Chapter 12

Ashley had spent most of the afternoon in the Warlock Ruling Committee’s library. He’d chased one idea after another, and this was his third day here. He was close, he could feel it, he’d found a couple of leads to spells to crack the blood lock but he might need to adapt them to get them to go the way he wanted exactly but Jack could help with that. Another four obscure references later and he thought he had what he needed. He pulled out his phone to message Jack.

Ashley:I have something very promising. Are you at the hall?”

Jack:On my way back. I’ve been chasing down the legal records for the three contracts we unearthed. I’ll fill you in when I see you.

Ashley:Can we meet at my place? Some of the spell manipulation might make it obvious to the elf what we’re up to if we do them at the hall.

Jack:Okay. I’ll be there in twenty minutes or so.

He gathered up his notes and returned the books he’d been reading to the shelves with a flick of his wrist. He was about to open a portal when a stack of Evelyn Howes books caught his eye. The one Ben had given him had been brilliant, the author had a wonderful turn of phrase and the beauty of her potion crafting had been a delight, and he could even overlook the fact he only knew about her because of Ben.

The librarian smiled as he saw what Ashley was looking at. “They’re quite something, aren’t they?”

“I’d not come across them until recently.”

“Most of the potion masters don’t bother with craft books—you’ve no reason, but I recommend them whenever I can. There’s supposed to be a new one coming in a few months. The publisher is a friend of mine and said they were hoping to receive the final manuscript any day now.”

“I’m rather intrigued by the author, there’s not really anything about her in the books.” Ashley thought he might try to find her and see if she’d like to collaborate in the future once he was done with the Redbourns.

“Not much is known. My friend says she’s never met her, and all correspondence is done through a series of individuals so they’ve no idea who Evelyn Howes is. They wanted to set up a book launch for the new one in one of the society clubs but she refused.”

“I guess some people like their privacy and prefer to work alone.” Not that he would be put off, but for now he didn’t have the time to delve into this and he was pretty sure Jack would be able to do a paperchase better than him if he asked.

Ashley arrived back at his flat to find Jack in the kitchen staring mournfully into his empty fridge. “You’ve no food.”

“We’re staying at Crofton Hall for three months, why would I have any food?”

“I was hoping you’d have some of your chicken soup in the freezer or under a stasis spell. At one point I’d have married you for that soup.”

Ashley tutted. “Food that’s been spelled to keep fresh is never as good as when it’s fresh. You know that.”

“I’m hungry.”

“There’s a bakery around the corner, you could be there and back by the time I’ve set everything up and made us some green tea.”

Jack muttered something under his breath but disappeared, and sure enough he returned with a box of cakes before Ashley had finished unpacking his notes. The tea was still steeping in its pot.

“Are you sure that place isn’t magical?” Jack asked, selecting a chocolate éclair. “These are too good to be purely human.”

“As far as I know they are, and no signs of a demon deal so I don’t even think they sold their soul for their ability to make such exquisite choux pastry. They’re just French.”

He licked all that remained of the patisserie cream from his fingers as Jack poured the tea. “So,” Jack began, “you think you’ve cracked the blood seal on the spell box?”

“Not exactly, but I’ve found a spell that, with a little tweaking, will make Ben open the box for me.”

“You can’t enthral or entrap a vampire by magic.”

“In the sense of absolute control, then I agree, but this circumvents that by suggestion. It should make him willing enough to do as I ask, but only for a specific thing for a short duration.”

Jack snatched the notes from Ashley’s hand, he could be an impatient fucker at times. As he read, he chewed on his thumbnail and Ashley waited for his reaction. “So what do you intend to do with this? There’s three independent casting clauses that need to be integrated.”

“Those aren’t an issue.” He grabbed another sheet. “I’ve already done the groundwork and the first two will slot straight in. The third is the key as that’s the one which will tune it to Ben. I just need something of his to channel through. And in theory that can be the man himself.”

Jack was quiet for a while, Ashley waited for him to work through wherever his thought process was taking him. “I do love the way your mind works. I’d never have spliced them like this.”

“Our magic works in different ways, it’s why we work so well together. But you know I value your opinion, do you think this will do the job?”

