by Jen Talty
‘Who cast the curse?’
‘A powerful warlock who hunted the royals. His direct descent is Kidar Crowe, who has been looking for the chosen four who will mate with wolves, ensuring our kind, and our powers, will never be stripped again.’
‘Why haven’t we heard of this before?’
‘You just haven’t uncovered it yet.’ The man smiled—her father—smiled. ‘Go my child. I promise, we will meet again. Get your sister, she’ll know what to do.’
‘Wait. What about my birth mother? Who was she?’
‘A wonderful human who gave her life to ensure your existence.’ The man unfolded his legs and drifted toward the sky. ‘Your mate is getting worried. Save us so I can hug my daughters and bring the Wolfairies into this world, including your babies.’
She felt the hard yank as she snapped back into reality.
“Isidore!” Nico yelled. “Can you hear me?”
“Yes,” she managed, her lips dry, and her mouth parched.
“What happened?”
“We’re going to have babies,” she whispered, her eyelids growing heavy.
“She’s delirious,” Nico said.
She wanted to laugh but didn’t have the energy. She needed sleep, and probably more than fifteen minutes this time.
“I don’t think so, son,” she heard his father say.
She let out a long sigh. She’d deal with the whole baby issue after she saved her sister and freed her father.
Talk about exhaustion.
Chapter 10
“DO YOU REALLY think coming back early is a good idea?” Nico didn’t think they should come anywhere near Bristol, New York and Kidar Crowe, or anyone else in his coven for that matter.
“They won’t be expecting me, so we’ll have the element of surprise.”
“But we’re an army of two.” Nico looked down over the small town near a local ski resort. Not much of a town. There were a lot of small farms and a lot of woods. It was surprising more wolves didn’t live nearby. Then again, this had been known as the Coven of the Unseen Moon land, and no one wanted to live near witches who would kill them at the drop of a bucket.
“We’re all that we need.” Isidore’s confidence grew as did her control of her power, though there was little documentation they’d been able to find on a visionary warrior fairy. There was no record of any warrior royals. Warriors were to defend. They stood at the castle walls, and made sure no one got in, and they protected the royals when they had left the comfort and security of their home. “And Drew and your cousin are up in Rochester, ready if we have to call them in.”
He leaned against a tree, staring at his mate. Her long, black hair was clipped on top of her head. A silver choker circled her neck. Her jeans had rips across the thighs, and her dark, long-sleeved shirt hugged her body like a wetsuit, showing off every curve.
“You said something as you came out of your vision,” he started. Her flat stomach was still tight and firm under her fabric. He didn’t smell the presence of another wolf, or fairy. “And I want to know what you meant by it.”
“I’ve told you this twice,” she said, planting her hands on those supple hips. “That space between when I leave one plane and arrive in the next, I don’t remember. It’s all fuzzy from the second my biological father started to disappear.”
“And you’ve told me everything.”
Her eye twitched.
“What are you leaving out?” he asked, narrowing his eyes.
“Do we have to have this conversation now?” She coiled the rope that was to be used to bind his hands when she brought him into the house she’d grown up in. Crazy fucking plan; it was brilliant.
And she’d been the one to think of it. Thank God he did have a bit of an ego, because most strong wolves would not like a mate who knew more, fought as hard, and was never afraid to speak her mind.
Ever.
“As your mate, I think I have the right to know.”
“The man was just looking forward to having grandchildren one day. Can you fault him for that?”
He opened his mouth, but she tossed some fairy dust in his direction, and it got caught in his mouth. Laughing wasn’t appropriate, but life with this woman would prove to be more interesting and thrilling than any investigation he’d been on.
“Having children is way in the future. Can we please just focus on this mission?”
“Is it bad that I’d be okay with kids now?” He’d turned into a puddle of mush with this woman. Did he care?
Not one single bit.
“We’ll talk about this when we get my sister. Now give me your hands. Coral just got home.” She pointed to a small house on the side of the small mountain.
He strode across the small path, his feet crunching against the last bit of snow that had fallen earlier. Cupping her chin, he kissed her lips, enjoying her strawberry lip gloss. “Let’s get your sister and find the locked Royals.”
Turning, he let her slip the rope around his wrists, tight enough that it looked as though he wouldn’t be able to break free and loose enough that he could without necessarily shifting into wolf form.
“Remember, don’t growl, no matter how much he threatens me, or even if he hits me.”
He let out a very long, menacing howl, hopefully, getting it out of his system.
“I’m serious,” she said, tugging at the rope.
“I know, but it’s not going to be easy. It’s my instinct. If I see an injustice, it makes me growl.”
“But we have to make him believe I’ve cast a spell on the second fated mate or chosen one or whatever this is called.”
“I’ll do my part,” he said as she gave him a good nudge down the path.
“A little too realistic right now.”
“Hush, wolf,” she said.
He bit back a smile. They walked in silence for the next five minutes. Her childhood home was only fifty paces away. Stopping, he glanced over his shoulder.
Can I say it now? he asked.
You don’t need my permission to say you love me.
