Illuminate (The Magic Users of Greenford Book 1)

by Lisa Oliver

  Turning in his seat, Stefan held out his hand for the angry Garrick who was now huddled in the corner of the back seat. “I’m sorry, my friend. Come here. I promise next time you warn me I will listen.”

  From the look he was given, Stefan knew his familiar didn’t believe him for one minute, but the bird shuffled across the seat and hopped into Stefan’s arms. Between Lucifer’s anger, and Garrick’s disapproval, Stefan was feeling the tension. He patted the pocket of his waistcoat where he’d hidden the dragonfly. At least I got the job done, he thought as the car rocketed across the sand, back towards civilization.

  Chapter Twelve

  Stefan saved me. He freaking saved me again, and this time he sacrificed a piece of his soul to do it. Lucifer had been so sure he was going to die. Feeling his magic being drained from him by a force he couldn’t see, being helpless to do anything about it – that was ‘shit your pants’ scary enough. Knowing two of the things that sprouted from the sand had been going after Stefan too, probably brought alive by his magic, was terrifying.

  And Stefan saved me the only way he knew how. Lucifer had gotten a bit of a boost when Stefan touched him, but he knew the moment it happened it wasn’t enough. In theory, Stefan did the right thing. If the same situation had happened when Lucifer was being anchored by his brother, they’d both be food for whatever lurked beneath the sand. But with a true mate bond, Lucifer’s magic belonged to Stefan the same way Stefan’s belonged to him. Still stunned Stefan had even said the words, Lucifer became a willing vessel for the magic Stefan poured through him, breaking the creature’s hold.

  Saving them both.

  Bonding them together for all time.

  Something that would have happened eventually anyway, Lucifer reasoned. He wasn’t angry Stefan claimed him – he’d said the words in return, making it as much his choice too. No, Lucifer was pissed off because for all his power, for all his physique, training, skills, and knowledge from spending years in the field, he’d been helpless and that wasn’t something he was comfortable with – ever.

  But Stefan wouldn’t know that, which meant Lucifer had to say something. “Thank you.” Lucifer kept his eyes on the road.

  “I’m not exactly sure what you’re thanking me for,” Stefan said quietly. “It was my fault we got into that mess in the first place. If I’d listened to Garrick…”

  “Your magic didn’t trigger the beast beneath the sand,” Lucifer broke in quickly. “You walked all around the car and nothing happened. The moment I got one foot on the sand, it reached for me.”

  “Which is totally weird.” Stefan let out a huff. “I mean, we’d been there before, only yesterday… it feels like forever ago now. But we’d been there with Brutus and nothing happened. Now Brutus is dead thanks to his heart missing, and someone tried to turn you into one of those skeletal creatures. How personal is this deal with trying to catch Technic? You said you’d been after him for three years? That’s a long time.”

  Lucifer flicked a quick glance at his mate’s face. Stefan was watching the road. “Technic used to be a steward like me,” he said slowly. “We’d worked together before. Exchanged a few blow jobs and minor stuff like that when we’d been on cases. His brother was his anchor too, so we had a lot in common. I thought we were friends.” Good friends.

  “There was no sign of the anchor when I saw that vision of him,” Stefan said. “It’s unlikely any anchor would condone him draining another young anchor or allowing himself to be possessed by a demon.”

  “The anchor he was using when he was a steward died.” Lucifer slowed the car down to negotiate the narrow streets. “At least, that’s what he told our boss when Mark stopped coming into the office. We found Mark’s remains in Technic’s flat after he disappeared.”

  Stefan turned in his seat, and Lucifer was conscious of his gaze. “But what made you go and look at his flat in the first place? You say Technic disappeared, but maybe he was just working on a case, or wanted some down time to get over losing his brother. He knew he’d have to take another anchor. Maybe he just needed some time to get his head around the death before he moved on.”

  “He didn’t leave the office quietly.” Spotting the small café he was looking for up ahead, Lucifer started to look for somewhere to leave the car. Fortunately, the Giza Necropolis had plenty of tourist parking and they could blend in with the visitors so he could make sure they hadn’t been followed. Lucifer waited until the car was parked and the engine off before turning to mimic Stefan’s pose.

