by Wendy Cole
A million worries pierced my skull, my mountain never ceasing to grow. As if one magical being wanting me dead wasn’t bad enough, now an army was after me. Not just me, they wanted Brady too.
He could have been a leader. A king. He could have been revered, and yet here he was, hated by his own kind, all because of me.
Because I’m human.
I never thought I’d regret being human. I never thought that I’d feel ashamed of it. People didn’t have to feel shame over humanity. As far as the world is concerned, being born human is like winning the species lottery—top of the food chain.
But we aren’t top of the food chain. They are, and Brady, someone with enough power to be held mightiest of the mighty, got stuck with me.
“I have to leave for a while,” he murmured, still not looking at me. He seemed lost in his own thoughts, absorbed in the news that was given to him.
“Now?” The word choked me, forcing me to clear my throat as the emotions bubbled too high.
He nodded, jaw tight, eyes still averted. “I’ll have someone stay with you to keep you safe. I won’t be gone more than a day.”
He stood, and I watched as he walked into the house without so much as a glance over his shoulder. The tension kept his back stiff, and his sudden disinterest in completing our bond only increased the unease I felt.
Maybe he changed his mind.
I sat up, relieved to see that I could, then slowly followed.
Brady sat at the table with a phone pressed against his ear, murmuring words too soft for me to distinguish. The moment I entered the room, he cut the call short. “Someone will be here soon.”
My nerves kicked up a notch. “Who? I could just stay here by myself. You could charm the place or whatever like you did at my dorm.” I didn’t want to be left alone with one of his kind. Just the thought of it set my nerves on edge.
His eyes darkened. “I could, but it does me no good if you don’t stay put, and frankly, I don’t want to return to learn you’ve been kidnapped while I was gone.”
His words cut like a whip against my flesh. It stung and didn’t help at all to ease the doubt still coursing through my mind. “What’s wrong with you?” I snapped. Fuck this. I’d done nothing wrong. I couldn’t help it that I wasn’t some super magical being that could build libraries in my brain and fight fire with fireworks.
Brady snorted. “What’s wrong? You heard Damion. This is bad, Sweetheart. The sooner I get it fixed, the better, and I can’t do that if I have to worry about you. Desirae will keep you safe while I’m gone.”
Like a puppy.
Heat filled my face, and no matter how hard I tried not to, Owen’s words about humans being pets, animals in a zoo, kept repeating through my mind. I understood his reasoning. I got that I couldn’t really do shit in comparison to what his kind was capable of. I didn’t fault Brady for any of it.
I’d just never felt smaller.
A burst of red lit up the room, interrupting our conversation, and leaving behind one very tall, very leggy, redhead. Her eyes found Brady’s, and the two smiled at each other.
Sure, he can smile now…
Her hair wasn’t the orange fire that Red’s was. Desirae, as Brady called her, had hair the color of blood, matching lips, and she didn’t even acknowledge me as she crossed the room to embrace the man I’d been embracing only moments before.
Brady hugged her briefly, still smiling, then pushed her back to look at her face. “Thank you,” he said.
Desirae’s smile fell. “This is bad, Brady. I’ve been trying to contact you. Why have you been ignoring me?”
Brady’s eyes cut to me, then centered back on her face. “I’ve been dealing with some things. The man who’s started this kidnapped my mate.” He motioned over to me. “Desirae, meet Amelia. Amelia, this is my very good friend Desirae.”
My chest eased slightly at his introduction but tightened back up when the girl didn’t even acknowledge me.
“You’ve got bigger things to worry about. You know how humans are viewed. If you’d answered me, you’d know just how bad word has gotten around of this. The fact that it’s you, only makes it worse.”
Brady shook his head. “I know. That’s why I called you here. I’m going to the council now.” Determination filled his eyes. “They can’t go against it. It’s fate. It would be unnatural for them to try and deny the bond.”
“How do you know?” She lowered her voice, but not enough I couldn’t hear.
Brady’s jaw clenched. “Don’t ask me that. Of course, I know. It’s impossible not to.”
