Chapter Four

 

 

 

Dominic pulled up in his usual spot then put the van in park. He rested his forehead on the steering wheel and took a deep breath, relieved to be home. A tap on the window nearly scared him out of his wits. His heart pounded until he saw that it was Coryn. He opened the door, giving Coryn an embarrassed smile.

“You startled me. I’m afraid Evrain has me a bit spooked.”

“Sorry.” Coryn gave his shoulder a comforting pat. “I’ve been waiting for you.”

“Why? No, don’t tell me. I can imagine.” Dominic scrambled out of the van, relieved his legs held him without shaking.

“When he’s worrying about you, young Evrain is a major pain in the ass. Gregory almost had to chain him down to stop him driving to your last job to get you.”

“Gregory needs a gag spell to use on him.”

“Oh, he has one of those.” Coryn winked, making Dominic a little more at ease. Coryn had that effect. He exuded calm. “I might have to suggest it.”

“What’s going on, Coryn?” Dominic asked. “I saw two mildly strange women a couple of times, that’s all. Why all the panic? For all I know they might just have a thing for sweaty gardeners.”

“For God’s sake, don’t even suggest something like that to your boyfriend unless you want to kick off the apocalypse. Let’s get you back to the cottage before Evrain starts blowing things up. Gregory will explain everything.”

Dominic decided it was best not to push Coryn any further. For a while, they strolled along the path to the cottage in companionable silence.

“Is Nathaniel Alberich here yet?” Dominic asked.

“He is. He arrived a while ago and brought a surprise guest with him. He found Damon lurking in the trees.”

“What?” Dominic had so many questions but Evrain was waiting at the cottage door, wind whipping his dark hair into disarray. The violent gusts died as soon as he caught sight of Dominic.

“Do you even know where the accelerator pedal is on that bloody van? Does it have some kind of limiter? Or perhaps you stopped to meditate on the properties of oregano.”

Dominic looked at the twigs and leaves strewn all over the garden and realized just how agitated Evrain must have been. He opted for diplomacy. “I’m sorry. If I’d known how worried you were, I would have broken all the speed limits and red lights to get back here.”

“No, you wouldn’t, because that would have been dangerous.”

“There’s no arguing with you, is there?” Dominic found himself wrapped in strong arms, tight enough that he was going to have bruises. “You have a really strange way of pronouncing oregano. And I’ve never meditated in my life.”

Evrain grunted and hugged him harder.

“Evrain, he’s safe.” Gregory, sounding impatient, called from the doorway. “For goodness sake, let him go and come inside.”

Evrain scowled but released his hold. He kept a proprietary arm around Dominic’s shoulders as they went inside and Dominic found he craved the continued contact. The room was saturated with the aroma of mulling wine and for a moment Dominic was distracted as he tried to identify various spices. Then he took in the people seated at the table. He froze.

“I hardly believed Coryn when he told me. What the hell is he doing here?” He stared at Damon, hands clenching into fists. “The last time I saw him, he punched me in the face. He had a chain around my neck. Then he tried to attack Evrain with a knife!” He took a determined step forward. Damon cowered in his seat, lower lip trembling.

“We’ll get to that but fuck, you’re sexy when you’re defending me!” Evrain said, sounding pleased.

“Scary, not sexy,” Damon muttered.

“Evrain, perhaps introductions are in order?” Gregory’s tone was all reprimand.

Dominic realized that there were other people in the room. His face heated and suddenly the floor was the most fascinating place to look. He was hyperaware of his grass-stained clothes and work-tousled hair. As if sensing his discomfiture, Evrain cupped the nape of his neck and squeezed.

“Dominic, I’d like to introduce Nathaniel Alberich.” There was a scrape of wood against stone. Across the table, Nathaniel stood and gave a slight bow. “Nathaniel, this is my partner, Dominic Castine.”

“It’s an honor to meet you, Dominic.”

Nathaniel was a handsome man. He had a similar aura of power to Gregory, holding himself with confident certainty. It seemed all warlocks were cut from the same cloth. He made Dominic feel shy and nervous.

“Um, hi.” Dominic managed a brief smile.

Nathaniel nodded as if acknowledging Dominic’s suitability as a warlock’s partner. Dominic couldn’t help but feel he’d just passed some kind of test.

With Evrain’s gentle encouragement and a nod from Coryn, Dominic sat at the table, though his seat was a bit too close to Damon for his liking. Gregory ladled spiced wine into goblets then passed them out. Damon clutched his so tightly his knuckles went white. The aroma of nutmeg, cinnamon and wine filled the room, at odds with the atmosphere of dread that seemed to envelop all three warlocks. Dominic sat and waited for the bad news.

“You are both already aware that there are very few powerful warlocks on the planet.”

Gregory paused and Dominic wondered at the fact that three of those warlocks were sitting right there in the room with him. The world was a peculiar place, with layers and depths he had never imagined. He focused on Gregory’s face and his lips as they moved.

