Of Witches and Warlocks: The Complete Series

Chapter 13

Chapter 13

Vance shifted beside me, groaning, and my eyes popped open. Blinking several times, I was completely disoriented as I stared at the unfamiliar walls and ceiling around us.

Gasping, I quickly sat up, clutching the covers to my chest. "Where are we?"

Rising slowly beside me, Vance glanced down in amazement at the soft quilt of the comfortable bed we were lying in, rubbing his hand over them as he looked around the space.

"Are you okay?" he asked, running a hand down my arm, and I knew he was checking me with his powers.

"I think so," I replied, stretching my neck and back, not feeling anything too different about myself, other than tender feet. "Are you?"

"Yes." Continuing his slide down my arm until he found my palm, he slipped his hand in mine, squeezing it slightly.

"I don't remember anything. Do you?" I searched his eyes for answers.

He shook his head with a barely perceptible movement. "Not much, although some images of the two of us involved in some pretty intimate situations are suddenly beginning to pop into my head," he replied, not looking too happy about it.

Some of the fog lifted at his words. "They forced us to sleep together, didn't they?" I said closing my eyes, feeling a wave of nausea wash over me, wondering who else might have been a party to our situation last night.

"I'm afraid so," he replied, leaning over to rest his head in my lap. "I'm sorry, Portia."

Stroking his wonderful hair while he lay there, my eyes traveled over his perfect form in front of me. "Don't be sorry. I love being with you. I just hate being manipulated." I sighed, wishing I could comfort him somehow. "Where do you think we are?" I asked again, looking around the green and white bedroom.

At that moment the door to the room opened, and I stared into the handsome, concerned face of my dashing father.

"Dad?" I squeaked out, jumping off the bed, relief pouring through every cell at the sight of him. In two steps he was beside me, folding me into his arms, and crushing me hard in his embrace.

"Hi, Pumpkin," he said softly. I began to cry against his shoulder, unable to stop myself. He didn't try to shush me, allowing the floodgates to open, as he stroked my hair, murmuring soft words to me.

"It's okay now, Pumpkin. You're safe. I won't let them harm you anymore," he said reassuringly.

Pulling away, I watched as Vance joined us, giving Dad a hug also, and they patted at each other hard on the back.

"How did you find us?" I asked, wondering how he managed to locate us.

Instead of answering the question, he pointed to some clothes sitting on top of the dresser. "Why don't the two of you change out of those robes and grab a quick shower. There's a bathroom across the hall. Then come join me in the other room. You were drugged pretty badly and you've been asleep for a while. There are a lot of people waiting to see you. We'll talk in there," he replied.

"All right," I said, and he headed for the door, giving me a soft smile as he moved away. Grabbing him once more, I hugged him again. "I just had to make sure you were real," I explained and he laughed. "I love you, Daddy."

"I love you too, pumpkin, and I'm not leaving you." He squeezed me tightly one more time. "Now hurry and change."

I watched the door close behind him before turning to Vance. He smiled at me, and I rushed into his arms. "We're safe!" I placed a kiss against his neck, nuzzling my face there in the warmth of his skin.