Binding Magick: an Urban Fantasy Novel (The Witch Blood Chronicles Book 1) Read online

  “I agree. But there’s nothing we can do. They all claim they were away, either on a mini break or with a lover somewhere.”

  “Who has conveniently gone on a business trip?”

  She snorted. “It’s strange and unnatural, and there is definitely something afoot, but there has been no official crime committed. We’ve interviewed the women so we know the stories have holes, but these women genuinely believe what they’re saying.”

  “So, what? We just accept it and move on?”

  “Nope. We keep our noses to the ground and keep tabs on them. Don’t worry, we have it under control. Be grateful your friend is back safe and sound. Let the professionals worry about the rest.” She hung up.

  A cool breeze moved around the room.

  Paimon, is that you?

  Yes.

  Are you … pacing?

  It helps me think.

  So you’re here in the flesh … or body?

  No, my body is in the in-between, the air is simply sympathetic to my anxiety.

  Any thoughts?

  Whatever took your friend has been taking my people, and my people are still missing. We continue with the plan. We speak to the Ghandarva and we find out what happened. We find out who took the apsaras and we find out who took my djinn. If the apsaras are alive maybe my people are too.

  My phone buzzed and Banner popped up on the caller ID. “I’ll let Banner know.”

  “Carmella? Have you heard?” Banner said down the line.

  So much for letting him know. “Yeah, Urvashi is back.”

  “I think we should still go to the celebration. The Ghandarva is the missing link. He may be able to shed some light on what the heck is going on.”

  “I agree.”

  “Great. Well, I’ll pick you up Saturday at eight.”

  He was about to hang up.

  “Wait. There was a woman in my apartment last night.”

  “What?”

  “She attacked me.”

  “Shit, Carmella. Are you hurt?”

  “No. I’m okay. I scared her off. I don’t think she’ll be back anytime soon. Mid-twenties, Indian, sharp features … athletic. Sound familiar?”

  “Sounds a lot like your friend Malina Hayes.”

  I sighed. “Crap. Yeah I guess she does. I managed to get her motorbike plates, though.”

  “Motorbike?” his voice sounded odd.

  “Can you run them for me? Find out who she is?”

  “Did she say anything to you?”

  What had she said? Oh yeah. “She said she wondered what he saw in me, but she wasn’t talking about you. I asked.”

  “Fucking hell.”

  “You know something.”

  “I’m sending a car for you. You’re staying with me until I sort this out.”

  “Sort what out?”

  He huffed. “I’ll explain when you get here.” He hung up.

  Wait? Dammit. I wasn’t alone and I didn’t want to go stay with him, but I got the impression Banner wouldn’t be taking no for an answer, especially when I couldn’t tell him I had my own personal protection in the form of a crazy ass hinn and a symbiotic djinn.

  This is a bad idea. I don’t trust him.

  You trust him to take me to the Chandra Celebration.

  Where there will be many people.

  He didn’t want me being alone with Banner … wait. “Are you … jealous?”

  He stilled. Jealous? Of an insignificant human I could crush with my little finger should I wish?

  Um, yeah. It sounds an awful lot like you are.

  I merely do not wish to be subjected to any … intimate acts you may deign to indulge in. Doors can only keep out so much. The words were tight and clipped.

  Urgh. Trust me, nothing like that will be happening while you’re in my head.

  Good.

  Okay.

  Fine

  It looked like I’d better pack a bag. I’d be playing house guest to a Piccadilly coven elder.

  16

  I expected the car to take me straight to Coven Promenade—the home of all the Piccadilly witches. Instead it took me to the outskirts of Camden. A rare green spot with a series of detached homes, surrounded by their own personal gardens ringed by wrought iron fencing. It was less than a half-hour from the Magick District, and yet far enough to feel secluded and private.

  The car crunched up the gravel drive and came to a stop at the front of a three-story home. The front door opened and a round faced middle-aged woman came rushing outside.

