Witchlock

by Sherrilyn Kenyon

  "Don't discount Adrianna. She's more likely to make it work with Isak than I ever could." Evalle snapped her lips shut. That had sounded better in her head. She'd just given Storm a reason to continue questioning her relationship with Isak, when that had been meant as a statement of her own lack.

  After an uncomfortable silence, Storm asked, "Does the possibility of those two together bother you?"

  Evalle turned quickly to face him. "No. Not even a little. I never wanted Isak. Only you."

  "You don't regret being my mate?"

  "Me? I got the best end of this deal. I can't cook or do anything like other women. Or look like a normal woman. You're the one who ended up with a-"

  "-beautiful, sincere, amazing woman I thought I'd never find. I don't care if you can cook, because I like to cook."

  "You're kidding." She stared, open-mouthed for a minute, until he raised one eyebrow. He wasn't kidding. She muttered, "Good thing or we'd starve, since no one can deliver to a basement apartment with no public access."

  "Speaking of Adrianna and working together," Storm said. His tone was smooth and even, but she could feel his tension jack up a notch. "She told me she tried to go with you when you followed the glamoured demon at Stone Mountain Park. You made her wait behind. Why didn't you take her with you?"

  Oh, shit. Busted.

  She clenched her jaw to keep from yelling at him to back off, that it was none of his business. When she sat there, silent and grinding her teeth, Storm took her hand, circling his thumb over her skin in soothing circles. "It's okay. Just say it, sweetheart."

  "I work alone. I don't need anybo-"

  She couldn't finish the sentence. It sounded hollow. Stupid. She stared out the window as her heart pounded.

  He said, "I promise I'm not trying to force you into a corner, but Adrianna was your backup. I can't help thinking that if she'd been with you, things might have gone very differently."

  Evalle hated the knot of shame that clogged her throat. "And I would've had a witness for the Tribunal in the first place."

  "That too."

  Talk about a double standard. She'd been worried sick about Storm all last week while he hunted the troll killer, and he'd had Trey and a Belador team with him.

  Evalle could feel the tension in Storm, but she also felt it wrapped in a deep need for her. He was protective, but she knew what fueled it. Love and the fear of losing her. He was trying to lighten up on her, and she needed to suck it up and meet him half way. "I don't know. Old habits die hard I guess. Having people I can trust to watch my back--I'm not used to it."

  "I know. It's okay."

  Storm tightened his grip on her hand, but said nothing for a while and she wondered what he was thinking as he drove through downtown. As for her, if she wanted to make this work, she needed to figure out why she'd dumped Adrianna at the park when they both knew she might be going after a demon.

  She sat up. "You missed our exit."

  "I know. I have somewhere to stop first."

  Sighing, she reached down to the floorboard for her gloves since she still had just over a half hour until the evil sun disappeared.

  Storm caught her arm. "You won't need them."

  That meant wherever they were going, she'd have to stay in the car like a kid who couldn't be out where it wasn't safe. A simple stop on the way home and she couldn't even step out to go with him without looking like some ninja from hell.

  Then they'd have to go home to a place that didn't feel like a real home.

  She had to ask, "Do you miss your house?"

  "No."

  He didn't say anything else so she hit the topic straight on. "Living underground will get old. I'm used to it. I know I have to be there, but even I have a limit to how much I can stand being there. I've been finding it confining lately."

  "You wouldn't have to stay hidden during the day if-"

  She lifted a finger to his lips before he apologized again. "I do not regret losing my ability to walk in the sun, only that I'll never be able to do normal things other women can do with the men in their lives." She blinked back the sting in her eyes. Tears would only make him feel worse.

  He kissed her finger and took her hand in his, moving their hands to the console. "I'm sorry for being an ass lately, but I'll make it up to you."

  Evalle couldn't believe he was apologizing. Sure, he'd been testy, but he never complained. She said, "The friction is not your fault. I asked you to move into a basement with a territorial gargoyle and live in the dark."

