Sapphire Danger: The Weaver Chronicles Book 2

by Angie Cottingham

  Sapphire Eyes

  The Weaver Chronicles Book 2

  Angie Cottingham

  Copyright © 2020 Angie Cottingham

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are all from the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and any resemblance to persons alive or dead are purely coincidental. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned or distributed in any form without the express consent of the author.

  Copyright, 2020, Angie Cottingham

  Cover Art provided by Beautiful Chaos Designs

  Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright

  Chapter 1: Bentley

  Chapter 2: Reegan

  Chapter 3: Asher

  Chapter 4: Bentley

  Chapter 5: Reegan

  Chapter 6: Jaymeson

  Chapter 7: Reegan

  Chapter 8: Bentley

  Chapter 9: Reegan

  Chapter 10: Reegan

  Chapter 11: Bentley

  Chapter 12: Reegan

  Chapter 13: Reegan

  Chapter 14: Reegan

  Chapter 15: Trent

  Chapter 16: Bentley

  Chapter 17: Reegan

  Chapter 18: Reegan

  Chapter 19: Kalan

  Chapter 20: Reegan

  Chapter 21: Reegan

  Chapter 22: Jaymeson

  Chapter 23: Reegan

  Chapter 24: Bentley

  Chapter 25: Reegan

  Chapter 26: Reegan

  Chapter 27: Asher

  Acknowledgements

  About the Author

  Chapter 1: Bentley

  It’s been two weeks. Two creator damn weeks, and they still haven’t woken up. When I saw Miles grab Reegan, I thought it was a figment of my imagination. When he dragged her off while we were in the middle of fighting the creatures set in the trial, my heart stopped. I had to get to her. Jaymes was busy dealing with a massive shifter that we found out later wasn’t part of the trial. This shifter had been spelled to do Miles’ bidding.

  Damn witch. That fucker and Calista had Reegan tied to a tree with her clothes removed. When those magic balls launched, I tried to get to her. I didn’t even see Asher jump out of the woods. I didn’t see the magic hit him. All I saw was the ball that hit her and I swear my heart shattered into a million pieces. I have spent months building walls to keep her out. She’s the reason my parents are dead. She claims they aren’t, but how the hell would she know? I need to talk to my uncle. I need answers but first, I need to know she’s ok. I need to know my brother is ok.

  Trent’s with Asher now but I can’t bring myself to leave Reegan. I’ve showered in the ensuite, the cook brings my meals up to me, though they go mainly uneaten. The only time I leave is when Maddie comes in to bathe her. I stand right outside the door until she’s done. I feel as if I let her down, as if I let my parents down. Mom always told me it would be my job to protect her. I think I understand now.

  Mom knew something was going to happen to her, dad, and Reegan’s parents. Thinking back to before they died, mom always seemed to know things before they happened. Maybe it was one of her angelic abilities. Maybe it was something else. But if she knew, why didn’t she prevent it? Why did she let them get her and dad? Or is Reegan right? Did mom somehow know and pull off some elaborate scheme to disappear?

  This has been my life for the last two weeks. I sit here by Reegan’s bed and think about everything. I know it’s not healthy but I can’t help myself. I’m more cranky than usual and the other guys are starting to get frustrated with me. I won’t let any of them be alone with her. It’s not because I think they’ll hurt her. I know better, but my heart won’t let me part from her. My soul reaches out for hers. Even Marcus and Dain can’t get me to leave this room.

  I go take a piss and when I come back out, Reegan is thrashing on the bed. She’s done this a few times in the last two weeks. I walk over and take a seat on the edge of the bed. I grab her hand. “Come on, Princess. Fight through it and come back to me.” I run my finger along her jaw and she immediately stills. “That’s it, just a nightmare.”

  “Another one?”, Trent asks from the doorway. I didn’t even hear him come in.

  “Yeah. This one didn’t seem as bad though.”

  “Doesn’t she have dream abilities? You’d think with that, she would be able to prevent them.”

  “Maybe, but we don’t know what Miles’ magic did to her. Speaking of, have they found out anything yet?”

