Harry Potter Fanfiction: Washing Machine Accident

,,yes?", harry answered, not tearing his eyes away from the report he was reading. ,,do i look like a midget to you?" the dark-haired man blinked. what was i with ginny and her weird questions lately? ,,no." the red-haired woman pulled out the thing she had been hiding behind her back. ,,then why are all my pullovers child-sized now!?!" she waved the tiny little thing on front of harry. ,,how many times do i have to tell you that you - DO.NOT.PUT. WOOL. IN. THE. WASHING. MACHINE!!!" harry sweatdropped. ,,uh, well, you WERE looking for a gift for ron and hermione´s newborn, right?"

Harry Potter Fanfiction: Cold

darkness creeping from every corner of the silent room. not one ray of light illuminating the everpresent darkness. then, a rustling sound. coming closer... you can almost feel the breath on your neck and then... a gutwrenching scream! ,,ron! you and your cold feet! if you don´t start wearing socks to bed, you´ll be spending your nights on the couch!!!"

Harry Potter Fanfiction: Misunderstanding

,,...and then you chop the fresh green leaves and dump them into the heated sunflower oil in the pan", luna mumbled as she watered the plants. suddenly, a head peaked over her shoulder. ,,what are you doing, love?" ,,explaining how to make a vegetarian omelet, dean", answered luna. ,,oh? and to whom?" ,,to the plants." dean sweatdropped. ,,Uh...luna-love, i told you to TALK to the plants, NOT scare them to death!"

Harry Potter Fanfiction: Noisy Neighbours

,,idiot! lying bastard!" fiona arwish pressed her ear to the wall listining to the two voices argue. a gay couple living in THEIR apartement house was THE sensation of the year. she was lucky to live in the apartement right next to theirs. not that SHE would spy on them or anything. Noooo, she never! and now they were fighting. how delightful. she couldn´t wait to tell midna! someone entered the neighbouring apartement. ,,hey, draco! how was your day?", said the still furious voice of harry potter. ,,you wouldn´t believe what the minister had the balls to say on the radio right now" fiona sweatdropped.

Harry Potter Fanfiction: Subtle Seduction

hermione held ron´s eyes as he took it into her mouth. she licked at the hard red surface,swirling her tongue around its sweetness, then moved up and down its length. with a sudden smile, she noticed ron groaning deeply in his throat. the red-haired boy´s eyes grew dark with desire as he licked his suddenly dry lips. ,,mrs. granger!" the shrill sound of professor umbridge´s screeching voice broke through the haze of excitement they shared. ,,lollipops do NOT belong in school!"

Harry Potter Fanfiction: Poor Ron

,,...and then he...and she was...and..." ron sobbed, curled on the couch, head pressed into the shoulder of his wife. hermione laid one arm around ron´s shaking shoulders and handed him a handkerchief. she sighed as more tears came, wetting the front of her shirt. it was always the same, every time. the red-haired man blowed his nose loudly, looking at hermione with red, swollen eyes, blinking owlishly. ,,that was so saaaaaaa~ad",he started to wail again, hiding his face against the wet shirt. hermione rolled her eyes. ,,we are never EVER going to watch bambi again!!!"

Harry Potter Fanfiction: Special Operation

harry sneaked a peek to the right, then another to the left. no one in sight. stealthily he moved forward. there,his target was in sight. now he only had to find the right one. ,,what are you doing, harry?" ron peeked over his shoulder. the glassed wizard jumped almost a foot high. ,,RON!" ron blinked, astonished by the reaction. ,,what are you doing?" harry mumbled something, looking away. ,,what did you say?" hary leaned closer and whispered something in ron´s ear. ,,WHAT??? YOU´RE BUYING TAMPONS FOR HERMIONE????" everyone in the story looked in their direction. ,,IDIOT!" ,,ouch, not my head!"

Harry Potter Fanfiction: The Zombie

a strange creature is creeping around, shoulders hunched, arms outstreched heavy and swaying. it´s coming closer and closer, following the scent near me. there. it´s in sight, hands seeking blindly. ,,coffee", it rasps. i hand over the mug i was keeping hostage and smile. yep, harry is not a morning person.

Harry Potter Fanfiction: Restocking

,,fred, we´re going shopping", ginny said bursting into fred´s room. ,,huh?", her brother asked as he tore his eyes away from a nosebleed nougat. ,,harry is away on a journey,doing some dangerous stuff and who knows what!", ginny explained. ,,so i need to restock." ,,restock what? bandages? medication?" ,,no, strawberry ice cream for my lonely nights." fred sweatdropped.

Harry Potter Fanfiction: Cooking

,,i´m ho-" when dean entered the kitchen, his jaw hit the floor. flour, broken eggs and something green were everywhere. and among the mess, an even messier luna sat on the floor, crying like the end of the world was coming. ,,luna? what´s wrong?" blue eyes looked at him. ,,made you dinner." dean made his way to the bubbling pot, determined to praise it even if it would kill him. he took a spoon and carefully tasted the unidentified mass. ,,great chicken!", he said after chewing thoroughly. luna started to wail again.,,it was supposed to be macaroni and cheese!" dean sweatdropped.

Harry Potter Fanfiction: Delightful View

,,hermione, your TV isn´t working", harry shouted. calmly, hermione walked into the living room and headed directly for the TV set. she bent over and pushed the ON button, held it until the TV went "ping", then propped the button with a match she took from a box lying nearby. she waited for a while then hit the TV a couple of times from the side until the screen went "plop" and pictures appeared. ,,w-why don´t buy a new one?", harry asked, stammering. hermione shrugged.,,ron likes this one." she went back to the kitchen,leaving behind a harry at the brink of a huge nosebleed, caused by the vision of a bending over hermione. yes, he could see VERY clearly why ron liked this TV.

Harry Potter Fanfiction: Connecting Problems

,,yes...yes, that´s it. right there. yes. no, a little bit to the right. yes, you´re getting there, you´re getting there...up, up - yes! YES!!! now move forward. no! you´re doing it all wrong, harry. you are putting too much force into it. make shorter, smaller moves. now slowly in my direction. slo~owly. stop! yes, right there! that´s the spot! ye- NOOO~O! harry! how difficult can it be!?!" ,,dammit, hermione, if you think it´s that easy we can trade places. i will watch the TV and you can run around with that stupid antenna!!!"

Harry Potter Fanfiction: Love Is In The Air!

mr. weasly licked his lips and ran his hands over her smooth curves. she was beautiful. he had desired her for months, but he couldn´t allow himself near her. but now she was his and only his. he wouldn´t share her with anybody. she was his prize. eyes shining with passion, he watched the dance of shadows on her body, on the wonderful curves, on- ,,arthur!", sounded the voice of his wife from the garden, breaking his dream-like haze. ,,stop fondling this motorbike-thing and come up! Dinner is ready!"

Harry Potter Fanfiction: I HATE YOU!!!

,,i hate YOU!", harry screamed as another contraction tore through him. ,,i hate you,i hate you, ihateyouihateyouihateyouuuuuuuuuu!!!!!!" the scream went over in a wail. he gripped my hand so tightly i almost heard my bones break. when the contraction was finally over, he lay there, panting, sweat dripping from his forehead, one arm curled around his distended belly. i dried his flushed face with a small hand towel. he looked at me, eyes narrowed. ,,next time, draco, it´s YOU who is carryingthe baby!!!" i sweatdropped. adoption was beginning to sound very appealing to me all of a sudden.

Harry Potter Fanfiction: Torture

when harry heared the warter start in the shower, he groaned silently, then clenched his teeth. any moment now. yes. the screeching sound started. it was like nails on a blackboard, or stepping on a cat´s tail. harry felt his hair stand up on his neck and his arms. he cringed and gritted his teeth. finally, when tears gathered in his eyes, he couldn´t take it anymore. he got up from the couch and stormed into the little bathroom. his face contorted in fury, he yelled:,,ginny! stop singing or i swear i will gag you!"

Harry Potter Fanfiction: Outburst

a crash, the sound of glass breaking. hermione stormed into to the kitchen and raised her eyebrows, seeing her lover half sitting, half lying among the shards of the blue bowl she liked so much. ,,what-" before hermione could finish,ron caught one of her legs,lifted it, throwing hermione off balance in the process, and snatched away her slipper. ,,ron!", she cried out, her arms flailing. but ron was already across the kitchen and had started to smash something on the floor over and over again with the slipper. catching her balance, hermione blinked. ,,ron...?" ron glared.,,i hate spiders!"

Harry Potter Fanfiction: Slightly Mistaken

harry blinked,then squinted. he moved the box closer to his eyes,then away again. he skretched his head, then shrugged and read aloud: ,,no cockring needed." hermione, standing just two feet away, her basket full of groceries, almost choked hearing him say such a thing out loud the middle of a busy market. ,,what?!?" ,,well,this is what it says.", harry waved with the box. ,,gimme that!" hermione grabbed the box, looked at the small text, then read it aloud too:,,no cooking needed!" harry meeped, blushing. hermione glared at him. ,,i swear, harry, if you don´t start wearing your glasses again..."

