All Knight Long, Book I: One Warlock's Love Story (5 page)

“It wasn’t very well received by my extended family,” Zander admitted. “How about you? How did you grow up?”

“Like most shifters, I grew up in the country,” Tau explained. “My family owns a ranch in upstate New York. I was home-schooled.”

“I am glad that we met tonight,” Zander said, considering for the first time that Tau might be one of those players that the bitter, broken-hearted divas always wailed about in song.

“I am too,” Tau said, sounding sincere.

Just then the vampiress from the door passed by. “You two make a lovely couple,” she said. Zander blushed, grinned and thanked her. Seconds later, a waiter brought over two drinks.

“These are from the boss, Muslee,” he said, and handed them two cocktails. Tau tried to offer him a tip, but he wouldn’t accept it.

“That was nice,” Zander said.

“See, I told you everybody in here was looking at you,” Tau said. Zander smiled.

“So, you were telling me about the relationships among the three major supernatural groups...” Zander was extremely curious.

“You really don’t know this stuff, do you?” Tau said.

“Not really,” Zander admitted.

“Aw, baby, come here, and I’ll tell you everything you need to know.” Tau wrapped Zander is his muscular arms.

“The three major supernatural groups are witches, vampires, and shifters, and at some point in our long and sordid pasts, we have all loved and hated each other. I can explain all of the background and history to you later, but for now you need to focus on the highlights,” Tau said, matter-of-factly. Zander was glad to hear that there would be a later.

“We can start with your little ratchet-ass friend, Ginger Snap,” Tau continued.

“Giovanni,” Zander corrected.

“Yes, her. Anyway, everyone knows that a witch or warlock’s blood will intoxicate a vampire and make him very horny, which is pretty dangerous because vampires are known to be very sexual creatures anyway.”

“Oh!” Zander said.

“Vamps and shifters have had a long standing feud over who rules the night and how best to harvest humans for food. Over time, the vamps moved into the cities, and the shifters moved out to the rural areas, so there’s been less of an issue.”

“This is fascinating,” Zander said, taking a sip of his drink.

“I’m surprised you don’t know this,” Tau remarked. “It was a famous warlock -- Banning Cabiness -- who popularized the study of supernatural relationships.”

“I’m starting to realize that there’s a quite a bit that I don’t know,” Zander admitted.

“Not to worry, little warlock,” Tau said. Zander instinctively moved in and put his head on Tau’s chest. Tau responded by giving him a huge hug.

“Is it all right if I give you something?”

“What do you mean?” Zander asked, pulling back from Tau’s warm embrace.

“I’ve really enjoyed meeting you, and I don’t want you to forget me.” Tau removed the cowrie shell from the small lock of hair at his temple and took the hemp earring from his ear.

“What are you doing?” Zander asked. Tau’s large hands were more nimble than Zander might have imagined. He took the cowrie shell and the hemp and fashioned a ring that fit perfectly on Zander’s right ring finger.

“This shell was given to me by grandfather. They were used as currency in Africa and even thought by some to be magical agents,” Tau said.

“That is so sweet,” Zander said. “I can’t take something that’s this valuable to you,”

“I want you to have it,” Tau insisted, admiring the ring on Zander’s finger.

“I won’t feel right unless I give you something of equal value in return. I have a special gift that my grandmother gave me for my birthday. It would mean a lot to me if you would have it. That way I know you won’t forget me, either.” Zander removed the ruby stone necklace from his pocket and tied it around Tau’s neck. It was the second time that Zander had acted against his better judgment in one night. He’d given Tau his full name and his grandmother’s birthday gift.

“This is a very special night for me,” Tau beamed, giving Zander another kiss.

“So there you are!” Giovanni yelled. Zander was sure that he heard Tau growl this time. Zander turned to greet Giovanni.

“Where’s your friend?” Zander asked.

“Apparently, I am too much warlock for him. I sent him to my house to sleep it off. That’ll guarantee me some good sex when I get home.” Giovanni winked.

“How’s he going to find your house, let alone get in without the key?” Zander asked skeptically.

“He’s a vampire, silly. He’s tasted me. He can find me anywhere on earth now. I gave him my address and invited him to enter my home, so he won’t have a problem getting in.”

