Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble

  “I see.”

  I couldn’t control the racing of my heart. This was no little Underworld quarrel, but was shaping up to be a full-blown WWIII on the verge of erupting around me. I’d thought Bella had gone her separate way but now, it seemed she was of the belief that all creatures needed to join her union or ser the consequences.

  “I believe you, yourself, are in danger as well—that’s why I offered my protection, and I meant it. Once I learned of your extraordinary power, I figured it would be a matter of time before Bella would want you for herself.”

  “She already made that known.”

  “Yes, well, I don’t suppose she will let it rest either. I don’t want to frighten you, but it’s best to be prepared. If you ever need me, don’t hesitate.”

  I nodded although I felt anything but sure. “Thank you.”

  “I’d hate to see her get her hands on you,” he said with a lascivious wink and it wasn’t hard to guess whose hands he’d love to see on me.

  I mentally pushed thoughts of Bella into the dark recesses of my mind. I’d need to revisit them later, which caused me chagrin. Recently I’d been pushing so many thoughts aside that I’m sure my mind looked like a closet stuffed to max capacity.

  “Are you flirting with me now?” I asked, figuring I’d give it a try myself.

  “I believe it could be construed as such.”

  “I bet you have quite a few lady friends?” I decided I could be as blunt as I liked with Trent. He seemed to wear his heart, or more pointedly, his libido, on his sleeve.

  “I just haven’t found that perfect one yet.”

  He probably liked sorting through the many in search of the one. “Don’t you think that perfect one would be a wolf?”

  He shrugged. “That’s what the elders would have me think, and they encourage us to mate with one another, but that cuts off a huge amount of very beautiful and eligible ladies such as you.”

  Hmm, I wasn’t sure how I felt about that. Mate? It sounded so animal kingdom. I’d need to protect myself—I didn’t want to be another notch on his bedpost. “Maybe you should know that I’m a bit more traditional. I’m not interested in one night stands.” I thought I’d give him an easy out.

  He just smiled. “You didn’t need to tell me that—I already knew. You’re a lady and I, myself, am not interested in one night stands either—not with you anyway.”

  I’m not an idiot, and this wolf didn’t know me so why was he feigning so much interest? Was he telling me the truth or was he just really really smooth? “So, I should believe the playboy has changed his ways?”

  He nodded. “I’m up for the challenge, if you are.” As if to prove he was up for it, he leaned over and clasped my hand in his.

  Hmm, was I up for the challenge? It wasn’t as though I had a line of dates ready to go. I’d just need to guard myself, play it safe, so I wouldn’t get hurt.

  “Does this mean you’re asking me for a second date?”

  “I believe I am. When can I segain? Tomorrow night?”

  I laughed. “You’re certainly eager. I think I’m free tomorrow night.”

  #

  Four hours later I was in my room, sitting at my vanity and replaying the events of the evening in my mind. Conversation with Trent had been easy and interesting and even if he was a risk—being a player in every sense of the word—if you don’t take risks, you don’t see rewards, right? Part of me thought statements like that were just a load of crap, and that part of me had a really loud voice.

  I pressed my fingertips to my lips as I thought of his goodnight kiss. For the first time ever, I’d been comfortable in kissing someone. I guess I had Rand to thank for that. I enjoyed kissing Trent, maybe not quite so much as kissing Rand, but I enjoyed it none-the-less.

  I sighed, shaking thoughts of Rand from my head. It wasn’t a fair comparison. Rand was nothing other than my employer, and it appeared he’d never be anything more than that. The sooner I got him off my mind, the better.

  Easier said than done.

  I slipped Christa’s diamonds from my ears and laid them on the table. They caught the overhead light and erupted into a prism of color.

  The door squeaked open.

  “Well, how was it?” Christa asked, peeking inside.

  “I had a nice time,” I said with a smile and motioned for her to come in. She shut the door before sitting at the foot of my bed, dressed in her cowboy pjs.