Perfect Lover Kapitel 1: Ich kaufe mir einen Freund

Anise Tatlin, ein Mädchen mit langen braunen Haaren von 16 Jahren, stand in ihrem Zimmer vor ihrem Spiegel - ein Maßband um ihren Busen - , in den sie grimmig starrte. ,,31, 5...", grummelte sie und ließ ihren Blick auf das Mittel auf ihrem Bett fallen, das einen größeren Busen innerhalb von 14 Tagen versprach. ,,Sie werden einfach nicht größer!" Wütend schmiss sie das Maßband zur Seite. ,,Ich kaufe nie wieder etwas von Straßenvertretern!" Seufzend ließ sie sich aufs Bett fallen und erhaschte einen Blick auf ihre Funkuhr. ,,Oh neeeeeeeiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiin!!!", kreischte sie laut, sprang auf, schmiss sich eine Bluse über und stürmte aus ihrem unordentlichen Zimmer ins nicht minder unordentliche Wonhzimmer der Wohnung, in der sie allein wohnte, da ihre Eltern, die viel unterwegs im Ausland waren, zur Zeit nicht da waren. ,,Ich muss mich beeilen!", schrie sie hysterisch, stolperte über eine am Boden liegende Flasche und knallte gegen die Balkontür aus Glas. Stöhnend griff sie sich ans Gesicht, und schrie dann noch lauter auf, als sie ihre Unterwäsche auf dem Balkon erblickte, die sie eigentlich schon gestern hätte abhängen sollen. ,,Oh nein, ich komm doch niemals rechtzeitig dort an!", schrie sie verzweifelt, stürmte auf den Balkon und begann hektisch die Unterwäsche von der Leine zu reißen. Dabei flog einer ihrer BH´s direkt über die Trennwand des Balkons und landete auf dem Kopf ihres Nachbars, Sora Cecille, ebenfalls 16 Jahre, ein bebrillter Junge mit rabenschwarzem zerzaustem Haar, der ebenfalls gerade die Wäsche für sich und seien kleinen Bruder abhing. ,,Mama, Papa, kommt endlich nach Hause!", heulte Anise, während sie die abgehangene Wäsche in einen Wäschekorb in der Nähe der Balkontür pfefferte. ,,Ich habe keine Lust mehr allein zu Leben!" Sie packte ihre Tasche, stürmte durch das Wohnzimmer hindurch zum Flur und hinaus zur Appartementtür, nur um auf dem Flur, der alle Appartements in dem Stockwerk des Hochhauses, in dem Anise und ihre Eltern lebten, Sora zu begegnen, der ihr genervt ihren BH hin hielt. ,,Aaaaaah!!!", kreischte Anise beim Anblick des Wäschestücks und grabschte es ihm aus der Hand. ,,Was zum Teufel soll das, Sora!?!", fuhr sie ihren Nachbarn an. ,,Was machst du mit anderer Leute Unterwäsche, du Perversling!" ,,Nun, ich war ganz bestimmt nicht davon beeindruckt, Flachtittchen.", entgegnete Sora schlicht, was ihm einen Schlag ins Gesicht von Anises Tasche einbrachte, der ihn zu Boden beförderte. ,,Was´n hier los?", fragte Soras noch schlaftrunkener kleiner Bruder Riku, der ebenfalls hinaus auf den Flur kam. ,,Nenn mich nicht noch einmal Flachtittchen!", fuhr Anise Sora an. ,,Wenn du das noch einmal tust - Freund aus Sandkastentagen oder nicht - bring ich dich um!" Sie stürmte zum Aufzug. ,,Die geht aber früh zur Schule...", meinte Riku und sah auf die Uhr an der Wand im Flur, die zeigte, dass es sieben Uhr morgens war. ,,Übrigens, großer Bruder, warum schläfst du auf dem Boden?" ,,Sieht es wirklich so, als würde ich schlafen!?! Dummkopf!", fauchte Sora, sprang auf und verpasste seinem kleinen Bruder eine Kopfnuss.
~*~
Rastlos trottete Anise bei der Bushaltestelle in der Nähe des Hochhauses, in dem sich ihr Appartement befand, hin und her. Beruhig dich Anise, beruhig dich!, dachte sie und atmete tief ein und aus, während ihr Herz jedoch nicht auf sie zu hören schien und weiter heftig pochte. Jetzt heißt es alles oder nichts! Ein recht gut aussender Junge mit Stachelhaaren kam auf die Haltestelle zu, und Anise machte vor Schreck einen Hüpfer, während ihr ganzer Körper sich sogar noch mehr anspannte. ,,G... Guten Morgen, Lloyd!", begrüßte Anise den Jungen mit äußerst schriller Stimme. ,,Yo, Tatlin...", erwiderte der Junge namens Lloyd Curtiss schlicht. ,,D-Du kannst mich Anise nennen!", piepste Anise mit hochrotem Kopf. ,,Oh...", machte Lloyd. ,,Hey, du hast mir doch gestern ´ne E-Mail geschrieben, in der stand, dass wir uns hier treffen sollen. Also, was gibt´s?" Sieg oder Niederlage!, dachte Anise, schluckte schwer, nahm all ihren Mut zusammen und schrie Lloyd ins Ohr: ,,ICH LIEBE DICH!!! BITTE GEH MIT MIR AUS!!!" ,,Sorry... Es gibt da bereits ein Mädel, das ich sehr gern habe.", antwortete Lloyd. Anise erstarrte, ein Gefühl, als hätte ihr jemand gerade die Ohrfeige ihres Lebens verpasst. ,,Äh... ähm...", stammelte sie, peinlich berührt, ihr Gesicht sofort zu Boden gewandt. ,,Übrigens...", fuhr Lloyd fort. ,,Warum hältst du da einen BH in der Hand?" Kreischend sah Anise auf den BH in ihrer Hand, den sie vorhin Sora abgenommen hatte und noch immer festhielt. ,,Wie dem auch sei, ich muss jetzt los. Sorry.", sagte Sora und stieg in den Bus ein, der gerade an der Haltestelle angekommen war. Wie versteinert sah Anise dem wegfahrenden Bus nach, bis Sora, der sich nun ebenfalls auf den Weg gemacht hatte, neben ihr stehen blieb. ,,Mensch, jetzt tu schon den BH weg!", sagte er genervt zu ihr.
~*~
,,Das nervt! Ich kann einfach nicht mehr!!", heulte Anise in der 5-Minuten-Pause in der Schule ihrer besten Freundin Chloe Falkner die Ohren voll, ihr Gesicht auf dem Tisch, um ihre Tränen zu verdecken. ,,Ich weiß schon gar nicht mehr, wie oft ich jetzt bereits eine Abfuhr erteilt bekommen habe!" ,,Langsam mache ich mir wirklich Sorgen um dich...", meinte Chloe mit besorgter Mine. ,,Ich dachte, diesmal würde es klappen... Und obwohl ich mein Bestes gegeben hab, um gut genug für ihn zu sein...", schluchzte Anise und brach dann schniefend ab. ,,Menno, wenn ich doch nur so süß aussehen würde wie du, Chloe!" ,,Hä?!?", machte Chloe verdattert. ,,Das meinst du doch jetzt nicht wirklich, oder?" Anise stand erneut vor einem Weinausbruch. ,,Äääähm...", machte Chloe schnell, bemüht dies zu verhindern. ,,Weißt du, von der Seite her betrachtet siehst du ziemlich mysteriös aus, Anise." ,,Meinst du wirklich?", fragte Anise strahlend. ,,Eine mysteriöse Aura umgibt die Prinzessin der unerwiderten Liebe.", murmelte Sora im Vorbeigehen. ,,Ist das der Mund, der gerade gesprochen hat!?!", keifte Anise und zog ihm den Mund lang. ,,Immer musst du mich ärgern, Sora! Hast du keinen Anstand!?!" ,,Mach mich nicht für die vielen Zurückweisungen verantwortlich, du 28-a!" ,,Was war das!?!", brüllte Anise und stürzte sich auf ihn. ,,Hmm... Ich versteh die beiden wirklich nicht...", seufzte Chloe und schüttelte nur ihren Kopf.
~*~
Nach der Schule schlenderten Anise und Chloe noch durch die Einkaufsstraßen und aßen Creppes. ,,Sag mal, Anise...", begann Chloe auf einmal und biss noch ein Stück ihres Creppes ab. ,,Du und Sora steht euch doch seit eurer Kindheit sehr nahe, also warum habt ihr dann noch nichts miteinander gemacht?" ,,Sehr nah?!?", wiederholte Anise ungläubig und mit großen Augen. ,,Mach mal halblang!" ,,Nun, mit ihm wäre es bestimmt nicht so kompliziert, oder? Ihr wärt bestimmt ein richtig süßes Paar.", meinte Chloe. ,,Komm mal wieder runter, Chloe!", sagte Anise aufgebracht. ,,Du kennst ihn nur, seit wir auf dem Gymnasium sind, aber ich kenne ihn länger... Der Kerl war unglaublich klein in der Grundschule, und er hat schon zu weinen angefangen, wenn man ihn nur als "doof" bezeichnet hat, weißt du? Lloyd Curtiss hingegen wäre genau der Richtige für mich." Chloe warf ihr einen undefinierbaren Blick zu. ,,Nun komm schon, sei nicht mehr traurig. Es gibt genügend Männer da draußen...", versuchte sie Anise aufzuheitern. ,,Wenn ich einen guten finde, werde ich versuchen, ihn für dich klarzumachen." ,,Ja, du hast Recht.", seufzte Anise trübselig. ,,Danke."
~*~
Später wanderte Anise auf dem Heimweg allein durch den Park und begegnete unterwegs immer wieder Paaren, die sich verliebt anstarrten, sich hielten, kuschelten oder küssten, was ihre Stimmung sogar noch mehr senkte und sie fast jede Minute seufzen ließ. Manno..., dachte sie wehleidig. Was zum Teufel ist nur los?!? Alle hier sehen super-glücklich aus! Ich will auch so wie die Hand-in-Hand mit meinem Freund durch den Park wandern! Warum krieg ich nur immer einen Korb? Bedeutet das, dass ich in meinem Leben nie einen Freund kriegen werde?!? Und was dann?!? Werde ich niemals heiraten?!? Wenn das so weiter geht, werde ich nie die Freuden des Lebens erfahren!! Ich werde alleine und ehlendig vor die Hunde gehen und niemand wird... ,,Tweety! Tweet-Tweet-Tweeeeeeeeety!!!", drang es in der Nähe her zu ihr herüber und riss sie aus ihren Gedanken hoch. Sie sah sich verdutzt um und sah ein Handy, das am Boden lag. ,,Das hier macht also diese Geräusche!", sagte sie und hob das Handy mit dem komischen Klingelton auf. ,,Was ist das für ein widerlicher Klingelton?" ,,I may be small, I may be sweet, but, baby, I know how to move my feet!", erklang eine viel zu hohe Piepsstimme aus dem Handy, und erneut folgten diese nervtötende Geräusche. Sie drückte auf den Knopf, mit dem man den Anrufer entgegen nehmen konnte. ,,Hallo?", sprach sie ins Handy. ,,Oh, dem Himmel sei Dank, Mann!", erklang eine heitere Männerstimme aus dem Handy. ,,Bin isch froh! Wat würd´ isch nur tun, wenn isch dat Teil für imme verloren hätt!" Ein Mann..., dachte Anise. ,,Gott sei Dank hast du dat Teil vom Boden uffjehove!", sprach der Mann weiter. ,,Isch hab die janze Zäät anjerufen, in der Hoffunung, dat et jemand uffhäve würd´! Un' endlisch hat et uch jemand uffhejove!" Ziemlich schrecklicher Akzent..., dachte Anise schaudernd. ,,Oh ja! Isch möschte misch bei dir erkenntlisch zeije, also treff disch doch bitte mit mer!" ,,Hä?", machte Anise verdutzt.
~*~
Wie versprochen, betrat Anise eine halbe Stunde später das vereinbarte Café, um dem Besitzer des Handys seine Mobiltelefon zurückzugeben. ,,Oh! Hier drüven! Hier drüven!", drang die Stimme eines jungen Mannes zu ihr herüber. Sie sah sich um und erblickte an einem Tisch in der Nähe wirklich einen jungen Mann, auf dem Kopf einen Hut, der in der oberen Hälfte ein Loch hatte, aus dem äußerst stachlige Haare - mit Hilfe von zu viel Haargel - herausragten, am Hut eine Linse klebend, in der sich die Umgebung - genauer gesagt Anises Brüste - enorm vergrößert und verzerrt widerspiegelte. Sein Gesicht wurde von schwarzer und blauer Schminke verziert und ließ ihn wie eine Art Indianer aussehen, jedoch ein moderner Indianer, denn damals kannte man sicherlich noch kein ärmelloses Hemd aus Leder und eine Hose aus Latex, beide viel zu eng, jedoch seinen schlanken Körper dadurch gut zur Geltung bringend. Beide Kleidungsstücke waren knallbunt, das Hemd in Knallgelb und -rot, die Hose in Grün und Blau gehalten. Verdutzt bemerkte Anise, dass der Mann die Beine übereinandergeschlagen hatte, was ziemlich ungewöhnlich war, da Männer führ gewhöhnlich ihre Beine beim Sitzen möglichst weit auseinander positionierten. ,,Ah, een Schulmädschen! Hab ich ´n Glück!", sagte der Mann fröhlich und winkte mit seinen behandschuten Händen zu Anise herüber. ,,Komm! Setz disch! Setz disch!", fuhr der Mann fort, da Anise keine Anstalten machte, sich hinzusetzen; dies kam daher, da sie erst jetzt die Latexstiefel mit viel zu hohen Absätzen bemerkt hatte, die der Mann trug. Hat der sich als Anime-Figur verkleidet, oder so?, fragte sich Anise, während sie sich an den Tisch setzte. Obwohl er ein ziemlich süßes Gesicht hat. ,,Hier, ähm... Ihr...", begann Anise und legte das Handy des Mannes auf den Tisch. ,,Ooooh, Gracías!", bedankte sich der Mann strahlend bei ihr und nahm einen riesigen Bissen vom Eisbecher der Größe einer 1,5 Liter Flasche, der vor ihm stand. ,,Kann isch dir wat bestelle?", fragte er Anise, und noch bevor sie etwas sagen konnte, wirbelte er herum und schrie quer durchs Café: ,,Hey, Bedienung, Karte! Dalli! Dalli!" Dann wandte er sich wieder an Anise und fuhr ohne Umschweife fort: ,,Du häst mir da wirklisch jeholfe, Määdsche! Isch bruch diese Süße her für mäne Arbät!" Er deutete auf das Handy, das er nun in seine viel zu enge Hose wegsteckte. ,,Arbeiten Sie... Sie als Schauspieler, oder so etwas in der Art?", fragte Anise zaghaft. ,,Ne, ne, isch bin nur ein änfacher Straßeverträter! Sieht man dat nisch?", entgegnete der Mann kichernd. Wer könnte das schon sehen???, dachte Anise ungläubig und ließ noch einmal ihren Blick über die seltsame Aufmachung des Unbekannten schweifen, der ihr gegenüber saß. Erst jetzt fiel ihr auf, wie groß dieser Kerl eigentlich war: Mindestens zwei Köpfe größer als Anise selbst, die zwar nun auch nicht wirklich eine Riesin war, sich jedoch im guten Mittelmaß bewegte. ,,Nun, isch bin mähr ene Art wandernder Verköfer.", erklärte der Mann und sah sie plötzlich mit leuchtenden Augen an. ,,Isch hab et! Als Dank dafür, dass de mään Handy jefunde hast, biet isch dir määne Dienste an!" Er zog einen Katalog hervor. ,,Isch üverhäuf disch met Produkten von de Firma, in de isch arväte: Kronos Heaven, natürlisch met Rabatt!" Ohjeee, der will mir irgendwas andrehen!, dachte Anise und erinnerte sich mit Schrecken an das Brustvergrößerungsmittel, das sie erst kürzlich von einem dubiosen Händler erstanden hatte, der jedoch weitaus normaler ausgesehen hatte als diese Person hier. ,,Tut mir Leid, aber ich habe kein Interesse.", entgegnete Anise, stand auf und wandte sich zum Gehen. Wusste ich doch gleich, dass er verdächtig aussieht., dachte sie gleichzeitig. ,,Isch hab her wat, dat lässt disch in eenem Tach 5 Kilo verliere!", rief der Mann mit diebischem Lächeln. Anise blieb stehen, kurz davor, sich umzudrehen. Sei stark, Anise! Sei stark, Anise! Nicht schon wieder auf so was reinfallen! ,,Man sieht sich!", sagte sie und machte mehrere Schritte weiter in Richtung Ausgang. ,,Ach, sei doch nitte so!", quängelte der Mann. ,,Givt et denn nix, wat de möchtest? Sag mir irgendwat, Kosmetik, Push-Ups, und isch..." Anise blieb stehen, starrte eine Weile zu Boden, dann wandte sie sich wieder zu dem Mann um und sagte: ,,Schön, dann besorgen Sie mir einen Freund!" Der Mann sah sie nur an. ,,Was ich mir momentan am allermeisten wünsche, ist ein Freund!" ,,Heh...", machte der Mann, und ein breites, vergnügtes Lächeln breitete sich auf seinem Gesicht aus. ,,Is dat alles?", fragte er. ,,Hä?", machte Anise verwirrt. ,,Dat hättest de auch früher saje könne." Er zog eine Visitenkarte aus seiner Hose hervor, die er Anise reichte. ,,Schalt deene Computer an und gib de Adresse in, die uff de Karte stäht." Er tippte ihr auf die Stirn. ,,Aver dat bläbt een absolutes Jehämnis. Isch bläv mit de in Verbindung." Er schritt zum Ausgang davon. ,,Ma sieht sisch, Anise." Er verschwand aus dem Café. Anise betrachtete noch eine Weile die Visitenkarte, dann schrak sie hoch. ,,Moment mal, woher weiß er, wie ich heiße?!?", rief sie verdutzt. Sie rannte aus dem Café, dem Mann hinterher. ,,Warten S...!" Doch der Mann war bereits verschwunden, weit und breit keine Spur mehr von ihm.

