by Zoe Forward
Bryce folded his hands in front of his massive chest. And nodded.
“Christ Almighty, Bryce, sometimes I think God passed you over when it came to giving out good sense.”
Bryce’s voice dropped. “Maybe I should’ve been patient. Maybe I should’ve asked you.”
Charlotte’s expression softened as she moved toward Kat. “Welcome. I know it’s been a bumpy beginning with us losing you in your alternate for so long. Then with Bryce doing this crazy thing. But my goodness, you’re the spitting image of Lynn.” I need you here with your head in the game.
Another person with an agenda. Great. Was there anyone that didn’t want something from her? She nodded at Charlotte in greeting, but remained silent.
Charlotte caught Kat’s left wrist and smiled. She met Bryce’s gaze and announced, “He marked her. Fabulous.”
Bryce’s face splotched red as he stalked to Matt and grabbed his wrist. “You did what?” He raised Matt’s wrist into view and demanded of Kat, “Do you have this on your wrist?”
She nodded and exposed the mark.
Matt met Bryce’s gaze head on and gritted out, “It was a mistake.”
Bryce pushed away from Matt and thundered, “A mistake? That’s beyond a juvenile fuckup. You have no right.”
A mistake? That hurt. Matt didn’t want her. She dabbed a finger at the moisture collecting the corners of her eyes.
Charlotte commanded, “Everyone leave us. Now.” Several seconds later she said, “You too, Matt. Get out. Don’t you be throwin’ eyes at me.” The second he left, she said, “Oh, honey. Tell me what’s got you worked up. I can tell you’re a mess,” Charlotte said.
She wasn’t about to reveal what really had her upset. “I don’t know much of anything about all this. My mother must’ve marooned me in the other world…” She trailed off, not sure where to go.
“And you survived. That’s the most important part. I am sorry you didn’t get to know her better. Lynn was a beautiful soul. And, gracious, did that woman adore you. But it’s not loss of her that has you so upset right now, is it?”
I screwed up with Matt. “I’m just overwhelmed.”
“Sure.” She drawled out the word with more than a minor hint of skepticism. “If it’s got anything to do with one Mr. Matthew Ryan, then, honey, let me tell you that man has got issues, no doubt. But the boy has got it bad for you. You should’ve seen the moony eyes he threw your way when I arrived. I’ve been around the block and seen a lot of Pleiades find their man. The thing not to forget is that he walked away from us a few years ago. I don’t think he wants to come back. He also grew up knowing each of us usually has one Sentry that’s our destined. That scares the bejesus out of all those boys. I think they each pray to never be chosen.”
“Why?”
“Fear. They’re terrified of being united with a powerful woman who is hunted in this dimension by the OLM. They fear being stuck with that one woman for the rest of his life, and have the responsibility of producing a female child to carry on her line. And protecting that child. That’s a lot for any man to come to grips with. He might be pissed at the semantics of this situation right now, but he’ll come around. They all do. So…what do you modern kids say? Chill out? Getting them in the bedroom helps them come around to accept destiny. I think we already established that you and he already…” She quirked a meaningful eyebrow.
Kat blushed. The conversation had all the awkwardness of a sex conversation with her ultraconservative aunt. “Yeah.”
“Then he ain’t gonna be tomcatting around. Trust me. Let’s get through this weekend.”
“You make it sound as if this is all so easy.”
“Easy? Nothing about you and him will be easy. You’ve got your father to contend with, who harbors some major ill will toward Matt. That man can be butt stubborn. Matt despises Bryce and has the same ass-stubborn streak. The two of them are alike, now that I think about it. Yep, that guarantees some family fireworks at get-togethers.” She broke into a wide grin. “But we’ve got skills, honey. You proved you got the mental thing your mother did by connecting all of us. Only you can do that. That mental skill works doubly strong here, in this dimension. So, use it on the boys when they get out of line. Might not work well on Matt if he’s your destined as I suspect. But it’ll work enough. Just remember, when all else fails, get him in bed.” She winked.
