Cursed by the Fountain of Youth (Unnatural States of America Book 1)

by Holly Kelly

  “What happened to you?” he asked Morgan. He kept one hand tight around Fae’s shoulders and the other grasping his gun, pointing it at Morgan.

  “Lafayette killed me, and then he brought me back.” She shrugged. “It’s really not so bad.”

  “Not so bad?” Fae said. “You cracked open someone’s skull.”

  “I was hungry,” Morgan shrugged.

  Nick’s blood ran cold. His stomach twisted. Would he ever get used to this crazy new world?

  “Besides, he had it coming,” Morgan said. “He would have done the same to me.”

  “The question now is,” Nick said. “What do I do with you? I can’t just leave you like you are. You could hurt innocent people. But I’ve got to get Fae out of here.”

  A growl rumbled at Nick’s back as heavy footsteps padded the ground behind him. Nick turned to see a massive grizzly bear raise up on its hind legs. Before he could turn his gun on him, the bear knocked him and Fae to the ground. The gun went flying as heavy paws slashed at him. Nick covered Fae with his body to shield her from the onslaught. Pain sliced across his back again and again as Nick roared.

  “Hunter,” a man shouted. “Stop before you kill him.”

  The bear ceased his attack. His warm breath blew the back of Nick’s neck. Nick collapsed to the ground. The pain flared in his back, and darkness seeped into the edge of his vision. Through the darkness, he could see Lafayette standing in the doorway. His brows creased as he pursed his lips. He looked genuinely worried.

  “We might need him alive.” He turned to Morgan. “And what are you doing here, my dear?”

  She didn’t answer. She simply bolted out the other door.

  “I’m afraid I’m going to have to put her down.” Lafayette shook his head.

  “She’s not an animal,” Fae said.

  “I beg to differ,” Lafayette said. “She’s nothing more than a rabid dog.” He turned to the bear. “Take Agent Chase to the cellar.”

  This bear must be highly trained—or Lafayette was certifiably crazy.

  “You’re not going to kill me?” Nick asked.

  “Not yet,” Lafayette answered.

  “What are you going to do with Fae?” he asked, dreading the answer.

  “She and I are going back to the house to get intimately acquainted before she goes into the well. That’ll give her something to dream about for the next decade while she sleeps. Don’t worry, I’ll be gentle with her.”

  Adrenaline shot through Nick. His pain forgotten, he leaped to his feet and charged Lafayette. “I’ll kill you,” he snarled. Lafayette sidestepped him and threw a punch. Nick anticipated the move and blocked it. Nick let his training take over as he punched, parried, blocked, and then went on the attack again. They traded blows, both landing strikes determined to kill the other. Nick shook off the pain each time Lafayette’s fist connected and fought back harder.

  Lafayette stepped back, gasping for breath. Nick did the same. “You’re a natural born fighter, Agent Chase. I can’t tell you how good it is to finally go the rounds with someone close to my equal.”

  “You’re equal? I don’t think so, old man.” Nick charged again, faking right and then coming at him from the left. He shouted as his fist flew. The punch landed, Nick could feel the bones crunch under his knuckles.

  Lafayette roared in pain as dropped to his knees. His arms circled his head to block any further onslaught. Nick’s next target wasn’t his head, though. He gave his kick everything he had, but this time targeted Lafayette’s groin as the villain’s threat filled his thoughts. If he had anything to do with it, Lafayette would never touch another woman, ever again—especially Fae.

  Lafayette crumpled to the ground, writhing in pain. “It’s over, Lafayette,” he said even as Fae shouted, “Look out!”

  He turned his head just in time to see a massive paw flying towards his face. There was a flash of pain, and then everything went black.

  Chapter 35

  Fae’s heart dropped when Nick fell unconscious to the ground. She had fists of fur in her hands, but her attempts to stop a full-grown grizzly bear had been about as effective as a fly trying to stop a speeding train.

  Fae held her breath as she watched the bear sniff Nick as he lay face down on the ground. Lafayette moaned and grumbled profanities.

  “I’m going to kill him. I swear I will tear him limb from limb.” He attempted to stagger to his feet. His face was already so swollen Fae could barely recognize him.