  “Remember I told you how upset I was when I was younger, about having to have an anchor before I could use magic at all?”

  Stefan nodded.

  “I didn’t realize it for the longest time, but Technic was worse. He and Mark didn’t get on, which didn’t help. It wouldn’t surprise me to find out Mark and he weren’t related at all. But that same day Technic told us Mark died, a car accident so he claimed at the time, our office supervisor showed the right amount of empathy for his loss, and told him he had the mandatory five days to find another anchor. Five days for a family bereavement, two days if your brother goes and claims his mate.”

  “Hence the need for you to find a replacement for Darwin so quickly.” Stefan nodded again. “I take it Technic didn’t like being told he needed someone else just so he could do his job?”

  “That’s putting it mildly. Technic went on a major rant about how powerful magic users should never have to have their movements or their magic curtailed by a hanger on. He shouted a lot about ancient texts he’d been reading that proved that if a magic user like him or I drained enough magic from an anchor, or anchors, then they took on the attributes from the anchor automatically and could use their magic freely, without that tie.”

  “But that’s…” Stefan’s face was white.

  “Horrific, I know.” Lucifer remembered how stunned he was hearing Technic’s words, and how Darwin had left the room and wouldn’t even listen. “Technic stormed out of the office telling everyone who was listening that he’d prove it, and that’s when my boss sent me around to his flat. Mark was the first known case of Technic draining an anchor. The young man who Brutus’s office found here in Cairo is the tenth.”

  “Clearly, his theory doesn’t work.” Stefan held up a finger to show he was thinking. “What happens then if a powerful magic user allows themselves to be possessed by a demon? Is this the next step in Technic’s plan? He’s realized draining anchors won’t work, so he’s hoping carrying a demon will act as an anchor for him instead? No. Wait. That wouldn’t work. The two types of magic aren’t compatible.”

  “Exactly.” Lucifer gave his clever mate a quick smile. “A demon can no more anchor a human magic user, than a fae, djinn or any other type of being with magic of their own. Technic might have thought that it could work. There’s no telling how deranged he’s become in three years. I’m more worried he thinks he’s going to use the demon’s powers for something else.”

  “Which won’t work either because the demon will have an agenda of his own. And I think you’re right. Technic summoning the demon had nothing to do with finding a way to do magic without an anchor. He was already possessed when he drained that last young man.”

  “Are you sure?” Lucifer assumed that had come afterward. “I thought you said the rug wasn’t in the vision you got from the room.”

  “The rug wasn’t, but the curve of the pentagram was. It took me a while to realize it because my vision didn’t take in the whole room.” Stefan tipped his hat back, meeting Lucifer’s eyes squarely. “It’s all very well and good, hypothesizing about his motives and what he might be doing, but what do we do now?”

  “We’re going to speak to a friend of mine, Abdullah. Sometimes he has random visions especially about people he knows. I’m hoping he can give us a lead as to where Technic has gone.” Lucifer hesitated. “I hate to ask, but it might be an idea to leave Garrick here, or let him out to fly for a bit. Nothing screams magic user like a raven on your shoul
der.”

  “I’m sure Garrick won’t mind now you’ve explained the reasons behind it, but why do we need Abdullah? My dragonfly picked up Technic’s essence. We can trace him with that.”

  “You did?” Lucifer’s eyebrows shot up. “That’s wonderful news, but we’re getting out here anyway. I do think talking to Abdullah is the next best step.”

  “Is that the only reason we’re seeing this friend of yours?” There was a bit of a snip in Stefan’s tone. Maybe my young mate wasn’t as uncaring about my previous connection with Technic as I thought.

  “Abdullah is a good friend, that’s all, and besides, I need coffee.” Lucifer took Stefan’s hand. “And anyone who came before never even had the potential to be as important as you are already. Don’t doubt me, or us. I won’t let you down.”

