by T. M. Cromer
“We both saw the mist, dear boy. The Enchantress was never going to be contained forever. We all know the prediction.”
Sebastian stumbled back. He’d forgotten until this precise moment. There was some prophecy in their grimoire about a psychic Thorne becoming the vessel for evil. He gripped the book and thumbed through the pages, looking for the entry. “What have we done by bringing her here?”
“You set Fate—that capricious wanker—in motion.”
“Arabella must’ve also forgotten.” Never mind that his hundred-and-nineteen-year-old aunt knew the term wanker; Sebastian’s mind was reeling from his stupidity. “She couldn’t have known Mack was a clairvoyant.”
“I can’t say if Arabella realized Mackenzie was the psychic Thorne, but I can tell you, your sister knew well what the prophecy foretold. We’ve discussed it at length.” Gwennie patted his arm. “Perhaps Arabella brought your Mack here because she believes it was the only way for you to find true love. She doesn’t want you to be alone.”
“I’d have gladly gone through life alone to spare the world of Isolde’s evil.” Terror for his family and for Mackenzie took up residence in his heart. He paused his search of the spellbook and hugged his aunt tightly to him. “I’m scared for you all, Aunt Gwennie.”
“Both Teddie and I have lived a full life, dear boy. No need to fear for us. It’s Arabella and Mackenzie you need to protect now.”
“I’ll protect all of you or die trying,” he swore. Trepidation for the inevitable ratcheted up his pulse.
“No need for that, darling.”
“I’m sorry, Baz.” Arabella’s regret-filled voice drifted to him from the doorway. “There was no other way for you to get to know her. You rarely leave the estate unless it’s for business.”
He stalked to his sister, struggling against the urge to hug her and physically harm her at the same time.
“How could you, Bella? You should’ve spoken to me first.” He swore and ran a hand through his hair. “Do you know what you’ve done? Mack’s psychic ability makes her a sitting target for Isolde, and my guess is she has no ability to fight it. None!”
“What?” Both Gwennie and Arabella stared at him, their eyes wide with shock.
Sebastian fisted his hands and began to pace, shaking his head at the mess in which they now found themselves embroiled.
“Alastair Thorne called a short while ago after speaking with the Aether.” He stopped in front of Gwennie and gave her a rueful look. “What I didn’t tell you was Sabrina Dethridge has had a premonition. It coincides with whatever Mack is experiencing.”
“What?” Arabella screeched again.
“Right. By bringing Mack here, we may have destroyed them all. If anyone gets wind of this…” He rubbed his brow. “I dread to see how this mess unfolds. When the Enchantress wakes, I doubt any of us stands a snowball’s chance in hell of surviving.”
“It’s been over two-hundred years, Baz. Yes, we are the Keepers of the Gate, but be honest, did you ever think Isolde was a true threat after all this time?”
“Not really. Not if I’m being truthful. I suppose I felt we’d never have to deal with her other than to maintain the wards on the property.” He grimaced and shrugged. “But we can’t pretend she’s not a threat anymore. Not after tonight.”
Arabella wrung her hands and gave him a semi-hopeful look. “She may never go after the Six. She may simply be happy to start over.”
“Revenge, Bella,” he retorted. “Not to mention what she will do to us, her gaolers.”
He hugged his sister when her devastated expression became too much for him to bear. “We’ll figure it out. But I want you to take the aunts and staff away from here. As far and as fast as you can.”
“What about you and Mack?”
“It’s too late for her, and we all know it. So I’ll stay to protect her and do what I can to mitigate the damage. Maybe Dethridge has an idea.”
Her arms squeezed him and nearly cut his waist in two. “I’m not leaving you, Baz. You’re my brother, and Drakes stand together.”
“We’ll die together if you don’t go,” he snapped, untangling her from his person. “I’m still Laird of our rag-tag clan. You’ll go.”
“Pfft. Laird in name only, dear boy. Remember, Teddie and I changed your nappies. It’s difficult to take orders when we’ve seen your dangly bit, weeing all over your cradle.”
Sebastian’s face burned hot. He shouldn’t be embarrassed by his aunt, but Mackenzie happened to enter the room behind her.
