by Brenda Trim
Zander turned away from the maps he had been pouring over as his warriors joined him in the war room. He looked them over as they each took a seat at the large wooden conference table. They were dressed in their typical head-to-toe black leather. Each of them exuded a deadly aura that could crush any being under their combat boots before they knew what hit them. Determination rode the warriors hard. They wanted to do their job and eliminate the risk to the realm. That was far more complicated now than it had been before.
He pulled his shirt off and turned his back to them. Ever since his mate mark had appeared it had been a minor irritant on his back. That discomfort had only increased since his dream with Elsie. He wondered why, and searched through some realm documents that Killian had uploaded onto their protected website. It was shocking to learn that the mark would become more and more painful the longer a mating is delayed. He understood his mate was in no position to finalize their union, and he was prepared to deal with the pain. He was happy to endure the pain. He had found his Fated Mate and his soul would be complete.
The reaction to his revelation was instantaneous and chaotic with everyone talking over one another. His sister’s gasp snagged his attention. “Your mark is so beautiful. Is it painful? The red angry looking welts seem like they’d be uncomfortable.”
Zander thought about the pain that seared through him at the moment of climax. “’Twas painful but for a moment. Now ‘tis an exquisite reminder of how verra fortunate I am.”
Bhric stood and crossed to his side and reached out a hand, slapped him on the back near his mating brand. “I canna believe that the Goddess has given us the first Fated Mate in over seven hundred years. ‘Tis a new beginning for the realm. Tell me brathair, who is the lucky female?”
Zander turned around and faced the room. “The human female, Elsie Hayes.” Orlando’s mouth dropped open and anger crossed his features before the warrior schooled his reaction. Interesting.
“When did you bed her?” Orlando gritted out.
Zander met his glare. “Watch it, welp. Doona forget who you are speaking to. I called you all here to tell you and to enlist your help keeping her safe. The situation is complicated. She isna aware of what she is to me.”
“I am more than happy to keep my new sister safe,” Breslin offered as she waved her fingers, flames bursting from their tips. Still as awe-inspiring, Zander mused, as it was when she was three years old. Like it was yesterday, Zander recalled how Kyran lifted a tearful Breslin into his arms as other blessings were bestowed on their parents’ funeral pyre. Shocking everyone, Breslin spread her pudgy, three-year-old hand and called a flame to her palm. She threw the flames to the bodies so lovingly arranged, surprising everyone with her power and control at such an early age.
Santiago grunted his approval as he slid his ammo clip back into his Glock and jumped into the conversation, “I’ll help you with that too. If rumors are true skirm will be able to see her mark when she patrols for them. It will set her apart from other humans.”
“I didn’t see anything different about her. Maybe it was Lena, Liege. Weren’t you with her?” Orlando asked.
“Elsie carries my mark plain as day to any supernatural. And the rumors are true. ‘Tis an iridescent mark below her left ear. Skirm will see it without doubt.”
Kyran rubbed his hand down his face. “I am still in shock that Fated Mate blessings have begun once again.”
Gerrick jumped out of his chair, causing it to hit the floor with a loud bang. Zander glanced at the warrior and noticed his hands clenched into fists at his sides, anger darkening his eyes and his chest heaving. “Zander’s mate is not the first. There was another!” he roared.
Zander gaped at Gerrick’s outburst. What was he talking about? There had been no mates for over seven centuries. As the king of the vampires, he would have heard if there had been. “What the hell are you talking aboot? Explain, now.”
The room was engulfed in silence as everyone watched Gerrick clench and unclench his fists at his sides. It was obvious the warrior was struggling to deal with the words that had escaped his lips. Zander was incredulous. It was difficult to remain quiet while Gerrick found his words. Questions and scenarios tore through his mind, but he refused to give them a voice. The entire realm had become so bitter and angry about the lack of mates that, after three hundred years, most had identified it as ‘The Mating Curse.’ It didn’t seem plausible to Zander that there had been a mate previously.
