Shadow Magic (8 page)
Authors: Cheyenne McCray
“Then tell me.” She brought her hands up and placed them over his. “I deserve to know what's happening.”
Jake sucked in his breath as he stared at the gorgeous woman whose face graced the screen of the nightly news. Her familiar perfume swept over himâa scent as exotic as she was. Like green tea and ginseng. He rubbed one of his thumbs across her cheek, her olive complexion smooth, unmarred. The thought of one of those demons getting their hands on her seared his insides like a blowtorch.
“That's territory you know I can't cross with you.” Jake slid his hands from her face to her shoulders and she gripped his T-shirt in her fists. “When we started dating a year ago, we agreed not to discuss work.”
“Damnit, Jake.” Kat tugged at his T-shirt. “This is different.”
“Just believe me when I tell you it's not safe.” He squeezed her shoulders tight, but she didn't even wince. He hardened his voice. “Nowhere is safe, except your home. Jesus, Kat, you shouldn't even be going to the news station.”
“What's it been?” Her features softened and she released his T-shirt and slid her palms down his abs toward the waistband of his jeans. “Five, maybe six months since you started acting edgy and disappearing for days, now weeks.” She uncrossed her legs and spread her thighs as she grasped the waistband of his jeans and pulled him to her. “I can't remember the last time we had sex.”
Jake groaned, his thoughts going blank as she unfastened the button of his jeans and tugged the zipper down over the briefs covering his now swelling cock.
Wild, raging, primal need took over his mind, his body. Animal instincts that he couldn't control if he wanted to. And God, he didn't want to.
He shoved up Kat's blouse and unfastened the front clasp of her lacy bra as she wrapped her fingers around his erection. In seconds he had her flat on her back on his desk, her skirt pushed up to her waist, and the thin strip of material covering her folds pulled aside.
In one, hard thrust, he buried himself deep within her wet core. Kat gasped and arched her back, raising her breasts up, capturing his attention.
It felt so good being inside her. He gripped both of her breasts and began teasing her nipples as she moaned and thrashed beneath him like the wildcat she was. She hooked her ankles behind his ass, drawing him closer.
All the pent-up frustration they both felt fueled the frenzy of their sex. He fucked her hard and fast and it was only moments before she gave a cry that he smothered with his palm.
Her pussy gripped his cock and he clamped his jaws tight to keep from shouting as he climaxed. He shuddered as he poured himself into her.
For a moment their combined breathing was loud in the stillness of his office as he tried to slow his heartbeat. He braced his hands on the desk before pulling away and tucking his cock back into his briefs and fastening his jeans.
Kat's eyes were heavy-lidded as she rested on her elbows and looked up at him. “Come home with me.”
Jake sighed and helped Kat off the desk and she arranged her clothing. She looked a little rumpled and he smoothed her short hair with his fingers before he brought her close to him in a tight hug. The smell of sex and her exotic scent had his cock hardening again.
“I'm sorry, baby, but I can't,” he said quietly. “I'm not going to be around for awhile.”
She went completely quiet and he drew back to look down at her. The softness that had been on her features vanished. “Where will you be?”
“Don't ask.” Jake settled his hands on her waist. “And I have no idea how long I'll be gone.” He ground his teeth as the war they were waging against Ceithlenn and the demons
came more sharply into focus. “But it'll be as long as it takes.”
came more sharply into focus. “But it'll be as long as it takes.”
“Our relationship is off the record, Jake.” Kat stepped away smoothing her slightly creased skirt as she frowned. “If we really have any kind of relationship.”
Jake felt like shouting, but he kept his voice controlled. “Stay at home as much as you can. I'm dead serious.”
She studied him for a long moment. “You do what you have to do. I do what I have to.”
“Damnit, Kat.” He followed as she turned away and unlocked the door. “Can't you listen to me on this? Trust me?”
Kat wrapped her fingers around the doorknob before pulling the door open. She paused and looked up at him. “Trust goes both ways,” she said then turned and strode through the doorway.
