“Goddess,” Summer whispered. She fell to her knees, afraid to raise her eyes to her deity.
“Please rise, my child. You're ruining your dress. I do hate when people make a fuss, and my name is Flidais.”
Summer stood, but kept her gaze to the ground. “It is forbidden to speak your true name, Goddess.”
The Goddess frowned. “Was I not one of you? Did I not walk the same paths and eat from the same tables? I was not born a Goddess, but chosen to serve as one. I come from the same humble beginnings as you, Summer. There is a difference between showing respect and bloating one's ego. Now, I find it curious. For someone so against offending my position by performing superficial gestures, you seem to have no problem questioning my actions. Is this a trend I can expect from you throughout your lifetime?”
“No… no, of course not. I would never—”
“Lying doesn't become you. It seems you are more human than you'd like to admit.” Flidais glided past Summer with a grin. “We do not agree on how to handle our new friend Kian.”
“Handle him? I'm afraid I don't understand, Goddess.”
“Yes, I have noticed your comprehension is lacking when we throw that particular male in the mix. Perhaps a blunt approach is necessary.” Summer scowled as the Goddess questioned her intelligence, but she held her tongue. Getting on the bad side of a Goddess wasn't a good idea. “I wish to welcome him into our world. Bringing him here was my first step. I realize your prejudices might pose an issue—”
“I am not prejudiced.”
The Goddess lifted her finger to a wilted flower, and it sprang back to life. “What would you call your biased reluctance to welcome him?”
“I call it obedience to my coven.” Summer didn't mean to snap, but the accusation in the Goddess's tone infuriated her.
“Ah, obedience. Such a submissive word coming from one so free of spirit.”
“It is forbidden to reveal ourselves to humans. The punishment is banishment.”
The Goddess shook her head. “I never understood the rules set in place by your coven masters.”
“The deities dictated them.” She cowered the second the words left her lips.
The Goddess threw Summer a harsh look. “Neither my brother, sister, nor I have ever put forth a rule so ridiculous. Those regulations were created because of fear and anger by those your ancestors elected to govern. They are also the reason witches are finding themselves on the brink of extinction. Had they listened hundreds of years ago, witches would have flourished.”
“What are you saying, Goddess?”
“Witches must learn to assimilate with humans if they wish to survive. If they continue to isolate themselves, the witch population will be no more. My children will die out. Shifters and vampires have already begun to welcome humans into their packs and clans.”
“Vampires can erase minds if the human doesn't accept them and shifters, well, I suppose their animal magnetism assures they are accepted, but still there's no guarantee. They risk much each time they take one of them as a mate. What do we have to protect ourselves? Sure, there are spells to alter memories, but they are powerful. You risk destroying their feeble minds, making them forget their entire life. Besides, we can't bond with a human like vampires and shifters can.”
“Ah, or can we? I believe there is much your witch coven leaders need to answer to, my child.” The Goddess drifted past with a slight smile.
Summer narrowed her eyes. “Are you telling me we must breed with humans? Such an act will weaken our covens. If we are to stay strong, we must stay pure. Interbreeding will dirty bloodlines, blacken our future, Goddess. Half breeds are weak.”
“On what do you base your opinion?” The Goddess lifted a brow. “Have you met any to justify your accusation? I see in the heart of my children, and I doubt the words you speak are your own. Instead, they are nothing more than the programmed responses of bigotry and fear passed through the ages. Your parents are fine people, but they have bought into the majority's rules for far too long, but I see a fire in you, a wish for freedom and an eager curiosity for the unknown. It's time the cycle is broken.”
“Why bring this issue to me? This is a matter for our leaders. I have no power over them. I am no one. My voice is diminished by my age, inexperience, and gender.”
The Goddess flashed a wide smile, brightening each flower in the grove. She strolled over to the water's edge. Leaning over, she lifted a small stone and tossed it into the center of the smooth lake. “A small pebble may create a minuscule splash, but the ripples continue on. Your friendship with Kian will be a stone tossed into even waters. The residual ripples will far exceed the first impact. We need you to take a chance and pitch the first stone.” Her grin became wicked. “Besides, you care for this male, Kian.”
“No, I—”
“Don't bother denying it. Sensual attraction has a taste, my dear, and the air holds a delectable sweetness whenever Kian is near you.”
“But, I can't… I… I am promised to another. When my parents return in less than a week's time, they will send me to marry. I will not betray the witch they have chosen for me.”
“You act as if I'm asking you to copulate in the nearest field.” Summer's cheeks heated. “I am asking you to offer him friendship. Teach him our ways. Show him our customs. We must integrate him with patience and care.”
“No,” Summer blurted. She regretted her sharp tongue the moment the word crossed her lips.
“No?” repeated the Goddess.
Summer collected whatever courage remained. “I will not teach a human our secrets. What you ask will destroy my family. I cannot hurt them. I can't.”
“You are far braver than I suspected, but foolish.” The Goddess took a step closer, her irises glowing bright white. “You will befriend Kian because it is what I decree.” The harshness of her gaze softened. “Have faith in my decision. I'd never cause harm to you, my child, or your family.” She placed her hand on Summer's forehead and a sense of calm overcame Summer. “What I ask is not a meaningless request. I assure you, there's a reason for my madness.” She offered a chuckle.
