by Kitt Rose
Libby's outrage was awesome. Someday, down the road when this wasn't so frustrating and painful, I would laugh about that expression. Possibly even try to get her to give it to me again because it was just that adorable. But for now, I just arrowed to my dresser and yanked out the bottom drawer.
In my anger, I pulled too hard and the drawer flew out, crashing into my shin.
Damn, that hurt. I winced, leaning down to pick up the long, deep drawer. Carried it to the bed and dropped it next to Libby.
I dug through it, looking for a small burgundy box. Velvet.
For six years, I'd had the box. But for a long time, I'd worn the ring inside on a chain around my neck. A reminder that I would never give up, for those days when I'd felt hopeless. The ring inside wasn't a diamond. Libby hadn't liked diamond's back then—I hoped she still didn't.
The ring inside was what Libby had once told me she would want. Sapphire stone, cushion cut. She hadn't wanted something this large, but out of all the rings I'd looked at, this was the one I liked best. And Izzy had promised me that Libby probably wouldn't complain that the ring was too large, unless I did something stupid and bought a mammoth stone.
This wasn't mammoth, but it was my best estimation of the ring she had told me she would want. The conversation had come up when she was sixteen and her mother came home with what Libby said was an ugly ring.
I'd bought the ring after my first fruitless trip to Georgia. Not being able to find her had made me despondent. A whim had carried me into a jewelry store. I'd spent every penny to my name and then some on it.
I found the box and lifted it out triumphantly.
Libby, who was winding up to yell, choked, her hands flying to cover her mouth.
I held the box in front of her, moving to stand in front of her legs at the foot of the bed. Her knees were pressed tight together and I nudged them apart, moving into the cradle of her thighs.
Softly, I said, “You are my mate. No other. I get that you're scared. I get that you're scarred too. Shit's happened to you. Heavy shit. Bad, dark, damaging shit. But I don't care how banged up and bruised your heart is.” With my first two fingers, I touched her chest, just above her heart. I traced a figure eight over the skin, watching goosebumps rise with the contact. “This heart here, it's mine. Just like my heart and my soul, are yours. And you are going to give me time to prove that we will work. That I'm not going anywhere.
“If you run, I'll find you. If you try to push me away, I'll just pull you back. And more than that… You're going to marry me as soon as this shit settles.”
I opened the velvet box, took out the ring, and grabbed her hand. “Liberty Grace Dahl Johnston, I have loved you since I was seven. I've been in love with you since I was old enough to know what it meant.” I slid the ring onto her finger, and by the grace of Oceanus, it fit. “You see, you're it for me. And you're just going to have to get used to it.”
Libby's mouth worked, her eyes flying down to stare at the ring, sparkling on her hand. “I…I…” Her eyes met mine, and something shifted in her gaze.
The gleam of tears preceded a deep sob that seemed to punch me in the throat. “Okay?” I asked quietly.
She didn't answer. There was something important working in her eyes. I could see it there. And I wanted to—no, I needed to know what she was thinking. I might never have needed anything more than I needed to know what the hell was making her face so sorrowful.
“This isn't scary, Lib. It's good. We're good together. We always have been and always will be. I know we just got back to each other, but think of all the shit we've been through that brought us here, to this moment. If we let this go, this thing between us that has the potential to be so amazing, wouldn’t that be a shame?”
She pressed a fist to her mouth and nodded, the motion so slight I could have missed it if I wasn't looking.
It was a start.
If I could keep her from retreating, and just get her to give me a chance, I'd show her.
And then my damn cell phone rang. Irritated, I answered, “Stefan.”
“Marked One, I have found Heidi.”
My mind scrambled to catch up, unprepared. Selene! “You found her?”
“Yes. We had a full gathering this morning and I was able to use the extra power to scry for her location. I have coordinates for you. I will text them.”
