Part of him wanted to fly straight up into the air and find her now, go straight to Roche’s house and tear the damn thing apart until he found her.
But a wiser part that aligned with his acquired fae abilities, forced him to grow very quiet. He needed to think the whole situation through, including what he and Juliet had just done.
He’d made love to her, but immediately afterward he’d been filled with remorse. Only this time, he knew he was the one who’d crossed the line. He’d seduced Juliet when he shouldn’t have. When real-time merged with the dreamglide, he should have stopped the whole thing.
But he hadn’t.
Yes, he’d been caught up in the passion of being with her, especially the erotic combination of the dreamglide with real-time. But there had been a moment when he’d actually made the choice to make love to her.
Maybe it had been the passionate depths of her dark blue eyes, or how much she enjoyed being with him, or perhaps her purpose in becoming as she’d said, a resistance fighter. All of it had gotten to him.
But he’d also recalled how she’d refused his initial overtures when they’d first entered the dreamglide. She’d made her position clear and he’d loved her for that.
Now Roche had her, and he’d used a dark witch’s spell to finally break through Juliet’s blocks.
Roche had been there from the beginning, the main supplier of dark flame throughout Five Bridges, Arizona and in more recent years the entire U.S. Maybe he even manufactured the alter fae serum that corrupted the human genetic base and made long-lived fae out of regular humans.
Roche had been there the night his sister had died as well.
He’d been the one constant all this time.
Something shifted at the base of Brannick’s soul, something so extraordinary it felt like tectonic plates moving around. His view of the world rumbled with a dozen earthquakes.
He finally confessed the truth to himself that he’d allowed Juliet to seduce him in the initial dreamglide because he’d fallen hard for her at the White Flame. And every damn time he’d made love to her in the dreamglide, as well as every conversation he’d shared with her, had deepened that love.
He’d been pretending all these months that he didn’t love her, that it would be too dangerous for him to love anyone.
What he hadn’t realized until this very moment was the terrible truth of what Juliet had said to him recently. Five Bridges was a death sentence to every alter human being who chose to make a difference in their world. He could no more control Juliet’s ultimate fate than he could his own.
He felt a soft drift of fingers down his face, and he knew without having to explore the sensation very long that his wife, in her ghostly form, was with him again.
She appeared, smiling, barely more than a soft mist. I love you, Brann. And I can see you’ve finally made the leap. I’ve had permission from the powers who serve paradise to say good-bye, all three of us.
Brannick’s chest swelled as three beings appeared before him: His wife, his child and the baby born in another realm. He tried to reach for them, but they weren’t real, yet each approached him, even the babe, and ran fingers down his face. He could feel their beautiful spiritual energy touching him, loving him and wishing him well.
Good-bye, Brann. Remember, all is forgiven. Now tend to Juliet. You’ll do tremendous things together. You’ll see.
Both his children smiled and continued to smile as his original family disappeared. He wiped at the tears on his cheeks. His soul felt free at last. Free to live and to love. Free to battle for the woman who meant everything to him and for the life he wanted for them both, as well as for all decent citizens in Five Bridges.
He let the sensation roll through him as he considered the desperate situation before him. He could have accessed his own dreamglide, but instead wondered if he could take over Juliet’s without her permission. The moment the thought entered his head, he knew he could. He might have developed a few fae abilities, but he was still a vampire and with that came a strength of will that he’d always valued. So, yeah, he could be inside the woman’s dreamglide.
He remained standing because he knew in his gut this experience would be very different. He’d have a conscious awareness of exactly what was going on in both realities.
With a brief thought, and his mind fixed on Juliet, he moved straight into her dreamglide. The stench of the spell infused the space. He saw the blown out blurred wall, with the twisted steel rebar bent toward him like a flower that had blossomed.
Because the dreamglide belonged to her, it was with her, inhabiting her current location.
He looked down through the blurred floor of the dreamglide and saw Juliet below him. She lay on her back on a sofa that looked familiar. Remaining very still, he glanced around. Sure enough, she was in Roche’s home.
Fortunately, the fae bastard was nowhere to be seen. Good.
His fae senses also told him that however unguarded Roche’s home appeared, there were powerful fae warriors in the house, lined up and ready to attack.
Roche had set a trap for him.
He drew out of Juliet’s dreamglide and was back in real-time at the foot of the stairs in the cottage.
He had to think and to plan.
He felt certain Roche didn’t know just how much of a fae Brannick had become during his time with Juliet. His solitary vampire nature at one time might have sent him storming to the house alone, ready to be slaughtered. But the fae part of him had added a strong level of wariness.
He felt the need to take a team in and considered his options. He knew Vaughn had to stick close to the safe house, because it was under a constant threat of attack. He turned therefore in a different direction, toward Savage Territory.
He contacted Fergus telepathically. In a few brief sentences, he told him about Juliet’s abduction, how he knew where Roche lived and that Roche was using Juliet to draw him into a trap.
Fergus didn’t even pose a question but simply stated the exact response Brannick needed. I’m in. Tell me when and where.