  “Oh, come on, you have to give me more than that. Did you sleep with him?”

  I giggled and instantly caught myself—killing the giggle, lest it rear its annoying head again. “Of course not. It was only the first date.”

  “So, what,” she said, rolling her eyes. “Everyone always pooh-poohs the first date, but it’s the best time to decide if you have any real chemistry.”

  I frowned. “Well, anyway, I had a good time. He was every ounce the gentleman, and he asked me out again for tomorrow night.

  “Wow! Good going, Jules. You’re finally dating again.”

  I laughed as I thought about it—I, the one person who hadn’t had a date in over six months, was finally back in the game. It felt great, I had to admit. I’d thought a life with only a best friend and a cat would suffice, but now I realized how much it lacked. I needed companionship and if that companionship was in the form of an attractive wolf, so be it.

  “Does he have any friends?” Christa asked, and it dawned on me that she hadn’t had much of a social life since we moved here. She was probably dying for a good date.

  “I’m sure he does, I’ll ask him.”

  Christa sprawled against the bed, and my attention fell to her pajamas. They were something you’d see on a five year old boy—cowboys with lassos and Indians with tomahawks against a brown background with a couple of tumbleweeds. And I was the one who could never get a date? I shook my head.

  “And make sure his friend’s cute—none of those people who were in his clan or whatever they call it.”

  “Pack,” I corrected her. “So, what did you think of Trent?”

  She was silent for a moment as she looped a tendril of hair around her finger. “I think he’s pretty hot,” she finished. “He has something about him; I can’t quite put my finger on it. But he just oozes sex.”

  I had to laugh at that although I seconded it. He did just ooze sex, and it made me nervous. I just hoped he wasn’t sharing the ooze with someone else. Okay, that sounded pretty gross…

  “Got some pent-up frustrations?”

  She sighed. “There’s not much to do around here. Rand is nice to look at, but all he thinks about is work…and you.”

  The statement surprised me and I couldn’t suppress a heated flush of pleasure. I knew the truth, though and trampled the flush until it died a slow and painful death. “He doesn’t like me that way, Chris.”

  She stuck out her tongue in mock denial. “Blah, of course he does. He won’t admit it maybe.”

  I sighed and felt a great pressure on my shoulders. Whenever I thought about Rand, it depressed me. I guess I had it bad for him. And it’s never easy when you have a crush and the subject of your crush doesn’t return your affections…or does return them but is such a dumbass that he won’t act on them.

  “We’ve been down that route and whatever his reasons, he’s keeping his distance which leaves me the chance to date Trent.”

  Christa nodded, and her eyes lit up. “I wonder what sex is like with a werewolf. He’ll probably tear your clothes off and…doggie style all the way.”

  “Doggie style? Oh, God!” I laughed. “I doubt it. He doesn’t seem to be that different…”

  “I’m sure he is,” she interrupted before changing the subject. “Jules, I have nothing to wear tomorrow night. Will you use your magic and invent something for me?”

  I was sure Christa had ADD. She was Ms. Tangent and couldn’t focus on any one thing for more than about five minutes. It was one of the things I loved about her.

  “Sure. Let??
?s worry about it tomorrow.” Then I stopped myself and shook my head. “I don’t even know if he has a friend to set you up with.”

  “Well, hopefully he does,” she said, glancing at the clock on my mantle as she stood up. “I guess I should get to bed now.”

  I nodded and dropped my gaze to my lap, thinking I should be getting to bed too. I just felt as if there was so mour wimming in my head. Thoughts of Rand, Trent and everything he’d told me about Bella.

  “Okay, out with it.”

  I looked up and found Christa gazing back at me. “Out with what?”

  She propped her hands on her hips and gave me her best serious expression—narrowed eyes and a frown. “Jolie Wilkins, I’ve been your best friend now for what, over fifteen years? I think I know when you have something on your mind.”

  I smiled and shook my head, knowing I wasn’t getting out of this one anytime soon. “Trent told me Bella was his reason for moving here.”

