“My name is Hunter. I’m…” He hesitated as he spoke, but she could see he only questioned himself for a moment before he continued. “I’m an Empath, and my friends and I, I think we saved you.”
He gestured behind him to the other side of the room and Talia saw a couple curled up together in a large cushiony chair. The woman appeared to be sleeping and the man was cradling her in his arms. They must have been the dark-moving shadow that she couldn’t quite make out when she first opened her eyes.
“Men are not Empaths, Hunter.” Or at least they didn’t used to be. By his hesitation in telling her she was sure he was telling the truth and that he was apparently ashamed of his gift.
“Not typically.” He sighed. “But I am and believe me, you are not the first person to claim my gift is impossible.”
“I see. It’s quite extraordinary for a man to have an Empathic gift.”
Hunter did not look as though he believed he was extraordinary. He appeared to feel as though his gift was more a burden than a blessing and so she decided to move on. She knew what it was like to carry the weight of a unique gift and it was not always an easy task.
“Where are we?” she asked.
“This is Hope’s room.” He gestured to the couple in the chair again. “She is an Extractor and she pulled the curse out of you.”
“I see. Are we in the palace?”
Hunter wrinkled his forehead in confusion before answering and then apparently had a revelation. He smiled again, but it was more laced with sadness than anything else.
“This hasn’t been a palace in many years. The Elders spelled it to be a Keep. It’s a prison and we are its charges.”
Talia could feel her world spinning out of control. She did not understand what was happening. The kind of power needed to transform a palace into a Keep would have taken years to accomplish and she did not recall there ever being a need for such a dark place. Perhaps she was not in her palace. Maybe she had been transported to a different kingdom.
Hunter cleared his throat again and Talia looked up into his worried eyes.
“I don’t understand what you mean. Where are we?”
His words were like a knife stabbed into her heart.
“We are at Windsong Keep.”
Chapter Four
Tears stung at Talia’s eyes. The few memories that she had were of a beautiful palace full of life. She had ached to return there, to go home, but now, knowing that the home of her past no longer existed…her heart felt heavy. Windsong Palace had been a place where joy and celebration lived. All gifted were welcome and even in times of struggle the palace always had open arms to those in need. There was never discord among the gifted and even those whose gifts were of opposite talents were friends. She had to find out how her home had become a prison.
“Hunter, I don’t understand. What happened here?”
Hunter stared deep into her soul and the silence in the room became a heavy weight.
“I can tell the history if you would like,” he began, “but first, can you tell me who you are?”
Talia hadn’t realized that he did not know her. She was not a stranger to the palace and although life had so drastically changed here, she assumed that her presence had still been important. Obviously she had become a piece of forgotten history like her beloved home.
“My name is Talia. I’m a Light.”
Recognition registered on Hunter’s face along with what appeared to be a hint of panic. He stood, let go of her hand, and hurried over to the chair that held his friends. Talia watched as Hunter leaned over and whispered into the other man’s ear. The same expression crossed his face and he turned his eyes toward Talia. When he looked upon her, she did not feel the same comfort that she did when Hunter looked at her. Instead she suddenly felt ashamed of whom she was and guilty for whatever possible crime he thought she may have committed. Before she turned away she watched the man shake his head in disapproval.
Talia suddenly felt very alone and wondered if she should have just let the goop tentacles take her instead of fighting for her freedom. A brief moment later Hunter returned to her side and sat beside her. He took her hands in his and leaned in close enough that when he spoke, she could feel his breath on her face.
“I need to get you out of here. The Guardians are sure to be here soon. They monitor the use of magic after our curfew and Hope’s magic tends to draw attention. I’ll explain everything once I can get you somewhere that will be safe. I do not trust your ability to run just yet, so would you mind if I carried you?”
Hunter’s anxiety was thick and his need to move her induced fear. All she could muster was a simple nod and without hesitation, he lifted her from the bed and into his arms.
“Don’t be afraid. I know my way around the Keep and I won’t let anyone find you until we know you’ll be safe.”
Hunter carried her over to the couple and the two men quickly exchanged words that Talia chose not to hear. She was awed by the woman held in the man’s arms. Hope was a petite woman and even in her sleep, Talia could tell that her size did not reflect her ability. She had an aura of power around her and those who knew her were wise to be her friend rather than her foe. Talia hoped that someday soon she would be able to thank the woman for saving her.
When Hunter finished his exchange he headed toward the door and as they escaped through it, Talia heard the man call out after them, “I hope she’s worth it!”
Through the door of Hope’s room, Talia found herself in a long corridor. She’d half expected to step out into a hallway that she knew, adorned with colorful tapestries, gold leafed furniture, and carpeted floors, but the corridor was quite the opposite. It was dark and dimly lit with only two lamps, one on either side of the door to Hope’s room. The walls were a dreary shade of gray without a single tapestry or bit of art hung on them and the floors were stone, not lush carpet. The air was cold and smelled of mildew and Talia was saddened even deeper when she could see for herself that Hunter had spoken the truth. Windsong really had become a prison.
