I hated this place, but it was the only way I was ever going to pay my bills. Doing jobs for the worst of the worst of the magickal community wasn’t for the faint of heart. Especially when the best paying jobs were coming from a demon.

“Madlyne Cole, I thought I’d see you sooner.” He smiled as I approached the booth he always sat in. From this angle you’d think he was a normal guy just reading a book, but when you got one look at his unnaturally dark eyes, you knew exactly what he was.

“Don’t tell me you’re working with other people?” He said with a smile.

“What do you have today?” I ignored his comment. He watched me for a moment before shrugging.

“Not much.” He raised an eyebrow. “But if you don’t mind a little heist, I might have one job for you. Something that will not only help me, but could help you as well.” He said with a slight smile. “You know about the rumblings in the Shadow realm about some kind of war with the vampires, right?”

“I’ve heard stories, but stay out of all that,” I said. There were a lot of rumors about the Shadow people and some Witch starting some kind of war with the vampires, but it was none of my concern. I barely spent time in the earth world.

“Well, there’s a Warlock who has a book. It used to belong to me. He stole it and I want it back,” he said, his voice dropped from the human sounding tone straight into demon. That told me everything I needed to know about how he felt.

“A book?” I crossed my arms. “If it’s so important why don’t you get it?”

He looked at me like I’d said the dumbest thing on the earth. “If it was that easy, I wouldn’t be paying you to do it.The Arcana is too powerful for any mere Warlock to have.”

“So,” I shrugged. “You want me to just break into his place and take it?”

“That’s the plan. You shouldn’t have an issue getting in. He won’t be looking for you,” he said, sliding me a piece of paper. “The incantation to get you to his place.”

I looked at him confused. “Incantation? Why would I need that?”

“Because, witch, he lives in a void. There’s no doors in or out. That-” He tapped on the paper. “-is your only way in.”

“Won’t he know when I use it?”

The Demon shrugged. “I’m the Dream Demon, it’s more powerful than some Warlock who thinks he’s got everything figured out.”

Right.

I took the paper and glanced at it. the incantation was pretty normal with the exception of the end. I looked as though it had a cloaking spell of some kind behind it. That had to be what kept it quiet.

“I’d get going if I was you. He’s supposed to be gone for the next several hours.”

“And my payment?” I waited for him to answer.

“You’ll get it when I have the book,” he said.

I sighed and read the incantation, not knowing what the hell I was walking into.

***

As soon as my feet hit the floor, I was overcome with magick. This guy was strong and there was no way he wouldn’t know I was here. I had to pick up the pace and find this damn book.

The living room area was all dark wood. Even the floors screamed money and the old style furniture filling the room. None of it looked like it was used for more than a day or two and looked nearly brand new. There was a large picture window across from where I was standing but no light shone through. It was eerie and felt just wrong. I shouldn’t be here.

I pushed the feeling away and hurried into the next room which happened to be the library. I breathed a sigh of relief. If this book was anywhere, it would be here. Only a cocky self assured Warlock would have a library this huge and not have a book that powerful on display. See that was the thing with people who thought they had power, they didn’t protect it or themselves like they should. Why would they? No one would be stupid enough to try to take anything from them.

Except me.

I searched through the rows of books, opening each one and reading the first line of text. It was easy to glamour a book cover. Not so easy to do it to the entire book. I looked at the rows higher up and those looked like the books more likely to be what I was looking for. They were old and weathered just like an old spell book would be.

I pulled the ladder over where I wanted to start and climbed to the top. pulling each book on the row and taking a peak at the words before putting them back.

Then I was on the floor trying to catch my breath. The impact of being pulled from the ladder and hitting the floor on my back knocked the wind out of me. As I laid there gasping for air, a tall well build man stepped over me. He watched me before kneeling down on either side of my legs with a smile.

“Coming here was a bad idea, little witch,” he said. I couldn’t speak and could barely move. I felt a sting on my wrist and followed his eyes to the same spot. A gold bracelet with purple magick swirling around it was just there. I didn’t know how and didn’t want to.

I finally was able to catch my breath and tried to scurry out of his reach, but he grabbed my arm and pulled me to my feet with him.

“Ah, ah, you’re not going anywhere,” he said with an amused smile on his stupidly handsome face. He was taller than me, but not by too much.

I straight up kneed him in the balls.

That did the trick and he let go of my arm. I stepped back and repeated the incantation to get me the fuck out of there. But nothing happened. I said it again and felt a shock in my wrist this time.

He laughed, still doubled over but catching his breath from the blow.

“That fucking demon,” I muttered.

“I knew he sent you,” he said. He stood up and adjusted his shirt like nothing happened. “That’s not how you should greet the man who’s house you broke into.” His voice was amused with a mix of anger. Probably from what I just did to him.

