This Time

by Alisha Basso

  “Okay. First, stop that.” I smiled again, I just couldn’t help it, and placed my hand on his cheek. He instantly deflated. His shoulders easing. “We all have a lot to talk about.” I placed my fingers on his lips. “Yes, all of us.”

  I had no intention of telling them all that had happened; God, I didn’t want to know myself, but I did want them to know about the bond. I remembered that Jamie had discovered the information about the bond in the Elves collection of Madea books. It shouldn’t be much trouble to zap them to the house for a few hours. I needed something real and concrete to show them. Plus it would explain how I knew what I did.

  Seth looked annoyed and I patted his cheek.

  “Get your guts ready. Tonight you dine on people food.” I smiled at his disgusted look and strolled from the room.

  ***

  Dust billowed up as I slapped the ancient text on the page. My heart felt heavy and I fell back onto the bed with a sigh. I’d found everything I would need to explain the bond but something was wrong.

  I felt the same as I had before, but something was profoundly different. I guess months in Hell were bound to have an effect, even if technically they never really happened.

  I slid from the bed, looking around, I grabbed the only thing I could find to shove into the book, a silk scarf from my dresser. I tossed it into the thick tome, marking the page I would need. My heart sank, this was so much bigger than I had feared. Jamie must have had a heart attack when she’d read it back at Brindleland.

  My stomach danced and I closed my eyes. They weren’t going to like what I had to say one little bit. After reading the details of the bond, it would seem that Jamie had left out quite a few pretty important things.

  I needed an aspirin or an invisibility cloak, man this sucked. I peered at the bathroom door.

  Oh, a shower sounds like heaven.

  I grabbed some clean clothes and tossed them onto my bed.

  I opened the door to my bathroom, reveling in the smell of my lavender potpourri. Damn, the smells were so wonderful in the mortal world. I vowed to never take the little things for granted again. I turned on the spray and stood before the mirror as the steam began to build in the air. I popped the button open on my jeans and slid them off. Then I grasped the hem of my shirt, pulling it up and over my head I tossed the clothes into the hamper.

  I examined myself in the long mirror.

  I looked the same as I had months ago which was strange. In the pit I hadn’t eaten at all and I knew my body had lost a lot of weight. My immortality would have kept me in there suffering forever if it weren’t for Lucifer’s busted up ego. This time travel thing was going to take some getting used to. I shivered and glanced at my arm and immediately my heart skipped a beat and I felt my body go cold as ice.

  Holy shit, my tattoo’s gone!

  I lifted my wrist and twisted and pulled at my skin. Where the fuck had it gone? I examined the pale flesh.

  It’s totally fucking gone.

  “How?” I whispered to my reflection. I should still have the tiny rose and vine. I frowned, all of that had already occurred in this timeline. I stepped into the spray and closed the shower door, worry numbed me to the heat. I stared off into space as I blindly poured the shampoo.

  THIRTY TWO

  Night had finally fallen. I spent a little extra time getting ready because I didn’t want to use magic. I carefully applied my makeup by hand which was more of a challenge than I realized it would be. Some things you never forget how to do and for me, makeup wasn’t one of them. I guess taking the shortcut and just zapping myself ready every day might not be doing me many favors. I had to use glamour on my hair to make it look more human, but that was an automatic thing for me that took no thought, almost like breathing. My clothing was nothing special. After being at the mercy of Lu and his strict adherence to style and elegance, a nice comfy pair of jeans and a long sleeved shirt was nothing short of heaven to me.

  The doorbell rang and I swallowed hard. I braced my hands on my dresser and leaned into the mirror. My face looked normal enough with the exception of the slight look of panic that had seeped into my eyes. I really wasn’t ready to explain a link that was so irrevocably strong that nothing short of death could break it.

  How the hell do you begin a conversation like that?

  I suddenly felt dizzy. How was I going to live with this? I was stuck between two men I loved with all of my heart. It would seem like a dream not the nightmare I knew it really was. They weren’t going to take it well because now, their choices were taken away as well.