Magical Mate Chapter 7: In The End...

Nel purred as her mate's lips brushed against her throat, tilting her head back farther in response to the unspoken request. She slipped her hands under the edge of Senel's shirt, tracing the lines of his muscular back. Heat was curling through her, but so was relief. When Senel had turned away from her touch at the store earlier, Nel had been sure the magician was going to cast her aside, that somehow she'd angered her mate. After Senel had gone to the workroom, Nel had wondered what she should do- and Fiona had come to her rescue.
"Senel's in one of his moods," she'd said. "He'll get over it. He's not mad at you- and you have to remember that he's not a Pride. He didn't mean anything by not returning your touch- and he'd be upset to know it worried you. So don't worry, okay?"
But she had. She couldn't help it. Something had upset her mate. Something that had to do with Nel- and she couldn't figure out what it was. What had she done? It had to have been something with the fae, but she didn't know what.
When Mithos had sent him to fetch Senel, Nel had half-expected the magician to tell him to go away, but he hadn't. Senel had seemed tired, not angry, and he hadn't pushed Nel away again, much to Nel's relief. Things had fallen back into place- until they had come home to find Cress' scent lingering in the hallway.
Nel bared her teeth for a moment and then caught Senel's lips with her own. She didn't like the idea of Cress prowling around, looking to start a fight with Nel's mate.
Carefully, she grabbed hold of her mate tumbling him off the sofa and gently onto the carpet. Senel didn't protest about the change in position.
"I promised you something earlier," she said against Senel's mouth, her fingers slipping down to find the fly of Senel's jeans. Her mate's lips curved under her.
"I was hoping you'd remember," he said as he tugged at Nel's buttons in return. "But it was a long day."
Before Nel could reply, even before he could do more than tug Senel's zipper down, there was a thunderous knock at the door.
They both froze for a moment, startled. "Who the hell...?" Senel started and the knock came again.
Nel took a deep breath and snarled. There was a familiar scent on the other side of the door- several of them. "Cress- and he's not alone this time." She shook himself, trying to hold onto her human shape. The jaguar wanted out- wanted to take a bite out of lion hide, dominant or not, suicidal or not...
Senel snorted and pushed Nel gently to the side. He stood up, his clothes in disarray and strolled to the door. Putting one hand against the fragile wood, he took a deep breath. "What is it?"
Nel hurried to her mate's side. He wasn't going to let Senel face these three alone!
"Let me in, magician!"
"I'm sort of busy at the moment." Senel drawled and Nel gaped at him. "And I don't believe we have an appointment."
"I order you to let me in and take off this damn curse!"
"You got the curse because you challenged me. Are you challenging me again?"
Cress was silent for a moment and Nel moved even closer to Senel. If Cress had been alone, that threat might have made him back down, but he was out there with two of his spouses and he couldn't lose face in front of them.
"I want this curse taken off of me." A neutral answer. Not a direct challenge.
"Then you will have to be patient. I told you the curse would wear off naturally."
Another pause- and then something slammed into the door. "That's not good enough! Reverse this curse, or I swear that the next time I find your mate unprotected-" Cress didn't have a chance to finish his threat. Senel's hand glowed briefly and the door suddenly flared with light.
Nel blinked, her eyes watering. Senel opened the door and frowned at the three unconscious figures on the floor of the hallway. "It's a good thing the landlady is understanding about this sort of thing."
"What did you do?"
"Just activated the full power of the wards. They got 'slapped', but they should be fine in a bit." Senel bent down over the curse mark on Cress' wrist. He traced something on the skin just above it and Nel's eyes widened as the curse mark writhed and changed. Then he traced another mark on all three of the unconscious Pride members foreheads.
He stepped back and frowned at them. "Go home."
Much to Nel's surprise, they all rose to their feet and stumbled down the hallway towards the exit.
"All done." Senel tugged Nel back into the apartment. Closing the door firmly behind him, he smiled at his mate. "Don't look so worried. They'll get home safe enough."
"I wouldn't care if they didn't." Nel frowned. "Cress worries me."
"I know." Senel gently pushed Nel down on the couch and picked up the spell book from the floor. "But we are going to put some protections on you- and besides, he's not going to feel like going out for a bit."
"What did you do to him? I saw that the mark changed-"
Senel smiled as he flipped the pages in the book. "I just did as he asked- I reversed the curse."
Reversed? But Cress still had the mark... Nel's eyes widened as the implication hit him. Reversed... "You mean instead of impotence..."
"Exactly. He's lucky, most people would pay a lot for that sort of thing. Especially for as long as it should last." Senel's smile turned slightly depraved. "He might be a little sore- and jeans are out of the question- but really, I did what he asked."
Nel made a mental note. Senel could be very literal at times.
Senel stopped on the page Fiona had bookmarked. He studied the page for a minute and Nel noticed that his smile widened a little.
"Perfect. Mithos was right. This should do the trick." Senel turned the book around to face Nel. "This protection charm will work if you're awake or unconscious- and you don't have to do anything to activate it. If someone touches you with the intent to hurt you- be it with bare hands or otherwise- it will make them very sorry."
Nel looked at the page and read the short paragraph. "I like it."
"Are you sure? We can look for some other ones."
"No," Nel looked up and met Senel's eyes. "This one is perfect." If only there was a way to put it on all of his jaguar kin.
"All right then." Senel stood up. "We won't need the workroom for this. Let me just go get what I need and I'll meet you in the bedroom." His face turned a light pink, much to Nel's amusement. "It will be more comfortable for you- we have to apply the charm all over your skin."
"Okay." Nel headed for the bedroom, pulling off her shirt on the way. She paused over the rest. Senel's shyness still surprised her. It wasn't as if she'd hidden anything from her mate, though he knew the Pride were much more casual about clothing than humans were. Still, Senel had said...
She finished undressing, stretched out on the bed face down and waited patiently. Senel entered the room a few minutes later, carrying the book and a small jar. He gave Nel a faint smile. "Ready?"
"Yes."
Senel sat down on the bed, the book open to the right page beside him. "Just close your eyes and relax. The charm needs you to accept it, and the best way is just by relaxing and staying still."
"Okay," Nel closed her eyes obediently. She heard Senel start to chant softly under his breath, and then warm fingers slid down her spine. It was hard not to move, to arch into the touch as those fingers caressed her back, traveled down her arms and legs, swept over her ankles. It was a divine torture to stay still, to feel the warmth spreading across her skin... oh, she was going to jump on her mate once this was over...
Then the fingers nudged her and she rolled over. Now she could watch Senel under her lashes as the magician bent over her, his lips still moving in the quiet chant, his fingers moving over Nel's skin. There wasn't an inch of skin that didn't feel the touch of Senel's hand and Nel was feeling very warm by the time Senel's caresses stopped. Her mate's hand rested gently on her stomach, right below her navel. Nel nearly gasped as Senel's hand grew uncomfortably warm, but she stayed still.
Senel stopped chanting and lifted his hand away. For a moment, Nel would've sworn that her skin was glowing, but then she blinked and the glow was gone.
"All finished." Senel smiled wearily and Nel sat up. Carefully moving the jar and the book to the bedside table, she pulled her mate down onto the bed beside her.
"You look exhausted."
"A little too much spell casting today," Senel said and Nel mentally berated himself. She should've insisted that Senel hold off on the protection spell.
"Rest," she said, slipping her arms around her mate and holding him close. Seduction could wait until morning when Senel was rested.
"That sounds good." Senel smothered a yawn. He put his head down on Nel's shoulder. "Sorry about the mark, but I wanted the spell tied to both your forms."
"What mark?" Nel asked and Senel reached down to brush his fingers on the small patch of skin below Nel's navel. By tilting her head up just enough, she could see a small mark that looked an awful lot like one of the rosettes on her jaguar form's coat. Nel smiled and nuzzled Senel affectionately. "I like it."
"I'm glad." Senel was already half-asleep. "Now you're safe..."
Nel hoped he was right.
~*~
Nel awoke to the sun shining through the curtains and into her eyes. She rolled over to find herself alone in bed, which surprised her, considering how tired Senel had been the night before. Pulling on her jeans, she wandered out of the bedroom to find Senel.
Senel was sitting on the couch, Nel's grandmother by his side.
"I'm really sorry, but I just don't want her here." Senel said and glanced over at Nel. "She's just too much trouble."
Nel's breath caught in her throat. What was going on?
Minerva glared at Nel. "You've failed me, granddaughter. Three days with your mate and he already wants you gone?"
"Wants me gone?" Nel repeated, stunned. Senel wasn't looking at hers. What had he done?
"Why do you think I'm here? I came to take you back."
Back? No! Panic rose up in her chest. She rushed to kneel by Senel's leg. "I can be better- whatever you need me to change, I'll do it!" Surely Senel would listen to her- he'd been so kind...
"It's not that," Senel looked down on her, his eyes cold and hard. "There's nothing you can do. I just don't like you."
It was like being slapped. "But- Regulus- he said you needed me!"
"I don't need you. Need you to do what? Bring more trouble into my life?"
"Senel-"
"Please- just take him away." Senel got up and moved away, leaving Nel in a stunned heap on the floor.
