18. X

X

C an you come? I miss you.

Not a message to get in a panic over for most people.

But I'm not most people. And I know the text wasn't from Clark. Even without my full magic powers, I've always had a sixth sense that goes along with seeing auras. Just as I can see Clark's aura in all its glory, I know the text wasn't from him. My phone crackles with negative energy, and the letters on the phone screen drip with blood only I can see.

Dave stalks back into the room, his jaw set as he removes the apron and tosses it onto the counter.

"Dad and a few of his men will be here shortly. He said he told Clark to watch out for your brother and gave him his number to call. I'm guessing he must have surprised him."

"Clark's not a stupid man. My brother definitely surprised him and that makes me nervous. What if he's already hurt him? Or worse." My voice trails off and I press my lips together to keep the tears away. I can't let my mind go there. Horace doesn't get to take from me again.

Dave sucks in a sharp breath and reaches for the counter to steady himself.

"Dave! What is it?" I rush over to steady him.

Dave blinks and stares through me. "I just got a message from Clark. He's okay, but it's like he's…captured? Stuck? He can't do anything, but…" Dave blinks again and takes my hand as he focuses on me. "He said to tell you he loves you."

Charles steps up and gathers me in a hug as Dave still grips my hand.

"We won't let anything happen to him, X. They'll bring him home." Charles turns my head towards him, and I focus on his kind eyes.

"He's coming home." I push away from Charles to stand next to Mike at the kitchen table. "That's what you meant when you said to stay here, isn't it, Mike? So my brother couldn't sneak up on us."

Mike nods.

"As a supernatural, you have protection here. To be out anywhere else puts you at risk. It's not like walking down a street. His place of business still needs a layer of protection, like we have here. You'll have to discuss with Clark what he wants to do, but if you want to remain together…this is your home."

A commotion sounds from the entranceway and Faustus enters with two of the largest men I've ever laid eyes on. Both of them are wider than doorways at the shoulder and just as tall.

Faustus adjusts his suit jacket and strides towards me. His hand grabs me by the back of my neck and squeezes. " X…there's one thing about me you should know. When I'm pissed off, I'm a very dangerous man. Your brother has pissed me off and he's going to pay. Clark will be back here tonight. You have my word."

With another squeeze, he lets go and seats himself at the table with Mike.

"Mike, nice to see you again. I wish it was under different circumstances."

"Me too. We should arrange a dinner next week. Maybe a BBQ if it doesn't snow."

"Now that sounds like a good idea. I know a butcher who owes me a favour. Oh, how about we watch the Grey Cup and make it a tailgate party? It's been some time since I've watched anything other than hockey."

Mike and Faustus continue their talk about eating and watching sports, like the love of my life isn't in danger, and I curl my hands into fists.

Charles whispers in my ear. "Let's go to the garden."

I want to stay and hear what they have planned and learn exactly what my brother has done to piss off Faustus. But I'm also aware enough to know I need to collect my thoughts if I'm going to be of any help at all. Wordlessly, I follow Charles outside.

"You know, it's odd to adjust to all these things demons and witches can do. As a normal human being, it can be a total mind fuck." He loops his arm through mine as we walk in the chilly November air. "But as weird as it is, I completely trust them."

Charles sits on the bench by the pond and rubs his arms with a shiver. Without a thought, I twirl my finger and a fuzzy blanket appears over his shoulders.

"See? That's a mind fuck."

A sad smile plays on my lips. "Well, you might not like what I need to do next."

As much as I don't want to think the worst, I need to be prepared. With all the power of my magic restored, I'm rusty. But I'm a healer and those skills never went away. They just weren't as powerful. Just strong enough that I healed Charles's bruises and ribs, along with the odd injury to an animal I came across.

But I need the belladonna root in case someone is…well, critical.

Kneeling in front of the plot where belladonna grows, I hover my hands over the frosted soil.

"There's no death. Only life. Bella juvenilis velociter !"

Several tender shoots reach up out of the soil—much like when I showed Clark just last night—and when I slash my hand through the air, they stop growing. With gentle fingers, I pick the shoots and turn to find Charles watching me with wide eyes.

"Wow. I have questions, but they can wait. Do you want to talk at all?"

"I…I don't think so, Charles. Not right now. I just want to have Clark back, you know?" My jaw clenches as I think of my brother and how he's done nothing but torment me my entire life. From beating me and practicing his spells on me to outright cursing me for the last several years of my life. "I'm making this right. I deserve this."

"Fucking right you do." Charles stands and clutches the blanket to him. "Let's get you back there."

