My Magic Mate

by Caryn Moya Block

  Meadow took the cup gratefully. She didn’t know why she was so nervous. She drank down the tea, before putting the cup in the sink.

  “Will I have a speaking part tonight?” Meadow asked.

  “No, dear. You just have to be present. Come on then.”

  The room took a sudden spin, and Meadow stumbled. Her head grew fuzzy. What was wrong?

  “Oh, my. Feeling a little off, dear? Not to worry. Once the ceremony starts, you’ll feel better,” Ms. Melody said, taking Meadow’s arm and leading her down the back steps. Meadow tripped on two treads, and it was only because of Ms. Melody that she didn’t fall.

  “I think I’m getting sick.” Why were her words slurred?

  “No, dear. You are drugged. I gave you a little something to take the edge off.”

  “Drugged?” Why was she drugged? What was going on? She needed help. She needed Brencis. Reaching for him with her thoughts, she found . . . nothing. Brencis? Where was he?

  “Mr. Hatcher thought it might be easier this way,” Ms. Melody said.

  Ms. Melody led her to the stairs going into the basement. The huge, black-iron door was open, and beside it stood a tall man with a black cape and hood.

  “Don’t be frightened, dear. He is one of our new members. He came specifically tonight to share in this special ceremony.”

  §

  Brencis pressed the gas petal down, dodging cars as he hurried back to Meadow. Why had he ever left her? Please, God, let her be all right. Let her be safe. The phone ringing caused him to shudder. Melisande must have reached her or she wouldn’t be calling back so soon.

  “Meli?”

  “Brencis, the phone is not ringing through. She isn’t picking up. I can’t reach her.”

  “Keep trying. I’m going to call her brother. Maybe she is on the phone with him.” Meadow? Why can’t he reach her through the mating bond?

  Brencis pulled up Garrett’s number and dialed. He took his foot off the gas a moment, letting his speed come back under the limit.

  “Garrett?”

  “Brencis, is something the matter?”

  “Meadow is in danger. I’m only about twelve minutes away. Have you heard from her?”

  “No, but another anonymous call came in today about black magic at her shop. What is going on?”

  “They are doing a ceremony tonight. Mr. Hatcher made Meadow promise to be there. He said he would throw her out of the coven if she didn’t attend.”

  “He can’t do that. All right, I’m heading over there,” Garrett said before the phone went dead.

  §

  Meadow stumbled on the last stone step, before entering the basement. She heard the click of the lock as the unknown man shut the door behind them. Candles were lit and placed around the room. A large wooden table stood in the middle of the space with a pentagram spray-painted around it. On the table were the tools of magic, a knife and crucible, a black candle, and a stick of incense. Cloaked figures made a circle around the altar.

  Angeline was being held next to the table by another large burly man wearing a black cloak and hood. Tears were running down her face.

  “Run, Meadow,” she screamed.

  The man holding Angeline back-handed her across the face.

  “Don’t hurt her,” Meadow said, trying to pull away from Ms. Melody, but she didn’t seem to have the strength. Brencis. I need you.

  “None of that, Meadow. Doesn’t Angeline look pretty in her white dress? I made that one too. You were supposed to have the white dress, then you let your young man have his way with you. I warned you to keep yourself pure. You young girls never listen. At least Angeline is still a virgin.”

  “A virgin?” Meadow asked. What were they doing? Why couldn’t she reach Brencis?

  “Yes, it’s your fault we need Angeline’s blood for the ceremony. Virgin blood is a necessity.”

  §

  Brencis pulled up to the back of the shop, as Tolya and Gwen Quiet Thunder stepped out of the shadows along the building.

  “What are you doing here?” Brencis asked, jumping out of the car, even though he was glad for the backup.

  “Angeline, they have her. She’s in trouble,” Tolya said.

  “They have Meadow, too. I can’t reach her through the mating bond. I think they’ve drugged her.”

  Brencis ran down the stone steps to the big iron door. He could hear people chanting on the other side. He tried the knob but wasn’t surprised it was locked.

  “Here, let me break it down,” Tolya said from behind him.

