rogue shifter 05 - caught between

by Gayle Parness

  Liam spoke to us mentally. "Demonic possessions are rare."

  Isaiah hissed out, "Garrett, help me get her into the car and then hold her head so she does not break her neck. This is a violent procedure. A lower-caste piece of shit from my world has taken possession of her body. I intend to exorcise him and then I will deal with him personally."

  Isaiah pulled her into the back seat as gently as he could, continuing to spew out the ancient words to unravel the spell. By now, she was twitching and writhing so erratically that Garrett felt he could only keep her stable by cradling her head and her body against his chest, so he followed her into the car and sat on her other side, doing just that.

  Isaiah continued to bark out orders, and none of us questioned him. "Liam, hold her hand and send her some of your healing energy. She will need it." Liam sat in the front passenger seat and reached over to do what Isaiah had asked. She calmed slightly as soon as he touched her.

  "Jacqueline, drive as quickly as you can to the hospital. She will require fluids and probably a few weeks of rest. As soon as I have exorcised the demon, she will need to be taken inside. He has drained much of her energy. She may need blood as well."

  With a squeal of tires, I tore out of the parking lot and headed down the main drag toward the Crescent City Hospital. After two blocks Maya started to scream.

  It sounded like she was in excruciating pain, so I glanced back. "Keep your eyes on the road." He hissed at me angrily.

  Fine. I hit the gas and tore through the town. Luckily there were no cops around to cause problems, because her shrieks were getting louder. As I pulled into the CCH parking lot, the screaming stopped, but she was still hyperventilating.

  "Get the fuck out of her, Wrexyl, or I'll feed your heart to your two cronies and I'll let you watch. You know my word is good.

  A shady mist began to flow out of Maya's mouth, floating out through the open window and forming into a large shape in the parking lot. Isaiah pushed open the door with so much force, that it bent the hinges, and I felt selfishly glad that we weren't in the Saab. He plunged his hand into the mist, which now looked vaguely like one of the demons in that mural I'd seen when I'd first met my grandmother, then made a fist.

  Isaiah's shape shifted, growing larger, then he opened his mouth wider than I thought was physically possible. As he took in a powerful breath, the other shape dissolved once again into a dark vapor, then flowed into Isaiah's body, a muffled scream the only sound heard by any of us.

  Isaiah bent over, his hands clutched around his belly, obviously in pain. When he stood, he did not look like the young man who'd become such a fixture around the house this past week. He was much taller, maybe 6'6", with long chestnut-colored hair and fangs that looked a little longer and sharper than Garrett's. HIs muscles were impressive to say the least, as his broad chest filled out the tee-shirt he'd been wearing in a totally different way than before. His sweat pants were now way too short, and the muscles of his thighs strained against the fabric. If he didn't look so dangerous, I'd have said he was handsome...hot...maybe even yummy.

  At this point I'd gotten out of the car, feeling curious and a little freaked out. Garrett and Liam joined me, always protective, and to be honest, this time I wasn't about to argue with them.

  Isaiah's bright orange eyes took us in, his expression concerned, as if he was having trouble remembering where he was for a moment. He took a step toward me and Liam reacted instantly. Pulling his blade. he pushed me behind him.

  The new and improved Isaiah smiled, and I relaxed again. "Garrett, take Maya to the shifter ER." Garrett hesitated and looked at me. "Now. The little fae can protect your mate. We still have an agreement and I will not be forsworn."

  I nodded at Garrett so he gathered up Maya and dissolved into the lines.

  "Excellent driving, little demon." He looked down at himself and smiled. "I apologize that I cannot hold onto my glamour while containing my prisoner."

  "No problem." I smiled back. "I thought the scaly demon form was your true form."

  "That is our warrior form. This is my normal appearance, although we can take on any glamour. We prefer not to appear in our true form, except in our home, because it weakens our evil reputation." He was teasing me now.

  "Oh." Man, he was almost as good looking as Aedus. In fact...

  "We are mirror-brothers to the fae, although they will say nay."

  I glanced at Liam, who was actually trying to hold back a smile. "Through the looking glass," he joked.