I’ll remember that. He turned and started walking, but she snapped him back, nearly yanking his shoulders right out of their sockets.
What the hell was that for?
If I must answer that, you will be in the doghouse.
Isidore, I love you with all my heart and soul.
I love you back.
***
Isidore sucked in the deepest breath she could manage, and then held it, letting the sparks that were desperate to break free, settle back down into her bloodstream. Her warrior witch training had been rough, and there were times she wished she could have quit. However, standing at the front door, she realized that all the abuse, all the schooling, it led her to this moment.
The mother that raised her had always told her she was headed for greatness. That she had the ability to change the world. All that hope died the day her mother killed herself.
Now with Nico, she had purpose. A reason to exist.
And a job to do.
“Isidore!” her sister squealed in delight as she tossed back the front door. “You’re back and you brought a…” she leaned in, cupping her mouth… “wolf. Why would you do that?”
How anyone doesn’t know she’s a fairy is a fucking miracle, Nico projected.
She doesn’t spit sparkles yet. Wonder if I could project to her? I mean is that a thing with fairies?
No. But maybe you can try it later. For now, she doesn’t need to know why we are here.
She’s always believed like I have, so she can be trusted, Isidore projected, hopefully her tone came off as annoyed as she felt.
But your father can’t, and we don’t know what exactly he knows. He could have cast a spell on the house. On her.
He didn’t. I don’t know how I know that, but I sense it. She swallowed the lump in her throat, but it came back up when the front door closed behind them.
For now, stick with our plan.
“You kno
w I was sent on a mission.”
Her sister narrowed her eyes but kept her bright smile, her curly, blond hair bouncing over her shoulders.
“You weren’t supposed to bring a wolf home,” Coral said, turning on her heels and bouncing toward the kitchen. “Dad will be home in ten minutes, so tell me what the plan is.”
“I couldn’t get to the Alpha of the pack, so I brought his brother, who refuses to speak.” This charade was ridiculous. Coral knew she’d never bring a wolf back for her father to torture until they snapped, giving him whatever information he desired.
Coral, can you hear me? Isidore projected her thoughts to both her sister and Nico.
He tensed, holding in his growl.
Nothing. No response.
Isidore reached out and grabbed her sister’s biceps. “He hasn’t hurt you, has he?”
Coral’s eyes turned white. Pure white. Her eyelids fluttered.
Let go of her, Nico commanded.
Isidore dropped her hands to her side. What’s happening to her?
She’s in a vision. That is exactly what you look like.
That’s not what a witch seer looks like.
Coral’s eyes slowly returned to her natural color. “That was weird.”
Before Isidore could comment, the front door slammed shut and the familiar stomp of her father across the hardwood floor made her stomach lurch toward her throat.
“What is the meaning of this?” her father bellowed as he stood in the doorway to the kitchen. “Why did you bring this filth into my home?”
“I needed material for a spell to make him talk,” Isidore said, wishing she didn’t feel like the fifteen-year-old girl reduced to tears in the corner of the shower after her father—no—man who didn’t do a very good job raising her, had beaten her.
“You’re his mate, according to that loon, Gerri, you should be able to make him do anything you desire.” Kidar, she decided she’d call him that for the rest of her life, stepped closer. “How does it feel to have a black witch as your fated?”
Don’t growl. Isidore knew she didn’t have to remind Nico, but she figured a gentle reminder was in order. She also just wanted, needed, to stay connected to him.
I won’t, but I am going to rip his fucking heart out.
I appreciate the devotion, but let’s stick to the plan.
My plan was always to kill the son-of-a-bitch. Nico’s body heated, creating an electric current that ruffled the sparks, or sparkles, or fireflies, or whatever you called them in her bloodstream to become restless. Their power dug deep in her gut, wanting to explode their wrath on Kidar.
“About as disgusting as it does to be in this house,” Nico said.
Speaking was part of the mission statement. She pulled at the rope, but not because she wanted to tighten them, but because she wanted him closer, touching her.
These things change in the field.
“It speaks,” Kidar said with a sinister tone as he sat at the kitchen table. “Coral, be a darling and pour your father a scotch on the rocks.”
“Yes, Daddy.” Coral smiled sweetly, like she always did. She had this uncanny ability to make everyone in her presence happy.
Even Kidar, though she wouldn’t call him full of joy, but around Coral, he was almost tolerable.
Isidore kept a firm grip on the rope, knowing if she tugged one way, Nico would be totally free.
“You’ve failed at your mission,” Kidar said, taking the glass Coral offered. “You know what the price is for that?”
“I have not failed,” Isidore said, staring her father down, drawing on the power of being a warrior.
And a Royal Fairy.
“I have a few more days to complete my mission.”
“Then why bring this pathetic beast into my home?”
Are you ready? Nico asked her.
Coral? If you can hear me, get ready to run.
“Daddy, can I be excused? I’ve got homework for my Branding Ceremony.”
“By all means,” Kidar said, raising his glass. “Now that is a good daughter.”
Get out of here. Isidore could only hope her sister heeded her thoughts.