  If they ever met someone else, they could try to love them, but it wouldn’t be real. There was only one choice now and it was one that would put us all to the test. Either we chose to belong to each other, which would mean I would have to let them both into my heart and Lord help me eventually my bed, or we push each other away and try to be happy apart. One man or the other was no longer an option just as love with another woman was now an impossibility for them.

  No one was going to smile once the truth was out.

  Here’s hoping dinner takes a long, long time.

  I walked out of my room to the sound of Jamie’s steady voice rising and falling. She spoke quickly and it suddenly dawned on me that she was telling Seth of my encounter with Lucian. I closed my eyes and blew out a breath.

  “It’s such a relief,” she was saying as I moved into the room. Standing off to the side, I leaned against the wall and listened as Jamie went on and on.

  I sighed, watching Seth as she spoke. He sat on the couch, his ankles crossed, his arms folded across his chest. It was more than obvious that he was not the least bit pleased with her twittering excitement.

  She radiated delight and practically bounced as she sat in my rocking chair.

  “So then,” she shot her hands out and Seth flinched back. I smiled as she moved to the edge of the chair. “Gracie just grabbed him in her arms and they held each other for a long time. Oh, it was so romantic. I swear, they looked so wonderful together. It’s meant to be, Seth,” she gushed.

  Seth glowered, his brows raised. “A hug is all that it takes to convince you of everlasting love?” he shook his head. “Remind me to refrain from embracing you in the future,” he mocked.

  “Oh, come on,” she persisted. “She already told my brother she loves him. It’s going to happen and you know it.” She sighed and rocked back in the chair. “I’ve always wanted a sister.”

  Something clattered to the ground in the kitchen and I covered my mouth and snorted out a quiet laugh. At least I knew where Lucian was. Then it hit me.

  Shit!

  I frowned as understanding dawned. She really wanted Lucian and I to get together, because with me out of the picture, Seth would finally be free to move on.

  Oh, this was super. This night was going to suck all around.

  When we had finally sat down to dinner, I thought Seth was going to single handedly murder Lucian right on the spot.

  “Madea up to your eyeballs, huh?” he’d accused.

  I’d stepped in and told Seth that he only tried to level the playing field and he didn’t really steal the blood. Voltaire had left it there. Then I sat back, mentally kicking myself as Seth then began to accuse Lucian of having to steal my blood while I’d offered it to him freely.

  It was chaos for all of about fifteen minutes, then I’d stepped in and told them both that the blood drinking was at a complete halt. Seth brooded and pouted but with a mutual nod, they’d accepted and kept their silence.

  I’d made a giant meal of prime rib, extra rare and whipped potatoes. Fresh green beans with almonds stood untouched as the men devoured the beef. Seth spent almost the entire meal moaning with more passion than he’d shown for a lot of other things and I smiled.

  Jamie and I spent most of the meal goggling at the amount of food that they were putting away. The giant roast was now a few scraps on the table.

  “This is crazy!” I’d laughed as Seth’s fangs ran
out halfway through dinner. Jamie sat in amazement as she watched him eat with the manners of a prince. Lucian ate slowly and I could tell he had a lot on his mind.

  Jamie and I cleared the plates and remaining vegetables away, while Seth and Lucian paced around each other like… well, like the alpha males that they were.

  I glanced at Jamie and my shoulders slumped. She was really going to take this badly. Her feelings for Seth were still pretty strong and I felt like hell about that.

  The room was becoming stuffy, watching them circle one another. I was getting pretty sick of the tension beating at me and moved to yell at them both when Jamie spun, “Okay, can we move this along?” She wiped her hands on a cloth. “The testosterone filling this room is giving me chest hair.”

  I laughed and shook my head. “Okay, I think we’ve stalled enough.” I walked into the living room. Curling into my favorite spot on the couch I folded my arms around my legs as everyone made themselves comfortable.

  “Alright, Grace. What’s this all about?” Lucian uncharacteristically demanded and I flinched. “Something is up and I don’t like it. The feelings I’m sensing are too erratic.”