As much as he wished numerous times for the blessings to resume over the centuries, it hadn’t and their population had suffered. Most supernaturals became fertile only after they had sex with their mate. Every species underwent changes with mating. For Zander, as a vampire, his orgasms extended to last several minutes after intercourse with their Fated Mate.
He jolted as he realized he had undergone that change from sharing dream-sex with his mate. And, Goddess, how the prolonged orgasm had driven not only him, but his mate, to new heights. Diverting his thoughts from what was sure to cause his balls to ache more, he considered the larger picture. Without mates, these changes don’t occur, leaving most of the realm incomplete and infertile. Hence, the decline in the realm’s birthrate.
His silent ruminations derailed the moment Gerrick broke the silence. “I found my mate four hundred years ago. My family had moved from London to Draffen, and I met Evanna there. She was a vision with her long, silky, blond hair, fair face and eyes the color of the darkest chocolate. I was in love immediately. I thought of little but Evanna. We snuck to the loch every chance we had and spent every spare moment together. She was an incredible sorceress and taught me many spells. She also helped me to gain better control of my ability to travel back in time. When we shared our first kiss, everything escalated quickly and she was soon out of her corset and shift…”
Gerrick fell silent for several moments and finally met Zander’s gaze. He was nearly knocked on his feet at the pain he saw in those ice-blue eyes. He hoped to never experience whatever it was that Gerrick had endured. “I don’t recall the pain, but after she pointed out our marks. We were terrified and kept it a secret for many weeks. The realm had begun to talk of a mating curse and I feared she would be taken from me.” The warrior’s gaze took on a faraway look as he recalled that terrible time in his life.
“A fortnight after learning we were mates, my greatest fear came true. It was a warm spring day and I had been working for hours with my parents doing chores, anxious to get to my Evanna. By the time I reached her, she and her entire family, had been killed by skirm.” Zander detected anguish in Gerrick’s tone. It was impossible to ignore Zander’s own fears of losing his mate before he completed the mating. He longed to hold his mate and have his soul rendered whole. He didn’t want to become the tormented, hollow male he saw before him.
“Through my red haze of rage, I called up my power and was able to travel back longer than I ever had before…but it was not enough time to save Evanna. She was already gone when I arrived. I tried to stop the slaughter of her father. That day, I learned that my travels are limited to one trip. I also learned that there is a price to pay when traveling back in time. Aside from having to live with failing my mate, I was permanently disfigured. Her soul torments me daily,” Gerrick thumped his fist against his chest as a tear slid from the corner of his eye.
Zander was utterly speechless. What Gerrick had said did not seem possible, but there was no denying that he was telling him the truth. He wanted to go to the Goddess to obtain the answers he and Gerrick deserved. So many questions filled him, but the most pressing was why she would do such a thing to mates. Why make them suffer so greatly?
He met Gerrick’s solemn gaze. “I doona know what to say to you. I’m sorry doesna cover it. Before I found my Elsie, I wouldna have understood the shadows in your eyes. Now, I can understand completely what that loss must have done to you. The thought of losing Elsie, or of never having her, shreds my heart in my chest.”
“I vow to you that I will do every
thing in my power to protect Elsie, and any other mate, from harm,” Gerrick promised.
He admired the strength it took for Gerrick to continue on with such determination after such a tremendous loss. He didn’t think he would be able to. “Thank you.”
Each of the warriors and his siblings offered their protection as well as vowing to seek vengeance for what Elsie had suffered. The Goddess gave Elsie to Zander, but she also gave the realm a Queen. One they had already embraced. Elsie signaled a turning point for them, she symbolized their hope.
*****
Going out of his mind, Zander looked at the clock for the millionth time. It was after seven in the evening. Surely Orlando had had enough rest by now. As soon as Zander concluded the afternoon meeting, the warrior had requested a few hours to rest since it had been a couple days since he had last gotten any sleep. Zander took the time after the sun set to go out and run some errands.
He glanced at the clock again. It had been over three hours. Elsie’s distress was driving him crazy. Orlando was an immortal shifter and a Dark Warrior, enough with nap time. He had to go check on her and didn’t trust himself to go to her alone.
