“I only see the guys in my dreams at night. Anyway, once I was in my day dream, I saw Kai. Needless to say, I was shocked and happy, because I thought even if he was dead, I could still see him, you know.” I couldn’t help the growl that slipped out. It pissed me off to know she was still seeing him when she clearly had feelings for me. “Easy, tiger—it’s not what you think.”
“What is it that you think I am thinking, love?”
“If you let me finish, Nico, then you will understand,” she snapped, like I was a petulant child. “Back to the story then. I saw Kai, and he told me he was still alive. I didn’t believe him, of course, I thought it was my subconscious playing tricks on me. After talking with him and hearing his explanation, I started to hope. He told me a spell had been cast to slow his healing, so that it would appear like he had actually died. Kai also told me that Randall would want to gloat about killing him, so he would make sure that his body was returned to you guys.”
“That doesn’t explain how you knew that your blood and that spell would bring him back.” Dom hated not having all the answers, and right at this point in time I couldn’t agree with my brother more.
“When I cast the spell, Kai asked me to make Ryan’s blood the key to return to the living. The spell to revive him was passed onto Alex and Chase by Kai through Ryan.”
“You don’t have enough power to cast a spell like that, Sophia.” I didn’t mean it as an insult, but from the way my sister stiffened, I knew that was how it came across.
“You have no idea what I am capable of, brother. The trials that I have had to face have made me stronger. I am no weak half-breed anymore.” The conviction in Sophia’s voice was slightly unsettling, but I didn’t have time to sit here and pull her words apart.
“So-So, that’s enough.” I turned to glare at Kai. How dare he speak to my sister like they were long-lost siblings! She wasn’t his sister, she was mine!
“You do not get to butt your nose in my affairs, Cane, she is my sister, not yours!” I saw the look of hurt cross his face before he quickly masked it and nodded.
“Don’t you dare sit there and throw around insults like that! You may be a king in Farrarie, but you are not in your realm now. You do not get to speak to people like they are trash. Do I make myself crystal fucking clear, brother?” Everyone in the room stopped and turned their gaze to my sister. I was as shocked as the rest of the group. Sophia has never, I mean never, spoken to me like that before. I wasn’t angry at her for her outburst—on the contrary, I was fucking proud that she had found her spunk or backbone or whatever you want to call it.
“Well, fuck me sideways till Sunday, babe. That little outburst was so fucking hot!” I leaned over and slapped Dom up the back of the head. “Dude! What the actual fuck was that for?”
“That’s my sister you are fucking flirting with. You are never to talk to her like that,” I hissed.
“Calm down, King. She is a grown-ass woman and can decide who she wants to spend her time with.” I was about to slap the stupid smirk off that dumbass warlock Chase’s face.
“Calm down, everyone! All of you need to shut it and listen! We do not have the luxury of time. You and Ryan get married in three days time.” With that reality check from Aurora, everyone shut up and sat back in their chairs and gave Ryan their full attention.
“The reason I could be the key to bring Kai back is because his blood still lingered in my system. After the blow up at the cabin and Randall biting me, Kai gave me his blood to help heal my wounds—” Melakai cut Ryan off before she could finish explaining.
“I asked for Ryan’s blood to be the key because one, I knew that she would be with you all. Two, I trusted her to return me to the living. I am sorry, brothers, but with how things have been between us, especially between you and I, Nico, I didn’t know if you would want me to wake up. There are a lot of sins I must atone for, but I am ready to move forward.”
“But you said you could never go against the blood oath you have with Randall.” The know-it-all warlock Alex had a point.
“The spell Ryan asked you to acquire is a death spell, as well as a reviving spell. What that means is the spell kills me then restarts me.”
“What exactly are you saying, Kai?”
“What I am saying, So-So, is I could never make you the key to bring me back, because you would never have completed the spell Ryan did. You are far too loyal; you would never have gambled with my life.”
“You knew he could have died and you still fucking did it?” My sister was angry, and she started to make her way over to Ryan but was stopped by Dom. How the fuck did he move so fast?
