by Welsh, Hope
She shrugged. “After the last few days, I think I’d believe anything. But, I’m not sure I understand what…uh…were your parents shifters, too?”
My father was, yes. My mother was a wizard.”
Her eyes widened. “A what?”
He chuckled. “A wizard.”
“Um, you mean like Harry Potter?”
He had to laugh at that. Why was it everyone thought Harry Potter was the first story with a wizard in it? Had no one read Lord of the Rings? Gandalf was one of the greatest wizards he’d ever read about. “No. We don’t need wands. Just spells, and the powers we were born with. Like your fire power.”
He probably shouldn’t have just dropped it on her like that; but surely she knew something was up when the coat started to smolder—and when her touch burned his shoulder—and it hurt like hell, too.
When he noticed her pale and start to sway, he moved and lifted her in his arms, cursing himself silently for just blurting it out like that. “Breathe,” he whispered as he sat down with her on his lap.
She sat stiffly. “I’m not a witch.”
He leaned back and held her. “No, you’re not a witch. Witches are fiction—though, I’d imagine they are based on old tales of wizards. The term is wizard, whether male or female. I think you have at the very least, an affinity for fire. I take it you’ve never started to smolder before? Or burned something?”
She flushed. “I…I don’t know. I’ve felt a strange heat before. Like when I grabbed your arm when we were in the Jeep.”
He nodded. “So, your powers are based in your emotions. That’s not terribly unusual.” Many of the wizards he’d known had come into their powers as teens—when hormones were at their highest—and when emotions were the least stable.
“But, I’m almost thirty. How could something like this happen without me knowing about it before now?” she asked, her voice high and frightened.
Luke knew that all of this was a lot to take in on top of everything that had happened to her during the last two or so days. But, it was important for her to understand. “I think your powers might have been latent. You might have never even used them if it hadn’t been for what you saw Samuels do. Some wizards are raised always knowing they are going to have powers. So, they are more open to them. Others—ones with latent powers—never truly develop them.”
“So, my parents…”
“One or both of them was likely a wizard. This community is on ley-lines. A powerful area for wizards. Just being near Woodland Creek likely helped,” he explained. “Combined with your surge of emotions when you thought I was going to hurt you. As for what happened in the woods? I think that was due to the proximity to the lines. One is right there in those woods.”
“Ley-lines? Um…what are those?” she asked.
“They are places of energy—the power of the earth, I guess, is the simplest way to describe them. But the lines here draw wizards. And, apparently, shifters. You were very close to the old ruins during your little jaunt into the woods. It’s one of the strongest lines in this area.”
Storm shook her head. “So, you’re saying that my…birth parents…were some kind of magical beings?” she scoffed. “I’m not entirely sure I believe that. There has to be a logical explanation.”
He tilted his head and looked her straight in the eye. “Yes, I’m sure there is some logical explanation for you to burn someone with your bare hands,” he said dryly.
She flushed. “I didn’t mean to hurt you.” Gently, she brushed the burn on his shoulder. “Does it hurt?”
“I’m a rapid healer. I’ll be fine with another shift. But, I do wish I knew more about your family. This town was started by five major families. Both shifters and wizards. I’m betting your parents descended from one of them.” He paused, thoughtful for a moment. “We can go to the historical society. Did your name come from your adopted parents or your birth parents?”
“My birth parents. I wasn’t a baby when they died. It would have been strange to change my name,” she said. “My adoptive parents kept my name.”
He nodded. “There you have it. Tell me, did the storm yesterday get worse the more upset you got?”
Storm paled. She climbed from his lap and stood shakily. “I—I didn’t think about it.”
“The forecast was for snow—not a blizzard. I think you might also have a bit of control over the weather.” The more he pondered the idea, the more logical it seemed.
A girl named Storm that needed to hide. What better way than to be in a blizzard that made travel nearly impossible? It made sense to him. “We could test the theory.”
