“You are staying in the car, Layna.” These words came from the man next to me.
“What? How can you even be serious?” My hand continued to stroke the metal. I had never shot an X-5 tac gun, but I was sure thinking about how that would feel now. Confusion cascaded around me, Alexander wouldn’t leave me. He would always protect me. I needed to be with him to be safe.
I was about to start arguing my point some more when the vehicle started to slow down. We were close to the property line. No visions yet. I met Alexander’s eyes and he knew as much.
“All seems well.” I spoke for the Shane and Talon’s benefit.
Alexander passed out the weapons to everyone but me. He gripped the sig in one hand and pulled on my hand with the other.
I spoke words for his ears alone while Talon and Shane talked strategy. “You can’t leave me. I have to be with you.” Shame poured itself over me in waves, but self preservation still came out on top. I had never bared myself to another man like this, but I needed him. It broke me open in a surgical way and I still begged. “Please. Stay with me or let me come with you. I need you.”
His gaze on me wavered against his strength. Alexander saw the way I weakened myself by pleading and knew that I did it anyway.
“I have to go. These are my soldiers. How would I send them into battle alone?” His words lay on deaf ears. I only wanted to hear we would be together.
“You don’t have to send them alone, take me with you. Don’t leave me.” Indecision crossed over every line in his face. I knew he contemplated it, but then determination crossed over those sexy dark brows and I lost. He would leave me.
“I’m sorry I didn’t call you for help with James. I promised I wouldn’t do that again. We go together, remember?” I closed my fingers over his and glanced out the window. All the cars waited behind us for direction. I sat back, waiting for the inevitable. He would leave me behind. If he felt the way I did, how would he be able to function without seeing me and knowing I was alright? Doubt percolated its way into my heart. Maybe my feelings were more intense, and he could live without me.
“I would not risk your life that way. Look at me.” My eyes had averted with his rejection but his hands grabbed on and demanded my attention. “You are my world and I will always want to protect you and keep you from harm. This is dangerous—if you stay in the car with Talon, you can leave if things go bad. I want you to have a way out, even if I don’t. I can’t concentrate on fighting if I know you’re in there.”
“What about me? If something happens to you I want to be right there with you. I don’t want to be without you.” The words tumbled out and shocked me as I heard them. I had opened myself up to him so much that I sat here begging. I didn’t care, I wanted him.
“Don’t you dare start thinking like that. I see the pain on your face. You belong to me as much as I belong to you. We make each other whole. This is not about us, it’s about you. You are going to bring great change to our world. I will make sure that happens with or without me. Besides, I promise to be right back.” A big grin and his lips hovered over mine. “Wait for me.” His tongue caressed my bottom lip and then bit. Warmth spread everywhere as I realized that I could not deny him, no matter what. I was his. He turned to Talon and Shane.
Did he love me? Then would have been as good a time as any to say it, but those magic words never crossed his sexy lips. I could utter magic words that controlled all sorts of things, but I could never demand those words. Pieces of their conversation touched my ears as I sat lost in thoughts. It didn’t matter what they said, because he wouldn’t let me help. I remembered how I had frozen Khalil and Scyrus back at the Conservatory. That might work here, except I would freeze everyone, even the people I needed to bring back to the car. Could I heal when they were frozen? So many things left to learn still. Apparently relationships ranked up in that category along with my magic skills.
“Since Layna is not sensing anything, we pull the car right up to the main house where they called us from.” Alexander’s voice brought me out of my thoughts and our eyes met. “If you feel anything,” a walkie talkie device was thrust into my lap, “talk to Scyrus. She’s on the other end and Talon is staying in the car with you. The wounded will be brought back to the cars for you and the other Healers.” With the hand he held, he tugged me to him. We were a breath away. “I meant what I said about gorging on every inch of you when this is done.” Lips pushed at mine until my mouth opened and took him in. Need lit through me like fire. Just when I was ready to rip his clothes off he ended the kiss and spoke roughly. “Be ready for me.” He turned and left. I watched until I couldn’t see them anymore. Then I sat stunned. Alexander had really left me. At the Conservatory, he had been adamant about staying by my side and not trusting anyone else with that job. Yet, here, I was tossed to the first babysitter he found. Even if I liked Talon, it still hurt.
The first team was in and the rest of us waited.
Static noise escaped from the little device in my lap.
“Layna? Any visions?” Scyrus…It was good just to hear her voice.
“Nothing yet. Want to grab a drink after this?” Talon turned around to look at me like I had lost my mind and Scyrus just laughed with me.
“Sounds good, but can you leave your pimp at home this time?” We were both laughing. It felt good to forget the seriousness of our situation for the moment.
That’s when everything went to shit.
Literally.
Explosions surrounded us. Talon’s body hurdled to the back seat and shielded me.
“Get off of me! I can’t see anything!” Where was team one? I needed to see Alexander’s face and know he was alright. The sound of explosives and guns continued to ring in my ears.
