Escaped Daughter (Morrigan University #1)

15

“You don’t have any allergies, right?” I checked. “But you didn’t like that one thing…”

“No allergies, but I don’t like spicy and a lot of cooked greens,” he muttered, glancing over the menu with me.

“Me neither,” I admitted.

“Perfect.” He nuzzled my neck and kissed my ear. “I can’t believe you’re buying me dinner. Get me whatever you want then. I just want you.”

“Charmer.” I glanced at the server and ordered water and a drink, Sergey nodding he wanted the same. Then I looked back at the menu. “We’ll start with the lobster crostini, grilled calamari, crab avocado tower, and the roasted bone marrow appetizers. Oh, you guys have Kobe A5. Baby, you want that or their dry-aged T-bone?”

“Whatever,” he muttered, his tone hinting I was nuts.

“We’ll take one of each,” I told the server, ordering a couple of sides for us to share. “Thank you so much.”

He took the menus from me with a smile. “Thank you. I’ll bring your drinks right out.”

Sergey waited until we were alone. “How do you have the money for that if you ran from your family?”

“A lot of fucking planning and my grandfather’s help when I was young to set it all up,” I admitted. “They’ll come take it if they can. They’ll take it all and me, cage me when they find out what I can do, how powerful I really am.” I met his gaze. “Will you help me learn how to protect myself? Learn magic like I should? Formally?”

“Yeah, I’ll help you, Bevin,” he promised before leaning in and kissing me.

His left arm came around me to pull me closer, but I wanted more. I still had my leg over his and I slid his hand on my knee up my thigh until his fingers touched my panties.

“You said you wanted more. Give me more. Give me something nice, Sergey.”

“Fuck, I’d give you anything if you say my name in that breathy, begging voice,” he groaned, pushing my panties aside and teasing me. “Are you always this naughty? So fucking hot. I seriously want to fuck you in the stacks.”

I flinched. “The library won’t work for me. Don’t bring it up.”

“Um, okay. But you’re into naughty. It’s your thing?”

I wasn’t going to answer, not sure how to, but then two of his long, thick fingers pushed inside of me. “I don’t know. I just lost my purity recently. Maybe I’m acting out after being locked up for eighteen years?”

“Okay, I’m asking about that later,” he growled, nipping my ear as his thumb flicked my clit. “Come for me, foxy. Come on me and for my appetizer and I’m gonna lick it all up. Be naughty with me .” He crushed his mouth to mine in time as I orgasmed right there in the back of the restaurant, digging my nails into his shirt as I hung on and rode the waves of pleasure.

“Yeah, I think naughty is my thing,” I gasped as I came back down, sinking into the booth as my body still twitched with aftershocks. “Shit, that was hawt .”

“ You are fucking hawt ,” he corrected as he raised his fingers to his mouth.

I shivered as he licked them. I licked my lips as I watched. “Will you do something for me? Something really naughty?”

“Yes.”

“Not going to ask what?”

“Nope.”

“Do that for me again on the way back? I want a man to do that to me in the vehicle my parents bought me before they tried to sell me to a man who tried to rape me when I wouldn’t agree.”

His eyes flashed shock but then he nodded, finishing what he was doing and then kissing me so I could taste myself on his tongue. “You taste good, don’t you, foxy?”

“Have a taste anytime you want,” I purred.

“I intend to,” he chuckled. “I like making you come. You’re even more fucking gorgeous then and it’s delicious torture.”

I raised an eyebrow at that. “You’re not pushing for me to give you a turn?”

He shook his head. “Another time. I like drawing it out.” He seemed to bounce that around. “Or it seems I do with you. I’d rather have a million times of you being naughty with me like this and go handle myself later on my own than worry about you taking care of me.”

I flushed lava hot at the compliment, feeling treasured, especially after someone else had made me feel so cheap the night before.

The server came back with our drinks and the cold appetizers. We thanked him and I waited until he left before figuring out what to say.

I leaned in and kissed Sergey’s cheek. “I like feeling treasured. Thanks.”

“I get your parents were jerks, but your older siblings weren’t nice to you?”

