A Touch of Brimstone (Magic of the Damned Book 1)

by McKenzie Hunter

  He frowned. “I wish I could change that for you. I can’t. Luna, we have to return the prisoners and defeat the Dark Caster.”

  “Peter,” I offered. It still felt peculiar associating his name with something so dangerous. But undoing his magic was a priority.

  22

  Madeline sat in the chair where I’d first encountered her. Her eyes, and the eyes of everyone in the Conventicle, pierced me with wary annoyance. Either they had the good manners or the self-preservation instinct not to say it, but they seemed to be wondering why I was still alive. Madeline had refused to meet Dominic without them present, which worked out. He was able to tell them about the plans to take over the Conventicle. They didn’t seem worried enough about that, but they did seem worried that the attack on Dominic ensured that he’d be involved.

  His request for Madeline’s magic garnered more of a reaction than the news about the coup. Nothing about these people made sense. They all seemed to share the shock of his request, unable to understand why he wasn’t taking the easy way out. End me, break the spells.

  Madeline’s look of abhorrence overshadowed them all. As if she were a queen requested to do menial labor.

  Canting her head, she blinked hard once. “I’m sorry?” Clearly, she must have heard him wrong. He could not possibly have asked her to share her wondrous magic with a mere human. She blinked again, waiting for him to repeat his request.

  “We have the spells; we just need magic. Your magic to invoke them. My magic can’t be loaned to her.”

  Madeline reacted to that as though it invoked a terrible memory. Had she known someone who attempted to take his magic?

  For someone who wanted the prisoners returned and the coup against the Conventicle handled, she was taking a long time to respond. I wasn’t the only person who thought this because the impatience in the room was palpable.

  A waifish Hispanic woman with loosely curled midnight hair and deep golden skin with cool undertones curled her lips back, revealing sharp canines. Vampire. I assumed Kane’s replacement. “A decision needs to be made, Madeline,” she drawled.

  “Fine. One hour and I must be present the entire time. The moment the prisoners are returned, my magic is returned as well. I don’t want your human to get any ideas.”

  His human. Nothing about my snarl was human, and it sounded so close to a growl that Lance, the shameless shifter, found it humorous.

  “Just once, an exception will be made, and you can travel to the Underworld,” Dominic conceded. “Shall we?” He turned, heading for the door without looking back, expecting Madeline and me to follow.

  “No,” I said. He stopped and turned to look at me. For just a moment, he wore his shock on his face before erasing it, leaving him expressionless. A blank canvas. The tension remained in his posture. He crossed his arms over his chest, giving me the full weight of his stare. Hard and penetrating.

  “I have some requests,” I told him.

  Everyone looked surprised except for the tattooed seer from the first meeting. With a smirk on his face, he rested back in his chair, clasping his hands behind his head as if preparing for a show.

  “You all need to stay hidden,” I demanded.

  “We are,” the vampire provided, becoming less invested in the conversation with each passing moment.

  “But you’re not. You all aren’t known to us, but you’re very much present in our lives.” My eyes flicked to Dominic. “You compel us, manipulate us and our memories.” I looked at the vampire. “Feed from us.” I looked at each of them, giving them my full attention. “Use magic to corral us and influence our lives. Whether or not you are seen, you affect our existence. That needs to stop now.” Emboldened by images of Emoni’s fear-stricken face, I knew I had to do something.

  I looked at each one of them, giving them the full weight of my condemnation. And they responded with offense—definitely a result of being reprimanded by a human.

  “You have rules to keep and you have a concerted effort to ensure that, but when you are discovered by humans, we suffer the consequences. That stops now.”

  “And if it doesn’t?” one of the shifters asked in a dagger-sharp warning, leaning over the table, predatory eyes homed in on me. Drawing up taller, I met his ire. Whether it was magic I wasn’t aware of or the sheer intensity of a shifter’s glare, it was difficult to hold. Sheer defiance was the only thing that kept me doing it.

