by Theda Vallee
I bent over, my breathing labored like I’d just run a marathon. Controlling and directing magic for extended periods of time was exhausting. If I was going to be any good at this I needed to build my stamina.
Finally, able to breathe normally, I moved back into the apartment. My family needed to get the hell out of here before Leontyne, or anyone else for that matter, showed up.
“What are you doing?” I gasped. Nonna was kneeling on the floor scrubbing blood from the carpet. Nerina had a mop in hand, looking very much like she was going to attempt to soak up all the blood from the kitchen. Aunt Sophia and Gia were collecting rotted food from the living room and tossing it into a trash bag they had somehow scrounged up.
“There’s a body in the bedroom.” Nerina said it effortlessly, like someone would say the keys were on the table.
“What has that got to do with what you guys are doing?” I was going to have a heart attack if they didn’t get the hell out here.
“You cannot let the police come in here to this mess. It would be embarrassing for his mother,” Nonna said as she continued to scrub away evidence.
This was why you never brought your grandmother to a crime scene.
“You can’t clean a crime a scene! This is all evidence! How am I the only one who knows this?” I bellowed at them like an angry bull.
Nonna stopped mid-scrub, her back going ramrod straight. Slowly she stood up from the floor, anger flaring her nostrils as she strode over to where I stood.
“You do not speak to us this way. I did not raise you to treat anyone like this, but especially not your famiglia,” Nonna said poking her finger into my chest.
“I’m sorry,” I said, chewing my bottom lip to keep from crying. “What are you guys doing here?”
Aunt Sophia reached into her shirt pulling my cell phone out of her bra. “You forgot this dolce. Also, we wanted to see where you worked.”
“I don’t work here,” I said trying to keep my voice from raising.
“She means we wanted to see you working. We know you don’t work here. How dumb do you think we are?” Nerina explained.
She didn't want me to answer that right now. I walked over to Aunt Sophia, taking my phone from her. There were no new messages from anyone on the team. Did Leontyne just ditch me? I sent a text to Luc quickly letting him know there was a body and a shit ton of blood. While I waited for the cavalry, I needed to get my meddling family out of here. Aside from the burnt curtain, I could pretend none of this had happened. No one needed to know that my family may have destroyed most of the evidence.
“Congelare!” Gia’s shouted behind me.
Why was Gia screaming “freeze”? Did I even want to know? I didn't think I could handle one more thing. I turned slowly to find Leontyne frozen in the doorway. Icicles hung from her long red locks. Closing my eyes, I decided to count to ten before I said anything. If I opened my mouth right now, my family would never forgive me.
“That’s so cool. How’d you do it?” Nerina circled Leontyne, the newly-minted Ice Queen.
“I figured out a way to bind a spell to a stone. You can weave the magic into it, then set it to unlock with a word. Pretty impressive, right?” Gia said, moving to admire her handy work up close.
Why did it have to be Leontyne? What twisted threads of fate were conspiring against me to ensure I always ended up somehow attacking Leontyne? She was going to flay me alive when she thawed out.
“Someone want to explain why the hell Leontyne is frozen?” Luc asked, stepping around her icy form to get into the apartment. Brady stood outside, his eyes as big as saucers as he surveyed the chaos inside. “Also, why is there a burnt-up curtain outside? Etta, what is going on?”
I stood there unable to think of a single thing to say. How did I explain that my family had come to watch me work, destroyed evidence, and froze a fellow agent? Better yet how did I explain all of that without losing my shit on everyone I loved in this room. Luc stood with his arms crossed over his chest staring at me expectantly. I needed to say something.
“I forgot my phone,” I said, shrugging lamely.
“Your family needs to leave. Now.” Luc pointed to the door.
“Cazzo,” Nonna hissed at him. She stopped in front of him as she made her way to the door, meeting his eye defiantly. Without warning, she spat at his feet. Turning on her heels, she said nothing else as she marched through the door. The rest of my family slunk out behind her, none of them daring to make a sound.
