by J. L. McCoy
“So I hear,” I chuckled as I continued to calm down.
“Alright,” Hagan rumbled, clapping his hands together once. “Let’s get to it. Skye, have a seat next to Jameson. You’ll be healing me.”
“What are you going to do?” I asked cautiously as I sat.
I watched Hagan retrieve his dagger from his hip as he sat in front of me. “I cut, you heal. Tell her what she needs to do, Doyle.”
Jameson took my hand and placed it on his chest before he did the same with his hand. “Think of a giant ball of healing light surrounding your body. You want to envision yourself pulling that light and energy into your very core. Watch me and then you try.”
I nodded my head as I studied him closely. Jameson closed his eyes and took a deep breath. After a few seconds, he opened them again and the tips of my fingers started picking up an almost static energy surrounding him. My eyes got wide as I felt the energy concentrate itself and settle into his chest.
“Did you feel that?” he asked and I grinned up at him.
“Wow,” I breathed and nodded.
“Now you try.”
I took a deep breath and closed my eyes as I envisioned sitting within the ball of healing light. Slowly, I felt the energy pick up around me and soon it was coating every inch of my skin. I smiled at the warm, safe feel of it and opened my eyes to gaze up at Jameson.
“Good,” he smiled tenderly, understanding exactly what I was sensing. “Now, pull it into yourself and focus on containing it in a small ball.”
As I focused on absorbing, I felt the energy tighten and slowly slide up my body as it settled in my chest. “How’s that?”
“Perfect,” he smiled proudly before turning his gaze to Hagan and nodding his head once.
I tore my eyes from Jameson as the rich smell of Hagan’s blood filled the air. He had deeply fileted his forearm open from elbow to wrist. He didn’t so much as blink at the pain and I was in awe of him.
Jameson dropped his hand from my chest and took mine from his as he transferred it to Hagan’s chest. “Picture the fluidity of water…how it flows,” he said serenely. “Push the energy into him and let it flow over him and through him. Bathe him in the healing light.”
I took a deep breath and pictured the energy pouring out of my hand and into him. I felt the energy burst out of my chest, down my arms, and into my fingers. Hagan’s eyes grew wide as the energy hit him and the force of it made him groan. As the energy flowed over him, Jameson and I watched as the deep cut on his forearm quickly repaired itself.
I laughed with glee when the last bit of energy left me, totally shocked at what I’d been able to do. “That was incredible,” I breathed as I glanced between Hagan and Jameson. “I can’t believe how…good…that felt. It was amazing! Hell, you’re amazing, Jameson.”
He smiled proudly at me and pulled me into a side hug. “No, love. You are amazing,” he whispered as he kissed my temple.
“Good job, Morrison,” Hagan crossed his arms over his chest. “Now, let’s do it again.” Three successful healings later, Hagan decided it was time to move on to teleportation.
“We’re going to try something a little different tonight,” Hagan rumbled as he cocked an eyebrow at me from across the room. He had taken up a spot by the stairs and placed Jameson in front of him.
“What do you need Jameson for?” I frowned, not liking this already.
“He’s your motivation,” he smiled and put his silver dagger to Jameson’s throat.
I growled as my eyes narrowed at my trainer. “You’re not hurting him,” I seethed. “I don’t agree to this.”
“I don’t give a shit what you agree or disagree to,” he scoffed as he unwaveringly met my eyes. “My job is to teach, Morrison. Yours is to learn. I’m in this house for you and no one else.” His eyes soften momentarily as he continued. “The quicker you learn, the less pain Doyle has to endure. Use that as your motivation.”
I growled lowly in warning as my chest rumbled loudly. I did not like this lesson and I let it be known loud and clear.
“Focus,” Hagan growled. “You are not to move an inch from that spot unless you teleport from it. Do I make myself clear? Failure to comply means more pain for Doyle.”
My eyes narrowed at Hagan and I silently, slowly nodded my head. I was going to kick his ass when I got over there and I was going to make it hurt. So I don’t handle threats well, but can you blame me? Jameson was my hot button and Hagan had his finger on it.
“You want him, Morrison?” Hagan taunted with a sly, crooked grin. “Come and get him.”
