by JF Holland
“What are you going to try next?” Luc asked, taking a sip of his coffee.
“If he’s no better when I get back, I’m going to talk to Thomas when he pops by later. There must be something we’re missing,” she sighed.
“You will sort it out,” Luc replied.
“You have a lot of faith in us,” she mumbled.
“But of course, you are kind women, you will not rest until he is well.” He again shrugged as if it should be obvious, and Sophia smiled as she took a sip of her aromatic coffee.
“Thank you,” she replied and he just inclined his head. “Can you tell me about this curse?” she asked and he sighed, put his cup down and leaned back, running a hand through his hair. His wing continued to run up and down her arm as he blew out a breath.
“It was a long time ago; I can’t remember the specifics.”
“Then tell me what you do remember.”
“Leonard had set me up on a date, I was not best pleased,” he informed her frowning.
“You and Leonard were friends?”
“The best, we also shared an abode. I am not proud of my behaviour in those days, but I was young,” he mumbled, again shrugging. “Leonard, he had a thing for nymphs, and the one he wanted to spend time with was friends with Maisie.” He spat her name like a curse, and Sophia couldn’t blame him. “I was furious with him. We’d heard whispers about her killing off her husband. Obviously, now we know what she did to him, as he also appears cursed,” he grumbled.
“I thought there was something strange about how he looked,” Sophia replied. “Anyway, carry on, what happened to you?” Luc again ran a hand through his hair.
“I obviously told the Putain meurtrière
that I would not sleep with her. I mean, who would?” he looked incredulous, as if there was never any doubt. Sophia blinked, not quite understanding what he’d called Maisie. “Sorry, I forget, I called her a murderous whore,” again with a shrug, “I mean, she was, why would I want to lay with her.”
“Quite,” Sophia replied, trying to hide her amusement at his terminology. “Go on, what happened next?”
“She did something, some twisting of her fingers as her eyes sparked. She told me I’d be sorry, then placed her hand over my heart. Of course, I knocked her away, but she laughed. She told me she hoped I enjoyed my high moral ground, and that only a woman of pure heart would be able to save me.” He shrugged then and picked up his coffee, taking a sip, swallowing and then looked at her. “That was it, she walked away laughing, and as the sun set, I turned into the stone monster.”
“There was nothing else, no charm she drew on you, nothing?”
“There was blood on my shirt, but I don’t know where it came from as she did not appear hurt.”
“She used blood magic on you.”
“Blood magic?”
“Yes, black magic, very powerful,” Sophia shuddered and put down her drink.
“You are cold?” Luc asked, concern in his voice. “Come, we dress, then I will take you to see how Balin is doing,” he told her pushing back his chair. He took her hand and helped her up, then put their cups in the dishwasher and set it going before leading her back to his room.
“My clothes are in the room I woke in, the first time,” she blushed.
“Oui, but mine are in here. Once I am dressed, I will help you dress also,” he informed her, dropping his towel. “Do not look at me like that or I will be breaking my promise to be gentle with you,” he informed her as he opened the top drawer in a chest under the window. He then pulled out a pair of black jeans, stepped into them and pulled them on.
Sophia dropped down on the edge of the bed and tried to look anywhere but at Luc as he tucked himself into the material of his snug black jeans and buttoned them up.
Chapter Sixteen
“Balin, you need to settle down,” Lana told him sitting beside him on the bed.
“Why the hell can’t I shift?” he growled, slamming his head back against the pillow and wincing as his stomach pulled.
“I don’t know, we’ll discuss it with Thomas when he comes later. Try to calm down and eat,” Lana told him, reaching for his hand which was balled into the sheet around his waist.
“There is obviously something more going on if I can’t shift. I need to shift to help me heal, without it I am useless to you and everybody else,” he growled.
“You are not useless to me,” Lana told him.
“Of course I am. I can’t even make love to you until my stomach and legs heal. I’m half a man, what kind of woman would stay with a man who can’t even pleasure her?” he groused, jaw tight.
