Sorcerer’s Apprentice Page 6

  Brynn sat silently and waited while he carefully flipped through the pages of the brown book. After he gently closed it and placed it next to the black one, she finally spoke. And the words she uttered were those of tradition.

  “Merry Meet, Master Draco, of the noble house of Pendragon. I come to thee to further my art and to learn its use for benefit. Never may I harm. Never may I affect the balance of nature wrongly. I will swear to use my gifts with utmost care and in the service of all mankind.”

  “Merry Meet, Brynn, of the noble house of Nightflyer. As you use your powers, so will you be judged. Find yourself not wanting in the eyes, hearts and memory of all mankind.”

  Brynn reverently bowed her head. “So Mote It Be.”

  “So Mote It Be,” he declared and placed his hand on her bowed head.

  When Brynn raised her gaze to meet his, Draco couldn’t help himself. He lifted her chin with one index finger and kissed her gently. “Orion’s balls, you’re beautiful! You must have had dozens of men tell you so.”

  “None that mattered,” she quietly returned.

  Draco pushed a stray strand of hair away from her cheek as the wind picked up and the cold air of the evening blew the flames of their fire to one side. In his heart, he knew she’d said what she had because she was as attracted to him as he was to her. Despite the horrible lie he’d instigated earlier concerning the use of black magic and the ability to control her sexually, Brynn seemed to believe his actions had been necessary. For them to continue, she needed to trust him, even if he had to put the fear of all creation into her. Right now, there was no artifice in her gaze, no attempt to seduce him into giving her favorable reports and sending those on to other Masters of the Guild. But there was something he still had to tell her. Something he’d rather not have her know, but which couldn’t be put off any longer. Before they got to castle Pendragon, Brynn had to be given the chance of apprenticing with someone else, someone safer.

  After making love to her, he’d give anything not to explain his position. But it had to be done. He silently prayed that after doing so, she wouldn’t leave. Even as he knew she should. This was a contradiction to his earlier feelings where tutoring anyone was concerned. But her honesty and integrity had captured his attention. He feared he was already growing too fond of this particular student. She’d already chased away a loneliness he hadn’t thought so extensive until her shining presence drove that dark part of his life into a far corner.

  “Brynn, I-I have to tell you something. I should have done this before you accepted the position here. I apologize for not having told you sooner.”

  She tilted her head and wondered at the forlorn sound in his voice. It was obviously something he’d rather not mention. “Go on,” she quietly encouraged.

  “It’s about my family and why they’re not in residence.”

  When he bowed his head, placed her books back in their tote and laid them on the other side of her body where they’d be near, an eerie feeling crept into her heart. It was like someone pushing a very creaky door open, fearful of the monsters on the other side. She took his hands in hers. The expression on his face was so sad that it touched her deeply. Brynn knew whatever he had to say was no test, this was very real and very important.

  Finally he looked up and moved closer to her. “Have you heard anything about the other apprentices who came here?”

  She solemnly nodded. “I know they were all failed or sent away. I know one was tracked down and had to be…destroyed.”

  “Her name was Annoria Shadowynde. I ―”

  “Go on,” Brynn prodded when he hesitated.

  “She came here some years ago, right after I was accepted as a Master,” Draco continued. “She exhibited powers that were promising, to say the least. In every way, I saw the makings of a great Master within her.”

  Brynn knew parts of the story but wanted to let him tell it as best he could. It seemed that he needed to.

  “Her family was beloved and there was a lot of hope that she and I would eventually bind our lives and families in handfasting. Like almost every man who saw her, I was in love with her.”

  Seeing him struggle with the explanation, Brynn moved closer to him and held his hands tightly.

  “As you’ve probably heard…I ended up having to kill her.” There, it was out.

  Brynn swallowed hard. Her mouth went dry. “I’ve been told what she did. I think every wizard on Earth has probably heard the story. She turned to the dark side and destroyed a lot of lives.”

  “You don’t know it all.” He took a deep breath. “She has a brother out there somewhere. To get revenge for his sister, he wants me and anyone I care about dead. That’s why my parents, my sisters and brothers, nieces and nephews and grandparents can’t even live in their own home on Illusia. They left on the pretense that they’re simply traveling—on business or vacationing. The real reason is so that Bane Shadowynde won’t find them and kill them. He’s already tried to kill several of my family members on numerous occasions. That’s why limited numbers of transport vessels are allowed to dock on Illusia. The authorities here are trying to keep Bane from making another attempt at killing me or my family.”

  “But if his family’s books were taken and destroyed as the law requires when Annoria turned to the dark side, how could he be such a danger, especially to wizards as powerful as those in your family? I was told you destroyed the Shadowynde books yourself.”

  This was the part most people didn’t know and Draco dreaded telling her. “He stole another family’s books, Brynn.”

  She felt her eyes widen in shock. “I’ve never heard of anyone doing such a thing.”