Brannick pictured the entire operation in his head. I want a heavy diversion at the entrance to the Fae Cathedral. Contact Keelen and tell him all that’s going on. The more of Roche’s security force that I can draw away from his home, the better.
Then I’ll need a small group of your best fighters to enter with me through Roche’s front door, which is from the strip-center side. But come well-armed. Roche has men in there ready to fight.
He explained the layout in detail as well as the elevator they could use as needed to get to the factory level. And I’ve got Juliet’s ability with dreamgliding, so I can scout every location first.
Fergus detached his telepathy for a few minutes to get his end set up. He returned a moment later. I reached Keelen. He and five other squad cars are heading to the Fae Cathedral to make some noise like last time. Each is prepared to battle and die, just like you, so don’t give me any shit about withdrawing if things get tough.
Brannick smiled, then wondered why he’d ever thought he was alone in this world. Here was a whole group of men ready to take up arms, and none of them were vampires.
He talked timing over with Fergus, then set his internal clock. In three minutes, he’d meet Fergus and six of his men at the strip-center.
With his plan in place, he left the cottage and headed toward the compound’s entrance. He took a moment to speak with Agnes. He explained the situation to her in detail, then asked if she could repair Juliet’s dreamglide. Otherwise, Roche could get to her all over again. He knew the sage fae had tremendous power.
Agnes grew very serious. “I’ll get in there right away and start taking care of the damage.”
Her willingness to jump in and help reminded Brannick once more he was part of a team now.
He went outside to let the guards know he was heading out and hoped to be back soon. He shielded himself with his vampire cloak, then rose into the air and began a slow drift to the southeast.
He wouldn’t enter Roche’s home until Fergus’s team was with him.
Once he arrived at Roche’s home, he found he could remain upright for a limited amount of time, while moving back and forth into Juliet’s dreamglide to check on her. As long as he made it a quick trip, his real-time self remained conscious. He could feel Agnes working her magic as she continued to repair the dreamglide.
Juliet still lay quietly on the couch, but teal flames had appeared on her cheeks. Roche had drugged her.
Brannick had to work hard again to keep his temper in check. Otherwise, he could inadvertently let Roche know he was on his way.
But the knowledge Roche had shot her up with drugs made his blood boil, and it took some doing to suppress his rage.
Hopping back out of Juliet’s dreamglide, he levitated above the strip-center, his gaze fixed to the southwest. A few seconds later, Fergus appeared in the distance, flying with six of his warriors. Only the more powerful wolves could take to the air, a real advantage when traveling from one territory to the next, otherwise they could be turned back at any of the five major bridges they intended to cross.
Brannick removed his vampire shield, so that he’d be visible to the wolves.
When they arrived, he led the way to the front walkway of Roche’s home until they stood as a group in front of the door. He glanced at each man, then engaged in group telepathy. Speak mind-to-mind only. We’ve got sharp ears on us and all kinds of surveillance. Our primary objective is to get Juliet out of there, and once I have her, I’ll fly her back to Agnes’s compound. But I’ll return as fast as I can.
Right now, I’m going into my dreamglide to find out what’s happening inside and where Roche has positioned his men.
All seven warriors nodded, chins lowered, shoulders tense, AR-15s in hand. They were a fierce, tattooed bunch, most with long, wild-looking hair. They moved as a unit, a pack, and were ready to make war.
Brannick let them know he would make a rapid sweep of the house with his dreamglide. Fergus asked if he’d be unconscious, but Brannick assured him he’d recently discovered that if he moved fast, he could remain upright and aware for a limited time.
Fergus lifted his brows. Shit, that sounds like some power. And very fae.
Brannick understood his astonishment, that a vampire was holding so much essential fae ability. I know. Weird for me, too.
He then entered his dreamglide and moved through Roche’s home. Except for Juliet on the couch, the room was empty. But a look into the two main exit points, other than the front door, showed fae security lined up and waiting, about ten in all, just as Brannick had sensed.
When he couldn’t locate Roche, he focused on him and the dreamglide sped to his location. He was below in his factory and sending his workers out. Those that left passed a number of security men moving into the factory. Roche was protecting his product first.
Brannick headed back to the house and saw that the security detail hadn’t changed position. Brannick went outside and merged with his real-time self. Six on the left, four will come from the hallway on the right where the elevator is. But be careful, Juliet is in the middle of the room, lying unconscious on a sofa. Ready?
Fergus smiled. Hell, yeah.
Brannick jogged up the front path, opened the door, took three steps inside then crouched. As Fergus and his men moved in behind him, Roche’s men appeared, well-armed and ready to fire. But Fergus’s team let loose with their automatic rifles, which sent Roche’s detail leaping for cover.
As soon as the men disappeared down both halls, Brannick moved swiftly forward and gathered Juliet up in his arms.
The wolves continued to fire at the walls, tearing up the drywall and giving Brannick cover.
Brannick levitated and took Juliet back out into the street and up into the air. She was limp in his arms, but safe, for now.
He flew her back to Agnes at the compound who took charge of her.
Agnes said not to worry, she’d rebuilt Juliet’s dreamglide blocks and she’d start her on the blood cleanse right away to get the drug out of her system. She also said that by the appearance of the teal flame markings on her cheeks, Roche hadn’t given her anywhere near the same potency he’d used on Mary. Agnes expected Juliet’s recovery to be fairly quick.
