Forbidden Love: Daughters of the Warlock, #6

By Maggie Shaw and Amelia Shaw

A bookworm with a dangerous new job. A mysterious new love interest. And a new reason to fight the Council.

I fought for control over my life and won, working at the Warlock's College library was meant to be safe. But I never imagined the threats that would follow.

I'm falling in love with the night security guard, a wolf shifter in hiding, and relationships between witches and shifters are forbidden.
Especially for one of the High Warlock's heirs.

For the first time ever, I'm determined to let my heart rule me, no matter the cost, but that doesn't mean the Council will stay out of the way.

There's no way they'll allow the alliance, even if it means destroying the shifter I love.

 

Shadow Hunters meets Charmed in this fast paced paranormal fantasty series.

 

*** The Daughters of the Warlock series now contains only fade to black/closed door love scenes.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Harley Romance Publishing
• Release date: Nov 17, 2020
• ISBN: 9798201570996

Book preview

BELLA

Once the shock surrounding the attack on Courtney and I had passed, I wanted desperately to go back to work. But that just didn’t seem possible.

My father, the High Warlock of all the realms, wouldn’t budge. I pressed on, pleading my case and appealing to the bookworm inside him.

The library was exactly where I felt like I belonged. It had books upon books, stacked with knowledge even a voracious bookworm like me still needed to learn. And I wanted to. I just couldn’t do that if I was trapped in my bedroom within the Council’s realm ‘for my own protection’.

After days and days, I finally succeeded in convincing Matlock that it was best if I went back to work. I always got through, in my own quiet way, when it was important to me.

You ready to go? Matlock asked, walking into my bedroom with a smile on his face. He rubbed his hands together, as though he, too, was excited to return to some kind of normalcy.

We were still staying in the bedrooms attached to his office. In fact, he’d magically built a third for Courtney so that we could all stay together in this strange mini-realm attached to the Council. I was just glad Courtney had agreed to stay. Even with danger lurking for us, I wasn’t sure my sister would want to. Courtney was a free spirit, looking danger in the face and laughing.

I am, I said, glancing down his body and realizing he was dressed to go out. He wore what I referred to as his ‘royal robes’. Purple cape, embroidered suit. 

I cocked my head to the side. Are you coming with me?

He grinned. Of course.

I rolled my eyes. Nothing’s going to happen. I’ll be fine.

Oh, I know you will, he said, with a little too much enthusiasm.

I narrowed my eyes at him, What have you got planned?

Who’s got what planned? Courtney asked, walking into the main office that was now central to all our bedrooms.

At the way he was adding rooms, we would soon need another floor or else we’d get too cramped. Courtney wanted more space, even though she’d managed to get a bedroom twice as big as mine, not to mention an awesome bathroom as well.

I was content with my room, though it had occurred to me that if I did have more space for myself, I could fit many more books on my shelves.

Matlock seems to think he’s walking me to work today, I said drolly.

Courtney rolled her eyes, but the expression was directed at me. Which was odd because, while I wasn’t sure how Courtney was going to react to our father, siding with him on things wasn’t exactly what I expected.

I can’t believe you want to go back into that job! she exclaimed, crossing her arms over her chest almost as though she was protecting herself. Especially after what happened last time.

I sighed and picked up my jacket. It was difficult to explain to my sister why I loved the library so much. Not even an attack on our lives could dampen it.

If I knew she was going to be in any mood to listen to my reasons I would try to explain. But she wasn’t. She never really was.

That wasn’t the library’s fault, I said. Travis would have found me anywhere. You know that.

Not if you’d stayed in the safety of the Council buildings, Matlock said. Like I told you to do.

I glared at him. Are you kidding me? I all but growled. It wasn’t like me to get angry, but I couldn’t help it. Did Matlock forget who Travis was and why he was after me in the first place? Travis was sent by an arm of the Council that wants us all dead. I’m sure he would have found a way to get to me anywhere, even the Council buildings.

Matlock lifted his hand and flicked it about, testing the wards he had in place to protect our privacy. He frowned.

I scoffed and gestured with my hand to make a point. See what I mean?

I glanced at the clock on the wall and shook my head. I didn’t have time for this.

I’ve gotta go, I said. You’re both welcome to accompany me if you want, but I’m going even if you think I should stay here or whatever. I’m not going to let Travis dictate how I live my life. I’m not going to hide forever.

