“I have to go.” His eyes pleaded with his king to understand. The first impression to his mate and he stood her up. He shook his head. “I was supposed to take Dallas out.”
Realization filled his features, but the hard lines around his mouth didn’t disappear. “Still, be respectful. However, I am sorry you didn’t get to see your mate.”
Didn’t get to see your mate.
It was so much worse than that. It was hard enough to get her say yes, but now he ruined it. She didn’t seem the type to get over being blown off easily. He was lucky she’d even agreed in the first place. He had a feeling even getting her to speak with him again wasn’t going to come easily.
No one said anything else, but he knew it wasn’t the end of the conversation. At this moment in time the only thing that mattered was getting to Dallas and explaining what happened.
It looked like he was going to come out of the supernatural closet sooner than he planned with her. She would have to understand that he was part of something bigger. He had a calling, that now was hers too. It was only a matter of time.
“You met your mate?” Soph asked in a whisper.
He couldn’t ignore the hurt. “You were sort of busy.”
She sighed. “But I wouldn’t have forced you to stay. I would have dealt with it fine.”
Blane held his stomach and moved closer to her bed. He reached out and laid his hand on one of the twin’s head
“Axel,” Aris said.
Blane nodded. It was fitting. “And the other?”
“Anna.”
He shouldn’t feel jealous, but he did. Twins. He hoped one day to be a father.
“They are perfect.”
“Now, about this mate. Tell me about her before you run off,” she said and glared at Aris. “My own mate couldn’t even tell me you needed to be elsewhere.
“Love, you needed him.”
“But he needs his mate.”
“I’m fine,” Blane said interrupting. “Really, it will take some work, but she’ll be okay. I told her you were having your baby.”
“What’s her name?”
“Dallas.”
“How did you find her?”
“She was here seeing a doctor.” He wanted to leave it at that but Sophie raised a brow and he knew better than ignoring her. “She has cancer. She’s seeing the new witch doctor. He’s her last hope and apparently she is so far into the sickness, the doctor isn’t sure he can help her.”
Sophie sniffed. “Oh goddess, I’m so sorry. Just give her your beast. That should fix her right?”
Blane shrugged. “It should, but who knows.”
“Go.”
He didn’t need to be told twice. He leaned down and kissed Axel on the head and went to the other side to do the same with Anna. Baby dragons. Who knew what kind of Halflings they would be like. He couldn’t wait to watch them grown.
He slipped out of the room leaving the new parents to their babies. Soon the room would be filled with the others, and that was too much for him.
Now he had to beg his mate not to hate him. Easier said than done he assumed.
***
Dallas shouldn’t have been surprised to wake up to the sun. Every day she seemed to need to sleep just a little bit longer than the previous day. She wondered what would happen as she got sicker. Would there be days when she wouldn’t even get out of bed? Was that what she had to look forward to?
“I won’t,” she said to no one. The room was bright and silent. Just the way her life had become since she lost Derrek to the young tart who was able to ride him without cringing—or throwing up. She shook her head. She tried to please him, but in the end, she hadn’t been able to, and he’d left. Now she had gotten stood up. It shouldn’t bother her so badly, but it did. Something about Blane lit a spark inside of her.
She huffed, but obviously not for him. Yet he’d seemed so sincere about his interest in taking her out. What changed?
***
After a hot shower and putting on her sweats Dallas planned to spend the day vegging out. It wasn’t often she allowed herself to actually be lazy. Most of the time she found a way to always be doing something. Moving to Stratham hadn’t changed that; it only made her have to find new things to do. The town was small, but so far, the people had been friendly enough.
Those thoughts led her to think of Blane. She couldn’t imagine him not showing up. He was determined to take her out. Something had to of interfered. She shook her head. She didn’t know that. He could have easily decided that an older woman with severe cancer wasn’t worth the time.
Really who would want me?
It was thoughts like those that let her know her depression was starting to rear its ugly head. She laid in bed with the newspaper. She hated the news. It was more depressing than her life, but she had always liked staying up on current events. She was engrossed in a letter to a columnist she’d been reading for years when there was a knock on the door.
She jumped and looked at the door with suspicion. There wasn’t anyone who knew where she was. Even Tali hadn’t been to visit yet. Maybe today was that day. She allowed herself a small smile and crawled out of bed ignoring the twinge of pain that shot down her spine. It didn’t keep her from sucking in a breath though. She cleared her throat and stood letting out the breath to erase the pain. It wasn’t that new, but the level of pain was. It lingered wrapping tiny spindles of agony around her spine. Her breaths came out in pants, and sweat glistened covered her forehead. The visitor knocked again this time a little louder. Dallas frowned. That wasn’t Tali. She froze realizing who it could be.
Blane.
Her heart picked up its pace and flutters filled her stomach. Oh, it was definitely him. She could feel his warmth through the door, but she was upset.
No, she was pissed.
Standing her up with no word was cruel. He was the one who’d wanted to take her out and didn’t even have the courtesy to cancel.
No, he just didn’t show up.