“You want to tell me what the fuck is going on?” Luc demanded. “You know what, never mind. We’ll talk about it later. Right now, we need to see if we can salvage any information before the cleaners get here. Why would you bring your family to a crime scene? Don’t answer that.”
“Is there anything I can do to help?” I asked feeling utterly defeated.
“You’ve done enough for right now. Brady!” He motioned for Brady to come over. His fists clenched and unclenched as he waited. “Take her back to the beach house. I’ll wait for the clean-up crew.”
“Why can’t I just go home?” I said.
“You and I need to have a very long conversation when I am done, and since your grandmother just spat on me, I am pretty sure that has to happen somewhere other than your house.” Luc turned away and stomping towards the room where the body was.
“Do you think Leontyne will be pissed if I start calling her Ice Tyne?” Brady snorted at his terrible joke. ‘Get it? Like Ice T?”
I rolled my eyes refusing to let him think any of this was funny. He chattered all the way across town, not seeming to notice it was a once sided conversation. When we arrived at the house he let me in the front door and then left to rejoin Luc. What was I was supposed to do, just sit here and wait? I’d been born into a family of nosey busy bodies with hearts of gold. My only misstep had been leaving my phone in the car. It’s not like I could control them.
Screw it. I wasn’t going to wander around the house aimlessly waiting for Luc to come and make me feel like shit. Today was supposed to be about relaxation. I was supposed to be at home sipping wine. How much more trouble could I get into?
Raiding the kitchen, I found two bottles of wine and a glass. I headed down to the fire pit in the sand. The ocean held a magic of its own that never failed to calm my soul. Between the waves and the wine, I should be good relaxed again in no time.
The wind coming off the ocean was crisp. The air was heavy with the tang of brine. It smelled like life. I dug up my magic up to light a fire. Stella snapped to attention with just a tiny bit of prodding. With a little love and care my magic was starting to blossom. I was even starting to like the few things I’d learned to do with it. If only I had embraced Stella years ago. I'd probably be at home with my family right now.
A bottle and a half later and the wine was finally starting to work its magic too. My mind was at peace, floating on seafoam. I lost myself trying to count the grains of sand on my foot. Every time my toe wiggled the sand would shift forcing me to start my count all over. It was very therapeutic.
“Are you expecting your toe to do something?” Luc’s softly spoken question surprised me.
“Umm, yeah, no. Just thinking.” I looked up giving Luc an embarrassed smile.
“Looks like you’re having a party out here. You finish that whole bottle by yourself?” He cocked an eyebrow at me.
Obviously, he wasn’t approving of my choices. Well, too bad. I was committed to drinking myself into a stupor tonight.
“Yep, and I’m going to finish this bottle too.” I stuck my tongue out at him and took another swig from the bottle. I’d given up using the glass halfway through the first bottle. “So out with. Let’s have this lecture or whatever it is you are dying to chew me a new asshole for.”
“I doubt you’re sober enough to process anything I’d have to say right now.” He smiled at me, but there was a hint of disapproval lurking in it. He sank down into the sand next to me, a deep sigh escaping him as he worked to fin
d a comfortable spot.
“I didn’t mean for my family to be there. I forgot my phone and they brought it to me. You have family, right? You know what it’s like. They think everything is their business, and no one is going to tell them different.”
“I was raised mostly by a nanny. I’ve never met my father’s family. They disowned him when he joined the Osservatori. As for my mother, she’s a titled peer in the fae Seelie court. Her relationship with my father wasn't accepted for a lot of reasons. But giving birth to a half-breed like me? That’s a crime she’s still paying for. So, no, I’ve no idea what it’s like,” Luc said softly.
Despite his soft tone, I could feel the bitterness radiating off him. What had they put him through as a child? Even as an adult he was still paying for the choices his parents had made. If he was not towing the line in his role in the Osservatori, it would be just one more black mark against him. There was no wiggle room for him to fuck up. Great. Now how was I going to hate him?