"Of course. Luke? Cress? Can you help?" Her grandmother looked towards the door. The two lions stood there, predatory smiles on their lips.
"No! Please no, not them...." She closed her eyes tightly. "Senel, please! I'll be better..."
"Nel? Nel!" Nel opened her eyes to find her mate leaning over her. "Are you okay? You were calling out in your sleep."
Relieved, Nel threw her arms around Senel. "Don't send me away! Please- I'll do whatever you want..."
"Send you away?" Senel repeated, sounding startled. "Why would I do that?"
"Grandmother-" Nel started and then stopped as she realized that she was still in Senel's bed. There was no sun shining through the curtains, the room was still dark. "I... I had a bad dream...?"
"You must have." Senel settled back down on the pillows, bringing Nel with him. "You were calling out for me."
"I didn't mean to wake you."
Senel's lips ghosted over her forehead. "It's all right."
Nel curled up as tightly as he could beside her mate. "I'm a lot of trouble for you. I'm sorry- I'll make it up to you..."
"Shh. There's nothing to be sorry for." Nel opened her mouth but Senel placed gentle fingers on her lips. "There isn't. You aren't trouble at all. Don't think that way. I'm glad you're here with me."
"Really?" The knot in Nel's chest began to ease.
"Really." Senel kissed her forehead again. "Very much so."
~*~
Voices woke Cress. Voices that seemed to come from a long distance away. He hurt. His muscles were cramped and the ache between his legs was enough to make him squirm uncomfortably on his bed.
"This is a disgrace. I won't have this, Luke. I am the one who chose Coolidge for Nel. I approved of the match. If your spouse doesn't stop this harassment, I will be forced to take matters into my own hands."
"If you intend to make Coolidge part of the pack, he needs to be able to stand up to challenges." Luke said, a hint of amusement lurking in his voice. "It's not like he's done badly so far- I'd say after Cress and those other two staggered in last night that most of the Pride would think twice before challenging him."
"It's still disgraceful. He's a magician, not Pride, and I don't want to risk angering him. We're going to need him and you know it."
"I do," Luke sounded more serious now. "So I take it that you want to make an example of Cress?"
"He's going to have to prove his worth to the pack somehow. Think of something, Luke. Something appropriate. I know you can."
Cress suppressed a shiver. He knew how creative Luke could be.
"I will. Perhaps a call to Combatir? In the meantime it seems a pity to let Cress' state go to waste..."
His state? What was Luke talking about? He felt dizzy, and his eyes wouldn't open, but what did that have to do with anything...?
He found out soon enough.
~*~
The phone rang. Senel untangled himself from Nel on the couch and went to answer it. "Hello? Oh. What do you want, Regulus?" He listened for a moment, his eyebrows rising. "The Pride wants you to alter the curse I put on Cress yesterday? Not take it off? Huh. Alter it to what?"
Much to Nel's surprise, Senel burst out laughing.
"Go ahead. I'd volunteer, but... yeah. What are you asking for in trade? No! Never mind, don't answer that. I don't want to know."
A moment more and Senel hung up the phone, rejoining Nel on the sofa.
"What happened?"
"I guess your grandmother is very angry at Cress. They want to modify the curse on him so he can contribute usefully to the Pride."
"And what curse would do that?"
Senel told her and Nel's eyes widened. "Guess we won't have to worry about him for a bit."
~*~
Cress was tired. All his energy seemed to be draining from him. Why had he even gone back that damned sadistic bastard of a magician? How much longer would this curse last?
"So Senel agreed?" Luke said from behind him somewhere.
"Oh yes. I can cast it now if you like."
"Please."
A blonde man with a smile that Cress didn't like leaned over him. "I usually don't approve of this sort of thing at all, but considering your past, I think you need an object lesson."
Cress opened his mouth to plead, but the blonde shook his head and placed his fingers around Cress' wrist. "Just a moment..." he said and muttered something under his breath. Warmth flared through Cress and he passed out.
He awoke later- how much later he couldn't tell. They'd moved him- this was Luke's bed, he recognized the feeling of the sheets under him. And the dreadful ache between his legs was gone. He relaxed before he realized that not only was the ache gone... but something else was too.
Sitting up he pulled the sheets to the side and screamed at the sight of his body, his voice spiraling upwards.
"Stop that," Luke said from the doorway, smiling. "It's not permanent."
"I'm a woman!"
"Yes. Minerva wanted you to contribute to the Pride. We thought this was the best way."
"Contribute? Like this?!"
"Of course. You're going to be a wonderful mother...."
~*~
Senel slammed the car door shut. "I knew this was a bad idea, I just knew it."
"Calm down," Mithos grabbed his friend's elbow. "You know that Fionas said there was a slight chance of this one going to hell, but she was sure that she and Nel could handle it."
"Well, it looks like the psychic network went down," Senel growled under his breath as he charged up the walk. "Are you Mrs. Suarez?"
"Yes," the woman replied fearfully as Senel glared at her. Mithos stepped in between Senel and the woman and smiled charmingly.
"Thank you so much for calling us. You said that you haven't heard from Fiona or Nel yet?"
She shook her head. "No. Fiona told me to call you two if they weren't out in half an hour. It's been forty-five minutes now. I opened the door and called for them, but no one answered- and I couldn't go in..."
"That's perfectly understandable," Mithos soothed her as Senel turned towards the house. "Don't worry about a thing. We'll go right in-"
Before he could finish, Senel had already left his side and was on the front porch. Mithos rolled his eyes and hurried after.
Stepping inside the house, the two magicians looked around. Everything seemed to be in order. It looked like a normal living room, nothing out of place.
"Fiona?" Mithos called. "Nel?"
No answer.
"Nel?" Senel tried. "Answer me!"
Nothing.
"Do you feel that?" Senel frowned. "The temperature dropped... I think we're being mocked."
"Maybe the heat's off." Mithos snorted moving over towards the stairs. "Fiona?"
His voice echoed back to him. "Fiona? Iona? Ona?"
"Enough." Senel snapped and lifted his hand. A moment later a bright blue flame engulfed his fingers. "I know you're here and I don't have time for games. I want Nel and I want Fiona and I want them now, or you are going to burn."
The temperature dropped a few more degrees and the front door swung open revealing an anxious-looking Mrs. Suarez on the lawn.
"Oh," Senel said, as if the house had spoken. "It's not going to hurt the house- just you." He put his hand against the wall and the house shrieked.
The hall door popped open. Fiona and Nel fell out. Fiona was panting, but Nel was unconscious, her eyes rolled up in the back of her head.
"What happened?!" Mithos demanded as he and Senel sprung to their sides.
"The house... shut us in... tried to call... it made the breath stop... in throat... couldn't breathe... I stopped fighting... but Nel..."
"She's got protections!"
"Not against spirits!"
Mithos put one hand on the side of Nel's neck. "She's breathing now, Senel," he assured his furious looking partner.
"IT DARED!!!" Senel got to his feet, the blue flame exploding around him, haloing him in an eerie light. He slammed his hands against the wall and the flame rushed out, consuming nothing, but covering the walls with its crackling glow.
The house shrieked again. And again.
"COME OUT, COME OUT, WHEREVER YOU ARE!!!." Senel turned towards the stairs, his lips pulled back in a snarl.
The fire around him suddenly rushed upwards, vanishing up into the second story, and now the shrieks were smaller. A glowing white figure appeared at the top of the stairs, surrounded by blue flame.
"There he is," Fiona got to her feet and stood at the bottom of the stairs, her hands on her hips. "Just what do you think you've been doing, young man?"
"I was just playin'!" The figure wailed. "Hide n' seek!"
"Tone it down, Senel," said Mithos in a soft tone.
"HELL NO!!!"
"Senel-" Sally started, but was saved the effort when Nel struggled to her feet. Senel immediately dropped the flames and went to Nel's side.
"Mean man," said the ghost and stuck its tongue out at Senel's back. "Scarin' people!"
SFiona turned her attention back to the small ghost. "That wasn't funny- and you've been scaring people too! You're just as mean as he is!"
The ghost's expression crumpled. "Didn't mean to! Just wanted to play! It's lonely!"
That of course, gave Fiona the opening she needed. "Of course it is, that's why you've got to go on."
Senel wasn't paying any attention to Fiona or the ghost. "Are you all right?" He said in Nel's ear, cuddling his mate close.
"Fine," Nel stroked Senel's spine reassuringly. "Just fine. He didn't mean to choke me like that- I could tell. It was an accident. I'm fine." She kept repeating the word, Senel felt like a drawn bowstring under her fingers. "Relax."
"I can't. I'm going to have a heart attack anytime you go on one of these jobs without me."
For some reason, that made Nel smile. "Then we'll be even."
Senel's grip got a little tighter for a moment. "You're really okay?"
"Of course I am." Nel stepped back a little and looked towards Mithos and Fiona. Fiona was still talking to the ghost, but Mithos made a little shooing motion with his hand. "Why don't we go outside and talk to Mrs. Suarez? Tell her things are going better?"
"All right," Senel agreed and followed Nel outside.
"So, what do you think?" Fiona said as she and Mithos watched the ghost grow bright and then vanish.
"About the ghost?"
She punched his arm. "No, about Senel."
"He's besotted of course. He'll realize it soon enough if he hasn't already. He just needs to get over that stupid 'Nel could do better' complex he has going."
"That's not quite what I meant." Fiona met his gaze. "Did you see his reaction? What is he going to do if Nel gets really hurt someday?"
Mithos's expression darkened. "Will she?"
"Too many variables." Fiona sighed. "I never quite understood why in the futures that we lose Nel in also ended in Heero turning to the dark side... but now I do."
Blowing out a stream of smoke, Mithos sighed. "Then we'd best make sure nothing happens to Nel."
"That might be tricky..."

