The Enchanted: Council of Seven Shifter Romance Collection

by Juniper Hart

  “I never was your problem. It’s politicians like Michaels that are the problem,” Fassot said. “Half of these so-called attacks are staged to produce fear in the people; staged by people like me who have no ties one way or another.”

  “Ties or conscience,” Theo spat back.

  “You are arguing semantics with me again.” Fassot chuckled, and Theo realized he was enjoying the conversation too much.

  “Why didn’t you follow through with the plot?” The professor smiled at him almost boyishly.

  “Because, like most Americans, your senator thought that once the deed was done, I would be taken out. He hired you before I refused to do the job. You were going to… how did he say it? Ah, yes, ‘tie up loose ends’ in my case. I do the job, you kill me, and the matter never sees the light of day.”

  Theo’s stomach flipped as he heard the truth in his words. “Oh, God…”

  “There is no God, Mr. Veriday, only immortals and mortals who are hellbent on destruction.”

  “We can expose him!” Theo insisted. “Together!” Fassot snorted and shook his head almost pityingly.

  “I am a lowly college professor, Mr. Veriday. I know nothing except what I’ve learned in my books. You could try to also expose me, I suppose, but you know as well as I do that my tracks are too well hidden. Perhaps because I have special abilities to do that? Who can say?” He winked. “In another life, Mr. Veriday, I feel like you and I would have been able to sit down and have a nice meal together. Shame it won’t be today.”

  Fassot disappeared before Theo’s eyes, and the bear realized that whoever he was, Fassot was far more complex than the simple terrorist who had been his target for almost a year.

  There is a whole subculture of Enchanted somewhere, he thought, swallowing the lump forming in his throat. Ones we have never been in control of.

  He shoved the thought out of his mind for a moment. If Fassot wouldn’t help him bring down Michaels, he would have to trace the connection himself. But how?

  Rachel, he recalled. She can hack the Senator’s computer if I set her up properly. But then what? The plot never went down. Michaels is a demon. He’s untouchable.

  Theo knew he was going to have to recruit Raven for this. Would anyone help him after they found out about Simone, though? Would he want their help after they decided what to do with her? His head was beginning to swim, and he knew he needed to get back to his mate. He’d been gone a day without any contact, and he suddenly felt as though he couldn’t go another without seeing her.

  He turned away and strode toward the exit as his personal phone rang, and he snatched it up eagerly. “Theo Veriday.”

  “Oh, hi, Theo…”

  “Rachel? You’re just the person I was thinking about,” he told her. “Everything okay?”

  “I really need to speak with Simone,” she whispered, making Theo freeze in his tracks.

  “What’s wrong? What happened?”

  “The NSA is here, and they arrested her stepmother. They’ve been asking about her. She needs to come back, or they’ll think she’s running. I think her supervisor sold her out.”

  “Shit!” Theo cursed. “I’ll get in touch with her right away. Thanks, Rachel. Don’t stress about anything, and don’t tell them a word!”

  “I won’t,” she promised, but the fear in her voice was palpable.

  Theo hung up and dialed out Lane for the fifth time. To his chagrin, she didn’t answer. Had the NSA tracked Simone to New York? Although it wasn’t feasible, who knew? It hadn’t occurred to Theo to cover themselves that well.

  I’m standing in the same building as a wanted terrorist, and they’re looking for Simone. This is absurd and everything that is wrong with this country.

  Without hesitating, he reached for his council cell again and this time dialed out to Henry. The phone rang three times, and Theo grunted in frustration, bolting out toward the car when suddenly, a faint voice answered.

  “Hello?”

  “Henry? Are you home? Where is Lane?” Theo barked into the mouthpiece. “I need to talk to her, and she’s not answering the phone at all.”

  “Shit…” Theo stopped moving and looked at the screen, wondering if he’d dropped the call. The timer was still going.

  “Shit? Shit, what? Did something happen? Is the government there?”

  “Theo…” Henry cleared his throat, and there was another long pause.

  “Henry, what the hell is happening? Is Lane okay? Is Simone with you guys?”