  Fae gasped as the bear stood on its hind legs and changed right in front of her, morphing into a man.

  “I’d be happy to do that for you, boss.”

  Fae rushed forward, covering Nick’s bloody body with hers. “You stay away from him.” She glared at the man-bear and then at Lafayette. He narrowed his eyes as he stepped toward her. His open hand flew. She ducked. As soon as his back was turned, she threw a punch to his kidney. Lafayette roared. Strong arms pulled her back and locked her in a vice.

  She fell back into her training, dropping her weight and throwing her head back, kicking her heels up behind her. Nothing worked. This man wasn’t much smaller as a man than he was as a bear, and he seemed to anticipate her every move.

  Lafayette shuffled into her line of vision. “You’ve made a big mistake, Fontaine. And Nick will pay for your error. I have half a mind to skin him alive and feed him to Morgan. I’ve done much worse for less than what you both have done to me.”

  “You do that, and I’ll destroy your precious Fountain of Youth.”

  “And how, pray tell me, would you do that?” Lafayette asked.

  “I’ll kill myself.”

  “Ah, a suicide threat. How juvenile and shortsighted. Well, my dear, I won’t give you the chance.” He looked at Hunter. “Is the well ready?”

  “It’s ready, but it’s still filling with water. It should be full very soon—I’d say about ten minutes.”

  “Put her in it now.” Lafayette hobbled away, obviously still in pain. “And keep her from injuring herself,” he shouted over his shoulder.

  Hunter kept his arms around her and carried her away. “No, let me go,” she shouted as she looked back at Nick, lying there helpless. Would this be the last time she saw him alive? Tears streamed down her face. “If you don’t let me go, I swear I’ll kill you.”

  “You’re full of empty threats.” He smirked.

  Fae did everything her training taught her as she tried to break free. He simply countered her strikes, eventually wrenching both of her arms behind her back.

  “You’re a feisty one, aren’t you?” He hauled her down the familiar path.

  She could hear rushing water just before they reached the well. When it came into view, Fae’s heart sank. There was a heavy steel cover over the well. A thick padlock lay on the ground beside it. Lafayette was right. There was no way she or her ghost helpers could open this.

  “Let me go,” she shouted. She squirmed and flailed her legs—anything to keep him from putting her down the well.

  “Stop fighting me.” He grabbed a fistful of hair and yanked it back, bringing her face to face with his livid expression. “If you don’t go in there peacefully, I’ll return to my bear form and rip your fiancé’s throat out. I swear I’ll do it.”

  Fae immediately went limp. “Please,” she whispered. “Why are you doing this?”

  “Lafayette is paying me handsomely.”

  “You really think he’s going to pay you? Did he agree to pay Theon too?”

  Doubt flickered in his eyes, and then he narrowed them. Using his one free hand, he heaved the door open. She could see a shimmer of water about two feet down from the top. “Get in,” he growled. His tone let her know there would be no debate.

  Fae’s legs were shaking when she swung them over the side. Her feet went in the water first.

  “Now,” he said, “get in.”

  He pushed her, and she plunged into the blackness. Her breath stole away as the fear squeezed her chest. When s
he could finally breathe, she gasped.

  She looked up to see Hunter frowning down on her. “Listen,” he said. “I’m not completely heartless, so I’m going to do you a favor.” He leaned down, and before she could guess what he was going to do, he pushed her head under the surface. Fae thrashed around as she tried desperately to get a breath of air. Through the panic and desperation, she felt something else—the same feeling she felt when Lafayette drank her blood. It was power, and she was giving it to him. The Lady of the fountain was right; they only needed to touch the water to gain youthfulness.

  Those thoughts flew from her mind when her chest began to burn. She needed air! Finally, she couldn’t fight it anymore. She took in a deep breath. Water filled her lungs. The burn in her chest stopped, and she felt such tremendous relief, she nearly cried.

  And then she could focus again. Power was leaving her body, going to Hunter. She was giving him youth—the man who might kill Nick.