With more purpose in my steps and Charles strong beside me, we return to the house to find everyone in the kitchen.

Dave's gaze flicks from me to Charles and back again.

"Everything okay?"

Charles nods and they pass a silent message before Charles leaves my side to sit with Mike at the table.

"How are we getting Clark out of this?" My fingers stroke the belladonna roots in my pocket as I scan everyone in the room. These beings have come to my aid, possibly not even knowing what they're about to walk into. One day, I'll repay them the same way.

Faustus stands and adjusts his suit jacket. His rings click in the heavy silence.

"Charles stays here with Mike. You're coming with us. I'll fill you in on the way."

He strides to the door and pauses. "What do we have for a vehicle?"

Dave chuckles. "Get bendy, Dad. We only have the Rogue right now."

"I'll get the shoehorn, boss." One of the massive guys says with a laugh and honestly, he's not wrong. Dave and Faustus are big guys. Both of them over six feet tall with broad shoulders and long legs.

These two guys are, well, brick walls. Easily over six-foot-five with wide shoulders not suited for compact cars with multiple passengers. Pretty sure the one guy has a tail he needs to adjust, too.

"I can sit on someone's lap if it's easier. I'm sure the police won't be pulling us over."

"Excellent idea. Dave, you drive. I'm shotgun. X, you figure out which one's lap you'll sit in. Let's get going and show this asshole he's not winning on my watch."

Dave parks the car on the street opposite Clark's store.

It's not invisible again, like I thought it might be, but my brother has made it appear like the shop is closed to discourage anyone from walking in. Brown paper taped to the store window declares it's under renovation and reopening soon.

Without a word, the demon I'd been sitting on places me on the seat as he exits the car with the other one Faustus brought with him. Together, they walk with purpose towards the store.

"So they're just going to guard the back? Will they know if we need them inside? "

Faustus nods. "Oh, they know what to do, X. We've done this before." He turns in his seat and locks his gaze on me. "I know what you're thinking. Just because your brother knows magic doesn't mean he has the upper hand here. You forget we demons have powers of our own."

"He's more evil than your boss, Faustus. I just don't want anything to go sideways. We only have one chance, or he'll kill Clark. Fuck…Louis too." My heart breaks. "He's innocent in all of this."

Dave steps out of the car and opens the back door for me. Once I slide out, he takes my shoulders and forces me to look at him.

"X, you're not who you used to be. You can defeat your brother on your own. Believe that, okay? We're here as backup. Stick to the plan and we'll all be home for suppertime."

Faustus raises an eyebrow as he adjusts his suit jacket. Always an impeccably dressed and refined man, even when things are about to get messy.

"My son is right. Now enough of this lovey-dovey shit. Save it for Clark later. I have revenge to complete."

Dave nods, and with a last squeeze, we cross the street towards Beautiful Belladonna. Faustus doesn't even wait to be sure we're following. He just has that much confidence it will all go down as planned that he steps into the store and in the path of my maniacal brother without hesitation.

My eyes quickly scan the store, and it takes every bit of willpower in me not to rush to Louis, who lies unmoving on the floor. Instead, I step past Faustus and wait for my brother to give away his position.

Which he does.

The table with a display of books near the front wiggles slightly and, without thinking, my right hand shoots forward. "Stay right there!" A bolt of light flashes from my palm, and my brother immediately appears, hands in the pockets of his duster and the unamused chuckle of Faustus is the only sound.

"Oh, Horace…" Faustus steps closer as he shakes his head in mock disappointment. "We had a deal."

My brother stands tall and faces Faustus.

"You break deals all the time, old man. Don't be so surprised." His gaze shifts to me. "Well, well, little brother is all grown up, isn't he? I knew you and your bleeding heart would rush here to save a piece of ass. Still predictable after all these years, I see."

"Fuck off, Horace. What do you want from me?"

A dark laugh leaves his lips as he continues to stare at me.

"I'd rather show you."

With a tip of his head, Clark appears and a small cry escapes me. My beautiful Clark is bound to a chair, one eye swollen, already blackened, and a trickle of blood is still running from his temple. His other eye leaks a lone tear when he focuses on me.

I've never felt such intense rage before. I've reasoned and walked the sensible line, always weighing my emotions before reacting. But this? No fucking way can I do that. My hands clench at my sides and my words burst forth.

"What do you want from me, Horace? You get one answer before shit gets messy. What the fuck do you want!" My throat burns with the force of the shout as both Faustus and Dave stand like sentries and I move towards my brother. My palms itch and I curl my fingers inward.

