Page 10 of Amateur Goddess (Morrigan University #3)

Link

I arrived just in time to find Bevin privately outing a crooked cop and handling it masterfully before going right into the next step of overwhelming like it was nothing. It seemed like she could use the big mixer with the spell as long as she was the one who put in all of the ingredients. They had to test it for sure, but she seemed confident which she wasn’t the type to be unless absolutely sure.

I glanced around at the crazy—and crazy it was. There were fifty, hundred, and two-hundred-liter mixers. The idea was to have everything ready for her to come in and do her part after the workers had it all prepped, and then they could finish.

It was going to be a fucking headache of a dance and organization, but for the money they had to be making off the treats… Worth it.

Then, instead of our session, we were heading to my aunt and uncle’s. Something was up from the way Bevin and Tracey were both a ball of nerves.

And Bevin puked in the bushes when we arrived.

“I was waiting for that,” Tracey sighed as she helped Bevin not make a bigger mess.

The door flew open and Aunt Marilyn looked beside herself. Uncle Mark came rushing out and helped, giving Bevin healing, promising her that everything was going to be okay and he would protect her.

“What happened?” I mouthed to Aunt Marilyn.

The look she gave me said it was bad.

Bevin was okay enough to get inside, rambling apologies for making a mess and more. She took one look at the Reids and slapped her hand over her mouth.

Seriously, what the fuck happened?

I felt a bit lightheaded as I was filled in while she was puking again.

“She doesn’t do well with confrontation and telling people no,” Tracey explained while my aunt was helping Bevin in the bathroom. “You don’t understand how they abused her. She—she’s in a bad place and I don’t know how to help her. Now those councilmen know and want to out her?”

I was shocked when she wiped away tears.

“They won’t and we gagged them,” Reid said firmly, nodding when we couldn’t hide our shock. “It was the only way I wouldn’t call a vote to oust them. We lose almost every god warlock or goddess witch born because of this madness to own them or control them. It has to stop, and part of the reason the council was formed was to protect them from the top-tier families.”

“Not to control them,” Mrs. Reid bit out. “And Bevin is so sweet and precious—disgusting men. At least Hanson maybe regained his sanity seeing the monster he raised.”

My head practically exploded when they filled me in on that. I knew Hanson’s son and the idea of him being Bevin’s priest, not only being with her, but controlling her, and—he would abuse her. He would ruin her—I saw red.

I’d kill him. I’d rather kill him than let him ruin her when she was so good and that was rare in our world.

Derek Wyatt and Bevin’s attorney Jasmine arrived and were filled in. The attorney looked faint to learn that her client had threatened a councilman basically. Or maybe the level of threat against Bevin.

Both?

Aunt Marilyn helped Bevin to join us and thanked the staff who gave her a ginger ale. My heart hurt at how fragile she looked… And how hollow she sounded when she spoke.

“Everyone’s too focused on how many we’re selling or that other schools have so many more students,” she muttered, focused on her drink as she pulled her knees to her chest. “But the average witch or warlock tends to have a dog, cat, or bird familiar. That’s the majority, or humans would have found out about us long ago. For real, not just myths.

“Morrigan is the best and then has the biggest range and largest amount of large familiars as well even with the smaller student body. So yes, it took longer at the bigger school, but once we get the process down and people locked in on the lists of what familiars they have, it’s a matter of quick pickups. We could have a dog and cat line and only serve those cookies.”

“That’s smart, Bev,” Tracey said gently, tapping away on her phone. “Yeah, good call. And if this works with the mixers, the dough will go into portioners, onto cookie sheets, and into ovens. Easy peasy. We can start selling to others.”

She shook her head. “I don’t know that we should help others besides students for now. It’s all too corrupt. The guilt eats me already for helping the top-tier families with their familiars, but I can’t ban them all and not start a war, and that money protects us.” She met Tracey’s gaze. “I get why people like me just hide or die from going crazy like the book said.”

