by Elle Thorne
Her mouth dropped open. “Didn’t I mention it?”
“No, you did not.”
“Samara said that I am a time mage. That the thing I did when you were frozen and all that?” Her eyes were wide open. He waved her on to continue. “She called that buckling time. She said time mages can buckle time. And I guess those in the bubble with them are able to travel while the others—well, time is frozen for them.”
“Holy shit.” He kept his cursing, such as it was, to English. “That’s a hell of a skill. And so, how did you do the other spells?”
“I’m guessing I can learn sorceress skills. Maybe I’m not as adept at them as a sorceress-borne, but still…” She shrugged. “How else can it be explained, my performing sorceress spells?”
A thought occurred to him. “Earlier, what did Sam mean when she said you will uphold your end?”
“Oh, that. She wants to find me at some point so I can do time mage stuff and she can watch. Or study. Or something of that nature. She created a bond between us. Said she could use it to find me. A blood bond.”
He wanted to curse, bad. Vile words. A blood bond? What kind of ramifications could that possibly have? He was suspicious of this. Who could blame him? He’d been the victim of a blood spell. He knew that shit could go way wrong, fast.
His dragon roared his disgust and dismay at the thought that Jolie was bound to the blood elf.
Matteo could relate to the dragon’s emotions all too well. He realized he was catching feelings, and he should have had his guard up. Too damned late. Way too late.
Instead of releasing her arm, he ran his thumb over it, trying to comfort her. “We should try to get you released from that as soon as possible. You don’t want to walk around with that kind of tie to her. If something were to happen… Who knows what could transpire and what consequences that would yield for you.”
“Right now, I’d like to think of how to get Blaise—and the others—free from that place.”
“Agreed.”
“Let’s get Samara to help. She’s powerful.”
“Griz won’t like that,” he cautioned her.
“Then we don’t tell him. I don’t owe Griz, or anyone here, any sort of allegiance. I don’t have to tell them what I’m doing with my time.”
He grimaced. He didn’t either, but he didn’t want to go off half-cocked and end up in a heap of trouble with a sorcerer and his bear shifters. It would be nice to have backup. But Jolie wanted Sam along, and Griz clearly wanted nothing to do with the blood elf. “Let me ask Mae for a vehicle. I don’t own one yet.” Nor did he plan to anytime soon because his dragon was determined that they should go back to Italy for a visit, at the very least.
“Alright.” She picked up the chicken. It seemed her appetite had returned.
“Okay, then. Lunch, first. Then we go to Sam.” And on the drive to Sam’s, Matteo planned to remind his dragon that catching feelings for this sorceress—no, time mage—was not going to be a way to get back to Italy. If anything, it might keep them tied to the United States.
He picked up his plastic fork and watched Jolie tear into the chicken with a passion and voraciousness that bespoke of her hunger. And yet, how could a woman look so sexy when she was tearing into a chicken thigh?
He bit back a sigh and a smile, not wanting her to see how she affected him.
His dragon, though, that beast so in tuned to him, let out a snarl. A snarl of agreement. Seemed the two of them were in the same boat when it came to emotions for this time mage.
This was shaping up to be a hell of an adventure.
He realized she was watching him watch her.
She swallowed her food. “What?”
“Nothing. Just working out the logistics of this.” He shoved a mouthful of potato salad in his mouth and chewed while his mind churned over the word this.
This. Falling in love.
This. Taking on a sorcerer and his bear shifters to save her friend.
This. Who knew what this would be, other than a very interesting escapade?
Chapter Twenty-One
“Are you sure?” Back at Mae’s inn, Jolie was following her upstairs but wasn’t quite sure she was comfortable with Mae’s offer.
“Of course,” Mae said. “That’s what this inn is about. It was a dream, long ago, my first husband’s.” Her dark eyes with indigo flames turned misty. She swiped a runaway tear. “Sorry. He’d have been so proud.”