Jack nodded. “I think so, you might get a bit of a kickback on the energy loop if it fails to connect to Ben, but you should be able to feel that and siphon it off.”

Ashley had thought the same. “I’m sure it will work and I will enjoy making that smug arsehole do as he’s told.”

“You always did like being in control.” Jack raised an eyebrow. “He is an attractive man.”

“Don’t you dare, Jack Webb. There is nothing in that direction whatsoever.”

Jack selected another cake. “If you say so, Ashley… but methinks the lady doth protest too much.”

“Drop it, Jack. You said you’d more on the contracts we’d found.” They’d been in a stack of household papers, and while they weren’t particularly exciting it was a good distraction technique for Jack’s train of thought.

“Two were services relating to the blood supply—one for live and one for bottles.” Jack made a gagging noise. “Vampires apparently don’t just go out and find a likely victim these days, they have a delivery service like those freaking meal kits.”

“I did not know that, but I guess it makes sense.”

“Well, the Redbourns have a ten-body-a-month deal with a returns service. Doesn’t appear that they fully drain as part of the deal is returning the feedlings to a communal larder.”

Ashley wrinkled his nose, but there were worse creatures out there, and there were worse vampires than the Redbourns. “And the third?”

“The Crofton estate has a contract with a vampire medicinal service for providing research on an ad hoc basis. Nothing suspicious, but suggests they have the reach to do complicated projects. I daresay they can offer it between Karl and Alex, and having those potion labs makes more sense now.”

Ashley had been wondering why Ben had allowed Alex to spend what was close to a small fortune on labs, equipment and supplies. “Yeah. Although Ben said he made the body lotion he gave me for you.”

“That stuff was great. It’s really helping with the scale outbreak.” Jack rubbed his chin. “Maybe you and him have more in common than you’d like to believe.”

“I’m a firm believer that it’s opposites that attract.”

Jack smirked.

Fucker.

Ashley waitedin Ben’s office. It was a lovely room, and if the sun hadn’t already set would have given a wonderful view across the grounds. The office felt underused, which was surprising given Ben ran the estate in such an exacting manner, almost as if it wasn’t somewhere Ben would spend much time. There were very few personal items, and it struck him as odd how little of Ben’s personality was stamped on his surroundings. On his lap was the spell box, tonight he was going to get Ben to open it, and Ashley was convinced it would contain the answer to why Ben wasn’t considered acceptable in someone’s eyes to be the next earl.

He noticed a nice pen on the desk, and he picked it up. It was definitely Ben’s and there was enough of his residual energy for his purposes, at least the initial tuning, the rest would need to be done through Ben himself.

Ben entered the room. “Karl informed me you were waiting. I think I probably didn’t leave matters in the best place the last time we spoke, and I feel I should apologise for my part. I’ve retrospectively realised that I shouldn’t have interfered in your brewing. Jack told me you often do so to relax and my interfering would not have aided that.”

He hadn’t expected an apology, and he thought Jack might have mentioned talking to Ben on the topic. “Jack didn’t say you’d spoken on the matter.”

“I’ve only just seen him. I wanted to ask if he’d had the chance to use the potion, I’m always keen to get feedback, helps me improve.”

Jack had mentioned it had helped with an outcrop of scales that had appeared. “He seemed happy enough with it. If it continues to help, I’ll make sure he has a regular supply. Although I would like to talk to its creator, I wondered if she’d tried kelp instead of salsify.”

“Why would she have?”

“Not for a general potion but if she’d tried already then I wouldn’t tinker for Jack. He has a genetic condition and it’s linked to salty water.”

Ben sat behind his desk. “From a first principles standpoint, I don’t see why it would be an issue to change them out. If you were to confide in me the nature of Jack’s specific ailment I could have a play when I’d next make a batch. I make a version for Mrs Weather—she suffers from dry skin in the winter—and that was a leftover pot.”

The idea that Ben would spend his time brewing something mundane for a member of staff came as a bit of a surprise. He could understand a financial angle such as the contract they’d found, but not for his housekeeper and, while he was sure Mrs Weather had no issues with Ben knowing about her dishpan hands, he wasn’t able to share Jack’s medical needs. “Jack’s business is his own, if he’d wanted to share he’d have said. I am not the sort of man to break a confidence.”