“Don’t give up on me, Bev,” Tracey begged. “Councilmen Reid handled those four. We’ll figure this out too. We’ll figure out your dad. We’ll—I know this is tough, but things are better. You’re free. You’re learning. You’re making friends.”

Bevin focused on her drink and nodded. She smiled when Aunt Marilyn’s familiar came racing over and took comfort in the goofy Doberman’s affection.

“I swear she’s an escape artist when it comes to Bevin,” Aunt Marilyn chuckled. “I locked the damn door so she couldn’t get out this time.”

“I would assume the door is no longer on the hinges,” Uncle Mark drawled, several of us chuckling. He cleared his throat and looked at Tracey. “The Reids are committed to helping, not just for the council, but they understand the importance of all of this and the tipping point our world is at. Also, that Charles Shaw has to be checked.”

“Did he seriously not even show to the hearing to fine him for threating Councilman Reid’s life?” Wyatt asked, looking as if he wasn’t sure he could wrap his mind around it.

Councilman Reid nodded. “Didn’t even send representation. Didn’t reply. Didn’t reply to the notice that we fined him. Nothing. He’s challenging us now that we won’t give him back his ‘property.’” He saw how Bevin flinched. “I know that’s upsetting to hear, and of course you are not his possession, Ms. Millen.”

“The only good news is your plan to let the other top-tier families know what the Shaws do to their youngest has worked,” Mrs. Reid said.

“What have we missed?” Tracey hedged.

“The biggest Sunday morning show in our media did an exposé of the whole thing and aired the proof Bevin gave out. Had interviews with heads of other top-tier families and more,” she answered.

“Smart of them to band together,” Bevin muttered. “They think they’ll be safe if they handle it like that and as reactionary and they couldn’t defend him instead of them attacking him.” She snorted. “He’s not stupid. He’ll know and still eat them. One of them is dead for sure.” She snorted again. “And probably whoever will demand to take over the Shaw family from him and Alex.”

“And you’re more at risk which means it’s time to step up your security as well,” I said gently.

“We’re in agreement on that,” Councilman Reid said firmly as he glanced at his watch. “Which is why I ask you trust me and let me bring someone into the circle of knowledge here. He’s not political, and I trust him with our lives and to protect us.”

“He’s our eldest son,” Mrs. Reid added.

“Bev, you’re the captain of what happens to you,” Tracey said when Bevin didn’t say anything.

Bevin looked at her with tears running down her cheeks. “I’m the reason that you’re probably going to be killed, and I’ll rot in Hades for that. I’ve fucked everything up so badly—I don’t get to decide anything anymore. I’m a guppy, and the sharks will get both of us because of me. I’m sorry. I’m really sorry, Tracey. I’m sorry Grandfather dragged you into this and—”

“Stop, just stop, Bev,” Tracey rasped and hurried over to her. She hugged Bevin as the woman broke down crying.

I wasn’t the only one who was discretely wiping tears. I met Tracey’s gaze when she glanced up. “I’ve known Taylor for many years. Trust him. He’s good and he will help if he can. He doesn’t like politics or taking sides.”

“No, but he demanded to get involved when he learned our lives were threatened,” Mrs. Reid admitted.

“Okay, bring him in,” Tracey sighed.

A few minutes later, Taylor Reid came into the room, his gaze hard as he took in everything. He’d joined the human military at eighteen and served with them for over ten years before coming back to our world. He’d skipped our schooling until then and done it remotely basically while building the third-biggest security company in our world.

His gaze settled on Tracey. “You’re a goddess witch. So you’re the owner and that explains a lot.”

“No, I’m not.” She gestured to Bevin with her head. “She is. That’s who you’re sensing, and you’re good if you got that so fast.” She didn’t hide that she was impressed.

All the emotions possible played over Taylor’s face, and that was saying a lot for someone who was so locked down. Then he cursed up a storm before walking out of the room for a full minute and coming back.

“The youngest Shaw is a fucking goddess witch and was supposed to be sacrificed for power for that piece of shit Alex, and—do they know?” he demanded.

