by J. L. McCoy
Jameson stood awkwardly a few feet away and I immediately went up to him and threw my arms around him. His body stiffened in surprise, but soon melted into me as he gripped me tightly to his chest.
“I’m so glad you’re safe,” he whispered into my hair as he kissed the top of my head. “I was so worried.”
“I don’t understand how he got into my house,” I shook my head against him. “That’s supposed to be impossible, right?”
“Right, love,” he sighed. “I wish I had been there for you. I can only imagine how scared you were.”
I hugged him tighter and allowed him to walk us into the house.
Jameson sat me down on the sofa in the living room and went to make me a cup of tea.
“Is Earl Grey okay?” Jameson asked.
“Yes, thank you,” I answered as I slipped off my flip-flops and pulled my knees to my chest. I hugged them tightly to me and laid my head down on them. The adrenaline from finding out that Amun had been in my house was wearing off; I was suddenly exhausted.
I heard the front door open and saw Quinn and Lochlan enter the family room, soon followed by everyone else. I watched as Archer sighed and ran his fingers through his hair as he walked over to me and took a seat beside me on the couch.
“Are you okay?” he asked quietly.
I nodded my head as I put my cheek back down on my knees. “Just tired,” I whispered as I closed my eyes. “I didn’t sleep well last night.”
“You’ve had a pretty eventful day, too,” Archer said gently.
“Here you go, love,” Jameson said and I lifted my head to see him holding a mug out to me.
I sat up and lowered my legs as I appreciatively accepted the steaming cup. “Thank you, honey.”
Jameson had made my tea just how I liked it and I smiled gratefully as I blew onto the top of the cloudy liquid to cool it.
“So what happens now?” I asked Archer as Jameson took a seat in the overstuffed chair next to a napping Styvi Nix.
“An Dílis will be here as soon as they can. The closest faction they have is in Houston at the moment. They thought Amun was there, not in Austin.”
“Tell me the truth,” I pleaded gently. “Pádraig said that Amun had been in my house in the past few days, but he never gave me an exact time frame. I have a feeling he knows more than he is telling me. What else do I not know?”
Archer sighed as he looked over at me. I could see the indecision on his face as he gazed at mine. “Just tell me, please…whatever it is, I can handle it.”
“He was in your house today,” Archer explained. “Earlier this morning, based on the scent.” He reached into his jean pocket, pulled out a piece of paper, and watched me closely as he handed it to me.
“What’s this?” I asked, confused as I unfolded it. I quickly read it and looked over at Archer with wide eyes. “So, this is actual confirmation that he really has been controlling my dreams. I didn’t want to believe it…”
Jameson stood up and came to sit on the other side of me. He gently took the paper from me and glanced at it. “Meet me in your dreams,” he read aloud and handed the paper back to Archer. “Are we still worried about a Trojan Horse scenario?”
“Nay, Youngblood,” Archer answered quickly. “Hunter and I both saw nothing to cause alarm during our readings. I don’t know how he’s manipulating her dreams, but I badly want to.”
Archer looked at me and took a deep breath. “I spoke with An Dílis and they want you to try something. They want you to fall asleep and actively seek Amun in your dreams, if you can manage it. When you see him, get him to talk to you. Ask questions about your surroundings or see if you can get him to slip up and say where he is physically. Also, see if he will tell you how he is able to access your dreams. Pretend to be interested in it, if you can. From what you’ve told me, Amun seems very boastful and self-righteous and he may tell you because of it.”
I shook my head, my eyes wide with sudden fear. “I’m scared, Archer. You know what he can do. Please don’t ask me to do this. I don’t want to see him again.”
Jameson pulled me into his arms to comfort me and I watched Archer’s body stiffen. It was obvious he did not like Jameson touching me now. “Would you feel better if one of us watched you while you slept? That way someone will be there with you when you awaken?” Jameson asked sweetly.
“I’m scared,” I repeated as I looked over at Archer pleadingly.
“Youngblood, would you mind giving us a minute?” Archer asked as he got up and extended his hand to me. “I want to talk to Skye in private.”
