Sterling (20 page)

Videos and photos could be easily manipulated so most people didn’t believe what they saw anyhow, but it was still a conscious effort every Breed made to ensure that they were not outed. I wasn’t surprised to find the government knew about us, but even they were not stupid enough to expose the Breed.

The fighting did not come so naturally, I was still learning defense but while watching him I tried to mimic some of his hand-to-hand combat techniques.

Whenever I did, it pissed him off.

“Why do you keep fighting me?” he yelled, snatching my wrist.

“Because that is the point! I don’t understand what you’re trying to teach me, if I am not able to get away I need to learn how to fight back and win.”

Justus was irritated, mostly because he knew I was right.

“You do not have to be the strongest or most skilled fighter to win. You tap into your source and ride it, trust it, then you have the advantage.”

I wiped some blood from my lip. “Win. You say this but you’re not teaching me
how
to win, you’re only teaching me how to dodge a punch. Why don’t you teach me how to use one of those,” I said nudging my head to his blade.

He sheathed it and placed it back on the wall, wiping sweat from his brow with his forearm.

“Because you cannot learn to use a blade until you properly learn to dance with one. Once you understand how it moves, how it is used, you can disarm your enemy.”

“Care to dance?”

Justus whirled around and shredded me apart with those eyes.

“Do not continue provoking me, Learner. Remember your place.”

Our sessions had gotten physical and while we threw punches and drew blood, part of my learning was the acceptance of my immortality and ultimately, the acceptance of pain. Some of the bruises and scrapes I just had to suck up. I didn’t like the idea of borrowing from Justus all the time and God knows I never saw the light of day. I was stubborn, admittedly.

What I did know about our weapons was that a few wielded special power; some metals were forced long ago with a kind of magic. They were called stunners, and once plunged into the body of a Mage, it would paralyze them for as long as it remained.

I pushed back the pain and dropped to my knees. I had cracked a rib during the last sparring and it was starting to flare up. If Adam knew about our little death sessions in the basement, that would have been it. If he knew I spent my days getting knocked around, spitting out blood and getting chewed out by Justus I’m certain he would have killed him.

At least, that’s how I imagined it. So much time had passed that it seemed like a lifetime ago since I had seen Adam. I often wondered if he had forgotten about me.

“Allow me.” I presumed he felt guilty for some of the injuries he inflicted.

One thing I noticed was that my threshold for pain was higher—I wasn’t sure if it was enduring the repeated sensation of pain and building a tolerance or if it was something more.

The room felt stuffy and the overhead lights were irritable on my eyes. I could feel his light moving within me before it dissipated.

Pulling my ponytail tight, I took a few more shallow breaths. Justus was in his standard workout attire: black pants, tank top, and bare feet. In our sparring I found out his tribal tattoo on his arm wasn’t the only one he had. Beneath his shirt was a hollow sun with what looked more like lightning bolts than flames coming out centered on his back.

My legs jumped when a deafening buzz reverberated off the walls.

“What’s that?” I asked staring upward.

He leapt to his bare feet staring at the ceiling, a deep line forward on his brow. “Company.” And by the look on his face, he wasn’t expecting them. “Stay here, Learner.” His tone was edged with concern.

Justus disappeared up the stairs. I felt a little uneasy when a few moments later there were footsteps moving around up there and muffled voices. No one had ever come to visit. Curious, I went up the stairs as quiet as a cat, eavesdropping.

“Just stopping in to give a shout. I’m done with England, for good. Couldn’t exactly give you a ring now could I, seeing as you haven’t entered the modern era. I heard you were here so I came to see my old friend. What happened to your face, mate?”

I noticed the accent was mottled, mostly English that faded in and out. When he said the word ‘here’ it sounded more like ‘heh’.

“I thought you went home for good this time. It’s been a long while.”

“Well, Justus, that didn’t work out as well as I thought, a bit of a mistake really. I’ve been back for a few years. The last time I rang you weren’t here so I got the sense that you were on the move again.”

His voice was not as deep as Justus and a little more melodic, he put personality in his conversation, which made me believe he would be a really fun person to talk with…whoever he was.

“The Council is now up to five, Merc is one of them.”

“Merc?” he exclaimed. “Sodding idiot was on probation, you’re pulling my leg.”

“I’m not, the dynamic has changed.”

“Times are changing.”

“That they are my friend, that they are.”

I stepped into the entrance and both heads turned.

“
Bloody Hell
,” the guest cursed as he moved his eyes to Justus. “Haven’t we been the busy little bee?”

I looked over the man Justus was standing next to and he ran his hand invitingly down his chest as he appraised my attire.

He stood a hair shorter than Justus; his body type was leaner and he looked more like he should be fronting a rock band. Black leather jacket draped over his shoulders, graffiti T-shirt, and a silver chain that ran along the belt loop of his black pants. His brown tousled hair hung to his shoulders with that ‘just got out of bed’ style. There was a sweet richness to his eyes, which were a light caramel and complimented his cheekbones and light skin coloring. And his mouth...a mouth that was full, kissable, and meant to be all over a woman’s body. A mouth that began to curve into a wicked grin as his eyes locked with mine, revealing a pronounced dimple on his left cheek which immediately made me blush and study the floor.

“Gonna introduce me, mate?” He folded his arms and elbowed Justus.

Justus took a position at my side. “Learner, this is Simon Hunt, an old friend of mine. Simon, behave.”

“Justus, I would have never imagined you would finally take in a woman. Well done.”

“No, it’s not like that,” I interjected. “He’s my Ghuardian.”

Simon dropped his arms and his jaw unhinged. I could see all the questions bubbling in his eyes. “You don’t say.” His mouth curled up again, showing off his dimple. “We’ve got a lot of catching up to do Justus. I want every bleeding detail.”

