by India Kells
Was she the only one thinking with a clear mind? When Patricia made the mistake of grabbing her as if to force her into a car, the werebear learned the hard way that Sera might have been blind, but she was definitely not powerless.
“Force me into something again, Patricia, and I’ll be sure to use more than a small electric buzz on you. Next time, I’ll remove all the hair on your head. A bald bear, that will be interesting.”
Patricia hissed and mumbled under her breath that it wasn’t only a small shock, but Sera ignored it, unlocking her apartment.
“Sera, please reconsider.” Valeria was about to beg, and it hurt as her friend was more like a sister to her.
“Val. I love you. I do. But we both knew this day would come. And so far, we’re not even sure of what’s going on. It’s only a rumor.”
“Why take any chances? We can better protect you there, you must see that!”
Sera sighed as she hung her bag and coat on the hooks by the door. Slowly, she made her way to the kitchen.
“And for how long, Valeria?”
Behind her, all three seemed to shuffle for a moment. One entered the kitchen. Ian.
“You would be offered sanctuary and protection for as long as you wish, Sera.”
Damn his voice. The way it rumbled deep, laced with power and certainty, made her want to turn and rush into his embrace. The one thing she couldn’t do anymore.
“I don’t know how to untangle this situation, Ian. I can’t spend the rest of my life like a scared little mouse inside Sanctuary. And we know for a fact that, even if you can protect me, it doesn’t mean that trouble or danger wouldn’t come knocking at the door. There are enough lost souls in need of what Asher and you can provide. I’m not going to add more to this.”
The werewolf groaned and, as he moved closer, she caught a whiff of his scent, a mix of musk and leather that made her grind her teeth. Turning around, Sera reached for the kettle and filled it with water. With a flick of her fingers, she could make the water boil directly in her teapot, but the mundane ritual of making tea soothed her. The same way magic and books did.
“That is the very definition of a Sanctuary, Sera. A place where you can find refuge.”
Setting the kettle on the stove and turning the heat on, Sera positioned herself close to where Ian was standing.
“This has nothing to do with pack business, a scorned vampire or a runaway witch. We’re talking about trained individuals determined to get their hands on me.”
Ian hissed at her words, but it was Valeria who answered. “The Enforcers we faced last fall weren’t kindergarten kids either, Sera. I’ve trained with the best of them and we could get rid of them. Well, the rogue ones at least. And the rest of them are still under investigation by the High Council.”
“Yeah, we kicked their asses and, from what Valeria ditched coming here, I don’t see how a bunch of nuns could get past us.” It was clear Patricia smirked at her statement.
Sera rolled her eyes at the idea. “Priestesses. If that was the case, I’d be able to take care of them even being blind. The thing is, we don’t know how efficient or dangerous they are. Everything is shrouded in secrecy. All we know, or could find in books, is that when someone like me is born and shows abilities, they are whisked away to become seers. And they’re never seen again. There’s no account on how many people they killed to get their hands on that seer. And sincerely, I like you alive, guys. All of you.”
Valeria came closer and took her in her arms. Sera couldn’t help but feel terrified and resigned. There would be a fight. She didn’t want to go. But she also knew that she wouldn’t be able to forgive herself if something ever happened to them.
“Please, Sera. Let us help you like you did for me last fall. Please. I’m not ashamed to beg.”
Sera smiled at Valeria’s melodramatic tone, remembering her friend’s face. “No begging necessary, I won’t budge. You know me too well for that, Val.”
“Throw me a bone, Sera. I can’t believe you’re going to wait like a sitting duck for the cards to fall. That’s not you.”
Sera breathed deeply. Valeria was right. It wasn’t her. She had always been the trouble-shooter of their little group but, since becoming completely blind, Sera had been overwhelmed. Mourning the loss of her sight, learning to cope with day-to-day life. It was the reason why she didn’t stay at the Sanctuary, though Valeria and Asher had offered. Part of her needed to find herself again, compensate for what she had lost. How her magic helped her cope was limited though. Seeing auras and using magic to detect intentions wouldn’t help her defend herself against attackers. If abducted, she would be alone and nearly defenseless. There was a solution to that, but she wasn’t ready to even consider it.
