by Lynn Lorenz
"Tell me, Inspector Creel"--she aimed her eyes at him--"is your work very dangerous?"
Sarah almost choked, but turned it into a cough.
"Well, um, sometimes." Rolf looked up and then down at his plate and pushed around the roasted potatoes.
"I just thought that those scars on your hands were from some criminal incident." Luci smiled at him.
Rolf's head swiveled to look at Stefan, head bent down to attend to some matter on his plate that needed his utmost attention.
Rolf, left on his own to answer, replied, "No, um, in point of fact, those are old scars." He cleared his throat and glanced at Sarah. She tried to encourage him with a small motion of her head. "From when I was younger. If you like danger, then Stefan is your man." Rolf grinned.
"Why yes, I'd heard that from the many reports Sarah has given me about your exploits, Inspector Bane."
Now it was Sarah's turn to sputter. "Two letters do not make 'many reports,' Luci."
"No? Perhaps it was the copious amounts of 'Inspector Bane this' and 'Inspector Bane that,' which made it seem as if there were so many." There was a familiar glint in Luci's eyes as she teased Sarah.
Under the table, she kicked Luci's foot, but all she got in return was an innocent smile. Now, eyebrows raised, Stefan stared at Sarah, then his corner of his mouth turned upward. Sarah looked away and sighed. Luci was in rare form tonight.
"Inspector Creel...may I call you Rolf?" Luci inquired, and he nodded without a word. "Surely you haven't let Inspector Bane have all the fun?"
"Well, now, I haven't his experience with farm animals." Rolf grinned, Sarah bit back a laugh, and Stefan turned to glare at Rolf. "My work lately has been searching for a man who has been attacking girls in the district."
"That sounds horrible." She gave a delightful shudder. "Do tell me more about the case." As he began to talk, her eyes locked on him and she hung on his every word.
Sarah had to admit, it was the happiest she'd seen Rolf in some time. Stefan was giving Luci the oddest looks, while Thatcher merely watched and ate.
Dinner ended, and addlers worked to clear the dishes.
"Rolf, perhaps you'd like to show Luci the lake?" Sarah smiled at him.
"I'd love to see the lake." Luci didn't miss her cue, as she looked with hope at Rolf.
"The lake." Rolf cleared his throat. "Yes, well, all right. Yes. The lake."
Luci rose and waited for him. He stood, knocked his chair over backward, righted it, and then came around the table to take her arm.
As Rolf led Luci out of the hall, Sarah heard Luci ask, "Is it a very big lake?"
Sarah looked after them, as she rested her chin in her hand. Luci was in her element and it was almost frightening. Rolf didn't stand a chance.
With Luci gone, she and Stefan sat across from each other, the silence heavy, like a layer of velvet, between them. His intense gaze burned into her. It seemed far bolder than before. If she didn't do something, she'd wind up sitting here, gazing back into his hazel eyes, drinking him in all night.
Sarah stood and bowed to Thatcher. "I feel the need for fresh air myself, Chief. Excuse me." She started for the door.
Stefan's brows furrowed as he watched her leave.
"Stefan, go after her," Thatcher urged him with a flick of his wrist.
"What..." Stefan blinked.
"Moonlight, son, moonlight." He jerked his head in the direction of the front doors.
"Right, sir. Moonlight." Stefan pushed back his chair and followed Sarah.
* * * *
This is not what he'd planned. He'd sworn he'd stay away from her, so he should sit back down. However, Luci had said Sarah had spoken well of him and often. This discovery needed further investigation. He strode from the hall.
Stefan stood at the top of the rise and watched Sarah standing at the edge of the lake. The moon's reflection danced on the ripples in the water, and he didn't see Rolf and Luci anywhere.
Stefan looked back at the castle. Dare to go to Sarah or be a coward and go back inside? Up to his empty room or out into the moonlight?
A figure appeared from the east on the path. With a sickening lurch in his stomach, Stefan recognized the man leading his limping horse down the path.
Stefan froze on the path, hidden in shadow.
"Sarah, what are you doing here?" Gareth Watkins' voice sounded loud and clear on the evening air.
