“I know what’s wrong with your lover,” Merlin said, dropping ashes onto my floor.

  My mouth fell open. Was he that disrespectful? Scowling, I looked at them again, seeing they had disappeared. At least he cleaned up after himself. Refocusing on Merlin, I raised my eyebrows. “Who?”

  “Child, how many lovers do you have?” He started laughing, throwing back his head. “You are my daughter, so I guess it only makes sense.” When I started to object, he held up a hand. “The one with the teeth.”

  “Drake? They’re called Vampires.”

  Merlin stood up. “Whatever. The point is the demon that once possessed his body will return for his power. Drake can’t hold onto it for long.”

  “Wait. I thought it was a spirit.”

  “No, child. It was a demon.”

  “Well, shit.”

  “Indeed. So, if I were you, I’d talk to this Vampire of yours and get him to see that he must prepare for a fight.”

  “What if we took away those powers?” I asked, standing, trying to think of ways to prevent the demon from returning.

  “You can’t do that without destroying his original powers. That’s why he was so weak. Drake was a powerful Vampire before he received the demon powers. Now they are one in the same. You can’t get rid of one without taking the other.” Merlin walked toward me and placed his hands on my shoulders, which felt weird to me. I looked around, not sure if I wanted to stare right into his face.

  “When the demon takes his body again, do not attempt to expel it from him; otherwise, you will end up like the other Witch. You are far too valuable to the community to be throwing yourself away for a Vampire.”

  Before I could say something back, he spun around and slapped Ethan on the back. “See you at the poker game later. Prepare to meet your maker!” He laughed, disappearing a second later.

  “You play poker together?” I slapped him on the arm. “Why the fuck didn’t you tell me you guys were besties?”

  “We aren’t besties. Guys don’t have besties,” Ethan said in a manly voice. He scowled at me. “Besties.” He laughed, not amused.

  I sat down on the couch, trying to digest the information Merlin gave me. This demon was going to return eventually. He probably already knew the power had been released back to Drake. What happened now? Did I just let him go and wish him good luck? Or did I stop it before it became a problem?

  Chapter Thirteen

  Jenna sat across from me in my office. I could tell she had something to say, but appeared to be nervous. I had never see her like this, so whatever it was had to be a pretty big deal. She’d been in a sour mood for more than a week, defending Drake every chance she got. Something was going on with her, and I hoped to find out sooner rather than later.

  “What’s your deal?” I asked before taking a sip of my special coffee Allison had brought me. The woman spoiled me, and I enjoyed it far too much. I needed to cut back before my thighs screamed for mercy. She even started bringing in donuts, which was a secret addiction of mine.

  “I have no problem. I just think you’re taking it too far with the Mage when Drake has done so much for you.”

  Again with Drake. What was with the damn obsession? I took a bite of my donut, my eyes rolling back into my head as the flavors burst in my mouth. Chocolate was heaven. I could never get enough.

  After a second or two, I folded my hands on the desk and glowered at her. “I don’t want to hear any more about Drake. He’s made it pretty clear he no longer wants anything to do with me.”

  “You wouldn’t say that if you knew the truth.” She gasped, then looked down, as if she weren’t supposed to say anything.

  “Truth about what?”

  When Jenna didn’t answer, I grew angry. I never got mad at my friends, but this was going a little too far. If I was going to be High Mistress, I had to take command at some point. Even if I meant hurting feelings along the way.

  “Tell me now, Jenna.”

  “It’s nothing.”

  “If you don’t tell me…”

  “Fine.” She leaned forward, elbows on her knees and hands clasped together. She blew out a breath. “Drake killed the Witch.”

  “What?!”

  Jenna held up a hand. “Hang on. It was a complete accident. He found the Witch and tried to speak to him about exposing you like he did. The guy went nuts, started hitting him. Drake attacked him, tore his throat out like some kind of animal.”

