Changing Destiny

by Rivers, Brandy L

  “We did.”

  She smiled, walking toward him. “I’ll have to thank Toryn for calling me.”

  “Hmm, indeed.” Scotty’s phone rang. Frowning, he answered.

  Eddie, Revolt’s new drummer, was on the other end. “So, I understand we’re playing this party tomorrow? Lonny asked me some crazy questions. Should I be worried?”

  His brow arched. He hadn’t considered the fact their employee and new drummer was Other, but hadn’t fully accepted his nature, caught somewhere between disbelief and reluctance.

  “Well, yeah. We should talk. If you want out of tomorrow night’s gig, we may be able to convince our first drummer to join us.”

  Eddie sighed. “Um, nah, I think I need to be there. Got to accept reality at some point, right? My girlfriend is looking forward to a fight.” He sighed. “But Jackie… I don’t know what to tell her. If I play, she’ll want to come, but I don’t want her in harm’s way.”

  “Not to worry, she’s a mage. She can protect herself.” He didn’t bother to mention she was also half-siren.

  “Yeah, though she was never properly trained.”

  “But your girlfriend can go?” Scotty snorted.

  “She’s a dragon, dude. She’ll be fine.”

  “Possibly, but the shit’s going to hit the fan. Want to meet me? Say at the Jitterhouse? I can be up there in fifteen minutes.”

  “Sure. If you don’t mind.”

  He smiled over at Jayde. “Bring Jackie. I have a friend who could tell you if she can handle the party. There will be plenty of people there, including some heavy-hitters. We’re trying to keep it limited to those who can handle what’s coming.”

  “Shit. You’re starting to worry me,” Eddie grumbled.

  Scotty held back the laugh, shaking his head. “See you soon.”

  “And I don’t need to bring Jackie. She’s working already.”

  “Perfect. Jayde can grab our drinks while I talk to you.”

  “Jayde, huh? No Zoe?”

  He sighed. “I’ll tell you about that later. See you soon.” He hung up and looked at Jayde. “So, we have to go back out. Our new drummer is reluctant with his abilities. Kid’s got potential, but he’s in denial.”

  She smiled. “What is he?”

  “Shaman. And he was raised by a shaman, so I don’t get it.”

  “Who’s this girl you want me to talk to?”

  He shrugged. “Jackie’s half-mage, half-siren. Hasn’t been through the awakening. Her mother is either dead or locked in one of Saressa’s cells. Saressa managed to pull her back through a portal one dark night, shortly after she had Jackie. I don’t believe Saressa knows the girl exists.”

  “Is it wise for Jackie to be at the party then?”

  “Saressa wants you dead, me under lock and key, and revenge against probably half the people there. I doubt she notices a girl who was an infant she probably never knew about.”

  “But she sees everything, right?”

  “No. While Marielle led the rebellion against Saressa, she would complain she could see nothing to do with her. Marielle came here, fell in love with a mage. Hence Jackie.”

  “Then how did Saressa find Marielle?”

  “That, I’m not completely sure of. It was near the Old House, and the vortexes there can be slippery. Perhaps she was watching them and got lucky. I have no clue.”

  “I wonder how many people Saressa has in her dungeons.”

  “More than I care to count. Though with her gone, they can be freed.”

  Jayde nodded.

  “I’m glad you never spent any time there. You don’t know what happens in those cells. I used to have nightmares.”

  “Did you spend time in them?”

  He nodded, his eyes closing. Breathing deep, he carefully kept his mind blank. His voice was rough. “I won’t speak of the horrors. Besides, Eddie’s probably waiting already. He lives a few blocks from the coffee shop.”

  She nodded, grabbing her purse. “Then let’s go.”

  * * * *

  Questions swarmed Jayde’s head. Marielle, the siren, helped her settle in when she first came to Earth. She’d lost track of her twenty-five years ago.

  Marielle’s half-brother was in the area. She turned in her seat as Scotty pulled up to the Jitterhouse. “If Marielle is her mother, then Brent is her uncle. Does she know? They both work at the Jitterhouse.”

