The motion of Lukas’ arms set off the throbbing in my head from hitting the ground. I saw spots at the edge of my vision, so I closed my eyes. As I drifted away, part of me worried I might have a concussion. Maybe when I woke, this would no longer be a nightmare with crazy wolves and strange creatures masquerading as men.
Chapter Ten
Darian
When we entered Thane’s underground apartment, I sighed with relief. Ryleigh was secure now, but I was still on edge. Lukas sat on the leather sofa and tucked her head under his chin, refusing to let her go. I could have lost her. Again.
And she wasn’t mine to lose.
The pain in my chest spoke of how deep into my heart Lia had burrowed in such a short time. Without looking at Lukas, I went in search of our first aid kit. I couldn’t handle his curious stares and speculating glances anymore. In the bathroom, I discarded my torn and bloodied shirt and wiped away the remnants of blood with a cold washcloth. The flesh had already closed, though the faint pink marks would remain for a day or two.
When I returned, he set her down on the cushions and stepped aside, content to allow me to nurse her wounds. It puzzled me, but I wouldn’t argue. My instincts itched beneath the surface. I wanted to keep her safe, even if she wasn’t my mate. The need for physical reassurance of her safety was tangible.
Erick called him into the kitchen. He directed the men following the wolves, but my friend was hands-on with his teams. I sighed in relief when we were left alone. I didn’t know what Lukas thought of my actions concerning his Setah, but I didn’t want to fight about it while she was injured. But the look in his eyes before he departed the room said there would be much to discuss.
Soon.
As I cleaned her wounded calf and scraped feet, she stirred. No matter her reaction to our world, I’d make sure she was protected, but I hoped she would understand. As her consciousness returned, I tilted her face toward me and watched as her eyelids twitched. A frown marred her forehead, and I ran a finger between her delicate eyebrows to soothe the worry lines away.
If only it were as easy to smooth over the next few minutes.
Lia woke abruptly and clutched me to her as she looked around. Daniel peeked in from the hall, though he moved on to the kitchen when I glared at him. It took considerable effort not to cringe when her heart galloped in panic.
She focused on me for several seconds without speaking. I sensed her going through the events of the evening in her mind. For once, I was glad I couldn’t hear her private thoughts, afraid of what I might find there. The faint echo of her tumultuous emotions was jarring enough.
Would she dismiss everything as fantasy, or attack the issue head on? Would she hate me, or like many humans, would she see me as an evil abomination? Regardless of her reaction, I wouldn’t lie to her.
When her eyes lit upon the marks on my bare chest and her pulse increased, I knew she’d connected the dots. I helped her sit up on the couch and sat so close to her our hips touched. With luck, my presence would continue to soothe her. She trembled and I pulled her into my arms with a curse.
When she sank into my embrace and calmed, I sighed in relief. “You’re safe now.”
She examined me for the changes she’d seen in the garage, and I fought a smile. I sensed her curiosity and a hint of wonder, and my worries lifted further. Most people reacted with revulsion and horror upon discovering our nature, and they often became violent. With Lia, I felt the purity of her emotions, tempered by caution and confusion. She could destroy me if she desired, holding my heart as she did.
Still, I didn’t dare push her too fast, so I waited in silence until she worked up the courage to speak.
“Darian, what are you?” She whispered.
Good, she wasn’t in denial, and she sounded curious rather than angry. I was pleased she addressed the issue head on. I kept my voice soothing as I rubbed her back. “What do you think I am?”
“Are you like those monsters?”
“Similar, yes. They were Shapeshifters, using one of their many forms. The wolf is the safest combat form for us to take this close to human habitation. But they aren’t the creatures of legend you’re familiar with. It’s complicated.”
She looked up at me again, and I tried to convey my sincerity to her. “No matter what I am, no matter how you feel about it after you learn everything, I would never, ever hurt you Lia. I’d sooner die.”
“I know.”
