by Leia Shaw
“That’s not true anymore,” he told her. “You are a sorceress. You have a community in Wales waiting with open arms to embrace you.”
“I truly doubt that –”
“And you have me.”
Sage slid her gaze to his. She was itching for a fight but the depth of honesty in his eyes deflated her anger. She slumped onto the stool and stared at the floor. Her past was her weakness. She hated feeling weak. She hated that she’d become a walking foster care statistic.
James closed the remaining distance between them. The heat from his body her eased her anguish. He was like a rock – an anchor of stability in her chaotic world.
She kept her head down, knowing that if she looked at his face, she would fall apart. Then, as if he knew and understood every little thing about her, James placed a hand softly on the back of her head. She let him guide her forehead to rest against his stomach. Tenderly, he held her. In his quiet confidence, he knew just what she needed.
“Eirian Nathara,” James finally said, using her real name. It sounded beautiful on his Welsh tongue. People had been pronouncing it with a long “e” at the beginning so it started out like “eerie.” But James put the emphasis on the end syllable, “yon”, and began it with “air”. It sounded regal and unique instead of just plain weird.
He stroked her hair. “You are not alone anymore.”
She almost believed him.
“It means bright,” he told her. “Eirian.”
She lifted her head and looked him in the eye. Though her vision was misty, not a tear fell. “James,” she pleaded. “Make me forget.”
He stared down at her for a few moments and she thought he might refuse.
Her cheeks heated and she tried to pull away. What was she thinking? Before she could get far, he grabbed her hair in his fist.
She gasped, but he didn’t give her time to protest. He yanked her head back and teased her mouth with his.
With an arm around her waist, he pulled her to stand. As they kissed and nipped at each other’s lips, he unbuttoned her jeans and she fumbled with his belt.
He maneuvered her toward the couch. When she slid her hands under his shirt, he grabbed them. The firmness of his hands around her wrists, his easy control of her body…she melted. Arousal cranked up a notch. Her clit throbbed and she squeezed her thighs together to ease it. It wasn’t enough. She needed his hand down there – his mouth.
“Let me touch you,” she rasped.
He pushed her down onto the couch and stood over her. “Not until I have a taste.”
She didn’t think she could get any wetter. Screw foreplay. She wanted cock. Now. Reaching up, she tried to finish undoing his pants but he gripped her wrists again.
With a sly smile he said, “Stubborn girl. I said not yet.”
He lowered her onto the couch then brushed his hand up her thigh and inward until he pressed against her clit. The seam of her jeans rubbed against it and she gasped and arched off the couch.
In a wild frenzy, he lifted the hem of her shirt with his teeth. Those same teeth nipped sharply at the cleavage spilling over her bra. She moaned and writhed beneath him, rubbing her aching clit against his knee.
It’d been too long, she thought as she bucked against him in desperation. He sat back on his knees and tugged her pants down over her hips. She wiggled to help him.
He froze. “Up,” he said, patting her hip. “Get up. Maddox is here.”
“Shit.” She yanked up her jeans and straightened out her shirt.
James did the same.
She ran her fingers through her damp hair then stopped when James chuckled. “What?”
“It’s not your hair you need to worry about.” His gaze dropped to her mouth.
Her lips were sore, which meant they were probably red and swollen.
“Sorry. I didn’t have time to shave last night.” He drew a finger along her bottom lip then followed the line with his tongue.
“James…”
He stepped back, holding her chin between two fingers. “I like you like this. Flush and freshly kissed. Quiet because you don’t want to admit you liked it.”
She pulled away and opened her mouth, a witty retort on the tip of her tongue, but the slam of a car door cut her off.
“We’ll finish this later,” he told her.
She shook her head. “No, James. This was a mistake.”
“I said later.”
The doorknob wiggled. “This was noth –”
“Hush.” He accentuated the command with a firm slap on her ass.