“You should be more responsible,” Tau told him. “There are rules in this club for a reason. You shouldn’t have let him bite you.”

“Who the hell are you supposed to be?” Giovanni asked.

“You recklessness could end up getting Zander into trouble,” Tau warned.

“Zander is a warlock. He doesn’t need an extra from the Wiz to take care of him,” Giovanni said.

“What?” Tau asked, clearly confused.

“You heard me,” Giovanni snapped, stepping back to cast a curse. Tau growled and stepped forward.

“Wait! You two can’t do that in here. No magic and shifting, remember?” Zander stepped between them and placed his hands on their chests.

“What is that?” Giovanni asked, looking at the new ring on Zander’s finger.

“What?” Zander asked, confused at Giovanni’s shocked expression.

“Who gave you that ring?” Giovanni asked, gazing skeptically at Tau.

“Tau gave it to me. It’s just a keepsake. It’s no big deal,” Zander said.

“Did you give him anything in return?” Giovanni asked.

“Why do you ask?” Zander questioned, still not sure why it was such a big deal. He also couldn’t help but notice that Giovanni’s line of questioning seemed to be making Tau slightly uneasy.

“Maybe I underestimated you,” Giovanni purred.

Just then, there was a loud explosion on the far end of the club, followed by shrieks, screams, and howls. The building shook, the ceiling caved in, and pandemonium ensued. Giovanni spun around and began moving his arms around in fluid movements. He finished the spell with an incantation that covered both him and Zander with a translucent protective bubble. Hunks of mortar and brick fell from the ceiling, bouncing off Giovanni’s shield. Giovanni seemed to get just a little bit weaker each time a piece of rubble struck. Zander looked through the shield and saw a witch levitating trying to avoid the falling debris and several vampires shadow walking out of the room. Shifters were changing quickly, in order to assume the size and speed necessary to withstand whatever was attacking the club. Then he remembered Tau.

Giovanni yelled something, but Zander didn’t pay attention. He was too focused on finding Tau. Zander turned to find the once beautiful, muscular Tau transforming into a larger, feral, and even more beautiful feline version of himself. The change was both physical and magical. He had the body of a god and was completely covered in shimmering golden fur. His hair grew into a crown that was part Afro and part lion’s mane. His hands and feet turned into paws with sharp claws, and his clothes were torn and ripped at the seams. He definitely wasn’t a werewolf. He was all man and all lion.

Zander tried to reach out to Tau but was stopped by Giovanni’s bubble. Tau saw Zander reaching toward him and began to charge at the bubble with all of the ferocity of a hungry lion. Just as Tau reached the bubble, there was another loud boom. Zander’s world went silent as a huge hunk of concrete started to fall from overhead. It was as if everything was in slow motion. Zander didn’t know if Giovanni’s bubble could withstand another blow, or if Tau was paying enough attention to the see the slab of concrete coming directly at him. Zander wanted to protect both of them. Zander looked over at Giovanni and watched him mouth the words, “Help me with this spell!” He turned and looked at Tau, who was still charging, and saw the ruby stone glowing around his neck with the intensity of a laser. The silence persisted for several more seconds before another boom was heard, and then Zander was thrown several feet across the room.

Exploding pellets whizzed through the air. The scent of club smoke and sweat was replaced by gun smoke and blood. Zander shook his head in an attempt to regain his composure. He began screaming for Giovanni and then Tau. Bodies and rubble lay strewn all around him. He searched his memory frantically for a spell that might offer protection or help him find his friends, but nothing came to mind. Despite his resolve, he began to cry. He tried to stand, and then realized that a large piece of metal had pierced his thigh.

“Zander, Get out of here!” someone yelled. Zander turned to find Milo the bartender backing toward him and casting spells at several advancing figures in uniform. Zander tried to make sense of it all. Milo was wielding significant amounts of earth magic, moving large volumes of air and throwing bolts of fire. Zander knew this kind of magic, and Milo was good at it. He turned and propped himself up on a leaning piece of wood just as a group of soldiers converged on one of the security guards and covered her like hyenas on a fresh kill.

“Get out!” Milo yelled again. Zander could see five men in full uniform and headgear pressing toward Milo. They were aiming their rifles at Milo and shooting something that resembled lightning. Zander took a deep breath and began calling up magic that sent tire-sized hunks of stone flying toward the soldiers. He took two of them out with the first slab of concrete, leaving Milo free to focus on the remaining three.

