Falling Into Place

by Brandy L Rivers

  She nodded, a hint of a smile on her lips.

  Chapter 2

  Elizandra was exhausted after three days of travel, but she refused to complain. She didn’t want to slow Tremaine down, no matter how far he took her.

  The scenery had changed. Instead of swamps and wetlands, they had made it into beautifully vibrant forests with an ancient feel.

  She looked over, and her gaze locked with her savior’s. He smiled uneasily. His body jerked and his breath caught before he put a hand against the tree and leaned heavily into the trunk.

  Peace rolled over her, and her concern for him melted away as her eyes slid shut. Taking a deep breath, the tension seeped from her shoulders.

  When she did open her eyes, she found Tremaine looking at her with a curious expression.

  Her brow scrunched up. “Where are we? Why are we here?” She knew he wouldn’t take her to danger, but it was obvious Tremaine wasn’t completely comfortable after walking through the invisible barrier.

  His expression softened, and he rubbed the back of his neck. “Have you ever heard about druids?”

  Wide eyed, she stared back at him. “Yes, but why is a mage bringing me to the druids?”

  Looking down at the ground, he shoved his hands in his pockets. “I need to know that you aren’t hurt worse than you seem. I’ve noticed that you are one tough young lady. You refuse to complain. With what happened, I think you should let these women look at you, and help if you need it.”

  Panic filled her heart, and she took an involuntary step back. “I’m fine. I promise.”

  He nodded gravely and met her gaze. “You may think you are, Elizandra, but you’re too stubborn to admit anything may be wrong. I need to know you are well.”

  She shook her head from side to side. “No, I don’t want to be seen.” The thought of someone’s hands on her, their eyes judging her, was enough to terrify her. It was why she hadn’t complained about hurting, why she hadn’t said a word that she was still bleeding down there.

  “Listen to me, Elizandra.” His voice was soft, gentle. She looked at him, and he smiled sadly as he knelt before her. “They will help in a way that I cannot. I never want to hurt you, I never want you afraid, but they can care for you. I’ll be right outside.”

  She swallowed hard. The worry was clear on his face. He said he wouldn’t talk about what happened, and they hadn’t, but he had noticed. What he was doing was right, even if it was terrifying.

  “Okay,” she whispered.

  He stood and nodded toward the big log building. “I’m sorry if this is hard. I need to make sure you are well before I take you to Wilhelm and his family. They can give you what I can’t.”

  Her eyes dropped to the ground and she blinked back the tears that threatened to fall. He was going to leave her with a family she could never fit in with. She knew the choice made the most sense, but she trusted Tremaine, which was why she wanted to stay with him. It wasn’t fair to expect him to take her though, so she kept her thoughts to herself as she followed him.

  * * * *

  Tremaine felt like hell. He knew what Joslyn would have to do to Liz, but she was limping. He’d seen the blood where she had relieved herself. Something wasn’t right, and he was terrified that their brisk travel had further damaged her.

  That young woman deserved so much better than she’d been given. He vowed to get her the care she deserved, and place her with his closest friend. Wilhelm had a happy and loving family. His twins, Emily and James, were Elizandra’s age. His son, Robert, was four years older and would look after her. Tremaine hoped that Emily and Elizandra would be close friends. Then there was James. That kid was a shit, but Robert would put him in his place when he got out of hand. He worried about Kathryn who was a snooty broad, but Wilhelm was madly in love with her, and she was a good mother. Wilhelm would never turn away anyone in need. The McCallister’s seemed to be the perfect fit for Liz.

  Joslyn came running down the path. Her dark hair flew behind her, her blue eyes were bright as they landed on Elizandra. Her brow arched as she looked back at Tremaine, and asked, “What happened?”

  Tremaine took a deep breath, but before he could answer, Elizandra stated, “I don’t need help.” He heard the trill of fear in her voice.

  Joslyn turned to Elizandra and smiled warmly. “Are you hungry?”

