Page 14 of Elemental Hope (Warlocks #2)

“Perhaps, but in the meantime you can support me on my trips to manage the winds. Felix has been plaguing me to find an assistant for a while.”

“I want to be useful. I’ll help in any way I can.”

Damon seemed pleased. Nathaniel wrote a few lines on his pad, summarizing what they’d discussed so far.

“What happens if I break any of your rules, Sir?”

“They’re our rules, Damon, not just mine. Break them and you’ll be punished.”

“By you?”

“By me. In a way I will explain to you at the time. Any punishment will fit the crime.” He grinned. Damon rolled his eyes.

“Doms. Always ready to hand out a spanking.”

“I think you’d enjoy that too much for it to be considered a punishment.”

“I’m not saying a word.”

“Probably best. Now is there anything you want to add to the sheet?”

Damon took the pad and pen. He hesitated before writing a line or two then handed it back to Nathaniel.

“Nathaniel will protect Damon from Symeon Malus and all other supernatural threats,” Nathaniel read. “I’ll certainly do my best.” He laid his hand on Damon’s knee. “I promise.” Damon didn’t move his leg.

That evening, Nathaniel, Felix and Damon settled around the kitchen table to share a meal that Damon had prepared.

The room was filled with savory aromas and Nathaniel found his mouth watering.

Damon, still barefoot but now wearing a T-shirt with his jeans, had a smudge of flour on his nose.

He placed a bowl of salad on the table, which was already set for three.

“This actually smells great,” Felix announced, sounding surprised. “It’s a big improvement on anything you’ve ever produced, Nate, and I haven’t even tasted it yet.”

Nathaniel shrugged. Felix was right. Neither of them could cook worth a damn. They kept half the restaurants in the area in business with their takeout orders. “I’m amazed Damon even found enough ingredients to cook with.”

“The contents of your fridge are pathetic,” Damon said, cheerfully.

“Good thing I’m a miracle worker. I will need to go to the market, though, if you want me to carry on with catering duty.

” He placed a steaming dish on the table.

“I made shepherd’s pie. There was ground beef in the freezer and some frozen vegetables and I found some potatoes that were just about salvageable.

It would be much better with more fresh stuff.

” He distributed three warm plates then handed Nathaniel a serving spoon. Nathaniel gave it back.

“You should do the honors.”

Damon’s cheeks pinked but he set to ladling generous portions onto each plate.

“Oh my God, this is good,” Felix managed between mouthfuls. “Chain him to something in here, Nate. He should never be allowed to leave the kitchen.”

Damon giggled. The sound made Nathaniel smile. Damon’s young—he should be enjoying himself. He hasn’t had much to smile about for the last few years, that’s certain.

“But if I can’t go out for groceries, you won’t get to eat more home-cooked food, Felix.”

“I’ll take you myself. I’ll even push the cart.” Felix shoved another forkful of food into his mouth with an orgasmic moan.

“You can go shopping, Damon,” Nathaniel said. “But I don’t want you going out alone until we know what Symeon is up to.”

“Yes, Sir.”

“No arguments?” Nathaniel was somewhat surprised that Damon didn’t balk at being guarded.

“I know Symeon too well, Sir. I’m a useful possession. He won’t want to lose me.” He nibbled on his lower lip before resuming his meal.

A few minutes later all the plates were empty. Damon made coffee after stacking the dishes by the sink. Nathaniel sipped his, enjoying the slight bitterness on his tongue.

“Take a seat, Damon. I’d like you to tell us about how you first met Evrain and Dominic. If I’m to support them, I need to know as much as possible about what happened. Gregory told me about the fight between Evrain and Symeon but I don’t know much about how that point was reached.”

“I’m not very proud of what I did, Sir. My part in what happened wasn’t nice.” Damon stared at the well-scrubbed table.

“It’s history. You were under the influence of evil. You weren’t to blame, Damon, and I’m sure Evrain realizes that.”

“He wants to fry me. Or turn me into a slug.”

Felix snorted. “Sorry.”

Nathaniel glared at him. “Not helping, Felix. While Evrain could certainly achieve the first option, he couldn’t manage the second, so no need to have nightmares about waking up with a craving for lettuce. He knows I’ve given you my protection so there will be no frying anyone either.”

“Okay, well, it all started when Evrain came into his power. Symeon was furious because Evrain is many times more powerful than he is. He went to visit him. Tried to get him to agree to an alliance.”

“But Evrain is honest,” Nathaniel interjected. “He was brought up, at least in part, by Gregory and Agatha. They would have made sure his path was straight.”

“Yes,” Damon agreed. “Evrain would have nothing to do with him. Symeon became obsessed. He wanted to crush Evrain and he realized that the easiest way to get to him was through Dominic. He set up a work appointment for Dominic then when he was driving home, I ran him off the road.” Damon chewed on a nail until Nathaniel pulled his hand away from his mouth.

“It’s okay. Carry on.”

“Symeon kept Dominic prisoner at a property he owned. Dominic tried to escape and Symeon hurt him. He changed him. Made him even better looking than he already was. He wanted Evrain to see what he could do. He wanted him to feel helpless.” Damon shuddered and half sobbed.

“He got Evrain to agree to meet him. They fought and…you know the rest.”

“Thank you, Damon. That can’t have been easy.”

“I wasn’t kind to Dominic while he was a prisoner. I was jealous. Symeon gave him more attention than me, then used me to channel while he changed him.” Tears rolled down his cheeks. “I’m as bad as Symeon.”

Nathaniel had no doubt that Damon’s remorse was genuine.

He could sense the guilt and regret. “You could never be as bad as that snake, Damon. Evrain and Dominic won’t hold a grudge.

You can make amends by never getting anywhere near Symeon ever again.

Without you to channel through, his power is reduced.

He’s reliant on the Octis Coven’s potions—not a very secure place to be.

Once they get what they need from him, the Coven will drop Symeon faster than Felix can consume a Snickers bar. ”

“And that’s fast,” Felix contributed.

“He couldn’t channel through me now anyway,” Damon muttered. “I don’t love him. I don’t feel anything for him. I’m just numb.” He peeked from beneath thick, black lashes.

“Nobody here is going to tell you how you should be feeling. I’ll avoid too many platitudes because I can’t know what’s going through your head, but time will help. You can talk to me anytime.”

“Or me,” Felix said. “For what it’s worth, but only if you feed me.” Felix’s grin was disarming.

“You’re already a step ahead of me. I’ve never had that offer.” Nathaniel glared at Felix.

“You talk my ears off every time we’re in the car. I should be paid as your personal therapist, not just your driver,” Felix complained.

Damon’s moved his head from side to side as if watching a tennis match. “You two are…certifiable.”

“Welcome to the family.” Nathaniel and Felix clinked their coffee mugs together in a toast.