“Oh yes. I will soon be fighting demons alongside Jackie.”
Sasha’s grin disappeared. “Jackie’s been fighting for twenty years, sweetheart. Fighting demons is not really part of the game plan for you.”
“Oh? And who devised this game plan? Do you also think fae females are not capable of fighting other supernatural creatures? Is Kaera going to sit in the healer tent and refuse to fight? Is Brina?”
“Kaera has been fighting for over three hundred years.”
“I should begin my training this night in order to gain as much experience as possible before Naberia arrives with her demon warriors.”
“Elle…”
Elle stood. “I shall personally go to court and speak to the females there. I am sure we can find another six for the first round of training sessions.”
“Thank you, Elle,” I said, proud to know this extraordinary female. She hated visiting court, but for the sake of the others she might find, she’s was willing to go.
After a stern frown in Sasha’s direction, Elle poofed out. The room was whisper quiet as a slow smile spread across my face. Perfect. Absolutely perfect.
“There it is again,” Sash grumbled, sweeping his hand toward my face. “You are about to take my peaceful existence and spin it on its ear.”
“All for a good cause. And you forget, I have demon blood.”
“That excuse doesn’t pull weight with a vampire.”
“Now be honest. Don’t you like to change it up once in a while?” He shrugged, but I knew he was on the verge of laughing. “You’re still in, right?” I asked.
He sighed and nodded. “Yes, Mistress. I’m in.”
“You won’t regret this.”
“We shall see.”
Chapter Four
Instead of taking the lines back to the house, I spent some time in the fae-lit garden, weaving my way along each gravel and stone path, admiring the flowers that were still blooming despite the colder temperatures. Sinlae and her mates had gone all out, not only on the exquisite vegetation, but also the patterned walkway, some of the figures designed for protection and fertility. Occasional jeweled stones beckoned the observer to stand or sit in the best spots to see the garden at its full advantage.
I lowered myself to my favorite bench near the lilies, not too far from the roses. The scent was enchanting, taking my mind to more exotic locales. Despite the colder temperatures the garden was thriving due to the tender loving care of a troupe of demi-fey and some Faerie magic.
Aymis buzzed past me, waving enthusiastically and soaring toward the roses, too busy to stop and chat. He’d been deadheading for the past week, making sure to keep the lovely blooms that remained well watered. Sinlae could usually be found in the veggie garden and small greenhouse, ensuring we had everything we needed for the meals Liam would still sometimes cook. Sinlae had a major crush on Liam, and took pride in presenting him with the finest and freshest ingredients.
Liam no longer spent every day at our home, the way he had when I’d first moved in with Garrett. He had a growing business and a garden of his own to manage, but once a week he would help me bundle up anything extra from our two gardens and bring it to the local family shelter, along with the gently-worn clothing we gathered from friends and family. On those days, he’d stick around and cook enough to hold us over for a few days at least.
I began planning for the females who’d be coming to train with us. I expected they’d be shy at first, so it might be best not to start right in with their instruction. They’d need to acclimate themselves to being outside of Faerie and also to working with males—trusting that these large warriors had no desire to hurt them. It would take time and patience and we had plenty of that available.
We’d need the villa cook’s help as well, because the students would require a light breakfast and a full lunch. I couldn’t send them back to Faerie hungry. What would these females be like? Quiet and shy like Elle had been at first? Some might have been so brutalized under Fionna’s rule, they’d need kid gloves, but I was willing to do anything I could to help these brave females gain back their self-confidence.
Smiling at my burgeoning project, I opened the sliding glass doors and strode into the kitchen. I sent to Garrett mind to mind, “Are you here?” but there was no reply. I called for Herc, but he didn’t respond either. Garrett must have taken him for a walk, perhaps on the beach. The funny little guy would chase the bigger dogs and then go after the gulls. He’d been pecked on the rump a couple of times, but it didn’t seem to dissuade him. After all, Corgis were a herding breed, and the fact that the birds were independent spirits that refused to move along in an organized fashion in the direction he insisted they travel, had become Herc’s greatest challenge.