  “Theo, you need to get back here immediately.”

  “I-I’m coming,” he stuttered, panic sweeping through him. “But you need to tell me what’s going on!”

  “I can’t talk about it over the phone,” Henry whispered. “Just come back.”

  As soon as he hung up, Theo instantly tried to call him back, but it went through to voicemail. He tried Lane again, too, but she still didn’t answer. His head swimming, he sprinted the last few feet into the parking lot and called the pilot to ready his jet.

  “I’ll be there in twenty minutes!” Theo wheezed. “We’re leaving for New York the second I get there.”

  “Yes, Captain,” came the response as Theo navigated traffic with an intensity he’d never known.

  What could have happened to them? Who got Simone? A part of him wanted to call everyone else on the Council for information, but Henry’s words echoed through his mind.

  “I can’t talk about it over the phone.”

  Did that mean NSA had gotten them, or that the Council had taken Simone? If it was the latter, it could only be because Lane had turned her in.

  A cold fury blended with consternation as Theo weaved through traffic, determined to get back to his lover. He had only just found Simone, and there was no way he was letting her go now.

  15

  Blackness surrounded Simone, and for a terrifying moment, she thought she was blind. Slowly, she tried to raise her head, but she couldn’t move, and she whimpered softly, her body heavy and sluggish.

  “Theo?” she called. Her throat was raw and scratched, like she had swallowed a mouthful of glass. Once again, she attempted to raise her head. This time, it was easier, and Simone tried to remember what had happened.

  Where am I? How did I get here? Her hands curled in around the cool, high-thread cotton count, and as her eyes adjusted, she made out the furniture of a bedroom. But whose was it, and how had she gotten there? The last thing she remembered was being on Theo’s private jet, heading to New York for safety, and then, nothingness.

  “Theo?” she moaned again, running her tongue over her chapped lower lip. As she blinked, more focus came, and for a second, she wondered where the light had come from.

  The bedroom was huge, and even in the glowing dark, she could see the pieces were high end and expensive. This isn’t a hospital. This is definitely a room… A hotel room?

  Suddenly, Simone heard voices outside the door, and she swung her legs over the side of the bed, sliding to the floor in surprise.

  “Hello?” she murmured, blood rushing to her ears. She wasn’t so much afraid as she was alarmed by the memory loss. Abruptly, the door flew open. Startled, Simone reeled back, but relief flooded her in a torrent when she saw who it was. “Theo!” she gasped.

  In a split second, Theo had enfolded her in his arms, and she was lifted into the air, his lips on her neck.

  “Oh, gods,” he muttered, laying her on the bed, his eyes raking over her as if he had never expected to see her again.

  “What happened?” Simone muttered. “I don’t remember—”

  His mouth crushed hers, silencing her questions at once, but she didn’t withdraw. Having him close was exactly what she needed to alleviate her confusion, and they rolled over the crisp sheets in a pile of arms and legs. Theo slipped her shirt over her head, and she pushed him onto his back, pressing her lips against him as their eyes clashed with passion.

  “I missed you,” she breathed, smiling for the first time, but whe
n she looked at him, there was a deep concern in his eyes. He nodded, unspeaking, and buried his face in her breasts, his breaths quick and hot against her skin.

  They rolled again, each one struggling for the upper hand until they were both naked and twined against the other in a melting of hot flesh. Theo’s kisses burned along the curve of her neck, and he paused, more worry clouding his eyes.

  “Are you sure you’re okay?” he demanded. Simone’s brow furrowed in confusion.

  “I’m great,” she insisted. “I… I’m perfect now that you’re here.”

  Theo nodded his head once, and she wrapped her legs firmly around his waist, drawing him closer into him so that they were one again. Simone sighed with pleasure and moaned, arching her body upward, and the two fell into a wave of passion, each thrust bringing them closer and higher, toward the heights they had been missing before.

  “Don’t leave me again,” she mumbled, her breath catching in rasps as her climax overtook her body. “Promise me.”

