CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Of all places, he was living in a high-rise in Bethesda, Maryland, in a posh tower that overlooked a park and a distant view of the capital. He'd just spent time slumming it at the Smithsonian museums, and something in him was urging for temporary roots, if such an oxymoron was possible. Bethesda was pretty. He'd been meaning to visit it ever since that time in the real world, when he'd talked up a woman at a bar who kept insisting that he had a face that belonged in Bethesda. At first he'd been surprised, thinking the woman was referencing something obscure, and maybe she was deeper than expected. But then as she showed him an article on her phone from a magazine, her drunk giggles rattled irritatingly against his brain. Bethesda ranked in some article, as one of the Top 10 Hottest-Guy Cities.
He'd gone home alone that night.
But Bethesda, he'd looked up. Mostly because it was near D.C. and he liked cavorting around the city, had done it lots of times when he was younger and wanted to get away from his grandfather for a while. Especially after learning how to pilot a plane, exploring the world had become his thing. Theo approved because he thought it grounded Kai. But when he'd first started traveling, after that initial miserable half-year of near-solitary confinement, Kai's motivation to do so had been anything but grounded. He had decided that when he grew up, he wanted to murder his entire coven and settle down somewhere far, far away from Oregon. So from there, the natural thing to do was explore. And there was nothing like a place soaked up in stuffiness to let out a little steam by indulging in the obscene. He'd graffitied all over the memorials and monuments, destroyed the oval office, and pissed from the top of the Capitol building, all before he turned nineteen.
Nearly a decade later, here he was. No longer that motivated to urinate from the spires of the US Capitol, he managed a trip back there anyway, this time studying the government buildings themselves more closely as he wandered, remembering how much of a fan his grandfather had been of their neoclassical styles.
Picking Bethesda had more to do with irony. Reflecting on the random woman at the bar and what she'd told him about it, he decided to settle there, in the hot-guy city, while he felt ravaged by despair, empty and ugly-inside and out.
And picking that particular high-rise in Bethesda, had to do with the elevators. They seemed to never glitch. Second reason being the unimpeded view of the sunset that he liked to watch as he drank a bottle or five of random alcohol just after dinner every night. His routine nightcap followed, without fail for the past two weeks now, by him climbing to the edge of the balcony, contemplating the twenty-storey drop from there, and wondering how kissing concrete might taste like, from this high up.
That particular night was really pretty out. It was summer, and the sun in the horizon turned the sky into a tie-dye pattern that reminded him of the nineties. How much easier life had been when he was belligerent and ostracized, couldn't control his siphoning and had nobody to care about or that he cared about in return. He sipped from his bottle of whiskey, smiling, thinking that in another sip or two his drink would be done and he could go seriously ponder killing himself for the fifteenth time.
"Mind some company?" rang the unexpected voice, in crisp tones of disapproval.
Cursing, he spit out his drink in a spray, his hand almost dropping the bottle as he turned.
"How the hell did you get here?" he sputtered at the old woman, as she smoothly seated herself in the other metal chair, flinging her fingers to magically shove his boot off the side of it.
"Your grandfather knew you would do this, and left me a spare of the ascendant."
He chuckled. "Of course. Sneaky old bastard."
"I'm supposed to bring you out of your funk. Your grandfather's words."
"No funk here. Just enjoying my drink and the view." He tilted the corner of one mouth up. "I am an honorary citizen of this little town. It's in the Top 10 Hottest-Guys Cities, did you know? This woman said I needed to live here. Cuz you know, I'm hot." He pointed. "Look, it's so close to the White House I can sneak into the oval office for lunch and be back here before the next episode of Geraldo."
"You've been alone in this world for months, Malachai. Lucas and Olivia are weeks away from being forced to try to murder each other. Your father is growing malcontent by the day."
She eyed him unforgivingly, her eyes voicing what her mouth refrained from saying. Man the fuck up.
"None of those are really my problem," he said, his smirk growing cold.
She sighed then. "You're meant for far better things than this, dear boy."
"Ooooooo, do tell." He rubbed his hands excitedly, although his face felt numb. "Did one of your little psycho psychics have a new vision of the future?" He frowned. "Wait, do I end up killing my siblings after all and then build myself a new coven? Because, gotta say, I think it would've been more fun doing that when they were all a bunch of screaming little brats. Some of them are probably likable now." He clucked at her in disapproval. "Who needs that guilt?"
He tipped his head back, bringing the bottle to his lips again but the bottle was suddenly gone. He stared at his empty hand, then looked and found Maggie, elegantly chugging away at the remaining whiskey.
"If you truly wanted to be rid of your existence, Malachai, we would not be having this discussion. I of all people know how capable you are. I wonder if you know it yourself."
He didn't like how that sounded. When she suddenly lunged forward, planting a firm finger on his temple, he liked it even less. But he couldn't fight off her magic, and it settled over him, invading his mind-
This version of him wore cargos, a t-shirt, and hoodie as he whistled his way down the sidewalk. He looked younger by several years and was missing some muscle. There was a pawn shop at the corner, with an OPEN sign glowing behind the door, and he stepped inside cheerfully, pretending to open the door for someone and waving them in first.
Right away, he could see the Kai in this world seemed loopier than in some of the others.
He walked up to a display filled with antique guns and enormous iron bullets. With his elbow, he broke the glass and then, very casually, picked up the antique set of pistols with porcelain handles. Still whistling, he casually loaded the gun, seemingly like an expert, and then proceeded sit atop the counter, legs dangling. Again, he gestured around him, as if he was disrupting unseen customers from their shopping, and fake apologizing with a laugh. Then he cocked the gun to the side of his head and blew his brains out-
"What the fuck, Maggie?" Kai gasped, ripping her finger off his temple.
He stood and started pacing, grabbing his own head with shaky hands, feeling it to make sure it was all there and there were no holes, and nothing was leaking out, and that it didn't resemble the gray and red bits of mash that had exploded against the walls of the pawn shop.
He glared at Maggie. "Not nice."
"I can do this all night, Malachai. There are quite a few versions of you like that one." She leaned back and closed her eyes. "Difference being, they're all killing themselves to find a way out of their prison. You have your freedom and want to kill yourself because you're afraid to explore it."