“Stay down. After we figure out what’s going on, I’m getting you out.” Talon’s voice pierced all my fears. This was really happening. Her body continued to press me up against the seat, but I could see behind us. If I could just see where everyone was I could try another spell. Maybe a fire spell on the building…that would most likely hurt innocents. What else? It seemed a cruel joke to me to be hooked up to some kind of life line of magic and not know what to do.
“Talon!” The vehicle behind charged right for us.
I was flying. A loud crack and my head pounded. I gripped consciousness for as long as possible and then decided it would be better to sleep. Or, maybe it was a forced decision. Hopefully, I would dream of a spell to get us out of here.
Two serpents. They were after me. It was urgent that I get to the temple ahead. Leaves weaved in and out of the sand colored columns marking my end point. Vines and roots covered with green growth interfered with my steps every so often. My foot slipped on a mossy covered rock and I turned to see they still followed me. Their reflections were visible as they perched up in the grass by the crystal clear water that flowed to the temple. A deep breath and I scented their hate. Blood. The serpents hungered for my blood. A strong urge to survive overcame the fear and I ran. I ran until my body slammed against the heavy stone door at the entrance to this magical temple. And just then the door opened.
“Come in, my child.” A voice without a body.
Fear from what awaited me from behind propelled my body into the stone building. The door shut and I stood, fighting the urge to run back and grip the door open. A subtle piece of greenery called my attention to a window. The window was carved into this structure and I could not see visible wall pieces that would seal them shut. Columns and statues were the bulk of the décor. A large stone table jutted out further in the room. My first thought was to peer out the window. Were the serpents still coming? Searching through the scenery, I saw them. They were on the ground before the steps to the temple. But, they weren’t moving. Unaware of what prevented them from moving, but still grateful. I relaxed against the wall and slid down to the ground.
“They cannot harm you in this place. This is a place for healing, and they bring death.”
The voi
ce again, but this time a figure appeared to be coming closer. As his image became clear, I knew I was dead.
This man stood to be taller than any other human I had ever seen. An estimate of his size escaped my mind completely. Brown curls covered his head and trickled down to just below his ear.
“You are scared. Do not fear me. We are connected, you and I.”
Could he read my mind?
A smile licked over his lips when he took in my posture. Curled up and pushed against the wall didn’t say much for my courage. A small step forward. His appearance widened my eyes. White sheet was the only thing covering his skin. And it didn’t cover much. This was the real deal, not some toga party reject. Oh crap!
Since I was dead, I might as well indulge myself a little.
“So, you’re Greek?” Real sly. I’m sure everyone asked him that one.
A smile hinted at the corners of his cheeks. “I am Greek.” His other hand came forward to show a rod with one serpent.
“Am I dead?” Just keeping it simple. I wanted to have all my facts straight before I started freaking out.
“No.” I guess he was keeping it simple, too. My next question would be about his sheet.
In my head I started to hear the hiss of the serpents outside. Somehow I knew it wasn’t the serpent on the rod in front of me. I brought my hands on top of my head to block out the noise.
“We don’t have much time before you return to your body. Just focus on my voice. They will leave your head.” And just like that, it stopped. I looked up at this man as awe shone throughout my face.
“I am Asclepius. It is the magic in my blood that runs through you, as well as the other Therapeftís. There is an agreement that was made during the reign of the Gods. Many powerful bloods were combined to create Gorgon’s blood. This vial was gifted to me by Athena and I carried it with me in all my healings. It has been kept and passed down through many generations. Your Mother was the most recent keeper of this vial. The power in the vial was gifted to you.” He stepped closer to me and continued. “The world is in need of much healing, Althaea. I have no need to educate you on the ills the Hunters have brainwashed into your medical world. You are chosen to lead my Healers in a crusade against their evil. Just remember, they cannot hurt you.” Soft lips to my forehead.
Who was Althaea?
Everything went black.
I woke up in a bed. Alone. That was a good thing, because when you wake up with the kind of headache that plagued me, you have to wonder if there’s a stranger in the bed. A tug of the sheets and my head was back under the covers. A little question did start to tug at the bare shreds of consciousness left. This wasn’t a room I had ever seen before. I fought the urge to close my eyes again and instead sat up. Cream colored walls surrounded the room. Strategically placed artwork adorned the plain walls and there was a dresser. The serpents were here. I could still feel them, but whatever Asclepius had done to my mind was still dulling the effect. I had to get out fast. This was not safe. My skin crawled with need to get out.
The bedroom door swung open.
Leo walked through the door.
Leo?
I rubbed my eyes a few times to make sure I could see clearly. I must still be in a dream.
“You have no idea how worried I’ve been about you.” He walked to the bed and sat down with me.
“Leo?” Relief tore through me. The last time I talked to him had been hard. Letting go of my life hurt.
“You knew I wouldn’t let you go that easy.” He was still as handsome as ever, but something bothered me about him. It made me twitchy. What was it?
His hand came around and pulled me close. I inhaled and the scent of him warmed me to my toes. Comfort.
“What happened?”
“I saved you, Layna.” The serpents got stronger.
“We have to get out of here, it’s not safe. I can’t explain now.” My voice croaked from being out of commission for awhile. I pushed off the covers and tried to stand, when I realized my body moved slower. I was also only wearing a camisole and a black lace thong. It didn’t look like mine.
