Toil And Trouble

by H. P. Mallory

  Quite lonely, actually.

  I didn’t know what to say to that so I changed the subject. I suppose you already know we’re going to war with Bella?

  Yes, of course. I am nothing if not an eavesdropper, as you well know.

  Yeah, poor ghost, not like he had much going on just being stuck in the house with only the home’s inhabitants for company.

  I snuggled down into my duvet and was silently thankful for the company. So, you already know that Rand won’t let me fight?

  Yes, I think it for the best. You are not a soldier.

  I shook my head, trying to suppress the disappointment coursing through me. Ugh, I don’t need to hear it from you too. There are plenty of other females fighting and I’ve got just as much ability as any of them, if not more.

  Pelham crossed his long ghostly legs at the ankles and leaned against one of the canopy banisters, actually sinking into the dark cherry wood.

  Yes, but those females are werewolves and vampires. They are not like you.

  I nearly choked on my irritation. I’m a good witch.

  No one is arguing that. You are just too important, Jolie. Your gift needs to be protected.

  I shook my head. My gift is nothing without Rand. I need him to help me bring the dead back to life. If my gift is so important, he shouldn’t be allowed to fight either.

  He is the leader, so he must. Besides, when the war is over, you will be extremely busy with resuscitating the dead.

  I faced him with a question in my eyes. What do you mean?

  You had not heard?

  No.

  Rand is requiring all creatures to supply him with a personal item, such as a piece of clothing. That way, if your side is victorious, you and he can begin bringing back the dead.

  I’d learned it was much easier to reanimate the dead as long as I held something that had belonged to them in life. Hence, Rand’s clothing drive. And it didn’t surprise me that Rand hadn’t already filled me in. He’d been so busy lately, I was lucky to get a quick hello. And while I was happy to help out, it wasn’t enough. I wanted, no needed, to fight.

  How do you know this? I asked.

  He and the vampire discussed it in the rose garden last eve.

  A knock sounded on the door, startling both of us.

  “Jolie?”

  It was Rand. I smiled at Pelham. Speak of the devil.

  “Come in,” I said.

  He opened the door and seemed surprised to see Pelham.“I apologize if I’m interrupting?”

  “No, you aren’t interrupting,” I replied, eager for any of Rand’s time.

  Rand nodded and glanced at Pelham. “Pel, a little privacy, if you don’t mind?”

  Pelham grumbled and disappeared into my coverlet while Rand glanced at me, a new concern in his eyes. “I knew you weren’t asleep,” he started, his brown sweater almost the exact shade of his hair.

  Rand could send what he referred to as “feelers” to decipher when my brain was active or inactive, as indicated by sleep.

  “I think my biorhythms are changing in accordance with everybody else’s.”

  “Perhaps they are,” he said and paused, as if something were troubling him. “I…I wanted to find out how you were holding up.”

  “I’m okay.” I gave him a weak smile. “I mean, I have a mini meltdown every time I think about this war but other than that, I’m as good as can be expected.”

  Rand ran his hands through his hair. “I know I haven’t been around much lately but that doesn’t mean I haven’t been thinking about you.” He took a seat next to me on the bed and I had to keep myself from inhaling his masculine scent. “In fact, I think about you constantly.”

  At his words, a warmth started inside me and spread throughout my body. “I understand, Rand, you don’t have to apologize. You’ve got a lot on your plate right now.”

  He sighed deeply. “I didn’t know what happened when I saw Sinjin in here covered in blood.” He paused, as if reliving the horror. “I thought HE attacked you.”

  “If not for Sinjin, I’d be a wolf by now.”

  Rand nodded. “As much as I hate to admit it, I owe him.”

  I shook my head. “You don’t owe him anything. Sinjin doesn’t do anything unless he wants to, for his own reasons.

  Rand laughed but the laugh died on his lips moments later. “You know him well?” he asked, his entire body tuned to my response. I wasn’t sure why Rand seemed to think there was something between Sinjin and me.

  “I don’t know how well I know him; but he’s pretty easy to figure out.”

