Magic Born

by Rayanne Haines

  He stopped Quinn as she walked by him. “Thank you.”

  “For what?”

  “For giving my mother her fire back. I know it was you.”

  “Your mom always had her fire. She just had to move through grief for a while.”

  Gray commanded Alex and Maria to sit beside her. “You two, over here.” She didn't snap her fingers, but she might as well have.

  Maria looked stricken. Holding in laughter, Neeren seated himself on her other side. Gray took a place at one end of the table. Collum the other. Quinn sat beside Collum. Idris entered and sat across from Quinn. Finally, Glenn sat between Idris and Alex.

  Neeren nodded to Idris. They hadn't spoken since the incident.

  “You okay now, brother,” the man asked.

  “I am. I am also deeply ashamed for any harm I caused.”

  Idris waved his hand. “Yeah. Fuckin' hurt whatever it was. We're good though. Just keep a lid on your shit next time.”

  “Lid sealed.”

  Collum cleared his throat. He raised his glass. “To family—blood and bond.”

  “Blood and bond,” they all replied.

  They ate in companionable silence. Neeren's mother asked Alex and Maria questions, making sure to include him as well. By the end of the meal Neeren felt his little witch relaxing by his side. Glenn passed the bottle of wine, then rum, around. Both liquor and the conversation flowed. As the staff finally cleared the plates away, Neeren stood.

  “We have been through much these past few weeks. I think we all know more is coming. I know you all want to hear about what happened in the cave with Maria but first you need to hear my story.”

  “Neeren,” his mother began. But he waved her into silence.

  “My mother and Maria know what I am. What I can do. Idris experienced the beginning of it earlier today.”

  He told them all of it. How as a young child he'd almost killed his father. About his years of training with Monks and Buddhists. With anyone who could teach him control. About how his power over the mind worked. Killing with thought any shifter or human whether they were awake or sleeping.

  When Neeren finished speaking, Collum stood.

  “You're not alone, Neeren. Few in the immortal world possess the power to control another's mind. I'm one of them.” He raised his glass to Neeren. “We're not so different. I'm glad your parents had the foresight to train you. But you can let the weight of this go. We'll help keep you steady.”

  Under the table, Maria squeezed his hand. Neeren felt at ease for the first time in a very long time.

  “Now,” Collum said. “Can we discuss your situation, Mar?”

  Neeren's beloved witch squared her shoulders and told the story of her mother. Her father. Of her childhood. Of her ancestors. Collum and Alex asked the occasional question for clarification.

  “So, if I condense this,” Collum began. “Your mother used you to become queen of the vampires to protect you from a sorcerer the magical world believes is evil. Once Jason turned her she basically jumped from the frying pan into the fire and was forced to carry on the charade so Jason wouldn't kill her. Correct?”

  “You got it boss,” Mar quipped. “Then there is the part about me being a conduit to stop the coming darkness. And mommy dearest trying to convince me something else is coming.”

  “Why didn't you tell us before?” Alex asked.

  Neeren understood where Alex was coming from. She and Mar had become fast best friends. He also knew how much pain and guilt Mar carried with her every day because of her mother. He was surprised when Collum spoke up before Maria had a chance to answer.

  “I suspect many of us in this room wish our parents could have been different. My father killed my mother and abused me daily in the name of making me stronger. Gray, Quinn—I'm sure there are many things you would like to say to your father if you could. We all know Domhall made mistakes.”

  Staring into Maria's eyes, Collum said, “I always knew your mother was a member of the vampire race. You never had to hide that from me. You're not your mother. You won't be judged by the guardians for her mistakes.”

  “You knew?”

  He nodded. “That she was a vampire, yes. The rest, no.”

  The tears welling up in the corner of her eyes rocked Neeren. His appreciation of the dragon grew. At this rate, he’d be calling the man a friend.

  Collum continued, “But as part of this team you can't keep things from us again. We're strongest when we're united. If we hope to defeat the darkness your ancestors spoke of, we must be united.”

  Mar tremble beside Neeren. Her face betrayed nothing. “Deal. No more secrets. Good to know you aren't gonna kick me out of the super-secret club.”

  Everyone at the table laughed in relief. Years of secrets laid before them all. A sense of peace covering the group.

  Neeren raised a glass in toast. “To Maria.”

  ~ ~ ~

  Near three in the morning, Neeren finally climbed into bed with Maria tucked into his shoulder. They'd spent the better part of the night with the family in Collum's study. They'd finished off another two bottles of Merlot before his little witch pulled out the whiskey. He chuckled quietly thinking of how his mother's eyes lit up when Maria challenged her to shots. He and Collum had happily stretched out in arm chairs as the four women in the room outdrank them. Even Glenn had a few shots after Maria called him a chicken.

  Maria woke him up while laughing hysterically as Alex tried to drag her stone-cold sleeping dragon off to bed. Apparently, his mom and aunt Quinn called it a night about half an hour earlier. By the time they made it up to the room Maria was half asleep in his arms. He'd stripped her to her panties and bra while she snored and giggled.

  He sighed as she curled against him snoring loudly in his ear. Maria fascinated every part of him. Her wildness. Her strength. Her self-sufficiency.