Dom was right in front of Sophia, blocking her path. She didn’t try to move around or make a sound, just simply lifted her hand and placed it on his chest.
Dom flinched.
Why was he flinching at her touch? Before I could ponder that thought any more, a bright yellow light shot from the hand she had placed on Dom’s chest, and he went sailing across the room before he smacked into the wall beside the bed, cracking the plaster. Jax was quick enough to move out of the way so he didn’t get crushed. Everyone was on their feet, trying to find a safe place to stand for the presumed showdown. Dom was quick to recover and was back on his feet. I quickly jumped in front of her, trying to stop this battle between her and Dom.
“Enough, Dominic, you will not hurt my si—” I couldn’t even finish what I was saying before Dom fucking used his magic to freeze me. I couldn’t move or speak. I was lifted by his magic and placed to the side. He must have done the same to everyone in the room because no one was moving or speaking. I could see him making his way over to my sister, but she didn’t move or cower. She squared her shoulders and lifted her chin. Fuck, she really has changed. The sister I knew would be hiding behind me, crying, begging me to save her. Dom’s eyes were glowing a bright purple; they only did that when he was really pissed off. Sophia knew that and I’m guessing that’s why she is smirking at him.
“You think it’s funny, little dove, to launch me—me, of all fucking people—across the room? If you were anyone else, Sophia, I would fucking end you.”
“But I’m not just anyone else, am I, Dominic? Oh, that’s right. We don’t talk about that, do we? You just hide behind your power and lie through your fucking teeth!” What the fuck is my sister talking about? “You deserve so much fucking worse. You’re a fucking coward, Dominic Silver.”
I could immediately sense the change in Dom. He never really shifted anymore; only when he absolutely had to. His wolf was huge and a born alpha. Jackson and Dom had tried to shift together many times, but every time they did, their wolves went at it. Jax was an alpha by birth, and Dom was the son of an alpha. Dom is stronger than any wolf I have ever met. He and Jax are both evenly matched, and if Dom shifted now, I guarantee Jax would shift also. They would both be slaves to their beasts in the fight for dominance, and they would tear this room apart. Dom was shaking and taking deep breaths, trying to calm down so he didn’t shift. He must be focusing hard on trying not to change into his wolf and putting all his energy into that, because we suddenly found ourselves able to move again and speak. I rushed over to my sister to grab her and move her out of the way. I was just about to grip her hand when she pulled it away. She never broke eye contact with Dom while she spoke to me.
“If you touch me, brother, he will shift and try to kill you. You need to move back with the others and stay there until he calms.”
“I am not leaving you, So-So, never again. Slowly move toward me and then stand behind me.” Dom was growling now, I could see his eyes had changed from violet to gray-silver.
“Touch her and I will fucking kill you, Nico!” Dom growled through clenched teeth.
“Nico, move away from me now. If you don’t move, he will shift and take you and Jackson out. He hasn’t shifted for months; his wolf will go rogue and block our Dom out.” I was torn; I didn’t want to move in case Dom hurt her, but then I didn’t want to make the
situation worse by not listening.
“Nico, can you please come here and listen to Sophia?” I turned to Ryan, who was pleading with her eyes as well as her words. She was a siren to me, and I had no choice but to listen and move away from my sister. I made my way over to her and stood beside her, at the head of the bed, next to Kai.
Chapter 11
Ryan
I was standing between Nico and Kai. Kai was trying to sit up to assess the situation better. I placed my hand on his chest and shook my head. With a huff, he laid back down and didn’t try to move again. Sophia and Dom were still standing in the same place. Jax, Aurora, and my cousins were standing on the other side of the bed. Jax was standing slightly in front of Aurora, ready to shield her if Dom did shift.
“Deep breaths, Alpha, I don’t want to have to throw your wolf around as well.” Dom laughed at Sophia’s words, which is what I guess she was hoping for, as some of the tension in his back and shoulders started to ease. He wasn’t fully calm yet, but a lot calmer than he was a minute ago. His laughter stopped abruptly, and tension returned to his body.
