Taken For His Own

by Tara Fox Hall

  As I went to sit down, Devlin purred “Aren’t you going to offer me anything to drink?”

  My grip on the glass slipped, but I managed not to spill the wine. “No,” I said tiredly, knocking back the glass. “You said you were headed here before Danial called. Why?”

  “To return Theo’s shirt, of course,” Devlin said. “I laid it on the washer as I came in.”

  “And how in the hell did you get in the backyard?”

  “I told you before. There are more ways of traveling than by car,” Devlin answered. “But that’s unimportant. Why are you so bruised?”

  “Overzealousness,” I said bitterly, then promptly regretted it. “Do you think Al is going to keep trying? It wasn’t my fault that Samuel kicked him out of the Jacuzzi room.”

  “Al’s a man with a lot of pride. It would gall him just that he wanted you, and you didn’t want him. He’s killed women for less.” Devlin looked me intently in the eyes. “He’ll try again until he gets you.”

  His words were like a crushing blow. Hopelessness swept through me.

  “I’m tired of being hunted,” I said wearily, rubbing my brow. “I had Theoron because I knew how much Danial wanted a child. I never knew it would cause all these problems. I can’t remember a time when someone wasn’t trying to hurt me, when I wasn’t afraid...” I broke down sobbing, my long hair falling forward to cover my face.

  There was a light touch of fingertips pushing my hair aside, and then they touched my cheek gently.

  “No more talk of darkness. Forget these wide-eyed fears. I’m here. No one will harm you, my words will warm and calm you―”

  I looked up and met Devlin’s golden eyes. They were solemn and yet also intense with some inner fire, shimmering as he sang to me. My lips parted as my breath caught in my throat.

  His fingertips gently wiped my tears away, then cupped my face. “Let me be your shelter―” He leaned in, his cool lips deftly meeting mine.

  For a second I lost myself in him, then I pushed him back. “Stop it.”

  Devlin shot me an amused look. “No need to get incensed. I was just helping.”

  “Oh, really? How?”

  “Your bruise on your mouth,” Devlin said, more amused. “It’s healed. A thank you would be in order, though more than I’d expect from you really.”

  “Don’t give me that―”

  “I’m not giving you anything more, so you can calm down anytime,” Devlin said dismissively, turning the television on. “I’ve done my good deed for the day.”

  I was relieved, crestfallen and offended all at once. I sat there watching him, frantically trying to think of a good comeback and failing.

  “Why don’t you go to bed?” Devlin said, all his attention on surfing channels. “We seem to have run out of things to say to one another. I’d rather not get into any more of your dramatic scenes just now.”

  “You won’t need to,” I said, standing. “Get out.”

  “No,” Devlin said, unmoving. “You need a guard. I told my brother I’d watch over you, tedious as that duty is.”

  “I hate you!” I yelled, losing all composure in a split second. “Get out of my house!”

  Devlin turned to me so fast I stepped back in fear. “And what are you going to do if I don’t?” he said, baring his fangs at me. “Have some respect―”

  “For what?” I said sarcastically. “A has-been?”

  Devlin’s eyes widened, then he lunged for me. I let out a shriek as his hands closed over my arms.

  “That’s enough,” he said irritably. He picked me up and carried me into the bedroom where he dropped me on the bed in a heap of arms and legs. “Goodnight,” he said and left, shutting Ghost and Darkness in with me.

  I got up, gathered my pride and composure, and then went back out to the living room. Devlin got up and came toward me, annoyed.

  “Do I have to tie you in place, or are you coming to see if I’ll join you in bed?” he said, fixing me with his golden eyes. “You were pretty straightforward about your feelings for me. But perhaps your hatred hides secret desire.”

  “I’m sorry I said that,” I said coolly. “I appreciate you’re watching over me. But you’re right. We don’t have anything to say to one another. I just came to get my flowers before the cats use them as playthings.”

  “Cats tend to do that,” Devlin said indifferently, handing me the vase. “Here.”

  “Thank you. Goodnight.” I turned quickly and left him standing there.

