Robert had nothing to do, quite literally. The university sent him onto a sabbatical leave so he could get back on his feet properly. That meant he was basically on a holiday until the next semester, even though the current one just started.

He couldn't help out in the investigation after The Priest either, because there was nothing to help with. The necromancer probably left London weeks ago and was terrific at not being found. He had a couple of hundred years to practice.

Without a job to attend to or any other goal to reach, he felt alone and forgotten. Benjamin didn't need him in his recovery; he woke up the next morning and left the hospital two days later, good as new. Except for his Rune-tattoos of course: they were ruined, but it wasn't a problem that a good tattoo artist and a medical sorcerer together couldn't fix easily. There was no sign of any vampirism infection.

Benjamin told a story that was already familiar for Robert: he went to that bar where Magda worked to ask around, the girl recognised him somehow and the next thing he knew was that he was surrounded and beaten up in a very one-sided and fast fight. He didn't remember much more because he was constantly beaten unconsciously.

Jenna only had to stay in the hospital overnight: the curse that hit her was some kind of memory-blocking attempt poorly executed. A good night's sleep was enough to fix her brain to recover. Robert stayed with her because apparently, that was their thing now. The next morning they had breakfast in a coffee shop nearby, then Jenna went home to change. They agreed that they will meet up later that day. It was five days ago and Robert hadn't seen her ever since.

It was his decision. That long, sleepless night of commuting between Jenna's and Benjamin's rooms gave him a lot of time to think. It was a dreadful night. People he was caring about laid in beds, for a reason and one reason only: because he couldn't protect them. Not now and not anymore. Those days were over, as he told Marcus.

Robert didn't know who he was without his magic, without the ability to be the man he used to be, but one thing was sure: Jenna hadn't said those beautiful things in the hospital to this new man. So he decided to protect her the only way he still could: by staying away from her.

When Robert wasn't chin-deep into self-pity, he was exploring the new and amazing world of anxiety. Everything was strange and scary for him all of a sudden. Even noises in the staircase sounded like people trying to get into his flat instead of neighbours going by. He barely left and when he did it was an unpleasant experience.

Without the power he had ever since he was a kid, the city of London became terrifying. He never had to worry about being robbed or just attacked before, because there were about five people in the country who would have a chance against him. Not now: in this weird new world grocery shopping was an adventure, and being out after dark sounded insane. He tried to wrap his head around the fact that most of the people lived like this always, in every day of their lives, and they were still able to go on their businesses, going to work, having a drink in the pub, popping into the dry cleaner. Robert couldn't understand how.

After more than 32 years of existence, he had to understand that he was never brave or heroic in his whole life. Not even once. He was a sorcerer, that's all. He was lucky enough not only born into money but also into magic, which was worth much more.

But it's over and soon everyone will know that. Magda and her friends saw him already, and they all managed to escape except for the girl named Petra. How long will it take until the word reaches Kovach's ears? Or Don Carano's? Or, even worse, Lord Montgomery's? Someone will be there soon. Someone will come for him. Any day now. Any hour.

So when Benjamin called to invite him out for a beer, he naturally said no.

'Are you sure, bro? Everyone is here, even Teodore for some reason… Ouch, not cool, dude! I was just joking!'

Robert shook his head even if Benjamin couldn't see it.

'Sounds good, but I will call a rain check, I think. I am tired, better to go to bed early tonight.'

That was his go-to excuse for everything: he claimed to be tired as if his physical strength was the problem. In fact, he wasn't what he used to be in that manner either, but it wasn't nearly as bad as he stated.

There was some disturbance in the line or on the other side, then he heard Jenna's voice:

'Hey, Professor, long time no see.'

'Hello Jenna,' he said awkwardly. Just hearing the woman's low voice with the slight accent was enough to make his stomach flinch a little in a good way.

'You sure you don't want to come? We are having a "finally everyone is out of the hospital"-party. It's much more fun than it sounds.'

Robert smiled.

'I believe you, but I'm still going to go with no, sorry. I have had a long day, I will turn in soon.'

'Your loss, Montgomery. How about tomorrow? You still owe me a date, remember? I was thinking that we could catch a movie if you want, or I don't know, I guess you would go to the Opera sooner… Believe it or not, I do own evening gowns, but I still prefer the cinema, just saying…'

Robert wanted to say yes so badly it almost hurt. When he wasn't fighting with the sudden attacks of his newly found anxiety or wasn't grieving his lost magic, he was thinking about Jenna. He played entire conversations in his head, he tried to imagine what the girl would answer. He missed how she rolled her eyes at him, or how she was tapping her lips with her forefinger when she was deep in thought. He wanted to be with her more than with anyone else ever, but he knew he shouldn't.

'Yeah, tomorrow is not really good for me,' he said casually. 'But you know what? I will call you later in the week. Gotta go now, be safe, Jenna,' and with that, he broke the connection, don't even wait for her answer. Then he switched his phone off and felt himself a real coward because of it.

