The Genius and The Prince

Chapter 12 – Witches are Real

Emily POV

Braxton takes me to my office, yes office. I asked him why I got one as a just an associate and I have yet to pass the bar, his reply was not helpful. “It just is what it is.” I am starting to think that is his favorite line.

I am sitting at my desk after Braxton logged me into my laptop and gave me a file to review when my phone starts to ping with text messages. First one from my sister, then brother, then my friend Celeste and Sara. I am looking at the message load up when my phone rings. It is my father. I know by now my mother has told him about my mate and I hesitate then close my eyes as I answer the phone.

“Hi Dad.” I tell him quietly, trying not to sound sad.

“Emily. We will be there tonight.” He says sharply then he hangs up. I drop the phone and put my face in my hands. As I will myself to compartmentalize everything so I can work. I hear Amira.

“It will be alright. Our Mate is fixing things, and we have Braxton.” She says in my head. I just nod as I smell Braxton before I hear the knock at my door.

“Come in Braxton.” He enters looking worried. “I am sorry I just opened the file…”

“That’s not why I am here.” He tells me coming around to stand next to me. “You haven’t seen it, have you?”

“Seen what?” I ask as he hands me his phone. I watch as Cassandra gets out of a car and runs to a stoney looking Jackson. I watch as she is arrested. I watch as he leans forward and only hear the words ‘My Mate’ and he steps back as she is taken to an SUV and they drive off. “What did she do?” I ask looking at Braxton with curiosity.

“Well, besides steel money from Jackson, she tried to hire someone to kill the king, then there is circumstantial evidence that her and her mother conspired with a witch to make Jackson think she was his mate.” He says leaning on my desk with his arms crossed.

“She tried to have the King killed?” To say I was shocked was an understatement. How could Jackson be so blind.

“That is why we suspect a witch. I have been helping my dad collect evidence for 3 years, and the only charge we can’t get to stick is the witch.” He says, shaking his head. I pick up my phone and call the only person I can think of Celeste. “Who are you calling?”

It rings once and she answers. “I tried to tell you, but no one would listen. Margo told me just a second ago that was the chick her mother gave the potion to. No one would believe me! Not even Margo!” She says yelling into the phone, and I look at Braxton, whose eyes are bugging out of his head. He grabs his phone and walks out of the office.

“I know I am sorry I should have believed you.” I said to her. “I just can’t believe Margo’s mother would do that.”

“Oh, no she didn’t know it was for the prince. They gave her some sob story about being rejected and I don’t know all what. They are worried and want to come see you. Do you mind helping them, I know you’re not a full-fledged lawyer yet, but your all they have.” She tells me. “And I know you and Margo don’t always see eye to eye since that time she told you your destiny is not what you want it to be, but it’s Margo, we have known her forever and she was trying to help…” I cut off her rambling.

“Send her here asap! I am at the office, how far away are they?” I ask her.

“They can be there in maybe…” I hear her muffling and then I hear Margo.

“Seriously you will help me?” Margo asks, obviously she took Celeste’s phone.

“Of course, Margo, look I am sorry, and I believe you. I am sorry…” I start to say as she now cuts me off.

“NO, do not apologize! Emi, you are so amazing. We can be there in 30 to 45 minutes.” She says as she hangs up. What is with people today hanging up. I look up and see Braxton walk back in.

“Dad is on his way here.” Braxton says.

“Well, so is Margo and her mother Seline,” I tell him as he nods.

“Perfect. I will get someone to come in and take a formal statement,” He says as he is about to get on his phone again.

“She didn’t know!” I call out to him. “She was given a sob story and…”

“We figured. My dad is more floored witches are real and that you know one.” He says with a smirk.

“I know more than one.” I say with a smile. “Braxton.” I call as he stops and turns back around.

“Yes, baby girl.” He smiles at me.

“My parents are coming tonight.” I tell him as his face drops and his phone rings again.

“My mom.” He says as he holds his phone up. “Yeah ma!” He looks at me and shakes his head then turns and sits on the chair in front of my desk. “Ma. She knows, she just told me she knows they are coming. Calm down. I won’t let them take her home.” He says looking at me. I smile at him as he winks at me. “It will be alright, bye Ma.”

“Lovely. They want to come get me.” I say as I lean back and rub my temples.

“Well, among other things.” He says as he shifts in his chair. I give him the what else look. “My father brought 2 others with him to the office.” He tells me with as he gets up and shuts my door. “Look, I can’t keep him from you, but I will do what I can to be a buffer.” He says, coming around my desk, sitting on it in front of me and taking my hand. I smile and nod. I hear a knock at the door and look around him.

“Enter.” Taking a note from my father. I look at Braxton as he tries not to laugh at me trying to act tough. I just roll my eyes at him. The door opens and All 3 men file in. With Jackson giving off a growl. I look at Braxton and we stand. “My King, I apologize for my abrupt departure last nigh...” I bow my head.

“Oh, I really like this one now.” He says, turning to Jackson. “Emily, please do not bow and call me Thomas. And it was perfectly understandable last night,” He says as he comes around to where I am standing, taking my hand from Braxton’s and holding it. “We are here to discuss the witches.”

I remove my hand from his and walk around the desk so he can now take up residence at my desk as I gesture to my seat, he looks at me and shakes his head. “No, this is yours, you have earned it.” He says moving back to the other side of the desk.

“I think we should move this meeting to the conference room.” Richard says. “Emi dear, why don’t you bring them in once they get here and you have spoken to them?”

“Yes, sir. If you don’t mind can Braxton stay with me?” I ask as gently as possible knowing it may upset Jackson. And it does because he lets out a growl and looks at Braxton.

“Why him?” Jackson says through gritted teeth.

“Because he knows the way to the conference room.” I say simply and keep looking Jackson in the eyes. He nods as his father grabs him by the arm and pulls him from my office.

Richard is the last to leave, as he begins to shut the door he turns and looks at me, “Emi, I know there is a lot going on, but please give the boy a chance.” He says with a smile. “And try not to get my son killed.” He chuckles softly and leaves.

I turn to Braxton, “he wouldn’t kill you, right?”

Braxton lets out a laugh, “No, don’t worry. He is just nervous because you and I are close.” I nod in agreement. “Listen, no matter what I am here for you…”

“Oh, here it comes. But...” I tell him going back to my desk and sitting behind it as he comes to sit on the side of my desk.

“But you need to talk to him.” I start to roll my head back along with my eyes. Braxton puts his hands up to surrender. “Look, I will tell you what I do know. First, she used some sort of potion on him. Second, I know for a fact they were only ‘intimate’” and, of course, he uses air quotes, so I roll my eyes as he softly chuckles. “Once.” I look at him at this point dumbfounded. “Yes, only once. I heard from our other friend, Ian, that he told him it made him feel sick. I can almost guarantee it was also due to some potion.”

At that, I nodded. “It sounds like it. I know Margo once told me about a potion her mother made for rejected mates. It would make the other change their mind. Or something like that.” I looked at Braxton and he agreed. At that moment, there was a knock at my door, and then it opened to Carrie peaking in.

“Uh, Emily. There are 2 ladies here to see you?” She says shyly, looking at Braxton. Poor girl has no chance but is still so sweet.

“Let them in.” She moves back and in walks Margo and her mother Seline. I stand up and walk around to and hug them both.

“Margo, Seline, this is Braxton Walters, a good friend of mine.” I introduce them to Braxton as Seline takes my hand.

“No, this is not the one. You are not with him, do not fall.” Seline looks at me with fear in her eyes.