But her eyes were bright, not a hint of the glassiness that had shown the others to be under Eleanor's enthrallment. Mandy swallowed, hoping that she was wrong and this wasn't happening. Maybe she was just being supportive when they broke up.
"Mom, Zack and I are not back together."
"Oh, that's a shame. And who is this handsome man?" Her mother eyed Daniel with a raised brow.
"Mom, we have to go." Mandy clasped her hands and tugged her towards the door. "I don't have time to explain, but we're all in great danger."
Please, don't let Eleanor have enthralled her! Maybe she secretly liked Zack, or maybe she had just been out in the sun too long. Her feet dug into the carpet, a frown crossing her face. Mandy pulled harder, and her mother yanked her hands away.
"What has gotten into you, girl?" she shook her head. "You're being awfully rude. Oh, I forgot to say. There's someone to see you."
"Mom—"
Thick arms circled her waist. Daniel heaved her into his arms, and Mandy uttered a short shout, kicking her feet and squirming to get away. Daniel's grip only tightened on her. Her mother's eyes widened as Mandy struggled. Zack stood to one side of the room, not doing a single damned thing.
"What are you doing?" she demanded. "Put my daughter down. There is a lovely young woman here to see her, and you're being awfully rude."
Her mother's blasé attitude was all Mandy needed to confirm that Eleanor was here. She let out a sob.
"Let me go." Mandy pounded Daniel's chest with her fists. "I'm not going to leave her here!"
"We don't have a choice," Daniel started, but he never got to finish.
Mrs. Hicks threw out both her hands. A rush of wind picked Daniel up and threw him across the room. Mandy was torn from his grasp. She stumbled backward as Daniel crashed into a small end table. The mirror above his head fell with a crash, shattering over his body. Mandy ran back to her mother and grabbed both of her hands, intending on pulling her away.
"Amanda, dear," a sweet, melodic voice said. "I am so glad to see that you arrived safely."
Just the sound of Eleanor's voice made her freeze. She trembled, desperately wanting to turn around and drink in the beauty of the vampire, but she knew the moment she laid eyes on Eleanor, it was all over. Her fist clenched as she gathered her earth magic to her fingers. Hers was not a magic that could easily be used as a weapon, but it could at least serve as a distraction.
Daniel roared, launching himself forward. Mandy cried out and turned to help him, but her mother grasped her wrists hard, stopping her. The alpha swung at Eleanor, but she side-stepped his blow and punched him hard in the head. He stumbled back. Zack jumped at her from behind. She spun away, laughing and clapping her hands. When he landed, she grabbed him by the throat and looked into his eyes. Instantly, he dropped to his knees and started to kiss her feet.
"Run!" Daniel shouted at her as he attacked again. His eyes were closed as he swung wildly.
Mandy yanked her hands from her mother and grabbed her arms, dragging her backward. "Mom, please!"
"Stop being silly," her mother chided. "After she came all this way to see you."
"Mom!"
A grunt behind her distracted her. Zack had Daniel pinned to the floor, with Eleanor stepping on the bear's throat. Mandy screamed, but she didn't crush his neck. Instead, Zack pried his eyes open. Eleanor smiled as Daniel's massive body relaxed.
"Now, there will be no more silliness, will there?" Eleanor simpered.
Daniel grunted as he threw Zack off of him. He scrambled to his feet, shaking his head. For a moment, Mandy thought he was going to shake off the enthrallment, but he didn't. Instead, he sank back to his knees and bowed his head towards the vampire.
"My queen."
Mandy let loose a blast of magic at the vampire. The green light hit her square in the chest. For a split second, Eleanor's icy tones took on a pink hue, and she gasped as though in pain. It was over before it started, though, and Zack jumped on Mandy. He pinned her to the floor while her mother gasped. Daniel's hands curled, but he stayed where he was.
"Don't crush my little witch," Eleanor's voice was sharp. "It's not time yet."
"Not time for what?" Mandy snarled. "To kill me?"
"Now, now, dear. Let's not get morbid." She jerked her chin, and Zack pulled Mandy to her feet.