  “And you weren’t going to tell me this? Don’t you think it’s important that I know? I’ve been trying to narrow down the killer, but it’s been Drake this whole time.”

  Jenna gave me an apologetic look, then looked at her hands. “He was only trying to protect you.”

  “What I don’t get is why the fuck you were there with him.”

  “He called me, said he’d done something terrible and was afraid you’d find out.”

  “Of course I would have found out! What the hell does he expect from me? I am supposed to protect our people, not allow someone to murder them.” I stood up to pace, running my fingers through my hair. “I can’t believe this. Why would he call you?”

  “Because he knew I’d understand.”

  Jenna had murdered her father when he became a rabid Vampire. The Vampires wanted to put him down, but she accepted the responsibility and did it herself.

  “It’s not the same thing, Jenna.”

  “You do what you have to in order to protect the people you love, right?”

  “But it was just some jackass telling everyone who I was. He didn’t kill anyone. He just needed help. We could have helped him!” I didn’t know what to do. Once again, Drake lied to me by omission. “Did he string him up on that pole, too?” I demanded.

  Jenna shook her head. “No. We left the body where it was. Someone else must have done that.”

  What the hell was happening with Drake? First the secrets, then murder? It was so unlike him. I didn’t understand why he had suddenly gone off the rails. So what if he were trying to protect me? He was strong enough to just subdue the Witch.

  “I have to go talk to him.”

  “I’ll come with you,” Jenna said, standing up.

  I shook my head. “You will take a week’s suspension for hiding this from me. Consider yourself lucky that it’s with pay. I am so fucking pissed off at you.”

  “Sophie, I was trying to protect you both. Don’t you see?” Jenna pleaded with me, touching my arm.

  I stepped away. “That isn’t your job. Your job is to report everything. As High Mistress, I need to know this shit. I don’t care if it means someone I love is responsible. I have a duty to our kind!”

  Jenna walked away, fuming. She stopped to glare at me before spinning on her heel to exit the room. I sat down at my desk to think. Drake killed the Witch, but who hung him on the pole? Who was after me? There were still more players I had to figure out, and it was beyond frustrating that I didn’t have answers. I was tempted to find Clyde again. He probably had more information than he let on. Argh! I wanted to scream.

  Deciding I had enough, I thought about Drake and where he was in the mansion. Seconds later, I stood in the foyer. I looked around. It was quiet, except for some voices down the hall and in the big room. My heels made a lot of a noise on the wood floor, but I didn’t care. Drake was in a lot of trouble, and I was about to bring down the hammer.

  As I entered the large room, three heads turned in my direction—Drake, Finn, and somebody I didn’t recognize. Finn seemed irritated, while Drake just rolled his eyes. How mature. I wanted to smack him. My anger boiling, it only took me seconds to reach the other side of the room.

  Finn stepped between me and Drake. “You have no permission to be here.”

  “Then you guys should really invest in a warding system so Witches can’t just appear in the mansion,” I told him, staring over his shoulder at Drake, who looked at paperwork. He wasn’t about to acknowledge me.

  “You must leave before we throw you into a cell for trespassing. That would not look good to your people,” Finn snarled.

  “Did you just threaten me?” I demanded. I heard Drake chuckling, finding the entire thing amusing. Without a second thought, I called to my magic, an agitated black mist surrounding me.

  Finn sighed. “He doesn’t wish to speak with you.”

  “I found out about the Witch and what you did, Drake. I know the damn truth! You fucking asshole!” I said over Finn’s shoulder.

  A second later, Drake stood up. “Leave us!” he said to Finn and the other man.

  As they rushed out, he stared at me, looking very imposing. It was definitely a different Drake. This one had power and strength beyond the man I met months ago. When he took a step toward me, my mouth went dry. I didn’t know what to say and, suddenly, was a little scared. But I stood up straight, staring right back at him.

  “This entire time, you knew who murdered the Witch. The last thing I expected to find out was that it was you.” I jabbed him in the chest with my finger. “How dare you murder one of my people and try to get away with it!”