“Look, it’s not personal. Just a job,” I said. “We can work this out.”

“You’re right, we are going to work this out, but not right now.” He said and waved his hand.

Before I could say a word in protest, I was standing in a bedroom, alone in the dark.

What the hell do I do now?

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Looking for an immersive experience? Listen while you read

Chapter Two

This is a huge fucking problem. I glanced around the room looking for god only knows to get this damn bracelet off. It had to be the cause of all my fucking issues. I wasn’t going to be a prisoner in some Warlock’s house and wait for the literal Demon of Dreams to come to my rescue. Cuz, that isn’t going to happen.

I’ve worked with that demon long enough to know I’m on my own. I may be the best at stealing shit, but I was expendable.

I sat on the bed and tried to think. What could I do? I tried the incantation, but I hadn’t tried my magick. Ugh, I hated pulling my magick. It was unpredictable by nature and the last time got out of control before I could do anything about it.

Getting burned up by fire magick is way better than dying slowly in whatever torture he has planned, I guess.

I took a breath and reached for it, that little spark that lay deep in my gut, locked behind enough doors to stop a raging bull. I pulled slowly at first and then hard and fast, with all I had and…

Nothing happened except a shock so far up my arm, I almost fell over.

“Fuck,” I said, holding my arm to my chest.

That same stupid laugh startled me. He was standing in front of the door watching me. leaning on a dark wood dresser.

“You can’t use magick here,” he said. “Not with that on your wrist.” He pointed at the gold bracelet.

“Then take it off so I can get out of here,” I snapped. “It’s not like I actually stole anything.”

He pushed off the dresser and walked towards me, his dark hair was styled like one of those pretty boys I hated so much. You know, the ones that demanded attention by being just the biggest dicks on earth.

“You still broke into my home,” he said, stopping just in front of the bed, grabbing one of the lower posts. “For him.” He said it with such disdain I couldn’t help it.

“If you’re looking for a little alone time with him, I can totally get out of your way,” I crossed my arms and gave him a sarcastic smile.

He stared at me before he raised his eyebrow and cocked his head, a single piece of that dark hair falling in his eyes. “Funny,” he said, his eyes traveling down my body. “Cuz, you’re already here.”

I laughed nervously. Oh hell no. “Not happening”

“We’ll see.”

Did he really just say that?

He rolled into the bed and sighed, crossing his feet and putting his hands behind his head. I watched him and waited.

“What?” he said with a shrug.

“What are you doing?” I said. I was so over this guy.

He flashed a smile and I rolled my eyes.

“Going to bed.”

“If you insist I stay here, I need someplace to sleep,” I snapped.

He patted the bed.

I stepped back and shook my head. “Absolutely not,” I said without even a hint of hesitation.

He rolled across the bed and stood, stalking towards me. I backed up until I hit the wall and he walked right up to me. He put his hands on either side of my head and cocked his head to the side.

“You can sleep in the bed with me or not sleep at all,” he said, leaning in. “I don’t care which one you choose, but I’m sleeping in my own bed.” He was too close. I could feel the power radiating off of him. He knew what magick he had and he wasn’t afraid to use it. I felt myself falter a little out of fear or maybe even a little out of excitement.

I ducked under his left arm and stepped back towards the bed. “The floor’s fine.” I crossed my arms and forced a smile.

He shrugged. “Suit yourself.”

I grabbed a pillow from the bed and tossed it on the floor. I’d try to get some sleep and then in the morning, figure out how the hell to get out of this mess and away from this guy.

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Chapter Three

I opened my eyes after the worst night of sleep ever and pulled myself up to the bed. He was gone, finally and I could take a breath. What the fuck was his problem? If he was mad about the potential theft he could just kill me and get it over with. Since I couldn’t access my powers I had no way to stop him.

“Come one Maddie, figure this out,” I said, still looking through the large open balcony. I guess when you live in a void there wasn’t much you had to worry about coming in an open area. Maybe I could use that.

I stood and walked through the open doors onto the balcony. To my surprise there was a breeze and trees just outside the house. When I looked further past, everything started blurring. I guessed that was the end of the spell to keep this house here. Maybe if I could get out there, I could get past the border of magick and be able to use the incantation to get home. I had a new plan. Just had to find a distraction for my cocky little captor and I was out of there.

In a second the scene around me fell away and I was standing in the living room again. He was across from me sitting on a chair watching me. I glanced around confused by the sudden shift in where I was.

“What the hell?” I said and then felt the dizziness. I caught myself and sat on the couch behind me.

“Mmmm, the bracelet,” he said pointing at his wrist. “I stole it from a Jinn.”