Strapping on his concealable weapons, he hurried from his rooms and burst into Orlando’s. "Get up! I must go to her! Her anguish is killing me. I need to see her and you are going with me."
"What the hell, Liege? I asked for a few hours of sleep," Orlando grumbled as he sat up and rubbed his eyes.
"You’ve had three hours. Get up! I canna hear her exact thoughts with this much space between us, but I am certain she plans to go on patrol tonight. We must intervene.”
"With all due respect, going there at all right now would be a bad idea.” He growled at his warrior, ready to drag him, kicking and screaming, if he had to. “But,” Orlando hurried to continue, “I can see you’re not going to listen, so give me five minutes. I certainly don't need my beauty sleep, seeing as I'm already devilishly handsome." Orlando flipped off his comforter and stretched as he unfolded to his six-foot-one-inch height.
What the hell had the male done to himself? "What in the Nine Circles of Hell happened to your hair? That isna right. Shite, you doona look like a grown male, you look like you havena passed your stripling years."
Zander struggled to understand why a male would shave his balls in such a manner. When he was young, he couldn’t wait to be a full-grown male in every way. And, he sure as hell had never had a desire to make any part of his body resemble a young lad.
"I have one word for you. Man-scaping. The females love it.”
He looked ridiculous, stupid male. Shaking his head, he tossed the warrior his clothing. “You have so much to learn, lad. I want to leave, be downstairs in five,” Zander threw over his shoulder before he pounded down the stairs.
*****
Elsie surveyed her surroundings as she watched Mackendra park her motorcycle along the curb. As she removed her helmet, Elsie recalled when Mack found her. It was shortly after Dalton had been killed, and Mack had seen her on the news. She hadn’t listened to the woman until she pulled down the neck of her charcoal-grey t-shirt, revealing several horrific bite-marks.
Elsie was consumed by the sight of the injuries to Mackendra’s neck and arm. The ink started on the right side of her neck and wound down to a full sleeve on her right arm. A great-white shark, its jaws wide and dripping blood, was tattooed near a bicep injury. She had been speechless as she played ‘Where’s Waldo’, trying to find the scars amongst the intricate designs.
Mack’s whiskey-colored eyes may have been determined, but they held more compassion and understanding than Elsie had seen from anyone. She had classically good looks with her short, spiky, black hair, round face, and olive complexion.
“Hey Elsie. How was your visit with your sister?” Mack called out bringing her back to the present. She focused just as Mackendra was unzipping her leather jacket to reveal a t-shirt that said ‘it’s irony you dumb bitch.’ The woman typically wore snarky t-shirts that brought even more attention to her big, full breasts.
Why did it seem like everyone had bigger boobs than Elsie did? Probably, because they did. Sigh. And, Mack was beautiful. The sleeve of ink made her fierce, but also added to her beauty.
“The visit was too short, but good. I always hate to see her go. Shall we?” Elsie asked as she motioned to the quiet park. It was an hour or so past dusk and most people were home having dinner with their families.
They walked and chatted about what she had missed while her sister was in town. Apparently things had been busy. Two vampires had been taken out. It seemed that there had been more vampires lately.
“Hey, I wanted to ask you if you’ve ever heard of a vampire not turning to dust when they die,” Elsie asked Mack as they headed off.
“As far as I know all vampires turn to dust when they are stabbed through the heart. Why?”
“Well the new detectives assigned to Dalton’s case said they found the kid responsible in a dumpster missing his heart.”
“That doesn’t make any sense. Did he have fangs? Did they mention if his eyes had that charcoal ring?”
“Yes to both. I don’t understand…” Elsie trailed off as they hit pay-dirt and ran into two vamps.
“Oh look, Paul, dinner. And, this one here is marked. Maybe she belongs to a Dark Warrior.”