  “No need. Meadow gave me a copy of all of her keys. Gwen you stay here. Meadow’s brother should be showing up any minute.” Brencis didn’t want Gwen in any danger. It was bad enough she would see his wolf.

  Brencis selected the right key and opened the lock. He pushed the big door open as he ripped off his shirt and started to shift. Rushing down the stairs, Brencis counted thirteen cloaked figures standing around the center altar. The large man nearest the door turned and took two steps toward Brencis before he leapt at the man tearing out his throat. Tolya followed him, jumping on the next figure trying to block their way.

  §

  Meadow heard the growling before she saw the wolf leap across the room. Mr. Hatcher walked calmly up to the altar. The fabric of his cloak swayed and showed his nakedness underneath. He motioned the man holding Angeline to put her on the table.

  “No, please don’t do this,” Angeline cried, her voice broken and hoarse.

  “Angeline. Calm yourself,” Mr. Hatcher said, helping the other man tie Angeline’s wrists and ankles to the table. “I’m sorry I don’t have time to give you the attention you deserve, my dear. After I eat Meadow’s heart, I promise to make it up to you.”

  A large silver-and-grey wolf landed on the table, his teeth bared and growling low in his throat. He stood protectively over Angeline. Hatcher and the other man jumped back, afraid of the beast’s teeth. Meadow could see the mating bond glowing brightly between the wolf and Angeline. Tolya was here to rescue his mate.

  If Tolya was here, than Brencis must be, too. Meadow tried again to pull free of Ms. Melody. There was a sudden silence as twelve men appeared in the room wearing white surcoats over shiny silver armor. Armor? But wasn’t the man standing next to Ms. Melody, Garrett?

  A fireball flashed across the room, hitting one of the men in white in the chest. It snuffed out without even a scorch mark on his surcoat.

  “Bespelled armor. That’s why we wear it,” Garrett said, knocking Ms. Melody out with a punch to the face and grabbing Meadow by the arm before she could sink to the floor.

  Another fireball flew across the room and hit Tolya. Again nothing happened. Garrett smiled and winked at Meadow. “See, I told you lycans are normally immune to magic.”

  Tolya leaned down and started chewing the ropes off Angeline. People were fighting all around. Meadow thought the men in white were winning.

  “Meadow, call Brencis to you before he kills any more of this gang. I need some of them alive,” Garrett said, giving her a little shake. Meadow couldn’t reach Bren’s mind through the drug-induced haze.

  Mr. Hatcher grabbed the knife off the table and turned around to plunge it into Garrett’s back.

  “You’ve ruined everything,” Hatcher yelled.

  Time seemed to slow down for Meadow. She cried out in warning. Not Garrett, not when she just found him. A wolf flew through the air and knocked Hatcher to the floor, ripping at Hatcher’s throat as he landed on top of him. Then, a naked Brencis stood up and grabbed Meadow into his arms.

  “Thank God, you are all right,” Brencis said, holding Meadow close. “Garrett, thank you for coming.” Meadow still felt wobbly, but adrenaline had been working to dispel the effects of the drugs in her system.

  “Of course. I couldn’t let anything happen to my little sister now that I found her,” Garrett said, shaking the hand Brencis held out to him.

  They turned to watch a naked Tolya lift a sobbing Angeline int
o his arms. The mating bond glowed brightly between them.

  “I need to get her out of here. Can we go upstairs?” Tolya asked.

  “Wait, what is that symbol on your wrist?” Garrett asked, walking over to look at Tolya’s arm.

  Tattooed on Tolya’s wrist was a sword, the mark of the Guardians.

  “It seems the powers have chosen a new Guardian. Welcome to our group, brother,” Garrett said.

  “But he is a lycan. How can he be a Guardian?” Meadow asked, feeling stronger by the minute.

  “Guardians are called to serve from the powers themselves. It doesn’t matter what species you are,” Garrett explained. “I don’t think there has ever been a lycan in that position before.”

  Tolya looked tenderly at the young woman in his arms and headed for the stairs. “We can talk later. My Angel needs me now.”

  “His Angel? That’s my best friend he is carrying off,” Meadow said.

  “Are you feeling better, Meadow?” Brencis said in a worried tone. “I was afraid they drugged you.”

