Summer sin northern witc.., p.6
Summer Sin (Northern Witch #4), page 6
“Understood?” Nanna demanded.
“Yes.” Daphne replied, her voice high-pitched, but human.
Daphne looked like she was going to say something more, but thought better of it. She hiked her handbag onto her shoulder, and marched off, with her followers in tow.
Used to Nanna’s behaviour, Mark’s family were unphased by her little demonstration.
Newcomer Derek looked surprised. He gave a little cough. “So the ‘witch’ thing isn’t just a title, it’s real?”
“Yes.” Nanna replied, actually blushing. “I won’t be offended if it’s something you can’t handle.”
Derek cocked his head, reassessing whatever he thought he knew about magic. “Don’t worry, you can’t scare me off that easily.”
Nanna smiled, accepting the challenge.
Mark chewed his lip, as a kid, he’d always been blind to the little spells Nanna cast; but now he’d learnt a lot. He thought that included being responsible. “Nanna, was that really wise?”
“It was worth it. She might act all anti-witch, but Daphne tried to join the coven in the nineties.” Nanna waved her hand dismissively.
“What?” Mark frowned, finding it impossible to imagine that stuck up woman being part of his coven.
“Daphne didn’t have the right attitude. She thought she could jump straight into the big spells, and thought she’d be all that. She gave up when she realised how much work it would be.” Nanna reeled off, then glanced down at her two students. “Of course, magic is an important responsibility, and shouldn’t be taken lightly, or used frivolously.”
“Except when showing off to bullies.” Mark teased.
“I did not ‘show off’.” Nanna argued. “I quickly educated them to my superior skills with a carefully-calculated demonstration. The fact that they were impressed shows they had good sense.”
Mark’s laugh was quickly cut short.
“Don’t you dare mention you went to the demon realm in front of that hag.” Nanna warned. “I know you’re excited about your adventure, but it’ll only add fuel to her fire.”
Nanna behaved herself for the rest of the day.
Mark and his family hung out at the fairground for a few more hours, until the rain started. A couple of drops soon turned into a heavy shower, that chased them all to find shelter, laughing at the ‘summer’ weather.
Mark found himself pressed closely to Damian, as they huddled under the nearest shop awning. His fingers curled around his boyfriend’s gloved hand.
“Are you coming round to ours for Beltane festivities?” Mark asked quietly.
Damian frowned, trying to remember what Mark had told him about the pagan calendar. “That’s one of the fire festivals, right?”
“Yeah, we try and have a bonfire to celebrate, but I think today is a bit of a wash-out.” Mark glanced at the pouring rain which didn’t look like it was going to lighten up. “There will still be a barbecue at my house, if you fancy more burgers?”
Damian squeezed his hand. “Spend the rest of the day with you? Yeah, I’m up for that.”
Chapter Eight
That afternoon, there was quite the crowd at Mark’s house. Damian’s Aunt Maggie and her girlfriend arrived early; followed by Denise and other witches from the coven piling in.
It wasn’t quite the turn-out that the bonfires brought, with the local families taking advantage of the parties; but it was fairly decent. The adults enjoying an excuse to let their hair down.
Unfortunately, Harry and Sarah couldn’t make it due to prior family commitments. Mark kicked himself, that he’d forgotten to invite them until the last minute. He kept forgetting his friends didn’t know the witchy calendar by heart.
In typical British-barbecue style, Mark’s Dad had already erected the gazebo over the grill, that would keep the worst of the rain away; and he had his cagoule for the trips to the house.
“Can’t you do something witchy to send the rain away?” Derek the farrier asked Nanna, with an honest curiosity.
“No, it’s not worth the risk. We can push the rain away for a few hours, but the repercussion could be a drought or a flood.” Nanna reeled off, discussing her own version of the weather. “Elemental magic is simple, but strong. It’s easy to knock them out of balance.”
Mark could attest to that. He recalled the Thames flooding, as a backlash to his air spell, a couple of months ago. The water had rushed over them with such a wild force, nothing could stop it. At the time, it had slowed down the Dark witches chasing them, but the raw power still made Mark shiver.