I checked the bath, but Garrett wasn’t in the shower. This disappearing act was odd, because he usually sent me a message when he was going out. Maybe he wanted to give me some breathing room so I’d calm down about the whole not-being-on-the-front- lines thing.
When I peeked into the living room I was shocked to find Simon, my birth father, in one of the chairs. He smiled at me but didn’t rise. “Um…hi. Did Garrett let you in?” I glanced around, searching for my mate, but he wasn’t anywhere to be seen. Simon nodded. “Did he say where he was going?” Simon shrugged and I slid my phone from my pocket. No texts. Maybe he was angry that I’d gone off on him earlier. I turned back to Simon, resolved to shelve our argument until he got home again. “Are you hungry? I could make us some lunch.”
Simon didn’t reply, but instead smiled and rose from the chair, his arms open wide to give me a hug. I was surprised, because Simon and I weren’t particularly affectionate with each other, but I moved forward anyway. We’d only met eighteen years ago and had spent over ten years at odds and not speaking because of the death of my sister. Maybe he was troubled about something and just needed a hug? I got that way sometimes.
As soon as his arms surrounded me, the hairs at my nape began to stiffen. He had no natural scent, which erected a huge red flag. I knew Simon’s scent well. Was this an imposter? His body temp was creepy cold, too cold for a living, breathing creature, but my strange guest had a steady heartbeat and was breathing at a normal rate. When he squeezed me more tightly, trapping me, I gasped and reached for the ley lines, but fear had clouded my focus and my instincts had kicked in too late to teleport.
“Come home!” I sent to Garrett, as something solid and cold was quickly placed over my collarbone by another set of shadowy hands, then clicked together around my neck. In horror I realized I’d instantly lost my connection to the lines, preventing me from using my magic, and when I tried to scream for help, no words passed my lips.
Panicking now, I struggled in his arms as much as possible, grunting and biting, hoping he’d loosen his grip. I kicked out and banged my ankle badly on the coffee table, but also got in a couple of hard kicks to my abductor’s shins and a good bite to his face. He grunted in pain, the tone of his voice much higher than my real dad’s. I squirmed violently, but his arms were metal clamps, the iciness of his skin causing me to shiver. I was helpless. A shadow shifted behind me and inserted something sharp into my neck. A burning sensation rippled through my upper body. Then nothing.
Chapter Five
I woke up trembling violently but couldn’t tell if it was from terror or the cold. The terror I could vouch for. This being kidnapped thing was bringing back all kinds of memories I’d rather have left buried, memories that still occasionally woke me from a deep sleep. When it happened, Garrett would snuggle closer, draping his arm across my stomach, burying his nose in my hair, and whispering sweet words of comfort. I’d fall asleep again quickly, his brand of medicine always the best.
But tonight the cold was a knife scraping against my skin, a vicious presence I couldn’t shake off, because the strange metal necklace that was chafing my sensitive skin prevented me from reaching out to the lines. My wrists, ankles and neck burned, the restraints most likely made of silv
er or iron. I was sensitive to both metals when I couldn’t use my healer magic, although never as badly as pure blood shifters or demons would be. The rest of my body was stiff and sore, my shoulders beginning to complain violently, mostly because my hands were fastened behind my back with a chain linking them to my ankles. I’d been hogtied. Lovely.
I recognized my immediate location instantly—the smell and vibration of traveling in a car trunk was no surprise, given the circumstances. I’d been blessed with a predictable pair of kidnappers, which might work in my favor. If I hadn’t been so uncomfortable I might have laughed. It was the usual scenario for this type of crime, right?
My ears were blocked with…maybe earplugs? Cotton? I couldn’t tell for certain. Obviously my kidnappers didn’t want me listening in to their conversation as they drove.
Another series of violent shudders wrenched my body. I wouldn’t last long if they didn’t make some attempt to warm me up. I meant to groan in distress, but the sound came out as more of an animalistic grunt because my vocal chords seemed to be shut down. My face was wet, a salty drop having made its way to my mouth. Apparently their surprising Magicks couldn’t stop my body’s reaction to pain and anxiety.
