The Touch of Snow

by Anna Edwards

  "We will agree to disagree." He sat back and drank the coffee. Nuka's druid chose that moment to enter the room.

  "Is everything ready?" Nuka asked.

  "Yes. Please, Miss Harper if you would come this way. I've got everything set up in my room."

  "I'm coming as well." Brayden stood and pulled Selene to her feet and to his side. She was not going anywhere without him.

  "Of course, Brayden. We will not split you up," Nuka added.

  The druid led them through the cabin. It was tastefully decorated. Maybe a few too many stag horns for his liking but Brayden could guarantee they weren’t fakes. They’d probably made a nice meal for everyone at some point.

  "I know this is hard, but we need to give them a chance. Nuka didn't have to show us that video," Selene whispered into his ear. She was careful not to get too close.

  "I'm being a moody snow leopard, aren't I?"

  "Just a little." She wiggled her nose coyly.

  "I'm just confused. And angry at being played for a fool by Kas."

  "I know. I'm mad at him as well. I might try and change into that flea again and go bite him so many times that he gets really itchy."

  "You're a little crazy at times."

  "Makes me fun in amongst all the angst."

  The druid held the door open to his room for them.

  "Thank you." Selene strode in, her curvy backside swiveling in her tight jeans. Brayden caught Ciaran watching and growled.

  "Sorry. It won't happen again."

  "See that it doesn't."

  He took a seat from the corner of the room and dragged it in one long scrape to where Ciaran pointed for Selene to stand.

  "I'll need you to sit back a little please."

  He growled again.

  "Brayden, Selene is in safe hands. Please come sit near me. We will be safe from the spell here." Nuka had taken a seat on a comfortable sofa across the other side of the room. Brayden complied.

  "The spell will be different from the one Jessica performed. I'm merely taking away the barrier, she put in, to prevent you from not shifting when you touch Brayden. Would you be able to hold these for me? They are a mixture of thyme, rosemary and ague weed. It is important you ball them in your hands. The touch element is important."

  "This will not unbind all my abilities, will it?" Selene asked.

  "No, it will simply allow you to touch Brayden and not shift. The spell Jessica put on you will still be in place. I cannot remove that, only she can."

  "How do we know that it will work?”

  “I’m afraid you have to trust me on that. I taught Jessica, my magic is stronger than hers. When I look at you I see a barrier, your aura is off. That is how I know what she has done and how to fix it.”

  Brayden watched Selene and Ciaran as they prepared for the spell. He drew magical symbols on her face in a paste made from apple. He'd asked Selene to stand in the middle of a pentagram. The white chalk of the magical mark was stark against the dark wooden floor. It reminded him of the fresh white of Selene's coat and the black flecks that marked it.

  "She is brave." Nuka spoke up.

  "Selene?"

  "Yes. To not know anything about who she is, but be able to maintain a sense of humor and strength is a powerful attribute." Nuka’s voice was quiet and calm as he spoke.

  "She has no past to be jaded by?” That was an unspoken truth between Brayden and Selene. He had a lot to show her and much of it would leave her upset. The world wasn’t always a nice place.

  "You speak again of your father?" Nuka inquired.

  "My father, the Council’s decisions to take the land. It has left many a shifter wanting to just disappear up into the mountains for a quiet life."

  "You no longer want to fight?"

  "I want to know if what I'm fighting for is worth it. They say humans are bad for the destruction they are raining down on the Earth, but we are no different. We say we live in peace; but you always hear of a brutal death, another displaced animal. It happens so minimally compared to the fights of the past, but it still happens. We all strive for dominance in this world. Maybe we are just animals in the end. Humanity died years ago." There was such despondency in his answer.

  "You are a bright man Brayden; I could do with a man like you in my pack. You see things, the subtle occurrences that other shifters miss. You know something is coming, you sense it like I do."

  "I'm a member of the Glacial Blood." His reply was curt.