She gave him a wary look. “How?”
“We can talk about it in a bit. For now, I think you need to get out of those cold, wet clothes.” Luke said. “I can probably make it to your car. Why don’t you go take a hot shower, and I’ll run and grab your suitcase.”
Storm considered his suggestion. She wasn’t nearly as cold now, but it would be really nice to be in her own clothes. “Can you make sure you grab my purse, too?”
“Sure. I’ll be back as fast as I can. But Storm…”
Storm looked at him quizzically. “Yes?”
“Don’t leave the house,” he said stiffly. “I mean it.”
She glared at him. “Am I a prisoner?”
He walked to her in three large strides and rested his hands on her shoulders. “Do you need to be? It’s dangerous out there. I’m not the only shifter in this town. Stay inside. I want your word—and I expect you to keep it this time.”
While it chafed at her to be ordered about, she had to agree that it had been ill-advised to be out in the storm unprepared. “I won’t go anywhere while you’re getting my things.”
Luke studied her a long moment, then nodded. “Good. I’ll be back as soon as I can. I’m taking the Jeep. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
“Fine,” she muttered. “Can I start something to eat while you’re gone?”
Luke smiled. “Sure. There are a couple of steaks I put out earlier. The grill is under the sink. You might find a potato or two and the makings of a salad.”
Now that he wasn’t being so bossy, she gave him a small smile. “I’ll get out of these clothes first, then start something. How long will you be?”
“Shouldn’t take too long. Assuming I don’t find any other stranded motorists trying to brave the worst storm of the season,” he teased.
Storm flushed. “Not funny.”
He grinned as he pulled a t-shirt over his head, then donned his coat. “If you say so. Back in a bit.”
§§§
Once she was alone, Storm sat for a moment in front of the fire again. Luke seemed to think she could control fire. She watched the climbing flames. She’d always enjoyed fires. When she’d been in high school, the kids would often go to the beach and have bonfires and parties. She’d been able to stare at the flames for hours, fascinated by their power.
She focused on the flames with her mind, then visualized them larger—higher. Her eyes widened when the fire began to roar, the flames shooting up the chimney in a burst of power. Shocked, she fell back and landed with a plop on the floor in front of the stone hearth.
He was right. Somehow, she could control fire. Was he right about the weather, too?
Shower and food forgotten, she pulled on the slightly burned coat again and went out the front door. The snow was falling slow and steady. The worst of the storm seemed to have passed.
She focused again, just as she had done with the fire, her mind centered on the gray clouds overhead. But, nothing happened. The snow didn’t increase or decrease or anything. With a frown, she went back inside and shrugged out of the coat.
With a sigh, she walked through the house to his bedroom and removed her cold clothes. She rummaged through his drawers for something warm to put on after her shower. His t-shirts were huge, but she grabbed one and another pair of sweats. She also grabbed a thick pair of socks. The wooden floors were cold.
/> She was just about to shut the drawer when she spotted a small picture. Frowning, she glanced at it. The image was of a young woman—probably younger than she was—though the woman looked remarkably like her. Same hair and eye color, at any rate.
Was that why he’d been so eager to make love to her? Did she remind him of someone he’d loved and maybe lost? The thought was more than a little disquieting. But, it also made sense. If she reminded him of someone he’d loved, it would certainly explain why he’d been so determined to be with her.
There was no doubt that he wanted her…but was it her—the woman in the picture—he really wanted?
§§§
Luke barely saw the car on the side of the road this time. It was buried beneath a snowbank. He nearly cringed when he thought about what could have happened if he hadn’t spotted her scarf. TJ would have found her when they cleared the roads—frozen.
The thought was intolerable. Raymond Samuels had a lot to answer for. Somehow, Luke decided, he’d stop the bastard. No man worth the title terrorized a woman. Hell would freeze over before he’d let Samuels anywhere near Storm.