Leo pulled me into his lap, effortlessly.
“You are staying right here, baby. There are some things we need to talk about.”
“Why the fuck can’t I move right?” The twitchiness was getting worse. Everything was wrong. I needed to get away.
“I had to sedate you for your own protection. I can’t have you trying to escape and getting hurt.” He knew I would try to escape? Leo shifted but still held me and pulled a phone out of his pocket. “Tabitha, we need some help in here. Bring the stuff.”
Tabitha?
My mouth started to open in protest when he wrapped his arm around my nape.
“Tabitha is worried about you, too. This is for your own good, baby. I would never hurt you.” Everything in me screamed that he would. And up until that moment, I had never felt that way about Leo before. My brain kept sending signals to the rest of my body to move, unsuccessfully.
The door opened again and in walked Tabitha. Relief rushed over first at seeing her. The last time we had been together was when Cameron had told us about being pregnant.
“Layna! We were so worried about you.” Alarms were going off in my head at a terrifying rate. Her words sounded right, but something was off with the tone. “I’m just going to help you calm down. This is all probably a little too much for you. We have a lot to tell you.” Leo continued to cradle me in his lap.
“Do you have to hold her like that? And can’t you put some clothes on her? She’s half naked!” Her voice strained with violence. Tension ripped through the room with the hard stare Leo gave her.
“Don’t start this now. Just do your job.” His growl projected through the small room.
“Oh, is that how it is now? Were you just doing your job with me?”
Bile started to gather in my throat. The way they talked bugged me. They were not the Leo and Tabitha I knew. In fact, I had hardly seen them speak to each other prior to now.
Tabitha sat on the opposite side of the bed and touched my hand. Her eyes raked over me like a dog fighting for a bone. She placed oil drops on my shoulders and forehead. Then she started to chant.
I wanted to open my mouth and scream, but I couldn’t.
Foggy haze settled over my brain. Tabitha started to speak.
“Better?”
Well, better was a relative term for what I felt. I nodded.
“You know you can trust us right?” The calm voice was misleading. Sure, we had all been friends for years. However, she had never chanted to me before.
“I’m a witch.” I could have sworn a large blunt object had just smashed me over the head. Had I just heard her right?
Chapter Twenty-six
I gripped Leo’s chest tighter, searching for familiarity somewhere. Here I was amongst old friends and everything was new. I so desperately wanted to believe this would get better.
“Get out. Don’t come back unless you have been given permission to, from me.” The vibrations in his chest echoed in my fingers. He didn’t yell, but there was enough alpha in his voice to demand her obedience.
Tabitha stood, looked me over once more, and walked out.
Cradled in his arms, fear took hold of me. We rocked back and forth on the soft bed. Whatever Tabitha had done to me turned off the alarms in my head that had been triggered by this place. But, I could still feel the danger. Hunters lay in wait for me.
Movement found its way back to my limbs. Leo’s eyes didn’t miss anything.
“Are you going to try to run? I don’t want to have to give you anything.” The words were soft, but they sliced through me like blades. Yes, I had been off with another man, but this was Leo. How could he possibly hurt me? It must have been the hurt that spoke now. Even so, I decided lies would be safest right now.
“No. I want you to explain all this to me. Since when did you and Tabitha become so close? Since when is she a witch?” The witch part
didn’t really shock me as it should have. I was in disbelief that Tabitha was a witch, but not that there were witches. If I knew about Healers and Hunters, surely there were others. In fact, I remembered Marissa speaking about people that used magic at the Conservatory to protect us. I wondered if Marissa meant witches. How could you tell a good witch and a bad witch?
“I’ll answer your questions, Layna. But, you have to answer mine, too.” Pain reflected in his eyes. He knew I had been with Alexander.
A rumble sounded from my stomach. Not sure of how long I had been unconscious, I had no clue when I had last eaten.
“Don’t worry, baby. I’ll get you some food and then we can talk.” He placed me onto the bed and rose and went to the door. For a moment, I thought this might be my chance to escape, but I had no idea where I was and Leo still hadn’t explained anything to me. I needed more information before I ran off ignorantly. Besides, Leo didn’t give me a chance. He barely opened the door and whispered to someone outside before he was back in the bed with me. He placed his hand on my thigh close to my panty line. Air stopped flowing in my lungs for a brief second.
“We belong together. Look how your body responds to mine. Do you know how long I waited to have you? Just to watch some other man take you away. I love you. You love me, too.” Goosebumps attacked my skin. Leo removed his shoes and brought covers over both of us. “This is what you want, Layna.” I sat up with my back against the headboard and Leo placed both of his hands on my shoulders while he perched a breath away from me. His finger brushed across my lips and then he replaced it with his lips. Soft encouraging kisses. He invited me to play. We had played before and my body hummed slightly with the memory.
A knock at the door.
“Come in.” Leo called out as he pulled his lips off of me. Soft words in my ear, “That’s just your food.”
A small dark skinned woman walked into the room with a tray. The laugh lines on her face showed off her age. As her steps came closer, the smell of the food took hold of my stomach.
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