“What?” I barely managed. The world was still spinning.

He sighed. “Do you know anything about magick?”

“Of course I do,” I snapped. “That’s why I’m so good at what I do.”

“And what’s that?” He said with seemingly great interest. “Steal from people?”

I sighed and didn’t answer.

“Or is there more to it, Madlyne.”

I snapped my gaze to him at the mention of my name. How the hell did he know who I was?

“I’m good at knowing who the people are who mess with my power,” he said.

I felt the energy in the room change. It went from light with a clear indication of power to something darker. Something more chaotic. It was intimidating.

He stood and walked towards me. “You have a reputation in the magickal community.” He shook his head. “And not a good one.”

“Why because I steal things that don’t belong to people and give them back?”

He laughed. “Is that what you think you’re doing?” He stood over me, leaning down so he was closer than he should be. Closer than I wanted and definitely still pushing that intimidating energy.

“Are you afraid, little witch?” He said it quietly. Such a dramatic change from the tone he was speaking a minute ago.

“No.” Yes.

His eyes traveled down my body and I felt my own energy shrink a little. I couldn’t move under those eyes. Maybe I didn’t want to.

“Liar,” he whispered.

I stuttered. Words were not coming like they should be.

He chuckled and cocked his head. “I like it when you’re flustered.”

“I’m not flustered,” finally, I spoke.

“You know the good thing about this.” He put his hand on the bracelet and the purple magick swirled around it again. “It let’s me call you to me whenever I want, however I want.” He smirked. “I could put you in any position, with or without clothes.”

“You’re an asshole,” I said and he smiled bigger.

“You’re absolutely right.” He ran a hand down my shoulder. “But you like it. You like I could just take what I want.”

I licked my lips. “You are so sure of yourself, aren’t you?”

He chuckled. That god damn smile again. But before I could make a smart comment, his lips were on mine. It caught me off guard, but it also was annoyingly not unwanted.

I fought with myself as his kiss turned more aggressive, more possessive. Like he’d waited for centuries for it.

And then he pulled away abruptly.

I foolishly felt myself lurch forward slightly with him, wanting it to last longer, maybe craving it to. What is wrong with me?

He smirked as she stepped back. Without a word, he waved his hand and I was sitting back on the bed in that stupid bedroom again, alone.

I have to get out of here before I do something stupid.

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Rowen

I took a breathe and shook my head. That woman was going to be the end of me. What the hell was I thinking keeping her alive and here where the very thing she was after was? I knew that damn demon was going to go for it, but I didn’t think in a thousand years he’d send her of all people.

She didn’t know who I was, of course, but I knew of her. Everyone did. She was the only thief sly enough or stupid depending on who you talked to, to even attempt half the things she did and she pulled most of them off.

I smiled at the thought. She was perfect.

I felt the energy shift before I saw him, ” What are you doing here?” I turned towards the older Warlock standing by my door. It was the perfect place for people to portal into my void. Just like back home.

“Rowen, it’s nice to see you to,” he said with a pensive look on his face. I sighed. It was going to be one of those kinds of talks. “The council is coming tomorrow and you’re playing with that witch.”

“And,” I said, already bored with the conversation.

“Why is she still alive?” He asked, taking a step towards me.

“Why does it matter to you?” I countered. “She’s contained. No threat to you or anyone else.”

“That woman is dangerous,” he said.

I chuckled at that idea. “Of course she is. That’s why I’m keeping her.”

He cocked his head.”Keeping her?”

“Here, I mean. Keeping her here,” I added.

“This isn’t some game, Rowen. That book she was sent here to get is powerful and if she gets it and takes it back-”

“She won’t. She’s completely at my mercy,” I interrupted.

“I don’t think you understand.”

“I understand perfectly.” I took a step towards him. “She came to get a powerful book that everyone is dying to get their hands on.” I shook my head. “Even the council.”

I stood right in front of him. “You all think I don’t know power, but I’m the only one with the balls to read the Arcana.” I smoothed the shoulders on his suit as I spoke. “To learn it’s true potential. You all want to hide it.”

“It could destroy everything if it falls into the wrong hands,” he said, carefully.

“And the councils are the right hands?” I smiled. “No, no, I think it’s better here where no magick but my own can reach it.” I stood there watching him. “And no one can control it.”

“But you,” he said with bite.

“It was lovely seeing you, Bracos.” I gave my more intimidating smile. “But it’s time for you to leave.”

He stepped back and shook his head. “You’re not going to like where this is heading, Rowen.”

“Neither will you if you do anything stupid at the meeting tomorrow,” I shot back. He didn’t answer, but said the incantation to leave and was gone.