She gasped. The kitchen door opened and Maddox walked in. Sage gave James a look that promised retribution for his bold reprimand. His answering grin chaffed at her nerves.
“Hey,” Maddox said with a smile. Thankfully he seemed oblivious to the subtle exchange. He held up two bags of fast food.
Sage’s stomach growled as the kitchen filled with the smell of Chinese food.
“Sesame chicken or beef and broccoli?” he asked her.
“Chicken.”
Maddox handed her one of the bags.
“Thanks.” She looked at James, who stood empty-handed. “Wanna share? I can’t eat the whole thing.”
“No, I'm late.” He grabbed his keys from the counter.
She opened her bag at the counter and pulled out a box of food. Maddox had already made himself at home on the couch.
“Late for what?” she asked.
“Ruby had a vision.”
“The oracle? Do you think she has news of the heir?” She sat a little straighter in her seat.
“Now don’t get any ideas. It might be nothing.”
Stuffing a forkful of tangy chicken in her mouth, she nodded to where Maddox sat, box of noodles in hand, watching TV. “So I guess he’s staying?”
James nodded. “He’s curious what Ruby will say.”
“Can't we go with you?”
James shook his head. “It’s my responsibility. Besides, you look knackered.” He smiled when she gave him a puzzled expression. “Tired. Knackered means tired. I’ll be gone most of the night so don’t wait up.”
“Yeah, right. I'm curious too. Besides, someone has to look after Mr. Undomesticated over there,” she said loud enough for Maddox to hear her.
“Other way around, witch,” he yelled over the volume of the TV. “Hey, James told me your real name. Did you know it means 'trouble' in Welsh?”
“Yeah? And what does Maddox mean? Liar?”
James sighed and with a hint of amusement, he said, “And I’m leaving the two of you here alone? I shudder to think what will happen in my absence.”
“Don’t worry. We’ll find ways to amuse ourselves,” she said with a wink.
Maddox shouted from the couch, “Hide the matches, James. She looks like a pyro.”
“As if I need matches to play with fire!”
James’ voice boomed above both of theirs. “I don’t want to hear anymore!” He covered his ears as he left the house.
***
Ruby’s cryptic voice message had stated something had changed in her vision about the Dark King’s heir. The entire drive to north to Boston, James had turned over in his head what it could mean. But the visions she’d told her already were hazy and lacked sense. Maybe the powerful oracle had lost her ability.
He parked on the street opposite her brick apartment building in South Boston and put some change in the meter. The seventy-year-old oracle may have been the most powerful one in the supernatural world but she certainly hadn’t lost her sense of humor.
She had a crystal ball she began every “reading” with, though it was useless. She no more needed a crystal ball than James needed a magic wand.
He looked up at the brick apartment complex and gave a wave to the black woman peering at him from the third story window. The last time they’d spoken she’d told James that Cadmael was looking for his heir, and that this heir was an important part of his mission to take over Caerwyn. But now something h
ad changed. He tried to settle his nerves as he ascended the three flights of stairs.
When he reached the door, she was already there holding it open.
“Ruby!” He greeted her with a kiss. “It’s good to see you.”
“James! What are you doing here?” she said, closing the door behind them. “This is an unexpected surprise.” Ruby had been raised in Mississippi but moved to Boston to be near her grandkids. Her thick southern accent seemed out of place.
“Ruby,” He sighed. “You told me to come.” Sometimes he didn’t know whether she was truly off her rocker or just leading everyone on. “And can’t you predict the future?”
Maybe the whole flighty-mystic thing was one big ruse, and secretly she laughed at them for falling for it.
“Ah, yes. Now I remember. Well, sit down. I’ll get you some tea.” Ruby shuffled across the small living room and into the kitchen. She was known for her herbal teas.
One time, he’d had a particularly strong cup and had seen little green men wandering around the house for a whole day.
