Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
The next day, Meadow paced in front of the fireplace, both eager and afraid to meet the tracker and her new magic teacher.
She’d received a note saying they’d come at two o’clock, and it was five past. There were probably traffic jams in this time, even if it was with horses and carriages instead of cars, but they had to come, didn’t they? There was no way any fae witch in London would dare defy Dark Lord Khan.
Even if she wasn’t much of a night person, it made sense.
And once Joseph had written back, saying the foursome would start at nine that evening in the voyeur room, she’d become more and more eager to go.
She’d probably only peek through a slit in a wall to avoid anyone looking at her with disgust, because she wasn’t sure she could handle that.
At least, not when everything was so new and she was constantly afraid of getting things wrong.
Laurie’s words from the night before rushed back to her: Sweet dreams, beautiful. We both hope to see you tomorrow.
Add in Joseph’s lingering goodnight kiss, and it’d been like something out of a movie. Two guys who wanted her, and each other, and were more supportive in a matter of hours than any guy she’d tried to date before. In other words, they had to be too good to be true, right?
A knock made her jump, and Meadow placed a hand over her heart. Focus, Meadow. Your future in the past relies on these people.
Not to mention if her lessons went well, she might fully control her powers one day.
If that were possible, of course.
“Enter,” she stated as she stood near one of the chairs.
A tall, pale female with red hair braided around her head, showing off her pointed ears, walked in, closely followed by another shorter female with long black hair and light brown skin.
The redhead smiled. “I’m Helena Watts, the tracker. And this is Nadia Ahmed, your new magic teacher.”
Meadow eyed Nadia, who couldn’t be more than thirty, and before she could think better of it, she blurted, “Do you have the same powers as me?”
Nadia smiled at her. “I don’t know if our secondary powers will match, if you have one. But yes, I also control lust and desire.” She held up her hands to show off her wrists. “And soon enough, you’ll be like me, and not have to wear anything to contain your magic.”
“What’s your secondary power?”
“Truth seeker.”
Meadow blinked. Nadia could tell when someone was lying, no matter if they were a paranormal or human.
Nadia continued, “Which, to be honest, will probably help the both of us. I only use it when absolutely necessary, and since it’s only my secondary power, it’s not strong enough to coerce you to tell the truth.
Anything you say will be of your own free will, and at your own pace.
Although I hope you won’t hold back too much.
I’ll admit, I’m interested in chatting with someone from the future.
Not that you can tell me everything, of course. ”
The more Nadia talked, the less anxious Meadow became. She was almost…normal. It was as if she were chatting with her old mentor, Stacey.
Before sadness engulfed Meadow at memories of the only person she regretted leaving in the future, Helena walked over, garnering her attention. “We have a lot to discuss, of course. I think everything might go faster if you’ll take my hand straight away.”
She put out her hand, palm up, and waited.
Since Helena was a tracker, it meant as soon as Meadow touched her, she would know all of her powers and discover her distinct magical signature, which all fae witches—even part ones—had.
However, over breakfast Yesenia—her sister had come to visit—had told her to trust Khan, and if nothing else, Meadow trusted her sister. So she gingerly placed her hand in Helena’s.
A tingling warmth rushed up her arm and throughout her body before retreating. Once gone, Helena released her and quirked an eyebrow. “Do you wish to know your secondary power?”
“I have one?”
She nodded. “Yes. It’s the power of persuasion, and when you think about it, when combined with lust and desire, that makes you fairly powerful. Although I trust you’re not going to use it for selfish purposes?”
“Never. I ran away rather than allow my father to force me to use it for dishonest purposes.”
“Good. Right, well, I’ll ring the bell for tea and we can sit and chat. There’s a lot to go over before we leave today.”
Meadow was growing used to how everyone was obsessed with drinking tea and eating cakes with visitors. Although if someone had a lot of friends, then they’d probably be jittery from all the caffeine and sugar by the end of the day.
As she imagined some fae witch or vampire pacing and rambling about anything and everything from drinking too much tea, while guests tried to sit and look straight-faced, she nearly burst out laughing.
If Helena noticed Meadow’s mirth, she didn’t say.