“I’m sure,” Jolie murmured, though she couldn’t relate. She didn’t have a place like this. A place where friends were like family. She used to, however. She made herself a promise at that moment. If she could find and free Blaise, they’d go back to Denmark. Back to Dragespire and look for the ones that were left behind. Surely someone survived. Her heart clenched at the thought of not a single soul surviving their attack.
“Trust me,” a brunette said, having just opened one of the doors they were passing. She gave Jolie a wide smile, peeking her head out. “This is how this place is. Until recently, I’d never even heard of Bear Canyon Valley. I’m Meredith.”
Jolie studied her eyes. Was she a dragon shifter? She didn’t see the markings, but then again, maybe she was a bear or a wolf or a tiger. Or… “Are you a shifter?”
Meredith laughed. “Nope. Mortal. All mortal.”
Jolie noticed she had a faint aura surrounding her. “But…” She was confused. How could a mortal have that aura?
“She’s been couple-bonded by a bear shifter,” Mae explained, clearly having figured out Jolie’s confusion.
More confusion ensued. Clearly, she didn’t understand enough about shifters and whatever this meant.
Again, Mae seemed to have figured out that Jolie was floundering. “It’s a bite, delivered during…” A redness touched Mae’s cheeks.
“Got it.” Jolie felt her own cheeks heating.
“Right.” Mae cleared her throat while Meredith laughed. “And it creates a bond which gives the human enhanced senses and longevity.”
How cool! “I wasn’t aware.” Why didn’t she know about this? Why had Oiddras never mentioned it. Then again, discussing that would have embarrassed both of them.
“Anyway,” Meredith interjected, “this place, everyone here, they’re like family. The kind of family that has no strings and is always there to help.”
Meredith’s tone and expression made Jolie wonder if there wasn’t more to that story, and, at the same time, it cemented her desire to get back to Denmark. To search for any survivors. To find out what had happened to Oiddras. And—though the thought saddened her—to bury him if need be.
Mae tugged on her hand. “This way. I have a room just for you at the end of the corridor. It’s got a closet full of clothing. Anything you want is there, in an assortment of sizes. We can make sure you get more once we know what size you need.”
“Talk to you later.” Meredith slipped back inside and closed the door to the room.
Jolie’s head was spinning from the kindness. Mae was like the big sister she’d never had. She’d have thought she was like the mother she’d never had, but she realized Mae was appeared to be in her early to mid-thirties, so too young to be her mother. Then again, if couple-bonding gave one longevity, did that mean Mae was older? How much older? She studied the woman’s face carefully, looking for signs.
“What is it,” Mae asked. “Everything okay?”
Caught red-handed, Jolie coughed. “Yes. It’s fine. I’m…I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this.”
“Oh.” Mae waved away her thanks. “I live for this.”
Moments later, she found herself alone in a room that was cozy and sunny with pink and yellows, and had a supersize bed which would have held three people. Or a very large man—her mind went to Matteo, and a heat washed over her body at the thought of him. In that bed. Oh, lord. She pushed the thought away and dropped to the mattress, stripping her pants and top off. A shower. She could absolutely use a shower.
Something dro
pped out of the pants pocket.
The USB she’d snagged from the compound. She’d need to remember to give that to someone—probably Griz—to check into. But she’d wait until Blaise was safe and out of there. She couldn’t have Griz going in guns a-blazing with a passel of shifters. That could spell the end for Blaise. She tucked the USB behind a lamp, out of immediate sight, so no one would ask about it. She needed some time. But she didn’t want to carry it on her. What if Orkney recaptured or killed her? Then no one would know what was on it.
She moved across the room to check out the closet.
Jeans, jeans, jeans, in all sizes. Slacks, shirts, tops, coats, several hats. She had never seen this many clothes, and she certainly hadn’t had this many when she’d been Orkney’s captive. They’d been given jeans and tops and sneakers. Not even coats because they never left the room they were kept in save to use the bathroom, shower, and change. And that wasn’t every day. And always one at a time, while under a spell Orkney put on them to control them.