“You’re right, Soph, I deserve so much worse. I will spend my life making it up to you, I swear.” Wow, since when did Dom have a remorseful side?
“I can’t forgive you, Dominic, I have tried for years.”
“Forgive him for what, Sophia?” Nico had his big brother voice on now, and fuck, it was hot. Shit! I had to get my head out of the damn gutter. Sophia turned her gaze to her brother while Dom seemed to stiffen.
“It doesn’t matter, Nico. It was a long time ago.”
“It matters to me, little dove.”
“Why the fuck do you keep calling my sister little dove? What the fuck is going on between you two?” Nico was pissed. Anyone with eyes could see that there was something going on between Dom and Sophia. When they thought no one was looking, one would stare at the other. Nico was so blind to not see that there was history between his best friend and his sister. You could tell neither of them wanted to discuss this, so I did the only thing I could think of.
“How about we table that debate for another time and get back to planning a wedding and talking to Kai?”
Everyone agreed and started to situate themselves around the room again. Well, everyone but Nico, who still stood and glared at his sister and Dom. Jax brought a chair over for Nico so he could sit, but Nico ignored his friend’s gesture. I sighed and grabbed Nico’s hand, and that seemed to have shocked him out of his glaring match.
“Come on, big guy, sit down.” I gently pulled my hand from his and pushed on his chest till he was sitting. I turned to head back over and sit with Kai, but before I could move an inch, an arm snaked around my waist and I was pulled backward till I was sitting on Nico’s lap.
I turned to glare at him and tell him what I thought of his macho man display. The words died in my throat when I saw his eyes. He was battling his anger and trying to control his control freak urges by not demanding answers from Dom and Sophia, and if me sitting on his lap was what was going to help him calm down, I would endure this torture. Well, I would make him think it’s torture. Inside I was swooning like a schoolgirl at the close contact. I loved having Nico’s hands on me. I felt safe and secure. I loved when he would whisper sweet nothings in my ear when we were in my dreamland. A throat clearing had me snapping out of my thoughts and looking straight at Jax.
“Um…shifters have great noses, love…” I didn’t know what that meant. Nico was chuckling behind me, and now Dom was too, but at least he was trying to hide his laughter behind a fake cough.
“Okay?”
“I mean we can scent when people are happy, sad, angry, hungry, turned on…” Oh fuck no. Nico and Dom both started laughing, I turned beet red and looked to Kai for confirmation. He nodded. Oh my God, they could smell my arousal. I went to quickly stand but Nico tightened his grip, his laughter stopping immediately.
“I could have gone my whole life without knowing that my cousin was turned on, fuck you very much, jackass.” Kill me now. I couldn’t even look toward Chase; I was embarrassed enough without having to hear his comment.
“I think Ryan has suffered enough, let’s move on, shall we?” Bless you, Alex.
“I have to say, at least we know she will be okay with consummating the marriage,” Dom commented, and Jax slapped the back of Dom’s head. “Dick, would all of you fuckers stop hitting me? It’s fucking starting to piss me off.”
“Stop saying dumb shit and then no one would hit you,” suggested Kai, and we all turned to stare at him. He hasn’t weighed in on this discussion much, so I think we were all shocked to hear from him. Everyone started laughing, which helped lighten the tension in the room and make everyone feel more comfortable.
“I’m sorry I lied to you all, I couldn’t risk telling anyone except for Alex and Chase. I needed them to handle the spell for me.” I was lying through my teeth. I told them to grab the piece of paper from my room; it had the spell he told me to use on it, not the one Kai said to use.
“I would like to continue to move ahead with the wedding planning and making sure everyone is on the same page with Randall and my sister being here.” At the mention of the vampire king and my sister, everyone seemed to tense up and sit straighter in their seats. I knew my time was running out on avoiding my sister.
“Mi amor, you can do this—” Nico cut Kai off.
“I think Ryan and I need a moment alone with Kai, if you guys don’t mind.” Alex and Chase didn’t move an inch, Dom and Sophia seemed reluctant to act. Jax and Aurora watched the lack of action with interest.