As they rushed down the corridor and took multiple turns down different hallways, each one drearier than the first, Talia sank into the comfort of Hunter’s arms around her. His muscles were tight as he held her and the warmth of his body pulled her closer to him. She reached her arm under his and wrapped it around his back as she leaned her head against his chest. His heartbeat was fast and steady and Talia closed her eyes and listened to it as they hurried through the maze that was the Keep, searching for a place that Hunter felt would be safe.
“What did your friend mean when he said I hope she’s worth it?”
Hunter slowed his pace and Talia thought he was preparing to answer her when suddenly he found an alcove in the wall and disappeared into it. He pulled her even closer against his body and leaned down to whisper in her ear.
“Shh…Someone’s coming.”
His breath was warm against her skin and his voice was soothing as he spoke to her. Even in what was apparently a bit of danger, Talia could feel her attraction for Hunter stir. She felt safe pressed against him, and in such tight quarters, his scent filled her nostrils. It was intoxicating.
Down the corridor, Talia heard footsteps echo and as they got closer, Hunter’s hold on her got tighter. She could feel his heart pick up speed, and as the footsteps passed in front of the small alcove, she felt Hunter take in a deep breath and hold it. They waited only a few moments and the echoes of the footsteps tapered off and Hunter finally released his breath. He did not, however, release his tightened hold on Talia.
“Who was that?” she asked.
“A Guardian who is probably on her way to check in on Hope.”
Hunter’s voice was thick and deep and sent shivers throughout her body.
“They must be dangerous.”
Hunter allowed a nervous laugh to come out as he spoke. “They can be, but I think right now you are more dangerous than she was.”
Talia didn’t understand, and she lif
ted her head from his chest to look in his dark-brown eyes. “I am?”
“I assume that you know how my gift works?”
It seemed an odd question but Talia nodded her response.
“Good, then you will not be offended when I ask you that next time we are held up in an alcove trying to hide from a Guardian you focus on feeling safe, not turned on.”
His reprimand was said with a smile, but Talia still flushed with embarrassment. She couldn’t help that Hunter was the sexiest man she had possibly ever seen, not to mention the fact that she had been without the companionship of a man for who knew how long and that he smelled amazing.
“I’m flattered by your attraction,” he continued. “You’re a beautiful woman, but you have some very intense emotions and they are not quiet. I can usually separate mine from those near me, but I’m having a difficult time of it with you in my arms. If I was a lesser man, I would take you right here and now.”
Talia pulled in a deep breath and bit her bottom lip. For a brief moment she allowed her mind to create the visual of Hunter having his way with her and then she quickly shut it down.
“I–I’m sorry. I’ll be more aware from now on.”
“Thank you.”
The rest of their trip through the maze was made in silence. Hunter had loosened his hold on her and Talia focused on feeling safe, just as she said she would. It felt like they had been walking for hours, although she knew her grasp on time was skewed after being in the Veil so she tried not to become impatient and anxious about where they were going. A few more corridors and twists and turns later they came upon another door that was similar to the door to Hope’s room. A single candle lamp flanked each side of it and the metal handle looked like it had been twisted beyond recognition of its previous shape. Without setting her down, Hunter carefully reached out and turned the handle until a low click echoed in the hall. He pushed the heavy door open with his foot and shouldered his way in, closing the door with his back. Without hesitation, he stepped over to the bed and gingerly set Talia down before firing up a lamp. The glow from the flame filled the room and Talia looked around, hoping against hope that something would be as it was when the Keep was the palace.
Disappointment filled her. The room appeared much the same as Hope’s had with exception of the chair and the linens. Instead of a full cushion chair, in its place sat a plain wooden one and a small side table that held a book and another lamp. The bed was not adorned with fine silk linens but was instead covered in a scratchy wool blanket the color of the gray stones that made up the walls of the Keep. It was pathetic in comparison. The only personal touch that she found in the room besides the book was a small wooden box that sat on the dresser. It had ornately detailed carvings and a golden latch. It was beauty in the midst of gloom and Talia could not take her eyes from it.
“It was my mother’s. Her father was a craftsman and made her the box so that she could keep her secrets safe in it.”
“Oh.” Talia looked over and found Hunter leaning, arms crossed, up against the larger table with the lit lamp on it. “This is your room?”
He smiled his crooked smile at her and she could feel her face blush again.
“In the minds of the Guardians, I am a very low threat. They do not monitor my room as frequently as they do Hope’s or Ian’s, and when they feel like enough time has passed and they need to check in on me, I can feel it so I never get caught doing something that would cause them upset.”
“I see.” Talia turned her eyes back to the box before she continued. “So, are we safe now?”
“Mostly.”
“Will you tell me why we ran?” She looked back over at Hunter and found his dark-brown eyes doing what they did best, staring deep into her soul. “Please.”
Hunter nodded and then walked over to sit beside her on the bed, on his bed. Talia could feel her heart beat skip again and she pulled in a deep breath as he leaned into her.
He reached his hand up to her face and ran his finger down the side of her cheek. “Would it be best if I just had my way with you before we continued, so that you can focus?” His voice was low and barely a whisper and although she knew he was not serious, she wanted to say yes.