“This one.”
“I don’t want your pity,” he spat.
“I didn’t offer you pity, but I am going to smack you if you don’t stop acting like a child,” she shouted. “Now read my god damn mind, tell me if I feel pity for you? Go, ahead read it,” she growled at him eyes igniting.
“I was going to wait outside, but I decided to intervene before she set the house on fire or strangles you,” Sam replied, stepping into the room.
Lana looked towards Sam, mouth grim. “See if you can talk some sense into your son before I knock him the hell out,” she growled. Then getting up from the bed, she stormed from the room, slamming the door behind her.
“Now son, why would you rile a phoenix, do you not like your balls?” Sam asked, crossing his arms as he stood by the bottom of the bed.
“Well, as I can’t use them, what use are they to me anyway,” Balin replied petulantly.
“Well, son, you may be suffering a setback, but we will work it out,” Sam told him heading around the bed and taking a seat on the chair beside him.
“I’ve been stuck in here for three days now, three. I’m going stir crazy, but I daren’t move too much in case I reopen the wounds. I’m sick of pissing in a bottle, I don’t like not being able to walk,” he growled.
“I’m aware of that, I think the whole house is. But it’s not Lana’s fault, so stop giving her a hard time for helping you. Son, you shouting like a toddler having a tantrum isn’t going to fix this, you need to use your head. We need to figure out what is going on and why you can’t shift.”
“I don’t know, I’ve done nothing but think about it for the last couple of days. I’m coming up blank though,” he sighed, pushing himself up in the bed, holding the bandage around his stomach as he tried to find a comfortable position.
“Thomas should be here shortly, and I believe both Agatha and Sophia will stop in also. Between them, they’ll come up with answers.”
“I know that, I do, but in the meantime that bitch is still out there and manpower is down for searches as both me and Davion are babysat. Why wasn’t he brought here, at least then it would have just been one house to watch over?”
“It was deemed unsafe to have him here.”
“Why?”
“Because we don’t know him, he’s an unknown in all this.”
“He risked his life to save me,” Balin pointed out, angrily.
“I’m aware of that, but son, he was also responsible for numerous deaths and tortures, including your parents,” Sam replied.
“It wasn’t his fault,” Balin snarled.
“Until I can talk to him, I will not take a chance with yours or anyone else’s life.”
“Then go talk to him.”
“I can’t.”
“Why?”
“Because he’s not regained consciousness yet,” Sam told him running a hand through his hair.
“But that, that’s unheard of in a shifter,” Balin replied, confused.
“So is not being able to shift, both of you are still not healed as both are still in human form.”
“He’s not shifted either?”
“No,” Sam sighed. “We’re trying to figure out what’s going on. Normally a shifter would shift whether unconscious or not when hurt to aid in healing, but neither of you did.”
“Maisie,” Balin spat.
Chapter Seventeen
L uc hovered in the air, the tree tops hiding them from prying eyes and Sophia in his arms once again. She looked to him, a frown creasing her forehead as she looked around.
“Luc? Oomph,” was all she managed as his lips took hers, tongue sweeping into the interior, heated, and mind blowing as he took her breath in toe curling kiss. Just as suddenly he pulled back with a groan, one last suck on her lower lip before he sighed. He began moving again as he held her tightly to him, her hands wrapped tightly around his neck, and her legs wound around his waist. Having her wrapped around him and not being able to touch now he’d tasted her was heaven and hell for him.
Sophia leaned her head against Luc’s chest, breathing deeply, memorising his scent, pulling it deep into her lungs. Her mind going off on different tangents, thinking of needing to horde away all her memories of him just as he set down in the garden at the back of the property. He slowly lowered her to the floor, finger beneath her chin, so she’d meet his gaze. She was captured in his dark green eyes, trying to figure out what to say, when his mouth lowered to hers once again just as the back door opened and slammed shut.
