by Jo Ellen
He could not live with the knowledge that he had not protected her; that he had let her down. The scene kept repeating over and over in his head. Seeing Willie’s hands reach into her chest would forever be branded into his brain.
Maybe this wasn’t real, he reasoned. Maybe they were still in the death realm, and this was just an illusion. He felt Ian grip his shoulder, giving him strength, and knew he was in denial.
He lifted her wrist, tracing the veins underneath her skin and desperately feeling for a pulse. She was so white and still; with no animation lighting her beautiful face. Her only movement came from the chest compressions.
He watched Rafe push hard, massaging her heart in a desperate attempt to start those precious beats. Rafe was cursing a blue streak, his forearm muscles bulging with each push.
Devlin shook his head, removing the last of the cotton wool from his ears. He heard someone softly crying in the background, people rushing around yelling.
Anger consumed him, rallying his strength and giving him a reason to go on before he followed his beloved mate into death. They’d had such a short time together but would be together forever in eternity. Whatever came in the afterlife, he was ready. He had one mission only. Send Willie to Hell.
Chapter 10
“Olivia. Open your eyes.”
She didn’t want to. She felt so good, so peaceful. The softest bed ever held her in its down feathers, and this was simply the best nap she’d ever had. Why wake up? She was free, no worries, no problems.
“Come on Olivia, we have work to do.”
“Go away,” she swatted at the annoying person who wouldn’t let her sleep.
She heard a small tinkle of a laugh, like the little teacup bell she used to play with as a child. Her mom would let her have it when she was sick so she could ring it if she needed anything.
“Mom?”
Again the small laugh. “No, dear.” There was a short pause. “Consider me your soul guide.”
Soul guide? Wait a minute. Where was she? Her eyes popped open. Holy shit! She was in a cathedral. Then the guilt set in for cussing in such a beautiful and holy place.
“This is not a church. There is no judgment here. Only love and guidance.”
Olivia looked at the woman speaking and stared in awe. She was the most beautiful woman she had ever seen, and she was wearing Her green dress. She looked down to see she was wearing the emerald dress also. Okay, this was tacky. No two women should ever wear the same dress to the same place.
With that thought, the woman’s gown changed to a Roman over the shoulder pink creation that was just as beautiful as the woman.
The woman sat on the edge of her bed, waiting while Olivia sat up amongst the many pillows. “We don’t have much time and you need to understand what must be done.”
Olivia shook her head, confused. “Who are you?” Wait, she’d already asked that, hadn’t she?
“My name is Elnen. I need you to hear my words. Willie has to be stopped. Normally your power would be enough to send him on to his soul guide, but with him finding the Fae Queen’s magical water, he has strength beyond your abilities. You will confront him again, only this time I will be helping you. You will call my name when you need me, only you will be able to summon me. Remember my name.”
Olivia sat staring at her, thinking this was a dream, and she would wake up soon with Devlin holding her. But one thought stuck in her head. “Wait. He’ll go to his soul guide? What does that mean? Won’t he go to Hell or something?”
“Our time is up.” Elnen laid her hands on Olivia’s head. “Shift and heal.”
As Elnen faded away, Olivia felt a horrendous pain in her chest. Damn, couldn’t these guys just let her sleep?
* * *
Rafe was happy to move aside as Dr. James rushed through the door and took over. He had just placed his stethoscope on her chest when she gasped and shifted. He looked to his alpha.
“Rafe? Did you do that?” Dr. James asked.
“No. She did it herself, I assume. Maybe she woke up enough to know she needed to shift to heal.” Rafe looked to Devlin.
“No. She never opened her eyes,” Devlin murmured.
“Will she be alright?” With her shift, relief surged through him, the euphoria almost overwhelming as hope ran like an out of control wildfire, spearing his heart with joy.
Dr. James was listening to her heartbeat. He looked up and laid his hand against her snout. She snorted in annoyance.
“Her heart is strong, regular and steady. I’m not a vet, but I’d say she was fine now. Somebody want to tell me what happened so I can make a decision on whether or not she needs to be in the hospital? Does she have a heart problem?” Dr. James asked.
