Risk (A Mageri World Novel) (25 page)

Novis remained calm, his fingers splayed as if picking up fluctuations in the energy around them. He scanned his surroundings and spun around to block Ella’s attack as she flashed at him from the woods behind.

Their moves were a mix of martial arts and street fighting. Each time she dodged his punches and spun out of reach, her long dress whipped around like a ribbon.

Novis bent his knees, positioning himself in an orthodox stance with the left leg in front. Ella switched to his left side, making his position less effective. She tried to sweep his leg and throw him off-balance, but he was too quick. Novis grabbed her ankle and flipped her onto her back.

“She’s good,” Justus murmured. “She won’t beat him, but she thinks fast.”

Instead of getting up, Ella kicked Novis in the shin since she was close enough. Novis grimaced as she rose to her feet and paced around him. He held his position, the knife still at his feet. She circled him like a predator and looked him over, an air of authority in her gaze.

“Attagirl,” Simon whispered. “Make him think you’ve got an ace up your sleeve.”

She reached out to grip his wrist, but Novis delivered a swift kick. Undeterred, Ella continued pacing out of range, recognizing that he wasn’t going to give up his position by the dagger.

It dawned on Simon why she kept reaching out to touch him; she was trying to read his mind. Could she? Maybe the real ace was that Ella could read anyone if she tried but chose to keep it a secret. He suspected he might never know the truth. Good for her.

On her second attempt to touch his hand, Novis glared. He must have realized she was trying to do something, so without knowing all her gifts, he kept his hands out of reach.

Simon was mentally strategizing, trying to figure out the best way to go after Novis. As tempting as it was to just charge and knock him over, Novis would expect that, which was why he’d changed his stance. Novis had centuries of fighting on her that would make it difficult to execute any maneuver without him knowing the right countermove.

Ella flashed to the opposite side and struck him with a quick blow to the back of his jaw. Novis swung his fist and made contact with Ella’s eye. This time the fight was brutal. The punches were direct, the moves savage, and no one held back. Ella weaved left and right, dodging every swing and returning each strike. When Novis tried to use his long fingers to wrap around her wrists, she would twist out of his grasp and use nails, teeth, and knuckles to fight back.

Simon’s heart raced. “Come on, you can do this. Stay focused.”

“Don’t waste your breath,” Hannah said.

He glared to his right. “Put a cork in it, wench. If she fails, it’s your fault.”

“And I suppose if she wins, you’ll take credit?”

He didn’t dignify that with an answer.

Of course he would.

Novis reached for Ella again, but she spun out of his grasp. In a motion too fast to track, she vanished and reappeared behind him. Ella hugged his waist, dropped to her knees, and then…

“Oh my God!” Silver exclaimed in a burst of laughter.

Justus shielded his eyes with one hand.

Ella had pulled down Novis’s pants in front of the Council and all the witnesses. His cheeks bloomed red, and before he could react, she reached between his legs, grabbed the dagger, and slid it up until the edge met with his testicles.

Simon smirked, knowing where she’d learned that move.

Novis lowered his head and laughed silently. “I concede defeat.”

When she stepped back, he bent down and pulled up his pants. After everyone’s chuckles died down, Novis turned to face Ella, and she offered him the dagger, holding it by the blade.

He took the knife and cocked his head to the side. “Why didn’t you go through with it?”

“I don’t have a death wish.”

“You caught me off guard. You had time to put it in my chest.”

She gave him a coy smile and averted her eyes. “It’s a nice shirt.”

Ella played a good game and had made her point. Even though Novis had set the rules, she didn’t want to risk getting on his bad side. The win was implied without taking it all the way.

Novis buttoned his pants and then raked back his hair. “I think I’ve seen enough.”

Simon took a few steps forward, and Ella joined his side.

Sasha rolled her eyes, whispering something to Samuel. Novis joined their huddle, and they conversed for a few moments.

Ella’s voice entered Simon’s mind when she touched his hand.
What do you think they’re going to do with me? Maybe I should have done what he asked. I’d already embarrassed him enough. I had to end it that way.

Simon glanced down at her.
Why?

She kept staring straight ahead.
If that had been a real fight, I would have cut off his balls and finished the job, but I can’t do that with a Councilman
.
That’s the kind of thing that bruises a man’s ego.

Simon snorted and quickly swung his gaze up at the stars when Novis looked back at him.

If I’d reached around or tried to move in front of him to put the knife in his chest, he would have taken me down. He knows it, and maybe he’s going to think that’s what I would do in a real fight. Stupid, stupid
, she said, chastising herself.