Brannick let Agnes know what was going on at Roche’s house, then headed once more into the air.
***
Juliet came to consciousness and sat up, then put a hand to her head. Oh, God, the pain. “Wow, that’s bad.”
Agnes rose from a nearby chair. “Your head will hurt for a while. Brannick brought you in about five minutes ago, and I’ve got you on a drip that will remove the drug from your blood pretty fast.”
Juliet’s gaze shifted back and forth over her lap as she mentally started piecing together what had happened. “The last thing I remember was Roche blasting through my dreamglide barrier. It smelled so bad.”
“He used a dark witch spell. He must have paid a huge price for it, because nothing else could have taken down your dreamglide block. It was as though he’d set explosives to it.”
“That’s exactly what it looked like.” She recalled standing in the cottage near the stairs and feeling the explosion. “You said Brannick brought me here? Because I don’t remember anything from the time Roche hijacked me from my dreamglide.”
“You were in his home, laid out on the sofa with teal flames on your cheeks.”
She put a hand to her face. “Are the markings gone yet?”
“Almost.”
She forced herself to think. “I just flew out of your compound, didn’t I?”
“That’s what my guards tell me.”
She leaned back and settled her head against the pillow. Her mind was still swirling because of the drug, and it was hard to focus.
She thought back to standing in the cottage dining area. She’d just gotten dressed in the small downstairs powder room.
She’d been thinking about Brannick of course. They’d had another round of phenomenal sex, and he’d admitted to being at fault.
Yet he’d still abandoned her, even going upstairs to shower.
Then Roche had found her. Was it because she’d been distracted by Brannick?
Or maybe it was the other way around. Perhaps Roche had found her and seized the opportunity to break through her carefully constructed blocks because Brannick was momentarily elsewhere.
Though her mind kept spinning, her intuition seemed to be operating in high gear. She kept her attention focused on Brannick and on their relationship. She loved him, no question about that.
Her next thought frightened her. She knew they’d both been resistant to a relationship in real-time, but what if her own reluctance had created a blind-spot? What if Brannick’s resistance had created a similar one?
She opened her eyes and glanced at Agnes. The sage fae stood near the bed, attentive but waiting. Juliet asked, “Are Brannick and his forces attacking Roche’s home right now?”
“Yes, but Brannick said he has Fergus and his wolves with him as well as Officer Keelen and some of the Revel Border Patrol at the front of the Fae Cathedral. He’s not alone.”
Juliet wasn’t convinced the size of the support force would matter because her instincts told her Roche wouldn’t do most of his damage in real-time.
He’d use his dreamglide.
Juliet squeezed her eyes shut and let the drip continue to work its healing magic on her drug-loaded blood. She needed a clear head right now badly.
She added what healing power she could summon to the mix, which helped forge pathways in her mind, burning off the fog.
But something nagged at her.
Brannick would need her. She wasn’t sure why except that he might be over-estimating his new fae abilities or even relying too much on his vampire power and drive.
Alter fae tended to have a lot of back doors, especially in their thinking. They were a tricky species. Devious, even. Roche was a good example of the worst parts of f
ae ability and behavior.
Juliet looked at Agnes. “Roche isn’t done. In fact, I think he’s targeted Brannick. It was the reason Roche wanted me unconscious. I need to get over there.”
Agnes tilted her head and looked at Juliet’s cheeks and neck. “The markings are almost gone. If you give this just a few more minutes, the drug will be out of your system.”
Juliet debated for a moment. Her fae instincts told her she was pushing it, but she decided to wait. “As soon as the markings have disappeared, I’ll be heading back to Roche’s home.”
Each territory had medical professionals, though they served in a limited way. Most healing was done through the natural ability of each species. On occasion, however, the assistance of medical support was necessary. In Juliet’s case, it definitely speeded up the process for her.
Barely three minutes later, Agnes said the flame marks were gone. She removed the IV, and Juliet slid her legs over the side of the bed and stood up.
Agnes held her gaze. “Is there anything else you need me to do?”
Juliet shook her head. “Nothing. You’ve taught me well. And now I need to go see about a vampire.”
CHAPTER 12
Brannick stayed by the front door and watched Fergus and his wolves battle Roche’s men. The walls on either side of the living room were chewed up from gunfire.
He held his vampire cloak secure and drifted yet again into the dreamglide. He circled through the rooms of Roche’s home, then dipped down into the factory.
When he returned to real-time, he spoke telepathically to Fergus. I’ve done another run of the house. You have three dead in the hall to the left and one to the right, so stay with it.
Let me tell my men.
Brannick waited while Fergus communicated with the wolves. He and Fergus had already decided not to use group telepathy, which could get confusing in a gun fight.
Fergus took up his position once more, one knee on the floor as he held his AR-15 to his shoulder. He spoke to Brannick. Did you check out the factory? Will we be able to get in there tonight?
Bad Boys of the Night: Eight Sizzling Paranormal Romances: Paranormal Romance Boxed Set Page 164