The Taste of Magic (23 page)

"Why do you suppose that is?"

Her shoulders lifted lazily. "There's a…chemical attraction. I'll admit I've never felt such a physical response to a man before. When we make love, he's…" She paused, noticing the hint of pink staining his sallow cheeks. "I don't think I should be talking about this with you."

"I'd appreciate that."

She couldn't help her smile. For the first time, she finally began to see Stefan as a friend, and not just a teacher, a superior to her lowly self. Remembering his question, she sobered.

"I don't know what it is, but there's just something about the way he looks at me. It's as if he's the only person who truly understands me."

The alarm in Stefan's eyes worried her. His next words sent a stone sinking to the bottom of her gut. "He can convince you of whatever he wants. Whatever he thinks you need to believe, he will ensure you believe it. Despite your power, he can influence your will."

She nodded, knowing full well Stefan spoke the truth. How many times had Adrian stayed her protests with such antics? Too many. Yet, the longing to be in his arms grew more intense with each passing day. She shook her head. No more. She had to focus. Stefan was here to teach her, not be her confidante. She stood.

"Let's get back to this. I have a lot to learn, and I'm late to the game."

"Are you sure you're ready? Your emotions are stirred up. Perhaps you should take some time to compose yourself."

She shook her head. "No. I've lost too much time as it is, I can't afford any more delay. Adrian wants my powers? Well, he can't have them. I need them under my full control."

She closed her eyes and directed her thoughts to the sky, summoning all clouds, any moisture. She opened her eyes. Nothing. Her irritation with the lack of success grew, and she stamped her foot.

Sweet moisture of the air, I summon thee to gather here.

Zero. Shutting her eyes once again, she chanted aloud this time, her voice rising and sharpening on each word.

"Sweet moisture of the air, I summon thee to gather here." A crack of thunder split the silence. She opened her eyes. A jagged streak of lightning sliced across the darkening sky, gray clouds rolling furiously in. A wave of exhilaration swept through her, and her laughter mixed with the next roll of thunder.

Stefan grabbed her hand and pulled her under the awning as the rain fell, pelting the concrete with such force, the drops bounced before landing. Thunder filled the skies continuously, several streaks of lightning flying haphazardly in all directions.

She reached a hand under the sheet of water, pulling it back as the vigor of rain increased. She rubbed her palms together to soothe the sting. "That's much better than my first attempt."

"I warned you your emotions were too turbulent."

Her brow furrowed in confusion. "What do you mean?'

"When your emotions are unsteady, your powers will be as well. The force of this storm is directly related to your turmoil over du Lac." She sighed, and looked up at the sky once more. She ordered the fierce storm to subside, relieved when the raindrops began to ease, the clouds thinning a little.

"This is why it is important for you to learn to put your emotions aside, and not let them interfere."

Katerina sighed. "For years, I thought I didn't have magical ability. Not only was I wrong, but now I have to learn how to re-think everything I do. Gods, what would happen if I started a fire or something?"

He nodded. "It's entirely possible. You have the potential to become a powerful sorceress, should you desire to reach for that goal."

"Sorceress?"

Stefan nodded. "Only a few are strong enough to reach the highest levels of witchcraft. Your mother, and you, for now, are witches, your father is an enchanter. I am a wizard. My great-grandfather is a sorcerer."

"Your great-grandfather? But that's impossible. He'd have to be…"

"Over two hundred years old. With magic that powerful, wizards and sorcerers can live for much longer than normal humans."

"And you? Can you live longer?"

"Yes, though not as long as my grandfather will. I will probably only live to be about four hundred. He'll live for many more years."

She gaped at him. "What is it with the men around here?" He stared at her, clearly confused.

"I only meant between you, your great-grandfather and Adrian…" She stopped when he stiffened. "I mean, it seems everyone I know lives unusually long lives."

His brow furrowed, but he said nothing.

"Tell me more about these levels. How long does it take to become a sorcerer?"

Changing the subject a little had to help the sudden tension. It did. Stefan's voice took on the tone of teacher as he patiently explained. "Many years, decades, and even then, you must put aside all other aspects of your life to focus only on the magic. It's a sacrifice few are willing to make. Most will stop at becoming a wizard, or in your case, a mage."

"What about my mother?"

"She is a witch. Olga has never desired more."

"And me?"

"The choice is yours. You can maintain your powers at a lower level, a little stronger than you are now, or you can continue to train, to make them more powerful. The added magic would increase your lifetime, although there are other factors involved."

"Like what?" She was fascinated by what he told her, it was more than anyone had shared before. And the more she knew, the sooner she'd figure out the puzzle that had become her life.

"Diet, lifestyle, the same as any normal human. Using your powers for dark purposes can also drain that life force."

She suppressed a shiver at the icy stare he directed at her. His warning was clear. "And using my powers for good purposes will lengthen my life?" He nodded, but said nothing more. She had more questions, but couldn't voice them as she processed what she'd already learned. The idea of living beyond the normal life expectancy intrigued her. She couldn't help herself. She supposed it came from being with Adrian. Knowing he was immortal had given her a unique perspective on eternity.

"Living longer must be exciting."

His features hardened once again, his lips tightening before he answered. "It can be a curse."