  I was more confused than ever. "Well, that was certainly a unique way of apprehending a criminal."

  "Wrexyl is not happy at the moment because I will not allow him to have control of my mind or body, so he is attempting to give me indigestion."

  "How did he get into Maya?"

  "She summoned him."

  "No. She never would have done that."

  "In return for a child."

  "I don't believe you."

  "I cannot lie. Your rules. Of course he had another errand which he did not mention to her, the gathering of blood, which solves a portion of your little mystery, I suspect. And she certainly did not agree to be possessed. She should leave demon summoning to the experts." He smiled at me mischievously since I'd summoned him when I'd handed over Lord Kennet.

  "So Wrex...whatever... killed the shifters?"

  "Yes. Probably while possessing Maya."

  "That's why they let her in the house."

  "Then he glamoured them back to bed and did what he came for."

  "Will Maya be alright?"

  "She will survive, although I doubt that her reputation will."

  Liam spoke. "You'll be returning now, correct?"

  I looked up quickly and saw by Isaiah's expression that it was true. "Why?"

  "I must return Wrex to the Bassilissa."

  "And then you'll come back?"

  "No. She will expect me to stay."

  "Then I won't finish my training?"

  "You've learned as much as you asked to learn. You specifically requested not to be trained in blood magic, so we have gone as far as you desired."

  "But I need practice."

  "Then practice, little demon. Practice until your head pounds and your body shakes from exhaustion. Then you might reach the second level."

  I fisted my hands and flattened out my mouth in anger. "I'm going to surprise you one day."

  "I look forward to it." He grinned.

  Garrett appeared next to me looking anxious. "I gave her some blood. The doctors feel she'll recover physically with rest and food. She looked like she hasn't been eating much. But psychologically?" He shrugged. "We just have to wait and see."

  Isaiah stretched to his full height, which was impressive. "Garrett Corbin Cuvier, thank you for your hospitality. We are not enemies." He glanced at Liam with a frown, yet still nodded as he said, "Fae."

  "Demon." Liam returned the simple nod.

  "Jacqueline Grace Fitzgerald Crawford Cuvier, you are much like your True Name, complex and lovely. Thank you for taking your training seriously. I prefer not to waste my time, as I still have episodes of Buffy to see." He teased.

  I rolled my eyes and pretended to scowl. "Nice."

  "You see beyond words to the truth of people. Thank you for that." As he touched his birth mark and nodded toward me, he said a few sentences in his language. Then he was gone.

  Liam laughed. "What a show. All mirrors and fog."

  "The exorcism?"

  "No that was real enough. But the speeches to you and Garrett at the end. A demon has no respect for another species. His thanks are empty words."

  Garrett nodded in agreement. "I'll never trust him." Liam disappeared back to the house, while Garrett slid in behind the wheel, intending to drive the car to Maya's house and leave it there in her driveway. He patted the seat beside him and gave me an impish grin.

  I slid into the shotgun position and stared at the spot where Isaiah had stood less than a minute ago. "Do you
think that Liam knows what Isaiah said to me in his language?"

  "If he doesn't, he could find out for you."

  "I'd like to know."

  You see beyond words to the truth of people. I found myself smiling, settling back in my seat. It was easy to dismiss him the way Garrett and Liam had, but he'd acted against his own kind, exorcising Wrex from Maya. And he'd taken me to Marie to help Garrett. Plus he'd saved me from Kennet when he could have let me rot there, or worse. Yes, he always has ulterior motives of one type or another, but he is an ancient creature used to doing whatever is necessary to achieve his goals.

  I wasn't naive. Isaiah was no hero.

  He was also no villain.

  Isaiah was a demon with a past that stretched over centuries. Circumstances and choices had shaped him, just like every other supernatural and human creature on the planet. Could I trust him? If an agreement was in effect, then yes. If not, I wasn't sure. Did I like him? Sometimes, when he wasn't being an arrogant asshole. Did I fear him? Yes, because I wasn't an idiot. Did I respect him? Yes, because he'd proven himself to be honorable.