The truth of her simple statement was there in her aura. I stared at her in wonder as she brought her sweet lips to my cheek without reservation or hesitation. Despite what she’d seen, and all she’d endured in the past twenty-four hours, she still trusted me with her safety.
She could never know how much her acceptance affected me.
Among the Kindred, Lukas had been the only one to embrace my presence here. With my family history, there were some among Thane’s council who would never trust me. Her faith in me was an invaluable gift, almost as precious as the woman in my grasp.
“Oh, shit.”
When she pushed away, I fought not to hold onto her. Her attention wandered to her bandaged leg and her eyes widened.
“Am I going to turn into a werewolf?”
“Nope.” I choked back a laugh at the incredulous expression on her face. “There’s not even a remote chance that’ll happen.”
“But there are so many stories.”
“You saw Erick alter the molecular structure of the wolf, but Shifters are the only ones who can control it. He can change you into another form, but never as a Shifter with the ability to morph at will. The whole bite thing is a human myth.”
“Oh, good.” She sighed in relief and whirled in my arms. “Do they think like animals or live in a pack?”
I chuckled at her sudden exuberance. “We don’t have a literal animal spirit inhabiting us, no. All my people possess stronger basic instincts, which seem odd to humans, but we aren’t bestial in nature. Sorry to disappoint you, but there are no packs, rogue wolves, or alpha contests.”
She was taking everything well, all things considered. When she pulled her lower lip between her teeth, I had to adjust my jeans. I found it difficult to focus on the conversation. “Our culture is identical to yours. Anything setting us apart is hidden to keep us safe.”
Her lips quirked to the side. She had a devilish gleam in her eyes, and it sent blood rushing to my cock. Gods, I wanted her. It was beyond all reason how fast she had captivated me.
“So, you’re a Shapeshifter?”
Wonder tinted her voice as she faced me. Her heart was steady, and her expression was full of curiosity again. I nodded, stunned by her acceptance.
“And the wolves… how are you different from them?”
“Most of the local Shifters take one animal form, but as a purebred Metamorph, I can change into any creature. I’ve mastered many partial forms, and I can alter my size and mass. Metamorphs with this level of control are the source of the monster myths.” I winced, waiting for her reaction, but she remained steadfast.
Daniel poked his head through the doorway. “Did you show her your wings? Chicks these days dig angels, bro.”
“Dammit, Daniel, quit scaring her.” Erick yanked him into the kitchen.
“Is everyone from The Club involved?” Her smile shifted from mild amusement to outright enthusiasm. “Wait, back up. Angels? Seriously?”
“Yeah. Few can master flight, but it’s one of my favored configurations.”
“Can I see?” Her excitement was palpable, but she composed herself with a frown. “Sorry, that was rude. I didn’t mean to objectify you. It’s just amazing. All my life, I’ve studied past civilizations. Finding out there’s truth to the legends… it’s nothing short of remarkable!”
“You aren’t afraid?”
“Of you, no. Those wolves?” She shuddered, and my arms tightened around her, both in comfort and the joy of her simple declaration.
Had anyone else asked, I’d have been uncomf
ortable with the request. I expected revulsion or fear. Seeing Ryleigh’s face lit up with child- like curiosity filled me with happiness. As I stood, I flexed my shoulders. When my wings erupted from my back and spread between the couch and coffee table, she jumped to her feet.
“Oh. They’re beautiful.” She reached toward one, but hesitated without touching.
I extended my wingtip to brush her fingers, giving her permission. When she stroked the long white plumes, I bit back a groan. Her delicate exploration was erotic in its innocence. She caressed the skin where it met the tufts on my shoulder joint and I shivered.
She realized how intimate her touch had become and pulled her hand away as if burned. Her cheeks reddened and she stepped back. Then she cleared her throat. “What about heaven? Hell? Are they real places?”
“No.” I turned so I wouldn’t do something stupid. Like kiss her. “Please don’t be afraid, okay?”