Or well played
, he replied.
Let’s find out.

Simon broke contact and played with the zipper on his coat. He glanced over his left shoulder and noticed Logan had his back turned to everyone. Chitahs had a problem with watching a woman get hurt, and if he’d actually had to turn around, that meant he must have been close to flipping his switch and going primal.

Samuel addressed the crowd while Novis put on his ceremonial garb. “In light of the facts and after evaluating the Learner’s abilities, we hereby grant Ella Freund partial independence.”

“Partial? What’s that mean?” Ella asked, her voice loud but not rude.

“It means you’ll still require training and gradual integration into our society, as well as needing to find work. We cannot just throw you to the wolves.”

“Speak for yourself,” Sasha grumbled.

Simon raised his hands. “This is ridiculous. You saw what she’s capable of.”

Novis locked eyes with Simon. “We will evaluate her in another year and come to a decision. Ella will find an apartment within your building and you will oversee her training.”

Oh, hell no
. “I’m not going to be her Ghuardian.”

Novis raised his hand. “This is not up for debate. We are not asking for legal Ghuardianship. This is a unique situation, and we can see there’s already a trust built between you two. I’m impressed with her progress since the last time I saw her under Hannah’s care; you’ve brought her out of her shell. You’ll decide how much training she needs, but keep in mind that if you bring her back next year and she doesn’t pass our tests, then she’ll remain under your care.”

Simon rubbed his eyes and muttered a few obscenities.

Novis swung his gaze to Hannah. “You’re on probation. We’re suspending you from your duties until further notice.”

“Am I to be placed in jail?” she asked, her tone businesslike.

“We can make arrangements if you want,” Sasha snapped.

Hannah looked like she was biting her tongue. “That will not be necessary.”

Novis continued. “You will pay Simon whatever he’s owed, and we’ll be discussing community service positions for you in the meantime. Technically, you haven’t broken any laws. At least not while the Mageri has been in power. But I cannot help but wonder if any of your deceased progeny have succumbed to more than just a case of inferior light. But… the dead cannot speak, can they?”

Hannah lowered her head. “There was nothing unnatural about their deaths. I have been open with you and do not wish to conceal anything more that could jeopardize my position with the Council.”

“Hannah, you are lucky we’re even considering letting you keep your seat on the Council.”

“Which we will decide at a later time,” Samuel added.

Novis might have had suspicions about Hannah’s previous Learners, but without enough evidence, he couldn’t legally have a Vampire scour her thoughts. If he didn’t have sufficient proof beforehand and it turned out that Hannah was telling the truth, he could lose his position for slander. In any case, Hannah had an impeccable reputation, and it wasn’t easy for them to find someone qualified enough for the position who actually wanted it.

Novis straightened the sleeves of his robe. “Does anyone have any questions?” After a moment of silence, he pointed at Ella. “One year from today, let’s reconvene. Hannah, we’ll be in touch tomorrow to discuss your community service.”

Simon raised his hand. “There’s a strip of land near my apartment littered with trash. Just in case you’re looking for ideas.”

Novis waved. “Good night, all.”

The Council moved away and disappeared into the grove of trees.

Simon wrapped his arms around Ella’s waist and swung her in a circle. She squealed with surprise before he set her down. Her eyes settled on Hannah for a brief moment, and they shared a look before Hannah went her separate way and headed back toward the main road.

“Nothing awkward about that at all,” Silver said, tapping Ella on the shoulder. “That was amazing! I always knew Novis had a cute butt.”

Logan cleared his throat. “I’m still here.”

Simon pivoted around and slammed right into Levi.

A smile eased onto Levi’s face, just as slow as a leopard creeping up on its prey. “I bet you’re wondering what they asked me.”

Simon headed toward the tree line. “As a matter of fact…”

When they’d distanced themselves from the others by a few feet, Levi lowered his voice. “I told them the truth.”

“Which is?”

“You asked for my help, I tracked down James, and I haven’t seen you since. No need to rehash the past twenty-four hours in detail.”

“I appreciate that.”

Levi gave him a respectful nod. “I won’t mention it again or hold it over you. If it weren’t so damn personal, I’d be having a field day with it. But I’m not a scumbag. On my word as a Chitah, it won’t come up again.” He placed his hand on Simon’s shoulder and leaned in tight. “But if you ever need someone to administer first aid, I’m your man. See ya.”

Levi made two flirty clicks with his tongue and turned away.

Everyone had caught up with Simon when Logan’s phone suddenly rang.

“How am I going to pay for an apartment?” Ella asked. “I don’t have a job.”

