The Peacekkeeper Journals: The Joining [Book 1]

by CJ England

  She felt him change. His body grew hairier. He growled deep in his throat as his fingers and toes grew claws. She wasn't disgusted by the change, but excited. She felt wild, feral, as she drew back out of his arms and knelt beside him ... watching.

  Lucas was out of control. In the few times he had shifted since being transformed, he had been careful to hold himself back. Now, in the embrace of Kira's power, he was helpless to do anything but feel. He felt her draw away from him, and was hit with a pain so agonizing he nearly howled in disbelief. She is turning from me!

  He pushed himself up off the bed, and grabbed her by the arms. He couldn't let her go. Even though she may hate what he was ... he had to finish the joining.

  "No,” he growled gutturally. “Don't leave me. Please, Kira. I need you."

  Without a word, Kira pressed herself against him. He gasped in shock as she began raining kisses on his face, all the while murmuring to him.

  "I am not going anywhere, my wolf. I love what is happening to you. I want to see it, to experience it with you, to feel your power against me while you change. You are the one who is beautiful. You are the one who is special. Why do you feel you are not a true man? You are what I need. Know this. Reach into my head. Know the truth. You must accept yourself, as I accept you."

  Lucas was staggered. He did as she asked, and sent his power into her mind, desperate to know the truth. Her love and acceptance shone like a beacon to a lost man. He collapsed back down on the bed, dragging her beneath him.

  She wrapped her arms around him and soothed his back with her hands as she held him. The full truth of Lucas’ self-hatred came to her.

  Lucas was not a werewolf by bloodline. He had been bitten by a rogue shapeshifter, while out exploring the woods with friends. When the next full moon came and he shifted into the creature, he had known a despair that had almost swamped him. If he had known how to kill himself, he would have.

  It had taken him six long years to get to the point where he could actively be a part of the shapeshifter community. But he had never truly accepted what had happened to him. He had wanted to be normal again.

  Lucas, for the first time saw himself as unique. A creature of strength and stamina. One with special abilities that far outshone a normal human man. Through Kira's lovely golden eyes, he saw himself as a handsome and strong supernatural creature. For the first time, he was glad to be what he was.

  His tears fell against her breasts as he wept. The power and heat of their joining swirled around them, and she felt his half-changed body hard against her. She concentrated ... blanketing him with the power of acceptance. Giving him a purpose he had never known before. She was the reason he had been changed. She was his purpose for living.

  Lucas felt her power change. Heard the answers he hadn't even known his heart was asking. He was for her. She was for him. A purpose, a passion. A reason for existence.

  He raised himself up off of her. His silver eyes glowed with his power. Her gold eyes glowed with her own. He knew it was time to finish it, and transform their separate powers into one.

  Gently, he pulled her T-shirt off one shoulder exposing the top of her left breast. He lifted his clawed hand and rested it on her. He looked down at Kira, his new love for her written all over his face.

  "The marking of a mate by a male shapeshifter. This will be your brand.” His words were almost formal. “Do you accept this?"

  Kira's face shone.

  "I accept you,” she emphasizing the pronoun. “I am for you, Lucas Kane. You are for me."

  Lucas smiled and touched his claws to her breast, but Kira stopped him.

  "Where?"

  Chapter 7

  Immediately he understood, and taking her hand, guided it under the waistband of his sweatpants, to high up between his hard thighs. He felt her hesitation as her hand brushed against his erection.

  "A secret place,” he muttered his eyes intense with need and emotion. “One very rarely seen."

  Their eyes met, and Kira spoke the words the power placed in her heart.

  "I give you purpose. You give me passion. Together we give meaning to our existence."

  Lucas kissed her naked breast without moving his eyes from hers.

  "You give me purpose. I give you passion. Together we give meaning to our existence."

  Together, they released their power. Using his sharp claws, Lucas raked them down into her breast. The blood power of his beast rose up in him, but Kira's gentle power soothed it, turning it and sharing it with her own.