“Taylor, tone it back,” Councilman Reid said calmly, gesturing to Bevin who was still crying. “Please.”

“Sorry, Dad,” he sighed. “Just—seriously? This is…” He looked at the ceiling as if asking for all of the patience ever. “Okay, I need to know everything, and I mean everything . Now.” He flinched when Bevin covered her face and cried harder. “Sorry.”

“Taylor, seriously, chill, man,” I sighed. “I know you’re worried about your parents—I’m worried about my aunt and uncle too but—come on.”

His sharp gaze met mine. “Charles Shaw just got on the news and said if the rumors were true then why had he never been brought before the High Council? And if they were true and he hadn’t, that Councilman Reid is inept and should step down immediately.”

“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry,” Bevin sobbed.

“Bevin, we were ready for that and have a statement prepared to respond,” Mrs. Reid promised as she rushed over to Bevin. “We knew what you were doing. We knew, remember? It’s okay, honey.” She shot her son a look to back down and he nodded.

It took several minutes—and a few more times puking—until Bevin was back with us. With Tracey’s help, she told us basically the full story of her life from the beginning with the talking to a frog to… All of it.

The whole room was shocked.

Then she pulled a tablet out of Tracey’s bag and tapped it a bunch of times before sliding it over to me. “That’s the list. Well, lists. That’s all the corrupt cops my family owns and knows about from other families. You and Kevin were right that I knew. I didn’t steal it. I was their family and on their internet and server. I had access.”

My hand shook as I picked it up and saw the files.

Then I felt ill as I looked over how many names. It was at least a fourth of our police department.

At least.

She was waiting for me to look at her. “Now you understand why I said you can’t just go after them.”

I swallowed loudly and nodded. “Because it’s at least a quarter of the police department.”

“And that’s only the ones Father knew of. Even he would admit there was no way he knew them all,” she said, completely scaring the crap out of all of us.

“Okay, so first things first, keeping you safe and out of the hands of the Shaws will keep my family safe, so you now have a contract with me,” Taylor said firmly, focusing on Tracey. “Aside from whatever deal you have from the council—my people are clean. They’re checked weekly and—we don’t make mistakes.”

“I’ve heard as much. We’ve tried to hire you before,” Tracey admitted. “Your admin was rather rude when he told me that you didn’t bother with mall security gigs protecting trinkets.”

Ohhh, Taylor didn’t like hearing that, adjusting his neck as he took that in. “I apologize for that because I have one of the toys for my familiar and I respect the magic of it. I think it’s incredibly valuable and something more people need to help us with our magic.”

“Thank you,” Bevin whispered. “I’m glad it’s helped.”

I wasn’t shocked when Taylor’s gaze softened looking at her. Yeah, she had that effect on people.

I was surprised when Bevin looked at me out of all of the people there. “What would you do next, Link? Grandfather trusted you if he gave you advice, and you really listen to me. You understand this all more than I do and—you believe in me. You have the most potential and are growing fast because you listen to me.”

“I lost half of that,” Taylor muttered.

I waved him off but then realized that was maybe the answer. “I would show him, Bev.” I nodded when she frowned. “All his people are former human military. You can only guess what that does to the bond with their familiars. I would show him so he understands this is about so much more than the council and the top-tier politics or war.”

“What then?” she asked, looking at me as if I had all of the answers, showing me maybe too much faith.

“I think that depends on Taylor,” I admitted. “I wasn’t ready to bring him in, but it’s a smart move. Show him, and I’ll come up with a plan with Tracey.”

“Okay, thanks.” She looked at him and told him to go get his familiar so she could give him a session.

Yeah, we had to explain that, but then he went to get his familiar and returned. Bevin frowned as she went over to his serval. The cat immediately leaped for her and cuddled up to her. She cooed at him and gave him love, but I saw the worry in her eyes.

She looked at me. “Can we do your session and I want to try something? I think I can with the extra magic coming in now.”

“My bond is too damaged to do what you normally do, right?” Taylor asked.