He forced her frozen car door open and once more saw her sitting in the driver’s seat, her eyes closed. For a horrifying moment, he’d wondered if she was even breathing. The thought still chilled him. If he’d waited out the storm, it could have ended much, much differently.
Luke grabbed her small suitcase and purse from the car. As an afterthought, he picked up the paperback novel on the seat. He looked at the cover and released an involuntary chuckle. It had a bare-chested man on the cover. Yeah, no doubt it was a romance novel. He made a mental note to tease her about that, and shoved the book inside her purse.
It could be a few more days before the roads were really passable, and he doubted his books would interest her. He didn’t exactly run to romance novels.
The keys were missing from the ignition, and he frowned. He didn’t remember her having them. Maybe TJ had gotten out here to the car? He pulled his cell from his pocket and dialed the overworked police chief. “Hey, TJ.”
“Again, Luke,” TJ said with a chuckle. “What’s up?”
“I am at Storm’s car. The car keys are missing. Did you or one of your guys take them for safekeeping?”
“I know I didn’t. I’ll check with the men, but I doubt it. We’re barely getting around here in town, let alone on the smaller side roads. Are you sure she doesn’t have them?” TJ asked.
“Relatively sure, but I’ll ask her. Were you able to dig anything up on Samuels?” he asked as he walked back to the warmth of the Jeep.
“No, not yet. We’ve been up to our necks in fender benders and checking on folks. You know how it is.”
He did. Very well. During storms, the police did well-being checks on the elderly in the town—and the shut-ins. A few years back, an elderly woman had frozen in her own home because the power had been out and she’d been without heat. “Yeah, I know. Everyone okay so far?”
“Yes. So far. Storm seems to be letting up a bit.”
“Yeah, thank goodness. I’m sure it’s been a nightmare. I’m glad I’m not having to be out in it every day.”
“You were a good cop, Luke. You can have your job back any time you want it,” TJ said quietly.
“I hear you, TJ. But, I’m not sure I can do it anymore. I…I guess I needed a break. After Keri…”
“I know, Luke. But it wasn’t your fault.”
Luke tensed. It was his fault. He could have gotten to her if he’d shifted. “We’ve been over this, TJ. I was responsible. I don’t want to hash it out again, though.”
TJ sighed. “I’ll get back to you if I find out anything about Samuels. If I can’t reach you, I’ll leave a voicemail. I’ll check with the men about those keys too.”
“Thanks, TJ. Later,” he said and hung up. The last thing he wanted to talk about was Keri Gordon. It was still too painful to think about, let alone talk about.
Luke’s mind was on the missing car keys. He didn’t want to believe that Samuels had been able to get to Indiana this quickly, but it was entirely possible. Especially if either he or his goons had been following Storm from the beginning.
While he hadn’t scented anything near his house, that didn’t mean that someone couldn’t be asking around town. He decided to call Mercedes and see if she’d seen anyone around town that didn’t belong. If anyone would know, it was her. Once more, he pulled out his cell and flipped through is contacts for her number.
Usually, most of the shifters stayed to themselves, but Mercedes was good about keeping her ear to the ground. She answered on the first ring. “Hello, Mercedes. It’s Luke Steele.”
“Hi, Luke. How are you doing?”
“I’m good. I’m calling to ask a favor of you.”
“What do you need?” she asked.
“Well, first, I need to know if you’ve seen anyone around town that doesn’t belong,” he replied. “I’ve got a client that may have been followed here.” Well, at least he considered her his ‘client’. Definitely didn’t consider Samuels a client anymore. Of course, Storm was more than that—but he wasn’t going to bring her up just yet.
“Not really. A few guys, maybe. But they seem harmless.”
He frowned at that. “Can you keep your eyes out? Give me a call if you see any unusual cars on the road into town?” he asked. “I know it’s an imposition.”
“No, I don’t mind at all. I’ll keep you posted.”