  The blush that quickly coated Stefan’s cheeks was delightful, as was the slight quirk of the man’s lips. “Coffee it is then,” Stefan said as he reached for the door handle with his free hand. Lucifer found himself reluctant to let the one he was holding go, but hand holding between men in Egypt was not acceptable. But that didn’t stop Lucifer stroking over Stefan’s fingers as he released them.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Abdullah was a stunning man of indeterminate age. His dark hair was cut short to better accentuate his sharp cheek bones and wide eyes – Stefan imagined those features gracing the face of a pharaoh in centuries past. Tall, but with a slender build, it was easy for Abdullah to reach up, kissing Lucifer first on one cheek and then the other.

  “Lucifer, my dear friend. How wonderful to see you again, and not entirely unexpected.” Abdullah stepped back and tapped his temple. “Come, bring your young friend too. Come out the back and sit, enjoy some of my delectable coffee, and tell me what brings you to my door step this troubling day.”

  “Troubling? Has something happened?”

  Content to let Lucifer speak, seeing as he hadn’t even been introduced, Stefan followed the two men past a heavy curtain into a small sitting room. A tray with a coffee pot and three mugs was already on the small table sitting between a single armchair and a two-seater couch. Stefan could pick up a hint of magic in the air, but it had a light feel, and he surmised Abdullah probably had at least this section of his coffee shop warded.

  Taking the single armchair, Abdullah waved to the two-seater. “Sit. Let me pour for you. It has been a mildly troubling day, yes, but only insofar as those goons from the magic council have been searching every local business for two well-known magic users. Of course, I told them in all honesty, I hadn’t seen any magic users in months, which was entirely true. I didn’t see the need to let them know I would be seeing two of them before the day is out.” His smile was wide and full-lipped as he caught Stefan’s eye. “Milk and sugar?”

  “Yes, to both, thank you.” Stefan waited until Lucifer was seated and then perched on the small space remaining.

  “Before you ask, the man you seek is returning to the states.” Abdullah handed out the full mugs. Stefan took an appreciative sniff. The coffee did smell amazing. “He plans a huge showdown with you, my dear Lucifer, and feels it would be more effective at the place where this all began – in Greenford. You must get there before him, for I fear he plans to use Darwin as a pawn to draw you out.”

  “We can leave tonight.” Lucifer took a sip of his coffee. “Our plane is standing by at the airport. We should be home within twenty-four hours and I’ll warn Darwin in the meantime. Has what you’ve seen given any indication on when this showdown will be?”

  “The night of the full moon, five days from now,” Abdullah said with a gentle smile. “You know my individual visions only show one example of how our life path will play out. I have seen many variations in my dreams of how this confrontation will end – not all of them pleasant for either of you. To succeed, you are going to need three things – firstly, safety for Darwin is paramount. This man must not be allowed to use him in any way.”

  “Darwin is true mated now,” Lucifer said sharply. “No one can use him anymore.”

  “There is more than one way to use someone my friend,” Abdullah warned. “Are you telling me you wouldn’t go running off, without thought or reason if you knew your brother was in danger?”

  Lucifer scowled. “Darwin has claimed Monty Duncan. The man might be more advocate than warrior, but he’s no slouch when it comes to magic.”

  Abdullah held his hands up in a placating manner. “I’m not doubting your brother, or Mr. Duncan’s abilities. I am simply letting you know what the visions showed me.”

  “What were the other two things Lucifer needed to watch for?” Stefan asked, leaving Lucifer to stew. “You said there were three things.”

  “Not watch for as such, my dear Stefan de Marco.” Stefan jumped at the use of his full name. Abdullah apparently saw a lot more than he was letting on. No wonder Lucifer didn’t introduce me. “Lucifer needs to complete two other tasks. He must fully cement his mating to you, which is not likely to be onerous for him given his sexual history, and he must make his peace with the twins for they will be needed for this fight.”

  “Twins?” Stefan ignored the mating comment, too busy working out where the vision of beautiful maidens with diaphanous gowns fawning all over his mate had come from.

  Apparently, Lucifer knew exactly who Abdullah was talking about. “Hell, no. Those two can’t be trusted and their sister is even worse.”

