Chapter 72

Stiles couldn't help himself; that night he called Peter and told him about the Lucky Dust card and his accidental run-in with Heather.

"I just can't shake the feeling that it's all too convenient," Stiles finished after a lengthy rant and patted the mountain ash roiling on his stomach where it was trying to soothe the insistent twinge that had started after Heather had kissed him. "I mean, that's not how I designed those cards, you know? They're not supposed to have that sort of power."

"Mmh, I'd say it depends on how desperate you were," Peter said quietly. "Being a potential target for a power-hungry maniac would qualify for a bigger sprinkle, I'm sure."

"I'm not sure it would be enough to produce a sex-hungry teenage girl just when I need her," Stiles groaned. "I tell you, it's super fishy."

Peter was silent for a long moment before he asked, "Have you come upon the law of attraction yet in your studies?"

"Sure, there's a whole section about it on the website you gave me access to," Stiles replied. "But I didn't have time to read it all. Sounds more esoteric than anything else, if you ask me."

"You should definitely go back and read the texts carefully, then," Peter said. "The law of attraction is one of the fundamental truths of magic. Whether you're aware of it or not, you've already used it to your advantage."

"When?" Stiles asked, intrigued and concerned.

"Whenever you're infusing something with your will, you're attracting and then binding magical power to your desired goal, isn't that so?"

Stiles stilled and mulled this over. "Oh wow, I guess you're right."

"Mundanes generally attribute this principle to the endlessly available resources of the universe. They're imagining placing an order for what they need and leaving it to the universe to shift resources as it sees fit to achieve the desired outcome at the desired time," Peter murmured. "Sounds almost exactly like what you're doing, especially with those Good Luck cards of yours, isn't that so?"

"Yeah, I remember explaining to the others that I simply can't yank away specific resources with magic, especially money, because they might be needed for already planned purposes." Stiles exhaled. "But what does that have to do with the situation with Heather?"

"Well, you might not have had nefarious reasons when you used that Lucky Dust card, but who says that someone else hasn't?" Peter asked. "The law of attraction applies to all magic users, even the evil ones."

Stiles' mouth dropped open. "Are you saying that the darach placed a fucking attraction spell on virgins to attract other virgins? Like, get two for the price of one or something?"

"I'd go even further and posit that the darach placed a fucking attraction spell on desperate virgins because they're already sending out a message to the universe, or, in your case, to magic. Which is probably the same thing for a magic user."

In Stiles' head, his thoughts were whirling so fast that he felt almost sick with it. "Peter … would me being magic - and using magic - amplify that possible attraction spell so much that I'd receive several offers all at once when before no one really cared?"

"It's entirely possible," Peter said bluntly. "In my personal opinion, it's likely. Even worse, the darach will be able to locate the source of that power if they're already primed to pick up the specific energy a virgin puts out. My contact was very clear about that when I explained the situation."

"I was afraid of that." Stiles closed his eyes and counted to five. "What do I do? I don't want to take advantage of Heather like that."

"That's very noble but completely unnecessary," Peter returned. "While your query for a partner, such as it was, may have been more potent than usual, it was still just that, a query. Not even a powerful darach can mind-whammy a whole city into wanting to get it on. They'd still have to find the virgins, which would be difficult if suddenly every person of the optimal age would become horny all of a sudden and fuck indiscriminately like bunnies."

"Peter," Stiles breathed, shocked and on the verge of a hysterical giggle at the crude language.

"I'm just saying how it is. Such a spell would completely defeat the purpose and I don't believe that the darach is stupid," Peter continued, unperturbed. "If that girl weren't ready for sex, and sex with you specifically, she wouldn't have offered."

Stiles slumped against his pillow with relief. "That's at least something."

"But the darach will be on your tail, now, after you've used your Lucky Dust card," Peter warned. "You either need to move very fast or put up heavy wards around yourself until you're ready."

"Fuck. I should do the same for Heather anyway just so the darach won't nab her while I'm not looking." Stiles groaned and knuckled his eyes. "Can I just say how weird all of this is?"

"Welcome to the dark underbelly of magic," Peter said dryly. "For what it's worth, I'm sorry. Deaton's presence notwithstanding, I'd hoped that you'd be spared from such ugliness for a long while yet. Even worse, my contact informed me that the energy of a virgin is the strongest right before the loss of virginity. You should ward your space wherever you might happen to be once you and your friend have come to an understanding."

"Okay." Stiles didn't want to be that needy guy but he just couldn't help it. In a near-whisper, he said, "I wish it were easier. I wish we two could just be together and sod the rest. It's so unfair that almost everyone else my age has already done it and I'd have to wait for almost a year if I wanted it to mean something."

"You flatter me, sweetheart. Too much, if I'm being honest. If it's any consolation, my first time was underneath the bleachers while a lacrosse game was going on," Peter replied, a smirk evident in his voice. "My parents, of course, were furious when they caught me after the game. Their noses told them everything they needed to know. At least we thought to use a condom."

Against his will, Stiles had to laugh. "Oh, wow, talk about a horny dog." He sighed. "It does help. A little. I still wanted it to mean something, though."

