Chapter Two #2
As much as I dislike Mom’s love story being told to me in nauseating detail, having someone who is meant to be just mine is alluring.
I want a woman in my life who will love me, all of me.
The women I have been with don’t really know me, since I can never be my true self.
Once in my long life, I revealed my magic to a human.
I was young and thought I could force the soul bond.
She was beautiful and kind. The horror on her face will always stick with me.
She didn’t believe me, and when she demanded I show her, I did.
It was a mistake. She was terrified. That was the end of our young love, and my parents had to ask a relative to change her memories.
Since then, I have been careful never to reveal my true nature.
Any relationships I have now are superficial.
I love women. Their ability to nurture, the curves of their bodies, and their kind hearts.
My skin vibrates, eager to meet the woman who calls to me.
Once I meet her, my body, soul, and power will be drawn to her.
It will be uncomfortable to be away from her.
Our need will not go away until we join our power and complete the soul bond.
The magic doesn’t care that we are strangers and know nothing about each other.
Our knowledge will come with time. Completing the bond is fairly simple.
We must both accept our joining and be willing to complete each other.
The magic does most of the work. Our intention to combine our magic can’t be faked.
The bond can be denied, but you will feel the loss forever.
The universe is never wrong. Shifters and vampires use their bite during the claiming; we don’t use our teeth unless we find it a turn-on.
They have their animals to guide them in the process; we have magic.
A tattoo of our combined magic will appear on both of us, signifying our lifelong bond. We will be able to find each other with it, feel each other's emotions, and know when one of us is in trouble. A soul bond is powerful and should be respected. As a team, not many would be able to beat us.
Those with magic can be soul-bonded to a human.
They do not have magic, but have the possibility of it.
Something within them, their soul, calls to the witch or warlock.
The process is more intense. The human will gain powers after the soul bond is complete.
Just like shifters and vampires, making humans believe you and commit to the bond can be difficult.
I’m grateful my bond is a witch. I won’t have to explain our world. Merging our magic is a pleasurable experience, as long as she is willing to trust in it, in me.
I finish throwing clothes in the bag, grab a shirt, and go to the bathroom.
I should shave, but I like the scruff. My hair is dark blonde and falls into my eyes.
I usually don’t pay attention to things like a haircut.
My light green eyes are bright and show the power I hold.
When around humans, I dim the color to a more realistic tone.
I run my hands through my hair, popping my magic from my fingers to smooth it.
The strands drop back, brushing the top of my eye.
Some things magic can’t fix. I pull on the long-sleeved black shirt, which only makes it worse.
Hopefully, she will enjoy my hair. I like it messy.
My jeans have rips in the knees, not because I bought them that way, but from years of use.
I don’t give much thought to my appearance unless I am in a business meeting.
“You need a haircut,” Archer drawls, leaning in the doorway.
“I like it. If she is my soul bond, she will too.” I turn to him, lifting a brow.
“She is.”
“Are you packed?” I ask, shoving shampoo and cologne in a bag.
“Yes. The car is ready.”
“No plane?” I cringe. I hate riding on a plane. The seats are too close, and even though I can soak up all the energy, I dislike being enclosed in a metal bucket.
“We can drive. I know you despise flying. This way we can have a vehicle we customized.” He backs out of the door, and I follow.
“Excellent,” I say. “I thought you would want to bring your bike.”
He grabs my suitcase.
“I’ll come back for it. Is the house protected?” he asks.
“Of course. I did it after a surprise visit from Mom.” We walk through the house and to the front door.
“How is she?” he asks, walking outside.
“As nosy as ever,” I snort, locking the door.
“Did you tell her why we were leaving?” he says.
“Yes.” I place my palm on the door, close my eyes, and bless my castle.
I seal the door against intruders from the outside.
Anyone who tries to find the door will be confused, swearing it was in front of them.
My magic will force them to forget. Depending on the strength of the warlock or witch, our spells don’t necessarily last forever.
It depends on the kind of spell, so I will periodically come back to reinforce my magic. “She is excited.”
“She is always enthusiastic,” he laughs.
“This is a new level. She wanted to come with us.” Archer snorts.
We have been friends since we were ten. Mom considers him her son and treats him with sudden appearances, too.
I throw my luggage in the trunk and move to the driver's side.
“Are you going to tell me where we are going?” He stops at the passenger side door, his arm on the hood.
“Idaho,” he says.
“Idaho? What’s in Idaho?” I ask, opening the door.
“Your soul bond.” He lifts an eyebrow.
“You know that’s not what I meant,” I grit out. “I’ve never been.”
“It’s lovely. You’ll like it,” he says, opening his door. “Are you annoyed with me?”
“No.” He lifts the other eyebrow. “I’m anxious,” I admit.
“About her or your reaction to her?” he asks.
“Both. I have closed off my feelings. Humans give me theirs, but they don’t affect me anymore.” It’s difficult to describe the complex mix of emotions I’m feeling. Archer won’t judge me. We are always honest with each other. “I’ve been alone for so long. How do I interact with my bond?”
“Since I don’t have a bond, I can’t tell you that,” he says, smiling. “I’m pretty sure it will work out. She is meant to be yours. The universe can’t be so cruel to set you up for failure.” He puts his foot in the car. “Plus, you need someone else to annoy.” He sits in the seat, slamming the door.
“Hey, fucker,” I rumble, sliding in my seat. “You love my quirks.”
“That’s what we’re calling them?” he asks.
“Your world would be boring without me.” I buckle my seatbelt.
“Sure.” He takes a drink of water. “I enjoy bailing you out of jail.”
“That was one time,” I point out. “I could have spelled the bars to escape. But I decided to play by the rules.”
“Not true, that was one of the times,” he says, and I remain silent. “There were too many humans in the cell with you. Using your magic would have exposed you.”
“See.” I wave my hand. “I played by the rules.” I grin at him and speed away from the house.
“Slow down. You’ll get another ticket,” he scolds.
“I can talk my way out of anything,” I say. “Cops don’t stand a chance. I can spell them.”
“You couldn’t talk yourself out of jail.”
“Please, I could have. Too many witnesses, remember.” I slow down slightly.
“Right,” he drawls. “We could talk about the time you got in a fight at the bar.”
“You swore we would never talk about that again,” I growl.
“I don’t remember saying that,” he muses.
“I distinctly remember swearing you to secrecy,” I remind him.
“The man you hit probably couldn’t chew for a month,” he says.
“He was an asshole.” I grind my teeth. The man tried to drug a woman. I saw and taught him a lesson. The cops thought he was the victim and arrested me.
“That was the second time I had to bail you out,” he mentions lightly.
“You know he deserved it.”
“He did. I thought it was funny as fuck when he tried to talk with a broken jaw.” He laughs at the memory.
“Then why are you giving me shit about it?” I scowl.
“Are you more relaxed?”
“Fucker,” I mumble, rolling my shoulders. “Yes.”
“Good.”
I shake my head. Archer always knows how to calm me down. Everything he said is true. I’ve been to jail many times. As much as I like to portray myself as a man who doesn't give a shit, it’s partly an act. I see an injustice and can’t let it go.
I got arrested for a stranger. Archer had better have his bail money ready. I can’t imagine what I’ll do for my soul bond.