  Kira clamped her hand down on the soft flesh of Lucas’ inner thigh and her power burned into him. As the pain overwhelmed them both, Kira screamed and Lucas growled through his teeth. Their shared power instantly transformed itself into something greater. It burst up out of them and covered the room in a heavy blanket of acceptance and love.

  Lucas felt his heart pounding in his chest. Under him he could feel Kira's heart beating just as ferociously. Carefully, he removed his claws from her breast and bending, gently licked the blood from her wound. He felt his body returning to human, and heard Kira sigh.

  His new awareness of her knew it was a sigh of disappointment he had changed, and the warmth of her acceptance blossomed anew inside of him.

  He reached down to remove her hand from his thigh, and was surprised when Kira stopped him.

  "Let me do the healing spell first.” She whispered the words quickly over him, and then kissing her fingers put them back on his thigh for a swift touch. His thigh stopped hurting immediately.

  "Now you...” He rolled off of her. He laid a powerful hand over the still bleeding wound and watching her face to make sure he got the words correct, spelled her pain away.

  A perfect set of claw marks remained.

  Early morning light filled the room when Lucas staggered to his feet to pull the drapes closed. He climbed back into the bed and held Kira against his chest. “This okay, honey?” he asked, stifling a yawn.

  "Perfect,” she yawned drowsily.

  "It's okay we sleep together? I'm not enough of a gentleman to sleep on the floor."

  "It is fine.” Her voice was thick with sleep.

  He bent down and kissed her parted lips. “Sleep well, honey. Don't worry about anything. I'll keep you safe."

  She was already gone. Her last act before drifting off was to touch Gallegar's consciousness.

  * * * *

  Gallegar awoke and followed the sleepy touch back to Kira. He sensed the couple sleeping together in the bed. Sensed the joining was complete. He felt Lucas’ male satisfaction, but when he touched Kira, he felt only her thoughts of him. He smiled.

  Another man may be holding her body, but he still held her heart.

  * * * *

  Long hours later, Lucas was awakened by the shrill ringing of the telephone. He lifted bleary eyes to the clock and saw it was just a little after one in the afternoon. Kira stirred beside him, warm and soft. He grabbed the offending phone, his voice rough with sleep as he answered.

  "What?"

  "Hey there, Lucas.” It was Joseph at the club.

  "What the hell do you want?” Lucas wasn't happy about being woken.

  "Hey, man. The boss wants to know why you're not here giving him a report."

  "Tell him it's because I am sleeping. I didn't go to bed until eight this morning. If he wants me coherent, I've gotta get some sleep. Tell him I'll be in by five. I can give him a report, check out the club and then head back out to check on the woman."

  Lucas looked down at ... the woman and grinned.

  "The club's fine,” Joseph said hotly. “I got it under control."

  "Good,” yawned Lucas. “Then you won't mind me checking things out.” Lucas hung up the phone and rolled over toward Kira. He pulled her back into his arms and immediately fell back into a deep sleep.

  The next time he was awokened, it was Danolas on the phone. Kira stirred and stretched next to him, and Lucas felt his body heat rise.

  "I sensed the
joining went well,” Danolas said cheerfully.

  Lucas dragged his thoughts back to the phone call. “What?"

  "I wanted to let you sleep as late as possible. I know you have to be to The Howling by five. I thought I could come over and cover you with a protection spell before you leave."

  "How did you know all that?"

  "Your mind is open to me, my friend."

  Lucas grunted. “When will you get here?” He watched Kira's eyes blink open. When they met his, she blushed.

  "I can be there in half an hour."

  "All right,” he yawned. “See ya then."

  He propped himself up on one elbow and peered down into Kira's rosy face. Good morning, honey.” He brushed a kiss across her lips. “Sleep well?"

  She nodded. “Yes, this bed is very comfortable."

  He grinned. “You mean my shoulder is very comfortable.” She blushed again. He knew he could tease her some more, but he felt too good this morning.

  "I gotta get up. Danolas is coming over."

  Kira sat up in bed. The T-shirt was still off one shoulder, but her breast was covered.