"And it will," Peter said, turning serious again. "You like her, she's been your friend for ages, even if you haven't seen each other in a while. It won't just save your lives, you can also make sure that she'll be treated like a queen."

"How can I do that if I don't know what I'm doing?" Stiles demanded, getting anxious again just thinking about it.

"Stiles," Peter rumbled, "all a girl really wants for her first time are respect and care. She won't expect fireworks but even if she does, just tell her that you're new to it as well and it'll be fine."

"Will it really?" Stiles asked in a small voice. "I feel completely overwhelmed. Nothing about this is natural."

"There's nothing natural about Twizzlers either and yet you eat them with appalling regularity," Peter deadpanned. "Stop worrying and start thinking like a teenager. You've certainly earned the privilege." His voice lowered and that sexy purr made an appearance. "However, I might be persuaded to kiss it better if the experience disappoints."

That made Stiles perk up. A little breathlessly, he asked, "Yeah?"

"Only this once," Peter murmured wickedly, "so make it count."

Stiles immediately resolved to lie is freaking socks off and milk that offer for everything it was worth.

oOo

They had so much to do but getting together with Heather had become the unfortunate priority. Via text message, Stiles learned on the next day that Erica was already nesting and preparing for a weekend of sexy goodness and that Isaac had returned from his visit to the brothel in a somewhat ambivalent mood. So while he was flirting up Heather to the best of his limited ability, Stiles also asked his poor friend whether he was alright.

I could do with some bro time, Isaac admitted after only minimal prodding. You free tonight?

Stiles, having just then scored a date with Heather the next day, replied, Yeah, we could hang out and watch Underworld. Derek yay or nay?

He's welcome. I'll be there around seven.

Since Derek was shadowing Stiles anyway, they went grocery shopping and cleaned up what little Erica's parents hadn't managed to sneak-scrub the weekend before. For once, Stiles' room was as presentable as it could be, and he'd hidden condom strips anywhere lusty teenagers might perceivably have need of them. He'd also packed a little gift box with magical goodies to protect Heather from ill-meaning creepy-crawlies and packed another bag for his Jeep because it made him feel better.

At long last they took a break in the living room, cooling off with large protein shakes. From outside, an intense orange evening sun was streaming its light into the living room. Paired with the still steely grey clouds in the sky, the effect was quite spectacular, if a little apocalyptic.

"Do you think I did enough to prepare?" Stiles asked after a few minutes of contemplative silence. "Should I take more mountain ash?"

"You have a whole sack of it in the bed of the Jeep," Derek replied. "That should be enough, but I can put in another one."

"I feel paranoid," Stiles muttered. "And shitty for not telling my dad about this, but how would I even do that? He'd blow a gasket."

"He probably would," Derek agreed. "That's why Peter will do it. Virgins aren't the only prey; apparently, a darach can use almost any type of person for a sacrifice."

"Yeah, I know." Stiles pressed his lips together. "Teachers and guardians, even witnesses to certain events. It's a nightmare for my dad, and not just because he's the sheriff. He fits the bill several times over, too. Sometimes I just want to scream."

Derek rumbled quietly in agreement and leaned heavily against Stiles' shoulder.

"I wish we were ready to ward the city, but we still need some more stones, and of course an opportunity to plant them unseen," Stiles went on. "We're on the backfoot already and who knows which group the fucking darach is gonna target first. Virgins might be easiest, but they could count on that assumption. It's driving me nuts."

"You need to take care of yourself first," Derek told him. "How else are you going to be able to help everyone else? Your own life should be your priority, that's just nature. In terms of pack, you're one of the heavy hitters. You need to be as protected as can be so everyone else stands a chance of survival."

"I am, now, aren't I?" Stiles asked in wonder. "It's still so new to me."

"Lou is an alpha wolf spark, he'll be able to guide you a lot in a confrontation," Derek said. "If it gets physical, let him handle it. We'll work on our training the minute we find the time. When it comes to magic … well, against a darach it'd probably be best to run."

"Super," Stiles groaned. "Why is the town like this? It didn't use to be such a hellhole."

Derek just shrugged.

In the two hours until Peter would bring Isaac, Stiles made it a point to read what he could find about the law of attraction on the secret witch webpage. Derek preferred going out to the yard and doing some exercises - shirtless, of course, which had the wards ping more than once when the neighbouring ladies came up to the fence to have a look.

Isaac, who'd long gotten his own key to the house, came into Stiles' room, pointing towards the window. "You know that Derek's turning your backyard into a circus?"

"He wanted to do some callisthenics," Stiles replied absently, not even bothering to look up from his computer screen. "I think he secretly hopes to convince Mrs Miller to bring out some pie. She's a sucker for a hale male physique."

"Hale male physique … I see what you did there," Isaac said dryly. He huffily sat on the bed. "Can we blow some virtual shit up?"

Stiles finished his paragraph and minimized the window so he wouldn't get distracted. "We can do whatever you like. Where's Peter? Did he run already?"