  Christa fell back against my bed and returned to twisting her hair around her finger, something she did when deep in thought. “What does that mean?”

  “I don’t know. I didn’t think Bella would force creatures to side with her. It just worries me because I thought we’d be okay here, but now I wonder. Trent made it sound like she’d come after me.”

  Christa brought her knees to her chin and encircled her legs with her arms, rocking back and forth. “Rand would never let her near you.”

  “I know. It just worries me.”

  There wasn’t anything Christa could say that would take the worry away. I was well aware of Bella’s abilities, and if what Trent said was true, it was just a matter of time before the situation came to a blistering head.

  #

  I was exhausted. As I trudged down the hallway, in search of Rand, I couldn’t help the yawn that claimed my mouth. Today’s lesson with Gor had been a really tough one. He’d taught me how to cast protection spells which basically required pulling some of my own magic and lending it to the person I wanted to protect. Using Christa as my study, I built up enough protection around her to last a year. I, on the other hand, felt as if I needed a nap. I almost regretted the fact that we had a double date this evening.

  I found Rand in his massive library, studying Quicken on his laptop.

  “I have news for you,” I said as I closed the door behind me.

  Rand didn’t even look up from his computer. “What?”

  Anger bubbled up within me like lava. The jerk still hadn’t forgiven me for going out with Trent. I imagined Pelham had informed him of my second date tonight. Ugh, the two of them were like old meddlesome women with nothing better to do then stick their noses in my business.

  “I can only assume you know of the migrating werewolf packs to your territory?” I began, crossing my arms over my chest. The tone of my voice dripped with sarcasm.

  “Of course,” he said nastily and made a big show of typing like he was Mavis freaking Beacon.

  I took a step coser. Damn interrupting him. “Why didn’t you mention it?”

  His eyes never left the computer screen, but I didn’t miss the redness that claimed the tops of his ears. He was as pissed off as I was. “I didn’t want to worry you.”

  My hands fisted at my sides. “T…to hell with not worrying me. If we’re to be partners…”

  He finally looked up, his eyes flashing and his jaw clenched. “We’re not partners. I’m your employer.”

  His words were like a smart slap to the face and echoed through my head. “So, that’s h…how it’ll be between us then?”

  He returned to perusing his finances, but there was no slack in his jaw and his eyes were as narrowed as they’d been a second ago. “Yes.”

  His lips were so tight, they formed a white line across his face.

  “Then maybe I should join Bella,” I said, immediately regretting how immature I sounded.

  Rand didn’t go for it. “Maybe you should.”

  The fiery dance of anger welled within me, my breathing shallow and irregular as I watched Rand pretend to be entirely divested in his accounting books. I closed the distance between us and grabbed hold of his shoulder, intending to force him to take notice of me.

  “Rand, this is serious.”

  He slapped his laptop closed, jerked away from my hold and stood up, towering over me like an enraged titan. I told myself I wasn’t afraid of him, but took a precautionary step back anyway.

  “Trent told me I might not be safe,” I said in a mouse voice.

  Rand started a bit at the mention of Trent, but I couldn’t help it—I had to tell him what I knew.

  “I’ll protect you,” he said between gritted teeth. You could have fried an egg on the tops of his ears.

  “Do you think Bella will come for me?”

  He was silent for a moment, seemingly weighing a potential response. “Yes.”

  My knees felt as if they might give at any second. I leaned my arm against the wall and thought about what this meant. Bella was planning an attack and both Trent and Rand were well aware of it. I’d been living in a fairy tale since I’d arrived at Rand’s. I had been stupid, so very stupid. Of course Bella was going to come after me, she needed me. I was an arrow in her quiver. Suddenly my attention turned to the lessons I’d been taking lately and like a horrid troll pulling aside the canvas of a beautiful landscape only to reveal a brick wall, realization dawned on me.

  “And is that why I’m taking all these lessons—to learn to protect myself?”

