Rocking Away: A Heavy Metal Romance (Slava Pasha Book 3)

by Herrick, A. D.

  How did you know who we were Cass?” Sam asked. His eyebrow arched questioningly. Cassandra stopped, her eyebrows narrowed in thought. “I just knew. You are Sam and she is Allie.” “Yeah, but how did you know?” Sam asked Cassandra audaciously. He studied her face, hoping for some sign that whatever she would say would be new information.

  “I don’t know Sam, Okay, I don’t know.” Her voice rising shrilly as she spoke, “I know that all of a sudden we were here in the kitchen. Allie was wearing a white dress. You were standing beside her and I was on her other side. We were just here in the kitchen. How did we know it was a kitchen? I have no idea. I just knew your names like I knew my own. I knew we were in a kitchen and I knew it felt safer indoors but I wanted to be outside with every fiber of my being.” All of the breath had been knocked from her lungs and she panted hard, trying to catch her breath. That was the most Cassandra had ever spoken since we arrived here. My jaw dropped in shock. Sam and I looked at one another, unable to believe what had just transpired before us.

  Gathering herself, Allie straightened her shoulders and sat up ram rod straight, in an attempt to be more in control. “You say we looked ‘flashy’ did you notice anything else?” She asked Cassandra. Cassandra bowed her head and shook it mournfully. “No, I just saw you guys flashing and I panicked, I didn’t look anywhere else.” Nodding understandable Allie reached out and stroked Cassandra’s cheek. Cassandra purred causing Allie’s lips to twitch into a smile. This was the most contact the two of them have ever had since they arrived.

  “What else do we know about ourselves and each other?” Sam asked his mind focused on solving the mystery that is their life. Sam twitched his nose as he tried to recall all the facts he knew. “We came here together 83 moons ago. The home was furnished. We had money to buy food. We know what most of the things here are some we learn from the people in the television. When we try too hard to remember things our brains hurt. Cassy wants to be outside but feels safer inside. Allie gets mad at everything. Allie is horrible at everything she tries…Oomph! What did you do that for?” Sam cried out rubbing his shoulder glaring at Allie. “I am not horrible at everything.” Allie protested glaring back at Sam.

  “Okay, you two. Knock it off. Allie you are right. You are not horrible at everything. You um… I know there was something you did well. Let me think on it.” Cassandra tilted her head to the side and she pursed her lips as she tried to think.

  “Fudge and crackers you both. I’ll have you know, I walked in the park today and I didn’t even get upset at the snot faced kids. I accomplished something today.” Allie held her head high, looking down her nose at both Cassandra and Sam.

  The both of them fell onto their backs laughing hysterically. “Oh hush it! You’re both meanie faces!” Allie screamed at them. Jumping out of her chair so fast it fell back on to the floor with a clatter. Drawing both Cassandra and Sam out of their laughing fit. “Don’t take things so hard Al. We are just messing with you.” Allie spun on her heels and walked out of the room, leaving Cassandra and Sam in a fit of laughter behind her.

  “Do you think she will stay mad at us?” Cassandra asked Sam tentatively. Worried that she may have ruined any friendship she might have just forged with Allie. “Nah, she will be over it by morning.” Sam assured her. “Why have you been so silent this whole time we have been here?” his curiosity getting the better of him, he focused all of his attention on Cassandra.

  Cassandra tilted her head to the side and gave a slight shrug, sighing before answering. “I’m not sure. I just wanted to figure out what is going on.” “What do you mean? What is going on?” Sam’s eyes narrowed in confusion. “The confusion about this whole situation we are in. And then there is the weird sensation. I don’t know exactly how to describe it. Do you not feel it? The… pull…? Yes, that’s it. The pull.” She answered apprehensively, her face a mask of uncertainty.