He held her arms behind her back. Mandy's gaze sought out Daniel, but his eyes were glazed. There was no help coming from him. Mandy felt her own eyes burning. After all they had gone through, it was over. She couldn't do this by herself. Especially not since she was going to be enthralled herself soon.
"You are a powerful witch to revive me after all these centuries," Eleanor said. "Perhaps even as powerful as I am at full strength."
Mandy's eyes widened. "You're a witch?"
"An earth witch to be precise. Which is why it was so easy for me to enthrall your mother."
Mrs. Hicks stepped up beside Mandy and smoothed her hair. "I told you she was lovely, didn't I?"
Mandy glared at the vampire, rage holding the enthralling at bay for the moment.
"Back in my day, a man who practiced magic was a miracle worker, while the women were burnt at the stake. So I kept my abilities secret, practicing in the dark of night. And then I found I could cut the life right out of me, and I became this." She smiled, gesturing to herself. "And I created my armies. The shifters destroyed my plans and buried me and my generals. But no matter. I've already started a civil war among clans, it will be easy to destroy them after they've wiped out most of their number."
"And your generals?"
"Gone." Eleanor closed her eyes. "But you are going to bring them back to me."
Mandy swallowed. "And why can't you…" she trailed off. "You can't raise them because you cut the life out of yourself. You don't have life magic in you anymore."
"True." Eleanor stroked her cheek.
A warm haze washed over Mandy's mind. She struggled against it, fighting against the sway. But she soon forgot why she needed to fight and beamed at the beautiful goddess smiling at her. "I will do anything you want, my queen."
"Yes, you are. You are going to bring them back, Amanda. And you," Eleanor smiled at Daniel, "you will give me the children who will lead them."
Chapter Eight
Daniel
Why had he wanted to hurt this beautiful creature?
Daniel stood to one side of the room, his eyes locked on Eleanor. She was very near the most stunning sight he had ever seen. Every word that fell from her mouth was like pure gold. His bear growled in his chest, batting and swiping, but he shoved it down deep. That was just his temper again. The alpha in him just didn't want to follow orders, but this queen deserved to be obeyed… worshiped, even.
When she said he would give her children, a cold feeling hit the pit of his stomach, though he couldn't say why. It was an honor, wasn't it? If he closed his eyes and imagined what Eleanor's kiss would be like, he tasted berries and salt, the comfort of sitting beside a campfire, a chill in the air but warmth on his face…
Wait.
That was Mandy.
His gaze sought the witch out. She smiled at the vampire, but Daniel frowned. There was something about this that didn't sit right with him, but he had no idea what that was. He was concerned. But Eleanor wouldn't hurt Mandy, the woman who brought her back. So what was he concerned about?
"Shall we sit?" Eleanor gracefully swept past them.
Daniel followed quietly, disturbed but unwilling to show it. His father would know what to do if he was here. So would Adam. Where was Adam? He glanced around. Adam was… somewhere.
It didn't matter where, because Eleanor was smiling at him now. He smiled back, enjoying the light of her eyes. As soon as she looked away, though, his nerves churned again.
The living room was neat. A little more cluttered than he would have liked, but well-organized. Eleanor sat on a reclining chair while Mandy, her mother, and Zack all sat on a sofa. Daniel remained standing.
It wasn't in his blood to put himself in a vulnerable position when he felt this way, no matter how unfounded he knew it was.
"How can I serve you, my queen?" Mandy asked, a pink flush in her pale cheeks.
"Your blood will rise my generals," Eleanor said. "We will return to the bear clan, and there—"
"You're going to kill her?" Daniel interrupted. His hands clenched and his bear roared. For a brief moment, he even thought about launching himself across the room at the queen.
Eleanor appraised him silently for a moment before smiling sweetly. "Kill? No. Just a few drops of blood."
His bear still roared, but Daniel forced it down. Eleanor wouldn't lie to him about this. Would she? "I apologize for speaking out of turn, my queen."
Eleanor pursed her lips, eyes flashing. "It is quite fine. This time. But see that you don't do it again."