Although Nadia walked closer and whispered, “My parents had to get used to it, too. They came here from Egypt, and tea is just a common drink there, drunk all day long, and the thought of it being special was strange to them. But I have to admit I enjoy the English-style pastries.”
“Egypt? Wow. That had to be a big change, weather-wise.”
She nearly asked if she’d seen the Pyramids of Giza or any of the other ancient Egyptian monuments, but then wondered if they were even visible in this time period. History had never been Meadow’s strongest subject, and she was too embarrassed to ask.
Maybe her sister could recommend some books to help her figure out what did or didn’t exist in 1890.
Nadia motioned for Meadow to sit, and then followed suit in a chair across from her before replying, “Things were difficult for them after yet another war with the Ottoman Empire, and so my parents took a chance on coming to the UK.” She shrugged.
“And it worked out, for the most part. Especially once Dark Lord Khan was finally able to establish peace here, as well as make a treaty with the Egyptian fae witches. So now my parents can sometimes visit their friends and family, which they couldn’t do for many years. ”
“Dark Lord Khan really established peace with the Egyptian fae witches?”
“Oh, yes. Not to mention the vampires and shifters in the UK, too. He rarely speaks and seems aloof, but he knows how to persuade others to cooperate.”
“So he has the power of persuasion too? I thought he was the Wielder of Nightmares?”
Helena had returned and sat down before jumping in. “He is, and that’s the only power he confirms with the public. But it’s one of the most powerful types of magic, as you can imagine, and is all he needs. He never threatens, but rumors are enough for others to be wary around him.”
Meadow glanced between the two females, wondering if she should keep asking questions.
However, a maid came in with the tea tray, and Meadow held her tongue.
Once everyone had some tea and cookies, Helena looked at her and said, “Ask us whatever you wish, Meadow. We may not be able to answer everything, but we’ll explain whatever isn’t confidential.”
After nibbling on a cookie, she replied, “We don’t have lords back in my time, so I have no idea what to expect. If I misbehave or make a mistake, does that mean he’ll unleash his powers on me?”
Helena shook her head. “Of course not. Nadia will not only help you with your magic but also with adjusting to this time period’s rules, laws, and expectations.
Dark Lord Khan has high standards, but is fair.
If someone steps out of line, then there are various reprimands and punishments, depending on the offense.
From what I’ve learned from Yesenia and River, it’s similar to the American Fae Witch Council you have back home, albeit a little harsher.
Khan hopes to eventually tear down the wall separating the paranormals living in the East End from the rest of London, but knows he can’t do it until he roots out rogue magic users and law-breakers. ”
In other words, fae witches who’d use their magic for money or power or retribution, much like her father had wanted to force his children to do.
Knowing Khan didn’t tolerate that kind of stuff both made her a little more at ease, but also nervous. “What if I make a mistake before I’m fully trained? Or, what if I can’t be fully trained?”
Nadia put her empty teacup down and patted Meadow’s hand. “Don’t get ahead of yourself. All I know is that you had a sort-of mentor, but no formal training. Is that correct?”
“Yes. I, well, I…” She hesitated, but after the two females merely waited patiently, she finally had enough nerve to add, “I had to run away about six months after my powers manifested because my father wanted to sell my magic to the highest bidder, and I stayed in hiding for about eight years. So, no, I didn’t have any formal training.
Stacey, my mentor, taught me as much as she could, but she’d never been a teacher before and claimed my magic was a lot stronger than hers. ”
Which was why she hadn’t been able to teach Meadow how to control it well, unfortunately.
Nadia nodded. “Right, well, we’ll start your formal lessons tomorrow. And I promise to be honest with you about how fast or slow we can do things, as long as you’re honest with me, too.”
“What about my secondary ability? Will you help me with that too?”
“Yes. If I have trouble, then Helena will help us. Her secondary power is persuasion as well.”
As she glanced between the two females, who seemed confident they could help her, hope bloomed in her chest and Meadow’s eyes heated. “Thank you.”
“No worries,” Nadia said. “As much as I’m excited to be your teacher, it also benefits every fae witch to have a trained population. We don’t want to give the humans anything to use against us.”