Sorcerous Rogue: Spirit Sorceress: Book 3 Read online

  My walk was for a few reasons. I was bored because no one was really around, and I had nothing to do until my shift tonight at Pulse. The second reason was simply because I was thirsty, for blood I mean. My last meal that way was on Thursday, and I was a feed every other day kind of vampire. I may have been more powerful than most new turns, but that heightened power came at the cost of blood. Most new vampires only fed every third day.

  The third reason for my walk in the rain, was that I felt a spirit about a half mile from the coven. I could have spirit walked to it, or even simply released it from a distance, but I wasn’t in any particular hurry. Although, I did think I’d try ordering those contacts when I got back to the coven. I bet it would start a trend.

  I bamboozled a sober and healthy male, and swung into the alley behind him. There was nothing quite like feeding, although after my experience with Jared a few days ago, I knew it came in second to good sex, but not by much. It was like eating the best food I’d ever tasted, plus a pleasurable endorphin rush that pretty much made the rest of the world fade away.

  I was more used to it now, so I wasn’t wrapped around the young man, or even pressed up against him like I had been with my meals in the past. A part of that I knew was that I had a mate now, and I actually felt guilty about the inevitable embrace with my food source, but I had no choice about doing it, or how damned good it felt.

  It was also impossible to miss his body’s response, my meals really enjoyed it as well.

  “Forget this happened and go about your day.”

  He nodded and left the alley.

  I waited about thirty seconds, and then rejoined the people on the sidewalk and continued on a few more blocks. I frowned as I looked over at the apartment building, obviously the spirit was in one of the apartments. I guess I should have just done it from afar, or spirit walked. I’d had to feed anyway though, so the walk wasn’t a complete waste.

  I reached out to the spirit with a tendril of spirit magic and read the soul.

  Katherine was her name, she’d died of old age and was just having a little trouble moving on.

  I wasn’t sure why, but for some reason some of the recently departed don’t receive their hidden lifetimes of memories, or they block it out of fear. I gave her spirit a nudge, and watched as all her lifetimes flowed into her. She wasn’t a very old soul. This had only been her twentieth lifetime.

  When the flow finished, she moved on to the spirit world to process her life’s lessons, and to eventually to be reborn once again on the wheel.

  I turned back and headed toward the coven…

  I knew Pulse would busy that night, it was my first Saturday working behind the bar.

  After dinner with Cheryl and Kelly, I took another shower and dressed in my Pulse shirt with a knot tied on the side, a pair of skintight black jeans, and calf high red boots. Then I headed downstairs to the parking level and walked toward my car.

  Andrew said, “Miku, we’re working Pulse tonight, want to ride with us?”

  I looked over and saw Andrew, Paul, and Steven. They were all recruited to the coven after the Mark incident, and I shrugged. I got along with the former two well enough, and Steven wasn’t that bad after a few training sessions, he almost never whined about me slapping him down with lightning that one time anymore, when he’d been beholden to a rogue. They were taking an old jeep Cherokee that I believe the coven owned.

  “Sure?” I replied questioningly as I veered toward them. It didn’t really matter to me.

  Paul said as if to clarify the offer, “If I owned that car, I wouldn’t leave it in a parking lot on that side of town all night.”

  I snorted, “Kind of defeats the point of having it though, I bought it to get around,” I said lightly as I slipped into the backseat with Andrew, while Paul and Steven got in front.

  We pulled out into the street, it wasn’t quite dark yet.

  “So how are you guys enjoying your new life?”

  Steven just grunted, but he didn’t talk much. Cheryl had told me he was just grumpy that way, and he wasn’t really holding a grudge. I wasn’t really sure if that was true or not.

  Paul replied, “It’s good. Compared to belonging to Mark’s coven though, that isn’t saying all much.”

  Andrew barked a laugh.

  “You can say that again, I was fairly sure we were all dead when we were stuck in those cells.”

  We chatted a bit more, but it wasn’t long before we pulled into pulse, parked in the back, and piled out of the jeep. The place would open up in about twenty-five minutes, and I could feel there were already people out front waiting. At least the rain from earlier had stopped.

  I made sure the bar was stocked before the human waitresses showed up, so I could do it at full vampire speed. That took about thirty seconds. I also put my sword underneath the bar to prevent the humans from looking away each time they looked at me. That wouldn’t work well for a bartender, at least not if I wanted good tips.

  When the night got started I discovered things were a bit easier than last time, since my power had increased. It actually took me a little time to stop skimming too much information. I got the names, drinks, and when they needed another like I usually had, but I was also getting more.

  I figured out after a few minutes it was whatever they were thinking or desired at time. That was usually a lot more than I wanted to know, since so many were focused on hooking up, or just on admiring a person near them. It was even more awkward when I was the focus of those thoughts.

  That aside, it really was great training for my magic, and I had to focus so I didn’t start making drinks that no one asked for yet. Around ten or so, it got so busy I fell a little behind, and had to focus on not working too fast as well. Doing things at vampire speed would be a really bad idea. Especially since I had so many guys trying to chat me up, which was both flattering and annoying while it was so busy.