  Deep in his bones, he knew she didn't need him. It was the fact she chose him anyway. He'd love her forever for that. This mighty woman. His little witch.

  She snorted in her sleep and his heart flipped. Like an electric current jolted through him. I can't live without her. The thought hit him like a freight train. He'd known the truth of it for a while.

  He nudged her. “Maria?”

  She groaned and turned on her side.

  “Maria.” He tickled her neck.

  “I'm sleeping. Go away.”

  “I need to talk with you. Wake up.”

  “Can't it wait?” She elbowed him and scrambled to the other side of the bed.

  But this was something he couldn't wait on. If he didn't get it out, he might falter. And this time he wasn't going to be patient or careful. He wasn't going to think it through.

  “Maria. Look at me. I'm going to ask you something. You need to be awake for it.”

  She grumbled something about him being a tyrant before turning over and staring at him with bleary eyes. “Fine. What?”

  Touching her cheek, he smiled before saying with all the seriousness he could muster, “Will you marry me?”

  She stiffened. Pushed herself up on her elbows, wiped the sleep from her eyes, and sat cross-legged in front of him. “What did you say?”

  Still smiling—he wondered if he'd ever get the smile off his face—he replied. “Will you marry me?”

  As she stared back with a dazed look, he sat up, matching her cross-legged stance.

  “I know this isn't romantic. I promise to rent out the top of the Eiffel tower for a private dinner overlooking Paris, and to ask you again with all the pomp and circumstance you deserve. For now, I simply need you to know this truth. You are my every waking thought and sleeping dream. I cannot live without you by my side. Will you marry me?”

  She hitched in a long breath. “I'm mortal.�
�

  He shifted. “I know this.”

  “You're not.”

  “This I also know.”

  “You’ll live for a thousand years. I've got another seventy-five max.”

  “Maria. Immortality has offered me nothing but tragedy. I gladly give it up to stand in the light with you.”

  As she tried to speak he gently interrupted her. “You are a powerful witch. I suspect you'll live past the ripe old age of human mortality. And if you don't?” He shrugged. “I don't. I've thought about this. Your ancestors must have a spell capable of linking us. To make me age as you age.”

  “You would do that?” she asked in a halting voice.

  “Immortality is overrated. My legacy will last in other ways.”

  His witch grinned. “You're insane.”

  “Possibly.”

  “What if you regret your decision?”

  “Before you I existed for duty. For family. You offer joy. Abandon. Real life. How could I ever regret a life with you?”

  She touched his cheek. “Yes.”

  It surprised him, how quickly his heart stopped. “Yes?”

  “Yes.”

  “Really?”

  “Did you think I'd say no?”

  “I hadn't gotten that far yet—what to do if you answered yes.”

  “Well I did so you better figure it out.”

  Clutching her face with both hands, he kissed her like his life depended on it. Put years of waiting and wanting into the kiss. It was a kiss that tasted of freedom and future. They kissed until they were both panting. Disoriented. Euphoric. Complete. They kissed until they were soothed. Until a steady calming sensation took them over.

  Neeren kissed her cheeks. Her eyelids. Her hair. He kissed her until they were full and laughing. A kiss meant for friendship. For a lifetime. To signify a bond beyond today's lust. That welcomed old age and holding hands while watching grandchildren play in the park. It was perfect. She was everything.

  He pushed stray hairs off her face and pulled the thick quilt over her shoulders. “You have said yes. I will let you sleep.”

  Maria grinned and yawned. “I love you, kitten. Don't you dare tell Alex until I do.”

  “I promise,” he said as she drifted off to sleep.

  He stroked her back until she calmed and her breathing evened. As she slept beside him, he made another promise to whatever beings were listening. If anyone tried to take her from him again, their death would be slow and painful.

  Neeren would strike without a moment hesitation.

  Chapter 29

  Alex poured Collum his second cup of coffee before topping up her own. The thick brew, Glenn's elixir of the Gods. Her hands wrapped around the olive-green mug in supplication. If she never saw alcohol again it would be too soon. Sunlight poured in through the open kitchen windows. Below the building the sidewalks filled with people making their way to work. A steady stream of morning chattering and hurried footsteps reminded her of the mornings she’d raced to the newspaper. She would not miss morning rush hour.

  The smell of the ocean helped clear her mind almost as much as the coffee. She still hoped to get a run in along the sea wall before the rest of the house stirred.

  “You should have some protein,” Collum said shaking her out of her reverie.

  “I will. Glenn is poaching me an egg.”

  “You really think you're getting a run in? You should have gotten up by six.”

  “Maybe I would have if someone hadn't kept me up half the night,” she scolded.

  Trust her dragon to wink at her and pinch her bottom.

  “Barbarian,” she teased.

  He smirked. “If you wanted tame, you should've waited for a wilting wallflower. We need to talk to Quinn today. I want the two of you to start researching this new threat right away.”

  His lighting fast subject change was too much for Alex this early in the morning. She sipped her coffee before responding. The scent of dill and paprika wafted through the room as Glenn walked in with their breakfast.

