Harvest Dreams

by Jacqueline Paige

  *

  Steven watched Cora. She hadn’t been feeling right since dinner and experience said that lead to bad things happening.

  Dade knelt down in front of her. “Are you sure you want to go to the fire tonight honey?” He ran his hands gently down her arms.

  She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Yes. If it’s strong, here, now, who knows maybe I’ll be able to pin point the exact person.” She looked around at everyone. “And end this.”

  Rachel jumped up and looked around at everyone. Steven raised his eyebrows in question when she just stood there for a few seconds. She turned slowly and looked at Chris. “Chris, can you use the feelings Cora is sensing to try to zero in?”

  The shocked expression on Chris’ face was plain. He opened his mouth and then closed it and looked over at Kasey. “Possibly,” he all but whispered.

  Kasey jumped up and stepped over in front of him quickly. “Really? You can do something like that?” she snorted. “Well, I know you can but should you?”

  Dade turned from Cora and looked at him. “Will she get hurt?” The warning was clear in his tone.

  Steven sighed. “Lay it out for us, councilor and let’s see if everyone is on board.”

  Chris took a few moments and explained it. Steven noted his eyes darted to Kasey every two seconds and it made him wonder if it was a straight forward as he was making it seem. Steven had never dabbled in magic to the depth Chris had, but even to him it seemed, too easy.

  Dade was now standing with his hands on his hips looking at the floor. After a long silence he looked up and around the room at the others. “So, let me see if I have this right. We put Coralee in the middle, join hands and you’re going to tap into our collective energies and try to pinpoint our maniac?”

  Steven noticed Chris hesitated for two breaths before answering. “Close enough.”

  Rachel waved her hands around. “Let’s do it! We’ve tried and failed before, what do we have to lose?” She motioned to the door. “He’s right here on this property with us, I say that increases our chances of finding him.”

  Steven, like everyone else he suspected, just wanted this over so life could go back to their version of normalcy. “I agree, we give it a shot and see if we can’t dance in celebration tonight.”

  Slowly the others moved to form a circle and stood looking over at Cora and Dade. Dade muttered something under his breath, and Steven was fairly certain he didn’t want to know exactly what. Dade reached down and held out his hand for Cora. She blew out a nervous breath before taking his hand and stood up.

  Chris rolled his shoulders a few times. “Cora, just focus on the feelings you’ve been having. Everyone else focus on Cora and hopefully I can link in far enough to get us somewhere.”

  Owen cleared his throat. “Is this safe for me?” Steven gave him a blank look. Owen shrugged. “I don’t really have a power like you guys...”

  Leena laughed and reached out towards him. “You do have a power and I for one want your energy in this.”

  Owen frowned but took her hand. “Okay, but if I get anything burned into my skin I’m gonna be miffed.”

  Steven smirked and shook his head as he reached over and took Rachel’s hand. “At least you will heal faster than the rest of...”

  Leena shot him a ‘shut up now’ look, so he did.

  Dade stood with Cora in the middle of the circle. He ran his hands up and down her arms. “Chris won’t let anything happen.”

  Steven glanced over towards Chris and decided the expression on his face was not confirming what Dade was saying. “Come on, Jones. Get in the circle so we can get this done with.”

  Dade looked at Cora for a moment longer and then shot Steven a glare as he backed up to stand between Kasey and Leena.

  “Everyone look at Cora and concentrate on finding the cause of her feelings,” Chris said quietly as he took Steven’s hand and then Kasey’s.

  Steven took Rachel’s hand and squeezed it before he focused on Cora. He tried to keep his mind on the task at hand, but it wasn’t working. He thought of the sadistic asshole on the other end, causing the uneasy feelings for Cora and anger twisted through him. He knew this wasn’t going to be helpful to Chris, so he let out a silent breath and tried to focus once more. He didn’t dare close his eyes because he knew his mind would wander towards the woman whose hand he held tightly and they didn’t need that sort of energy in this circle.

