Downstairs in seconds, Lera and Adric moved to the front door. Drawing it open, she was shocked to see Kori’s sister, Cairenn, standing there. Her emerald eyes glittered hard like the stone. In her hands, she held a thick package wrapped in plain brown paper.
“Cairenn MacLochlainne, please come in.”
The silence between them thick and awkward. Cairenn stepped abruptly into the great room and tossed the package on the couch. She paused near the fireplace then turned back. Lera waited by the back of the sofa, near the object which had been dropped. Adric watched but made no comment. After a few moments of nothing but leery stares being passed between them, Cairenn crossed her arms.
“Something I can do for you?” Lera asked, not willing to be intimidated in her own home.
“I want what’s best for my brother.”
The words left off were, “And you’re not it.” Lera understood; she doubted herself enough.
“I don’t blame you. I want what’s best for my siblings, too.”
Cairenn nodded. “Perhaps one day—”
“Tolerance works for me. I have siblings and very few I would call friend. So long as we are on the same page about wanting what’s best for Kori, that’s all I care about.”
“Me, too.” Cairenn gestured with one hand. “That’s for you.”
Gaze flickering between the black haired, green-eyed sister to her mate and the item, Lera moved to it and hefted it to the back of the couch. With a deft move, her weapon was drawn and the twine securing the gift fell away. Lying there on the paper sat folded leathers. Black and ruddy leather. She removed them one at a time to lay them out on the back of the sofa. They were soft and supple. A complete outfit, moccasins included.
“These are beautiful,” Lera said in awe.
“Try them on.”
Even though it was an order, Lera followed it. They fit like a dream and molded to her without hampering her movements. Leather bands protected the vulnerable spot at her wrists and had the outline of a wolf in them. She felt like a warrior.
“Cairenn, these are beautiful. Where’d you get them?”
Without a word, the woman seemingly pulled a leather coat from the air, only to drape it so it settled around Lera’s own shoulders. The woman never actually touched her, though. The garment was so soft against Lera’s skin.
“That’s all I can do,” the woman uttered, sounding disgruntled.
“These are yours.”
“In a manner of speaking.”
It hit Lera. “You made them.”
“Yes.” Her expression grew almost gentle. “Travel safe, little sister.”
As if Lera wasn’t even in the room, Cairenn went on her way. Lera hurried to the window and watched her strip, shift, and run off toward the woods.
‘Adric?’
‘I’d say your new family is strange. She loves her brother, and no woman is good enough for him.’
‘Then, why give me a gift?’
‘Because you are her brother’s mate.’
She snorted and ran her palms over the leather pants. “Great, didn’t want a tough job ahead of me or anything like that.”
Lupine laughter filled her head, and she shot Adric a glare. The wolf merely yawned, showing her his sparkling white and incredibly sharp teeth. She chuckled. Sliding her hands along the back of her pants, she found a loop like in the pants she normally wore. Once her weapon was secure, Lera removed the coat and admired the craftsmanship.
The door opened and brought her head up with a snap. Stepping through the entry was her father and on his heels strode Kori. The men looked tired but Kori also looked delicious. His black attire fit him like a second skin, highlighting the coiled power within him. He shrugged off his trench coat, and her eyes were immediately drawn to the silver jewelry adorning his biceps and thick forearms. Wide bands engraved with intricate Celtic knots and wolves. His tanned skin offset the silver hue, and his corded arms seemed even stronger. She’d never seen him with anything like this before.
He met her gaze and winked. Her heart clenched briefly. Kori ran his gray gaze over her, lust flaring to life. “Cairenn was here,” he stated.
The way he stared at her was like he had undressed her and licked every inch of her body. Dropping her gaze, she smoothed her hands over the form-fitting top. It zipped up the back, tank top, and had center lacing with wide ruddy laces on black leather up the front, over the perforated vented center panel.
“What do you think?”