The End

Magical Mate Chapter 6: Worrying...

Mithos looked up from his book when they walked in. "How was it?"
Senel rolled his eyes and pulled his coat off. "Fun as always. Combatir says I don't have to worry about the curse."
"Well, that's good." Mithos smiled at Nel. "I see you brought your mate back, despite your idiotic notions."
"Hn," Senel went into the back room to hang his coat up. Damn it- he knew he'd felt some sort of spell snap when he'd turned away from the ring. He'd thought they'd done something to Nel- but there hadn't been any spell-trace on him. And if it hadn't been one put on Nel- then what was it? Granted, the fae had spells all over that place, but it had been one in that room.
And the ring- Regulus had told Mithos that something had felt odd about it- but it was just an ordinary charm ring. Granted, it was cold iron, but that shouldn't have given the fae a bad feeling- it just meant he wouldn't be able to tell what sort of charm it held. Had he just used it as an excuse to meet Nel?
What had they been doing to Nel?
Senel forced himself to take a deep breath, tried to get the knot in his chest to ease. He was leaping to conclusions. The fae might not have been doing anything at all to Nel. They might just have been talking to him- they were very curious. They weren't anything like the Pride after all. But- had he been so deep in casting that he hadn't heard their voices?
"Senel?" Nel stood in the doorway, her coat over her arm. "Are you sure you're okay?"
"Of course," he said and tried to smile. Nel was looking worried for some reason. "Just thinking."
Nel frowned a little and glided closer. She reached out to put a hand on Senel's face, her fingertips tracing one of Senel's eyebrows. "Can I help?"
Senel very nearly asked her what had happened when he'd had his back turned. But he couldn't quite work up the courage. Nel had said she was okay. It would be rude of him to pry for more.
"No, it's nothing." He moved away from Nel's touch before he grabbed his mate and demanded answers. "I'd better get started-" He turned, trying to ignore Nel's hurt expression. "Mithos- where is the book of protection charms?"
"Third bookcase, bottom shelf. What do you need protecting from? Was Combatir that bad?"
"Shove it," Senel moved to the bookcase and bent down, searching for the book. "It's not for me. Nel needs some protections- don't you think?"
"Not a bad idea- did Combatir suggest it?"
"Senel did," Nel replied before Senel could. "After that visit I had this morning."
"It is a good idea. What sort of protections were you thinking of?"
Senel found the book he needed and returned with the book to the counter. "Well, Combatir gave him one of the charm rings- it has a sleep spell on it."
Mithos snorted. "Rings are chancy. A good touch charm is what you need."
"What is a touch charm?" Nel asked.
"A protection that will be set off if someone touches you with ill intent. You don't set it off- you can even be unconscious and it will still work."
Senel flipped through the pages. "If you're done with the lesson- any suggestions?" He just wanted to get the protections set before there was a need for them.
"There's one for fire-breathing in there,"
Senel stopped and snapped: "How will that help?"
"I've always found it useful." Mithos gave him a Look. "You are wound tighter than a bowstring, Senel. You aren't usually this cranky. What the hell happened? Combatir doesn't usually have this effect on you."
"Nothing happened. I'm fine."
Mithos lifted his eyebrow. "Right. You cast a spell in this state and you'll be the one breathing fire. Go calm down."
"I'm-"
"Now, student."
Senel slammed the book closed. It was pointless to argue with the dragon- as he knew from experience. Instead, he turned on his heel and made a dash for the store's workroom.
Once inside with the door closed, he sank down onto the floor and closed his eyes. Control, he told himself firmly. Magicians who lost control ended up dead. Think it through logically.
Why am I angry?
Something happened in that damned teahouse today. What was it? It hadn't been a spell on Duo-
Of course, he mentally groaned and cursed himself for being an idiot.
Placing his fingers against his own forehead he murmured the words.
And there it was- a broken cone of silence.
So- was it something they didn't want him to hear- or had they just wanted to indulge their curiosity without disturbing him?
Either way- they hadn't done anything to Nel. He closed his eyes and forced himself to inhale, and then exhale slowly. So that worry was groundless. Maybe Combatir or Albain had propositioned Nel? It would be like them. They were a devoted couple- and had been for hundreds of years- but they still invited Mithos over 'for dinner' often. Or it could've been one of the sisters-
Again, nothing for him to be angry over. It wasn't fair to want to keep Nel tied to him when she'd never seen anything outside the Pride. And the fae were beautiful- and powerful enough to hide Nel.
He dug his fingernails into his palms and winced.
He'd only known Nel for less than a week. Only been his mate for two days. What did it matter to him if Nel looked elsewhere? They were practically strangers, he reminded himself.
So why did the thought of Nel with someone else hurt so much already?
For the usual reason, he reminded himself. He knew why. His father gone before he could remember, his mother dead- and that man...
"Time to go, boy..." The shove out onto the wet pavement, falling as he tried to regain his balance, the rev of the car's engine as his stepfather drove off...
Anger rose up and he let it. Let it wash over him. Reminded himself that just because one man had abandoned him didn't mean that every other person would.
He lay on the cool stone floor, feeling the heat leach out of his body and forced himself to relax. There was nothing to be upset about. There was nothing to be hurt over. Nel had come back with him; she hadn't indicated a desire to stay with the fae. Nothing to worry about.
At least, nothing to worry about yet.
He shoved that thought away and concentrated on regaining his balance. He needed to be calm. He needed to be able to focus. If he tried to put a protection on Nel in this state it was all too likely that something would go wrong. And Nel needed that protection.
The door creaked open. "Senel?"
"Yes?" There was a slight clang as the door shut again.
"Mithos said to tell you that he found something that might work." There was a rustling beside him. "But he wants you to look at it first."
Senel opened his eyes and turned his head just enough to confirm that Nel had indeed sat down on the floor next to him. "Did he tell you what it is?"
"No. But he said you might be feeling mean enough to cast it."
"Mean enough?" Senel levered himself up into a sitting position. "Must be bad."
"Senel, this can wait." Nel said quietly. "There's no rush. In fact I would bet that Cress is no doubt still trying to figure out what you did to him this morning- and that Luke has told the Pride that you cursed him somehow."
He looked so worried that Senel managed a smile for him. "I'm fine. It's just been a very long day." Nel smiled back, sliding a little closer.
"I'm glad to hear you say that. I was wondering if all of your work days were like this."
"Oh no." Senel reassured her. "Most days it's just the tea leaf book sort of customers."
"Good." Nel still moved close, but she didn't touch Senel. "Are you still- upset?" Hervoice was soft, but Senel could hear the concern clearly.
"I'm better now." It wasn't a lie, but the line between Nel's eyebrows deepened. Senel reached up without thinking to smooth it away. Leaning into the touch, Nel closed her eyes, turning enough to kiss Senel's wrist.
"Truly?" His mate opened his eyes and gave Senel a searching look. "The fae set my nerves on edge too, but it was because of all that damn popping in and out. And they were really nosy."
"Nosy?"
Nel leaned closer, the warmth from her body easing the chill of Senel's. "They asked me all sorts of odd questions. I was glad when you finished."
That made Senel chuckle, the tight knot in his chest finally easing. "Worse," he said, getting to his feet and offering his hand to Nel. "Let's go see what Mithos has found."
~*~
Fiona was standing beside Mithos, leaning over his shoulder and studying the book that Senel had pulled off the shelf earlier.
"Feeling better?" Senel asked her.
"Much. Remind me never to take that sort of job again- all that arguing!" She rolled her eyes and grimaced. "Why can't they just go quietly into their goodnight, or whatever?"
"Most do," Mithos reminded her. "You just get to deal with the rest."
"Lucky me." Fiona looked back at Senel, her gaze narrowing a little. "You look exhausted."
"It's been a long day." He pointed out.
"Hmm." She picked up the book and dropped a ribbon on the open page. Closing it she offered it to Senel. "Take this and Nel and go home. Eat, sleep and relax. Both of you take tomorrow off."
He blinked at her for a moment. "It's not my day off tomorrow."
"I know."
"You usually only reschedule my days off when you know something is going to interfere with my usual time off."
She smiled angelically at him. "I know."
Great. "What is it?"
"Nothing you have to worry about for a few days. So shoo."
Senel thought about arguing. But he was tired and it had been a long day.
Fiona grinned at him. "Exactly- which is why you should take my offer and go."
His coat appeared in his vision. Nel was holding it out to him. When had he gone to get it?
"The minute I said go home." Fiona shook her head. "I think she's smarter than you."
"Thanks," Senel took the coat from Nel and the book from Fiona. "Just- is it going to be really bad?"
She shook her head. "Nah, I think you'll enjoy it actually."
He slipped on the coat, put the book in his pocket and took Nel's elbow. "In that case- we'll see you the day after tomorrow."
~*~
"How is your side?" Nel asked once they were out on the sidewalk. "Does it still hurt?"
"Aches a little," Senel admitted. "But not too bad." Before Nel could question him more, he decided to change the subject. "Should we get take-out? I'm not sure I have much left in the fridge."
"Okay," Nel gave him a look that clearly said she knew what Senel was doing. "What did you have in mind?"
"There's a place not too far away." Senel headed for the crosswalk, tugging Nel along with him. "They're fast and good- as long as you like noodles?"
"Of course." Nel followed him across the street, and Senel saw her eyes widen at some of the shops they passed. He made a mental note to show Nel this area of the city tomorrow and introduce her around.
He saw Nel blink at the sign over the noodle shop. "Corny I know," he said with a smile, "but they are really good."
"Hey Mr. Coolidge!" The pink-haired girl behind the counter grinned at him. "Knew we'd be seeing you soon. Two specials, right?" Two takeout cartons popped into being over the counter and landed with a soft thump.
"Right," Senel agreed and pulled out his wallet. The girl winked at Nel as she put the cartons into a bag. "We put extra meat in yours, Mrs. Irving," she said and Senel had to hide his smile at Nel's surprise.
"Here you go," he said and handed her the money. "Keep the change."
"Thanks Mr. Coolidge! Mrs. Irving! Come again soon!"
"More psychics?" Nel asked as they left.
"They say no," Senel nodded at the logo on the bag. "Ninjas."
"Really?"
Senel shrugged. "I can't feel any magic when I go in there- so it could be. Somehow they know you're headed that way, they can guess what you'd order- and it's ready when you get there."
"And she knew my name."
"I would bet most of the district knows about you by now."
Nel smiled. "More magic?"
"Mithos. He's a terrible gossip."
Nel laughed.
~*~
Once they reached their building, Senel felt the tiny little warning from his wards. He stopped in the foyer, frowning.
"What is it?"
"Someone was here today- looking for me. Someone unfriendly."
Nel moved closer to his side. "Who? Are they still here?" She was taking deep careful breaths, his eyes half-closed.
"No, they left. I can't tell from here who it was..." He hurried towards his apartment, Nel on his heels. Reaching his door, he put a careful hand on it. "They didn't break in- but they knocked- and tried the handle-" Senel focused, asking his wards to show him the visitor. He frowned at the answer.
"Cress?" Nel snarled before Senel could speak. Senel blinked in surprise.
"That's right- how did you know?"
"I can smell him. Why was he here?"
"Don't know," Senel moved his hand away from the door. "It was a few hours ago- and he didn't try to break in- but he wasn't happy."
"Maybe he discovered what his curse did?" Nel suggested and Senel chuckled as he unlocked the door.
"It's possible- but why come here and not the shop?" As they stepped inside, Senel checked the rest of his wards- no other disturbances. Closing the door, he made sure that the wards were secure. He had no intention of being caught off guard.
"If he tried when we were at the teahouse? Or he might have been trying to catch you away from Mithos?" Much to his surprise, Nel stalked through the apartment, checking the windows. "It doesn't look like he tried anything-" She called from the bedroom.
"The wards would've stung him if he had." Senel put the take-out down on the table and pulled the book out of his pocket. Nel might need those protections sooner than even he'd anticipated.
Nel appeared in the doorway of the kitchen, nearly radiating tension. She paced around the table, and Senel frowned at her. "Eat- and then we are going to put those protections on you."
His mate sat down and picked up his fork, still clearly unhappy. Senel watched her poke at her food for a few minutes before reaching out to grasp Nel's hand in his. "Nel, it's okay. I'm not going to let him near you."
"It's not that." Nel's fingers tightened on his. "It's just- I never meant- I didn't want to cause trouble for you..."
"This isn't trouble. This is one idiot. Trouble is ghosts tossing you downstairs or demon possessed children. Trust me, this is nothing." Senel squeezed Nel's hand and then let go.
"Okay," Nel poked at her food a little more, still clearly unconvinced. After a few minutes, Senel got to his feet, picked up the take out containers and put them in the fridge. Grabbing the spell book and his mate, he took both to the sofa.
He meant to open the spell book and read the page that Fiona had marked. But once they were on the couch, Nel curled up tight against his side, still radiating unhappiness. Senel couldn't help putting his arms around Nel and pulling her close. Nel curled tighter against him, lifting her head up and putting her cheek against Senel's.
Senel heard the soft indrawn breath, and knew Nel was going to apologize again. Turning his head, meaning to say something to stop the apology, his mouth brushed over Nel's skin. He felt Nel shiver, and then Nel turned her head just enough to meet Senel's lips with her own.
A few moments later, Nel pulled Senel down onto the cushions, the book tumbling to the floor, forgotten.