“How about I take a beer out to Michael, and see if there’s anything I can do to help?” Derek offered. “I’ve got a bit of experience stoking reluctant fires in the rain.”
There was a titter of polite laughter at his joke. Mark didn’t know if forge-skills transferred to working a barbecue, but Derek scooped up a beer and dashed outside, braving the rain.
Mark had to bite his lip to stop from laughing at his Dad’s reaction. He scowled at the handsome man that was dating his mother.
Mark realised that working the barbecue was one of the traditionally-accepted male-bonding rituals. All it needed was an Attenborough narration... ‘here we see the middle-aged males tentatively test the water and the social hierarchy. The one who gets the fire to work will inevitably win the alpha role, and the respect of his clan...’
Mark snorted at the internal dialogue, getting confused looks from Damian and Michelle. He shook his head, not wanting to share how weird his thoughts were.
Everyone’s attention less-than-subtly shifted to Derek as he made his way back to the house. The summer rain soaked through his shirt to show his still-fit physique and corded muscles.
“You’re totally getting a hot grandpa.” Michelle whispered to Mark, before turning to Derek. “So, Derek, what are your intentions with our Nanna? If that’s not too weird to ask?”
Derek looked surprised at the ambush, but his smile seemed genuine enough. “That’s not weird, you’re her grandkids, of course you care what happens in her life.”
“Oh, I’m not her granddaughter.”
“Oh, that’s a little weird then.” Derek looked nonplussed, but laughed. “We’re dating, and I hope to continue dating for as long as I’m here. I know she’s the big matriarch of this place, and I’m lucky she wants to spend time with me.”
“Just remember – if you hurt her, we know all the curses under the sun.” Michelle winked. “You may continue.”
Not sure if Michelle was joking, Derek gave another little laugh, before hurrying back to the adults.
“Aw, look at you getting all protective.” Mark grinned. “You’re really part of the good-witch coven now.”
Whereas Michelle’s previous reactions had been to violently deny light magic, and threaten them all demon-fuelled pain, she now just shrugged. “Meh, they’ll be lucky to have me.”
The first round of barbecued meat made its way inside, and the house became a hive of activity, as everyone helped themselves to what they liked best. As the adults had another beer and seemed to take up every available space downstairs, Mark carried his plate upstairs, trailed by Damian and Michelle.
“Huh, your room’s bigger than mine.” Michelle commented, snatching up the remote and immediately flicking through the options on Mark’s TV.
Mark chuckled at her comment, his brief jealousy of sharing the house with Michelle had long-since faded, but he wondered what would happen in the end. Michelle seemed happy here, but once she recovered from her stint with dark magic would she go back to her parents’ house?
Except for the time Michelle had confessed that she’d been adopted, they’d never spoken about her parents. It had become an unwritten rule between them. The fact that her parents hadn’t tried to see her in all the time Michelle had lived here didn’t cast them in a great light.
Mark and Damian got comfortable on Mark’s bed, and Michelle curled into the big cushions of the cosy armchair.
Michelle had picked Supernatural, which made Mark snort.
“Don’t we have enough demons in real life?”
It was good to get distracted by fantasy over real drama for a while. Mark played waiter and made sure his friends had a steady supply of pop. It was nice to chat about normal stuff, too; as they discussed Dean’s party and Harry’s upcoming performance.
Michelle streamed a video from Instagram, and they all got to relive Harry’s last set.
“He’s so good.” Damian sighed.
“He is.” Mark confirmed, then gave Damian a nudge with his elbow. “Just wait ‘til you see him live.”
A cute blush crept across Damian’s face. “It’s a date.”
With his eyes cast downwards, Mark noticed how pale Damian’s eyelashes looked, against his tanned summer skin. When Damian looked back up, his blue eyes were all the more alive-
A cushion thunked against the wall by Mark’s head.
“Ugh, you two need to stop looking at each other like that, I’m gonna hurl.” Michelle announced.