I watched helplessly as Hagan ran the silver blade up Jameson’s neck, cutting him. Jameson hissed in pain as his body jerked. My breathing increased and I zeroed in on Jameson as I threw all my focus into teleporting. His wound was healing and Hagan decided to make another. I watched helplessly as he drove the dagger through Jameson’s shoulder. Jameson cried out this time as the burning silver was left in him.
“You’re not moving, Morrison,” Hagan sneered. “Do you need more motivation?” Jameson’s eyes grew wide as Hagan twisted the blade in his back. He fought hard not to make a sound, but in the end, it was a losing battle. Hagan was making sure Jameson screamed.
“Stop it!” I yelled as my eyes flickered pitch black. “Pull it out of him. Now!”
“Make me!” he yelled just as fiercely, his eyes rapidly fading with anger.
I closed my eyes tightly, my rage bubbling over. Focus, dammit! Make him stop hurting Jameson. Another gut-wrenching scream echoed loudly around me and I tore my eyes open to see the dagger firmly embedded in Jameson’s chest, mere millimeters from his heart.
My eyes flashed to Hagan’s as my rage consumed me. I was going to annihilate him. My vision vibrated for the briefest second and I watched Hagan’s intense eyes widen a bit before he whispered, “Find it, Morrison.”
Jameson cried out again as Hagan twisted the knife in his chest and abruptly, my whole being was pulsing; my anger overwhelming. The light in the basement grew blindingly bright and I closed my eyes as the vibrations consumed me.
Suddenly, something was against my chest and I opened my eyes and looked up into Hagan’s astonished ones. “Fucking prick!” I yelled as I pushed him as hard as I could away from me and spun around to catch a falling Jameson.
The sound of Hagan’s body crashing into the far wall was music to my ears as I laid Jameson down on the polished concrete and quickly pulled the dagger out of his chest. “Are you okay?” I asked worriedly as my hands fluttered over the wound. Jameson just stared up at me in shock and nodded his head.
“I’m going to heal you, honey,” I whispered as I put my hands on the injury and surrounded myself with energy. “Stay still.” After drawing it in, I pushed it hard into Jameson, desperate to end his pain. Jameson immediately began to pant quickly and suddenly his body jerked hard as a moan ripped itself from his chest.
Oops. Uh-oh. I gazed down at him with a mixture of relief and dismay. “I’m so sorry,” I whispered as I brushed his hair back from his sated eyes. “I didn’t mean for that to happen.”
“You still love me,” he breathed, looking up at me through hooded eyes. “Made it more than worth it.”
“Lie still for a minute,” I patted his hand before putting some distance between us. As I began to stand, I heard clapping to my left.
“Well done, Morrison,” Hagan smiled proudly. “I knew you could do it.”
I pushed the hair back from my face and frowned at him furiously. “Don’t you ever do something like that to me again, Hagan.”
“I only did what was necessary, Skye,” he explained calmly as he held his hands out to his sides. “I needed you to teleport again before you went up against two hundred Dark Ones. I only want to protect you. You have to believe that.”
I glared at him a few seconds more before I took a deep breath and nodded my head. “Just don’t ever use him again to make your point,” I whispered uncomfortably as I walked up to him, s
topping a few inches from his chest. “There’s too much there, Hagan. I lose my shit.”
His brow furrowed briefly as his eyes flickered to Jameson and then back to me. “Be sure you don’t let your attachments distract you from your task tomorrow,” he frowned, concerned, then spoke silently in my head. “And since we’re on the subject, you should be mindful about spending too many emotions on a person. You’ll only end up hurting yourself in the long run.”
“Relationship advice, sir?” I cocked my brow and pursed my lips at his unwanted statement.
“Life advice, little warrior,” his eyes softened. “Don’t learn the hard way like I did.”
The hardness melted from my face as I saw the briefest flash of vulnerability. “Jameson is my friend,” I said in the barest whisper as I gazed up into his eyes, not understanding.
“Maybe I wasn’t talking about him,” he said silently as his chocolate brown eyes roamed my face.