  Sam bowed his head and sighed heavily. “I feel it. But I have found that being outside helps with the burning, tingling sensation.” Cassandra quirked her head to the side and looked at him confused. “You go outside?” Sam pulled his head up proudly. “Of course I go outside.” “Aren’t you scared of what’s out there?” In awe of his bravery, Cassandra studied Sam with new found admiration. “At first I was scared, but once I stepped out the door it was like this feeling of belonging washed away all of the fear. I slowly began exploring our area and gaining as much knowledge as I could about the area we are in. Being outside just feels right.” Cassandra crept up to Sam and gently laid her head against his. “You are so brave.” She whispered. Sam caresses his cheek against hers. “Together we will all figure this out.” Sam sighed.

  A loud Scream came from upstairs followed by a crash and the sound of glass shattering startling Sam and Cassandra, causing them to jump apart. “What was that?” Cassandra cried. “I don’t know” Sam replied before darting upstairs, Cassandra at his heels. They raced up the stairs to Allie’s room screaming her name.

  Chapter Three

  “I saw her Jacob. I saw her!” Aaron cried out ardently as he ran into his brother’s cottage, his bare feet slapping against the hard wood floors. Leaving the front door standing wide open, Aaron rushed into the cottage in search of his brother. Calling his brothers cottage was a stretch. Jacob’s house was a three story contemporary log cabin that sat on just over three-hundred acres. The entire front and back of the ‘cottage’ was glass offering a panoramic view of the forest that surrounded his house, secluding him away from the hustle and bustle of the nearby town and pack headquarters.

  Jacob, Aaron’s brother, was sitting at the head of large dining room table. The table was made from solid oak and could seat thirty guests comfortable. He used to use it often to entertain guest before his wife went missing.

  He wasn’t sure what had drawn him to sit at the table. He hadn’t used it since the day she disappeared, instead opting to eat standing up in the kitchen, leaned over the sink, eating out of carry out boxes and bags.

  He was wearing a white t-shirt that clung to his bulging biceps and a pair of acid wash jeans tucked into his boots. His hair fell in dark waves to the top of his shoulders. He had just changed out of his business suit into something more comfortable when he got home from the office, only to have lost himself in though while sitting at the table.

  Jacob didn’t know how much time had lapsed since he sat down. Looking past Aaron he noticed in darkness of the night and the moon high in the sky, he knew that he had been there a while.

  “Who exactly did you see?” Jacob asked confused from his chair at the head of the table. Taking in his brothers’ disheveled appearance, Jacob’s senses went on alert. He tilted his head and sniffed the air for danger.

  Failing to sense anything in the air around his brother, Jacob tilted his head in confusion. His eyes squinted as he studied his brothers’ appearance. Aaron was wearing a pair of dark wash jeans slung low on his hips. Aaron was missing his shirt and boots. Far from his normal put together appearance. His thick dark brown hair was a disheveled mess, with strands sticking up in all directions. His dark forest green eyes were wild and reflected the forest behind him as he spoke. A sign that Aaron’s beast was near the surface. “I saw her, I saw Allie.” Arron exclaimed - his hand thrust out in exasperation.

  Jacob stood up abruptly from his seat at the table, his chair falling back to the floor with a clatter from the abrupt movement. His heart began to beat rapidly in his chest. His breathing became shallow. He could feel the blood pulsing in his temples. Cassandra, his wife. “Where is she? Did you see Cassandra? Are they okay?” Aaron asked in rapid fire, his hands flying to the side of his head, gripping his long dark locks, as he tried to reign in his thoughts and emotions. His head was exploding at the possibility of seeing his wife again. The excitement he felt caused his heart to flutter.

  “I don’t know” Aaron replied mystified. Jacob heart stilled in his chest. “What do you mean, you don’t know?” Jacob demanded dejected. �
��How could you not know? You said you saw Allie.” Jacob demanded, his emotions rising. He could feel the hair on the back of his neck rise. A growl rumbled from low in his throat. “Explain yourself, Aaron.” Jacob’s eyes narrowed into slits. Aaron held out his hand, halting his brother as he tried to explain.