She nodded as I put distance between us again. I held her gaze as I rearranged the molecules in my wings. The feathers rippled away, and smooth leathery membrane replaced them.
“There is no heaven or hell.” Before she reacted, I continued to change until the appendages disappeared. “We aren’t angels or demons, although we’re not human, either. It’s just a partial morph; bird or bat parts on a humanoid body. The combinations are limitless, with practice. If I wanted I could resemble a centaur, sphinx, or griffin. I’d show you my favorite forms, but my clothing doesn’t adapt with me.”
Her curiosity hadn’t waned though her face remained flushed. “If heaven and hell don’t exist, where did you come from?”
Chapter Eleven
Ryleigh
“We come from Intara.” Darian told me. “It’s a planet in the Orion system.”
“Wow. Aliens, huh?” I felt a little dazed, but my enthusiasm grew. “All my classes denied theories of alien visitations. I can’t believe my professors were so very, very wrong. So you came here on a spaceship?”
“Not as you envision them, no.” He shook his head. “My people arrived through a portal, but we had smaller personal vehicles at one time. There’s a natural wormhole between planets which connects every five thousand years. Then the bridge remains open for a few decades before it drifts apart again. Intarans have visited Earth for millennia.”
“Now I must rethink everything I thought I’d known about ancient history.” I needed my notes. And my textbooks. Oh, and I wanted to cross- reference the images I’d saved from my thesis. I looked around for a notebook or a scrap of paper, but the room was lacking these essentials. “So the vehicles seen depicted on pottery, described in the texts, and reported by UFO enthusiasts do exist?”
“In a way, yes.” He grinned as I bounced in my seat. “Our technology was advanced on Intara. We’d achieved space travel, but the pre-crossing records are fragmented, so I couldn’t tell you how far we had explored before the connection closed.”
I leaned forward, but he anticipated my next question. “We haven’t had the flying machines for eons. After we crossed, we broke them down for parts, or they eroded in Earth’s atmosphere.”
“But people still report sightings every day.” Disappointed, I jumped to my feet and paced. “You must have something left.”
“We possess many talents, and some of those are Levitation, Illusion, and mental manipulation. You want to know why they won’t find any evidence? There isn’t anything tangible to find. Most incidents involve Intarans, but we don’t have spacecraft. Not anymore. Sorry.”
Damn, I wanted proof. I doubted I’d ever get to share it with my colleagues, but I had a burning desire to know. “Okay. So what do they see?”
“Usually, the points of light are just that. What better way to get humans to focus on a specific location? My race is divided, and at times we need to alter memories or keep large areas unaware of some conflict.”
“That’s devious.”
He shrugged. “If the innocent look in the direction we choose, they ignore the rest. And if someone sees what we don’t want them to, our mind manipulators take care of it.”
A chill ran down my spine and I stopped in front of him. “Wait a minute. Is that why I don’t remember what happened last night? Did you guys mess with my head?”
He put his hands up in surrender. “We had no choice.”
“Bullshit.” I interrupted. “How dare you!”
The conversation in the other room cut off, but no one appeared in the entry. Darian stood. “Hey, I know you’re upset, but try to think of this from our perspective.”
“Upset? I get upset when I break a nail.” I put my hands on my hips to keep from sticking a finger in his face. “I’m pissed. Oh no, I’m beyond upset.”
He backed away as I sputtered in anger. “How could we know whose side you were on? You could’ve been a spy for the Elitists.”
“I didn’t even know about this shit until now.” To keep from doing physical harm to him or the furniture, I paced. “Do you realize what you’ve done? There might have been something in my memories to help us find Toby.”
“We looked, Ryleigh.” He sighed. “I’m sorry we violated your memories. If it makes a difference, Lukas and I opposed the decision. We were overruled.”
“Can I get them back?” God, I hated how defeated I sounded. “I deserve to know what happened last night.”