  “No. The bastard clammed up immediately and called Senior in to defend him.”

  “Is he? Defending him I mean.”

  “Yeah. That prick is claiming that Miles had no clue what he was doing. That he’d been under some sort of blood spell himself.”, Trent tells me.

  “Likely story. Either Senior plans to handle him on his own or he’s trying to cover up his part in it. What about Calista?, I ask

  “Ah, this is where things get interesting. We can’t get near Miles but they’ve left Calista open. They don’t realize we have our own magic reader with the ability to dispel magic in our group of misfits. Anyway, Aldair read Calista and sure enough, she reeked of foreign magic. What we don’t know is who’s. It took some work but Aldair was able to remove the magic. Once the magic was gone, Calista had some very interesting things to say, though we don’t know what’s true and what isn’t.”

  “You going to tell me what he found out or just sit there and bust my balls all evening?”, I ask, getting frustrated.

  “Yeah, yeah. So, Calista admitted that she likes Asher but she isn’t in love with him and she swears she would never hurt Reegan. She doesn’t remember the spell being placed on her or what the woman’s name was, but she did say she was a stunning woman with long blonde hair and bright green eyes. She also told us that she changed the intent of the ball that hit Asher. It wasn’t meant to kill but to knock out. She thinks the reason that Ash and Beauty are still out is because of Miles. She begged to come over when they wake up to apologize and man, she was really sincere.”, Trent relays.

  “Or she’s acting and biding her time until she can finish the job.”, I huff.

  “She’s not that great an actress. Plus, she even said we could put her in front of a truth seer and she’d tell them everything she told us and let them determine if she’s telling the truth. I mean if they wake up, we should do it right?”, he asks.

  “When they wake up, Trent, not if. When they wake up we’ll make the decision. Actually, Reegan will make that decision.”, I raise my voice when I say this.

  “Dude chill. I didn’t mean to word it that way. Do you think I don’t want her to wake up? She’s my fucking mate too you asshole. And I didn’t push her away the last few months.”, he practically yells. Reegan starts thrashing again. I rush over and try to calm her.

  “Alright boys, I heard yelling. Both of you need to leave for a bit, get out of this room Bentley. You need fresh air. OUT.”, Marcus orders as he rushes in.

  “I’m not leaving her.”, I tell him.

  “You are. Either on your own or by force. It doesn’t matter either way to me. I get that you care for Reegan, that you feel responsible for what happened but it wasn’t your fault. Now out. Both of you. Go to town and get something to eat. Maybe bring me back some of those delicious pulled pork tacos.”, He orders again.

  “Fine.”, I grumble and sulk out of her room and down the stairs. I don’t want to go up against him so I do as he says.

  Chapter 2: Reegan

  I smell tacos. Why do I smell tacos? I’ve been stuck in the dreamscape for two weeks. It wa
s weird this time. I could hear the guys talking to me but every time I would try to go to them, I would be lost in nightmares that I couldn’t fight my way out of. I knew Bentley hadn’t left my side. There were times when Nevaeh would join me in the meadow and we’d talk for hours about her life but she was always cryptic when I asked questions about me, about who was after me, or where my parents were. I missed my guys, all of them and I was worried about Asher. I couldn’t call him to me in the dreamscape so I didn’t know how he was. I knew he wasn’t dead since I could hear the guys unless I was in a nightmare. Right now, it wasn’t Bentley with me but Jaymeson. He was talking to me but I couldn’t make out everything he was saying. But seriously, why the hell do I smell tacos?

  I can see the darkness behind my eyes so I know I’m not dreaming anymore. I try to open them but the light is too bright.

  “Mmmm. Too bright.”, I croak. Is that my voice? I guess that’s what happens when you sleep for so long.

  “Sweetheart. Can you hear me?”, Jaymeson asks.

  “Ye..yes.”

  “Can you open your eyes for me?”

  “Too bright.”, I tell him again.

  “Shit. Ok, hold on.”, he says. I hear him shuffle across the room and then he says, “Alright sweetheart, try now.”