Rafe took him aside as Devlin sat stroking Olivia’s fur. He had pulled her head into his lap, and he was quietly talking to her as everyone moved away.
Dr. James wanted an x-ray and an electrocardiogram to see any possible damage to her heart. “I can’t do it at the hospital, too many humans around. Call Hunter and get him to meet us at his practice. He should have the same equipment for when he does surgery.”
Arriving at the vet’s office, Devlin carried her into the exam room. Rafe had sent everyone else home to get some rest. Rafe stepped out and leaned against the wall as Dr. Hunter did a quick exam before hooking her up to a heart monitor.
“She’s okay now.” Rafe clasped Devlin’s shoulder.
Devlin’s bloodshot eyes acknowledged his words. “I never want to go through anything like that again.” His voice dropped to a whisper. “I thought I’d lost her, and I just found her.”
Rafe grasped his brother and hugged him tight, saying nothing.
Dr. Hunter spoke. “Her heart seems to be fine, neither one of us can see any trauma to her heart. But to be safe, once she shifts back, I’d have Dr. James check her again.”
“I think I broke some ribs when I was doing compressions,” Rafe said.
“I saw that, don’t worry, they’re already healing. You have to push hard enough to massage the heart. It happens.” Dr James shrugged, unconcerned.
“So I can take her home?” Devlin asked.
“I don’t see why not. I believe her shift healed her, but as soon as she shifts back, I’ll examine her again.” Dr. James clapped Devlin on the back as he scooped her up in his arms.
Rafe nodded to both men, thanking them for their help.
Devlin climbed into the back seat with his bundle, impatient to get her home.
Once home, he carried her straight to their room, leaving Rafe to let everyone know how she was doing. He gently stroked her fur as he lay beside her on the bed. “Don’t ever do that again,” he demanded. “No more chasing ghosts. You’ll stay at home and have babies. If you want to work, you can work for our family, but you’ll do it from here.”
Olivia’s eyes opened and she watched him blink back tears. She whimpered slightly before shifting. Reaching up, she cupped his cheek in her palm. “Oh baby, I’m alright now.”
He pulled her into his arms, burying his face in her neck. “I never want to go through anything like that again. I thought I’d lost you.”
She’d heard his speech while in wolf form and knew she had to bite the bullet and not put off this conversation.
“Devlin.” She sighed as they lay facing each other. “I have to go back. Not right now, I’m still weak. But I have to do this.”
He jumped off the bed, pacing. Stopping at the foot of the bed, he pointed at her. “No fucking way. You died tonight. Do you get that? Your fucking heart stopped. If I have to, I will tie you down and you will not go after Willie.”
She’d never seen Devlin so agitated. Her happy go lucky wolf was locked away behind the volatile man. His fears were in control; she needed to calm him down. “Come to bed, we’ll talk tomorrow.”
He threw off his clothes and got into bed. Tucking her against his chest, he rested his arm on her waist. “No, we won’t. You’re done.”
Pushi
ng her bottom into his groin, she squeezed the arm on her waist. He responded by pulling her back as close as possible against his chest.
“You need sleep. It’ll help your body recover,” he said gruffly.
He was talking in short sentences, practically grunting out his words. He was upset, angry and scared. She knew to drop it, for now. She would tell him about her guardian tomorrow, hoping she could convince him to put his fear aside. Of course, she was afraid also, but this was her calling. She knew of no one else that could stop Willie.
The next morning, after Dr. James pronounced her fit, they gathered in the great room. Olivia sat next to Devlin as he stared off in the distance, his anger palpable. They’d been discussing how to get rid of Willie. Olivia listened, knowing she would have to face Devlin’s anger head on.
She cleared her throat, gaining their attention. “I need to explain what happened while I was unconscious.”
“You weren’t unconscious; you were dead.” Devlin’s mouth was tight.
She started again. “While I was dead,” Olivia stated stoically, “my soul guide or guardian angel, whatever, came to me. She told me I would have to take care of Willie.”