She bit her lip but failed spectacularly to hide her grin.
He closed his eyes against the humiliation and sighed. “Goddess save me from the women of this family,” he muttered. Lifting his lids, he met Mackenzie’s amused gaze. “I thought you were sleeping.”
“Mmm, well, I was having a difficult time, what with my being a catalyst for the Enchantress to make a reappearance and all.”
Arabella frowned. “How did you find this tower? It’s enchanted. Only our family should ever be able to locate it.”
“I followed the light.” Mackenzie looked at each of them in turn. With a hesitant smile, she gestured over her shoulder. “It was so bright, and it lit the way.”
Sebastian, Arabella, and Gwennie all traded wary looks. There should be no guiding light. He stepped forward and took Mackenzie’s hand in his. “Show me. Please.”
She tugged him into the hallway and turned her head left then right. She spun in a slow circle, a confused frown puckered her brow. “I don’t understand. It was like a trail of yellow light, but it’s gone now.”
“Like the yellow brick road?” Aunt Teddie asked from the shadows, giving them all a fright.
“For the love of the Goddess, Teddie!” Gwennie snapped, slapping a hand over her heart. “Are you trying to scare us into the Otherworld, you daft cow?”
Sebastian peered closer into the dark corner of the corridor and sighed. Where a tarted-up Teddie was, their butler was sure to be found. “You can reveal yourself now, Leopold.”
The butler stepped farther into the hallway, frantically working to fasten the buttons of his nightshirt.
Sebastian felt queasy. As if he didn’t have enough on his plate!
* * *
Residing at the Drake estate was like having a front-row seat at a comedic theater production, and Mackenzie absolutely loved it. Although she did have to wonder if anyone slept around here. One would assume the Drake aunts and Leopold would’ve gone to bed early due to their advanced years. But here they lurked, making out in the shadowy corridor.
She bit back a smile.
The Drakes’ butler was a mess. The only hair he possessed, encircled his head, leaving the top bald as a cue ball. The remaining thin gray strands stuck straight out at ninety-degree angles from his scalp. A bright pink smear of lipstick colored his drooping mouth and played hide and seek in the folds of his wrinkled neck. As he hurried to fasten the buttons of his nightshirt, he missed the proper holes, resulting in the uneven hem of his clothing and showing one boney knee in the process. Once again, his striped sock pooled around his skinny ankle. Unfortunately for him, the other was missing, and his toes curled as if to hide the tufts of hair on his big toe joints.
Mackenzie was certain she saw some type of writing on the side of the sock, but she’d be damned if she could read it in the low light.
Despite it all, poor Leopold had a proud air about him. Currently, his chin was lifted as if he were determined to take his punishment like a trooper, but the expression in his eyes said he feared the noose, as if he’d been caught stealing the family’s silver.
Mackenzie adored him.
“Leo! Or do you prefer Leopold? So good to see you again. I forgot to tell you how wonderful dinner was last night. You must give me the recipe for the Duck à l’Orange.” She stepped forward and hid Leopold’s front from view as she quickly reworked the mess of buttons. Reaching up, she straightened his collar and used her thumb to wipe away the e
vidence of Teddie’s lipstick from the corners of his mouth. She twiddled her fingers to remove the vivid color that had found a home in the creases of his neck. Anything Mackenzie did was like closing the barn door after the horse got out, but still, if she could preserve his dignity, she would. “My cook simply must attempt to recreate your masterpiece when I get back home.”
A grateful light came into his rheumy eyes, and his lips twisted in a semblance of an affectionate smile. “Of course, Miss Thorne. I’ll write it down first thing for you.”
“Sweet! You’re the best, Leo.” She kissed his weathered cheek. “Thank you.”
“No, miss. Thank you.”
She stepped back and linked an arm with Sebastian’s. His inscrutable expression made her nervous, and she wondered if she’d overstepped.
“Mackenzie, may I speak with you privately?” His tone gave no indication as to his thoughts or intent.
She pasted on a bright smile, and perhaps she was channeling old Leopold, but she felt like she, too, was heading for the hangman’s noose.