“He’s my boyfriend, it’s allowed.” Mark said, embarrassed that he’d been caught showing his feelings so transparently. He threw the cushion back at Michelle in retaliation.
“Yeah, but the problem is that your boyfriend looks exactly like my ex-boyfriend.” Michelle argued. “Made worse by the fact my ex now has a thing for you.”
“What?” Damian sat straighter. “What has Robert done now?”
“Nowt.” Mark insisted.
“Nowt?” Michelle snorted. “He makes doe eyes at you every time he appears.”
Mark squeezed his boyfriend’s hand. “It’s not like it sounds. He just runs a little hotter than the rest of us. He stops flirting when I ask him to. Mostly.”
Damian pulled his hand away.
“Damian…”
“No, I don’t blame you.” Damian said, looking at Mark with pained eyes. “I hate that he can take over my body like that, and put you in this position. I have these black gaps in my memory; he could have done anything and I’m still powerless to stop him.”
Mark remembered what Robert had said the last time he saw him, about Damian changing his mind about the demon. “You still want to stop him?”
“Of course I do!”
“We still don’t even know why he’s here.” Mark said. “I don’t trust how good Robert has been lately.”
“He killed Eadric.” Damian pointed out.
“Indirectly. It doesn’t count.”
Damian snorted. “I’d hate to see what you’d class as ‘bad’.”
“Any input Michelle?”
“I’m not exactly in his inner circle anymore.” The goth girl shrugged. “He was always plotting, if we don’t know what he’s doing, that’s how he’s planned it. Robert thinks of everything.”
“Do you have any access to his thoughts?” Mark asked Damian.
His boyfriend shook his head.
“He has some dark witches in Sheffield working for him, they might know something.” Michelle suggested.
Mark snorted, remembering Edith and her followers threatening them with torture and death. “No thanks.”
Michelle rolled her eyes. “They’re not in Edith’s level. Nowhere near. We could take them.”
“I don’t want to fight them.” Mark said.
“What if Robert was there?” Damian asked, brightening up. “Some black contacts and they won’t be able to see the difference.”
Mark smiled at his boyfriend’s idea. “Yeah, but they might feel the difference.”
“What?”
“Robert brims with dark energy when he’s in control.” Mark explained. “I’m guessing even these mediocre witches can feel it.”
“Huh.” Damian looked unsettled again.
“Plus, they’re all a bunch of sycophants.” Michelle added. “They’re so hooked on Robert’s power, they’ll be super annoying and we won’t get any sense out of them, if they think he’s there.”
“So what do you suggest, Michelle?” Damian asked, his voice more stressed than normal.
“Me and Mark go as a couple of dark witches. They know me, it won’t be suspicious.”
“Michelle, are you sure it’s a good idea for you to get involved with dark witches again?” Mark asked, worried that all their progress would be lost.
“It’s just dark witches, not dark magic.” Michelle said with a shrug and overly-casual attitude. “Unless a demon is fuelling their power, these witches aren’t even strong enough to use dark spells.”
“Fine, when do we go?”
“Well, now is as good a time as any.”
“Now?” Damian groaned.
“Trust me, they’ll all be gathered on Beltane.” Michelle said. “It’s perfect – they’re weak anyways, but Mark and I are juiced on natural magic right now. Nowt can go wrong.”
Mark shared a look with Damian, and his boyfriend shrugged in return. It sounded a harmless enough excursion.
“Fine, let’s go.”
“Uh, not dressed like that, you’re not.” Michelle stated, sneering at Mark’s outfit. “Don’t you have anything that doesn’t make you look like a boy scout?”
Mark groaned, but decided to play along. Michelle knew the crowd that they wanted to blend into, and Mark would abide by her shining wisdom. He got up and rooted through his wardrobe. He pulled out a black t-shirt and black jeans, taking inspiration from Michelle’s usual monochromatic get-up.
“Uh, privacy please?” He reminded her.
“Don’t worry, you’re not my type.” Michelle said, with a rueful glance at Damian. She dutifully turned away so Mark could get changed.