  I do and I am finally able to open my eyes. When I look at Jaymes, the first thing I notice is the scruff on his jaw and then I see his steel-grey eyes. They are watery with tears. I try to sit up. He grabs me to help and then fluffs the pillows behind me so I can lean on the headboard.

  “How are you feeling?”, he asks.

  “Like I just slept for two weeks”, I joke. “I could use some water though.”

  He gets up and runs to the bathroom, returning with a glass of water. “Take it easy. You don’t want to choke.”, he orders.

  I take the glass gratefully and take a few sips. When I know I can handle it, I gulp down the whole glass. “Jaymeson? Why do I smell tacos?”

  “Really, your first thought is about tacos? You’ve been out for two weeks and you ask me about tacos. Marcus forced Bentley and Trent out of the house and sent them on an errand for tacos.”, He explains.

  “Please tell me there are some left.”, I say. “I’m starved.”, I whined.

  “I’ll go check. The guys will want to know you’re awake anyway.”

  “And Ash? Is he ok?”

  “He’s still out cold. Let’s get some food in you and then I’ll take you to see him ok.”

  I nod as he leaves the room. A few minutes later the door opens and I’m tackled back on the bed by Kalan, Trent and Maddie. Even Aldair jumps in. I’m laughing hysterically when Jaymeson walks in.

  “Hell yeah! Puppy pile!”, he yells running over.

  “No!”, I yell back pushing my way out from under the others. “If you ruin my tacos, I will kill you.”, I add.

  “Alright, everybody up so Princess can eat.”, Bentley says carrying in a plate full of steamy goodness.

  He walks over and places the tray in my lap. Not only did he bring me tacos but also a glass of ice water and orange juice. I dig in before anyone else can say anything. Once I empty the entire plate and the glasses, Bentley takes them away and sits the tray on top of my dresser. He comes back over and sits on the edge of the bed by my feet. Aldair sits on my left and Trent on my right up by the headboard. Both haven’t stopped touching me. It's like they have to feel for themselves that I’m still here. Jaymeson sits in the window looking at me and Maddie is in the chair beside the bed, the one Bentley pulled in here so he could be with me.

  “How are you feeling, Princess?”, Bentley asks.

  “Honestly, I’m good. A little sore from being stuck in this bed, but overall I’m ok.”, I tell him honestly.

  “What do you remember?”, he asks.

  “I remember all of it. Calista and her dad wanted to kill me. Calista said I was taking everything from her. Something about Senior wanting me alive but she couldn’t have that or she’d lose Asher and she should have my seat on the council. She was crazed.”

  “That makes sense considering she had been spelled. Aldair removed the magic and we found out a little information. We haven’t been able to get close to Miles because Senior is representing him.”, Bentley says.

  “I know. While I was unconscious, I could hear you guys. You stayed with me this whole time didn’t you?”, I ask him.

  When he doesn’t respond, I don’t push him. I know this has been tough on him. He looks almost embarrassed. He talked to me for hours while I was out. Does it bother him to know I could hear every word? I want to reassure him but when I open my mouth all that comes out is,” I want to see Asher.”

  Trent helps me to my feet. It takes me a minute to get my bearings and when I walk, I almost hit the floor. My legs are like noodles. Trent scoops me up into his arms and carries me out and down the hall. Trent opens the door and walks in. He carries me over to a chair.

  “No. Put me on the bed.”, I tell him. He lifts me again and lays me beside Ash. “Has his mom and dad come?”

  “His mom calls. Senior hasn’t even attempted to check on him. Marcus has the house spelled. No one but us, the king and queen, and Trent’s parents can enter the gate.” Jaymeson offers from his spot leaning on the wall.

  “Good.”, I nod. “Has Asher responded to anything?”

  “No. He hasn’t even moved. If it weren’t for his breathing, you’d think he was dead.”, Trent says.

  I curl into Asher’s body and lay my hand on his chest where I can feel his heartbeat. He’s still so beautiful with his dark hair. He’s a little pale and I can see that he’s lost some of his muscle in the two weeks he’s been sleeping.