  “They did, but it seems to be wearing off now. What ceremony were they trying to do? Did I hear Mr. Hatcher say he was going to eat my heart?”

  “If he said that, then they were trying to steal your powers, Meadow. You come from one of the strongest houses,” Garrett said. “They would have raped your friend and used the blood from her maidenhead as part of the ceremony as well. It’s very black magic. Did you know your coven performed ceremonies like these?”

  “They never did while Mary was alive. I stopped coming after she died, because the shop kept me so busy.”

  “Thank, God,” Brencis said.

  “Indeed,” Garrett replied.

  “What will happen to them?” Meadow asked, pointing to the few coven members still standing.

  “They will be held until they come before the Witches’ Council for judgment.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Brencis finally had Meadow in his arms and in his bed in Somerset where she belonged. Angeline and Tolya were down the hall, and Brencis could hear Tolya whispering gently to his new mate. By morning, the mating bond would be cemented into place if Brencis knew his friend. Meadow stirred in his arms.

  “I’m sorry,” they both said at once.

  Brencis shook his head. “I’m the one who should be sorry. I never should have left you. You are my mate, the most important person in my life.”

  “I should have listened to you,” Meadow said, stroking his chest. “Someone was stalking me. Angeline tried to warn us with the notes and phone calls to the Witches Council, even after Mr. Hatcher threatened her and her mother. I didn’t take your concerns about danger into account.”

  “Meadow, I don’t want to be torn between you and my pack. I promise you, I will always choose you first.”

  “Brencis,” Meadow said sighing. “I know you have responsibilities to your pack. I’ll try to be more understanding.”

  “Listen to us. We are quite the pair.”

  “As long as we keep trying,” Meadow said. “I want to be with you. I want to be the mate you need.”

  “We’ll make it work, lyubov moya. We have to find a way.”

  “Let’s worry about it in the morning. I think Magic Herbs is going to be closed tomorrow.”

  “Come here and kiss me, printsessa volshebnaya.”

  “I’m not a fairy princess, you know. I’m a witch.”

  “My witch, my wife to be.” Forever mine.

  Meadow lifted her face for his kiss, and Brencis drank in the sight of her. Just holding her in his arms made his world right. He kissed her tenderly, licking at her lips until she opened to him. He slipped his tongue inside, rubbing against hers, teasing and tantalizing both of them as he pulled the mating bond tight, linking their minds.

  Her love and desire flowed into his mind and heart, filling him with warmth and acceptance. He reciprocated by pushing his thoughts and feelings toward her through the bond. The cord between them glowed brightly.

  Meadow ran her fingers over his chest, loving the feel of his skin. She grazed his nipple and smiled when he gasped. Leaning forward, she tasted the little nub, swirling her tongue around the hard protrusion. Brencis shuddered, and she moved her mouth to the other side to tease his other nipple, before she bit down slightly. When he jerked in reaction, Meadow knew she was getting this pleasure business right.

  She fingered his ribs, enjoying each indentation, before moving around to his stomach and the hair that arrowed down. She loved how soft the hair felt and rubbed against it. Brencis ran his fingers down her stomach to her core, slipping inside her moist heat. Meadow gasped, her body sensitive to every stroke.

  Finding her wet and ready for him, Brencis pulled Meadow up to straddle him. He reached his face up to suck her nipples as she sheathed his engorged shaft. Moaning at how good it felt to be inside her, he continued to lick at her breasts. He would let Meadow set the pace this time.

  Meadow loved being on top and the feeling of control it gave her. She arched her back giving Brencis better access to her breasts, before rising up and then dropping down onto him. Brencis moaned, and she loved it.

  “Ride me, lyubov moya,” he said.

  Meadow rose up again, holding the moment, before dropping back down. Brencis grew harder within her. She did it again, teasing him at the top, before engulfing him again, squeezing her inner muscles to increase the sensation. He began to pant. She rose up again and dropped down. His eyes seemed to be lighter, glowing slightly. Was the wolf staring out at her?

