Insight

by Jennis Slaughter

  Del knew the Raelin was right; it would be much safer for them to be in one place and have each other’s back. “Right, safer. Of course. I guess that settles it then. Looks like you’ve got yourself a new bodyguard.” Del let out a forced chuckle and busied herself with wiping an already clean counter.

  Feeling the disappointment rolling off the blonde, Rae walked over and placed her hands on either side of her on the counter, trapping the shorter woman, and pressing her front to Del’s back. “I want you closer for other reasons too. If you still want to that is?”

  Del felt her heart pound against her rib cage as Raelin pressed against her, her chest tightening in want. “I’d like that,” Del managed around the lump in her throat. 'When had she gotten so soft?' she wondered.

  “You’re just soft in all the right places” Rae murmured in her ear.

  The hot breath on her neck combined with the low register Raelin’s voice had dropped to send a delightful shiver down Del’s spine. Turning her head slightly, she caught the copper gaze of the taller woman. “Did I say that out loud? Or do you actually read my thoughts?”

  Arching an eyebrow, the brunette leaned down to brush her lips against Del’s. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”

  Whispering against full lips, she replied, “I would, but I think it can wait.” She turned to face her witch kissing her firmly. One hand reached up to tangle in dark hair, the other resting against Rae’s stomach.

  Before Raelin gave herself to the kiss, she picked up Delaney and placed her on the counter, and then felt all that she could through the blonde. She slowly blocked out the sounds coming from outside, then moved inward, the ticking of the grandfather clock and the sounds of the fish tank slowly faded away until there was nothing except the two of them kissing.

  Del let the tension she’d been carrying all day slowly ebb away, until there was nothing but the remarkable woman pressed against her. No crooked cops, sinful Reverends, missing girls, or undercover F.B.I. agents. Nothing remained, but bronzed skin, silky dark hair, and a taste that reminded her of the sun and earth, and was all Raelin. She pulled the brunette closer, hooking her heels around the backs of Raelin’s thighs to keep her in place, and pressed closer, enjoying her new vantage point and actually being eye level with the other woman for once. Not getting enough, she pressed impossibly closer, moving the hand not tangled in dark hair to rest against the small of Rae’s back, her fingers toying with the untucked hem of Raelin’s shirt.

  “Mmm, are your eyes closed Delaney?” Rae asked.

  Del nodded into the neck she’d started towards after breaking away for some much needed air, she felt like her heart was about to pound right out through her chest and her lungs couldn’t keep up with the demand, leaving her gasping for breath.

  “If you want to see that we belong together, open your eyes.” Even though the room should have been darkened in the evening waning light, the two women were surrounded by a golden glow. Raelin was smiling in wonder. “I’ve heard of this happening, but I never thought it would happen to me.”

  Del’s eyes widened at the sight and then snapped to Raelin’s eyes, darkened from their normal copper hue to a deep rich brown. “What does this mean? I don’t understand.”

  “Just like I said...we’re meant to be together.” Rae smiled as she took a deep breath. “There’s a story from ancient times that people used to have two heads, and four arms and four legs and they were very happy, and lived in harmony. Well, the Gods thought that we had too much of a good thing so they split us apart, and now we spend our lives trying to find out other half. We have.”

  “Wow, that’s pretty deep. When I think about it though, I can’t remember the last time I felt this safe, content, and just right with someone else. It’s been just me for so long, I’ve forgotten how amazing it feels. Even so, it was never this, intense, I guess is the word. It’s hard to explain.” She moved her hand under Raelin’s shirt to rest against the heated skin of her back.

  Raelin growled low in her throat at the simple thought and closed her eyes. She wanted to feel more, to feel everything that this woman offered, but knew that even though they were meant to be together, that they should proceed slowly. Should was the underlying word. “Umm, you should go so that it won’t be fully dark when you come here.”

  Del was enjoying this closeness and she didn't really feel like giving it up just yet. She wanted to linger in this moment where she felt needed and wanted, despite everything else that was going on around them. ”I'm comfy though,” she all but whined.

