Sterling (Mageri Series: Book 1), page 15
“The Council is now up to five, Merc is one of them.”
“Merc?” he exclaimed. “Sodding idiot was on probation, you’re pulling my leg.”
“I’m not, the dynamic has changed.”
“Times are changing.”
“That they are my friend, that they are.”
I stepped into the entrance and both heads turned.
“Bloody Hell,” the guest cursed as he moved his eyes to Justus. “Haven’t we been the busy little bee?”
I looked over the man Justus was standing next to and he ran his hand invitingly down his chest as he appraised my attire.
He stood a hair shorter than Justus; his body type was leaner and he looked more like he should be fronting a rock band. Black leather jacket draped over his shoulders, graffiti T-shirt, and a silver chain that ran along the belt loop of his black pants. His brown tousled hair hung to his shoulders with that ‘just got out of bed’ style. There was a sweet richness to his eyes, which were a light caramel and complimented his cheekbones and light skin coloring. And his mouth...a mouth that was full, kissable, and meant to be all over a woman’s body. A mouth that began to curve into a wicked grin as his eyes locked with mine, revealing a pronounced dimple on his left cheek which immediately made me blush and study the floor.
“Gonna introduce me, mate?” He folded his arms and elbowed Justus.
Justus took a position at my side. “Learner, this is Simon Hunt, an old friend of mine. Simon, behave.”
“Justus, I would have never imagined you would finally take in a woman. Well done.”
“No, it’s not like that,” I interjected. “He’s my Ghuardian.”
Simon dropped his arms and his jaw unhinged. I could see all the questions bubbling in his eyes. “You don’t say.” His mouth curled up again, showing off his dimple. “We’ve got a lot of catching up to do Justus. I want every bleeding detail.”
Simon strode toward me with a swagger that couldn’t be taught. His hand reached for mine and when I went to shake it, he bent over and pressed a kiss to it. There was a glimmer of amusement in his expression as he briefly looked at Justus. He seemed absolutely…
“Enchanted,” Simon greeted as he straightened his back. A dark look flashed across his face before it was replaced with a smile. “Your Ghuardian has no manners, love. Here, allow me.” When he reached up to touch my face there was a slap of skin as Justus caught his wrist.
“That’ll be enough Simon.” He cleared his throat before adding, “She’s already taken in more than she should.”
“Of course,” he winked.
“Will you be staying for dinner? I have to shower but, I’d like to come back and join you two if you don’t mind.”
“If you don’t mind,” he added, “I’d very much like to join you.”
Meaning—in the shower.
Justus leaned forward as if he meant to do something about the comment and Simon lifted his hands defensively. Simon was the fresh air that I craved; I was brimming with excitement that a visitor was in the house.
Strolling towards the living room, Simon called out, “You know, now that I give it a bit of thought…” he said falling back on the sofa, arms wide across back, “I believe…I will be needing a place to put my feet up. Justus?”
Justus shook his head displeased and joined Simon on the couch. “Stay as long as you like friend; my home is always open to you. I want to hear all about your travels. Learner, go clean up. Dinner will be at six. Be prompt.”
I did as ordered and quickly sprinted down the hall into my room.
What I immediately liked about Simon was while he looked like a bad boy he acted like a total gentleman. Didn’t really speak like one but he wasn’t vulgar about it, nor did he peruse my body with sexual need in those eyes. Not that I would have had a problem with that. He was a contradiction of himself and it fed my curiosity as to which one he really was. Oh my god, was I getting high school butterflies? You bet.
After my shower I dried my hair and braided it back, threw on a little mineral powder to cover the bruise on my face and lip gloss before rummaging through my clothes. I opened the closet and pulled out the black trousers and white shirt that Justus bought me. I slid the trousers on and was satisfied with how well they fit—snug around my hips and the shirt was classy but simple. It made me curious how Justus knew my size when even I didn’t. I gave myself a once over in the mirror. My green eyes popped behind my black lashes and dark hair, accentuated by the light coloring of my skin which had a honey tint. While my fingers were long and delicate, my nails were a mess. I had to keep them short due to the fighting so I never bothered with a manicure—not that I ever did before—but now I was flicking at my cuticles with a little embarrassment.
I realized I was stalling. On the way to the dining room, I brushed my hands over my slacks and heard voices, laughter and the sound of clinking glasses filling the space of a once silent house.
“Hi,” I greeted, followed by my throat clearing and a sniff.
No, it wasn’t the grand entrance I imagined in my head. Someone forgot to cue the band and give me a witty line.
Simon’s hand went down in slow motion setting the wine on the table as he said, “Well render me speechless.”
Both chairs slid back and they rose to their feet. Justus could have been catching flies as he looked at the outfit he bought me that I never wore and his cheeks were blotchy.
“Allow me,” Simon said. “Someone has to be the gentleman here. It’s not everyday we’re in the presence of a female Mage.” Simon cupped my elbow and escorted me to my chair. Leaning around his breath tickled my neck. “Hello, gorgeous.”
“Wow,” was all I could manage to say.