  He stood up and neared the window before facing me again. The moonlight seemed to exaggerate his already substantial height. I couldn’t help but admire the strength of his figure, the breadth of his shoulders and the way his hair curled, just kissing his neck.

  “I’m trying to figure out what he wants from you.”

  I shrugged. “Who says he wants anything from me, other than physical gratification.”

  Rand’s hands fisted at the mention of physical gratification and he was quiet for a few seconds. “I can’t stop thinking about him glamouring you.” He paused. “It was difficult to watch.”

  My heart fluttered as I realized how much Rand was opening up to me recently, freeing his feelings whereas he never had before. I stood up and approached him, throwing my arms around him. He pulled me into him and rested his chin on my head. I inhaled his scent deeply, I couldn’t help it.

  “Well, whatever I did or said, you know I wasn’t in my right mind?” I questioned.

  He nodded. “Yes, of course, I just hope it didn’t bother you?”

  I shook my head. “No, I’m okay with it. I mean, it’s a little embarrassing but I was under Sinjin’s power…I wasn’t really myself.” I paused a moment and pulled away from him, trying to get a read on him. “Rand, none of this is your fault and you did what you thought best.”

  “I should’ve done a better job protecting you.”

  I clasped his hand, smiling at him. “Nobody knew that wolf was Bella’s. What’s done is done. There’s no use saying what you coulda, shoulda and woulda done.”

  He nodded and glanced down at me, a smile toying with his sumptuous lips. “I hated seeing Sinjin all over you.”

  “A little jealous, were you?” I asked with a laugh, relishing the heat emanating from his body.

  “Yes,” he said, lifting my chin to kiss my mouth. It started out as a quick kiss but when I wrapped my arms around his neck, he squeezed me tighter and slipped his tongue into my mouth. All too soon he pulled back. I resisted the urge to pout.

  “I’m like a jealous school boy where you’re concerned,” he finished and pulled away from me.

  “I can’t say I dislike your jealousy.”

  He shook his head and sighed, as if overcome by the drama that was both of our lives most recently. Then he pulled away from me and took a few steps toward the door. “I wish I could stay with you but I need to get back to the training camp, Jolie,” he said and smiled forlornly. “You know I’d much rather be with you.”

  “I know.” But, secretly I wondered. Would I always play second fiddle? If it weren’t a war or his being my boss, would there be something else that would interfere?

  He grabbed hold of the doorknob and turned back around. “Don’t forget I’m always here if you need me.”

  I smiled. “Thanks, Rand.”

  five

  I decided to give Rand a chance to change his mind about allowing me to go to war. I figured if I could prove myself on the battlefield, training with his legion, it might be enough to persuade him. My plan was a good one for two reasons—first, it could possibly persuade Rand to let me go, and second, it was just good practice. Regardless of Rand’s orders, I’d already made up my mind to fight. But, I didn’t want to show up unprepared so I needed to get as much training as I could. Especially since I’d lost so much time during my recuperation.

  On this particular evening, the sun had
hurried its descent in the sky and it was just a matter of minutes before the vampires would climb out of their graves like something from a horror movie.

  I pulled on some navy stretch pants, a sports bra to support the twins, and a sweatshirt, admiring myself in the mirror. Could it be possible that Sinjin’s saliva had made me thinner? Nah. Combing my elbow-length blond hair into a ponytail, I put on my sneakers and went in search of Rand.

  He wasn’t hard to find.

  Jogging to the training ground, I caught the image of Rand holding his own against Odran. The two were maybe six feet apart and Rand’s white tee-shirt was stained with dirt and sweat but I was more concerned with the ample swell of his biceps as he exploited his powers against Odran. While Rand’s tee-shirt might have looked like it barely survived the Clash of the Titans, at least he was wearing one. The only thing separating Odran’s nudity from the night air was a plaid kilt.

  A bluish light glimmered from Rand’s hands until it appeared he was holding a blue fire ball which he hurled into Odran’s stomach. It sizzled a few times and then disappeared, leaving Odran intact, none the weaker.

