The Seduced

by Cheyenne McCray

  She clenched her fists because her gut told her it was true. It made sense. Darkwolf needed the Drow to tunnel, and no doubt that’s what they’d been doing all this time. They certainly couldn’t have done it in the two days she’d been free.

  “I knew he could be an ass, but I never thought he’d—” she sucked in a breath, “betray all the Fae trapped in that bubble.”

  The sound of the front door to the shop opening, the warding bells tinkling, and the sounds of boot steps alerted the witches to the presence of others in the shop. Copper slipped out her wand in an instant. All the witches prepared to use whatever form of magic they had.

  Tiernan burst through the door of the kitchen, followed by Hawk and a host of warriors. Nine of the D’Danann occupied the now very crowded kitchen, along with the seven witches. Fortunately, it was a large kitchen, but even so it was filled to the brim and the body heat made it stifling.

  Most of the D’Danann wore black trench coats over their leathers, to hide their swords and daggers when among humans. Tiernan and Hawk had not put theirs on this evening.

  “We searched the city and found nothing.” Hawk’s face twisted with fury and agony at the same time. “There is no trace of my mate.”

  Tiernan raked his hair from his face. “No sign, no stench of the creatures.”

  Hawk focused on the witches.

  Copper said, “Silver managed to call us, but only briefly.” She explained what Silver had said.

  The fury on Hawk’s face was no less than before. “The Drow are in league with Darkwolf and the Fomorii. I will kill them all.”

  Copper tossed her braid over her shoulder. “Tiernan and I know the Drow king who’s behind this, and after I’m through with him you can do whatever you want with the bastard.”

  Cassia began bringing big trays of food to the table and the other witches got up to help. From what Silver told Copper yesterday, the D’Danann were always hungry, even in a crisis.

  Tiernan had eaten so many apples in Otherworld that she’d worried their never-ending supply might just end after all. Thank goodness the Fae had been kind enough to leave more food than they normally did.

  Copper couldn’t have touched a morsel of food if she tried, her stomach was so tied in knots. It was all too much—anger at Darkwolf for kidnapping Silver, all that had been said during the divinations, and fury at Garran for helping Darkwolf.

  She stood away from the table with Hawk and Tiernan. Hawk braced one hand against the wall while Copper leaned against it. Tiernan had moved to her right, making her feel caged.

  Before the men even had a chance to ask, Copper started explaining all that they’d learned from each witch’s turn at divination.

  The common themes—Silver would not be rescued yet but she was safe for now; both Copper and Silver would be used in some way that would jeopardize them; and Balor had been manipulating them all this time.

  Tiernan rubbed his temples and Hawk shook his dark head. “I refuse to believe we will not rescue my mate before she is put into further danger.”

  “The future is never set.” Copper laid her hand on Hawk’s arm. “It’s still possible you can find her before she’s truly at risk.”

  She took a deep sigh and looked to the clock above the stove. “It’s nearing four a.m. We all should get some rest so we can figure out what we need to do next.”

  “I will not sleep.” Hawk rested his hand on his sword. “I will comb this city for my mate.”

  Cassia took that moment to present a mug of beer to Hawk. “If you wish to continue your search, you may as well do it well fed and with your thirst quenched.”

  Hawk took the mug and knocked back the entire contents of the glass.

  But Copper knew he’d been had. Among the yeast and hops smell of the beer, she’d caught the scent of valerian root and a couple of other things that didn’t belong in beer. Yup, it was going to be nighty-night for one very large warrior.

  Hawk frowned as he handed the mug back to Cassia who smiled. “That brew was fouler than normal,” he grumbled.

  “That’s because I put valerian root into it, along with an Elvin sleeping powder of patchouli and poppies,” Cassia said calmly. Before turning away, she said, “Sleep well.”

  “What—” Hawk started, but then began to shake his head as if trying to stay awake. He took a few staggering steps away from the wall.

