BOOK ONE: MANAGING MAGES

BOOK ONE OF THE MAGES SERIES:

MANAGING MAGES

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Art credit courtesy of:  eroticdarkfantasy.art on I*******m

NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR:

This novel contains raw animal aggression, force by magic, sexual acts and other elements that some may find disturbing.

Please read with caution

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TEASER

The next morning was archery practice.

I hate archery. I'm no good at it.

"Everybody line up!" Hawk roared. Pacing the grass in-front of the mansion.

We dutifully lined up under his careful watch. His hands were linked behind his back. Feet shoulder width apart as though he were ready to confront anyone who'd dare challenge him.

He probably is. I'd seen people challenge him before and it never ended well.

"Grab three each." He directed. Watching with that shrewd green gaze as the first guy plucked three arrows and nothing else. Followed by the next.

When I stepped to the table, I pointedly ignored his presence.

But he leaned forward as I did so he could speak near my head. "It appears you can obey after all."

"Fuck you, Hawk." I muttered. "Not looking up."

"You already did..." He turned and strode away while I gasped in outrage.

"You son-of-a-whore!" I cursed him.

He rounded. "What'd you say?"

I sucked my cheeks in but knew better then to repeat it.

"That's what I thought."

Pompous ass.

I snatched my last arrow and stalked into a line in-front of the targets.

The first guy was about as bad as me. His arrows went willy nilly. Veering to the far right. The third one almost pierced another guys target.

The girl before me was amazing. She knew what she was doing.

Finally, it was my turn and I shifted nervously. Hating that the others were behind me watching.

And, undoubtedly, Hawk too.

He's always watching me. I hated that. More nervous when he watched. And knowing he'd mock me for the slightest mishap.

"Today, Mary Mage." He barked.

Damn him.

I clutched the slim bit of wood in my fist and slowly opened my hand. Narrowing my gaze on the arrow I focused my energy into sending it projecting toward the target.

I envisioned it pegging the center as Hawk had trained us to do. But when I launched it, it veered above the target and into the dense green trees beyond.

A few of the other Indo-Mage's began snickering.

"She can never do it." One of the guys whispered behind his hand.

I shot him a scathing look over my shoulder.

With the next one I focused twice as hard. Taking my time to concentrate before setting it free.

It hit the edge of the target and went careening into another target.

I deflated as I picked up the last one.

Someone was snickering again.

I whipped my head to look over my shoulder and tell them to shut up. Instead I met Hawk's intense gaze from where he stood only a few inches behind me. Solidly between me and them.

"Ignore them."

"I'd like to ignore you!"

"I'm your instructor, so I wouldn't recommend that." He dismissed. Stepping next to me.

He drew an arrow from a narrow quiver hooked to his thigh he set it in his palm and expertly blew on it. It flew over the green lawn and hit center on the target.

"No harder than that." He dusted his hands.

"Luck." I grumbled as he turned to walk away.

"Ohh..." He stopped.

Shit. Why can't I just keep my mouth shut?

"Is that so?" He turned on his heel and levelled those green eyes on me.

Bluff your way through.

"You won't make another shot like that and you know it." I hissed under my breath.

"And if I do?" He leaned in. Bumping my shoulder with his. "What do I get?"

"Nothing."

"Something. You've just challenged me. Now make it worth my while to put an indo-mage in her place."

But I looked up and for the first time saw the glint of respect in the other mage's eyes. None of them would dare challenge him. He was cold, ruthless and had no qualms about delivering public humiliation.

"I wouldn't challenge him."

"She's got might. I'll give her that."

"Go ahead, look at them." His gaze narrowed on me without him glancing over. "You have the merest bit of grudging respect now. But if you back down it'll be gone. You'll be no better than they are."

He's right.

"So tell me why I should bother taking a challenge from an Indo?"

"What do you want?" I hissed.

His gaze slid down to my breasts and waist, assessing me. "You come to my room tonight. Offer me what I had to take last night."

"You're a sadistic demon."

"Maybe." He gave a lopsided grin. "What's it to be, Little Mary Mage?"

"You can't do it." I whispered. "And if I'm right. You'll never bother me again."

"Are you so sure about that?" He scowled.

"Never." I asserted.

"Fine." He shrugged. He jerked an arrow from the quiver, slapped it in his palm and blew too quick. I was gratified to watch it clearly veering to another side.

I felt watched and noticed his gaze was on me. And at the last second he flicked a finger the merest bit and the arrow landed kissing the last. Both rattled with the force of it.

I gave him a stunned look.

He grinned at me unabashed before leaning close enough to whisper. "See you in my bed..."