  “I did it to protect you.”

  “You went too far!”

  “Always ungrateful. You constantly think you know what’s best and that everyone should follow your way of thinking. We’re Vampires. Killing is all instinct. Just because you choose to ignore it doesn’t mean all of us can…or will.” He grabbed me around the throat, yanking me toward him. “Sometimes innocents die for a cause. That man died because he was a threat to someone with a higher power. A higher calling.”

  When he released me, I stumbled back, rubbing my throat as I stared at him, stunned. “You could have told me instead of letting me run around trying to find answers.”

  He waved me off. “How you conduct your investigations is no concern of mine. You would have figured it out eventually.”

  “Why are you pushing me away? I thought you wanted to prove that you could fix this problem between us. What’s changed?” I asked, walking up to him and touching his arm.

  Drake jerked away. “What has changed is your relationship with the Mage. If you cared anything for me, you would have waited. You would have kicked him from your home. Instead, he chases you around like a horny dog.”

  “Is that what all this is about? You’re jealous? You have a fucking wife. You even released her, despite the damage she has caused. What does that say about you?” I was angry, my fists clenched at my side.

  Glaring, he threw out a hand in my direction, hot magic smacking right into my body and sending me back against the wall, knocking the breath from me. He moved so fast, I was caught by surprise when his hand went to my throat again, squeezing.

  “I love you, Sophie. More than you even know. But I won’t be dragged around in this game you’re playing. I won’t compete with another man.”

  I clawed at his hand. “Then you don’t love me as much as you say. If you did, you’d fix this,” I whispered, my head starting to spin from the lack of oxygen as he squeezed harder.

  Acting like he finally decided something, he released me. I bent over, gasping for breath. “I will show you that I am not one to be taken so lightly. By any means necessary, you will become mine again. So your Mage had better watch his back.”

  When I straightened, his lips came crashing down on mine. I stood there in surprise, but when his hand went to my hip and then to my ass, I moaned, returning the kiss with equal desperation.

  He pulled away, breathing heavily as he pressed his forehead to mine. “You should go.”

  “We still have to talk about the possession and what it means for your future.” I tried to grab his arm when he turned away from me.

  My throat hurt, but it was fading, the pain becoming less and less as the seconds ticked by. He probably bruised it. I know he could have easily snapped my neck. Not that it would kill me, but it would be painful nonetheless.

  “There’s nothing to talk about. I already know the spirit is going to return. He knows I have my powers back, which means it will be soon.”

  I could tell Drake didn’t want to talk about it. He sat down at the table he’d been working at and started reviewing papers again.

  “Drake, that wasn’t a spirit. It was a fucking demon.”

  “No, it was a spirit. You didn’t experience it like I did. The Witch who took care of it said it was a spirit,” he insisted, standing.

  Afraid he was going to choke me again, I put my hands up to stop him where he was. He seemed surprised, then realization came over his face. I was frightened of him.

  “Sophie, I’m sorry. I should have been more careful with you.”

  “Your powers have changed you. You’re different.”

  “I’m the same man. I promise you.”

  “You aren’t, and it will only get worse if this demon returns. How do we stop it before it happens? And if it does happen, what are the steps we need to take to get rid of it permanently.”

  Drake shook his head. “I can handle it. It’s not your concern.”

  “You need help! Allow us to help you.”

  “Sophie! I will not have you dragged into this mess. It’s mine to handle. I don’t need you,” he growled, eyes glowing.

  He was a whole new beast. I didn’t know if I could get through to him with the way he was determined to push me away. Before I could say anything, someone entered the room.

  “Didn’t I tell you to leave us alone?” Drake swung his arm, power flying from his fingertips. Finn went flying into the wall, smacking his head. Completely knocked out, his body slid to the floor and slumped over. The Vampire was still alive, but he would probably have a headache when he woke up.