The excitement of an impending hunt dumped adrenaline into my veins. I grinned, feeling wicked and wild. There were times, like right now, where I absolutely loved being a Marked Protean. When the song in my blood gave me strength and purpose… And power. Nearly limitless power. I fantasized about turning into a dragon, flying to wherever the witch was hiding, and eating her. Of course I wouldn't, but it was a tempting fantasy.
I hung up the phone and tucked it into my jeans pocket, turning back to Libby. “I've got to go. Selene found the witch. If we're lucky, we'll find the Protean who's responsible for all this bullshit in the process. I want you to stay here. I'll get Johnny to come and stay with you.”
Without waiting for an answer, I strode out of my room and took the stairs two at a time. “Elliot,” I yelled. “I need to get Johnny over here, or Dad. Someone. I need you to come with me.”
“Where we going?” Elliot asked, strolling out of the kitchen with an apple in hand. He took a big bite and juice dripped down his chin. With the back of his hand, he wiped it away.
“Hunting a witch.”
Something sharp, that matched the animal inside, took over. The predators were going hunting.
27
Libby
Ash was leaving. To go after the witch. My heart was pounding in my chest hard enough to convince me I'd run a marathon.
I followed him down the stairs and into the kitchen. I dropped into one of the chairs at the table. Elliot, who was eating an apple, winked at me.
“Looking a little shell-shocked there, Ms. America,” he said, voice teasing.
His eyes widened when they landed on my hand.
I was engaged? Ash and I were mated and engaged. Holy crap.
“Whoa,” Elliot said under his breath. “You guys…?”
Ash turned, from where he was speaking softly on his cell phone in the doorway. He looked at Elliot, who was looking at my ring finger, and the very shiny ring that now rested on it.
He smiled. And despite the strain in his face, his eyes softened. His gaze lingered on me, and then he turned back, saying loudly, “I want to leave as soon as possible. Can you be here in ten?”
A pause.
“Perfect, see you then.” He hung up and put the phone back into his pocket. “Johnny was already on his way over. As soon as he gets here, we'll take off.”
Elliot nodded, solemn, the earlier light-hearted laughter gone.
I stared between the two. And then Justice's voice spoke in my mind.
It's a trap. Don't let him go.
A trap? I wondered to myself. But Justice's voice was silent.
A knock at the door proceeded Johnny into the house. I stared at Ash, chewing on my lip. There was too much in my head. Too many thoughts. I looked down and saw the ring, the engagement ring he'd given me, sparkling on my hand. Wonder filled me. Terror on its heels.
I wanted to run. To scream and cry. At the same time, I wanted to jump up, run across the room and kiss Ash. To tell him he was right. I did love him. I always would. I couldn't help it.
But I lost nearly every person I'd ever loved. My brother. My husband. My mother. My God, I'd lost my baby girl. My Sarah. I was cursed.
And if you don't listen to me, you'll lose Ash too! My mental version of Justice yelled in my head.
I jolted, wondering for a moment if I was, in fact, going crazy. It was a distinct possibility.
“Lib, we're leaving. Stay here in the house with Johnny. No walks, please. I need to know you're safe.” Ash came over and leaned down, kissing me softly.
His lips lingered on mine. He grabbed the back of my neck in a firm grip, squeez
ing gently. “I love you.”
My stomach clenched at the words. Those three huge words. I nodded.
He waited another moment, then grabbed Elliot's attention with a short whistle. They turned to leave and I opened my mouth. Closed it. Watched them walk to the front door.
No sooner had they walked through it when I decided I had to tell him. I popped up from my chair and ran out the door. Ash was climbing into his pickup and I rushed to him, grabbing his hand. He turned and looked down at me, his eyes still that weird contradiction of hard and soft.
“Be careful,” I whispered.
He nodded and leaned down to press his forehead to mine.
I watched him back down the driveway before I went back inside.
He's in trouble. Justice's voice was urgent.
I shook my head, heading in to sit down at the table again. Johnny moved to sit next to me.
“So, you're babysitting me?”
He chuckled. “A bit. How's Aaron?”
“Awake. He doesn't remember the attack.”