  "Even though they would betray you and the woman who is so obviously your mate?"

  "Kas would have had a reason."

  "Other than to destroy Selene's ability to take his power, I can't see what it is."

  "And after I'm assured of Selene's safety, I will ask him." Every muscle in his body tensed. He knew it. Nuka knew it. He would take Kas on in a fight to the death, if, it meant discovering the truth about why he prevented Selene from shifting at his touch.

  "Well if you ever want a position in my pack, know that it is yours."

  "Thank you."

  Ciaran commenced his spell. Selene knelt on the floor, the herbs balled in her hands, her head bowed as the druid recited his words.

  'Devotio mala, devotio mala,

  Upon mine safety, I doth hold,

  Returneth the spell,

  Back to whence it came,

  Cleanse this vessel of thine hex,

  That doth plague her pure blood,

  Devotio mala, devotio mala.'

  Selene put her head up. Her eyes had rolled back into her head. She was recanting the words in perfect time with Ciaran.

  'Devotio mala, devotio mala,

  Upon mine safety, I doth hold,

  Returneth the spell,

  Back to whence it came,

  Cleanse this vessel of thine hex,

  That doth plague her pure blood,

  Devotio mala, devotio mala.'

  The third time through, she thrust her head back and expelled a plume of black smoke. Her voice was a hoarse scream as it dissipated into the sky. He went to stand, but Nuka put his hand in the way.

  "She is fine. It is the spell."

  Selene collapsed, and Brayden was on the floor with her in a second. She was gasping for air. He pulled her hair back from her face.

  Her eyes focused on his hand. Touching her.

  "I'm not changing." She was breathless. "It worked?"

  "It worked."

  "Thank you." She looked over to Nuka and Ciaran, her eyes full of gratitude. He had to admit he owed them a thank you as well but not before he'd had a taste of her lips. Their eyes met. She loved him. She was his mate.

  He lowered his head to hers. Warm breath passed over his face when her breath hitched. He placed his lips desperately on hers and waited for the spell to fail, but it didn't. He could taste her; sweet honey mixed with rose. If anyone asked him again what his favorite taste was it would always be her. Even Molly's venison stew did not compare. His pulse quickened when she melted against him. He pulled reluctantly away.

  He needed to get her into the nearest bedroom. "Where can we go?"

  Nuka laughed.

  "I thought that would be your first question. Ciaran, why don't you escort Miss Harper to the room we have prepared for them. I'm sure she could use a few moments to freshen up after the spell."

  Selene's pupils were dilated, she swayed as if she was in a dream.

  "That would be good. I think I need to lose some clothes." Selene winked at Brayden.

  There was no way he could hold a growl in.

  "Five minutes, and then you’re mine."

  He kissed her again, getting to his feet and pulling her with him. They parted, and she left the room with Ciaran.

  "Thank you, Nuka. I know we've had our differences in the past. You didn't have to help us."

  "She is special. I would not leave her unprotected as Kas did."

  "Look, I'm not saying joining your pack is a no. I need to confront Kas first. Will you give me time to think a
bout it?"

  "Of course. Take all the time you need. If you and Selene need anything while you are here, then just ask for it. I suspect though for the next few hours there will be little I can help you with."

  "Yeah, I think I can handle everything for a while."

  He held out his hand and shook Nuka's. "To new beginnings."

  "Let me escort you to your mate."

  "Thank you."

  He followed Nuka through the cabin with a spring in his step.

  "She's in here."

  Nuka opened the door for him. "I'll have dinner put outside your door."

  Brayden walked into the room and shut the door behind him. It was dark.

  "Selene?"

  Nothing. Had she fallen asleep?

  The lights above him flicked on. He was in a cage. Shit. He saw the cage door in front of him and ran for it but was too late. It slammed magically shut.

  "Selene?" Where was she? What was going on?

  Another light turned on to reveal Selene in the middle of the room. She was bound and gagged; her arms hanging from the ceiling to keep her in place. Tears filled her eyes.