After a few moments, Summer lowered her gaze. “I will do as you wish, my Goddess.” But I don't have to like it.
Chapter 8
Kian raced along the highway on his custom Harley. The bike growled in his ears, sending waves of vibrating power across his thighs and over the rest of his body. Sexual frustration rode him hard, feeding his volatile mood. Between his legs, his cock, like a hot iron rod, throbbed with an incessant ache powerful enough to burn straight through to his soul.
He shifted the bike into fifth and the dual pipes roared in response. Cars became a string of blurs as he weaved in and out of the light traffic.
Most stock Harleys were built for cruising, not racing, but with the enhancements he added last month, his custom hog was one mean bitch.
Riding gave Kian a much needed form of meditation. Nothing said relaxation like flying across asphalt on two wheels of pure power.
Heated air blew against him with the strength of an industrial fan on super high, bringing with it the scents of fresh cut grass, wild flowers, and the stink of car exhaust. Ah, the smell of the open road. Underneath the potent variety, he caught her scent.
His jaw tensed when he pictured her big green eyes ripping him apart as her sharp-angled chin lifted with unbreakable defiance. Summer infuriated him. She fascinated him. She called to his primal instincts with her sexy pout and stubborn pride while lighting a bonfire in his blood. No woman affected him this way. She wound him into a tight little ball, but made him happy as hell to be alive.
What rattled at his masculine pride the most was the fact no other woman would make him happier.
You've known her for a day for Christ’s sake. She might be a psycho with a nice set of tits.
He growled at himself for the insult he threw at her. She was more than a walking pair of breasts. So much more.
Intense energy continued to c
ourse through him, even as he put miles between them. The clearing deep in the woods held great significance to her, and for some weird reason, that fact held importance to him.
He moved up on his leather seat, as if the slight shift would relieve his pain. It didn't. His balls now held their own damn pulse, beating along with his pounding heart. Pinned between his abs and jeans, his rock-hard shaft pulsated. Shit, he had a fucking band in his pants, jamming away, mocking his sanity.
Although the air hitting him leveled at a balmy ninety degrees, it cooled his overheated skin. His undeniable urge to jerk his bike into a one eighty and race back to her, rip off her dress, and prove to her who she belonged to, remained an incessant pull threatening to consume the last ounce of his self-control. For a dominant male, her defiance had been a major turn-on, taunting the spiraling arousal plaguing him. Jesus, when the small drop of perspiration trickled past her neckline and between her perfect breasts, he almost caved. He longed to follow the glistening trail with his tongue. Thank God she had enough sense to back away when she did. He wasn't sure he would've had the strength to resist her much longer.
His phone vibrated against his hip. “Jesus, what now?” He pulled off to the shoulder to check the display, and sure enough, it was more news he was sure he didn't want to hear.
He hit talk. “Yeah,” he snapped.
“Mr. Lancaster, you need to come right away. Your mother has had another accident.”
“I'll be right there.”
He didn't give the nurse time to explain. He ended the call, shoved his cell in his front pocket, and took off up the interstate, taking the fork left instead of right. Thirty minutes later, he rushed toward his mother's room and found her lying in bed looking uncomfortable.
“What happened, Mom?” He sat on the bed beside her and took her cold hand into his.
“It was my fault.” Her thin, delicate fingers closed over his hand with a light squeeze. Her expression grew concerned, and her hand trembled. “Kian, are you okay?”
“I'm just worried about you, Mom. What were you doing out of bed again?”
She patted his hand. “You know how I adore those roses trailing the archway. I couldn't resist. When I got to the end of the hall, I tripped over my feet and fell right on my big hip.” She tried to make light of the situation, but her illness weighed heavy on his spirit.
“You should have waited for me, Mom. I'd have taken you.”
She offered him a faint smile. “I guess my patience has worn thin these days.” Her gaze settled on the window.
“Come on.” He lifted her into his arms. “I'm taking you to see those damn roses.” With his mother locked against his chest, he strode out into the hall.
She gave a gentle chuckle. “My strapping boy, you may be big, but you can't carry me all the way to the garden.” Her bright smile warmed his heart.
“I've lifted bicycles weighing more than you, Mom.”
A short, curvy nurse scurried toward them. “Where are you taking her, Mr. Lancaster? The doctor doesn't want her out in this heat.”
“We're going out to the garden for a bit. We won't be gone long. Don't worry.”
The nurse bit her lip. Kian noticed her hesitation. She passed back and forth glances between him and his mother before offering them her approval. “Go on. I'll cover for you.”
He didn't wait for the nurse to second guess her decision. He spun with his mom locked in his arms and marched down the hall and straight to the elevator. If he had to, he'd carry his mother around for the rest of his life.
She weighed eighty-five pounds soaking wet. Her weight loss had been the first sign of her deteriorating health. The doctors still hadn't diagnosed her illness, yet the nameless killer sucked her dry for months.
She snuggled against him as a shiver rolled up her spine. Her skin was cold despite the hot temperature outside.