Kat didn’t think her face could get any hotter. Desperate to change the topic she asked, “What’s your power? Aren’t all of us different?” And what do you want with me?
“There are seven of us. Seven Pleiades. I told the story at that Wiccan meeting. I’m an elemental, which means I can command elements. Wind, fire, water. And I can go to all the dimensions.”
“That’d be pretty cool. How many dimensions are there?” asked Kat.
“Cool, but the travel thing is confusing. There are seven dimensions. Each is similar, but not the same as I’m sure you discovered.”
“If we’re witches, can we do witchy things like wiggle our noses and get a wish?”
Charlotte laughed. “Wouldn’t that be nice? But, no. We are each born with one unique talent. Christians labeled us witches, but our ancestors were simply the children of gods. Demigods, I guess you’d call them. Now our line is a bit diluted and all we retain of godly status is the abilities.”
“Seems a bit far-fetched.”
“It is what it is.” Charlotte settled into the seat next to hers. “Let’s talk about this weekend. We’ve got to fly tonight since we need to be in Ireland tomorrow. Most of the others are already on the way.”
“Ireland?”
“Hate to get serious on you, honey, but this is the one thing that you must do as the representative of your line. Samhain is tomorrow. If you remember the story, every twenty years we have to convene to assure the veil between this world and the World of the Ancestors remains intact. The veil between our world and the world of the gods thins on Samhain, and the original seven must be reassured that their legacy continues. If not, then those original deities might cross, and in fury destroy our boys for failing to protect us, and then allow chaos to reign in the world. Armageddon-type stuff from that point.”
Kat couldn’t come up with a logical reply. This was all too much. She just couldn’t be that important.
Charlotte clucked while glancing down. “Gracious, girl. Who gave you that dress?”
“I kind of popped over here without any luggage. Matt had this in his closet.” The last part came out in a very sour tone. She didn’t want to consider who wore it last and why it was still in his closet.
“We will have to fix this clothes situation. You can’t run around in a sundress. It’s freezing outside. You look pretty close to my daughter in size.” She plucked a cell phone from a mysterious pocket in her gauzy dress and hit a few buttons before putting it to her ear. “How’s my baby doing?” There was a long pause. “Oh, honey. I’m looking forward to seeing you. I need a little favor for Katherine. Yeah, Bryce’s daughter is back. She’s over here without any clothes… No, she’s not naked, but she might as well be in the getup they found for her. You think you can meet us at the airport with some items? I think she’s your size, if not a few inches shorter… You’re a gem, sweetie. See you in a few hours.” She kissed into the phone and hung up. With a brilliant smile she announced, “Problem solved. Now, tell me what you’ve been doing for twenty years.”
…
Matt gave up pacing to recline on the love seat across from Bryce in the sunroom. Jason and Eli had departed under orders to prepare for Ireland. This whole situation had him wound tight. Kat on the brink of tears for that half-hour of waiting had done macramé on his intestines. Christ. Her little sighs had ripped open a part of his heart he’d thought had been walled off eons ago. Now, he couldn’t stand not knowing what that matronly witch was telling her.
He still fumed that Kat accused him of having the morals of a weasel. He’d fought for over a decade to escape the co
mpulsion to do another person’s bidding just to get ahead. To be his own man, ruling his own kingdom. When he’d been undergoing Sentry training he’d probably have done anything Bryce and Quinn asked, but he had a moral line beyond which he’d never cross. He’d watched Grant Ryan cross that line several times to get a deal closed. And Kat dared suggest him that despicable?
The last place he wanted to be was here, stuck with Bryce, who’d been texting on his iPhone since the second he sat.
“When will you be leaving?” Matt asked, desperate to distract his brain.
Bryce held up his forefinger and went back to texting.
His pissed off soared into dangerous waters.
A few seconds later Bryce said, “Well, I sure as fuck won’t be leaving without her. And she sure as hell won’t be leaving without you.” His phone chimed. He glanced at the message. “Damn it. We can’t find one of the other Pleiads. Serenity’s gone off the grid. That girl knows her ass has to be on its way to Ireland. This is a goddamned —”
“Clusterfuck?” Matt interrupted.