  Not that I really minded attention, or the tips, and I kept a smile on my face. Just… some of their thoughts were rather graphic.

  Busy didn’t really begin to cover it, the difference between a Saturday and Sunday night was huge. It brought multi-tasking to a whole new level.

  I also needn’t have worried at all that the human waitresses would be jealous of my quick promotion to bartender. Both Sally and Cindy were as nice as ever. It probably didn’t hurt that I always took care of their drink orders quickly.

  There were no rogue problems that night. A few vampires not part of the Seattle coven did come in, but they just had fun dancing, helped themselves to a discrete blood snack, and then moved on. We’d had two whole days that were rogue free, and I wasn’t sure what to think about it. I supposed I should just be grateful for the pause in the craziness and enjoy it.

  Still, waiting for the other shoe to drop was almost worse than the real thing. I knew the bill for the brief moment of tranquility was coming.

  The humans were a different story that night, but nothing got too out of hand. I used the extra information I picked up that night, and then connected with Andrew via mind speech and got the trouble makers thrown out before the fights started.

  There were also two undercover cops there that night, but we just left them alone. The business was clean now thanks to Ceara’s changes, so there was no reason to drive them off.

  It was close to three by the time we headed back to coven, and I looked forward to sleep so I could see Jared…

  Chapter Six

  “What’s going on Cheryl?” I asked as my eyes flicked upward.

  I wanted to get to bed, and speak to Jared. I finally had an answer for him, and I was hopeful he’d be happy about it. Plus, I missed him, far more than seemed possible.

  I was curious though, as soon as I got within a mile of the coven I’d felt Ceara’s familiar beacon of power as usual, but along with that I felt Melody’s powerful earth aura, and a second older vampire was up there as well. Not as powerful as Ceara’s was, but certainly in the above a thousand-year-o
ld range.

  Cheryl said, “Hello to you too Miku.”

  I smiled, maybe I was in too much of a hurry.

  “Sorry, so how are things Cheryl, anything new?”

  She smirked, “Some European vampire showed up with two bodyguards. Vincent, he’s kind of yummy looking. I wasn’t told anything, but I got the feeling when Ceara came down they were old friends.”

  I frowned thoughtfully, “Maybe she’s still trying to rebuild the council?”

  Cheryl replied, “Above my paygrade, but I wouldn’t mind if he stuck around some.”

  I said, “Alright, that will make things interesting around here if he stays, of course, it could be anything.”

  Cheryl replied, “Maybe, but you’re probably right. It might even calm things down a little in our world if there’s more than one heartbeat between order and anarchy.”

  I told her goodnight, and went up to my condo. I was curious, but not enough to turn nosy. It had occurred to me a little spirit walk wouldn’t be detected, but I’d dismissed the idea just as quickly as I’d thought of it. I’d find out soon enough what was really going on, if anything. It could just be a visit after all.

  I got ready for bed, and sighed in relief as I slipped under the covers…

  It was midday in Jared’s dream, and I found myself back in the glade from the first dream, and our first date. The place I’d first given myself to him in my dreams, and then again in reality. The sun felt good as it warmed my skin, and the soft breeze rustled the trees and grass, and kept me from feeling too warm.

  I looked down to see I was wearing a rather risqué red sundress, and wondered if it had been me or him that was responsible for that.

  I heard a chuff behind me, and watched confidently as Jared loped out of the trees, and butted his head playfully against my stomach, and then he turned and took a few steps.

  His low whine was invitation enough for me to know what he had in mind, and with a thought I shifted to my true form, a five tailed fox. He loped off into the trees, and I followed. Everything was sharp, the scents, the trees, the moist dew left over from morning.

  The only way I could tell it wasn’t real, was that I only felt his soul instead of the simple spirit of the forest. His soul encompassed me, and made me feel like I was home. Was that why I was so much more confident in our shared dreams?

  From a logical standpoint, I was stronger than Jared by far, but here, surrounded by his soul, I felt cradled, and safe. It didn’t have to make sense, that was just the way it was.

  We ran for a while, just for the simple joy of it, and enjoyed our time together. We could have spoken with mind speech, but nothing in that moment needed to be said. We were just mates on a run in the forest. It was relaxing, and fun.

  Eventually, we wound up back at the glade, and we both changed back. We both took a moment to enjoy the view, unlike real life, apparently that red sundress didn’t survive my change.

  I blushed at the intensity of his gaze as he took me in, and I returned the favor. I knew things had moved very fast between us physically, but I was completely shameless when it came to Jared. It just felt right, he was my soulmate, and I was his chosen mate as a wolf. Not to mention the bond that had formed between us.

  I wasn’t sure I loved him, I wasn’t sure that was even possible considering how short a time we knew each other, but it was far more than simple lust that connected us. I may not have loved him yet, but I needed him like I needed the air to breath. He was mine, and I imagined he felt similarly toward me. I was sure love would follow.

  In just a little over a week we’d also share a pack ally bond, which would also bring us closer together. From what I understood, it was possible to mute the connection by an act of will, but I would feel his emotions, and state of mind, as he would feel mine.

