Accepting Fate Read online

  “That’s early for a druid, isn’t it?” Robert asked quietly.

  Tremaine nodded. “He’s also busted through the wards nearly every time before he comes back to rebind his powers. He’s powerful, and needs to learn how to control it before it’s too late. I can’t do what I’ve done before. He’s become resistant, or his magic has increased. He’s going to be a force to be reckoned with when he finally stops fighting what he is and accepts it.”

  Preston took a look outside with a raised brow. “Sure we shouldn’t be watching him?”

  “You trust Gwen, right?”

  Robert nodded. “She’s one of the best enforcers we have. I wanted her to take it easy until we can be sure there are no permanent repercussions from Remus trying to bash her skull in.”

  Preston looked over with a sigh. “She’s fine. Like us, she can’t stand to be off work that long. She gets antsy.”

  “I hope this doesn’t blow up in our faces later.”

  Tremaine smiled. “Don’t worry. I have a feeling those two will settle each other out.”

  Mike stormed back inside. “Since this little devil isn’t going to let me off the hook—undo the spells, but I have a feeling I’ll be staying away from everyone for the rest of my damned life.”

  “You won’t,” Tremaine assured as he came around the counter.

  * * * *

  Robert motioned toward the hallway, and Gwen struggled to stifle a groan. She followed him back without a word, trusting Tremaine to keep Mike there long enough that she could convince him to go get a drink at In 2 Deep afterward.

  Preston shut the door once they were all in the storeroom. “You wanted a case. You ready to help a druid wrangle his magic?”

  She nodded, keeping quiet because she didn’t want to risk them telling her she couldn’t go back to work yet. And yeah, it was her own damned fault, but she was going to go crazy if they didn’t stop babying her.

  “Okay, then have at it.” Preston lifted a hand, pointing one finger. “If you need help, call one of us.”

  Robert added, “Liz has connections if she can’t help, or Fallon’s too busy.”

  “What about Devlin?” she asked. He was gentler, a healer. He might be able to soothe Mike enough to get through to him.

  Preston snorted. “Mike doesn’t strike me as a healer. I’m guessing it’s going to take some attitude to get him to listen.”

  She smirked. “I have that in spades. But I was thinking Devlin’s gentle nature might bring things into perspective.”

  “Well, you have his number if you want to give it a try.” Robert touched her shoulder. “You’re officially off medical suspension, but don’t hesitate to ask for help if anything comes up.”

  She tamed her smile. “I won’t. Thank you.”

  “And, Gwen,” Preston cupped her other shoulder, “we worry about you because you’re important to the enforcers, but we also care about you.”

  Her chest heaved with the sigh. “As much as I appreciate that, I was about a day away from going nuclear if you kept me off duty. The tussle was over a week ago. I’m fine. I need this.”

  “And seriously, if trouble crops up, and you need us, fucking call, and wait before charging in like a bull.”

  “Got it,” she promised.

  Sighing, Robert nodded toward the door. “Go on then.”

  * * * *

  “Look at me, kiddo,” Tremaine instructed, the same way he always did whenever his mother brought him in.

  Mike complied, but nerves made his hands tremble. “This is a fucking rotten plan.”

  “Well, your mother’s solution was never meant to be permanent. Gwen’s right. Much longer and no matter what I do, you’re going to blow, quite literally.”

  Mike squeezed his eyes shut.

  “Likely while in a room full of people,” he added. “Nearly every case I know of has happened when they were surrounded at a party or event. I know you don’t want anyone to get hurt because you’re afraid of your capabilities. I promise, you’re in good hands with Gwen. Trust her.”

  Rubbing the back of his neck, he groaned. “You had to give me the one mentor I want to fuck senseless.”

  Tremaine’s brow arched. “For now, I urge you to keep it in your pants, until you have some semblance of control over your magic. She’s strong, so I doubt you’d kill her, but you might bring the walls down if you aren’t careful.”