They were close enough now for Zander to hear one of the soldiers yell, “Set to kill. This one is dangerous!” So, they hadn’t seen Zander. They assumed that all of the magic was coming from Milo. Zander had tried to help and had made things worse.

“No!” Zander yelled, and he reached out and took control of one of the fireballs that Milo had created and began reshaping it in midair. What had started out as a basketball-sized ball of fire from Milo now hung in the air and began to swirl and grow until it was the size of small automobile. Zander took it and hurled it at the three patrolmen. One dove out of the way. The remaining two weren’t quite so lucky. The fire engulfed them, immediately burning through their uniforms and then their flesh. The first soldier tried unsuccessfully to run to put out the flames. The second fell to the floor after several seconds, and a large cloud of smoke escaped his lungs.

“Blessed be!” Milo yelled, helping Zander get to his feet.

“What is happening?” Zander cried, glad for Milo’s assistance.

Milo didn’t answer; instead he said, “We have to get out of here.” Milo propped Zander up and helped him toward the numbered doors.

“Where are my friends?” Zander cried again. Milo didn’t get a chance to answer. A bolt of lightning struck him square in the back, sending him and Zander tumbling to the ground. Zander smelled burnt flesh and turned to find a patrolman advancing toward him with his rifle raised. Milo’s dead and burning body had Zander partially pinned to the ground. The soldier with the rifle was only a few feet away, with his weapon aimed right on Zander’s chest.

Zander shut his eyes tight and waited for the lightning from the rifle to burn through his body. He wondered how long he would feel the pain and regretted the fact that he hadn’t told his mother how much he loved her before he’d left home.

The pain didn’t come. He opened his eyes and saw Tau spring out of nowhere and onto the unsuspecting soldier. Blood spewed everywhere as Tau pinned the soldier down and bit through his uniform and straight through his jugular. Tau turned toward Zander with a ferocity that made him shudder. Then he leapt across the room, gently moved and repositioned Milo’s dead body, and cradled Zander with all the care of newborn. Zander didn’t have time to object. Tau’s was carrying him toward a large hole in the wall with inhuman speed. Zander took a gulp of fresh air as soon as they were outside. Witches, warlocks, shifters, and vampires were fighting soldiers outside the club, but the odds were different out here. The soldiers didn’t have the element of surprise on their side, and the supernaturals ruled the night. Even equipped with night goggles, the soldiers were outmatched.

There was another loud boom, and the building behind them imploded. Fire trucks and police sirens could be heard off into the distance. Soldiers and supernaturals began disappearing into the night.

“We have to get out of here!” Tau yelled, with Zander still in his arms. Zander kicked and protested.

“Giovanni is in there. I can’t just leave him!” Zander yelled. Tau looked conflicted. He didn’t like seeing Zander upset, but he knew that going back inside was nothing short of suicide. Zander tried to wrestle free, but he was unable to release himself from Tau’s protective hold. The sirens grew closer, and the last few walls of Arcane crashed to the ground. Zander moaned and buried his head in Tau’s chest, sobbing.

“We have to go,” Tau whispered in his ear.

“Hey you big pussy! Put my friend down!”

“Giovanni!” Zander raised his head from Tau’s chest in disbelief. Tau set Zander down so that he could embrace his friend.

“Now I know you weren’t going to leave me,” Giovanni teased.

“I am so sorry. I didn’t know what to do. I’m so sorry.” Zander sniffled.

“I could have used some help with the bubble. I see that I need to teach you a few force field spells,” Giovanni said, punching Zander in the chest.

“I wish I could have done more,” Zander admitted.

“I saw you back there helping Milo,” Giovanni said. “You do know a few tricks.”

“May his soul rest,” Zander said, as was the customary saying when the name of any dead witch or warlock was mentioned.

“May he rest,” Giovanni added.

“We need to go,” Tau said again, urgently.

“Is your leg bleeding?” Giovanni asked Zander, already starting a healing spell.

“It’s nothing. I’ll be fine,” Zander assured him.

“We have to leave now!” Tau growled at them.

“We know that!” Giovanni yelled back.

“My bike is on the other side of the building,” Tau started.