"Have I ever mentioned how much I hate old people? You and Theo. You guys suck."
"Don't be rude. You know I'm the only person left in the world that you care for." And then her brilliant eyes opened suddenly, piercing him. "Later, will come a few others. And later yet, the one you shall love the most."
She hadn't lied. Showing him all those other suicidal versions was precisely what she'd done the rest of that night-the worst one being a Kai who slipped his head inside a guillotine display, maniacally smiling as dull blades chopped jaggedly into his neck. That one had broken his temper, and he finally stole her magic and attacked her. To which she'd replied by way of a spectacular beat down, on a scale that hadn't been matched yet. The tower he had stayed in was completely leveled, by the end of the night.
That night, he'd gotten his ass handed to him by the woman who was like his grandmother. Right now, he was again in need of her intervention, maybe not in the same manner, but his head felt like it was coming apart, and he needed someone to help him keep it together.
Kai looked at Liv and Tyler, urging them to look back at him. His sister was freaked out, he knew it was because of him.
"What the hell is your problem?" Tyler asked through a smile.
"I need to go," he said, speaking in his ear.
"No, Kai, don't leave now. The Vansels."
More bad luck. Dammit. Then Kai looked again, and realized that yes, Fiona and her parents were next, followed by Noah.
And then Bonnie.
Settling himself easily back in line, he pasted a smile on his face, and greeted the hated family with gusto. It surprised them. Richard seemed distrustful, but his wife accepted it graciously, coolly, as did Fiona. Except in Fiona's case, she made sure to slink into his personal space, and touch his chest provocatively. He barely registered it. He had no recollection of what he said to any of them, and vice versa. He only knew he was glad when Tyler seemed to pick up on his distractedness, and pulled Fiona over his way to move the line along.
Noah, in between greeting Kai's younger siblings, was fucking touching Bonnie's back, and joking around with her like they were pals.
What in the hell was happening? When the fuck had they even met? His brain kicked up an image of yesterday's luncheon. He and his siblings had walked in on the entire Vansel clan surrounding Liv and Tyler's table. It was also when he'd first caught sight of Bonnie.
Kai watched her now, as she gave Noah a friendly smile. He knew that tiny hint of calculation in her gaze. She was casing the younger Vansel, much like he'd once accused her of doing to him. But how could he be relieved by that? She should stay out of it, he could handle this. He should've definitely kicked her out of the damn wedding already.
Kai didn't speak, as he stared the other man down, barely restraining the urge to squeeze his head in like it was an orange, and see his brain dribble out all juicy.
Noah's hand clapped his shoulder, and Kai's jaw locked up, a hard spasm that ran all along his arm, and down his hand. He lifted it and smacked the other man right back, jarring his shoulder so hard that Noah stumbled into Fiona. The pair of siblings gaped at him, and he shrugged and had the tiniest presence of mind to smile ruefully.
"Don't know my own strength," he said lightly.
He turned his head, and the buzz in the room quieted then, everything extraneous falling away, as he met Bonnie's hazel gaze.
Like always, her eyes held a note of concern, and she was biting her mouth, making him groan internally. This was one of her nervous ticks he wanted to take over for her, to nibble on that plump lip of hers.
"Hi," she said, her eyes peeking hesitantly up at him through her thick lashes. She wasn't trying to be coy, the way most women did when they looked at him that way, but from her it worked, distracted him outside the bounds of all reason.
"Hi," he answered, hearing his voice drop several octaves.
Her polite smile killed him, he wanted to lean down and open her lips with his, and hear her moan his name. Instead, he took her offered handshake, and clasped her fingers in his.
"Thanks for," she faltered when he narrowed his eyes at her, "having me."
Yeah, excellent choice of words. She was pulling her hand away, but he didn't let go.
So many ways to have her, each one of them profoundly, intimately nude and obscene, played through his head right then. He made sure to keep eye contact, and judging by the faintest hint of rose blossoming on her cheeks, she probably had a good idea what was going through his mind right now.
But she didn't know all of it.
He was remembering Maggie's visit to the pocket world.
"Later will come the one you shall love the most."
A hysterical urge to laugh hit him then, as he stared at Bonnie. This wasn't love. Was he even capable of it? Maybe with his family, yes, he now knew he had loved his grandfather, and in some capacity, one founded on gratitude, his mother. Some of his siblings even, possibly. But with women in general? No. That never happened. But meeting Bonnie now opened up a new world of possibilities, and he wasn't certain about love, but for sure he could do obsession, pretty fucking spectacularly. And Bonnie would be his first target, and at this point, looked like his only.
She was a living specter that he couldn't shake, haunting every one of his thoughts, and making him ill. He was like a man possessed.
It would get better once she left, but in order to do that he would have to let her go in the first place. If he was a better man, he would do exactly that, it was obviously what she wanted, and God knew there were enough reasons to-not only their opposing lifestyles in this world, but also whatever she had learned from Maggie, probably scary shit of them tormenting each other across the other ones.
Or maybe not, his brain suggested, bringing back to mind Bonnie riding his fingers in his bedroom, kissing him back with the intensity he felt. If those other realities were nothing but nightmares, why would she ever have given him the time of day, much less let those intimacies happen between them?
There was a lot more to it.
He wasn't a better man. The reception line had stalled, because he couldn't let Bonnie go. He tried, but there were motor sensory pathways missing connections, and his hand refused to loosen. Her eyes became panicked, as she kept tugging her hand away and his fingers didn't budge. He felt Tyler's elbow digging into his side. On his other side, Rachel was hovering, ready to interrupt and probably nudge Bonnie herself down the line. In front of her, he sensed Caroline and Matt tensing, waiting to intervene also except with their brilliant ideas, surely disaster would come of it.
Fucking goddamn people wouldn't just leave him alone with her.
Bonnie squeezed his fingers, a slight frown marring her brows, her eyes flashing with warning. The tiniest current of magic jolted his hand then, and his fingers ever so slowly relaxed. Kai gulped down air, and sense returned to his brain.
He let go of her, smiling smoothly. "Sorry, got lost there for a sec. We met yesterday, right?"
She nodded.
He leaned in flirtatiously. "Care for a dance later?"
"I don't dance," she said quickly.