"Yes, actually. He wants to inform your dad of the general situation while we're still ahead," Isaac replied. "He'll leave out the virgin thing, though."

"And thanks for that," Stiles said gustily. "CoD it is. Tonight is taco night, too. We even bought your favourite ice cream."

Isaac huffed again. "It's not that bad."

"Your favourite ice cream," Stiles repeated, "which Peter only lets you have once in a blue moon. Who cares if you need it. Fact is you can have it, penalty-free."

"True." Isaac brightened a little. "How's it going with Heather?"

"We've got a date tomorrow." Stiles flushed a little. "She wants to go to the overlook and have a picnic."

Isaac grinned. "Good for you. She seems like the bold sort; I'm sure she'll put out."

"Don't be so crude, I'm already feeling guilty as it is," Stiles chided, putting the computer into standby mode. "Anyway, I thought we'd go outside and see whether Derek has managed to finagle some pie yet. I could use the emotional crutch."

"Heck yes. Mrs Miller's chocolate pecan pie is the best," Isaac agreed.

To Isaac's slight disappointment and Stiles' elation, Mrs Miller did bring a pie, although it was a huge strawberry tarte and not Isaac's beloved chocolate pecan pie, and her whipped cream dispenser to spoil her newly adopted grandkids. If she ogled one of said adopted grandkids more than might have been socially acceptable, Derek was gracious enough not to call her on it. The old lady stayed for a bite of cake but left the young men to their own devices soon enough because she didn't want to miss her favourite TV show.

"Good to know that Derek isn't slated to become husband number three," Stiles smirked when they had the kitchen to themselves. "With how gaga he's over her baked goods, she actually stands a chance."

"I'd take that bet," Isaac said with a grin.

"Very funny," Derek rumbled, but he looked amused and didn't deny it.

"Does anyone want more coffee?" Stiles asked. "Mrs Miller drank half the pot by herself."

Derek raised a hand and Isaac also shrugged and accepted the offer. They took their time demolishing the remaining cake, leaving only one piece for Stiles' father as a courtesy. Isaac and Derek both were gratifyingly militant about the sheriff's health after the events in the woods and that vigilance had spilled over to their mundane life, such as it was.

A bit later, Stiles and Isaac were waging war on some faceless gamers while Derek read a book on horticulture. Stiles would've poked fun at him if the guy didn't look so endearingly earnest and engrossed in his reading.

"Aren't you gonna ask me how it was?" Isaac asked almost an hour of violent shooting later. He put the controller down in the universal sign that he had enough for now. "I thought you'd break sooner."

"I'm curious, of course," Stiles admitted, "but dude, it's super private. You'll tell me when you're ready. You did the deed, which is the most important thing right now, so yay."

Isaac huffed softly. "You're unpredictable sometimes."

"I do try not to be an obnoxious asshole," Stiles pointed out. "But since you've brought it up I guess it's okay to ask. So, how was it? Was she nice?"

"Yeah … yeah, she was," Isaac said softly. "Also, it wasn't what I expected. I had this vision of a dark, seedy backroom or something, but it was more like a sorority house. The girls came out to meet me, we talked for a little while to see who I might click with, and when there was one I liked more than the others, she took me to her room." He shrugged. "It was okay, mostly."

"Sounds like the most casual hookup in existence," Stiles stated. "There was no drama? No darach-induced strangeness?"

"No, thank god. It was nerve-wracking enough already," Isaac muttered, picking at his cuticles with sharp claws. "Once we were alone, I almost couldn't do it. I suddenly felt so shitty for using her like that."

"Yeah, I get that," Stiles agreed quietly. He huffed. "You'd better never say another word about Heather, dude."

Isaac let his hands fall into his lap. "It was dickish, I know. Especially since Carly, that was my girl's name, was pretty great about it all. She told me that men get cold feet all the time. Some of them even leave without … you know. Of course, that wasn't an option for me. She talked me through it and did most of the work, honestly." He grimaced. "It probably sucked for her. She was hot but I just couldn't … grope her and stuff."

Stiles snorted in horrified amusement. "Now I feel sorry for her but Peter probably tipped her very well. And dude, at least you're built. I don't wanna know how many unfit guys she entertains."

"I actually asked her," Isaac confessed. "She said that she doesn't care all that much about that. She just wants to be safe, have an okay time, and earn enough money for uni. The place she works for offers that."

"Wow, that's pretty pragmatic of her," Stiles said, considering this. "But also cool. Will you see her again?"

Isaac shook his head. "Nah. I liked it well enough, but I wanna wait until I try again. I wanna feel up to it, you know?"

"Literally," Derek quipped from his place on the sofa, startling the two teens.

Stiles stared at Derek, who merely raised an eyebrow at them. "You … wow, that was callous, Sourwolf. And hilarious."

"And so true," Isaac added. He chuckled and then began to laugh. "Fuck you, Derek."

"Wrong equipment," Derek retorted in a bored voice and returned to his book.

Stiles took his eyes from Derek to Isaac, bit his trembling lip, and then exploded into delighted laughter.

End of chapter 72