“Did you arrest the teacher?” I asked.
“No.”
“Why not?” I asked, digging my feet into the sand as I waited for his reply.
“You asked me not to.”
My heart flip flopped in my chest. He was breaking rules because I’d asked him to. He had so much to lose, yet he’d left the Father and teacher alone because I couldn't bear to see them arrested.
“Etta, you still here?” He leaned forward peering into my face.
Damn. That accent melted my panties every time I heard it. The firelight flickered across his face, highlighting his perfect jawline. He smiled at me, letting his dimple come out and play. My voice was lost as I felt everything in my body tumble down to my nether regions. I crossed my legs hoping my wanton vagina was not flashing like a horny beacon in the night. I reached my hand out stroking the side of his face. Light stubble had started to grow in, and I trailed my fingers over it, liking the feel. His eyes startled as I moved my hand upwards, desperate to run my fingers through his hair. He’d probably been waiting for me to say something shitty. I wish I had it in me right now. Instead, I just wanted to touch him.
We stared at each other for a few moments, watching as the fireworks melted off our bodies, crawling through the air to meet. All the tension we’d built up over the last several weeks poured out around us. I leaned forward, pressing my lips into his before I could stop myself. As soon as our lips met, I was lost. Our magics collided, falling over us in a shower of color. Each drop on my skin felt like a thousand soft kisses. I moaned as it wrapped itself around us.
I took his bottom lip between my teeth, nibbling gently on the soft perfection of his mouth. My mouth hovered over his, not quite touching, letting the space between our lips build with magic. When I couldn't stand it a moment longer, I devoured his mouth, my flicking tongue against his lips demanding entry. I wanted all of him. I was tired of holding back.
Our tongues melded together when his lips parted. A soft moan escaped his throat as I left his mouth, pressing kisses on him as I made my way to his ear. I nipped softly at the fleshy lobe before sucking it into my mouth. His fingers dug into my back as he gasped out his pleasure. Moving downwards, I fluttered soft kisses on his neck as I went. Stopping at the indent between his neck and shoulder, I bit into the flesh gently. He grasped my hips, pulling me onto his lap, letting out soft groans of pleasure as I alternated between gentle kisses and my teeth. Our pulses began to shudder, moving to matching each other's rhythm. Our bodies were aglow in a magical shimmer that made every inch of skin feel like it had a million nerves throbbing in pleasure.
His hand reached behind my back, unhooking my bra. His hand slid up to find my breasts under my tank top. His thumb made its way to my nipple and moved in languorous circles. I lifted off my shirt, tossing it in the sand behind me.
Luc held my breasts in his hands and stared at them appreciatively. They’d always been one of the things I liked least about my body. Heavy and full, they didn't have the perk thinner or less endowed girls had. I’d dreamt of having tiny breasts that stayed where they belonged even without a bra. The look of admiration in his eyes as he stared at my breasts made me instantly decide I was happy with them just the way they were.
I wrapped my legs around his waist to position myself closer. Our bodies lined up perfectly. I could feel the hard shaft of his cock pressing through his jeans. I wiggled experimentally, gasping as it rubbed against me in just the right way. Luc moaned again as I slowly rocked my hips on him. He took the breast he was holding, sucking my nipple into his mouth. He scraped his teeth gently across the tip, sending shivers through my entire being. He took turns on each of my breasts, lavishing them with attention. His thumb continued to slowly tease the nipple his mouth was not attending to.
Needing more skin, I tugged at the bottom of his shirt and it came up over his head, joining mine on the sand. His hand reached down, and cupped my butt, lifting me slightly. The muscles in his arms flexed with his movement. I wanted to lick every muscle on his body.