His jaw tightened, nostrils flaring, a mistake because it let her scent invade his senses, her perfume mixed with that hint of unique torched earthiness that made him want to explore every square inch of her. With his tongue.
Damn you, Bonnie.
"Shame," he said, letting his voice go cool. "Maybe you'll change your mind."
"Not a chance." And with a last quick regretful smile, and a sigh of relief that was audible and just a little rude, in his opinion, she moved past him to Tyler.
Caroline was next, and her hands were cool, her grip painfully tight, vampiric strength just short of breaking his own fingers. Her blue eyes were full of misgiving, but it wasn't all just about his behavior, he could see. When Matt followed her, he knew something else was wrong. Both their faces showed muted panic.
New shit had definitely gone down, and they probably needed his help again. He'd never been more antsy to get to a supply closet than at that moment, and him without any intention of using the space for a sexual rendezvous. Somewhere, someone owed him a prize or at least a shiny 'good job' button.
The line moved at a much quicker pace after, everyone's eyes now on the circulating trays of additional drinks and hor d'oeuvres. Presently, people were milling around the room, mingling easily as the caterers bustled around them offering light appetizers and ice breakers in the form of champagne and light wines.
He was starving, and maybe that was why he was so out of sorts just then, but he didn't stop to grab any food or drinks because Bonnie was no longer in the room. His eyes found Matt, walking around and flitting from person to person, casing everyone like the dutiful cop he was without trying to look it. And Caroline was off in another corner, chatting with the Vansels. Everyone was doing their part.
Which meant Bonnie was waiting for him in the closet. He felt a little bad, picking that as their meeting spot, but their phone conversation at the end there had given him a figurative stab wound, and he wasn't above being petty. She was so damn obstinate about not being one of his conquests that when the opportunity dropped in his lap, he couldn't resist.
He was such an asshole sometimes, and usually enjoyed it, but this time mistrust hit him. This could go really wrong. Quickening his steps, he made his way out of the room, gauging if anyone was following. So far he wasn't getting anything. As he neared the closet, though, his qualms now giving way to eager anticipation of being alone with Bonnie again, he heard rapid footsteps behind him.
"Kai!" Closing his eyes in irritation, he held in a curse.
"Fiona," he said easily.
"Hey, handsome," she paused, suspicion creeping into her eyes, when she spotted the closet door just feet away. "Where were you going?"
"The men's restroom," he said. "Not that it's any of your business."
"The nearest one is back that way," she said in dulcet tones.
"I know, but I prefer the other one. Less traffic." He lifted a brow. "Is there a reason I'm being interrogated about my bathroom preferences?"
She slinked up, a seductive, challenging smile on her face. "I needed to talk to you."
He kept his body loose, his mind calm, while he imagined that the ground beneath her feet would open up and swallow her whole, never to reappear in his life. Or Dex's, because he was the only other Parker left that Fiona could try to get her claws in.
"Kai, there's something-" she glanced behind her, and when she turned back to him, it was through thick dark blonde lashes that fluttered expertly up at him. "Let's go in here."
Cold dread formed in his belly, as she tugged his arm and led him to the closet. He resisted.
"Fiona, I'm sorry, I really can't. Nature calls."
"Look," she said, her usually saccharine tone now jagged and sharp enough to cut glass, as her voice lowered by several octaves. "Five minutes, just to talk, that's all I want."
Goddammit. Bonnie was in there.
He made slow work of opening the door, as he mentally chanted the incantation that would cloak her.
Fiona frowned. "Why is your magic flaring up?"
Fuck.
"Just on edge," he lied, then poured charm into his tone. "I didn't even realize. You're making me a little nervous."
He snuck a quick look inside and with an unbelievable sense of relief, saw that it stood empty. Flicking the light on, he ushered Fiona inside, making sure to keep the door slightly ajar before stepping further inside the space. In case Bonnie walked up, at least she could hear that it was occupied. But Jesus, she would be hearing his and Fiona's voices and making the worst assumptions.
Someday soon, he would need to spell up new luck for himself. His current run of it was nothing but shit.
There were only boxes and some unused shelves inside, along with a few spare chairs stacked in one corner. Plenty of room for him to move to one side, while making sure she stayed far away on the other.
Fiona shut the door tightly, and turned to face him.
He fought down a glower, and instead pasted a courteous smile.
The tall blonde moved towards him and put her hands on his chest, her fingers roaming. "You don't know," she purred, "how much I've imagined this."
With firm hands, he guided her outside of his personal space. "Getting a little handsier than you promised," he said, his voice turning icy. "Not really feeling touchy-feely right now, Fiona. You sounded like you had something urgent to talk about. So. Let's hear it."
For the first time in maybe ever, something ugly crossed Fiona's face.
"Why haven't you ever given me a chance?" she demanded.
Holy shit, she was having a meltdown. So not the time, and he was really not the person to care.
He started laughing.
"Is it Alanis?" She stalked back up, glaring into his face. "That little vanilla weakling will bore you to tears, Kai. She was a child when you left, and still is one even now. I could offer you a lot more." Then her face turned hard. "I'm stronger, too. I could fight for you a lot harder." Her hands reached out, clutching his jacket and she leaned in for a kiss. "And I'm much, much better in bed. I remember how much you wanted to try my skills in high school. Well, I've improved on them over the years, I guarantee you."
Drawing away, Kai clamped down on an urge to magically duct tape her mouth shut. He had a few fond memories of raising hell in high school, but none of them involved Fiona. She was one of the things he wished he could undo. But being seventeen and ostracized meant he'd used to look for ways to lash out against his family and the coven. What better way than to try to seduce the pretty freshman Vansel witch, supposedly still a virgin, who even then thought she was a hot bitch in charge? He'd spent a few months casting bait for her, and had almost caught her, too, at a house party, when he'd been high and drunk at the time, barely remembering her name. She'd been trying to get close to him just to make her boyfriend at the time jealous, he remembered that.
"Fiona, I think I your memories are kind of far removed from reality. I wanted to use you to spite my father and the rest of the coven." He shrugged. "You were smart enough not to go for it, then. So what changed, hmm?"
"You did," she said.
"Because I'm now poised to lead the coven?" He laughed derisively.
"Partly that, and partly...you're not an animal-killing maniac anymore."
