Sabrina felt the last vestiges of blood drain from her face. Brandon seldom talked about work, and she was always sorry when he did. Much like discussing Brandon’s past, she knew Brandon was a crime boss, but she never wanted to know the details.
“It’s not like we give them innocent people. These people are all criminals and mostly supernatural. The supernaturals weren’t going to the cops or to a human jail in the first place. Giving them to the triplets was a way of giving you a little extra protection. If they take them, Thanatos has no reason to come to where you are. I’d do anything to keep you safe. You know that,” he continued. He stepped quickly to her side and pulled her in for a kiss.
She had no time to react. She felt his lips press against hers, his fangs biting into her lower lip as he did. Heat like a fire rushed across her skin, radiating out from his kiss. She allowed herself to relax into him, her soft body conforming to his hard, muscular one. Wetness filled her pussy, needing him to do more than just kiss. She wanted him to touch her, taste her, and ravish her on the spot.
The lioness stretched and gave an annoyed huff. The big cat wanted more resolution, more communication before giving in to physical demands. She gave a short growl, reminding Sabrina of unfinished business.
Sabrina used all her willpower to push the lioness away. Several deep breaths cleared her head. She looked up at Brandon’s deep brown eyes and thought she caught a hint of disappointment.
“We have things to discuss before you get into my pants,” Sabrina said weakly. Resisting Brandon had never been one of her strong suits. Having the opportunity to get lost in his thickly corded arms seemed like paradise in the middle of a storm, but the lioness was right. Personal issues needed sorting out before giving in to paradise.
She took a few steps back and pointed to her favorite place on the creek bank. “Have a seat,” she said, leaning over to roll up her pant legs and kick off her shoes. As kids, she and Clay often worked out their differences with their feet in the cold mountain creek. She swore the rushing waters never actually warmed, even in the sweltering summer heat like now.
After Brandon chose a spot, she sat beside him and dipped her toes into the chilly water. An involuntary shiver ran up her spine. A memory perhaps? The cold did not really bother her, but the reaction seemed more like a familiar habit of a century of experiences. She did not speak, only looked at the far bank and watched the low hanging limbs brush the top of the water.
Brandon followed her lead and put his feet in the creek, too. He did not as much as flinch, much less shiver. “So, now what?”
“Now you’re going to tell me what Nemesis was to you and what she still means. I want to know exactly where I stand and don’t think it’s too much to ask you to be the one to tell me,” Sabrina said quietly. She never took her eyes off the far shore. If Brandon looked at her, she took no notice.
“Clay once said, ‘Sometimes confessions come easier when they are spoken to the trees,’ and I find a truth in the idea. So, just look straight ahead and spill it,” she told him, remaining focused on the other creek bank.
Brandon sighed heavily and then told her about his first sight of the winged goddess of divine retribution and the death of the gladiator school’s head man. He explained how Rome, and especially gladiators, worshipped her as a patron goddess of the games. He pulled the coin Marley delivered to the house and showed it to Sabrina.
“See the likeness of her on the obverse? Hadrian was one of the rare few to strike her image on a coin. She gave us many victories and punished the enemies of Rome. In the ring, she provided strength and courage to many a man facing his death. I fell in love with her. After a while, she took notice of me and offered to give me an eternity of love and devotion. She just didn’t say the eternal part was all hers. I accepted. The affair didn’t last long, only a couple of years. I was only a few challenges away from winning my freedom. In the final match, she held me back and ensured my death. If it weren’t for Hadrian, I would have died on the floor of the Coliseum with a gladius shoved between my ribs,” he confessed.
A moment’s pause let the sound of babbling water carry his words downstream. Clay used to tell her the water washed the hurt away with the words. She thought of his face and smiled. Even now, he helped her through her troubles from beyond the grave.
“You’re smiling. Are you amused Nemesis caused my death?” He sounded perturbed.
