In Another Life: Second Chances - Book One, page 11
I feel lightheaded and switch to water right away. “Maybe I’ll be able to make some changes in about a hundred years or some bullshit. Why can’t everyone just be equal?”
I pointedly don’t look at them and focus on my goblet of water and glance up to Jeremy. “Oh, by the way, Hunter has been harassing me for my new address… He’s been acting off since the movers showed up… There’s no way he knows about any of this, right?”
Jeremy glares at me. “I’m good at my profession, Mauve. Damn good. There’s no way that he knows a lick of any of this… Unless his family or other supes somehow got to him, of which I doubt. He would have questioned you at any time over the last two decades you’ve been married.”
I shrug my shoulders and sigh. “It’s just… odd. He’s never been so cruel or demanding before. Do you have any associates that are strong witches or warlocks that can tell if he has powers that are just bound? Maybe someone was able to trace my lineage and he found out about it?”
He rolls his eyes and pulls out his phone and walks away to make a phone call. I shrug at London and Francis. “What? I just want to keep us all safe. If a bunch of crazy Morrigan warlocks show up, I want to be prepared.”
I finish my late dinner and head up to my bedroom. I don’t know how many days I can do these boring meetings with twenty supes at a time. I was sitting in the parlor for three hours, forcing myself to make small talk and introducing myself over and over to people, and I’ll never even remember their names anyway. It was pretentious and most of the witches and warlocks were haughty enough to give me heartburn.
I get dressed into a pair of pajamas and walk back downstairs and sit next to London.
“Can we stop the twenty per day thing? Just have them come meet me at their time of arrival and they can go to their homes? I don’t think I can do this every day for months… Several hours a day. I’m going to go insane.”
London snorts at me and pats my hand. “Of course, dear. I’ll make the phone calls tonight.” I let out a sigh of relief and return to my room to get some sleep. I should be getting a new list from Samantha within the next few days, so goodbye early nights. Then I can get back into a routine and keep up with practicing my magic before Jeremy notices I haven’t done anything since before Davis and Ashlynn arrived.
I grab the journals and read as much as I can before I fall asleep with the book on my chest. Jeremy reminds me to never get complacent, and to read these journals at least once a week until I can recall them from the top of my head at any moment.
I can recite the different ceremonies: binding, unbinding, mating, matriarchal, and various punishments. Such as forcing the person to tell the truth then they will receive a sort of punishment rune on their side of their neck to show their betrayal. That one sounds like a delight.
Various spells, such as glamour, protection, elemental, levitation, growth, serenity, calming, healing, and invisibility, and several others. I have done glamour, elemental, levitation, telekinesis, and healing on myself. I want to try out invisibility. It sounds nice and I can walk around when the coven is filled with people to get some privacy.
I can imagine all of the pranks I can pull on Davis… That boy is the master at them.
Speaking of my son, I should give him a call to see if he’s talked to his wayward girlfriend yet. It’s almost midnight, so I’ll try to remember to call him tomorrow.
_____________
It took the rest of the week, but I have officially met all one thousand inhabitants of the Volkov coven. I’m glad we did it this way instead of staggering twenty people a day for several weeks.
Davis and I have been playing phone tag for days, so I hope he gets some more time off this weekend. I know how packed his schedule is with his classes, studying, and baseball, so I’m trying not to be too upset about not hearing his voice.
I’ve only received text messages from Ashlynn, since she’s busy going on dates with Ryan and I assume he’s halfway moved into her condo. She decided on a three-bedroom and invited one of her old dormmates to move in with her, so that left an empty bedroom… Davis on the other hand chose a five-bedroom condo that he invited some of his baseball teammates to live with him. He gets to keep the rent he charges to use for utilities, groceries, and his bills. Ashlynn did the same but is barely charging her friend since she only has a part-time job.
I suck on my bottom lip as I come up with a plan… Jeremy never sent me any invoices, nor has he set up an allowance account for himself. As soon as the coven settles and London and Francis figure out what they can do inside the grounds, I will be setting up accounts for them, too. Which is more work for Jeremy, and I abhor the fact that he doesn’t want to be compensated. If anyone would understand being unappreciated and not paid for your worth, it would be me.
Decades. Decades I poured my heart and soul into my company that I shared with Hunter as he reaped the rewards. I did everything for our household and children, and he repaid me with cheating, spending all of our money on himself, and only being home long enough to sleep for six hours a night, when he wasn’t gone for days at a ‘retreat’.
I grab my purse and rush through the halls and jump in the first car I see. A sleek, red convertible with the hard top on. I drive slowly to the main bank as I stare at the changing trees and the unhurried life here in Salem. No one is rushing around and driving like lunatics. I’m sure if I lived in a neighborhood around others, I would have had forty people showing up with welcome baskets.
I decide it’s also time to go to the motor vehicle department and get a new license with the Volkov name on it. Might as well make everything legal… And not use magic on the police officers.
