20. Justin
Justin
J ustin. What’s happened?
The projected thought rang off the inside of Justin’s skull, making him look up from his desk reflexively. His coven master’s presence was strong. He might as well have been standing there in front of him, rather than blocks away at the covenhouse.
What do you mean?
Justin couldn’t lie to Freddie mind-to-mind, but he wouldn’t volunteer details.
Covens had a reputation for gossip, but the Grosvenor Coven went beyond that.
Everyone was fully up in everyone else’s business.
Justin’s brain hadn’t yet sorted out everything that had happened.
He needed time to process without anyone else giving him advice.
I can sense your turmoil through the bond, Freddie sent, followed by a wave of projected compassion. The pity made Justin feel even worse. I would have reached out earlier if I thought you were in true danger, but at the very least, you owe me a report .
I do?
The clank of an industrial-size three-hole punch rang out from the office behind him. Yasmin had been in a mood all morning, and she liked to take it out on the office tools.
Yes. Justin could almost hear the eye roll in Freddie’s tone. I sent you to Bayonne to meet with the Eldest of the Circle. Or have you forgotten already?
Shit. He had forgotten. He’d been so caught up in Pavel’s abrupt departure, he hadn’t thought about coven business.
He was inadequate as a mate and as a coven member. No wonder Pavel left. Sebastian would leave soon enough as well. He should never have slept with them. Now his heart was involved, and all of this would hurt even more.
Justin, I’m your coven master. I can sense the self-judgment in your thoughts. Stop brooding and give me your report.
Sighing, Justin fiddled with a stack of papers in front of him, flipping through mindlessly.
I believe the witches are being honest in their desire for an alliance. They’ll negotiate in good faith.
There was a pause before Freddie responded. And the Eldest? She’s trustworthy?
No, she had tried to test and maybe kill Justin for being mated to her son, but whatever.
I don’t believe she’ll blatantly lie to you. She knows what’s at stake, and she understands vampires have an advantage over witches in direct combat.
But…
Justin wasn’t sure exactly how to put it. He didn’t believe Linda would lie, but he knew she’d wring every ounce of benefit she could from the alliance.
Linda Walker is intense. Justin pressed his lips together and drummed on the smooth wooden desktop with his fingertips. I don’t think she is evil, but she is not necessarily good. She serves her Circle, and she believes in her own sense of right and wrong, and no one else’s.
There was a sense of probing in Justin’s mind as Freddie dissected his words. What does that mean?
She’s a power-hungry jerk. But I think you might like her.
Freddie’s low chuckle filled Justin’s mind, and he couldn’t help but smile.
The Circle was attacked again last night, through some kind of dream witchcraft. She’ll want to meet with you to get protection before the next physical assault comes.
Were you involved? Freddie asked, a note of concern humming under the words.
Yes. Justin stopped. He could trust his coven master, he knew that, but this was personal. I don’t want to talk about it.
Very well .
Freddie’s presence in his mind departed as Yasmin emerged from the office.
He was thankful his master was willing to let that lie.
Freddie could have commanded it, could have Compelled it from Justin, but he wasn’t that kind of coven master.
He was kind. Justin didn’t have to worry about that sort of thing anymore.
The Grosvenor Coven was his home. He was safe there.
The thud of several reams of paper landing on wood sounded as the stack of sheet music hit his desk. Yasmin stood there, almost fully hidden by the pile.
“The young artists will grab scores for Don Giovanni on their way out,” she said, her voice crackly and her tone sluggish. Was she hungover?
“Got it.”
“Make sure you check their names off the list on the top.” Yasmin stepped back, folding her arms and eyeing the stack with annoyance.
“I don’t know why they can’t have their shit together.
We held off on copies because there was talk the young artists would go into a different production in the season, but then, of course, this morning at six a.m., the cast list gets finalized, and everyone has to have their score. ”
“Cast list?” Justin wondered what exactly that meant. “Are the young artists doing a production of Don Giovanni?”
“No, the opera house is doing it. They’ll be in the chorus and cover the principals. Well, except for Sebastian and Trent.”
Worry sprang up in Justin’s chest at the mention of his mate. “Why won’t Sebastian be in it?”
“Oh, he’ll be in it,” Yasmin said, eyeing Justin with a mix of affection and suspicion.
“The two of them have lead roles. Trent will play Masetto, and Sebastian will play Leporello. Which is a decent-sized role. I can’t remember the last time one of the young artists was assigned to such a large part before they’d even finished the program.