Fucking Warlocks

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Maddie

Laying on the bed, I looked at the ceiling. I’d already tried crawling off the balcony and gotten zapped so hard, I almost cried. This god damned bracelet was the worst. Of all the heists I’d done, this was the only one I ever got caught in. Sure, I may not always get the prize, but to get caught? That was a whole new set of embarrassment not just for my job, but because I was stuck here as long as he wanted me to be.

It was fucking annoying.

“You finally decided to use the bed,” I heard him say from the other side of the room.

I didn’t look at him, but kept my eyes on the ceiling.

He chuckled. “You’re settling in.”

I glanced at him and narrowed my eyes.

“Or not,” he said with a smirk. He made his way to the bed and stood over me with that fucking smart ass look on his face. This bastard thought he was winning.

“Look, you can fight it all you want, but we both know you’re not going anywhere unless I let you,” he said.

Fine, I’ll play. “What is the point in keeping me here?” I said turning away from him.

“That I can’t be stolen from.” He sat on the other side of the bed and I tensed. “What better way to send that message to the Warlock council than to parade the woman who broke into my house in front of them as my-,” he hesitated, like he was looking for the word he wanted to use,” -pet.”

I rolled my eyes.

“Let’s be honest, you are one of the best and the fact I now have you under complete control is a pretty powerful statement,” He said.

“You think you have me under control?” I said with a laugh. “I might not be able to leave this place, but I’m far from under your control.”

He chuckled. “Are you sure about that?”

Before I could answer, I was underneath him. His arms on both sides of me. I pushed at his chest, but he didn’t move. “Completely at my mercy,” he said with that fucking smirk.

I tried raising my leg again to knee him but couldn’t move.

“Ah, ah, that’s not happening a second time.” He kissed my neck and I swallowed hard. It felt nice to have someone touch me, be there near me. It had been a long time.

“Admit it, you are looking for someone as much as I am.” He trailed down my neck, his hand on my hip. “You want it. You want to have someone touch you, love you, fuck you.”

“No,” I said.

“Liar,” he answered and pulled away.

I stared at him, a little shocked. I was laying there under him one minute with his lips and hands on me and the next he was just walking away like nothing happened.

“What? You thought I’d just take it?” He laughed and shook his head. He put his hand on the post at the foot of the bed. “It’s more fun when I make you beg me for it.”

“Pft,” I said, sitting up. “Like that will ever happen.”

“Oh it will.” He turned to walk away. “By the way, there’s a meeting with the Warlock council tomorrow night. You will be attending.”

He disappeared before I could tell him to go fuck himself. The last thing I wanted was to be a display piece for his little game. I stared at the bedroom door. Surely he wasn’t stupid enough to leave it open, right? There was only one way to find out.

I got up from the bed and walked over to it. The one thing I had yet to try was simply walking out of the room. My hand slid over the handle and the door opened. All this time and I could have been finding a way out of this place or finding that stupid book everyone seemed to want.

I made my way down the hall, taking in the beauty of this place. He might be an ass, but he did have good taste. Everything was put in place and not a speck of dust anywhere. It was weirdly comforting. The stairs were dark wood and the banister looked older than any home I’d ever had the pleasure of living in. I wondered if he’d taken this place from someone far older or if he’d just used magick. Probably magick.

The living room area came into view first. He wasn’t in there but probably lurking someplace nearby, waiting for her to try to escape just so he could catch her and pull that, you want me and you know it, shit. I mean he was good looking and the power that radiated off of him made something come alive deep, deep down. But there was absolutely no way I was ever going to admit that to him. Even i it meant I stayed here for however long I did.

I carefully walked through the room towards the library. the most likely place to find that book. Maybe if I found it, I could break this spell and get out of here. The room looked empty, but I didn’t pay much attention until I just felt eyes on me.

“What?” I snapped and turned around. “You left the door open.”

“Still looking for the Arcana?” He said. “You won’t find it in here. I keep my treasures well hidden.”

“There’s nothing to do. Might as well find a book,” I said, fumbling through the ones in front of me. They were a mix of old adventure novels and a few horror.

“I do have a lot to pick from. What do you read?” The shift to nice was off putting.

“Why do you care?” I countered.

“Why do you fight everything I do?” He said. “I’m trying to know you.”

“You already know who I am,” I said, still looking at the books.

“I know your name but not who you are,” he said with a sigh. “Forget it.”

For the first time, he wasn’t trying to be intimidating or cocky. Was he really being genuine.

“You’re hard to understand,” I said. “I don’t even know your name.”

“Rowen,” He said simply.

I turned towards him. He was sitting in a chair on the other side of the library with a book in his hand. I couldn’t read the title from where I was, but it looked fairly thick.