  Drake’s reaction surprised me. He didn’t even wait to see what Finn wanted. “Why did you do that?” I asked. I had the urge to check on Finn, even though he was a complete asshole.

  “I told him to leave us alone. Now, you must go, Sophie. We will talk another time.”

  Drake went back to his paperwork, not looking up when I said his name a few times. He was done. No more talking. I was dismissed.

  Chapter Fourteen

  A hand slid over my mouth as I lay in my bed. I panicked, struggling as I grabbed hold of the person’s hand to yank it off me. When I looked up, I saw Ethan standing over me, a finger over his mouth.

  “Someone is in your house,” he whispered.

  Fear trickled down my spine. Someone managed to get past my wards? As I started to slide out of bed, feeling exposed in just my boy shorts and tank top, Ethan grabbed my arm to stop me, shaking his head. My nostrils flared, taking in the scent around us. Nothing smelled unusual…and then I caught it. There were three of them. They tried to be quiet, but my Vampire hearing picked up everything…from each step they took to the rustling of their clothes.

  Ethan motioned toward the window, wanting me to crawl out. I scowled at him, shaking my head. There was no way I would run away from my own home. He glared at me, gesturing hard at the window again. Shaking my head, I stood, calling to my magic. No one was going to invade my home without paying the consequences.

  Just then, someone entered my room and raised a gun, which was probably filled with stake bullets. I raised my hands, prepared to defend myself, but Ethan was already on the move. His magic came out like a cool wind, sweeping around us so fast, I nearly fell down. The next thing I knew, I had blood and pieces of body all over me. The man had exploded! Before I could freak out, the other two entered the room, shooting wildly.

  Both Ethan and I scrambled out of the way, the bullets striking my bed and the wall behind us. I cried out when one clipped my arm, burning immediately. What did they put on them to cause that reaction? Angry, I threw out my magic, flinging one of them into the wall. His head slammed back before his body slumped to the ground. Ethan fought the other Vampire, kicking his gun out of his hands, sending it across the room. The Vampire moved fast, Ethan keeping up with him the entire time. How was that even possible?

  The Vampire flew back onto his ass. With one quick movement, he jumped into a fighting stance. Just as Ethan came at him, the Vampire started in my direction, teeth bared. My eyes widened as I threw up my hands, my necklace lighting up at the same time. Suddenly, he froze in midair, shaking, as if he were being electrocuted. Then he fell to the floor, his body smoking.

  Ethan turned to me, eyebrows raised. “What the fuck was that?”

  I shrugged. “I have no idea. It was just a reaction.”

  “Impressive,” he chuckled, walking over to the guy slumped against the wall.

  “Not as impressive as your exploding Vampire…which I could have done without. It’s going to be hell to clean up.” I shook my head, looking at the mess on myself and the walls. It was disgusting. When I dry-heaved, Ethan rushed over and led me out to the living room.

  “I’ll tell Allison to send someone over to clean up,” he told me. “In the meantime, I can take you to my place. You should be safe there.”

  “You mean, you haven’t been living here with me?” I chuckled when he rolled his eyes and left the room.

  After calling Allison, he called Mikey and Jenna. When they showed up, I glared at Jenna, letting her know she wasn’t supposed to be here. She just shrugged, giving me a look I couldn’t decipher.

  Mikey came to sit next to me, placing an arm around my shoulders. “Looks like a big mess here.”

  “You think? Ethan decided to blow one of them up!” I shook my head, glancing down at my clothes. “Gods, I don’t know if I want to come back to this place. All I’ll be able to think about is body parts flying around the room.”

  “But this is where the High Mistress lives.”

  “I can change the rules,” I told him, feeling the urge to take a shower, but my house was now completely full of Magicteers and my security team. The team, had I been smart, I should have kept around. Good thing Ethan was looking after me. Otherwise, I might not have woken up to hear the Vampires sneaking in.

  Ethan walked into the living room, Jenna close behind. “We have the Vampire locked in a cell whenever you’re ready to talk to him.”

 

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