‘I don’t think I should say what I think in front of your father, mo anam. He’s likely to disembowel me. Just know I want to peel it all off of you. You look beautiful. And fucking hot.’
Fighting her smile, Lera met her father’s stare. “It’s time for me to go, Daddy.”
Dane’s tawny-green-gold eyes overflowed with love, and he walked to her then gathered her close.
“Travel safe, little one. Come home soon.”
Arms around him tightly, Lera didn’t want to let go. He was safe, and she knew he wouldn’t let anything happen to her.
“I love you, Daddy.”
His lips were right by her ear. “You, Valera Grace, are my daughter. A Sidorov and I will always love you.”
She blinked back tears. “Tell Mama I said goodbye.”
Dane cupped her face with his large hands and stared at her. She could feel his strength and warmth flowing through her. The same as she had the day she met him. She reached up with one hand and pressed her fingers along the scar on the inside of his wrist and rubbed it absently.
“Come back to us, little one.” He helped her on with her coat.
“I will.” Or die trying.
He kissed her cheeks and stepped back. She glanced over to Kori and saw his trench back on, and he waited by the door. In his gaze, she found unwavering belief. He stretched out a hand to her. With a final peek at her dad, she moved forward, tugged her gloves on, and settled her hand in Kori’s. Along their private line—she discovered she also had one between her and Adric—his love sped and surrounded her.
No words passed between them. Kori walked her to the front door. She took small, almost hesitant steps. Her gaze traveled from the smooth hardwood floors, floors she’d spent memorable times sliding on them in her socks, to the thick beams of the second floor. The sturdy, handcrafted furniture she’d used to battle imaginary demons, hold her baby siblings on, and fall asleep with the security of a family who loved her. While they’d spent the majority of her years as a Sidorov in her beloved South Africa, this place also held numerous deliciously fond memories. On her tongue lingered what she could describe as a sharp tang of loss or fear of loss. Blinking hard to keep the tears at bay, she did her best to embed the memories in her brain.
‘We’ll be back, mo anam.’
She wished she could be as confident. Instead of confidence, she had doubt and fear. So she remained silent. Kori opened the door, and her breath caught. Adric pressed silently against her. Gathered by the porch were people from Savoy. Some she knew, some she didn’t.
‘They’re staring at me like I’m freak.’
‘You are not a freak. You are a legend. Remember, they’ve believed for so long the Haikon were mere myth, lost to the passage of time.’
‘That doesn’t give them the right to stare at me like I’m suddenly different.’
His thumb skimmed along the back of her hand, making her wish she wasn’t wearing gloves. It also made her want to press against him and rub all over his hard body.
‘I would have no objections to that, Lera.’ Low, decadent with his brogue, he spoke.
The mere hint of his seductive voice wiped away her growing anger. She paused at the top steps before continuing on. Two males paced her, one her mate and one her vaj. She passed uncles, cousins, and more. She and Kori headed to his vehicle, and she cast one final glance to her father who stood motionless on the top of the steps watching her before Kori drove them closer to their destination.
Once he’d par
ked the Humvee, they headed off on foot through the thick trees. A chill ran up her spine, and she knew they’d reached the entrance to the caves. Near the cave, a figure stepped from the dark, passing through the moonlight which seemed to gleam off the white robe.
They waited to see who it was. She smiled when a slender brown hand pushed back the hood and allowed her to stare into the gaze of her father’s best friend’s mate. Lady Nahia Van der Ness. Her Uncle Aren’s wife was an elemental. A rare and powerful one who had the power of the four main and basic elements flowing within her. But there was more than that. Lera had learned growing up Lady Nahia was also tied to the man she called Daddy. Soft brown eyes stared at her.
“Lady Nahia.” Kori’s voice held respect.
With a small nod, Nahia said, “Cormac MacLochlainne.” The gaze never wavered. “It’s good to see you again, Valera. It has been far too long.”
Although barely there, the reprimand existed. “It has,” she agreed.