Devlin shouted as he jumped up. “This is freaking bullshit. You had a dream, not some fucking revelation. I watched you die. I will not allow you to put yourself in the same situation again.”
Olivia remained calm; she knew that shouting at him would not help. Placing herself in his shoes, she recognized that she would react exactly as he was. She stood and went to him, wrapping her arms around him. He immediately hugged her tight.
“I understand baby.” She ignored everyone watching them silently. “I really do. But I’ll have stronger help this time. Willie is powerful because of the magic he draws from the pond. My guide is going to help me take him out. I would love to pass this job on to someone else, but I can’t. If there is anyone out there who could banish him, I don’t know who it is. I cannot walk away either and leave him to attack some other woman. I couldn’t live with myself.”
Devlin held on, not wanting to acknowledge the truth of her words. He’d love to say fuck off to the entire world and keep his mate safe. Let someone else fight Willie. But no matter how much he wished it, he knew he could not allow anyone else to be hurt because he was afraid. He walked her over to the couch and pulled her onto his lap.
His voice sounded like tires on a gravel road when he spoke. “I know, my love, I know.” He gripped the back of her head and turned her to face him. “But I want to talk to your guide. I can’t go into this blind.”
“Um, I don’t know how to reach her. She’s my guide, not some spirit that just hangs around.”
“The pond.” Rafe sat forward, hands dangling between his knees. “There’s some strong magic in that water, it may be enough for her to come through.”
“Let’s go,” Ian announced. “It can’t hurt.”
They tromped down to the edge of the water, stopping to look across at the sun-dappled pond.
Lisa looked at Melanie, shrugging. She had no idea what to do. Neither did Melanie. They were there as voyeurs, wanting to watch and see what would happen, if anything.
“This is your show, Olivia.” Rafe nodded to her.
Olivia ran her hands down her denim shorts before bending down to take off her Kate Spade sneakers. Knowing her parents weren’t around to buy her designer clothes and shoes anymore, she was determined to protect the ones she had brought with her. She may be mated to a rich man, but she had not reached that point in their relationship where she was comfortable taking his money. So, no shoe should be tortured by water or mud, in her opinion.
“What are you doing?” Devlin asked as he took her elbow to stop her from walking into the water.
She looked back at him, “I’m going into the water to channel my inner spirit guide.”
He was already shaking his head. “No need. You only have to enter when you’re being transformed. Just stand here at the edge.”
“Oh.” Now she felt silly. How was she supposed to know that? She slipped her shoes back on and brushed off her hands.
“Just call her,” Devlin said, resigned.
Rafe and Ian stood to the side with their wives, watching her while Niall waited, still protecting Devlin’s back. The Queen had not released him from his duty.
Olivia went to that place inside where she could speak with the dead. Calling Elnen’s name over and over, she waited. And got nothing.
“It’s not working guys,” she said.
“Olivia, why don’t you relax in the grass and meditate. Sometimes these things take awhile,” Lisa told her.
Shrugging her shoulders, Olivia sat with her knees drawn up. Devlin moved in behind, giving her support to lean against him. The others followed, sitting at the edge and waiting for something to happen.
Olivia scooted between Devlin’s thighs and relaxed as his arms enclosed her. She knew he was still angry with her decision and they would be revisiting their argument. She closed her eyes and pretended they were simply out enjoying the beautiful day.
There was a slight hum coming from the water, vibrating against her skin in a soothing, rhythmic pattern. She watched as a smoky, iridescent form took shape, hovering over the pond. Olivia used Devlin’s thighs as leverage to quickly stand. She could clearly see that this apparition was indeed Elnen.
Devlin stood behind her, gripping her shoulders. She reached up and patted his hand, reassuring him. “It’s okay, that’s Elnen.”
Elnen bowed her head to them. “Hello again Olivia. Greetings Alpha Rafe, Enforcer Ian.” She turned to Lisa. “Your parents wish to pass along a message.” She tilted her head, listening. “Do not mourn us, little princess. We will be with you again, someday. You make us proud, and we shall now call you our little princess witch.” Elnen smiled as she ended her message.