There were actually dishes and crystal glasses on the table. Candles flickered at the center and each plate had a serving of carrots and roasted potatoes next to a sumptuous rib eye. There was a beautiful salad and a plate of spring onions with radishes. My mouth immediately watered.
Simon’s jacket was tossed casually over the back of his chair on my right giving me an appreciative look of his physique. While he did not match Justus in size—he was hard and toned. His profile was very striking and made me look more than once.
He rested his elbows and forearms on the table looking proudly at the setting. These two men didn’t look like the type to forge a fast friendship, I thought curiously, looking at Simon’s torn black shirt and leather wrist cuff. For someone who sported so much leather it was oddly contrasted against skin which didn’t have a single tattoo or piercing that I could see.
My face scrunched at Justus. “You didn’t cook this did you?”
Simon leaned over and poured red wine into my glass. “That man may be able to dress for the occasion, but he could not cook to save his own life. Of course you know that by now.” He gave a wink and took his chair. “I, on the other hand, am not without certain skills to which I have refined to an art form. I find that the meal is a prelude to the pleasures of the bedroom. It sets the tone. If I can make a woman moan at the table, then I’ve already got her eating out of my hand. And…I do believe it’s time you had a proper meal.”
The statement was left out there hanging, making me wonder about the latter part. He took a napkin and sharply shook it out, placing it over his lap. “Is everything to your liking?”
That was a fully loaded question if I ever heard one.
“Umm...yeah. My eyes are having sex with this table as we speak.”
Justus choked on his wine and I quickly covered my hand over my mouth. The silence was pierced by Simon’s contagious laugh. He was a man who enjoyed a good one too, as he let it go long and strong until the awkward moment was removed and I found myself smiling at him. I reached for a slice of fresh warm bread in the cloth lined basket and spread a blanket of butter across the top.
“I haven’t had a home cooked meal in ages. I’m going to devour everything, this looks amazing.”
“As do you, don’t you agree Justus?”
Justus returned his stare with a contemptuous one of his own. I took a lingering sip of my wine and discovered what I had been ordering in restaurants was pure swill compared to this. Simon continued to ask for Justus’s opinion on me, and I gathered he was testing the waters to see if Justus had any interest in me.
Little did he know that wasn’t the case. As sumptuous looking as he was, we had a very teacher/student relationship going on and our personalities clashed in a way that burned out any physical desire that bloomed.
“How did you get the steak cooked up so fast, microwave?”
“I never arrive unannounced without something big and juicy in hand.”
Oh dear Lord.
“So you two are old friends.” I said, changing the subject. “Where are you from, Simon? I’m going to guess England so if I’m wrong dinner is on me next time.”
“Define…on.” Simon gave a wolfish grin and refilled his wine glass with a heavy glug, glug.
“Simon,” Justus warned, plunging his fork into a potato that met its demise between his powerful jaws.
After taking a long, thoughtful sip from the crystal glass, Simon crossed his knife over the steak. “Well then, on those conditions I must confess that I am from Spain.”
“While you’re confessing Simon, maybe you should mention that you only lived there so that does not count.”
After two or three chews of his meat, Justus continued with a mouthful. “He’s from England. We’ve been friends for a turn of a century, give or take.” Justus held his fork like a man still trying to stab his meal to death. “After I saved his ass.”
“Saved me?” Simon seemed appalled by the very notion as his pitch rose. “I would have bested that Mage.”
“You certainly bested his wife,” Justus murmured.
“Yes and he wasn’t all too pleased with that, now was he?” Simon was very animated with his arms when he spoke, even if he held a glass in his hand. “I learned my lesson, mate. What a mouth on that one, right? And despite what you believe, I did NOT shag her knowing that she was bonded to him.”
“Didn’t see the mark, hmmm?” Justus replied. “You’ve been saying that for decades.”
“Justus, my eyes were not in that postcode my friend,” he chuckled.
“What mark?” I took a long sip of wine as I studied the way they looked between each other.
Justus picked up a carrot with his fingers and popped it in his mouth. “Some choose to permanently stay together. It’s not common…there aren’t—”
He paused.
“Aren’t what?” I asked.
“Very many female Mage, is what he means to say,” Simon blurted. “Those who hook up for the long haul get a bonding mark. Most Breed don’t really believe in rings, we go for something more permanent,” he snorted. “Can’t be taken off as easily.”
I liked Simon; he was honest and answered my questions. I felt like I could get information from him that Justus wasn’t always willing to discuss. Everything was always for a later lesson.
“How long will Simon be staying with us?”
Simon was the one who replied. “That remains up to your….Ghuardian.” He thoroughly seemed to enjoy playing with that title as the tip of his tongue ran along the prongs of the fork; I heard a low growl across the table and Justus drank his wine to the bottom.
“Learner, what does he do all day with you, knock you around?”
I rolled my eyes. “Mostly, after that he reads me bedtime stories about Mage law.”
“Oh bloody hell,” Simon gave an infectious laugh and winked. “Torture indeed. All work and no play? Surely he lets you out.”
“Never.”
Justus was avoiding my stare. Simon laced his fingers together and obscured his mouth. Something played across his face I wasn’t able to read.