But if she had, Coral made no effort to respond back as she practically skipped down the hallway.
Once Coral was out of the room, Isidore stepped in front of Nico, and placed her palm on the table near her father’s fist. The one that tended to land on her cheek. “Tell me, Kidar.”
Kidar flinched at the use of his first name.
“Have you been hunting the chosen wolves so long that you’ve forgotten to look for the Royal Fairies?”
Kidar narrowed his eyes as he lifted his drink to his lips, gulping half the liquid. “The wolves will lead me to the fairies, but all we have to do is stop the Spring Fling.”
“And this beast knows where those twins are.”
“This beast isn’t going to tell you where they are,” Nico said with a snarl. Not a full growl, but close enough. “But I will tell you that you’ve been looking at this all wrong. Two more Wolfairies have been conceived and more will be on the way. You can’t stop this.”
Kidar slammed his glass on the table with such force it shattered. “You’re lying. Spring Fling can’t happen without…”
“Without what, Daddy?” Coral appeared in the doorway, holding a vase.
The exact vase from Isidore’s vision.
“Come on, sister,” Coral said, waving the vase. “Do that fairy shit, and let’s get the fuck out of here.”
“Since when do you swear?” Isidore asked. Coral had always been sweet, and docile, and the perfect lady. Cussing wasn’t something that ever came out of her mouth.
“Since always, in my mind.”
“Isidore,” Nico said, ripping his hand from his restraints.
She needed no other prodding. Raising her arms to her sides, she tilted her head toward the sky, allowing the hot sparks to escape her body. Rage filled the room. “Take my sister to safety,” she said.
“Not without you,” Nico said.
Kidar flipped over the kitchen table, pulling out a long sword, covered in magic particles aimed at killing fairies and wolves.
“Coral, if you leave this house, you will be banished from the coven and stripped of all your witch powers. You will be left unable to defend yourself.” Kidar raised his sword with one hand, his wand with the other.
“Take this child—”
“Get her out now. I’ll be fine.” Isidore collected all the anger she’d felt over the years and let it twist her heart until streams of angry sparks in fire-red and orange left her skin, circling over Kidar’s head.
“You can’t stop me with witch magic. I’m more powerful than you.”
Isidore glanced toward the front of the house, mesmerized by her mate’s transformation to wolf, taking her petite sister on his back, and racing into the woods.
He’d be back.
And with help.
All she had to do was keep her father occupied.
“You are so sadly mistaken.” Isidore rose, her feet dangling about twelve inches off the ground. Twirling her finger, the thick, red fog lined with years of indignation, covered the sword. “Did you ever think to check the adoption papers?”
Kidar froze, staring at her with wide eyes. For the very first time in her life, she saw fear register on his face.
“I’m no witch,” she whispered, bending over, whipping her arm across her body, sending the poison sword across the room.
“Doesn’t matter what you are. You’re dead.”
He raised his wand, pointing it directly at her. If she’d been a witch, it would have made her skin burn and her blood boil, causing the kind of pain that one couldn’t even imagine.
“Take this creature and spin her around, kicking her powers to the ground.” He twirled the magic wand and her body swiveled with it. “You can’t escape me.” He pointed the stick to the floor, and her body slammed on the wood, her back cracking in a million places.
<
br /> Kidar snagged the sword, waving it in her direction.
“But I can destroy you.” She hurled herself toward the ceiling, taking in a deep breath, and blowing hard. The sparks zapped across his skin, making him jerk and wither, his magic stick falling from his grip. “Did you know all this time you were raising a Royal Fairy?”
“Impossible,” Kidar said, trying to push himself off the floor, but she kept blowing between words, keeping him pinned, hoping she wouldn’t have to do this much longer. Her powers were already weakening. Nico’s cousin and brother were twenty minutes away. It had only been ten. And Nico had to reach them, so she could only estimate how far away they were.
“You were so concerned with stopping the Spring Fling that you couldn’t even see what was right in front of you.” She sucked in another deep breath, her lungs struggling to expand.
“Remove this vile witch from thee home, breaking her brittle bone.” He pointed his finger at her, then swished it toward the door.
Nothing happened, giving her a chance to catch her breath, giving her a bit of strength.
“Banish this witch to the depths of hell,” Kidar screamed, holding the sword high in the air.
“I’m not a witch,” she said, wrapping her fairy dust around the blade. As the sparks started to fizzle and drop to the floor, she realized her mistake.
Kidar stood, his sword in hand as she slowly floated back to the floor.
“Stupid girl,” he said as he pressed the blade across the scar forming on her cheek, the skin still healing as the poison quickly seeped into her flesh. “I might not have seen what you are, but now that I know, you shall perish with the rest of the fairies.”
“No, she won’t,” Nico yelled from across the room.
Isidore landed on the kitchen floor with a thud. Intense heat flowed through her body, burning her from the inside out. She clutched her stomach, channeling all the protective fairy power she could conjure up to protect her babies.
Nico, his brother Drew, and a few other wolves in human form raced into the room, pinning Kidar down with a protective blanket, keeping his witchcraft bound.