by Vella Day
With what little energy he had left, he rolled over onto his back and took her with him. Missy placed her cheek on his chest and sighed.
Though it started out with some hesitancy, it sure ended up to be the most amazing event in his life. “Thank you,” he said before placing a kiss on her head.
“Any time.”
Zane sure hoped she meant it.
Chapter Fourteen
‡
Missy was still in awe of what had transpired yesterday. Being with Zane had been the most wonderful thing to happen to her in her whole life. Even he couldn’t stop smiling after they’d made love. She could only imagine what a relief it had been for him after one hundred years of celibacy.
She had debated asking him to stay the night, but not only did he have to be up early, so did she. Besides, rushing things never worked. She’d learned from experience that getting her hopes up and moving too fast could ruin a relationship. Zane had enough to deal with. If he thought her needy for affection, he’d run for sure.
The front door to the spa opened, and as soon as her mother walked in she ran her gaze up and down Missy. “You’re looking good this morning, sweetie,” she said with a knowing smile.
“Thank you.” Missy had never been able to keep any kind of secret from her mother. Her mom had a lot of skills as a witch, and being able to understand a person’s emotions was just one of her talents.
Hoping her mother would go into the back room to do her usual accounting chores and not ask the reason for her cheery mood, Missy went over to the counter to set out the display items. No surprise, her mom stayed in the main room, her arms crossed over her chest.
“You have a glow about you, Missy, almost as if your aura has been ignited. I’d love to hear all about it,” she said with a grin.
Heat raced up her face. Did she really have a sparkle about her? Was that even possible, or was her mom guessing? “There’s not much to tell. I gave Zane some cooking lessons and showed him how to use the cell phone. It was good to feel needed again. That’s all.”
Mom slung her purse off her shoulder and set it down on the counter. “Why Missy Berta, you slept with him didn’t you?”
Missy groaned, wishing she could tell for sure if there was any censure in her voice. “If you must know, yes I did. I’m over thirty. I can do as I wish.”
Her mother smiled. “I never said you couldn’t. Believe me, I’m happy for you.” She leaned against the counter. “Tell me about Zane. I believe you said something about him having had amnesia.”
Had she not confided in her mother in that long? “It’s a long story.”
Her mom looked around. “We haven’t opened yet. You know I want to be involved in your life.”
As long as she didn’t become judgmental, it would be nice to have her opinion. For the next fifteen minutes, Missy detailed their rocky start from the horseback excursion to turning him down for a date. After Jackson approached her with the crazy notion that Cargonia was real, she did a little research on her own and noticed a picture of a man wearing an orange stone around his neck—just like the one she’d found in the cave. “I hoped Anna could get a reading off of it, and she did.”
“That’s fascinating. Did she think it belonged to Zane?”
“She didn’t know, so I thought it best to ask him. Since he doesn’t own a phone, I had to go to his house and well, one thing led to another.”
“I can tell you’re happy, but I also sense something is bothering you.”
Her mother could always see through her. “Were you aware another realm existed?” Her mom used to have a lot of contact with Naliana, so maybe she knew.
“I won’t say the idea is new to me. Cargonia has been part of the folklore for years. There have been supporters, and there are those who say it’s hogwash. If whatever he tells you doesn’t seem to contradict anything else that he says, you need to go with your gut.”
That was what she did. “At first, I doubted Zane, but now I believe him.”
“Good. I know the whole idea of another realm seems to defy logic, but so does what we do. Take yourself for example. Do you understand how you can place your hand on a person and help cure them?”
“No.”
“You see? Since magic occurs here then why can’t another realm exist?”
“You’re right. I think I was afraid to take that leap.”
Her mother walked around the counter and drew Missy into a hug. “Listen to your heart. You always see the good in a person, but you’re also savvy. If he’s lying, you’ll be aware of it too.”
“I hope so.” Missy had a history of being gullible.
Her mother stepped back. “Have you contacted Ophelia yet? She might be able to give you some guidance about how to deal with this paradigm shift.”
“I was planning to speak with her as soon as I can find her.”
Her mom smiled. “Would you like me to contact her?”
How did her mother and Izzy seem to know the witch’s whereabouts yet Missy didn’t? She wouldn’t be surprised if her mom or sister had a direct mental link with the woman. “I’d like that very much. Thanks.”
“I’ll let you know if I can set up anything.” Her mom disappeared into the back room.
For the next hour, Missy tried to put Zane out of her mind, but she failed miserably. Some things he’d told her bothered her, like how he’d been pushed down a portal against his will. Why would someone want to do him harm? She wanted to learn more about why he ended up here. Missy sighed. She had too many questions and not enough answers. Hopefully Ophelia could help.
About a half hour before closing, her mom stepped from the back room. “Can you come here for a second?”
“Sure.” Teagan was with another customer. She bet this was about Ophelia. “Did you contact her?”
“Yes. Ophelia said she’d meet you by Izzy’s old house today.”
It was where she often met with the Wendayans. She seemed to like that place because it was secluded. “What time?”