  Holding tight to her hand, which prevented her from stopping his words this time, he said, "Not just about that, but I told you I'd live anywhere as long as you're there and it is my fault you can't walk in the sun."

  "Not true. I was born this way. That only changed when I evolved into a gryphon. I only had the ability to be in sunlight for a day, so I didn't lose something I'd had a long time." Not like Storm, who had grown up in a world filled with daylight. She'd started on this and now the truth pushed its way out. "It's not that I need to spend every day in the sun, but ... "

  "What?"

  "Nothing. It's silly."

  "Tell me." He rubbed his fingers over her hand. He'd pulled off the interstate and was still driving one-handed, weaving his way through the city. Where was he going?

  When he squeezed her fingers, she got the message that he wanted her to finish. Baring her soul this way felt risky, but it was looking like Nicole was right. That came along with the whole relationship package. Storm was the only one she'd allow to see her vulnerable.

  "I can watch the sunset from inside this warded truck, but with the heavy tinting on the glass it just isn't the same as watching the sun set for real through a clear window. I just want to share little things like that with you."

  He lifted her hand and kissed her palm. "I understand and it's not silly to want to experience the world like any other woman."

  But she'd never be just like any other woman and the sooner she accepted that, the sooner she'd figure out how to be a better mate.

  He made a couple of turns that circled closer to her apartment. They entered an area of Atlanta being reclaimed from years of neglect after industry and businesses had moved to new locations.

  Reaching up, Storm pressed the button on a small remote clipped to his visor. She hadn't noticed it before.

  She took in the building and her pulse tripped into high gear.

  This was the building she'd seen Storm visiting with some woman when she'd watched the video display in Isak's Hummer.

  Storm had said he would make everything better.

  She prepared herself to pretend this was a great idea. She could do this for Storm. He'd clearly gone to trouble to find a place to live near her.

  She would not let this come between them.

  ***

  Storm pulled his truck inside the dark space lit only by the late-day sun. It covered half a city block in both directions. Construction for the commercial area on the street level had begun. He'd originally planned offices for every floor but the top level.

  He'd changed his mind about that a week ago.

  Evalle had grown quiet the minute he drove through the garage door opening. He clicked the button, closing the overhead door so that no sunlight reached inside.

  He gave her fingers a little squeeze. "Wait for me to open your door?"

  "Sure."

  She said that with a perky look, but she was not happy.

  He started to reconsider this stop as premature, but the tension would not ease for Evalle until he showed her what he had in mind.

  When he reached her door, she'd pulled off her jacket and was down to her shirt, black jeans and boots. She stepped out and looked around at where old walls had been ripped out and new ones were now being constructed.

  She said, "I know you were here with ... that blonde."

  Storm's only thought jumped from his lips. "How?" Way to go, moron. That sounded guilty as hell and he hadn't done anything wrong.


  "Isak has elaborate surveillance equipment and tapped into the traffic cam that must be on a pole outside this building. It filmed in real time last night."

  Isak would be lucky to see his next birthday if he didn't stop interfering in Storm and Evalle's life. "Did you think ... what did you think?"

  Evalle took a moment. "I do not think you're seeing someone else. Give me more credit than that. I trust you and I trust your love."

  He reached for her and she came to him, returning his kiss with the passion that always simmered just beneath the surface with her. This woman owned him inside and out.

  And if he let this kiss go any further, he'd forget about why he'd brought her here now. He paused, then kissed her cheeks and nose.

  She laughed. "What brought that on? Not that I'm complaining."

  "I've known you trust me, but I had a sick moment of panic when you told me you'd seen me here with another woman and I hadn't told you about this place. Do you have any idea how amazing it is to have your unconditional trust like that?" Just another Evalle gift he would always cherish.

  "Then tell me next time so I'm not blindsided in front of people, especially Isak."