  "Did you really think I would let my brother have such a precious commodity as his own?" Nuka stepped out of the shadows.

  "I will fucking kill you," Brayden hollered out.

  He rattled the bars of the cage. An electrical current surged through him and sent him flying backward. Selene screamed into the gag.

  "I don't think so. I'll be the only one doing the killing. But not before Miss Harper gives me exactly what I want."

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  How could they have been so stupid as to trust Nuka? Kas had warned them, and they'd fallen straight into his twin brother's trap. Nuka didn't want them to be able to have a relationship. He wanted her and specifically her powers.

  Her scream was deafening when Brayden flew through the air and landed in a heap on the floor of the cage.

  "Leave him alone." Her words were barely distinguishable through the gag. Ciaran ripped it from her lips, and she spat at him.

  "Play nice, Selene, or I'll stick you in the cage with Brayden. By the time we've finished with him, he'll be more wild animal than the man you know and love now."

  "What do you want?"

  "Selene, don’t listen to them. Give them nothing." Brayden rushed forward again. This time he didn’t touch the bars.

  Nuka looked to Ciaran, who weaved his hands together and threw a ball of magical energy at Brayden. It hit him square in the chest, and he collapsed to the floor.

  "Stop it. Just tell me what you want." She was desperate.

  "Part of the spell that Jessica performed on you linked her to you. If you call her, she will release the spell." Nuka towered in front of her, his hands folded behind his back.

  "I don't understand?"

  "She will feel your emotions if you call for her. If you are desperate, then she will know it. If you need your powers, she will release them. Call her."

  "No." Brayden, trying to stand, called again and Ciaran launched another energy ball at him.

  "Stop that.” She lashed out at Ciaran. “Why do you want my powers released? I'm not going to use them to help you. I don't even have control over them."

  "No, you can't. And that is perfect for us." Ciaran slid forward and laughed eerily. "Call Jessica, plead with your heart for your powers."

  "Tell me why my not controlling them, is better for you?" That answer had terrified her.

  "Selene, you mustn't." Brayden was back on his feet again, his shirt burned away and the skin on his torso inflamed.

  Ciaran balled another energy blast in his hands.

  "You throw that at him, and I'll never call."

  Nuka nodded at Ciaran. The druid quashed the flame with a snarl.

  "Spoil my fun, why don’t you? Nuka, do you want to explain, or shall I?"

  "You make the preparations. I'll explain to Miss Harper what is about to happen." Ciaran turned away and started to pull out potions from a box. "You will call for Jessica, Selene. I will make sure of that. I have ways. What you did not learn from my brother is that you are vulnerable until you learn control. Your powers can be ripped from your body and transferred to another. It will, of course, leave you dead."

  "You want my ability to shift into anything?" Everything fell into place.

  "I would be stronger than any member of the Council with your abilities and mine. I will take back my lands and destroy anyone that had a hand in my father and grandfather's death. You are a necessary sacrifice."

  "I will not call her," she replied adamantly.

  "Ciaran." Nuka stepped back so she could see the cage. Brayden’s feet rose into the air. His arms flung out. He was being stretched. An agonized growl left his body before he fell to the floor. He looked up at her. His eyes were dark with fury.

  "Don't give him what he wants," he spat out venomously.

  "I can't watch him hurt you." It was too painful. His body was breaking apart. Every cry was rooting itself deep inside her.

  "I can withstand a lot more than this. Zain warns you about taking his honey. Well, I borrowed some once." His attempt at a reassuring laugh came out strained. "Let's just say I'm lucky I've still got arms and legs. I was in traction for a month."

  "Brayden?"

  He lifted off the floor again. This time, his tattered clothes ripped from his body leaving him naked. With a twist of his hand, Ciaran drew shallow cuts across his body, crimson blood marring his perfect pale flesh. She couldn't do this. She couldn't be strong.