“I’m complicated,” he said letting his composure crack a little. There was something behind all the cockiness and self assured nature he showed people. Maybe it was fear or something deeper.

“Same,” I said without thinking and he smiled.

“I like that about you,” he said.

“Why?” I shook my head. It seemed crazy anyone would like someone with a complicated and not so great past. There was a reason I didn’t hang around with covens or even on earth much.

“You think you don’t belong anywhere, don’t you?” He watched me and I shrugged. “Those people just don’t know how to handle power.”

“And you do?” I smarted off.

He laughed. “Madlyne, I’ve been around for a long time. I’m-”

“-Complicated.” I teased.

“Dangerous,” he said.

“Right, that’s what every Warlock I’ve ever met has said when they want someone to be afraid of them.” I raised an eyebrow.

He didn’t elaborate. “But you’re not afraid of me?” He said, keeping those light eyes on me.

“Nope,” I lied. I had to admit I was a little afraid. He had me held here and I still hadn’t figured out how to get free, but he also hadn’t tried to hurt or kill me yet, minus the time he pulled me off the ladder when I first met him.

“I think you’re lying to yourself, little witch,” he said. “You should be afraid.”

“What good would it do?” I countered. “To be afraid.” or at least let him know I was.

“It might keep you alive,” he said, looking back down to his book.

“You haven’t made a move to kill me, yet.”

“Not yet, but there’s still time,” He said raising his gaze to mine.

I couldn’t tell if he was acting tough or if he really was thinking about killing me at some point. Maybe he was waiting for the Warlock council. Maybe that was his power play.

“Fantasy,” I said.

He crinkled his forehead in confusion. “What?”

“My favorite kind of book.” I waited for a moment. “It’s Fantasy.”

His lip curled into a slight smile. “That wall.” He pointed to his left and I walked that way. It was all Fantasy books, top to bottom. Every author you had ever heard of was on that wall. Dare I say, this might be a dream. At least if I get to live long enough to read even a few of these books.

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Rowen

I watched as she shifted through the books. There was something about the way she smiled when she pulled each one off the shelf to look at it. Something that stirred in me that was more than just the lust of owning her power.

I dropped my gaze back to my book. What was she doing to me? I can’t get distracted now. The council would be looking for ways to take my power and if there was any sign of weakness, I’d lose everything. I was the one with the power here and it had to stay that way. Those idiots couldn’t handle the power of the Arcana. They would use it to tip the already tipsy balance the Earth world had. And god help them if the vampires actually got a hold of it. The ones who stole magick from the Witches would be able to weld it. That would be a huge problem.

My thoughts sunk back to the Dream Demon. That one was a worse problem. He’d use the power inside it to sway the demons to fight with him and eliminate both sides, taking me with them. No, self preservation was kind of my thing and no one was taking that from me.

No, the council would realize it once they saw how well I could control one of the most powerful witches there was. It was a shame she didn’t realize how powerful.

Twenty four hours. That was all I was waiting for and then everything I wanted would be mine.

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Maddie

I came back to the bedroom with three full novels and a smile on my face. It wasn’t so bad being here if I was at least allowed to read and the little balcony was the perfect spot. I spent the rest of the day reading and enjoying the distraction.

When I didn’t see Rowen come back to the room, I wondered if that bed was as comfortable as it looked. I mean if he wasn’t going to use it, why not.

I glanced at the door to make sure he wasn’t going to just pop up and take me sleeping tin the bed as an invitation, but I mean he could just show up at any point and do just that. It was a risk I was willing to take for a good nights sleep.

The bed was soft and as I slid my legs under the covers, I realized how tired I was. All of this fighting and magick was exhausting. I would look for a new way out when everyone was distracted at this stupid council meeting. But tonight, I was getting some sleep. Hopefully, alone. Delete

I woke up and the bed was empty except for me. He must not have slept here last night. Which was good for me, right?

I shook the thought away before I noticed the black slinky dress hanging on the back of the door with a note on it. He might not have slept here, but he was for sure here last night. I walked to the dress and pulled the note off.

Wear this tonight. I’ll get you when it’s time.

I ran my hand over the fabric and thought about just telling him to fuck off and wear the jeans and t shirt I came here in, but playing nice had it’s advantages. If he let his guard down, I might be able to hitch a ride with one of the council members. I had to admit, I didn’t know much about the Warlock Council. All I knew was it was a group of powerful Warlocks who liked to throw their weight around and pretend they ran things.

Rule number one was not to get caught. I kind of already messed that one up. Rule number two was to stay out of the Warlock council’s way. Unfortunately, it looked like I was failing both my rules this time.