  “But the sooner you go, the sooner you can get back and join me on the sofa for some cuddling...unless you would like for me to come with you, which by the way, I prefer. I really don’t like you going back in town.” Rae gazed into cool green eyes.

  “You drive a hard bargain Miss Montrose. You can come with me, provided Jenny will be safe here alone. I’ll wager you have some way of protecting her. You wouldn’t have come in to the inn the other night otherwise.” She nuzzled the soft spot just under Rae’s ear, ghosting her lips across it. She wanted more, but knew rushing would only ruin things before they got started.

  Tilting her head to give the blonde more access, Rae lost her train of thought for a few moments. “Umm, yeah. I’ll set up the wards to give anyone other than us a nasty shock. Rori knows how to get in touch with me should anything get out of hand.” While she was talking, she let her hands pull Del’s shirt from her jeans so that she could caress silky skin.

  Del took advantage of Raelin’s exposed neck, nipping her pulse point lightly and soothing the sting with gentle kisses. She arched into Rae’s warm hands as they explored her skin, leaving burning trails across her skin. She enjoyed the sensations as they came, the ache and want she’d felt in her chest, now settling much lower. She’d couldn’t remember ever wanting something as much as she wanted this and she was dangerously close to giving in to the urge to take the woman right there. She pulled away after a few moments to catch her breath, watching the emotions play over Raelin’s face. ”We should head out. If we keep going like this, I’m not so sure I could stop,” she whispered breathlessly.

  “Who said that I would stop?” Rae growled.

  Del sucked in a breath as Rae’s growl sent a jolt of pure want through her body, settling low in her stomach. She crushed her lips to Rae’s, letting the want and need pour out of her, hoping to convey just how much she was starting to care about her. She tangled both hands in the thick dark locks of the taller woman, holding her in place as she ran her tongue lightly across Rae’s full bottom lip. She pulled back a few long minutes later, tapering the long needy kiss to light pecks as she tried to slow her heart. ”You sure you haven’t done this before?” she asked with a wicked smile plastered to her face.

  Rae was slow to open her eyes, unconsciously licking her lips. “I’ve kissed before, but it was nothing like this. This...you...we are starting something that is very special.”

  Smiling Del nodded her agreement. “Yes we are. I also know that you probably don’t want your first time to be on the kitchen floor, so what say you and I mosey into town. It’s already nearly dark out. Thankfully, everything important is already locked in the Jeep. The only thing I left at the hotel was half my clothes.” She played with soft hairs at the base of Raelin’s neck, allowing her body to calm itself slowly, the warm feeling lingering as the pure need bled out of her.

  “Okay...give me five minutes to get everything settled, and I’ll be ready to go.” The brunette started to pull away, but she leaned back for one final kiss. “You are quite addicting.”

  “I'm kind of partial to you too Darlin’, now go before you get us in trouble,” Del laughed, nodding to where Rori had just entered the kitchen.

  “What...she thinks that I don’t know what you two are doing in here?” The feline rubbed against her human as she walked by.

  Del caught Raelin’s amused grin when Rori rubbed up against her. ”Somehow I get the impression that trying to keep
ahead of the two of you are going to be the death of me,” she muttered aloud, amusement evident in her tone.

  j

  Del fidgeted a little as she drove, stealing glances at Raelin every few minutes. They’d finally managed to get out the door and on their way into town. While the silence wasn’t at all uncomfortable, Del was still a little anxious to get into town and back. Raelin’s promise of cuddles on the sofa was a tempting prospect.

  Nearing the inn, she glanced into the parking lot and spotted the Chief’s car waiting and none other than the Chief himself leaning against the driver side door. ‘”Oh shit. He probably heard about our adventures at the camps. Follow my lead. If it was anyone else, I’d keep driving and just go back to your place, but avoiding this man may hurt our case more than help. We did nothing wrong at that camp and if anything, I was assaulted. I’ve got a split lip to prove it,” she parked the Jeep and looked at Raelin. ”Trust me?”