“Yeah, sorry,” she said sadly. “I’ll figure something out though. I think I know what to do, but I don’t want to try it on a damaged bond. Loki and Link have a strong bond that’s growing fast. It wouldn’t be a big deal if it messes up the session.”

“Yeah, let’s try it,” I agreed, willing to help but also curious.

She took my breath away. She basically used her magic to hold me up as I walked back and forth over the “bridge” of my connection with Loki. She infused magic into our bond and jumped us several steps ahead.

I blinked at her when I snapped out of the magical representation she put us in. “The goddess really chose you well.”

She flushed all the way up to her ears. “I’m just glad it worked.”

“What did you do, Bev?” Tracey asked. “The magic pouring off of you was unreal.”

“Wait, rest,” I cut in. “She should probably eat too.”

“I had soup made after you were getting sick,” Aunt Marilyn said and had it brought over.

I told them what it was like and what she’d done, even explaining what my bridge was now and what it had been. Tracey talked about her bridge and so did Wyatt and how Bevin helped him even see it and work on it.

“I haven’t felt linked with my familiar like that since I enlisted,” Taylor muttered. “I feel the magic, but it’s always muted and so is he.” He stared at Bevin with apprehension and like he was too afraid to hope. “Can you really fix it?”

“If you’re willing to put in the work and want to,” she answered.

“More than anything,” he promised.

She took her time having two bowls of soup as we talked, and then she pulled out a miracle and did the same thing with Taylor. He gasped while holding her hands, and I felt magic connect from his familiar to him like a hose unkinking.

And I wasn’t the only one, the Reids both getting emotional.

When it was over, Bevin only had eyes for the serval, Cheese.

Yeah, most of us were amused that hardass Taylor Reid had a familiar named Cheese.

Bevin ignored all of that and gave love to the cat. “You went through a lot that wasn’t fair to you and you didn’t understand. Your warlock did it to help others, but it hurt you. I understand, but he didn’t mean to ever hurt you, but meant to help others, okay? He didn’t know how to apologize and make it better, but now you feel how much he wants to, right?”

She giggled when the cat licked her face, looking a bit healed instead of so broken. She talked to the cat a bit more and pumped him up.

“I’m going to take you to a very special place because you’re such an amazing, boy,” she told him gently. “You deserve it. You’ll be safe there and can hunt—be spoiled like you missed out on when he was gone.” She looked at Tracey. “Can you take him home and let him harvest and hunt please?”

“Wait, I need—” Taylor interjected.

“It’s fine, I’ve been there,” Councilman Reid interjected, thanking Tracey when she agreed. He studied Bevin and probably sensed what I did.

That something else was going on.

Bevin focused on Taylor. “You’re like Clarence. I get it now. How the pieces fit. Thanks for coming.”

And then her eyes rolled up in her head and she dropped.

Luckily, she was already sitting, so she didn’t fall far, and Wyatt had been close, so he caught her before her head hit the floor.

He immediately scanned her and sighed. “It’s not even using too much magic. It’s stress, and—her body is a mess, but it’s not her magic.” He was blinking back tears as he healed her. “The fear coming off of her is choking me.”

“Who is Clarence?” Taylor asked.

“The frog who saved her life,” Tracey said as she rejoined us. “What the fuck happened?” She let out a shaky breath when we filled her in. “This is so fucking ridiculous that we can’t just kill that monster. He has to die and…” She shook her head and walked away but didn’t leave the room so she could keep an eye on Bevin.

I didn’t disagree with her though that Charles Shaw had to die, but he wouldn’t be the only problem Bevin had if the top-tier families found out there was a powerful young goddess witch in play. Which was what the rest of us discussed for a while until we got a lot handled.

It left me all tied up in knots, so when I saw I had a message from Crystal, I was glad. I replied that I was going to shower and come over for fun and asked if she was hungry since I needed to eat.

She said she was fine and just wanted a big bite of me.

Even better.

I had food and then several helpings of her that she enjoyed immensely.