"Just getting some fresh air." She sighed.
"I'm glad you're here. There is something I've wanted to do." Gareth dropped the reins of his mount, stepped close to her, and pulled her into his arms.
Sarah leaned back, her hands pressing on his chest. "Let me go, Gareth."
"You don't mean that, Sarah. I've seen the way you look at me."
"I? Look at you?" Sarah tried to push against him again.
Stefan fought the urge to run down there, rip Sarah away, and pummel Watkins. However, that was exactly what Sarah had complained about. He'd treated her as a helpless woman, not a trained patroller. Well, she can damn well take care of herself. He folded his arms across his chest, braced his legs, and continued to watch.
Gareth placed his hand behind Sarah's head and pulled her in for a kiss. Stefan's fists clenched, but he held his position.
"Gareth, I'm warning you. I'm in no mood for this."
"What? Am I not good enough for you? Perhaps, if Bane were holding you in his arms, you'd give in to his advances?" Gareth sneered at her.
"You don't know what you're talking about, Gareth."
"I can't believe you'd choose that pompous, arrogant, old bastard over me." He pulled her tighter.
Stefan's breath caught in his throat. Pompous...well maybe. Arrogant, surely. But, old? Every fiber of his body screamed at him to go down there and teach Gareth what an old bastard could do.
"Your vanity is not becoming, Gareth. How dare you speak against Inspector Bane? As if you were his better."
"Is that so?" Gareth kissed her, his mouth hard on hers.
Sarah, taken by surprise, struggled in his arms, but he held her tight. She wrenched her lips free of his and with a swift motion, jammed her knee upward into his privates.
The man went down to his knees, groaning and clutching himself. Then, like a card tower, he collapsed onto his side and curled up on the ground. She stood over him as he lay there making small, piteous whimpers, her fists clenched at her sides.
"You could never be half the man he is, you ass! If you think you can just wink your eye, or win me with a smile, you're greatly mistaken. It would take a better man than you." She turned from him and stormed off down the path.
A huge grin spread across Stefan's face. Now, that was worth waiting for. Damn it, he loved that woman. Stefan covered the last ten feet of the path in purposeful strides.
He stood over Watkins. "Watkins, whatever are you doing lying in the dirt?" Stefan's voice drawled his false concern.
"Just resting, sir." Gareth groaned, still wincing, his hands cupping his groin.
"You can rest later. Get up and take that horse to the stables. Right now," Stefan barked out his order.
"Aye, sir." Watkins glared at him. With very slow, precise movements, he got to his feet and picked up his horse's reins.
Stefan watched both the horse and the rider limp their way up the path to the stables, barely able to contain his grin.
The image of Gareth going down on his knees would stay with him for a long time, he was sure. "By the One God, I enjoyed that!" Stefan laughed. Then, he looked down the path Sarah had taken. "Moonlight, eh?"
He followed Sarah down the path.
* * * *
Rolf pointed. "There's the lake."
"Yes, I can see it." Lucinda smiled. "It's beautiful, isn't it?" She moved closer to him.
"I suppose, as lakes go. I don't usually think about it." He shrugged.
She walked down the path, moving in and out of the dappled light of the moon. Rolf trailed behind her like a puppy.
&nbs
p; "I didn't know your father was a lord."
"Yes. Is that important?" She looked up at him.
"Well, just that they must have certain expectations of you. In regards to men, that is." Like marrying someone of her own rank.
"My parents have long since given up on their expectations of me, Rolf. I choose my own men." She shrugged.
"You said you had suitors. Are there many?"
"Only the ones my mother insists on foisting on me. I am unattached and will be until I decide not to be. I won't be rushed or forced into marriage." Determination rang in her voice.
How did they land on the topic of marriage? He did not intend to go anywhere near there. It had been forbidden land for so long that to hear her speak of her options with such ease and sureness made his heart beat faster.
She came to a place with a large rock that jutted into the lake and sat down. Rolf stood on the path and inhaled deeply as the wind carried her scent to him. It drove the hairs on the back of his neck straight up in excitement.
