Memories of Magic (The High Priestess Trilogy)

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This ebook is may not be re-sold. No part of this book may be used, reproduced or transmitted by any means without written permission of the author.

This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, places, incidents and dialogue are the product of the author’s imagination or used fictiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales or persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

It was her first big conference so her expectations were pretty high. That was her first mistake. Emily had been looking forward to the convention for weeks, but the International Code of Conduct for Witches was turning out to be just as boring as its title. She just didn’t know how it was possible to have so many speakers telling everyone how to behave.

Emily knew there had been several
incidents
recently. She also knew that some of them had to do with the protests against the High Priestess and her handling of one particular coven found practicing black magic. There were some who saw the High Priestess’ leniency as weak while others saw it as compassionate. Regardless of anyone’s view, a big enough rift had been created that now required several lectures on how to conduct ourselves.

Emily tried to mind her own business. It was already difficult enough to be taken seriously as an independent witch, but with her aunt being the High Priestess governing the entire region, it was next to impossible. However, the closer Emily got to thirty, the more she wanted to make a name for herself, to prove her worthiness. She figured the convention would be a good place to branch out.

With every possible description of witch in attendance, Emily fell well into the conservative side of this crowd. Dressed in a light, flowing skirt and white tunic, Emily had decided to let her long blonde hair hang straight, hoping that it made her look more serious.

She smiled easily as she mingled during the fifteen minute break between speakers. When the conversation shifted to the High Priestess and her handling of the black magic coven, Emily quietly excused herself. Many didn’t know about her relationship to the High Priestess and she wanted to keep it that way.

Unfortunately Emily left one heated conversation and inadvertently stepped right into the middle of another one. She wasn’t even part of this discussion, she was just simply walking by; and now she found herself wishing she could erase the words she’d just heard. The discussion seemed more than just heated, it sounded dangerous.

She had entered the grand ballroom and was meandering back to her table when she overheard the two
witches
talking about a new breed of creature called a Mowart. All Emily heard for sure were the words vampire and chimera, neither of which sounded good.

Wanting nothing more than a non-political discussion and a stiff drink, Emily tried to act nonchalant as she weaved between tables in an effort to quickly find her seat. But alarm bells screamed through her mind when she heard the two men discussing ways of creating an army of these new creatures to overthrow Isisa, the High Priestess. Her Aunt.

She felt the blood drain from her body. Emily desperately hoped the shock of their words didn’t register on her face.

What the hell? Just stop talking!
She screamed the words in her mind. She slapped a plastic smile on her face and continued to walk away but the tiny hairs on the back of her neck stood on end.
They know. Of course they know
. Emily had no doubt that the young
witches
knew she’d overhead them; their eyes were burning holes into her back.

She picked up her pace, left the grand ballroom and turned into the closest meeting room she could find. That’s when she ran directly into the solid chest of Jake Wheeler.

“Oh my God, I’m so sorry.” Emily pushed her hands against his rock hard chest to steady her balance and immediately felt the electrical surge of energy shoot through her.

Jake reached out and grabbed her shoulders to keep her from toppling over. “In a mad rush to listen to the next speaker?” The sizzling current he experienced from touching her skin was instant and almost singed his fingertips.

Once he was sure she was steady on her feet, he released his grip, but even that couldn’t stop the powerful energy from coursing through him. The look on her face was all the confirmation he needed; he wasn’t the only one who had felt the connection.

His touch was electric and her body’s response was immediate. Emily was shocked by the onslaught of longing that rushed through her veins, by the desire that had been ignited by a single touch. She glanced up to respond to his question, but his eyes swallowed her up. For just a moment her bearings vanished; she was lost in the depth of his deep brown eyes.

“I was um...” Emily took a step back hoping that little bit of distance would help to clear her mind.

“I was just getting back to my table.” She managed to finish the sentence, but not before she felt the presence of the two men behind her still burrowing holes into her back.
Great, they followed me from the ballroom. That’s just great.

Jake pulled his gaze away from Emily and looked directly at the two men clad in black. One wore a heavy cloak that almost touched the floor while the other was dressed in black leather. Regardless of their attire, Jake could sense their hostility from several feet away.

“Friends of yours?” He asked but never broke eye contact with the younger of the two men. There was something deeply sinister in his eyes. Jake maintained his hardened stare until both men sneered, then turned and left the room.

“Definitely not.” Emily shook her head. For some reason she found herself wanting to tell this stranger what she had just overheard. She felt an overwhelming desire to tell someone, but quickly realized that this ridiculously handsome man might think she was losing her mind.
A new breed of creature? Who would actually believe that?

“Thank you.” Her words were barely more than a whisper. “Thank you for staying with me until they left.” She braved another look into his eyes. “I just…had a really terrible feeling about them.” Emily felt comfortable at least admitting that.

