Off to my left, another growl filled the night. This throaty snarl was not as loud as the grizzly’s, but was just as menacing. Hunwald.
Hunwald moved carefully toward the bear whose attention had now turned to the wolf. Hunwald circled behind the bear, turning it away from me. He continued to growl, and when the grizzly charged him, he darted away but quickly turned back to harass the bear again, nipping at its legs. He continued to this process several times, until the bear was no longer near me. I admit I was disappointed.
Boaz appeared at my side. “Why did you push it so far?”
“I was curious.”
“Curious to see how long it would take for a bear to rip your head off?”
I set my jaw, knowing I would’ve been just fine. After realizing the strength of my power earlier, I knew I didn’t have to worry about anyone or anything ever hurting me again.
“I can’t afford for you to be careless, Eve.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
His face softened, and he pulled me close. “I couldn’t bear it if anything were to happen to you.”
I searched his eyes. “You are a mystery, Boaz. One day, I might see the real you.”
“You already have, love.”
I tilted my head. “I don’t think so.”
Chapter 14
Time passed quickly, and I anticipated every day like a child on Christmas Eve. I couldn’t get enough of my new life. Boaz showered me with gifts and opened doors to all kinds of new and exciting experiences. He took me to the opera, plays, parties, and political events. If anything of importance was happening, regardless of where, Boaz and I were present.
We traveled all of Europe. I enjoyed learning the many cultures and seeing how the landscape changed, but I especially liked Ireland and its lush green mountains and impressive coastlines. I could’ve stayed there for weeks, but Boaz was inexplicably anxious to leave.
In addition to traveling, Boaz introduced me to many important people. I was amazed to learn how many of them knew me simply because of my parents. My family name gave me instant respect, especially from other witches.
I grew to love the attention, so much so, that I used my last name as if it were my first. I would say, “I’m Ms. Segur, the daughter of Erik and Sable Segur.”
I loved to watch their eyes grow big and listen to the sound of their loud gulp.
Speaking of my parents, I saw them once from a distance at a political convention party. I didn’t know if they saw me back, nor did I care. Boaz never spoke of them, and neither did I. They didn’t exist in my new world.
What surprised me the most of my newfound life was discovering how many supernaturals held important positions in the governments of almost every country. They used their abilities to pass laws and change their countries into what they desired. The “dependents” (the word I’d given to naive humans) were easily manipulated, making it easy for our kind to take over. After seeing what others like me could do, how they could change the rules people lived by, I, too, was anxious to get into politics.
Every day I used magic a little more than the day before until, before I knew it, I used magic for almost everything. I’d catch myself using it for dumb things, like starting the bath water or combing my hair. At first, it scared me, and I vowed to cut back, but the alluring power proved too great.
The world, once full of light and joy, became dark and loathsome. I no longer took pleasure in simple things like nature or books. For me to experience even short-lived joy, I had to have more: more parties, more jewels, more experiences, and they had to be greater than before, or anger would swell within me and only strong magic could release it.
Boaz was the only thing in my life that brought satisfaction. He was the giver of everything I needed. Our relationship was a violent, passionate one, consumed by one another. But it wasn’t just his body I craved—it was the power within him I fed upon. Soon, I came to depend upon him like a flea on a rat, and the dependency quickly turned into what I thought was love, until one day I couldn’t imagine my life without him.
***
It was a cold winter evening. We had just returned from New York City, where Boaz had taken me to his most favorite place, the Metropolitan Opera House. I hoped I would enjoy the play, but instead found it dull and lifeless. Even the music left me feeling empty.
Afterwards, we met up with Liane and William again for a late dinner at an upscale restaurant. We were the only supernaturals in the whole restaurant surrounded by clueless humans. If they had any idea of our power, they’d run away in fear. I smiled, liking this thought very much.
“Let’s play a game,” Liane said after finishing up her lobster tail.
William shook his head. “Not another one of your games.”
“You’re such a bore, William,” she said. “What about you guys?”
I turned to Boaz. He was leaning back in his chair, looking past me as if deep in thought. Lately, he would do that: sit right next to me, yet be a million miles away. It was really starting to annoy me.