  Lucas looked away before he could think any disturbing thoughts. My mind is wide open, huh? He'd have to learn to shield and fast.

  "He has a spell to protect you?"

  "He says so.” He slid out of bed and stretched, watching her reaction through narrowed eyes. He saw her gulp and then look quickly away and he smothered a grin. If she was looking at him that way, he might be able to use it to his advantage. Maybe Gallegar didn't have it as wrapped up as he thought he did.

  "I am gonna jump in the shower to wake up. Can you make me some coffee?” He saw Kira's blank look and just let the grin spread. “Never mind, honey. I'll show you how another time."

  Whistling, he walked into the bathroom and shut the door.

  Kira didn't wait for the shower to start. She was feeling slightly uncomfortable being in Lucas’ bed. She ran from the room and made her way into the kitchen. Splashing her face with cold water from the sink, she looked through Lucas’ kitchen drawers trying to find the instructions for the coffee maker sitting on the counter. She was so busy looking she didn't even hear him come into the room behind her.

  He folded his long arms around her, making her jump, and him chuckle.

  "Here, Kira, watch me this time.” Lucas pulled out the coffee fixings and started a pot. Kira nodded, as he explained the workings. Very soon, the heady smell of coffee was perfuming the air.

  Lucas went back into the bedroom to finish dressing as Kira waited, sniffing the air.

  When the doorbell rang, Kira moved to get it, but Lucas beat her to it.

  "Can't take any chances, honey.” He motioned her back into the bedroom.

  "It is all right, Lucas. Open your mind. Danolas waits without."

  Lucas tried it and, in his mind's eye, saw the witch outside his door, rocking back and forth on his heels waiting.

  Rather than dressing in his white robe, tonight Danolas wore a pair of white linen pants topped by a white tunic and jacket. His hair was worn loose and flowing, but he still carried his staff of power.

  "That's a neat trick,” Lucas commented to her as he opened the door. Danolas came in, his eyes lingering appreciatively on Kira's long legs. Lucas scowled.

  "Go get my robe from the chair in my room,” he growled, as he went to pour himself a cup of coffee. Danolas grinned at his back following him.

  She blinked at him, but obeyed. The robe was too long, but it covered her. Seeing her walk back into the kitchen, Lucas knew he'd reacted foolishly. Looking at Danolas’ amused smile, he saw the witch knew it too.

  Kira came to him, her hands covered by the arms of the scarlet robe. “Help me..."

  Roughly, he rolled up the sleeves so Kira would have use of her hands. “Better?” he mumbled, refusing to look at her.

  Kira looked up at him, worry on her face. "What is wrong, my wolf?"

  Lucas’ head snapped up at the mind-speak. Seeing the anxiety on her face, he forced the tension from his shoulders. “Nothing,” he said aloud. “I'm just being an ass."

  Danolas smirked at him, but didn't say a word. Maybe the witch was smarter than he looked.

  Lucas turned to Kira. “Go take your shower, honey. Let Danolas and I work this spell thing."

  With a bewildered nod, she disappeared into the bedroom. Lucas handed Danolas a cup of coffee and motioned to where the cream and sugar sat.

  "Are you all right?” Danolas asked pointedly, as he stirred in a generous helping of sugar.

  "It's just going to take a little getting used to, that's all.” Lucas took a large gulp of coffee, and then cursed as it burned his tongue. “I mean, we share something incredibly intimate with her, but we have no actual claim on her."

  "We do have a claim on her, Lucas, just not the one you mean."

  "That's my point, Danolas. What if I want it to be?"

  Danolas gazed at him. “I don't know if you have a choice, my friend. Kira has come to us for a reason. I don't think it's to pick out a boyfriend, even though she and Gallegar do share something. Give it time. All will work out in the end."

  Lucas snorted. “Is that one of your predictions, High Priest?"

  "No ... just common sense. Think of her as your little sister."

  Lucas laughed out loud. “Is that the way you think of her?"

  Danolas had the grace to look embarrassed. “Well, no. Not completely. But I'm trying. It's a hell of a lot better than the alternative."

  "Which is?"

