Engines and werewolves

Chapter 14

He shook his head. "I'm afraid I can't allow that, at least not yet. You see-" he leaned forward and picked the mirror from off the floor where he dropped it. The remaining bits of broken glass were blackened. "-I have a vested interest in this mirror being repaired. I was told the tears of an innocent maiden-your tears-could repair it. It appears I was misinformed, and I don't like that."

"Then find someone else and leave me out of it!" she snapped.

Lukeman pursed his lips as he studied the broken mirror. "I wish it was that simple, but I'm afraid you're in the thick of it now. We must go see the good doctor and find out why he lied to me, and what exactly happened to you."

The color drained from Victoria's face. "What do you mean?"

He held up the mirror so the empty face stared at her. "As you know, this mirror is no ordinary trinket. The light that struck you came from the last bits of its magic that remained. We must find out what side-effects you may experience and how to return the powers to the mirror."

Victoria's pulse quickened. "Side-effects? What kind of side-effects?"

He lay the mirror on his lap and shook his head. "I couldn't begin to guess, but the doctor may know. We'll wait for him to give us the diagnosis."

Victoria turned her face toward the window and grasped the handle. Her hand trembled as her mind conjured forth terrifying images of her becoming a monster like the man who sat beside her.

The car ride was very long for all the occupants, but at last they arrived at the home of Dr. Ficus.

Albert opened the door and Lukeman stepped out with the mirror in his hand. "Stay with the car," he commanded his servant, and Albert bowed his head. Lukeman half-turned to the open door. He stretched out his hand to the small figure that glared at him. "I am trying to help you."

Victoria's eyes narrowed. "Only to help yourself."

"The situation has changed. Let us see if you have, as well," he persisted.

Victoria pursed her lips but slid out of the car, ignoring his outstretched hand. She followed Lukeman up the walk to the split-level door. Lukeman raised his hand, but the entrance flew open. Ficus stood in the doorway with a frown on his lips.

His eyes flickered from Victoria to Lukeman. "I told you she was supposed to come alone."

Lukeman held out the scorched mirror. "The situation has changed."

Ficus's eyes widened. He took the mirror and flipped it over in his hands. His bushy eyebrows crashed down and he stepped to the side. "Get in."

Lukeman walked inside and Victoria reluctantly followed. She jumped when Ficus slammed the door behind them. He marched up to Lukeman and wagged the mirror in the taller man's face.

"What the hell have you done now?" Ficus snapped.

Lukeman arched an eyebrow. "I merely followed your instructions and administered a tear of an innocent maiden onto the mirror. The results were shall we say explosive."

The doctor narrowed his eyes and jerked his head toward Victoria. "How'd you get the tears from her?"

"I-"

"He tricked me into getting into his car and crying," Victoria spoke up.

Ficus's face darkened and he returned his attention to Lukeman. "Is that true?"

Lukeman smiled and bowed his head. "I submit to the lady's wording of the event."

Ficus poked the top of the mirror into Lukeman's chest. "Then it's your fault it's broken again and-" He paused and turned the mirror so the face stared back at him. His eyes widened and his mouth dropped open. "The magic. What happened to the magic?"

Lukeman nodded at Victoria. "I believe it entered her body."

Ficus spun around and surveyed her. Victoria stumbled backward until her back hit the door. He swept up to her and waved his free hand over her body. The doctor straightened and pursed his lips. He glanced over his shoulder at Lukeman. "You're a complete fool. The magic's in her now, and there's nothing to do with it but teach her how to keep it from destroying her."

Victoria's eyes widened and she shook her head. "No! Whatever's in me I don't want it!"

Lukeman frowned. "Surely it can be removed."

Ficus shook his head. "Not this magic. It's found a soul it likes and has fused with it. The only way to remove the magic now is to kill the girl and transfer the orphan magic back to the mirror."

Victoria's legs shook so hard her knees buckled. Lukeman leapt forward and caught her before she reached the ground. He lifted her into his arms and carried her over to a wooden armchair covered in books. Lukeman kicked off the books with his foot and lowered her onto the seat. She leaned over and clutched her head in her hands.

Lukeman turned to Ficus. "How will this magic affect her?"

Ficus shrugged. "How the hell should I know? I'm not the i***t who tried to trick an innocent into doing what he wanted." Victoria lifted her head and showed off her red eyes.

Lukeman narrowed his eyes and pursed his lips. "My intention was only to-"

"I don't give a damn what you meant to do," Ficus interrupted him. He pointed a finger at Victoria who flinched. "What you did was force energy into the mirror, shattering the fragile glass and forcing the magic to find another container. This young woman."

Lukeman's eyes followed the old man's finger and his gaze settled on Victoria. He studied her tear-stained face for a while before he closed his eyes. His sly smile slipped onto his lips and he chuckled. "I see. Well, in that case, I must make amends for what I've done." He strode over to the seated young woman and smiled down at her as he offered her his hand. "Will you allow me to do this?"

Victoria blinked up at him. She leaned back and furrowed her brow. "You'll help my father?"

He chuckled. "And yourself, an important item you often forget."

Victoria glanced past him at Ficus. "There's nothing you can do?"

The old man shook his head. "Not a thing. This magic's too strong for my powers."

"All the more reason why you should let me help you find someone able to help you," Lukeman spoke up.

