Page 10 of Magic and Medicine

This situation was becoming more and more complicated. Amber technically belonged to Jurata. She had created the substance from the resin of my trees aeons ago, back when we hoped she would be able to remain in the human realm with me. The creation of the amber into reservoirs of time depleted most of her power, but even this was not enough to bring her true form from behind the Gates. Since she departed for the Nether, trade in that commodity belonged to anyone powerful enough to take it, and as it was the best material to store magic, I made sure to seize control of the local business. It didn’t hurt that humans coveted amber, and the supernatural community was more prosperous because of it. However, it now seemed someone wasn’t satisfied with their market share and was trying to muscle into my business, which would take money and power, especially when it was well known I was happy to kill in order to maintain control. Could this be a power play by Czernobog’s followers? The appearance of their weapon suggested that, but it would take a visit to the Nether to find out.

Gdansk’s mirror city in the Nether, Gedania, housed the council of Guardians; only they would have the information needed to avoid an all-out war with an enemy I had only just learned existed, but the very thought of contacting those arrogant pricks and the possibility of meeting with Jurata made my skin crawl.

Lost in thought, pondering the implications of the recent attacks and travelling to Gedania to find out who was responsible, I almost forgot about my visitor until the surprisingly patient werewolf cleared his throat self-consciously before speaking.

‘My pack leader said I was saved by a human, Sir, that she’s one of your protected.’ The way the pup worded his statement made my hackles rise, and I wondered if I would end up punishing him for disrespect.

‘And what it is to you, pup?’ He flinched at my word choice, upset that I didn’t see him as the adult he considered himself to be, one capable of fighting for a place in pack hierarchy.

‘She helped me. I know it was on your command, Sir, but she didn’t flinch, and I know I wouldn’t be here now without her. I want to repay her kindness. I… all I know is fighting. If that… I would be her Guardian in our world, plenty of my kind; they don’t like humans….’

My interruption was harsher than intended, as I reacted as if this boy was questioning my abilities, ‘You can barely walk, and it will take too long to regain your strength. How do you intend to protect Sara? By bleeding on her carpets?’

‘I can tail her when she goes out and make sure no one is after her. I can…’

‘No, Adam already has his men monitoring the situation. I don’t want you getting in their way. If you must express your gratitude, send her flowers or chocolates. Women are supposed to like such things. Now, go rest, or you’ll never heal.’

The young wolf leant forward, intending to protest, but with one raised eyebrow, I suppressed his desire, and he bowed before exiting the room. I wouldn’t be surprised if he curses my name all the way to the pack’s safe house. Still, he is too young and inexperienced to be anyone’s protector, let alone a woman who I …who I what exactly? Have known for less than two days and crave with a desperation that borders on obsession? My thoughts drifted to her surprised face when I pushed her into her apartment and slammed the door behind her. I’d subdued a faction leader because he mentioned her name. Maybe I should take myself the advice I gave the wolf pup. Perhaps I should back off, send her flowers and forget about the situation. But there was a slight problem; I didn’t know what flowers she liked.

‘For fuck’s sake, I’m losing my mind!’ I slammed my fist on the table, the wood protesting at the impact, bringing my assistant rushing into the room at the noise, only to look at me in shock when he saw my expression.

‘Inform Adam to assemble a small team for an assignment tonight. We need to increase surveillance at the docks, especially near the Gates to Gedania, and ensure everyone wears a bulletproof vest. I want no more surprises. Then ensure our people in the police avoid the area tonight… Oh, and find out what flowers Sara likes and send her a bouquet.’

‘Yes, Sir… wait, what? Who is Sara?’

‘What didn’t you understand? I know Adam thinks he is indestructible, but tell him it’s my order, and if the police oppose, remind them what happened the last time they interfered with otherworldly affairs. Sara is the human doctor I have recruited recently. She helped me with a minor crisis. Adam’s driver will know the address for the delivery.’

‘No, I know all this… but Sara? And flowers?’