“Justus, a Ghuardian needn’t shelter the Learner. In fact,” he said pointedly, “they absolutely must get out there and interact with the humans. She must learn how to handle that kind of energy and interact with her own kind as well. You don’t do her any service by keeping her locked up in here,” he said waving his fork. “You can train her all you want in that dungeon of yours but if you don’t expose her to the simple things she needs to learn to control, then she’ll always be vulnerable.”
Silence swept through the room and I set my fork down on the plate. That singular noise snapped the tension.
“So it’s decided.” Simon gleamed. “Tomorrow, we go to the club.”
Justus didn’t look too thrilled, more defeated than anything. “Fine.”
Simon rolled his tongue across the inside of his bottom lip, tasting victory. Scratch ‘no piercing’.
“How did you two meet?” he asked.
“In a bar.”
“Ah, a pub. Should have guessed,” he chuckled.
“I was trying to enjoy my glass of tea while he was trying to get me to wear it.” That conjured a smile on Justus’s face as he took a bite of food.
“I see you still have a way with the ladies, Justus. But I have to give you a 4.5 in technique.”
“It took some convincing but I finally agreed to let him be my Ghuardian, and here I am.”
“Yes, here you are,” Simon said raising his glass with a smile. I raised mine and our glasses clinked together. I couldn’t remember the last time I had a social dinner with good conversation. Being holed up for months with Mr. Partypooper was beginning to ebb at my fragile state of mind.
After dinner, I cleared the table to let the boys catch up. Simon watched the way Justus and I interacted with keen interest, it pleased him anytime I disagreed or made a sarcastic remark. He gave an expression like he had never seen anyone stand up to Justus.
I set a glass in the dish rack and reached for a plate when I jumped, startled by someone standing beside me.
“Simon is right. You must learn control in the outside world,” he said, rubbing his tattoo. “We will talk about conditions to this, you’ll require close protection.”
“I’m sure I’ll be fine, you’ll be near, right?”
I ran a dish under the hot water scraping the plate, wondering why it took a visit from his friend to make him figure that out.
“Here, allow me,” he said. “You should take care not to ruin your new outfit.” Justus took the plate, but paused. I caught something in that look, it was warm and gentle. “You look nice; I should have told you before. This look is…becoming on you.” Color rose on his cheek when I didn’t respond right away, but I guess I was waiting for a punch line and was taken off guard by his sincerity.
“Are you paying me a compliment? That must have been some strong wine, I know how you hate the way I normally dress.”
“You do not embarrass me.”
Steam rose from the hot water and I reached over him to grab the plate and began to dry it with a cloth.
“You smell nice,” he started to say under his breath before the door swung open and Simon waltzed in like a hurricane holding the empty bottle of wine.
“We got any more of these mate?” He waved the bottle and set it down on the stretch of cabinet.
“Had I known you were visiting I would have made sure the wine was at the ready. Let me find something vile,” Justus barked as he strode out the doorway.
Simon sidled up and put his elbows on the sink leaning back.
“$100 says he leaves the bar with a girl on each arm.”
“Whatever,” I coughed. “He hasn’t gone out in months and frankly the way he talks to women is infuriating. Plus, he would never do that in front of me; I think he’d be too embarrassed of my making fun of him,” I whispered.
“Chicken?” He started to cluck.
“Nooo.” I tossed the dishtowel at him and he flinched. “I don’t have any money.”
“Welllll then,” he considered, “I shall take a kiss as my reward.”
“Shall you? And if I win, I get the money?” The prospect of having a little pocket cash perked me right up. A girl could always use a little mascara, a few books, maybe some decent chocolate.
He dropped his head back staring at the ceiling thoughtfully. I spied a mark on the back of his neck where his hair swept back. I leaned back for a better look when he snapped around to face me. Simon leaned in as if telling a secret and his arm lightly touched mine, making my hairs stand on end.
“You shall be…justly rewarded. But of course I’m good for the money. A word of advice, love? Put on your sweetest gloss. That man always has his cake… and eats it too,” he laughed.
The door swung wide and Justus came in carrying a bottle in each hand, looking between them as if he couldn’t decide.
“See what I mean?”
Pushing off of the counter, Simon plucked a bottle of vintage from his left hand and strode out the door.
Chapter 18
Club High Jinx swelled with human energy. I pushed through warm bodies pungent with the smell of sweat, perfume and desire. The dance floor was energetic and I could feel the pulse as if I were in a room of live wires. It was surreal to be among humans and know that I was no longer one of them.
Simon sported a leather coat and a tattered dark shirt, but tonight his jeans were replaced by tight leather pants. I had never actually seen a man wearing leather pants and I didn’t have a single complaint. They were snug with a prominent zipper that ran up the front. I poked fun that all he was missing was a leash, given he was wearing a leather collar. His reply was more of a question of who would be holding the leash.
Justus, quite oppositely, had an ensemble that was sophisticated and put together. Given we were going to a club where nearly everyone was half naked I found this most amusing. I felt a little like I was walking in with an angel on one arm and a devil on the other.
I wore a pair of knee high black boots with a pleated skirt and vibrant green button up top that matched my eyes perfectly. My black hair cascaded over my shoulders in soft dark waves and a few wispy strands flew about my face.