  “You and one of your friends better grab him.” Copper gave Tiernan a gentle shove toward Hawk. “He’s going down in a hurry.”

  20

  She was in the tunnel again. It was cold, dank, and very dark, and she couldn’t stop shivering. Her wand grew warm in her hand, helping to ease some of the chill as she used her magic to light the wand and illuminate the way.

  Her heart pounded in her ears as she crept along the narrow passageway she’d been down before. She stumbled over loose rocks and dirt and almost dropped her wand.

  She eased up to the corner where the red light crept, holding her breath, knowing that the cavern waited for her. When she could breathe again, she slipped around the corner and nearly gasped aloud.

  The cavern was just as beautiful this time. Her golden wand light glistened off the crystal formations hanging from the ceiling and jutting up from the floor of the cavern.

  At the other side of the cavern was the bloody glow that squelched any admiration for the cavern. Something so evil shouldn’t be in such a place of beauty.

  She nearly tumbled down a rough-hewn trail to the floor of the cavern, knowing she had no choice but to go to the red light

  Her feet grew leaden as she walked across the cavern toward the great stone door. It was as if heavy weights had been tied to her legs. Her wand light dimmed so low that it was almost useless.

  When she finally reached the door, she once again stood in the circle of runes, except this time there was no great eye. The crimson glow seeped around the door’s edges, creeping toward her like bony, bloody fingers.

  Chills rolled over her at the evil emanating from behind that doorway and she stumbled backward. Whatever was behind that door was bad. Very bad.

  Her heart thrummed.

  Her throat closed off. She needed a spell to counteract the dark sorcery that both surrounded her and filled her with intense fear.

  She tried to find the words. Only a rusty croak came out when she opened her mouth.

  She tried again.

  Nothing.

  She couldn’t do it. She wouldn’t be able to keep the door closed. But she had to. Goddess, why wouldn’t the words come?

  This time she tried to move forward to face whatever was behind that door.

  Shock jarred her as her feet sank into the stone, up to her ankles, like quicksand. The quicksand molded around her feet and they might as well have been encased in concrete.

  The pounding of her heart grew faster and faster as she fought for freedom, fought to save her own life in order to save her family, her friends, her city, her world.

  I can’t let that door open.

  Using her wand, she tried to cast a spell that would free her, but her mind remained blank. Something blocked her, like a steel wall she couldn’t see through.

  She went completely still.

  And then it slammed into her with the force of a boulder careening down a mountaintop.

  She was a sacrifice.

  A sacrifice to the gods who had been waiting for millennia to be freed.

  And to feed.

  The cavern began shaking. Dirt and stones rained down on her. A rock struck her in the temple and she swayed from the force of it.

  Red light brightened as the door scrubbed stone and began to open.

  Silver screamed Copper’s name.

  * * *

  Copper’s eyes flew open to see only darkness. She tried to sit up, but a heavy weight pinned her down.

  She fought against the weight, fought to free herself. She banged her fists on the mass trapping her—

  She was shoved fla
t on her back, her arms pinned above her head, the great weight suddenly on top of her, between her thighs.

  “Little fire,” a familiar voice said. “It was a dream. You are safe, with me.”

  Tiernan. It’s Tiernan.

  Relief rushed through her in one large sigh.

  Copper breathed hard as her eyes came back into focus and her nightmare bled away. She was in Tiernan’s room and had slept with him, while he had simply held her all night.

  They had removed their clothing before falling asleep almost immediately. What time was it? The blinds were drawn tight, so she had no idea.

  She was still beneath him as he released her arms. She let out a shuddering sigh. “The dream—it was worse this time.”

  Tiernan brushed his lips over hers in a whisper of a kiss as he eased beside her. “I am here, little fire. Whatever it is, we will face it together.”

  She cuddled closer to Tiernan, needing his warmth, his comfort. Goddess, how she needed him in so many ways. Ways that she couldn’t even begin to fathom.