“However, there are considerably more witches. Most are completely benign, with only traces of elemental ability. Some are more powerful—like your grandmother Agatha, Evrain, who was a strong earth witch. None have strength in more than one element—that power is limited to men—and even then they cannot command fire or air. There exists a very small minority who object to that distinction.” Gregory sipped his wine. “Over the centuries those few have come together to form a Coven of sorts—though it’s insulting to the majority of witches to give it that name—an affiliation of witches with similar dispositions. It’s currently known as the Octis Coven.”

Dominic swallowed, imagining scenes of bubbling cauldrons and old hags in black pointy hats.

“Forget every preconceived idea you might have about witches, Dominic.” Gregory could apparently read minds. “Octis is well financed, technologically adept and highly organized. They always have one plot or another on the go but nothing that has really affected us. This time they’ve gone too far. Damon here tells us they’ve joined forces with Symeon Malus.”

Evrain snorted. “How can Symeon be of any use to them? We left him virtually powerless.”

“One thing members of the Octis Coven can do is brew a good potion. They can probably restore Symeon’s strength, if temporarily. As long as he helps them, they will keep him supplied with the tonic he needs to stay strong.”

“But why?” Dominic was curious. “What can Symeon do for them that they can’t do themselves? Doesn’t he represent the very thing they hate?”

“He can battle another warlock.” It was Nathaniel who answered rather than Gregory. “It is common knowledge in our world that Gregory and I are allies. Neither of us have ever agreed with Symeon’s lust for power. On this continent Symeon is their only option.”

“I still don’t understand,” Dominic said. “Forgive the dense, non-magical one, but why would a bunch of witches want Symeon to fight another warlock? What would they gain?”

“Not any other warlock.” Nathaniel frowned as he responded. “They will want him to battle Evrain.”

Dominic’s confusion must have shown on his face. Nathaniel turned his gaze on Evrain. “They are after your blood, Evrain, and I’m afraid I mean that literally.”

Beneath the table, Dominic grabbed Evrain’s hand and squeezed it.

“A warlock’s blood is incredibly potent when it’s used in magical spells.” Coryn took up the story. “Because you are so powerful and young, Evrain, your blood is a prize worth any partnership, however corrupt. They can’t use Symeon’s, his power is only temporary. Gregory is too old.”

“You’re not old!” Dominic protested, directing his gaze to Gregory.

“Old enough,” Gregory replied. “I’m not nearly as strong as I used to be.”

“And I’m strong,” Nathaniel commented. “But only in air and earth. My abilities with fire and water are weak. Evrain, I’m afraid, is a gourmet temptation as far as the Coven is concerned because he is strong in all four elements.”

“Please stop talking about me like I’m some kind of snack,” Evrain griped.

“Hush.” Dominic smacked Evrain’s thigh. “Listen.”

Damon snickered. Evrain gave him a look that could freeze hellfire and Nathaniel cuffed him.

“Quiet, brat. You haven’t earned the right to enjoy yourself at other’s expense.”

Damon pouted but kept giving Nathaniel sideways glances.

“What can they do?” Evrain asked. “The cottage is warded well, Agatha made sure of that, and I’m quite capable of defending myself against Symeon. I’ve proved that once already.”

“Don’t get cocky, boy,” Gregory warned. “We don’t know what they’ll try, but the fact that they have people watching Dominic is worrying. You both need to be careful and vigilant.”

“Where did you get all this information from?” Dominic felt as though he was missing a page or two of the story. Everyone else was a chapter ahead and he was still catching up.

“Damon,” Gregory said. “He…”

“Let him tell me.” Dominic cut Gregory off. “I want to hear it from him.”

Damon’s eyes widened. He chewed on a ragged, dirty fingernail. Dominic examined him closely, noting the dark circles beneath his eyes, lank hair and pallid skin. His cheekbones were sharper, as if he’d lost weight and his gaze darted from place to place, never settling anywhere for very long. He couldn’t fight the pang of pity that conflicted with his need to consider Damon an enemy.

“Don’t let him hit me, okay?” Damon’s voice trembled. “And Evrain has to promise not to zap me.” He folded his arms.

“You’re in no position to argue with anyone, boy.” Nathaniel pulled Damon’s arms away from his chest then laid them on the table. He encircled one slender wrist with his hand. “Do as you’re asked.”

“Not a boy.” Damon didn’t attempt to move his arm. “Fine.” He stared at the table rather than at Dominic or Evrain. “I was sixteen when I fell for Symeon. It was a ridiculous crush, but he was so…enigmatic. He hooked me good and lured me in with promises of power and wealth when all he really wanted was a willing body to channel through. I loved him and that was enough for it to work. To him I was a tool and a convenient ass to screw whenever the urge took him.”