Sera stepped away from Valeria but kept her hands in hers. “I don’t want to be a sitting duck. You’re right, I need to act.” And on that decision, she turned and opened a cupboard to grab some tea before pouring hot water in the teapot. She turned to reach for a cup, when her hand touched a warm wall of muscled man. It was immediate, her cheeks flared hot and her belly clenched. As if she had touched hot iron, Sera jerked her hand away, and tried to remain stoic as any red-blooded woman could achieve considering the circumstances. The man was naked in her kitchen after turning back into human form and she couldn’t see it. What a shame.
“Sorry about that. Ian, can you hand me a cup from behind you? Does anybody else want tea?”
Patricia made a sort of gagging sound and Valeria declined. Without a word, Ian put two cups on the counter. Feeling the contour of the mugs, she filled them up and handed up one to Ian. Gently, he took one from her, his fingers intentionally lingering on hers. The more he stayed close, Sera realized, the more it made her hand itch to touch him again, blurring her mind. When her intellect was her greatest asset in this difficult time.
She had to get rid of them, all of them. Only then would she be able to concentrate on finding a way out of this mess. And protect them at the same time. Sera made her way to her fridge for the bowl of chickpea salad she had made the day before.
“Sorry for not offering you food, but I’m hungry, and I need to get back to the store.”
She made her way to her living room, putting her tea cup on the small side table and curling up on the couch, her salad bowl on her knees.
Valeria let herself fall beside her. “You can’t think about going back there again! That’s not safe! Hell, just sitting here is not safe.”
Sera took another bite and extended her arm, patting her friend’s knee. “Stop worrying so much, Val. I need to get back there. How would I be able to do any research without my precious books?”
Ian moved closer and Patricia seemed to be inching closer to the door, impatient to leave. “You’ve researched seers all your life. How can you believe that you’ve overlooked something?”
The werewolf’s voice lacked the reproach and doubt she too often heard in other wizards’ voices. As though she couldn’t be thorough or intelligent enough for such a task.
“I need to find another perspective. I don’t know which one, but there must be...” Sera froze as light came flashing behind her eyes. In rapid succession, blurry, unfocused images popped, but it was impossible to make any sense out of them. And, as suddenly as it started, her world was dark and unseeing again.
“Sera! Answer me, dammit!” Strong hands gripped her shoulders, slightly shaking her. Close to her face was Valeria, her warm breath against her cheek. Patricia was hovering nearby, worry coloring her presence.
Her hands circled Ian’s thick wrists, squeezing slightly. “I’m fine...” She was out of breath. How strange. Before panic could set in, curiosity took over. “What happened?”
Everybody in the room collectively sighed in relief, making her even more intrigued about what really happened. Ian’s hold barely lessened, and she felt a slight shiver coming from him.
Valeria kissed her temple. “Darling, you went still, with a vacant look, as if... as if you
were gone.”
“How long?” Her brain kicked into gear.
“No more than 30 seconds. We asked you a question and you never answered.”
Ian released his grip on her. “It was as if your soul had left you. What happened, Sera?”
She shook her head. “Images flashed in my head.”
“Images? What images?” Now Patricia seemed more intrigued than annoyed.
“I don’t know. Everything was blurry. White and colored, but no definite form. My ears buzzed too. I didn’t hear any of you calling my name.”
“What do you think it was? Was it caused by your blindness?”
And there it was... one tidbit of information she had kept for herself and was still unwilling to share. Worse. That she was ready to lie for.
“Yes, I read about that. My brain may be messing with me. Something that can happen for some time after my eyes shut down. Nothing really to worry about.”
Valeria relaxed immediately, contrary to the other shifters in the room.
“Oh Sera! I’m sure it’s only a one-off...” Valeria tried so hard to be positive and cheerful, Sera felt grateful for such a friend.