  He shook his head. “No. She believes they’re friends. She doesn’t know much about Faerie, and won’t talk about it. Brent thinks she ought to go through her awakening first.”

  “Tell me he wasn’t planning to have you do it.”

  Scotty shook his head. “No. I’m not in the business of awakening fae. Paavo asked me to help Amethyst. With nymphs, we have to go through it early or we’re likely to go nuts.”

  Jayde giggled. “That so?”

  He nodded. “Take teenage hormones, multiply that by about a million, and you might be nearing what we go through.”

  A frown pulled at her lips. “Are you sure I’ll always be enough for you?”

  “Positive. Look, that was ages ago. The moment I laid eyes on you, I was willing to wait an eternity. Now that I have you, you are everything. Tell me how to prove it.”

  “You have. But I remember the way women looked at you like you’re their every fantasy, then they see me and treat me like I’m unworthy.”

  “Who cares what they think. They’ll never have me. And if they did in the past, I don’t remember.”

  She grinned. “You have a way of making me feel better. Come on. Let’s go in.”

  She hopped down from the SUV before he could come around to her. “So, who am I distracting?” she asked.

  “The blond behind the counter. I’ll introduce you. I want an iced chai.” He reached for his wallet.

  “Let me get it.” She grinned, pushing his hand away from his back pocket.

  “If you insist.” He pulled her through the door.

  A gorgeous Native American man pulled his adoring gaze from the blond. His dark eyes warmed as they bounced from Jayde to Scotty and back. “Who’s your friend, Scotty?”

  “Jayde. And she’s more than a friend.”

  He nodded. “A pleasure, I’m Eddie.” He offered his hand and she shook it with a smile. He nodded to the young woman behind the counter. “This is Jackie.”

  “Hello, Jackie.”

  A slight blush colored her cheeks. Her eyes were a stunning aquamarine. Other than her blond hair, she looked a lot like Marielle.

  “Hi, can I make you something?” she asked, her eyes sparkling.

  “Iced mocha and an iced chai, as big as they come.”

  “You got it.”

  Scotty started for a table. Eddie followed.

  “So… I hear Eddie’s worried about you going to the gig tomorrow night?”

  She rolled her eyes. “I get it. All Others, no humans, but I’m a damned mage. No reason I can’t be there. I may not be as powerful as the Council mages, but I can hold my own.”

  “I’m sure you can.” She decided to trust her gut. “Worst case, I’ll pick you up and you can ride with me.”

  “Really?”

  Jayde grinned, glancing over at the guys. “I think Scotty may talk Eddie out of protesting, but if he doesn’t, yeah.”

  “Good. I’ve never missed one of his shows. I’m not about to now.”

  “You won’t. Though, what’s between you two?”

  She ducked and grabbed the milk, focusing on making the drinks. “I’m like his foster sister.” She groaned. “When my dad died, his parents took me in. We’re family.”

  Jayde didn’t think it was quite that simple. But neither seemed ready to admit it, yet. “I see.”

  “Don’t get any ideas. He’s my best friend. Besides, he’s going to propose to his girlfriend anytime. I sort of can’t wait until he moves out of my place.”

  “Why?” she asked with a laugh.

  Jackie looked over and chewed
her lip. She shook her head and looked back down at the cups, putting on lids.

  “I won’t say a word.”

  “I’ve never told anyone this.”

  “Your secret is safe with me.”

  “I’ve been in love with Eddie for as long as I can remember. He can’t ever know. Besides, he’s good with Kim.”

  “Not a word will leave my lips,” she promised. Though, the way Eddie watched Jackie, she wasn’t sure this Kim person would keep Eddie for long. “How long has he been planning to propose?”

  Jackie laughed softly. “For months. He hasn’t gotten the nerve up yet. Says he’s waiting until he meets her parents and can gauge their reaction.”

  She glanced over at the men and couldn’t help noticing the way Eddie watched Jackie, his expression caught between concern and curiosity. Yeah, Kim wasn’t getting a proposal.

  “You’ll find the man who completes you.”

  “That Scotty for you?”

  She nodded. “We were together once, but life took a turn and we were separated for years. I don’t believe anything could pry us apart now.”

