Page 28 of The Rowan
I glance at Santiago, whose golden eyes are gleaming, and pause. Tingles run down my spine as an idea takes root. “I’ll see you in a couple of days for our meeting,” I remind him, eager to get out of here and do a little research.
He waves his hand in agreement, then turns back to Amelie. I guess we’re showing ourselves out.
“Let’s go home. It’s been a hell of a long day, and I still need to order some clothes and stuff,” I say tiredly.
Theron smiles, for like a microsecond. I think. Staring at him, I wait for him to do it again, but nothing. Ugh, I must be more tired than I thought.
17
ARDEN
Idrag myself into the training room the next day, only to find Valerian and Astor waiting for me with devilish smiles on their faces. Hmm…it must be gang up on Arden day. Perfect. I crack my neck, feeling cranky.
My enemies are multiplying, and I’m not any closer to the answers I need. The witches have proven to be untrustworthy, exclusive, and intolerant. And I only have a few more days until the final two bloodline tests.
Annihilating Valerian and Astor would put me in a better mood, but I need to hit them dirty and quick or I can kiss my ass goodbye. These two are lethal on their weakest day. I return their smiles with my meanest, get fucked sneer, and Astor laughs.
Laugh while you can, warlock. We’ll see who laughs last.
After cracking my knuckles, I pull two short swords out and get into a fighting stance. With my shield around me, I shout, “Bring it!”
A second later, a cyclone drops from the sky right on top of me as Valerian meets the thrusts of my swords with a claymore. Seriously, a claymore. Fucking Scot. Stepping out of reach, I change my strategy from attacking head on to a sneak attack. There’s no way my two swords can compete with the power of a claymore, especially when it’s wielded by a damn dragon. My only advantages are nimbleness and surprise, and I’ll need to use tight, controlled movements against his powerful swings. Whirling around, we dance, the edges of our swords sharp, nicking each other here and there until blood coats the tips. I don’t let my guard down for a second.
In the corner of my eye, I catch Astor, brow furrowed, as he tries spell after spell. Since he thinks I’m occupied, I use the same spell from the other day. Instead of naked bodies, he sees witches attacking me. His hatred of witches fueling his fury, he switches his focus from me to them, allowing me to redirect my attention back to the sword fight.
A thought pops into my head. Taking tiny steps back, I put more distance between us, waiting for the right moment. Valerian raises his sword, and I dive. Sliding neatly between his legs, I feel the air swoosh as his sword swings down, a centimeter from my head. Using a power spell, I punch him in the balls as I slide through and follow up with a power kick in the back of his kneecap. Goliath crashes to the floor, holding himself.
I don’t have time to savor the moment. Jumping to my feet, I throw a sphere of light around Astor, scattering his shadows, leaving him open to my next attack. With a quick spell, I pull pheromones from my body, heighten them into a concentrated mist, and then douse him. The incubus responds, taking over from Astor, dropping and rolling, bathing in my scent.
Changing my angle, I rebalance in the center of the room, waiting for the intruder I sense. Looking around, my gaze locks on Fallon standing by the door. Shock blazes on his face for a brief second, before a full belly laugh escapes him. He salutes me, respect given from one warrior to another. A smile gracing his lips, he strolls over to check on Valerian, while I saunter out the door. No use sticking around for them to get up. I don’t want them to ruin my good mood. Smiling, I head to my room to get ready for work.
* * *
Thursday nights are raging,as usual, but I’m looking forward to some space from my new friends. I’ve been living with them a couple of days, but I can already tell they’re going to immerse themselves in my life. It’s not a bad thing…yet.
Before I left to go downstairs for work, Theron stopped by to coordinate schedules. Not wanting to be rude, I told him, “Today, I kicked Valerian and Astor’s asses, and now I’m going to work. Friday, I’m going to learn to transfigure. Saturday and Sunday are still up in the air. Next week, I’m going to learn how to heal. At the end of next week, I’ll take the final two bloodline tests, maybe attend my placement ceremony. That’s the plan for now. It’s all I’ve got. If I add anything new, I’ll get back to you.” My lack of organization and planning appalled him.
I’ve got a plan, but it’s not written on paper or anything. My plan is to keep following up on all the questions floating around in my head. Answers are surfacing, slowly.
Theron stalked off, muttering to himself, and I finished getting ready for work.
Here I am, an hour later, standing on the sidelines, waiting for my tables to be seated, when my shoulders start itching. I carefully scan my surroundings but notice nothing unusual until I look up. Theron, Astor, and Valerian stare down at me from the VIP section. Astor and Valerian smile broadly, while Theron is impassive, as usual.
With a scowl towards the protective bastards, I start thinking of new ways to bring them down. Unfortunately, I’m interrupted by a bunch of inhumanly beautiful men who are being seated at one of my tables. I smile up at the VIP section. This time, they’re scowling.
I saunter over, barely refraining from licking my lips, to the table where the incubi wait for me to take their order. Clearing my throat, I ask them huskily, “Hello, I’m Arden. What can I get you?”
“Well, hello, baby girl. You can get me a shot of tequila and a lap dance. Preferably naked,” a blond incubus calls out loudly, releasing a cloud of sex magic. They all laugh.
Damn. I hate being called “baby girl” almost as much as I hate dickheads. And forcing magic on a woman? Wrong witch, wrong move. “Gotcha, one shot of tequila for the blond bomber,” I drawl, waving my hand in front of my face to disperse the cloud.
“Mmm…sassy. I like it, baby girl,” he says sultrily. “Why don’t you come over here and let Daddy take care of you?”
“I’ve already got a daddy, thanks,” I reply before taking the orders for the rest of the table.
The asshole grabs my wrist.
Incensed, I pull my shield in tight until it’s a second layer over my skin. “Let go of me.” The control on my power loosens.