Damian followed suit, politely turning away, although part of Mark wanted him to look.
Once Mark was dressed, he gestured to his all-black ensemble. “Better?”
Michelle took one look at his clothes and gave a harsh bark of laughter. “Now you look like the mysterious, yet inoffensive ‘bad guy’ from a teen soap.”
Mark sighed, looking in the mirror. He could see what she meant, his clothes were all clean-cut and flattering. He was definitely in a brand-new costume. “I don’t think I can pull this off.”
“I’ll be back in a min.” Michelle said, ducking out of the room.
“I think you look good.” Damian said, eyeing him appreciatively.
Mark’s sense of style was amateurish next to Damian’s, but it was still good to hear. “Thanks.”
Taking advantage of their moment alone, Mark knelt on the bed next to Damian, and leant in for a kiss.
Damian responded with his usual soft eagerness, a shivering hesitation, as the intimate moment stretched on.
Mark yelped as something was thrown at his head. He looked round to see Michelle hovering in the doorway.
“Michelle, not cool.”
“I thought we agreed you’d postpone the lovey-dovey stuff when I’m here.”
“No, you agreed it. And you weren’t here.” Mark snapped, then glanced down at her missile, an over-sized black t-shirt. “This is a girl’s top.”
“It’s unisex. Put it on, loser.” Michelle replied. “I also brought some chains and some studded cuffs.”
Mark groaned, but pulled the t-shirt on. It was well-worn, with fraying hems and the black more of a washed-out grey. He let Michelle add her accessories, pulling a face the whole time.
Michelle stepped back and admired her handiwork. “Well, now you’ve graduated to the inoffensive punk character in a teen drama. It’s the best we’re gonna get.”
Mark led the way, sneaking downstairs. The continuous rain was keeping the adults indoors, and they could be heard laughing and talking from the living room.
They headed outside the back door, hovering in the porch to shelter from the rain.
“How are we getting there? We’re not using the demon road.” Mark warned.
Michelle held up some keys, giving them a shake. “We drive.”
“Wait, are those Nanna’s?” Mark froze. “We can’t steal Nanna’s car.”
“We’re borrowing it. We’ll be back before anyone notices.” Michelle countered. “Do you have any better suggestions?”
Mark wavered, torn behind his desire to meet these dark witches; and the risk that he would be grounded for eternity if his family found out.
“C’mon, it’ll be a couple of hours’ round trip.” Michelle pushed, sensing him weakening. “They’re all so distracted by the party and Nanna’s new boyfriend, they won’t know we’re gone.”
Mark felt he was going to regret it, “You can drive?”
“Duh, of course.” Michelle shrugged. “I’d say I’m a better driver than Nanna anyways.”
Mark snorted; they’d all been at the mercy of Nanna’s chaotic driving.
He turned to Damian, who hovered silently at his side, a look of concern on his face.
“I’ll… stay upstairs and cover for you. Then go with Aunt Maggie and Miriam when they head off.” Damian said, his gaze dropping. His fingers hooked around Mark’s hand possessively. “Stay safe.”
Mark glanced over at Michelle. “Maybe you should go get the car started.”
He waited for the goth girl to run through the rain, then turned back to his boyfriend. He traced his fingers across the tense line of Damian’s jaw, watching his boyfriend visibly relax at his touch.
“I’ll call you when we’re on the way back.” Mark promised quietly, as he leant closer.
Their lips met with a gentleness that soon faded into something more passionate. Mark pushed Damian against the wooden side of the porch, and he felt Damian’s hands tangle into his hair, pulling Mark in for more.
Reluctantly, Mark paused, breathing hard against Damian’s shoulder. ‘I love you…’ the words died on his lips. He’d already said it once without a similar reply from Damian; Mark didn’t want to put his heart out there again.
Damian gave a crooked smile. “That was…”
“Yeah… I… best get going.” Mark pulled away, and stepped into the rain.
Chapter Nine
Mark jogged over to the idling car, the warm rain helping to wash away the fuzziness of that kiss.
