by Vella Day
Pulling onto the main drag, he headed north toward the mountains, anger setting his veins on fire. Failed. Again. It was Scotland all over again. He’d been destined to be Alpha of his Clan, and if hadn’t been for Shamus MacLeod, Owen would have led his Changelings to victory. It wasn’t his fault that someone had leaked his whereabouts.
His parents were embarrassed by the defeat and said he wasn’t settled enough to lead so they stripped him of his future title and gave it to his younger brother who was mated. They felt the Clan’s Changelings would listen to a man with commitments and priorities. Owen would just have to prove to them that he could be that man. When he returned with his new wife whose magic was unsurpassed, they would change their minds.
As for his beautiful mate, he almost wished he hadn’t gone to the square that day and been stunned by her beauty. Almost, but not quite. She might a lot of trouble, but in the end it would be worth it. Alpha Owen Chancellor had such a nice ring to it.
*
As much as Izzy didn’t want to relive that horrible event, she needed someone with a level head to help her understand how she’d lost her powers. That evil man had to have had an effect on her somehow, and since both he and Rye were werewolves, she hoped Rye could give her some insight.
Izzy sipped her wine. “I’d finished work and decided to check up on dad. Because he wanted to leave a bit early, he asked if I’d take out the trash. Halfway to the dumpster, my stalker jumped out from behind the bin and came toward me.”
“Why didn’t you stop him?”
The humiliation made her stomach sick. “I tried, but my powers had inexplicably disappeared.” Her voice shook as it trailed off.
Rye stilled. “I don’t understand. How is that possible?”
“I don’t know.”
He looked around. “Show me. Try to move those papers on the desk like you did before.”
Izzy sniffled and then stood. Rye seemed to have so much confidence in her that maybe her abilities had been affected because of her fear. With Rye nearby, she knew that nothing would happen to her. At the desk, she held her hand over the paper and concentrated of summoning the air to swirl. She then lifted her arm but nothing happened. “I could do this by the time I was five,” she said, choking out a sob.
Rye came over to her. “Come sit back down. Hopefully, it’s temporary.”
She spun to face him. “Don’t patronize me. Something has happened, and I need to find out what it is.” Her damn voice squeaked, sounding shrill.
He held up his hands. “Okay. What do you want to do?”
She didn’t know. “Maybe only my abilities to shoot fire and create wind are messed up. I’m hoping that I was just so scared that when that stalker showed up, my abilities shut down. I’d like to try something else, and I feel the most creative by the falls.
“Are you afraid now?”
“No, but—”
“I get it.” Rye motioned toward the door. “Let’s go check it out.”
She hesitated, wondering if she failed whether Rye’s opinion of her would change for the worse. “I’ll go by myself if you don’t mind.”
He lowered his chin. “Ain’t going to happen.”
While his tone wasn’t harsh, he didn’t seem willing to give in. “Fine, but you’ll have to sit quietly while I do my thing.”
Rye cupped her face, and all bad thoughts flew from her mind. “I will do anything I can to help you.”
His sincerity helped lower her anxiety. “Thank you.”
After locking up, Rye escorted her down the path that led to the twenty-foot tall waterfall. Because this was on Wendayan property, it was secluded—a place to practice without the humans finding out about any secret talents.
The pines, oaks, and maples were thick and full leading up the waterfall. Surrounding the base were mountain laurels and rhododendron. In June, when they bloomed, the area was awash with pink and white flowers. A few hundred feet past the falls sat the ten-acre Cove Lake.
She led him past the falls to the lake’s edge where she’d practiced many times before. A rock outcropping sat to the east. Rye climbed on top and sat, saying nothing. His willingness to give her space helped settle her. Being able to concentrate and not having to worry about that creep sneaking up on her was invaluable.
Perhaps she would start with one of the first things she’d learned as a child, which was to make a plant grow merely by lifting her arm above it. Standing next to a weed, she bent over, lowered her hand to hover, and then raised it as she stood up. The plant barely moved in the wind. “Let me try that again,” she mumbled.