"Surely, you must marry someone of standing." And certainly not a werewolf.
"Rolf, I will marry the man I love, whether he has 'standing' or not, whether he is a lord or a humble inspector. Sit with me."
He took a place next to her on the rock. They sat very close together. Unable to resist, Rolf turned and took a braided strand of her hair in his fingers.
"You're very beautiful, Luci." His voice lowered as he leaned closer to her.
"You fascinate me, Rolf." She reached out and traced the scar on his face with her fingertip.
It was soft and warm, and he could be touched this way forever. He closed his eyes, letting a soft moan escape. She leaned over and kissed his jaw where the scar began. Rolf held his breath. The tip of her tongue ran over its length up his cheek. It was liquid fire on his skin. He wanted to burn.
"Luci, please." He moaned.
"Rolf, please." Her lips brushed his ear.
He was lost to her. All his senses were alight and his hands ached to hold her body next to his. He wanted to be deep inside her as he mated with her. Mate only with her. Only and always.
He shouldn't ever let that happen. He shifted on the rock, putting some space between them. "This is never going to work. You don't understand. There's a very big problem." Rolf's hands touched her face as he gazed deeply into her eyes.
How do I tell her I am a monster?
"I know your problem. Sarah told me before I even came here. It doesn't matter to me, Rolf. I know what you seek; I can see it in your eyes. I assure you I seek the same thing."
Reaching up, she took hold of his jacket and pulled him to her. There was nothing to be done but kiss her. His lips pressed softly against her full lips and pulled away. For a moment, his lips hovered above hers. He lowered his head to kiss her again. She parted her lips to let him inside and the tip of his tongue touched hers. He drew her tongue into his mouth and sucked it until she whimpered.
He shouldn't be doing this. Yet, he'd never wanted a woman before with such an uncontrollable passion. Luci broke the kiss. It hurt him to have her gone.
"I have something to show you that I think you are going to like." She stood and moved into a patch of moonlight.
Chapter 16
Stefan found her just a little way down the path. "Sarah?"
"Stefan?" She turned to him with such a smile it gave him hope.
"Are you all right? I found Watkins, lying in the dirt." He stepped up to her.
"I'm fine. I'm afraid he wouldn't take no for an answer."
"You're a dangerous woman, Sarah."
"How so?"
"You leave men strewn in the dirt, their hearts broken." He jerked his head back toward the castle.
"I don't think its Gareth's heart that's broken. Besides, I don't see you lying in the dirt." She motioned to the ground.
"Ah. Perhaps I haven't warranted that. Give me time." Stefan stepped closer and looked into her eyes, hoping his intent was clear.
Sarah swallowed and turned to look at the lake. "Rolf and Luci are around here somewhere, I'll wager."
"It seems she's made a big impression on Rolf."
"I hoped they'd like each other. When Rolf told me he was a werewolf, I knew I had to bring Lucinda to meet him."
"Did you?" His eyebrows rose.
"Yes. Rolf deserves love. He's been alone far too long. Luci is the perfect match for him."
"You brought Luci here for Rolf." He tried to keep his voice flat, but he felt his anger growing.
"That's right."
He took her arm and pulled her around to face him. "Why did you do that? You know his situation! To dangle a woman before him, knowing he can't possibly become involved makes this reckless at best, and cruel at the worst!" Stefan couldn't believe it. What had she been thinking? Had she no idea of the torment this must be for Rolf?
Sarah's eyes flashed her anger. "You're so sure of yourself, aren't you, Stefan?"
"You know what he is, Sarah. How could you do this to him? To her?"
"Do what? Give them a chance at being happy? At finding love? That's very selfish of you, isn't it? To deny him what you can so easily have?"
Stefan stopped, his arms straightened at his sides, hands clenched into fists. "Do you know what it's like, to finally find the one woman you were meant to have, meant to be with, only to know you can't have her?" His voice was like gravel. He swiped his hand through his hair in an angry gesture. He was talking about Rolf, wasn't he?
"Why can't he have her? Shouldn't it be her decision? Better yet, their decision to take whatever chances there might be. What makes you Rolf's keeper? Or are you just insuring he stays miserable?"