Some star must have pulled out last-minute. ”
“Oh.” Justin didn’t entirely understand. He didn’t know the opera, but he knew it was a big deal for Sebastian. Pride sprang up unbidden in him, and a grin spread across his face.
“What is going on with you?” Yasmin said, blinking several times as she stared at him. “Wait. Do you have a crush on Sebastian?”
He looked down, shuffling around papers on his desk. It was quite a bit more than a crush, but this human didn’t need to know that.
“You do!” Yasmin was suddenly energized. Justin swallowed. He didn’t want to do this with her now. “Wait, have you gone on a date? Tell me everything!”
“It’s nothing like that,” Justin said, but he was a terrible liar. There was no way she’d believe him.
“Come on. Don’t be shy.” Yasmin licked her thumb and rubbed at a dirty spot on his cheek like he was an eleven-year-old. “Besides, you’re adorable. He’s probably already smitten.”
He was blushing. No matter what he did, he couldn’t get a second to deal with all this by himself before everyone else butted in. He wanted to hide under his desk for the rest of the day.
That, of course, was the moment Sebastian stopped to pick up his music.
He wore a wide smile, and his long black hair was a wild tangle.
They’d both showered quickly that morning, rushing off to the opera house to avoid being late.
Sebastian had been affectionate as they got ready, but Pavel’s departure had thrown Justin.
There was definitely some guilt there, that Sebastian was the only one of the three of them who was one hundred percent certain of their mating.
He deserved mates who were as enthusiastic as he was.
“You have a score for me?” Sebastian asked. “And a kiss?” he added with a wink.
Justin was suddenly self-conscious. No one would care if he kissed his mate here. The humans would think it was a normal relationship. But something about how public it was…
“Maybe later,” Justin said, holding out the thick stack of papers, held together by a hefty black binder clip. “Congratulations, by the way. ”
There was a flash of hurt in Sebastian’s eyes, but it was immediately swept away by excitement.
“It’s pretty cool! I didn’t expect to play Leporello at Manhattan Lyric for years. I’d barely hoped I would cover the role. I don’t know what European divo dropped out of the production, but I should send them a thank you note.”
His bright eyes made Justin wish he had kissed him. When Justin got his brain to calm down, when he could let go of the past, of the fear and self-doubt, all he wanted was to climb this man like a tree. The tall, handsome witch was an adorable bundle of havoc.
Justin’s eyes went to Sebastian’s empty hand, which was resting on the counter Justin’s desk sat behind. Maybe he wasn’t willing to kiss the witch in front of a hallway full of students and colleagues, but he would be stupid to keep his distance from his mate.
He reached out and wrapped his small hand around Sebastian’s larger one. It was strange. A few hours ago, he’d been sucking this man’s dick, with Pavel’s cock buried in his ass, but somehow this was more intimate, more exposed.
Sebastian’s fingers instantly surrounded his own, the witch’s skin warm and comforting. His mate’s smile grew even wider, if that was possible. “I hope you’ll come to opening night.”
“Of course I will!” Damn, the man was handsome when he smiled. Justin couldn’t deny him anything when he had that mix of hope and adoration written on his face.
“You’d better.” The low, gruff voice reached their ears as they saw Pavel walk up to them. No matter that he’d left even earlier than Sebastian and Justin, their gargoyle mate was perfectly coiffed, his muscles visible through a simple tight black t-shirt and black jeans .
Well, this was awkward.
The smile slowly faded from Sebastian’s face, and Justin let go of his hand. They stood there in silence for a moment. Justin didn’t know what to say, and he assumed his mates felt the same. Pavel had made his position clear this morning. There was nothing to be gained by arguing about it now.
Tucking his score under his arm, Sebastian stepped back.
“I have to get to practicing. Rehearsals start in a week, and I haven’t touched this role in six months. God knows, I have a lot of recitative to go over.”
The witch turned and strode back toward the rehearsal studios. Pavel sighed.
“He’ll see it’s for the best eventually.”
Justin couldn’t keep the incredulous look from his face. He maybe didn’t know Sebastian well, but they were mates, and he didn’t think it was likely the man would ever be okay with Pavel’s rejection.
Seeing Justin’s reaction, Pavel sighed again. “Or maybe not.”
“I don’t think…Being rejected by your mate isn’t something you just get over.”