Magical Mate Chapter 5: At Combatir´s Teahouse of Magic and Wonders

This was a teahouse? Nel looked around the hallway in surprise. It was more like stepping into a forest- the walls were hung with fabric cut to look like leaves; the carpet was a deep brown and springy underfoot. Here and there were sculptures of trees, spreading leafy canopies overhead. Her mate smiled at his reaction.
"They like to play to people's expectations."
"Senel." A voice said from the shadows behind the door. "Welcome."
"Night," Heero replied. "This is Nel. Regulus should be expecting us."
Nel blinked as a man pulled himself out of the shadows. A fall of dark hair covered one half of his face. His visible green eye studied Nel for a moment.
"You are welcome here, Nel of the Pride.", Night Albain greeted him in a rather monotonous voice.
"Thank you," she managed.
"Regulus is waiting for you in his office." Night smiled slightly and vanished back into the shadows. Senel gave a little tug on Nel's arm and headed down the hallway. They passed several curtained alcoves and a few rooms. In each one golden haired woman sat bending over crystal ball or their client's' palm. The murmur of voices filled the air.
"Course he loves you." "She has another lover." "Don't trust the one armed man."
They passed one of the golden-haired women in the hallway. She was carrying a teapot and a stack of cups. Senel nodded at her and she smiled back warmly. Very warmly. Nel remembered what Mithos had said about the ladies being fond of Senel, and moved closer to her mate. She just grinned at her and continued on her way.
Nel realized that the hallway was a lot longer than she'd first thought- but had the building been this long? This seemed nearly double the size of what she'd seen outside...
"Senel- the building-"
"It's bigger on the inside than the outside." Senel rolled his eyes. "Like I said, they enjoy all the little enchantments- and it's a good draw for the tourists. "
Finally, they reached the last door in the hallway. There was a large face carved into the surface, and much to Nel's surprise, Senel spoke to it.
"Please tell Regulus we're here."
The eyes opened and the face smiled. "He already knows. Please come in." The door swung open and Nel followed Senel into the room.
Where the hallway had looked like a forest, this room looked like a tent. The walls were hung with silks and a small brazier blazed in the corner of the room. Small tables were scattered around the room beside large silken pillows. Nel half-expected to see harem girls lurking in the corners.
"I see you redecorated," said Senel to the blonde man lounging beside the center table.
"One gets tired of the same old things," the man replied with a dazzling smile. Nel blinked: Seated on a cushion behind the blonde man was the other man from the front door- Night. How had he gotten down the hallway before they did?
Night winked at him.
"Please, have a seat." The blonde gestured to the pile of cushions across from him. "It's always good to see you, Senel," he said with a look that made Nel want to growl. Then he turned that look on Nel, and the urge to growl turned into the urge to blush. "And who is this?"
"Thank you," Senel sat down on one of the cushions, tugging Nel down beside him. "This is Nel- my mate. Nel, this is Regulus Combatir."
Nel couldn't help the small skip her heart made to hear Senel refer to her as his mate. Regulus' smile widened. "Mithos said you had managed to win a gorgeous shifter as a mate- I'm glad to see he wasn't exaggerating for once. Pleased to meet you, Nel."
"The pleasure is mine," Nel returned automatically.
"Oh, it could be." The blond lifted an eyebrow at her and then turned to Senel before Nel could react. "So, Senel, how can I help you today?"
Her mate looked annoyed. "Regulus- you're psychic, why do I have to explain it? You know already."
"Fiona really has made you lazy. There's nothing wrong with observing the forms. Besides, unlike Fiona and the girls, it's an effort for me to do that sort of thing."
"And you're calling me lazy?"
"Ha. You know I don't exert myself unless I think I should. Besides, you always have such interesting problems- it's fun listening to you explain them."
"Oh, then this should be amusing. Nel came to me because someone had cursed her with a were-shape. A wolf, to be precise. I took it off of her-"
"So you have the curse? Bet that's useful."
"Yes- except it's not a wolf shape now."
"It's not?"
"No. I have Nel's form- it turns me into a jaguar."
"Can I see the mark?"
Senel shrugged out of his coat and rolled up his sleeve.
"You could just take your shirt off."
"You can see it just fine this way."
"Spoilsport." Regulus leaned over the table and examined the mark on Senel's arm. "Odd. The mark is still the same. Just like I drew it out. Nothing changed that way."
"So you are the one who made this?"
"Of course." Regulus said matter-of-factly. "You know perfectly well that only you or I could cast that sort of thing around here."
"You could've warned me."
"Why would I do that? Mithos has been saying for years that you needed to- what was his phrase- 'get laid more often'? It seemed a perfect opportunity." He smiled cheerfully at Senel.
"I'm going to kill that dragon."
"Why? Do you not want your kitty? I'll happily take her."
"Reglus-" Nel was impressed. He didn't know his mate could growl like that.
"Kidding. Anyway, the curse shouldn't have altered itself- that's nothing I did. I'm not even sure there is such a thing as a were-jaguar curse."
"Well, there is now." Senel pointed out.
"Good point. I'm going to have to go look and see if any of my books have an answer for you. While I do that, maybe you can deal with our little artifact?" Regulus got to his feet.
"Where is it?"
"Over on the table there- under the cloth. I had to shield it here, of course. I can't tell what exactly it does, but it came in with a bunch of charm rings."
"I'll take a look."
A moment later, they were alone in the room. Nel blinked. "Do they do that often?"
Senel nodded. "Of course." He got to his feet and moved over to the other table. "Stay there- not that I think this thing is going to do anything bad, but you never know."
"All right." Nel stayed where she was, but kept her eyes on Senel. He hoped whatever it was Senel was examining wasn't that dangerous. Her mate unfolded the cloth and started muttering under his breath- Nel couldn't make out all the words. Maybe he was trying spells on the thing?
"Do you like him?" The voice in his ear made him jump. He turned to find Night beside him. Where had he come from? Nel would've sworn that he´d vanished with Regulus.
"Sorry," the fae smiled, his voice still soft. "I didn't mean to startle you."
"It's okay." Nel tried to calm her pounding heart.
"Don't worry, Senel can't hear you. We cast a spell to make sure he couldn't." Night patted his shoulder. "So you can be totally honest. Do you like Senel?"
Nel was a little worried. Cast a spell so Senel couldn't hear? And Senel had been nervous about bringing him. She felt herself tense, even as she tried to answer casually.
"I like him very much."
"Why?"
Nel blinked. "Why?"
"Yes. Why do you like him?"
Nel had to think about it for a moment. Of all the strange questions! "There's lots of reasons- but the main one is that he's kind to me."
"That's good," said another voice on the other side of him, and Nel managed not to jump. One of the golden-haired women was perched on the table, smiling at him. "You aren't used to kind people, are you?"
That was true enough. "There aren't many in the Pride, no."
"If you could leave him- without having to worry about going back to the Pride, would you?" Night asked.
How did they know he didn't want to go back?
"Psychic, remember?" The woman winked at him. "I don't blame you- I wouldn't want to go back there either."
"So, if you didn't have to worry about it- if for example, we offered you sanctuary here," Night continued, "would you stay with Senel anyway?"
Sanctuary? Here? Nel wasn't sure she'd like that. He felt much happier in the shop or at Senel's home than she felt here. Were they trying to get him to leave Senel? Why? Was this why Senel had been worried about bringing her here? There were lots of stories about the fae spiriting people away. She shifted, just a little, ready to defend herself. But- what if they used magic?
"I want to stay with Senel." He answered and hoped they didn't take offense.
"Why?"
She said the first thing that came into his head. "Because I'm happy with him- and I think he needs me." Would that discourage them? Would she be able to get away? Why didn't Senel turn around already?
"Ah. So you like him, he's kind to you- and you've already realized that he needs you. A very good start!" The woman looked pleased.
"It is?" She asked, completely at a loss. Maybe they weren't planning on trying to steal her?
"Oh yes," she tapped her nose. "Wondering why we're so nosy?"
"Well, yes," she admitted and she chuckled.
"We've been worried about him." Regulus had reappeared behind the table, a book in his hands. He smiled at Nel. "Don't worry- we aren't going to harm either of you- and I have no intention of taking you away from him. We just needed to talk to you without him listening."
"Why?"
Regulus put the book down on the table and sighed. "It's just- well, you know that not all magicians are good, right? That some of them- well, go bad?"
Nel frowned, wondering what Regulus was getting at. "Right. Magicians that grow up in places that don't understand them- mistreated as children-"
"Right- that's one way for a magician to turn to dark magic. And we- the fae- we usually try to find those children- but we don't always succeed. Some slip through our searches. Senel was one of those- we didn't know about him until he showed up in the city."
"But- Senel's not evil-"
"No. But not all magicians turn only as children. Other ones turn later in life. Senel- and Fiona can affirm this too- Senel is one of the ones that has the possibility of turning in his future."
"No-" Granted, she hadn't known the man for long, but she couldn't even imagine it.
"I'm afraid so."
"But- he's not like that. Senel wouldn't-"
"I hope not- and the possibility of him turning has just decreased significantly. As of two days ago, in fact."
"Why?"
"Because of you."
"Me? But-"
"You. That's why I agreed to help your Grandmother. It's why Fiona didn't warn Senel about your status. We knew that he needed you. There were other ways you could've met- but this was the only way to get you firmly into his life."
"So- it was all a set up?"
Regulus laughed. "No. It was simply a series of events that we didn't try and stop."
Nel considered it for a moment. "But- why tell me?"
The fae shrugged. "Because you need to know."
That wasn't really an answer. But before Nel could say anything more, Senel turned around. His eyes narrowed slightly, but his tone was mild.
"It's a charm ring- just like the others you usually get. It's iron of course- and it's already been imprinted with the spell." He stood up, balancing the ring on his fingers. "You shouldn't have a problem selling it- or I can take it back to the store and sell it there for you."
"What's the spell?" Reglus asked in the same sort of tone.
"It's a sleep spell. The wearer can cast a sleep charm with a ten-foot radius around them." Senel sat down next to Nel, still with that wary look in his eyes. He nodded at the woman. "Hello Irea."
"Senel. Good to see you," she smiled back innocently.
"Hm. Well, I wish I could say I was as successful as you, but all I found was a reference to a similar spell being cast on a shifter. Apparently shifters don't usually get curses to turn them into animals-"
"It would be sort of redundant," Night agreed, from his space behind Regulus' shoulder. Nel wondered when he'd moved.
"Right- but the same sort of thing happened- somehow the curse took her shape and passed it on instead of the one the magician intended. This writer speculates that shifters have an odd effect on the were curses- since they sort of have one naturally- their ability warps the curse to match."
"But then wouldn't the curse just stop working on them?"
Regulus shook his head. "No, the author surmises that the adjustment takes place when the curse is moved- since the moving spell makes the curse fluid for those few moments- and vulnerable to being tampered with."
"Hn. So I wouldn't have to worry about this curse then?"
"I don't think so." Regulus tapped the book. "No ill effects were reported."
"Thank you." Senel got to his feet, and Nel hastily followed. "We should get back to the store. What would you like me to do with the ring?"
Regulus' eyes met Senel's. "Consider it a gift. I am sure you can think of someone who could use that sort of protection- but I wouldn't count on it being the only one she needs."
Nel's expression softened a little. "Thank you."
"You're very welcome."
Nel followed Senel down the long hallway and back outside. Senel took a few steps away from the front door and then turned, pulling Nel close. "Are you okay?"
"Fine." Nel was surprised to see that Senel looked worried. She was even more surprised when Senel reached out and touched his fingers to Nel's forehead, muttering something under his breath. "What is it?"
Senel took a deep breath and moved his hand away. "It's nothing. Just- checking. Here." He dropped the iron ring into Nel's palm. "Put that on- it should bind itself to you. We need to get back. I'm glad it stopped raining." He turned on his heel and started off down the sidewalk.
Nel slipped the ring on her finger and hurried down the street after her mate. "Sene? What-?"
"Just twist it around your finger once quickly to activate the charm. Since you put it on, no one should be able to take it off you."
Oh. Nel blinked down at the ring. That would be very useful if one of the Pride tried something. But what was wrong with her mate? She didn't like the expression on Senel's face at all. "Thank you-"
"It's not my gift," Senel cast a quick look at him. "Regulus meant it for you. I still think we need to look into more protections for you- the ring is too easy to get around."
"What do you mean?"
"If you were knocked unconscious- or they caught your hands somehow-"
Nel shivered. "Good point." She moved closer to Senel, matching his pace. She could feel tension rolling off of her mate. "Are you all right?"
"Fine," Senel gave him a smile that didn't reach his eyes and Nel knew he was lying.