“But you haven’t bonded.”
Her words seemed to set off a bomb inside the room. Everything, even the ocean sounds in the distance, dulled to a hush. How can she know that? Can they sense it?
“That’s not from lack of trying,” he murmured dryly. “But I didn’t call you here to question my bond. Will you keep her safe or not?”
Desirae nodded softly. “Don’t get mad. You know I’d do anything for you, Brady. All you need to do is ask.”
My hackles rose at her tone, but Brady didn’t seem to notice. He offered her a tight smile, then stepped away to pull me into an embrace. “I won’t be gone long,” he said, then added into my ear, “We’ll finish this when I get back. I’ll take you somewhere, another damn planet if I have to.” His grip tightened, and the sparks returned at the contact, causing me to lean into him. “You’re mine, Sweetheart. I won’t let any of this stop me from having you.”
Like a balm to my soul, his words soothed the lingering doubts.
I looked up at him, and the severity of our situation hit me like a gust of storm force wind. He was leaving, off to face an army of people that’d labeled him a traitor.
What if I never see him again?
A fear greater than any nightmare, any monster, hit me at the realization that he might not come back. “Brady…I…” I wasn’t sure what to say.
The thought of never seeing him again brought me back to a few hours before, to being in that room and thinking I’d never escape. Feelings bubbled up inside me, things I hadn’t even realized until that moment. Every little thing he’d ever done. His smile. His jokes. The way he’d handled all of this despite my reluctance and sometimes downright nastiness towards him. All of these things swam around until it was clear, inside my mind, in big blue neon letters. “I want you to come back.” I met his eyes, and an overload of emotions filled me. “I’m sorry that I’m causing all this tr–”
My apology was cut off as Brady pulled me into his chest, holding me tight against him. “It will take more than an army to keep me away.” He loosened his hold and looked down at me, then gently placed his lips to mine. His eyes were shining, my new favorite color, bright neon blue, Brady’s blue. “Especially now.” He smiled, stealing my breath before a burst of that same blue took him away from me.
I sucked in a breath, trying to shake the anxiety his departure brought. My eyes landed on the girl standing across the room.
Desirae held an annoyed expression, and the moment our gazes met, she rolled her eyes and walked away.
I took a seat at the table and placed my head into my hands. I was so tired. Every time I thought I’d gotten ahead, had a victory for once, something new would come along to replace it, something worse. Maybe, I was cursed. Maybe, I’d pissed someone, somewhere, off in an astronomical way.
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
The bed inside the hut was just as nice as the one outside of it, only better, because the one outside now contained one not-so-nice girl genie, who I was pretty sure wanted to get into my man’s magical pants.
If I just stay in here, I won’t have to talk to her.
That theory worked for the first twelve hours, with eight of them spent sleeping. Or, at least, she slept, I tried to rest in between crippling anxiety and thoughts of whether or not Brady was okay.
The other four she spent outside, seeming to have the same idea as me.
But she r
uined it.
I watched as she sauntered inside, straight past me and into the kitchen. I heard her rummage around, running the water, opening and closing cabinets before eventually walking out with a bowl in each hand.
My brow furrowed as she stepped up to the bed, sat them on the floor alongside it, then walked back outside, all without speaking a word.
I peered over the edge.
She fed me like a dog! There on the floor sat one bowl of water, and one with a sandwich inside it. I was surprised she hadn’t gone the extra mile and just given me dog food. My blood boiled, and the same insecurity I’d spent the entire night with bubbled to the surface.
Fuck this! I’m not a dog. I’m not small, and I won’t be treated like I am! I needed to put a stop to it. What was I thinking? Sitting around feeling sorry for myself, feeling weak. I wasn’t weak. I’d spent my entire life being tormented by a monster and still made it into college. I spent years holding in fear so others wouldn’t think I was crazy. I suffered it all, alone.
A sense of pride flooded me, and I clung to the feeling as I jumped from the bed and ran after her.