  “Wha-what?” His eyes rounded as he shook his head. “Please tell me you’re pulling my leg.”

  “You might not remember what happened when your mother left your father, but she brought the cabin down around the three of you. And she was in control of her magic, had been for two centuries.”

  Mike’s eyes nearly bugged out of his head. “Come again?”

  “Your mother wasn’t as young as she seemed. She didn’t start aging until she shut the magic off.”

  Mike shook his head in disbelief. “You’re shitting me, right?”

  Tremaine snorted. “Most of us, as long as we have enough magic flowing through our veins, don’t age. Our magic rejuvenates us, keeps us young. There are exceptions, usually weaker or cursed mages, or other casters. You are not a weak druid. As powerful as I am, I can’t contain your magic anymore. Why do you think you keep having to come back more often? That’s not normal, Mike.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “You know how I also cast the spells on your sister? I did that once. I’ve had to rebind you every single year. The timespan between has been shrinking since you shifted five years ago.”

  Mike scrubbed his hands over his hair. “Shit, why is everything so fucked up?”

  “It’s not. You need to accept the fact that you’re a druid, and you need your magic to survive. It doesn’t want to stay bottled up anymore.”

  His jaw clenched and he shook his head. “Do it, but if I hurt someone, I’m coming back for you, because this is your fault.”

  Tremaine offered a smile. “You won’t.”

  “I wish I was half as sure of that as you are.”

  “Close your eyes and take a deep breath.”

  Mike did, then felt Tremaine’s hand over his heart. The chant was different than it had been over the years. The pressure evaporated as Tremaine’s touch left him.

  He opened his eyes as the mage hit the wall with a thud, then slid to the floor with an amused groan. “Yeah, that’s been bottled up far too long.”

  “Fuck, why didn’t you warn me that could happen?”

  Tremaine stood up and brushed himself off with a shrug. “Didn’t know it would be so forceful. Usually it’s a push as the magic flows back into place.”

  Mike strode forward. “You okay?” He reached out to touch Tremaine, but saw the sparks dance up his hand and stumbled back as his mouth fell open. “Shit. What the fuck?”

  Gwen’s voice was quiet, melodic, almost entrancing, “Take a deep breath, slow and steady.”

  His gaze flashed to her.

  “Do it,” she answered, firmly but with that same tone.

  Staring into her warm eyes, he did as instructed, letting air fill his lungs, then he pushed it out slowly.

  “Again.”

  Once more, he listened, and when he let the air out, the sparks fizzled. He felt himself settle as his eyes closed.

  “Better?” she asked.

  “Much. Thank you.”

  She smiled back at him. “Have a drink with me, Mike. Let’s talk and figure out the best way to move forward.”

  He sighed. “Will I be safe there?”

  She nodded. “Very few people in Edenton are human. The ones who are, know what most of us are, and they don’t mind. You’ll be fine.”

  “I suppose I have to trust you.”

  Tremaine pulled him into a hug, and quietly told him, “I’m still here for you if you ever need me. Maybe not always how you want, but I’m doing what’s best for you.”

  Resigned, Mike sighed. “I hope like hell you know what you’re talking
about, old man.”

  Gwen laughed. “He always does. Now come on. We can walk from here.”

  Chapter 5

  Mike walked beside her with his hands stuffed in his pockets. He took a deep breath and tried to let go of the anger. Strangely, it was easier than he expected. He felt more at peace than he could ever recall. Maybe they had a point. Fear still lingered that he would explode and take someone with him.

  “What are you thinking about?” Gwen asked quietly.

  Taking a deep breath, he looked over and tried to figure her out. She was frustration, rolled into a sexy package of temptation that he couldn’t touch until he got his shit together. He’d never been good at keeping his hands to himself when there was chemistry and obvious attraction on both sides.

  He drew in a slow breath and let it out. Shaking his head, he said, “Can’t figure out why you don’t hate me after that night.”