Sighing, Luc straightened and turned, keeping Sophia behind him as they heard swearing.
“Idiot, stupid fool,” Lana could be heard muttering as she stomped up and down the patio. Luc crossed his arms across his chest, head cocked to one side as he stared at the female presently swearing up a storm.
“Lana, are you okay honey?” Sophia asked, stepping around him and heard him growl.
“Why do you never stay where I put you?”
“Because my niece needs me,” she replied, turning and patting his chest, giving him a lopsided grin.
“Merde,” he sighed, stepping around her as he made his way to the back door. “I will put the kettle on, do not make me come looking for you,” he informed her as he nodded to Lana, who’d stopped pacing and was now looking from him to her aunt.
“Luc,” she gave him a tight smile as he passed her and slipped into the house. “Aunt Sophia, I am so glad to see you.”
“What’s happened, is Balin okay?”
“He’s no different,” she sighed. “Well, apart from he’s driving me up the wall,” she grumbled. Then her eyes squinted as her mouth slashed with displeasure, obviously, she was speaking to him in her mind. Sophia waited until she’d finished.
“You’re a jackass,” Lana grumbled in her mind.
“I’m sorry, come back,” Balin wheedled.
“I will shortly. Aunt Sophia is here; I want to see if she has any answers first.”
“Can’t you ask her that from my room?”
“No, I need a break from you before I beat the shit out of you. You’re driving me up the wall,” she ground out. “Just give me a few minutes, I’ll bring you a fresh drink shortly. Please, just pull back and give me some peace.”
“Fine,” he harrumphed, cutting their connection.
“Aunt Sophia, can you fix him? Otherwise, I’m afraid I may just strangle him,” Lana growled, once again pacing up and down the patio.
“That bad, huh?” Sophia chuckled, putting her hand on Lana’s arm, staying her. “Come on, I’m sure if we all put our heads together we can try to figure out what’s going on.” She threaded her arm through Lana’s, and lead her towards the back door.
“She stepped inside and Luc instantly turned, his eyes searching hers, brow furrowed as he made drinks at the counter.
“Lana, Sophia,” Maya said, stepping into the kitchen, Jaden on her heels.
“Do you have any answers?” Jaden asked, running a hand around the back of his neck.
“You too?” Sophia asked, brow rising at the number of people Balin was annoying today. She looked towards Luc, who turned, passed her a coffee, and leaned back against the work surface.
“Is he still unable to shift?” she asked and Jaden shook his head.
“He’s driving us all nuts. He’s fed up and going stir crazy trapped in that bed.”
“He’s worried.” Lana replied, sitting down at the table, and Luc turned again, grabbing another cup from behind him. He then placed it by Lana’s elbow as she leaned on the table, chin resting on folded arms.
“Have you eaten?” Helena asked, stepping into the room.
“Luc fed me,” Sophia replied, not meeting any of the curious gazes that moved from her to Luc and back again.
“I am capable of cooking,” Luc shrugged, taking another sip of his coffee.
“Of course you are Luc,” Maya placated. “Now Aunty Sophia, any ideas?”
“When is Agatha due?” she asked, sitting at the table, tapping a nail against her cup.
“What are you thinking?” Luc asked, and she turned to look at him.
“I had an idea, last night when I was trying to heal Davion, but I thought it was stupid.”
“What idea?” Jaden asked, turning a chair and straddling it.
“I was using the runes to help with Davion’s healing. I then remembered how Maisie had used runes to control Davion, and to stop Balin from shifting.”
“Yes, but Balin no longer has the manacles on and Davion, well, that bitch basically tore his throat out removing that necklace.”
“Yes, I’m aware of that.” Again, she tapped her cup, eyes closed as she worked through something in her head.