  I got the news the next morning, that a date had been set for the judgment and execution of Lord Kennet, High Seelie Fae of Cascade.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  A mere ten days later, I stood on a familiar plateau in Faerie watching the official proceedings with a mixture of fear, excitement and disgust. On my right, stood the warrior sisters and Liam, their presence helping me find the courage to get through this ordeal. Garrett, his strong arm snaked around my waist and his whispered words of encouragement giving me strength, sent me his love in a continuous flow of magic, so familiar to me by now that I didn't need to tap into the lines to see it.

  Bridgett was given permission to attend with her mate, William, because she'd also been a victim of Kennet's cruelty. They'd chosen to stand off to the side so they could get a better view of the elders and Kennet, even though I'd wanted them closer.

  After a lot of painful deliberation, I'd decided to face Kennet looking like myself, rather than allowing Liam to disguise me. It seemed cowardly to do otherwise. The plateau where we stood was behind him, so he hadn't yet turned to look in our direction, which was just great as far as I was concerned.

  My belly was gigantic as Charlie readied himself to make his grand entrance into the world, and I worried that seeing Kennet's expression when he looked at my swollen state, might be too much to handle. As much as I tried to put on a brave front, I was frightened, so I pressed my body against Garrett's and peeked around Brina.

  As Lady Dinestri spoke to the gathering in the Fae language, my mind traveled back two days to when Sinlae had appeared on the patio with her three males, all of them ready to move in.

  When they'd arrived, I'd greeted Sinlae formally, nodding with my hand on my heart, making an effort to show her the respect I felt she deserved. This tiny fae had sworn to protect my son with her life, although I sincerely hoped it would never come to that.

  "Welcome Sinlae. Aren't you about five days early? Not that I don't want you here, I do. But you said you'd be here two days before Charlie's birth, so, since he isn't due for another seven days, I didn't expect you until next week."

  "Life proceeds as it will, without regard for mortal plans."

  Her rather cryptic comment shot me up with an adrenalin rush. "Will Charlie be early?' My voice cracked with stress, thinking that he might be premature. When a pregnancy only lasted eleven or twelve weeks, a few days made a big difference. This past week my belly had stretched at a terrifying rate as he'd kicked and squirmed, causing me to lose my appetite, which worried Garrett and Liam to no end.

  Lately, all I ever wanted to do was sleep and pee and straighten up the house, which Catherine, my pregnancy mentor, had assured me was perfectly normal.

  Sinlae tried to reassure me with a sweet smile."As all fae, I follow my instincts, and so we have arrived here today." I swallowed hard and tried to look relaxed.

  When Liam walked outside and saw her perched on my hand, his eyes widened in shock, while her's grew larger in complete and utter adoration. She had a major crush on our Liam.

  "Lord Liam." She placed her hand over her heart and bowed very low. "I am here to fulfill my duty to the new fae prince as I swore to my Lady Ja-ckie on the field behind your home in this world eleven mortal weeks ago." She turned to me. "I have been practicing your name with your sister Bri-dgett."

  "You pronounce it perfectly!" She beamed at me as Liam greeted her in Fae, then continued in that language as he asked several questions.

  "She says that when she woke she knew it was time to travel here. More than that she doesn't know—or she won't say." He gave me an appraising look. "How do you feel?"

  "The same."

  "Please rest today, Jackie. It would be best if Charlie remains where he is for his full term."

  "The trial is in two days."

  "Yes."

  "I've decided to go."

  He tilted his head, shaking it slowly. "The timing might be very bad." He glanced at Sinlae, her wings making music in the light breeze.

  "They're early." I sent the next to him privately, "You may need to help me convince Garrett."

  He huffed out an exasperated breath. "I live to serve, oh stubborn one." He turned back to Sinlae and spoke to her in English before I could snap at him. "Sinlae Pixiekin, please introduce us to your mates."

  The tiny males accompanying her had perched on the branch of a nearby tree, but they came fluttering over as soon as Liam glanced their way and motioned for them to join us.

