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“DERRICK, SHE WILL BE ok. She just passed out from exhaustion. Magic takes a lot of energy. Maria doesn’t have the practice a trained witch has, she doesn’t know how to control it. She will wake up in an hour or so.” Alia rubbed Derrick’s back as he stood next to Maria. He wasn’t prepared for a witch for a mate. How the hell am I going to help her?
“Aiden, call Marcus and tell him to come get his fucking vamp.” Derrick barked out the order. The vampire had crossed a line by drinking from Maria and signed his death warrant when he laid his hands on her. Derrick heard Aiden on the phone. Seconds later the doorbell chimed. Aiden shook his head toward his phone and opened the door. The local king vampire, Marcus, walked into the house with ease.
“So, you killed one of my vamps. He was just turned a few weeks back.” Marcus narrowed his eyes on Derrick. There was a hint of censure in this last sentence but Derrick didn’t give a shit. “I thought we had an agreement.”
“Your newbie fed on my mate.” Derrick stood to face Marcus. The older vamp glanced at Maria but Derrick blocked his view.
“My apologies. She does smell intriguing.” Marcus’s lips twitched. Derrick lurched forward and Olsen barely managed to stop him with Aiden’s help.
“You better warn your others I will kill again if they touch her,” Derrick growled. “That includes you.”
Marcus nodded then collected his fallen before disappearing. Derrick slid back to his spot next to his mate, waiting for her to wake up. After what seemed like an eternity, her eyes fluttered open.
“Derrick,” Maria whispered. He leaned over and kissed her. He didn’t care about the others possibly watching. He only cared about Maria being ok.
“What just happened?” Maria choked out once Derrick released her from the kiss. Relief flooded him as he scanned her body.
“A stupid vamp attacked you. It won't happen again,” Derrick growled. Her fingers brushed against the angry red mark from the vamp's mouth. She winced and looked at her hand, a few small drops of blood covered her fingers.
“But what else happened?” Maria seemed confused.
“How about you tell us what you experienced?” Alia asked. Maria turned to the wolf-witch and nodded. She recounted talking to her brother and then how the male spoke to her. Derrick ground his teeth to keep himself next to Maria. He wanted to jump up and kill another blood sucker.
“I pushed against him and the guy yelled. When I saw his chest where my hands were... Well, his clothes and skin were burned.” Maria stared down at her hands.
“Maria, can you sit up for me?” Alia asked in a gentle voice. Maria did and gave a weak smile. “Olsen, can you get us some water please?”
He walked to the kitchen with his daughter in his arms, the little one still fast asleep. He noticed a big difference with Aura and her cousin Mason. Mason constantly cried all the time. Aura, thankfully was calm and relaxed. Olsen returned with the water and Maria chugged it down.
“Thank you.” Maria’s color slowly returned.
“All right I need you to relax as best as you can and follow my instructions. Don’t worry about hurting anyone,” Alia said. She nodded and met Derrick’s gaze. Fear filled her green eyes.
“I’m right here,” Derrick reassured her. She nodded and turned to Alia.
“All right. I want you to hold up your writing hand and say Lux.” Alia demonstrated. A small ball of light hovered above Alia’s hand for a moment and vanished when she closed her fist.
Maria took a few deep breaths and held up her right hand. She hesitated then whispered. “Lux.” A tiny ball of light appeared, it wasn’t as strong as Alia’s but it was still there. Maria’s eyes widened.
“I’m a witch...” Maria closed her hand. “How is this possible?”
“Does your mother or father like to give you tea?” Alia drew Maria’s attention toward her.
“Yes, every other day I visit them and they always make sure I have a cup of this fruit tea. Took years to acquire a liking for the taste. Why?”
“There is an herb in the tea which hides your powers from everyone, even you.” Alia’s nose scrunched up. “I’m sorry they did this to you, but you have a lot of work ahead, if you want to master your powers. But as always, the choice is up to you.”
“What do you mean the choice is up to me?” The scent of panic filled Derrick’s nose as Maria grabbed his hand.
“Well, you can go back to drinking the tea and never have to worry about magic again or you can train and learn to control it. The Blood Moon is coming up so be careful on that night. If you decide to practice, your magic will be double when the moon starts to rise.”
“Thank you. I will think about it.”
“Call me if you need anything.” Alia patted her leg and stood.
“Olsen a word before you leave.” Derrick kissed Maria’s head and walked into the kitchen. Olsen followed close behind.
“Tomorrow when you can get away I want you to find out everything you can about Maria’s family. I can send you their address.”
Olsen bounced side to side with Aura still fast asleep in his arms. “Anything specific?”
“Any kind of supernatural shit.” Derrick glanced over at Maria, who in turn stared at her hands. “Call me when you find something,” Derrick said before heading back to his mate. Aiden followed Olsen and Alia out of his house.
“Make sure she gets a good night of rest,” Alia said before she closed the door.
“Are you ok Maria?” Derrick pulled his mate into his lap, her head nuzzled against his chest. He kissed her head to try and calm his own nerves. Hearing his little mate was a witch was something he hadn’t expected. What the hell am I going to do? Derrick looked down at her, she was so small in his large arms. I’ll protect her from everything. I’m strong enough, I can do that for her.
“I think I’m ready for bed.” Maria rubbed her hands against her skirt. “I’m so glad it’s Friday,” she whispered.
“Me too.” Derrick picked her up and walked them to his bedroom. He wasn’t going to let her out of his sight. Once he placed her on the bed, the scent of salt filled his nose.
“I’m so sorry I’ve turned out to be a freak.” Tears fell from Maria’s eyes. He climbed into bed and pulled her to his chest.
“You’re no freak, you’re just special.”
“Will you still want to be with me if I choose to do magic?” Maria tilted her head up toward him.
“I will support you no matter what you choose to do.” Derrick pulled her into a long kiss. “Get some sleep love.” She yanked off her clothes and Derrick handed her one of his shirts, it fell past her knees. She brought the collar to her nose and inhaled
“Perfect.” Maria sighed. Derrick stripped down and they climbed in under the light sheet. She cuddled onto the crook of his arm and fell asleep in minutes. Derrick watched her, the peace on her face brought him sweet joy. Brushing back her hair from her face, she smiled but her eyes stayed closed.
I’d do anything for this woman. She has me wrapped around her finger and she doesn’t even know it.
Tomorrow he would explain to her how they were already bonded. He should have told her before all hell broke loose with the fucking vampires. His wolf growled at the idea of his mate still un-aware of them being bonded.
Tomorrow, I will do it tomorrow!