Ruby had been reading the future for James for several years as a favor to her late husband. Oracles charged exorbitant amounts of money for readings, but Ruby’s husband had been a sorcerer. Not a Welsh one like James and Maddox, Waylon had been from the Caribbean. There, they were known as voodoo priests. But Waylon’s people had been friendly with the Welsh and helped battle Cadmael at the last war for Caerwyn. Waylon had been killed in battle and Ruby had taken up his cause, from a safe distance, helping James in his mission to defeat the Dark King.
James glanced around the apartment. It looked the same as the last time he’d been here, almost one year ago. He gingerly sat down on the over-stuffed couch covered with knitted afghans.
Jeopardy was playing on her small television. “Ruby, I didn’t know this show was still on.”
“What’s that suga’?” She peeked into the room. “Oh, Jeopardy. Yes. I used to have a crush on Alex, but now I think I must be ‘out of his league.’ Isn’t that what the kids say now?”
He smiled. She went back to the kitchen and returned a moment later carrying a tray with an elaborate tea set. The steaming dainty cup she handed him smelled like peppermint.
“Now, Ruby, this isn’t going to make me see anything out of the ordinary, is it?”
She blinked. “I haven’t the slightest idea what you’re talking about.”
He arched a brow but took a tentative sip. “So, what did you need to talk to me about?”
Her graying brows drew together. “Are you a Red Sox fan? It seems you can’t get around this town without bumping into all sorts of merchandise with a big pair of brightly colored socks on it. Heavens, I don’t know what the appeal is.”
“I’m not, actually,” he answered. “Now, Ruby, you know I love spending time with you but I have a lot of papers to grade tonight. I can’t stay long.”
“Oh, all right.” She waved a hand at him. “I never understood you kids and your impatience. Always somewhere to go, something to see.”
“Kids?”
“Well, I don’t suppose that reference applies to you.” She took a sip of her tea. “Should I get my crystal ball?”
James rolled his eyes.
She snickered like a child who’d just played a prank. “Well, as it turns out, I may have been wrong about the last vision. When I told you the heir had been born, we both assumed it was a baby. But the birth was metaphorical, not literal.” She paused as if giving him the opportunity to figure out the meaning on his own. When he stared at her blankly, she explained, “The heir has recently been born into the supernatural world.”
James puzzled over this a moment. “So, we’re looking for an adult? An adult who just started using his powers?” That changed everything.
She put her mug down and raised an index finger. “Ah, but why do you assume the heir is a he?”
“It’s a…girl?” He frowned. He hadn’t expected that. “Well, do you have a name or something?”
She paused, as if deciding what to tell him. “Bright one,” she finally answered. “But don’t be fooled by the name. She is powerful and dangerous. And the Dark King is searching for her as we sp –”
“Bright?” James felt the blood drain from his face. A pit formed in the bottom of his stomach. His arms and legs went numb. He stared at the patterned wallpaper across from him. “Sage,” he whispered.
“Do you know that in some cultures sage is used to cleanse the spirit?”
“I can’t kill her, Ruby,” he mumbled. The shock was starting to wear off. Everything clicked into place. He’d seen the growing darkness behind those sultry eyes. “What do I do? If she’s going to be the downfall of Caerwyn but I can’t kill her, what do I do?”
“Now I wouldn’t be a very good oracle if I gave you all the answers, would I? Some things you have to find out for yourself.” She walked to James and gently touched his cheek. “Just follow your instincts. And remember who you are, not what you are.”
She left him paralyzed on the couch and turned up the volume on Alex.
He’d been trying to figure out Sage’s parentage since he’d met her, but always came up blank. Sorcerers didn’t often abandon their children in the human world. Now it all fit together like a puzzle. Sage had been abandoned at birth but obviously had a strong bloodline for her powers to manifest so potently. And he could feel the pull of darkness in her.
Sage was Cadmael’s daughter. She was the Dark Princess. She was destined to bring the fall of his homeland.
What the fuck had he gotten into?