She looked up at him from behind her curled lashes and stared. There was something about him that made her want to throw all caution aside and crawl into his bed, no matter how scratchy the blankets were. She knew the feeling of his body pressed to hers would be enough of a distraction that she would forget about the dreariness of her surroundings.
“It’s part of my gift.”
Talia blinked up at him, confused. “What?”
“What you’re feeling. It’s a side effect of my gift.”
Again, she blinked. “What?”
His crooked smile crossed his lips and he explained. “I’m a male Empath, Talia.”
“I know. And?” She was unsure of what his being a male Empath had to do with her desire to have his dick deep inside of her, but she really didn’t care. She suddenly craved him more than she craved air.
Abruptly, he climbed off of the bed and walked back over to the table with the glowing lamp on it, recrossed his arms, and took a long, deep breath. The growing bulge in his pants did not escape Talia’s attention and she lifted her eyebrow as she nodded at his crotch.
“Men,” he began with a quiver in his voice, “were cut off from the gift of Empathy because it is not as simple as the magic you are familiar with. I do have the same abilities—I am able to sense how a person is feeling, whether they are being honest, what their fears are, and so on. Sometimes I can even see in my head the pictures that are played out in a person’s mind.”
“You have been blessed with a very powerful gift,” she whispered.
“True, but it is also dangerous.” Once again he unfolded his arms and walked over to the bed, sitting closer to Talia than he had before.
She could barely breathe. Her eyes traveled along the lines of his face, down his neck and along his chest. She took in every detail of him—the stubble on his face, the scar on his lip that was the probable culprit of his crooked smile, the leather cord around his neck that had a silver pentagram dangling from it, even the pulsing of the thick vein that ran down the side of his neck. She ran her tongue across her lips and wished that she could taste him.
Hunter leaned into her, his mouth hovering over hers, and as he spoke his breath teased at what his mouth would taste like. Desire pulsed through her body, her pussy wet with need of him. She closed her eyes and breathed in the intoxicating scent of him, anxious to feel his mouth pressed to hers.
“Talia, my gift has triggered your desire, not me. I can have any woman I want because of it.”
She opened her eyes and wrinkled her brow. “I don’t understand.”
Why was he mentioning other women? Her mind was clouded by confusion and as she watched him again walk over to the table, frustration slammed into her gut. Her pussy dripped with desire and she could see his cock begging to be released as it pushed against the seam of his pants. Why didn’t he take her?
“Am I undesirable to you?”
Hunter ran his hands up through his hair and let out a frustrated sigh.
“Talia! You need to listen to me.” His voice was commanding and at his tone she could feel herself regain a brief moment of clarity.
“Men were cut off from the gift because it is easy to abuse. It plays with your emotions. You find me attractive and my gift is exploiting it. It’s like…invisible hooks that sink into your feelings and pull you to me. I have no control over it. That’s why I’m here, at Windsong. The Elders thought of me as a threat, but they were too curious as to how my gifts would manifest to kill me, so they sentenced me here.”
Talia blinked through her haze and as understanding sank in, embarrassment flushed her cheeks. She was a mere moment away from ripping the gown from her body and spreading her legs, but now that she knew she had been enchanted, her stomach churned in humiliation. She had never b
een one to throw herself at any man, let alone a virtual stranger. His gift was indeed dangerous.
“I–I’m sorry. I didn’t…I’m not usually so forward. I feel rather embarrassed to be honest.”
Hunter shook his head. “Please don’t. It’s really not your fault. I should have been more careful.”
He walked over to a table that she had previously not seen hidden back in one of the darker corners of his room and produced a glass of water. He walked over and handed it to her and then carefully stepped back to once again lean up against the first table. She gulped it down and as the cool water ran down her throat, her haze continued to lift.
“Better?” he asked.
“Yes, thank you.”
“Are you ready for the tale?”
Talia wrinkled her brow, unsure of what he meant, and then remembered that he had brought her here for a purpose. She nodded for him to start and took a deep, cleansing breath, pushing away the last of her desire. Enchanted or not, Hunter still stirred her need for him and as he began to tell her the story of Sleeping Beauty, she watched his dark chocolate eyes and knew that most of what she had felt had been real.
Chapter Five
“I don’t know why in the hell I stay with you.” Ian glared over at Hope and shoved his hands deep into the pockets of his trousers. After everything that he did for that damn woman he’d expect her to be more thankful that someone cared enough to watch her ass.
Hope stopped in the middle of the corridor and turned venom eyes on him.
“Do not start with your pouting bullshit, Ian. This is not about you! This is about Hunter and that poisonous woman that you let him leave with. If you had any sense about you when he told you who she was, you would have dropped me to the ground and stopped him.”
Ian rolled his eyes and continued to walk down the corridor toward Hunter’s room in silence. Hope was the true definition of drama queen. She never thought things through before she reacted and typically when she reacted, it was over-the-top and caused more problems than it solved. He chuckled to himself as he realized that his sentencing at Windsong was a breeze compared to his relationship with Hope. Even days spent in The Hole were easier than dealing with her daily drama fits.
Waking Beauty [Windsong Keep] (Siren Publishing Allure) Page 4