  “I know. You see, a magician’s powers are still active so long he or she holds two copies of the books. It doesn’t matter which two. That’s one reason why we always keep track of where our volumes are. It’s why, when all of a family dies or their books are taken from them for misusing powers, their copies are burned in front of witnesses.” Draco dragged a hand through his hair in frustration. “Though Bane’s family legacy was removed and destroyed, he simply stole another family’s books. And he killed that family to get them. Coming here might make you a target. He’ll likely have heard you’re my newest apprentice.”

  Brynn shook her head in confusion. “I’ve never heard this before. Why don’t all practicing wizards know that their books can be stolen and used by those of us who’ve been disallowed?”

  “Can you imagine how powerful Bane must have grown over the years, how saturated he is with black magic? Since this is the first time anything like this has ever happened the Guild deemed it wise to keep this knowledge as quiet as possible. Otherwise, some other family who’ve had their books removed for good reason might try the same thing. If the public thought there were wizards running around killing to get replacement copies of books, ordinary folk might not tolerate any of us. We’ve already had a great conflict over who had the right to practice magic—we don’t need another one over who is and who isn’t a righteous wizard. Using the black book’s spells, a wizard might induce anyone into believing the tomes he or she had stolen rightfully belonged in their possession. Just as I almost had you believing I opened my black book and could control you. See how it works?”

  “Goddess above…things could get dangerously complicated!” Brynn muttered and dragged her hands through her hair. “Could you explain again why you waited to tell me about Bane?”

  For a moment, he hung his head. “I shouldn’t have waited. I should have rejected your application and let you apply somewhere else. I could have done so on any pretense, but ―”

  “But what?” she insisted.

  “Do you remember an incident in Pratter Fizzydig’s shop where a woman came in and demanded a love potion?”

  “What do you know about that? What has it got to do with anything?”

  “That woman was my aunt Emmaline. Even Fizzydig didn’t know about it, but I sent a message to my aunt and asked her to test you bef
ore you ever got here. Her report was that you’d not only emphatically denied using black powers, but that you were willing to risk your job by doing so. She told me how Fizzydig apologized for your angry dismissal of her request. And…my aunt told me something else.”

  “What?”

  “She reminded me that if I didn’t take an apprentice soon, I’d probably be on report to the Guild for neglecting my duties as a Master. By letting you come this far, I’ve fulfilled my obligation to accept an apprentice for the time being. Even if you decide you don’t want to be here under the circumstances, I’d still have the Guild’s obligation temporarily fulfilled.”

  She stared. “You used me to get the Guild off your butt?”

  “That was the way it started.” He quickly put his hands on her upper arms when she released his hands from her firm grip. “But there was one thing I hadn’t counted on. I saw you standing there at the depot and I wanted you! All that high-and-mighty crap I put you through wasn’t just a way to get a response out of you. It wasn’t just to judge your temperament. I did it because…because I didn’t want to want you. I thought if you weren’t really as amicable and even-tempered as you first seemed, it would be easier to get you to leave. But the more I’m with you, the more attracted I am. My aunt even warned me it would be hard for me to let you go.”

  “Your aunt? Why would she know such a thing? I’d never seen her before that day in Fizzydig’s shop.”

  “My aunt knows me very well. She helped raise me. She took one look at you and decided you were exactly what I needed…though none of this is fair to you. But Emmaline also knows how damn lonely it’s been living here hoping Bane Shadowynde would come after me and leave my family alone. That’s why I stayed at Castle Pendragon when everyone else left. The rest of my loved ones only left at my insistence. Not only were they at risk, but the servants who insisted on staying are at risk as well. My parents don’t think I know why they make a huge issue out of where they go. They’re constantly trying to get Shadowynde to come after them so they can lure him out of hiding. It’s a constant argument between my father, my mother and me. I sent them off to get them away from Illusia, they tell everyone who’ll listen where they’re going and pray Bane will make an appearance.”

  Brynn put her hands to her forehead, pushed her hair back and let out a long breath. “What a fucking mess!”

  He sighed in frustration. “That’s it in a nutshell!” He placed one hand on her cheek. “I had to tell you the truth. It’s not fair to let you stay here and put you in harm’s way, Brynn. I’m already coming to care about you. Your sincerity has impressed me as much as your obvious talent,” he said as he motioned toward the fire. Then he stared at her for a long moment before adding, “You have to leave. The more I think about it, the clearer it becomes that apprenticing someplace else is the only option. I don’t want to see you get hurt.”

  “But what about the Guild? Won’t they insist sooner or later that you take on another apprentice?”

  “They will. They gave me some leeway for a few years, but now that Bane has been in hiding for so long, they insist that I take up training again. They think he’s taken off into deep space somewhere and that he’s abandoned his vendetta, but I find that highly unlikely. Like I said, I get around the Guild’s requirements by telling the worthy apprentices about the death threats when they first arrive. After hearing everything I’ve just told you, they leave quick enough and apply elsewhere. And those that aren’t worthy, I fail them and their books are forfeit. As far as leaving is concerned, you’re one of the worthy applicants who should just go. I’ll give you a letter of recommendation which will get you into any Master’s house you choose.” He got up and walked toward the carriage.

  “What are you doing?”