  A smile pulled at her lips. “I’m over you bailing.”

  His brow arched. “Ha. You bitched to Tremaine about it.”

  “Yeah, I was peeved. You’re hot as hell. I want to climb you like a big toy, and take a ride on your slide.”

  He choked on his reply.

  “Too forward?”

  “Reminds me of a friend.” He half-laughed.

  Curiosity made her eyes sparkle. “Who would that be?”

  Mike rubbed one hand with the other. “I met you at her party.”

  She frowned. “You and Isadora Starling had a thing?”

  “Yeah, we’re friends, and until Toryn, we had an… arrangement. She wasn’t looking for anything serious, and neither was I.” A strained laugh escaped. “Thing is, somewhere along the way it became more for me. I knew we wouldn’t last, but I didn’t stop dreaming until Toryn grew a set and came clean. Thank god. I can finally let her go.” He shrugged. “Stupid, huh?”

  “Not stupid. You wanted her, and while she was free, you tried.”

  He looked up at the sky. “Except, she was always in love with Toryn. She denied it, so did he—until they didn’t.”

  Gwen nodded. “Yeah.”

  Mike snorted. “Did you know Toryn?”

  She held her hands up, shaking her head. “Oh no. Never met him until that night. I showed up because Toryn convinced Preston to invite a few work friends.”

  “I see.”

  Gwen switched topics. “Still want her?”

  That was a difficult question, and the answer wasn’t clear. “They’re right together. I wouldn’t take her happiness away. We had a couple things going for us, but we fought like cats and dogs after a few hours. Isa and I would never work as a couple.”

  Her lips quirked. “So you like the difficult route?”

  He smiled slightly, one brow arching. “Maybe.”

  “Punishing yourself for Amanda?”

  His eyes slid away and she caught his arm, pulling him inside In 2 Deep. It was still early and would be quiet.

  She stopped him once the door closed. “Look, I’m going to be a nosy bitch. I have to be. It’s my job to understand you, to find out how we can get you to a place where you accept who and what you are. I’m prying to help you, not to harm you.”

  “I get it. You want to keep me from whatever fate your brother met. You’ll have to explain that to me at some point.”

  “I will, if you’re open with me.”

  He met her gaze and their night together came back to him with a vengeance. He swallowed hard, shifting his hips in an effort to hide the physical reaction. “For the record, Tremaine brought up a good point. I can’t be with you until we get me sorted, and there’s a good chance you’ll hate my guts by the time that happens.”

  She smiled up at him. “I doubt that, Mike. So far, you seem like a good guy in a bad situation who doesn’t know what he needs.”

  Maybe. That thought frightened him. Without answering, he crossed the room and took a seat at the bar. Gwen joined him.

  The bartender came over and gave Mike a curious look before welcoming Gwen with a smile. “Interesting. Your usual, Gwen?”

  She nodded but wore a peculiar look as she studied the other woman.

  “How about you?” the bartender asked Mike.

  “Anything you have on tap will be fine.”

  “All right.”

  She pulled a couple tall beer glasses down and filled them with the same ale before sliding the drinks to them. Then she wandered off.

  “So, your sister is Roxana Nights?”

  “Know her?”

  “Nope, but I love her books. Plus, I hear you guys put on a great show. I definitely need to see the next gig.”

  Mike grinned. “You’re still interested after my freak out?”

  “Especially now that I understand why.”

  His breath caught. “I can’t.”

  “Until you trust yourself. Right?”

  Mike nodded.

  “And when you do?”

  He shrugged.

  “When you do, we’ll figure it out. If you aren’t interested by then, I’ll let it go. Until then, you’re under my thumb.”

  He shook his head, failing to hide a grin. “That so?”

  She nodded, a smile spreading. “That’s so. Don’t argue, I have a feeling we’re going to have fun over the next few weeks.”

  “I don’t see how.”

  Her eyes sparkled. “Don’t write me off yet, big man.”

  “All right. What do you want to talk about?”

