by JF Holland
“That may be, but it still stands,” Thomas told her quietly. “So, now you know all the ramifications of what could happen, what would you like to do?”
“Let’s get it done,” Lara said, pushing up her sleeves, and heading towards the stairs. She wanted Balin healed, so she could beat him to a pulp herself for scaring her before hugging him.
“Feisty, just like I told you.” Leonard grinned at Thomas who blinked, then shrugging out of his shock, followed on her heels.
Sam went to follow them, but Jaden grabbed hold of his arm. “You were told to wait down here.”
“No, I was asked to make tea.”
“Which be Aggie’s way of keepin you out of her hair,” replied Douglas, stepping into the hallway from the kitchen.
“But…” Sam began. However, after Thomas and Lana stepped onto the first step, Douglas moved behind them and before Sam. He then blocked his path, arms crossed, legs planted. “You’ll no be gettin past me kitty, so sit yourself down and wait until Aggie be done.”
“God damn wolves,” Sam growled, but Douglas just smiled.
“Come help me put Leonard’s clothes in the dryer,” Helena said from the kitchen doorway where she leaned against the frame. Sam looked up the stairs, eyes squinting, as if weighing up his odds of success. Douglas raised a sardonic brow, as if to say, ‘you are really going to try to pass me.’ Scowling, Sam flipped him the birdie, growling low in his throat in annoyance, which made Douglas’s grin widen. Then with a sigh; knowing he was beat, Sam turned and moved towards his mate.
Douglas; now assured that Sam would stay out of the way, turned to catch up with the other two who were had reached the landing.
“I forgot to remove my flask from my pocket,” Leonard replied from the corner to Sam’s back. “I’d appreciate it if you could remove it for me. Also, please, do not put my clothes in the dryer, Armani is dry clean only,” he informed him. “I’ll drop them in on my way home, if someone will loan me something to wear.”
“Thank you for helping us shower my son,” Sam told him and Leonard inclined his head. Then stopping, Sam frowned and faced him. “Is this the flask that you keep your blood in?” Leonard nodded in response to his question.
“Honey, hold the dryer, otherwise the clothes are getting ruined, plus runway boy’s clothes are dry clean only, bag them up.” Sam drawled, shaking his head before moving to catch up to Helena.
“You keep blood in a flask?” Lara asked from the sofa, body turning towards Leonard.
“Of course. I can’t exactly walk into the local corner shop and pick a bottle up off a shelf now, can I?”
“I suppose not, but why do you carry it with you?”
“Because anything I eat or drink has to contain blood.”
“Why?”
“Because otherwise my body rejects it,” Leonard told her.
“Why?”
“Jesus. I don’t know, we just do. You do realise you sound like a three-year-old?” he asked her dryly.
“I don’t care. It’s better to torment you than to worry over everything else going on,” Lara told him with a shrug.
“Fair enough,” Leonard replied, his own eyes going to the back window.
“Why’s it your fault that Luc was cursed?”
“There’s that word again,” Leonard rumbled, shoving his hands into the pockets of the towelling robe he wore. Then sighing replied, “I made a selfish, stupid mistake and it was Luc who paid for it.
“What mistake?”
“I was thinking with my dick instead of my head. I set him up on a double date as I wanted to get laid by a nymph.”
“What is it with you males and bloody nymphs?” Lara asked him in disgust.
“Trust me, if you had ever been with a male nymph you’d understand.” Lara just raised a brow, then sighing, shrugged, letting it go.
“So, you talked him into a double date?”
“Yes.”
“With whom?”
“Maisie.”
“Bollocks.”
“Quite.”
“Leonard, your flask,” Sam said, handing him what looked like a silver canteen.” He also placed a carrier bag by his feet with his wet clothes in before disappearing back into the kitchen.
Leonard took the top off the flask and took a sip, before sighing and fastening it again.
“Ewe,” Lara said, nose wrinkling.
“Trust me, this is a lot better than me either expelling what I consume - or possibly going rogue.”