Jake stared at her as she walked away, her chin tilted up and her backbone rigid. He clenched and unclenched his fists at his sides before reaching behind the door for his gym bag.
Other than tackling a demon barehanded, right now there was only one way to work out the frustration, anger, and concern that was about to send him over the fucking edge.
After slamming his office door behind him, he headed through the cubicle maze to make his way to the department's gym. He'd pump iron until his muscles gave out. Then hopefully one of his jujitsu sparring partners would be around and he could kick some ass.
GARRAN WALKED OUT OF the Drow realm and into the night, one hand resting on his sword hilt. Starlight and soft breezes greeted him, along with scents of freedom. The outdoorsâpine trees, grass, wildflowers, berries, deer, wolves ⦠the remnants of sunshine even had a smell to it.
For a moment anger caused his muscles to tighten. The Elvin Elders had banished the Drow for their darker ways. The Elders forced the Drow to live belowground using a great spell to make the Dark Elves' skin and eyes intolerant to sunlight. Their skin tones had even been changed to separate the Dark Elves from those who considered themselves to be of the light.
Self-righteous godsdamn bastards.
Garran's muscles bunched with the need to hit something. The pine tree looked like a good target, but no doubt a Dryadâa keeper of the treesâwould be furious and he'd have
her
to contend with.
Garran's muscles bunched with the need to hit something. The pine tree looked like a good target, but no doubt a Dryadâa keeper of the treesâwould be furious and he'd have
her
to contend with.
Garran and his people had refused to bend to the will of the Elders. The Drow
would not
give up their ways, their lifestyle, their darker use of magicâalthough it caused the Elders to force them belowground.
would not
give up their ways, their lifestyle, their darker use of magicâalthough it caused the Elders to force them belowground.
The Great Guardian ⦠she was a creature far above the Elders, the greatest being of the light. And yet she had done nothing to stop the Elders.
Garran ground his teeth. The only reason he had agreed
to meet with the Guardian was for the sake of his daughter and his people.
to meet with the Guardian was for the sake of his daughter and his people.
After the stone door screeched to a close, he sucked in a deep breath and pictured the transference stone and the meadow where the flat, circular stone had been placed many millennia ago.
The Guardian would be there. No matter when one arrived, if she wanted to speak with a being, she would somehow know when to appear.
With a mere thought, his body traveled through the doorway in time and space that took him to the transference stone. He felt the stone beneath his feet the moment he arrived and he opened his eyes.
His gaze met the Great Guardian's eyes, which were an incredible blue color. Like the finest, clearest sapphires the Dark Elves mined. Starlight mingled with a slice of moonlight softly spilled over her features. As Drow, he could have seen her in pure darkness. But the touch of moonlight turned her aura from gold to silver and she was beautiful beyond words.
Despite centuries of anger directed at the Elders, Garran could hold no grudge against the Great Guardian. He slowly knelt and laid his sword at her feet.
“Rise, King Garran of the Drow.” Her melodic voice flowed over his skin like cool water in an underground pool.
He rose to his full height and sheathed his sword at the same time he faced the beautiful Guardian. Such awe filled him that he had no words for a moment.
Her clear blue eyes met his. “You have come to see me about the war against Ceithlenn in the San Francisco Otherworld.”
The Guardian was tall, but Garran stood a few inches taller and he looked down at her. “You spoke to the D'Anu and D'Danann about rewarding my people with what I want most for them. This, provided the Drow aid the D'Anu and D'Danann in their battles.”
“Conditionally.” Her placid expression did not change.
Heat stirred in Garran's gut. “You know the Dark Elves' greatest wish is to walk again in the light. What condition would you put on this?”
“The Drow will be gifted the freedom to walk in early morning and early evening.” The Elvin woman seemed to glow a little brighter. “When aboveground, the Drow will have the same skin and hair tones they possessed before being banished.”