Daniel dropped his gaze. If she saw his doubts, then she might take away his honor… what was that again? His gaze turned to Mandy, whose face was glowing. His eyes trailed down her figure. Lush curves. Flared hips. Sturdy body. A bit thicker than most human women he had seen, but he always thought they were too thin. His mouth watered as he thought about kissing her, undressing her, tasting her.
He nearly moaned when he imagined what it would be like to be inside her.
"You are to protect my precious witch," Eleanor said, jarring Daniel back to the present. She headed for the door, Zack and Mandy's mother following after her. "I don't want anything to happen to her, understood?"
Daniel nodded. What was she going to do? He nearly opened his mouth to ask, but Mandy slipped her hand in his and he forgot all about the vampire and her plans. He turned to the little witch, whose face was bright and eyes dancing. His arm snaked around her waist as the door closed, and he returned her smiled with one of his own.
"I'll protect her all right," he growled, his eyes focused on her lips. "I'll kill a thousand men and die a thousand deaths to protect her."
Mandy giggled, her cheeks flushing. "Oh, really? Such a big, strong protector I have."
Her hand circled his bicep, firing his blood. He hadn't noticed it before, but her touch was electric. She moved a little closer to him. His arm around her waist tightened. He remembered something Eleanor had said… giving her children. This had to be what she meant, right? It was the reason they were left alone together. Because Eleanor didn’t have any life in her. She would be incapable of producing children. So she wanted him and Mandy to create the children for her.
Relief flooded him. It would have been an honor to warm Eleanor's bed, but the thought of having Mandy was much, much more enjoyable. With her life and softness, she was everything Daniel wanted.
"So strong," Mandy crooned, running her hands over his muscles. "So handsome. I can't believe those women at your clan… all talking about how undesirable you are. Talking about your temper. But I haven't seen you lose your temper, not once. They're all just bitter grapes."
"But not you?"
"No."
Mandy pressed herself to her toes, pulling him down as she did so. Their lips met and a thousand sparks swept through his brain. His eyes closed as he drew her closer. She flung her leg over his hip, and he had to pick her up so she wouldn’t sway on her tip-toes. Their bodies fully pressed together made everything hotter inside of him. He hardened as he ground against her. The moan of pleasure coming from her throat, accompanied by a musky scent, told him she felt the same way.
He pressed her against the wall but stopped. He expected his bear to be roaring with approval, to be egging him on. And yet it was quiet. Almost… ashamed. He frowned.
"What's wrong?" Mandy asked, stroking his face. "Is it Eleanor?"
"I…" He shook his head, trying to understand what his brain was doing. "I don't know. You kissed me before, but you didn't act like you wanted… this."
Mandy laughed. "Oh, silly. Of course I did. Ever since I put my eyes on you I've wanted to climb the treetop lover you are. Bad, bad… however that song goes. I want you to rip off all my clothes."
Daniel stared into her eyes and almost lost himself again. But he shook his head and forced himself to think. His thoughts were all muddled, bumping into each other in a confusing hum. Was there a reason they shouldn't be doing this? Was he drunk? Mandy brushed her lips against his and he returned the kiss eagerly–before pulling back again.
"Eleanor."
Mandy chewed her lip.
"Eleanor's enthralling. It's sexual. She ensnares us with sexual…" his thoughts trailed off. "What was I saying?"
"Nothing." Mandy pulled him closer again. This time she wasn't satisfied with a simple kiss, instead breaching his mouth with her tongue. Daniel groaned into her mouth, grinding against her again.
The door slammed open. Daniel growled in annoyance and set Mandy down.
Zack came into the room, grinning blithely. His gaze fastened on Mandy, with a gleam in them that made Daniel want to tear him apart. He growled low in his throat, but the lion acted like he hadn't even heard it. Mandy plastered herself against Daniel's side and he grasped her full ass while glaring at Zack.
"What do you want?" he snarled.
"Eleanor wants you," the lion said. "She said that we made a mistake. I am supposed to take care of sweet Mandy, and you are supposed to stay by the queen's side."
Leave Mandy with this cretin? Unlikely. Daniel pushed the lion away when he took a step closer to Mandy, lust clear in his eyes. The alpha tensed and would have attacked him right then and there if Mandy wasn't clinging to his arm.