I spend about half an hour at the bank setting up a new account for Jeremy with a random amount in it and he will be getting weekly payments as long as he works for the coven. I feel like a weight has lifted off my shoulders as I drive to the DMV and see how long the wait is. I groan and shake my head as I turn around and leave. Forget that. I didn’t think anything was worse than the hours-long waits in LA, which is true, but that also doesn’t mean I want to stand around in a line here either. Plus, I didn’t see any parking so that can be my main excuse.
I drive back home and smile to myself as I walk through the halls after I park the car and step through the side door. London asked about her daughters moving into the guest rooms on the first floor on the other side of the kitchen, where Francis and herself reside, so they can help out with cooking and cleaning. I agreed, and I have barely seen them. The damn manor is large enough for over a couple dozen people to reside and still feel like you live alone. So that’s nice. Plus, this gives London the time she deserves to unwind and focus on other coven matters, and she is able to spend more time with her daughters.
My phone vibrates in my pocket and I sigh when I see Hunter’s name flashing across the screen. I ignore it and head out to the gardens. I walk around and find a quiet place to meditate and place my phone on silent. I lay down on the grass and close my eyes and I place my hands up above my head and let my mind drift off and wander.
My, how far I’ve come in the last several months. I divorced my narcissistic husband. Lost a bit of weight. Went on an adventure and moved to a new state. I’m a leader and matriarch of a coven. I’m a witch. I have more money than I know what to do with and I’m helping my coven members and children. I laugh softly as I recall my first several weeks here as I taught myself a handful of core spells. The slamming doors, flying books, dropped baskets.
At least I had the help and support beside me as I worked on the elements. I can’t begin to imagine the disasters that would have transpired if I was alone.
I’m making life-long friends and have a job I love with Samantha, one of my oldest friends.
My family is basically out of my life and I’m ecstatic about that. Especially after the shit they pulled with Jeremy after their own mother passed away. He won’t tell me what occurred when they were here in Salem, but I have an impeccable imagination, plus I know my family well. I just hope they never figure out where I live… I really should buy a dummy house in another state or something, and have my mail sent there and just have it forwarded to a post office here in Salem, as I do with Ashlynn’s condo for now.
Not that I really have any mail that’s important anymore. I’ll call Jeremy tomorrow… and I’ll give Hunter that address to shut him the hell up.
I must have fallen asleep, since I wake up Dean hovering over my prone body with a blonde eyebrow raised. “Ms. Volkov, did I exhaust you this morning?” He steps back and I groan under my breath, he’s trimmed his beard closer to his face and his hair is tied back behind his neck. He looks like a different man. Less… savage.
I pout as I sit up with a narrow-eyed glare. “I just needed some time to think. I must have passed out.”
He nods and helps me stand up then leads me back to the manor. “Jeremy has been calling our phones for a few hours now. Sounds like you’re in trouble.” He sing-songs and I purse my lips.
“I can’t think of anything that I’ve done to piss him off.” I sing back and shrug nonchalantly as Dean laughs heartily as we walk up the steps and through the back door.
“Ah. Mistress. The movers arrived with the rest of your belongings from California, I had them take everything to your bedroom… Also, Jeremy would like you to call him back.” London winks at me and stalks away and I sigh as I lead Dean to the dining room for lunch. I hastily pluck up some sandwiches and sit down and pull out my phone to call Jeremy back.
“Why did you set up an account for me when I explicitly told you not to?” He coldly answers the phone and I smirk.
“Ah, good afternoon, Mr. Moore. You never replied to my numerous text messages regarding that issue. Moving on… How do I get new identification with the Volkov name? Also, can you buy me a house in North Carolina that I can forward my mail to, instead of Ashlynn’s condo, and I can send Hunter that address? He keeps calling me.”
He sighs and I hear him typing on his computer. “I’ll get that all handled for you. Anything else?” He drawls and I think about it.
“Not that I can think of…”
“I’ll stop by tonight; I believe you’re ready for the basement.” He hangs up and my jaw drops. I forgot about the gift Harriet had left for me. If it’s a damn sex dungeon I might well and truly vomit all over the gorgeous black marble floors. What in the world could be down there?
I stare Dean down until he steps backwards with his hands up and he vanishes from my sight. So… he knows, then. That man has more walls up than my mother’s cold, dead heart. If no one is going to say a word until I see it for myself, then I guess I’ll be patient. I sit back and start to move items around the room and gently set them down. Books, vases, flowers, and a lamp all return to their respective places without a sound.
I can snap my fingers for my elemental powers to do as I intend… Although we haven’t started on any offensive spells, I am at least comfortable enough with barriers and have been able to heal my hand without any issues.
_________________
I spend the rest of the day setting up a schedule for the jobs Samantha has sent me and get started on the brochures before I begin on the websites. She sent me a total of ten jobs to be completed within three months, which shouldn’t be hard to do… As long as I get the majority done before the kids show up for winter break… and then I can show them how my life has truly been since the end of October.
Francis and Jeremy both step into my bedroom and I stand and frown at them. “Did I miss dinner?”
Francis shakes his head and walks out the door. “No, it’s ready now. Let’s eat and talk… Then we will take you down to the basement.”
I follow them as I think about what could be down there. Maybe a litter of kittens. Or a room full of jewels. A sex dungeon keeps popping up into my mind and I shake it away. No. No dating. No men. No thoughts of my grandmother with any men, either.
