Shadowed Magic (The Enlightened Species Novella) (9 page)

Aymee felt his words strike her deep inside. Even his pity of Mitch became clear. To lose the love of a male like Eros … She pitied Umbrae's mother. He'd shared that painful experience in camaraderie to her. It touched her more than any compliment she'd ever gotten. “You know Umbrae adores you, right?” He gave her a half-smile. “Repeat after me: I know, right.” His brow quirked. “I know … right.” she prompted again.

“I know...” Eros started, Aymee made a rolling motion with her hand to encourage him. “Right.” She awarded him a smile. He chuckled and stood. “I thought you might like this.” He pulled a book from a shelf along the wall and handed it to her. The soft leather binding and discolored pages gave her an idea of the book's age. She opened it, rubbing her fingers over the ink raised from the sheets. She recognized some of the symbols, while others eluded her.

She met his gaze. “What is it?”

He answered in a language that sounded Asian. Though not Japanese, it held similar nuances. He held his hand out and she handed the book back. “
The
Art
of
War
by Sun Tzu. It's the truest written account of his teachings ... according to him that is. He's become reclusive in the last thousand years.”

Aymee knew her jaw gaped open. “Sun Tzu?” The Art of War was the strategic basis for martial arts across the globe … among other things. American Generals quoted from it during newscasts. Entire countries had trained their military’s based on the principles of Sun Tzu. She had a copy on her desk at the Ryu. “Wasn't he born before Christ?”

Eros sat on the floor beside the couch with his knees bent. Without thought, Aymee pulled the leather thong holding his hair free so she could run her good hand through the silken strands. The effect of the pain pills had started to take effect, and she yawned. Eros's silver eyes clashed with hers over his shoulder. “Quite some time earlier than Christ, actually. I am not surprised you are familiar with Sun's words. This particular rendering has several passages omitted or distorted in other versions. Would you like me to read them to you?”

Aymee nodded lying on the couch behind him. “Is he Volaticus?”

Eros lifted a brow. “Of course not. He's Tellus, His colony resides thousands of feet beneath

Eastern China.”

Tellus,
of
course.
She
should
have
known.
Not!
Her mind grew foggier by the minute. Stupid narcotics. Eros began to read, his deep voice lulled her immediately, and within moments she slept.

****

The small smile gracing her lips while she slept captivated him. Eros watched her silently for hours. Aymee's strength of character, exotic beauty and innate sensuality combined with her sexual confidence and subtle vulnerabilities made her impossible to resist. A mysterious witch that stirred his mind … and passion. Child-like split braids and bangs atop a body meant for pleasure.

A soft tap at the door drew him away from her side. Jacob lounged against the door jam. “It feels so weird to
knock
on your door, Pops. How's she doing?”

Eros clasped his hand to Jacob’s shoulder in embrace and stepped out, closing the door behind him to join Jacob on the porch. “Her bruises are darkening … healing. She never verbally complains of pain, so I monitor her expressions for discomfort. Utterly amazing in her positive strength. I marvel at her determination and spirit.” Eros started to say more when the look on Jacob's face declared he'd already said more than he meant to.

Jacob gave him a single nod and lifted the vase Eros had overlooked sitting on the porch. He handed it to his father. Two dozen long stemmed red roses sprouted from the thick crystal vase. A plastic rod bore a small card with Aymee's name on it. “I intercepted a man trying to deliver these a few minutes ago.”

Eros glanced down the long drive toward the rural highway noting a Mercedes idling just beyond his property boundaries. The setting sun glinted off the blonde haired driver. Mitch. Eros's low growl made Jacob smile.

“You like her.” Jacob stated.

“Of course. Aymee is a wonderful woman. Everyone likes her.” Eros deflected.

Jacob followed his gaze and looked at the Mercedes too. “So it would appear.” A small engine motorcycle zoomed past the Mercedes. “The human seemed most upset when I halted his personal delivery.” The Mercedes pulled away as they spoke.