  "That guy needs to go away."

  Her body went rigid. "He's not going away, Storm. And I'll be honest. I don't want to lose him as a friend. I don't have a lot of friends. Each one is important to me."

  Storm looked away, thinking then brought his gaze back to her. "You're right. I've never had to deal with jealousy before because I never wanted anyone the way I do you."

  She smiled, but he had to man up and make this right. "Isak and I will never become chums, but he did help you when I couldn't be here. I'm glad you had friends then and I will support any friend of yours. Even Isak. I owe him my respect if nothing else. And I know I have to respect your choices and decisions. I've been letting this unholy fear of losing you screw with my thinking."

  That brought out an Evalle smile capable of stopping his heart. She lifted her fingers to his cheek. "Nothing in the world is more important to me than you are ... except being free. I spent the first eighteen years of my life imprisoned and with someone controlling everything I did. I spent the following years walking a tightrope and dancing between remaining free and facing being locked in a box just because I'm an Alterant."

  His jaguar wanted out to punish the people who'd rained those injustices down on her, but he forced the animal back down. Evalle had fought her own battles back then. Storm would be there to back her up in future battles, but he had to let her live her life and decide when to fight and when to stand down.

  She said, "I'm done with going along to get along when it comes to Macha, VIPER ... anyone. I know your actions come from your heart and you'd do anything for me, but all I need is to feel free and loved."

  He cupped her face. "You are so loved, you have no idea."

  "I think I do." She smiled then turned serious again. "I love you, but I can't allow anyone to control me. Not even you, and not even when you have my best interests at heart."

  "I'm thick headed sometimes, but I get that and never want to make you feel as if I'm trying to control you. There is no controlling a force of nature." He kissed her.

  "Now, tell me about your secret building."

  Storm's guilt came back with a double hit. He'd been putting off talking about this until Evalle was ready and he'd unintentionally embarrassed her. "I wasn't hiding this from you." The pain that shot through his chest at that lie brought a groan.

  "Want to rephrase that?" Evalle suggested with a smirk.

  He rubbed his chest. "I was hiding this from you, but as a surprise for you. I wanted to wait until the right moment. Things were so hectic and I didn't want to add to the stress you've been under."

  She sobered at that, but drew herself up and stuck a smile on her face again that he didn't believe. She glanced around, "So. What were you doing here?"

  "I've been buying and selling real estate in Atlanta since I got into town. Cadee Ahearn, the blonde you saw, is my realtor. She's also a designer and a Belador."

  "A Belador? You're kidding."

  "Nope. I've been watching this building for a while. It's prime commercial real estate and the old man who owned the restaurant on the ground floor passed away. His heirs closed the business. When I first told Cadee that I'd buy the building, I told her the old guy could stay as long as he wanted and we'd keep the leases low, but when he died I just let his family out of the lease, which they were happy about." He waited for Evalle's reaction.

  She still had that phony grin in place. "Nice."

  Storm would get to the bottom of this pseudo-enthusiasm later. He had to show her why he'd brought her here. "Want to see it?"

  "Sure."

  He sighed at how hard she seemed to be trying and took her hand, leading her to the stairwell. "The elevator has to be remodeled and certified."

  "I'd like to know more about what you do with investing and ... just more." She followed him up, still talking as if they were on a first date and she was determined to impress him.

  When had Evalle ever thought she had to do that?

  Just watching her wake up in the mornings took his breath away.

  On each floor, Storm explained what the crews were doing. On the third floor, he bypassed the door, explaining, "That's not ready to be seen yet."

  She didn't comment until they entered the top floor where plumbing had been completed and many of the walls were up. Furniture had been delivered that was stored on one side and the kitchen was underway.

  Evalle froze.

  She stared at the furniture, her throat moving, but not saying a word.

  Storm caught her hand. "Are you okay?"