  “Never seen him smile like that for anyone. His whole aura is brighter with you.”

  Scotty watched her, ignoring whatever Eddie said. She nodded and Scotty turned his attention back to Eddie.

  Laughing, Jayde looked back at Jackie. “I’m glad our paths crossed.” She pulled out some money as Jackie passed her the drinks. “So, tomorrow.” She grabbed a pen and a slip of paper from a stack beside the cash register, writing out her number. “Call me if he throws a fit. You’ll be fine. Though, fair warning, you may see stuff you aren’t expecting.”

  She nodded. “I grew up on an Indian reservation, watching the elders do some pretty spectacular stuff. My father used to create Fourth of July shows that rivaled the big ones without a single firework. I’ve done things that scare me to death when I’ve been too worked up. I can handle it.”

  “I’m sure you can.”

  * * * *

  “Eddie, why are you stressing? You want to play tomorrow, right?” Scotty asked.

  He watched Jackie, never taking his eyes off her. “Yeah, of course. But Jackie doesn’t need to be there.”

  “Why? You planning to propose to Kim tomorrow?” Kid had been claiming that since the day they met months ago.

  “No.” He shook his head. “Kim’s family is coming out in a few weeks. I need to gauge her father’s reaction to me before I make that step. What if he hates me?”

  “He won’t.” He couldn’t imagine anyone hating Eddie. He was respectful, easy to get along with, and mellow. The kind of guy most women would want to introduce to their family. Though Kim was a Chinese dragon, and her father one of the oldest dragons. Still, Scotty didn’t see a problem. Other than the kid being in love with his roommate, Jackie.

  “You aren’t worried about Kim. Why Jackie?” He wanted to thump Eddie upside the head and point out the truth.

  “Jackie doesn’t turn into a fire-breathing dragon who can eat bitches for lunch.”

  A laugh bubbled up. “True, but mages can work magic that makes some dragons look weak.”

  Eddie shook his head.

  “Like the mugger last month. The one she froze solid and shattered when he put his hands on her.”

  “She freaked about that,” Eddie pointed out.

  “Then she got over it. She didn’t know she could do it. That would freak anyone out.”

  “Okay, okay. She can come. I won’t stop worrying though.” Eddie sighed, his eyes tracking every movement Jackie made.

  All Scotty could do was hold his tongue. They were worse than Isa and Toryn. At least they mostly hid the love that brewed between them for all those years. Jackie and Eddie couldn’t hide it to save their lives.

  “Are you ready for tomorrow? There’s going to be all manner of Others. A queen from Faerie has an obsession with me. Don’t ask, it’s a long story I won’t tell. You’ve never met anything close to as evil as she is. She’ll bring siren who can get into your head. There will be jewelry given to you tomorrow. Make sure both Kim and Jackie have it on as well. Whoever else comes, too. Though don’t bring anyone purely human.”

  “Toryn already covered that.”

  “Then why call me?”

  He laughed. “You’re not as intense. He gets crazy focused and his magic starts pinging off my senses. You’re easier to talk to.”

  “Got it, I’m the least threatening one.” Scotty shook his head in amusement.

  “You’re like me. Ready to protect those you care about, but you’d rather sit back and stay out of shit.”

  “I was never much of a fighter.” He looked over at Jayde and got lost in her hazel eyes.

  “For her, I bet you surprise us all. I’m assuming psycho queen doesn’t like her much.”

  “You don’t know the half of it.”

  “It’s going to get bloody, isn’t it?”

  He nodded. “Don’t worry about Jackie. She’ll be fine. I’m more concerned about you. Like you said, we prefer not to fight.”

  “You’re a friend. For you, I’ll fight. For Jackie. For Kim. I can think of plenty of reasons to fight.”

  “I have a feeling Jackie might surprise you.”

  “She always does. Look, I didn’t realize you were with a woman now. I won’t keep you. Thanks for talking me down.”

  “Hey, anytime. Remember, practice tomorrow morning. I’ll see you then.”

  Chapter 38

  Scotty woke up wound around Jayde. He pressed a kiss to her shoulder, pulling her tighter against him. No nightmares, no guilty feelings. Warmth and love. He was tempted to wake her up once again but imagined she’d be exhausted. The sun had barely started to rise, the sky glowed a milky orange.

