FALL (The Senses)

by Paterson, Cindy

  He knew her body, knew what she needed and he brought her close to the height of collapse then eased off. Her eyes said it all, frustration mixed with a plea, but he needed to be inside her. To feel her tighten around him, scream when he did. He needed them together because they’d been apart for so long; it had to be together this time.

  When he couldn’t wait any longer, he slid inside. Slowly. Feeling every inch of her. Then he stopped. It was as if in that moment they told each other how much they loved. That nothing would break them apart again. Without words, they were saying I love you.

  Hands interlocking on either side of her head, he pushed all the way inside her and began to move. It wasn’t mad or furious, it was more than that. It was a rediscovery of themselves. A harmony, and they matched effortlessly.

  This was about making love. A tragic love that spanned over a century. A beginning where they would make new memories and erase the old. This was their love for eternity.

  There was no kissing. No words until he saw her eyes widen and her mouth drop open. He was holding back waiting for her, knowing that this first time they were going to be together. Come as one. Because they were combined. Two people so woven together that they were one and the same.

  His hands clenched hers as she gasped, her entire body tightening underneath him. He drove into her twice more then let go. “I love you, Delara. God, I love you.”

  Chapter 25

  It was two days before they left the bedroom, neither one able to be apart for longer than a few seconds. Well, it was more Waleron than her. He’d taken to being rather possessive. It was as if he couldn’t stand for her to be out of his sight. Even when she crept out of bed to go downstairs to get a drink he’d gone crazy. He was shouting her name and Tracing from room to room until he’d found her.

  The torture she’d seen in him. It was more than she ever thought possible for Waleron to feel and she wondered if he was taking his pills. There was so much emotion in him. A few times, she’d heard him in the bathroom, it sounded like he was hitting the tiles with his fist. But when he joined her in bed again, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her and soon made her forget.

  It was as if he was terrified she’d slip away. Didn’t he realize that she couldn’t survive without him just as much as he couldn’t live without her?

  The Wraiths had contacted Waleron telepathically, apologizing for the misunderstanding. Waleron told her Tor sounded really upset. Even asked if Waleron could come to the Realm so he could apologize in person. Waleron’s answer was straightforward— No. With my woman. She suspected Waleron might have a few words with the Goddess Enid one day over this.

  He was lying on his back, eyes closed and arms above his head, breathing slow and even. She was wide awake, up on her elbow, tracing the ink on his side. It was new. She hadn’t seen it the last time they were together. Half of it was hidden beneath him and she was curious to know what it was. There was only his Scar on his body, no other tattoos.

  His cell phone rang and he groaned, rubbing his eyes. Then the corners of his lips curved upwards when he noticed her leaning over him. “Hmmm, baby. You look delicious in the morning.”

  She laughed. “You said that yesterday morning.”

  “That’s because I mean it. And I never want you to forget.” The phone kept ringing, but he ignored it. Instead, he reached up and put his hand around her neck and pulled her down to kiss him.

  The phone went silent then started again. He groaned beneath her lips. “It won’t stop, will it?”

  No. It had to be important. Maybe they’d heard from Damien or Abby.

  Waleron leaned over her to grab his phone lying on the floor beside the bed. Her eyes caught the rest of the ink tattoo and she gasped at the same time he said hello.

  Etched in his side amongst interwoven swirls of ink designs was her name.

  He knew she saw it. He stared at her, his hand holding the phone to his ear, listening and watching her reaction. It took her a few minutes to grasp what he’d done. He’d really never let her go. He pushed her away, but he never stopped loving her.

  The phone fell to the bed.

  She wanted to kiss him all over. Love him again and again. But nothing in his face would allow that. The mask of coldness had descended and with it this tension; this was his barrier that she knew all too well.

  “Stay here,” he ordered.

  “What? Why?” He climbed off the bed. “Waleron, what—” It was then she saw the snake on his shoulder, slithering to life, eyes beaming a brilliant red. It disappeared behind his neck then slowly slunk over his shoulder. “Waleron?”

