Page 8 of Luca’s Magic Embrace

Luca’s thoughts raced. Was it possible that she’d be safe away from New Orleans? It was true that she’d be away from the heart of magic, after all. But then he remembered that Asgear was able to extend his reach to Philadelphia. He might not have physically been there, but he was able to funnel his magic to others in the area, making them do things, awful things. No, she needed to come back to the safety of the coven where the magical wards would protect her. She’d be safe with her sisters. Ilsbeth was the most powerful witch on the East Coast. Not even a mouse could get in her courtyard without her permission. Luca knew in that moment that he needed to bring her home.

“I will go get her, explain the danger. She cannot refuse me. Where did she go, Ilsbeth?” he asked authoritatively. While Ilsbeth was powerful, Luca was older, and emanated his own energy. He could not believe the sheer idiocy of the coven rules. It made no sense that because a person didn’t want to be there, they could simply walk out the door with no regard for safety. And the coven would wave goodbye and let her do what she wanted, because the Goddess said so. Fuck coven rules. He would go get her and bring her back. End of story.

Ilsbeth slowly rose off the sofa. She’d acquiesce to Luca this once. He appeared to care about the human, her sister witch. Interesting, she thought to herself. Everyone who knew Luca would be quite surprised to know he cared about a mortal woman.

“Fine, Luca. We shall do as you wish. But know this; I will not keep her here against her will. Should she refuse to stay at the coven, she’s in your charge,” she explained. Ilsbeth would not go against the Goddess’s rules.

“But of course. However this will not be an issue. She will want to return once I speak with her.”

“What makes you say that, Luca? She was quite adamant on her departure that she would not be returning to New Orleans. She is quite traumatized, you know,” she said softly.

“Does she remember what happened?” Luca inquired, remembering how Samantha could not stop crying at Kade’s that night, dark bruises on her face. He’d wanted to kill the son of a bitch who’d hurt her, but Kade had taken care of it. Unfortunately he couldn’t fix the emotional damage left in Asgear’s aftermath. The best he could do that night was listen and comfort her by placing his hand on her shoulder.

“No, I do not believe so. Anything she shared with me is her story to tell.”

“Understandable. No matter. She must return to the safety of the coven,” Luca said without emotion. He walked over to the front door and grabbed the handle.

Ilsbeth followed and put her hand on his. Luca turned to face her. “Luca, be gentle with the girl. She’s young and scared. Not a very good combination.” She removed her hand, went over to her desk and began to write down the address Samantha had given her.

“Ilsbeth, I may not be fond of human women but I can certainly handle getting one on a plane back to New Orleans. I don’t know who tried to attack her but I’ll be damned if I’m goin’ to just sit by and watch her get kidnapped again. Or worse, die. No,” he said shaking his head. “It’s settled. I’ll go and get her. In the meantime, Kade and Sydney can look for clues as to what in the hell is going on down here, who abducted me.”

“Okay, Luca. Please call me if you need my assistance. I can work spells from a distance. Also, call me if she shows any signs of magic.” She handed him a business card with an address written on the back of it. “She’s in Pennsylvania. In the mountains. May the Goddess be with you on your journey.”

Taking the card from her hand he walked into the warm, humid air, breathed deeply and turned back again to Ilsbeth. “Thank you, Ilsbeth. Be well.”

Luca had an address. Samantha. He would go to her now. He’d take the jet and be there within hours. For a split second he wondered if there was something more about this mere mortal that he was drawn to. Dismissing the thought, he slid his cell phone on and called Tristan. He was the person physically located closest to where she was.

“Tristan here,” he answered gruffly.

“Tristan, it’s me, Luca.”

“Mon ami, so good to hear your voice. Kade told me you got yourself trussed up like a silver chained turkey,” he joked. Leave it to a wolf to lighten the mood about his attack.

“Yeah, it was quite the ordeal, to say the least. But I’m back. Sydney and Kade saved my life,” he said nonchalantly. He did not wish to discuss the feeding with Tristan, knowing how intimate they were. “Unfortunately, this isn’t a social call. I’m in need of your assistance, Alpha.” Luca deliberately used his title as a sign of respect.

“Just ask, Luca. What is it?”

“It’s Samantha. She ran away from the coven. Apparently things didn’t go so well with her training so she split,” he stated, unhappy that she’d left.

“Ah…the little witch you rescued. How is it she got away from Ilsbeth?”

“Long story short but essentially, she left of her own accord so Ilsbeth had to let her go. She escaped to your neck of the woods. Pocono Mountains. Do you think you could go find and guard her…as wolf until I get there?” Luca asked. “I don’t want her to suspect that I’m coming for her lest she’ll probably run again. She may not take kindly to another supernatural like you coming after her either. After all she’s been through, it may be best to just blend into nature and watch her from afar. Guard her and don’t let her leave.”

“No problem. I was looking to take a little run anyway. This just gives me something to look forward to. As I recall, she's a pretty young thing. Hot body and a fiery mane you could run your fingers through,” Tristan teased, sensing Luca had a personal interest in finding her. He loved Luca but couldn’t resist teasing him, given that he was always so serious.

Luca growled. “Alpha, do not touch her. She’s been through enough.” What the hell was he doing telling an Alpha what to do in his own territory? Luca forced himself to relax, unclench his fist and gain his composure. “I apologize, Tristan. I didn’t mean to tell you what to do. It’s just that she’s vulnerable right now. Ilsbeth said she couldn’t find her magic. She’s afraid. She needs our help.”

“No worries, Luca. I’m on it. I know you’ve also been through a lot lately. Text me the address, and I’ll meet you there. I’ll try to keep it wolf, but if she spots me, I won’t tell her you’re coming.”

“Thank you, Tristan. See you later tonight. ” Luca ended the call. He’d go up tonight and be back by tomorrow. Then he’d help Kade and Sydney find whoever had kidnapped him, and rip their throats out.

CHAPTER FOUR

Visions of blood dripping from her mouth clouded her thoughts. She was chained, beaten and naked in a concrete cell that reeked of urine and feces. Yanking her wrists forward, blinding pain racked her body; the unyielding cuffs bit into her skin. Screaming at the top of her lungs; no one came. Cold and alone, she sat in the dark and waited for death, praying her torment would come to an end soon.

The only memory she’d had was a recurring nightmare. Samantha woke in a cold sweat, terrorized, like she had every night since she’d been rescued. Realizing that she was outside at the cabin, she jumped up out of the chair. Goddammit. I fell asleep outside.

“Great. I’ll probably have a thousand bites all over me,” she said aloud to herself. Samantha started rubbing her arms and legs, checking her skin for bumps. “Hmm….candle must’ve worked.”