Damn him. She hated him and wished him dead with a passion she’d never thought she’d feel for someone.
* * *
More than an hour later, showered, changed, and recharged, she sat in the SUV Griz had lent them. She and Matteo drove to the spot Griz had taken them earlier. They got out and began a trek toward Samara’s tree hollow, but now, none of the scenery appeared familiar.
She stopped to check out the area. How could it all look so alike. No matter which way she turned, all she saw was forest. Trees and trees. Bushes. Pine-covered forest floor. And when there was a break in the foliage, she saw sky and mountains.
She glanced at Matteo. “Are you sure this is the right way?”
“I’m sure,” Matteo affirmed. “Listen. Just listen real close.”
“What am I supposed to hear?” All she could pick up was forest sounds.
He took her hand, keeping her still, then stepped very close. His other hand cupped her cheek. He leaned in so close, she thought he was going to kiss her. She found herself holding her breath.
“Now. Listen again,” he whispered.
She closed her eyes, so she could focus all her energy on her hearing. “Oh. Is that water?” She opened them to find him watching her, his face so close, her heart began to pound.
“It is.” His breath was warm and earthy. “A waterfall. I remember hearing it while we were at Sam’s. We’re close.”
“Unless there’s more than one waterfall in the area,” Jolie added glumly.
“You’re close,” a third voice said.
Matteo pulled away swiftly, his body clearly tensed up, ready for action.
“Samara!” Jolie whirled around and found herself oddly happy to see the blood elf. Happy like one would be to see an old friend.
The blood elf, dressed the same as she’d been when they last saw her, wore a close-lipped smile. “What brings you back? Can you not shift, dragon?” she asked Matteo.
“I haven’t tried.”
“So you trust me?”
“I simply haven’t tried,” Matteo repeated.
Jolie found herself wishing he didn’t sound so much like Griz when he answered her. He almost sounded hostile. “I’m sure it works,” she announced. Why she was so eager to believe in Samara. She couldn’t have said if pressed.
“Why are you here?” Samara asked again.
“I—we—were going to ask for your help,” Jolie started
“Oh, is that right? Dragon shifter, were you going to ask for my help? Do you need my help, dragon shifter?” Samara’s tone was brittle and challenging. Did the blood elf have a personal problem with Matteo or did she take issue with all dragons?
Samara’s wolves both snarled at Matteo, as though knowing what was happening. Were the pair sentient beings? Could they understand the complexities of what was happening between Matteo and Samara? Jolie was itching to probe into the aspect of familiars but decided she would save this for another time.
Matteo glared at her. Jolie squeezed his hand. Blaise’s escape depended on his ability to play nice with the blood elf. And for reasons she didn’t completely understand herself, she was convinced Samara would be needed for this. She could feel it. She wasn’t psychic or anything—that she was sure of—but she knew, somewhere deep in her marrow, this blood elf was necessary to their efforts.
Matteo’s glower softened, though a glint of hardness remained in his eyes. “We were going to seek your assistance with a matter.”
Jolie gave another squeeze. That was the best she could ask for, and she’d take it.
Samara’s posture visibly became less edgy, and she seemed to back it down a notch as she turned her black-eyed gaze to Jolie. “What is it that I can help with?”
“My friend’s being held captive in the same place I was. I managed to escape using the time buckling thing you mentioned. I’d like to free her, but I don’t think the two of us can do it alone. And the ones you showed in that vision of Matteo’s shift being interrupted, those are the ones holding her captive.”
“Griz has an army of shifters and witches and other such beings at his fingertips. Why wouldn’t you seek his assistance? I’m hoping you are not thinking you’ll bring me into a project he’s been tasked with. There’s no way he’d work with me.”
“We are not doing this with Griz,” Jolie informed her. At Samara’s raised eyebrow, she then clarified. “He would—as you said—bring in an army. That might put Blaise, and the others, I suppose, in danger.”