  The driver—who hadn’t said a single word to me the whole journey—got out and opened the door. I climbed out to be greeted by the exuberant woman, dressed in a calf length demure summer dress.

  “Miss Hunter. It’s so good to meet you. Please follow me,” she said, ushering me toward the steps.

  The driver lifted my overnight bag out of the boot, and I held out my hand for it. His gaze flicked to the woman who sighed.

  “Well, give the lady her bag.”

  He handed it to me, his face expressionless. What the hell was his problem? With a final look over my shoulder at the disapproving chauffeur, I followed the woman up the steps and into the foyer of the house.

  Carpets, rugs, and paintings—the whole set up had a homey feel many residences missed nowadays. Everyone seemed to go in for the chic minimal look, but this … this reminded me of my home growing up. My heart lurched with sudden nostalgia that stole my breath.

  “My name’s Mrs. Love,” the woman said, “but you can call me Hannah. I’m Mr. Banner’s house keeper, cook, and Jill of all trades. If you need anything you come find me.” She leaned in and tapped her nose. “I’m usually in the kitchen, elbow deep in some concoction or other.” She led me through the hallway and up a flight of stairs. More paintings lined the ascent. Oils of people I didn’t know. Probably Banners of old.

  Light streamed into the landing at the top of the stairs. I counted six bedrooms, and Hannah led me to the last one on the right.

  “This will be your room while you’re with us.” She cleared her throat. “There’s a connecting door to Mr. Banner’s suite of course.”

  Connecting door? “Sorry?”

  She blinked up at me. “I assumed you’d like your own space, but we can move you into Mr. Banner’s room if you like?”

  Oh, god, she thought I was his … “No. No. This room is fine. We’re not … I mean we don’t …”

  Crap, was that why the driver had looked like he’d smelled something bad?

  Hannah studied my face, which was growing warmer by the second, and then she smiled. “Oh. I see.” Was that confusion flitting across her face? “Well. In that case, should I see about making up one of the other guest rooms?”

  “Yes please. If it’s not too much trouble. Thanks.”

  She patted my arm. “Why don’t you get freshened up? I’ll make us some lemonade. Mr. Banner will be home shortly.” She turned away.

  “Wait.”

  “Yes?”

  “I thought Banner lived on Coven Promenade?”

  She chuckled. “Oh, no dear. That’s just the show home. He conducts business there, has meetings, that kind of thing. Those houses are passed down from Elder Witch to Elder Witch, from High Witch to High Witch. They belong to the covens, not any single witch.” She cocked her head. “Did you not know that? I just assumed, being a witch yourself …”

  I smiled wryly. “Yes, I probably should have. I just … I don’t really have much to do with the covens.”

  “Ah, well I don’t blame you love.” She sighed. “Well off you go, get yourself all freshened up and I’ll see you downstairs. Just follow the corridor right to the back of the house. Or you could follow your nose. I have scones in the oven.” She winked.

  She has a warm heart.

  You can tell that by looking at her?

  I can sense it. The same way I sense yours.

  Pleasant warmth bloomed in my chest at his words.

  The room Ha
nnah had chosen for me was the size of my flat. Floor to ceiling windows invited the sun in, bathing the room in a buttercup glow. Thank goodness Hannah had left the windows opened. A gentle breeze circulated around the room, but it was still too hot.

  Paimon? Could you cool this place down?

  An icy breeze kicked up by my feet, whirling upwards and outward causing the temperature to drop by a several degrees.

  Bliss.

  There was indeed a connecting door, and resisting the urge to take a peek, I flipped the latch securing my temporary domain.

  Strange how the thought of Banner accidentally walking into my room made me uncomfortable, while carrying Paimon everywhere with me didn’t seem to bother me any longer.

  Another door, this one without a latch, led to an en-suite bathroom with a power shower. Eeep. I’d wanted to try one of these babies forever. I pulled my top over my head and reached for the waistband of my skirt.

  A low moan filled my head.

  Oh shit. Paimon … My body tightened, every muscle tense and vibrating.