We settle down at the table and I glance around for London and her two daughters, Hayden and Wyatt. “They’re not joining us. They’re eating in another room so we may speak freely.”
I nod mutely and start eating the stew and trying to gauge their expressions.
“Well… You know as a spirit witch, that in order to stay stable… you need to bind yourself to a demon.” I lick my lips and sit back in my chair and push my half-eaten bowl away from me. “Lucifer sent four of his princes in his stead as an agreement between himself and Harriet… No one could have imagined how long it took to get you here. Harriet didn’t want to break up a marriage I presume, and before we knew it… Twenty years flew by and she passed away… Then you divorced so it all worked out.”
I draw my brows together and frown and glare at both of them. “Are you telling me… That Lucifer’s four sons have been locked in the basement for over twenty years?”
Jeremy sighs and finishes his tumbler of whiskey. “Yes. They’re fine… The basement is large. They have a kitchen, access to their magic… well most of it… and we send them women from time to time.”
I slam the back of my head against my chair and suck in a shaking breath. “Twenty. Years. Four. Princes of Hell… have been locked in a basement? And Lucifer was just fucking… fine with that?”
Francis purses his lips and shrugs. “Harriet was old, Mauve. She knew her time was coming to step down… She lived to be over two hundred years old.”
I blink at him. And blink some more. “Why did she wait so long to have children?”
“No one knows.” They both reply simultaneously, and I just shake my head.
Jeremy stands and glares at my bowl before he softens his features. “Are you done eating? We should introduce you so you can choose your bound.” I chuckle and shake my head.
“Is this really how it’s done? I don’t get a choice?”
Francis walks up to me and places his frail hand on my shoulder. “Would you rather have the King of the Underworld show up and force you to spend half of your time there with him? Surrounded by his harem, his true mate, and demons?”
My eyes bug out of my sockets and I breathe heavily. “Won’t the princes be the same?” I croak out and Jeremy sighs and settles down beside me and grabs my hand and squeezes.
I turn and stare into his black eyes and he shakes his head. “No, he has many sons. He already chose four replacements to lord over their territories until you choose who to bind to… I’m sure they’re impatient and ready to be chosen or go home. You have some time to get to know them, but time is of the essence… A spirit witch should not go long without being bound.”
Oh fuck. Is this how I die? I rush to the closest bathroom and splash cold water on my face. Ever since I’ve had my powers, some of my wrinkles have smoothed… But not all. I also still have stretch marks all over my stomach and thighs, some cellulite, and spare pounds, many spare pounds, that will probably never melt off. Ever since I’ve been glamouring my hair, no new grays have grown in. But I’m not sure if that’s my power turning back time… Or the glamour itself just masking it.
Does being bound mean they’re… mine? I can’t do this. I shakily run my fingers through my hair and lean over the counter and breathe deeply.
What do demons even look like? What do they do? None of this is transcribed in the journals. Do they have horns? Red skin? Tails? What will they think when they look at me?
My violet eyes that gaze back at me through the mirror are dark and dilated. I look terrified. And I am. I’ll never have the body that the other supernaturals in my coven have. The shifter and vampire females look like fucking goddesses. Tall, slim, glowing skin. I don’t even believe myself to be powerful.
If it wasn’t for magic, I would still have gray streaked through my hair, I don’t wear makeup. I don’t take hours to get ready… I am busting my ass working out and trying… Will I ever be enough?
How old are these demons? Are they my age? Older? Do they look like they’re eighteen and I’ll have to hide them in a closet when my kids come back? Or under my bed?
Someone knocks on the door and I hear the loud sigh. “Let’s get it over with, Mauve.” I want to punch Jeremy in his perfect, pale face and I shake out my hands and slowly turn the knob and stand in the doorway. “Come.”
I follow the two men down the halls until we pass Harriet’s office… My office… and we stop in front of an impenetrable steel door that I haven’t noticed… or paid attention to until now.
“It opens for London, Francis, and me. In order for it to open for you, just bleed on the lock and imagine it unlocking… but be sure to use your intention to keep it locked for anyone else outside of us.” I nod to Jeremy and then grimace.
“I don’t have a knife on me.” I chuckle to myself and he just rolls his eyes as he holds out a hand for me. I absently set my hand in his cold palm and he lifts my index finger up to his exposed fang and he pricks it deeply on the pad and winks at me. “Now follow the directions.”
I blink slowly at him and shake my head out of the fog clouding my mind and step up to the door. I press my finger on the lock and close my eyes and imagine it unlocking for me when I place my hand on it, I also remember to allow Francis, London, and Jeremy entry… I step back and stick my finger in my mouth to clean it and suck until the bleeding ceases.
Jeremy clears his throat and waves a hand in front of him to go ahead and I press the door open with my palm and start walking down the dimly lit steps. Everything is stone and concrete and looks so ominous compared to the rest of the pretentious manor. We make it to the bottom of the steps, and I raise a brow at a second door. I groan as I bite down on the healing wound on my finger and complete the steps and I sigh with relief when this door is much lighter.