“Follow me,” Samara commanded. Turning on her heel, she began a brisk walk through the trees, wending her way this and that around trunks and bushes. The wolves followed. One hot on her heels, the other taking position behind Jolie and Matteo.
Was the wolf behind them guarding them or watching Samara’s six, in case she and Matteo were up to mischief? Jolie didn’t care for the notion that the wolves didn’t trust her, so she opted to believe the lupine was standing guard.
“Where are we going?” Jolie asked.
The only response she received was a wolf’s snarl and Samara’s wave—her back still turned, taking determined strides through the forest. So, Jolie followed, silently.
Soon, she could see the hollow of the tree trunk, and seconds later, Samara had guided them inside the tree trunk. She led them in the same direction she’d taken Jolie, but, at some point, she turned a corner that Jolie hadn’t noticed before, and they were now headed in a different direction, though again, on a downward grade.
“Where are we going?” Jolie asked again, because every second they spent in Samara’s hollow was time taken away from saving Blaise.
“Right here.” She stepped into a doorway then snapped her fingers, and light appeared in the room. She moved to the side and indicated the center of the room with a flourish.
Jolie gasped.
“What the hell?” Matteo uttered.
On the floor, laid out neatly, lay three figures. Orkney and two of his shifters. All dead.
“How?” Jolie managed. “What happened?”
“They messed with the wrong blood elf.” She laughed, a cackle, almost. Sounding evil, it sent a shudder along Jolie’s spine.
“How does this go toward complicating or simplifying finding Blaise?” Matteo asked Jolie.
“Well—” Jolie started.
“That’s not all,” Samara said. “Come.”
Curiosity running rampant, she could only imagine who else the blood elf might have killed. They stepped out into the corridor then strode across to another room.
“They were hunting this one.” Samara snapped her fingers. This time the lighting was subtle.
On a makeshift bed of furs, a very pale Blaise lay on her back, eyes closed. A panic almost began to build in Jolie, but she realized Samara wouldn’t have placed Blaise on a soft pallet if she were dead. She’d be in the room with Orkney and the bears.
“She got away,” Jolie whispered.
“This is Blaise?” Matteo asked.
Jolie stepped closer to her unconscious friend. “What happened to her?”
“She caught some of the blowback from the spell I used to kill those three.” Samara gestured with a thumb over her shoulder, indicating the area they’d just come from. “It knocked her unconscious, but she’s not hurt. Not very. She’ll wake up in time and be fine.”
She dropped to her knees next to Blaise and finger-combed her hair back from her face. “You are free. You need to wake up and see.”
Blaise was unmoving and still.
“How long before she awakens?” she asked Samara. “You left her unguarded? What if something had—”
“Don’t assume that because you don’t see what I have put in place that she was not guarded.” Samara’s tone was haughty.
“Of course. I’m sorry.”
As if Jolie’s prayers were being answered, Blaise started to stir. Her eyes fluttered. “Jolie?” Her gaze didn’t seem fully focused.
“It’s me. You’re free. You did it. How?”
“Nameless. She helped me get free. But—” She looked around her wildly. “Orkney, he’s hunting me. He’s here in the forest—” She began to hyperventilate. “We aren’t in the forest? Did he catch us?” She settled her gaze on Matteo then on Samara. “Who are—” She grabbed Jolie’s shoulders. “What is going on here?”
“Calm down.” Jolie wrapped her arms around her friend. “You are among friends. We’re in hiding.”
“But Orkney! He’s—”
“Not a threat anymore,” Jolie finished for her. “Samara.” She pointed to the blood elf. “She killed him. And Stork. And Edgar.”
“They’re dead? We’re really free?” Her hyperventilating turned to maniacal, hysterical laughter.
Jolie put her hands on both sides of Blaise’s face. “They are. And we are. Free. Forever.”
“But what about Nameless?”
“Did she escape with you?”
Blaise seemed perplexed. “I don’t think so. She only told me she could go.” Her face lit up. “She did tell me her name.” Then she looked crestfallen once more. “But I forgot it. What’s wrong with me?”