I tried the door but this time it wouldn’t open. It seemed like he was going to keep me out of the way until the perfect moment for him. The dress was pretty, though. Not really my style but there was an elegance to it. The way it would hug my body and the way it covered me from ankle to neck with a long slit and some kind of sparkle that seemed to be mixed into the fabric.

“You are pretty,” I said as I played with the fabric on the arms. I had some time before this thing tonight so I figured I’d read for a bit on the balcony and when it was time, he’d let me know. Or he’d just zap to me to wherever it is he’s holding this thing.

I read almost my entire book before I realized how much time had passed. I glanced at the dress hanging there on the door and bit my lip. I mean, if I wore it, I’d look hot enough to make Rowen regret leaving me up here alone all day. the thought made me smile. oh god, what is wrong with me?

I grabbed the slinky thing and put it on. It fit perfectly, like he knew exactly what to get. I pulled the ponytail out of my hair and let it fall on my shoulders. The natural waves gave my dark hair a little life. I smoothed it out a bit and decided that was the best that was going to get without any hair tools. Not that I needed many. Normally, I just did my work and went home. Connecting with people was a hard pass. They usually wanted one of two things from me, money or sex. I may have taken a few up on the sex offer, but when it came to my money, nope that was all mine. Not that I had too much, but I was comfortable.

“You look great,” Rowen said from behind me. I didn’t even notice him coming in, but when his eyes traveled up and down my body, I had to fight myself.

I turned to face him. “So, what’s the point of this,” I said motioning to the dress I was wearing.

“The point?” He cocked his head. “That even the people who try to steal from me are mine to control.”

I raised an eyebrow. “I’m far from yours,” I said turning away.

“And yet you put on that dress like a good little witch,” he said.

“Asshole,” I said under my breath.

He just laughed. “Come on, they’ve been waiting long enough.”

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Rowen

She slid her arm into mine and we portaled to the library. What better way to make an entrance than to just pop in while they were talking about me. The room went quiet and I smiled. I glanced at Madlyne, she looked unsure. All that confidence I saw in her when I caught her thumbing through my things was gone under the gaze of all these Warlocks.

The council was a full ten Warlocks of various families. Most held what humans would call mob ties in the human world, but a few went into other powerful careers to not only keep them unseen to humans and Witches but also in positions where others wouldn’t risk going against them.

I put my hand on hers for a moment and our eyes met. I felt something shift between us and had no idea if it was me or the insane amount of energy in the room, but I knew right then, I would never let her go.

“Rowen, I see you brought your…” Bracos said looking at me and then at Madlyne. “I’m not sure what you’re calling her. Prisoner?” He smiled as he spoke.

“Guest,” I said maybe a little too quickly.

“I see.” He held his eyes on her a little too long and I felt myself curl my free hand’s fingers into a fist. “You do have her well under control, don’t you?”

“She is completely at my command,” I answered. “Just like anyone who tries to work against me would be.”

“I doubt that. Although she is a beautiful creature,” He slid his gaze back to her. “What a useful pet.”

“I’m not a pet,” Madlyne snapped and I fought a smile.

“A bit mouthy,” Bracos said. “But I suppose that could be trained out of her.”

“I like the bite,” I said without even thinking. Madlyne snapped her eyes to me and I raised an eyebrow. “It’s more fun.”

“Interesting,” he said looking from me to her. “How far can you push her, though?”

I looked him and waited for an elaboration.

His smile grew. “You haven’t been to many of our meetings where members want to assert their power with their… guests, have you?” He raised his eyebrows. “A demonstration is required.”

“Demonstration?” Madlyne shifted slightly and glanced at me as she spoke. Bracos acted like he didn’t hear her.

I knew exactly what he was getting at. They wanted a complete display of my power over Madlyne. To make her say it and do whatever I and the council wanted.

I forced a smile. “Of course.” I glanced to Madlyne. She was watching me with what looked like an almost pleading look. She knew what they wanted as much as I did.

I pulled her through the library to a little couch placed against the wall to one side. The others stood around watching with interest. Bracos was pulling a power play, but I didn’t see how to get around it. I had to comply with what he was asking for, even if it meant putting Madlyne in a position I only wanted to see her in alone in our bedroom.

“You’re not really considering this, are you?” She said as we walked. I didn’t answer her. How could I? I was getting ready to violate her in a way I’d never be able to walk back. Playfully pushing her boundaries was one thing, but this, in front of the entire council was something that would break any chance of ever having her willingly again.

I stopped at the couch and motioned for her to sit. She crossed her arms. I shook my head and watched her. “Don’t make me force you.”

“I’m not doing anything you want,” she snapped and I motioned again for her to sit. When she didn’t move, I called on the magick in that bracelet. I’d laced it with mine to do exactly what I wanted. Before she could protest, she was sitting with her arms bound to the couch on either side.