Sebastian escorted her to an abandoned room, took one look around, and did an about-face with an expression of such abject horror Mackenzie was sure there was a dead body on the floor. Although he tried to usher her from the bedroom, she was able to get a clear view of the rumpled bed and the butler’s missing sock.
Finally, she was able to see the design: a fat pickle with the words “Kind of a big dill” beneath it.
She laughed.
She couldn’t have contained it if she tried. Tears of mirth rolled down her cheeks as she struggled to breathe. For a brief second, Sebastian looked put upon, but he, too, began to laugh. Soon, they were doubled over, using each other for support.
“His sock!” she sputtered. “Do you see what’s on his sock?”
Sebastian snorted. “Do you think he was advertising his pickle?”
Mackenzie fell back on her butt, holding her sides as a second wave of laughter struck.
He joined her on the floor and rested his head back against the door, a wide smile firmly in place.
“How do you do it, Baz?” She fanned herself, trying to stop giggling like a prepubescent girl. “How do you keep a straight face twenty-four-seven? It’s like living in the midst of a sitcom.”
His smile dropped, and he looked uncomfortable.
It didn’t take a genius to realize she’d offended him. “I didn’t mean it as an insult.” She shifted to touch his arm. “Please know, I’m not making fun of your family. I think they’re absolutely wonderful. I have to resist the urge to hug Leo every time I see him.”
“It’s his pickle and his animal magnetism. I’m sure it’s why Aunt Teddie can’t keep her hands off him.” A grin tugged at his firm, full mouth. “Now, I have to fight him for you?”
“Well, he is adorable.”
“My reputation will be in tatters if it gets out that my thousand-year-old butler was able to steal the woman I’ve been wooing.”
Mackenzie sucked in a breath. “You’re wooing me?”
“What the hell do you think those kisses were about earlier?”
“Hmm.” She fought a smile and lost. “You’re going to have to up your game if you want to beat out Leo, ya know.”
“It’s not widely known, but my pickle is also a bit of a big dill.”
“Oh, believe me. It’s so widely known.”
Chapter 7
Sebastian was torn between horror and laughter. Yes, he had a reputation of sorts, but he hadn’t expected Mackenzie to wave it merrily in his face.
“You can’t be surprised, Baz. Women talk.”
“Yes, well.” He cleared his throat. With anyone else, he wouldn’t be flustered. What was it about Mack? With a wave of her hand, a knowing smirk, and a perfectly arched brow, she made him feel like a gauche boy on the verge of puberty.
“Look at you!” she crowed. “You’re embarrassed.” Mackenzie’s laugh was naughtiness personified. The husky sound wrapped around his dick and squeezed. “How delightful!” Rising to her knees, she closed the distance between them and gave him a light peck on the cheek. “And sweet.”
Sweet?
He didn’t realize he’d said it aloud until she nodded.
“Yes, sweet. It means you aren’t just a player, out for a random hookup.”
“I wouldn’t go that far.” He chuckled when she leaned back and frowned. “I mean, I’m happy to randomly hook up with you, if you so choose. Multiple times a day, in fact.” He stared into her narrowed blue eyes and felt his smile grow. “For the rest of our lives.”
The last bit was a surprise to them both, and they froze, gazes locked.
With a swiftness that floored him, Mackenzie straddled his lap and grasped his head between her palms. She latched on so deeply, he felt she could see into his soul, and he was helpless to look away. Shutting her eyes, she swayed, and when she lifted her lids, there was a distinct golden glow reflected back at him. The light was holy and somehow pure.
“Okay.”
“What?” He was baffled by her response and a whole lot of aroused by her lithe body in his lap.
“Okay. For the rest of our lives.” She grinned. “Let’s get married. Tonight. Right now.”
“Wait, what? What was this all about?” He placed his palms over hers where they still cupped his head.
“Would you believe me if I said I saw our ceremony? There was an old ivory handfasting cloth, binding our wrists together.” She bit her lip, and a teasing glimmer shone from her eyes. Mackenzie rose and drew him up with her. “Either we intend to have kinky sex, or there’s a ceremony in our future. I won’t rule out either.”
