Drake was pissed.

No. Understatement. Drake was fucking furious.

It had been three days. Three very long, very bad days, and Dave hadn't spoken more than two worded sentences to him. He could barely look him in the eye. What they'd done together seemed to hang over them like an ominous cloud. It made his skin itch. It made his gut churn as he waited and waited for the shoe to drop.

His dark eyes trailed after him. Watched him. He knew that Dave knew. He could see it in the way the other man tensed up every once in a while. See the way his hazel gaze would skitter over to him. He could see the worry there. Could see the desire.

All Drake knew was that Dave was avoiding him. And he'd be damned if it wasn't annoying as all hell.

"Remind me again," his voice cut through the car snidely. "Why exactly are we here?"

"Horvath is here," Balthazar snapped back, glaring over his shoulder. "Isn't that enough?"

"Hardly," Drake huffed, sinking deeper into his seat. "Would really rather stay away from that bugger."

Drake didn't miss the way Dave's eyes slid over him through the rearview mirror. He let himself revel in it for a moment. He smirked as the Merlinian's cheeks colored and his attention fell back to driving down the busy road.

"You don't have a choice anymore, Drake." Balthazar said, twisting around in the seat. "You're a part of the prophecy. You have to."

"This is where I call bullshit, Balthy." Drake snarled, sitting up in his seat, only to have Veronica press a calming hand to his chest.

Her gaze pinned him in as she pressed him back. He felt her power react gently with his, and he gulped. If only he'd had this growing up. If only he'd had a better master than the one he'd wound up with. If only had hadn't had to practically teach himself. He saw a loving expression drift into the woman's eyes, and he felt his heart break a little bit. She smiled softly, reaching up to let her fingers brush over his cheek. He felt the strong urge to hug her.

"Fate has her ways, Drake." She said in her strange accent. "You were brought to us for a reason. You and Dave are a pair."

The car swerved under Dave's control. There was a large amount of honking and screeching tires as Dave pulled out of the oncoming traffic lane to where he should be. Everyone in the car was braced for the worst, but it had never come so they were frozen awkwardly. Balthazar turned a questioning gaze on his student, but Dave should his head and brushed it off. He was pretending it was because of the unfamiliar driving circumstances. Right side to left side always did throw Americans through a loop.

"A pair, huh?" Drake asked, eyes glimmering mirthfully.

"Etiam," Veronica nodded, settling back into her place shakily. She didn't like these metal machines.

"Well, if that's the case…" Drake leaned forward; reaching over the headrest to ruffle Dave's hair as something in them clashed meaningfully.

Balthazar was the only one who didn't notice the few sparks that flew between them. He didn't notice the way Dave's hands tightened around the wheel. He didn't notice the knowing look on Veronica's face. He did, however, notice the clouds gathering overhead. Something was amiss.


Horvath grinned into his glass. Yes, everything was going to plan. He'd beckoned and they'd come. They didn't know that he'd beckoned them, but that was the brilliance of his plan. It would be unexpected when it happened. They'd be completely blindsided. It was a beautiful scenario that was playing perfectly out in his head.

Perfect.

"Sir?" Ethan's voice came from behind him.

Turning, Horvath looked at the young man with a smile. "Yes. What is it?"

"They're going to her place."

Horvath frowned. "What do you mean?"

"It's been written that they meet." Ethan replied, setting the Book down on the desktop.

Horvath set his glass down with a harsh thud. His bright mood grew increasingly dark as he stared at the parchment with hatred in his eyes. His jaw clenched and unclenched. Ethan watched, blue eyes cold and indifferent as the powerful sorcerer's fists curled up. A wrathful gaze caught his.

"This is not according to plan."


The bright blue door was a strange sight to see. It wasn't the fact that it was a blue door. It was the fact that it was a blue door that lead into a very homey, rather old-fashioned house. It didn't fit. At all.

Dave looked up at it with a slight tilt of his head. It was… unusual. It just didn't seem… normal. He squinted at it, as if trying to make it work. It was like sticking a piece of puzzle where it didn't belong. His brow furrowed slightly, and he was so focused on the door—the very bright, very blue door—that he didn't notice Drake saddle up beside him. Drake stared at the door with worry. He appeared almost nervous. Like he'd been there before. Dave practically jumped out of his skin when their shoulders brushed.

"Wha—"

"You really are trying to torture me, aren't you?" Drake asked dejectedly.

Dave gaped at him. He tried to come up with some sort of response. He hadn't realized his avoiding him had caused the man so much pain. He hadn't realized—

Balthazar clapped a hand on the Brit's shoulder. "Sorry, Drake. We have to."

It was only then that Dave realized Drake had been talking to his master.

"Do not." Drake stated adamantly. "Could completely skip over it."

"She's the best there is."

Drake fell silent. His stare fell to the pavement and he nodded hesitantly. Balthazar seemed pleased for a moment and patted his back comfortingly. The older man walked forward up the steps, and Dave and Drake followed while Veronica hung back a bit. The three men hovered in front of the door for a second, wavering as they felt an eerie, strong presence. It was like a think, heady incense.

Balthazar blinked past the slow fog in his mind and raised his hand to knock just as the door flew open to reveal another man. He was about the same height as Drake, and he had the same lean build. His green eyes widened owlishly at them. Flushed and bedraggled, his dark hair stood up awkwardly in places like he'd just rolled out of bed.

"Hello," he muttered, collecting himself as he adjusted his jacket and tie. "Just a sec." Turning from them, he cupped his hands over his mouth and called up into the house. "Cassie! There are people here for you!"

Drake stiffened, eyes narrowing dangerously. Dave felt like maybe he'd have to restrain him. His fingers twitched at the idea and a delightful—but inconvenient—heat spread through him. As if he felt it too, Drake glanced over at him, and he inched closer to the smaller man. Dave didn't move away.

"Can't you take care of it?" Came echoing back through.

"No," The man sighed, giving Balthazar a look before mouthing 'women' with a roll of his eyes. "I have to get to work!"

"Fine," a trail of stomping feet came romping through the house before a blonde head poked out the door, green eyes sharp as weapons as she glared at Balthazar. "This better be good, or—"

Dave glanced at her, trying to see what made her pause. He was shocked to see her gaze locked on Drake. The older man looked like he was about ready to dart. Or hug her. Or both.

The woman stepped more fully into the doorway, hands on her hips in a familiar scolding way. "What the soddin' hell were you thinkin', Drake? I swear, mum is turning in her grave."

Tbc.


A/N: Sorry for the long wait and the short update. I feel like I should've done more, but I'm swamped with SAT stuff and Finals. Luckily, school is out in two weeks. I should have this sucker down by the end of August at the latest- which means faster updates.

I hope you all liked this. Sorry for all the OC's. But they aren't too major in the plot line. Promise.

Review!

Much love,

Tara