  “Your sister. Why doesn’t she know that you know?”

  He sighed. “Heard anything about her story?”

  Gwen shook her head.

  “Where do you want me to start?”

  “At the beginning?”

  The beginning? So long ago.

  Mike took a sip of his beer and pulled at the memories. “I remember the fight my parents had when my mother finally left my father. She’d caught him sleeping with another woman. I don’t remember the words, only the screaming back and forth as the other woman ran out of the house.”

  “How old were you?”

  “Not even two. Before Tremaine explained it today, I always thought it was a nightmare, but I remember seeing blonde hair flying as she bolted. Then there was cracking, breaking, and thumping. I guess Mom created a whirlwind, ripping the cabin to pieces. She held me in the center of swirling debris. Our house was gone. We were untouched, but my father crawled out of the rubble, bleeding. When my mother was done yelling, she carried me to the car, and drove away.”

  “Where was that?”

  “Florida. I remember the sun and the beach.” He sighed. “I still miss both. Eventually though, the rain grew on me. I’m not sure I’d go back now.”

  “Then?”

  “Mom moved up here. Found us a house, settled us in. She had Roxy, and everything seemed to be fine. Then one day we were at the park, and I shifted into a kitten in front of people. At least I thought it was a kitten, but I was three.” He snorted.

  “Baby tiger?”

  He nodded, one corner of his lips lifting. “Nearly gave an elderly couple a stroke when I tried to play with their toy poodle. That was when Mom took me to Tremaine the first time. I haven’t had access to my magic since.”

  “Shit.”

  “Roxy was little. She doesn’t remember. Mom said she wanted us to grow up normal.”

  “Were you ever truly normal, Mike?”

  “No such thing. Every year like clockwork, Tremaine would pay us a visit and rebind my magic when it would start coming back.”

  “Not Roxy’s?”

  He shook his head. “Mama said she didn’t need extra because Roxy never tapped into the magic before it was bound, so it was easier.”

  “Maybe it was easier to block hers because you have more magic.”

  “Who knows? I hardly remember what it was like to use it. And the last time I shifted was a damned nightmare I’d rather forget.”

  “The guys said you didn’t kill him.”

 
He sighed. “Does it matter? I wanted to kill that fucker. Stopping was the last thing on my mind. Amanda walked away from my love, even though I saved her life.”

  “She wasn’t worth the heartache. You need someone who can accept you for you.”

  He snorted. “You’re a mage. Why do you care?”

  “Hey, I know most mages are pompous pricks with elitist complexes, but you’ve been in the presence of four who break that stereotype.”

  He put his forearms against the bar and leaned forward. She still hadn’t answered him.

  Gwen switched topics. “So what happened to your mother?”

  A sigh left his lips. “She’s gone. Cancer.”

  “Because she stopped using her magic?” She frowned. “Sad how that seems to happen if you go too long without using it. Like your body protests the lack.”

  Mike groaned. “It was cancer. People get cancer all the time.”

  “Not mages, druids, shaman, or even most witches. And healers don’t unless they stop healing. It’s like god’s way of saying ‘Hey, dumbass, I gave you that power for a reason.’”

  He frowned, his temples throbbing.

  Once again she redirected their conversation. “Tell me about your sister. Why doesn’t she know you’re aware?”

  “She had to have her magic locked down once. Mom didn’t bring her with us most of the time. Didn’t want her to know about the shit our father put Mom through.”

  “When did you find out she knew what she was?”

  “Few months ago. First she fell for a werewolf. Trevor’s an amazing guy. His whole clan is made of good people. They just happen to turn furry. Initially, I was leery of them, while Roxy didn’t seem to know what he was. Everything went to hell. Jordan got his ass kicked. He broke Roxy’s last straw. Then I got sick. Next thing I knew her magic was full-force, and she was a werewolf. Instead of telling me any of that, she told me about our half-sister on our scum-sucking father’s side.”