Page 46 of Elemental Love
“Gregory, it’s Evrain.”
“Oh! Hi, Evrain. Sorry I snapped. Coryn and I were…kind of in the middle of something.”
Evrain could guess what that meant, but felt no remorse. “Your hanky-panky will have to wait. I’m in serious trouble. Symeon Malus took Dominic.”
“What the fuck! I’m putting you on loudspeaker. Tell us everything.”
Evrain recounted what he knew, which wasn’t much. “What do I do, Gregory? Symeon said he’ll call again in the morning but I can’t sit around on my backside doing nothing all night.” He threw himself into one of the armchairs by the fire. The dying embers spat and hissed angrily.
“Coryn is already packing. We’ll get the first available flight, charter a plane if we have to, and we’ll be with you in the morning. In the meantime, I suggest you go and see if you can find Dominic’s truck. If Symeon ran him off the road, he had another vehicle. He would have wanted to get away as quickly as possible so the truck is likely still there. Do you think you can find it?”
“Dominic was coming back from an appointment with a client at a derelict property somewhere outside of town. I know which road he was taking. He can’t have made it back to town or people would have heard the accident. If he didn’t go too far off the road, I should be able to find the spot.” It was good to have something to do.
“Even if the truck’s not visible from the road, there should be obvious damage to the verge, trees, that kind of thing. Use your senses. The earth will tell you what you need to know.” Gregory paused. “Are you in control, Evrain?”
“I vented earlier but it’s a bit stormy around here. I haven’t flooded anything or set anything alight yet. It’s so good to hear your voice, Gregory.”
“If he’s close, Symeon will be able to feel your agitation. Don’t give him that pleasure,” Gregory said. “Do you have anything to use as a damper?”
“I don’t understand.” Evrain had no idea what Gregory was talking about.
“Certain metals will damp down your power a bit. If you can find a bracelet—something of Aggie’s perhaps—in pure silver orgold, that should do the trick. Put it around your wrist. You’ll probably get a headache but it won’t do you any harm.”
“Okay. I’ll go and have a poke around in Grandma’s jewelry box. Then I’ll go check on Dominic’s truck.” Tears welled in Evrain’s eyes. He blinked them away. “Thanks, Gregory. I don’t know what I’d do without you. I’m not ready for this.”
“Nonsense, boy. What are godparents for if not to pull you out of scrapes? Be careful on the road and we’ll see you soon. I’ll be looking forward to giving Symeon Malus exactly what he deserves.”
Evrain had not yet arranged to send his grandmother’s jewelry to England for his younger sisters, as stipulated in Aggie’s will. The carved wooden chest she used as a jewelry box still stood on the dresser in the master bedroom. He placed it on the bed and opened the lid. The top tray contained brooches and rings, so he lifted it out. Underneath he found a gold watch, various pendants and a string of pearls. There was a charm bracelet, laden with miniature models and a small, square envelope with his name inscribed on it. He lifted it from the box, his curiosity piqued.
“What’s this?” Evrain tore open the envelope and tipped the contents out onto the bed. There was a note, in Aggie’s hand, and a solid gold bracelet forged from heavy links with a sturdy clasp. He slipped it on, snapping the clasp shut. It fitted perfectly, laying close to his skin. He took a few deep breaths. He felt a bit calmer, or at least a bit less likely to cause mass destruction. The note was very short.
Evrain read it out loud, “Evrain, in some circumstances the power is not easily mastered. This will help. Grandma.”
He fiddled with the bracelet, which was strangely warm to the touch. “She knew something bad was coming. She knew!” He tossed the paper down on the bed and went to find his car keys.
Chapter fifteen
It had been wonderful to hear Evrain’s voice, but Dominic didn’t want him to do anything that might put him in danger. Symeon had taken the phone away before he’d had a chance to get that across to Evrain. His cheek burned where he’d been hit and now Symeon had abandoned him to Damon, who would probably want to do it again. Dominic’s stomach contracted and he went cold all over. Damon looked like he wanted to beat Dominic to a pulp, and Dominic had no doubt that the brat wouldn’t hesitate to do it. He would enjoy it too.
Damon only took him as far as the hall where he couldn’t hear the rest of the conversation between Symeon and Evrain. After a few minutes, the door to the room he’d just left swung open. On its own. Dominic rolled his eyes. “Does no warlock ever open a door by hand, like the rest of us mere mortals? Who’s he trying to impress?”
Damon giggled, sounding remarkably normal, then guided him back to stand opposite Symeon. Symeon’s smile was cold enough to freeze molten lava.
“Sorry, Damon. You don’t get to play with our new toy just yet. There will be plenty of time for you to abuse him once I have Evrain. Now put him away.”
“He’ll never give himself up to you, Symeon.” Dominic’s soft tone contrasted sharply with the cackle that came out of Damon’s mouth in response.
“Be quiet, Damon. If you have nothing intelligent to say, and that is more than likely, keep your mouth shut. Your flapping lips are only good for one thing and you’ll be doing that later.” Symeon’s fingers flickered, and Damon dropped to his knees with a groan.
Wow, what a bastard. No wonder Damon has issues.Dominic experienced a surge of sympathy for Symeon’s unfortunate boyfriend.
“And as for you…” Symeon’s eyes bored into Dominic. “Perhaps it’s time I gave you a demonstration of true power.” His fingers began to weave intricate patterns and his eyes glowed. Words that Dominic didn’t understand streamed from Symeon’s cruel mouth and his hair rippled, lifted by a whirl of wind. On the floor, Damon twitched and jerked, his eyes squeezed tightly shut, but Symeon ignored him completely. Dominic took a step back but he was helpless to resist as an invisible force pushed him against the wall. A lance of light sliced through the air and cut into the fabric of his clothes, making a series of long slashes. His shirt then his pants and shorts fell away in tatters, leaving him naked and defenseless. His hands were still tightly bound behind his back, his arms crushed between his body and the wall.
Pressure gripped his neck, pinning him against the peeling paper. Dominic’s heart pounded. Sweat broke out on his face. He felt utterly helpless as Symeon took a couple of steps closer.
“I can see why Evrain is so attracted to you, boy. You are very…tempting.” He extended a hand toward his cane, which rested on the mantel over the fire. The cane flew toward him, landing with a smack on his palm. He rested the silver end against Dominic’s bare chest. The metal was warm but Dominic still flinched as Symeon dragged the cane downward, tracing the central line of Dominic’s body until it brushed his cock and stopped, resting lightly against him. He struggled to remain calm but his muscles strained against both visible and invisible bonds.
A strangled objection came from Damon, and Symeon blinked.
