Chapter 41
JAMES
There was no way I could sleep while everyone was so keyed up.
Baxter’s thrall worked a lot better on me than Edwin’s, but I was still strong enough to override the compulsion to go to bed.
It vaguely occurred to me it might have something to do with my Fae genes.
I supposed there was no way of knowing for sure, but I was interested in why I’d been finding it steadily easier to resist the lure of thrall.
I nibbled at a slice of toast, and only then because Trace looked on the verge of tears and I didn’t want it to be anything I did that tipped him over the edge.
I hated seeing Edwin and Baxter fight. I wasn’t physically scared of them so much as horrified that they would turn on each other that way.
I’d heard stories of vampires’ short tempers and violence, but apart from my treatment at the hands of Cormack, who’d been an entire hamper short of a picnic to begin with, I’d not witnessed anything stronger than disdain or a bit of roughhousing amongst their kind.
I also knew how strong the bond was between Edwin and Baxter, which further upset me.
Baxter hadn’t seemed fazed though, and her takedown of my boyfriend had been spectacular to watch.
She outclassed him totally. If Edwin hadn’t been around, perhaps I’d have been nursing an unrequited crush on Ms Wragg.
I was toying with grinding the rest of the toast into crumbs and hiding it in a plant pot when Edwin tapped on, then stuck his head around, the door. His injuries were already barely visible, but his eyes were clouded and wary.
“Am I allowed in?”
I saw an instant change in Trace from warm and worried about me to a cold, distrustful stranger. He turned around slowly. “That depends on what you wish to say. James is exhausted after working all day with no sleep and—”
“For God’s sake, just let him come in,” I groused. “And don’t fight my battles for me, Trace. I love you both. I won’t pick sides.”
Trace inclined his head graciously. To be honest, I doubted there was a damn thing he could do without being gracious. Now I thought about it, he’d always moved with a poise I envied, although I wouldn’t have been able to put a name to the feeling.
Edwin barrelled across the room to Trace and grabbed his hands. “I’m so sorry. I really shouldn’t have said that. I was upset, but it didn’t give me the right to take my mood out on you. Can you forgive me?”
I watched as Trace weighed him up. Then he said softly, “You really hurt me, Eddie.”
Edwin sagged. “I know,” he whispered. “Baxter’s already handed me my arse on a plate.”
“I’m not interested in what Baxter thinks. I want to know what you think.” He hadn’t pulled his hands from Edwin’s grasp though.
Edwin stared at the floor for a full minute. When he raised his head, sincerity bled from every pore as he blurted, “I was a thoughtless arse. I hurt one of the two people I care most about in the world and I wish I could take it back.”
Trace gathered him close. “Apology accepted. But know this. While I don’t mind and even encourage being called out if I fuck up, you pull a stunt like that again and forgiveness might not be swift.
I was a terrible person, but I hope I’ve learned my lesson.
The very least I expect from a partner is some loyalty. ”
“I know. You’re worth way more than that.” Edwin snaked his arms around Trace’s waist and laid his head on his shoulder. “I really do love you.”
“And I, you.” The air shimmered for a second, metallic pink. I gasped as the lamp in the corner blinked off to be replaced by dozens of tiny sparkling lights on the ceiling.
“What did you do?”
Trace smirked. “Improved the atmosphere. They won’t last more than an hour or so, but it is so, so good to be able to use my magic again. I’m just showing off.”
“You know I’m a sure thing, right?” Edwin, bouncing back, treated us both to a truly salacious grin. Even tired as I was, my cock stirred, and I wondered if I had the energy for a three-way romp on Trace’s bed.
Trace, however, indicated Edwin should park his bum on a chair. He scooped my messy plate from the table and gave me a sad smile. “You’re shattered, aren’t you? I shouldn’t be asking you to switch your days and nights around to help me out.”
“Oh, shove it. We’re a team. Not like we have a handy space suit for Eddie to pitch in. If I say I’m good to work, I’m good to work. I’ll go to bed in a bit.” When I’m more certain my two lovers aren’t going to start WW3 with another slanging match.
“Feisty thing, you are,” Edwin remarked with another grin. “You’ve been different since you went off with Dalziel. I have to wonder if he spent all the time you were sleeping whispering positive affirmations in your lugholes.”
Trace spluttered with laughter. “He would too. He’s a kind man.” We both must have stared at him funny because he tched impatiently. “I mean it. He comes across as a bossy arsehole most of the time, but he’s got a good heart.”
Edwin’s scowl suggested he didn’t particularly want to talk about Dalziel, but he took the bait. “Go on, then. Tell us how long it is you’ve known him.”
“I thought that would come up soon enough.” Trace perched on another chair. “Met him a few times. First time was just before war broke out in ‘39. Just two guys passing the time.”
Was that code for a fuck, a fling? I didn’t know. I wasn’t sure I wanted to know. Trace was mine and Edwin’s. The fact he might have been Dalziel’s before he was mine was knowledge I could live without.