  No! She wouldn’t do it. Fae concentrated all her efforts on pulling that power away from him. And then something snapped. What was once flowing from and through her was sucked up deep inside.

  Hunter swore and pulled his hand out like the water had suddenly burned him. Her face broke through the surface of the water.

  He shook his head and took a deep breath. “So, you’ve learned to control your power. That might have helped you before, but now it’s too late.” He looked around at her prison. “Enjoy your stay. From now on, you’re on your own.” The metal cover slammed down, trapping Fae in a nightmare.

  * * * * *

  Nick’s pulse pounded against his skull. He tried to take a deep breath and sucked something gritty into his mouth. Turning his head, he coughed and spat. It was dirt. He’d been lying facedown on the floor. He tried to get his bearings as he looked around. He was still in the barn. Daylight streamed through the door and spilled through the slats in the barn walls.

  What happened? Brushing his hand across his head, he came away with blood.

  It was the freakin’ bear. He’d swiped him with his paw.

  “What happened to you?” A familiar voice accompanied a figure entering the barn. Thomas was back.

  “Got mauled by a bear,” Nick said. “Avira?”

  “There’s no sign of her. I searched every inch of the property. She’s not here, I can’t even catch a hint of her scent. It must have been a ruse to draw us here.”

  “You’re probably right, but I don’t think it was Lafayette. He didn’t seem too happy we showed up.” He staggered to his feet. They needed to find Fae before something bad happened to her.

  “He invited us here,” Thomas said, following Nick to the door.

  Nick stuck to the shadows as he peeked around the corner. He could see Lafayette’s house just ahead. No one was in sight.

  Nick turned back and whispered. “He invited us through a text. I don’t think he was the one who sent the message.”

  “Interesting,” Thomas said, frowning.

  Nick moved to leave when the front door opened. A large, bare-chested man walked through. Nick sank back into the shadows.

  “Hunter,” Thomas growled.

  “Who?”

  “The bear,” Thomas said. “Hunter is a shifter.”

  “I thought the bear was incredibly well trained.” Nick scowled. “I should have known.”

  “I’ll handle the bear,” Thomas said and then stepped into the sunlight. He didn’t take his eyes off Hunter when he said to Nick, “You find Fae.”

  Thomas raced toward the man and leaped into the air. Mid-flight, his body morphed and the cougar came down, tackling the man. They both rolled, tumbling off the porch. It looked like it would be a short fight as the cougar snarled and mauled. Less than a second later, he was thrown back. The grizzly recovered quickly and rose to stand on his hind legs.

  Nick didn’t waste a moment as he ran into the open door of the house. He passed through the main floor, searching for Fae. He moved quickly and silently. Though, with the animal’s snarls and growls reverberating from the outside, Lafayette had to know that his hideout was under attack. Nick wished he still had his gun. He’d have to use hand-to-hand combat—if Lafayette didn’t shoot him first.

  Nick headed for the stairs and took the steps two at a time as he rushed forward. Room by room, he searched, coming up empty. Maybe Lafayette wasn’t here.

  When he came to the last door, he opened it.

  Something silver whizzed toward him—a spinning blade. He knew he wouldn’t have enough time to dodge it. He was about to be decapitated. A feeling of hopelessness filled his heart just before a cool breeze passed over him.

  The blade’s path curved. Pain slashed his neck and he heard a thud behind him. He slapped his hand against the wound. Shock and elation greeted him as he felt only a slight nick and drizzle of blood. He thought he’d lost his head.

  Lafayette snarled as he threw another blade. Again, icy wind passed over Nick as the blade’s path curved—this time it didn’t touch him.

  Nick could hear a woman’s laughter in his ear as Lafayette cursed and charged him. Nick anticipated the move and stepped off to the side. But Lafayette must’ve had a backup plan. His hand shot out, silver glinting from the knife he clutched.

  Pain exploded in Nick’s stomach. He looked down. The handle of a knife was all he could see. The blade was embedded in his abdomen, and it burned like the deepest pits of hell. Nick’s eyes widened when he noticed smoke rising from the wound. What did Lafayette do? Dip it in acid?