“Of course, and I did not mean to infer that you were loose-lipped.” Ben smiled, and Ashley had to remind himself that Ben was a vicious blood-sucking vampire and not in the slightest bit charming. “So what can I do for you?”

He placed the spell box on the desk, its dark green colour was usually a favourite of his, but there was an iridescence about it that reminded him of snakeskin. It hummed under his fingertips and he was determined to get it open.

“I want you to open this.”

Ben’s demeanour changed in a heartbeat, or it would have done if he wasn’t already dead and his heart did beat. “There is nothing in there that concerns you.”

“Do I have to remind you that you agreed to cooperate fully with the investigation? As part of that I am asking you to open this box.”

“No.”

Ashley hadn’t expected a different answer and in truth would have been disappointed if he had, given all the work he’d put in to his solution. “If you won’t do it, then I am going to make you.”

Ben snorted, stood and went over to a drinks cabinet. “You are welcome to try,” he said, removing a brown glass bottle. “But the box is blood-locked and I’m not going to open it for you.”

“We’ll see about that. There’s more than one way to pluck the wings off a bat.”

Ben tutted. He poured himself a glass of a thick red liquid. “I can’t turn into a bat. That’s the House of Langley.”

If Ben was trying to intimidate him by drinking blood, then he was more an idiot than he’d taken him for, Ashley didn’t care. He was feeling particularly smug about the spell he’d weaved together. He might even submit his findings to a journal, depending on the outcome.

He slammed the box down and came to stand in front of Ben. “I didn’t make Senior Warlock by being a pushover or weak-powered. I’m capable of getting what I need out of you.”

That probably didn’t come out in the way he wanted based on Ben’s smirk but he wasn’t going to lose focus.

“You intrigue me greatly, I don’t think I’ve met someone quite so stubborn before. And I include Robin Flint in that list. Yes, you obviously care deeply about many things, so why am I a particular target for the wrath of Ashley Niven?”

Ashley didn’t consider he was giving Ben any special treatment. He conducted his job, and research projects all with the same level of intensity. “I don’t care if I intrigue or disgust you. I just want to get to the truth.”

Ben smirked, and again Ashley wanted to punch him. He took several deep breaths not to let Ben get to him, spellcasting needed calm, the right balance, and he’d learnt centuries ago that doing anything in a fit of anger would only backfire.

“Through the line of sight, I see you. Through the puddles of dark I understand.” The magic began to crackle across his fingertips. “The mind sees all, and the soul tells all.”

“What are you doing?” Ben demanded.

Ashley ignored him. “Resistance changes to enthusiasm, closed to open, and reticent to willing. I demand your capitulation.”

He reached out and placed his hand on Ben’s cheek. “I demand you do as you are commanded.”

Magic crackled between his fingertips and a delicious sensation sent a frisson of excitement through him. His magic felt like warm honey flowing through him in a mellifluous cascade of delight. Usually his magic was part of him, it didn’t exert a sensation, it was just there, but this was different. He bit down on his lip to stop the whimper on the edge of escape. All of a sudden Ben was too close, yet also too far away. His whole body screamed for him to lean in and claim Ben’s lips as his prize. Before he could stop himself he had yanked hold of Ben’s jacket by the lapels and had pulled him closer. Ben’s hands now cradled his jaw and their lips met in a clash of passion and tongues. Kissing Ben was good, too good, and every part of him wanted this, wanted more. He slid his hands to Ben’s arse and squeezed. Fuck, he wanted to do unspeakable things to this man, he’d never felt such fire and heat before.

A mutual loud moan shocked Ashley back to reality. The horror of what they were doing struck him like an icy arrow—he was kissing a fucking vampire, and wanted to do a damn sight more than kiss the fucking bastard. He shoved Ben away, needing to put a stop to the kiss, and wiped his mouth on the back of his hand.

Ben stared at him with revulsion. “What did you do to me?” he demanded.

“It must have been the spell.” Ashley’s body still thrummed with excitement.