He shook his head and pulled me onto the couch again. “There isn’t a way to restore them. I’m sorry. Please forgive us?”
“I guess I can’t blame you.” Dammit, I was still livid. But I understood they needed to protect themselves, too. “What reason would you have to trust me?”
“I’m trusting you now.” He looked at me with a hopeful smile.
“Are you going to wipe all these memories, too? ‘Cause I’m telling you right now, it better not happen again.”
He took my hands in his and gave them a gentle squeeze. “I promise I won’t let anyone do anything to you without your permission again. You can ask me whatever you want, and I’ll tell you all I can. No more secrets, okay?”
There wasn’t anything I could do about the situation, so I nodded. His shoulders relaxed, but he was still tense. The effect made him appear older, which peaked my curiosity. “So when did you cross over?”
“I was born in Hungary.” The topic change revived his smile, so I left the vague answer unchallenged. “The Portal closed almost five thousand years ago.”
“Why come to Earth? I mean, if your science was so great, why relocate to a primitive planet in the first place? Coming here had to be a huge step backwards.”
“Intara was all but destroyed by centuries of wars.” He kept his voice low, and I wondered if the others listening from the kitchen would disapprove of our conversation. “When you combine magic and technology, the damage is far greater than any atomic bomb.”
“If your ancestors knew they’d be trapped, why didn’t they bring more provisions?” I’d interned on archeology digs for the past three summers, and the lack of regular bathing facilities drove me crazy. I couldn’t imagine slumming it on a new planet after living in high tech society.
“They brought the devices with them to open the gateway permanently. They had to go to certain locations on Earth, and build the monuments to power the bridge to Intara. All nine Intaran countries sent delegates to oversee a portion of the work. Each nation constructed a similar network on our world. This massive undertaking would have been impossible without human assistance on both planets.”
“Oh, shit. The pyramids?” A few of my classmates had debated the link between the tombs and Orion’s belt. I’d listened, but when my professor dismissed the notion, so did I. I wondered if any of them had insider knowledge.
“Among several other sites around the globe, yes.”
“Did they ever establish the connection?” My thoughts shuffled through the various locations unearthed. Which were significant to the Intarans? I needed my laptop to organize this data.
�
�No. War between the delegations scattered the Stones. The original weapons malfunctioned in Earth’s atmosphere. Entire cities were destroyed, many by accident. Some vanished without a trace. Our settlements fell into ruin as we fled the resulting floods. Warfare continued between small bands of independent factions, each trying to gain control in the chaos.”
Excitement built as I thought of the hundreds of ‘missing’ cities recorded in history. They were real? If I found one, it would make my entire career! It was too bad I couldn’t share how I’d gotten my knowledge. Although, if they started appearing through the portals, the secret would be revealed anyway. “You said the natural wormhole opens every five thousand years? So, it happens soon, doesn’t it?”
“Yes.” He wrapped his arms around me. “The men who attacked you were part of the Elitists. They’re our enemies, and they view mankind as nothing more than tools. They’ve abducted people with certain attributes, and we think it might relate to powering the devices.”
“Toby.” Despair filled me. After my parents died, he’d been my rock in a frightening world. Without him, I might have given up my dreams a hundred times.
“The mind manipulator analyzed your memory of Stephan Milar before the wipe. Now we know who we’re dealing with. We’re going to find him, Ryleigh.”
“Why would they take him? Do you think they’ll hurt him?”
“I don’t know for sure, but I doubt it.” He tried to comfort me, but I couldn’t stop worrying. “Humans can’t use magic, but some of you can store the raw power like a battery. If they harm him, his body would redirect the excess energy to healing, making him useless.”
“And you think I’m one of these individuals?” The dread churned my stomach.
“Yes.”
We were quiet for a few minutes as I absorbed everything. Determination replaced despair. I wouldn’t sit back and let them hurt my friend. “What else should I know?”
Beyond The Veil: A Paranormal & Magical Romance Boxed Set Page 132