  After I closed my door, I set the vase on my vanity counter and inhaled another deep breath. The smell was exceptional. A quick look in the mirror showed he’d told the truth; the bruise that had been by my mouth was gone.

  Part of me wanted to go back out to Devlin and ask him what his problem was. The other part of me already knew it was sexual tension and that to go back out there would lead to another kiss, if not more. There was some chemistry between us, likely from his eye-catching looks and his recent heroics on my behalf, at least for my part. Why he desired me was a mystery, but that didn’t matter. What mattered was staying in here and not making a bad mistake.

  I lay down and was asleep in moments, breathing in the heavenly scent of his roses.

  Chapter Twelve

  The first thing I saw the next morning were my roses. The whole bedroom smelled of them. The clock said six a.m. Today was Saturday, and Theo was beside me, sleeping.

  “You didn’t wake me up when you came in,” I whispered in his ear.

  “Sar,” he said sleepily, hugging me. “How are you feeling?”

  “Good.” I gave him a kiss. “But you didn’t wake me to tell me you were home.”

  “You needed your rest. What do you want to do today?” he asked yawning. “I know you mentioned we had outside work to do.”

  “We need to plant the garden. There is outside work to do. Plus, we have to visit my parents. My mom’s been calling every day. Pretty soon she’s going to show up here. They really want to see you.”

  Theo groaned.

  “I know,” I said, giving him an apologetic look. “My parents are protective. My house is old. Not living here for a while took its toll.”

  “We’ll enjoy ourselves today,” Theo said, eyeing me happily. “I need to get some more new clothes. We also need groceries and plants to plant. Afterwards we’ll see a movie and then your parents. Tomorrow we’ll work. I know you have to mow, and I can till up the soil. We’ll plant it together, like we did last time.” He tilted my face up to him, and his blue gray eyes looked into mine. “I’ll be here this time to see it grow,” he said softly. “And to help you in the winter.”

  I kissed him madly, wrapping my arms around him. He abruptly went still.

  “Sar,” he said in an odd voice, pulling back from me “You smell of Devlin.”

  “I’m sure,” I stated, flushing. “He and I had words, which ended with him carrying me in here and dropping me on the bed. I stayed in here after giving him a piece of my mind.”

  Theo laughed. “He was watching TV when I came to the door. Some movie with subtitles. He didn’t say much, just that he’d catch me later.”

  “What was he watching, Mr. Too-Good-For-Action-Movies?”

  “Some Italian movie called ‘The Seduction of Mimi’?” he said, raising his eyebrows. “It sounded pretentious. But he’s always been like that, at least in my view.”

  “So much for my voice lessons,” I said with a yawn. “Now that I told him I hated him, he’s not likely to want to help me.”

  “He mentioned that,” Theo said, stretching. “Sorry I forgot. He said to let him know when you’ll be at Danial’s nights and that he’d meet you there for an hour at a time every week.”

  “I don’t understand,” I said, incredulous. “He said he wanted to go through with them?”

  “I guess. That’s what he said.”

  My conscience told me it was a bad idea, but my curiosity won. “Is it okay with you?”

  “Sure, if it�
��s something you want to do,” Theo said. “You can probably go in late those days. Danial won’t mind, and I can arrange with Terian to stay later. Pick up some overtime.”

  “I don’t want to mess up your schedule. Maybe I could come to work later and drive home with Devlin tailing me. He must live somewhere nearby. He was here not long after dark.”

  “Yes, he does,” Theo replied “He lives in a large fortress type home near the village of Hayden. That’s the name of his house as well.”

  Hayden. That had a nice ring and wasn’t fancy as I expected.

  “So is there any breakfast?” Theo asked jokingly. “I could carry you to the kitchen.”

  Despite his joking tone, his words brought back how injured I’d been a day ago. “No,” I said quickly, getting up. “I’ll make it. Come on, we’ve got a lot to do.”

  * * * *

  With luck and a lot of planning, we managed to get everything done. We reached my parent’s home close to dinnertime.

  My mom hugged Theo tightly as soon as she opened the door. I hadn’t been able to resist telling her we were married.