“So, what did I miss? I mean, how does Ash know where the witch is?”
I explained, then paused.
Tell him. The voice of my dead brother urged.
“Johnny, I need to tell you something. And it's going to sound pretty freaking crazy.”
His eyebrows rose. “Okay?”
Saliva gathered thick in my mouth and I swallowed, forcing the insecurity and fear with it. “I—I hear Justice, in my head. Sometimes… I think it's just my subconscious. But that little voice keeps telling me that this thing that Ash and Elliot are walking into is a trap.”
Johnny didn't look freaked out. He looked thoughtful, so I pushed on. It felt like that voice, Justice's voice, my subconscious, whatever it was, was doing the speaking.
“It's a trap. They're walking into a trap. When Ash and I visited the coven, the witch knew she was in trouble. She and her mate are forcing a confrontation. They were confident that Ash would rush in, which he did. I'm scared.”
Johnny drummed his fingers on the table. “You know that the mates of Marked Proteans are supposed to possess the ability to prophesize? Do you think that's what this is? Is this prophecy?”
I shook my head, then shrugged. “I'm honestly not sure. I've been hearing Justice in my head since he died. Before him, it was Daniel. And before Daniel, it was Mom. And before Mom,” I broke off, blushing. “Before Mom, my little wolf pup used to talk to me. I mean, this has been going on my whole life. But I've only just now become Ash's mate. So how could it be prophecy?”
“You two were born to be mates. Any gifts you have you would have been born with. If anything, mating with Ash might have strengthened those abilities. Do you feel any different?”
I thought about it. “Maybe. It's hard to say. So much has happened recently. But I guess I'm feeling a little stronger. I noticed at the cabin that I could walk faster and longer without getting winded. I didn't have to fight to keep up with Ash. But today, I feel pretty normal.”
“You're also working on limited sleep in a high-stress situation. That's understandable. I feel like shit myself, quite frankly. Okay, here's what we're going to do. I'm going to take you over to the Stefan farm. Tobias and Lila can keep an eye on you. I'd take you to Dad's, but that'd take longer. And if what you've heard, what your subconscious is telling you is true, time is of the essence.”
I wasn't about to argue. My skin itched, unease slithering under the surface. I needed to know that Ash was okay.
Johnny loaded me up in his truck and drove the few miles to the Stefan farm. It was a bit more run-down than I remembered, the long driveway had a few more potholes, but it was like stepping into my past.
Lila came out of the house when we pulled up, holding a hand up over her eyebrows to shield her eyes from the sun. When I jumped out of the truck, she lit up. A huge smile on her face—a smile so much like Asher's. She rushed down the steps of the old farmhouse and swept me up in a hug.
“Liberty! Oh, my goodness. I was wondering how long it would take you to come see me. You look wonderful, darling. How are you doing?”
“Hanging in there.”
Johnny stepped up next to me as Lila let me go. “I need to leave Libby with you. I have to go check something out. Is Tobias around?”
“Yes. He's inside fixing himself a snack. Why?”
“I need him to keep Libby safe. Ash's orders.”
Lila put her hands on her slim hips. “What, and I can't because I'm a woman? Jonathan Dahl, I'm a Protean too. I'm perfectly capable of keeping her safe.”
I snorted a laugh. “Um, are you sure you're not a momma bear, Mrs. Stefan? You always scared me a bit when I was a kid.”
Johnny laughed. “Oh, how I wish I could stay for this conversation, but I really have to go. You two have fun. Don't do anything I wouldn't.”
“That doesn't leave out a whole heck of a lot, Johnny,” Lila teased.
She wrapped an arm around my waist and directed me up the porch steps. I waved over my shoulder to Johnny and went inside.
“Toby, we've got company. Sweet little Libby's here.”
I didn't know if I was ready to see Tobias. Ash had explained his dislike of me, but it didn't make me feel any better. He was responsible for so much pain. Both Asher's and mine. Still… I would try. Try to be nice. Try to forgive.
I followed Lila into the kitchen.