This time when he knocked it was panicked. “Please let me in. I promise I can explain.”
She laughed. “Right.”
“My friend had a very difficult delivery. She almost died.”
How could she be mad at that? She leaned forward but still didn’t open the door. “Is she okay?”
She heard his sigh. “Luckily, Dallas, please let me in. I swear I didn’t intend not to show.”
Again, he sounded so sincere. But was this some sort of twisted game? She didn’t think so. He wouldn’t go through all the trouble for a woman basically on her death bed, right?
She undid the locks and opened the door slowly and her breath caught. He was paler than her. His eyes were dilated and he looked as if he was struggling to even stay on his feet.
“What’s wrong with you?”
“Can I come in please,” he said and wavered.
She opened the door and moved to the side. He stumbled inside and she reached out to hold him up. As soon as her skin made contact with him, something happened.
***
Her hand was warm yet clammy, but it was her touch that he needed. His beast rose from his heavy slumber aware that their mate was near—and she was comforting him. The beast he’d learned to love, preened by her attention only to whimper when her hand jerked away as if she hadn’t even realized she touched him. When she yanked her hand back, he frowned at that moment not realizing something vital. He watched as her, observing in silence as her eyes lingered on her fingers as if she was trying to figure something out. Her pupils were dilated and her lips pursed in confusion. But everything he noticed was by her body language.
Maybe she was. He couldn’t feel her and when he tried to nudge her subconscious he was locked out. That’s when the reality hit him.
He couldn’t read her now. Not the way he could others, and not the way he had the previous day. Her emotions were gone. He no longer had access to her subconscio
us.
Without much thought other than the instant craving to hold her, Blane reached for the hand she still stared at. She didn’t even stop him when he intertwined their fingers together.
Chapter 6
Was he sick too? She hadn’t thought so. But he certainly seemed that way now. Dallas nibbled her lip and stared down at the man she’d come to think about far too much in a crazy short amount of time. It was unreal, but her heart raced, worried something was severely wrong with him.
It was almost as if he glowed. She blinked sure she was seeing things but even after shutting her eyes a second, and third time she still saw the glow. It was a pale blue light that surrounded him. His body was immobile and sprawled on the floor. It didn’t even look like he was breathing. She studied him further and realized he actually wasn’t breathing. His chest did not move. She gasped and dropped to the ground next to him ignoring how the carpet scrapped her knees. No matter something was in fact wrong with this man.
She shook his shoulder and gasped with a strange heat prickled through her hand and up her arm. Her eyes widened but not in fear. It was almost a soothing feeling, like being wrapped in a cocoon and she was the butterfly that needed to spread her wings.
“What—?”
‘Dallas.’
It was a soft voice. If she hadn’t been listening she might not have heard its plea. But somewhere in the back of her mind she knew it wasn’t Blane. He still wasn’t breathing.
“Who are you?”
‘I am you.’
That made no sense.
‘It will in time. We must save him—you must save him to save us.’
She might not understand much about this but she felt in the very depths of her heart that the voice spoke the truth. “How?”
‘Take me from him. He cannot handle both of us any longer. You’re here now. Fate has come into play.’
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
‘He hasn’t told you, didn’t want to scare you. But close your eyes dear host.’
She didn’t want to but the voice lulled her into a state of numbness and her eyes fluttered shut. She gripped his shirt when her body heated fully.
‘Take me in. I’ll make it all okay. I can be gentle.’
She barely heard the words before she felt a pressure pressing along her chest. Dallas sucked in a breath but when she tried to open her eyes, it didn’t happen. Her body seized and she fell back against the carpet. Pain slammed through her chest, but she didn’t cry out. It wasn’t anything compared to the pain she felt on a daily basis, and even though it hurt horribly, it could have been worse. Whatever was happening meant to take over her body, of that she was certain.
How come she wasn’t afraid?
The ache only lasted a short time leaving her in a state of bliss, and she knew her life was now forever changed…only she didn’t know how or why. All she knew is she had to save Blane—in order to save herself.
***
Blane came to on the floor. He felt lighter and better than he had in months. He shot up and closed his eyes to fight off the vertigo. He blinked and when he was finally able to comprehend the image before him he growled.
Dallas was on the floor—not moving. He got to his knees and crawled to her. As soon as he laid his hands on her bare skin he hissed. She was on fire. Her skin burned with dragon magic.
“Well hell!”
He bent to lift her off the floor realizing how much stronger he felt. No longer did the feeling of death surround him, clouding over his mind and body. It was gone, just as was the beast. He knew there was a process. It shouldn’t have happened this way. Why had the beast left without his permission?
‘She’s taken the beast.’
I’m well aware of that. But why? It wasn’t time yet.
‘There is never a right or wrong time, my master, she has been freed.’
And he hadn’t even gotten a chance to warn her, better yet ask her if it was what she wanted.
‘Our mate.’
Yeah, their mate was not doing well. In a speed he hadn’t had for years he scooped her small frame into his arms and held her close. He needed to be able to get her out of the hotel without being noticed. She couldn’t go to the hospital.