  "You can stop this, Selene. Make the pain go away for him. All you have to do is call Jessica" Ciaran yelled at her.

  "I can't,” she sobbed.

  Ciaran flicked his hand, and more cuts appeared. Brayden's arms thrust out again, and his body stretched. Bones cracked. Ciaran released the spell, and he fell to the floor. An arm came out at a funny angle, he tried to get up but his strength was fading fast.

  "Plead for your powers, Selene. Save the man you love."

  She shut her eyes. If she couldn't see what was happening, then maybe it would go away. They would realize she would never give up. Brayden was asking her to be strong. She had to do it for him.

  "Pull him out. He is weak enough not to attack now." Nuka gave Ciaran his orders.

  "I'll still bind his arms. I don't trust him." She could hear the movement around her.

  "Open your eyes, Selene. Look at your lover."

  "Selene, whatever happens, know that I love you. Fight for who you are. Fight for your powers. Don't let them win."

  Tears streamed down her cheeks. She opened her eyes. Brayden was on his knees in front of her. He had burn marks on his torso, blood seeped from cuts all over his body, his arm was at a funny angle, and a knife was at his throat. Nuka held it there.

  "One last chance, Selene. Call Jessica for your powers now, or I'll end his life."

  This was it. She had to make a choice. Her life or Brayden's.

  "I'm sorry." She looked at him. His eyes focused on her, and they were filled with love and sorrow. "I will always love you."

  She screamed Jessica's name.

  ***

  "Oh my God. That is delicious." Jessica took another bite of the spinach and ricotta lasagna. "Seriously, this is better than sex. Tyler, you have to try some."

  Tyler, who'd cooked the meal, looked at her like she'd grown two heads, and sat down with his pork loin.

  "It has green stuff in it. No meat."

  "That's the whole point of vegetarianism."

  "Emma, she is using that strange word again." Tyler popped a bite of pork in his mouth after calling out to the lioness, who was sharpening her knives at the table.

  "Jessica stop teasing the meat-eaters, remember you're outnumbered here. And Tyler, eat with your mouth shut."

  "Hey." They both replied at the same time. Tyler with his mouth open and meat spitting out.

  "I wasn't eating with my mouth open."

  "And I
wasn't teasing the meat-eater. I just happen to believe vegetables are better for you."

  Tyler made a gagging noise.

  "I may be alone now, but wait till Selene returns. She eats vegetables."

  "If she's up the mountain with Brayden then she'll be getting raw meat." Scott strode in and served himself some pork. "Great feast man. You're the best cook. The women of this pack are useless."

  "You want to rephrase that Scott?" Emma held up a knife.

  Jessica tried to stay focused on the conversation, but a pain in her chest had her shifting uncomfortably in her chair. She placed her knife and fork down and took a sip of water. The discomfort spread.

  "See, the veggies have made you ill already." Tyler finished off his pork.

  The pain was getting worse. She placed her hand over her heart and let out an agonized groan.

  "Jess." All three were at her side.

  "What's wrong?" Tyler felt her forehead. "You've gone white as a sheet."

  She pushed them away and stood up, but her legs couldn't hold her. The pain was getting worse; it was like her heart was breaking in two. Selene’s voice hit her like a ton of bricks.

  She was lifted and carried. The screaming in her head left it impossible to focus. Selene was in pain, so much pain. The spell. She needed to reverse the spell. Give Selene her powers back.

  "Kas?" she managed to speak her leader's name.

  "I'm here, talk to me. What is it?" Kas held her hand with great concern.

  "We have to reverse the spell."

  "Selene?"

  "She's in trouble. Excruciating pain."

  "Do it." There was no hesitation in Kas' voice.

  She flipped the pages of the book to the right page. A quick read of the words reminded her of them. She thrust her head back and started to recite.

  'Ease mine pounding heart right now,

  Break the connection to thine vessel,

  Freeth her from Magic once cast,

  Giveth back abilities no longer bound.'