  “Ash?”, I whisper. “Ash, please wake up. You’ve slept long enough.” When he doesn’t so much as move, I get an idea. “Maddie, will you go to tell Marcus to make me some sleepy tea?”

  “Baby, you’ve been asleep for two weeks. Why do you want sleepy tea?”, Kalan asks confusedly.

  “You’re going into his dreams aren’t you?”, Maddie asks.

  “Yes, I am. Maybe if I go in, I can bring him out.”, I answer.

  “Absolutely not.”, Kalan says with authority. “We still don’t know what, if any, residual effects the magic will have on you.”

  “I don’t care, Kalan. I’m not leaving him in his own head. If there’s even a chance that I can pull him out, I intend to take it.”, I say back.

  “Let her do this.”, Bentley says. “She can do it. I know she can.”

  Maddie heads down for the tea and the guys argue about whether or not this is a good idea.

  “Guys. Stop. I don’t need you here to do this and I damn sure don’t need your permission. I’m doing this whether you like it or not and none of you are staying in this room while I do.”

  The guys break back out in argument, this time about how I can’t kick them out. Maddie comes back with the tea as well as Alita and Marcus.

  “Boys. Boys. Control yourselves. I’ll stay with Reegan and make sure everything is ok. Marcus will stay as well. Now go, find something to occupy yourselves.”

  The boys mope but they do leave. Marcus takes a seat in a chair and Alita brings over the tea. Before she gives it to me she asks, “Sweetie are you sure you want to do this?”

  I nod. She hands me the tea and I drink it. I know it will take a few minutes to work so I lay my head down and stare at my grandfather.

  “Are you ok, Little Bit? You gave us all quite a scare.”, Marcus says to me.

  “Yeah, grandpa. I’m fine. I just want answers, but first, I want to get Asher and then figure everything else out. And no more running away from me grandpa.”

  “I haven’t been running..”, he begins but when he sees the look on my face he shuts up and nods, “Ok. No more running. You come back out of this, you hear me.”

  I nod and yawn, and within seconds I’m asleep. When I wake up in the dreamscape, I see the meadow but it's empty except for the orchids. With a swi
pe of my hand, I’m at my mountain. Asher isn’t here either. If he could dream of any place, where would it be? I search place after place and go in circles. The last place I try is the lake. When I port into existence there, it’s surrounded by blackness.

  I try to walk through it but I’m pushed back. I reach out a hand and while I can get it to enter the darkness, it's as thick as tar. It takes a lot of energy to push just a couple inches in. When I pull my hand out, it's covered in a thick substance. I have to figure out how to get through without smothering. I try my wind but it won’t penetrate. My fire just burns on the surface but doesn’t cause any damage. My water also won’t work. Can I use my spirit ability in the dreamscape? I try but spirits don’t dream so I can’t use it either.

  It seems like the only way in, is through. I’m going to be so pissed if I die in there. I will make sure I go to purgatory so I can cross over and haunt Marcus. That decided, I create an air bubble around my head and start to slowly push my way through the blackness. This shit is nasty. It sticks to me and makes me even slower.

  What feels like hours later, I get through. I see the lake glistening under the full moon and there on the bench sits Asher. He’s facing away from me so I walk up and place my hand on his shoulder. The dreamscape shifts and both Ash and I are now sitting within the cave of my mountain. I don’t know what created that darkness but it felt sinister and I feel safer now, knowing that my cave can’t be penetrated.

  Asher is quiet. Too quiet. “Asher are you ok?”, I ask him.

  He looks up at me, “You’re not real. I watched you die. She said you died.”, his eyes swim with tears.

  “What? Who told you I was dead?”, I ask. “I’m ok Asher. See, I’m here. We were knocked out with the magic but it didn’t kill me. I woke up a little while ago. I came to bring you out. The guys need you. I need you.”

  “She said it was too late. That we both died when the magic hit us. She told me I was in Purgatory awaiting judgment. I’m going to hell Winnie. I couldn’t save you. I should have saved you. It’s all my fault.”, he sobs.