“Gifted?” He scowled and the heat flowed from his gut throughout his body. “It is our due. The Elders had no right to lay such a curse as they have upon my people.”
“It is the best I have to offer you.” Her expression remained placid. “If your people stay out beyond the allotted time, they will first have sensitivity to the sunlight, and if they ignore the condition, they shall turn to ash.”
“This is as far as you will bend?” Garran couldn't stop from clenching his fists at his sides. “Why this condition?”
The trees themselves seemed to sigh as a breeze lifted his hair from his shoulder plates. “To do otherwise would destroy the balance in Otherworld,” she said. “It would wreak havoc amongst all species.”
Garran narrowed his brows. “What you speak of is nonsense.”
The Guardian gave a gentle smile. “What was, what is, and what is to come, is as it is meant to be.”
“You do naught but speak in riddles.” He kept his voice steady despite the anger tightening his skin. “The outcome of this warâyou have already seen it?”
“No.” She paused a moment before she continued. “The past, what occurs now ⦠all has meaning. It is as the gods have determined it should be based on our choices. The choices we make in the present will determine what the future is to be.”
Garran's head ached and he resisted the urge to rub his temples. “Should we join this war, how would we have the might to eliminate their foes?”
“The humans are not to kill too great a number of the
Fomorii.” The Guardian's words seemed to have a little more steel to them. “It is another act that would upset the balance in Otherworld and Underworld.”
Fomorii.” The Guardian's words seemed to have a little more steel to them. “It is another act that would upset the balance in Otherworld and Underworld.”
“Not destroy all the Fomorii we can?” He narrowed his eyes, his thoughts darkening. “How then will we rid the San Francisco Otherworld of the demons?”
“I will offer you my own gift.” The Great Guardian's expression did not waver, but Garran felt a subtle change in the energy surrounding them. The fine hairs on his arms rose as he waited. “When in the presence of the Fomorii,
you
will have the power to transport large groups of the demons to Underworld with a thought.”
you
will have the power to transport large groups of the demons to Underworld with a thought.”
The Guardian's words seemed almost surreal. “It cannot be so easy,” he said.
“It comes at a great cost to you, King Garran.” Her words hung like a sword suspended in the air between them.
The world seemed to shift a little. The night stilled, unnaturally quiet, and he barely heard the trickle of the stream. “What is this cost?”
“The first time you choose to use this power, it will weaken you and your own powers.” She never moved her gaze from his. “The second time illness shall overcome you and dilute your magic until you are well.”
His throat tightened as he waited for her next edict.
“The third occurrence could cost you far more.” She paused. “It could mean your life.” Her words sank into him like liquid metal seeping into his skin then solidifying, weighting his entire body. “Only one thing can save you should you choose to use this power thrice.”
As a warrior, Garran did not fear death. However, he did fear leaving his people without a leader. Naught but weeks ago, the Fomorii had murdered his brother, the next in line for the throne. The beasts had also murdered the second and third in command.
If Garran died without a trained replacement â¦
The Orb of Aithne
. As long as the new king had the orb and was trained in its use â¦
. As long as the new king had the orb and was trained in its use â¦
“And what might the saving grace be?” He cleared his nearly closed-off throat. “Should I use the gift all three times.”
Another sigh of a breeze ruffled tree leaves and the hem of the Guardian's long gown. “This knowledge could prevent you from attaining it if you know in advance.”
For a long moment Garran weighed his decision. Always he based his choices on what benefited the Drow. When he had at one time sided with Darkwolf, he had done so because of the very same promiseâonly through Darkwolf, Balor had promised the full light of day with no conditions.
Garran studied the Great Guardian as he considered his decision. She waited, patient and unmoving.
To sacrifice his own life ⦠was that act in the best interest of the Dark Elves?
And for his daughter and her people?
Yes.
Finally he spoke, and when he did his words and tone rang with authority. “I accept.”