  Odran yelled something in Gaelic, or what I imagined Gaelic might sound like and charged Rand, all the while glowing a bright yellow. He looked like an enraged Lemonhead. When he collided with Rand, the yellow glow amplified tenfold and Rand appeared to be straining as he hit the ground. The earth suddenly rippled in what felt like a mini earthquake. I stabled myself and found Odran was still on top of him.

  Rand’s eyes were shut in pain, and he pushed Odran’s bare chest away, his hands glowing purple. A jolt bolted through Odran and in a matter of seconds he was sailing through the air, landing unceremoniously in the dirt. This time I didn’t feel an earthquake. But, I quickly discovered the answer to a question everyone asks…

  Scots don’t wear a damned thing underneath their kilts.

  After reluctantly viewing that display, I jogged another twenty feet and thrust myself between the two plundering Titans, offering Rand a hand up. He was sitting on the ground, panting breathlessly while not far off, Odran did the same. Rand looked up at me and smiled that boyish grin and my heart forgot to beat for a second or two.

  His hair was mussed, going in all directions and dirt smeared half his face and covered his tee shirt. Beads of perspiration studded his brow like diamonds. He was nothing less than breathtaking.

  “Jolie,” he said, accepting my hand.

  “You’re a sight for sore eyes.”

  He grabbed a towel lying on the ground and blotted his forehead. “And here I was thinking how good it was to see you.”

  He casually laid his arm around me and kissed the top of my head as we started toward Odran, who was now nearly upon us.

  “Good job,” Rand said.

  “Aye, ye too,” Odran responded and threw me a cock-eyed expression.

  “Hi, Odran,” I offered.

  “Lass,” he answered and slightly inclined his head. “What are ye doin’ oot here?”

  I released myself from Rand’s arm and faced him soberly. “I was hoping I could spar with you.” His expression spilled curiosity and I continued. “I thought it would be good to take advantage of all this underworld power and work on my magic, too.”

  Rand nodded. “That sounds like a good idea.”

  Great, he acquiesced, thank God.

  He looked toward the warring throng of soldiers, scanning the horizon until he spotted John in the throes of a passionate kiss with Christa.

  “John!” He yelled, catching the attention not only of John, who blushed instantly, but also of Christa, Trent and Sinjin.

  “Yessir?” John obediently responded and began walking our way. John would have made a perfect Quarterback—he just had that jock sort of look.

  “Are you interested in training with Jolie?” Rand asked.

  John frowned. “But, I thought you said she wasn’t fighting Bella’s…”

  “She’s not,” Rand interrupted, glancing at me as if to reiterate the point while I offered my best expression of innocence. “It’ll be good practice for you to defend yourself against her powers.”

  John obeyed and I grinned as he approached me. Rand observed on the sidelines next to Odran, Christa and Sinjin.

  “I could not miss this,” Sinjin offered when Rand looked at him askance.

  “John, go easy on her!” Christa yelled and then added. “I’ve got a twenty on Jules.”

  “Hey!” John admonished with a chuckle and Christa beamed right back at him.

  “Give me all you’ve got. I can defend myself,” I said, tired of witnessing their cow-eyed flirtations.

  “You got it, Girl.” He ripped his shirt off and tossed it aside, then slowly walked around me as if measuring my worth.

  “Mind if I cut in?”

  I glanced behind me and found Trent facing us both expectantly.

  “Trent, mind your own bloody business,” Rand called, moving a few steps nearer us.

  “It’s okay,” I yelled back, thinking there was nothing I’d rather do than spar with Trent and get a little payback from the asshole. “I’d be happy to fight him.”

  “Okay,” Rand said, backing off as John returned to Christa in the sidelines. They were about ten feet from us.

  I faced Trent and anxiety raged through me. Not so much because I was afraid of him but more so because I didn’t want to be so close to him. “Don’t hold back,” I said.

  Trent shook his head. “Never do.”

  And without further warning, he lunged at me, catching me off guard but I quickly reacted by envisioning myself a few feet behind where I currently stood and watched Trent do a faceplant at my feet. I couldn’t help but laugh and imagined a fire ball of energy in my hands. It was just for show as I made sure not to charge it with more than a mild stinging sensation. I aimed for Trent’s stomach and unloaded. He darted to avoid it and like a glowing meteor, it disintegrated into the earth.