“Vampires can go rogue?”
“Oh yes, and it’s not pleasant.”
“Dracula?”
“Much worse,” Leonard told her as he shoved the flask into the pocket of his robe.
“Carry on then,” Lara said with a wave of her hand towards his flask as she settled back on the sofa and sipped the rest of her tea. Leonard just laughed as he shook his head.
“Where are the others?” he asked, once he’d sobered.
“I believe the twins went back to have another look around.”
“I see. Hopefully they’ll pick something up.”
“Yes,” Lara replied sadly, putting her empty cup on the side table and leaning her head against the back of the sofa. Then hands in lap, she traced her mate mark with a finger, before dropping them loosely by her side and closing her eyes.
Chapter Two
The door sounded as Sam was helping Helena put chicken portions into the oven. Wiping his hands, he went to answer. Features, schooling as he answered to Elliot Knox’s knock. The the older gentleman, with short, salt and pepper hair and greying temples, lived next door and had done for a few years now. He was the GP at the local health centre. Unfortunately, he was human, so they’d never had need of his services. He had in fact, only ever exchanged pleasantries with him in passing. Now, here he stood on the doorstep, holding up a black gym bag.
“I believe your visitor left this on the doorstep.”
“Oh, right, thanks Elliot.” Sam replied, and went to take the black bag from him, but Elliot held it out of reach. Unsure how to proceed, Sam’s brow furrowed as he dropped his arm.
“It may be better if I help?”
“Erm…” was all Sam had. For the first time in his long-life he found himself speechless. He didn’t want to offend Elliot, but he also didn’t want him seeing what went on with a healing. I mean, the man was human. What could he possibly know about treating immortals? Or that they even existed for that matter.
Now that was the question?
“I may be able to assist with Balin’s treatment.”
Sam’s startled eyes flew to Elliot, before looking up and down the street, checking there was no one around to overhear. He was completely baffled how he knew that Balin had been injured.
“Sam, I know what you are. I also know that there are more than one kind of shifter and a few other things besides,” Elliot whispered. “Do you really want to discuss this on the doorstep?” he asked.
Sighing, Sam stepped back to allow him entrance. At least Leonard was inside, so if need be, he could alter Elliot’s perceptions.
Elliot followed Sam into the back room, where Leonard and Lara were. Helena came out of the kitchen; obviously hearing Sam’s warning in her head. Douglas came back down stairs, eyes moving to the newcomer. Sighing, he then stepped away from the staircase; and what should have been his guard post, to followed them into the back room.
“Look,” Elliot said, running a hand through his hair as he put the bag at his feet. “I’ve lived here going on 8-years now, but, in that time, I have only ever dealt with about half of the residents. I got curious,” he shrugged. “I mean, it’s unusual for so few people to require medical attention. I’m also not deaf, nor am I blind. I’ve seen you all shifting over the last couple of weeks, before jumping the back fence. I mean, it’s impossible not to notice when I live next door to it.
“Why have you never said anything before?” Leonard spoke up from the corner, his hypnotic, lilac gaze
fixed on Elliot.
“I’ve never seen a need to. I mean, I’d be extremely arrogant to believe that humans are the only beings inhabiting this planet. After all, they do say there is always a pinch of truth in superstition and fairy tales,” he smiled.
“You don’t seem phased by any of this.” Douglas replied, and Elliot shrugged his shoulders.
“I work with people. Trust me, there’s very little that surprises me anymore. I’ve seen the impossible made possible, people have recovered from injuries and illnesses that should have ended lives. I’ve seen a parent lift weight that far surpasses their capabilities to protect or rescue a child. This,” he said looking around the room. “What can I say, it’s just one more thing to add to the miracle of evolution.”
“And you no want to examine us under a microscope to see how we tick?” Douglas asked dryly, his Scottish brogue thickening in incredulity.
“I will admit to being a little curious”
“Well, there’ll be no proddin and pokin goin on here,” Douglas growled.