She looked him in the eye. “No. I was thinking of how death doesn’t prevent our pasts from reaching out to us. She claimed to love you and made you a promise she didn’t keep. That part’s tragic. The fact that something told to me in childhood by another friend is helping me accept what you say is beautiful,” she replied, still smiling.
She let her smile falter. “I have things I want to tell you, too. Over the last few days, we’ve encountered a number of odd people. Those men who tried to bug the shop and followed us home. I think I know who they’re working for,” she said in a serious tone. If they were confessing, she might as well come clean, as well.
“Who?” Hadrian asked from behind them.
Sabrina gave a tiny yelp and grabbed Brandon’s bicep. “You scared me! I didn’t hear you creep up on us,” she said.
“Of course not. I wanted to know you were all right but not intrude on your privacy. This, however, is another matter and is one that affects us all,” Hadrian said, walking up to tower over the pair of them. His eyes flicked between Brandon and Sabrina.
Delilah sauntered out of the woods behind him, laying a carefully painted, talon-like fingernail against his cheek. “Oh, Papa. You spoiled the mood. I was enjoying seeing the lovebirds kiss and make up,” she said playfully. Her whole demeanor changed in an instant. “I smell demon here. Who else has been here?” Her sharp stare zeroed in on Sabrina.
“Salem,” Sabrina answered. She told them about the man in the tree line calling to her, how he gave her his card. When she pulled it out of her pocket, the words vanished. She recounted the half demon’s warnings. “I don’t know why she would think I wanted him. I’m married, for crying out loud.”
Delilah gave an evil smile. “Marley delivered the coin given to her by Salem as a mistaken package and then Salem made a threat about avoiding Mars. Hmm…You don’t say,” she said and chuckled. “I’m going to have to give that girl credit for ambition. Stupid, but ambitious. Oh, this is too delicious! Her mother will faint!”
“Would you care to elaborate?” Brandon said impatiently. He pulled his feet out of the water and stood up. Offering Sabrina his hand, he helped her get to her feet.
“Don’t you see? Mars came in search of Eleanor. Instead, he found her niece. He’s looking for a replacement protégé. Salem wants the job. Being the pupil of the god of war would certainly get her out of being a servant in hell,” Delilah said and clapped her hands together.
“But Marley delivered the coin from Nemesis. Winston and Salem said it came to the store by FedEx,” Sabrina pointed out. She wondered how the half demon found herself with two masters.
“I’m sure Salem arranged the whole thing, the sly girl. Until Mars showed up, Nemesis would have been a keen ally to have, but a bigger dog came to the fight. I’m guessing she wants to go with the more powerful celestial being. I’m also guessing Nemesis doesn’t know about Salem’s interest in Mars, or she wouldn’t agree to use her as a handmaiden. Either way, Salem betrayed her family,” Delilah clarified. A glimmer of thought twinkled in her eyes. A ring of flames encircled her feet.
“Wait!” Sabrina shouted, reaching out to the demoness. “What about Nemesis and Mars?”
The flames subsided. “Yes, of course. I was a little excitable. I just don’t often get to watch the sort of drama this is going to cause,” she said like a little schoolgirl wanting to rush home to tattle.
She smoothed her coarse brown hair back and pulled a tube of lip gloss from her massive cleavage. A quick trip around her lips with the gloss made her dark-green lips shine. “Okay. Where were we? Ah
, yes. Eleanor was such a badass because Mars trained her personally. It’s the biggest reason Diana entrusted you to her instead of any one of her other children. When she died, that left a job vacancy. Now, what this means to you is simple. He needs a pupil. You have a unique set of magical skills, but no training. You’ve already made a blip on his radar. I’d say if you wanted the job, he’d take you without question, but we don’t yet know if he’s made any offers to Salem. Her part might just be wishful thinking for the time being,” Delilah informed the three vampires.
“What if I don’t want the job?” Sabrina asked. Knowing how well other celestial beings reacted to being told no, she felt she already knew the answer.