The Guardian did not acknowledge him with a word or a movement. Instead, her glow expanded into a sudden brilliant flash that encompassed him. He ground his teeth as such incredible power flooded him that pain shot to his very soul. Every muscle in his body tightened and he felt as if his bones might snap, one by one.
He bore the pain without a sound. Confidence in his decision gave him strength and he combined that strength with the magic filling him.
When the bright light finally faded, until only the Great Guardian wore a silver glow, sweat coated Garran's body and his muscles ached. His eyes were so dry they felt gritty when he blinked.
“You alone, King Garran, now have the ability to walk in the sunlight,” she said quietly. “At all times of the day.”
Shock coursed through him at the unexpected divulgement. To again feel full sunlight on his face? The thought caused a different kind of warmth to flow through him as he imagined such a blessing placed upon him.
But what of his people? What right did he have to such a gift if his people were not awarded the same?
“Once you have used the powerful endowment I have given you, should you survive, you shall again return to live amongst your people as one of the Dark Elves,” she added. “You will then only be able to enjoy the light in the early morning and early evening. Your senses will tell you and your people when it is time to return to the Drow realm.”
Garran had no words of his own as the Great Guardian's avowal settled on him like a cloak.
The Guardian continued, “You must always keep the D' Anu witch, Hannah, at your side. Do not think to separate yourself from her. The magical bond you create when you and she work as one will award you each with more power.”
Strange that Hannah was the one who answered his demand that one of the companions remain in the Drow realm as part of his own condition. Apparently it had been the Guardian's magic already at work.
But to keep her with him at all times â¦
He clenched his sword hilt. “I would not put the witch in danger.”
The Guardian's expression remained firm. “As I said, you must keep her by your side if you wish to turn the tide of this war.”
A long moment passed before Garran could answer. “Thank you, my lady.” He inclined his head in acknowledgment. “We will aid the D'Anu, D'Danann, and humans in their battles against the Underworld evils inhabiting their world.”
“Prepare at once.” The great Elvin woman spread her hands out, palms up. “Once you have informed the D' Anu and D'Danann of your decision, it shall be time to travel to the San Francisco Otherworld.”
Still stunned by all of the Guardian's revelations, Garran bowed from his shoulders.
“One more thing you must heed.”
Garran sucked in his breath as his eyes met hers. Not another godsdamn condition.
Her sapphire eyes darkened. “You must tell no one beforehand of your ability to transfer the Fomorii to Underworld.”
Garran let the thought roll through his mind. Hers was not an unreasonable request. As a leader himself, he well understood the jealousies and conflicts that could arise if people perceived their ruler to be playing favorites. He inclined his head again. “Yes, my lady.”
She smiled and it was as if the stars shone from the sky above to light her features. “I wish you well.”
Garran watched as the Great Guardian turned away, crossed the small bridge, and vanished.
The ramifications of what he'd just agreed to hit him like the slam of a troll's club against his chest. He would need to ensure Vidar would be a good and just ruler in Garran's stead.
With no time to do it
.
.
After the deaths of his brother, Naal, and his Second and Third in Command during the opening of the door to Underworld, Garran had made Vidar his First in Command. Weeks ago Garran had begun to groom Vidar to take his place should anything happen to him. He respected the sharp-witted, sharp-tongued warrior, but his gut told him that Vidar was not prepared to take on such a great responsibility for any length of time. Not yet.
Godsdamn, but he should have spent more time with Vidar's training, no matter that it had been just weeks.
Garran stood at the center of the transference stone, his hand still resting on the hilt of his sword. It had been so long since the Elders had changed his skin tone and hair. He almost did not remember what he looked like before he and his people had been banished.
What would it be like to walk in daylight again? To feel the sun's yellow heat on his skin?
A twist in his gut followed vivid images of himself and his people as they once were. Longing flowed through him, and he was not entirely sure why. They had made good lives
for themselves belowground and had existed in their realm for centuries.
for themselves belowground and had existed in their realm for centuries.
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