  “Call me Mom,” she told him. He nodded to her, but was obviously very affected. “Where is your wedding band?” she said, eyeing my hand. “And yours?” she asked Theo two seconds later.

  “I’m having them made,” Theo said politely. “It’s taking longer than I expected it to, ma’am.”

  “Mom,” she corrected him.

  “Mom,” he said, sounding a little unsure but very happy.

  I turned and looked at him. I hadn’t known he was having bands made. “When?”

  “A few more weeks,” he said, grinning widely.

  I gave him a smile. “Good.”

  After a firm handshake and a welcome to the family, my stepfather dragged him off for the required scotch tasting session.

  “Did you warn Theo he had to go fishing soon, or there would be dire consequences?” my mom asked.

  “Yes, I told him it was part of being married to me. He said it was a small price to pay.”

  “Sar,” my mother said. “All kidding aside, is Theo still working for Danial?”

  “Yes.”

  “And you’re still working for Danial, too?” she said, incredulous.

  “Yes,” I said uneasily, knowing I couldn’t tell her about Theoron.

  “Isn’t that awkward?” she asked. “And what about Elle? How is she?”

  “We’re making it work actually,” I said. “As for Elle, she thinks of Danial as her father. She likes Theo, but she said she doesn’t want to live with us.”

  “That’s too bad,” my mother said, sorrowful. “But you never know. She may come around.”

  I nodded like I was sad, too, but in my mind I was glad of Elle’s devotion to Danial. She was safer with him than with Theo and I. Even if Alphonse backed off and Manir was killed, there would always be someone else.

  “When will you be bringing Elle to see us?”

  I hugged my mother. “Next week or the one after. We can maybe go shopping.”

  “That would be wonderful. We’ve missed you. Christmas last year wasn’t the same without you here.”

  I felt awful, despite I’d had to stay away or risk her finding out I’d gotten pregnant. “I’ll be here for next Christmas,” I assured her. “Theo, me and Elle.”

  She hugged me tightly. “I’m glad you are back with him,” she said. “Danial was good to you, I know. But Theo loves you, too, and he does things with you that Danial never did.”

  I opened my mouth to defend Danial. It wasn’t his fault he couldn’t eat, go out in the sun or do the things with me that Theo could. I knew how much he wanted to play with Elle in the sunlight or join Theoron in eating ice cream. He’d never asked to be what he was. But defending him would only cause problems, so I let it slide. “We need to be going, Mom.”

  “You’re going to have to pry him out of your stepfather’s clutches.”

  I hugged her once more and then went to collect Theo. My stepfather Chris had already given Theo a few scotches and had a few more ready to sample. Nicely I said that was enough and got him to the car.

  “Thanks, Sar. That was close,” Theo said, blinking his eyes rapidly.

  “I had to do it,” I said with a smirk. “I need your help unpacking the car.”

  We unpacked, and I made a quick dinner of box macaroni and cheese. After Theo and I ate and took the dogs for a walk, we sat outside on the deck, sipping some wine.

  “Theo, tell me what Alphonse said when you went to see him.”

  Theo sighed, but didn’t hesitate. “Good old Al said that it didn’t matter who Danial was or what he threatened. He said that you were a woman, and since there was no ring on your finger the night he approached you, he didn’t see the problem. I let him know that there was a ring on your finger now and that for all purposes, there had been one that night as well. He said it didn’t matter. I wanted to shoot him then, but I was under orders from Danial not to start anything. So I told him Danial hoped he would reconsider because he would take any action against you as action against him and retaliate. That gave Al pause, and he said he would get back to us.”

  “Isn’t that good though?” I said hopefully. “Maybe he will reconsider.”

  “No,” Theo said, coming to put his arms around me. “He likely just wants to get to you before he has to deal with Danial. He’ll attack soon.”