Izzy attempted the feat several more times, working with weeds first and then some ferns. With each failed attempt, her stomach churned.
Rye eased up off the rock and came over to her. “Why don’t we grab something to eat and you can try again later.”
She hated failure, but nothing more could be accomplished right now. “That sounds good.”
She must have looked totally dejected because he drew her into a hug. “It’s going to be okay.”
She leaned back. “How do you know that? Everything was going so well until that creep came into my life.”
“We’ll sort this out. I asked Kalan to put everyone on the lookout for this man. As soon as I tell him what happened, the department can arrest him for attempted kidnapping.”
She sucked in a breath. “You can’t tell him.”
His brows pinched. “Why not?”
Because I’m embarrassed. Think… She did want that man caught. “Can you tell Kalan everything but my failed abilities to stop the man?”
A small smile lifted his lips. “You bet.”
Rye was so wonderful that she wanted to blanket herself in his comfort and goodness. Whether it was just to thank him again or because she needed to have his lips on hers, she drew his head down and kissed him.
The moment their mouths touched, her insides exploded, and an unintentional moan escaped as small blue sparks shimmered on her skin. Most were lopsided and faded quickly as if the binding had affected that too. At least what she was feeling was just as strong as ever, if not more so.
Standing next to the waterfall encased by nature had soothed her nerves, and she drank in his protectiveness. Whether it was the horror of the day or the fear that her magical life was over, Izzy wanted Rye inside her. No one ever came to this private area, so they wouldn’t be disturbed. If by chance her stalker reappeared, Rye would sense him.
She leaned back and lifted his torn fire department T-shirt from his pants.
Hair instantaneously sprouted on his face, and his eyes changed to a golden-green hue. “You sure? You’ve been through a lot.”
She huffed out a chuckle. “Are you trying to talk me out of this, or yourself?”
“Not me.” He lifted her up by her butt until their lips were level. Then he kissed her with an intense passion that convinced her he was telling the truth. They both opened their mouths at the same time and his tongue delved into her mouth. He tasted like mint, as if he’d cleaned up before he’d come to follow her home.
She wrapped her legs around his waist and felt his erection press against her. As much as she wanted to control all the forces of nature, she wanted Rye more. Needing to touch his skin, she lowered her legs and unbuttoned his jeans. Her eyes opened wide. “Whoa. I didn’t expect commando.”
“I only had jeans, this torn shirt, and a pair of old boots in the car.”
He sure wore those old clothes well, but he’d look better without them. “I want you, Rye.”
His Adam’s apple bobbed. “I want you too. More than you can ever know.”
As if making love with him would reconnect her to her powers, she lowered his jeans to his hips, bent over, and pulled his big cock toward her. She inhaled then licked him from bottom to top.
Rye hissed and grabbed a handful of her hair. “I’m on the edge. Better be fast.”
Izzy drew him deep into her throat and swirled her tongue aro
und his wide shaft. Suddenly, Rye stepped back and buttoned up his pants.
Disappointment swamped her. “What happened? Didn’t you like it?”
“We have company.”
Her heart dropped to her stomach. Izzy spun around, expecting him—only it was Ophelia Eastwood—a Wendayan witch. “Ophelia, what are you doing here?”
“Your mother was worried about you.”
Izzy blew out a breath. Of course, her mom would consult her favorite witch. Stooped shoulders and straggly white hair, Ophelia had to be close to ninety if she was a day. She was not only wise; her talent with spells was extensive.
“Thank you, but I’m fine.”
Ophelia moved closer. “Don’t lie to me.”
Shit. She didn’t need this. All Izzy wanted was to get lost in Rye’s warmth. “I’m sorry. Okay, I’m not fine. I lost my powers today, and I’m trying to reconnect with them.”