  I blew out a breath and wiped my palms dry on the couch cushions. “Well, first, I have to ask you two a question.” I looked from Lucian to Seth. They glanced at each other and then after a moment they both nodded.

  I steadied my breathing. “Well. Okay, I’m just going to have to ask. Have you two felt any different in the past few days?” I tried to keep my voice steady. “Like not quite yourselves, maybe feeling things you normally wouldn’t?” I pressed.

  Lucian paled slightly while Seth examined a spot on his sleeve.

  “Well?” It was my turn to sound demanding. “I need to know this you guys and you have to be honest.”

  Silence.

  “Seriously?” I scolded. “Fine!” I was in no mood to cater to their bullshit, so I just closed my eyes and sent out my thoughts. Touching each of them in turn. Their minds were flooded with questions and doubts, feelings they had had and even random pain from phantom injuries. It took only a moment and I knew the answer.

  It is unfair to poke about my consciousness like a hound, Sweet.

  Well, stop being an annoying ass and I won’t have to.

  At least the sanctity of your mind is still mine alone.

  He just has to learn that he can and I’m sure he’ll be able to as well.

  “I can tell when you two are doing that and it’s rude as hell, ya know!” Lucian barked, folding his arms. “Speak out loud when were all together or don’t freaking speak at all!”

  “Sorry, Lucian,” I looked at Jamie, “Sorry, James.” I stood. “I was only trying to get the answers myself and Seth was mentally slapping my hand.” I turned and sighed, “Look. What I have to say is going to sound pretty crazy.” I opened my hands and willed the book into my hands. When the large book appeared. I moved to stand between the men, Jamie scooting closer as I knelt down.

  “This is a pretty heavy duty book, Gracie.” Jamie frowned. “Where did you get it?”

  Jamie was a total book girl and would have jumped on this sucker the second it entered the house and according to this timeline, she had only left my home that morning.

  “I can’t really say right now, James. Just trust me, okay?” She eyed me warily as I removed the scarf from between the pages. “This book states that the feelings you’ve been having are a result of the three of us bonding.” I laid the book on the floor and sat back on my heels.

  “What?” Jamie frowned and pulled the book close. “Why would you know that? Who told you to look for something that random?” She sat back on her heels.

  She was too smart for her own good and I sighed. “I wasn’t feeling right and I needed more information, so I borrowed a book from the elves.” It was the truth, I was feeling strange and I had borrowed the book from the elves. She looked dubious and I shrugged. “It’s pretty important don’t you think?” I questioned.

  “Yeah, I guess. It’s just so not like you to openly seek out information is all.” She smiled and I felt my shoulders ease.

  “Well,” I continued, “after digging a little deeper into Madea lore, I found out that we have a pretty big problem.”

  Seth watched me, his expression unreadable.

  “What is this all about, Gracie?” Lucian moved closer to peer at the ancient pages.

  “According to the legends,” I tried to smile, “a female Madea chooses her mate and bonds herself by love, thus changing that male into her mate.” I felt my breath hitch and I shook with nerves. “The fact that both of you have been turned by my blood and the fact that I love you both seems to have sealed our fates.” I blurted.

  They stared at me, their faces blank.

  “So, now you can’t hurt each other in any way. Not unless you want to hurt me and yourselves as well.” I burbled on as they continued to gawk at me silently. Then Lucian grabbed the book from Jamie and began running his finger down the text while Seth stared at me, his strong jaw working as he clenched his teeth.

  “You love me?” Seth finally whispered and Lucian froze, his eyes slid up from the book.

  I felt my neck heat as his gaze bored into mine.

  “Well, yeah of course, how could I not love you? I put up with so much of your grief, what did you expect?” I tried to laugh off my sudden embarrassment, and then I was in his arms. Amused, I held his face while he kissed me all over my cheeks. His lips found mine and I couldn’t help it, I melted into his embrace.

  My heart swelled and my body tingled all over as I accepted Seth’s kiss. It’d been too long since this man was in my arms. His smell was so familiar and welcoming. His hands ran across my back and I moaned into his mouth. My head swam with carnal images. Seth, his long hair sweeping across my naked breasts as he rose above me.