Desirae was once again perched on the side of the bed outside, seeming bored as she stared out at the ocean view. “What do you want?” she asked without looking at me, her tone dryer than the miles of sandy beach.
“What the hell is that?” I pointed back towards where the bowls still sat.
“Brady will get upset if I don’t feed his pet.” She met my gaze. “Run along now. Go eat.”
“Fuck you!”
Her eyebrows lifted. “You’re either very brave or very stupid.” She extended her hand then smiled softly at the burning red light that filled her palm. “What are you going to do about it? You have no magic. You have nothing.” She closed her hand, and the light disappeared. “Now go away, you’re annoying me.” Her eyes once again moved to the beach, dismissing me.
My anger evolved, going from boiling to steam, heating my face and pricking my eyes with unshed tears. I blinked them away. I wouldn’t cry. I couldn’t. I needed to be strong, as strong as I could be if I stood any chance at all against her power.
She said I had nothing, but she was wrong. Doogal had taught me some magic. I could do it. My mind struggled to pull the spell I’d used on him from deep within my memories, and I was happy to find that after chanting the words so many times, I could still remember them.
A smile curved my lips. I’ll show her who’s weak. “Ma olen väga usklik!” I shouted the first part, then added the second, “inimesed on naljakas, ma olen nii müane!”
Desirae didn’t move. She shot me a look, brows furrowed and lips slightly lifted in a confused smile. “What are you doing?”
I held my breath. I must not have done it right. I concentrated harder, focusing all the anger I felt at her into the words. “Ma olen väga usklik! inimesed on naljakas, ma olen nii müane!”
Her smile widened further, and a moment later she snorted. It turned into a laugh, loud tinkling sounds that grated against each and every one of my nerves.
“Ma olen väga usklik! inimesed on naljakas, ma olen nii müane!”
She laughed harder, then waved a hand for me to stop. “Okay! I get it!” She gripped her stomach as she fought to contain herself. “Why do you keep saying that? What is it you’re trying to do?”
My cheeks heated, and I chewed my lip. “It’s a spell. I did it before! It worked! Knocked a grown jinni onto the ground.” God, I’m lame. So fucking lame. Why’d I walked out here? I should have just picked the sandwich up and eaten it. What’s wrong with dogs? Dogs are cute as fuck. I could totally rock it as a dog.
Desirae’s eyes danced with humor. “Who told you that was a spell? Was it Brady?”
“No.” Just stop talking. Go back inside. Why are you still standing here?
“Who?” She leaned forward, her hands gripping the mattress on either side of her as she waited impatiently for me to continue.
“Owen taught it to me when I—”
“Oh,” her smile turned wry. “Well, that’s not a spell. It’s Estonian.” She chuckled again. “You just told me you were gullible, that humans are funny, and that you’re so fucking dumb.”
Somehow, I managed to embarrass myself past the point of feeling it. Instead, I simply accepted what couldn’t be changed and resigned myself to what I’d so easily fallen for. “I’m going back inside,” I said, already turning to leave.
“Wait.” Desirae stood and maneuvered around me. She waved a hand, removing the two bowls, then produced a tray holding a plate and glass. “Here.” She held it out to me, still grinning.
I took the offering, confused as to what had changed her attitude, but unwilling to question it out loud. Instead, I muttered, “Thank you,” and took a seat back on the bed.
Desirae continued to grin as she nodded her head and walked back outside.
I stared at the sandwich, took it apart and put it back together, sniffed it five times, then tentatively took a small bite and waited to die.
I didn’t, die that is. It was good. Turkey and ham, cheese, all the fixings. Definitely a step up from the dog food she could have given me. The moment I was sure she hadn’t poisoned me, I devoured the meal in less time than was healthy. The water, thankfully, wasn’t poisoned either, because I didn’t even bother to check before downing the glass.
I’d just stood and walked to place the tray in the kitchen when I heard a laugh, a familiar laugh, a laugh I’d longed to hear since he disappeared the night before.
