Witch Fury

THIRTEEN

HER VOICE WAS SHAKING A LITTLE. “THE DUSKOFF will let me in. Stefan was all buddy-buddy with me, remember? I can go back to him, say I’ve thought things over and I want to join them. I can get Stefan to tell me what’s up and I can find out why I’m so special to them all in one go.” “No way in hell,” Theo interjected from where he stood near the wall. He unfolded his arms from across his chest and took a step forward into the room. He seemed to fill it suddenly, and every inch of him was menacing. “You’ve got an Atrika after you, Sarafina. Have you forgotten?” “No, I most definitely haven’t forgotten,” she countered, staring up at him. Anger laced her words and made them sound hard. “That’s one of the reasons I’m volunteering. I need to find out what the hell is going on. I don’t want to just hide in the Coven and wait for him to come back for me.” Theo fisted a hand at his side and a muscle twitched in his jaw. “You’re barely a witch, Sarafina. Your training isn’t even finished yet and you’d be putting yourself right into their nest without any backup.” “That’s bull, Theo, and you know it. I’m strong. Exceptionally strong, isn’t that what you told me?” “In healing you’re exceptionally strong, Sarafina. You’re stronger than most with fire, but you lack the skill to wield it properly. You’re not ready for something like this.” She continued on as if he hadn’t spoken. “And the fact that I’m inexperienced works in my favor. I’ll tell Stefan I spent some time here at the Coven, but you-all were too goody-goody for me. I’ll tell him I want to be with the ones who can help me maximize my skills and turn a profit from them.” She paused. “I was in theater in high school. I can do this.” Theo glared down at her. “No. Gods damn it, getting the lead in My Fair Lady can’t prepare you for something like this.” She bristled. “You’re not my—”

“Enough!” Thomas roared.

The room was plunged into silence once more.

“I agree with Theo,” Thomas said. “It’s too dangerous.” Sarafina gestured with one hand. “It’s perfect. I have the best way in of anyone here. Stefan was already willing to talk to me personally. All I have to do is convince him I want to go warlock and I’m sure he will let me in again.” Thomas raised an eyebrow. “And Bai? Aren’t you forgetting about him? Maybe all Stefan wants to do is feed you to his pet Atrika.” Sarafina shook her head. “No, he told me that he would keep Bai under control and away from me.” Theo snorted. “Do you really think that Stefan has any control over Bai?” She turned and speared him with her gaze for a long moment before answering, “You don’t, either, Theo. No one does. I either sit here and wait for Bai to come for me, or I go back to Stefan and wait there. It’s the same damn thing. But if I go back to Stefan, I might actually glean some information that could help the Coven and maybe all of mankind to boot. Is that such a bad thing?” “Here you have me to protect you, Sarafina,” Theo ground out in response. He glanced around at the roomful of witches, all of whom had their eyes on her. “Here you have everyone to protect you.” A part of her wanted to deny that she needed protection because admitting that she couldn’t fight all her own battles made her feel weak and fragile. But all Sarafina had to remember was the look in Bai’s eyes, and it made her snap her mouth shut and swallow her denial.

Claire, sitting beside her, touched her knee. “Everyone needs protection against the Atrika, Sarafina, even the great and glorious Theodosius Winters.” Sarcasm bit into the last few words. Perhaps Theo was getting on Claire’s nerves, too.

“So maybe Theo can go with her.” That came from Micah. Everyone turned to stare at him. Micah spread his hands. “Theo has had little direct contact with the Duskoff since he was a teenager. Mostly, he hunts down wayward warlocks and lawbreaking witches away from the organized structure of the cabal. He did have that skirmish with Stefan a couple weeks ago, but there are earth charm glamours that can be used to change his appearance enough for him to avoid recognition. He might be able to go in with her.” Thomas pursed his lips together and examined Theo. “I don’t know.” “I don’t want Sarafina in there.” Theo growled.

“We’ve established that at length,” Thomas responded drily, rubbing his hand over his chin. “Let’s consider our options.” “There’s nothing to consider.” Theo snarled.