“I can live with that. However, in this instance, I’m more concerned with Balin’s welfare. I saw you bring him home earlier. He looked in bad shape.” Sam’s jaw tightened and Helena stepped up to his side, offering support, but leaving room in case the newcomer was deemed a threat.
“No frying the neighbours, baby,” Sam told Helena telepathically. She just shrugged, her head turning as she grinned, then winked at him.
Shaking his head at her bloodthirsty thoughts, Sam turned his attention back to Elliot.
“If you’ve been aware of us all this time, why haven’t you spoke up before, or called the authorities?” Sam asked, curiously.
“Seriously? I don’t fancy spending time in an institution. Plus, I do believe your kind would use any means necessary to protect yourselves and keep your secrets.”
“So, if you believe we could be a threat to you, why would you now make it known that you are aware of us?” Leonard stepped away from the wall, his gaze never wavering from Elliot’s face, reading him as he waited for him to answer Sam.
“Because, first and foremost, I gave an oath to preserve life, and I believe Balin needs help.”
Sam looked towards Douglas and then Leonard. Leonard met Sam’s silent enquiry, then in turn looked towards Elliot once again before shrugging. He then stepped back, again leaning against the wall.
“Leonard?” Sam asked, needing to know that the man wasn’t a threat.
“He’s genuine. Plus, at this point, it would be pointless trying to wipe; or alter, his memories. He’s already had the information for some time. Far longer than a few weeks,” Leonard told them dryly, daring Elliot to dispute him.
“What can I say. I don’t sleep well,” Elliot said with a smirk.
Leonard grinned at his temerity, then shook his head.
“He’s fine Sam, he just wants to help. Probably a little bit curious on his side too. He’s always been fascinated by big cats, so is itching to get up close and personal with a kitty.”
“Okay then, this way doc,” Sam said, bending and picking up the gym bag, intending to take him upstairs.
“I’ll take him,” Douglas said, taking the bag from Sam’s grip, and motioning Elliot towards the stairs.
“Bloody mutt,” Sam growled.
“Cool your heels, kitty. Aggie wants you out of her way.”
“Come on Sam, help me put the kettle on. We need to rustle up more food too, the grizzly cubs will want feeding when they get back. You know how much they eat,” Helena told him, tugging on her mate’s arm, dragging him back towards the kitchen with her.
“Anything I can do?” Lara asked from her place on the sofa.
“Yes, rest,” Helena replied, giving her a tight smile.
Once in the kitchen Sam turned to Helena, knowing she was worried about Lara.
“She’s upset?”
“What do you think, Sam?” Helena asked him sadly, a sardonic twist to her lips. “Her mate, the man she loved but thought had targeted her, taunted, tortured and killed her. The father of her child and the man she thought she wanted dead, has been used as a puppet all these years. He’s been a prisoner, forced to do despicable, horrendous acts at the whim of a crazy bitch, and his equally, sick, psychotic, dead brother. God, she must be going through hell, and I don’t have a clue how to help her.”
“We’ll find him, the twins are out there now trying to pick up Maisie’s trail.”
“Yes, I know that. but even if they do manage to pick up on their location; which, according to Sophia, is highly unlikely. What are they going to find?”
“That, I don’t know love, but we won’t give up until we’ve gotten rid of the threat and rescued him.”
“I know that, I do. But, what will there be left of him to save Sam?”
He could hear the questions running around in her head. The ‘if only’s.’ So not a good place to be. Going up behind her, Sam put his arms around her waist, pulling her tense body into his own as he rested his chin on her shoulder.
“Stop borrowing trouble Helena, we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.”
“I can’t help it. How did we not know?”
“Hell baby, I’ve seen the man myself a couple of times, I never realised either.”
“But…”
“No more buts. We’ll worry over what we can - or -can’t do for him, when we find him.”
“But…”
“Helena, we have some powerful witches on our side. They are good women, kind and intelligent. They will not give up until they’ve exhausted every avenue open them to help him.”
“I know that, I’m just worried about Lana and Lara. What’s going to happen to them if they can’t save him?”
