The light swung back toward her, and she tried desperately to crawl away from it. But the pain in her head lanced through her, and she cried out again.
* * * *
Sloan cocked his head to the side, following the noise in front of him. And when he heard the shriek, he quickened his pace considerably.
His heart raced as he moved quicker and quicker. The flashlight cut through the dark, and he saw her before she perceived him.
Kelly was deathly pale, lying on the foliage in the woods. She bled from several cuts on her legs, arms, and face. The negligee she wore was shredded to pieces in most places.
Sloan’s heart leapt into his throat as he leaned down to gently cradle her against his body. He dropped the flashlight to gather her closer.
“Baby.”
* * * *
Kelly’s eyes fluttered, and she sighed. She was warm. Her head still ached, and she was beginning to hurt all over. But she was finally warm. She opened her eyes and looked into the impossible hazel eyes of the man she loved.
“Sloan,” she whispered. A trembling hand crept up to his face and touched his cheek. He was real. “Thank God.” She tried to burrow deeper against him.
Neither of them heard the footsteps that stopped just outside the circle of light.
“She’s mine.” Steven’s voice rang loudly throughout the woods.
They both heard the gun cock, and Sloan smiled down at Kelly one last time. “I’ll be back.”
He stood against her protestations, and she saw him palm his knife.
Kelly grabbed the flashlight and tried to shine it on the duo, but her hand shook too badly. She clutched it with both hands and tried to raise it. And then she heard the shot.
* * * *
Kelly didn’t want to wake up. Her alarm didn’t go off. She didn’t want to go to work. She was tired. And sleep was nice. No thinking. No pain. Nothing.
“Kelly.”
The voice whispered in her head, but she fought against it. Everything outside her head was bad. She couldn’t control any of it.
“Kelly. Wake up.”
Sloan. He was okay. Sloan was alive. He stroked her hair.
Kelly struggled against the cotton in her head, and squeezed her eyes open a fraction. The room was dark. What time was it? Night? Day?
“Sloan.” Kelly croaked his name. She winced at the sound. “Sloan,” she repeated.
“Baby.” He moved higher up so he could kiss her lips softly. “You’re awake.”
“Are you okay?” Her gaze searched his and demanded answers.
“Yes, woman.” Sloan chuckled and touched her cheek. “I’m fine. And you are, too.”
She struggled to sit up, and Sloan tried to keep her flat. She frowned at him and blew out a breath.
“I want to sit up.” Her tone brooked no argument.
He moved back and helped her sit upright.
Kelly looked around the room. “Where are my parents?”
“At your house.” He stood quickly. “I’ll call them.”
“Tell me,” Kelly demanded.
Sloan stopped in his tracks. When he turned to Kelly, she saw all the pent-up anger and frustration he tried to hide from her. “I think it’s too soon.”
“Don’t baby me, Sloan,” she warned. “I want to know what happened.” Her green eyes flashed hotly in her face.
“Steven is in custody. And so is Christy.”
“Christy?” Kelly frowned.
“They’re cousins. She set the whole thing up. She fed Steven’s obsession for you.” Sloan sat down on the bed again. “Everything was her idea. The entire set-up.”
“Christy,” she repeated. And then she remembered something. “The shot?”
“I threw the knife and hit his arm. He fired wide right. I took him down.”
“And what are you not telling me?” The question almost brought a smile to Sloan’s face. Kelly was back and bossier than ever.
“You won the Sparks award.”
Kelly stared at Sloan in shock for a full minute. And then she threw back her head and laughed until she began to cry. The dam of emotions broke over her in a tidal wave.
Sloan hurried over and gathered her close to him. “Shh. It’s okay, Kelly. It’s over.”
She clung to him tightly. “Call my parents,” she whispered. “And then get me the hell out of here.”
* * * *
Kelly was supposed to be on complete bedrest. She looked around furtively and then hurried out of her room and toward the living room.
“Woman!” Sloan’s voice cut down the hallway, and she winced.
“Dammit, Sloan!” Kelly turned to scowl at him. “I’m tired of laying there. Shit! I’m healed. My body is fine. Now let me breathe!”
Sloan narrowed his eyes as he drew closer. “You,” he pointed at her, “are going back to bed until the doctor says otherwise.”
“Come with me.” Kelly winked and moved closer. “Please?” She fluttered her eyelashes and pursed her lips.
“Go back to bed.”
“You ass!” Kelly stormed back down the hall and slammed her bedroom door shut. She was going to lose her mind. The buzz of her intercom had her sitting upright and answering it.
“Yes,” she snapped.
“Kelly?”
“Wilda!” Kelly jumped out of bed and buzzed her friend in. “Get up here right now!” She fairly danced as she made her way toward the garage.
Sloan was already by the door with his arms folded in a defensive stance.
“Get out of the way.” Kelly’s voice was deceptively calm.
“No.” Sloan’s tone matched hers.