His words were somehow bitter, and she wanted to know more, but decided not to press him. His anger could ignite at a whisper, she didn't want to risk it now.

"I suppose. So how far does this sacrifice go if you want to be a sorcerer?"

"To the point of shutting yourself off from your family and friends. To having no other interest or purpose in your life than increasing your power. The danger is in assuming you can resist the lure of the darkness such power also offers."

She swallowed. "Darkness?"

His gaze pierced her. "Yes. The material and physical delights strong magic can offer are hard to resist. Giving in to those can have dire consequences." She had the feeling he accused her of feeling those urges. Or was it just because of Adrian? Stefan clearly bore the vampire a grudge, but why?

"I don't think I'm willing to take it that far."

He smiled, clearly relieved. "You are not alone in making that choice."

"Did you?"

He didn't answer for several moments, then nodded. "I was, am, not willing to give up those around me. I've seen what it can do to those left behind. It's not pleasant."

She sensed sadness in him, as if he was one of the ones he spoke of. Had it hurt him for his great-grandfather to turn his back on the rest of his family? "I'm not ready for something like that. I probably won't ever be. I've spent too much time alone as it is. And I need to learn everything I can, as quickly as possible."

"Yes, you do. You've come so far already, but you still have a long way to go. I've waited a long time, and I won't let you disrupt my plans." Katerina narrowed her eyes. "What plans? It sounds an awful lot like you knew what was going on long before I did, as well."

Stefan nodded. "I did. You forget, I trained your mother. It was then I learned I would someday train you. As I will train your daughter after you."

Those words left her momentarily speechless. "You can see the future?"

He nodded again, his dark eyes soft and warm. "It is one of my skills. Your mother has that gift as well."

"Do I?"

He smiled. "I haven't seen evidence of it yet, but you have many other skills, skills that you can, and should, someday use to save lives."

How could she hold that much responsibility? Other people's lives depending on her was more than she could endure. She wanted a normal life, a steady satisfying career, maybe a family. Instead, she was entangled with a vampire and learning her powers could wield untold influence. Why was this kept from her for all these years?

"I don't follow you. It seems my life has been planned out for me, so why don't you tell me what's expected of me?"

"You can command the elements, you know that. Imagine conjuring a thunderstorm like the one today where a wildfire rages. Or where there's drought."

Realization settled over her as she realized exactly what she could do with her magic.

"But what about the energy, the white light?"

"You used it to protect yourself. It can be directed to protect others. What you must learn is how to utilize the full strength of your power, but keep it hidden from normal view. And there are other things you will learn to do with the energy."

Intrigued, Katerina stepped closer. "Like what?"

"You can provide healing energy to the ill and make them well."

"Don't tell me I can cure cancer."

He smiled. "No, even magic can't fix that. But you have empathic talents, you can feel others' pain, and take some of it upon yourself. Along with that you also have the power to detect auras. You can manipulate them, mend them if they need it. In some cases, with both of those skills combined and utilized properly, yes, you will cure illnesses."

The night Adrian had been wounded, both nights, the one long ago, and the one only a week earlier, she'd felt his physical pain. She'd taken the agony into herself, and it had dissolved in stabbing waves. She'd done that, without even realizing it.

"Tell me more about the auras." She forced her thoughts away from Adrian once more.

"Auras reflect a person's life force. An aura can affect mood, health, almost every aspect of life. It surrounds a person. You have the ability to see it."

She recalled the way she'd often seen hazy hints of color clinging to others, but she had always assumed it was the way the light had played tricks on her eyes. She began to realize it had been no trick.

"I think I know what you're talking about. Are auras different colors?"

He nodded. "Yes, people's auras can have many colors, depending on their mood, general well-being and other factors. As your lessons progress, you'll find you will start to clearly see auras, and you will know how to read them. It is a rare gift. You are blessed to have it."

The idea she could hold power over people, that she could practically see inside them, gave her a clear understanding of what Adrian might have intended. She could influence others for his benefit, to increase his wealth and power. The jabbing pain seared her suddenly again, as if she'd just heard the truth from him. Biting back an anguished cry, she turned and went to sit down.

Stefan's expression betrayed his concern. He followed, his tall frame blocking out the late afternoon sun that peered through the remnants of the storm clouds.

"What troubles you? Is it du Lac again?"

"I'm really getting tired of everyone reading my mind. The only difference now is I can tell when Adrian's trying to reach me. I still can't tell with you."

"I'm sorry. Your thoughts become very loud when you're upset." She stared at him. Adrian had said almost the exact same thing to her once.

At her teacher's horrified expression, she realized he was still in her mind.

"What, you don't like being compared to Adrian? Serves you right for intruding."

Stefan turned away, and Katerina heaved a regretful sigh. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to snap. It's been a rough week, you know?"

Stefan spun back around, his eyes flashing in anger. "I did not come all this way to watch you waste your talent by moaning over that vampire. Don't you understand the value of your gift? You would rather throw it away on a monster than use it to help people."

Katerina leapt to her feet. "How dare you? No matter how much you don't like it, Adrian is involved. He's not a monster, though his intentions aren't always noble. And until I can figure out what to do about it, I can't be this super witch you keep talking about."

"Someday, you will regret that. Do not let the line end with you."

"What line? You make me sound like some kind of broodmare."