I'm pretty sure this going to be the second to last chapter of this book. As we get closer to the end there isn't going to be much in the way of sex, there's none in this chapter. As I said in the last chapter, chapters 6 & 7 were originally one chapter but were split up because I was having writers block and wanted to get what I had out. My plan of having one sex scene per chapter kind of went out the window because of this. You can expect a sex scene in chapter 8.
Hope you all enjoyed it. I read all comments, both public and private, even if I'm not the best at responding. So, vote and let me know what you think. -NP
****
Darkness had fallen by the time the car turned off the main road.
The difference was as stark as it was unnerving.
They left the slightly rough ride of the city street and transitioned onto the much smoother surface of a private road. As if the, "No Trespassing," signs or the lack of other cars wasn't enough of a clue that they were now several miles outside of town.
They were moving further into the woods. The forest closed in on the edges of the road, creating a darkened tunnel that blocked out the light. Only the washed-out green of the trees and the shadows of the headlights could be seen outside of the vehicle. The driver was a dark and silent presence in the front seat. He hadn't said a word to either of them since they were picked up.
Tom turned around and realized he could no longer see the highway behind them. They were a long way from the school carnival now. The encroaching trees were making him claustrophobic and despite his earlier confidence, he was starting to get a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach. These were going to be the first warlocks, other than Sara, who he had any interactions with and he found himself feeling wholly unprepared.
"It's best to let me do the talking." Sara said. Tom snapped back to the conversation he was having with her.
"Right." He said.
"You're about to enter my world and there's a lot you don't know. It's best if I handle the politics." She said in disgust.
Tom could once again see the stars as the car exited the forest. They burned with a sudden intensity that forced the breath out of his lungs with their beauty. It had to be magic, he thought, in wonder. They were a fair distance away from the city but they weren't so far away from the city for the light pollution to be reduced to nothing.
The car stopped. A set of massive wrought iron gates finally stole his gaze away from the night sky. They were as ornate as they were imposing, a solid wall of iron in an intricately designed floral pattern. They must have cost a fortune, he thought. They were obviously designed to show off the wealth and class of the owners of the estate; Tom still got the feeling that they could survive a tank. Stretching out into the darkness on either side of the gates was an equally imposing stone wall topped with iron spikes of the same floral pattern..
Sara and Tom exited the car into the cool summer night.
"We're not driving all the way to the house?" Tom asked as Sara stopped to pay the driver.
"Not tonight." She whispered.
They approached a smaller door set into the larger gate. A pair of burly men with no necks to speak of and matching black suits, stood on opposite sides of the door. Each of them had a matching bulge in the side of their jackets and wire earpieces that connected to radios at their waists. Tom could have sworn he saw the barrel of a gun sticking out of the bottom of one of their jackets.
"Name?" One of the guards asked gruffly.
"You know who I am." Sara said as she entered the circle of illumination cast by the sole light above the door. She stared straight ahead like the guard wasn't even worth looking at.
The guard's previous bored eyes widened slightly as he rushed to open the door.
"Of course, have a wonderful evening, Ms. Van Westler."
That certainly got Tom's attention. His eyebrows rose slightly as he wordlessly followed Sara.
They passed through the door and onto a well-manicured lawn that stretched up the side of a gentle hill. The stars caught his attention once again as they walked. A cool evening dew caught the light of the stars, casting a thousand diamonds of light that drew his eyes to the top of the ridge. On top of the hill was a massive mansion in all of its glory, silhouette against the night sky. To the left was a dark and seemingly vast lake. It's mirror like and undisturbed waters a testament to the lack of neighbors in the area. The lawn they were walking on stretched around the entire property and with the exception of the lake, ended in woods as far as the eye could see.
They must be on a hell of a lot of private land, he thought. Not to mention the apparently private lake within driving distance of a major city.
The two of them set off up the hill. As they went they passed more men in matching black suits patrolling the grounds. They swept their flashlights across the lawn; small pockets of light among the inky blackness of the night. Somewhere in the distance a dog barked.
Tom was slightly surprised that they were walking all the way to the mansion. Images of expensive cars and valet parking came to mind. The only thing that he could think of was that security was so tight that the guests to the party couldn't be allowed to drive all the way up to the house. He mentioned his thoughts to Sara.
She had an amused if slightly tense expression on her cute face. "I also imagine that much of the guest list didn't travel by car."
Tom was saved from asking another stupid question as they arrived at the front door. The mansion was no less impressive up close. Stone walls and high windows loomed over him, hinting at the glamour and wealth contained within. Stone gargoyles were placed along the entire outside circumference of the building. They stared down at him from ledges cut into the stonework.
An ornately dressed footman with thinning hair and a pencil mustache stood at attention in front of a pair of open and lavishly carved front doors. The light billowing out onto the front steps brought with it the sounds of the party beyond.
"Who stands before the house of Edwards this night?" The man asked formally.
Sara all but rolled her eyes but when she spoke her tone was aristocratic perfection. "Warlock Sara Van Westler and guest, unattached Warlock Thomas Thornton."
If the man was surprised, he hid it well. "Very well then. Enter and be treated to the protection and hospitality of the noble house of Edwards." As the man turned away from them Sara actually did roll her eyes.
"I'm sure the Dean will be as hospitable as always." Sara muttered under her breath.
Tom marveled at the changes in Sara since their arrival. Her voice was suddenly crisp and well educated. Not at all her usual combination of annoyed and bossy. Even her posture and the way she walked seemed to have changed. She moved with an easy confidence, shoulders thrown back, back perfectly straight. She didn't walk so much as she glided forward, like she expected the world to bend to her every whim. Tom certainly did.
They walked into a large two-story entrance way. A large medallion was set into the center of the marble floor, depicting what Tom assumed was some sort of family crest. A pair of ornate staircases flanked the sides of the room and led to a balcony on the second story overlooking the entrance way.
Small groups of well-dressed people were standing around and conversing with each. Tom felt even more underdressed than when he picked up Sara earlier in the evening. They wore the type of clothing that was commissioned more than simply bought. Something he could never hope to complete with, certainly not with his big box store bought items.
They passed below the balcony overhead and through another set of carved wooden doors. The sounds of the party grew louder as their footsteps clicked on the expensive marble floors.
When Tom finally got his first look at the approaching ballroom, he had to keep his jaw from hitting the floor at the sight that greeted them.
****
"This isn't working." Aresta said seriously.
Shyira and Aresta were standing around Tom's dingy little bedroom looking intently at his cramped closet. A few boxes were stacked up in the corner. A game controller was perched precariously on top of a stack of games on one of the shelves. His overloaded laundry basket was overflowing onto the floor. Aresta looked at in with contempt.
"We should really find him a servant to clean up this mess."
"Volunteering?"
Aresta's eyes shifted a little nervously to Shyira. "No, I think I'll pass."
Shyira continued to stare forward intently. "You must have patience, it will work." She said.
"It didn't work the last two times we tried." Aresta said in a huff.
"Then try again."
Aresta reached out her clawed hands. Her eyes glowed faintly red as she poured magic into a spell. The lights dimmed and flickered. The air crackled with power. An unseen breeze rustled her bubble gum pink and red hair. It was all very impressive, until nothing happened. The lights in the room returned to normal. Aresta gave out a frustration sound, walked up and kick the frame of the closet with her foot.
"I give up." Aresta said, throwing her clawed hands in the air.
"You're such an impatient slut, you know that." Shyira said mildly. She stepped forward and looked closely at the runes carved in the chipped wooden trim surrounding Tom's closet.