The other vamp made a comment Elsie missed as she pondered what he was talking about. Mack had too many tattoos to count and she didn’t have any. Neither of them belonged to anyone. Well, Elsie would always belong to Dalton, but he was dead thanks to a vamp. Her thoughts fractured as the pair attacked.
Elsie pulled the knife out of her boot and dropped to the ground, rolling away from the one charging toward her. She threw her hand back slashing at his legs and missed.
She jumped to her feet and they circled one another. He lunged and she ducked and dodged his blows. After several minutes she was tiring and he was landing every other blow. Her side ached. Heaving she would have to get closer or risk running out of energy. She turned and he wrapped his arms around her. She cradled the knife close to her chest and squirmed to a better position.
“That was a mistake. You’re mine now,” the vamp breathed in her ear. “I’m going to have fun with you before I drain you.” He lowered one hand to the zipper on her pants and she had a moment of supreme panic. He was going to rape her. The bright flash of fire followed by the smell of smoke brought her around and she plunged her knife into his chest while his attention was elsewhere. His eyes flew open in shock before he burst into flames and turned to ash a second later.
She turned to Mack who was sweated and cursing as she kicked the pile of ash at her feet. Elsie’s cell vibrated and she pulled it out of her pocket. It was Orlando.
She flipped the top. “Hello.”
“Hey, El. I’ve been calling you, what’s going on?”
“Sorry, I’m out with a friend.” Her heart began to race. Surely he wasn’t aware that she just killed a vampire. She looked around, but saw no one. She shook off her paranoia.
“Well, we are at your house with chick flicks, hoping you’re up for company. I still didn’t get that pedicure.” She laughed and saw that Mack was looking at her curiously. “Come home, Zander has more presents for you.”
Zander? Presents? “Okay. Be there in twenty minutes.”
“What was that about?” Mack asked, clearly suspicious.
Jacked up with adrenaline and mixed feelings about seeing Zander again she bounced from foot to foot. “It was one of the detectives on Dalton’s case. We’ve become friends believe it or not. He wants to watch a movie and honestly after this fight I could use it.”
“You need to watch it. Cops are ignorant of what’s really out there and would throw you in lock up for murder if they knew what we did.”
“I’m always careful, Mack. You taught me very well,” she reminded her friend as she laced her arm through Mack’s and headed back to her car.
CHAPTER NINE
>
Elsie was sick and tired of scolding herself as she drove home. She had spent the day miserable as she had bounced from grief to shame to guilt to lust and back again like a ping-pong ball being smacked around a table. And that was before she stressed over the bills and paying for her final semester. She had let some of that stress out during the fight only to have it come back with Orlando’s call.
She was a grown woman, and yes, she was attracted to an impossibly sexy man who wanted her, but that was not in the cards for her. She still loved Dalton and always would. There was nothing to be torn up about.
She parked her car and received an eyeful of a blue cotton t-shirt straining over a gorgeous muscled chest as she approached her door. She looked up and saw Zander’s intense blue eyes on a serious expression. She wondered what it would take to put a smile on those lips. He didn’t strike her as the type that was quick to smile.
“Hey, guys, thanks for waiting. Come on in,” she invited as she held her door open.
Zander’s gaze slowly trailed down her body, causing a searing heat to take her over. “You look tired. How did you sleep last night?” He grasped her hand and brought it to his lips. The kiss released electrical tremors, and his words caused blood to flood her face. Her words froze in her throat. Could he know she had dreamt about making love to him last night?
“I’m good,” she stammered.
His expression said he knew every dirty detail and he wanted it for real. Oh God. “I brought you more chocolates, as well as other surprises.” He started into her house, but stopped when they were crammed face to face in the narrow entryway. Neither moved.
Orlando slapped her on the shoulder, breaking the connection. She blushed brilliant-red as she turned and greeted the detective. “You gonna make me stand out here all night? I brought tequila and you favorite energy drinks,” he crooned as he waved a bag in her face. The man knew how to get to her. Two items she couldn’t afford this week, and wanted desperately.
She couldn’t resist teasing him. “Uhhhhh, yep I am,” she replied then shut the door.