"You were smarter when you were fourteen," he said, smiling menacingly. "Maybe I still am, I just hide it better."
She took an automatic step back at that.
Shaking his head, he walked away from her, wishing he'd had Bonnie meet up in his room instead. They could've been having a conversation now, her giving up all the secrets of their other selves while he talked her out of using them as excuses to run away.
"Kai, we have a lot in common," she said. "Even if you weren't coven leader, it could be pretty amazing, if you would just let me in."
She drew herself up, and came close enough to run her fingers along his shoulders, gently, and then her fingers toyed with his shirt buttons.
"Give us a chance," she whispered seductively, her hands now running lower, towards his pants. "You won't regret it."
Strangely, the lights flickered just then, then grew extra bright.
Kai plucked her hands away, as he cast a confused look up. "Did you do that?" he asked Fiona, one finger pointing to the ceiling lights.
She gave him a provocative look, and then nodded coyly. "Just another sign," she purred. "Our magic. They're hungry for each other."
She was full of shit, that wasn't her at all, his magic didn't even register hers.
The walls vibrated softly, causing the loose items within the closet to rattle, and at the edge of his sight he saw the air simmer, as if pieces of the room were steaming, and he realized it had gotten a little warm inside.
Oh.
Fuck.
Bonnie.
Kai grimaced, as he turned his back on Fiona, his eyes scanning the room. Bonnie was in here with them. She had cloaked herself. Fucking hell. Was he having a nightmare? He lacked sleep, there was a chance he could actually have passed out at the dais just now, and this was nothing more than a really bad dream.
Fiona's lips moved near his ear, and he jumped a foot away, just as one of the decorative vases resting in one of the corners shattered into pieces.
He was a grown man, but just right then, he wasn't sure if he wanted to throw a tantrum or piss himself, was how this moment had turned into the worst kind of a fucking catastrophe. All because he'd been bitter, and wanted to have Bonnie standing in a closet with him, just to see her angry.
"I'm so sorry," he said softly, his eyes roaming the empty space before him. "Please, please listen. I didn't mean for this to happen."
Dammit. He closed his eyes, willing himself to avoid using his powers, seized by a vehement urge to disintegrate the closet, the whole fucking lodge, and everyone in it. Except himself and Bonnie.
"It's okay, oh, Kai, don't worry," Fiona clutched his shoulders, making him turn. "I'm not angry."
Coldly, he moved firmly out of reach, and then flung his hand out, using magic to create a barrier between them. "Fiona, you have one more chance. Say whatever the hell was so important that you had to drag me into this closet, and then get out."
Confusion crossed her features. "But you said you're sorry."
"Oh, it wasn't meant for you." He gave into recklessness and gestured wildly around the room, his laughter ringing out harshly. "See, I have this really hot imaginary friend that I want to spend time with, but somehow we just keep getting interrupted. That apology was for her."
The look that crossed Fiona's face was one of serious doubt. Yes, I'm crazy, leave me the fuck alone-he almost said.
"Any day now, Fiona," he said, looking at his watch. "Clock's a ticking."
Her perfect jaw dropped open at his words and the iciness in his tone. He'd never spoken to her like this before, not since he'd returned at least, and a little fear crept into her eyes. He lifted a brow threateningly.
She shook her head. "I was thinking of leaving for a short sabbatical from the coven," she said, in a clipped voice. "I wanted to ask if you would come with me."
"Why would I do that?" he asked, honestly puzzled.
The idea was insane, and yet-a sabbatical sounded awesome. Maybe if Bonnie was the one offering it up to him, he would've been sorely tempted to take her up. A long-term break from everything, with just him and her, exploring each other and maybe the world. His chest and his groin ached with pleasure at the thought.
But it wasn't Bonnie.
"No," he said simply.
Fiona's head rose then, the look on her face changing quickly, from anger to desperation to hurt and fear, and then, finally, malice. She laughed huskily, smiling. "Now that I think about it, you're right. You'd have no reason to. Everything is about to go your way, isn't it?"
She turned, then said over her shoulder, "Silly of me to even try."
Kai watched her go, and then was letting out a small breath of relief, turning back to the wall behind him, when he heard Fiona's laughter again, drifting from the hall. "Oh, are you looking for Kai? I just left him in the closet. He's all yours, sweetie."
A new set of footsteps sounded, little heels clattering purposefully, and soon they came to a stop. Alanis Crux, standing in the doorway, gazed back at him with disappointment clear on her face.
Wordlessly, he watched her step inside and shut the door, and he lost it then, turning around, staring again at the walls and hoping he was looking at Bonnie. His arms came up, palms open, his shoulders shrugging as he rolled his eyes. What the fuck, was every woman that had ever been on his radar going to make an appearance now, just to ensure that the one woman that refused to even make a blip on the instrument panel, remained out of reach?
Was he in hell, and his punishment Bonnie Bennett dangling in front of him just out of grasp? The thought of losing the chance to have her in his life because of this stupid ass closet sucked out air from his lungs. Gnawing began in his chest, familiar and leaving him hollow.
He walked to a chair and dropped down, only to land on something soft, before something else, the opposite of soft-actually, pretty fucking painful-hit his ass like a lightning bolt. Springing back up clumsily, he swallowed a yelp, his eyes glowering at the chair.
Okay. There she was. Why hadn't he thought of that? Of course, she'd find a way to have a front row seat to his semi-public shaming.
"Kai?" came the soft voice by the door.
He fought down an urge to curse at the girl, and scare her out of the room so he could be alone with Bonnie.
"I didn't get a chance to really talk to you after the meeting," Alanis continued, stepping further inside, her eyes glancing around.
He sighed heavily, hoping that Bonnie wasn't going to try teleporting out unnoticed.
"So this is where all the action happens," Alanis mused. "It's not really the most comfortable place."
"Look, Alanis." Where to even begin?
"I wondered about your reputation." Her face looked distraught. Great. Now Bonnie would see him reach new heights of assholery. "I mean, I admit, it would've been flattering if you invited me here before."
"Now's not a good time," was all he could manage, sullen. He threw a glance to the chair, and kept staring, imagining how Bonnie might be looking now. Maybe she had gnawed her lip so hard, her poor beautiful mouth had turned into raggedy bits.