“This is going to be fun to watch,” Bracos said from the left of me. I ignored him and took her in. She was putting on a good act of bravery, but I could see the fear behind her eyes.

She was sitting there helpless, the slit of her dress drawn open at the top of her thigh and something in me just broke.

I wasn’t doing this.

I waved my hand and sent her back to the bedroom. Bracos laughed and walked towards me.

“I knew it,” He said, glancing at the others. “The moment you left that witch alive you lost your power to her.”

“Did I?” I said, calling my power to me. The room vibrated with it. The years, the centuries I’d worked without the council telling me what boundaries I couldn’t cross. All those little fuckers thinking they could control how powerful a man got before they struck them down. “Get out.”

“Rowen, you’ll be an enemy of the council for this,” Bracos said. “We’ll kill you and take the Arcana.”

I laughed at the idea of these cockroaches taking anything from me. “You mean this Arcana?” I held out my hand and the book appeared floating just above it. “You can’t even fathom the power this book holds. You’re only here because I allow you to be. You have three seconds to get out or I’ll show you the power of this book.”

I smiled and watched as each one portaled away. Bracos was the last.

“You have no idea what you’ve done to yourself, Rowen. Over a Witch,” He said before he followed the others and portaled away.

I waved the book away and stood there for a moment. They’d come back and they would do their best to kill me and Madlyne.

Bracos was right about one thing. I had given up any sense of peace with the Warlocks over a witch.

And I’d do it again.

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Maddie

I almost fell when I landed in the bedroom. Surprised was not the feeling I was expecting but it was exactly what I felt. Rowen didn’t hurt her, he saved her from the rest of them and whatever plan they had for her.

I felt a surge of power that took my breath. Whatever was happening was big and powerful. Maybe Rowen had shown his power in another way. Maybe this was who he was. My insides twisted with the surge and I grabbed the bed. The bracelet tingled as the power surged through it.

Then as fast as it was there, it was gone.

I leaned on the bedpost and tried to catch my breath. I hadn’t felt power like that from anyone before and I knew some powerful people. I’d worked with some powerful people, but nothing like this.

“What the fuck is happening?” I said to myself.

The door flung open and Rowen walked in with that same power dripping off of him. He didn’t say anything, but closed the gap between us and kissed me hard and possessive. It was like he’d been waiting for centuries for that kiss. I didn’t fight him as he pulled me to him.

“No one will ever touch you except me,” he said, his voice low and almost feral.

I didn’t get a chance to answer before his lips were on mine again. His hands roaming up my back and into my hair. I pressed my hands on his chest, grabbing at the fabric between us.

He broke the kiss and looked down at me, his jaw set like he was straining to hold onto control. “Tell me you want this,” he said. “Tell me you want me as much as I want you.”

I hesitated. The truth was I did want him. I wanted to feel his hands on my body, his lips on mine. I wanted him more than I wanted anything in a long time. I pulled him towards me, keeping his lips just barely touching mine.

“Yes,” I whispered. “I want you.”

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Chapter Ten

I didn’t even realize I was in the bed alone until I fully woke up. It had to be late morning or early afternoon. My legs were still sore from the previous night, but I felt realities good.

My eyes surveyed the room. The torn dress on the floor made me smile bigger than I had in a long time. Too bad he didn’t bother to pick it up after. Maybe it was a way to make me think of all the ways he touched my body. The way his lips felt on my skin. I got goosebumps at the thought.

My stomach growled and I realized I hadn’t eaten anything since the day before. I grabbed my jeans and good old t shirt and put them on before heading towards the library. I didn’t know where the kitchen was as he’d always made sure there was food here in the room, but if I found him, I’d probably find the kitchen.

I walked through the living room area into the library and there he was sitting with a book on his lap.

“You look happy,” he said with a sly grin.

I shrugged. “It was alright.” I turned away to hide my smile.

“Guess I’ll have to work harder next time,” he teased. “There’s eggs and bacon on the table if you’re hungry.”

“What happens now?” I said. “You didn’t do what the council wanted. Won’t they come after you?”

“Let them come,” He glanced at his watch. “They’ll be here shortly.”

“You know when they’re coming?” I said.

“Of course. I know when everyone is coming here.”

I stared at him and then crossed my arms. “So you knew I was coming.”

He just smirked.

“Good to know,” I said, walking into the kitchen. If he knew when the council was coming to attack him, he’d probably be able to deal with it without any issue. How the hell did he know this stuff?

I grabbed some bacon before grabbing a plate and putting some eggs and a few other bacon pieces on it. Walking back into the library, I glanced at him again before taking a seat across from him.