Michal, the burly bear shifter who worked as my assistant, looked at me as if I’d lost my mind, and I didn’t blame him. Maybe I had, but something deep inside me wanted to remind that stubborn woman of my presence. I couldn’t visit her tonight, but I wanted her to know she was in my thoughts. I removed my jacket and rubbed my neck. Tonight’s excursion needed careful planning and increased security near the Gates, but before I turned my attention to the laptop screen, I looked at my assistant and added, with a hint of mischief.

‘You’re right. Flowers are not enough. Ensure they are delivered with freshly baked cinnamon buns and a caramel latte.’ As an afterthought, I added. ‘Oh, and send a letter to the Coven requesting a meeting. They have a stray lamb in desperate need of training.’

‘The Coven, Sir. You are not on friendly terms with them. Is that wise?’

‘They will listen, and whatever illusionary power they think they have, I can remind them of their place if they step out of line. Please handle my requests with care and no more questions. I have repeated myself enough today.’

The disapproving grunt my assistant produced as he exited the room made me chuckle, but as soon as my gaze fell on the scout’s reports, I knew it was time to focus on the problems I’d neglected in my hubris and defend the little empire I had built before these latest challenges threatened totearitapart.

Chapter six

Of course, I was not watching the clock and hadn’t noticed that six p.m. had come and gone without Leszek turning up. To make a point, proving he meant nothing to me, I had resisted the urge to dress up and was lounging in my house clothes, a comfortable set of mismatched sweats, and while these clothes had a lack of holes in them, it wasn’t to impress the annoying mobster and my rear didn’t look amazing in them. Well, Okay, that last sentence was a lie, but a woman has to have standards. Scarface, my feline partner-in-crime, was sitting on the other end of the sofa, his disfigured muzzle and single fang pointedly looking at the pristine litter box in disgust, clearly still upset that his territory now smelled of fresh daisies. An innocent victim of my need to keep busy as I waited on Leszek’s visit.

My imagination ran wild, picturing his expression when he saw my dishevelled appearance, and I smiled in satisfaction, even though the spotless apartment was a clearer sign of how I felt about all of this.

With the newly discovered world of magic, my mind recalled the dozens of fantasy books on my shelves, with their fascination with fated mates. It was easy to believe this strange attraction was a product of subconscious wish fulfilment or possibly Leszek’s weird mojo messing with my brain chemistry because every time I remembered his voice, it felt like thick molasses was sliding down my spine.

Working in the E.R. had cured me of such naivete, and over the last few hours, I had analysed my feelings to death and knew the real reason for my attraction was my inability to intimidate him or dominate the terms of our interaction. After years of failed relationships, I craved a man who challenged me and didn’t meekly follow my lead, so despite telling myself I didn’t want to see him, I was angry when he didn’t show up. The mess I made tearing up the napkin was a stark reminder that I had been stood up by a man who looked at me like a starving beast would his next meal, and he didn’t even have the time to grace me with a message.

‘Well, fuck you, too.’ I said to the ceiling, angry that he made me feel disposable, the flavour of a moment, good while it lasted, forgotten when it was out of sight. His loss; at least I didn’t waste my time doing my makeup. Besides, there’s no situation a cat, wine, and a good book can’t fix.

Halfway through preparing a hot, relaxing bath designed to put me in a better mood, I heard a knock on the door. The temptation to pretend I wasn’t home was powerful and very immature. I will politely listen to his excuse and then tell him to return home. I didn’t care, was barely dressed, and as my bathrobe covered everything necessary, he didn’t deserve further effort.

It was too late for a date, and I wasn’t interested in hearing if he had another emergency. I’m not his booty call or a mob doctor, I thought, marching toward the doors, ready to give Leszek an earful and slam the door in his face. The bouquet thrust in my direction took me by surprise, and judging by the round eyes of the messenger, he was just as astonished to see a scantily dressed woman answering the door.

‘Iyyy… delivery for Sara Wilska?’

His shocked stutter earned him a curt nod as I tried to hold back my laughter, watching his valiant effort to avoid looking at my cleavage. I still wore a bra and panties, but the poor boy’s imagination had obviously run away with his ability to think. While I observed him trying not to look at me, I almost missed his attempts to give me the massive bouquet of freesias till he pushed it in my face.

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