  Liz looked to Tremaine with wide eyes.

  Damn it, he knew where this was going, but it was probably for the best. He didn’t want Liz to fight the examination, and he knew she didn’t want it.

  He nodded to Joslyn. “I know I am. We’ve eaten mostly wild game and berries on a long trek from Louisiana.

  Joslyn knew where he’d been and why. Such sadness filled her eyes as she looked back to Elizandra. “Come on, let’s get you fed.”

  Elizandra’s expression was null as she followed Joslyn in. That girl was smart. She had likely figured out what was going on, but she didn’t argue. As much as Tremaine hated this plan, he reminded himself that Elizandra needed treatment.

  “Here, have a seat,” Joslyn told them. As soon as they sat, she turned to go down the hall.

  “Would you excuse me?” He asked softly.

  Elizandra nodded slightly and turned toward the blazing fire in the large hearth.

  He stood and followed Joslyn. Once the door was shut behind him, he sealed the sound into the kitchen. “Please be gentle with her. She’s been through so much.”

  Joslyn turned toward him, a real smile on her lips. “You’ve taken the role as her protector. You care for her. It warms my heart.”

  He growled. “I am not a monster. She was being raped in the next room when I heard her screams. I am simply taking her to safety. She deserves so much better than the hand she was dealt.”

  Joslyn closed the distance. “Of course you aren’t. You are a good man. You do love the child though. You would die for her.” She placed her hand on his cheek and looked into his eyes, “Am I wrong?”

  He took a deep breath and pushed his hands through his dark hair. “No, you aren’t. I don’t understand how anyone could harm a child, especially that girl. She’s strong, she’s a fighter, and she will have a family that will care for her, regardless of her circumstances.”

  Her hand fell to her side as she took a step back. “And how do you plan that?”

  “Wilhelm McCallister will care for her. He’ll treat her as his own.”

  Joslyn snorted. “You would be the right man for that job. I don’t think she needs a traditional family. She trusts you. That is clear. If she’s been through so much, and you saved her, then I doubt she will trust anyone else so easily. You already care, so why not you?”

  “I’ve dragged her miles away after the hell she’s been through, and probably did more damage than I realized. Please, help her. I don’t know what else to do.”

  She nodded. “She will fall sleep and then I’ll do what I can. We will heal whatever mess Sinclair made of her body.”

  Tremaine nodded before going back to Elizandra who still stared at the fire. Once he was in his seat she looked over at him.

  “You can call me Liz.” He heard the note of resignation. There was so much trust in her hazel eyes, even if she seemed to know what was coming.

  Joslyn set a plate in front of each of them. As much as he dreaded this course, he took a bite of his sandwich and urged Liz to do the same.

  * * * *

  Liz took a deep breath and picked up the meal. She trusted Tremaine. He would never do anything to harm her. He wouldn’t have brought her here if it wasn’t necessary. She ate the sandwich quickly, praying that whatever Joslyn had put in her food wouldn’t rob her of her senses.

  After the curse Sinclair placed on her, dragging her through her worst nightmares, she didn’t want to lose herself in the jumble of her past horrors.

  Closing her eyes, she drank the juice sitting beside her, gulping it down with a wince.

  Tremaine’s expression grew torn as he watched her. H
is hands gripped the table, his knuckles turning white. “I’m sorry, Liz,” he whispered.

  Her lids fell shut, but she fought for consciousness. Someone scooped her up as she slid to the side. Their body was soft, and she assumed it was Joslyn, but Liz couldn’t pry her eyes open.

  “No, please no,” she managed to whimper.

  “Joslyn,” Tremaine pleaded, “please, don’t hurt her.”

  “Don’t worry, Trem. We’ll take care of her.” Joslyn promised.

  Liz felt movement and then she was laid down on a hard mattress. Her breath quickened into great pants. She felt someone’s hands on her legs and her eyes bolted open as she started screaming, trying to push everyone away with flailing limbs. Four more women entered the room and took her arms and legs as the chanting began.