I snorted as I reached for what I wanted first. “No, I was the hidden secret that…” I trailed off, freezing when I realized he’d caught me.

“Sorry. I heard a rumor last year that the Shaws had a fifth child no one knew about that came of age. Supposedly, they kept her under wraps because she had no magic to speak of and were embarrassed by her, but she was ridiculously gorgeous and they were trying to mate her off as the perfect docile beauty they’d kept locked up in a tower waiting for whatever man her parents approved of. That’s you.”

I didn’t answer, that saying enough as I took what I wanted and a bite of it before sipping my iced tea. “This is good.”

“You said you hid your magic because they would have taken it,” he muttered. He didn’t wait for me to repeat or confirm it. “So, you need to start from the beginning basically?”

“Yes.”

He was quiet several moments as we ate. “The only way I’ve ever heard of taking magic from a witch or warlock is whispers of sacrificing them, Bevin.”

I slowly looked at him, letting him see how serious what I was about to say was. “You thought your families were bad; I was seven when I learned the dark secret my family had about how the heirs were so powerful and what they did to the youngest child to get that power. Luckily, I found out first and how to hide my magic, how to keep hiding it so I didn’t have an ‘accident.’”

His eyes widened slightly before he schooled his expression. “Wow, I guess banishment for being a bastard even if heir of both houses isn’t the worst possibility after all.”

“Nope,” I agreed, popping the P loudly. I gave him a hesitant look. “I don’t want to sound creepy, especially when I won’t tell you everything, but we both know our situations are dangerous. I’ll protect you too if the time ever comes. If you’re on my side and don’t sell me out, I’ll be on yours.”

He focused on his fancy food and nodded. “You’ve built something that’s making money or will. That’s power.”

“It is. I’ve got more up my sleeve, but it is.”

“I’m a loyal kind of man. That’s how I was raised by the only mother that matters to me.”

I smiled at me. “Yeah, me too, by the only father I count even if I lost him.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Thanks. I knew you’d understand.”

“I do.”

Our hot appetizers came and we were lost in our thoughts, maybe a bit of the past and our situations or finding someone who had a background as fucked up as our own didn’t make us feel so lonely. I wasn’t sure, but it was a lot to take in and process.

“That was fucking amazing,” he praised as we pushed away the empty plates. “Really, it was.” He turned to me and nuzzled my neck. “And yet, all I want is more of you.”

“I could see that being on the menu,” I teased. I kissed him but then searched his eyes. “I hate to be a buzzkill, but I really do need help and to get started. How about we play tonight but then you talk to Tracey and get whatever set up? I’m having—I’m already behind in Spell Circles 101. I’m freaking, Sergey. I might not have ever had formal education at schools but always excelled with my tutors.”

He slowly blinked at me. “You’ve never attended schools before?” He whistled when I shook my head. “Wow, they really kept you locked in a tower. It wasn’t just a selling point or—”

“No, it wasn’t,” I snapped, not wanting to think about how I lived. “It was a prison.”

“I’m sorry,” he whispered, leaning in and kissing my hair. “I’m sorry.”

“I’m scared I’ll end up back there or worse. I still shouldn’t have snapped, sorry.”

“Yeah, I get having fears like that,” he confessed. He lowered his lips to mine and kissed me, not a hot, passionate one, but comforting and connected by something dark no one should know.

A throat clearing pulled us apart, the server smirking as he set down our food. “Enjoy.”

“I definitely am,” Sergey chuckled.

“Dick,” I snickered as the server walked off chuckling.

“A big one.”

I threw back my head and laughed. I just bet he did with the confidence and swagger he had going on.

The steaks were fantastic and both of us moaned several times in a way that sounded like we were doing dirty things. Nothing was left on our plates when we were done, lots of back and forth and eating from the other’s dish as if we’d done it many times before.

I paid the bill when the server came with it, giving him a nice tip, and then slipped the hostess twenty bucks before we left. I smirked at Sergey. “I think this is the time to come and have the place to ourselves if we do this again.”

The server snorted as he joined the hostess up front to give her something. “You must have a hell of a time on campus keeping other guys away from your girlfriend, man. I don’t envy you.”