But what else he could have done? Well, yes, he could tell her the truth, but it was always the hardest way. Robert saw that now it was inevitable anyway, and decided with a long, heavy sigh that he will talk to Jenna tomorrow to put an end on this before it would become too hurtful for both of them.

It just didn't work out, things like that happened all the time, didn't they?

After that, his evening was everything but pleased. He tried to listen to music but that reminded him of Jenna so he changed to books, but he couldn't concentrate on what he was reading. He fell asleep on his terribly uncomfortable couch around eleven, just to be woken up by knocking a mere hour later.

He jumped on his feet still a little confused. Did someone actually knock or did he just dream that? He sneaked to the door as quietly as he possibly could. Someone definitely was in front of it. Robert picked up his cane from the umbrella stand. He might not be able to do magic, but he won't go down easily.

Another knocking. Maybe he should shock the doorknob, if the timing is good, that could work…

'Open up, Montgomery I know you're there!'

'Jenna…?' he murmured and started to undo all the new locks and chains he had put on in the last couple of days.

Once the door was open, the girl comped in, pushing him away with her shoulder. The smell of a spicy perfume, old leather and alcohol together hit him but it wasn't unpleasant at all.

'Please, come in,' Robert said quietly and closed the door. He put the cane back.

Jenna threw her jacket on the sofa angrily, stood in the middle of the room and looked at Robert with a burning gaze.

'What the fuck, Montgomery?'

‘Jenna, I…’

‘No, listen!' she cut in. 'I was honest with you, I never tried to hide what a mess I am, I told you how I fucked up and you said you weren't mad, you said it didn't matter for you. And yet you completely cut me out, you don't answer your phone, you don't write back… If you changed your mind, okay, but have the courtesy to tell me!'

Robert shook his head.

'It's not like that…' he muttered.

'Then what? What the fuck did I do?!' she asked while almost shouting. Her Italian accent became stronger.

'Nothing!' Robert raised his voice too, not because he was angry at Jenna, but because he was mad at himself. 'Nothing! I fucking want to be with you, okay? But I can't!'

Jenna blinked surprised. She stepped closer to Robert.

'Why not?' she asked on a normal volume now.

'Jenna, I… I can't do magic anymore. I am not a sorcerer anymore.'

'Yeah, I know, I was there with you,' she said with a puzzled face. 'So what?'

Now it was Robert's turn to being surprised and puzzled.

'What do you mean "so what"? I don't want you stuck with me. I'm giving you a free pass. It wouldn't be fair to hold you back now that I am not the guy who you liked anymore.'

They looked at each other's eyes for a second. Robert didn't know what to do or what else to say. The girl was very angry, he could tell that much: red spots burned on her cheeks.

'You are a fucking idiot,' said Jenna and got rid of the distance between them with two long steps. She grabbed his jumper and pulled him down so she could kiss him. It was an angry kiss and after a few seconds Jenna leaned back and looked up at him, still grabbing his clothes. Robert could taste the fading memory of the whiskey on Jenna's lips.

'I don't care. Do you understand? I. Don't. Care,' she shook him a bit after every word.

Robert wanted to say something, maybe objecting, maybe thanking her, but he never got to know what, because his body had a different idea. Next thing he knew was he hugged her tightly and kissed her hungrily. His hands found the trim of her black tank top and pulled it up. Jenna raised her arms so he could take it off. The top landed on the floor, next to Jenna’s sneakers she just kicked off. Robert lowered his hands slowly, the tip of his fingers gently touching Jenna's bare skin on the way down from her palms. She had a tattoo on her left shoulder, half-hidden behind the strap of her bra and he traced the lines of the half-moon as he went down. She shivered and bit her lips when Robert's hands covered and seized her breasts. He didn’t stop there, stroke down on her sides, his thumbs smoothing her naked stomach. Then his hands reached her bottom and gently grabbed it.

'You are beautiful, you know that?' he asked.

'I know. Now shut up and take off my bra!' she didn't even finish the sentence, her hands were already down, basically tearing up Robert's shirt and pullover.

The man did as he was told and the bra with his clothes together joined the tank top and shoes at their feet. He kissed her again, their naked skin huddled and Robert felt Jenna's nipples getting hard pressed against him. His right hand started to go up on her back, following the line of her spine. She sighed quietly. Then his fingers found their way into the woman's hair. He closed them and pulled her hair gently so she had to lean back. Robert kissed her exposed throat and she groaned. He continued, went down kissing her neck, then her shoulder, then her right breast. It was perfect, slightly bigger than what he could comfortably hold with a brown circle and even darker nipple in the middle of it. He closed his lips on that last one and Jenna moaned as the tip of his tongue touched it. Her knees wobbled but Robert held her steadily with his left arm now wrapped around her waist.