  Theo didn’t respond with words, but he grunted, joining her in the moment. Together, they spilled over one another in their desire, crying out loudly so that their voices carried far and wide. It took Theo several minutes to regain himself, but even after he had finished, he did not move off of her. Simone locked her ankles around him and grinned happily.

  “I’m so glad you’re here. I don’t remember what happened after we got here. Was I drunk or something?”

  Theo bit on his lower lip and shifted his eyes away, tightening his arms around her.

  “What do you remember?” he asked. “Do you remember coming to New York? Do you remember Lane?” Simone shook her head, her smile fading.

  “Did I seriously get drunk and blackout or something?” she asked with alarm. “I don’t even remember drinking anything.”

  “Oh, you drank something all right,” Theo sighed. “Simone, do you remember Lane telling you anything about who you are? About the Collingwoods?”

  Something was tickling at the back of Simone’s mind, but it didn’t easily come.

  “Can you please tell me what happened? What did I do?” she pleaded, untangling herself from Theo. “You’re freaking me out.”

  “Shit!” Theo cursed. “I could kill Lane!”

  “Theo, please, speak sense to me,” Simone begged. “I’m getting a little freaked out here.” But as she said it, she realized she was not freaked out, even though something was clearly wrong.

  “Get dressed, Simone, and we’ll talk about it in the living room,” he said, reluctantly rising from his spot.

  “I… All right,” she agreed, seeing that whatever it was needed to be addressed in a more formal setting. Theo slipped his pants back on but didn’t bother with his shirt as he padded out of the bedroom, pausing to look back at Simone before biting on his lower lip again and shaking his head.

  In two minutes, Simone had found her way through the two-story condo and into the living room, where Theo sat with an unfamiliar couple.

  “Come in and sit down, Simone,” the woman called, her green eyes glittering. “Are you thirsty? Hungry?”

  “Getting her a last supper, Lane?” Theo spat, and the unidentified man bristled.

  “Don’t talk to her like that, Theo.”

  Simone made her way toward the love seat and took her place at Theo’s side. His arm instantly encircled her waist and pulled her close.

  “Let me get you something to drink,” Lane said.

  “Get her water, Lane,” Theo barked. “She’s dehydrated.” Lane did as she was instructed, leaving Simone to stare at the men expectantly. “Why would I think I could trust her?” Theo growled. “What the hell was she thinking?”

  “I was thinking that you’d found your mate finally,” Lane replied, re-entering the living room and handing Simone a glass.

  “Not for long!” Theo raged, his face red with ire.

  “Stop being such a fatalist, Theo,” Lane said easily. “She had absolutely no say in the matter. If anyone is going to be punished, it’ll be me.”

  “NO!” the man howled. “No one is going to be punished for this because no one is going to find out about it!”

  A deep silence fell over the room. All eyes turned to the unidentified man.

  “What are you saying, Henry?” Theo demanded. “That we keep this from the Council?”

  Henry’s mouth pursed, and he looked at the floor.

  “Yes,” he replied shortly. “That’s exactly what I’m saying.”

  “I can’t ask you to do that,” Lane protested, flopping back against the couch. “If they find out and learn that you covered it up—”

  “No one will know if we all keep our mouths shut about it, all right? No one could have known what became of the Collingwoods after they disappeared. For all anyone knows, Simone could very well be some hybrid. There’s no reason to question her.”

  “She might still be sentenced to execution if they find out she’s a Collingwood!” Theo screamed.

  “More the reason to shut up about it.”

  “I’m sorry—what? What is happening? Execution? Hybrid? You’re freaking me out.” Simone glared at the trio, and Lane lowered her eyes.

  “I did something I shouldn’t have done,” she confessed. “I turned you into an immortal.”

  Simone started to laugh, but as she did, she lifted her fingers to her neck and felt the puncture wounds. In an instant, the memory came flooding back.

  I’m a Collingwood witch, one of the Enchanted, she thought. And now, thanks to Lane, I’m immortal.

  “Do you remember now?” Lane asked softly. Simone nodded slowly.

  “Yes, but… why did you turn me?”