“Sophia?” Jaden growled in annoyance at her silence, and Luc let out a rumbling warning at his tone. He put his cup down and moved behind Sophia’s chair, placing his hand on her shoulders and kneaded. She absently put one of her hands over his as she continued to work through the problem. Jaden, Lana, Maya and Helena looked from Sophia to Luc and back again
“Does Thomas have access to either an x-ray or scanner?” she asked, looking towards those around the table.
“What are you thinking?” Jaden asked frowning as he looked at her.
“Balin isn’t healing as he should, his stomach is no longer open, but it’s also not knitted as it should be. Davion’s not regained his consciousness either and his neck isn’t healing as it should.”
“And?” Jaden asked, again annoyance in his voice. Luc once again rumbled a warning at his tone, and with a raised brow Jaden again looked from Sophia to Luc.
“Neither of them have shifted either. I need to double check something I thought about, but to do that I’m going to need to get my hands on either a portable x-ray or scanner.”
“What are you thinking Sophia?” Luc asked her, then thought about what she’d been saying. “Runes?” he queried, brow raised at how obvious it should have been.
“Yes, I’m thinking runes.”
“We know you all use runes, it’s how you help heal or curse,” Jaden grumbled, a hand again running over the back of his neck not following her.
“But what if she’s placed one in them?” Sophia asked.
“Bollocks,” Jaden, growled, sitting up and looking towards Maya. Lana gasped, and her eyes slid closed in concentration. Then the next thing she was off the chair which skidded across the kitchen at the speed she moved. The she was out of the room and flying up the stairs.
“What’s going on?” Sam asked as he passed her on his way down.
“He knows what we were discussing.”
“Who? What are you talking about?” Sam asked, confused, standing halfway up the stairs. The others had all come out of the kitchen after her, and were now all stood in the hallway.
“Balin,” Lana hissed. “He heard what Sophia was saying about the possibility of a rune being inside him,” she shouted, hitting the landing and skidding to a halt as she pushed his bedroom door open. “Aunt Sophia, quick,” she cried, running into the room. Sam had turned back and was right behind her, his horrified eyes taking in the scene before him. Balin had begun tearing at his own stomach, blood oozing down his s
ides and pooling on the bedding. Sam dove across the bed, going for Balin’s bloody hands and ripping them away from his now open wound again.
“Fucking stop it,” he shouted as Jaden basically jumped over the bed, throwing his upper body over his brothers to stop him from getting his hands near his bleeding stomach again.
“Get it out of me, get it out now,” Balin shouted, beads of perspiration gathering on his brow. “Whatever that bitch put into me, get it out,” he bucked against their hold.
Luc had to turn sideways to get into the bedroom, but Sophia slid by him and up to the bed. She tried grabbing onto one of Balin’s hands to sooth him, but as he bucked, she was knocked to the floor.
“Sophia, move away,” Luc hissed, storming into the room and scooping her up. He then moved her to the side. “Get some rope,” he shouted to Maya as she appeared in the doorway, Helena behind her, eyes horrified at the scene before them. “If he won’t calm down, we are going to have to tie him up to stop him from hurting himself or anyone else further,” he told her, angry eyes slit as he turned to Balin.
At the mention of tying Balin calmed, gasping and sucking in a breath.
“No ties, just get it out of me,” he ground out, the bucking stopping as he panted for breath.
“I’m not sure it’s there yet,” Sophia told him trying to get closer to the bed again, but Luc used a wing to keep her back, and at a safe distance.
“Stay back until he’s completely calm,” Luc informed her over his shoulder. “If he pushes you again we won’t need rope because I’ll knock him out myself,” he informed her.
Balin went still, Jaden still lay across him, Sam holding onto one of his hands.
“Fine, I’m calm, I’m calm.” Balin groused, slamming his head into his pillow.
Stepping forward again, Luc looked over his shoulder, eyebrow raised. Sophia stroked the wing he held before her.
“He won’t hurt me.”
“Non, he won’t you will stay put,” he growled.
“Be reasonable Luc, I need to see if I can help,” she coaxed, noticing the stubborn set to his shoulders.