“I’m not his girlfriend,” I clarified, glancing at Sergey. “Was this a first date? I kinda just asked you to dinner to talk and brought you here?” I glanced between the hostess and server as both their mouths dropped open. “What?”

“Make her your girlfriend now ,” the server suggested.

“Way ahead of you,” Sergey chuckled. “I was already planning to no matter how much begging it took.”

I blinked at him. “Really?”

“What world have you been living in that you don’t get how awesome of a catch you are for guys?” the hostess asked. “Girl, you’ve got the looks, money to bring him here on a first date — and if you’re the freshman I heard about who pulled that stunt in Wyatt’s class—the magic people are drooling jealous of.”

“What stunt?” Sergey asked, glancing between them.

I had a whole different question, but then I remembered that the town was all witches and warlocks. I still wasn’t used to being able to go out when I wanted or… Socializing. So both of them were students and worked there part-time?

Oh boy, I hoped they didn’t run their mouths.

“A sheltered one,” I muttered, answering her question with a wince.

She gave me a pitying look but then a wink like it was okay. Then she answered Sergey’s question, filling him in on what she’d heard about what I’d done to all the familiars.

“It was only the bird ones since the bitch who keeps harassing me has a bird familiar,” I clarified, my cheeks flushing at admitting that still.

“Uh-huh,” he mumbled, giving me a look that clearly said he was going to ask more about it later. He thanked her for filling him in and led me to the door but then pushed me behind him, ducking back and glancing out the window at an angle. He moved us back and looked between the hostess and server. “Someone might come in here asking about her. She ate alone, seemed sort of sad and pathetic. Got it?”

“Um, yeah,” the hostess agreed as they both nodded. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah, she’s got a fan not taking no for an answer that we want to trap into making a move,” he smoothly lied. “Thanks.”

“No worries,” the server said. “Stay safe.”

I nodded, taking Sergey’s hand when he offered it.

“They won’t see me. Walk to your vehicle like I’m not there. Open it but then drop your keys, take your time and let me get in that way. Stay calm and don’t look around.”

I nodded again. “What’s out there?”

“A tail. I think one guy, but I don’t have a good angle.” He gave me a look that he knew and not to bother asking how. “The standard-type black SUV, tinted windows, and sitting in the back of the parking lot with a perfect view of your vehicle while using magic early on a Friday at a nice restaurant. They’re not here for food or waiting for their reservation.”

“No, probably not, and sounds like my family’s hired goons.” I glanced at him nervously. “It wouldn’t be beyond them to nab me.”

“I won’t let that happen.” He gave me a quick kiss. “Walk quickly, if they get out, notice them and run like you’re smart.”

“Okay, got it.”

“You do.”

I really did. I was a much better actress than he probably thought or assumed I could be.

Letting out a deep breath, I pushed open the door and made sure to meander enough so he had time to get out as well. Then I walked briskly towards my vehicle, doing what every woman should and already having my keys in my hand even if it was daylight. I unlocked the SUV with the fob and opened the door but then pretended to drop the keys when I yanked too hard.

I pulled my phone out of my purse like I’d gotten a message while I slowly squatted down and retrieved my keys. I sent Tracey a quick message that my parents sent a tail on me when I left campus and grabbed my keys, thinking that was more than enough time. Sure enough, I heard a throat clear from inside my vehicle even if I couldn’t see him.

He was so teaching me that trick. Really, he was.

“You good?” he checked after I started it up and threw the shifter into drive.

“Yeah, not even remotely the hardest acting I’ve had to do with my family,” I answered, not hiding my disdain for it all. I also didn’t bother asking why he hid. His situation was precarious, and while the big goliaths like our parents would probably think it was some pathetic little uprising that we were trying to pair up… No reason to poke the bears.

Especially when we had a lot to lose.

“I got the plate,” he told me. “Call campus security and inform them that you’re being tailed since you left campus and give them the info on the vehicle and plate.”

I nodded, typing in the number he said and calling it in. They said they’d get right on it, probably thinking it was some sort of retaliation from Gregg’s family—which I hadn’t thought of and was also a possibility, though how they got my location so fast didn’t seem likely.