  “Good,” Chris said softly. “I’m almost there.”

  Steven twisted his neck trying to release the tension in it as he watched Cora. She stood in the center with her head down and hands over her stomach. The look on her face was one of concentration, she was helping to zero in on the feelings swirling inside her, and at least Steven figured that was how they would feel.

  He heard Leena gasp and was just about to move his attention from Cora to where she stood across from him when a warm sensation hit him. Oh, he thought, Chris has just jacked into his energy. Interesting.

  He brought his mind back to Cora and made himself start over. He thought of the information they’d found so far on the man they sought. The other spell quests they’d tried. He could see the bodies of the first women from Beltane as they had carefully wrapped and moved them. As a doctor he could never understand why someone would do something like that to innocents, or anyone no matter how much wrong a person had ever done in their life or lives, no one should bring judgment on another being in that matter.

  His mind wandered back to the women dancing for this sick bastard. Baring themselves in front of so many in hopes to bring justice to one that he deserved... he snarled, what he deserved was surely something he’d never receive. Even if they caught him, the legal system wasn’t going to bring an equal justice for what this man had done.

  By the time Steven realized anger was coursing through his veins it was too late to rein it in. He felt the slight vibrations beneath his feet and quickly glanced down at the floor. Cora gasped loudly and his eyes shot back to her, she was bent holding her stomach harder. Chris must have tapped in and the sick fuckers’ minutes were numbered now, they’d have him...

  Rachel cried out in pain just as a force he couldn’t even describe slapped them all back several steps, breaking the hold they had on the hands around them.

  Steven felt stunned. He clenched his hands a few times and fought to catch his breath. He looked up to see everyone else looking confused and anxious.

  Dade stepped to Cora and pulled her into his arms. He gave Steven a bewildered look and then spun to Chris. “What the hell?”

  Steven watched Chris shake his head a few times.

  Chris frowned. “I don’t know what happened.” He ran a hand through his hair. “I was in, tracing...” Kasey moved over and he wrapped his arms around her. “Cora, what did you feel?”

  Cora lifted her head from Dade’s shoulder and let out a slow breath. “I’m not sure. I felt you, Chris and the sensations increased and then--then it was dark and violent and it was all I could do to stay standing.”

  Steven looked down at the floor. He couldn’t look at any of them right now. “Sorry,” he barely whispered.

  Rachel snorted. “For what?”

  He exhaled slowly and then looked at her. “I was stuck on what this sick bastard has done and...”

  “Ah.” Chris said softly. “That would explain it.”

  Owen Dropped back onto the couch and pulled Leena’s hand so she sat with him. “Explain what?”

  Chris cleared his throat. “Steven’s anger blew us apart.”

  Dade raised both eyebrows and looked at Steven. “Huh?”

  Steven shook his head. “I kept seeing those women from Beltane...” He crossed his arms and looked around at everyone. “Lives wasted, for what? Some sick bastard’s hallucinated reasons.”

  Rachel stepped towards him and pulled his arms opened before stepping into them and leaning her warm body against his. “I was having a hard time doing it too,” she admitte
d.

  Kasey moved away from Chris and plopped down onto the chair. She picked up the book on the table and flipped the pages in her hands. “I wanted to cry, so I probably wasn’t even doing my part of it...”

  Cora moved out of Dade’s arms and looked around at everyone. “No harm done, let’s just chalk it up to one more failed attempt.”

  Chris exhaled loudly. “Tonight we’re going to find him...”

  Kasey lifted her eyes from the book. “Make sure you have your gris-gris bag we charmed.” She looked at Chris briefly. “We didn’t wear them last night when... well, we’ll wear them tonight.”

  Kevin stuck his head inside the open door. “Mind if I come in?”

  Rachel grinned at him. “Please.”

  He smiled back at her. “Patrick went to have a nap before the fire tonight and asked me to come and see if anyone came up with any ideas.” He grinned. “I’d do just about anything to not have to sit in a tree again tonight.”