“Indeed. This suitor has displayed great … measures to establish contact with Aymee. I am not surprised by his continued pursuit.” Eros felt relief when the vehicle disappeared down the road. Mitch would return, Eros had no doubt about that. He also knew that it would be difficult on Aymee. If she loved Mitch, she might forgive his past indiscretion if the man could show her he'd changed. Prove that he truly loved her and come to cherish the gift of her love. A woman in love could forgive her man almost anything. If that proved to be the case, Eros would remove himself from her life. Only with a human would Aymee be able to have children … a family of her own. The thought of letting her go filled him with an overwhelming sense of loss. His attachment to her grew exponentially every moment he spent with her.

But, she named Eros her 'boyfriend'. “Jacob.” His son turned to meet his gaze. “What is … a boyfriend, exactly?”

Jacob started to laugh then sobered when he saw the seriousness of Eros question, he cleared his throat. “It is the male counterpart to a girlfriend and denotes a relationship of exclusivity and future.”

That's what Eros was afraid of. If Aymee wished to evaluate Mitch's courting of her objectively, the obligation of a boyfriend might hinder that. Then Eros felt himself smile. Aymee was his girlfriend. Eros made the decision to enjoy the newfound relationship fully … for now. Part of him wanted to dispose of the roses. With a sigh, he bid Jacob goodbye and carried the perfect red blooms into the house, set them upon the casual eating bar overlooking the kitchen and began preparing her a meal. His eyes returned to the roses again and again and his apprehension grew.
Exclusivity
and
future.
The phrase echoed through his mind. Aymee's human mortality dictated her future. A future with Eros negated children. Aymee would bear beautiful young. What right did Eros have to deny her the chance to be a mother?

****

Zack made another pass of the four isolated homes visible from the highway. He'd followed the SUV when it left the police station but he'd been unable to stop and check it out. The Mercedes that followed him had been hovering around ever since. He pulled off the highway behind a bluff not far from the homes, parked the bike and pulled out a smoke. The bitch couldn't stay holed up forever. He needed to come up with a plan, especially since she surrounded herself with large guys who'd probably kill him if they got the chance.

A call to his dad informed him the cops had been to his house trying to find him, so the bitch had obviously identified him too. Now it wasn't just about getting even for Kade's death and his injured friends … he needed to kill her to keep them all out of prison. They had a better chance to beat the rap without a victims bawl-baby poor-me testimony.

Originally, he'd thought a drive-by shooting might work, but it had too much room for error, and with her luck, she'd fucking survive and he'd be facing more charges. All he needed to do was lay low and wait for an opportunity. With her separated from others, then he could slip in and shoot her up close and personal. He often wondered what it would be like to kill someone. This would be a perfect test. And, his friends would worship him as a god for saving their asses.

Zack started up the incline of the bluff wishing he had a sharpshooting rifle... or binoculars. The burn in his shoulder reminded him he needed to clean it. Fucking nasty, and painful.
Later.
His shoulder could wait.

Seven days of Eros feeding her, drugging her, reading to her, sleeping and they’d had the most amazing conversation. They spent an entire day only speaking Japanese. Aymee had become rusty in the language of her father since his death. Aymee had never been happier … except Eros seemed to keep his distance from her. He'd even had Umbrae and Jess take turns coming by to help her shower and get cleaned up every morning, until yesterday when she'd told him she felt able to do it herself. She woke every day tucked into his bed alone. Her second night, when she'd asked him to hold her while she slept, he'd declined using a lame 'I'm a rough sleeper' excuse. Maybe what she'd thought was blossoming between them had been a figment of her drug induced imagination. The few times she'd tried to touch him, even taking his arm when her legs stiffened up from resting, had felt awkward though he never pulled away. He'd said he wanted to seriously date her … didn't he know what that meant? Or maybe he regretted asking at all. That she'd wanted an exclusive relationship with anyone shocked the hell out of her. She'd gone out of her way to avoid entanglements since Mitch. Was Mitch's sudden persistent attention causing Eros to back off? Mitch had brought or had delivered roses, books and magazines everyday. Of course Aymee refused to see him or accept anything from him, which left Eros or one of his sons dealing with Mitch. Maybe Eros though her avoidance of Mitch a weakness and resented being her unwitting representative. Had Mitch said something to Eros that caused Eros to re-think his desire to know her better?