My brow creased as I studied him back, not totally understanding what he meant but getting a strange, telling feeling. I slowly lifted my hand and inched it toward his chest. He stiffened momentarily, preparing himself, and nodded his head once in permission.
The second my fingers touched him, I picked up his emotions and thoughts. What I saw there, I had a hard time understanding, believing, and my breath picked up as I slowly pulled my hand away.
“Hagan,” I breathed softly as I took in his suddenly guarded eyes. I wanted to say something to him, but I wasn’t sure what to say. I respected Hagan more than most people and looked up to him as a teacher and friend. Few people in this world made me feel as safe as he did when I was with him.
“I’ll get Doyle upstairs,” he said in his usual no-nonsense voice then cocked a brow and smirked at me. “The only way you’re leaving this room is if you teleport out. Good luck with that, Morrison.”
I turned and watched as Hagan passed me and strolled over to Jameson, helping him up off the floor. “Sorry I had to hurt you,” Hagan rumbled as he gave Jameson a firm pat on the back.
“It’s okay,” he sighed and adjusted his pants. “What do you say we just keep what happened down here between us?”
“I think that’s a good idea,” Hagan said as his eyes briefly found mine. He and Jameson began climbing the stairs and before he was out of sight, his eyes found mine one more time. “Get to work, little warrior,” he said with a small smile.
Once they were out of the room, I sighed heavily and plopped down on the floor. “Holy shit,” I whispered, still shocked, as I ran my fingers through my hair. Too much stuff had happened in the short hour we’d been down here. Pushing the confusing emotions away, I chewed my bottom lip as I focused on teleporting upstairs.
When I teleported to Hagan earlier, my mind recognized the change my body had to make in order for teleportation to be possible. I locked on to that part of me again and pushed as I focused on where I wanted to go. With a mischievous smirk, I whispered one name and felt my body start to pulse and vibrate as a bright, white light surrounded me.
The next second, my feet hit hard ground and I heard a surprised, feminine scream as I ran into someone. Opening my eyes, I saw that I was standing in the kitchen and facing a surprised Hagan. “Boo,” I grinned and quickly added, “Sir.”
“Well, I’ll be damned, Morrison,” he smiled down at me with pride. “That was quick. I thought you’d be down there all night-”
“Good Lord in Heaven!” Trey shrieked by the counter a few feet away and stomped his foot. I laughed and turned to see him gripping his chest with wide eyes. “You scared the crap out of me!”
“I’m sorry, honey,” I giggled. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”
“Good thing I’m not a human anymore,” Trey grumbled as he began wiping up the bagged blood that spilled on the counter. “I’d have to change my damn delicates right now.”
I completely lost it as I put a hand on his shoulder half to comfort him and half to steady myself. “Oh my God,” I breathed, trying to catch my breath, as I laughed. “Oh, that was great. I’m sorry, but the look on your face-”
“What the heck is going on down here?” I heard Aoife ask as she flashed into the kitchen. “I heard a woman scream.”
Hagan began laughing and I lost it again as Trey pursed his lips at Aoife. “I do not scream like a woman” he huffed, putting his hands on his narrow hips.
“What happened?” Archer asked worriedly as he flitted into the living room where it connected to the kitchen; a concerned Jameson on his heels.
“Your woman scared the holy hell out of me and they think it’s hysterical,” Trey complained, folding delicate arms over his chest.
Archer’s brow furrowed, not understanding, and everyone tried to get control over their laughter as Quinn explained from the couch. “Looks like Morrison got a handle on that Divine Power of hers,” he said, putting down his muscle car magazine. “She popped into the kitchen and scared the shit out of everyone.”
Archer glanced over at me with pride as a smile spread across his face. “Baby,” he whispered with gentle amazement. “I’m so happy. Congratulations.” He began walking toward me and I looked over at Hagan.
“I couldn’t have done it without Hagan,” I said to the room as I gazed up at him with a smile. Hagan’s eyes softened momentarily as a small smile began to tug at his lips. “You’re a really great teacher, sir…the best, actually. Thank you.”
“Yes,” Archer said as he reached us and gave a firm pat to Hagan’s shoulder. “You are a fine soldier and a good friend. I’m glad you stayed on with us, dheartháir.”