“Listen.” She poked him in the chest hard. “You get the hell out of my way before I have you escorted out.”
“Oh, really?” Sloan arched an eyebrow. “Do tell.”
“Let Wilda in. And then you need to leave.” Kelly reached around him and opened the door.
Sloan growled and stalked into the living room.
She watched him go with a grimace and told herself it was for the best. For the best. The thought echoed hollowly in her heart.
Kelly opened the garage door and pulled Wilda to her tightly. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
Wilda kissed Kelly on her forehead and returned the hug. “Child. I worry about you. Going and getting yourself kidnapped.”
Kelly laughed and shook her head. “Yeah. My life wasn’t exciting enough.”
Wilda looked around. “Where’s Sloan?”
“Living room.” Kelly jerked her head tightly toward him.
“You two are fighting again?” Wilda shook her head.
“He’s arrogant. Bossy. And he likes telling me what to do.”
“Yes, child. That’s because he loves you.” Wilda’s emerald gaze searched Kelly’s. “And you know that. Why do you still run?”
“I’m not running.” Her voice was defiant and childish. She sighed. “Maybe I am.”
“Will you ever love a man as you do him?” Wilda’s kind eyes questioned her.
“No,” she whispered.
“Then tell him.” Wilda kissed each of Kelly’s cheeks. “I must go, child.” She smiled kindly at Kelly. “Marge will be back Monday. Tempest and I must go back home for now. But we’ll see each other again. I’ll make sure of it.”
“I dreamt of you.” Kelly looked closely at the woman in front of her. “I dreamt you helped me. Told me what to do.” She took Wilda’s hands in hers. “Thank you.”
A small tear slid down Wilda’s cheek. “Thank you, Kelly. Be happy. And be loved.” She pointed toward the living room. “Your man is waiting.”
Kelly turned toward the living room and then back again. But Wilda was gone.
* * * *
The portrait in the hallway shone brightly as Wilda’s task was finished. And a bright, red bracelet appeared around the woman on the far left’s wrist.
* * * *
The four guardians looked down at Earth with wide smiles and ha
ppy tears. They watched Sloan and Kelly marry. It was a small ceremony. George and Christine stood for them while Bob and Dot were witnesses.
“She was a handful, Wilda.” Kendra smiled at her older sister. “But you picked well.” A frown creased her face. “I hope I am wise enough to do the same.”
Wilda hugged Kendra close. “Just because you are the youngest does not mean you will fall short in this quest.” She shot a look to Tempest. “And don’t let anyone else attempt to help you.”
Tempest frowned, and her blue eyes flashed. “I only wanted to lend a hand.”
“You only felt the need to try and take over the assignment. You know the rules!” Wilda scolded her.
Eden held up her hand, and the women fell silent. “Truce,” she said. “We will not fight amongst ourselves. Together we can achieve our goal.” Her stare met each of theirs. “But apart, we fail.”
Tempest arched her eyebrow at Wilda. Eden shot a meaningful glance at her. “Tempest. Your way is not necessarily anyone else’s. Your turn will come.” Her brown eyes sought out Kendra’s blue worried ones. “But for now, we wait for Kendra’s choice.”
Kendra stepped forward and steadied herself with a slow breath. She waved her hands, and the clouds parted for her. She was nervous. Wilda picked a mortal who was strong and had a similar personality to hers.
Who will I pick?
Her sisters gathered near to her, giving her strength with their mere presence. Kendra looked down and prayed there would be something that would give her a clue as to who to pick. She was unsure and didn’t want to make a mistake that would cost them all.
“Steady.” Eden’s soft voice soothed her frazzled nerves. “You will know, Kendra. You will know.”
And then Kendra saw her.
Her mortal wore a smile on her face, but her heart hurt. The woman was lonely. Oh, so lonely. Kendra could almost see the pain radiating out from the woman.
“That one.” Kendra pointed down to Earth, and her sisters looked at her choice.
“Oh, Kendra,” Tempest whispered. “You’ll have your work cut out for you.” Her blue eyes blinked back tears. “I don’t think anyone ever taught her how to love.”
“I will guide her. Protect her.” Kendra’s voice was certain. Her light blue gaze met each sisters’ eyes in turn. “I choose her.”
About the Author
Crystal Inman is a prolific author who likes to push the boundaries of writing. She writes Contemporary, Paranormal, Time Travel, Erotic, and Fantasy Romance. Many of her novels are bestsellers and continue to enchant readers. She’s written about love in the world of Virtual Reality. Love that won’t be denied even through the decades. Love that conquers the harshest of curses. And love that sees through the façade to the heart of the matter. Crystal lives with her three girls in the middle of nowhere with a messy desk, pieces of her sanity, and a manic mind. The writing always calls to her, persistently, and she loves every minute of it.
To learn more about her books, visit her website at:
http://chryswriter.tripod.com
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