  He stroked her head and she relaxed in his arms. “Everything will be all right,” he said as he caressed her. “I am here for you.”

  Yes, he made her feel as if all would work out—that they could do anything together.

  Something gripped Copper’s belly so tightly she almost couldn’t breathe.

  No, it isn’t possible. No, no, no. Not possible.

  Love.

  She couldn’t have.

  She had.

  I’ve fallen in love with Tiernan.

  Oh, goddess. A man who might soon be married, and she was in love with him.

  Copper pushed herself from his arms and swung her legs over the side, letting the covers drop away from her. She took a deep gulp of air as the sensation in her belly became more intense.

  “Copper?” He moved behind her and placed his hand on her shoulder. “Are you all right?”

  “I—I.” Copper swallowed. “I can’t do this anymore. I can’t be with you.”

  She shoved his hand from her shoulder, stood, and moved away from the bed. He studied her with a puzzled expression and a look that tore her gut apart.

  Hurt. He looked hurt.

  Before she could embarrass herself by proclaiming her love, she grabbed her clothing from last night and dressed as quickly as she could. She avoided his gaze and turned her back on him.

  “What do you mean, Copper?” he said softly as he came up behind her and pressed a kiss to the nape of her neck.

  Copper bit her lower lip. She wouldn’t cry, dammit. She would not cry. This whole thing had been about sex from the start. She’d known it. She’d gone into it with her eyes wide open. She’d figured they’d have sex and go their merry ways.

  She never considered the possibility she would fall in love with the man.

  Copper ducked away from him and grabbed her socks and jogging shoes in one hand.

  She cast one tortured glance back at Tiernan. “I can’t be with you. I can’t have sex with you. It’s over.”

  And with that she let herself out the door and she hurried from the apartment.

  Tiernan felt as though he’d been punched in the gut. His heart and soul had an ache he couldn’t define.

  He sat where she left him for a long time. They had enjoyed pleasures together. He could not imagine a woman he wanted more. But it was a physical need. Nothing beyond that.

  Then why did her reaction tear him apart?

  Tiernan’s logical mind churned over possibility after possibility. He analyzed his feelings for Copper. A word struck him so fast and hard that his heart clenched and it rocked him to his core.

  Love.

  He was in love with Copper.

  Being over two thousand years old, Tiernan had never really believed in love, at least not for himself. That was usually a fanciful notion that two people occasionally held for one another.

  Lust was another thing. Sharing pleasures with others was common in Otherworld, and nothing more was expressed beyond satisfaction of slaked desires.

  But he could not deny the pounding of his heart, the feelings welling up inside of him for Copper.

  In the D’Danann hierarchy, none of the lords and ladies of the court joined for love. They wed to make their houses stronger, for prestige. His arranged joining with Airell was to make the Houses of Cathal and Torin two of the strongest among the D’Danann.

  He had felt no emotion when he had agreed to join with her, he had simply acquiesced to his parents’ wishes. No emotion whatsoever had been involved.

  Tiernan blew out a long breath. He had yet to come up with a solution that would satisfy all parties involved. His heart told him he could not marry Airell when she carried Urien’s babe. Yet how could he not without humiliating her? The consequences were too dire to consider.

  And Copper. Gods, how could he let her go?

  The thought of never being with Copper again tore him open like a sword through his belly.

  Thoughts of never seeing her teasing smile again, or the fire in her eyes when she was angry, and how dark those eyes grew when they shared sexual pleasures tore at his soul. To never touch her again—it was as if that sword in his belly had been heated in a forge and it burned hot and heavy in his gut.

  He felt dazed as he stared at the apartment’s front door, his thoughts consumed by Copper. How had this happened? But there could be no denying the thumping of his heart, the way his skin grew hot, then cold, the way blood thrummed in his ears.

  Tiernan continued to stand frozen in one spot. A battle raged in his mind, but he could not negate the truth. He was in love with Copper.