"You have been forcing your attentions on her from the start," Daniel said shortly. "How do I know that you're telling the truth now? Eleanor charged me with Mandy's safety, and until I hear from her that her orders have changed, I won't leave her side."
Mandy giggled, running her hand under his shirt.
Zack's eyes narrowed. "Eleanor said—"
"I don't believe you. Get out."
The lion's lips pursed, like a sulking child's. He turned his back, shooting glares at them as he departed. Daniel snorted at him, and Zack dashed from the house. Part of him wondered if Eleanor really did want the lion to be Mandy's protector, but he quickly dismissed it. There was no way the queen would assign such an unsavory character to protect somebody so precious.
"Where were we?" he growled, turning back to Mandy. She held her arms out to him, giggling. But before he could embrace her again, there was a loud shout from outside.
Both of their heads whipped round as a splintering, breaking noise echoed through the house. They jumped apart as Eleanor came storming into the room. Daniel automatically shifted to shield Mandy from her gaze, although the action instantly left him chagrined. What was he doing? He didn't need to do something like that… now Eleanor would be angry.
And she was.
"I told you to come with me," the vampire shouted at him. "You are mine, not hers. I forbid you from seeing her or speaking to her or even thinking about her!"
Mandy gasped. Daniel's bear roared. The alpha in him wanted to challenge her words. He rolled to the balls of his feet and almost growled before he caught himself just in time. Eleanor glared at him, her fists clenched. He told himself to drop his gaze, but his bear snarled and refused to let him.
"The lion here will be my witch's protector," she continued. "And—"
"No."
Eleanor stopped. Her eyes widened as she stared at Daniel. "Excuse me?"
"No. I'm not leaving her in his care." Daniel straightened his shoulders. His bear growled in approval. The thick haze holding his thoughts at bay started to dissipate. "He's not worthy of her."
Eleanor's gaze flickered to Mandy. Cold, hard fury radiated from her. For a moment, Daniel wished he hadn't spoken at all. The goddess was angry at him–at them. What if she decided that they weren't worthy of her after all? He should have just kept his stupid mouth shut.
"I see," the vampire whispered, eyes still on Mandy. "Well… that does cause some issues
, doesn’t it?"
Before Daniel could ask what she meant, there was a roar behind him. A bear charged through the back door. The alpha was just able to recognize the intruder as Adam before he rammed straight into Eleanor.
The vampire cried out in shock, sending waves of fury over Daniel's frame. With a roar of his own, he charged forward. Zack snarled and shifted, leaping at Adam. The intruder slapped Eleanor once more before rushing from the house. Daniel followed, fury in his heart and bloodlust in his eyes. He didn't care if Adam was his brother or not… anybody who attacked their queen had to die.
Chapter Nine
Mandy
Mandy screamed as Eleanor collapsed. The queen sat, dazed, a hand pressed to her forehead. She blinked twice and then looked up. Rage filled her beautiful face. Mandy rushed to her side, desperate to help, ready to fill any orders she was given. Eleanor pushed her aside and made to stand, but a bolt of lightning shot through the window. It hit the vampire straight in the back, causing her to stumble and fall again. She moaned as Martin charged into the house.
"Mandy, hurry!" he shouted, gesturing at her. "There isn't much time."
"What?"
"Come on!" he strode forward and grasped her wrist.
She yanked away from him. "What are you doing?"
Outside, Daniel chased the other bear and disappeared between the houses. Zack turned and charged towards Martin. The light-wizard cursed and shot a bolt of lightning at him. It struck, making the lion stumble. Martin pulled on her once more but when she didn't budge, he fled. Zack let out a deep roar that vibrated the floor and chased after him.
"No!" Mandy pressed both hands to her mouth.
She looked, torn, between the vampire and her friend. A shudder passed over her as she stepped away from the vampire. Another shudder took her as she thought about Daniel, fighting his brother.
Without stopping to think, she ran from the house, chasing through the buildings after the shifters. She emerged from the suburban maze just in time to see Zack's large form disappeared into the trees. Mandy chased after him.
The Alpha Bear's Magician Page 5