“That I don’t know. You also know I’m not going to bullshit you. There would be no point, you’d know. But, what I will say is that we will be here for them no matter what. Now that is one thing I can promise you.”
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“Being my voice of reason.”
“Anytime, now come on. When the boys come back, they’ll be ravenous. Trust me, it’s not a good idea to have a couple of hungry grizzlies on your hands.”
She turned, kissing his cheek, then moved off, opening the fridge and began pulling meat and salad out to make sandwiches.
Chapter Three
L ara entered the bedroom behind Douglas, who left them and moved over to Agatha, his mate. Lana gasped, her hand covering her mouth as she got a look at Balin lay motionless on the bed. Thomas touched her arm, and when she looked to him, he gave her an encouraging smile.
“Ladies, if you don’t mind?” Thomas asked Agatha and Sophia, who looked at him curiously as he dipped his chin towards Balin.
“This be Thomas love, he’s a shifter, and a surgeon.” Douglas informed Agatha. “Sam asked him to pop around to see if the lad be needed a blood transfusion.”
“Of course, thank you, Thomas. All help is gratefully received,” Agatha told him with a sad shake of her head as she herself looked to Balin. “I’m amazed he survived… what that bitch did to him…” She swallowed, eyes glistening as she sniffed, her red-hair fell forward and hiding her face as she lowered her head.
“He’ll be fine love. He’s a good, strong lad,” Douglas soothed his mate, stepping into her and putting his arms around her.
“I hope so, I really, hope so.”
“I know so. Plus, he has his mate here,” he told Agatha, leaning back so she had to look up at him.
“How is my presence going to help?” Lana asked, confused, swallowing as she continued to stare at the still form on the bed.
“A shifter would never leave a mate, not while there still be air in his lungs.”
“He wanted me to let him go…” she whispered, her throat tight. Guilt ate at her for pressuring him to hold on for her.
“No, he was protectin you lass.”
“Protecting me?”
; “Aye. He’d have given or taken his own life willingly first before he’d let that crazy, sadistic bitch getting her hands on you.”
“I know,” Lana murmured, eyes lowering as she stared at Balin, bottom lip trembling. He was completely motionless on the bed, the only sound, his quiet, but ragged inhalations.
“Then his ordeal was worthwhile.”
“Douglas, how can you say that? Look at him,” Lana sobbed, her voice cracking with emotion.
“I am lass. But more importantly, I think for the first time since you’ve met him, you are finally seeing the man he is, not the man you expected him to be. If his suffering has helped you overcome your prejudice towards his kind, his sacrifice and suffering were worthwhile.”
“It’s not…”
“To him it will have been.”
“I… I…” she couldn’t find the words, just looking at Balin’s tortured body and shallow breathing, turned her stomach for what he’d endured.
“Lass, let it go. Let them heal him, and then you and he can sort yourselves out. Now is not the time for tears, now is the time for strength,” Douglas told her as he leaned around Agatha and squeezed her shoulder.
He then tightened his grip on Agatha, who snuggled into him, leaning her forehead against his chest. He rubbed his chin over the top of her head, and held her tightly to him before brushing a kiss over her hair. Douglas took one final look in Balin’s direction over Agatha’s head, jaw tight. Then releasing his mate, he left the room, pulling the door shut behind him.
“What… erm…” Lana cleared her throat, blew out a breath and tried again. “Okay, where do you want me?”
“Sophia and I are going to get ready, just do what you need to do, and we’ll work around you,” Agatha replied.
“Lana, come and sit here; beside him,” Thomas said, patting the empty, right hand side of the bed.
“I’m scared to touch him, what if I hurt him?”
“Trust me, he’s not going to notice at the moment,” Thomas told her, mouth pinching as he did some checks. He used a finger to push Balin’s lower eyelid down, tutting at finding it pale, not the healthy pink it should be. Next, he pinched a small amount of skin on the back of his hand, again tutting as the skin stayed puckered when he removed his fingers.