Thomas shot him a dangerous look. “Last time I checked, you weren’t the one in charge of Sarafina.” “You made it my job to guard her. Putting her in the middle of a nest of warlocks and within reach of a daaeman who has an unhealthy fascination with her is not guarding her.” “We need to do what’s best for the Coven,” Sarafina answered evenly. “I will do whatever I can to help defeat those who might mean innocent people harm.” She turned to look at Thomas. “You said Mira can’t break through the Duskoff’s warding?” Mira spoke from across the room. “It’s smooth as glass and ten thousand times stronger. I can’t find a way through and none of the earth witches can find a way to break it. I’ve been all over it, every inch, and I can’t find a flaw. It’s almost as if it’s not made by witches, like it could be. . well, I hate to say it, I really do, but it could be daaeman warding.” She shook her head. “I can’t hear a thing unless it’s said outside Duskoff walls and they’re being very careful never to slip.” Sarafina turned her attention back to Thomas. “So how else can we gather the information we need? Someone has to go in.” Thomas said nothing in response. He only stared at her stormily. She was right and everyone in the room knew it, no matter how much they might not like it.

Theo swore under his breath.

“Look, let’s leave off on this issue for now,” Thomas said. “We’ll consider it. I’m not saying it’s a good idea yet, just saying it bears more scrutiny.” “You can’t win a war without taking risks,” Sarafina added softly. “And this is shaping up to be a war, right?” Theo jerked his head to stare at her, dark eyes narrowing.

The witches filed out of the room. Sarafina watched them go, noting that Theo hung around by the door, waiting for her, undoubtedly.

Oh, goody, a scolding.

“That was pretty gutsy,” Darren drawled in his Boston accent from where he sat in an armchair near her. He had glossy black hair and a Vandyke that made him look just a little wicked.

“Is gutsy a synonym for stupid?” Her hands were shaking.

God, what had she just volunteered for? Was she totally insane? She was a paper-pusher, a cube farm animal, a freaking data entry professional! She was not James Bond.

Darren laughed. “No, I didn’t mean it that way. I meant I think you’re brave.” “Well, thanks. Maybe you’ll say something nice at my funeral. Hey, by the way, I’m sorry for your loss.” His smile faded. “You mean the air witch, Emily. She was a member of our Coven. She lived mostly with the non-magickals, though. Her skills were so low-grade she really considered herself nothing more than a human with a few spooky abilities. I didn’t know her all that well.” “Any idea why they would have been interested in her, seeing as how she wasn’t very powerful?” Darren shook his head. “No. Really, we have no idea.” He frowned. “I guess she was vulnerable enough that she could be taken easily, so they did.” Sarafina nodded.

Theo shifted near the doorway and continued to look pissed off. Of course, he always looked pissed off. Did he want her to hurry up so he could berate her?

Yeah, whatever.

She turned her attention back to Darren.

“It’s just weird,” Darren said. “She wasn’t even powerful enough to use in a demon circle. Why they snatched her and then turned around and killed her. .” He gestured into the air, trailing off. “We don’t know.” “None of this makes sense.”

That’s why she wanted to see what she could get out of Stefan. For Emily. And for the non-magickals who’d been killed across the country, perhaps by daaeman for sport.

Darren smiled. “Thanks for thinking of her.” “Of course.”

“Maybe, if you have some free time later today, we could get a cup of—” “Sarafina,” Theo interrupted, coming toward her. “Let’s go.” Sarafina jerked her gaze from Darren and focused on Theo. “Do we have an appointment or something, Theo? I don’t remember making one.” “Training.” Theo pushed the words out from a nearly locked jaw. “If you’re going to offer yourself up on a platter to Bai, we’d better make sure you’re well garnished.” Darren stood. “I need to go, anyway. It was nice to meet you, Sarafina.” He turned and nodded at Theo. “Theo.” Masculine challenge stood clearly on both their faces.

She and Theo watched Darren leave. Theo shut the door behind him, then braced his hand on the back of the door and spoke. “Making new friends, I see.” “Are you jealous?”

“Of course not.” His voice was harsh. “Flirt with whom-ever you want. That’s not why I’m pissed.” Sarafina stood. “Look, Theo, I’m not a child. I understand that I just put myself in grave danger.” Theo stared at the closed door for a moment before turning toward her. “No, Sarafina, you just promised yourself death.” He paused. “Is that what you want? I’ve met lots of people in my life who do, either consciously or subconsciously. I would not put you in that category. You are. . life. You are harmony, laughter, and magick.” She blinked and jerked a little at the awe in his voice. It was almost reverence. Okay, she hadn’t been expecting words like that. Her jaw loosened a little, dropping a degree.

“Don’t do this.” He swore low. “Take your offer back. Stay away from the Duskoff.” “No.”

“Sarafina—”

She pushed past him, toward the door. No way would she stand here and let him chastise her like he was her father. He grabbed her shoulders as she went past and held her fast.

“Let someone else go,” he said in a low voice.

But someone else didn’t have the access that she had.

“I can’t, Theo.” Her whole body shivered at his proximity, remembering his kiss. It was an event indelibly marked on her mouth.

