“You’re on the right track, Charlie,” she began, joining him on her feet. “Your concerns are all valid. Your conclusions so far, correct. The ring did not stop you and Eva as it was simply nature taking course, and as you said, at some level, consensual.”
He nodded, understanding. Sort of.
“I realize it doesn’t make it easier to accept, but in the end no matter how you feel about Eva now, you did not hurt her. You did not force her. This is not in your nature, Charlie.”
“So it won’t let me hurt Liz…” he clipped off his question. Did it even matter now?
Nina sighed. “It’s a future I cannot see. Because the one in charge of that future is undecided.”
“Lizzy,” he guessed.
Nina nodded kindly. “Whoever you end up with Charlie, you will not hurt them. The ring is intelligently intuitive.”
“I don’t completely understand what that means.”
“It does not stop free will. It works at an emotional level. The very essence of who you are. Your subconscious intent. It can sense whether what you’re doing is free will, consensual, or something out of your own control. Something you would not do. Eva was a willing partner, as were you. As hard as that might be to accept, some part of you, not just your wolf, wanted it. Her too.”
Charlie shook his head, ashamed. “It’s true. I don’t want it to be. I was attracted to her. Obviously, my wolf was too. I just need to be sure I won’t hurt the woman I love. Not by any physical means, at least.”
“You won’t, Charlie. You can be sure of this. However, like you also fear, this is all with the notion you are wearing the ring. As I removed it voluntarily from my finger, you might do the same. You could be made to do the same. It is one flaw. But one we needed to keep.”
“Why?”
“Can you not guess?”
His chest heaved in aggravating realization.
“Someone got too power hungry?”
“The short version of the story.”
“Always with the greed and the need for more power. More. More. More.”
Charlie had almost removed the ring too though, right after getting it, when the mermaids attempted to mesmerize him. He was all too familiar with this flaw.
“So…” he stopped, gathering his thoughts. “If I am wearing the ring, and let’s say whoever my partner in life ends up being we both consent that I will bite them, and turn them into a werewolf… the ring would permit this? I would not have to remove the ring first?”
“You are correct. Consent, free will, these are decided in the heart and soul. This is where the true power of the ring resides. And to be frank, if you wish to have a family, Charlie, she can’t be human. She would die trying to bring your young into the world. Of this one thing, you can be certain.” She reached out to him. “I truly wish you didn’t have to make this choice.”
“Nina, you’ve given me so much already.”
“But if I were able to fix this, I would. I understand what children mean to you.”
“But that’s not how life works is it?”
Her hand dropped, she cast a grim smile.
“I will have to decide, won’t I? Either spend my life alone, or childless, or…” they both knew the or. It still frightened him. And there were still so many unanswered questions. He had little knowledge of raising werewolf/witch children. Never mind they’d have witches as a mother and father; what would that mean, a pure witch/werewolf bloodline?
And if he turned Lizzy what would happen after? Would he have to lock her up each month on the full moon? And their children? What if one of them accidentally bit someone? Or killed someone? Or… God, can a child pass on the curse if they bite someone? And damn it. He needed to stop using Lizzy as an example.
Yeah. Okay. Enough.
Problem I can’t solve right now.
Limited time with Nina, too many questions.
Unconsciously, he gazed down at his hands, a question on the tip of his tongue. How had he healed Emily, and Mack? Nina grabbed each hand in her own, holding them reverently.
“It was the magical inheritance you should have received years ago. The ring allowed this gift to finally surface.”
“Why can’t I heal everyone?” By everyone, he meant his father.
“You know why, Charlie. Every gift has limits.” She freed his hands. “We are not meant to be all-powerful, even when on the side of good.”
“Like the ring being able to be removed.”
She nodded. “We have no say in fate. We cannot interfere with free will. We can do our best to aid those doing good deeds. Be there to stop wrongs that can be righted. To stop evil from spreading when we can. Some things cannot be changed. If it is someone’s time to die, you cannot heal them no matter how hard you try. Or how earnestly you want to. If saving someone would undo the purpose of their death…” she stopped, uncharacteristically quiet, her tone apologetic, but firm.
“I think my dad figured that out. He was meant to die alongside my mom four years ago. I think he knew he was living on borrowed time.”
“And his death saved you. He gave his life for his children. For his home. Fulfilling his duty. Healing him would only have taken those precious gifts away.”
“And it would have left Eva Jordan alive and using Emily as a meat suit. It makes sense at some basic level, I just…”
“Wish you could have saved him.”
He breathed out, the full weight of the loss heavy in his breath.
“You’ll be able to save many, Charlie. But not everyone. Sometimes, people need to heal on their own. Sometimes, they cannot be healed.” She reached out and touched his face gently, her caress etched with compassion.
Dread almost instantly consumed him. That moment sure to come when he tried to heal someone, and it didn’t work. Why did every gift have to be equally a curse?
Because of what Nina said.
No one person should ever wield that kind of power.
We all need reminders that life is fragile and can be stripped away at any moment.