  Leena walked over to rub Cora’s shoulders gently. “We, some of us, thought maybe instead of two of us wandering around we’d take turns, one at a time.” Serious male eyes turned to her. “One woman makes a much easier target, and he’s probably more than willing to try for one at a time...” She stopped catching Owen’s look. “Well it’s just an idea to toy with.”

  Kevin looked at Dade. “She’s got a point.”

  Dade grimaced. “Rule number one with us is you being a male are supposed to agree with us, Kevin.” He growled.

  Kevin shrugged and gave him his boyish smile. “I’m sure agreeing with all these women would be much more rewarding than not.” His eyes strayed over Rachel as he said the last part.

  Steven stepped in front of him blocking his view of Rachel. “So you think we should let the women wander around out there alone?” He crossed his arms over his chest.

  Kevin shrugged. “Yeah. From that damn tree I can see pretty much the whole camp. It takes me a while to climb up the stupid thing and I bring any action to your attention if you’re staying back watching.”

  “How?” Chris demanded.

  Kevin shrugged then flicked a hand towards Kasey. A bright burst of light exploded over her head.

  “Oh!” Kasey jumped up. “Oh my gosh! How did you do that? I want to do that.” She brought her hands above her head then down to spread the fireworks over them. “That’s all I can manage.”

  *

  Chris looked at Kasey and then back to Kevin before he met Steven’s glare, whose look matched his own thoughts that they needed to keep the women away from this too cute Boy Scout Kevin. “Fine.” He said a little louder than necessary. “We’ll try it Leena’s way tonight.”

  Kevin turned to leave and all four women followed him out.

  The four men stood in the door and watched the girls pat him and smile sweetly at him while talking to him.

  “Little puke,” Dade muttered.

  “How the hell old is he?” Steven demanded.

  “Who cares,” Owen hissed.

  “He needs to go find his tree,” Chris growled as he turned to go back inside.

  A breeze ruffled over the four men and they glanced around to see Kasey smirking and shaking her finger at them in warning.

  “She always knows,” Steven mused quietly.

  “Yep.” Chris sighed and then smiled at her.

  *

  Steven watched Rachel’s every move as she walked under the half moon light. She’d taken more chances then he was comfortable with. Wandering all the way down to the pond and sitting beside it for twenty minutes. Of course for a few minutes Steven hoped the man they were looking for did show up so he could drown him in the pond and be done with it.

  When their turn was up and she finally wandered back towards the cottage he had to stop himself from closing her in his arms and holding her with the relief that she was okay.

  Walking into the cottage he nodded to Dade. “Your turn.” He turned to look at Cora sitting in the chair. “Anything while we were out there?”

  Cora shrugged. “Nothing strong enough to set off alarms, but he’s out there.” Looking at Dade she sighed. “Let’s go.”

  Rachel put her hand on Cora’s. “Steven and I will stay out and wander a bit more, so know we’re close by.”

  Cora nodded and smiled at her. “That makes me feel better.”

  Steven turned to her after they left. “We are?”

  She nodded and looked up at him.

  How am I supposed to say no to those sleepy brown eyes? “We are.” He held out his hand.

  Rachel took it and smiled as they walked back down the path. “I’m too restless to sleep. And there are too many coming and going in here tonight.” She looked at him her eyes slowly moving over his face.

  He looked down at her and tightened his hold on her hand. “If you’re going to look at me like that, at least wait until we’re not in the wide open here.” His voice was no more than a whisper. “Let’s head to the pond.” He fought back the urge to pick her up and quickly carry her there. “We do have to kind of keep an eye out, with so many people in hiding.”

  They strolled slowly by where Cora was sitting silently. Reaching out to her Rachel sent an invisible hand to hold Cora’s for a moment.

  Cora lifted her face to the sky and smiled.

  Grinning up at Steven they walked a bit further. Rachel jumped when she spotted Patrick standing in the shadows of a few trees together. She leaned against Steven and nodded in that direction.