  Raelin had felt the town’s tension as soon as they passed by the diner. She could feel hate, distrust, and anger rolling out of every doorway, even though the anger was directed at Delaney because she was the outsider who invaded their town. And for the first time in her life, she herself felt fear. Closing her eyes, she readied herself, calling the power close to the surface.

  “With my heart,” was Rae’s simple answer.

  Del felt the pull of Rae tapping into the lines and quirked an eyebrow at her. “Well, if you are going in armed, I am too,” she loosened the tie she was wearing and reached into her shirt to pull out a chain. Slipping it over her head, she handed it to Raelin. “Reached down under your floor mat and hand me my gun please. The key on the chain will open the lock box.”

  The brunette hesitated before she took the key. Reaching down, she did as she was asked, but before she handed the weapon to the blonde, she paused, “Don’t bring out the gun until it is absolutely necessary, and don’t stand in front of me. Trust me?”

  Del smiled at and reached over to grab the gun, sensing Rae’s reluctance to handle it. “With my heart.” She quickly clipped it on and pulled her jacket on to cover it. “This okay?”

  Reaching out, Rae placed her hand on top of Del’s, focusing a bit of the power around the blonde. “Be careful. Sam can use both hands equally well. He will try to belittle you.”

  “Yeah, he tried that once already and it didn’t get him far.” She leaned in to kiss Rae, but thought better of it and squeezed her hand instead. “Let’s see what he wants. We’ll play it cool. Remember, we’ve done nothing wrong.”

  When the Jeep stopped, Rae opened the passenger door and got out to walk in front of the vehicle. “Sam...it’s good to see you.”

  “Raelin, we don’t too often see you in these parts. Running errands?” he asked, his smile not quite reaching his eyes. Eyes that were watching as Del approached to stand next to Raelin. “Miss Delacroix.”

  “Hello again Chief.”

  The man angled himself so that he was facing the blonde. “What’s this I hear about you trespassing and assaulting people? Got a couple phone calls saying you were given a few people a hard time. Didn’t I warn you about keeping to yourself?” he asked standing to his full height, towering over the blonde.

  “I haven’t assaulted anyone. If you are talking about the incident at the camps, then you might want to get the facts. I was just out looking around, minding my own business. If anyone was assaulted, it was me. This lip did not split itself. You can ask Raelin, she treated it shortly after it happened,” Del replied impassively crossing her arms over her chest and glaring back up at him.

  “She treated it? Why in the hell did she treat you and not Doc Smith? I thought that Mary warned you about this bi...witch,” the man snarled. He could barely look at the brunette.

  “She hasn’t given me any reason not to. In fact, she’s been more hospitable than anyone else in town. Besides, you’ve already turned half the town against me, your doctor would probably just make up some excuse to call you out,” Del growled back. “I’m just looking to find a girl who could be lost and alone. Why do so many people in this town want to keep me from doing so? That’s what I’d like to know Chief. It’s like y’all are hiding something, and doing everything you can to keep me from finding out.” She took a step forward, challenging him despite the obvious difference in size. She was losing her patience pretty quickly.

  “I had nothing to do with the town turning against you. You come in here all holier than thou and start accusing everyone, they’re gonna have a right to get angry. And what did you think that you were doing going to Reverend Preston and asking him about missing girls? Are you accusing a man of the cloth of doing something wrong?” The man pushed off his truck and took a step towards the blonde, but skidded when Raelin shifted her weight.

  “I was doing no such thing Chief. Anyone with a badge knows that when people go missing in a strange place, they usually head to the nearest church because most of them feel safe there. I was asking if any of them had been through. No need to get so defensive, besides you and I both know, not all men of the cloth are wholesome,” Del said angrily. “Every cop worth their badge knows how to ask questions. I’m not sure what the hell you’ve been doing around here, but looking for these girls ain’t one of them. Any rookie cop would have known to ask the same questions I have.”