"You really have to ask? I thought you were smarter than that. Your friend behind you took something of mine, and I want them back."

My brow scrunches and it finally clicks.

"You think I'm powerful enough to give you your hands back?"

His gaze darts to Faustus, and he lowers his voice. "I know you are, Xavier. The prophecy stated that a male born in our coven with the name of a letter would fall from grace. That same male would find new life and meaning, but their powers would remain buried until a new life purpose was found."

"And you think that's me?"

"Of course it's you, you idiot! If you ever paid attention at home when Dad taught us history, none of your life would be a surprise." Horace licks his lips and glances at Clark. "I knew what you were capable of before I cursed you here."

"Then why do you think I'll help you after everything you've put me through?"

Horace turns quickly to Clark. "I think he wants me to hurt you more." He nods his head, and a howl escapes Clark's mouth as a book appears and smashes into the already damaged side of his face.

"You motherfu—"

I move to attack Horace, but a powerful grip on my shoulder holds me. Dave shakes his head and silently wills me to stick with the plan. Which I know is the right thing to do in order to end this, but I can't bear to watch Clark suffer.

"You promise to let him go if I can do it?"

"Of course."

His sly grin isn't truth-worthy. With a shaky hand, I draw one of the belladonna roots from my pocket and my brother eyes it with hope.

"Hold out your arm." Horace does and I don't hide my cringe when he presents the messy-looking stump to me. With a quick glance at Faustus, he gives nothing away, but the still-healing skin tells a story of ruthless pain, and I'm grateful not to be on Faustus's bad side.

Stepping away from him, I shake my head.

"No. I don't believe that you'll let him go. Let Clark free first."

Red rage blooms on Horace's pale face. "So you wish to hold another lover while he dies in your arms? Suit yourself."

Everything happens so fast after that.

The moment Horace moves to harm Clark, both my hands shoot balls of white light that stop him momentarily, while he's stunned Faustus's men enter from the back. The store's air crackles and zaps of electricity pop around us. Visible slices of electricity like streamers from a party grow around us, and a hot wind swirls, kicking up the pages of scattered books.

Faustus looms taller and the demon with the tail morphs into…what I can only describe as a black maw. A screaming pit of suffering and despair that I'm grateful Clark can't see because of his eye.

"No one crosses me or goes back on their deal, Horace." Faustus's voice booms so loud I almost cover my ears. "You crossed the wrong demon."

My brother still stands as if caught in his own binding spell and hasn't reacted to the changes around him. The other demon behind him screams in a language I don't understand and Horace spins, losing his balance. He tries to disappear, but when his form flickers, a mumbled spell from me won't let it take.

And then he's gone.

Swallowed by the black maw.

A whoosh, like all the air leaving the room at once, makes my ears pop. The crackling energy is gone, along with my brother and the two demons Faustus brought along.

Clark slumps forward against his ties with a pained moan.

"You get him, I'll check on Louis." Dave rushes to the man on the floor and I kneel in front of Clark.

"Baby? Clark? Can you hear me?" His pulse is faint, but he's still alive. Taking one of the belladonna roots from my pocket, I wrap it around his left arm loosely and chant. "From these roots come life. Rapido amour . "

Holding my breath, I watch as the root slides up his arm and dissolves into his body. His pulse grows stronger beneath my fingers, and he moans while attempting to lick his lips.

"X?"

"Yeah, babe." My voice cracks. "It's me. I've got you."

Clark forces the better of the two eyes open and squints at me.

"I'm gonna get you all fixed up, okay?" Tears flow down my cheeks as I assess the rest of his injuries. "Trust me?"

"With my life."

His fingers curl around mine and squeeze with a strength I didn't expect him to still have after the torture my brother put him through.

"I love you." His voice is rough, filled with the physical pain he still has. "I knew you'd be here."

Blinking hard doesn't stop the tears streaming down my face. Not just for Clark's declaration, but for his aura. It glows bright white, almost heavenly. The shape I couldn't make out before is the belladonna flower and I'm shocked I didn't know what it was until now. It's so obvious. One plant dips into the edge and reaches towards his chest. The side with his heart. A rush of emotions, too overwhelming to name, swamps me as his beautiful aura beams for only me to see.

"Hey." Clark extends a shaky hand to my face. "Don't cry, beautiful. You're gonna take care of me and we'll be okay."

"We will, babe."

"Hey, X? Louis is awake. Can you come check on him? "

Clark drops his head back. "He's like family, X. I'll be okay until you've checked on him."

"I think after what just happened, we're all some kind of special family now."