"I always kind of thought I had more self-respect, but I guess I'm a little more vain after all." Alanis shook her head, disgusted. "And I thought you were a little less superficial, because Fiona, she's gorgeous but-"
He covered his mouth, because he couldn't hold it back. His shoulders started shaking.
"Are you..." Alanis's face took on an offended expression. "Why are you laughing?"
"Oh, no reason," he said, chortling. "Fiona and I-"
He stopped, blinking thoughtfully. A bright, clear path opened itself up, one that would lead to this girl's immediate retreat. He took it, unhesitatingly.
"We just had mindblowing sex," he blurted, smiling cheerily. "Which means, I'm kind of wasted right now. Sorry, but you'll have to come back later for your turn."
Jaw dropping, Bonnie watched as Alanis stormed quickly out, the angry click of her heels breaking into a run, and she imagined the poor girl crying as she moved down the hallway.
What. The. Hell?
Kai had just ruined his best chance at a normal relationship.
He closed the door firmly, and turned towards her. She kept herself cloaked, not because she was angry-well, yes, that, too-but more because he was in one of his moods, and she wasn't sure if revealing herself was the right course of action just then. Maybe she should even teleport.
He held out his hands, his brows raised in mock eagerness. "Well?" he asked. "Did you enjoy the show?"
"Bravo, you jerk," she muttered, but he couldn't hear her, because cloaking involved imperviousness to sight and sound. But not touch, and hadn't that been a shock, him sitting on her? She'd never been more thankful for her honed reflexes, and the way her magic zapped his ass so quickly he'd barely lingered for a millisecond on her thighs.
"It's considered impolite, Bonnie, to watch something entertaining and not give a round of applause at the end. I worked hard just now, too."
"You're a douchebag, Kai."
"I know you're mad," he said, his tone changing. "I'm sorry."
He moved closer, his eyes along the wall around her. She'd been sure he knew she was still sitting on the chair, but now she realized he must have thought she got spooked, and was trying to get away by inching out along the walls.
As if. What did she care about his spats with his women? Well, she cared if he threw Alanis away, she seemed genuinely into him, and not a conniving, evil bitch. Those were good qualities to have in a girlfriend. And then Bonnie stopped, her mind running back to the scene with Fiona. As desperate and pathetic and manipulatively transparent as she'd seemed, something bugged Bonnie about it.
Fiona had been sincere.
She wished she could remember everything the woman had said. At the time, she'd been in a blind rage, trying not to melt the woman's hands off as they roamed all over Kai.
The lights blinked on and off again, as Bonnie relived the images.
He let out another snicker. "Oh, you're really good and angry, aren't you, Bon? Why don't you show yourself and tell me all about it? I can be a good listener."
"No, you're a damn yapper. Yap yap yap. You like your own voice more than anything else."
"C'mon, Bonnie. I have this feeling I'm missing out on some awesome zingers. I need to hear you."
Her gaze took him in, and she hated how her stomach flipped and flopped when he drew near enough that she saw how his stubble had grown in even more, reaching further up along his jaw, and that his eyes looked tired, the gray dimmed almost into blue, like an ocean receding.
He dropped then, lightning quick, crouching before the chair that she still sat on, his arms wrapped on either side, and brushing her thighs. His hands moved up, feeling his way around her, setting her slightly on fire just with his soft grazing touch.
"I need to see you."
She closed her eyes and leaned into him. "Kai," she whispered, as his fingers trailed her hips, and caressed her waist and the sides of her breasts. They lingered there, before moving slowly up her shoulders, trailing along her neck and the sides of her jaw.
"Bonnie," his voice was low and full of so much need.
"No," she said.
"I miss you."
Oh. Damn you, Kai.
She grabbed his hands then, and pushed his fingers away, but he wouldn't let go of her, just like earlier during the receiving line.
Closing her eyes, she let a wild surge of magic out. His other hand found her cheek, and she felt him channeling her, and she let it happen.
Their magic mated in the air around them, crashing wildly. He couldn't see hers because of the veil, but she did, she saw it all. Colors swirled around them, hungry and frenzied, his thunderous, hers blazing, and hair on her arm stood on their ends, electrified and half-singed by the chaos of just letting go, Kai right there with her. Her head felt heated and lightened all at once, and her chest felt free, finally free from so much tightness that she didn't even realize wasn't letting her breathe properly. Now she could.
He moved forward and kissed her, his palm still against her face. His landing was off because he couldn't see her, but he quickly found the right angle, gently sweeping his mouth to hover over hers, barely grazing even. She got the sense he only wanted to feel her close, and have her do the same with him.
He pulled away, his breath choppy, as he stared like someone blind, hoping to get a glimpse of light, his eyes searching the empty space that she occupied.
"Please, Bonnie."
She eyed the tray to the side, resting on a side table, filled with food and water bottles that she had snuck out with her. She hadn't eaten much earlier, and he had probably eaten even less. Knowing him, he was probably starving, maybe even hypoglycemic. Small wonder he was acting a bit deranged.
She had cloaked the tray when she cast the spell in a panic. And it was purely for alleviating both of their need to eat something that she decided to lift the cloak, but just before she did it, he opened his mouth again, a wild light in his eyes. She could guess some kind of threat was forming there, and she grabbed one of the buttery bread rolls and shoved it in his mouth.
She revealed herself.
His face was a joke, a study of so many contradictions she had to smile. Relief, for one, probably because he was starving and hadn't expected food to pop into his mouth; indignation, because she had stuffed it unceremoniously in there to shut him up; uncertainty, from maybe wondering how she was going to react; satisfaction, now that they had a level playing field where they each could see and hear the other.
And hunger-naked, undeniable want, pure and unfiltered. But again, that was probably because of him missing lunch.
She tried to push herself off the chair to stand, but he didn't move back to give her space. Her head nodded to the side, towards the tray, her brows lifted and mouth quirked sideways. "I'd like some food, too," she said, aggravated.
Without looking, he reached for the tiny sandwich and offered it up to her.
She tried to grab it, but he held it away quickly, as he chewed on his bread roll. "You fed me," he said, swallowing the last of the bread. "I should do you the same courtesy."
Rolling her eyes, she waited as he brought the sandwich closer, and then slid it into her mouth, making sure his finger touched her tongue, before brushing along her lips.
She swatted it away.