“Five fifteen.”
Her nerves surfaced. “I appreciate you asking her.”
“No problem. I’ll be curious to know what she says.”
“Of course, but you know Ophelia. She can talk a lot and say nothing.”
Her mom laughed. “Yes, the old lady would make the perfect politician.”
“I totally agree.”
Instead of being excited at the chance to find some answers, a trickle of dread seeped in. What if when she asked Ophelia about the existence of Cargonia, the old witch said there was only one realm? Who would she believe, Ophelia or Zane? Was it possible he was some con artist looking for a handout?
Missy refused to believe that. When she was with Zane, she was convinced he was sincere. She would have sensed any deception. When she spoke with Ophelia, it might be safer to limit her questions to his curse and his amnesia.
Two women entered the store asking about some aromatherapy. Her mom came out from the back and helped them while Missy piddled around, straightening up the items on the shelves. At a little after five, she said goodbye and headed out. As Missy neared where her sister used to live, her nerves stretched taut. She’d been so certain she wanted to hear the truth, but now that she was close, she wasn’t so sure.
Once she parked, Missy waited for Ophelia to show up. When the witch didn’t appear, Missy slipped out of her car and walked to the side of the property, where the trees were thickest, hoping to find her.
“Ophelia?” she called.
From behind a tree, she stepped into view. “Hello, Missy. It’s nice to see you again.”
Ophelia looked the same as when she’d seen her last. In fact, she appeared to be wearing the same long black dress, only this time her white hair was pulled back into a bun instead of hanging loose. “Thank you for seeing me.”
Ophelia approached and held out her gnarled hands. Missy placed hers in the witch’s grasp and closed her eyes for some privacy.
“What
is it you wish to ask me?” the old lady asked.
Her tone sounded different—lower and more forceful—causing Missy to open her eyes. Ophelia released her hands, but her eyes were glazed over. “I met a man,” Missy said.
She smiled and looked more like herself. “So this is about love?”
“No. I mean it could be, but that’s not why I need your help.” She told Ophelia that Zane claimed to have been hibernating for one hundred years. “Have you ever heard of a spell lasting that long?”
“One hundred years, you say?” She shook her head. “I’ve heard of spells that mimic death, but those will last forever. Unless…” She held up a finger.
“Unless what?”
“Have you ever read the fairy tale Sleeping Beauty where a princess fell asleep for one-hundred years and only awakens after her prince kisses her?”
Missy’s pulse soared. “Sure.”
“Were you nearby?”
“Yes, I was looking for Reishi mushrooms in the caves south of town when he wandered out from the dark recesses. I assure you I didn’t kiss him though.” That happened much later.
Ophelia stroked her chin. “I have heard that some powerful spells can only be broken by the presence of a mate. A kiss is not necessary.”
Missy let out a nervous laugh, not sure whether to be thrilled or not. “What are you saying? That I am his mate?”
“You sound so surprised. You don’t think it’s possible?”
“No.”
“Why is that?”
“Because Zane claims he’s from another realm.” Dang. She hadn’t planned on mentioning that. “He said he’s from a place called Cargonia and that some demon had a witch there put a curse on him and then dumped him down a portal to Earth.” She couldn’t believe she was telling this to her, but Ophelia’s expression hadn’t changed, so Missy continued. “He said he wasn’t even aware he’d been transported to Earth until he awoke to find the world had changed.”
“That’s quite a story.”
Missy’s heart sunk. “So there is no such place as Cargonia?”
“I never said anything like that.”
“Does that mean there is such a realm?” Missy asked, her voice coming out weak.
“Yes, there is. Now let me see if I can tell what the future holds for your young man.” Ophelia closed her eyes and hummed, her expression looking almost pious.
Missy’s heart beat hard awaiting the answer. The rational side wanted to know the future because she didn’t want to be made a fool of. However, her emotional side wanted to wait for the future events to unfold. The birds seemed to have stopped chirping, and the wind had died down. It was as if the whole world was awaiting her answer.
“I see bloodshed and death,” Ophelia said, her voice not even sounding like hers once more.
Missy’s heart nearly stopped. “Whose death?”
Ophelia shook her head. It was as if she couldn’t answer. “I see a lot of anger and hatred swirling around your young man.”
“Zane doesn’t hate anyone,” she blurted.
“Just be careful.” Ophelia opened her eyes and looked around as if someone had been channeling her thoughts.
“Of who? Zane? He’d never hurt me.”
“Let your instincts guide you.”
What did that mean? Before she could ask, Ophelia turned and seemed to float back toward the forest. As much as Missy wanted to go after her, she didn’t want to learn more. Zane was not angry, and he wasn’t a danger to anyone. That much she was sure. The old lady had to be wrong.
Or did it mean that those who’d put the curse on Zane could be the angry ones? Now that scenario she liked even less.
*
The moment Vinea descended on Silver Lake, intense waves of despair and anger at her sister blasted her, hindering her ability to perform her duties the way she wanted—and it was all Naliana’s fault. Hell, it was always Naliana’s fault.