  * * * *

  Tremaine followed, but didn’t step through the door. His heart pounded against his ribs as guilt knifed through him. He knew Liz was hiding whatever was wrong with her. The only solution he could come up with was to take her to healers who could help where he couldn’t. So here they were, and he dreaded every second of it.

  Her screams filled the hall, and four more women pushed past him to enter the room. Tears slid down his face as he squeezed his eyes shut. He prayed Liz would forgive him for betraying her. He only had her health in mind.

  After what seemed like hours, four women left the room. It couldn’t have been that long, but they all looked worn out. Several of their robes were torn, the smell of burnt hair was strong.

  “Shit,” he whispered as Joslyn came out.

  Her eyes glistened with tears as she touched his face. “Sinclair hurt her badly. She was still bleeding from the damage, but I healed her. She may hate me for it, but she is no longer physically harmed.” Joslyn took a breath. “I left clothing for her, but she refuses to wear anything but the clothes she came in, and your jacket which is wound tightly around her.”

  He nodded slowly.

  “She trusts you. Go to her,” Joslyn whispered before walking down the hall.

  Tremaine stepped into the room and walked toward Liz. He stayed out of reach. Tears still leaked down his face. “I am so sorry, Elizandra. Please forgive me.”

  Her eyes widened as she met his gaze. “There’s nothing to forgive. I understand why you brought me here, but can we go? I don’t want to stay here.”

  He nodded, ready to carry her if he needed to in order to grant her wish to be away from there.

  She stood slowly, and seemed to move with more ease. He knew she’d been stiff, but hadn’t realized how much so. She stepped closer and tentatively wrapped her arms around his waist as she laid her face against his chest.

  “Thank you,” she whispered. “They did help.”

  His arms wrapped around her gently, and he held her for a moment. She was forgiving him, and he wasn’t sure he deserved it. He should have explained better, made her understand first.

  He prayed he made the right choice in taking her to Wilhelm’s family. They could provide a good life, where he could not.

  Chapter 3

  Tremaine led Liz on foot, traveling through forests, and country, always staying away from civilization. He spent hours teaching her to properly use her magic. He even helped her come up with a vague story about her previous guardian.

  Liz never wanted to speak about her past. His story gave her enough details that no one should pry. All anyone had to know was that she was an orphan, left with a man who had harmed her. If anyone asked, she could simply tell them that she was too traumatized to talk about it, and that was the honest truth.

  She saw the gates and froze. The wrought iron fence was beautiful. The house beyond majestic. She had been raised in a sprawling estate in the Louisiana bayou. It had been creepy and uninviting even to someone who knew nothing else.

  White brick framed the house, there were large picture windows that gave a welcoming feel. Even the lawn was perfectly manicured, everything in its place.

  Liz didn’t belong here. She felt out of place. She still wore the clothes he gave her the night he took her from her own personal hell. She only once tried taking off Tremaine’s coat, the morning after leaving the druid compound. The memory was still fresh in her mind.

  It was cold when she had realized she still wore his coat. Elizandra tried to take it off.

  He covered her hands and shook his head. “Keep it, Liz, the jacket is yours.”

  “Won’t you need it?” she asked softly, when all she wanted to do was to burrow into the jacket. It had become a symbol that not everyone was as evil and cruel as Sinclair had been. It was something of her savior’s that she could hold on to.

  “You need it, so it’s yours.” He smiled and took a step back. “Now let’s eat before we head out. We still have a long way to go.”

  She stopped and looked up at him. “Are you sure I’ll be welcome here?” She looked down at herself. “I don’t belong here.”

  He pressed one finger under her chin, raising her gaze to his. “Wilhelm is a good man, he will care for you. His son Robert will watch out for you. His daughter Emily will be your friend.”

  Her eyes drifted away. “I killed Wilhelm’s brother.”

  “They don’t know that, and they never will. I already told you I would never speak a word of how I found you. No one ever has to hear that story unless you choose to tell it.”

