Chapter 15

 

“I ordered some takeout dinner to make up for the hospital food,” Julian said as he got up to answer the door. Fire formed in his hand and Leira could see the shimmer of a shield. He checked who’d rung the bell before opening the door. They were both being extra cautious. It probably wasn’t wise to be ordering takeout, but if they stopped living, then the Guardians had already won. The fire in his hand went out.

She could smell the Thai food from the sofa. Her stomach gave a grumble. Hospital food might tick all the boxes for nutrition and palatability, but it wasn’t what she considered real food.

Julian said a few words to the delivery guy, then shut and locked the door.

“You didn’t have to go to any trouble.” But he already had. He’d gotten a hire car so he could pick her up from hospital and he’d put her name on the agreement so she could drive it too. She still had to deal with the insurance, and she’d have to call her mother for that because the car was in her name.

It was a call she was putting off.

“It’s not any trouble. Plus it beats cooking.” He put the bags on the table and started getting out plates, which was very civilized. She’d have eaten out of the plastic tubs.

Then he put candles on the table. This was becoming just a little more than takeout.

“What’s with the candles?”

“I thought it would be nice. I would’ve taken you out for dinner but at the moment it might be safer to stay home…here.”

She wasn’t feeling safe anywhere. Emily kept finding her. “I should do that location spell.”

“After dinner. Let’s just enjoy dinner and being alive for a little while.” He lit the candles with a touch of his finger.

“You can’t throw fire.” She knew magic was split between male and female, but she hadn’t had much opportunity to see that in practice. She could do readings, but not heal. He could heal, but not do readings.

“No. I have to be holding it. But you can’t make a shield.”

Defense and attack were also separated so no one person had too much power. She got up and pulled a bottle of wine off the rack. “Red okay?”

There were no white wines in the fridge.

“Yes. It will go well with the beef curry, but maybe not the fish cakes.” He frowned as though that was a serious issue.

“I’m not fussy.” She grabbed two glasses and poured the wine. Parts of her were a little stiff from the accident, but she wasn’t going to start complaining. He might try to run her a warm bath and then tuck her into bed…which didn’t sound like a bad way to end the evening as long as he was tucking himself in with her. “So, did you want to tell me about your date today?”

“It wasn’t a date. She told me to leave the country, claimed to be trying to save me.”

“That’s messed up.” With the extra Guardians arriving, leaving the country didn’t sound like a bad idea. But if the Albah banded together, they stood a chance of surviving and beating back the Guardians. They could be anywhere and everywhere and they couldn’t be easily spotted in a crowd, unlike the Albah.

“Yeah. Being brought up to hate without question and then meeting an Albah and realizing we aren’t evil must’ve been hard for her.”

“You sound like you feel sorry for her.” Did he have feelings for her? They had been together for four months. But he was here with her now, and Emily had burned down his apartment and stalked him.

“There was a moment when I thought she’d leave the Guardians. She still has that chance.” He glanced at her as if seeking confirmation that Emily could still change her future.

Leira encouraged one of the candle flames to swell. Emily hadn’t changed her mind yet. There was still fire in her future on the path she was on. “I don’t think she’ll take it. I think that’s the only way this ends differently. Emily is what is holding this all together.” How could one person have such influence over so many lives? She quickly scanned her future. No change. “Shall I do you?”

Julian nodded.

She didn’t need his blood this time. Their bond was still strong. His most likely future had changed. There was no circle of guardians around him, ready to kill him. Just Emily and a gun.

“Whatever you said to her today changed everything.”

“I can see.” He was staring at the flame as though he was hoping that a different future would appear. “So much for a quiet dinner.”

“Sorry. I just keep checking hoping for a change, even a slight one.” She released the flame and let it shrink back to normal. “Thank you for dinner. It looks and smells delicious.”

Being back in her mother’s well-warded house had eased some of the tension. She’d barely slept in the hospital, so busy waiting for Emily to come around the corner and finish what she’d started.