  When she did it again, Brencis growled and rolled them so that Meadow was on the bottom. Taking her hands, he linked their fingers and positioned them on either side of her head before he surged inside her. Yes, this was what she wanted. To be taken, to push Brencis from his tight control.

  He pushed in, deeper, faster, again. His emotions swirled together with hers until there was only need and pleasure. They were both trembling, their bodies clutching at each other, trying to be one.

  When Brencis released one of her hands and reached down to finger her clit. Meadow screamed as she broke into a million pieces, but each piece was connected to Brencis.

  §

  “Brencis, stop pacing. You’re giving me a headache,” Melisande complained as she lay on the settee in the hunting lodge sunroom the next afternoon.

  “What if they try to get Meadow to leave me? What if they talk her out of being my wife?”

  “The mating bond cannot be broken, Brencis,” Grigori said from a chair next to the settee. “No one can convince Meadow to leave you, not even her long-lost family.”

  “I don’t want her hurt,” Brencis said, plopping down in a chair and putting his head in his hands. “They could make her miserable if they don’t approve of her marrying a lycan.”

  “You are also one of them, from the House of Avery,” Grigori pointed out. “I’m sure they will take that into account.”

  “I don’t think I can do this, Grika. I want to take Meadow and run,” Brencis said, feeling panic tighten his gut. Thank God, Meadow was still upstairs dressing. If she knew he was this upset, it would only make her feel worse.

  “Have some faith in your mate, Brencis,” Melisande said, struggling to sit up. Her pregnancy wasn’t agreeing with her stomach, and she was sick more often than not. Grigori jumped up to assist her.

  “Easy, Meli,” Grigori said, helping her sit up and placing pillows around her. “Are you sure you’re up for this? Maybe you should go lie down.”

  “Women have babies every day, Grigori. I’m not going to break,” Melisande said, patting his cheek.

  “Not my woman. Are you sure you want to stay for this meeting?” Grigori asked.

  “This is a family gathering, not an inquisition,” Melisande pointed out. “You two need to remember that. Meadow will be feeling very vulnerable. She will need her mate to stand by her.”

  “You are right, of course,” Grigori said, caressing her cheek with his fingers. �
�Brencis, you need to calm down and stand solid with Meadow.”

  “Brencis?” Meadow asked from the door.

  The breath left his body as his chest tightened. Brencis would always react to seeing Meadow walk into a room. She stood in the rays of light coming in the windows, her lilac dress setting off her amethyst eyes. His nerves settled as he hurried over and put his arm around Meadow, guiding her into the room.

  “You look beautiful,” Brencis whispered to her as he led her to the chair next to Meli.

  “How are you feeling, Meli?” Meadow asked, sitting in the chair, while Brencis stood behind her.

  “I feel pretty good, a little tired. The doctor gave me some vitamins. January 4th is the due date.”

  “Are you hoping for a boy or a girl?” Meadow asked.

  “It doesn’t matter to me, though I think this one will be a boy,” Melisande said, smiling at her mate. “He feels like he has his father’s energy, very alpha male.”

  “The pack will be thrilled either way, I’m sure,” Brencis said, placing his hand on Meadow’s shoulder. He needed to touch her.

  The doorbell rang, and Brencis heard Seth hurrying to open the door. Time to face Meadow’s father.

  “I’m so nervous, Brencis. What if he doesn’t like me?” Meadow said, trembling under his hand.

  “Then, I’ll bite him,” Brencis said, smiling down at his mate.

  Meadow looked at him in shock, and then laughed, everyone joined in.

  “You would, too,” Meadow said.

  “Oh, yes. I find I like the taste of Amhurst,” Brencis said, enjoying the sight of his mate blushing at his comments.

  “Meadow,” Garrett called from the doorway.

  Meadow rose from her chair, and Brencis walked up beside her, putting his arm around her waist. Garrett smiled and hurried into the room to give Meadow a kiss on the cheek, leaving the older silver-haired man to walk in behind him. Brencis noticed the family resemblance in the amethyst eyes and shape of the nose. When the older man looked at Meadow, his eyes warmed, and Brencis knew the man cared for his daughter. When he glanced over at Brencis, his eyes became curious but stayed warm. Maybe, things would work out fine.