Nahia reached out, and releasing Kori’s hand, Lera took hers and stepped into her embrace. Something pressed into her palm but Nahia didn’t let her go.
“This gave me comfort, and I have a feeling it will do the same for you. Travel safe, little niece,” Nahia whispered in her ear before she stepped back and repositioned the hood so her face once again obscured from sight. A slight pause, almost a hesitation, before she stepped into a shaft of moonlight which had managed to penetrate the thick canopy and vanished, shimmering from view as if becoming the air itself.
Lera swallowed then stared down at the object in her palm. White, smooth, and intricately detailed, the pendant was that of a tiger and eagle. Joined together, it was as if they were the same being.
“Mo ghrá?”
“I’m fine, Kori.” Brushing the item along her lips, she tucked it inside her shirt so it rested along her heart. “Let’s go,” she muttered with more confidence than she felt.
She observed as he moved his hands through the air in some specific movements and spoke some words too low for her to understand. The entrance appeared before them, and with one last fortifying breath, she stepped forward into the unknown.
“Wait.”
Kori’s voice stopped her two steps in. Over her shoulder, she watched him. More of those patterns with his hands and low words. She assumed he’d replaced whatever he’d taken down. The only reason she could see him was the shaft of moonlight near the entrance allowed it.
He moved toward her, face set and the look she was used to seeing on him. Seriousness. Business. This was the hard, unforgiving warrior she’d first met. Their gazes locked, and her body responded sexually. His eyes warmed, and an almost imperceptible smile touched her mouth.
By the gods, she wanted this man.
“Let us go, mo anam. We have a long way to travel.” The words, although delivered in his “business” tone, made her toes curl. From the flare of heat in his gaze, she knew his thoughts were similar.
Side by side, they progressed. The tunnel was larger than she’d expected. Still, she’d rather not be down here at all, but at least she could stand and walk as opposed to crawling. They rounded a corner, and what little light they had existed no more.
‘Adric?’
He pressed against her leg. She reached for her bag, only to stop when Kori mumbled and a small sphere of light appeared.
“How’d you…?”
He winked at her briefly, softening his expression. “Nice to know you don’t have me all figured out.”
She stuck her tongue out at him then glanced to Adric. The wolf faced forward, head lowered, posture protective.
‘Ready when you are, vaj.’
Therein lay the problem. ‘I don’t know if I am.’ She ran a hand down his back.
‘We’re with you, vaj.’
The sphere floated ahead and halted. Her belly in knots, Lera took a breath and stepped forward. Kori was at her side and Adric was on the other side. They continued in silence for a while, the darkness illuminated by the small ball of greenish light. When they came to a split, all three paused.
“Well?” she asked, wanting to know what they thought should be the next step.
“I have no idea,” Kori said.
‘Neither do I, vaj.’
She glanced at Kori, who looked a bit unsettled. A look which did nothing to ease her mind.
The truth is within you. Words told to her by Herald Siencyn. She tugged off her glove and took Kori’s hand.
“Lera?”
“I want to try something, Kori, but I need you with me.”
“Whatever you need,” he replied immediately.
‘Adric?’
‘I will keep watch, vaj.’
She closed her eyes and skimmed her memories, conscious of Kori’s strong presence beside her, making her feel safe. The things Herald Siencyn shared with her were a jumbled mess, and in an almost frantic way, she searched them, wanting to find a map.
‘Vaj!’
‘Just a minute.’
‘Something approaches, vaj.’
‘Kori, Adric says something is approaching.’
‘How much longer, Lera?’ His voice tense.
‘Not long.’
‘Will you be okay?’
She knew what he was asking. He had to let go so he could defend her.
‘Yes.’ She felt him retreat and her confidence wavered slightly.
‘I’m always with you, mo anam.’