  “I’m taking you back to the depot. I’ll have your luggage sent along. I can’t justify having kept you here this long. I should have told you much sooner.”

  When he tossed her clothing toward her, she sat and thought for a moment. “No, I don’t think I want to go.”

  He stopped and stared at her.

  “It’s my choice, isn’t it?” she quietly asked.

  He knelt before her. “Brynn, you can’t stay here. Goddess knows how I want you to.” He sadly shook his head. “With the power you’ve shown, along with the common sense to govern it…heavens above, what an apprentice you’d make! But I can’t risk Bane’s vengeance. To get even with me, he’d do just about anything.” Draco lifted his hands in supplication. “Once, he went after my youngest brother when he was riding alone in the woods. Another time, Bane even got into the castle and was outside my five-year-old niece’s bedroom when my father caught him. But the bastard was cagey and used black magic to escape. The last time I saw him he didn’t even look the same. The darkness of the power he’s wielding has changed him so much he can’t even recognize it. That’s what black magic does to wizards. It destroys them. It eats them alive from inside until there’s nothing good left. The being wandering around after exposure to the dark side is nothing but a murdering savage. Bane and Annoria were both like that. And Bane will try to kill me or hurt those I care about again. He’s made that perfectly clear!”

  As Brynn saw it, he was stuck between a rock and a hard place. The Guild had done a good job keeping this information secret. She didn’t even know whose family books had been stolen. That was how covert this incident was. But one thing she did know. There was desperation in Draco’s attitude and his voice that was heartbreaking. He was being forced to take apprentices even when he feared for their safety. He could refuse to do so outright, but that would risk having his reasons revealed to the entire universe. People would surely ask why he, out of all the other wizards, wasn’t training apprentices. And if his reasons became widely known—that a powerful dark wizard was wandering around killing entire families—many ordinary people who were looking for a reason to fear all wizards would use this situation to stir up trouble, just as Draco stated.

  “No. I’m not going.” She crossed her arms over her chest.

  “You don’t have a choice. I’m making you leave.”

  “No.”

  “Brynn ―”

  “No! You accepted my application, you’re honor bound to train me. My father said your family was the best of the best. I don’t like the circumstances, but it’s something I’ll have to deal with. I might have to take someone’s books from them one day and face a similar situation. I see no reason to run off and dodge this scene now.”

  “I could force you to leave and ban you from coming back.”

  “And I’d come right back anyhow with my letter in hand and the Guild’s formal reprimand for not accepting me.”

  “You’d tell them what I’ve been doing? That I’ve been running the other passing apprentices off even if it was for their own good?”

  “Sooner or later, the Guild members are going to catch on to what you’re doing. So, you may as well stop this pretense right now. Besides, the way I see it, you need a good apprentice more than ever. Somebody who can help watch your back.”

  “Orion’s blood! Brynn ―”

  “Shut up, Master!” She pulled her covers more firmly around her. “Eat your dinner, though it’s probably stone cold by now. Then get into my bed and keep me warm. I’m not going and that’s final.”

  Chapter Five

  He was about to put her straight in no uncertain terms. He was still the trainer, she was still the trainee. But her next words and quick moves took the breath right out him.

  “Okay…if you’re not going to eat, then let’s get down to the keep me warm part!” Brynn quickly pushed aside their blankets and lowered her head and shoulders. She grabbed his hips between her hands and began to suck his cock and balls as she had in the pool. Draco fell backward, onto her makeshift bed.

  Draco was so taken by surprise that he could do nothing more than lay where he’d landed and moan in ecstasy. Already erect with need for her, he couldn’t move. He couldn’t
speak at all. He began to rotate his hips as her tongue and lips covered his sensitive flesh. The chill of the night air was dissipated by her hot tongue and mouth.

  Brynn stroked him with her hand as she took her mouth away. “Was there something you wanted to say?”

  Finally, he found a semblance of a voice, though it was rough and broken. “You, fire-throwing, green-eyed, broom-flying she-cat! You’re using my own body against me.”

  “How about that?” she murmured as she lifted his erection with one hand and gently stroked his thighs with the other. “You’d never do anything like that, would you? I mean, you’d never ask a woman you’d just met to swim nude with you just to prove a point.”

  He gently pushed her head back toward his manhood again. “All right, Miss Nightflyer! Finish what you started.”

  Brynn smiled and took him in her mouth again. And when the movements of his hips told him he might be near an orgasm, she lay back on the blankets and stretched out sensually. “I’m not leaving, Draco. I want to be here with you. You can’t send me away when I might be able to help. Please…” she entreated and stroked his chest with the palm of one hand. “You must have needed someone to talk to. You’ve been worried about this for a long time. Don’t be alone any longer. Let me help. Let me show you an apprentice who could be worthy, not someone who’ll betray you the way Annoria did.”

  “Your safety’s on my conscience,” he whispered, but immediately covered her body with his. “Don’t make me regret anything, Brynn. You must do what I say at all times. You have to agree to obey quickly, no questions asked.”

  She placed her hands on either side of his face and gazed in his eyes. “I’m ready to be taught. Just show me what magic you require, I’ll give you what you need.”