“Let’s just say he’s very persuasive. Eleanor didn’t come willingly, at first. Centuries later, she still held on to his sword like a treasure, although she chose to carry a replica sword daily. I really must be going. I want to see the look on Jeezabeal’s face when she hears the good news,” Delilah said devilishly. A ring of flames rose around her feet and quickly overtook her entire body. A moment later she was gone, leaving behind only a dark ring on the ground.
Sabrina frowned. “He said he could help me save you from Nemesis. I guess I know what the price would have been,” she said flatly.
“He’s not the only one who knows how to fight and is familiar with the rules of the arena,” Hadrian said.
“Rules,” she muttered with no emotion.
She turned to face her father. “I might just surprise you. Fair warning, Aunt Eleanor didn’t put a lot of stock in formal fighting techniques. She taught Clay, and Clay did his best to help me learn the basics.” She smirked. Eleanor taught her to be a good little girl, but many nights, she stayed up late and watched her aunt and the fairy practice in the yard from her bedroom window. Not everything she and Clay did down by the creek involved chatting. She learned a few things about using weapons.
Brandon ran his hands down her arms from behind her. “I’ll teach you, if you’ll let me,” he said softly.
She sighed. “All right, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
Chapter 14
“Keep those eyes closed,” Brandon said. He opened the door for Sabrina to enter the small living room and guided her inside. After letting Hadrian slip in quietly, he closed the door, stepped back, and waited. “All right. Now you can look.”
“Oh my stars!” Sabrina gasped. She fell to her knees in front of the memorabilia trunk and covered her mouth with both hands. Seconds ticked by before she began pulling out pictures and postcards.
Brandon felt a little confused. Two celestial beings made open threats against her life and freedom. Yet, she went for the picture albums first. That made no sense to him. Why did she not start with the box of weapons or the bag of treasure? His expression must have given away his thoughts.
Hadrian lightly tapped him on the shoulder and motioned him toward the kitchen.
Brandon gave Sabrina once last glance before following him.
“Whatever you do, do not let her see you display anything but joy at her findings,” Hadrian whispered. He pointed to a kitchen chair, clearly instructing Brandon to sit down.
“I really don’t understand. She’s being accosted on all fronts. What good will a pile of pictures and faded handwriting on old postcards do?” Brandon whispered back.
“My boy, you still have a lot to learn about the heart of a woman. I know you’ve had many women over the centuries, but you never held their hearts. They find strength and peace in such things. That box of paper is a link to her past. Her roots are in this place. If you give her a few moments alone with the memories, she’ll be more receptive to the things you deem more important,” Hadrian said wisely to his son-in-law.
Brandon saw the sense in Hadrian’s wisdom and nodded in agreement. Still. He worried. “Do you think she’ll be able to learn enough to protect herself in time?”
“We’ll see,” Hadrian said, looking at his watch. “It’s about time to let her show us what she has found. If there is anything a woman loves more than her treasures, it’s showing them to someone else.” He gave a chuckle and scooted his chair back as he stood.
Brandon understood this part well. While his previous relationships, if anyone could call them that, were brief, they usually involved giving gifts. Sometimes small things placated his lovers. Other times required large, more expensive purchases. They all had one thing in common. Each woman needed someone with whom to share the news of her gift.
They rounded the corner from the kitchen into the living room to find Sabrina’s face covered in a mass of pink-tinged tissues.
“Sabrina?” Brandon said like more of a question.
* * * *
Sabrina lost her ability to speak long before her father and husband entered the room. Eleanor’s letter choked her words the moment she opened the envelope. She held a wad of tissues over her nose to prevent the tears and runny nose from dripping and ruining the gorgeous script her aunt left for her.
“Honey, are you okay?” Brandon asked, kneeling down beside her. He laid a hand on her shoulder.