I wiggled, attempting to place my feet in a position where I might be able to kick out a rear light or find a latch to open the truck, but my back and shoulders screamed in agony every time I moved. Determined to take some kind of action, I thought about leaving some evidence for my rescuers, because I knew beyond all doubt Garrett and Charlie would come for me.
I bit my lip hard enough to draw blood and a few drops dribbled down my chin to the floor of the trunk. It was a start at least. I’d leave a trail for them, and I wouldn’t allow myself to lose hope, no matter what.
My positive attitude boosted my confidence. What else? Fibers, right? And hair. I tilted my head so I could swing my longish locks to the front. This next part would be harder because I’d have to pull out a good chunk with my mouth. I gritted my teeth. The more the better. I accomplished my goal despite my protesting shoulders, back and scalp, but the results were good. I closed my eyes for a minute to rest and think about what else I could do to help my possible liberators find me.
I knew if I didn’t keep busy—stay proactive—I might fall into the once-familiar pit I’d occupied after my first kidnapping, a dark zone where Doubt, Anger and Sadness had wrapped me in cold arms, whispering words of hopelessness and fear. No. I’d not step foot over that doorstep. Never again.
I narrowed my eyes and focused my mind.
The creature who’d captured me had definitely not been my father. Why I hadn’t realized it early enough to take action, to travel the lines to Faerie or even the vamp villa, was puzzling. My instincts were usually spot on, but It had caught me off guard with the brilliant simplicity of its illusion. What species of being was powerful enough to pull this off? Some of the fae, certainly, but they would have been able to match my father’s voice and scent. And the fae were our allies, so I found it highly unlikely one of them would decide to kidnap me, especially now that Queen Fionna was out of the picture. A powerful demon, perhaps? A sorcerer? A witch? I just didn’t know.
Whoever it was had gotten through the wards at our home—wards that kept out all but our closest friends and allies. The best warders in two realms had reinforced those wards so how was this possible? The pit of my stomach was clenched with anxiety. If they could get in, so could others. Was Garrett safe?
While one of them had remained hidden, the male who’d impersonated Simon had seemed relaxed and open, sitting on the couch and smiling a friendly, familiar smile. None of that had seemed abnormal, but what should have clued me in immediately was the absence of any identifying scent. Supernatural creatures had the uncanny ability to scent out another supernatural creature, sometimes even at great distances, and I was no exception to that rule. It’s almost as if using magic seeps into our pores and broadcasts our presence to others. When a supernatural creature has the power to mask their scent, they would always replace it with another. They don’t leave themselves odorless because that tells everyone around them, “Look at me. I’m not who I appear to be.”
Only I’d been so distracted by my own thoughts and plans I hadn’t been cautious. With all the training I’d had over the years, you’d think it would have been second nature at this point. My eyes filled with tears, but I blinked them away. I’d been foolish and careless, but I couldn’t spend my valuable time beating myself up.
Remembering the feel of his icy arms, I shuddered, my imagination running wild. What manner of supe I’d be dealing with when we got to our destination was a mystery, but I’d already had first hand knowledge of just how powerful that creature was.
I breathed as slowly as I could, keeping my mind on point and my emotions calm. The creature and its companion hadn’t killed me outright, so they must want me alive. I refused to dwell on what their purpose might be, knowing that down that road might lay madness.
We hit a bump and my body was thrown around. Tears born of pain and fear rolled over my face, landing on the rubber-matted floor with soft thuds. Even my sobs sounded unnatural, my most primal noises distorted by the magic of these creatures and their metal restraint. I was frightened enough to scream, to sob loudly, to pound on the confining walls of the car trunk, but since all of that was impossible and would probably be futile even if I did manage it, I kept a tight grip on my mind—one of the only organs I had any control over. Thank heavens for that at least, because the thought of someone controlling my mind was always my greatest fear.
Lord Kennet had forced me to kiss him and want more, my body lighting up with lust as if it had been Garrett I was kissing. It was the worst torture of all, because my mind was screaming for it to stop and I was totally helpless to make that happen.