The witch raised one brow, and a smile flitted across her face. She then sobered. Holding out her hands, she hummed one note. With her eyes closed, she waved her arms. “You have a black aura about you.”
Her heart lurched. “A black aura?”
Rye touched Izzy’s arm. “What does that mean?” he whispered.
The witch answered instead. “It seems Isadora’s powers were bound by someone who did not have her best interest at heart.”
The breath whooshed out of her. Someone had put a spell on her, and she didn’t need a degree in science to know who had ordered it—that motherfucking Scotsman. “You can reverse this spell, right?”
“I’m afraid not.”
Izzy leaned into Rye who wrapped an arm around her waist. “There must be something I can do.” Her entire identity was wrapped up in her abilities.
“Let the spell run its course. I’ve not seen anything like this in years, but these things shouldn’t last more than forty-eight hours.”
Her pulse slowed. “What if this witch puts another spell on me?”
Ophelia shook her head. “She can’t. Not right away at least. Spells need a twenty-four hour renewal period.”
That gave her some solace. “I appreciate the information.”
Knowing this horror would end soon, the tension in her shoulders eased.
“Sorry to have interrupted you.” Ophelia turned around and seemed to disappear into the light.
Izzy looked up at Rye. As much as she wanted to continue where they’d left off, now wasn’t the right time. “I guess I have to wait, but forty-eight hours seems a long time.”
“We haven’t exhausted all of our resources.”
“If you’re thinking of pleading to Naliana, it won’t work. She didn’t respond the last time I tried to contact her.”
“I was thinking of James.”
Her husband? The man was a recluse. “You know him?”
“He lives on the other side of the lake, and because it’s not a white moon, he won’t be entertaining Naliana.”
She’d always been fascinated by James—or rather the lore surrounding him. “You’ve actually met Naliana’s husband?”
He chuckled. “A few times.”
“Isn’t he supposed to be hundreds of years old?”
“So I’ve heard, but I can attest to the fact that the man hasn’t aged for as long as I’ve known him. Dad says the same thing.”
“He’s an immortal?”
“Apparently.”
She’d never met one before. For the first time since she’d lost her powers, hope surged through her. “Can we go now?”
Rye ran a knuckle down her cheek. “You don’t want to eat first?”
“Hell, no.”
*
Rye wasn’t sure what to expect as they walked up to James’s cabin, but he wouldn’t be deterred. Izzy’s situation was dire. Poor woman. Rye couldn’t imagine what she was going through. If the circumstances had been reversed and he’d lost his ability to shift, he sure as hell wouldn’t have remained so calm.
Before he was able to raise his hand to knock, the door opened. “Rye, good to see you. And who do we have here?”
“This is Izzy Berta. She’s a—”
His eyes shone. “A Wendayan. Yes, you’re Kathryn’s daughter. Why you look just like your mom. Come in.”
Izzy’s eyes went wide, as if her mom had never mentioned it. With a hand to Izzy’s back, Rye led her into the rather sparse stone cabin. A fireplace dominated the home, but it wasn’t lit due to the warm summer temperatures. No kitchen was evident, but he suspected it was located down the hall. James’s furniture appeared to have been handcrafted from local hardwoods, possibly made around the turn of the last century, and upholstered cushions graced the sofa and chair.
“May I get you something to drink? From the look on your faces, you could use a strong one. Ale perhaps?”
While Rye might like one, he doubted Izzy would. “Have any wine?”
“I’ll check.”
As soon as James disappeared down a corridor, Izzy leaned into Rye. “He’s not at all how I pictured him.”
“You’re thinking he would look more like Ophelia?”
“Yes. James looks vital. Sure his hair is gray, but other than that he seems quite fit.”
“I agree.” If he didn’t know the man was immortal, he would have pegged him to be around sixty.
James returned with three glasses of wine on a tray. “Drink up and tell me what troubles you. If you came here for relationship advice, I’m afraid you’ll have to wait until Naliana returns.”