  “Nothing. I’ll go home, learn to live with the markings on my finger, and you all live with three powerful beings who have a thirst for revenge. Beings who will eventually get word that they’re at no risk of being imprisoned again. They won’t have any qualms about being discovered. That will nullify Dominic’s involvement, leaving you all to deal with the coup. They’ve demonstrated the ability to be quite efficient with their violence. I suspect you’ll spend most of your time trying to stay alive. And the Awakeners? You probably won’t have to worry about them. They’ll be cleaned up in the sweep as the others eliminate you all. Their ‘comply or die’ policy will ensure that.”

  “Are you threatening us, human?”

  “Is it a threat if I plan to do it?” I challenged. “I’m negotiating on behalf of the humans. If they are safe, I’ll do what I can for you all as well. If not. . .”

  Dominic still had the cool, implacable look that made it difficult to read him. If he hated me for this, he wasn’t letting it show.

  “You aren’t doing a good enough job. Perhaps there should be a change. You’re biased—and the dissenters don’t fear you enough to follow your rules. Make a situation that will force compliance.”

  Oh, so that’s what it feels like to have the searing glare of powerful supernaturals on you.

  “She’s not wrong,” Dominic offered, but I couldn’t gauge how he felt. Was this a concession he made so I would help return the prisoners, or did he approve of the changes I proposed?

  “You put her up to this!” Madeline snapped.

  He held his hands up. “I assure you I didn’t, but she sees what I’ve been telling you all along. Your leniency has led to this coup attempt. They see you as feckless. To be frank, you have been. I’m not. The threat of my reprisal and them being taken to the Underworld is a far better deterrent. I have an army. Return to the old ways, lift my restriction. I guarantee you won’t have as many situations to clean up. Nor such casual slipups.”

  I didn’t say that. The old ways seemed really violent with harsh penalties. There had to be a middle ground. But perhaps harshness was needed right now.

  I shrugged. “I don’t care how it’s done—I just want it done.” Sounding more callous than intended, I said, “I don’t want us to be victims of your whims. We shouldn’t have to suffer for your failures. If Dominic’s involvement promotes better compliance and protects us, then do what you must.”

  Dominic nodded and looked to the members of the Conventicle, who didn’t seem sold on the idea.

  Madeline bristled. “So your sister can return to her reign of terror for the most minor offences.”

  “No, that rule will stand. My sister will have no jurisdiction.”

  They continued to debate, becoming hostile at times. I remained silent. Nearly an hour later they had come to some resolution, but contention remained in the air and amplified when Madeline retrieved a piece of illuminated paper.

  “Do I have your permission to make the changes?” she asked the Conventicle.

  They nodded, and she passed the paper around, each individual placing a blood-pricked finger on it. With a swipe of her hand over it, the paper was erased. Feeling like I’d been pulled into a gothic version of Fantasia, I watched a magic-controlled pen scroll over the paper, scribbling out the new terms. I’d made this happen. Flushed with pride, I realized that in a room full of powerful supernaturals, I had prevailed. One point for Team Human.

  Madeline was smug as she negotiated going to the Underworld to watch the spell casting, whereas Dominic still hadn’t made it known how he felt about
the changes. Was he indifferent, or aware that he now had more responsibilities and that the actions of the supernaturals fell on him? Instead of guarding the worst of them, he’d be responsible for holding all rulebreakers accountable.

  Madeline’s response to the estate was more subdued than mine. She gave it a sweeping look and followed behind Dominic as he entered the house, with the same greeting he’d received on my first visit. The guards lined the walkway, and as soon as she was through the door, two flanked Madeline.

  “What the hell?” She halted. “What is happening?”

  “Go with them, we’ll be with you in a moment,” Dominic said in a level, neutral tone. She seemed just as confused as I was when Dominic took me by the elbow, guiding me down a hallway that I had missed. Or perhaps it hadn’t been visible. The pitch-black hall made it impossible to see what was in front of me. A faint hint of sulfur and smoke permeated the space. Magic pulsed off Dominic at an erratic pace.