She piled her plate up with rice and curry and fish cakes and prawns wrapped in pastry. “Does your dad have any news on the accident yet?”

“No, not his department and asking for favors comes with a cost. However, the cops are looking at the breaking and entering, suspicious fire, and your car…jealous ex maybe?”

Leira almost smiled. “Well I suppose that’s better than nothing. And maybe she kind of is. Did you brush off the remains of the love spell?”

“It disintegrated on its own this afternoon. Which probably explains why she’s shooting me in my future.”

“You don’t seem worried?”

“The future keeps changing. I’m sure the one I like will come up.” He smiled at her.

She wanted a bit of his faith, because at the moment she had none. They were dating on stolen time that wasn’t meant for them. “Have you ever wondered if we should stop this?”

He put his fork down. “Yes, but at some point this was meant to be. So how could it be screwing everything up?”

“Don’t know…jealous ex?”

“She came to kill Albah, me, before we met. This isn’t your fault.”

Leira ate so she didn’t have to answer. They’d met too early. If they’d met in a few weeks or a few months after Emily had done her thing—which Julian obviously survived—then Emily would have been out of the picture. Now her pride and her heart were wounded and Emily had something to prove.

“Maybe life would be easier without being able to see the future. Then I wouldn’t be second guessing everything in case it derailed what I’d seen.” She’d spent years holding on to her vision of him only to have it torn apart by something she had no control over. The future wasn’t something she could control even if she could see where it was heading.

“I think it’s useful. A glimpse at a map when you’re lost in the dark is better than nothing.” He smiled, but it was strained.

“We’re running around in the dark, and at the same time we’re trying to obey the law and she isn’t.” They wouldn’t be able to stop Emily by playing nice. Maybe they needed to set her up somehow.

Julian looked at her as he sipped his wine. “Let’s not waste all evening talking about her.”

He was right; they were spending all their time together talking about his ex. That had to grate even if he wasn’t showing it. “Sorry. After the car incident, it’s been on my mind a lot.”

And there wasn’t much else she could do in hospital except think.

“I know a good way to distract you.” The curve of his lips let her know exactly what he was thinking.

“Is that right?” Her blood heated immediately. There was no hiding what she was with him and she didn’t have to worry about things getting out of control. “You like to play fireman?”

“It won’t be forever. You’ll get it sorted.”

What else was she going to accidentally burn down before she did get control? “I hope so.”

He gathered up the dirty plates and put them in the dishwasher. Leira finished her wine and watched him over the rim of the glass. Even though she wanted him, there were still nerves, although she couldn’t explain why as her usual reasons no longer applied. Usually with a guy she liked, and wanted, she spent the whole time trying not to get too excited in case she caused a fire. It had made previous encounters less than satisfying, but she wasn’t going to put herself on the shelf to wait.

She stood and kissed him when he came over. Then led him to the sofa. There was no rush, because she wasn’t trying to keep in control. She could enjoy. A little bit of the tension melted away. Even if this wasn’t forever she needed to make the most of it. The smoke in her future kept drifting through her mind and spoiling her present.

Maybe she should stop checking to see what could happen and enjoy what was happening. Julian sat and drew her to him. He was smiling but she sensed that much like her he could hear the ticking of the clock. The future was coming to get them, and they didn’t know when it was going to arrive. She wanted to stop time for just a few moments.

She stripped off his shirt so she could enjoy the feel of his skin beneath her palms. His hands were under her shirt, undoing her bra.

“I’m better organized this time,” she murmured against his lips.

“So am I.”

A grin formed. “Best be pulling your wallet out of your pocket before I get you out of those pants.”

He flipped her onto the sofa. “Good point. It’s safer for me to be naked. I’m tired of buying new clothes.”

Leira swatted him on the shoulder. He was making light of her inability to control her fire, but it was true and she did like him naked, so she let him pull away to take off his pants and shoes and socks. He tossed her his wallet, then hesitated at his jocks.