Hagan met Archer’s eyes and bowed his head once respectfully. “It is an honor serving you and your family…and your mate, sir.”
“The honor is ours,” Archer smiled at him before looking down at me and wrapping me in his arms. “Sounds like you had a pretty productive training session, cion.”
I nodded my head and looked down at the floor. “It was eye opening,” I said softly then stifled a sudden yawn. I hadn’t gotten much sleep the night before since I had to get up early to be at Dan’s to open. “Oh shit! I have to call Dan!” I exclaimed silently as my eyes widened and found Archer’s. “I forgot to tell Dan we found Nikki. He’s planning on going to the cops tonight when Drop Kicks closes if he hasn’t heard from her by then.”
Archer pulled out his phone and handed it to me. “Call and tell him Nikki is out of the state attending to family business.”
“Nikki doesn’t have much family left,” my brow furrowed. “But…I think she has an Aunt in Maine. That could work.”
“Just tell him she called you as soon as she could; that her Aunt had an accident and she’ll be back in a week.”
I swallowed thickly as I thought about the possibility of her not coming home tomorrow. Archer shushed me and pulled me to him again. “You mustn’t think like that, Skye,” he said gently as he gazed down into my eyes. “We’re bringing her home tomorrow.”
Nodding my head, I took a deep breath as I dialed Drop Kick Dan’s.
The phone rang for a long time before someone answered it. “Drop Kick’s,” Fiona called quickly into the phone.
“Hey, it’s Skye. Is Dan around?”
“Just a sec,” she yelled over the music and I heard shuffling sounds as she passed the phone to him.
“You’ve got Dan,” he answered cheerfully.
“It’s Skye,” I said as I turned and walked toward the hallway for a margin of privacy. “Listen, I uh…just heard from Nik.”
“What?” Dan said, surprised. “Is she okay? Where is she?”
“She had a family emergency,” I explained as my stomach knotted. I absolutely hated lying, and knew I was rubbish at it, but it was imperative Dan believed me so he didn’t go to the police. “Her Aunt had a pretty bad accident and Nikki had to fly to Maine to take care of her.”
“Shit,” Dan breathed. “Is her aunt okay?”
Guilt poured through me at his worried voice but I did
my best to push it aside as I answered. “She will be. Nikki had shit reception up there but had to run to town to stock up on some stuff and called me while she had service. We didn’t get to talk long, but she said she’s really sorry she didn’t call you and hopes you aren’t too mad at her.”
Dan sighed and I could tell he was a little frustrated with her. “I understand family emergencies, but shit…going three days without calling anyone? She scared the hell out of both of us, Skye. We were about to file a missing person’s report for Christ’s sake.”
“I know, honey,” I soothed, “but she really is sorry. She panicked, got on a plane, and then had no service. Don’t be too mad at her, D. She couldn’t control the circumstances.” At least that part had been true.
“Does she know when she’ll be coming back?” he asked, having calmed down some.
“She’ll be back in a week, but don’t worry hon, I’ll work her shift for her.”
He sighed again and then scoffed. “She owes you a serious muffin basket, doll.”
I wish I could eat it, I silently mused. Nikki made the best damn organic, vegan, gluten-free muffins in the entire world. “Yeah she does. I’ll share it with you, how’s that sound?”
Dan chuckled and I knew the danger was over. “Sounds like I’ll need to fit in a few more runs next week. I’ll schedule you to open until she gets back. Fiona doesn’t mind working the night shift.”
“That works for me,” I agreed. “See you tomorrow morning, hon.”
“See ya’, doll,” he said lightly and hung up.
Ending the call, I looked up as Archer came towards me. “You’re working tomorrow?” he asked, his brow furrowed a bit.
“I have to,” I shook my head and shrugged a shoulder. “It’s not like I can tell Dan I need my sleep so that I’m prepared to rescue Nikki and fight two hundred vampires tomorrow night.
“You’re right,” he sighed, running his fingers through his hair. “You really need to get some sleep, baby. Why don’t you take a shower and hop in bed. I’ll join you in a little while. I just need to go over a few things with the guys.”