Aymee leaned into the mirror. The stitches didn't hurt much anymore and her bruises had faded to an icky yellow. Mostly she just felt stiff, and a week of inactivity didn't help. Eros must have realized she felt better too, he'd only halfheartedly argued with her when she'd refused pain pills this morning. A little foundation to the remnant of her black eye, and she brushed her hair into a high ponytail. The clothes Irsu'd packed were mostly dirty but she did find knee high Lycra workout shorts and a racer back workout half top. She needed to stretch out … badly. An hour of meditative martial arts to jump-start her Zen was a must.

Aymee bypassed the divine scent of coffee coming from the kitchen to duck out the French doors off the living room. Another month of Eros's care and lying around and Aymee would gain fifteen pounds. The guy could cook!

In the center of the grass between Eros's house and his sons' homes, she turned to face the rising sun. She closed her eyes and allowed its warmth to penetrate her, lifted her chin toward it. Rising her arms extended from her body upwards toward the sky, she inhaled slowly, then reversed the move on the exhale to warm up.

Ten minutes into her moves, she smelled the scent of sage and mint. Aymee peeked out one eye to see a copper bowl full of incense smoking at the edge of the grass. Eros, Jacob and Daniel flowed through the same moves beside her. Eros's sons resembled him though both lacked his intensity. Large tan defined muscled flexed with the perfect execution that only comes with years of training. Eros wore a pair of gym shorts and nothing else, and his dark hair was tied back with a leather thong at his neck. She misstepped watching him. His eyes snapped open meeting hers with concern.

“Are you tiring?” He asked quietly without pausing in fluid transition to a warrior pose.

Aymee shook her head and grinned. “Nope, just distracted ogling.” She matched his warrior stance briefly before the next transition and saw Daniel and Jacob share a knowing smile while Eros looked confused.

Her muscles burned and shook with exhaustion. Sweat dripped between her breast … she felt better than she had in days. Aymee laid on the lawn drawing the incense into her lungs, the warmth of the sun in her face with the cool grass at her back complemented the first clear-headed total relaxation she'd had since before she'd been attacked.

“The face of contentment.”

Aymee turned her head to see Eros lying on his side facing her with his head propped on his palm and elbow pressed into the thick grass. Silver eyes full of happiness smiled back at her. “That was better than sex.” Aymee's eyes snapped open when she realized what she'd just said.

His brow furled as if he were seriously considering her comparison. “Intercourse? Perhaps. … Making love? Not even close.”

He leaned towards her. Warm lips nibbled hers.
Finally
. Aymee moaned opening to his kiss. A different kind of heat bloomed in her womb. Eros pulled her against his full length, never releasing his kiss. Aymee's hands danced along his shoulders and back, and she surrendered to the frantic need to touch him she'd held at bay all week. His breath sucked audible through his dentes when he broke the kiss and pressed his forehead to hers. Aymee ground against his erection pressed erotically into her stomach. “Eros,” she demanded.

He opened his eyes. The silver color rippled with so much desire it took her breath away. “You are hurt. I'm sorry. I have difficulty controlling the feral side of me when you are near.”

Enough with being treated with kid gloves by him, Damn it. Aymee gripped the back of his head and brought his lips back to hers and rolled him to his back covering him with her body. Eros groaned, his hands went to her grinding hips. His tongue explored her mouth with slow deliberation. Aymee kept one hand buried in his hair while her other traced the muscles of his upper arm and shoulder. She poured her desire for him into the kiss reveling as he matched it with his own. The thick length of his
member
nestled against her. So near where she needed him most. Her core wept for him, breasts ached for his touch. Every part of her cried out for more.