  "Hating myself. Hating her. Hating you or Gallegar. None of which will help our Lady in the long run."

  Lucas was silent as he digested Danolas’ words. He put his coffee cup into the sink.

  "I gotta get going. We better do this spell."

  Danolas put his coffee cup down as well, and walked over to Lucas. “The spell is a basic protection spell, but I have added a bit of deception to the mix as well. It will ward off any suspicions your leader might have, as long as you are careful. The protection part will come into play only if something goes wrong, and you are discovered."

  "What will happen?"

  "Confusion. It will give you time to cover yourself with a different story or even escape if necessary."

  Lucas nodded. “How does it work?"

  Danolas pulled a small jar of ointment out of his pocket. Opening it, he dabbed a bit on Lucas's forehead, hands and shoes. “This spell will cover you like a second skin. It will stay active until I remove it."

  Lucas watched as Danolas lifted his staff and slowly circled it in front of him. He spoke in words beyond Lucas’ understanding and Lucas closed his eyes as he felt the magick touch his skin. It smoothed up his body and fitted against him like a tight fitting suit.

  "Look,” Danolas whispered. “Open your eyes and see."

  Lucas looked down at himself. Shimmering bands of blue fire covered his entire body. He could see it, but after the first brief tingle, the magick was dormant on his skin. He heard a gasp at the door. Kira stood there, her hair again damp, still dressed in his robe.

  "It looks like a blue spider web,” she commented in awe, drawing nearer and putting out her hand to feel the magick in the air. The spell flickered slightly at the touch of Kira's power then lay still again.

  "Pretty cool, huh?” Danolas grinned as he admired his own work.

  "Pretty visible."

  "Oh, that's easily taken care of.” With a quick motion of his staff, the spell vanished. “It's still there,” Danolas assured them, “Just invisible. No one but you will know it exists."

  "What about another witch?” Kira asked in concern. “No one but those joined may know of Lucas’ involvement."

  "Lucas will know it's there because he wears it. I will know it's there because a witch recognizes his own magick. You and Gallegar will know it, because through the joining, we have absorbed some of each other's talents."

  "So he is safe now?"

  "As safe as
I can make him. The rest is up to him.” Danolas looked at Lucas. “As long as you don't come out and admit what you have done, you should be fine. The spell will cover any hesitations or wordings that may betray you."

  Lucas reached out and shook Danolas’ hand. “Thanks,” he said. “I feel better knowing this will help keep us all safe."

  He turned to Kira and, taking her by the hand, led her to the hallway. Danolas stayed behind and poured himself another cup of coffee. He sensed it was going to be another long night.

  Lucas picked up his jacket from the chair and shrugged it on. He was dressed casually in a pair of black slacks and steel gray turtleneck. Kira couldn't help but admire him.

  "You're looking at me that way again.” He ran a teasing finger down her cheek as she blushed. “You stay with Danolas. He'll get you over to A Crown of Thorns safely."

  "I will, Lucas. Please be careful,” she pleaded with him.

  "Don't worry about me, honey. I'll be fine. I'm not sure what time I'll get there. Depends on Elijah, but I'll be there. Count on it."

  With that, he wrapped her in his arms and lifting her face to his, kissed her long and slow. “That's what I wanted to do last night,” he whispered in her ear when he finished. “That and more."

  He kissed her again, until she was breathless.

  * * * *

  After closing the door behind Lucas, Kira went to find Danolas. He was standing in the living room and staring out the window, nursing his coffee. He turned when he heard her.

  "Everything okay with you?” he asked quietly.

  She stared at him then shook her head. “I do not know what to do. I am so confused. Lucas...” She bit her lip.

  "I am in love with Gallegar. I was sent to him. I feel I am to belong to him ... but Lucas. He makes me feel strange."

  Danolas put down his cup and gave her a brotherly hug. “Just be honest with everyone in the middle of it. I know you love each of us, and you know we all love you. What that means will sort itself out."

  He pulled back out of her arms and looked down at her searchingly. “You want to go get something to eat? My treat."