“No,” she said. “I’m being stalked.” Izzy glanced at Rye and then began her tale of being followed in Scotland, how Naliana had called her home, and then how that same man had followed her to Silver Lake. She went on to explain that a few hours ago, he’d attacked her in the alley behind her work and that suddenly her powers were gone. “Ophelia said that a black aura had been cast over me.”
“I’m so sorry, my dear. You must have been very frightened, not only at being assaulted but from losing something so dear to you.”
She clasped Rye’s hand. “I was.”
“Did the man say what he wanted?”
“No, only that he wasn’t leaving without it.”
James looked over at Rye. “Could he be a Changeling?”
“I’m assuming he is, but in all honesty, I don’t know how their system works in Scotland. However, he was able to get a witch to cast a spell.”
James tipped back his drink. “Let me see what I can do. I have a few connections. Leave your cell number, and I’ll be in contact. I’ll also find out if Naliana has anything to add.”
Izzy leaned forward. “I can’t thank you enough. Anything you do will be much appreciated.”
They chatted a bit while they finished their wine then said their goodbyes. Once back in Rye’s truck, Izzy twisted toward him. “Do you think he can help?”
“I don’t know, but James will try his best. I have no idea what kind of connections he was referring to, but I’m sure he’s made many friends over the years, and probably a few enemies too.”
As Rye headed back into town for something to eat, Izzy called her mother to tell her what Ophelia Eastwood had said. To his surprise, she didn’t mention their visit to James. She must have believed he’d want her to keep quiet, though her mom and James did seem to know each other.
After they ate, Rye wanted to discuss something that had been on his mind. He wasn’t sure Izzy would go along with it, but if she did agree, losing her powers for two days might be the least of her worries.
Chapter Eleven
‡
Izzy figured waiting another day or so before her powers returned wouldn’t be so horrible now that the sheriff’s department was searching for that creep, and Naliana’s husband was looking into it. She suspected the Scotsman would be found and brought to justice quite soon.
Rye had suggested they stop at Nate’s Pizzeria, claiming he didn’t want to spend too much time eating. Part of her was disappointed he wan
ted to rush back because she enjoyed being with him, but she understood he was probably concerned for her safety.
Between the two of them, they managed to eat two pizzas. Totally full, he drove her home, but she refused to let fear enter her head. To stave off her anxiety, she wanted to make a suggestion that Rye might not like.
He pulled into her driveway and faced her. “Please hear me out before you say no,” he said.
She hadn’t expected that comment. From what she could remember, she’d been quite accommodating. She debated asking if she could speak first, but his serious demeanor had her holding her tongue. “Okay.”
“Until this maniac is caught, I want you to stay with me.”
Izzy almost chuckled at Rye’s tight jaw and lifted chin. “Actually, I was going to suggest something along those lines as well. Only I was going to see if you’d be willing to stay at my place.”
The tension in his face evaporated. Rye picked up her hands and lifted them to his lips. “Thank you for understanding, but my house is safer. If your stalker is a Changeling, then his powers will be diminished if he steps foot in our compound.”
“I didn’t realize that. I guess I can always ask my parents to keep an eye out on my place and let me know if that creep shows. Knowing Dad, he won’t have any issues with tossing a fireball at him.”
Rye chuckled. “He doesn’t need to go that far, though far be it for me to stop him.”
Both of their homes were equally close to town, so her commute wouldn’t change. Since most of the shifter population lived around the lake, if this man ever tried to snatch her again, she bet the wolf and bear shifters would help. “I guess I need to pack then.”
His smile made her want a repeat performance in the front seat of his car, but if he pulled away again, she’d have to retaliate—when her powers returned.
“Sounds good,” Rye said.
He insisted on checking out her house again before he let her inside. It was over-the-top, but his siblings ran a security company, so he must have picked up some paranoia as well as a few pointers from them.
“Everything good?” she asked.
“Yes.”