He strolled with her snug in his arms to the shaded bench hidden beneath a large oak tree. This had become their favorite spot these last few months. Bright yellow, pink, and red roses encased the arched trellis in front of them. Their sweet scents filled the small courtyard, saturating the air.
“Aren't they beautiful, Kian?” She smiled at the spray of rosebuds closest to her.
He glanced at the vivid blooms. “Yeah, they are, Mom. Not as pretty as you though. You put those damn roses to shame.”
She waved off his compliment. “Stop, I look ridiculous.”
“You're beautiful, Mom.”
She gave him a playful slap. “Always the charmer.” Her gaze travelled around the manicured shrubs. “I love this spot. So peaceful. Breathtaking.”
His mother lifted her face toward the sun. Did she sense the surreal comfort brought by the sun's rays the same way he did? Color returned to her cheeks for a moment, but soon vanished.
“Yeah, it's real nice here.” His gaze traveled the length of the yard.
A large fountain gurgled in the center of the small garden, adorned with an arrow-wielding cherub spitting a stream of water from the lifted arrowhead.
Along the circular walkway lining the patio, bright red and white impatiens created a swirling pattern of color. They reminded him of the strange clearing Summer had chased him out of today. The memory sparked his erotic imagination—dark, sensual fantasies he had no right considering in present company.
“Kian, what's wrong? Something's troubling you, or perhaps someone.” His mother waggled her brows. He noticed the circles under her eyes had become darker.
“Mom, are you nuts? You know women are never a problem, more a temporary solution.” His mother rolled her eyes. “They come and go, and I'm all right with that.”
“Yes, well, my arrogant son, I know that look. It's the same one you gave me when I said no to the mastiff puppy you wanted when you were five. That is the look of a man pinning for something, and since you abandoned the dream of a puppy long ago, I can conclude it's a much bigger prize you seek. Who is she?”
“Mom,” he groaned. His mother made him revert to his pre-teens with one insistent glance.
“Is she pretty?”
Defeated, he laughed. “Yes, okay, and she's the most infuriating woman I’ve ever met and… she's beautiful.”
“You're blushing. Alert the media, my son, the ladies' man, is as red as an apple over a woman.”
“Stop. Besides, she can't stand me, and I doubt she's going to change that tune anytime soon.”
“Give her candy. Women love chocolates.” She must have noticed the doubt in his eyes. Her hand cupped his cheek. Her touch was tender. His smile fell as he stared into her tired, bloodshot eyes. “If she is a woman of worth, she will see the beautiful soul hidden behind your eyes.” Her hand dropped to his chest. She rested her palm over his heart. “This is a heart of a warrior. You possess more strength and courage than you know, Kian.” He shook his head. His mother put him on far too high of a pedestal. He had developed a fear of heights. “I am so proud of the man you have become. I can leave this world knowing I have left it a valuable gift, a good man with a courageous heart.”
He hadn't cried since grade school, but here he was fighting back tears. His hand closed over her chilled fingers. He leaned forward and kissed her forehead.
“You won't be leaving this world anytime soon. You hear me?” He wiped his eye. “Enough talk about my love life. Sit and enjoy the damn roses.”
Chapter 9
Kian stood in line at the hardware store, waiting for clerk to take care of the customer in front of him. The call came in about his glass order late yesterday.
“Hey, Kian, what's up, man?”
Kian glanced over his shoulder to find his friend Mike sauntering toward him. Mike was a partner in a lucrative construction business with his older brother. They did restorations as well as new constructions. In one arm, he carried a set of plans, and in the other, an old spackle bucket filled with tools.
“What's going on?” Kian met Mike in third grade, when Mike moved to the area. T
hey'd been best friends ever since.
“Picking up supplies for this job we started. Listen, man, I'm sorry about Saturday night. We were all tanked. I don't know why I let Eddie and Chris talk me into their crazy ideas. He said we were just going to check the place out. I had no idea he was going to vandalize it. First we're tossing back a few beers. Next thing I know, Eddie is downing shots and going nuts. I felt like a real piece of shit leaving you there. I tried to get them to turn back, but they wouldn't.” He sighed. “Eddie said you screwed up your leg. How's it feeling?”
Kian glanced at his ankle. “It wasn't as bad as I thought. Almost a hundred percent.” He wasn't even limping anymore.
“So what are you doing here? You need a hand with something at the house?” Mike pointed at the slip in Kian's hand.
“Nah, just helping a friend out, fixing some stuff at their place.”
“Cool, if you need any help, let me know. Oh, before I forget. Are you going to the Old Time Festival? It's this Saturday night.”
Hosted by the town's historical society, the Old Time Festival ran during the second week in July. The celebration offered a good time, giving the teenagers in town a chance to unwind and the grown-ups some nightlife. “Yeah, sure, I'll be there.”
“Hey, are you all right, man? You seem off.”
Kian raked his hand through his hair and rubbed the back of his neck. “I'm good. Just have some shit on my mind.”
“How's your mom doing?”
“She has her good days and bad.”
Mike nodded. “If you need anything, man, let me know.”
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