  Del had run out of patience. If there was one thing Del hated, it was a cop with a God complex. “You think just because you have that badge that you are invincible and that you can run this town to your liking. There are laws Chief, and you aren’t the only one who knows them,” Del finished, her face flushed with anger. She caught the movement of other bodies in her peripheral vision, aware they were drawing the attention of some of the less welcoming townies.

  Raelin could feel the anger tickling at the edge of the parking lot and she threw up a small shield to slow them down, as she didn’t want to hurt anyone.

  “Well, since you think that I run the town by my own rules, I’m gonna prove you right. You’re under arrest for assault. Buford and Remy filed charges against you,” Brito reached for his cuffs and started to push his way past Rae.

  Del said nothing for a moment before she broke out laughing. “Assault? You’re kidding, right? You really think the state is going to believe I assaulted two men, both whom tower over me, in the middle of nowhere when I was obviously outnumbered? The DA won’t touch that with a twenty-foot pole. It would never stick in court and you know it.”

  “Who said that the DA is going to hear the case?” He reached out to take the blonde’s arm.

  “She didn’t assault them Sam, I was there, and I saw the entire thing. And if you touch her, I swear that you’ll regret it,” Raelin’s voice was of steel and she took a step that placed her slightly in front of Delaney. The power was now making the threesome’s hair stand up on their arms.

  “Tell me you aren’t threatening a Peace Officer Raelin. I could take you in right now, and there isn’t anyone in town who’d want to bail you out. How lucky do you feel?” he growled, taking a step forward.

  The witch smiled and brought up more power to the surface so that she was staring him in the eyes, hers darkening. “Remember what happened that time in high school. In that deserted hallway. I thought that you learned your lesson, but maybe you need to be taught again. Now if you want to take this route, you will take the blame for everything. If she gets hurt...in the slightest...you will pay the price. It is your choice.”

  The Chief made as if to retreat before he remembered who he was. “That was a long time ago Raelin. We were kids then, and something’s have changed. So I suggest you get the hell out of my way before I take you with us. Trust me when I say there isn’t a person in town who’d want to bail your freaky ass out.”

  Putting her hand between them, Raelin pointed her finger at the ground and a spark shot up. “Do you really want to test me Sam? I’m a lot stronger now than I was back then. Do what you want, but know that you will be held responsible.
”

  Stepping back, the Chief’s eyes went wide and took a step back. “You’re in luck Ms. Delacroix; I’ve reconsidered and have decided that Buford and Remy’s accusation doesn’t hold water. You’re free to go, but heed this warning. You step out of line...I don’t care if you jaywalk, I’ll throw you into jail so fast, you’ll think that you’re on a merry go round, and your ass will be mine. And it’s such a lovely ass; I’m still tempted to take you in. I bet whatever Raelin does to me would be worth it,” he leered.

  “You’re an ape, and I’d rip it off before you got close enough to use it,” Del sneered back. “I’m half tempted to do it now and spare the world your spawn.”

  “Naw, you’d be screaming for more, once I make you mine...your loss though. You just do it all by the books or we’ll see. You too Raelin. I can get a couple of boys to help out with you. So you just remember that you have no one in the town to help you out and behave yourself.” He took a step back.

  “You’ll keep your damned dirty hands off her or so help me God, castration will be the least of your worries,” Del sneered, using all of her remaining willpower not to knee him in the crotch.

  “Threatening a Peace Officer? Thank you for crossing over the line.” Once more Sam Brito reached for his cuffs.

  Raelin held up her hand, letting the power engulf her hand visibly like electricity. “Let’s make one thing perfectly clear. She will never be touched by someone like you, and she will never be yours. She is mine, and I protect what is mine.”

  He looked at her, the meaning of her words sinking in. “You disappoint me Raelin. I would have thought better of you than that, even being the freak you are. Just as well I guess, my boys wouldn’t touch a nasty piece of dyke like you anyway. Who knows where you’ve been? I guess you get your bad habits from that wandering mother of yours. Never did figure out who your father was did you?” With that last parting shot, he slid into his car and finally pulled away, leaving the women alone in the parking lot.