“Yes. Now, people, I need to get back to the store. I’ll see you around!”
Valeria stood up with her and took her hands. “Sera, I still think that’s dangerous for you walking alone on the streets.”
“Valeria...” But as she was starting to run out of arguments, golden light shifted beside her.
“I’ll stay with her.”
Like hell the werewolf would! “Ian this is not a good idea. I’ve lived alone all my life, I’ve tried to keep a low profile in this town, I won’t have you following me like a damn bodyguard. Even in wolf form. That aid dog story was laughable.”
“And would you have Valeria, one of your dearest friends, worried sick about you? We are your friends, Sera, and caring and worrying come with friendship.”
Patricia whistled. “Wow, Ian, you play rough. I like it!”
But before she could lash out, Sera was surrounded once more by golden light. Ian was so close, she could feel his body heat and his scent made her head spin.
“Sera, I have an idea. One discreet enough so you won’t have to change a thing about your routine. Even if it’s laughable, I’ll follow you in wolf form. That stupid policeman is already convinced that you have a guide dog.”
“His name is Hunter Grimes, and he didn’t sound stupid to me.”
Ian’s voice lowered an octave, a menacing tone laced with annoyance. “I don’t give a damn about that human. What I mean is, if he was convinced, others will be too.”
“You can’t follow me around when you have duties back at Sanctuary. You are the Beta there, head of the Sentinels, and Asher needs you.”
Treacherous Patricia stepped in. “I’ll cover for the time being. I would propose my services, but there are no service bears around and puny humans would be frightened to death.”
Valeria hugged her friend. “And I’ll talk to Asher. He loves you and I’m sure he’ll agree to all this. It can’t be forever. You’re so smart! And, between all of us, we will find a solution.”
Sera hugged her back, but she was far from convinced. And having Ian in such close quarters would be complete hell.
“So, all is set! I’ll go back with Pat to tell Asher. And I’ll see you soon. Call if you need anything and if there’s a threat, the two of you come back to Sanctuary immediately.”
“But...” Sera sputtered, but nobody seemed to even listen to her anymore. Patricia said her goodbyes as Valeria kissed her on the cheek, and before she could utter another word, her front door closed with an ominous click. There she was, outnumbered by her friends and alone with a naked man she couldn’t have, who haunted her dreams.
He moved again to stand right before her.
“And now that we’re alone, Sera, there is something I have to ask. How dare you lie to us?”
Chapter Six
Ian looked at the beautiful blond witch before him as she tried her best to mask her surprise and even appear as if she didn’t know what he was talking about. Cute, he thought, but his werewolf nose knew better.
“And don’t you dare play innocent with me, Sera. I’m certain you haven’t forgotten that I’m no ordinary man and that I can smell a lie a mile away.”
“Smell me?”
Something pulled at him as he inhaled deeply. “Yes. Lying changes something in your body, your heart beats faster, your body heat increases, and your smell slightly modifies.”
Ian’s eyes lowered to her mouth, which was gaping at what he just said. “You, a scholar, who studied the magical world, you must know about all that.”
“Yes, but it never occurred to me that I would... experience it.”
Ian inched forward even more, his tall body curving about her smaller frame. The air shifted around them, and so did her smell.
“And now, I can smell arousal on you, Sera. When I get this close to you, you make my mouth water. The same way it happened all those months ago in Asher’s living room. Do you remember?”
The witch inhaled sharply, an unmistakable sign that she remembered. Her hands clenched at her side, and as he thought she would touch him, Sera sidestepped and put a few more feet between them. His wolf whimpered inside him, wanting more of her. Craving her touch.
“Ian, the situation is difficult enough without adding what happened then on top of it. I won’t deny, there is an attraction between us, but you also know the rules of our world.”
“Asher and Valeria...”
She shook her head to cut him short. “Asher is an Alpha werewolf and Valeria is a witch and part shifter. She now embraces her dragon side, more and more. They have found a loophole, Ian. I’m not the tiniest part shifter. None of me is. I’m part witch and part... seer. I have people wanting to get their hands on me and make me disappear... and...”