  He put on his black army pants then went to the door.

  She moved out of bed. He swung around and she staggered backwards until the backs of her thighs hit the edge of the mattress.

  His Scar was now dancing across his body and she saw the rage inside him. She could smell the fury building, intensifying. “Damn it, Delara. Stay here. I need time. Alone.”

  “But—”

  He seemed to calm for a second and he ran his hand over top of his head. “Give me an hour. I need an hour.”

  She saw this was hard for him; his body rejected the rage, yet it took control of him anyway. Where were his pills? She’d yet to see him take out his Pez. Was he hiding it from her, knowing how much she detested it?

  The door slammed. Delara picked up her phone and called Jedrik.

  ****

  It took her a while to find her bearings, after all she had no idea where Waleron lived. But with her Tracking ability she was able to find her way back to the city within a half hour. She’d left in a hurry after Jedrik informed her what had set Waleron off. Luckily, Waleron left his keys in the glass bowl and, despite her poor ability to drive a stick shift, she managed to get the Audi to the highway. She suspected he’d be pissed she’d left, but she needed to settle things and now was the perfect opportunity.

  The gate to the Talde house was already opening as she skidded around the corner. “She still there?”

  Jedrik’s voice sounded rather amused. “Oh yeah.” He chuckled. “She’s talking to Keir about some vision she wants payment for.”

  What? The only payment Trinity ever asked for was Waleron in her bed. Delara parked and hopped out of the car. She took a few calming breaths then walked up to the house and quietly entered the library.

  “He will want this vision, Keir. Tell him to come speak with me and let him decide.”

  Trinity was standing with her back to her, curvy hips on display while leaning over the desk, her face inches away from Keir’s.

  Keir had noticed Delara enter the library, but didn’t acknowledge it, keeping his focus on the witch. “Message will be given. Now before I have to repeat myself, best you…”

  Delara saw the moment Trinity noticed her. The witch slowly turned with hands on her hips and a sensual sway of her body. She raised her thin dark brows and her stark white teeth gleamed as she smiled. Oh it was fake. So fake. Every bone in her body was fake. No doubt, so were her breasts.

  “I was just telling Keir about a delicious new vision Waleron would be interested in it. I suspect he’ll come to my place later and we will…discuss it at great lengths.” She accentuated the words great lengths.

  I bet her vision didn’t show me making love with him over the last few days, Delara thought. Too bad. Delara smiled and she immediately saw Trinity’s falter for a split second. Normally, Delara would be as mad as a raging bull with spears in its butt, but not this time. No, she was taking the witch-bitch down. “I doubt it, Trinity. Waleron is unwilling to discuss anything with you any longer.”

  Trinity laughed. Delara suspected a bat having its ear twisted would’ve made the same sound. “I think he can decide that for himself, little Senses. Now, you must know where the…delightful Waleron is. You’ve been stalking him for years. I remember him telling me as we lay in—”

  “Trinity! Shut it,” Keir shouted.

  Trinity smirked and lean
ed back on the desk. “Well, never mind then. It isn’t right to share pillow talk anyway, is it?”

  “Oh but I will,” Delara said with an air of joy in her voice. “He told me that he was so drugged up when he was with you. To try and numb out who he was forced to screw. He can’t even remember fucking you.”

  “Where is he?” Trinity’s fingers curled around the lip of the desk and her smile had disappeared.

  “Oh, I suspect still in bed. At least, he was when I left.” A small white lie, but damn it felt good to see Trinity speechless. Delara licked her lips and seductively ran a hand over her hip.

  Trinity straightened and Delara could see her take several deep breaths as if she was trying—and failing—to get control of herself. Her long fingernails smoothed over her tight black pants before she walked slowly towards her. A heat radiated from every pore in Trinity’s body. Her lips were pursed together so hard that her bright red lipstick was smudging. “Oh, did you finally convince him to fuck you? How sweet.” She stopped a few feet away. “Only took you what…twenty odd years?”