  "Oh. Sorry." She looked around, eyes hunting for something. "The windows. I was glad to see they're covered with black tarp since sunset isn't for another twenty minutes."

  She tried to sound lighthearted, but she was breaking his. There came that empty smile again when she asked, "Is this one apartment?"

  "Yes." He tugged her over to a wide spiral staircase a few feet away. "Want to see the last floor?"

  "I thought this building had four floors."

  "It sort of does. I've had work being done on the roof that I want you to see."

  ***

  Evalle couldn't keep up this level of happy much longer. She needed to go out tonight and find a demon to kill.

  Storm's excitement and trepidation kept brushing her empathic sense.

  The conflict had to be due to him picking up her emotions, which she figured weren't matching her expressions at all. She could smack-talk a troll, but trolls were stupid. Truth was, she had a lousy poker face and Storm was not fooled.

  She tried to envision what he'd built on the roof and it must be some four-walled room since the sun was still out and he wouldn't risk frying her to a crisp.

  When he opened a door at the top landing area, she stared at the bright glow outside and snatched her hand back. "Storm ... this is a bad idea."

  "Trust me?"

  "Of course."

  "Then take my hand."

  She pulled in a deep breath, heart hammering away, and accepted his hand the way she'd accepted his love, scared as hell but determined. As she stepped through the door, she flinched at the first thing she saw.

  The sun still hovered just above the horizon.

  Nothing burned her skin.

  She looked around where every wall had a wide view of the city in all directions.

  Words weren't possible.

  How was she standing in the center of a room filled with sunlight? Tears burned her eyes and she stood awestruck as the sun slowly dropped toward the horizon.

  Storm nudged her forward until they stood in the center of the room, then he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her back to his chest.

  She kept waiting for the sun to burn a hole through her.

  He held her quietly as she soaked it in.

  When she could speak, her thr
oat was raw with emotion. "How? How can I be standing here?"

  He kissed her hair and his deep voice rasped across her senses. "I chose this property right after I met you to put me closer to you than my Midtown house, and the construction started the day I went with you to your apartment for the first time." He hugged her to him again. "It's not that I don't like it or that I won't live down there. I'll live in a hut if it makes you happy. But being in that apartment reminds me of how much you've given up for everyone... especially for me."

  She swallowed hard, fighting tears.

  "I offered an incentive to the construction company last week and they've been running crews around the clock. Cadee helped me get the roof enclosed with a material that's similar to a bulletproof, one-way Plexiglas with no more tinting than a standard window that looks clear. I brought in a shaman from my father's tribe and told him what I wanted."

  "The one who went to Kennesaw with you?"

  "Yes. He said I'd receive a sign when it was time to find Veronika. Now I realize that you calling me to meet you was the sign. I wouldn't have left his side for any reason other than you."

  She said nothing, but she felt his love wrap around her like a safe blanket.

  He continued explaining. "The shaman had spent the last two days and nights performing an ancient ritual that basically wards this area on the inside so that you can see the sun, but it can't touch you. And he blessed it for us."

  "Us?"

  "I told you I go where you go. You can watch all the sunrises and sunsets you want."

  Tears streamed down her face. Storm had brought the world to her. "Thank you."

  "The first floor of the building beneath us will be our living quarters with the same kind of windows, and it's being finished out for me, you and Feenix."

  "He'll be better and I promise ... "

  Storm pulled her around and kissed her. She could give up everything in life to feel his kiss. When he stopped, he said, "Feenix is fine."

  "But he ate your buckle."

  "I'll get another one."

  "That one was from your dad."

  "There's enough left for me to have it remade." He used his thumbs to wipe away her tears. "I spent some time with Feenix. He knows I'm not taking you away from him."

  She thought she loved Storm. What she'd felt for him had been nothing compared to this moment. "We'll get him more toys and lug nuts."

  Storm continued explaining, "I've got plenty of things planned for Feenix's entertainment. He needs company when we're away and more room, too."