  Her ass pressed against his straining cock as she moaned. “Make love to me,” she murmured sleepily.

  “Was going to let you sleep,” he whispered, slipping his hand between her thighs and stroking her heat. “Damn, you’re ready.”

  “Always for you. Don’t make me wait.”

  He rolled her to her stomach and straddled her legs as she pushed her ass up. With his hands on her hips, he pressed into her, finding her end.

  “Yes, yes, yes,” she whimpered, pushing back and wiggling.

  “Gonna kill me, Jayde.” Stilling her gyrations, he slowly thrust in and out of her body.

  Her hands tangled in the sheets, the sounds she made ramping up his desire. Beautiful always, but lost in passion, Jayde was exquisite.

  “Feel you all the way to my soul,” she cried, as her walls began to ripple around him. Her release brought his own. He held himself deep inside her.

  Dropping beside Jayde, he pulled her into his arms as she turned toward him. “Best morning ever.”

  “Tomorrow will be better,” she murmured against his chest, clinging to his body. “Tonight we finally rid the realms of Saressa, once and for all.”

  “I can’t wait until she’s gone forever.”

  “Hey, do I get to come to practice?”

  “Of course. I bet Isa comes. Hopefully you two become as close as I am to her. She’s the one who kept me going. Don’t know what I would have done without her the last few years.”

  She leaned back with a smile. “Maybe one day you and Kellan can be friends too.”

  Scotty nodded. “As long as he stops hoping I fuck up so he can sweep in, I think that’s likely.”

  “He’ll find someone perfect for him.”

  “If Toryn can find his match, Kellan can.”

  Jayde laughed. “Very true. Never thought I’d see the day he found a mate. And they’re cute together, when they aren’t ready to combust.”

  “Mmm, you make me want to combust.”

  “About our wedding. I don’t want to do it in Faerie. Maybe after all the mess, we can go to Vegas and have a quick wedding. You, me, our friends.”

  “We could have Lonny officiate here. Something small. Then we could go wherever we
want for a honeymoon.”

  “Ooh, even better.”

  He laughed. “Whatever you want, I’ll give it to you.”

  “I have what I want, right here. The rest is all gravy.”

  * * * *

  After breakfast, Jayde walked into the old warehouse and found Lonny and Eddie setting up. Lonny stopped messing with cords and walked over, looking at her hand.

  He wrapped her in a hug. “Congratulations.”

  “Thank you.” She beamed. “It’s good to see you.”

  “And it’s good to see you with your man.” He squeezed her tighter before letting go. “Now you have no reason to avoid me. I’ve missed your company.”

  “No more avoiding. I hear you play a mean bass. Can’t wait to see for myself.”

  He walked backward, laughing. “So I’m told. Go on, take a seat. We’ll start as soon as Toryn gets here.”

  She walked over to the couch and sat. Scotty winked at her as he set up his guitar. Isa and Toryn walked in.

  Isa rushed over and plopped down, grabbing her hand. “Ooh, that’s pretty. Congrats.”

  Jayde smiled back. She’d noticed the ring on Isa’s hand the day she healed Scotty, but wasn’t too sure where she stood with her until that moment. “Looks like you deserve your own congratulations.”

  “Mmm, true. About the other day—”

  “You were rightfully worried I would turn Scotty down. Our past, it’s in the past. We’re together and nothing will change that. So let’s start fresh?”

  “Deal.” Isa nodded at the guys. “Toryn told me some of what happened. I knew the parts involving Saressa, but nothing else.”

  “Like I said, it’s in the past.”

  Isa smiled. “You ready for tonight?”

  Jayde nodded. “I am. I’ve been ready to end Saressa for more than a century.”

  “I understand you nearly did.”

  “Scotty mentioned the artifact that saved her is the same one that saved you a few months back.”

  “Yeah. The Citadel’s whole neutral policy is bullshit.”

  “The idea is that people can change.” Jayde sighed. “There are people, who even if they manage to change, they’ve done so much wrong they still deserve to pay.”