  Collum nodded in thanks as he set a plate of eggs in front of him. “Have you heard anything, Glenn?”

  “My sources offer differing opinions,” he answered. “Lachon Findel has access to oracles. Perhaps Quinn could approach him? See if he's heard anything.”

  At the mention of Lachon, Alex jump in to the conversation. “I'm not sure that's a good idea. Aunt Quinn isn't a big fan of his.”

  Collum scowled. “Your aunt is a professional. She'll get over her dislike of Lachon if it means stopping a deadly opponent.”

  “I wouldn't be too sure,” Quinn said as she sauntered into the kitchen.

  Alex stuck her tongue out at Collum before hugging her aunt good morning. Quinn was the calmest, most reasonable, and logical person she knew. Except when it came to her father and Lachon the Law. Because of a decision they'd made twenty-six years ago, Alex had been ripped apart from her family. Quinn hadn’t even known Neeren existed until a month ago. She refused to speak to her father or Lachon.

  Once they'd been reunited, Alex, Quinn, and Gray talked at length about the whole sordid affair. They'd talked about Alex's grandmother, Kaylen. Learning she'd been murdered by the elders had been too much for Quinn to bear. She blamed Domhall. She blamed Lachon.

  Alex doubted Quinn could ever forgive them.

  Alex shoved half her eggs on to a plate for Quinn. Her aunt smelled of lemon and mint. She wore jeans and a yellow cotton T-shirt. Her shower-damp blond hair hung halfway down her back. Alex leaned over and hugged her again.

  Quinn raised her eyebrows. “Why am I expected to deal with Lachon?”

  Collum spoke as Glenn handed Quinn a cup of coffee. “That's part of a bigger conversation.”

  “We have time. I think you can begin,” Quinn replied.

  “We were going to talk to her about it anyway. Might as well be now.” Alex hid her grin behind her coffee cup. Her domineering dragon was quickly becoming outnumbered by strong women.

  He sighed, and placed his cup on the oak table, leaning back in his chair. “I have a job offer for you, Quinn.”

  “I'm enjoying retirement right now. It'd have to be a good offer.”

  Alex burst out laughing and jumped in to save Collum. “Aunt Quinn, Collum wants you to join the Guardians.”

  Quinn sat straighter in the chair. “Guardians? As in plural?”

  Collum crossed his arms on the table before launching into an abbreviated explanation. “A thousand years ago I realized I needed a team. I asked the four strongest warriors from differing races to join me. Rule one—they must never speak of their involvement.”

  “Like in Fight Club?” Quinn joked.

  Alex laughed at Collum's confused look. He ignored them both and continued. “Your father was one of us, but he lost his way. Recently I asked Alex to join us. Now I'm asking you.”

  Quinn slumped in her chair. Sipped her coffee. Remained silent.

  Alex rushed to fill the silence. “There's a new threat to all the races. One we can't pin down. The witches are calling it the darkness. Mar's mother is suggesting it might be a dark sorcerer. Collum's heard from other groups saying it's something else entirely. We thought it was the vampires but now . . . we don't know. We're hoping you'll join us as head of research.”

  She touched Quinn's shoulder. “You're good with details and keeping records.”

  Quinn grimaced. “More secrets, Alex? Haven't we had enough secrets?”

  Quinn turned to Collum. “My element is wind. I'm not meant to hide things. For me, transparency and honesty are at the core of who I am.”

  Alex noticed the respect in Collum's look as he spoke to her aunt. “Then don't become a guardian. Work directly for me. As my assistant. My researc
her. This doesn't have to be a secret. All the races should know about whatever you discover.”

  “Is it that bad?”

  “I believe so. The witches believe so. This threat affects all races.”

  Quinn sipped her coffee. “What does Lachon have to do with it?”

  “The Law of the Elemental has access to oracles. They may be able to see something. The man is also known for his vast knowledge. I want you to ask for his help.”

  “Why can't you ask him directly?” Quinn asked.

  “There's only so much of me to go around. Hence the reason for a team. I need help and you need a new job. What do you say?”

  Alex forced herself to keep from laughing out loud as her aunt groaned while rolling her eyes.

  “Lachon probably despises me,” Quinn said. “I left him drugged on my kitchen floor a few weeks ago to keep him from following when I traveled with Domhall to meet Neeren. I'm not too keen on him either.”

  “We all have to make sacrifices. He'll deal with it. Like you will to secure the common good.”

  Quinn studied the ceiling before speaking. “Fine. But I expect to be paid double what I'm worth. And I'm worth a lot.”

  Collum pushed his chair back, the feet scraping the floor. He strode to Quinn. Towered over her while grinning like a child with a lollipop. Or a cougar that had taken down a gazelle. “Done. You start this afternoon. First I want you two to find out everything you can about Isabella Del Voscova.”

  Chapter 30

  Mar cracked one eye open hoping to see who was trying to cut her head open using a dull blade. Maybe an old fork. Rusty. Yeah, it was definitely rusty. She groaned and covered her eyes with her hands. A thin strip of sun found its way through a slit in the yellow curtain. Wouldn't you know it, the beam pierced directly into her cornea.