Dominic shuddered. He’d had experience of Symeon at first hand. He’d witnessed the way Symeon had treated Damon and Damon was right. Any love between them had been one way. Dominic doubted Symeon even had the capacity for love.

“When Evrain defeated Symeon that night…I had no idea what to do. He’d held me in thrall for so long, I’d lost my identity. If I didn’t obey him, he hurt me. Sex became punishment. When he took Dominic I hoped he might switch his attention, but you resisted him and he took his anger out on me. I admit, I wanted revenge, so I helped him. Then that night, everything went to hell.”

Nathaniel stroked Damon’s wrist. “Slow down. Speak clearly. Symeon doesn’t control you any longer. You’re safe here.”

Damon sniffled. He cast a quick, anxious glance at Evrain. “I didn’t have anywhere else to go. I went back to the property Symeon used to hold Dominic. He wasn’t there and he didn’t turn up for a long time. I don’t know where he went, but when he did come back I hid from him in the attic then ventured downstairs. I think I could have stood directly in front of him and he wouldn’t have noticed. He was obsessed with Evrain, screaming and yelling about what he was going to do to him, but he couldn’t even light a candle. His power was utterly depleted.”

“Symeon Malus without his power is incredibly dangerous.” Gregory massaged his temples. “Because he’ll do anything to get it back. Something we should have considered when we left him alive.”

“He started making calls. I caught the name Imelda. She leads the Octis Coven, I’m sure of it. He made arrangements to meet with her and when he hung up he was smiling.” Damon shuddered. “I never want to see that expression again.”

“He got out of the house then made his way here. Nathaniel caught him skulking outside when he arrived earlier,” Coryn explained.

“I wasn’t skulking,” Damon protested. “I was just working out what to say when I knocked on the door. I didn’t think I’d be welcomed with open arms.”

Evrain wiggled his fingers and Damon shied away. His chair tipped backward but Nathaniel righted it before he could fall.

“Stop that, Evrain,” Dominic admonished. “It took courage to come here, even if it was self-serving.”

“I don’t have anywhere left to go,” Damon reiterated. “I have no money and no friends. I relied on Symeon for everything, he made sure of that.” He wiped his nose on the back of his hand.

“Forewarned is forearmed,” Evrain said. “But I’m still not convinced these people are as dangerous as you all seem to think they are.”

“If Symeon catches you unawares, Evrain, with Octis boosting his power, he could block you. Not permanently, but long enough to overpower you.” Gregory steepled his fingers. “You’re not invincible. None of us are.”

Nathaniel nodded. “It’s true. Believe me, if the Octis Coven gets hold of you those bitches won’t be happy with just one vial of blood. You’ll become their source of wealth and they’ll never let you go.”

“Well, that’s…depressing.” Evrain sighed. “There’s nothing we can do this evening, so what happens next?”

“I think Coryn and I will return to our hotel,” Gregory announced. “Nathaniel, perhaps you would care to join us for dinner? We can discuss our options for keeping Dominic and Evrain safe.” He pushed his chair back.

“Don’t you think that’s something we should be involved in?” Evrain asked.

“No. You and Dominic can take common sense precautions. We need to consider the bigger picture. There may be leverage we can utilize.”

Nathaniel nodded. “Agreed. Felix is probably spitting nails by now, sitting out in the car. A meal with agreeable company is just what we need.”

“Um, what about him?” Dominic gestured at Damon.

“He’ll be coming with me,” Nathaniel said decisively. “I need a new project.”

“Hey! I’m not a project,” Damon complained. “What if I don’t want to come with you?”

“You are badly in need of a spanking,” Nathaniel declared. “Something I’ll be only too happy to administer here and now if you don’t do what you’re told. Or perhaps you’d enjoy displaying your bare ass while I turn it pink?”

Damon gaped. “I don’t… You can’t…”

“Move it, boy, or I’ll leash your dick and drag you out of here.”

Damon licked his lips, eyes wide.

“I think he quite likes that idea,” Dominic muttered to no one in particular. “Are all you warlocks Doms?”

Coryn gave his shoulder a light squeeze. “Yes, they are. Which means they need us to keep them under control.” He grinned. “They like to think they’re in charge, but we know better. Mind you, I think even Nathaniel will have his hands full with Damon. That young man’s submissive streak doesn’t seem that wide to me.”

“Oh, I think he’ll cope.” Dominic watched Nathaniel herd Damon toward the door. “He’s probably just what Damon needs.”

“They’ll be good for each other, I think.” Coryn gave Dominic a hug. “Look after each other, Dominic. Don’t allow Evrain to underestimate the danger you’re both in.”

“I won’t.”

Dominic and Evrain said their goodbyes and everyone left with a promise to be back within the next couple of days. Dominic tried to quell his sense of anxiety. If this problem could get two experienced warlocks riled up it wasn’t something he could just forget.