Well, that was an offer that just presented itself with a bow on top. Simon patted her on the head. “As it so happens, I could use an assistant. I’ve got files that need backup, and I think you might like to see a little more of what I do.”

“Clubbing? Cutting cheese for three hours? Sitting on the sofa and separating candy by color?”

“Smart-ass. I think it’ll do you some good to get a glimpse of freelance work.”

She stood on her tiptoes, their lips close. “Is that what you call it?”

“I’ll make arrangements with the landlord tonight so you’ll have a place by morning.”

“Sick of me already?” she asked playfully.

“I already told you that this isn’t a love story. Get that through your noggin. I’m not going to watch my apartment sprout flower arrangements, makeup on the counters, and panties on the floor.”

“We both know that’s a lie. Your floor has seen more panties than my underwear drawer.”

“Logan? What’s wrong?” Silver called out.

Logan stared at his phone.

Silver hurried toward him and touched his arm. “Logan?”

His amber-colored eyes locked on hers. “They found one.”

Silver covered her mouth. “How much?”

“What’s going on?” Simon asked. “Did someone find a big enough cat box?”

Logan’s gaze was riddled with confusion. Ignoring him, he took Silver’s hand and led her away. “I put in my bid, but we need to keep an eye on this to make sure we’re not outbid by some lascivious monster. Let’s go.”

Ella looked at Simon, fraught with worry. “What was that about?”

Simon put his arm around her. “Just another day in the life of a Mage. Let’s go home.”

S
imon stepped
into Ella’s apartment and scanned his surroundings, utterly bemused. Clothes were strewn about the floor and over the back of the sofa, which looked like a laundry basket had vomited all over it. In the kitchen to his left, he saw open pizza boxes on the counters and glasses piled in the sink.

Ella straightened a picture on the wall and kicked a few clothes aside. “Well, what do you think?”

He chortled. “You’ve had this place for a week, and it’s a shambles. I thought you were preoccupied with purchasing drapes and a sleigh bed.”

“With what money? It’s my first apartment.”

Simon lifted a bra from the doorknob and tossed it at her. “This isn’t an apartment; it’s a crime scene. Let’s go back to my place before I catch a disease.”

Simon waited in the hall while she locked up.

Ella twirled her keys between her fingers. “Now you can come over anytime since we’re right down the hall.”

He quietly thanked the gods that he hadn’t taken her in. Simon wasn’t necessarily a neat freak, but he liked his personal space. Part of her training was going to involve teaching her how to operate a washer and dryer.

The cold air chilled his bare feet when they entered his apartment.

It had been just over a week since Novis had delivered the sentence, so Simon had worked out a structured schedule that wouldn’t interfere with his other work—solving crimes, fighting bad guys, and dancing at the club.

Since Ella’s separation from Hannah, he’d noticed a change in her appearance. She’d ditched her dresses for leggings and wore her hair down more often. In fact, today it was tied up in a loose ponytail. Women were moody creatures, but Ella didn’t sulk with all the changes. She took them in stride and seemed to have an adventurous heart.

He admired her ass when she leaned over the kitchen counter and snatched a Granny Smith apple from the fruit bowl.

Ella’s teeth sank into the apple, and she held it in her mouth while she retied her ponytail.

“Should I start calling you Pigpen?”

She bit all the way into the apple, and one cheek puffed out. “If you want to know the truth, it’s nice not having a maid cleaning up after me. I don’t plan on living this way forever. It’s just… I suppose I’m just purging the demons or something.”

“You’re definitely purging something. Are you up for a game of Clue?”

She swallowed her bite. “No, thanks.”

Simon felt a peculiar flicker in her energy. “Care to elaborate?”

Ella twisted the stem off her apple. “I have to hear innuendoes every time I make an accusation.”

“Bollocks.”

She strolled past him into the living room and turned around. “Mrs. White did it in the library with a candlestick.”

Simon approached her and waggled his brows.

She pointed at him. “See? You’re just dying to say something. It’s eating you up inside. Admit it.”

As she raised the apple to her mouth, he snatched it from her hand and chomped into it. “Don’t assume you know everything. Anyhow, everyone knows Mrs. White is a tramp.”

Ella collapsed in an oversized chair, her legs draped over the armrest.

Simon tossed her the apple and strolled toward the window, leaning his shoulder against the wall and gazing at the city. A part of him felt strangely settled with Ella around. It was exciting to think about watching her elevate, becoming a better Mage than her Creator ever was. And maybe a part of him liked that he had someone who understood him in a way others didn’t—someone who didn’t just turn him on sexually, but intellectually.

Someone who was snooping on his phone.