  There were a million questions swirling through her mind. She settled on the biggest before accepting her fate. “And what about Kathryn and James?” Liz asked softly. He hadn’t had much good to say about Wilhelm’s wife, nor the youngest son.

  They were in the outskirts of Charleston, and every estate on this road had been more impressive than the last. She couldn’t help thinking the McCallister’s would take one look at her and realize she was an orphaned nobody before sending her away.

  Tremaine smiled back at her. “Wilhelm isn’t like most of the Council, Liz. He loves children. If I didn’t trust this man with my life, I wouldn’t bring you to him now.”

  “I trust you,” she answered dully. She couldn’t muster hope. She had been through too much to have faith where anyone but Tremaine was concerned.

  “Come on, doll. You’ll find your home here.”

  She let out a sigh before following Tremaine through the gate and down the path.

  * * * *

  Robert sat on his bed, reading an old tome on dark mages. He was enrolled in the accelerated program to become a Silver Council Enforcer. Every lesson was meant to drill into his head the prejudice against all manner of abomination.

  He had a hard time believing that anything not mage or human was evil. He’d heard too many tales from Tremaine proving otherwise. In fact, he could hardly wait for Tremaine’s next visit, which should be any time.

  The bells chimed and Robert perked up. He had a feeling something important was about to happen. He wondered what. Robert hurried to his bedroom door and opened it a crack. He heard Tremaine’s deep voice.

  “I trust you received my message, Wilhelm.”

  “Of course. And this is Elizandra, I presume?”

  “Yes, sir,” a feminine voice with a strength of iron replied.

  Curiosity ran rampant, Robert slipped through the door and hurried down the stairs. He paused as his gaze locked on the girl in his foyer.

  She stood next to Tremaine, but not close enough to touch. Her big haunted hazel eyes quickly took in her surroundings. Waves of unruly hair fell around her shoulders in reds, browns and blonds. Her full pink lips were set in a line. She wore boy’s pants and Tremaine’s jacket which were far too large on her thin frame.

  His whole world came to a stop and he felt an instant flood of emotion he couldn’t quite place. He wanted to know everything about the girl who stole his breath away.

  Robert took the rest of the stairs two at a time. Her big mesmerizing eyes locked on his and narrowed in challenge. He came to a stop a polite distance away, but couldn’t contain his smile.
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  His father warmly told him, “Ah, Robert, you have perfect timing. Please meet Elizandra Delacroix.”

  “A pleasure.” He held out his hand.

  Her brows drew together as she cast a nervous glance at Tremaine.

  Smiling softly, Tremaine gave her a slight nod.

  Elizandra’s expression smoothed out and she held out her hand. Her magic shot up his arm like an electric shock, but he refused to break contact.

  Robert gave her a gentle push of magic and hers responded, easing to brush over his senses instead of attack. One corner of her mouth lifted as her head tipped to the side.

  “Well then, Robert. Would you do the honor of showing this young lady around her new home?”

  She was staying? His heart hammered in his chest, as he nodded dumbly.

  His father squeezed his shoulder and Robert looked over at him. “Go on, son. I need to speak with Tremaine. I trust you won’t scare Elizandra off.”

  “No, sir, I won’t.” He nodded and held out his hand for hers. She drew Tremaine’s coat tighter around her shoulders as a frown pulled at her mouth.

  Changing course, he shoved his hands into his pockets. “Well then, let’s have a tour.” He took a step away and she followed, keeping a couple of feet between them.

  He watched as she glanced back at Tremaine. All expression was erased from her face when she looked forward.

  “I’m Robert,” he said softly.

  “Liz,” she answered in a dull voice.

  He tilted his head. “What’s the matter?”

  “Nothing. I’m fine.”

  He didn’t buy it, but it was pretty obvious he wouldn’t pry an answer out of her. He took her around the house and the grounds, trying his best to coax a hint of a smile onto her face.