Matlock turned to Courtney. What are your plans today? If you’re going back to see Clarissa, I’ll come with you.

Courtney frowned. Her relationship with Matlock was still strained and I didn’t think she liked the idea of him accompanying her anywhere without me. I wanted the two of them to get along. I wanted Courtney to trust him. That didn’t mean she needed to see him as her father just yet. That would be a long time coming. I hoped she would at least give him a chance to prove himself to her, though.

I decided to take the heat away from her, if he would let me.

I thought you wanted to come with me, I said.

Matlock looked from me to Courtney, then back again.

I struggled to hide my smile, watching him worry about making the right choice. Obviously not a problem he’d had in the past. Now he had two daughters to choose from, and that was only because Ava wasn’t present at the moment.

Well, I’m leaving now. You coming? I asked, walking to the door.

I’ve still gotta have a shower and do my hair, Courtney said, backing toward her bedroom. I can’t leave looking like this. Are you mad?

Courtney had incredible red hair, with long tight ringlets. A lot of it was natural, which she didn’t appreciate as much as she should have. However, she always made sure to take care of her hair, and it was obvious because my hair would frizz at the hint of humidity, whereas hers didn’t even know what the word meant.

Matlock took one look at Courtney’s hair and headed over to me.

Well, say hi to Clarissa, and contact me if you need anything, he said.

Clarissa was our father’s cousin, and a great healer. She had taken care of Courtney when she’d been poisoned, and still liked to check in on her every few days.

See ya, I called out to my sister as I opened the door that led to a portal that would take me back to the realm where my job was.

Matlock and I slid through the coldness of space until we arrived in the Magic Realm that I knew the best. It was where I’d first arrived seeking help for my sister, and where my ‘work’ now resided.

At the witch academy library.

We stepped through the door and into the street, the scent of cinnamon and freshly baked bread lingering in the air.

I inhaled deeply and smiled.

I think I’ll need to get one of those bread rolls for lunch, I said. They smell amazing.

I’d only just had breakfast and yet my stomach tightened. How could I still be hungry? It made no sense.

Matlock reached inside his cape and handed me a small coin purse made of purple fabric.

Here you go, he said.

I took the cute little bag and opened it, revealing several gold coins. I looked back up at him, arching a brow.

What’s this? I asked.

Some money in case you’d like to buy something in town. These are official Council coins and cannot be created by magic. He cleared his throat and glanced down at his robe, picking at what might have been lint by his collar. We haven’t set up a banking account for you, so until that’s organized and you can be paid for your work in the realm, that should tide you over.

I glanced down at the coins again. I had no idea how much they were worth, or how the currency exchange worked in this realm, but it was never a bad thing to have money. Just in case.

Though I wasn’t sure when I would need it, other than for lunches.

Well, thank you, I said, then slipped the purse into the black bag I had slung over my shoulder, forgetting it almost immediately. I was just excited to go back to work in the first place. I yearned to get my hands on the books again; yearned to smell the knowledge that seeped from each one. Are you going to walk me all the way to the front door?

He smiled and nodded.

I sighed as we headed off.

I can’t believe it’s been two weeks since the attack. Any leads so far on who sent Travis to kill me? I asked as we walked across the road.

This was easier to talk about than I thought it would be. I thought I would hesitate or feel something akin to regret or pain. Instead, all I really felt was relief that it was over and that my life had returned somewhat to normal. As normal as it could be.

Matlock frowned. No. The Council assured me that they are, of course, making it their number one priority to find out. But with Travis now dead... there isn’t a lot to go on.

I sighed, adjusting my bag on my shoulder and holding it close to my body. This bag had everything in the world that I cherished, including several books that belonged to my mother’s family.

True. It’s a pity that Tavlor’s not here to help, I said. He’d find a way to track them, I’m sure.

Tavlor was one of my favorite people in the world and my brother-in-law. It still amazed me to think that Ava was now married.

Speaking of Tavlor, Matlock began with a smile. I received a message from Ava that they are expected home in the next few days.

That’s great! I sighed with relief. I miss her so much.

Matlock nodded. It must be hard to be apart from her, after spending your whole life together.

I huffed out a laugh, For me it is. For Ava, and even Courtney, it’s not. They want adventure, and fun. And if that means leaving me behind, I don’t think they care.

