Chapter 18

Singed Roots

"There have been many times over the years that he's been single-minded and selfish, but for him to just expect her to uproot her life and move to New York without even discussing it? How can he not see how wrong it is?" Diana exclaimed.

Matthew sighed as he joined her in bed. "A failing that even after 2000 years, Baldwin himself can't see. He's devoted his life to winning wars for the good of whatever allegiance he's pledged to. Be it the Roman Army, Philippe, or in the modern world, his business. He's seldom let anything get in the way."

"I thought after he ensured she had somewhere to live that they'd figured out a relationship. But, they didn't mate, did they?"

"No. He arranged the apartment so that he could ensure her safety, but it was all done on his terms. Baldwin never does anything unless they are on his terms. There's a reason he has an army of ex-girlfriends and no life mate. Love is a war he has no idea how to win, so he seldom fights for it," Matthew explained.

"I thought she would be perfect for him."

"As perfect as anyone ever could be for someone like Baldwin."

"Do you think it's too late?" Diana asked.

"I don't know. I doubt she'd wait for him if he can't begin to make changes. Emotional change was never easy for him. He could adapt very easy to how the world changes, he rather thrives in the modern world where other vampires struggle to keep up. But, personal connections? They were never his forte."

"He bonded with the twins easily enough."

"Children are simple. Their expectations are simple. Adults are more complicated. The irony is that over the years he's never been short of women who were interested in him, but they never lasted."

Diana huffed. "I just don't understand how he can see so many of us with partners and not want to attempt to do the same. You always told me that immortality can be lonely with no one to share it with."

"It certainly can be. It's why he fills his life with his work," Matthew quipped,

"And he's back in New York now?"

"I believe so, yes."

"So, he just left her in that apartment all alone, unprotected?" Diana asked.

"Actually, he asked, or rather, demanded Gallowglass keep an eye on her until we can determine why she and her sister was abducted."

Diana looked at Matthew in surprise. She supposed it was better than him forgetting about Athena altogether and it would at least give Gallowglass something to do besides brood over his unrequited feelings for her.

Athena had done her best to fill her time up with her dancing, but had quickly discovered that between shows she didn't have as much to do. Not one to sit around in a fancy apartment with nothing to do, she decided to get a part time job.

Like Diana, she'd largely avoided covens. She'd never wanted to be part of the coven her mother had been part of, not trusting her mother's judgment of such things. She certainly had no intentions of looking for a coven in London. As it was, a member of the London coven found her whilst she was enquiring about a barista position in a coffee shop.

Tamsin Soothtell had recognised the presence of another witch instantly. The fierce crackle she'd felt when Athena had levelled her gaze upon her reminded her somewhat of Diana Bishop. They'd walked for several blocks until they arrived at her little apothecary boutique, selling handmade lotions and other toiletries. After what had happened to her and her sister, Athena had little reason to trust fellow witches, but after Tamsin's honest account of how she helped Diana find the missing pages of the Book of Life so that the Covenant could be repealed, she recognised the truth in her words. Even so, Athena was careful with what she disclosed, despite the offer of a job. Although witches found it difficult to lie to each other, some witches had mastered the art of half-truths and veiled deception.

"Diana changed the world for us. For all creatures. That we were able to be a small part of it is nothing short of a blessing," Tamsin had remarked as they entered her shop, leaving the 'back soon' sign in place.

"I almost feel ashamed for knowing very little about the whole thing until I met her months back," Athena admitted.

"Your coven didn't keep up with the changes?"

"Oh, I'm not part of a coven. Never have been."

Tamsin blinked. Trust was difficult for witches. "What about your family? Surely some of them are involved in a coven?" she asked.

"My mother is. Has been since long before I was born."

"Who is your mother?"

"Charlotte Solart," answered Athena.

"Ah. I'm familiar with the name. She's…"

"A piece of work."

"I was trying to think of a politer descriptor," Tamsin offered.

"Don't bother. We don't exactly get on. We're just… too different."

"But, your mother is a seer, is she not?"

"Officially, yes. Truthfully, she's shite. Couldn't see her way out of an open paper bag," Athena quipped, the talk of her mother leaving a bad taste in her mouth. Her sister was still on ice waiting for the Congregation's investigation to complete. Quite why it was taking so long she didn't know. She might need to ask Diana to intervene.

Tamsin chuckled. "She does not have the best reputation within our coven either. But, your sister was much more gifted, wasn't she?"

This was information Athena wasn't aware was public witch knowledge. "Well, she was better than mum."

"Please don't misunderstand, your mother liked to talk her up something rotten. It wouldn't surprise me if most of the covens in Greater London knew about her."

"Well, it doesn't exactly matter now. She's dead."

"Oh, I am sorry."