  “Dominic,” I whispered. He turned to me. His eyes glowed. Roaring amber and bright gold like an active flame held my gaze until I pulled my eyes from his. He threw open a door to reveal more darkness. My heart pounded. Interrogation. Torture. The air was thick with his emotions and my fear.

  “I need lights,” I told him.

  “You don’t need light, I’m right here.” Heat wafted off him.

  “Lights,” I demanded.

  He held a ball of fire in the palms of his hands.

  “Little Luna,” he whispered.

  “Oversized Dominic,” I shot back. No alliteration, but I made my point as I split my attention between looking at the two sources of light—his eyes and the fire in his hands. But the fire garnered the bulk of my attention. I took slow, cleansing breaths, hoping to calm my racing heart. He squelched the fire, making the room dark again.

  A chuckle reverberated in his chest.

  He blinked, eyes muted. When he whispered a spell, the warmth of his breath breezing against my lips made me painfully aware of how close he was to me. Embers of light were floating around us, enough for me to see his face. He tilted his head, dark amusement playing over his face.

  “Do you know what you’ve done?” he asked softly.

  Shoulders squared, I looked at him defiantly. “I’ve protected the humans. We aren’t your playthings. You don’t get to do as you want with us.”

  His eyes darkened. “Playthings?” Another deep rumble of laughter filled the room. He shifted; his lips brushed against my ear as he spoke. “I’d love nothing more than to play with you. Only you,” he whispered. “But we don’t have time.”

  A shudder raced through me.

  “Oh.”

  Great response, Luna, you eloquent orator. “You’re okay with my request?”

  His finger languidly traced along my jawline; heat was blazing off him. “Okay? It was needed, but if I had broached the topic, it would have been more forceful, weakening the already tenuous relationship I have with them. My hands are clean in this. I’m very satisfied. Very.”

  His lips covered mine in a ferocious kiss, his tongue a sultry caress. Pulling away, he nipped softly at my lips. His tongue slowly laved over his bottom lip, soft, sensual, and inviting. Showing me the many ways he’d like to play with me. Panting, he stepped back, letting me catch my breath. My eyes dropped to his growing interest. I was grateful for the dimmed light, hoping it obscured my flush.

  “We should go,” he suggested. Neither of us moved.

  Eventually, he moved to the door, leading me back into the darkness. He held my hand as he guided me down the dark hallway.

  “I’m not sure if that’s how you usually thank people, but I think most people would be fine with a gift card,” I said.

  He made a sound that might have been a laugh. Not much effort was put into it. “I’ll remember that.”

  His hand slipped from mine. Once we approached the lit hallway, all humor had left his face. Helena was right: Dominic was concerningly calculating. As I followed him to the office where Madeline was waiting, she must have noticed my concern and my flushed face. I must have looked regretful because she seemed smugly pleased as she gave me a narrow-eyed look of rebuke. As if she was telling me to know my place and not intervene in supernatural business.

  In the dungeon, Madeline couldn’t take her eyes off the notebook of spells. “May I?” she asked.

  Dominic had made some more changes, numbering the spells he wanted me to try first. He didn’t hide his reluctance. Looking down at the spells, he handed her the notebook but stood close, observing her keenly.

  “These aren’t spells I’m familiar with. I’d love to read the source.” Her fingers were running along them as if she could absorb them by touch. Madeline was looking at the spells longingly and furtively, glancing around the room for the spellbooks. I was sure she’d try to take them if she could. Her covetousness was on full display.

  “No.”

  Her head snapped back at his terse response. She dropped her voice. “You understand my coven’s predicament. We must explore all resources to stop Celeste. If she dies, so does my coven, taking out the strongest of witches. Far too often we’ve helped you. This is your opportunity to return the favor.”

  “Perhaps if you spent less time trying to remove my immunity to your magic and restricting my ability to navigate between your world and the Underworld, you would have discovered a way to counter the spell.”

  Madeline blanched and swallowed, taking several cautious steps back. “Let us continue,” she said, glancing at me. Anything to ignore the knowing look Dominic was giving her. As she approached me, my anticipation of experiencing active magic overshadowed my fear about it.