  The scrape of the chair sounded as Keir got to his feet at the same time as Jedrik came into the room. Both men stood uneasily waiting to no doubt break up a fight.

  Delara smiled. “At least I didn’t have to bargain or drug him.”

  Trinity’s hand rose to slap her, but Delara had been ready for it. Trinity would not take kindly to anyone matching her and Delara had waited a long time to be able to put her in her place. She grabbed her wrist and halted the assault.

  Trinity yanked free, but Delara wasn’t done yet. “He’s mine. Understand me bitch. You use his loyalty against him again and I will hunt you down and rip each and every fingernail from their nail beds and shove them down your throat.”

  “Frig,” Jedrik whispered.

  Trinity raised her hands and Delara knew exactly what she was going to do. Some spell that would just piss her off and probably piss off the rest of the Talde. Delara hauled off and punched Trinity in the face.

  Trinity screamed while staggering back from the force. Her heel caught on the edge of the Persian carpet and she teetered for several seconds trying to get her balance and then she toppled over backwards. A loud ripping sounded and Jedrik laughed out loud, knowing full well that Trinity’s pants just gave way. His thoughts practically screamed it.

  “Damn,” he said.

  Trinity was cursing and yelling incoherently—something about her visions and how Waleron would never get anything out of her again. It was most likely her visions that sent her here in the first place. She’d seen Delara with Waleron. She knew that they’d been with one another and arrogant witch-bitch didn’t like it.

  Trinity, as elegantly as she could muster considering her embarrassing circumstance, came to her feet and swung around to Keir. “Tell him, never to ask for another vision. Ever.”

  Delara moved out of the path to the doorway and gestured with her hand. “And you are no longer welcome here. Ever.”

  Trinity made a strange squeak and strode from the room, the rip in her pants flashing her black lace underwear.

  “Woot.” Jedrik applauded and Delara smiled. It felt damn good, finally settling the score with Trinity. She’d been a sore spot in Delara’s life for a long time and now that she had Waleron, she was going to fight for every inch of him.

  Delara had one more thing to do and that was say goodbye to Xamien. He’d left before she had the chance to say anything and well…he deserved more. He’d been there for her when she’d been in so much pain; he accepted her for who she was, given her what she’d needed.

  In a way she loved him. Just not enough and differently. No one would be enough except Waleron.

  “Jedrik? I need to see Xamien. I’m going to see if he can Trace to the gallery.” It was the first place she could think of that they’d have some privacy. “If Waleron calls, can you tell him for me?”

  “Yeah sure, but Sass are you sure you want to do that?”

  She walked over and threw her arms around him. Kissing his cheek she said, “I’m saying goodbye. To all men except one. The one who owns my heart.”

  Jedrik squeezed her tight against him then picked her up off the floor. “He’s always loved you. I knew he did. Damn, Sass. It’s about time.”

  Yes, it was. She took out her cell and dialed Xamien.

  Chapter 26

  Xamien had been…well his usual self. He’d teased her and was cocky and arrogant. She still noticed the disappointment in his eyes. But he understood. In the end he gave her a hug and told her to get the hell back to Waleron.

  It was the phone call from Jedrik on her way back that threw her into a tornado of alarm. Waleron was at the Talde house. And he was going crazy. He was uncontainable. Unrecognizable. They may have to call the Wraiths to incarcerate him or…the words wouldn’t even pass Jedrik’s lips, but she knew the last option—death.

  No. Waleron. Why? Not now.

  The devastation she found upon entering Keir’s house was mind-bending. Furniture was overturned, book shelves and books were scattered across the marble floors, and the new window in the living room was shattered, letting a cool spring breeze sift through the house.

  Delara ran down into the basement and stopped in her tracks. Balen lay on the couch, pale and unmoving. Anstice knelt on the floor, her hands healing him, while Danielle hovered. Oh god, was she too late?

