired by her willingness to try, I even made an extra pumpkin pie for Theo. Who knew, maybe it would improve his disposition. From what Cia had told me, he didn’t have anyone who would make him a pie anytime soon. That struck me as terribly sad. He was the closest thing Danial had to family and I wanted him to be friendly towards me like he’d been in the beginning.

  As the pies were cooling, I copied out my recipes for all three pies, and handed them to her.

  “Thanks, Sar. I really appreciate this.”

  “I’m glad to help.” I winked at her. “It’s the way to a man’s heart.”

  Cia either didn’t know the saying or just thought I was being strange because she changed the subject. “You’re sure this all there is to it? I expected it to be harder.”

  “That’s it,” I said, drying my hands. “Just follow the recipe and you’ll be fine. Familiarity with the utensils is the hardest thing to master. Self-confidence is a close second. And you’ll need good bakeware.”

  “I’m sure I can borrow Danial’s—”

  “While you can make do with two pie plates and a set of measuring spoons, it’s much easier to have a bunch. In fact, I’ll give you some of my extra ones.”