  Cool fingers traced my shoulder blades. My breath caught in my throat. The fingers skimmed up my neck and buried themselves in my hair, rippling against my scalp.

  Oh, god that felt … “Paimon …” His name was a sigh.

  The fingers tensed and retreated. I … I will leave you to bathe. His voice was a thick, low rasp against my soul.

  I waited, heart thudding slow and sluggish, until the door in the back of my mind clicked shut. My skin felt feverish and warm. It was just the heat. Not the memory of his fingers on my skin …

  _____

  Paimon didn’t return and the door in my mind remained shut. What had just happened between us? A new kind of connection. Too intimate. It was a tangle in my head, a twisted ball of yarn in my chest. It was becoming harder to distinguish where I stopped and he began. The binding … it had to be related to that …

  Paimon?

  No answer.

  Dammit. I needed to understand what was really happening here. Make sense of what I was experiencing … the strange yearning his touch had elicited …

  A soft rap at the door. “Miss Hunter? Mr. Banner has arrived.”

  The resolution would have to wait. It was time to focus on the issue at hand.

  Banner was lounging in the sitting room—the largest room at the front of the house. Hannah had just set down a tray of lemonade, scones, fresh cream, and jam. I hovered in the doorway.

  “Seriously Hannah, you spoil me,” Banner said.

  Hannah dimpled. “Away with your flattery. Save it for the young-uns.” She darted a look my way. “I’ll be out back checking on the roses if you need me.”

  He locked gazes with me. “Hey, come in. You thirsty?”

  “Yes, actually I am.”

  He handed me a frosted glass dripping with condensation. “Drink up. Hanna makes the best lemonade in the world.”

  I took a sip. Not too tart, just the right amount of sugar. “It’s really good.”

  He gulped his down and poured another glass. “I’m sorry for the panic earlier.”

  “Yes. What was that about? Do you know the woman who attacked me?”

  “I’m afraid I do. Her name is Henna, and she’s Vritra’s daughter.”

  “What?” She had to be at least twenty-one, possibly older, and Vritra couldn’t be more than thirty-five. How could he have a daughter? Wait dumbass, Vritra was a god. He may look young but his age was, well, old.

  “I don’t get it, why did she come after me?”

  Banner licked his lips. “It seems I was right the other night. Vritra has taken an interest in you.” His voice was grave. “But I spoke to her. I explained you’re not interested in her father, and you have no intention of letting him court you.”

  “Whoa. Back up a second. I’m confused. What the heck is going on? She thinks her dad fancies me so she tried to beat me up?”

  “It’s more complicated than that. And no, she wouldn’t have beaten you up, she’d have killed you.”

  Ice filled my veins. “Just because her dad paid me a little attention?”

  Banner exhaled through his nose. “Henna is … wounded. She and Vritra have a volatile relationship. I’m not privy to the ins and outs of it, but everyone knows she doesn’t want him to be mated and will do whatever she can to prevent it.”

  “Great, so now I’m on the hit list of a demi-goddess with daddy issues.”

  “No. I’ve spoken to her. She’s agreed to leave you alone. I told her we’re involved and it’s serious. So you staying here is a good thing. It will convince her of that fact.”

  “Wait. How long do we have to pretend to be … serious?”

  He shrugged. “Just until Vritra finds a new target for his attentions.”

  This was ridiculous. “But he hasn’t given me any attention. He spoke to me once.”

  Banner leaned in. “He singled you out Carmella. Walked across the room to you and took your verbal insult on the chin. Trust me, if he didn’t have plans for you, you’d be smoke and ash.”

  I pinched the bridge of my nose. “I can’t focus on this now. We have bigger issues to worry about. Someone or something took those apsaras and did something to them. I have a terrible feeling the other shoe is about to drop. We need to figure out what we’re dealing with.”

  Surely it was time to tell him about Paimon? It felt wrong keeping the full story from him, like asking him to work on a problem with only half the clues.

  Don’t … not yet …

  My pulse kicked up. Paimon was back. When had the door in my mind opened?