So much for not rushing, but she was still mostly dressed. She smiled and gave him a nod.

“Maybe we should relocate.”

“It’s fine.” She unbuttoned her jeans and started to shimmy out of them while lying on the sofa. He tugged on the legs helping her out of them. Then he caught her foot and kissed her ankle. “If you kiss my toes, you’re sleeping on the sofa, alone.”

Julian wrinkled his nose. “There are some things I never do.”

“Oh yeah? What else is on your never-do list?”

“You’ll have to find out. What about you?” He worked his way higher up her leg.

“I don’t know.” She’d usually been willing to give anything a try, but then most of her boyfriends had been pretty vanilla…except the guy who’d thought a good head job meant shoving the whole thing down her throat. She’d pinched his inner thigh and he’d carried on like she was the bitch for not doing it right. They’d been over before she’d dressed and walked out.

His lips brushed her thigh, then higher. Then he was pulling off her knickers.

Slowly.

Her breathing deepened. The ever-flickering light of the TV in the background turned his blond hair into a halo as though he were some kind of sexy angel who could give her what she needed. He could protect her from herself.

Heat began forming on her skin, followed by tiny flames. She closed her eyes to try to suppress them and regain control.

“Accept them. Don’t fight them.” His voice was near her ear. “You can’t fight yourself and win.” His hand was between her legs.

“Is that what you did?” It was hard to concentrate on what he was saying and what he was doing and still keep control. It was like he was trying to get her to come so she would lose control. For a split second she wanted to push him away and end this game. She’d never be able to win.

But he’d won. He had control.

“Yes.” He nuzzled her neck and kissed along her collarbone. His fingers eased into her and found just the right spot.

Her back arched and she groaned.

“You’re still fighting it.”

She was. She was fighting the fire and the need to come. Her nails pressed against his shoulder. She did not want to be scorching the sofa. “Put the shield up.”

“Not yet.”

She squeezed her eyes tighter shut and tried to think of anything but what he was doing.

“You don’t trust me.”

“I do.” But she wasn’t doing what he said. She was worried about self-combusting or becoming a human candle that never went out. None of those things were likely to happen, but they might. She was still afraid of her own magic. “It scares me.”

She felt the shield go around them and she stopped resisting. The flames raced freely along her skin.

What kind of Albah was afraid of her own power?

He kissed her. “Don’t fear yourself. You are amazing. Brave, smart. You could’ve hopped on a plane and run away.”

“We still could.” It was tempting, but she couldn’t because her sister would still be in danger. Julian wouldn’t because of his brother and father. Although his brother would be leaving soon to do some work with her mother.

“No. We have to find a way to deal with our problem.”

She waved his wallet at him. “One thing at a time.”

He took the wallet from her and pulled out the condom. While he was momentarily distracted she tried to accept the fire as part of her. To feel it the way she felt any sense or body part. It was something she could use, a part of her, not something that happened to her.

For a moment, there was a shift. The fire was hotter and she knew it more intimately, as though it was alive, but she panicked and pulled back and it was gone. The fire was back to the wild thing dancing over her skin that she had no hope of controlling. What must she look like? She glanced down her body to watch the flames chase over her skin.

Then Julian was there, looking at her like she was something amazing and beautiful. She hooked her leg over his hip and drew him closer. For a few moments, she didn’t have to think or worry about anything as he was in control. Nothing bad was going to happen. She needed that freedom and release.

But she knew it wouldn’t last no matter how much she wanted it to.

After they lay on the sofa, tangled together, not really watching the TV, not really doing anything. The TV show that had been on in the background changed to the news update.

“In breaking news, there has been a gang-style hit near Melbourne International Airport. Three women were gunned down. Police are looking for witnesses and have released this security footage.” A ten-second video followed. But all that was shown was vague shadows and the flash of gunshots.