“Thanks a lot, Mercedes. I really appreciate it. Talk to you soon. Bye.” After he’d disconnected the call, he felt a bit better. If anyone could find someone around that didn’t belong, it was Mercedes. Her crow shifter form was ideal for spying. No one would give her a second look.
Of course, most of the folks in town knew nothing about shifters. Or wizards, for that matter. As far as he knew, TJ was the only one of the cops that knew. And he didn’t talk about it.
A glance at his watch told him he’d been gone a bit longer than he’d intended. He headed back down the road back to his place. He needed to be sure that Storm didn’t have her keys.
Ten minutes later, he pulled up into the driveway. The snow was starting to get a bit stronger, and he frowned. The storm was supposed to be ending—not getting worse. On days like this, he wished he had a garage. In tiger form, the weather didn’t bother him at all—but damn, he hated the cold in human form!
When he walked into the house, he stomped the snow off his boots and pulled off his thick gloves. He looked up and noticed that Storm was standing in the doorway to his bedroom—a picture in her hand.
Damn.
This was going to be a long evening.
“Who is this?” Storm asked, her voice as cold as an arctic winter. “Is this why you were so attracted to me so quickly?”
“I don’t want to discuss Keri with you. But, no, she has nothing to do with my attraction to you,” Luke said tiredly. “Where did you find that?” He sat down the bag and her purse.
“You told me to use your clothes. I was getting socks,” she replied. “It was in the bottom of the drawer.” She walked into the living room and sat on the edge of the couch, watching him. “She looks very similar to me.”
Luke sighed. How did he explain Keri to her? Or to anyone, for that matter. “Just trust me, she’s nothing like you.” He sat down across the room, on the single recliner in the room. “I have your bag. I figure you might like to wear your own clothes.”
Storm glared over at him. “Really? We’re going to talk about clothes? I think it’s pretty obvious that she was someone you cared about deeply. Or, for all I know, still do care about.”
Luke’s face hardened. “Yes, I do care about her. Very much.”
Storm felt her heart flutter in her chest. It was just as she’d suspected. She was a substitute for another woman. Story of her life. Could she pick them or what? “I see.”
Luke stood and paced. “No, you don’t see a damn thing!”
“
But you just said—”
Luke cut her off with a swipe of his hand. “I said that yes, I cared about her. And I do. She was a wonderful woman.”
Storm nodded once. “I see.”
Luke stopped pacing and faced her. “She’s dead, Storm. She has been for quite a while.”
She didn’t see how that made a difference. It was almost worse, she figured. No one should have to compete with a dead woman! Rebound relationships were stupid, stupid, stupid. She knew better. “I’m sorry for your loss,” she said, meaning it. She knew loss. But the pain in her chest didn’t diminish with the knowledge.
Luke ran a hand through his hair. “There are things you don’t know, Storm. Things I am just not ready to talk about.”
“That’s fine. Um. I’m going to fix those steaks, okay?” She moved to stand up, but he was right there, his hands now on her shoulders.
“Don’t do this, Storm. You’re not a replacement for Keri,” he said quietly. “I promise.”
Storm lifted her head slowly. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”
Luke sighed. “We’ll talk about it. But, for now, there are more pressing matters. Do you have your car keys?”
Storm considered a moment. “No. I left them in the car. I was kind of out of it, if you recall.”
Luke smiled at that. She’d been out of it alright. He was the furthest thing from an angel imaginable. “They weren’t in the car. That concerns me.”
Storm sighed. “Then he’s here.” She’d known he’d come. It had only been a matter of time. “I need to go.”
Luke was shaking his head. “No, Storm. I’ve told you—you’re not going anywhere. I can and will keep you safe. So will the men on the police force. You’re safe here. You have my word.”
Storm was conflicted. He sounded so sure, but how could he protect her from a man that was pure evil? Raymond had men working for him. A lot of them. It wouldn’t be at all hard to get to her here in this isolated house. “Luke, you don’t even have cell service here. Are your phones working yet?”