Natural Witch

He wrapped his hand around the back of my neck and pulled me toward him. Despite the rush of movement, his touch was gentle. His lips connected with mine.

A shock of electricity ran my length. This time it wasn’t painful—it was pure pleasure.

I moaned into the kiss and ran my hand up his chest. I fell into the feeling of him. The deliciousness of his lips moving against mine. His thumb stroking my jaw.

He pulled back slowly, and my body rolled with his, wanting to linger. Wanting to spend the whole night glued to his kiss.

“I’m sorry,” he murmured against my lips. “I didn’t mean for that to happen. I’d intended to ask first.”

“If you’d asked, I would’ve made it awkward somehow.”

His lips grazed against mine again and his hand swept down over my shoulder. He gently pushed me away. Regret and relief washed through me in equal parts.

“We need to get some rest, Turdswallop, or we’ll be a danger to ourselves tomorrow.”

I released a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. He really knew how to kill the moment.

He rolled back, and the light slid over his smile. I chuckled and lay back down on his chest.

“Speaking of tomorrow, what’s the plan?” I asked, hearing his heart beat quickly against my ear. It matched the pace of mine.

“I need to visit someone that speaks Italian.”

“Do you know someone?”

“Yes.”

“But what if what’s written on that letter isn’t Italian? Do you know enough about the language to be sure?” Because I was pretty sure I didn’t. Though he did have a phone with internet. He could probably look it up.

I was about to say as much, but he answered.

“I’m going to this…person specifically because he speaks many languages. If it’s one of the other Romance languages, it won’t be a problem. If there are nuances there, hinted political maneuverings, he’ll suss it all out. I’ll also be able to trade my work for money and afford a nicer place to stay. I feel like this is the right move because…your mother said to ask for help from a friend I would rather not ask.”

“What about the guild? Can you trust him to keep knowledge of your—our—whereabouts safe?”

“There is no fear of him turning us over to the guild. The fear is how he’ll try to use the knowledge, and us, to his own ends. You can never trust a vampire.”

Chapter Twenty-Five

“Listen to me carefully,” Emery said the next evening as we turned a corner and our destination, an upscale hotel sitting on the water, spanned out to the side and in front of us. Lights twinkled along the sidewalk and the building, showing a red carpet at the front, leading into the hotel. An expensive car pulled up to the front and two people climbed out of the rear doors. Bellboys walked forward to help them. “He’ll be charming and captivating. He’ll seem civilized and cultivated. All the finery, his dress, his mannerisms—they’re intended to seduce you. His very smile will seduce you. But make no mistake, he is a predator. He’s above you on the food chain until you learn more of your magic. Keep your wits about you.”

I nodded as the energy around us twisted and boiled. It pushed at me in strange ways. Violent ways.

“Is he going to attack us?” I asked, trying to remember how I’d made that magical spear. Or even the lower-powered mouse zappers. Any defense was better than nothing if Emery needed help.

“No. But you should always keep your wits when dealing with a vampire. They’re smart and cunning. If a vampire can get one over on you, or use you, or…something else you probably wouldn’t even think of, they will. Without hesitation. They have no loyalty.”

“Yikes. They sound like a lovely sort of creature.”

“They are, in their human form. That’s part of the danger.”

I frowned, but before I could ask what other form they had, streams of magic—no, Emery would call them elements—drifted up around us.

“If the worst should happen…” Emery wiggled his fingers, and a weave started to form. “Do not try to fight them. Not until you have as thorough a working relationship with magic as I do. They are unbelievably fast and strong. Vicious beyond anything you’ve experienced thus far. If anything happens, now or down the road, try to find somewhere to hunker down until I can come for you.” Magic twisted through Emery’s hands, the weave so slow it tried to dissipate at every turn.

“No problem,” I said, studying what he was doing. “I excel at fortifying closets.”