“Oi!” He stalked forward, and she swung her arm in a futile attempt to keep it away. He took the phone and gave her a scolding glance.

“Can we work more on hacking?” she asked around a mouthful of apple. “I think I like that part of my training. By the way, Novis left you a message.”

Simon sat on the edge of the chair and gave him a callback. “You rang?”

“Simon. The favor you wanted… I’ve made arrangements.”

That put a smile on Simon’s face when he thought about the nude statue. Since Novis owed him a favor for helping out Hannah, he’d decided it was an opportune time to take advantage of the offer. “Swell. And it’s destroyed?”

Novis cleared his throat. “I don’t approve of destroying art.”

“And I don’t approve of my naked likeness adorning another man’s room. I thought we had an agreement?” Simon got up and strode toward the sunny window.

“There’s something else I wanted to bring up. We never did fill Merc’s position when he left.”

Simon laughed. “Left this earth or left his head on Justus’s driveway? You make it sound as if there’s a chance he might return.”

“I’m serious. We don’t know how long Hannah will remain on probation or if she’ll even come back. I just want you to know that I’ve put in a word for you.”

A tiny bug crawled on the outside of the window, and Simon tapped the glass. “A word for what?”

“For a seat on the Council.”

Simon howled with laughter. “Best joke ever, mate.”

“Give it some thought. I have a hunch you’ll keep doing your own thing, but who knows. We’re all entitled to change our minds, and the idea might grow in you.”

“
On
you. Grow
on
you. The only thing growing in me are hunger pangs. Are you going to smash apart the statue or not?”

A knock sounded at the door. Simon waved to get Ella’s attention and made a knocking gesture with his hand.

Novis chuckled softly before hanging up. “Consider my debt paid.”

Simon touched the back of his neck. Novis was behaving enigmatically. Offering him a position? Simon Hunt: Councilman. Every thought revolted. As tempting as it was to have that kind of power, he couldn’t imagine fighting legal battles with the Three Stooges.

When peals of laughter erupted from the hall, Simon tossed his phone on the sofa and went to investigate.

His gait slowed as he neared the door and beheld an abbreviated view of… “Oh, fuck me.”

Simon’s likeness filled the outside hall—sitting on the floor with one leg bent at the knee, the other tucked under, and leaning on his right forearm. His expression carried a mischievous smirk that suited the salacious scene. The sculptor had broken away from tradition and had made him partially erect at the request of the buyer.

He’d even included the nipple ring.

And the dimple.

Ella leaned against the doorjamb, her lashes wet and her smile wide. “It’s so… lifelike. Where are you going to put it? It’s going to clash with the brown sofa.”

He pinched her side, and she giggled. “Let this be a lesson for you. Sometimes short-term favors are the most regrettable kind.”

A familiar Chihuahua sounded off from down the hall.

Simon poked his head out. “Good day, Beatrice. Would you like to admire some fine art?”

Her eyes rounded the nearer she drew. He winked as she passed by him, and she clutched her dog protectively. Old Miss Havers wasn’t fooling anyone. This salacious display was going to give her steamy fantasies for the next decade.

Ella snickered and tapped the tip of her shoe against the opposite frame. “It’s too big to fit.”

“That’s what she said.” Simon pinched his chin and gave it some thought. “I suppose I could take a hammer to it.”

“Oh, please don’t,” she begged. “It’s too beautiful to destroy. I’m sure we can find
something
to do with it.”

A lightbulb switched on, and he swiftly crossed the room to retrieve his phone.

“Who are you calling?” Ella asked quietly.

“Just a friend,” he said with a wave of his hand.

“Can you turn around? I can’t read Simon hand language.”

He held up his finger to gesture that he needed a moment to make a call. Ella stood behind the chair and leaned over the back, watching his mouth.

“Yo,” a very butch voice replied.

“Levi. Just the man I wanted to talk to.”

“Mmm… I just woke up.”

“Brilliant. So you’re still home. I have a reward for your services.”

“Services… That’s one way to put it.”

Simon looked past Ella at the statue in the hall. “Be home at five.”

Levi cleared his throat, sounding more awake. “What for?”

“Someone will need to sign for the delivery.”

“Don’t send me flowers.”

“Only to your grave will I ever send those. It’s not flowers.”

“Then what is it?”

Simon smirked at Ella. “You’ll see for yourself.”

“Can I have a hint?”

He thought it over for a second. “People rub it for luck.”

Simon hung up, knowing that Levi would probably keep the bloody thing in a secret room. Fine by him, so long as it wasn’t circulating around the city.