Holding onto me, he leaned me back in the sand. He was between my thighs hovering over me. Ordinarily I would have flipped out at the thought of where that sand would go once we got naked. At this moment I could care less. I wanted to possess him. Nothing was too much to bear in that quest. My hand reached down, and I started to unbutton his pants. I wanted all of it. Everything. As soon as there were enough buttons undone I reached my hand down his jeans wrapping my hand around his cock. I heard a sharp intake of breath as my hand began to slowly move up. I closed my eyes, just wanting to savor the velvety feel of his shaft.
Abruptly, Luc pulled my hand away. He stood up swiftly buttoning his pants over his bulge. Energy rushed from my body like water going down a bathtub drain. Hello! I was this close to getting laid for the first time in six years and he was going to button his pants back up before the deed was even done.
“What? Why are you doing that?” I asked, sitting up.
“Etta. we can’t do this right now.” He handed me my shirt.
“Yes, we can. I don't see anyone for miles. Get back down here. We’re doing this tonight.”
A loud rolling laugh was all I got in response. He bent over, pressing a delicate kiss on my forehead. There was no fire left in his kiss. Nooooo! I was ready. This was my moment. What the hell happened?
“You drank two bottles of wine tonight. I’d be the biggest bastard ever if I went through with this. I don't want you to have any regrets tomorrow.” He kissed the top of my head and stood, waiting for me to put my shirt back.
“Why do you get to decide whether we do this or not? I’m not getting dressed. I’m going to sit here with my tits out until you come to your damn senses,” I said jutting out my bottom lip in what I hoped was a sexy pout.
“I’m not changing my mind. Get dressed. We still have work to do tonight.” He held my shirt out to me again.
“What if I sign a contract that promises I won’t regret this tomorrow, will you reconsider?” I asked. I was getting desperate. The whole region from my belly button to my thighs pulsed with anticipation. My vagina was going to be so disappointed.
“No. I already screwed things up with us from the start. I need you to trust me before we sleep together.” The earnest look on his face told me he wasn’t going to change his mind. He turned his back on me walking back towards the house.
“It’s just sex. We’re not getting fucking married,” I mumbled to myself as I struggled to figure out how to get my clothes back on. Thank god for vibrators. Mine was going to put in a long night.
Chapter
16
I stormed into the house frustrated. I needed to get the hell out of here. There was no way I was going to be able to face Luc again tonight. I’d thrown myself at him and he’d politely declined. There were a million reasons why it was the for the best. My brain understood that. My ego, on the other hand, felt like a stubbed toe at two a.m.
Walking into the living room I found Vellamo in front of
the TV sobbing. Finding Nemo was on the big screen. “Vee, you OK, honey?”
“Oh, Etta. This is so sad. All the babies died, the mother died, and now he lost his only son,” she said as she continued to sob into her tissue.
“Hang in there. It has a happy ending,” I said, shifting on my feet uncomfortably. Vee was the most stoic being I’d ever met. She was not supposed to succumb to emotion like this. How did a cartoon movie about fish cause this much trauma?
“Will you stay and watch it with me?” she asked hopefully.
“What did you do to Vee?” Brady demanded as he strode into the living room. Flopping onto the couch, he slung his arm around her shoulders. “Oh, honey what did big bad Etta do to you?”
“Nemo did this, not me,” I said quickly. I wasn't about to get blamed for anything else tonight.
“Vee, honey, I thought we decided that you can’t watch this movie anymore. It hits too close to home.” Brady pulled her against his expansive chest. “Come on, let’s turn this off and find you something better to watch.”
How did it hit too close to home? Did a barracuda eat her family? Was she separated from her family as a child? Whatever it was would have to remain a mystery because I didn't have the energy to listen to anyone else’s sad childhood memories tonight.
“There you are. We need to talk,” Leontyne’s clipped voice demanded from behind me.
Seriously! My life had become a sitcom. A deadly sitcom, with blood and adult nudity, but a sitcom nonetheless. Between my family and new “team”, I couldn't have five minutes without drama happening.
“I’m leaving,” I said through my teeth. Leontyne stood in front of the door with her hands on her hips. She looked damn good for someone who’d been a popsicle not that long ago.