Then he remembered with a laugh that he didn’t have to leave like a human. He closed his eyes and pictured the den. The couches, the laughter, the pain and suffering, the bonding, the family meetings. Dark wood panels on the walls, and the largest window he’d ever seen lit it with natural light. It was his comfort zone.
The air around him went cold and coated him in magic. He knew without looking that he was transporting home. It didn’t take long. One moment he was in the hotel room and the next he was home, in the den and when he opened his eyes he came face to face with several pairs of eyes staring at him and the woman in his arms.
“The beast went to her, without me even trying.” A rush of panic rushed through him. “She’s been out—Dammit I don’t know I swear I was dying, and then I wasn’t.”
It was Max who reached out to him. Holding out his arms. “Let me help.”
His brother was smart. He didn’t take her. He waited for Blane to hand her over and yet again, another dragon laid on their couch; only this one shouldn’t be a dragon—not yet.
Blane sunk back against his normal wall and let out a breath. His eyes never left Dallas as Max covered her with the afghan.
“She’ll be okay. Look at the others. They all had issues that becoming the beast helped them overcome. She will be no different.”
He raised a brow. None of them had a life-threatening illness, better yet one that was so far into their bodies. He could tell she was dying a slow, painful death. He’d scented the cancer as soon as he was outside her door hoping she didn’t hate him. It was touch and go, but now she was in his home, and she was unconscious. This didn’t bode well for him. He had no clue how she was going to react when she woke up. It was only a matter of time until he found out.
Chapter 7
She was sleeping—or maybe it was worse than that. Maybe she’d died and this was what her afterlife would be like.
Everything was covered in fresh green grass and blue skies. There wasn’t a cloud in sight, and even though the sun shined it wasn’t too bright. The warmth kissed her skin and she closed her eyes letting the small breeze flow over her and the sun warm her cold skin.
This had to be the end. It was too perfect, and that meant things were no good.
“Dallas,” a deep voice whispered in her head.
She should know that voice. It was so familiar yet not.
Where did she know that voice?
“Dallas!” The voice came louder and much more urgent.
She peeled her eyes opened and looked around the place she was slowly coming comfortable with. It wasn’t where she belonged. There was something else she should be doing.
The problem.
She had no idea what. She could remember her life from months ago, but if she thought back, the last thing that was in the forefront was her sister telling her not to move.
“Move where?” she muttered.
It was right there on the verge, but as she walked along the grass barefooted, the foggy her mind became. The grass tickled her toes and she looked down only to realize her feet were translucent, but they were her normal feet. She gasped when she realized her skin was no longer smooth and pale. It was covered in scales—blue scales.
And she had claws.
A memory tugged at her mind.
“Wake up sweetheart, it’s not time to go.”
Her eyes widened.
Blane.
She stretched her eyes opened as wide as possible hoping that would somehow wake her up.
Finally, she realized. Blane had stood her up—then he came to apologize but he fell, and then—
And then what?
She had no recollection after that.
“Help me,” she yelled into nothingness. If he could talk to her certainly she could talk to him. There had to be a way out of this. And apparently, she wasn’t dead.
That was good. She nodded and straightened the dress she wore.
Looking down she frowned. This wasn’t like anything she’d ever wear. It was white and fell below her knees. When the breeze picked up it flowed in small circles. It was far too girly for her taste. White always made her paler.
***
“Help me.”
He heard her loud and clear and when he looked to the others he realized they heard too.
“Well shit,” Max said, only this time his normal sarcastic demeanor was missing. “How the hell do we help her? This is almost like what happened to Zarin.”
“Fuck dude, no one put a magic spell on her. Not like Bev did.” Zarin replied and Blane heard the faint bitterness to his tone.
He’d almost died in a magically induced coma. It had taken Willow to save him. He wondered if he would have to astral to Dallas. It would be worth it, but afterwards he’d be useless. And he only had four days until he had to present Bev to the Witch’s council.
Dallas was priority, but he made a commitment. He would do both.
“So, I just do what Wil did. I got to her and help her remember why she has to come back—”
“Before it’s too late.” Max plucked the blanket from Dallas and at first, he wanted to rip his hand off until he saw what his friend was showing them.
Her skin was fading. It was the strangest thing he’d ever seen. It was almost as if she was fading away, like she was in the middle of dying.
He growled and his claws extended.
‘She cannot die.’
He knew that. There had to be a way and he would find it, lucky for him, he wasn’t alone. He had the tribe, and once a mate came into the picture she was family. They would help him save her before it was too late, and by the looks of things it didn’t seem like they had much time.
Blane left his wall perch and eased closer to his mate. As soon as he sat on the edge of the couch a state of relief washed over him. Even under the circumstances just being close to her was all it took to calm him beast. His beast stopped pacing and sniffed. He found himself leaning over her. His braid escaped its normal ponytail and grazed her cheek. She sighed.
Blane (Stratham Shifters Book 5) Page 4