  Steven spoke loud enough Patrick would hear. “Let’s go sit by the pond.” The silent man acknowledged and then turned back to look in the other direction.

  He didn’t want to believe this was his last night with her, it couldn’t be. Dropping his mouth down against her ear Steven whispered. “If we don’t pick up the pace a bit I’m going to throw you over my shoulder and run.” He dipped his tongue in her ear quickly.

  She tightened the hold on his hand the looked up at him. Smiling she licked her lips and whispered back as close to his ear as she could get. “You have this amazing talent of making me wet with one touch and a few words.” His restraint snapped and he began pulling her towards the pond.

  By the time he was assured no one was in the direct area or heading to this area he was barely able to stop himself from throwing her to the ground. “Over here,” he said roughly. “So no one walking up can see.” He walked around to the other side of a few large rocks.

  As soon as she came around the corner he pinned her between his body and the rock. His mouth crushing down on hers roughly. She wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned into him. He pulled his mouth away and bit her lip. “I’ve needed to do that since watching you dance again tonight.” His lips moved down over her throat slowly. “You are so fucking hot, Angel, I start panting as soon as you walk by me.”

  He didn’t know how he was going to walk away from her after this. He pushed her top up and lowered his head. “You are mine.” He whispered between little nips across her breast. He wanted to consume her.

  Rachel pushed her hips into him and arched back over the rock. “Yes.” She moaned when he sucked hard on the side of her breast, marking her as his. She grasped his shoulders tightly as he moved to the other one and did the same thing. She tried to pull his head up.

  He pulled back from her. “Let me taste all of you.” His mouth traveled down over her ribs and stomach as he pushed the skirt down her hips. Lifting her gently he rested her in a crevice on the rock. He opened her legs so he could look at her leaning back against the rock, open for him. Dropping to his knees he licked the inside of each thigh slowly. He flicked his tongue slowly over her.

  She was so wet he moaned against her. Dipping his tongue in he brought it out slowly and sucked her clit gently, savoring the taste of her.

  Rachel threw her head back and moaned. Supporting her weight on one hand she reached down and brought his hand from her thigh up to her breast. He kneaded it as he plunged his tongue inside her a
gain. Gasping, she dropped her hand back behind her and lifted her hips to his mouth.

  Flicking her clit with his tongue he gently pulled a nipple and looked up at her in the half moon light. The sight of her drove him beyond gentle and he Dropped his hand to grasp her hips so he could rub his face against her as he plunged his tongue in and out of her. Her thighs began to shake as she gasped and Dropped back further on the rock. He wanted to give her all of him. He waited until she began to come and stood, quickly pulling his sarong aside he drove into her and released his magic to caress over her and intensify every feeling she was having. She cried out and convulsed violently around him immediately. He drove hard and fast not giving her a chance to come down. Gripping her thighs he pulled her hips up and slammed into her as deep as he could, she moaned loudly and gasped his name.

  Looking down at her spread out for him like an offering he groaned and wasn’t able to hold off any longer. He drove them both to climax.

  Dropping his head to rest on her chest he swallowed trying to catch his breath. His heart was beating so hard he thought his chest was going to crack open. “Angel...” He huffed out another breath. “You literally leave me breathless.” He finished quickly before lifting his head.

  She was leaning back, her chest rising and falling as fast as his was. His arm brushed over the cold rock and he realized she was still against the rough rock. Straightening, he pulled out of her and helped her to sit.

  She feathered kisses over his chest. “What did you do?” She took a few shallow breaths. “I may have a few moments of weakness when we go home and show up on your door begging, Steven.” She looked up at him with heavy eyes. “Please send me home though. You’re positively addicting.”

  He ran a thumb along her cheek. “I feel the same way.” He pulled her top back into place and reached down to pick up her skirt. He was pulling it up her legs slowly, stopping to kiss every few seconds when a bright light of sparks burst up in the sky.

  “Cora!” She gasped breathlessly and was off the rock and pulling up her skirt in one motion. Catching her hand he started running.