  “Your hand,” she instructed. Her lips twisted into a rigid moue before taking out a knife. She clasped my hand even more firmly when I tried to jerk it away.

  “I need blood, Luna.” My name was said with the same disdain she said human. Why blood? It made me more amenable to having my hair plucked. She pierced the skin with no care for gentleness. The throbbing kept my hypochondriac mind from going into overdrive.

  Her hand clasping mine was painful against the cut.

  She invoked the spell and its effect was undeniable. A little shock to my finger culminated into a bolt of magic that rampaged through me, knocking the wind out of me. Madeline clenched my hand harder as I struggled to pull away. My ragged breaths filled the room and I closed my eyes, fighting back tears. I opened them only when Madeline released my hand. She’d slumped into herself, her eyes showing the same weariness as her posture.

  Magic frenetically coursed through me. My body felt too small for everything that thrived in me. I wasn’t sure if it was because I was human or wasn’t used to having magic. Or maybe it was the way Strata Three magic felt. It was like trying to contain an enraged bull in a backyard.

  Dominic moved quickly, handing me the notebook of spells and then placing the vellum in front of the cylinder he’d used to track Peter. I rushed the spells out in a long string of sentences. The marks on my finger glowed, slowly unraveling, reluctantly tearing from my skin. I didn’t care. I ignored the pain and continued.

  The black ink spiraled and landed on the paper with each completed spell. Heat wrapped around my finger with the fourth spell; it clung to me and held midfall, resisting its fate before finally dropping to the paper. When the last spell was invoked, Vadim, Celeste, and Roman were enclosed within the newly repaired cells. The sigils on the wall were gone, and the prisoners were glaring at me and Dominic.

  The vampire, Roman, slid a finger over his bottom lip, removing the rivulet of blood from whomever he had been feeding from or changing. Dominic stepped closer, a taunting smile on his lips.

  “Welcome back.”

  Vadim launched at the glass, drawing back his lips and exposing his teeth like a wild animal. Celeste was the only one who held her rage, probably clinging to the fact that imprisonment would be the lesser punishment, since her death would be the end of Madeline’s bloo
dline. As long as she lived, so did they. It wouldn’t help her with being imprisoned, but it guaranteed her life.

  Madeline didn’t even give me a moment of celebration before she had the knife to my hand, ready to do the spell to return her magic.

  “Give her a moment,” Dominic demanded. If a moment was five minutes, then that was all she was willing to give. She snatched her magic back with the voracity of a starving person who had just been handed food.

  It didn’t bother me; I wanted it gone. My finger was red from the spells being removed, but it was the end. I was done. With the vellum rolled up, Dominic and Madeline left the dungeon with new determination. His was to find Peter; hers seemed to be to gain access to Dominic’s spellbooks.

  “I want to go home.”

  My home felt more welcoming than I could’ve imagined, even with the Prince of the Underworld in it. I kept looking at my unmarked hand.

  He moistened his lips and ran fingers through his hair.

  “What happens to Peter?” I asked.

  “I find him and he will be imprisoned. Indefinitely. He’s a menace, but I need to find out why he released the prisoners. It makes little sense. Was it just for the chaos?” He considered it again. “Do you want to question him when he’s found?”

  I shook my head and searched for the right words. Searching wasn’t really necessary. I knew what I wanted to say. It was figuring out how to say it nicely that was the problem. “It won’t change anything. I’ve learned a valuable lesson. The world of magic isn’t for me. I don’t belong in it. I’m not even equipped to survive in it.”

  “You survived fine. I’d even say you are a force—”

  “No.” I shook my head. Everything that I had encountered rushed to my mind. “I survived with you protecting me, and luck. It’s a dangerous world, far more than I can handle. More than I want. A simple, non-magic world is what I want. My world.”

  He nodded slowly, understanding showing on his face. Whatever existed between us, I didn’t want to explore. A relationship with him was a relationship with magic and the Underworld. While magic was being pulled from my skin and different magic was coursing through my body, it hit me harder than ever how much I wanted to be removed from it. Look at it from the rearview mirror and give it a well-deserved middle finger.