Lisa gasped as tears filled her eyes. For so long she’d wondered if her parents knew of her life after their deaths. She felt a great sense of peace grow within her. Rafe squeezed her gently as he hugged her to him.
Now Elnen turned to Melanie. “Druid, the universe knows of your love for all living things. You are a true blessing to all you come in contact with.”
“Yeah, that’s my little hippy in a nutshell,” Ian whispered.
“Devlin.” Elnen focused on him, and he stiffened, biting back his anger. He would love to tell this so called guide to get another recruit, his mate was not available to do her dirty work.
“I understand, Devlin. Your fear for your soul mate is unfounded.” He growled. “Olivia is special. She is particularly tuned in to the between worlds. We need souls like hers to help others find their way home.”
She paused and seemed to take a deep breath. “Willie is unique in his evil. Normally he would meet his guide and decisions would have been for his afterlife. The pond has strengthened and enabled him to hide from his fate. There is an imbalance now in the death realm. The marks against him must be atoned. Olivia will not be alone in her fight. I will be there when she confronts him again and between us, we will capture his soul. He will not kill her, I give you my word. As her soul guide, I know that it is not her time.”
Devlin felt a very small measure of reassurance. “And if you’re wrong and he kills her? You’re asking me to place a whole lot of trust in you, a stranger as far as I’m concerned.”
Elnen floated closer until she stood directly in front of them. “I have no more words to convince you, young wolf. I can only repeat myself, it is not her time.”
Devlin rubbed a hand across his jaw, feeling the prickly hairs against his palm. He felt Rafe and Ian move in behind him, their bond as brothers strengthened him.
Raising his head, he stared straight into her eyes. “I’m putting her life in your hands. If you fail, you might as well inform my soul guide because I will join her in death.”
Olivia stroked his jaw as she leaned in to kiss him and missed seeing another apparition appear.
“Hello, my friends.” Robert stood grinning at the edge of the pond. He was the Faery Queen’s guard and a good friend to the wolf pack.
Rafe immediately went over to give him a man hug, slapping his back enthusiastically. “Robert! It’s been awhile man, good to see you.”
“The Queen had me running odd jobs all over Faery. Tis good to be back.” He turned to Lisa, grinning. “Lass, you look lovely as ever.” He swung her around as he hugged her.
Lisa laughed. She’d missed the Fae flirt.
“And wee bonny Melanie. Anytime you want to travel with me, just give me a call.” Ian growled as he separated her from Robert’s arms.
“And who do we have here?” He went to stand in front of Olivia, looking into her eyes with awe. “My my, who was brave enough to steal you from the Amazon’s?”
Devlin pushed him back. “She’s mine, Robert. You may look, no touching.” He snarled.
Robert’s grin got even bigger. “Weel, the wee laddie has found his mate. Congratulations baby brother. And the same to you, beautiful sequoia.”
“I’m a tree now?” Olivia rolled her eyes at the Faery guard. She stuck a hand out, shaking his vigorously. “I’m Olivia, and touching my hand is acceptable.” She looked back at Devlin, warning him with her eyes to not start anything.
Robert was his usual smiling self as he pulled her in for a hug, totally ignoring Devlin.
“Hey soul guide, you may want to speed dial Robert’s guardian angel, he’ll be needing her soon,” Devlin growled.
Rafe stepped forward. “Why are you here? I didn’t call you.”
Elnen waved Robert and Niall over. “Your Queen has graciously loaned her guards to be our sentries at the pond. They will be watching for Willie and will stop him from stealing any more magic.”
Niall was already shaking his head. “I’ve been here my lady, and I’ve never been able to see him at the waters.”
“Aye, Niall. She is correct. Our Queen knows of this fiend stealing from her and has sent me with these relics so we’ll be able to see him if he shows up,” Robert said.
Robert reached into his sporran and took out a necklace, which he then tossed to Niall. Niall saw the exact replica around Robert’s neck. Niall grasped the round metal, holding it up in front of his eyes, unbelieving. The peace symbol winked back at him from the many jewels forming the sign in the middle of the circle.