Page 16 of Relic

SIXTEEN

Lying with Emery in my arms, his scent becoming one with my bedding, I smile, finally sated. I knew he would taste amazing, but it was far more than that. If I’m honest, it was different than anything I’ve experienced before. I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised. Everything about Emery is different from what I’ve previously experienced.

His soft breathing soothes me, his cheek pressed against my chest. I stroke his hair, wondering if somehow I could keep this. If I want to. Wouldn’t that be something?

“What do we do now?” Emery asks softly.

“As much as I hate the idea, I think we need to call Samson to look at this crystal you purchased. That may lead us to the next action we need to take.”

“Okay. If I can even walk.” He tilts his face up to meet my gaze, a cheeky smile on his lips. “You did exactly as I asked.”

“That is?”

“Erased my past.” His eyes well with tears. “Thank you.”

I swipe his eyes with my thumb, my chest filling with a tightness I’ve never felt. Fierce protectiveness flows through me suddenly, Emery’s taste and scent gripping my every sense. My fangs descend as my throat tingles with blood lust, and not the sexual kind. The murdery kind.

“What’s wrong?” Emery’s sweet voice seeps through the haze of rage. “You’re changing.”

I blow out a breath, blinking myself back to coherence. “I apologize, my sweet. It upsets me greatly to know you’ve been hurt before.”

His expression softens. “It’s okay. I’m okay, and I made it here with you. It all worked out.”

I brush his hair off his forehead. “I wish I could relax, but I won’t until Orson and the IDVs are eradicated.”

“We’ll figure it out. I know we will. This is too… too good to lose.”

Rolling to my side, I cup his face. “I won’t lose you, Emery. This much I know. I’ll tear New Orleans apart and watch it burn before I let you go.”

Amusement flashes across his features. “Why is your possessiveness hot but from other men it scared me?”

“Because you feel safe with me.”

“That must be it.”

“Let’s rise and call for Samson. Do you need any more nourishment?”

“Not for now. Do you?”

I smile, cupping his chin. “Not for now.”

An hour later, my trusted friend and his witch arrive. Sven brings them to the sitting room where Emery is curled up on the couch, holding the crystal in his hand. He turns to our guests, straightening his body to sit properly. I can sense his nerves kick up, but soon enough he’ll learn he’s safe here.

Samson smiles at Emery, sitting delicately next to him on the couch. “Hi, Emery. I’m Samson.”

“Hi.”

“And I’m Mattheus.”

Emery nods. “You look kind of familiar.”

“You’ve seen me before.”

“Oh. Okay”

“Darling, show Samson the crystal please.”

I’d already explained over the phone what the concern was, and now all eyes are on the witch as he studies the dark rock in his hand, flipping it around, and squeezing it. He closes his eyes, whispering something even I can’t hear, and moments later, black smoke rises from his clenched hand. Samson opens his eyes, gazing into the mist while Emery looks on with wide eyes.

“What does he see?” I whisper aloud.

Mattheus puts his hand on my shoulder. “He’ll tell us in due time.”

We sit in silence for several minutes until the smoke dissipates and Samson opens his eyes. Mattheus pours him a glass of water from the pitcher sitting on the coffee table, and the witch takes a few sips before gazing up at me.

“Unfortunately, my news is not good. The stone carries a black magic spell. It was designed to detect the presence of a specific type of soul.” He glances briefly at Emery, before tearing his gaze away to focus on me.

“Go on,” I say. “What type of soul does the magic seek?”

“Undiscovered ability. I don’t know for sure, but if the crystal was drawn to Emery, it’s possible that within him…” Samson pauses again, putting his hand over Emery’s. “Within him is magic.”

“What?” Emery shakes his head. “What are you saying? Magic?”

Samson nods, his face still set in a frown. “Yes, but, Emery, there’s more than that to it. Have you ever sought guidance from a mystical person?”

He shakes his head. “Just Ares.”

“No, it would have been a long time ago.”

Emery stands, pacing back and forth in front of the large fireplace. “Wait.” He turns to face us. “When I was a teenager, I was on a trip with my grandparents. We went to the state fair and I snuck off to visit the fortune teller.”

Samson’s interest perks up. “And?”

Emery rubs his forehead, obviously trying to remember. “There was a lady in a tent. She was dressed how you’d expect, sitting at a table with a crystal ball and everything. I was kind of scared of her, but she told me to come in and sit down, so I did. She did a tarot card reading for me, but half way through it, this massive wind swept through knocking everything to the ground, including us.”

“A massive wind,” Samson repeats. “Cold?”

“Yeah, real cold and it was the middle of summer.”

“How did the woman react?”

“She panicked and told me to get out of there. She said…” His brow crinkles. “Fuck. She told me to stay away from magic. Not to seek it out anymore. I totally forgot.” He exhales slowly. “Now I remember her eyes. She was staring past me as if she could see something I couldn’t. She scrambled up and pressed herself against the wall, and then…” Emery shakes his head. “And then she grabbed my wrist and muttered some words, but I was terrified by then. I tore away from her and ran off. I must have blocked it all out.”

“She must have seen the magic inside you. Someone planted it there. Who knows when.”

“Huh, well my aunt Sarah was into witchcraft and stuff.”

We all look at him.

“I wasn’t allowed to spend time with her once my mom found out she was practicing spells with me.”

“How old were you?” I ask.

“Ten the last time I saw her.”

“Where is she now?” Samson asks.

Emery shrugs. “No clue. She disappeared around the same time. Sent us a note that she had to go away, but not where. After my mom died, I tried finding her but nothing came up.”

Samson hums. “Give me your hand please.”

Emery walks back to the couch, sitting next to the witch and taking his hand. Samson closes his eyes, but Emery’s get wider.

“What is it?” I ask.

“I can feel whatever he’s doing. Like he’s poking around my head or something.”

After a moment, Samson exhales. “Sarah is dead. I’m sorry.”

“Oh.” Emery blinks. “How do you know that?”

“I found her through your memories. I’m afraid she’s the root of the problem, but unintentionally. Her magic wasn’t strong. Her intentions weren’t clear. She let in harmful spirits that attached to you. That’s what your fortune teller saw. That’s why she warned you to stay away from magic so as not to trigger anything.”

“And then my dumbass stepped right into a witch store and bought a crystal designed to fuck with someone like me.”

Samson only offers a tense smile.

“That’s why the IDVs are hunting him?” I ask.

Samson nods. “Yes, it’s still about this crystal. If we can find out why the magic exists and what it wants, we may be able to undo it.”

“I caused all this drama,” Emery says with a sad voice. “I’m sorry, Horatio.”

“No. You didn’t create the IDVs. All you did was encounter an unfortunate situation in a city filled with magic. Besides, it brought you to me, and I cannot be sad about that.”

Emery’s cheeks blush. “Thanks.”

“What do we do now,” Mattheus asks.

“I have some contacts in the Quarter,” Samson says. “But I say we start with Ares since he instructed you to keep the stone with you.”

“I agree.” Standing, I offer my hand to Emery. “Shall we go on a field trip?”

Emery nods. “Let’s do it.”