I slowly took his hand as I stood and followed him to the hall. I glanced back apologetically at Jameson and then followed Archer to his office.
He closed the door and I took a seat in one of the two chairs in front of his desk. I watched as he perched on the edge of the desk in front of me and sighed. “What are you afraid of exactly, Skye?” he asked patiently.
I looked down at my hands and blushed furiously. “I-I can’t handle having another dream like the last one I had,” I said, completely embarrassed, referring to the sexual encounter Archer and I had. “It was too real…too vivid. I was unable to differentiate a dream from actual reality. I’m terrified to go through that for a second time.” I bit my bottom lip and sighed. “I’m scared that he’ll use you against me, and I can’t deal with that right now. I just can’t.”
“I know you are afraid,” Archer said gently, “but if you can help us catch Amun, I need you to try, love. I’ll stay with you the entire time you’re asleep. I won’t leave your side, I promise.”
I looked up at Archer and realized that I had no choice. Amun was going to come to me in my dreams anyway, so why not be prepared and have someone beside me while it happens. I swallowed thickly and finally nodded my head in agreement.
He smiled as he stood up and pulled me into his arms. “You are so brave,” he whispered as he looked down into my eyes. “I won’t let anything happen to you and I’ll wake you up if you start crying out in your sleep, okay?”
“Okay,” I agreed as I wrapped my arms around him and held him tightly. I was terrified of what I was about to do, but I knew it needed to be done. “Where should I take my nap?”
“Wherever you are most comfortable, love,” he said and kissed the top of my head.
“My room,” I whispered into his chest.
I followed Archer out of the office and down the hall to the family room. I waited by the entryway as Archer went over to Jameson and gave him his cell phone. They spoke briefly in hushed tones then Archer walked back over to me. The look on Jameson’s face tugged at my heart, but I’d rather Archer experience the horrors of my dreams instead of Jameson. I had already brought Jameson enough worry with my previous dreams, he didn’t need to see anymore; especially if they were of the sexual nature and costarred by my boss and Jameson’s maker/brother/father. Can you say ‘awkward’?
Archer and I walked to my room and I sat down on the edge of my bed as he shut the door.
“Do you need to change?” he asked and I shook my head.
I quickly undid my braids and ran my fingers through my wavy hair before pulling back the covers and crawling under them.
Archer walked over to the French doors and pulled the curtains closed. “Would you like me to lay down with you?” he asked as he turned back to me.
“No,” I shook my head. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Then I’ll be right here when you wake up,” he smiled as he relaxed onto the chaise lounge.
I turned on my left side, facing away from him, and snuggled down into my pillow. “Thank you,” I whispered and quickly fell asleep.
*****
I slowly opened my eyes and looked at the iPod dock by the bed. It read 5pm and I realized that I had slept three whole hours without dreaming of Amun. I rolled over, took a deep breath and stretched my sore muscles. Archer stirred on the chaise lounge on my right and sat up.
“Damnú air,�
� he swore as he tiredly pinched the bridge of his nose. “I didn’t mean to fall asleep.” He looked up at me with raised, expectant eyebrows. “Did you dream of him?”
I shook my head as I pushed back the covers and got out of bed. “I know this isn’t what you want to hear, but I’m glad he didn’t come to me. He scares the crap out of me, Archer.”
“I know, baby,” he said as he walked over to me. “Go ahead and get dressed. I need to call Ruarc and get an update. An Dílis will want to go through your house, I’m sure. They’ll need you to give them access before we go to the club.”
I nodded my head and turned to go to the bathroom when suddenly he was standing behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling me to his chest. He nuzzled my neck softly and it gave me goose bumps all over my body. “I’m proud of you,” he whispered in my ear as he lightly trailed kisses down my neck. His touch felt unbelievable good and my heart quickened with need. I had a sudden flash from my dream; I was on top of him, my pink nipple in his hungry, delicious mouth as he looked up at me with hot desire in his eyes. I quickly pushed the memory away and turned around in his arms to face him.