A loud clatter sounded as I dropped the tray into the sink and ran for the front door. Brady stood there, still laughing with Desirae, and the moment his eyes found mine they danced. “Learn some magic, did you?”
My face heated all over again, but I didn’t allow myself to linger on the feeling. He was back. He was alive. I rushed forward, disregarding the girl beside him as I wrapped my arms around his torso.
Brady laughed, picking me up and holding me off the ground. “Alright, Desirae. I got it from here.” The two smiled at each other, and I was surprised to see her not look as bitchy as she had before. “I’ll call you when I know more.”
Desirae nodded her head, then in a flash of red, she disappeared.
His eyes met mine, still shining, and the smile that lit his face was enough to rival the sun beating down upon the ocean’s waves. “You see what I mean? That’s that beautiful aura. You even managed to get Desirae to like you.” His lips met mine in a soft kiss that turned into something more. The gravity between us lurched, pulling hard and making it almost impossible to break away. “I want to take you somewhere,” Brady murmured huskily.
My breath caught at his tone, and the impending things to come now that he was back. I nervously nodded, and the moment I did, the world exploded into that familiar blue light.
CHAPTER FORTY
When the light dissipated, we stood inside a cabin. Thick wool curtains covered each window, blocking out the sun, and leaving only the dull orange glow of a fireplace for light.
I looked around at the rustic decor, the old barn wood walls, the thick bearskin rug. “Where are we?”
Brady’s voice was deep and smooth as he answered, “We’re on a mountain in the Rockies.” He took a step closer, and ran his fingers along the back of my neck. “This is the most secluded place I could think of. No one comes out here, and if they did, I charmed it so they’ll simply walk by. No man nor jinni will come along to bother us.” He took another step, his free arm wrapping around my waist and pulling me to lean back against his chest. He held me tight, and light instrumental music began to play in the background, a jazzy sound that seemed too perfect for a human to have created it. “I’ve got you all to myself, Sweetheart,” he hummed, swaying me in time with the soothing sounds. He spun me around, then dipped me backwards.
I laughed in surprise, and Brady smiled down at me. “You’re perfect.”
My cheeks warmed as I shrugged off his compliment. “Not as p
erfect as you.”
Brady’s smile widened. “Do you want to know a secret?”
I nodded.
“Let me show you.” He lowered me further, all the way down until my body was spread out across the bearskin rug. “This right here?” He grabbed my hand, pulled it up to his face, then placed a kiss along the side of it. “This is the most perfect hand in existence. Trust me, I know, I’m a very powerful being.”
I snorted a laugh, but his words caused heat to fill my chest.
He smirked, then continued down my arm, running his fingers along the inside of my wrist and all the way up. “And your arm,” he kissed my wrist. “No arm appeals to me more than this one.”
I watched him, my eyes glued to each move he made, my mind focused solely on the electric current following each kiss, each touch. I breathed a sigh, and Brady’s eyes lit up at the sound of it.
He sat up, slowly lifting my shirt, eyes glued with mine in silent question. When the garment made it past my head, he tossed it to the side and slowly drank me in. A deep rumbling sound left his chest. “These,” he began, reaching behind me to unclip my bra and pull it away. He palmed one mound first, caressing it before repeating the action to the other. My back arched at the sensation, and Brady blew out a breath before continuing. “These are enough to bring a man to his knees.” His eyes lit up electric blue as he lowered his head to taste them.
Lightning hit me hard, jerking me upwards, but Brady pressed a hand to my shoulder and held me still as he moved to the next. I cried out, and the sound only seemed to urge him on. “That sound you make,” he murmured against my flesh, moving downwards, towards my belly button, “Is perfect.” He reached my pant line and took his time undoing the button on my jeans. Like unwrapping a present, Brady slowly pulled my zipper and dragged the material down my hips in one long fluid motion.
My whole body lit up in anticipation. An ache formed in the pit of my stomach, spreading lower and begging to be relieved. “Brady?” I couldn’t understand how a whisper could hold so much desperation, but it was clear. I needed him. The pull tightened, urged.