  “I was lying in bed thinking about her.” Aaron closed his eyes; tilting his head back he called the memory to the forefront of his mind. “My eyes closed. That’s when I heard it. I heard her humming the same song she always hums as she is getting ready for bed.” A sad smile played across Aaron’s face at the memory. ”I sat up and looked to see where the sound was coming from. Hoping that she had finally made her way home… and that’s when I saw her. In her dressing mirror. She was so beautiful.” Aaron opened his eyes. His eyes were shining brightly as he retold his account to his brother, the image of Allie in the mirror still playing in his mind. His heart swelled at the thought. He could remember the sweet smell of her skin. How silky it was beneath his touch.

  It had been months since Aaron had last seen his wife or her sister Cassandra and their brother Sam. She looked just as beautiful as she did the last time he saw her. Her dark hair was long and wild, her gray eyes shining with mischief. She looked healthy. Her skin was glowing like it did after she had been gardening. He loved how nature affected her. It always left her light and happy, radiating energy.

  “Did you talk to her? Did you see Cass? Sam?” Jacob had made his way to his brother in three long strides. He began shaking him by the arms, his grip firm on his brothers’ biceps, in an attempt to shake the answers from him. Aaron placed his hands on his brothers’ shoulders to stop him and shook his head sadly.

  “I did not see Cassandra or Sam. I’m sorry, brother.” Jacob turned his head to the side to hide the raw emotions he fought so hard to hide from everyone, but failed to stifle the low reverberating growl. Losing his wife had been one of the most difficult experiences he had ever encountered. She had been the love of his life and losing her had nearly wrecked him, but he had not given up in his quest to find her. He knew she was out there somewhere.

  He would never give up his search for her. They had people out searching for them now; Expert trackers, skilled in finding their type. If either of the three used their powers, they would be found. Krum had guaranteed that they would be found. He hated that he had to resort to using Krum and his pit but they were they best. Regardless of the price.

  Gathering his strength, Jacob took a deep slow breath and turned his attention back to Aaron. “Did you get to talk to Allie? Did she tell you where she was? Did she tell you what happened?” Jacob asked insistently. Praying to the gods that Aaron had some answers as to their disappearance or at least was able to find out where they were. Aaron shook his head sadly. Tears burned the back of his eyes as he replayed the scene in his mind.

  “I called out to her. I jumped out of bed and ran to the mirror and called her name repeatedly. She didn’t answer. She didn’t even turn to look at me. So I grabbed the mirror and shouted her name as loudly as I could.” He sucked in a breath before continuing. “She turned to face me. She heard me. I saw it in her eyes. She saw me.” Aaron’s lower lip began to tremble. He violently shook his head in an attempt to shake off his emotions. A low whine escaped his lips. He took several calming breaths before finishing. “She screamed. Jacob. When she finally saw me, she screamed.” Aaron’s body trembled at the memory; His fist clenching and unclenching the material of Jacob’s shirt, in an attempt to ground his self.

  “What happened next?” Jacob coached, pressing his forehead against Aaron’s, sharing his strength with his brother. His hands locked around Aaron’s biceps, holding him in place. Aaron breathed in his brothers’ musky scent. The familiar scent of pack wrapped around him, bringing him strength. He inhaled deeply through his nose, his senses returning.

  “She looked terrified. It was like she didn’t even know who I was. Her eyes went wide and she began to scream. The fear on her face; it about ended me. She screamed so loudly. Her screams shattered the mirror, breaking our connection” Aaron’s body collapsed against his brothers, the admission taking all of his strength and energy.

  Jacob pulled Aaron against him in a firm embrace, allowing his brother to grieve. He couldn’t imagine how his brother must feel. He hoped that it would not be the same way with Cassandra. How could his sister-in-law, Allie, not know her own husband? The man she has been married to for over ten years.