Athena decided not to elaborate how just yet. Secrets were easier to keep than lies were to tell. She cleared her throat and sipped her coffee as she looked around the shop.

"Do you run this place alone?" she asked.

"Oh, for the most part. Business has been growing though since I opened last year, so I've considered taking on some part time assistance," Tamsin explained.

Athena smiled. Was it fate or coincidence? "Would you believe me if I said I was looking for some part time work?"

Tamsin grinned. She was no seer, but being a waterwitch she did have some divining skills. "Do you know, I had a feeling I'd hire someone very soon. But, I must ask; why only part time? Do you work elsewhere?"

"Oh, I'm a dancer, but such work isn't exactly 9 to 5 and I'm not someone who can just sit at home doing nothing. Most witches I've ever known have been the same. I don't think we do well sitting still," Athena said, wrinkling her nose at the thought.

"Oh, I'm sure we can find you something to do. I trust you have some level of earth magic in you?"

"Don't most witches?" Athena countered.

"You'd be surprised at how many squander such abilities when they have elemental magic."

Athena knew all too well. Her mother was one of them and had never encouraged Della in her earth abilities. Everything Athena knew she'd learned the hard way; through trial and error using her family grimoire. She had a feeling her abilities paled in comparison to most others who had learned properly.

"Well, however I can help I'd be glad to do. Just tell me how."

Tamsin hired her on the spot and showed her the back of the shop where all of her equipment was kept along with the raw ingredients for her products, including a lean-to greenhouse at the back where she kept plants, flowers, and herbs. Working with dried herbs and dead flowers wasn't new to Athena, but she hadn't ever explored keeping living pots and when Tamsin had her do some repotting, she quickly learned why it was likely a good idea that she hadn't.

Always running perpetually warm, her fingers were singeing some of the roots of a lavender plant Tamsin had tasked her with moving to a larger pot with fresh soil.

"Oh dear… You're a firewitch? That's quite the witchfire you have running through your veins," Tamsin commented.

Athena stood back from the workbench and huffed.

"Not to worry, try these," Tamsin stated, offering her a pair of gardening gloves.

Athena slipped them on and could instantly feel the cooling spell within the fabric. She chuckled and flexed her fingers, but was careful not to let her skin ignite. She was sure the gloves wouldn't survive, with or without the spell.

"If it wears off, let me know and I'll show you the spell to reapply it."

"You'll definitely need to show me that one. I could have done with it growing up," Athena remarked.

They worked companionably for a good hour or so before Tamsin reopened the shop for the last few hours of the day, showing Athena the ropes of how sales worked on the old-fashioned till. Electrics and magic didn't always go hand in hand so she liked to keep them to a minimum. She did have a small wireless payment device set up and linked to the router in her upstairs apartment, though she'd had to move the entire counter away from the back of the shop where most of the magic happened the day it was installed.

For the first time since Baldwin had up and left for New York, Athena hadn't spent half her day wondering what had gone wrong and why he'd been so selfish with his demands. He was still in the periphery of her mind, but as long as she kept busy he wasn't dominating it.

Baldwin was not faring so well. He was moodier than usual and had made some rash business decisions over the weeks since coming back to New York that had had his long-time Personal Assistant Sorcha questioning his sanity. At less than 500 years old herself, she had to wonder if vampire senility was truly something to worry about.

"Whatever is going on, you need to figure it out," she had reprimanded him one morning after bringing him his usual daily financial papers.

"There's nothing going on," he'd responded shortly.

"Well, you either need to hunt something or fuck someone, because this rancid atmosphere you're giving off is becoming a problem."

Baldwin stood up and shoved his chair back so hard it clanged against the large window behind him. Sorcha was infinitely grateful that all the windows were doubly reinforced.

She held up her hand before he tried to rebuke. "Need I remind you that we almost had an HR incident on our hands last week for a hostile work environment after you made an intern cry by declaring that her work attire looked like a gangrenous blood clot?"

Sorcha didn't know all the details of what he'd been up to in London and she frankly couldn't care less. But whatever had tied his dick in a knot was an issue that he needed to sort. She'd never seen him quite so out of sorts before and it secretly worried her. She was perfectly aware that not all vampires mated, but it seemed bizarre that he'd reached 2000 years and never had any truly long-term relationships. Not even Eva Jaeger had lasted that long.

"For fuck's sake, Baldwin. If you don't want to find a date, at least go and find a donor tonight. Get some decent blood in you. Come back tomorrow with a fresh mind," Sorcha stated.

He sighed heavily and gathered up his papers and slipped them into his bag with his laptop. Perhaps she was right, he needed to feed. Maybe even find a date. He'd heard humans talk about getting over someone by getting under someone else.

Even as he thought of such a thing, it left a bad taste in his mouth.