When we were within two miles of campus, two security vehicles came flying by me from the other direction and cut off the vehicle tailing me and its retreat. Nice.

No, seriously, nice. I was glad they took that seriously with some of the important and wealthy families who sent their kids to the school promising they’d be protected.

I stopped at the guard station and thanked them, glancing at Sergey before the guard. “If you could leave him off this incident, I would really appreciate it. He doesn’t need to be dragged into my family drama and start problems with his personal life.”

The guard’s eyes flashed shock. “You think it’s your family?”

I nodded. “I’m sure they have GPS on this vehicle they bought for me and have been waiting for me to take it off campus. They’re not happy the High Council spanked them or set me free.”

He smirked at me. “I’m glad you’re okay since you were alone, Ms. Millen. I’ll let you know what we find, and we’ll send a full report to the High Council since it’s an ongoing issue they’re handling.”

“You guys are the best. Expect a thank-you from me tomorrow.” I gave him a wink as I rolled up my window and pulled forward. I held up my finger to Sergey to hold him off for a moment and called Tracey.

“You clear?” she greeted.

“Yeah, campus security is handling it after I alerted them,” I promised. “We still have that friendship with Fortunate Cookies, right? Can we send some to campus security on the sly from me? I have a feeling this won’t be the only time I need them, and they jumped right in.”

She snorted. “You’ve got dozens of IOUs from them so yeah, I think they can manage that. I’ll handle that, but there’s a problem trading in your ride.”

“Of course, there is,” I sighed as I turned into the freshman parking lot and found a spot towards the back. I sighed again as I realized what I’d missed. “My parents own the vehicle.”

“Bingo, and even if the High Council listed it as what they were to turn over to you, they’re saying they can’t sign the title over to you without meeting with you.”

It was my turn to snort. “That doesn’t require a meeting, and Father wouldn’t waste his time to speak with me about what I wanted to get before he bought it because his status meant he should. Now he wants a sit down to sign his name?”

“Yes, clearly, it’s a trap, but he’s not budging, so how do you want to play this?”

I mulled it over as I parked and turned off the vehicle. “Fuck it. I can afford my own vehicle and I want to cut all ties anyways. Set an appointment at a magical cleaner to wipe the whole thing, top to bottom, not a trace of my essence as you know they’re going to try and use it however they can.”

“Of course, they would,” she muttered, typing in the background. “I know who to take it to. And then?”

I smiled evilly. “Leave it with the High Council guards for them to pick up since they demanded a meeting against the High Council orders, and I didn’t feel safe doing so after they sent goons to follow me. Campus security said they were going to send the report to them anyways, so they’ll know.”

“That’s a bit extreme, but I approve because your parents fear no one, and if you show even once you won’t ring that bell, they’ll jump all over you like it’s a weakness.”

“Do I get any cookies?” Sergey grumbled.

I bit back a chuckle, almost able to picture him as a little boy who pouted for treats. I couldn’t blame him though as Fortunate Cookies was huge in our world. It was a play on fortune cookies in case humans ever stumbled upon it, but we all knew it was much more like that.

Like a fortune spell baked into their treats. Yeah, they were that cool and their price reflected it. Granted, it wouldn’t make someone a king or their tiny company suddenly become a Fortune 500… But people tended to play scratchers if they had their cookies and would win small prizes.

If people had a meeting they were nervous about, it was a good time to have a plate of the cookies there. It was standard to bring when meeting parents if dating someone, so it was part magic part status. For those who couldn’t always afford the extra expense, it showed respect that you would manage it to meet with them. That sort of thing that humans talked about a lot from what I’d seen.

It was in our society too and a bit harsher as when people could live hundreds and hundreds of years, older traditions didn’t die off as fast. That was a main reason our world was so sexist, but some of the manners and respect I liked that seemed to be lacking from the human world.

Then again, I’d been warned over and over that there wasn’t anything real about human “reality TV” and to not believe any of it. Probably wise.

“And can I get some sent here for the lovely gentleman who spotted the tail and helped me?” I purred, batting my eyelashes at him.