  “How bad?” Delara asked.

  Anstice looked up and gave a half-smile. “He’ll live.” She nodded towards the hallway that led to the sub-basement. “They’re trying to lock him into the cell. But he’s getting worse.”

  Fear pumped through her. She was barely able to breathe as she ran. Every particle in her body screamed for him.

  The moment she crashed through the door, she knew that the man standing in the middle of the room was no longer Waleron. It was breathtaking and horrifying at the same time. He was something different. An entity. Maybe his Scar? She couldn’t tell. Waleron’s Scar had never been called upon and she’d never known a Scar to take over the body of the one it lived in. But his had always been different. A being that lived inside him, able to slither across his skin without being called on. It had a mind of its own.

  This is what he always feared. This was why he kept her at a distance. And now she understood why.

  Waleron stood in the center of the room, his hands out. A wild rage had been unleashed through him. Every one of his muscles were tense and his eyes darted around the room as if searching for something. The power in his stance filled the room with his presence. He did that anyway, but now it was all-consuming. The most unsettling was how his Scar slithered across his skin. It stretched across his arms and neck then disappeared from sight only to reappear again, red eyes beaming and fangs exposed. It hissed its discomfort and brought obvious pain to Waleron. Even if he wasn’t in control any longer his body reacted to the torment.

  Delara ducked as a statue went flying across the room and hit the archway above her head. Shards of ceramic landed on her hair and shoulders.

  Keir, Ryker, and Jedrik were trying to approach Waleron, but every time they came within a few feet he shot them a blast and they went flying back into the wall.

  Jesus. Oh god Waleron, no. Don’t do this. Delara was frozen in place, unable to do anything but watch the man she’d just got back fall deep into madness. She’d never seen him so crazed, so out of control. It was like a monster stood before her—her monster. The man she loved more than anything. Was fate so cruel to break them apart once again?

  “What took you so friggin’ long?” Jedrik asked. “I thought I’d have to sink as low as calling one of the Wraith’s. Edan would love this.”

  “What happened?”

  “He totally lost it. Damn Sass, you could’ve just emailed Xamien. Text works, done that with lots of chicks. Did you really have to meet up with him?”

  “What?” No. Please, don’t let this be about meeting up with Xamien.

  �
�He Traced here a crazed man, searching everywhere for you.” Jedrik ducked as a wave of energy came for him. “Frig, I think he thought you left him. When I mentioned you seeing Trinity here, well that started it. And then going to meet Xamien…fuck all hell broke loose. I tried to explain that you were just saying goodbye, but it was like he didn’t even hear words anymore.”

  “Oh god no, Waleron. I’d never leave you. I told you.” But her words were nothing to him. They failed to penetrate his mind.

  His Scar noticed her and it stopped on his forearm, eyes staring in her direction. It flashed its fangs and made a malevolent hiss. Delara flinched under its rage. It was like it was furious with her. Christ.

  “I don’t think we have any choice here. We can’t restrain him and he’s already seriously harmed Balen,” Jedrik said.

  “No,” Delara retorted. “I can reach him. I know I can.”

  “Delara,” Keir warned. “He doesn’t know who you are.”

  “He does!” She turned her anger onto Keir. “I promised him. I promised I would never give up on him.” This was why he kept them apart. Whatever had control of him was so powerful that not even Waleron was strong enough to fight it. This was what terrified him more than anything—her seeing this. And it was her fault. She left to talk with Xamien and Waleron was terrified she’d leave and not come back.

  Keir shook his head and while Waleron’s attention was turned to her, he ran at him. His body hit the imaginary wall Waleron had erected around himself and he grunted as his body fell backwards and his head whiplashed into the floor.

  “Scars. Leaving us no choice here,” Keir said.

  “NO! Back off Keir.” Delara took a deep breath and approached Waleron. The rage swirling around her was overwhelming and she was afraid he was going to blast her into some treacherous hell if she went any further towards him.