The white moon wouldn’t be for several days, so Vinea was fairly confident she wouldn’t have another run-in with her goddess-of-the-light sister. The last time she was there, however, Naliana had received a special compensation to come to Earth. Why not again?
Right now, Vinea couldn’t worry about sibling rivalry. She had an order to follow. If she failed, no telling what Androf would do to her. He claimed he’d ban her from the underworld for good, but Vinea didn’t believe him. She’d been too valuable in the past for him to boot her out. Then again, he was a spiteful ass.
Clenching her fists, she glanced around the empty field where she’d almost succeeded in stealing Sam Pompley’s powers. If her sister hadn’t interfered, Vinea would have regained some of her abilities. As it was, with each day, she was growing weaker. She didn’t have long before she’d become useless, and that would mean certain death, or rather emotional death.
Androf had promised that if she succeeded in sending Zane back to Cargonia that some of her powers would be restored. In case she had trouble opening the portal for some reason, he’d even given her a spell to use to fool the gods in Cargonia into believing she had the authority to enter. All she had to do was find the portal and lead him to it.
Simple.
Or not.
As recent as a few months ago, Vinea could have spotted where the air currents wavered. By altering the wavelengths, she would have been able to locate this foreign portal easily. After her sister blasted her with that ray of white light, her abilities to change air in any way were diminishing with each rotation around the sun, but Vinea would not be deterred. She’d find a way.
Zanedar Barons should know where it was. After all, he’d come through the damn thing. Most likely it was in the cave since he landed there.
Vinea inhaled to calm her jittery nerves. She was near those caves now, so it wouldn’t hurt to have a quick look before taking some time to hatch her plan. She just might get lucky and find it.
Chapter Fifteen
‡
Someone knocked on Raymolt’s office door and then pushed it open. “Excuse me, sir.”
Raymolt spun around then relaxed when he saw it was only one of his minions. “What do you want, Winslod?”
When Raymolt was in the middle of planning some deed against the unsuspecting shifters, he didn’t want to be disturbed. Winslod, however, only showed his face when it was important, for which he was often rewarded.
“You told me to let you know if there was any news of Zanedar.”
Raymolt straightened. “News?” It had to be close to a hundred years since he’d sent that killing bastard to another realm.
“I’ve been monitoring Earth’s progress, especially around Silver Lake where he landed.”
“Get to the point.” He had little patience today.
“He’s awake.”
Raymolt jumped up. “That’s not possible. Are you sure?”
The witch had assured him the spell was for eternity. Killing Zanedar would have allowed him to be reunited with his brother, but permanent hibernation would keep him from any such joy.
The little gnome slid something he’d been hiding from behind his back. “I’m not sure how we missed this, but this book explains that the curse can be broken if his mate is near.”
He waved a hand. “A mate, you say? That’s preposterous. A Cargonian shifter would never be mated with someone from a different realm.” Or so he’d been led to believe. Not many shifters from Cargonia had ever visited Earth, so there weren’t many opportunities for interaction. Only the gods and goddesses had free reign to go where they pleased.
Winslod set the book on the desk. “You can look at the monitors for yourself. I didn’t recognize him at first. His beard is gone, and his hair is cut short.”
A mate? Raymolt didn’t give a damn what he’d done to his hair. It disturbed him highly that Zanedar would find pleasure in a woman’s flesh. “Have they mated yet?”
“I don’t believe so. When the white moon appears and she shifts, we’ll know for sure if the deed has
been done.”
“Then I need to do something about him before that happens.”
“The portals are not aligned yet, sir.”
He was well aware of the timetable. Demons weren’t granted the freedom to go to the other realm. The gods of the light believed they’d cause harm. How right they were. But damn, he needed to reach Zanedar. He should have killed the bastard when he had the chance.
His path was clear. There were other ways to get through the portal, but it would cost him—dearly. It didn’t matter. It had to be done. A brief smile lifted his lips at the thought of killing Zanedar’s mate first just to watch him suffer like Raymolt had when he’d killed Raymolt’s brother. This was just the little diversion he craved. It would be fun to put an end to this man once and for all.
*
“Driving is just a matter of putting this gear into drive and pressing gently on the pedal. The hardest part is paying attention to the other cars,” Missy said.
Zane swiveled his head. “We’re in the middle of an empty parking lot. There are no other cars.”
Missy chuckled. “There will be when you’re on the road.”
“I know. I just said that to stall. I don’t want to crash like the last time.”
She punched him in the arm. Zane was developing a good sense of humor. “You’ll do fine. How about driving the car around the lot one time? Then you can practice backing up and finally parking.
“I’m game. Hold on.”
Her car was an automatic, which would allow him to accelerate smoothly. Zane followed the edge of the lot and carefully avoided the three cars parked in the large space. Missy had to admit that Zane was doing a much better job than she’d done when she’d turned sixteen. She recalled clipping the hedge and then scraping the car against the side of the garage. Practicing in her driveway might not have been her father’s best decision. Thankfully, Zane had good depth perception.