Chapter 19 #2
Sam turned to find Adolf Schwarz standing less than three feet away. Up close, the mage’s age was even more apparent. Not in his face, which was unlined and youthful, but in his eyes. They held the weight of centuries, cold and calculating and utterly without compassion.
“Herr Schwarz,” Sam acknowledged, keeping his voice neutral. “I don’t believe we’ve been formally introduced.”
“An oversight I’m happy to correct.” Schwarz’s smile revealed perfect teeth. “I work with Abdul Kettering. Consulting, you might say. And you are the famous Sam Kinkaid. You have not been seen at any of the elite events in some time, I believe.”
Sam felt Claudia’s shields strengthen beside him as her magic rose in response to the threat Schwarz represented. “I attend events when they interest me.”
“Indeed.” Schwarz’s gaze shifted to Claudia, and Sam had to suppress a growl. “And who is this lovely creature?”
“This is Claudia,” Sam said, deliberately not providing more information. “My companion.”
“How delightful.” Schwarz extended his hand toward Claudia.
It was a test, Sam realized. Schwarz wanted to touch her, to measure her power directly. Refusing would show fear, but allowing it would give the ancient mage too much information.
Claudia solved the dilemma by offering her hand with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “Pleased to meet you, Herr Schwarz.”
Sam watched carefully as Schwarz took her hand, bending over it in an old-fashioned gesture. The contact lasted barely a second before Claudia pulled away, but he saw Schwarz’s eyes widen in surprise.
“Fascinating,” Schwarz murmured. “You have layers, my dear. A rare talent in one so young. Tell me, where did you study?”
“Here and there,” Claudia said vaguely. “I had an excellent teacher.”
“I’m sure you did.” Schwarz’s attention returned to Sam. “You choose your associates well, Herr Kinkaid. Both in business and in personal matters. I do hope we’ll have a chance to speak more during the evening. There are so many interesting topics to discuss.”
The implicit threat hung in the air. Before Sam could respond, Schwarz nodded politely and moved away, melting back into the crowd with the ease of long practice.
“Well, that was terrifying.” Claudia’s voice trembled just a bit.
“You handled it perfectly.” Sam pulled her closer. “What did you sense when he touched you?”
“Darkness. Cold that goes bone-deep. And hunger.” She shuddered. “He wasn’t just measuring my power, Sam. He was imagining what it would taste like to consume it.”
Sam’s lion snarled silently. “He’s not getting near you again.”
“He won’t need to get close to try something.” Claudia’s voice was steady, despite her fear. “A mage that powerful can strike from a distance.”
“Then we make sure he doesn’t get the chance.”
“I have a trick or two up my sleeve if he does try something,” she murmured, watching the man’s back as he wove his way through the crowd.
Sam and Claudia continued circulating during the cocktail hour, but Sam kept constant awareness of Schwarz’s location.
The ancient mage moved through the gathered people like a predator among prey, his smile pleasant but his eyes constantly calculating.
Marta Chambeaux stayed close to Kettering, occasionally whispering in his ear, but her attention kept returning to Claudia.
The evening wore on, and dinner was served.
It was another elaborate multi-course affair.
Sam and Claudia found themselves seated at a table with Mark, Shelly, and several European business contacts.
The conversation was carefully neutral, touching on nothing controversial, but Sam could feel the tension mounting.
After dinner, as guests moved to the dance floor, Sam pulled Claudia into his arms. The orchestra was playing a waltz, and they moved together with the ease that came from their new, deeper connection.
“He’s watching us,” Claudia murmured against his shoulder.
“I know. Let him watch.” Sam spun her gently. “We’re not giving him anything to use against us.”
But as they danced, Sam felt his protective items warming. The cufflinks against his wrists, the tie tack against his chest. Active magic nearby, and it wasn’t friendly. He caught Nick’s eye across the room and touched his left ear briefly.
The signal.
Nick’s posture changed imperceptibly, and Sam saw Mark straighten near the bar. Their allies were ready.
“Something’s wrong,” Claudia whispered. “The ambient magic in the room just shifted. Someone’s preparing to cast.”
“Can you tell who?”
“No, it’s too subtle. But, Sam, it feels big. Whatever they’re planning, it’s not a minor working.”
Sam made a decision. They needed to move, now, before Schwarz could spring whatever trap he was setting. “Come with me. We’re leaving.”
“What about—”
“Mark and Nick are aware and can handle themselves. Right now, I need to get you somewhere safe.” He guided her off the dance floor, moving toward the exit with deliberate calm. Running would draw too much attention, but he kept their pace just short of urgent.
They’d almost reached the doors when Marta Chambeaux stepped into their path.
“Leaving so soon?” Her smile was sharp and predatory. “But the evening is just beginning.”
Sam felt power gathering around them, and thought he felt Claudia’s shields snap into full defensive mode. Around the ballroom, other guests continued dancing, oblivious to the magical confrontation unfolding in their midst.
“Excuse us,” Sam said coldly. “We have somewhere else to be.”
“I think not.” Marta’s eyes glowed with dark magic. “Der Nehmer has taken an interest in your little mage. He wishes to speak with her. Privately.”
“That’s not happening.” Sam let his lion rise close to the surface and knew his eyes flashed gold with power. “Step aside.”
Marta laughed, the sound like breaking glass. “Or what, shifter? Will you attack me here, in front of all these witnesses? I think—”
She never finished the sentence. Claudia made a sharp gesture with one hand, and Marta stumbled backward as if struck. The dark mage’s eyes widened in shock.
“We’re leaving,” Claudia said firmly. “And unless you want to find out what else I can do, I suggest you don’t follow us.”
For a moment, Marta looked like she might attack anyway. Then Schwarz’s voice cut through the tension.
“Let them go, Marta. For now.” The ancient mage stood across the ballroom, but his voice carried clearly, just to their little group, projected by a touch of his magic. “The night is young, and there will be other opportunities.”
It was both a dismissal and a promise. Sam didn’t wait to hear more. He pulled Claudia through the doors and into the hallway beyond, his heart racing with more than just adrenaline.
His mate had just faced down a Venifucus mage and won the first skirmish. But somewhere behind them, Adolf Schwarz was planning his next move.
The real battle, Sam realized, was only just beginning.