My stomach twisted with nausea at the memory, but was suddenly jarred and flipped upside down when the car I was trapped in hit an enormous bump. I landed hard, my shoulder and hip taking the brunt. More bruises and aches to add to the others. Now we seemed to be traveling on an unpaved road and I was nauseous for another reason. Great. The jittery journey seemed to be going on and on forever, like a circle in Dante’s version of hell. Did Dante design a place for foolish shifters who’d let their guard down?
I closed my eyes and tried again to think of something else I could do to help my rescuers. I did hold some stored magic deep inside my core, magic that lived in me always, even if I couldn’t access the ley lines. But something told me this wasn’t the time to use it, that I’d need it later. So I held onto each molecule, shielding it with every protection I could create. Over and over I thought about using it to reach out to Garrett, to Charlie, to Fin, to Isaiah…but I didn’t know where I was and my signal would be weak, maybe too weak for them to follow.
As a distraction to keep the panic at bay, I conjured a lovely memory. Garrett had been particularly affectionate last night, so I closed my eyes and allowed my spirit to nestle into the warmth and strength of his body, taking in his remembered scent and voice as he spoke to me of his love.
Je t’aime, mon ange, he’d whispered.
The car was slowing down, the surface sounds changing to the rasp of stirred-up gravel. I began to tremble. Would they kill me and leave me here in this remote location? Was I wrong not to have used my stored magic to contact Garrett—to have given myself a chance to say goodbye? The car came to a smooth stop and I steeled my mind, waiting for the worst.
Chapter Six
Two car doors slammed, causing the trunk to vibrate, but only one set of shoes walked through the gravel toward the trunk. When the trunk was finally opened I was forced to squint and turn away. The painful beam of light from a large flashlight stabbed my pupils, making my eyes water. The wielder shifted it away from my face when he saw my discomfort. Odd that he cared about my comfort now, after the hellish ride he’d forced me to endure. I was grateful for the surge of fresh air, but it was cold and my teeth began to chatter
.
“You imbecile. You left her without a blanket?” a female said. Her voice was slightly muffled because of the plugs they’d put in my ears, but probably loud enough to be heard in the next town.
“You didn’t mention—” A male voice argued. His voice was pitched high.
“It was in the back seat! We can’t have her getting sick.”
“She isn’t—”
“Shut up!”
I took in a subtle breath and caught the female’s scent. A witch. The female was a witch, her scent tinged with blood magic. Not. Good. At. All. The male? No clue. His scent was a combo of citrusy flavors such as lemon and grapefruit mixed with coconut and a salty sea breeze, maybe seaweed rotting on the shore—and that wasn’t everything. This guy was a potpourri of scents.
“Get her out of the trunk.”
“Where’s Joel? I’m gonna hurt her if I try to get her out myself.”
“Joel’s at the house dumbass. You’re such a fucking baby. The female is freezing to death. Get her out now!”
“Fine. But don’t blame me if I hurt her.” The male leaned over me, actually looking sheepish, and took out my earplugs. “Sorry, honeybun. I’ll be as careful as I can.” He dug one hand under my knees and the other around my waist and lifted me slowly, taking care not to hit his head or mine on the trunk hood as he stepped back with me in his arms. “There, that wasn’t so bad, was it?” he asked me.
But when he looked at my face he frowned. The agony caused by my metal bindings and the position of my body was beginning to unhinge me. I opened my mouth over and over to explain, to beg to be released, but nothing understandable came out. I cried silently, the tears coming faster, my breaths speeding up to match.
“Bring her inside the garage.” The female had fished the blanket out of the backseat and had draped it over me.
I couldn’t see either of them clearly, my eyes were fogged with moisture, but the male seemed wiry, his arms thin and his height average. He had dirt brown hair that hung all over his face, looking greasy and smelling unwashed. Some of it brushed against my face and I was tempted to use my teeth to divest him of a clump, but I restrained my anger and waited to see what would happen next.
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