The smile that formed on his face was regretful. "Did a lot of damage, this closet, huh?"
"Sure, did you see Alanis? You really hurt her. Maybe next time you shouldn't double book. It's not fair to her or Fiona."
"And you?"
She shrugged. "I was a business meeting that you put in the wrong room." Then she sighed. "When this is all over, you need to get Alanis some nice flowers and chocolates. Does the term 'unmitigated ass' sound familiar to you? Use it to describe yourself when you apologize."
His hands traced her jawline. "Bonnie, you have no idea how sorry I am. Call me anything you want. Moron, idiot, shithead...unmitigated ass, was it? I deserve it. Just don't hide from me."
Then his mouth was on hers again, kissing more deeply, taking slow dragging pulls, his tongue lapping gently at hers.
He pushed her backwards, and she let him, their heads level with each other as his upper body wedged itself between her thighs. She couldn't help her fingers reaching up to wrap around his neck, as she sighed into him. One of his hands threaded through her hair, the other her back, arching her against him, and his lips trailed away from hers, finding her jaw, her temples, her closed lids, kissing softly, and that confused her too, because she expected passion but this was...tender. Made her giddy, and almost feel like she was being worshipped.
He pulled back then, the look on his face a little amazed.
And she realized her mistake, because this had just given him back all hope.
"I'm tired," she said, trying to sound as cross as possible as she drew away while also pushing him back. "And you're a good kisser. Don't get too excited. That's all you get from me here."
He laughed softly, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "You really think our first time together would be in a closet? C'mon, Bonnie, we deserve better."
"There's not going to be a first time."
But the glance he gave her just then was so supremely smug, she saw that it was a foregone conclusion for him. She'd never been in this position before, and she didn't quite know what to make of it. They'd been through too much just in two days for her to follow through on her plan to keep aloof, and send him on his way. But she didn't want him following her to Mystic Falls-where he could die, or kill her friends-and she didn't mesh well with his life here, in this controlled, coven-centered existence. The whole thing was an uphill battle from the outset, anyone with a brain could see the heartache that would be involved.
"Why can't we just be friends, Kai?" Impossibly, she cared what happened to him, even this early in the juncture, and knew he did for her; a friendship would be the solution to everything. They could still see each other, learn from one another, but without any of the drawbacks that a relationship presented. "You have other women that you can be with, from your own coven. It's just easier."
He groaned then, his hands going for his head like he wanted to tear his hair off, then he stood and paced before her.
"And I mean Alanis, not Fiona." She paused here, then added, "But that was weird, right? I think you should go talk to her. Fiona. Why would she want to take a sabbatical now, and ask you to come along? Something's up with her." Then her face cleared. "But definitely after, fix your screw-up with Alanis."
"When did I give the impression that I give a shit about anyone else? It's you that's driving me nuts. I don't want easy, Bon." His laugh was humorless, as he leaned sideways against the wall, his eyes bright, the message in them blazing clear and loud to her, even as obtuse as she was trying to make herself: I want you.
"This is a passing thing, Kai."
"Bonnie," he said, studying her with incredulity. "Our magic had the equivalent of a quickie just now, without us having sex. Our magic alone did that. You're in serious denial."
Her snort was unladylike, as she stood also, taking another mini sandwich and biting into it calmly, while also grabbing both water bottles. "Ohhh, I see, you're borrowing Fiona's line. How original. 'Our magic is hungry for each other.'" She intoned this completely deadpan, handing him one of the bottles, making sure their eyes met, as she added, "Yeah, sure. Kai, I could do that with anyone. Have done it. Not that big a deal."
He stilled then, and by the look that crossed on his face, she knew she'd finally gotten to him. Good. She walked past him, creating more space between them.
"And you could've done the same with either one of those two women just now. Or probably already have." She shrugged, drinking from her bottle.
"Bonnie, stop," he said, his voice hoarse. "Just stop."
He was turned away from her now. Relief overcame her, because they didn't have time for this. She needed his help with a spell, and she needed him focused for it.
She was opening her mouth, ready to spill about the attack earlier outside, when Kai suddenly spun back around, his face expressionless, eyes a little dead.
"Have I mentioned that I've known Maggie Durant for about two decades now?" he asked calmly.
She didn't react to that, although she did know, Maggie had told her they'd met after his grandfather took over guardianship. Why he was bringing her up just now didn't bode well.
"Since I was seventeen," he added, walking to the tray and picking up more bite-sized appetizers. He took a bite, and chewed thoughtfully. "Not much I don't know about her, and vice versa." He sat on the chair, studying her expectantly. "Aren't you gonna ask why the math is off? I don't look like I'm near forty."
Bonnie tensed, hugging her arms around her as she shook her head.
"Oh, oh, wait, don't tell me," he said, chuckling. "You already know, right? All about my history. That I didn't age because of this pocket dimension where my grandfather kept us locked up. Yep, half the year for twenty years, since I needed extreme home schooling. Yeah, who knew my grandfather ran a sociopath reform program? With a student population of one." He shook his head, taking his own drag from his water. "Maggie told you all about that, didn't she? I kept wondering what you two had in common, and it all boiled down to two things. Your grandmother. And me."
Bonnie breathed slowly, in and out, trying to find her thoughts because halfway through him speaking, it hit her what this was leading to. She leaned against the wall behind her, and then slid down until she was sitting on the floor. Drawing her knees under her, she wrapped her arms around her abdomen, like she was shielding herself as she watched him carefully.
He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, and returned her appraisal calmly.
"You remind me of one of the horses we used to keep," he said. "This really hostile mare that wouldn't let anyone touch her. She was spooked all the damn time, kept seeing things nobody else saw."
...Damon, cutting off his head...
...their vampire selves, ripping Jeremy apart...
"Try and be honest here, Bon. Might be tough for you, but humor me. When Maggie showed you her little magic trick..." his eyes were the lightest she had ever seen, unblinking as they stared at her, bringing his index finger up to his temple, miming Maggie's approach. "Was it about us?"
Her throat struggled, she had to swallow thickly. "Kai-"
"Did a version of me hurt a version of you?" He let out his own shaky breath, disguising it quickly as a laugh. "Or vice versa, right? Did one of you kill one of me?"