Jenna folded her arms around Robert's head, fingers in his red hair. She followed his lead and pulled him up by his hair to kiss him again. She stepped forward so he had to step backwards and his back clashed with the wall. He felt Jenna's fingers making their way down on his chest, then drawing the lines of his barely visible abs. She started to open his belt with shaky hands, impatiently. He reached down to help but she pushed his hands away.

Robert kissed her neck again. Now he tried a gentle little bite as well and Jenna's reaction was loudly positive. His belt finally opened and his pants fell down. Robert took Jenna's shoulders while he was kissing her and pushed her back, stepping out of his pants. Jenna reached down again and her fingers encased his penis through his boxer shorts. Robert groaned and went for a kiss but Jenna pushed him back, to the wall again, pressing her body against him. His thing now got trapped between them, pressed against Jenna's flat stomach.

She kissed him and bit his lip. He groaned and seized her butt which was still covered by clothes. He stepped forward to gently lead her to the bed, but she pushed him back yet again, this time so hard it hurt. She pinned him to the wall, her hands the two sides of his head and looked him in the eyes.

'I like when you are being a gentleman, as silly as it is,' she whispered, her lips brushing his. 'But now it's not the time. I'm not fragile. Let yourself go.'

Something, not even the words themselves, more like the way she said them and the look she gave him did the trick. He smiled with a crooked half-smile, grabbed her butt and lifted her off her feet. He stepped so he was away from the wall and the girl only had time to wrap her legs around his waist before her back hit the wall hard. She groaned and kissed him. He kissed back and it wasn't the careful, contained kiss, no: it was passionate and wild. Robert felt Jenna's nails ran down on his bare back and it made him even rougher. He walked to the bed, still kissing the girl, then threw her down. His boxers felt very tight now so he took them off and smiled when he saw Jenna biting her lips again. She apparently liked what she saw.

Robert grasped her thighs and pulled her towards himself on the bed so her butt was on the edge now. He undid her jeans and pulled them off of her, alongside her knickers. Finally, Jenna was completely naked. He touched her down there and she grabbed the bed sheet beside her.

He went down on his knees, to the floor, put Jenna's legs over his shoulders and pulled her again just to make her be exactly where he wanted her to be.

First, he kissed her shadow-dog tattoo on her thigh, then her lower belly and then between her legs. She shivered and let out a little shrill at the first real touch. This sound turned into deep groaning once Robert's tongue found her most sensitive spot. For a while, Robert just stroked her thighs but then he reached out and pinched one of her nipples between his fingers. She became very loud because of that, what only made Robert work harder. She grabbed his hair but only to make sure his head would stay where it was. Her waist started to move, dictate a rhythm what Robert followed.

'Ahhh yes,' Jenna moaned very loudly when one of Robert's fingers slowly went into her. Her back arched. She was warm and wet and inviting inside and the man knew that he won't be able to wait much longer. He only continued with his tongue and fingers until the muscles in her seized, telling him that the girl was done, then he got up. Or at least he tried, but Jenna sat up and pulled him into a hungry kiss.

'Turn over,' Robert said hoarsely after. Jenna did so and was laying on her stomach now. Robert discovered her third tattoo on the left cheek of her round bottom: a little text saying "bite here" and an arrow pointing at a black dot. He grinned then did what the tattoo told him. Jenna laughed and groaned at the same time.

'A drunk mistake,' she said.

Robert bit her again, this time a little harder.

'Was it a mistake, though?' he asked and Jenna said "no".

'In the drawer, at the nightstand…' he started but Jenna shook her head.

'No need. Pills.'

'Okay…' he kneeled over her body, one leg at each side and grasped her wrists. Then he lowered himself until he was basically laying on her, and kissed her neck. She lifted her waist so he could find his way easier and he slid inside her. They both sighed.

He remembered what she said and didn't start with slow, careful moving: he was rough right from the beginning. The girl turned her head and he could see now half of her face laying on the bedsheet, grimacing from rapture.

Jenna was wonderfully warm and tight, she moved with him and it didn't take long until Robert felt those little inside muscles tightened again. Not like he needed that: Jenna wasn't shy to give a voice for her pleasure.

'Can we…' she groaned, 'I wanna see you.'

Robert receded a little and Jenna turned on her back and leaned on her elbows. She was struggling to catch her breath and a drop of sweat rolled down between her boobs. Robert never saw anything as beautiful as her.

'C'mere,' she whispered and the man did so. As he kissed her he also went deeply back into her and he felt the girl's back curving a little.

Now he was loud too, groaned as the minutes went by and he was closer and closer and right when Jenna had her next orgasm, her tightness helped him finish too. Then he just laid on her, in her, they both were sweaty and panting.

'You know,' said Jenna after she managed to catch her breath, 'I stand corrected. You are not that old, after all.'

Robert laughed and rolled over. He wanted to get up, take a shower, maybe eat something but Jenna snuggled him as they were, naked and wet. She put her head onto his chest, wrapped her leg around his and before Robert could say or do anything the smell of the woman’s hair and the warmth of her body sent him asleep.

It was the first time he could sleep well since he left the hospital.