“Oh? And who’s that?”

“The tutor you asked me to make sure to get,” I hesitantly answered.

There was a telling pause before she replied. “And why was the tutor off campus with you?”

“That’s a good question that has an interesting answer that involves me having a bad day and finding out I’m an idiot—again—and there might be a problem with my independent study advisor that I don’t know how to get out of now that I know he’s doing it all to get access to me to study what I can do and, you know, that’s not dangerous,” I confessed in one long ramble.

I could almost feel the sigh she gave. “You haven’t even been there a month, Bevin.”

“A lot of it wasn’t my fault,” I reminded her, an edge to my tone.

“I know,” she said gently. “And I wouldn’t blame you for a lot of the extra, you’ve been so fucking sheltered. That’s the problem and I don’t blame you. I simply don’t know how to help you.”

“Me neither since he was kind of involved in that other thing,” I hinted.

“Which I still don’t know all the details about besides what I’ve been able to read over Ramon’s shoulder which he doesn’t like.”

“That man…” I blew a raspberry. “I’ll tell him you’re allowed access to everything. He treats you like—”

“Like a street rat your grandfather picked up out of pity and took in?” she cut in, her tone miffed.

That shocked me. “Does he really?”

“Yeah, he kinda does when you’re not around. I’m not trying to be a jerk that he’s sexist, but he’s really sexist, and I don’t like how his attitude has changed now that you’re of age and I’m the boss you put in place. I don’t think he’d ever stab you in the back or steal from you because he was loyal to your grandfather , but I think he’s planning on taking that role to ‘help’ a young, mindless woman like you.”

“He’s going to start trying to set me up with someone he thinks acceptable and handle everything for me as that’s how life should be in his world. Fuck. Okay, I will think on this and more seriously, really, as that’s dangerous given how much he knows. For now, we handle this mess and I will make a few things clear to him while you start looking into his replacement.”

“Just like that?”

I pinched the bridge of my nose and nodded even if she couldn’t see it. “You’re not the only one who worried about that. He’s made comments about the matches my parents picked being unacceptable and when I’m of age, that will change. I thought… But now I see it from what you’re saying, and I nodded along before, so I need a sit down with him and make a few things clear while you find a replacement.”

“I have several I could hire tomorrow and would trust as you do me,” she promised. “I just need to know if there’s anything you’re specifically looking for?”

“Not to be heartless, but someone of your situation would be best.” I hesitated to say it, but it was the truth. Tracey didn’t have any family really, and while that was sad… There was no one my parents could use against her to get access to me.

Or others. There would be others.

“There’s one I like best because of that reason too. Plus, she’s fierce. She graduated Morrigan two years ago, went to a top human law school, aced it and the bar in several key states just to show she’s not playing around.”

“And our sexist male-run firms want to make her an intern or something?” I drawled.

“Oh, no, she got offered legal secretary from one place. That’s the only position women can hold at that firm.”

“Un-fucking-real,” I hissed. “What was her answer?”

“I don’t know, but it had to be good as she admitted it wasn’t professional and she wasn’t allowed back into the building.”

“Well, that just makes me like her more,” I chuckled, smiling when Sergey snorted. Right, he was hearing all of this. “Okay, let’s set something up and lay our cards out if we like her. Ramon won’t want to give up the power he has either and especially now that I’ve got a councilman checking in on me.”

“Yeah, but that makes me want to get rid of him more. I’ll get everything going for tomorrow and this vehicle worry off your plate. You should only have to worry about school, some work, and dodging all the hormonal boys that will chase you because you’re fucking gorgeous.”

I glanced over at Sergey. “Do I have to dodge all of them?”

“Yes, Bevin. Scratch itches, go on dates if you want, but do not get serious with any of them. You are a freshman and a target. Be smart. More importantly, be free .”

“Yes, Mother.”

“Bah, don’t compare me to that beast. I’m deeply wounded.” Her laughter as she hung up told me she really wasn’t.

One of the many, many reasons I adored Tracey as not much offended her and she always gave people the benefit of the doubt. That was rare.

And something I had a hard time with after the family I’d grown up around.