Ruby’s voice snapped him out of his trance. “Oh. There’s something else,” she said as if it were a last minute thought. “The Dark King knows where she is. I’d take her away somewhere if I were you. And fast.”
Fuck! Could this get any worse? With an army of expert hunters at Cadmael’s disposal, it would only be a matter of days before he had Sage dragged down into the depths of the Underworld and gone from James forever. He wasn’t sure what filled him with dread more – the idea of losing Sage to that monster, or that monster having access to the heir who was destined to destroy his homeland.
Without giving it anymore thought, he jumped from the couch, gave Ruby a quick peck on the cheek, and was out the door before she could say goodbye.
Chapter 9
“So, how do you know James?” Sage asked Maddox as they sat on the couch waiting for James to return from Ruby’s house. They’d already eaten dinner and watched three crime show episodes. It was late enough that infomercials were all that was left on TV. Now they were forced to make conversation.
“We grew up together in Caerwyn,” he answered.
“And what are you doing here?”
He gave a half-hearted smile. “I’m avoiding. Or running away, my family would say.”
For the first time since Sage had met Maddox, his eyes lost their mischievous humor. “What are you running from?”
He sighed. “Fate.”
“Fate? Can’t run from that.” He nodded distantly and she knew he wouldn’t say more about the subject. “So, what was James like when he was younger?”
“Same as he is now. Arrogant. Uptight.” He shrugged then gave Sage a shrewd glare. “But fiercely loyal and dependable.” His eyes sparkled when he gave her a knowing smile.
“Don’t look at me like that,” she found herself saying for the second time that night.
“Like what?”
“Like there’s any chance in hell James and I could be together the way you’re thinking. You don’t have to be his walking endorsement.” A shiver slid down her spine when she thought of their encounter only hours ago. One time, she told herself. It had been one moment of weakness she wouldn’t repeat again.
“James scares women away with his overbearing intensity. So forgive me for hoping he’ll find someone capable of keeping him on his toes.”
“And you think I could do that?”
Maddox leaned in close. “H
oney, you already are.”
Her cheeks heated. No. They were enemies. Maybe not quite as much as before but… She wasn’t anything close to what he wanted in a woman. Feeling awkward, she changed the topic. “If you’re from Caerwyn, why don’t you have an accent?”
Maddox flashed a smile. “Actually,” he closed his for a moment then opened them again, “I do have an accent.”
The goofy, boy-next-door sounded just like James. Maddox continued in the thick Welsh accent, “I can Glamour. It’s kind of my thing.”
“Glamour?”
His brow furrowed. “James didn’t tell you?” He sighed. “Leave it to him to focus on fighting. Sorcery is divided into guilds. Though most sorcerers have some skill in all areas, they are grouped according to their strength. For me, that’s Glamouring – or changing parts of myself, appearance, clothing, voice, that sort of thing.”
“So what do you really look like?”
“This.” He gestured to himself. “I’m handsome enough not to need any Glamouring for my appearance.”
She laughed. “What are the other guilds?”
“Ah, let’s see. Potions. Then there’s Mindbending.” He looked at her very seriously. “That’s when you can influence someone’s actions by thought. Very hard and very rare. And the last one is Combat. That’s James.”
“What about me?”
“Well, are you any good with potions?”
She shrugged. “I haven’t tried. But in high school I almost blew up the chemistry lab.”
“I’d say that’s a no.” He reached in his pocket. “Here. A gift.” A small vile of pink liquid sat in his open palm. “It’s a truth serum. Never know when it might come in handy. But don’t let James know you have it or you’ll end up on the receiving end.”
After she picked up the thin tube from his hand, she studied it then shoved it in her jeans pocket. “Thanks.”
“I’ll bet you’re a warrior like James,” he said, looking her over. “That’s why your Bolts are so strong.”
“But I’ve never tried the other two. How can I know if I’m not in those guilds?”
“Well, there are ways to make an educated guess. Have there been times in your life when things go your way just because you will them to? Or someone does something out of character because you ask it?”