She tried to nod and shake her head at the same time. Instead of making an effort to clarify her response, she offered him Eleanor’s letter. A sharp sob escaped her as the paper left her hand, as if Eleanor was the paper and Sabrina was losing her all over again. She knew the words by heart as he read them and would do her best to remember them for the rest of her life. She could hear Eleanor’s voice in her head as Brandon read the letter out loud. She closed her eyes and remembered the words in the glorious, old-fashion script Eleanor used.
Dear Sabrina,
If you are reading this, I am no longer on your plane of existence. No matter where I find myself now, I want you to know being your guardian was my singular honor. Never before and never again will another creature such as you walk this Earth.
Over the years, I’ve watched you grow from a curious toddler to a beautiful young woman. While it is true that I was charged with your safekeeping as my sacred duty, I did my best to think of you as my own child. You and Clay were my only hope to raise children, and I think you both turned out well.
By now I’m sure you know the pendant around your neck dampens your magic and channels the excess. Where did the magic go, you ask? Into a very special place only you can access. Think of this place as a universal magical bank account. My only hope is that you read this before you accidentally tap into your magic. I fear what will happen and the imbalance it might cause without guidance. With luck, I will have been there to help you along the way. If not, I am sorrier than I can ever express, and I beg your forgiveness in not making you privy to the information sooner. If you tap into your reserved power all at once, every celestial power in the universe will attempt to collect you. Resist at all cost the temptations they offer, even my own mother and especially Mars, should he ever resurface. The world has moved on without them for centuries. Their return would create chaos and strip away free will. Remember to think of what you need and ask. For good or for bad, the universe will answer in some fashion. Use this power sparingly. Power can corrupt even the purest of souls eventually. I can assure you, the journey back from such corruption is long and difficult and forever tarnishes your soul.
There are a few things about Clay I feel the need to confess. You know I found him in the woods as an orphan and did my best to ensure he became your friend and confidant. What you may not know is that I asked for him in exchange for spells earthbound celestial magic can never produce. He really was an orphan, but wood fairies never abandon one of their own. You must understand. I told him my reasons when he became of age and gave him the choice of returning to his people or staying with you. He chose you willingly and with a glad heart. It was my hope for the two of you to find true happiness together. If I have been successful, you and he married. You will have released your celestial powers, and the two of you will have a long and productive life together. I wish the two of you much joy.
&nb
sp; In parting, I want you to remember one thing. I have loved you from the moment you came into my life, and I loved you with my last breath. Until we meet in the next life, farewell to thee, my darling girl. You may have been born Midnight’s Jewel, but you are the most precious treasure in my possession.
With love and affection,
Eleanor Beckett
Sabrina sniffed and wiped her nose. She looked over at Brandon to see him staring at the paper with a mixed expression. Everything played in his eyes, but she noticed his face remained stony and very vampire-like. She glanced up at her father to see him giving her a sympathetic look. From somewhere down deep, the dam of words broke open.
“I never knew she felt that way. She always kept her feelings close to her heart. I mean, I always felt cared for, but she never actually said the words,” Sabrina said and hiccupped. The signs of love were all there, but reading Eleanor’s final words made them feel more real.
“It’s a beautiful letter. You should keep it someplace safe,” Hadrian said softly.
Brandon handed it back carefully, making sure not to crease the delicate, old paper. “I’m glad you have such a nice keepsake, but I’m really glad things turned out differently than she expected. You’re my wife, and I love you,” Brandon said, looking her in the eye.
Sabrina smiled. “Thank you,” she said, trying hard to fight back another round of tears. She sniffed again and wiped her nose. “She did mention Mars by name. Think she knew something would come up?”
“After talking to Delilah, I’m almost certain of it. According to Delilah, Eleanor was once his student. She might have been more, but if she was, Delilah didn’t say. We do know his gladius is in the other trunk. It might be how he found you,” Brandon told her, pointing to the neglected box on Sabrina’s other side.
“Oh! I was so caught up in the pictures, I nearly forgot about this one,” she said and turned her attentions to the weapons. Reaching over, she picked up the gladius from the top of the pile. It hummed warm and familiar in her hands.
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