“Why would I leave my cousin alone with both her stalkers?” Fuck, Chase was exactly like Dom, they both needed to filter their words.
“Because soon enough she will be my wife, and I won’t be asking next time, I’ll be telling you.” The balls of Nico to speak like that to my cousin! I turned so he could get the full effect of my glare.
“Do not treat me or speak about me like I am some property to be owned! I will not let you dictate my life, married or not.”
“I will make any call I see fit for your safety and what is in your best interest, with or without your permission, love. I won’t ask for forgiveness or permission. That is not in my make-up. I am King. It is my right.”
Hell to the fucking no! He did not just pull the I am King card! I’ve had enough of his bullshit. Just when I think he is starting to understand me, he goes and does some stupid-ass caveman shit like this. I have been controlled my whole life, and I will not let anyone control me again. I pushed his hand away and stood, but of course Nico couldn’t let me have the dominant ground so he stood as well. We were chest to—well, his chest to my head, so I had to take a step back and tilt my head to glare at him. He was glaring back.
“You are a stubborn-ass bastard is what you are, Nicky boy, and I have had enough. We all know what needs to be done to prepare for the wedding, so I suggest we all should hop to it before I kill the fucking groom!” I turned away from Nico and made my way over to Kai, pecking a kiss to his forehead and ignoring Nico growling behind me. I told Kai I would come back later and check on him, thanked the others for their help, and left the room. I didn’t spare Nico a glance on my way out.
Once again, I walked down so many different hallways that I got lost. This place was so freaking huge it would take me years to learn its layout. After another five minutes, I finally found a door that led to the backyard, where there was a beautiful garden. There were beds of roses and wildflowers. The garden seemed like it went on forever, so I began to walk to try clearing my head. I had so much going inside me that I didn’t even know where to begin. The first thing I knew I had to do was talk to Nico and tell him everything about what happened with Kai and how I came to know certain things. Part of me felt like I finally got some form of closure with Kai, now that I knew the truth. Yes, it sucked to hear it, but it helped me move forward from what I thought I had with Kai. I knew, deep down, from the moment I
found out Nico was real, he would be my future. I have never admitted this to anyone, or even myself, but if there was a man I would want to marry, it was Nico.
I loved who I became when I was with Nico. I felt stronger and brave. I have never stood up to anyone the way I stand up to Nico; he pushes me to want more and to strive for better things. I decided right then that after my walk, I would find Nico and we would talk this shit out. I wouldn’t marry him while we were both angry at each other. As I was rounding a corner, I stopped in my tracks when I heard very familiar voices bickering. Bending down, so I could peek around the corner of the building, I saw Dom and Sophia arguing. I know I shouldn’t be eavesdropping, but I wanted to know what the deal was between these two. The chemistry between them was off the fucking charts, and the sexual tension was even worse.
“How many times do I have to say I’m sorry, Soph?”
“You can say it a thousand times more, Dominic, and I still won’t forgive you.”
“I tried to find you!”
“You didn’t try hard enough!”
“I fucking went ape shit, Sophia, I hunted through the whole of Farrarie and Earth for you. I didn’t know that asshole had taken you until Kai told us.”
“Don’t you dare blame this on Kai! He was the only one who fucking helped me. You have no idea what that son of a bitch did to me every fucking day. He knew hurting me would hurt my brother. He never loved Ryan’s grandmother; he is incapable of love. He let his own wife be beaten and raped by his men. What do you think he let happen to me, the sister of his greatest enemy? I was used and tortured more than you can even imagine. Do you know—”
“Stop! I can’t…I…please! I will fucking kill him, Sophia. I swear to you, I will make him pay.”
“I will be the one to put a stake through that fucking pig’s heart!”
I quickly turned so I could sneak away but I ran straight into a solid wall. Before my scream could come loose, a hand clamped over my mouth and I started to panic.
A Twisted Fate : The Dream Trilogy - Book 2 Page 6