  "Lord Liam, Fae Prince of the High Seelie." She bowed in mid air. "Lady Jackie, Shifterkin Healer, Demonspawn and future mother of Charles, Fae Prince, Shifterkin and Demonspawn." She bowed again.

  "I present to you Aymis, Pixiekin Warrior, (blond and a little scrawny, even by pixie standards), Canlyn, Pixiekin Warrior, (taller, with light brown hair and long legs) and Gavrick, Pixiekin Warrior, (a tiny version of Aedus with long black hair and very handsome features). They carried tiny swords in sheaths at their waists, a bow and a quiver of arrows slung over their backs and wore tunics, breeches and boots in colors that blended into the surrounding woods. Their shimmering teal wings made a pleasant vibrating noise as they each nodded to us, looking just a little unsure. After all, they'd never been outside of Faerie. "They are fine fighters and will help protect the new babe and his mother against all enemies. They are also capable hunters, carpenters and gardeners."

  "I know Canlyn and Gavrick, but not Aymis." Liam looked at the scrawny one suspiciously. He never took chances where security was concerned.

  "He has come recently from court, rescued from his cage by your Lord Father during his last visit." I was shocked to hear that Lord Caelen returned to court to visit his twin sister, the queen.

  Before I could interrogate Liam about it, he asked the males, "Do you all speak English?"

  Sinlae answered. "They do but not so perfectly as I."

  Liam and I both smiled, amused by Sinlae's authoritative tone. We already knew who wore the pants in this household.

  Liam spoke to them. "You three must pledge service to Jackie and her son, Charles, and offer your blood to bind the agreement. However, as she is so close to giving birth I will offer up my blood for you to drink in her stead." All three of the males nodded quickly in agreement, probably much more excited to get Liam's blood than mine.

  "I don't mind. They don't take much." I sent to him mentally.

  "Their fangs are longer than Sinlae's and as sharp as my dagger. With the demi-fey, a binding agreement is serious business and males tend to be much rougher. However, I will still need to cut your palm so that they can mix their blood with yours."

  He pulled out his blade. "Who is first?"

  After they'd made their declarations, bitten into Liam like tiny lions to drink his blood and then cut themselves to mix their blood with mine, we showed Sinlae where we'd arranged for them to stay. They seemed very pleased
with the hollowed out tree we'd chosen along with the magical protection spells Liam and Kellaine had put in place to keep predators away. We'd supplied them with a heat and light source for cool rainy or foggy days and nights along with cotton wool, some strips of animal hide and other fibers and threads that they would use to make blankets and clothing for themselves. They'd be hunting for their own meat, animal hides and furs and gathering their own grains and plants. We'd provided them with a hearth, tiny pots and pans for cooking and a few pieces of very small furniture, which they'd add to as the weeks passed.

  Sinlae surveyed the magnificent wildflower, rose and vegetable garden like a young queen, making note of plants that needed immediate tending and others which apparently were growing well enough to meet with her high standards. Although their primary work would be the safety of Charlie, it was in their DNA to care for growing things and this lovely garden, and the one at the vamp villa as well, would provide them with healthy outdoor activity and nutritious fare when the weather permitted. We'd also installed a very small greenhouse which Sinlae adored.

  When Lady Dinestri began speaking in English, my mind snapped back to the present time.

  Kennet still stood facing the Elders, restrained by iron cuffs on his wrists and ankles which prevented him from using magic and which seemed to cause him some discomfort. Somehow, he still managed to look elegant the way all the Seelie did, dressed in a long robe made of a rich purple fabric that matched the dark plum of his eyes His thick platinum hair hung loose past his shoulders.

  "Kennet, you have been judged as a traitor and an oath breaker and will be given over to the Dark Lord of the Hunt who will consume your energy thus ending your life. You may speak if you wish."

  Instead of answering, he turned and looked directly at me. as if he'd known exactly where I was the entire time. When our eyes locked on each other, he smiled.

  Before I had time to react, there was a strange vibration in the air that made many of the nearby fae gasp or cry out and then fall to their knees. A blinding light lit up the central area where the elders and Kennet stood, causing all of them to wince and cover their eyes, although their group didn't turn away or crouch down like the others.