“Oh! You painted.” It was an inane thing to say, but I couldn't help it. The kitchen had been a soft peach since I could remember, but now it was a soft lemon yellow. Lemon print curtains swayed in the breeze of an open window.
Lila laughed. “Yes, we painted this… oh, what was it? Five years ago. Tobias managed to knock enough holes in the wall with his chair that I finally put my foot down and got a new kitchen table and chairs set and repainted. Next up, cabinets.”
Tobias narrowed his eyes at his wife, while slowly scooting the chair he was sitting in away from the wall.
I had to bite my lip not to giggle.
“Hey Libby,” Tobias said, voice neutral.
“Hi, Mr. Stefan.”
“None of that. You call me Tobias or Dad.”
I blanched.
Tobias saw my reaction, and he grimaced. “I see that ring on your finger, girl. I know you and my son are mated. I've seen that mark too. So, if I'm to be your father-in-law, might as well call me Dad.”
“I'll try, but…” Something inside me hardened with determination. “But I know you're the reason that Asher never contacted me. You're the reason that Ash made me a promise—a very important promise—and broke it. You're the reason that I felt like I was a mistake, and the reason I lost my best friend.”
He lowered his head, shoulders pulling up to his ears as if he was trying to shrink into himself. “I'm not proud of myself. I was doing what I thought was best for my son, but I know I was wrong. I've been paying for my mistake for years.”
I nodded. That much I'd already learned from Ash. “I'm not saying I'll never get over it, but this is all still so new to me. Give me some time. I'll try 'Tobias' for now.”
“Can't ask for more. But just know, I love you, Libby. You're a good woman. You were a good kid. What I did had nothing to do with you.”
“But it did,” I insisted. “Because it happened to me. Of course it had to do with me. But that's neither here nor there.”
A chiming filled the air. The doorbell.
Tobias frowned. “I wonder who that could be.”
He strode out of the room. In the living room, I heard the front door open, and the sound of muffled voices, then the door closed again. Two sets of footsteps moved toward the kitchen. And Tobias walked in with Greg.
He was wearing a bright blue polo that made his pale eyes look like chips of ice. One hand was stuffed into his pant pocket, and he gave a one-dimpled smile.
Lila beamed. “Greg! What brings you around?”
“I was hoping to have a word with Libby here. It's impo
rtant.”
I frowned. “About what?” Not to mention, why was he here to talk to me?
“That's private,” he said.
“Uh…”
“It's okay, Joshua often has Greg pass messages. I'm sure that's what this is about,” Lila said.
Greg's smile stayed fixed on his face as he nodded. “Of course.”
Don't…My inner Justice warned.
But there was no way out of this. So I stood. “Sure.”
Greg led me out of the room and through the living room. He kept going, stepping outside, and I followed him onto the porch. I walked over to the railing and leaned my elbows on the smooth wood.
The world outside seemed so far away. And I was so isolated. A chill shivered up my spine as unease spiraled tightly in my belly.
I watched Greg out of the corner of my eye. “Wha—what did you want to talk to me about?”
He tapped a finger on his upper lip as if he was thinking. Then something dark and steely passed through his eyes. When he spoke next, his voice had hardened into something I didn't recognize. It was too dark, too heavy, and dripping with barely suppressed rage. “I don't know… How about how you just keep ruining all my plans?”
28
Ash
Selene provided a set of coordinates. I followed the directions on my phone to a small house on the outskirts of the old side of town. The neighborhood had larger lots, smaller homes, and an air of disrepair.
The house had been white at some point in time. It wasn't now. Time and decay had turned the siding to a dirty grayish-yellow. One of the smaller windows on the front of the house was boarded up and the roof was missing shingles. I wouldn't be surprised if it leaked.
I pulled into the driveway and turned off the truck.
Elliot turned to me, raising an eyebrow. “Nice place. Maybe I should move in here?” he said with a wry smile.
“Oh yeah, I'm sure your dates would love to come home with you then. I'm thinking this house would be a total chick magnet.”