“Yeah, they were giving off some negative energy alright,” he agreed. “Are you sure you’re okay?” Jake knew he was trying to linger longer.

“By the way, I’m Jake.” He offered his hand, hoping to feel the spark again.

She smiled and her blue eyes lit up when their hands connected. The heat from his skin was immediate. The electrifying jolt didn’t come as a complete surprise; it only deepened her smile...and her longing.

“Emily,” she introduced herself while the fierce currents continued their crusade through her body.

“Can I escort you back to your table? Or perhaps I could tempt you to join me for a drink?” Jake hoped she agreed to a drink, he wasn’t ready for her to leave, especially with those two hellions he knew were still lingering nearby.

Emily let go of the deep breath she hadn’t even been aware she’d been holding. “A drink would be fantastic.” It was true and she could really use one, “but some fresh air would be even better.” She just wanted to get out of the hotel, even if only for a few minutes.

“It’s as if you read my mind.” Jake offered Emily his arm and escorted her out of the meeting room, through the lobby and into the brightly lit streets of Santa Monica.

They briskly crossed the street then slowly walked along the sidewalk towards the pier; the lights of the Ferris Wheel were a natural draw. Emily closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She found the sound of the waves lapping against the shore to be almost hypnotic.

“It’s a beautiful night.” She moved closer to Jake as she spoke. Although the temperature was still mild, the light breeze was a little cooler than she’d expected.

“Breathtaking,” Jake agreed, but his eyes were fixed on the beautiful woman beside him, not the lights or the waves, not even the invitation of the sandy beach.

“So what’s the story behind those two back there?” He hoped Emily would open up because he sensed there was something dark lurking behind their penetrating stares.

“Oh, I think it was just a misunderstanding.” She couldn’t bring herself to share the information she had overheard.
Honestly, who would believe it? Except maybe Isisa.
But Emily did find herself anxious to learn more about these mowarts and warm Isisa about them.
Was it
even possible to create a new breed? To build a private army?

As much as she wanted to share what she had accidentally heard, she knew the person she most needed to talk with was her aunt. However, at this moment Emily was far more interested in the hard chest of the man beside her than she was in mowarts. She knew, for tonight at least, that her aunt could take care of herself.

Emily wanted to plant her hands on that solid chest one more time. Just the thought of it had her tingling with anticipation so she tried to think about something else.

“Do you mind?” Emily stopped to take off her shoes. “I’d just love to walk in the sand for a bit,” she tilted her head as she studied his obscenely handsome chiseled features, “give my feet a bit of a break.”

“Of course.” Jake held his arm out so she could balance herself.

Emily walked barefoot in the sand, carrying her shoes, inching her way closer to the magnetically charged man beside her. “So are you from here?”

“No.” He draped his light jacket over her shoulders after watching her shiver from the light wind. He left his arm around her shoulder. “I’m actually from San Francisco. But I love this area of California as well.”

“Me too!” Emily’s heart leapt in her chest. “I mean the San Fran part. It is
the
best
city.”

“You live in San Francisco too?” Jake should have been shocked, but he wasn’t. His life had a way of being filled with serendipitous events, just like tonight.

“Unbelievable.” He grinned and tried to ignore the obvious electricity that flowed between them. It was a palpable thing and his body was responding accordingly.

Emily reached around his waist, felt the heat of his skin through his shirt and almost exploded with need. It wasn’t just because she hadn’t had a date in...forever, it was more than that. She honestly felt some crazy connection with Jake, some wild physical or
electrical
connection with this handsome stranger.

They made their way toward the pier. It was so bright and lively she found it breathtaking. Emily listened to all of the activity as they walked to end of the pier, taking in the scenery and the people. She leaned over the wooden railing to soak up more of the ocean’s call.

Jake angled closer to her, allowing the flow of sizzling electricity to run through them. It was exhilarating. He ran his fingers over her shoulder. Even through the fabric of his jacket the sensation was intoxicating.

The light ocean breeze swept her blonde hair from her face as he gently spun Emily around to face him. He touched her cheek then traced a gentle finger along her jaw. She was magnificent. There was an energy surrounding her that he couldn’t describe. He just knew that he wanted – no needed – her close.

He lowered his head, the heat of this breath whispered over her lips. Emily felt sure she’d melt from the fire he’d ignited in her. In breathless anticipation she found herself shocked that there only two things she knew about this man: his name was Jake, and he lived in San Francisco.

Her lips parted with expectation. She was not disappointed. He covered her mouth with his; the contact was heady and left her feeling weak. She couldn’t feel her toes, she couldn’t even think straight. Emily knew one more thing...she’d never been kissed like that!

Jake pulled away; he needed to catch his breath. “Let’s keep walking. I think standing here is a dangerous proposition with you.” The words were sprinkled with humor, but they were filled with truth. “Will you walk with me?” He held out his hand, urging her to follow.