  “As a witch, you’ll die. We’re not blessed with immortality. Alaric Aldwin knew that our powers were too strong as it was. Adding immortality to our abilities, well…” Lane shrugged. “We’re not supposed to be immortal.”

  “But why me? You don’t know me. I don’t know anything about your ways or the ways of the Enchanted.”

  Lane smiled. “It’s what my grandmother would have done for you. She didn’t put a spell on the Council only to have them find and lose their mates.”

  “WHAT ABOUT ME?” Henry stormed. “I’m your mate, and this will mean certain death for you when they find out about it!”

  Simone stiffened. “Is that true? Will you die if they find out?”

  Lane nodded, but her eyes were trained lovingly on her mate. “I didn’t have a choice, my love. I couldn’t let them be apart.”

  “You’re a fool,” Henry choked, and Simone could see he was struggling to fight back tears as he spoke. “Now we’re all going to be without our mates.”

  “No,” Simone said firmly. “No, Henry is right. This does not need to go to the Council.”

  “If they find out—”

  “Then the outcome will still be the same. I will take the blame for it, and I will suffer the consequences,” Simone said bravely. “There is no reason for them to know.” She looked cajolingly from her lover to the couple on the sofa, and slowly, everyone began to nod.

  “It’s our secret,” Theo murmured, looking warningly at the other couple. “We all stand to lose if this gets out.”

  “It will not get out,” Lane said firmly, placing her hand outward. Reaching into her waistband, she pulled out a pocket knife and slid the blade along her palm. “Swear in blood,” she said, and everyone followed suit. They squeezed their cuts into the untouched water glass before sitting back to study one another in silence. “By the way,” Lane went on, “you can thank me later.”

  Theo scoffed, but his arm tightened around Simone’s waist.

  “I’ll thank you when we don’t end up dead,” he snorted. Still, Simone could not help feeling a surge of gratefulness toward the tiny redhead.

  “Thank you, Lane,” she mumbled. “It’ll take some time to process, but I know you did it for us to be happy.” Lane grinned and winked.

  “It’ll be nice to have a hyb
rid like me around,” she said teasingly. “We’ll trade spell recipes.”

  Simone gaped at her. “Do witches do that?” she murmured. Everyone else laughed.

  “You’ve got a lot to learn,” Theo whispered. “And I’ll be right there to teach you everything. I promise.”

  Simone met his eyes and smiled warmly.

  “What’s happening back in Boulder?” she asked softly. “Can we go home?” He nodded and kissed the top of her head, pulling her in closely to inhale her sweetly.

  “Yes, we can,” he answered. “Especially now that I’m not worried about you taking care of yourself.” Simone looked up at him in awe.

  “Do I have special talents now?” she demanded. “Like, what can I do? Can I fly?”

  The others snickered.

  “One thing at a time, okay?” Theo replied, nodding toward the mirror. “It’s going to take me some time to get used to you with blue eyes.”

  “What?” Simone leapt from the couch and hurried toward the glass, peering at her reflection in shock. “Oh, man… How am I going to explain this to everyone?” she mumbled, squinting at her icy blue irises.

  “We’ll think of something,” Theo replied, rising to wrap his bare chest around her back and snuggle her closely. They stared at one another in the mirror.

  “We’ll be okay, right?” Simone whispered. Again, there was no fear in her question. A new confidence had spread through her, one she had never known lived within her all along.

  “As long as we’re together, Simone, we can take on anything. I promise,” Theo replied, his lips finding the small of her neck.

  Epilogue

  “Have you seen this?” Simone slapped her tablet in front of Theo, who did a double take at the article before him.

  “Ha!” he snickered as he scanned the information. “At least he’s stepping down before he did any real damage.”

  “We could still go do some real damage to him,” Simone told him in a syrupy tone. “It doesn’t seem fair that the Senator loses his seat because of a sex scandal when he’s a domestic terrorist.”

  “Attempted domestic terrorist,” Theo reminded her, casting her a sidelong look. “I think he rethought his position on his stupidity after he was confronted.”