He deserved the truth, and no matter what he thought of her, she wasn't going to keep this from him anymore. Plus, it was exhausting, carrying it around all by herself. For so many years, the burden of knowing always fell to her, and maybe it was time to share it with someone. Why not Kai? All that anxiety about whether it would make him snap, and it now felt like she was the one instead, falling to pieces.
"I think so," she said, clutching her sides tightly. "I tried stabbing you, in one of them. In another one, I was already dead, but you were carrying me."
Kai didn't move, and barely looked like he was breathing.
"We both killed my friends in another reality, where we were vampires," she continued, now babbling, unable to hold it in anymore. "In the one where I was dead, you killed my friend. He's a vampire. You burned him in the sun. But he killed another you, chopped off your he-" she stopped, choking, and then tears filled her eyes, but she didn't sob, just wiped it away angrily. "Whatever. It doesn't end well, Kai. Most of the time."
Silence fell after that, long and unbroken except for the stray sounds of music and chatter from the reception hall. They faced each other, and she noted how pale he was, and the way his throat worked.
"There are an infinity amount of worlds out there, Bonnie," he finally said, in a voice that sounded unsteady to her ears.
"True. Most of the ones I saw, we were at odds."
"Really? Most?" He stood, and then picked up the tray and sat down next to her, stretching his legs out as he placed the food between them. He picked up the last of the sandwiches and offered it to her, then when she declined, popped it into his own mouth.
"How do you have any appetite?" she couldn't help asking.
He shrugged, following his bite with another swig of water. "Never heard of stress eating? And you really should've brought something stronger." He waved his water bottle up ruefully.
Unbidden, laughter bubbled up and a little bit of sniffling, too. He offered her one of the napkins, and then before she could take it, moved to wipe her tears himself. Far too gently for her liking.
"I have to ask, are you more weepy 'cause I killed your friend or that he killed me?"
"Ugh," she said, rolling her eyes. But when she thought of his question, she knew the answer. She cared about Damon, no question, he was like an annoying older brother at this point. But it didn't feel like she had a gaping wound on her body when she imagined his other version's death. And that's how it had started to feel, thinking about the other Kais who died. She kept silent, avoiding his searching gaze.
"Did I hurt you in any of them?" he asked, his voice lacking any of the teasing just moments ago.
"The one where you were killed, I was lying down nearby, blood on my face, dying I think, and you were just standing around, yakking." She gave a small smile. "The one where I was already dead and you were trying to revive me, maybe I killed myself because I got sick of listening to you."
She was surprised that didn't get a chuckle from him. Instead the tic appeared on his jaw, as he looked away and leaned his head against the wall.
This time she didn't fight the urge, as her hand reached up to trace the beat of the spasm working along his stubble. Her fingers were soft, and she barely felt his skin but she heard his shaky breath, before he leaned tiredly into her hand. His lashes grazed her palm, and she exhaled too, just indulging in the feel of him.
"How I know you're the girl for me," he said, smiling wryly. "'Cause this subject matter is beyond morbid and yet you're trying to crack jokes."
"You not laughing tells me you don't get my jokes. Pretty important for a relationship. So it wouldn't work out, not to mention, would be twisted anyway." She gave a hopeful smile. "But we could have a pretty neat friendship?"
"No." He grabbed her hand, and kissed it. "Damn Maggie. Such a meddler."
An invisible force tugged the tray between them away just then, and he hauled her into his arms, depositing her on his lap. She straddled him, settling into him without struggle. She was so damn tired, years and years of working and plodding away with all give and no take, with so many hurdles to jump over and across. He probably felt the same. And with that thought, she hid her face against his neck, and just rested.
She'd missed his scent, sweat and cedarwood with hints of whatever cologne he used, but underneath all of that, also pine and fall leaves and then the tiniest hint of brimstone, not the kind that brought to mind rotten eggs, but the lingering hint of burnt matches. The smell was peculiar to witches and warlocks proficient in their craft. She hadn't caught a whiff of it from anyone else in ages, and more importantly, she'd never been wrapped up in it like this, feeling comforted and wildly aroused in one go.
"This feels right, Bon." His voice vibrated through her. "And I don't know about you, but I don't regularly let friends sit on my lap. Somehow, I never want you to leave mine." Then he started laughing again, and she snuggled contentedly deeper against him, enjoying the rumble. "Oh, and in the off-chance that you do this with your other friends? I'll make sure I'm the only friend you've got."
Oh, God. When was the last time it had felt like this? Maybe never.
But because of their reality, she only spent a few seconds more, savoring the moment, before she pulled away. There were things that needed to get done.
"Kai, we don't have a lot of time. Something happened earlier."
He glanced up tensely, keeping a hold on her, but she fought against him now, trying to free herself. They spent a few seconds struggling against each other, her fists forming as she tried to wrench her arms away. His hands remained firm around her, though, as she squirmed. Frustrated, she glared into his face, saw his eyes darkening with a flash of heat, and her breath kicked up at the change, and underneath her she felt him harden, drawing her own need out quickly, almost without any effort.
"Kind of thought so, back at the receiving line."
He spoke so casually, but in an incredibly deep tone that stretched her skin, filled it with taut expectancy. Her brain fogged up, trying to cling on to the urgency of the situation-the attack, the creature, her blood.
With a measured gaze, he moved his hips.
"Kai," she said, controlling her voice so it didn't come out as a gasp.
He stiffened fully in response, and she grit her teeth; she was right on top of it, with only the thin barrier of her silky panties and his tuxedo slacks to hide her own undiluted reaction to him.
"Bonnie." His smirk told her that he could feel it, her wetness.
"Let me go."
"You're so cagey, can't blame me if I don't want to. You can tell me what happened without leaving my arms."
Filling her mind with images of the attack, she willed her arousal away, not wanting to waste any more time. Her blood was out there, a ticking time bomb waiting to drop on them any moment.
"I know we're supposed to be playing bait," she began. "But, um, that kind of already happened without you."
"What?" he said, in a dangerously low tone.
"It wasn't on purpose, calm the hell down," she said. "Something followed me when I went to the restroom. I drew it away, outside. It-she-attacked me, but my friends and I disabled her. Pretty sure she was the creature we saw on the camera."
His magic stifled the air in the room, a furious, living storm waiting to pound on something. "Stop it," she hissed.