“Are you free Thursday?” she asked when we were lying there. Warning bells went off as she kissed my chest. “My friend is having a housewarming, and I want to introduce you to them.”

I swallowed a sigh and sat up. “That’s not what this is, Crystal. We’ve been over this.”

“Well, it wasn’t, but it could be,” she pushed as she pressed her naked body to my back and ran her nails over my chest. “Come on. Just come meet them and let’s—”

“No.” I was firm but not mean. I removed her hands and turned to see her. “I’m sorry, but I’ve been clear what this is from the beginning. I don’t have room in my life for more.” I searched her face. “Do we have a problem?”

She rolled her eyes at me. “You don’t have to be a jerk about it. It’s just a party. Fine, maybe we can hook up after.” She pulled away and covered up with the sheet.

“I’m not being a jerk,” I defended. “And this isn’t the first time you’ve brought this up recently. I’m not an idiot. You’re pushing me to date. I’m sorry but—”

“It’s what comes next, Link. I’m not an idiot either,” she snapped. “We’ve been fucking for months. It’s time to be more. That’s how things work.”

“No, that’s how things can work sometimes,” I corrected. “Not when one person is clear that their life isn’t—look, I’m not playing with you or trying to jerk you around.”

“Seems like it,” she grumbled.

I stared at her and was having a hard time keeping my cool. I didn’t like being made the bad guy when I knew I wasn’t. “We both agreed to what this was. I’m sorry if what you want changed, but it hasn’t for me. This is all I can offer you—”

“You know, fuck you, Link,” she snapped. “I’m worth more than just fuck buddies and being treated this way. I deserve a real relationship.”

“You absolutely do,” I agreed. “I’ve never said otherwise. You said you didn’t want one and only wanted fun. That was what we said this was. If you want more, you deserve it. I cannot be the one to give it to you. I’m sorry.”

“Then get the fuck out and don’t call me again, asshole,” she bitched, rolling out of bed and going to the bathroom, slamming the door behind her. She shouted at me and ranted that I wasn’t as awesome or important as I thought myself.

That set off warning bells again.

I got dressed and called her from my phone, glancing around and finding her phone on the dresser… And my contact coming up as Link Oliveria.

Funny, because that wasn’t the name I’d given her. So she was pushing for a relationship now that she knew I was related to a councilman.

I used magic to delete my everything from her phone and waited until she was done ranting. “When did you find out my real name, Crystal?”

The door flew open and guilt was all over her face when she saw her phone in my hand. “You can’t go through my phone.”

I raised an eyebrow. “I called it and saw my name pop up. Maybe don’t talk to me about the law now that you know who I am.” I tossed it on the bed. “Was that the push for a relationship?” I felt better when anger filled her eyes.

“No,” she bit out. “Talking about you jerking me around and what you looked like to my friends—one of them saw you at an event and—your hair isn’t what most warlocks wear.”

Fair enough. “I wish you all the best, Crystal.”

“You’re just like the other rich assholes using and treating witches like whores,” she shot at me.

And that pissed me off.

Really pissed me off.

“No, I’m not,” I snapped. “We met on a hookup app. My profile couldn’t be any more clear that I’m up for fun and nothing complicated or more. I was clear. I haven’t jerked you around at all. We’re fuck buddies. I treat you with respect and have never been a selfish lover. You now want more. That’s fine, and I wish you the best. Don’t be nasty about it.”

I circled away before I got in the dirt with her because I was pissed she was lashing out at me with accusations.

Especially undeserved ones.

I thought about it for a while after I got home. I was right though. We matched on a magical version of Tinder basically. Looking through my profile, it was clear I wanted a fuck buddy and only that. I didn’t have a roster or jerk people around. I had one buddy, and I was always respectful of her.

Men didn’t eat out whores or make sure they had really great orgasms—as in multiple—before they got their turn.

I did. Always.

“Goodbye, Crystal,” I muttered as I blocked her number and wrote a note in her contact just in case.