Blood Magic (After Dark Book 7) by Sarah Bailey (ereader for android txt) 📗

He’s my best friend and if my father finds out, he’ll make sure we never see each other again. I’m willing to do anything to prevent that from happening. I can’t be without him.”

“No judgement here. I have books on this subject, if you give me but a moment, I will find the right one for you.”

She nodded as he stood. At least he wasn’t telling her to get out of his shop. She’d happily pay for his services. She just hoped he would keep his word about this staying between them.

Alistair moved amongst the bookshelves, his eyes intent on the spines, tapping his finger against his chin. This was the first time she’d had a proper conversation with a witch. He was unexpected. Completely at odds with how her tutor had described them. Behind those blue eyes lay a man who was self-assured and powerful.

“How did you know I would be able to help you with these things?” he asked.

“Neave told me you knew Candace, but when I heard you were a witch, I decided to take a chance and see if you knew anything about fae magic.”

His fingers traced over two books, eyes intent on the titles.

“I study all forms of magic.”

Her senses tingled.

“You’re not just an average witch.”

His eyes flicked over to her, eyebrow raised.

“Am I not?”

She shook her head. Dani’s ability to sense things flared as she stared at Alistair.

“No. I’d go so far as to say you should be head of the Grand Coven with the power you hold in your little finger. Except you don’t want that. This shop tells me you want a quiet life with the woman you love, but you seem to be dragged into all sorts of mishaps regardless. Perhaps it’s the curse of your power. Your full potential.”

He turned to her fully. He didn’t look upset by her words, merely curious.

“Does your father know just how sharp your intuition is? How powerful you really are?”

“No. He should’ve guessed considering I inherited my mother’s condition, but he prefers to bury his head in the sand when it comes to me. She died when I was young. Her condition… my condition is a curse.”

Whilst Dani shouldn’t strictly be telling him any of this, she didn’t care. Being able to talk openly about what she suffered was something she craved. Even Jamie didn’t really understand the full implications. She’d not explained it properly because it was all connected with the awful memories of her mother’s death. The ones which plagued her dreams.

“Might I ask what you suffer from?”

“I don’t know what it’s called. All I know is when I breathe humans to replenish my magic, it causes a reaction in me which can only be cured by a sexual release.”

Alistair nodded, turning back to the shelves.

“I’m afraid the book I need is in my home rather than here. If you wish, we can retrieve it together.”

Dani stood and walked over.

“I would.”

Alistair smiled at her before blue smoke coiled out of his hand and in front of them, a portal appeared.

“Just a moment.”

He walked around the counter and stuck his head in the door of the backroom.

“Grace, I have to go home to get a book. Won’t be long.”

Dani couldn’t hear the muffled response, but as he stepped back, the red haired girl appeared in the doorway. She nodded at him and took a seat behind the counter. Alistair turned and walked through the portal with Dani trailing after him. Having been in many portals, she was greeted by the usual rushing sensation before they both stepped out into a large living room. She waited by the sofa whilst he looked through his neatly stacked bookshelves. Dani was a little taken aback by how tidy the entire place was, but she suspected it had nothing to do with the witch in front of her.

“You have a very nice home,” she said.

“Trust me, this was a mess before Grace moved in. If anything is out of place, she has a go at me.”

He turned and grinned at her as he pulled out a book. He flicked through it and tapped the page he landed on.

“Here we go. I suppose you will be able to read this without any issues. It is fae.”

He picked up a bookmark from his desk and tucked it into the book before closing it and handing it to her.

“Thank you. I will return it when I can.”

“No rush. I don’t often have fae asking for my help.”

She smiled at him. Now she had everything she needed to secure her own future and her people’s.

Chapter Fifteen

Walking into ObliVion, Dani felt better than she had done in weeks. Now she had a plan. There were still so many variables and things that could go wrong, but none of that mattered. Smiling to herself as she made her way through the crowd, trying to spot Jamie, she wondered what he’d think of her outfit. A skin tight, short black dress, leaving very little to the imagination. She got several looks from various fae, shifters and vampires.

He’d said he’d meet her inside, but she couldn’t see him anywhere in amongst those on the dance floor. Heading towards the booths near the back, she froze. There he was, wearing a grey shirt which matched his eyes, with the top buttons undone. Whilst she almost melted at the sight of him, who he was with troubled her.

Jamie was in a booth surrounded by six women. All of their eyes were intent on him. And they were human. One of them leaned into him and Dani felt her heart crack.

What the hell is he doing with them? Why was I stupid enough