“I won’t let you get hurt.”

“Then come with me and make sure I don’t.”

THEO’S GAZE SLIPPED DOWN THE CURVE OF HER throat. His fingers itched to stroke the fine blond hairs on the vulnerable back of her neck.

She wasn’t looking at him; she was looking at the door. An unconscious tell. Sarafina wanted away from him. Her jaw was tight and her eyes a little narrower. She was pissed off and he’d done it.

She was right about being the best person to approach the Duskoff, but Theo didn’t care. The thought of putting her deliberately in harm’s way made every protective instinct he had go on red alert.

Somewhere along the way he’d decided Sarafina was his to keep safe, his responsibility.

“Yes, of course I’ll go if you go.” He paused. “But they won’t allow me near Stefan.” She looked up at him. “But you’ll be near me. That’s all that counts.” “Stefan undoubtedly thinks you’re beautiful. That won’t hurt your cause at all. Even if they let me in to the Duskoff, I won’t be able to protect you all the time because he’ll try and keep you close and me away. He’ll want you to himself.” “Beautiful?” She blinked. “What an odd thing to say. Why do you think Stefan would consider me beautiful?” He said nothing and made sure to school his expression. Fuck. Had the woman never looked in a mirror? She was light to his night — fair of skin, hair, and eye. Her body was fragile, delicate-looking, but he knew just what a wallop she packed, not only magickally but physically. He loved that dichotomy in her.

And she was small. So small and light that he could pick her up with no problem. The sexual possibilities of their difference in sizes had not gone unexplored by him. He bet anything he could lift her, press her against a wall, and fuck her with no difficulty at all. It was also likely that he could easily flip her while they were having sex, bringing her to her knees so he could take her from behind with hardly any effort.

Fuck if he didn’t want to try that sometime.

Sarafina arched a fine blond brow. “Have we gone silent once again?” She made a mock moue. “And you were doing so well.” He shook off the fantasy playing out in his mind. With Sarafina it was hard for him to keep his thoughts on business. He wanted her. That want was growing worse every damn day and it was becoming distracting.

She rolled her eyes and tried to push past him again. He tightened his grip, staring down at her. Words about how pretty he thought she was wouldn’t come. He wasn’t good at saying things like that.

Anyway, he shouldn’t say them.

Their relationship didn’t have room for bullshit like that. Still, he had trouble letting her go. They stayed locked that way for several long moments.

Finally, Sarafina ripped herself away from his grasp. “God, Theo, what’s your deal? Let me go.” He watched her stalk from the room and fisted a hand at his side when the door closed behind her.

* * *

“I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO MAKE OF HIM,” SARAFINA said to Mira. “He’s so odd.” She sipped her iced tea. “How can a man so gorgeous be so odd? It’s like a crime against nature or something.” She, Claire, and Isabelle were in the Conservatory, sitting at one of the tables in the communal area after dinner. It was late and darkness had closed like a fist around the Coven.

“He’s a powerful earth witch,” answered Mira with a shrug of a slim shoulder. “From an entire line of powerful earth witches, from what I’ve heard. His parents were a nightmare, and his childhood was pretty violent. Then there was that whole deal with the Duskoff when he was a teenager. He’s bit different because of all that darkness.” Claire took a sip of her drink and then said, “Adam and I were surprised you chose to stay with Theo, actually. He’s a wonderful man and one of the best people to have your back in a fight, but he’s so sullen all of the time. He’s so hard to communicate with.” Mira shook her head. “I adore Theo, but I don’t understand him.” Isabelle dragged her finger through some of the condensation left on the glass-top table and played with the water droplets, letting them whirl out into the air and dissipate. Show-off. “With certain people you have to keep your expectations low. Take what they’re offering and try not to demand too much more from them. Men had to keep their expectations low where I was concerned for a long time.” She looked at Sarafina and smiled. “Then I met the right man.” Sarafina returned her smile. “It’s not like I want marriage and children from Theo, but I do have to live with him for now. He’s a good man and all, I just. . I don’t know. He intrigues me, I guess.” There was no way she was going to tell them about the kiss she’d shared with Theo. That had just been a one-off, anyway. He showed no interest in ever kissing her again, only interest in dictating her behavior and decisions. That didn’t fly with her.