She dug deeper and finally found what she needed. As fast as she could. she memorized the map. Returning to her body, Lera blinked a few times and struggled for her breath. She could see Adric and Kori fighting some nasty creatures. Pushing to her feet, she sighed with relief when her weapon slid into her hand. Picking a target, she joined the battle.
“Which way?” Kori demanded as he ripped the head off a mole-like creature.
“Right.” Her stomach churned as dark liquid oozed from the belly of the spider creature she just impaled. It was like an endless wave of beings.
“Move!” He barked the command.
‘Go, Adric!’
A deadly growl erupted from her vaj as he made short work of the things in front of him. Then, he sprang for the right tunnel branch, the green light leading the way.
“Go, Lera!”
Dispatching another, she entered the tunnel and ran.
‘Kori!’
‘Right behind you. Keep going.’
She did. They ran until the tunnel opened into another cavern. The walls were damp, and the sound of water was easily heard. Weapon in hand, Lera scanned what she could see. There were five ways out of this room. Not including the one they entered via.
Kori increased the light and frowned. “We need to keep going. I don’t like this.”
She agreed. “This way,” she said, pointing to the left.
He sent the light ahead, and again, they were off at a fast jog. Adric, then her, and Kori bringing up the rear. It was narrower now, and she struggled to not think of the walls closing in on her. Four caverns and several hours later, Lera stumbled. Kori caught her and stopped her from falling. Adric paused and waited.
“I need a break,” she admitted. Running on her own feet was way different than travelling long distances on motorcycle.
“Okay.”
They slumped to the floor, and she sighed in relief to be off her feet. It was much colder, and she was grateful for the coat. Although, she did wonder if she’d be cold without it.
“Herald Siencyn,” Kori said in an imploring tone.
“What about him?”
“Tell me what he said.”
Lera leaned against him and closed her eyes. “He told me of the betrayal which scattered the tribes. How some ceremonies were. He spoke of the honor the Haikon had…have and how many their numbers used to be.” She shifted so she could also touch Adric. “He also said his father had known some but he’d never met one…until me.”
Kori’s lips brushed her forehead. “Did he say w
here to go once we get out of here?”
“No. He just said this comes up in the center of an area used for sacred ceremonies, and he’d bet anything it’s watched by either Haikon or their vaj. We’d be noticed.” She licked her lips. “He also said you two had a history.”
He stiffened slightly. “Ready to press on?”
“Yes.” Right now, she was too exhausted to argue with him on this point. And restless. ‘Adric?’
‘Ready, vaj. I long for fresh air.’
‘Me, too.’
The dank and stale air down here had the scent of death and decay. With a slight groan of protest, she got to her feet. Her males followed suit, both looking more energetic than she felt. Bastards. They headed off again, silence between them as they strained to sense any attack before it happened.
They walked until she’d just had enough. Shaking her head, she leaned against the wall. “No more. I’m done. I need to rest.”
Kori stared at her and nodded. “Okay, we’ll crash here for a while.”
Digging into her bag, she withdrew some food and went to the floor before handing some to both Kori and Adric. Her body had no reason to move. She didn’t want to eat but she knew better than to skip that. It didn’t take her long before she was sleeping against Kori. When he woke her, she still wanted more sleep. But she got up and prepared to move on. What good would complaining do, anyway?
The globe of light hovered above Adric, and she gave him mental direction so there was no need to talk. She’d drawn a rough sketch for Kori as well before it was smeared away with a booted foot. They remained underground for a few days. She hated it. Each day took more from her, and she didn’t feel like there was much left to give. When they woke, she divided up the remaining bit of food she carried, and they pressed on. Many hours later, her feet were screaming, and her muscles echoed the sentiment. Lera slowed when natural light illuminated a cavern’s far end. Kori got rid of the light as they cautiously moved closer.
She could see outside and longed to run into the openness. The sky was cloudy, and there was snow on the ground. Nothing she could see indicated it was sacred ground.
“What do you think?”
A Love For Lera (Haikon) Page 18