  “Why are we out here unprotected at night then?” I squeaked. “He could have people out there—”

  “Sar, he knows who I am, too. He knows it’s my ring on your finger now. He is not going to attack you with me here and lose a bunch of men. His one thought now is how can he get you alone, unguarded, so he doesn’t lose men taking you.” Theo let out a frustrated grunt. “Our ballistics guy got nothing on that gun, so we’re back to square one. From now on we’re sticking to Danial’s plan, that you never be without myself, him or Terian with you. No exceptions.”

  I burrowed back into Theo’s chest.

  “You’re safe,” he whispered. “I’m here. We’ll plant that garden tomorrow like you want—”

  “I want to go inside,” I said softly. The night suddenly seemed vast, with too many people within it waiting to harm me.

  * * * *

  That next week on Friday, Danial came out of his bedroom at dusk, dressed. “Is Devlin here yet for your first lesson?”

  I was uneasy, remembering Devlin teaching me my first “lesson” years ago in this very room. Annoyed, I shoved that line of thought aside. “He should be here anytime.”

  “If the door rings, will you answer it? The first interview is tonight at ten.”

  “Which one is it?”

  “Brian the werebear is first. Terian’s friend Monica will be by about midnight. Erin the eagle is coming by tomorrow evening. As for Brian, just tell him to wait in the great room. I’ll be on a conference call until a little after ten.”

  “Sure,” I said, nodding once. “Elle’s in her bedroom. You should see her now if you’re going to be busy.”

  “I’m going there now,” Danial said, coming over to me. “How was your day?”

  At Theo and Danial’s insistence, I’d begun coming everyday to Danial’s. In actuality, it worked out better for everyone. “Good. Theoron didn’t speak. Don’t worry.”

  “Good,” Danial said in relief. “I’m so worried I’m going to miss his first word.”

  “Terian went with us to a park for an hour with a couple of the foxes. Elle played with a couple kids she met there.” I made a face. “They were scared of me, I think.”

  “Why would you say that?” Danial said, concerned. “Did Theoron show his fangs?”

  “No, they weren’t near him at all,” I assured him. “But daylight accentuates the faint luster to my skin that I have now. I think the kids thought I was sick and that the foxes were nursemaids.”

  “An unflattering but reasonable conclusion,” Danial said, coming over to me. “I’m sorry
.”

  “Don’t be,” I said, managing a smile. “I was just happy Terian hasn’t said anything more about leaving.”

  “I think it’s because of Theoron,” Danial replied slowly. “I sometimes walk in on Terian holding him. Our son reaches for Terian the way he reaches for you and me.”

  “Does that bother you?” I asked.

  “It makes me jealous a little,” Danial admitted. “But I’m content to share my son’s love with another man that has the power to protect him that Terian does.”

  “You’re very understanding,” I said, patting his hand.

  “No, I’m old enough to be very practical,” Danial retorted with a smile. “Devlin’s at the door, if you want to answer it.” He walked toward Elle’s room.

  Before I got to the door, Devlin had come in and was walking toward me with a clipboard. “Shall we begin?”

  “Yes,” I said respectfully. “What do you want me to do?”

  “For the first lesson, I want you to copy the notes I’ll sing as best you can. I need to know which you have mastery of and which need work.”

  “Okay.” I envisioned that there were only what, nine notes on a scale? How many scales could there be? Two or three?

  An hour later, I was bored to tears. I’d somehow thought we would be singing songs, and this was plain tedious. We had gone through the entire range of notes I was able to hit with my voice as Devlin made extensive notes on his clipboard.

  “Okay, Sarelle,” he said finally, putting down the clipboard. “There are about ten notes we need to work on. The rest you can hit with no problem and hold long enough for most any popular song.”

  “That’s good,” I said carefully.

  “That’s better than good,” he said, giving me a dazzling smile. “I should only need about five weeks, give or take a week.”

  “That sounds great,” I said, relieved he was pleased. “But I still think I should pay you.”

  “Non,” Devlin said.

  I didn’t know if he had misspoken, or was attempting to impress me with a little French. I didn’t reply.

  There was a knock, and then a man came into the great room hesitantly and nodded to Devlin. Devlin nodded back once, then glanced to me. “This is Brian,” he said.