  Trent yanked my ankle, pulling on it until I lost my footing and fell on the ground. I braced myself for the impact and just as I rolled over, he jumped on me, pinning me down with his weight. Trent wasn’t a huge guy but he was lots bigger and stronger than I was.

  “I always wanted you in this position,” he said.

  I just smiled, manifesting a handful of sand that I threw into his face, giving me enough time to create another energy ball, this one full strength. I could feel the energy tickle the ends of my fingers as I hurled it into his chest and he fell over, landing with a great thud on the ground. Maybe it had been a bit more charged than I intended but it served him right for his stupid comment.

  “Nice!” Christa yelled.

  Trent wasted no time and hopped to his feet, his lips pulled back into a snarl as he charged me. I imagined a heavy silver dagger and once in hand, lashed out with it, missing his abdomen by a mere inch. And that miss was not due to my miscalculation, it was due to Rand grabbing Trent’s arm and yanking him out of harm’s way.

  “Bloody hell!” Rand yelled. “You weren’t paying close enough attention! Don’t let your personal issues get in the way.”

  “I have no issues with Jolie,” Trent spat out.

  I didn’t respond but shrugged while he glared at the silver dagger in my hand. With a quick glance, it disappeared into my palm. Although I hadn’t really planned on hurting him, I guess I’d come pretty close. It wouldn’t have killed him—I would have had to bury the dagger to the hilt in his heart for that to happen. But it would have hurt and taken a long time to heal so good thing Rand intercepted.

  Trent, apparently miffed that I’d prevailed, trudged off while John patted me on the back with his mitt-like hand. “Nice going, Jules,” he said with a laugh. “I didn’t realize you were so good.”

  “She’s better than good,” Christa said, beaming. “I didn’t doubt you for a second.”

  I smiled gratefully and turned toward Rand. Sinjin threw me a raised brow, as if mocking my victory.

  “I wa
nt to fight Sinjin,” I said, knowing I had to train with a vampire if I had any hope of defeating Ryder. And for me, killing Ryder was top priority.

  Sinjin stepped forward and his eyes narrowed as a mischievous smile formed on his lips. “Nothing would please me more,” he said.

  “Jolie,” Rand started. “Sinjin is centuries old…”

  “I don’t care,” I said with renewed determination and walked the ten feet to the sparring arena. I braced myself and motioned to Sinjin that I was ready to take him on. He laughed and appeared instantly in front of me, about two inches from my face. I couldn’t help but gasp.

  “I will not go easy on you.”

  “I’m not asking you to,” I countered, my legs suddenly feeling like jello. Sinjin was stronger than Ryder and when I’d sparred with Ryder, he’d thrown me around like a rag doll…

  “Very well.”

  I knew he had more than enough tricks up his sleeve so I envisioned a safety barrier, hoping it would protect me, hoping my defensive magic would work against him. Witchcraft is useless against vampires but I could only hope that rule was reflective only of offensive magic, not defensive. Guess I’d find out.

  He materialized behind me and pulled me into the hard plane of his chest. “Your magic does nothing to deter me.”

  “Then how do I defeat you?” I asked breathlessly.

  He smiled. “You do not.”

  Then he nudged me with a strength so intense, I tumbled onto my back, the wind knocked out of my lungs. The stars above me appeared to move in a dizzying whirl, suddenly interrupted by Sinjin’s handsome face. This time there was nothing mocking in his gaze. Just regret. It took me a second to inhale and the air burned my throat. Sinjin offered me a hand but I declined it.

  “Sinjin!” Christa reprimanded. She started forward but I held her back with a wave of my hand.

  “I’m okay,” I muttered.

  “I apologize,” Sinjin said.

  Rand leaned over me and offered a consoling smile. “He’s just too strong.”

  I nodded but didn’t make any motion to stand up. “How is anyone supposed to defeat them?”

  Rand’s lips tightened as Sinjin stepped forward. “Only the oldest and strongest can battle against us, Poppet.”