  He inhaled deeply and let out a long exhale. How could he resolve this situation to everyone’s satisfaction, including his own and Copper’s?

  Possibilities churned through his mind as he fought to find a solution. He raked his fingers through his hair. If he went against his parents’ wishes, he could damage their relations with the House of Torin and he would humiliate the young woman once it was known she was pregnant. There was no suitable D’Danann with enough wealth to take her hand in marriage.

  Tiernan’s thoughts turned to Urien. The warrior was as young as Airell but was from a D’Danann lesser court. Airell had proclaimed her love for Urien, and carried his babe. But Urien did not have the means to raise his station.

  Tiernan stumbled into the shower, needing to feel the heat of the water pound on his body. As he cleansed himself, his head ached from the enormity of his thoughts, but it was nothing compared to the ache in his chest and the feeling of the fiery sword in his belly.

  Gods.

  He stepped out of the shower, dried himself, and strode back into the bedroom. It was empty, so empty without Copper.

  He paused for a moment and looked up at the ceiling with its yellowed paint and cobwebs in one corner. He felt as trapped as one of the insects tightly snared within the spider’s web.

  Some way to rectify the situation must exist. His analytical mind continued to consider possible solutions as his heart ached and that sword twisted within his gut.

  A thought came to him that he tried to reject, yet it was the only possibility he could think of. If he chose that path, he would be disowned from his own family, tossed from the court.

  If he left, he would never again know the life he had lived for centuries. He would be throwing away the responsibilities that had been shouldered upon him.

  Responsibility. Duty. Honor.

  Yet there was no other answer that would come to mind. He could not bear those responsibilities and have Copper, too.

  Head aching with the thought of what he must do, Tiernan left the apartment and walked into the early morning air. He went straight to Enchantments, past the witches working in the store, and into the kitchen.

  The door swung shut behind him as he went up to Cassia. The only other person in the room was Hawk, who leaned against the table, his arms across his chest.

  The Elvin witch gazed at T
iernan thoughtfully, but did not say a word.

  He gave a heavy sigh. “I need your aid to cross to Otherworld.”

  “As do I,” Hawk said, coming up beside Tiernan. “I must enlist the aid of more of the D’Danann in finding Silver.”

  Tiernan nodded. “You will have my assistance, brother, when we return. It should not take us long to deal with what business we have.”

  When Cassia said, “Come,” Tiernan simply nodded and he and Hawk followed her through the store and out into the foggy day.

  They walked silently along the streets until they reached a great wooded area that he had gone to with Cassia before, the massive Golden Gate Park.

  Hosts of people strolled the sidewalks and the streets, some on bicycles, others on a series of spinning wheels beneath their shoes that he had been told were inline skates.

  The air carried to him the scents of water, pine, and grass—but Copper’s apples-and-cinnamon scent, too. Tiernan frowned.

  Could she have come this way?

  When they reached the small footbridge that ran over the stream, he paused and looked at Cassia. His long black coat flapped around his boots that sank into mud at the base of the bridge.

  “I’ll need to take you across one at a time.” Cassia avoided the mud and moved onto the bridge. Her full skirts swished as she passed by him. She was a third of the way over the bridge when she turned and looked over her shoulder. “Stop wasting time.”

  Tiernan followed her, mud sloughing off his boots in clumps as he walked up to stand by her side.

  “You wait,” Cassia said to Hawk, and the warrior gave a swift nod. “Remember to concentrate on your home so that you will arrive in the correct location,” she said to Tiernan.

  Again Tiernan gasped and tried to breathe when they reached the top of the bridge. He could not see and his chest was afire.

  Then he was in his world where he took deep gulps of air. Cassia was gone, only the mound of earth behind him.

  Hawk and Cassia appeared out of the earthen mound. Hawk seemed to have fared no better than Tiernan when he crossed, and the large man shook his head as if to shake away the strange feelings of the transport.