  Banner gently took my glass from my hand. “You looked dazed. Look. I have a few calls to make.” He smiled, his gaze running over my face. “Go get some rest. We can go over our game plan again tonight over dinner. I’ll order in.”

  Yeah, a nap sounded good.

  Leaving him to the scones, I made my way back to my room and stretched out on the bed.

  Paimon?

  Sleep …

  My lids drooped and I sank into oblivion.

  Cool hands ran over my skin, soothing my brow, running through my hair. An icy breath skimmed across my cheek. My name was a sigh on the wind. A tugging in my solar plexus had heat spreading across the juncture of my thighs.

  A low moan … my moan … my hands on my skin.

  A tightening in my core.

  I needed … Oh, yes …

  Carmella. Oh god, please …

  My eyes snapped open, heart pounding in the throes of my phantom release. Had I just? Oh fucking hell.

  Paimon?

  I’m here. His voice was a breathless whisper.

  I’m … I’m sorry I …

  No. Don’t. Just … give me a moment.

  Oh shit, this was so messed up. I sat up, brushing my hair out of my face, too flustered to think at him. “What is going on? This isn’t … I don’t …”

  It’s the binding. I suspected something like this may happen. Not this exactly but … I just hoped we’d be done in time.

  “Explain.”

  I bound my essence to you, and the longer we remain bound the more entwined we become. Emotions, thoughts, feelings … they become heightened and confused.

  “And the longer we stay like this?”

  I don’t know.

  I stood up and began to pace. “Then we need to catch our culprit. Once we have him you can unbind from me, right?”

  Yes. Right now the risk of being caught unawares is too great.

  And just like that we were on a clock, because my gut told me if I didn’t unbind from Paimon soon, I’d lose myself completely.

  17

  E xiting the Leicester Square aerial tram, I headed to the soup kitchen. It was six-thirty in the evening, and Mal had been locked in his study doing Elder Witch stuff—I was beginning to think the playboy image was just an act. Hannah’s words, his actions toward me, everything confirmed the guy I was getting to know had a serious head on his shoulde
rs and dealt with serious concerns. So why make himself look like less? It obviously didn’t have the coven fooled, otherwise he’d never have been made an elder witch. It was a question I’d have to answer another day. Maybe Banner would answer it for me?

  It hadn’t taken long to get Urvashi to give me a few days off. I’d mentioned Banner and being his house guest, and she’d been all squeals.

  “You must tell me everything. Everything,” she’d said.

  Yeah. I’d have to come up with some saucy details when I saw her. Or … I could just avoid her until Henna, Vritra’s daughter, moved on to a new target. Then I could tell Urvashi the truth.

  Pushing through the doors into the kitchen, I came up against a wall of bodies.

  What the heck?

  Every table was taken and people were sitting on the floor against the wall, eating off paper plates. Weaving my way through, I raised a hand to hail Victor who was busy dishing to the masses.

  He sagged when he saw me. “Thank god you came in. We’ve been inundated since the Yaksha attack. We’re now the safest soup kitchen in the district. You’d think they’d realize that the threat was now locked up all the soup kitchens are safe, but no. People are coming from all the way across town. I don’t think we’ll have enough food. I tried calling you but your phone was switched off.”

  “What?” I checked my phone, and indeed the battery was dead. When had that happened? “Can I borrow your phone? I’ll make a few calls. Call in a few favors.”

  He lobbed his mobile at me, and I caught it neatly then headed into the kitchen. We needed more food and we needed it fast. I knew just the yaksha to help me. I switched Victor’s SIM for mine, and the phone beeped with several missed call notifications. Ignoring them, I scrolled and dialed Honey. Daughter of the Renegade Pack alpha, she also owned the string of Taste eateries around the city, and was our only hope. Their main store was located in Hoxton square, probably a half-hour drive, maybe less.

  “Hey, Carmella. You called?”

  “Hiya. I would have called sooner but things have been … crazy.”