“So, what should I do when they get here? Go upstairs?”

“Enjoy the show,” he said without looking at me.

“You’re not going to tell me what you plan to do are you?”

“Why would I spoil the fun?” He finally looked at me. He rolled his eyes and shut his book. “They wanted a display of power. They’ll get one.”

“Why?”

“I want them to leave me alone to do my own work. I don’t interfere with them and they leave me here. That’s been the deal for centuries.”

“Centuries?” Did I hear that right?

He watched me.

“You’ve been alive for centuries? How?” I leaned back in my seat.

“This is a void. Time doesn’t work like it does on Earth. Therefore, no death. No aging.” He kept his eyes on me.

“That’s why you have so much power,” I finally put it together. “You’ve studied for centuries.”

“And they leave me alone to do it. No one has challenged my power except that damn demon,” he said.

“The Dream one? That hired me?” I sighed.

“And I have a suspicion has Bracos on his payroll,” he said.

“So…”

“So, when they come here to kill me and take the Arcana, I’m going to use it to kill them,” he said without missing a beat.

I took a bite of my bacon. This whole thing just took a dark turn I wasn’t sure I wanted to be a part of. The power I felt the night before wasn’t just a bunch of Warlocks fighting, it was him. He was pushing back on them because of me.

“This all happened because you chose not to let them touch me, isn’t it?” I needed him to say it.

“It happened because you’re mine. End of discussion.” He held his gaze on me and I felt a fraction of that power. This was a nerve for him.

He glanced at his watch and smiled. “It’s time for the show.”

As soon as he finished speaking warlocks started filling the room. The same ones from the night before. Some of them looked my way before sliding their gaze back to Rowen.

“So glad you could come. But that was your first mistake,” he said.

I felt the power in the room shift and the light dim. This was him. This was who Rowen was. Even though it looked like he wasn’t even lifting a finger, his power was twisting the energy in the room. Throwing it off balance and making it hard to breathe or think. If it was affecting me this way and I wasn’t the target, I couldn’t imagine what it was doing to them.

I didn’t even feel the dagger at my neck until I saw Rowens face. It wasn’t looking at me, but the man holding it to me, standing behind the chair.

“Give it to me, Rowen,” Bracos said. “Give me the Arcana.”

Rowen’s jaw flexed but he didn’t move. “And if I don’t?”

“You know I’ll kill her,” Bracos said.

“And then I’ll kill you. You still lose,” he said.

He grabbed my hair. “I guess I could just take her. She is pretty enough.” Bracos let the blade slip just a little. “She needs a bit of training on who’s in charge, but that’s easy enough.”

Rowen’s eyes darkened at his words and the energy constricted. I felt like my lungs were going to collapse. He waved his hand and the book appeared beside him. “You want this?” He patted the book. He smirked. “You probably shouldn’t worry about me.” His gaze slid to mine and I felt the bracelet that kept me powerless slip away. “You should be worried about her.”

It took a minute for me to realize what he was doing. He wanted me to release my power. The one I kept locked up so tightly. The fire that was unpredictable and so strong I wasn’t sure I would be able to pull it back if I let it go. But this was life and death. This was me letting it go and getting free or dying by a blade to the throat.

So I let go.

The heat and flames flickered to life and all I heard were screams. Then hands on my arms and a voice, his voice. “Pull it back, little witch.” His touch was cold on my skin, like ice being dropped into an inferno. I grabbed onto those icy fingers and pulled the flames back. Everything was on fire around us. But he stood firm, letting it burn. Rowen was untouched and only looking at me.

He waved a hand and the flames went out, leaving us standing in the ruble of his home. I pulled away, but he wouldn’t let me.

“I burned your house down. Your books, everything.” The panic pushed to the surface. I’d done it again.

He laughed and I stared at him. Annoyed he wasn’t taking this seriously.

“That’s cute you think you burned down a house made with magick,” he said with a grin. “It only takes a second to put it all back.”

While he spoke everything reformed around us. All in it’s place.

“See, little witch.” He pulled back and walked back to the couch and picked up the book I’d once thought was my only way to freedom. “This is a powerful book, but it isn’t what I want.”

“What is?” I barely was able to say.

He looked at me with confusion. “Isn’t that obvious?”

“You never intended to give up the Arcana for me,” I shot back.

He chuckled. “Why would I have to? You can take care of yourself.”

“I could just leave you know,” I said.

He nodded. “You could, but you won’t.”

“Are you sure?” I teased.

“I could just put this back on you if you try,” He said, holding the gold bracelet. “Or maybe you like me being in control.”

I shrugged.

He gave me that cocky fucking grin and it was all over.

Fuck.

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