“You have to stop,” I whispered, putting my hand to his chest to get some distance between us. “I don’t know what to do with these feeling I have for you. Part of me wants to desperately make love to you like I did in my dream, but the other part of me feels betrayed and broken by what you and Hunter did to me. I can’t be with you if part of me doesn’t trust you. Lack of trust is a major deal breaker for me.” I sighed as I looked down at the hand that was resting on his white t-shirt. “I just broke up with Jameson because of the actions of you, Hunter and Trey. I still don’t fully trust vampires. It’s going to take a while to earn my trust back, Archer. It may be too late, I don’t know.”
“I wish I could take back what I did to you,” he said sadly. “I’d do anything to take your pain away, Skye. I’m so sorry I hurt you.”
“Me too,” I said before standing on my tiptoes and chastely kissing him on his plush lips. “Tell Ruarc to cancel the extra guards he was going to send you as a replacement for the ones I was going to take. I’m not leaving here until Amun is dead; not now that he’s been in my house without an invitation. I’ll never be truly safe there while he is still alive.”
He nodded his head as I stepped back and walked into the bathroom. I heard my bedroom door softly close and I brushed my teeth and washed my face. I quickly put on my makeup and threw my hair up into two tight buns on top of my head. After making sure that my false eyelashes were adhered properly, I went to my closet and put on a blood red push-up bra, an excessively ripped black crop top that barely went below my bra, and a red, pleated tartan patterned ultra mini skirt. I pulled on some ripped tights and completed the look with clunky platform knee-high boots. After grabbing my bag, I shut my bedroom door and walked into the family room.
Styvi Nix came bounding up to me as soon as she saw me. “Hey little girl!” I greeted her as I scooped her up in my arms. “I’ve missed you, sleepy head.”
She barked and wiggled in my arms and I sat her down and watched her grab her tug rope and bring it to me. “Does someone want to go outside and play?” I asked, laughing at how adorable she was. She ran to the door and sat patiently; her little stubby tail wagging furiously with excitement.
I looked around the room and most of the vampires were watching her with an amused smile on their faces. I could immediately tell that Styvi had made a few friends in her short time here.
I went to the back door and looked over my shoulder at Jameson. “Care for a game of Fetch with us?” I smiled.
He returned mine with a tentative one of his own, grabbed his glass of blood and joined us. He stood by me quietly as he watched me throw and Styvi fetch.
“I didn’t dream of Amun,” I said softly.
“I heard,” he replied, matching my tone.
I looked over at him and sighed. “Is it horrible that I’m glad?”
Jameson bent down to take the proffered tug rope from an excited Styvi. “No one can fault you for it. We all know how alarming his presence is for you. I’m just sorry they asked that of you. It was pretty insensitive if you ask me.”
I bit my bottom lip in deep thought. “Shouldn’t I try to help find him if I can? I mean, I don’t want to, but if it’ll help catch Amun sooner…”
“You do what you want,” Jameson growled suddenly as he frustratedly ran his fingers through his hair. “You’ve been doing it for the last few days with no thought to anyone else’s feelings…why stop now?”
My jaw dropped in shock. Jameson’s sudden outburst was so unexpected and unlike him. I closed my mouth as I took a deep breath. “You’re pissed at me,” I said softly. “I get it. I broke your heart and I’m a major bitch for doing it. I’m sorry, Jameson. I can’t take back what happened. I was hoping that we could just move on and be civil to one another…hell maybe be friends even, but it looks like you aren’t ready for that.”
“You’re damn right I’m not,” he seethed, fully turning his body to mine. “I was in love with you, Skye. We had an amazing, beautiful relationship and you throw it all away because of something I had no control over, something I didn’t even participate in! You passed judgment on me when you did the others. I SAVED you. I HEALED you. I didn’t hurt you like they did and still, you break up with me? And the best part of this whole fucking situation is that you’ve got something going on with Archer, my fucking brother, my father! You wasted no time jumping into his arms after he hurt you. What the hell is that? I save you, you dump me. He facilitates your heart attack and almost kills you and you lust after him? Don’t think I can’t see what’s going on between you two. I smell your attraction to him and it’s tenfold now that you’ve dumped me. I don’t get you, Skye. I thought I knew you, but it’s obvious I know nothing. The girl I was in love with would never have hurt me like you did.” I watched helplessly as he turned and flashed around to the front of the house.
