Page 26 of Handcuffs and Hexes

“It was good experience. And it meant I’m now privy to how things work in that good old boys’ club.” Seth picked up Hazel’s sweet tea and encouraged her to finish it.

“But you left eventually after The Wall fell,” she said after a sip. “It was big news. If I recall correctly, several of you younger wizards left together.”

“We did. But my days there were already numbered. The world was changing, and Desmon needed to call on my services.”

WEC had relied on The Wall to hide their many nefarious dealings. The Wizards Elder Council believed that they were the elites meant to control the world and that the common folk wereno more than peasants and workers there to keeptheirworld running.

Their world vision was much like the serfdom of old, with the very powerful up at the top holding all the wealth and the masses at the bottom doing all the work. But instead of kingdoms and churches—which they’d had their magical fingers in all throughout history— the modern WEC hid behind nations and corporations. When The Wall fell, the connections, and by that, I meant literal magical connections, between the WEC and the heads of world organizations and notable CEOs were laid bare, exposed to anyone who could see magic. The wizards realized what was happening quickly and worked diligently to hide the proof, but the damage was already done.

Seth, along with a few of his contemporaries, had denounced the WEC shortly after the fall of The Wall. Some wondered why they’d waited until such a moment to break away and if it was simply to save their own image, but I knew the truth: these wizards had never believed in the old ways and had been hoping they’d be able to change the WEC from within over time. With The Wall gone and the WEC doubling down in their efforts, these younger Wizards had bailed. The plan had been to start their own council, but Seth had taken the job with Desmon, and life had gotten in the way.

And I continued staying with Seth, even when he moved into Desmon’s place, and later when he moved into his own place.

“And here we still are now, stronger than ever,” I finished. “You know, I don’t think we’ve told anyone else our story before. I mean, Desmon and Mateo know, but not all the details.”

Hazel looked pensive. “Thank you for telling me. I appreciate it. You two really are stronger than ever.” She chewed her lower lip. “But can I ask something?”

“Sure,” Seth said.

“You said you were jealous of him going out to look for females to recharge his magic.”

“Yes, I was.” I had an idea of what she was going to ask.

“What changed? Or do you still get jealous?” She was holding back, not asking the question she really wanted to ask.

“Do you mean to ask what makes me fucking you any different for Liam?” Seth asked.

She sighed. “Yes.”

“Well,” I said. “For one thing, I’m a part of it. It’s not him with you; it’s us with you. And also, things are different now. Like I said, we’re stronger than ever. And we’ve tested the waters with other women.” Then, worried that mentioning other women wasn’t the best idea, I said, “They weren’t the right one, but...”

“The right one?” She looked ready to bolt.

“We are looking for something serious,” Seth said. “But it has to be with the right woman.”

“Well, I’ll tell you now that this is not going to be anything serious. I’m not looking for a relationship. And most definitely not a complicated triad one.”

“Does that mean somethingisgoing to happen?” I asked.

“I didn’t say that,” she said, flustered.

“Of course something is going to happen. Something already is. Don’t worry, Hazy Daisy. If fun is all you want to give us, then it’s all we’ll take. You can be ours for now. Temporary. And we’ll be discreet about it.”

“Yes, let’s just agree to some fun for now. Then it’s up to you if you want to continue,” I said.

And if she was the one, we’d make sure she’d be so happy she’d never want to leave.

After a long pause, she finally nodded. “I think I can do that.” A beautiful smile spread across her face. “Yes, actually, I think I like this.”

“Good.” Seth reached over, hauled her over my body, and kissed her. Then I did the same, devouring her sweet lips with mine.

It was her soft moan that was my undoing. That and the way her fingers clawed at me as I swallowed her moans. I fisted her hair and was rewarded with the digging of her flat nails against my bicep.

Music and voices had me breaking off our kiss, sitting up straight to peer over the railing to see that another boat had arrived, hoping to hang out under The Archway where we’d dropped anchor. The geological feature, where a part of the cliffs extended out into the lake in an arch formation, was a popularplace for boaters. Except this yacht had a few rowdy rich kids on it, which probably meant our serenity was about to be destroyed.

“We’ll continue later, at home,” Seth said. “You should probably eat again and take another nap first.”

“Now that you mention it, I am hungry, even after that giant breakfast.”

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