He tried to shake off the attraction but he would give anything to kiss Ben again. How could he be so ridiculous, so weak? Ben was a beautiful man but that wasn’t enough to attract Ashley in such a way. He wanted depth, intelligence, not some vapid fang.

Ben appeared dazed, he reached out and stroked a thumb across Ashley’s cheek, the spell should not have had this effect. “Your eyes are so pretty.”

It took all his effort but he stepped away. He needed to get out of the office. Speak to Jack and figure out what the fuck had gone wrong.

He ran out of the room, Ben calling after him to stop, but he didn’t look back, he couldn’t or he might go and do something really stupid like kiss Ben again.

His mind was fogged, his magic working against him, but he staggered down corridors, not daring to risk casting in case it misfired. He somehow managed to find Jack’s room and hammered on the door.

After what seemed forever, but was probably not more than a minute, Jack threw open the door. “Ashley! What’s wrong?”

“The spell fucked up.” He pushed past Jack into his room. “I couldn’t control my actions.”

“My god, what did you do?”

“I kissed him, and he kissed me back.”

“Wait, what? You were compelled to kiss Ben?”

“Yes,” he croaked. “Fucking hell, I really want to do it again.”

Jack ushered him over to sit on the bed. “Any other effects? Nausea? Spots in front of your eyes?”

Ashley sank onto the edge of the mattress. “No. Just the appalling attraction to a blood-sucking arsehole.”

“There’s plenty of people who have that affliction without magic involved. I can try casting a spell to see if I can pinpoint a cause… apart from the obvious one.”

Ashley scowled. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Jack tutted, stood in front of Ashley and placed his hand on his forehead. “That you fancy him? He is fucking gorgeous. Nothing unnatural about wanting to bone a bad boy.”

“Fuck off. You’re out of order.”

Jack’s magic rippled through him—he knew Jack so well, his magic familiar and unthreatening. “There’s nothing malicious or malignant knocking about. Although you have a brighter aura than usual, but that could just be linked to the heightened sexual attraction.”

Ashley didn’t sense there was anything wrong. “But there should be something.”

Jack made a humming noise and probed deeper. “Nothing bad though. There’s a sense of wellness, but not anything I’d worry about. Oh!”

“What? What is it?”

“You’re horny. Gagging for it.” Jack laughed. “Sorry, but it seems natural, not coming from your magic or an outside force.”

“That’s bollocks, there must be something.”

Jack stepped away and gnawed his bottom lip. “There are a couple of options, one of which I’m not sure you’ll like.”

“Tell me?”

“Have you ever heard of the concept the vamps have of their Eternals?”

Ashley narrowed. He’d heard of it, but he’d never given it any credence. “You have got to be shitting me, I’m not his forever one true love. That’s fucking ridiculous. What was the other option?”

“I guess being his Eternal is the worst case, but you could have somehow set off his thrall, and that was distorted back at him, so you both got a dose.”

It still seemed unlikely but a more realistic option than being Ben’s Eternal. If it was just Ben’s thrall then, in theory, only Ashley should have been affected but his magic hadn’t reacted as he’d expected. “My magic did feel different.”

“How do you feel now with a bit of distance?”

Ashley wished he could say the attraction was waning, and while it wasn’t growing it wasn’t getting less. “Like I want to throw him over his desk and make him scream my name.”

“Hmm. Doesn’t sound like it’s going to go away on its own.” Jack placed his fingers on the side of Ashley’s throat, he felt a tingle but nothing more. “From the spell’s construction, I don’t think it’s something you can reverse by unpicking it.”

“Meaning what?” He wasn’t sure he wanted to know.

“You might just need to get it out of your system, the old-fashioned way.”

“You can’t mean what I think you mean.”

Jack shrugged. “I can’t think of another option. If it doesn’t start to wane you’re going to have to gird your loins and fuck it out.”

“I’m going to take a cold shower, and stay away from Ben for a couple of days, I’m sure that will do it.”

“It’s worth a try. Look, I’ll see if I can find any other alternatives.”

Jack’s lack of optimism was almost as disturbing as the thought he’d have to dehex himself by shagging Ben. For now he was going to see if he could drown himself in ice-cold water.