“You bet your ass it is. Here I thought I’d finally got all seven of those slippery women doing what they’re supposed to and then…damn it. You have no idea how fucking frustrating they can be.” Bryce slid his phone in his pocket and glared at Matt. “So, this thing with you and my daughter…”
“Maybe it’s some wild chemistry, but it’s not meant to be.”
Bryce’s eyebrows shot upward. “Are you buying into that wishful-thinking bullcrap?”
Matt shrugged. God he hated Bryce’s tone, which reduced him to a cornered teenager with his father about to give him a grow-up-and-get-real chat.
Bryce slumped down on the sofa and ran a hand through his hair. After a long sigh he said, “She’s all that I’ve got left of Lynn. Her whole life was stolen from me. Birthdays, learning to drive, graduating from school, first dates…the whole thing. Now she’s confused about this business and lost, although I’ve no doubt Char is in there setting her straight and God knows what else. I shudder to imagine what she’s telling her about us. I’m not ready to take that mental step from my-ten year-old to a thirty-year-old that’s shacking up with you.”
“But you’d be okay with her and Jason getting it on?”
Bryce scowled. “I’m not okay with her and anyone.”
“You could control Jason, though. I could see how that might look good from your perspective. But the wuss couldn’t defend himself against a Chihuahua. Acquisitions would roast his ass if he was against a fence, even if he does have some sort of telekinesis ability.”
Bryce swore. He rolled his eyes upward. “I was desperate to get her here. Jason’s story…I had hoped he was the one. But not because I thought him strong enough to protect her, or even worthy of her. I could train him. I just wanted her here.”
Matt sighed. The two of them sat in silence. Unable to focus on anything other than his fury at Bryce, he scooted forward on his chair. “I would’ve happily died trying to help Quinn.”
Bryce’s eyelids drifted closed and he blew out a long exhale. “Yes, you would’ve. I have no doubt. But that wasn’t what he wanted. We’re not doing this again, Matt. It’s in the past. Arguing won’t get us anywhere right now. Someday, you might have a child and you will understand.”
“Don’t patronize me.”
“Get over it. You must go to Ireland if we expect Katherine to go willingly.” He pointed a finger at Matt. “Now don’t be thinking I’m anywhere near okay with you and she being together. That’s just…damn.” He trailed off, running a hand over his face.
“It’s Kat. She goes by Kat. She will go with you.”
Bryce shielded his face with his hand and shook his head. He whipped his hand away. “You just don’t get it yet, do you? If you and she are really destined, then you have to be together for this thing in Ireland.”
“There’s no proof on us being destined.”
“Here I thought I was having issues accepting this.” He rolled his eyes and looked heavenward. “Do the gods need to strike you over the head to get this? You’ve been bouncing into each other’s lives for a very long time. You marked her. She dimension hopped with you. Twice. That in itself is a miracle, but apparently with a destined it’s easier. If you are bound to be together…if you’ve bonded and you desert her, or God forbid, you die doing something stupid, then she will want to follow you into whatever level of afterlife you’ve earned. That’s how it works. But she can’t be departing this life. Not yet. You know what kind of hell will be unleashed if she or her daughter is missing when the veil lowers on Samhain? For once you need to do what’s right. Move beyond your shit with me.”
He hated that Bryce might be right. “Who was your source that said she might bump into me at some point?”
“What?” Bryce’s face scrunched up in confusion.
“You said you had a source when you cornered me at that benefit the other day.”
Bryce pinched the bridge of his nose. “Quinn. When he was dying he said you were the key to her being in this dimension.”
“How did he know that?”
“I’ve got no clue. Did you and he have a chat about one of her jumps or something?”
His chest clamped tight and he fell back into the chair. “I’ll be damned. I never put it together about her being here, or jumping here that is, but Quinn must’ve.”
“What happened?”