We arrived at the college and Matlock pushed one of the large iron gates open.

I doubt that’s the case, Bella.

I strolled past the open gate. It’s how it’s always been. I like staying home. They don’t.

They’d managed it for over twenty years, but Ava had been going insane by the end. If Mother hadn’t been so sick, I was sure Ava would have made a break for it much earlier.

Matlock opened the doors to the college and we walked down the large, brightly lit hallway and into the library.

Happiness filled me as the smell of old books and leather bindings caught in my nose. I looked around the dimly lit room, staring at the rows upon rows of books, and my heart just melted.

I was back!

My father shook his head. I still can’t believe someone came into the college, into a library, and threatened to kill you.

I laughed as we walked into the library, the smell of the leather books and the heavy amounts of knowledge these books possessed, making me slightly giddy.

Well, it wasn’t just me. He threatened Courtney too.

I know but... I don’t think I told you at the time how proud I was of you, Bella, he said. His voice was hesitant. For protecting your sister. For standing up to him. For fighting... I know it’s not natural to you. You’re much more of a pacifist, which I understand. But the fact that you’re willing to do anything for your family says a lot.

I glanced up into his dark eyes, then looked down again. His words touched a part of my heart that had always longed for admiring words. The love of my father. His respect. His admiration. I didn’t think I wanted it before now, but spending more and more time with him, I realized I did want that. I wanted him to be proud of me.

Thank you. I know that I don’t fit into our family very well, but I would die for my sisters.

He inclined his head. It is obvious that you love your sisters very much. But what do you mean that you don’t fit into our family?

Because I’m a pacifist, I said, tilting my head at him. That certainly made me a black sheep in my mother’s little family. Wouldn’t it make me one in yours, too?

He smiled, a strange affection flickering across his dark eyes. Bella, you may be surprised how alike you and I are. When I was at school, in this very college, I failed more than one practical class because I was more concerned with my theory, my books, that I was about the physical.

My mouth dropped open. Was it possible that I was like my father, in a very real sense?

Really?

He chuckled. Very much so.

My memory tossed up visions of my father fighting Travis and everything Ava had told me about him. He couldn’t possibly feel guilty about what happened? About killing the man who’d tried to murder us?

But you saved me! And you saved Ava. She told me that you’re the strongest warlock in all the realms. That your magic is as strong as a Fae, stronger even.

My father smiled and there was no longer regret, but kindness in his face. I worked hard to become this powerful, and not because I wanted to, but because I had no choice. If I show any weakness, then my enemies will attack, and now that I have you and your sisters to protect, well... let’s say that my magic lifts up in times of stress. When it needs to.

I nodded because I couldn’t speak. I could hear the message behind his words. In a way, I felt the same. Not because I was powerful, not in the least, but I understood that sometimes silence was the best show of strength rather than aggression or witty remarks.

Like me, he would do anything to protect those he loved, but on a normal day, he would rather read a good book. It was strange having so much in common with a near-stranger, but at the same time, it reiterated just how alike we were.

Well, I said, and then coughed loudly to clear my throat. The silence was overwhelming and if I didn’t say something soon, I was going to make an awkward noise or talk about something I probably shouldn’t. School’s going to begin soon, so I better get to it.

I waved to Hillary, the librarian who was standing behind the check-in desk, frowning at one of the books in front of her. I wasn’t sure if she actually saw me, but at least I was doing something with my hand.

Yes. I’ll see you for dinner, he said, and began to walk toward the exit.

I remembered my father’s confidence that I would be okay back at his office. The place I currently called ‘home’.

Hey, I called out. Have you set something up here that I need to know about?

He turned and grinned at me. You’ll see.

With a chuckle, he left.

I stared after him, gobsmacked. Seriously?

I walked over to the librarian. Hey Hillary...

Bella! Welcome back, she said with a smile as she held two books to her chest and started to move away to the wands and potions side of the library.

I rushed to ask her. Do you know what my father has done? Has he organized something I should know about?

There was no way Matlock would just leave me here without putting in a safeguard. He’d been so worried about my safety here. He wasn’t the sort of man to change overnight.

Hillary smiled, a strange glimmer passing through her eyes. Not that I know of.

She proceeded to walk away and make herself busy sliding books back into their proper places.

He had organized something. Was it new surveillance? Cameras? Magical wards?

Damn it.

Now I had to wait to