Magical Mate Chapter 4: Deepening the Relationship

Senel squinted down at his paws. Granted, he wasn't totally comfortable with the vision of this shape- but they didn't look right. They looked- sort of splotchy.
And damn, no wonder Nel stripped before changing. Pants did not go well with a tail.
He looked up as Mithos made a sound and opened his mouth. Ah, right, he couldn't talk in this form- and judging from Mithos´ expression, there was something wrong. He tried to look over his shoulder at his torso.
Oh. That would account for the something wrong.
He looked back at Mithos.
"Yeah, we're surprised too," Mithos drawled. "Can you change back?"
Senel was relieved to find out that he could, though it made his skin itch. "Huh, what do you think caused that to happen?"
"If I knew, I'd tell you." Mithos snorted. "It looks like you might have to do some research, student of mine."
"Obviously." Senel frowned at the mark on his arm. He hadn't noticed a change in it, but there must've been at least one. "I'll look through the book- maybe even go talk to Combatir."
"Good idea." Mithos turned slightly as the door chime rang. "Good afternoon!" He called out, before turning back to Senel. "But put your shirt on first- and have Nel help you put something on those bruises."
He vanished from the doorway and Senel felt a gentle touch on his bruised side. "What happened? You were a jaguar- like me! Why didn't you turn into a wolf?"
"A glitch." Senel turned to face his worried looking mate. "Something went wrong in the curse and changed the result. It happens sometimes."
"So what do you do now?"
"I need to figure out why there was a glitch. In this case, it could've been a mistake I made in the transfer. Or it might have been the way the curse was made- for all I know your Grandmother had it built in to suit her own purpose."
Nel frowned. "I hadn't thought of that. It would be like her. What are you going to do? Can you remove it?"
"No," Senel shook his head. "I can pass it on, but not take it off." He headed towards the small washroom. "Not that I think I will. It's still a valuable curse- I just need to make sure that it doesn't have any other side effects or problems."
"And how do you check something like that?" Nel closed the door as Senel opened the medicine cabinet and took out a small jar.
"Well, I check the book. If that doesn't work I go to the other curse expert in town and ask him." He faced the mirror and studied his bruises. "They aren't that bad..."
"Let me," Nel took the jar and opened the lid. "Is he more familiar with this type of curse?"
Senel shook his head and hissed a little as Nel began to spread the ointment on his bruises. "No- but knowing now that it was your Grandmother who bought the curse in the first place- unless she went out of town to do it- Combatir is more than likely the one who made it. Do you know?"
"No," Nel's fingers gently massaged the ointment into his skin. "Grandmother didn't tell me where she got it." She stopped when he reached the waistband, her free hand tugging on the button.
"What-?"
"The bruising looks like it goes down your side," Nel neatly squashed Senel's escape attempt by pulling down his zipper and slipping his hand inside Senel's pants. "If you'll just take these off..."
"I'm really okay!"
Nel snorted and yanked Senel's pants off- another piece of clothing following along for the ride.
"Thought so- it goes all the way down your leg!" Nel dropped down on his knees and Senel inhaled sharply. "What happened?"
"Like I said- they threw me around a little," Senel managed. He focused on the opposite wall, doing his best to ignore what Nel was doing. Didn't he have any self control at all? Nel was just taking care of some bruises! So what if his touch seemed to warm Senel's skin from the inside out? So what if he could feel Nel's breath against his thigh?
"Am I hurting you?" He looked down in an automatic response to find Nel looking up at him with worried eyes. "No-"
"Are you sure?" Nel traced the line of his thigh with gentle fingers. "You went all tense. Does something else hurt?"
Not yet, Senel thought and shook his head. "No, no. I'm really okay."
Nel got to her feet, her hand smoothing the ointment back up Senel's side. "Relax," she said with a faint smile. "I'm not going to start something here at work- no matter what those lions said."
Senel blinked at her. What had the lions said? Something about the jaguars being too hot blooded to be left alone? Did Nel think that he believed those two idiots? It was obvious they'd just been trying to rile Nel.
"It's me I'm worried about," Senel told him honestly and Nel's smile brightened. She leaned into her mate, touching his mouth to Senel's.
"What if I gave you something to tide you through until we're safely home?"
There was only so much temptation Senel could take. Pulling Nel closer he took shameless advantage of the offered mouth.
Several minutes later, he managed to regain enough of his senses to pull back a little. "If we don't stop, Fiona is going to kill me for doing this when I should be working..."
"You were working pretty hard," Nel countered, but he let her mate go. "I'll go see if I can help Mithos."
Senel reached out and smoothed a strand of Nel's hair back into place. "I'll be out as soon as I can."
"Promise we can continue this later?"
"If you-"
"Want? Oh yes." Nel leaned in for one more quick kiss. "Very much so." She slipped out the door, leaving Senel allone to pull himself together.
~*~
"Anything yet?" Mithos asked.
"Nothing," Senel flipped another page. "Not a damn thing. If something had gone wrong then the curse should've just not worked- or trapped me in the wolf form. There's nothing in here that applies!"
"You know what this means, right?" Mithos smiled and Senel groaned. Nel lifted her eyebrows and poked Senel with a French fry.
"Does this mean you have to go talk to the other magician? Is he unfriendly?"
Mithos roared with laugher and Senel contented himself with crumpling up one of the wrappers from his finished lunch and tossing it at the dragon.
"Hardly," he said in response to Nel's puzzled look. "Combatir is very friendly. In fact, he's a very good friend of Mithos'. So much so that I think-"
"Oh no," Mithos shook his head. "You can go ask him."
At that moment, the phone rang. Mithos scooped it up. "Greymalkin's, how can I help you?" He paused for a moment and then started to chuckle. "Well, how fortunate. Senel has a question to ask of you- perhaps a trade of services?"
Senel shook his head and rolled his eyes. "Figures," he murmured to Nel.
"Of course, I'll send him right down." Mithos grinned at Senel. "Love to. Definitely. See you at nine."
"Dare I hope he wanted you instead?" Senel asked as Mithos hung up the phone.
"Hardly. I got invited to dinner. You are asked to go down and look at something that showed up in their latest shipment. Combatir says it gives him a bad feeling, but he can't pinpoint it- and it's cold iron."
"And yet he bought it?"
"He buys that stuff in lots, you know he does." Mithos made a shooing motion. "Go on, they're waiting. Take Nel with you."
Senel frowned. "I'm not sure-"
Mithos laughed again. "Relax. She's your mate, they aren't going to touch him." Mithos turned his smile on Nel. "You might want to keep an eye on Senel though. The ladies are fond of him."
"Right. After I made whatshername cry? Hardly." Senel grabbed his coat out of the back room and handed Nel his. "Is it still raining?"
"Yes," Nel put his coat on, giving Senel a questioning look. "Should I go?"
"You should," Mithos nodded. "I think it would be a good idea for more people in the magician's circle to meet you."
"Good point," Senel's expression lightened. "I hadn't thought of that." He grabbed the umbrella out of the rack and opened the door. "If we're not back in an hour, send for help."
"Ha ha." Mithos blew a smoke ring. "More like I'll be calling Combatir and asking if he needs any."
Once outside Senel opened the umbrella and smiled at Nel. "Ready?"
"Are you sure?" Nel asked hesitantly, and Senel mentally kicked himself. He really wasn't good at this communication thing.
"Yes," he said, and reached out to pull Nel under the umbrella with him. Fiona had made a point of reminding him that Pride acted a lot like their animal counterparts. Touch was important- not only for affection, but also for acceptance and reassurance. "I should've explained in there, I'm sorry. It's not that I don't want you with me- that wasn't what I meant at all. I'm just- well, worried about taking you in there with me."
Much to his relief, Nel snuggled into his side as they started down the street. "Why? Is it dangerous? Wasn't he the one you told me to go see for a second opinion?"
"He was- and he's not dangerous. Not at all. In fact, he's known Mithos for a long time. A very long time- they have this little rivalry thing going on..."
"But he's going to dinner..."
"It's not a blood feud- and believe me, Combatir and Albain- that's his partner- are very fond of Mithos. But, like I said, there is this little desire to 'one-up' each other- you know what I mean?" Nel nodded, still looking puzzled. "So why are you worried?"
"It's just-" Senel cast a glance around. "They're fae. They have a very different way of looking at things." Nel still looked confused and so Senel plowed on: "And since you're beautiful- they'll be going out of their way to charm you-" He bit his lip- he was doing this all wrong. He sounded like a jealous idiot- and after only knowing Nel for less than a week.
Nel's expression cleared and she slipped his arm around Senel's waist. "I'm your mate."
"I know-"
"After what Cress said I know it's hard to believe- but I swear to you, we're not like that- I'm not like that. It's a lie."
Senel mentally kicked himself. Damn it. He hadn't meant to imply Nel was anything of the sort. "I didn't think-"
"The lions use that excuse to keep the jaguars under their paw," Nel's voice dropped to a growl. "If they keep us chained with lies then their power is safer-"
Senel blinked, a terrible thought popping into his head, and then pulled Nel over to the side, taking refuge in the opening of an alley. "Wait- when you say chained- you mean literally chained?" Hadn't the blonde one said something about being confined?
"Imprisoned any way that their spouse desires," Nel answered, her eyes nearly ablaze. "Not all of them, but many of the lions feel it's important."
"What?! All because you're too hot blooded?"
Nel snorted. "Hot blooded? More like unable to fight back if another Pride member finds you."
Senel's blood ran cold.
"And even unchained- the lions aren't above making sure the others are aware of their dominance- even if you aren't their mate."
"That's rape-"
"Not to the Pride." Nel's eyes met his. "And if you are with someone other than your mate- well, that's the jaguar's fault isn't it? For being hot blooded?"
"No! That's the worst thing I've ever heard-" Senel closed his eyes and shook his head. Then a thought hit him. "Wait a minute- those two that came into the store today-"
"I'm glad Mithos was there."
Senel pulled his mate close and took a deep breath. "So am I." He tugged Nel back onto the street. "Let's go get this done with- then we are going back to the shop and looking into some protections for you."
"Protections?" Nel repeated, speeding up her steps to match Senel's.
"Some things that are going to make any lion think twice before going near you." He took a deep breath. "And Nel- I'm sorry. I didn't mean to imply that I thought you were anything like they said. I didn't when they said it- I thought they were just trying to provoke you."
"They were," Nel frowned. "I knew I'd have trouble once I was given to someone- but I didn't think it would follow me here. I am sorry-"
"They're the ones who will be sorry," Senel missed the pleased look that Nel gave him. "Here we are."
"This doesn't look like a store," Nel said as they mounted the steps.
"It's not- it's a tea room. Combatir's sisters do psychic readings." Senel gave him a quick smile. "It's like being with a roomful of Fionas."
Nel's eyes widened and she groaned. "Maybe I should've stayed at the shop."