“That was a spell for corrosive acid. I’ll do it again. It’s a good spell to throw right before you run.” He wiggled his fingers and went through the spell again, walking more slowly as he worked. We were drawing near the entrance now. When he was through, he let the spell dissipate. “Do you have it?”

“The energy around us is…not right. So I’m not sure if the spell will stick in my head. Whatever I put together might have a completely different impact.”

His gaze hit mine. “I’m sorry—this is a bad way to train. Balance us out, and I’ll do it again.”

“It is a way to train, and at the moment, that’s good news.”

A grin tweaked his lips. “You’re so positive. Is there any badness in you?”

All the stories I’d told him of my exploits thus far, and he had to ask? His memory wasn’t the best.

I focused on the world around me, getting in tune with it—feeling the energy and nature, the chill of the air and smell of the sea. The vibe mellowed out and he went through the spell again, muttering about how much easier it was this time around. By the time he’d gone through it twice, a little too quickly for my taste, we were at the doors.

He dropped my hand and strutted into the hotel like he owned the place, his shoulders back and his head held high. I slouched in next to him, not great at making entrances. I found it better not to be noticed at all.

Hard plastic antlers reached from the walls all around the lobby, held in place by bold metal brackets. Two ladies stood behind a smallish check-in counter to the left, and a few guests converged toward the large sitting area at the back of the room. The lobby was tastefully furnished with a few groupings of chairs and couches. A large stone fireplace adorned the wall to the right, and floor-to-ceiling windows showed the blackness beyond. In the day, that window would be filled with the crystal-blue waters of Elliot Bay.

Vampires clearly liked luxury.

Emery stood straight and tall at the check-in desk, holding his frame with power and confidence. Despite his stained shirt and messy hair, he looked like he belonged—like he was born to the right of finery.

“I’d like to speak with Mr. Regent, please.” Emery’s hard words of command seemed to fill the room.

Eyes drifted our way. The check-in ladies both looked startled.

“Tone it down, there, chief,” I muttered, resting a hand on his arm.

“Do you have an appointment?” the blonde check-in lady asked, her smile frozen, uncertain. The other woman motioned to the couple standing behind us and started to check them in.

Emery lowered his voice. “I have a standing appointment. Tell him the natural has resurfaced. That’s all he need know.”

My phone buzzed in my pocket. I fished it out, not catching the check-in lady’s words but understanding their tone just fine. She intended to brush him off.

I flipped the phone open and clicked the button to read the text message. The letters came up on the antiquated screen. You need the boss of the boss. He’ll connect you to the highest level of power in the underworld.

I stared at my mom’s message, tremors racking my body. This was evidence that my mother had seen something. I could scarcely believe in my own ability to work magic, let alone hers. But there was no way she could fabricate this message.

I tugged on Emery’s sleeve and put the phone in front of him. He cut off whatever he was saying and glanced down, his brow furrowing as he read the message.

“Are you looking for the boss of this establishment?” I asked quietly.

His gaze hit mine, and I could see the affirmation in it…and the wheels that had started turning.

I pushed him to the side, purpose sizzling inside of me. It was time to own a little of my mother’s side, God help me.

The check-in woman’s stubborn blue gaze slid from Emery to me, and her chin lifted a fraction. I could tell by the set of her jaw and the height of her shoulders that she didn’t intend to budge.

“Hello.” I gave her a pleasant smile. “We seem to have some confusion here.”

“Mr. Regent does not take unsolicited—”

“Yes, that is the confusion.” I leaned over the counter, my smile turning fierce. This was happening, and it was going to happen now. “He is waiting for us, not the other way around. He is hoping for our call. Now, you will let him know we are here so that you don’t get fired. Not only that, but you will tell him we need a meeting with his boss.” Fire licked at my insides, and I felt the familiar yank I now recognized as magic. “Get him on the phone as soon as possible. We’ll be sitting by the fireplace. You can see in my eyes that, should you ignore me, I will do something you will regret. Is that reading clearly?”