Trace continued. “When we met again in ’51, it was obvious he saw straight through my updated glamour.
” He chuckled. “The bugger gets about, but then again, so did I. He asked me outright what flavour of supe I was. I couldn’t tell him, being magically bound to silence, but he guessed that too, eventually, even though it took another decade to decide I was probably Fae.
We’ve kept in touch sporadically ever since. ”
“So he suggested you should join the Council?” Edwin’s brow was furrowed.
Trace nodded. “Yes. He said perhaps it would be good for me to find some kinship among other supes, even if I couldn’t declare myself as anything other than a witch.
I am a damn good witch,” he added with a hint of pride.
“I have an affinity for the soil and making things grow, and for making potions and teas and the like from the plants I grow. I also have a very good nose for bullshit. What d’you humans call it, sixth sense?
Sometimes I just know. It’s worth listening to.
” He shrugged. “Even works on me most of the time. I’ve had some occasions when gut instinct alone has saved my backside. ”
“So,” Edwin went on, “Dalziel’s known you for ages, same as he’s known me almost, and yet suddenly he’s pushed us together. Why d’you think that is?”
“Don’t talk rot. He’s not pushed anyone.”
“What do you call telling you to approach me about my land then?”
Trace walked over to the shelf by the window and picked up a watering can.
He began adding water to the pots of herbs with a determined expression.
“Common sense. He knew I was in a bind. You and I had always been civil, even friendly, and it could have worked. It has; it did.” His shoulders tensed and he paused with the can in mid air. “Hasn’t it?”
Edwin deflated in his seat. “Yeah, it has. It does. I’m so happy you came to live with us. Am I just seeing interference where there was none?”
Trace turned back around to face us. “You’d have to ask Dalziel that. If you’re asking me if I think your sire is a master manipulator, I’d have to say no. If, however, you’re wondering if he has a romantic streak a mile wide, that’s a slightly different story.”
“Dalziel, romantic?” Edwin scoffed.
“I think he is,” I cut in. “Things he said…” I broke off, unwilling to share anything he and I had discussed over those three days. Partly, I was still picking through it all myself, and more so in case I inadvertently let slip something he’d told me in confidence.
Edwin opened his mouth, but clamped it shut at a pointed glance from Trace.
Instead, he changed the subject. “So, much as the new you, or rather, original you, is the definition of hot stuff, isn’t it going to put a downer on your ability to mingle amongst the humans?
Witches have it easy for the most part, but you can’t hide this.
I mean, you’ve got a good three inches on me now and I’m tall.
” He waved his hand in an up and down motion to indicate Trace’s true form.
“No, it won’t be an issue.” Trace looked almost sheepish. “Now I have the full range of my magic, I can use a glamour. I can make myself look like anyone.”
Edwin’s eyebrows rose comically. I did not want to know where his mind went, but I was sure it was a filthy thought. I, however, said what was on my mind. “So you could make yourself look like the Trace I know? I mean, the one I met first?”
“Naturally.”
There was a weighted pause. I croaked, “Can you do it now?”
Understanding flashed in his eyes. He inhaled, then muttered something in a language I couldn’t hear but presumed was Fae from the unfamiliar shape of his lips as he mouthed the syllables. That metallic not-really-pink light shimmered for a second, then there he was, standing before us.
“Oh fuck.” Raw emotion obstructed my throat and tears pricked my eyelids.
“Could you…” I began, then had to stop to give myself a moment.
“Could you maybe sometimes…be like this so I can…I, uh, I just really like you this way a lot.” I felt my cheeks heat.
“I like you the other way too, I’d be crazy not to, but… it’s…it’s a…”
“It’s a lot?” he offered gently. I nodded.
He came and hauled me to my feet, pulling me close so I could breathe in the outdoorsy scent of him and feel the scrape of his calloused fingertips against my biceps as he caressed me.
“I will glamour myself this way whenever you need me to. I hope in time you can accept my true Fae self, but you’ve had a lot to cope with this year and I understand this is one change too many right now. ”
I smiled into the greying tangles that adorned his shoulder. “I do think you’re smoking hot as your Fae self,” I hastened to reassure him. “But sometimes it would be nice to have this version.”
His lips touched my forehead. “I love you, James. There is no rush.” He held out a hand to Edwin. “Come help me persuade Mr Wilson here to get the sleep he’s still denying he needs?”
“Sure thing, Mr—” I felt the air shift as Edwin drew near. “I don’t even know what your real name is, Trace. Do you want us to call you Thèlo?”
I felt the lift of Trace’s shoulders. “Eh, whatever’s easiest. I’ve built up a business as Trace Dempsey here, so as long as you’re aware my official name on Earth is one thing and Thèlo is my Fae name, we’ll be fine either way.”
“Is your Fae surname embarrassing or what? Stop stalling.” Edwin’s amusement was evident as he brought his arms around me and bent to nuzzle my neck.
“Depends on how you view it.” Now, I pulled back to look him in the eye. He half raised a smile, then sighed. “It’s Evergreen.”