“What did he help you with?” Ella asked.

“Your case. He tracked down James.”

“Why do I get the feeling there’s more to that story?”

There was always more to every story in life, but that was one secret Simon was carrying to the grave.

He closed the door and sent a text to Novis to send his movers back out to relocate the statue. Today was his day off from training Ella. Normally he’d go to the club, have a few drinks, dance, and get into a fight.

“Want to help me clean my apartment?” she asked, lifting his leather jacket from the floor and studying the collar. “Are these teeth marks?”

“I fell into a baby-shark tank. And no, I’m not going to spend my day picking up your dirty knickers. Don’t you have somewhere to be?”

He strolled toward the front door and opened the hall closet. That was where he kept his arsenal of games. After a thorough review, he pulled one out and hung his jacket on an inside hook.

Simon returned to the living room and found Ella tying her loose shoelace. He tapped her shoulder to get her attention. “Don’t bother. You won’t be needing your shoes.”

She looked at the game box he flipped between his hands. “I’m not playing that with you.”

Simon flung the lid across the room, his eyes fixed on hers. “Remember the deal we had about solving the puzzle on your pants?”

“I bet you just love this, don’t you?”

Ella stripped off her shoes, socks, and shirt, causing Simon to step back and watch in amusement. She removed the band from her hair and braided it tight. Ella might have appeared to be a woman who was going to tease a man to no avail with her delicate black bra, creamy skin, and plaited hair, but this was her version of preparing for battle.

He shook out the white mat with polka dots and laid it flat on the floor between the living room and his office area.

Ella strode across the mat, flattening the wrinkles with the soles of her feet. “I’m not playing naked Twister with you, so don’t change the rules.”

“Nudity is a distraction that might work to your benefit,” he suggested.

She ran her thumbs around the waistband of her black leggings, which left little to the imagination. “Something tells me you’ve played this game naked before and won. You’re more distracted when you can’t get what you want, so I think I’ll keep the rest of my clothes on.”

He put his hands on his hips. “I never thought I’d meet my equal.”

She approached him and stood on her tiptoes. He lowered his head until their lips were nearly touching. The peach-scented balm she wore had a pleasant fragrance, leaving a soft tint of color on her lips.

Ella’s voice was soft and controlled. “I could do this all… night… long.”

A rush of desire flooded through his veins, and he realized she had already started playing the game.

He nodded toward the living room. “Get my bottle of water from the coffee table while I get ready.”

When Ella smiled, her cheeks blossomed like pink petals on a flower. He could get lost in those sparkling blue eyes, ones that had seen the face of evil. It wasn’t until Ella that he learned that taking off clothes wasn’t as naked as you could get. It was when you lifted the curtain and let someone see the dark corners of your soul.
That
was being naked.

She lingered by the coffee table, and he wondered if she noticed the Scrabble board from their match the previous night. After she’d left, Simon had rearranged some of the letters to spell out a message, one he’d never have the balls to say out loud.

Maybe she noticed and maybe not, but he liked the game between them. It was the only game where he couldn’t predict who would win.

She sauntered back and tossed him the bottle. “I thought we weren’t getting naked? Maybe we should just watch one of your Godzilla movies instead.”

Simon had stripped out of his clothes except for a tight pair of briefs that he’d worn for this occasion. After all, a strategist planned ahead.

When she picked up his pants to add them to the pile, a small object fell out of the pocket. Ella bent down and picked up the small chess queen, rolling it between her fingers. “So
that’s
what’s been poking me,” she teased.

He gave her a naughty smile.

“Do you think I’ll become someone important?” she asked, still staring at the queen.

“What do you want to be when you grow up?”

She brushed up against him and unlatched the leather collar around his neck. “A spy,” she whispered. “Do you think I have what it takes?”

He took in her scent, tempted by her soft lips. “I’ve tasted your light and I’ve seen your mind. You’re nearly my intellectual equal, and that makes you dangerous. I think you have the potential to do great things.”

The collar came free, and she tossed it to the floor. “Are you afraid I’m going to steal your job?”

“No. My heart.” Simon wished he could retract the statement, but it hung in the air for an unbearable minute.

“After seeing you cut in line in front of two small children at the ice cream parlor, I wasn’t sure you had one.”

“I knew what I wanted. They didn’t.”

“Do you?” she asked, rubbing the chess piece down his bare chest.

“What?” He watched with anticipation as it trailed to his belly button and then stopped.

“Know what you want?”

“I want you to throw that away,” he said, gesturing at the piece.

“Why would I do that?” She studied it for a moment and then twisted around, tossing it onto his pile of clothes.