  “They contain power levels equal to your own when they work together.” It seemed Abdullah was well used to Lucifer’s moods. He calmly took a drink from his mug and said, “It will take the power of seven people to bring down the man you seek now that he’s infected with a demon. You and your mate, Darwin and his, that makes four of those people. Can you think of any other magic user pair that shares an anchor?”

  “I can find a pair,” Lucifer grumbled. “You said I have five days. I know how friendly you are with the twins and their sister. Are you sure this isn’t just a ploy by them, using you to get back into my good books?”

  “I consider them good friends, yes, but I’d never lie, or manipulate what I see to serve a secondary purpose. You know this, Lucifer, so don’t insult me simply because you refuse to accept your part in the rift. The number seven is critical in this, because you will all have to rely on your inner strengths to defeat what’s in front of you.”

  “This man can be defeated despite all the powers he’s absorbed?” Stefan asked, taking his cue from Abdullah and not saying the name. Lucifer seemed content to glower, which seemed to be a silent thing he did, but Stefan had questions and it seemed Abdullah had more answers than most.

  Abdullah turned his dark eyes on Stefan, but unlike when other people focused on him, Abdullah didn’t make him feel uncomfortable. “You know the future is fluid,” he said softly. “It changes with every tiny decision we as individuals make in any given minute. But those who hold our life threads see the bigger picture and do their best to ensure those goals that serve the many are met.”

  “That’s not exactly the straight answer I was looking for,” Stefan said with a sigh. He shrugged. “I’ve faced death before, more than once. It is the only certainty after all.”

  “Maybe.” Abdullah’s smile widened. “But I see a bright future for you and your mate, Stefan de Marco. Keep your dragonfly close. You will need him when the time comes.”

  Stefan patted the pocket where his dragonfly sat. It couldn’t be seen by anyone looking at him even when its wings were fluttering like they were now. Tilting his head, he met Abdullah’s eyes and then chuckled. He felt better about the meeting, even if Lucifer was still glowering.

  /~/~/~/~/

  Lucifer had his phone out before they’d got back to the car, stabbing angrily at his brother’s contact number. “Darwin,” he barked when the call was finally answered. “No, I don’t give a damn that I got you out of bed. You and Monty need to get to my house, lock it tight, ward it and stay there until we get back. We’re heading
to the airport now.”

  “Really?” Darwin sounded sleepy. “You can’t be bothered with a ‘hi brother how are you and your mate doing’. No, ‘sorry for waking you up early’. Honestly, bro, does everything have to be a drama with you?”

  “This is serious, Darwin,” Lucifer snapped. He noticed Stefan waiting by the passenger door of the car, and hurriedly unlocked it, getting in the driver’s side. “Technic is on his way back to the states – specifically to Greenford. Abdullah mentioned you were in danger.”

  “How is dear Abdullah?” Darwin brightened up at the man’s name. “Did you pass on my regards and let him know I was mated?”

  “It wasn’t a social call.” Lucifer wanted to bang his head on the steering wheel in frustration but settled for jamming the key into the ignition. “He knows you’re mated, yes I told him. But from what Abdullah was saying, you’re going to be used as a pawn by Technic to draw me out. I need you safe.”

  “And my mate too,” Darwin prompted. “Because you know if I’m worried about him, then I’m not going to leave him and…”

  “And Monty too.” Lucifer huffed. “Look. Just go to my house. You know the drill. And when you’re settled, get in touch with the boss and ask him for the contact details of any twin stewards or ménage relationships where two of them share an anchor.”

  “Twins? But you already know a pair. Levi and Alexi would…”

  “There has to be another way.” Putting the phone on speaker, Lucifer rested it on the dashboard, and put the car in gear. “Abdullah said seven people would be needed. You and me, Monty and Stefan make up four of them. I need a magical threesome. The number seven is significant for some reason.”

  The parking lot had gotten busier and Lucifer had to do a bit of maneuvering to get the car out and onto the road. Darwin’s voice was not a welcome distraction. “Luc, come on. Magical threesomes are a joke, used by men exactly like you when you’ve had a good night out. They’re as rare as unicorn’s teeth, man, and you know that. I’m sure if you called Levi or…”