Magical Mate Chapter 3: The Pride

Her mate yawned, his eyes still half-closed despite the cold shower he'd taken less than twenty minutes ago- not to mention the icy rain that dripped off the edges of their umbrella. Nel made a mental note that her mate was not at his best early in the morning and moved closer to carefully slip an arm around his waist. Senel accepted the caress, giving his mate a sleepy smile.
"I hope Fiona made coffee," he said and leaned a little into Nel's side.
Happy that her mate seemed to be getting more comfortable around him, Nel smiled, adjusting the umbrella a little. "If she didn't, I will. Is the customer there too? Did she say?"
Senel shook his head. "She didn't say. I would bet she either has an early appointment scheduled with the customer, or she's expecting them to drop by."
"Did she say what kind of job it was?"
"No," Senel rolled his eyes and smothered a yawn. "I'll be lucky if she tells me when we get there. She likes to keep me on my toes."
"Is it dangerous?"
A shrug. "Don't know. Fiona usually doesn't take those ones, unless there's some sort of reason we have to do it."
"It would have to be a good one to put yourself in danger." Nel didn't like the idea of Senel going off on dangerous jobs. Shee didn't know enough about this business yet to be able to watch Senel's back effectively.
She had a lot to learn, Nel thought with a sigh, in order to be a good mate for Senel.
"Here at last," Senel opened the door of the shop. The smell of fresh coffee drifted from the back room and Senel perked up immediately. Nel made another mental note. Her mate was clearly a caffeine addict.
Fiona was at her desk, a large book in front of her. "There you are," she said and waved her hand at the coffee pot. "You're late."
"You didn't give me a time," Senel protested as he poured himself a cup of coffee. He sat down on the battered sofa carefully and glared amiably at his boss. Nel curled up against his side, being sure to give Senel enough room to move, but close enough that another Pride member would know Senel was hers.
Not that she expected one to show up this morning, but it made her feel better. Senel didn't protest and Nel relaxed a little. Fiona grinned at her and Nel wondered how much she knew about Pride.
"We're supposed to meet the client in about thirty minutes. I wanted to give you some time to put a kit together."
"And what kind of kit am I putting together?" Senel lifted an eyebrow at her. "Spit it out- it's not another demon-possession is it?"
Nel made a faint sound of dismay. Demon-possession?! Senel patted her arm absently.
"No, no," Fiona waved her hand in the air. "Just a haunted house."
Just a haunted house? Nel blinked at her. That didn't sound good either, in her opinion.
Senel just sighed. "And I need a kit for that?"
"Well-" iona shrugged. "It's really haunted. Supposedly the spirits are getting a bit violent..."
"Or maybe the owners are just pissing them off?" Senel leaned forward to put his coffee cup on the low table in front of him. "Which is it, Fiona? What are we in for?"
"That's just it- I'm not sure. There's something we have to do- and hell if I know what it is yet- and so we're either going to get in, get it done and be out or-"
"Or?" Senel prompted.
"Or Nel and Mithos are going to have to come pull us out."
What? No, he needed to be with Senel! Before Nel could protest, Fiona spoke: "I need you in the shop this morning, Nel. I truly do. Mithos isn't going to be here until noon. If we're not back a half hour after he gets here- then the two of you are going to have to come get us."
She wanted to argue- but technically she was her boss- and Senel's too. She couldn't go against her authority. Biting his lip, she turned to Senel.
Her mate looked surprised. "You really are having trouble seeing which way it's going to go?"
"Sorry," Fiona lifted a shoulder in apology. "You know how it goes. Sometimes things get blocked- I think it's because what we have to do is dependent on something else-"
"Right." Senel got to his feet and headed for the store. "I'll get a kit together. Anything I need to put in?"
"Just the usual."
"Got it." Senel vanished into the store and Nel looked at Fiona.
"So if you aren't back a half hour after Mithos gets here- then we go get you? Does Mithos know what to do?"
She nodded. "It won't be the first time he's pulled us out- and if the two of you do show up, then we'll be okay. I do know that." Fiona gave him a reassuring smile. "More than likely though, we'll be finished and back here before he shows up for work. So don't worry, okay?"
"I'll try not to."
Tilting her head, she waved at the door. "Go on out and help Senel. Remind him to pack the book, will you? He knows which one and he nearly always forgets."
Her mate was digging through a battered looking knapsack when Nel joined him. "Got that, need to grab some more of those..."
"Fiona said to take the book- you'd know which one."
Senel snapped his fingers. "Right. I hate that thing, but if we need it..." Turning to one of the locked cases behind the counter, he produced a ring of keys. "Now where did I stick it..."
A moment later, he unlocked a case and pulled out a small book covered in what looked like leather. Nel was close enough to smell it though, and it didn't smell quite right...
"Human skin," Senel said as Nel wrinkled her nose. "Isn't that lovely?" He tucked the book in the side of the knapsack and brushed at his fingertips. "Makes my skin crawl."
"Why do you need it?"
"Despite the cover- done for the sheer theatrical joy of it, I'm sure- the damn thing does have some spells that are very useful." Senel fussed with the contents of the sack for a few more minutes under Nel's worried eye.
"Almost ready?" Fiona called from the back.
"Yes, yes, I'll be right there." Senel closed the knapsack and smiled at Nel. "Don't look so worried. We'll be okay. Are you sure you feel comfortable running the shop this morning?"
"Of course," Nel managed a smile back. "Just be- really careful, all right?"
"Of course," Senel echoed as he slung the knapsack over his shoulder. "I'll see you when we get back." He paused for a moment, looking faintly puzzled as if he was wondering if there was something he forgot.
Nel took advantage of the opportunity and, leaning forward, kissed her mate quickly. Senel's puzzled look turned into a softer expression. "We'll be okay," he said again and brushed his fingers over Nel's cheek. "Don't look so worried. We do this all the time."
Easy for him to say, Nel thought as Senel headed towards Fiona and the back door. Still, he was a magician, and powerful enough that Grandmother had gone through a lot of trouble to tie him to the Pride. She needed to remember that.
Shaking herself, she looked at the clock. The store wasn't due to open for another hour- and Nel didn't feel like curling up on the couch until then. She went looking for cleaning supplies, hoping that she'd be able to keep herself too busy to worry.
~*~
Nel leaned against the counter. She'd cleaned everything she could think of- except the things in the locked cases- she had a bad feeling about some of them. She'd opened the store on time, helped the customers that came in, and tried not to think about how much time was passing.
It was nearly noon. Fiona had said that if all went well, she and Senel would beat Mithos back to the store.
For some reason, Nel had a feeling things were not going well. She closed his eyes and took a deep breath. The dragon would be here soon.
Senel would be okay. Fiona had assured her of that- but then this morning she had admitted that at times she was blocked. Had she been and lied to Nel to keep him calm? She didn't want to lose his mate.
Back when Grandmother had shown her the files, Nel hadn't thought that she'd be lucky enough to get someone like Senel. She knew what her kind was usually meant for and as Grandmother had put each folder down, she'd felt his heart sink lower and lower. Thinking back, she wondered if she hadn't been manipulating him- she had to know how he felt about some of those who had offered for him...
Senel's folder had been the last.
"This one isn't Pride. He's a magician- one I want to bring closer to the Pride. He hasn't offered for you- you'll have to chase him, but I know how you are on the hunt. I think you can catch him with my help."
She'd looked at the picture on the cover- the man was walking down the street, head down, by himself in a crowd of people. Beautiful- but so lonely looking that her heart ached.
"Does he have someone?"
"No one at all. No other spouses- you know how humans are. As far as my sources can tell, he is unattached, and dedicated to his work. Do you like him, Nel?"
That was easy to answer. "Yes."
"He might be difficult to win."
"I don't care. I want to try."
The bell over the door jangled and Nel snapped out of her reverie with a jolt. Mithos stood by the door, shaking the rain out of his hair.
"Nel!" He said warmly. "Those two didn't stick you with the front, did they?"
"They're on a job," Nel told him. "Fiona said if they weren't back a half-hour after you got here, then we were supposed to go pull them out."
The dragon blew a startled puff of smoke in the air. "That bad?"
"I guess so- Fiona said they'd more than likely be back before you, but-" Nel trailed off unhappily. Mithos´ reaction hadn't been reassuring.
"What sort of job?" Mithos reached the counter, pulling off his coat.
"A haunted house."
Much to Nel's relief, Mithos seemed to relax a little. "Figures. Those ones are notoriously unpredictable. I'm amazed Fiona even takes those jobs. Well, let me get some coffee and we'll wait- and the moment a half hour is up, we'll head out. All right?"
"All right."
Mithos tugged on the end of Nel's braid. "Relax. Did she mention a hospital stay? Injuries? Did she remind Senel to take the first aid kit?"
Nel shook her head.
"Then it should be okay." Mithos assured her and headed for the back room.
The bell chimed again and Nel turned toward the door, expecting customers but hoping for Fiona and Senel-
And felt his stomach lurch at the sight of the two men who sauntered in.
Not them! Not now!
"Nel," the taller one with red hair smiled at him. "Here you are. Minerva said she'd mated you to some human, but I didn't believe it." His companion flicked blond hair over his shoulder with a smile and Nel fought not to show her teeth. She didn't stand a chance in a fight with these two.
"And yet here I am," Nel said instead, keeping her head slightly bent. "Grandmother had the good of the Pride in mind." That sounded pretentious, but when dealing with these two...
"Still, a human? Why?"
"She didn't tell you?" Nel's eyebrows shot up, thankfully hidden by his bangs. Luke was one of her Grandmother's favorite spouses. Why hadn't she confided in him?
"Obviously not," Luke's companion with blonde hair leaned against the counter and Nel took a careful step back. "Otherwise, why would we be here?"
"Cress, behave." Luke ordered absently. "We'd be here to offer Nel and her new mate our congratulations of course. Where is this mate of yours?"
"He's not here," Nel said, suddenly very grateful that Senel was late. "He had a job this morning."
"And he left you here alone?" Cress raised an eyebrow and Nel willed himself not to growl. "Unprotected?"
They wouldn't dare...
"Hardly," a warm voice drawled behind her. "Nel was left here with me. I assure you, I am very able to protect her from any threat."
Nel turned just enough to see Mithos lounging in the doorway behind her, coffee cup in hand, smoke drifting up from his nostrils.
"Who are you?" Luke asked.
"This is Mithos Yggdrasil, one of my mate's associates." Nel said, moving a little closer to the dragon. "This is Luke, one of my Grandmother's spouses- and Cress, one of Luke´s spouses."
"Must make things complicated at family reunions," Mithos smiled, showing all of his teeth. Nel was gratified to see Cress move a bit closer to Luke.
"A little. So Nel's new mate considers you adequate protection?" Luke feinted.
"Are you questioning my ability?" Mithos glided towards the counter and Nel could feel the heat that radiated off of him- and the scent of smoke that always hung around Mithos seemed to intensify. "My family has acted as guardians for thousands of years," the dragon hissed, blowing out a stream of smoke that made the two Pride males back up a little.
Nel glanced at the clock- only five more minutes. Senel and Fiona needed them. They couldn't waste time with these two for much longer... Could Mithos scare them off? Or eat them? That would be good too.
"Not at all," Luke backed off. "It's just- well, Nel is a jaguar, you know, and most of them are not allowed to go anywhere without their mates."
"And why is that?" Mithos asked, heat still rolling off of him in waves.
"Because," Cress smiled, showing his own impressive canines, "the jaguars are too warm-blooded to be trusted. They need to be confined for their own good, or they will be unfaithful to their mates..."
It was harder to hold the snarl this time. Of all the lies the lions used to keep the other cats under their control- this one was the worst- and the most unfair...
"That doesn't sound good," a familiar voice said behind Nel and relief rushed through him. Turning, he nearly threw himself into Senel's arms.
Safe. She was safe.
Senel's hand stroked over Nel's braid. "Then again, perhaps their mates just don't know how to win their loyalty," her mate added and Nel nearly laughed at the other two's expressions.
"You are Nel's mate?" Luke asked, one eyebrow arching up.
"I am. Who are you?"
"I am one of Minerva's spouses. She told me that she had mated Nel to some human- I came to see for myself."
"Did she tell you why?" Senel asked and Mithos snorted.
"I doubt it, Senel. Otherwise he wouldn't be here."
"You realize that you have to be able to face the challenge of the Pride members who feel Nel should've gone to one of them?" Cress asked and Nel finally realized why exactly they were here.
"Like you?" Senel smiled. "I'm not worried."
Cress leaned over the counter. "You should be, human." He snarled.
Senel moved quickly, one hand catching Cress´s wrist where it lay on the counter. "Anyone who tries, will have to deal with this," he said and spoke a few words that Nel didn't understand.
Cress pulled his hand free and Nel's eyes widened at the dark mark on his wrist. "What's this?"
"A curse mark," Senel smiled pleasantly. "I may be only human, but I am also a magician."
Luke drew in a deep breath as Cress look at the mark on his arm with dismay. "So that's why Minerva gave Nel to you. She wanted a tie with a magician."
"That's what she said."
"What is this?" Cress was rubbing at his wrist.
"I think the best thing to do is just to let you discover what it does. It will wear off eventually, but anyone who seriously challenges me will be stuck with a permanent one." Senel's smile turned to something a little less pleasant. "Or worse."
Luke's eyes widened. Then, much to Nel's surprise, he smiled. "I see why Minerva chose you as a fitting mate for one of ours." With a slight bow he took Cress by the arm and led him out of the store.
As the door closed behind them, Mithos turned to Senel with a smirk. "Nice curse there. He's going to hate you for the next few days."
"I hope so," Senel laughed. "It was the first thing that came to mind."
"What was it?" Nel asked, tightening his grip on Senel, relieved and grateful.
"Impotence." Mithos chuckled and Nel nearly choked. "Where's Fiona?"
"Upstairs. She has a terrible headache." Senel grimaced. "It was one of those jobs that turned into a psychotherapy session with the ghosts-"
"But they all agreed to move on?"
"Eventually." Senel sighed. "Looks like your day was more exciting." He frowned at the door. "Which reminds me that I need to check my own curse."
"I wondered when we'd get around to that." Mithos gestured at the back room. "Go ahead, I can watch from here in case a customer comes in."
Nel followed Senel and perched on the couch. She hoped Senel's curse worked- if any of the other Pride members did show up to challenge him, the wolf might help as much as Senel's magic.
Senel pulled off his shirt and Nel frowned at the array of bruises on her mate's side. Those had not been there this morning. "What happened?"
"The ghosts tossed me around a little," Senel winced as he touched the bruises. "I hadn't realized..."
"You never do," Mithos snorted and looked at Nel. "When he comes back from a job you need to check him carefully for injuries. He tends to ignore them."
Nel made yet another mental note about his mate. "Does anything else hurt?" She demanded and Senel shook his head.
"No, I don't think so," he said and Nel silently vowed to check for himself as soon as possible.
Senel touched the curse mark on his upper arm. "All right. Let's give this a try," he said and closed his eyes.
He shifted.
Nel's eyes widened and Mithos made a startled sound.
Senel... wasn't a wolf...