  As we moved together in the sunlight of the glade, and joined together on the soft grass, conversation seemed superfluous for quite a bit longer. Afterwards, I lay in his arms, and felt complete in a way I never thought possible before he and I had met. His body felt warm against mine, and his hand felt good caressing my back.

  “I missed you.”

  He squeezed me against him before he replied.

  “You could have just used mind speech, but I missed you too.”

  I thought about that for a moment.

  “I think I just needed to figure out what to do on my own, and time in my own head. Why didn’t you use it?”

  He replied, “I thought you needed to figure things out, I was giving you space, even if it did drive me crazy. I almost drove out to Pulse last night.”

  That was true, and missing him also helped me make up my mind.

  “Sorry, for driving you crazy I mean. I do have a plan, and I’ve cleared everything with Ceara. I was thinking I could move in with you officially after the full moon ally ritual. That way only Ted won’t be sure of me.”

  Jared growled and tensed up.

  I nuzzled into his shoulder, and caressed his face. That seemed to work, he relaxed, mostly.

  “Ted won’t be a problem. He isn’t happy, but he’ll get over it. Officially?”

  I replied, “Yeah, you know, with tons of stuff and my own key, but until then I can come over a few nights? I don’t think I can stay away another eight days. I’ll see you this afternoon as well, right?”

  I felt him nod.

  “I don’t want to wait, but that will work. I also think you have a point, once your bonded to the pack and they can feel you, things will go much more smoothly.”

  I said tentatively, “There was one other thing we have to talk about, I hope you understand.”

  He asked warily, “What’s that?”

  “Well, Ceara told me it’s all good, but when she needs me she wants me there right away, no matter what else is going on including my responsibilities to the pack. So although you’re my highest personal priority, when it comes to responsibilities, the coven has first claim on my time if I’m needed.”

  I bit my lip while I waited for his response to that. It was the one part I didn’t think he’d like at all, and that made me nervous. Maybe because I didn’t like it either, I was raised to believe my soulmate would be most important in my life, but like everything else, that went by the wayside when I was forcibly turned into a vampire.

  “Miku…” he got out, before the dream world started to fade, and then popped like a bubble.

  I sat up and gasped, and gazed over at the time. It was exactly seven in the morning. I frowned at the clock, and the bad timing, had his alarm just gone off, or was there an emergency? I hesitated to use mind speech, if there was truly trouble he wouldn’t thank me for the distraction.

  I sat and waited for him to contact me first, but after a few minutes I realized he wasn’t going to contact me either.

  Was he in trouble, angry about not coming first in my life, or merely still thinking over what I’d said?

  I suppressed the urge to spirit walk and investigate which it was, I didn’t want to turn into a stalker, not even for my mate. I’d find out this afternoon. Four hours hadn’t been quite enough sleep, I needed five, but it would do as long as I didn’t do it every day.

  I got up, took a shower, got dressed, and headed down to breakfast…

  Chapter Seven

  After I grabbed some eggs and bacon, I moved over to sit with Lisa, Cheryl, and Kelly. They latter of which looked a little tired, they probably worked all night and hadn’t slept yet. It was also when I noticed I didn’t feel Vincent’s aura any longer, he must have left already.

  “Good morning.”

  Lisa said, “Morning.”

  Kelly just smiled at me.

  Cheryl said, “Mr. yummy left about an hour after you went up.”

  I snickered, and ate some eggs.

  Lisa asked, “Vincent?”

  Cheryl nodded, “Do you know what it was about?”

  Lisa nodded, “Ceara was trying to get him to take a council post. The problem is all the rea
lly good ones love their covens, they don’t want to leave them. It’s not easy finding one that’s ambitious enough and actually agrees with the rules and doesn’t want change.”

  I nodded, “Why can’t he do it from his coven? The council can just… use skype or something.”

  It sounded like a good idea to me, it would also split up the idiotic rogues if the council was in three different places at once all the time. The only issue would be that they’d all be a little less secure, I imagined attacking three old vampires was a lot more dangerous than attacking one. Ceara wouldn’t have a problem that way, but a vampire eight hundred years younger than her might.

  Cheryl frowned at me, “How will that help my love life?”

  Kelly giggled, “Was he that cute? I didn’t get to see him.”

  Lisa wasn’t distracted by the banter, and replied to my comment, which pretty much echoed my own thoughts.

  “Ceara considered that, but discarded it as too dangerous to the new and younger members. That’s actually why Vincent was here, he would have taken it if he could keep his coven.”

  Cheryl replied to Kelly, “Absolutely, I’ll show you pictures later, from the security cameras. Though without his presence they don’t quite do him justice.”

  I said rather flip, “Easy then, just get a bigger building and combine covens.”

  Lisa actually looked like she considered that for a long moment, but then shook her head. It would never work, and his coven would probably hate moving from Italy. Then her words surprised me.

  “Actually it isn’t a horrible idea, maybe not for him, but there are other covens with good leaders right here in the U.S. that might be willing to relocate. I’ll mention it to her later.”

  Cheryl and Kelly were still going back and forth about men, Vincent in particular.

  I was a bit brazen when it came to Jared, but those two were just shameless period.

  Lisa sighed, “I better get to it.”

  I nodded, “Me too, helping Jerry with training.”