It was like an impulse, part lust and part fear for her, and completely instinctual when he pulled her into his embrace and took her lips.
Something inside him tightened as he held her, her scent and taste filling every part of his soul. Pain he had carried, like a cloak, receded. Light pushed through, dispersing the shadows, and he felt like laughing. The bubbly feeling caught him by surprise as, since the murder of his family, he hadn’t truly felt like laughing. Was it laughter or simply happiness? Happiness at the simple thing that was holding Sera, beautiful, kind, intelligent, stubborn Sera, in his arms.
He knew that she couldn’t be his mate. Julie had been, and shifters were only granted this honor once in their lifetime, if ever. But here he was, craving this witch with everything he had, feeling like dying if she wasn’t within his sight.
His heart hammering in his chest, he fisted one hand in her hair, angling her head to deepen the kiss. The scent of her arousal made him almost lose his head and it took a great amount of effort to end it before he started tearing at her clothes.
Both heaving, Sera swayed a little on her feet as she stepped back, her fingers touching her lips.
Unable to stop himself, Ian cupped her cheeks and leaned his forehead against hers.
“I know about the laws, Sera. I know that I had a mate that I’d found and lost. But there is something inside me stirring when I’m with you. I tried hard to stay away, but it’s making me feverish, unstable and miserable. The only one who could keep me away is you. Tell me you don’t want this. Tell me you don’t want me, and I’ll step away. I’ll disappear. But don’t push me away because of the High Council. Push me away because you can’t bear to be with me. Because you’re repulsed when I kiss you. Because you can’t trust my shattered mind or my dark soul.”
As he felt the pain clouding his mind again, Sera surprised him by cupping his own cheeks with her small, soft hands and pressing her silky lips to his. It wasn’t as heated as before, it was an acknowledgement. A tentative connection.
“There is something between us, Ian. I sensed it too, from the fi
rst time I saw you. But I won’t act upon it. I won’t put your life on the line, I won’t risk your life. You’ve suffered enough. And I won’t play with your heart, as I can never be your mate.”
Ian shook his head. “No. One mate for your lifetime. That’s the shifters rule. And Julie was mine. But...”
Her hand traced the contour of his jaw before her fingertips pressed against his lips. “And I don’t know how long I’ll be here. The real danger I’m facing may end my life as it is at any instant.”
Deep down, he knew she was right. Every word, every syllable. But the wolf inside him grew restless, uneasy with this explanation and furious that she was in danger. His instinct screamed at him to deny her affirmation, to tell her that she was wrong. Was he ready to let go of her, of the possibility of them together despite the odds? Fear spread in his veins. Without a plan, without a solution, he would lose her, one way or another. That reality put his future under such a bleak light, he didn’t know if he would survive it. He had to fight. That was his way. The way of the wolf tearing inside him. He had to find a way. To protect her. Maybe Sera was right, maybe they were never meant to be. But until death left her door, he would fight.
Unable to help himself, he kissed her fingers. “If it’s your way to force me out of here, you won’t win. I’m staying by your side as you use that beautiful mind of yours to untangle yourself from this situation. When you’re safe, when everything’s back to normal, if you want me to leave, I will.”
Utter sadness veiled her face as she started to shake her head, but Ian stood firm. “This is non-negotiable, Sera. I’m staying by your side until it’s all over. Don’t worry, I won’t push, I won’t touch you. I’ll be as discreet as possible. There is one thing that I ask of you in return.”
He saw her swallowing hard, as if gathering courage. “And what is that?”
“The truth. Honesty. Don’t trick me, don’t lie to me. That’s what I need from you. Do you understand?”
Sera didn’t move from his embrace, her head bowed, seemingly debating her options. Ian was trying hard to stay calm, hoping she wouldn’t fight him staying close. He was walking a razor-thin edge between logic and insanity, and if he lost grip on that, he worried about the consequences.