  “I wanted you to be prepared.”

  “And our taking the case of the werewolves, was that to try and recruit them toize side?”

  He laughed, but there was no mirth in his voice. “You’re quite the ingénue, Jolie. The werewolves are a very strong force to reckon with. I thought it helpful to have them on our side. I fear we’ll need to create our own battalion against Bella…”

  With the epiphany, fury bit at me. I wasn’t so much angry that he’d done all these things in preparation—it was for everyone’s own good. I was perturbed that I’d been left out and more so, that I’d been too dumb not to realize his plans earlier.

  “So, you thought if you could show what I’m capable of, we’d win recruits.” He nodded and a new tide of ire crested within me. “You’ve had this all figured out all along...how to use me in your s…stupid war.”

  “No, that’s not it at all.” He shook his head as if to further emphasize his point. “Stop being foolish, Jolie.”

  “Foolish? It sounds like that’s been your plan all along,” I spat out as I breathed in through my nose, out through my mouth, and managed to silently count to ten all the while. There was no use in being angry now—not when I needed to find out the entirety of the situation. I could be angry later.

  “When do you think she’ll make a move?”

  Rand frowned. “I have no way of knowing. It’s just a guess that Bella will even make a move.”

  “So, we just wait it out then?”

  “Yes. This is why I was wary about you leaving my protection with that bloody wolf,” he started. “I wanted to tell you…”

  “Trent has sworn to protect me.”

  Rand’s aura began to tinge with purple again as he cupped the back of his head. “The wolf is nowhere near as strong as I am nor as strong as Bella.”

  “You can’t expect me to live my life boxed up in here,” I interrupted and couldn’t help the edge to my voice.

  He stepped closer to me. “When you came here, you knew you’d be living with me…”

  “Yes, but had I known you’d dictate when I come and go, I’d never have agreed.”

  “It’s for your own protection, Jolie.”

  “If that’s so, then why aren’t you upset when I go with Christa to town or when I take walks around here? What you’re angry about is me being alone with Trent.”

  His brows met in the middle of his forehead. “I can’t deny that. I believe the wolf should pursue his own. He can’t unders
tand you, Jolie. You’re a witch and you belong with your own people.”

  I laughed, and the sound was cold. “You’ll never admit your jealousy, will you? If Trent were female, I bet you’d have no qualms with my spending time with him.”

  “You call it jealousy; I’m not convinced that’s what it is. Do I hate the idea of his hands all over wary yes,” he said, his lips tight, his eyes as piercing as a blade.

  “That’s jealousy Rand. I wish you’d just admit it,” I snapped and turned to walk away.

  He grabbed hold of my hand and reeled me back around until I faced him. “Don’t walk away from me.”

  “I have a date and…”

  The look in his eyes stopped me—anger mixed with a pinch of jealousy. It must’ve been a few seconds that we stood staring at one another. The lust in his eyes was palpable, and I gave my best “don’t you dare even think about kissing me” look. Apparently, my expression wasn’t convincing enough because his mouth was on mine instantly. His lips were strong and his tongue forced its way inside my mouth, mating with my tongue. I did nothing to encourage him, but neither did I fight him, so he continued to explore me, his hands plying my breasts above my blouse.

  I had to suppress the urges that flowed through me—that told me to wrap my arms around him and meet his plundering tongue. I closed my eyes against the temptation.

  I would not give in.

  I wouldn’t give Rand the benefit of my interest. Not when he had done this to me before and where had that gotten us?

  Nowhere.

  He pulled away and his eyes had a glossiness to them. “Stay with me tonight, Jolie, and I’ll make love to you until morning,” he whispered and my stomach dropped, the idea was so appealing.

  “W…what of our work arrangement…” I began, my stutter this time having nothing to do with anger, but more with the nervousness slithering within my gut like multiple snakes.

  “Fuck the work arrangement. I’ve wanted you since I met you, and it’s eating me alive.”