"I don't know what you're talking about." The last thing he wanted was Rolf to be miserable. There wasn't enough room in the castle for two of them.
Sarah faced him, her hands on her hips. "Don't you? That is so like you, Stefan. You decide what's best for everyone. Like you made all the decisions when we went on the mission together."
"What?" Surprised, he took a step backward. How did she get from Rolf and Luci to the mission? His head swam as she changed directions. The mission was the last place he wanted to go, he was sure of that.
"Our mission. Have you forgotten so soon? I haven't." Her eyes burned as she advanced on him. "You treated me as if I had little or no ability to deal with the situations that arose. You wouldn't let me in on any of your plans. Then you jumped in every time you perceived I was being threatened, even when I could've handled it. And when I did, you suspended me."
"I only wanted to protect you."
"I didn't need protecting, Stefan! Did you forget I am an oath-sworn patroller, just like you? That it's my job to deal with danger. When you jumped in, you were telling me you had no faith or confidence in my skills."
Stefan shook his head. "I didn't mean to do that, Sarah. You're a capable patroller, and I know that."
"But I can't be if you're always jumping in, trying to protect me." She took a deep breath. "I don't need a father, Stefan." Her eyes burned into his.
"What do you need, Sarah?" He stepped toward her, his gaze locked with hers.
"I need to be able to trust you. And I'm not sure I can." Now, her brow furrowed.
"You can trust me." He reached out his hand, but didn't touch her.
Sarah seemed to consider him, then asked, "Do you have a woman? Women? Around the district?"
"No!" Stefan shook his head.
"Don't lie to me, Stefan." She looked deeper into his eyes. "Don't ever lie to me."
"There are no women." He stepped closer. "While we're asking questions..."
"Aye." She nodded for him to continue.
"Am I too old? For you?" Stefan watched as her frown softened into a smile.
"Who wouldn't want a handsome warlock in the prime of all his powers?" she replied, not really answering his question.
"Would you?" His heart hoped and its beating quickened.
"What would you say i
f I said aye?" She looked up through thick lashes at him.
"What would you say if I told you I've been wondering how soft your cheek is?"
* * * *
Rolf sat on the rock as Luci stood in front of him in the moonlight.
Closing her eyes, the air around her body began to shimmer. Her face wavered. It seemed as if her entire being was smoke, shapeless, and incoherent. A moment later, it reformed. The smoke mass was smaller, low to the ground. As it solidified, Rolf rose to his feet and stared.
Before him was the most beautiful wolf he'd ever seen. Her pelt was thick and shone in the moonlight. The color was a deep roan on top, blending to a snow white on her belly and under her full tail. Her legs were strong, yet delicate, ending in large paws. Her green eyes shone with intelligence.
"The One God be damned!" Rolf staggered. "You're a shape shifter!"
She nodded, and her pink tongue lolled from between sharp white teeth as she grinned, black wolf lips drawn back.
"Sarah knew! She told me there was someone for me, she was sure of it. It was you!"
The wolf padded to him, jumped up, placed her large paws on his shoulders, and looked into his eyes. Her tongue licked his face. Rolf laughed with a joy he hadn't known in ages as his fingers buried themselves in her thick pelt.
The wolf leaped up into his arms. Rolf caught her, but her weight was too much for him and he toppled over, still clutching her to him and laughing.
He lay on the ground, the she-wolf on top of him with her paws on either side of his head. Closing her eyes, she began to shimmer again.
Shimmer turned to smoke, smoke to shape, and then shape to Luci. He looked up into her eyes as her lips found his. They tasted each other with deep, searching kisses as their bodies connected. Rolf's legs parted to accept Luci's body between them.
Capturing his hands in hers, she held them down beside his head. "You are mine, Rolf. I claim you."
"You do?" He couldn't stop grinning like a fool.
"Aye. Your wolf and mine, together. What say you?"
Rolf stared into her eyes. How easy it would be just to say yes. Just to accept what she was offering him, without a care to her safety.
What was he doing? So what if she's a wolf? He was still a werewolf, a monster.