That none of us are permanent. Not even William, his life though potentially everlasting, wasn’t a guarantee of immortality either. There were ways to kill a vampire. He’d come precariously close to death during the Feyk attack.
“It was because I was bitten, right, that I’m just getting this gift now?” Charlie confirmed.
“Yes. Your father should have been bitten that day. But just as he was willing to sacrifice his life for you, you were willing to do the same. Free will. That moment when you are faced with a life altering choice. And you made yours. To save your father.”
He touched the bite mark scar that never healed on his shoulder.
“I guess my life got a little off track.”
Nina chuckled. “A little. A wrong we’ve righted as much as possible.” Her breath caught and she clutched her chest.
“What is it?”
“It’s almost here. My new life.”
There were so many things he wanted to say, but before he did, Nina sighed, her gaze casting downward.
“What’s wrong?”
“We do know each other well, don’t we?”
“I guess we do. Better than I ever realized. I thought we always kept things casual, but I guess even casual we got underneath each other’s skin.”
“And all over it,” she returned.
They’d definitely done that.
Her posture cemented, her sexy grin hardening.
“There’s a war coming, Charlie.”
He stiffened. “The battles you spoke of before. William believes you gave me this ring in part because you fear the balance of good and evil is shifting, toward evil.”
“He’s not wrong. But it’s such a small piece of the picture.”
“This war is coming to the Isle?” Charlie clarified apprehensively.
“Yes. It will be widespread if not contained. And the Isle is where it begins. It is a battle you, or no human, should be part of. But i
n the end, it will not be avoided. Evil does not hold any value on human life.”
“Wait, are you saying this is war in your world?”
“Yes. But it will spread to yours as well.”
“How do we stop it? How do we help you? I don’t see how we can help those who already possess such power as you do.”
“By protecting those on earth who will help us upon their deaths.”
“I don’t understand. I’m sorry.”
Nina took a thoughtful breath.
“Charlie, the information I’m about to share with you has never before been uttered to a human. And you must never tell another. No one. Not even your family. It is a secret we have kept, always. It ensures our protection. Our very survival.”
His eyes widened, heart pounded. “I would never divulge any secret you share with me, Nina. But I have to admit, whatever knowledge this is it frightens me a little.”
“And this is why we can trust you, Charlie. You’ve always seen the value and logic in fear.”
He did, but it still didn’t make him comfortable to be privy to a secret he was unable to share with anyone. Not even those closest to him.
“The Guardians, our bloodline, it is ancient. I’m talking original people ancient. Humans think of Guardians as God-like or angelic creatures. Descended from, or ruled by, a heavenly, all-powerful being. This is not truth, Charlie.”
He listened, barely able to breathe.
What exactly was she telling him?
“I’m not saying there isn’t some higher God-like power, but if there is, I’ve never seen it and it’s not us. Guardians, as we call ourselves, as you think of us, accidentally integrated our blood with humans. I do not have time to tell our entire story but because of this integration, we watch over all humans. But most especially, our own bloodlines. Because once these humans shed their mortal lives…”
“They become Guardians,” Charlie realized.
“Not always,” Nina said pointedly.
His eyes narrowed.
“There is both good, and evil,” she reminded.
He let out an overwhelmed push of air. “So if they are evil in life after they die…”
“Demons.”
“Demons were once humans?”
“Yes. Humans who did not live worthy lives. Who can only live demonic afterlives.”
“Um. Wow. Um…”
“I’m sorry, Charlie. This is a lot to tell someone. A lot to take in and wrap your brain around.”
“It pretty much changes one’s entire outlook on the world. But I still don’t get how we can help you. How knowing this helps you.”
“We are not allowed to interfere with the lives of our human bloodlines. But we are permitted to teach, and watch over, and nudge someone in the right direction. In the end though…”
“Back to free will again. They have to choose which path to take.”
“Yes. And the frightening truth is we need every life we can, on our side. We need the balance to stay in our favor. If evil takes over…”
“This is the balance of good and evil you are fighting to keep. It’s not just about The Demon Isle, or the power source, or magic.”
“No. It’s an unfortunate byproduct of our accidental integration with your kind so many, many years ago.”
“Balance is switching, isn’t it?” Charlie dared to put forth.
“It is on a precarious edge. Every single human life matters if we are to succeed. The Guardian bloodline is dwindling and there are two lives at stake even as we speak. Two lives you can watch over. Two lives that today are destined for good. But evil is going to try hard to sway them. To tempt them. Good will try too. But that’s all either side can do. Tempt. In the end, their choices will decide their fate. And possibly tip the scales.”
“Two lives. Just two lives can do this?”
“Yes. Our numbers are not as great as you might think. Our human bloodline is weakening. Many years have passed since we integrated our blood with humans, and now, it’s dying out. There are few left to determine the outcome of this balance.”
“So how can I help them? If I can’t tell them, and can’t interfere?”
“Be there to lead. Be there to live and show by example. Teach them. Knowledge is key to wisdom.”
“Who are they? How do I find them?”
“They have only recently come into your lives,” she noted cautiously.
He thought for a moment, his dumbfounded gaze fixing on hers.