  Nick moved to remove the knife, but Lafayette shoved it deeper. Nick roared in pain and dropped to his knee.

  “Burns, doesn’t it?” Lafayette sneered. “That’s because this knife is made of iron.”

  Nick scrunched his brows. “Iron?” How could Lafayette know about his allergy?

  Lafayette scoffed. “You know nothing about being a Fay, do you?”

  Lafayette spun around. Nick knew he was preparing to kick him, but he was in too much pain to react fast enough. Lafayette’s kick landed directly against the knife, driving the rest of it into Nick’s body. Nick collapsed to the floor, writhing in agony.

  Lafayette stepped over him to the doorway and pulled a blade from where it was embedded in the wood. He returned, grabbed Nick by the hair—exposing his neck, and held the blade against it.

  “This is where you die, Agent Chase.”

  Beg him to take you to Fae.

  Nick could hear an unfamiliar voice in his mind. He knew it wasn’t his own or anyone else he knew. This was the voice of a stranger. And why should he listen to her? The last thing he wanted was for Fae to see him murdered right in front of her.

  Do it!

  The voice reverberated against his skull.

  Despite serious doubts, he suddenly realized that this voice probably belonged to the same being that was responsible for keeping his head connected to his shoulders. Whoever it was, he decided to take a leap of faith and follow her instructions.

  “Please,” Nick said, gasping from the pain in his stomach. “Just let me see Fae one last time.”

  Lafayette’s eyes narrowed. “You really want her to see you get your throat slit?”

  No, he didn’t. Regardless he said, “I just need to see her one last time.”

  Lafayette didn’t answer right away. He seemed to mull it over in his mind. “Okay, I’ll allow it, but only because I think it would be entertaining to watch Fae’s heart get crushed and her hopes disintegrate. But you’ll have to walk. There’s no way I’m carrying you.”

  Nick nodded. His body screamed at him as he pushed himself off the floor. His stomach heaved, and he did his best not to vomit.

  “I don’t have all day for this.” Lafayette pushed him forward. Nick stumbled, the agony stealing his breath away. Still, he managed to right himself again, and he moved forward.

  They passed by the cougar and the bear—both of them bloody and barely able to stand. The cougar’s concerned eyes flickered to Nick
, and the bear took the advantage as he leaped forward and tackled him. Nick wished he could help, but he was in no better condition than Thomas.

  Nick saw what looked like an old well with a steel lid bolted over the top. The sound of running water echoed off the metal trap. Lafayette pulled out a key, opened a thick padlock, and heaved the cover open.

  Nick stumbled over to the well and peered down. At first, he saw nothing, and then his adrenaline spiked as Fae’s ethereal face rose to just below the surface.

  “Fae,” he breathed.

  Chapter 36

  Nick’s his heart raced. Fae looked from Nick’s face down to the blood soaking his shirt and then over to Lafayette. Rage darkened her features.

  Nick’s heart skipped a beat when he heard Fae’s voice in his head.

  Bring Lafayette to me.

  No! he screamed, answering her in his own head, not knowing if she could even hear him.

  I know what to do, Nick, she answered. I’ll be fine. Trust me.

  Lafayette clamped his hand down on Nick’s shoulder. “Say your goodbyes. I’ve got things to do.”

  Nick grabbed Lafayette’s hand and pulled him forward. Lafayette must have anticipated the move. The next thing Nick knew, he lay on his back staring up at the blue sky.

  “Nice try, agent. But I’ve heard that Fae has learned to control her power to give and take life. I won’t be going near that well while she’s still awake.”

  Lafayette knelt beside Nick, grabbed his hair, and wrenched his head back—exposing his neck. Lafayette pressed a blade against Nick’s skin. He could feel the blade prick him as warm blood dripped down his neck. Water splashed in the background. “Now, Nick Chase, this time it reallyis time for you to die.”

  “Lafayette.” A hollow voice spoke like a whisper of wind.

  Nick looked up to see a glowing figure hovering in the air just above them. Her black dress floated like ghostly tendrils, and she glared in hatred at Lafayette.

  “You thought killing me would be the end?” she said. “You’re a fool, Lafayette.”