  Aaron let all of his emotions go against his brothers’ tight embrace. Pack strength filled him in its place. The renewed strength hardened his resolve to find his wife. Gods be damned. He would rejoice in this vision and not let her fear take away from the moment. It was but a minor setback.

  After Aaron had released all of his grief the strength of the pack took hold. Aaron stood up straight and pulled his shoulders back. Jacob placed his hands on the sides of his brothers’ head, forcing him to look him in the eyes. Looking deep into Aaron’s eyes Jacob made a promise he had no doubt he could keep, he had to keep it. His life depended on it.

  “Now you listen to me. Allie is lost. But we will find her. We will find all of them and we will bring them home. We are Alphas, never forget that. We will find our women. Failure is not an option”

  Aaron nodded his head in agreement to his brother’s words, filling his heart with blind assurance. “I know we will brother.” “Is there anything you can tell me about what you saw that might help us locate them?” Jacob asked directly hoping that Aaron saw something that would help them identify the location of their wives. “Nothing. She was in a bedroom. It was sparsely decorated. I didn’t see any windows but it didn’t look like she was held captive. She was sitting on a bed brushing her hair. Nothing seemed out of place.” Jacob released his brother and began to pace the room, allowing Aaron’s words to sink in. He was grateful to hear that they had not been taken, but that knowledge didn’t bring them any closer to finding them. However this was the first contact they had had with any of them in eighty-three days. This was the first sign they had that they were alive and safe.

  “I know we have gone over this before but let’s run through it again. Did Allie tell you what they were working on?” Aaron ran his hand through his thick black hair as he thought back to the last conversation he had with Allie. “She had mentioned working on some spells from a book she and Cass found back in the Grand Hall. She had said that they told Sam about it and he wanted to check it out with them.” Jacob’s head bobbed up and down in agreement. Cassandra had told him the same thing, though she had never mentioned what sort of spells they were. Apparently, Allie had not divulged any additional information to Aaron.

  Cassandra, Allie and Sam were the only Fae in their region. Their mother, Lily, had been friends with their pack’s healer, Lenore. Lily and Lenore had met when Lenore had gone to Ireland in search for other packs, as their pack numbers had begun to dwindle and the need to reach out to others was great.

  The two had become fast friends and wrote to each other often. When Lenore heard that the Fae were being hunted and murdered she reached out to Lily and offered her a safe place within our pack. Lily sent her three small children but refused to come herself. She did not want to leave her kind behind.

  The Fae children were raised by the pack and Lily was never heard from after their arrival. Lenore flew back to Ireland in search for Lily or any surviving Fae but was never able to locate anyone. She did bring back books for the children to study, but never divulged where she had obtained them. She merely stated that she did not want the children to lose their identity. Lenore raised the three Fae children as her own and they accepted her as their surrogate mother. Their disappearance broke Lenore’s heart. It affected everyone in the Pack. Cassandra, Allie and Sam may have been Fae but they were also pack.

  The two brothers paced the room, both deep in their thoughts, trying to remember any small detail they may have missed. “Have you talked to Isabel since their disappearance
?” Aaron asked, halting in his steps, waiting for an answer. “I have, she doesn’t know anything. She brought me some spell books she recovered from Sam’s study but no one has been able to read them. They are written in Fae.” Aaron spun on his heels to face his brother. “Have you asked Lenora?” Jacob stopped and faced his brother. “Yes, she said she cannot read them either.” Aaron grunted his frustration and resumed pacing. “Someone must have taught them how to read the books” He mumbled to himself.

  Jacob turned to face Aaron. “I will contact the Trackers and tell them to double their efforts.” Aaron nodded his head. “Anything that will bring them back.” Jacob gave a curt nod and walked out of the room.

  About the Author

  A. D. Herrick was born and raised in Southern California though currently resides in Birmingham, Alabama with her husband, 3 children, 2 dogs and 3 cats. Though she was born and raised in the big city, she is a country girl at heart with a taste for smoldering hot men.