  “Ahem.”

  His lips were velvet, his tongue was sweet as I sucked it into my mouth. My God, I wanted this man.

  “AHEM!”

  I jerked back, my head lost in a fog, my body screaming at me to return to his lips and stay.

  Lucian cleared his throat and I spun. He glared and curled his lip.

  “Oh, my God!” I scrambled to my feet. My lips were deliciously swollen, “That was not planned! I so did not mean for that to happen, Lucian, I swear.”

  “Indeed.” Lucian drawled. “So now what?” He tossed the book to the floor and then kicked it aside with his boot. “I know you, Grace. You don’t have it in you to share both of our beds.” He folded his arms.

  A rumbling growl escaped Seth’s chest. “That will never be an option, Witch!”

  “Warlock, you ignorant bloodsucker.”

  “Madea-bloodsucker,” Seth sneered, “which is a lot more powerful than you.”

  “Well, this is super awesome,” Jamie jumped up, smiling much too brightly. “I think before you all start your inevitable orgy, I’m going to go on home.”

  I felt ill. “That is never, ever going to happen!” I looked at the men and they shrugged, dismissing me as they bickered back and forth. “Damn it, I’m so sorry James. Please know that I didn’t want any of this to happen.”

  She shrugged. “It is what it is,” she said as she dug her keys from her bag and reached for the door. “I came in too late to join the party. You all had this…” she waved her hands in the air, “…love, triangle, Twilight mess way before I came along.”

  I reached for her and she shrugged me off. “It’s not a big deal, Gracie. It isn’t like any of my feelings were reciprocated. He cares about me, but this is too much, I guess I just have shit timing.” She sniffed and pulled the door open, letting in the cool night air. I moved to follow her as she stepped past the threshold. I walked behind her as she got into her car and slammed the door. I pressed my hand to the glass feeling like the worst person in the world.

  She lowered the window and smiled sadly. I saw the flash of a tear and then she turned her head, refusing to meet my eyes, she jerk
ed the car in gear and began to back out. After only a moment she was zipping down the drive.

  Damn, in one evening, I had killed all of her hopes and probably lost her forever.

  I sighed and, looking at the house, I shivered as a chilling breeze blew leaves across the drive. Nights were cooler than I remembered, and I rubbed my arms as I reached the porch.

  “That was a tender scene. Poor, sweet, girl. You seem to be monopolizing more than your fair share of men. I should probably punish you for such treachery, don’t you think, wife?”

  I froze as my heart tried to escape through my chest.

  I swallowed down my rising panic and turned just as a jolt of searing pain shot through my right arm. It penetrated straight to the bone and I crumbled to the ground. I rolled, hugging my arm tightly. I could just make out the boots Lu wore.

  “It seems I’ve underestimated you once again,” Lu smirked. “You’ll be happy to learn, however, that I won’t be doing it again.”

  Shaking, I brought my arm up to my face. The mark had returned, but it wasn’t nearly as extensive as before, in fact it was much smaller and barely passed my wrist.

  I rolled and slowly got to my knees and then, bracing my hand on the side of the porch, I brought my feet under me and stood on wobbling legs. I looked at the ink on my arm, my mind racing with questions. Cain’s words rang in my head. ‘What happens in Hell is eternal,’ but I had made most of my deals with Lu in the mortal world.

  I smiled as it all came together. Lu watched my face, his brows lowering, and then he frowned as he must have come to the same understanding.

  “Looks like you get to eat your words.” I straightened, cradling my arm.

  Lu’s eyes had widened and he stared in horror at my arm. I took my chance and lashed out, sending him flying back against a nearby tree.

  He hit hard and I sucked in a shocked breath and almost collapsed.

  Thundering feet pounded inside the house as Seth and Lucian burst through the door. Seth had vamped out, his skin glowed and his eyes shone bright casting their own light. His fangs were longer than I had ever seen and gleamed white and deadly.