“Seriously? The Deane’s? Riley and Lucas?”
“Yes, Charlie.” Her tone took on desperation. Something he’d never heard from her before. “We need them on our side. We must do everything within our power to not let them fail.”
“Wait, are all Deane’s…”
“No. It’s not the Deane blood in them that makes them Guardians. It’s not their father. It’s their mother’s blood.”
“This is why they ended up on the Isle, isn’t it?”
“A simple nudge when the moment was right.” A nudge that almost went very wrong, she kept to herself. “But in the end, their choice to go. Their life must be their own. We are hopeful with the right guidance, with good people surrounding them, they will make it. We cannot lose a single life more to evil.” Nina’s voice filtered out to nothing for a moment. “It’s time, Charlie. I have to go. My human life is ready.”
“How can they let you go? If your numbers are dwindling why did they let you sacrifice yourself for me when they so clearly need you?”
“It has always been the way. Every few hundred years we are reborn into a human form so we can experience life. Understand it. And therefore, better protect it once we take up Guardianship again. I am the last though. After my rebirth, this process will be suspended, indefinitely.”
“I… what… why…” so many questions burned up, unanswered.
“Farewell, Charlie. Live well. Live fully. Live freely.”
“I love you, Nina.” It slipped out of his mouth. It wasn’t romantic love. But unconditional and of the greatest respect.
“And I love you, Charlie.”
He reached out and touched her cheek, the warm glow around her getting darker, her form dematerializing slowly.
“Thank you,” he told her. “For everything, Nina.”
“Whatever happens, don’t give up on love. You will need it. Charlie,” she called out, her voice distant. “There’s a trial coming that will test you to your limit. And by no fault of your own, the war will begin. It cannot be stopped.” Her silhouette faded, her voice dissolving like velvet washing out to sea. Charlie said nothing. Just stared out across the ocean, into the patches of fog, her words sinking in.
This last warning had come out of her almost like she wasn’t supposed to tell him. Had she broken some rule? Did it matter? Was it true that the war was about to begin and there was no way to prevent it from starting?
What was the point then?
If there was no stopping it?
It was all in the winning or losing of it he assumed wretchedly.
Charlie plunked down in his chair on the boat deck, Nina’s presence, her words, still strong in his mind, but he’d never see her again. There was a finality to the moment. A sureness that their connection was broken, for good.
Damn…
If he’d been overwhelmed before…
So much. So much to take in. Accept. Understand.
So many life changing secrets, so much he had to keep to himself.
His view of the world so instantly and irreversibly changed.
And not only was there some kind of war brewing in the world of the Guardians that would spill out onto the Isle and beyond, but some personal trial headed his way? Like he needed another one of those? Hadn’t he had enough of those lately? Hadn’t they all? It was becoming a daily routine. And shit, a trial bad enough to warrant a special warning?
A sudden urgency sped through his veins.
No matter what he had to face when he got th
ere, it was time.
He needed to go home.
CHAPTER 4
Melinda stared down Lizzy Deane.
“Are you sure about this?”
“Yes. I promised to teach you. No sense in putting it off just because…”
“The world is gone to the crapper,” Melinda finished.
“I’d use stronger words. But I can’t do a thing about Grayson until I understand the curse and how to break it, so… yeah. We might as well do this. My father always taught me to be prepared, no matter what. Something I’ve failed at more than once. So really, there’s no better time to do this.”
Melinda got it. Lizzy needed to keep busy or her thoughts would overpower all sense and reason. So here they were, along with a disgruntled looking Lucas, ready to start learning how to become kick ass witches as promised by Lizzy. As desired by Melinda. As begrudgingly accepted by Lucas. And as entertainment for Courtney, who hovered between the Howard kitchen and the basement cell in which Grayson was currently held prisoner, until they figured out how to break the curse and what to do with him.
Michael was out taking care of witch business. Talk about keeping yourself busy or go nuts. After Emily’s hasty departure he’d brooded for a night and after seeing Charlie wasn’t coming home the next day, had set into finishing the long list of precautions and alarms his brother hadn’t had the time to finish in all the chaos of the Feyk attack, followed by the vampire murders. The house was now magically protected as it could get, and he was out doing the same with the power source in White Pines.
Courtney hovered as they started in the kitchen. She no longer had her witch powers thanks to being turned into a vampire, accidentally, by William. But the newly turned vampire found the instruction interesting and listened in nonetheless, her own stay busy disease in high gear as she tried to embrace her new life, and let go of her old one.
The most difficult part being that she no longer required rest, or sleep, and had far too much free time on her hands. So she kept up to date on the blog she’d started, well, the blog her boss, Nethaniel Dante had wanted. As a way for the islanders to report mysterious sightings and such. It was partially her fault that things got so crazy on the Isle; non-magical folk were constantly searching for proof of the supernatural and she’d almost handed it right over to them in her quest to track that murderous bastard, Stricker.
Hexed and Dangerous (The Wicked Witch of Future Past) (A Wicked Good Witches Paranormal Romance Book 9) Page 5