Wicked Burn (Realm Enforcers #3)(35)

“Fine. Just family drama.” Simone stood. She’d deal with Bear later. “Let’s visit with Tori and then go to your hearing.”

Nick shook his head. “Something tells me this is going to be one of those days.”

Simone nodded. “I think you’re right.”





Chapter 13


Simone eyed a keypad near the door of the penthouse and then quickly typed in a code. A buzz signaled the lock releasing. She ignored the Guard soldier standing at attention across the hall and swept inside a spacious living room overlooking the Liffey. “Victoria?” she called out as Nick followed her and shut the door.

Tori crossed from what must be the kitchen, munching on a bagel. The purple streaks in her hair caught the morning light from outside. “What the hell are you people?” she asked, her blue eyes wide and more than a little distrustful.

Simone sighed and crossed to the leather sofa to sit. “Nick? Could you give us a moment?”

He nodded. “Are there more bagels?”

“Yes,” Tori said, finishing hers and inching away from him to take a chair across from Simone.

Nick disappeared through the kitchen doorway.

Simone cleared her throat and studied her friend. Somebody had found Tori a nice pencil skirt and a gray blouse, which couldn’t be further from Tori’s usual wardrobe. “Sorry about the clothes.”

Tori glanced down. “Yeah, they kinda suck.”

This was harder than Simone had imagined. Her stomach hurt. “I want you to know that I’m glad we’re friends.”

“Me too, considering you’re a . . . fairy?” Tori pinned her with a hard look.

Simone coughed out a laugh. “Ah, no. I’m a witch.”

“You’re a witch.” Tori slowly shook her head. “I know some witches. They don’t throw fire.”

“No, you know people who practice the Wiccan religion. I’m an actual witch—another species on earth.” Simone twirled her finger in the air and created a small, swirling ball of fire. “We use quantum physics and a few other sciences humans haven’t figured out yet to alter matter—usually into fire.”

Tori’s eyes widened. “That’s crazy.”

Simone snuffed out the flame. “I know. But you saw what you saw, and now it’s nice to be able to level with you.” She hadn’t had many friends through the years, and when she and Tori had connected, she’d strongly disliked the necessary subterfuge. “Also, you’re an enhanced human, which means you could mate an immortal, if you wanted.” Wouldn’t that be lovely?

Tori drew back. “Um, mate? What do you mean?”

Heat climbed into Simone’s face. “Immortals mate for life. There’s biting, maybe marking, and, ah, sex.”

Tori leaned back, looking at Simone like she’d lost her mind.

“I know it seems odd, but it’s the truth. Immortals can mate enhanced humans, and I know you’re enhanced because I can sense it, now.” At first somehow both Tori and her sister had unconsciously hidden their enhancements. Now that their status was known, Simone could sense the specialty, even though she didn’t know its form. “A human must be enhanced to mate one of us.”

Tori paled, skepticism wrinkling her brow. “Enhanced? How so?”

Simone shrugged. “I haven’t quite figured it out. You’re not psychic or empathic, right?”

“Ah, no.” Tori turned to study the river outside.

“You don’t have to tell me,” Simone said softly. “It’s not like I’ve told you everything up to this point, you know?”

“Yeah. Like you being a witch.” Tori craned her neck. “Is the hot blond guy a witch, too?”

Simone grinned. “No. Nick?” she called.

Nick poked his head out the door. “What?”

“Show your fangs.”

Nick lifted his eyebrows but allowed his fangs loose.

Tori’s mouth dropped open. “He’s a vampire? Jesus. Vampires exist?”

Nick disappeared back into the kitchen.

“Well, vampires do exist, but Nick is a demon. They’re another species.” Simone wrinkled her nose. “This has to be weird for you.”

“You could say that.” Tori clutched her neck, tension rolling off her. She shook her head, no doubt trying to deny it all. After several moments of thinking quietly, she sighed. “Wait a minute. If you’re a witch, and your cousins are witches, that means that my sister is dating a witch. Does she know?”

Simone crossed her legs. “Well, she should be the one to tell you, but I’m finished keeping secrets from you. Alexandra and Kellach are mated, which means that your sister will be pretty much immortal now.”

Tori stilled. “Pretty much?”

“Well, we can be killed by beheading or burning up, you know.” Simone glanced at the grandfather clock in the corner. “I have a hearing to get to, but I wanted to drop by to see if I could do anything to help you.”

“Get me the hell out of here.” Tori leaned forward, fear all but ricocheting from her.

Simone grimaced. “I would, but I can’t right now. There’s a hearing set for you in a few days, after my trial, where you’ll have to agree not to tell anybody about us. There will be documents and contracts.” She hoped. After Simone was found not guilty, she could then be on the Council and help Tori. “This will all work out. For now, enjoy the lovely view and the penthouse hospitality.”