"You drew it away," he repeated. "That doesn't sound like you played by my rules, Bon. How did you get attacked?"
"That's the thing." She sighed. "The woman, she took my blood. I think that's all she wanted, until I made her mad by trapping her with my magic.
He was gazing at her now with complete dismay over his features. "She took your blood."
There, see, he was a smart cookie, although you wouldn't know it just now, the way he kept echoing her. He knew what it meant-Bennett blood, in the hands of who knew what.
In the wake of the bad news, the one silver lining was that his erection and her wetness had both gone in hiding.
"You got hurt."
"I'm fine."
He pulled her hands up, frowning at her form. "Where?" he asked.
She waved a hand dismissively to her side. "I already healed myself."
But he zeroed in on the telltale spot where she'd been stabbed.
"Goddammit, Bonnie." His magic went haywire and the lights burst, plunging the room in blackness.
"Good job," she said dryly. "Phesmatos lux."
Tiny bright balls of magic whipped up around them, multiple spheres circling around, bathing the closet in light.
To her complete shock, he started lifting her dress. "Hey!" she protested, pushing him away. "What-"
"Making sure you don't have signs of a hex," he seethed. "Or did you already check?"
That froze her, because he was right, of course, and she had forgotten. The healing and protection spells weren't enough, she should've thought to double check for signs of a hex.
Point to Kai. Again.
He went on pulling her dress up and now had full view of her bra and panties, but surprisingly, he didn't even bat an eyelash. This was probably so common to him, women flashing him in their sexy lingerie, it was like finding stray change on the floor and some of them he didn't even bother reacting to anymore. Was she the slightly battered nickel that wasn't worth picking up? The urge to smack herself hit her, she was offended more at her own thoughts than anything. Why was she comparing herself to spare change? She was being ludicrous. But she did feel slightly bad for Caroline, who'd probably gone to some trouble finding something nice for Bonnie to impress Kai with, and look-barely a reaction.
Granted, they were facing serious problems, and under-appreciation of intimate wear wasn't one of them.
He was being a good ally. That was all.
"What did they use?" he asked, patting gently around the healing skin.
"I don't know the weapon. But we saw the woman for a few minutes. It's-she-is a mess. Black magic got to her."
"Fucking hell, Bonnie," he said unevenly. "You see, what did I say about you and your friends? I can't leave you guys alone for anything."
She was trying to place the moment when she'd been stabbed and felt something rip out. "I think whatever they used was some kind of needle, it didn't feel like a knife." Her voice was filled with remorse. "When I grabbed the woman with my magic, I felt that blood sample disappear. Someone ported it out. A couple minutes later, so did the woman."
He dropped his face into his hands, rubbing roughly as he groaned into them, the muffled sound of infuriation filling their small space. She quickly used the chance to shoot up and away from him, straightening her dress as she stood and crossed to the other side to give herself room.
"I'm sorry. Look, I wanted to try something, if you can help me."
"Bonnie," he said, standing too and eating up the space she'd created between them. He pulling her against him, wrapped her in his arms, and hugged her. And it felt wonderful all over again. But it wasn't okay for him to be like this with her. Very gingerly, she eased herself out. Under the light of her magic, his features were looking too damn...vulnerable. This was bad, in every way.
"Good looking out," she said awkwardly, patting his shoulder in a friendly manner. "Thanks."
Something flared in his eyes then, and he moved forward, a familiar look crossing his face, the one that signaled he was going for it, he would kiss her now, and she wanted to let him, her body was practically singing for it.
"Kai, we need to get to the car," she said in a rush.
He stopped. "What?"
"The getaway car," she said. "Earlier, I loaded all of my things there. Including my grimoires that I brought, my supplies. There's a specific spell that can link me back to my blood. Maybe while we're at it, we can draw the she-creature out to us."
His jaw was still working as he stared at her intensely. "Or I can just track down the ones responsible and make the punishment fit the crime."
"Including anyone from your coven? Because that's what we're looking at."
"Yes."
The expression on his face didn't waver, not once, and her heart skipped a beat. "No, too dangerous. Too soon."
He chuckled then, mirthlessly. "Too soon?" he repeated. "You'd rather we draw it out til after the cake?"
"Come on, Kai," she said coaxingly. "I'm still following your rules. Let's play bait together and see if we can handle this without any more blood on our hands."
"A little late for that, they already took yours so I'm not inclined to be generous, Bonnie."
She felt the tiniest bit shattered just then, and almost couldn't take looking him in the face. Her legs felt shaky, a little weak, because of how he was staring. It was too much. Without waiting for him, she moved to the door and opened it, stepping out and breathing in air that wasn't saturated with his potent magic and the even more suffocating tension that lingered anytime they were together.
"How 'bout another deal?" he asked, his voice near her ear, his body pressed against her back.
She turned her head slightly, not quite looking at him, but peeking under her lashes and sensing his gaze roaming her features yearningly.
"After we do this spell, you tell me about the happier versions of us that Maggie showed you."
Bonnie blinked. Had she really left them out? Yes. On purpose? She wasn't sure. How did he know they even existed?
"Or not." He nudged her gently out the door, closing it behind them, making sure his body slid against hers as he did so, his hands firm around her waist. "I can always get Maggie to spill."
Of that she had no doubt, but the fact that he wanted to make a deal out of it couldn't bode well. She guessed that he would latch on to any of those happier worlds, while dismissing the others that ended horribly for them.
"Now, where's your damn car?" he asked impatiently, grabbing her hand and pulling her towards the side exit.
She was in a for real fight here and didn't have any energy left to give him one. Didn't much want to, either. Reluctantly eyeing their joined hands, she followed him.
A/N: It kind of killed me to write this, and the next chapter I'm on is the same-but in a good way. Thanks for reading and the feedback, everyone. Seriously, you guys are awesome sauce. Glad the last chapter went over well. I don't write for a living, but when I was younger I used to wish I could. And now y'all are making me regret a little bit my actual career path. I love writing, and I'm so happy that Bonkai came around because I had a good five years worth of block that didn't let me get past even just a page. So even if TVD didn't handle them right, these two characters just meeting feels like serendipity. Although probably canon Bonnie and Kai wouldn't agree LOL. :)