Part of him wanted to backpedal. Tell her it was too fast. They’d known each other all of a heartbeat. But her spontaneous suggestion felt right, and who the bloody hell knew what tomorrow would bring. Most likely the Enchantress to kill them all.
“Tonight,” he agreed. “Who should we have officiate our spontaneous wedding?”
“Leo.” A twinkle entered her eyes. “But he has to wear his pickle socks. You can conjure him a matching green vest and tie.”
Sebastian laughed and tugged a lock of her hair. “This is pure madness and won’t hold up legally. We’ll have to make it official at some point.”
“I know, but it will be fun. And I’m game if you are.”
“Yes.” He’d never been so certain of anything in his life.
Sealing her lips to his, she stole his breath with her passion. As their tongues became intimately acquainted and his desire flared white-hot, he ran his hands under her shirt to cup her breasts. Exploring them to the fullest.
She moaned into his mouth.
He pulled back and gave her jaw a light nip. “Let’s save this until after.” It killed him to suggest it, but again, he knew it was right.
Her smile rivaled the sun on a clear day, when it was at its highest point in the sky. So bright. So warm. So—for lack of a better word—sunny.
“Goddess, you’re beautiful, Mack.”
Some of her happiness faded. “Is that all you see in me? Beauty?”
“Not all. Without a doubt, you’re exquisite, but it’s the way you smile. The way you seem to find joy in each moment, regardless of who you’re with. The way you look at me, the man, as if I can do anything. You make me want to be a better person.”
The light in her eyes was soft, and as he spoke, she caressed his jaw.
He was almost afraid to ask, but what was fair was fair. “And me? What do you see?”
“Everything. I see a strong, loving man who adores his quirky family. I see a stand-up guy who always does what’s right. When you shed that ridiculous worldly persona you present to those on the outside, you are sweet and caring. Genuine and a bit shy. But I get a deeper sense of loneliness. Am I wrong?”
“No. You’re not wrong, Mack.” He couldn’t believe she saw his true self this clearly when no one else ever had. Not even Vivian. “You’re not wrong at all.”
“Are you holding onto any unrequited feelings for another woman, Baz?” They both knew she meant his ex-fiancée, even if she didn’t say the name. “I don’t want to give you my heart only to end up with it broken in the end.”
Behind her inquiring gaze, he could see caution and maybe a little fear. But he sensed it wasn’t of him so much as getting hurt. “No one holds my heart. And while I can’t claim to love you on such short notice, I can honestly say I’ve never felt this swept away by anyone. I can’t stop thinking about you. I’m jealous of anyone you give your attention to. And all I want to do is touch you, make love to you, feel you pressed against me as I sleep. I can’t wait to hear you laugh or see you flash that incredible smile.” He leaned in and gave her a light, lingering kiss. “Whatever that feeling is, I want to hold onto it forever.”
“Can I tell you a secret, Baz?”
“Of course.”
“That feeling you have? That is love. Or rather the beginning of it. It’s exactly what I’m experiencing. And we all know a Thorne only loves once.”
“Perhaps.” He grinned and kissed her more thoroughly. “I can’t believe we’re considering this.” He almost gave into the urge to tumble her back on the Aubusson carpet and make love to her as he’d been fantasizing about since the moment they were introduced. Just as he was inching up her top, he caught sight of Leopold’s discarded sock.
Yeah, he’d wait.
The idea of getting down and dirty where his butler most likely just had, turned his stomach.
Sebastian glanced down into Mackenzie’s sparkling eyes. She knew exactly what he was thinking. He didn’t know how she did, but he was certain of it. “Are you ready to get married, love?”
“I believe I am.”
“Then let’s round up Leopold, the aunts, and Arabella to make this official.” He grimaced slightly. “Or as official as it can be without a Council member overseeing the ceremony.”
“Let’s!” She grabbed the pickle sock and waved it in the air like a prize. “This is going to be such fun!”
He couldn’t prevent his laugh. Just as he was about to turn the doorknob, he remembered why he’d dragged her into this chamber to begin with.