“That first time she appeared in my life she materialized right in front of me as if out of thin air. She was wet and half dead. She passed out almost immediately. I freaked and called Quinn, figuring he could fix her if she was hurt.”
Bryce cursed softly. “He never said anything to me. Did he heal her?”
“Yes. And then she disappeared, but Quinn told me she’d gone home. And that I shouldn’t worry. I didn’t think that she’d really and truly disappeared to her other dimension. I’d assumed he figured out where she belonged and took her home.”
“That’s another reason Quinn knew you needed to survive on that god-awful day he died. He suspected you and she were…connected. He was as committed to the vow of Pleiades’ protection as any of us.”
“I know.” He could accept that as a reason Quinn requested Bryce drag him away and not allow him to burn what he could of his healing power to heal him. He understood Quinn’s soul-deep commitment to the Pleiades.
Bryce worked his jaw back-and-forth for a few seconds and then produced an annoying half smile. “You know, Matt, for someone so against us druids, you’ve acquired quite a few fans. Eli is an arrogant ass toward most of us, but defends you at every turn. I know he’s hiding something about what happened during that car-chase fiasco. I tried to get it out of him three times, but the fucker’s tight-lipped. Yeah, I know you two don’t hate each other. That boy would do anything for you, guilt aside over him having the better childhood. So, you might fight this, but when you choose to walk this path, you’ve got friends who have your back.”
Matt reluctantly nodded.
Chapter Twenty-One
Kat’s heart relocated to her gut when Matt stomped past her on his way to Eli’s SUV. So much for the possibility of apologizing. She scooted into the passenger seat of the other SUV, next to her father. No one else got in. A solo ride with her father. Great.
“Hey,” Bryce tossed her way.
“Is Matt coming with us to Ireland?” She refused to get on a plane without him.
“I’ll make sure he does.”
Crap. Forcing him to accompany her on this trip would probably escalate his resentment toward her.
Bryce pinched his nose, ran a hand through his dark hair and then blew out a long exhale. This was not the fierce leader she’d seen inside. Softly he said, “I don’t want to fight you. I’m sorry about everything in there. I just…” He leveled his gaze on her. “I lost you so long ago.”
“Yeah.” She pointed at the road where the taillights of the other SUV bobbed in the distance. “You bet
ter get going.”
He cranked the car and put it in drive. The car jerked forward, slamming her against the seat. She rushed to buckle the seat belt.
After an interminable period of silence and tricky driving on icy roads, she rested her head on the headrest. “We’re going to have to talk about it. Me and Matt.”
“He and you…” His knuckles lost their color as he gripped the wheel tight. “Did he tell you about the past? About Quinn and walking away from us?”
“Some of it. Sounded like a tough situation.”
“Quinn was my best friend, my right hand. He’d been…shit, the things the OLM did to him was something no son should ever see. Matt went a little crazy. If I thought Matt could’ve saved him, I would’ve let him do anything he could, but he was too inexperienced. I did what I had to in order to get him out of there.” Bryce drove in silence for a while and then lowered his voice to the point Kat had to strain to hear him. “I probably would’ve done the same thing Matt did if I was in his shoes. Walk away from us, I mean.”
“I’m sorry you both lost Quinn, but I’m glad you forced Matt to leave.”
“Does he love you?” Bryce asked.
“I don’t know.” She ran a hand over her hair to smooth it away from her face, even though it was already in place. Her heart beat so hard that her chest hurt. “Maybe we shouldn’t talk about this.”
“But you love him.”
She nodded, swiping at a few stray tears.
“Shit. Please don’t cry. It’ll only make me madder at him.”
“Matt and I had a fight in the middle of all that drama back at his house. A misunderstanding, really. But now I don’t know where we stand. You might just get your wish that we will split up.” Somehow she felt safe telling her father this, even though she knew she shouldn’t. Matt would hate this. But her mind reminded her that he’d left her alone with her father for this drive.
“I’m sorry about what I said. I just want you to be with the right druid. One that can give you what you deserve. I don’t doubt the boy could protect you, but look at what he’s already done to you. You’re a goddamned mess.”