Victoria looked into his face. His eyes glistened with the sultry yellow of his kind, but they were soft and his smile was true. She took a deep breath and placed her hand in his.

Lukeman grinned and wrapped his fingers around hers. "You won't regret this."

He pulled Victoria to her feet and turned them so they faced Ficus. His eyebrows were pointed downward and met between his narrowed eyes. His gaze lay on Lukeman. "You'll keep care of both of them?"

Lukeman bowed his head. "With all my powers."

Ficus stepped aside and gave them a clear path to the door. "Then get out of here."

6

Lukeman led Victoria to the car where Albert awaited them. Victoria slipped inside, but Lukeman paused and turned to Albert.

"Home, Albert," Lukeman instructed his servant.

He slipped inside and the door was shut. Victoria frowned at him. "Your home or mine?"

"Would you rather go home without your father there?" he pointed out.

Victoria winced. "No, but-" He grasped her hand and smiled at her.

"Then allow me to take you where you will have some distractions," he pleaded.

The young woman pursed her lips. "My father is in the hospital because of Blake's disappearance."

Lukeman leaned back and furrowed his brow. "Yes, this will take some time to think of a solution to this problem."

Victoria studied his face as she felt the color drain from her own. "Where did you do with him?"

Lukeman flashed her a toothy grin. "We'll say he's in a safe place, but one that's difficult to extract him from. For now I think you could use some food. I'm not too far wrong when I saw you haven't eaten since this morning?"

Victoria's stomach answered with a loud growl. She clapped her hand over her stomach and glared at the traitorous part of her body. "I'm fine."

Lukeman chuckled. "As fine as I am human, but that's easily remedied."

Victoria turned her face away from him and furrowed her brow. "How did you become a. . .a-"

"A werewolf?" he finished for her. She faced him and nodded. He shrugged. "The typical fashion. I was bitten by one of them and didn't know the proper remedies to cure myself before the full moon took me and made me what I am."

She frowned. "And that doesn't bother you?"

He sat up and a bitter smile slipped onto his lips. "Do you think a man isn't bothered who locks himself away for so many years with only a servant as his companion?"

Victoria's face fell. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to-" His laugh interrupted her apology.

Lukeman turned to her and grasped their hands together. His playful eyes studied her face as a smile danced across his lips. "How, in this wretched world of selfishness and greed, does a delicate flower like you survive?"

Victoria blushed and turned her face away, but she couldn't hide from the warmth in his hands. A wave of thought warmed her body and flushed her cheeks.

Lukeman chuckled and released her hands. "Food first, and then the distraction."

Victoria winced. "I'm-"

"One to whom I owe a great apology," he reminded her. He

leaned back and smiled at her. "And I intend to make amends in every way possible."

They arrived at the dreary old house a few minutes later. Lukeman helped her out of the car and turned to Albert. "Prepare a heavy lunch. We'll come down when we're ready." Albert pursed his lips, but bowed his head. He turned his attention to his guest and gestured to the staircase. "There's something I wish to discuss with you first."

Victoria furrowed her brow, but nodded. Lukeman led her up the stairs to his chambers. The heavy curtains blocked most of the early-afternoon sunlight, but a warm fire kept the chill of the darkness in the corners of the room.

Lukeman shut the door behind them and gestured to the chairs. "If you would have a seat."

She shook her head. "I'd rather stand."

Lukeman stepped up to her and studied her face with his sly smile. "Your stubbornness never ceases to amaze me."

"Because your sole companion has been your servant?" she guessed.

He shook his head. "No, because you know what I am and yet you have no fear of me." He reached up and brushed the back of his fingers against her cheek. A thrill of heat warmed her body and made her shudder. "Time and again you return here. Why?"

Victoria turned her back on him and glared at the closed curtains. "I told you, I don't know why."

Lukeman grasped her shoulders and turned her so they faced each other. "Do you still deny the connection between us? The mirror has only made that connection stronger."

She frowned "How?"

He grinned. "Let's just say I have a close association with the powers inside that mirror. But for now-" He leaned down so his lips brushed against her ear. "-I would rather we make ourselves more comfortable before dinner."

Victoria started back and blushed. "I-I'm fine as I-" He grasped her chin gently between his fingers and tilted her head back so she looked into his yellow eyes.

"Don't fight this."

Victoria felt herself fall into the heat of her growing thought. Her breath quickened and her breasts rose and fell with her shallow breathing.

Lukeman stepped close enough that their bodies pressed against one another. His hands unbuttoned her jeans and pulled them over her smooth hips so they dropped to the floor. His deft fingers worked away at the buttons on her shirt. "I want us to enjoy every moment of this." Her shirt fell open and revealed her heaving chest. He leaned away from her and grinned. "And besides, you won't win."

Victoria opened her eyes and shook her head. "W-we can't. This isn't right."

He leaned forward and captured her lips in a long, passionate kiss. She was breathless when they parted. His golden eyes danced across her face. "But it feels right, doesn't it? And I know you want so desperately to feel my touch."

His hands massaged her bare hips and his fingers teased the hem of her thin underwear. One of his fingers slipped into her underwear and brushed against her hot, wet folds. Victoria leaned back her head and moaned as he stroked her silky folds.

He lay his head in the crook of her neck. His voice was a deep, reverberating growl. "Yes. More of that. Tell me how you like it."