“Shit,” I sighed as I put my hand to my forehead. Styvi sat down at my feet and whimpered in the direction that Jameson had fled.
“I know, girl,” I whispered sympathetically. “I’m sorry.”
I was devastated that I had hurt Jameson and I was hurt by his words, but every one he spoke was the truth. I didn’t know what the hell I was thinking or even doing right now. Half of me hated Archer and all vampires for that matter, but the other half of me loved them. Conflicting emotions warred inside me and tugged at my soul. I felt horrible that everything had gotten so messed up between Jameson, Archer and me.
I looked down at a still whimpering Styvi Nix and reached down to gently stroke her head. “I’ll fix this, superstar. I know you love him. I do too.”
I picked up her tug rope and she reluctantly followed me back into the house. As I tossed her rope onto the hardwood floor, I looked around the room. Everyone was looking at anything but me and I could immediately tell that they had heard Jameson’s rant. Oh hell. I sighed as I squared my shoulders and walked into the kitchen for a glass of carrot juice.
“Give him time,” Aoife whispered behind me and I jumped at her unexpected nearness. I turned to face her, bottle in hand, as she continued. “He’s angry but he’ll get over it. He always does.”
“Not this time,” Trey said from the kitchen table as he stared into his glass of blood. “I’ve never seen him this hurt before. Not even when Amani dumped him for that Dark One back in ’43. He’s not getting over this one.”
“Ouch,” Quinn said from the doorway of the kitchen. “I remember that. He wasn’t right for a few years afterward.”
I swallowed thickly and moved to put the bottle of carrot juice back in the refrigerator. I suddenly felt sick to my stomach. “So you guys heard all that, huh?” I asked as I closed my eyes tightly, horrified and embarrassed.
“Aye,” Seamus said from the couch. “You’ve made a’ bloody mess o’ that situation. Lad’s all bolloxed up.”
&n
bsp; I cringed and sighed as I closed the refrigerator door and rubbed my right temple; I felt a wicked stress headache coming on. “Dammit,” I swore under my breath.
“Back off,” Hunter growled protectively from his spot on the couch by Seamus. “This is between Jameson and Skye. Just because you heard the argument doesn’t mean you have to put in your two cents. Theirs is a private matter and it needs to stay one.”
“Jameson is my friend,” Trey huffed angrily as he stood up from the kitchen table. “I think it’s only fair that the person who hurt him knows just how devastated he really is.”
“Trey,” I pleaded sadly, but he raised a delicate hand to silence me.
“I love you, Skye,” he said with sad, hurt eyes. “You are like family to me, but what you did to him was unfair and I have a right to be angry with you.”
“I have my own rights, too, you know,” I frowned as I straightened my back indignantly. “I’m still angry at what you participated in yesterday. You held me against my will and helped them hurt me.”
Trey huffed and dramatically threw his hands up. “Ifreann na fola! We all apologized to you, Skye! I was just following Archer’s orders and he had damn good reasons for them. If you had actually been what he feared, you could have killed us all!”
“But I wasn’t!” I shouted back at him. “You could have just talked to me and told me what was happening!”
“No, he couldn’t,” Aoife said gently from beside me.
“Stay out of this, Aoife!” Trey and I both yelled in unison.
We were silent for a few moments as we stared daggers at each other. Both of us were hurting and nothing we said right now in the heat of the moment was going to help the situation.
“I love you Skye,” Trey said as he turned and walked out of the kitchen, “but I don’t like you very much right now.”
“Ditto Trey!” I yelled after him. I walked over to the seat he had just vacated and sat down, putting my head in my hands.