Simon strode toward me with a swagger that couldn’t be taught. His hand reached for mine and when I went to shake it, he bent over and pressed a kiss to it. There was a glimmer of amusement in his expression as he briefly looked at Justus. He seemed absolutely…

“Enchanted,” Simon greeted as he straightened his back. A dark look flashed across his face before it was replaced with a smile. “Your Ghuardian has no manners, love. Here, allow me.” When he reached up to touch my face there was a slap of skin as Justus caught his wrist.

“That’ll be enough Simon.” He cleared his throat before adding, “She’s already taken in more than she should.”

“Of
course
,” he winked.

“Will you be staying for dinner? I have to shower but, I’d like to come back and join you two if you don’t mind.”

“If you don’t mind,” he added, “I’d very much like to join
you
.”

Meaning—in the shower.

Justus leaned forward as if he meant to do something about the comment and Simon lifted his hands defensively. Simon was the fresh air that I craved; I was brimming with excitement that a visitor was in the house.

Strolling towards the living room, Simon called out, “You know, now that I give it a bit of thought…” he said falling back on the sofa, arms wide across back, “I believe…I will be needing a place to put my feet up. Justus?”

Justus shook his head displeased and joined Simon on the couch. “Stay as long as you like friend; my home is always open to you. I want to hear all about your travels. Learner, go clean up. Dinner will be at six. Be prompt.”

I did as ordered and quickly sprinted down the hall into my room.

What I immediately liked about Simon was while he looked like a bad boy he acted like a total gentleman. Didn’t really speak like one but he wasn’t vulgar about it, nor did he peruse my body with sexual need in those eyes. Not that I would have had a problem with that. He was a contradiction of himself and it fed my curiosity as to which one he really was. Oh my god, was I getting high school butterflies? You bet.

After my shower I dried my hair and braided it back, threw on a little mineral powder to cover the bruise on my face and lip gloss before rummaging through my clothes. I opened the closet and pulled out the black trousers and white shirt that Justus bought me. I slid the trousers on and was satisfied with how well they fit—snug around my hips and the shirt was classy but simple. It made me curious how Justus knew my size when even I didn’t. I gave myself a once over in the mirror. My green eyes popped behind my black lashes and dark hair, accentuated by the light coloring of my skin which had a honey tint. While my fingers were long and delicate, my nails were a mess. I had to keep them short due to the fighting so I never bothered with a manicure—not that I ever did before—but now I was flicking at my cuticles with a little embarrassment.

I realized I was stalling. On the way to the dining room, I brushed my hands over my slacks and heard voices, laughter and the sound of clinking glasses filling the space of a once silent house.

“Hi,” I greeted, followed by my throat clearing and a sniff.

No, it wasn’t the grand entrance I imagined in my head. Someone forgot to cue the band and give me a witty line.

Simon’s hand went down in slow motion setting the wine on the table as he said, “Well render me speechless.”

Both chairs slid back and they rose to their feet. Justus could have been catching flies as he looked at the outfit he bought me that I never wore and his cheeks were blotchy.

“Allow me,” Simon said. “Someone has to be the gentleman here. It’s not everyday we’re in the presence of a female Mage.” Simon cupped my elbow and escorted me to my chair. Leaning around his breath tickled my neck. “Hello, gorgeous.”

“Wow,” was all I could manage to say.

There were actually dishes and crystal glasses on the table. Candles flickered at the center and each plate had a serving of carrots and roasted potatoes next to a sumptuous rib eye. There was a beautiful salad and a plate of spring onions with radishes. My mouth immediately watered.

Simon’s jacket was tossed casually over the back of his chair on my right giving me an appreciative look of his physique. While he did not match Justus in size—he was hard and toned. His profile was very striking and made me look more than once.

He rested his elbows and forearms on the table looking proudly at the setting. These two men didn’t look like the type to forge a fast friendship, I thought curiously, looking at Simon’s torn black shirt and leather wrist cuff. For someone who sported so much leather it was oddly contrasted against skin which didn’t have a single tattoo or piercing that I could see.

My face scrunched at Justus. “You didn’t cook this did you?”

Simon leaned over and poured red wine into my glass. “That man may be able to dress for the occasion, but he could not cook to save his own life. Of course you know that by now.” He gave a wink and took his chair. “I, on the other hand, am not without certain skills to which I have refined to an art form. I find that the meal is a prelude to the pleasures of the bedroom. It sets the tone. If I can make a woman moan at the table, then I’ve already got her eating out of my hand. And…I do believe it’s time you had a
proper
meal.”

The statement was left out there hanging, making me wonder about the latter part. He took a napkin and sharply shook it out, placing it over his lap. “Is everything to your liking?”

That was a fully loaded question if I ever heard one.

“Umm...yeah. My eyes are having sex with this table as we speak.”

Justus choked on his wine and I quickly covered my hand over my mouth. The silence was pierced by Simon’s contagious laugh. He was a man who enjoyed a good one too, as he let it go long and strong until the awkward moment was removed and I found myself smiling at him. I reached for a slice of fresh warm bread in the cloth lined basket and spread a blanket of butter across the top.

“I haven’t had a home cooked meal in ages. I’m going to devour everything, this looks amazing.”

“As do you, don’t you agree Justus?”

Justus returned his stare with a contemptuous one of his own. I took a lingering sip of my wine and discovered what I had been ordering in restaurants was pure swill compared to this. Simon continued to ask for Justus’s opinion on me, and I gathered he was testing the waters to see if Justus had any interest in me.

Little did he know that wasn’t the case. As sumptuous looking as he was, we had a very teacher/student relationship going on and our personalities clashed in a way that burned out any physical desire that bloomed.