Claire laughed. “You and half the other women in the Coven.” “Oh, really?” Sarafina answered. “I didn’t know.” She shrugged and laughed. “I shouldn’t be surprised, though, he’s hot.” “And selective,” Claire answered. “According to Adam, Theo could pretty much have his pick of women, but he’s only taken one lover ever as far as Adam knows.” And Sarafina knew who it was. “Ingrid.” Mira nodded. “She was abrasive, but a good person in her heart. It was a blow to the Coven when she was killed.” “She was one of Thomas’s seconds, along with Jack,” Isabelle added. “It was a real loss.” Sarafina nodded. “Once he told me that all the women he was ever involved with turned up dead somehow.” Mira frowned. “That’s interesting. I only know about Ingrid, but Theo gives reserved a new meaning. He’s not exactly an easy guy to get to know.” “Yeah, that’s for sure.”

“So what was Alex like?” Isabelle asked.

“Alex? He was. . nice.”

“Oh. Nice.” Isabelle grinned. “I’m sorry.” Sarafina laughed. “He was really personable and friendly, very motivated in his career path. He was a man my foster mother would have called a provider. He treated me well, and we almost never fought. It’s just that there wasn’t that. . that. .” She trailed off, searching for the right word. “That spark.” She snapped her fingers, making fire flare. “You know?” All three of the women laughed. “Yes, I think we get it,” answered Mira. “That spark you’re talking about is pretty important to a fire witch.” “Alex was a great guy, but we shouldn’t have been together. It just wasn’t right. He wasn’t—” “Tall, dark, and mysterious?” Isabelle supplied, grinning. “Brooding and reticent? Complicated and just a little bit dangerous?” “Hmmm, sounds like someone we all know,” added Claire in a teasing tone of voice.

Sarafina glanced down at the table, letting a small smile cross her lips. “Can we add aggravating, controlling, uncommunicative, stubborn, and indecipherable?” Claire nodded. “We can.”

“I know what you’re getting at, though.” Sarafina shrugged a shoulder. “Maybe. Or maybe it was because Alex wasn’t a witch. We lacked that thing in common. I didn’t know I was a witch when I was with him, but somewhere deep within I always knew I was different.” “Honestly, Sarafina,” said Mira. “I can relate because I was in relationships with non-magickals before I found out I was an air witch. It’s just not the same with someone who doesn’t share in magick. I’m not saying that relationships with non-magickals can’t work. There are some in the Coven that do just fine in them, but I think it helps to have that shared base.” “Well, I guess I’ll find out sooner or later since I’m sort of starting a new life here at the Coven, turning a new page, or whatever. Maybe eventually I’ll be in a relationship with a witch and I’ll have a basis for comparison.” Isabelle leaned forward and grinned mischievously. “Maybe you’ll be in a relationship with Theo.” Sarafina relaxed back in her chair with a laugh. “I don’t think Theo’s looking for that. I’m certainly not.” “I did notice Darren looking you over quite a bit today.” Claire raised an eyebrow over the rim of her glass.

Sarafina felt a blush tinge her cheeks, though it had little to do with Darren’s attention and a lot to do with Theo’s fit of jealousy over it. Was she a bad person if she admitted she’d gotten some pleasure from that?

“Yes, well, he’ll be going back to Boston soon. Anyway, we’ve got more pressing matters to think about right now. Perhaps soon I’ll be headed back to the Duskoff.” Sarafina pushed away from the table and stood. “So, I better get to sleep. Theo’s all about training early in the morning.” The women said their good nights and Sarafina strolled back through the Conservatory smiling to herself, the light along the gravel path she walked glowing intermittently.

Apparently, Atrika had destroyed most of the Conservatory about a year and a half ago, as well as a good part of the rest of the Coven. They’d used a gift of diamonds from the Ytrayi to make repairs. Now the Conservatory was a beautiful place once more, and Sarafina was glad it had been salvaged.

She was grateful for many things at the moment. Grateful that she now knew her true nature and had an explanation for her mother’s insanity. It didn’t make the weight of those memories any easier to carry, but at least they were less perplexing. She was also grateful that she’d made friends within the Coven. Claire, Isabelle, and Mira were wonderful women and easy to talk to about her new life.

Could she count Theo as a friend? Sarafina frowned. No, he remained only an enigma. Still, she was grateful for him, and to him as well.

The Coven was dark now, settling in for the night. The corridors were empty and she knew she’d catch hell from Theo for staying out later than she should. She hurried up the stairs and turned the corner of the corridor leading to Theo’s apartment, her mind awash with a million things.

Sarafina looked up and stopped short.

Bai stood there.

Her mouth gaped and her mind stuttered to a halt. Over three weeks had passed and nothing. There’d been no sign of him. Now here he stood, between Coven walls.

And judging from the expression on his face, he wasn’t taking no for an answer this time.