The reporter kept taking about the three American women, whose names hadn’t been released yet.

“That looks like air magic disrupting the footage.” Julian propped himself up to get a better look but the news reader had already moved on.

Leira slipped out of his embrace to reach her laptop on the coffee table. It took her about three seconds to find the story and extended footage. They both watched it, again and again. There was clearly magic involved. If there was, they wouldn’t get many witnesses. Male air users could make a shield of not quite invisibility. Saba had described it to her. It was something Julian’s father could do.

“Do you think the women were the Guardians?” Had they been the ones who had planned to execute Julian, only to find themselves the victim instead?

“If they were, that explains why my future changed,” Julian said.

“It’s a bit public.”

“That would be the Albah family I was telling you about. It’s not their first public hit.”

“You follow that stuff?” She rarely watched the news. The short grabs on the radio was plenty.

“I did while I was living over east. I wanted to know who they were just in case we ever crossed paths. We never did.”

That was lucky as they didn’t seem to care about legalities. Bet the Guardians never thought that would happen. But it was only three out of how many? How many more would now rise up to take out the Albah threat? “Now what happens?”

“Now we all take a breath. Maybe the Guardians won’t send more reinforcements and Emily will back off.” He didn’t sound convinced.

Leira wanted to believe him but couldn’t. Emily had been pointing a gun at him in his freshly changed future. “More likely Emily will be extra pissed and more will follow.”

She closed her laptop. She should be feeling relief, but even though the Guardians were dead, the fear was still there. Emily was still here and she was now targeting Julian. “I should find Emily.”

“We aren’t going after her tonight. We need a plan and we need to be prepared.”

* * * *

Emily turned the gun over. She’d stolen it months ago when she’d first arrived in Perth, but had never felt inclined to use it until today. It was like Julian had hated her when he’d walked out of the café. He may not want to be undead, but plenty of his kind did. He didn’t understand why she believed in the Guardians’ work. They couldn’t let the Albah turn into vampires.

She watched the news, knowing that Leira was alive and well and probably with Julian. The idea made her sick—she should have cut the brake lines and made her last car trip more final.

Then she saw the footage of three women getting shot on the sidewalk. Her mother, an aunt and another one she didn’t recognize. Her heart stopped. The words the reporter was saying didn’t make sense. Her body went hot, then cold.

No. It couldn’t have been her mother. Or her aunt. It was a coincidence they were American. That they looked similar. Her mother couldn’t be dead. Her gut was tight as though it already knew the truth.

She reached for her cell phone and called her mother.

It rang, and was answered.

“Hello.” That wasn’t her mother’s voice even though it was female.

“Who is this?” Who had her mother’s phone? Was it a cop?

“My name isn’t important. Who are you?”

She almost said her name. “No one.”

“Well, No one, let me give you this warning. Your kind isn’t welcome here. Take your archaic fear of magic and leave.” The line went dead. That hadn’t been a cop; cops didn’t know about Guardians and magic. It had been an Albah woman.

The Albah had killed her mother. They had gunned her down in public like she was a criminal. How could they? Her mother had never harmed these Australian Albah, not directly. At least she didn’t think she had. How had the Albah have even known that Guardians were coming?

Oh, no.

She’d told Julian. He must have told his father, who must have spread the word. If the Albah were killing Guardians in public, then it meant that the truce was well and truly over.

No one was coming to help her with the Albah problem in Australia, and there was clearly a problem in Melbourne. Maybe Australia could become Albah free. Were those murderous Albah hoping it was Guardian free? They were wrong.

The gun was cold as her fingers stroked it.

She could make Australia Albah free.

They had killed her mother and aunt in cold blood and she could do the same. Living or undead, the Albah were dangerous killers, that much was clear. One by one, she’d find them and end them. She’d get her membership just like her mother had wanted.

From the way Julian had treated her it was clear they weren’t human and were incapable of love.