Trial By Fire (Beyond The Veil Book 1)

by Cate Dean

  “Falling at your feet? Whimpering like a terrified human?” Shella pulled back the sleeve of her shirt. A charm bracelet dangled at her wrist, tinkling softly when she shook her hand. “Forearmed, and all that. Now,” she stepped next to the Prince, so close his blue linen shirt brushed her hand. He flinched at the contact. “Smile and wave, baby. It’s time to go.”

  The Prince glared at her, his fury so hot Shella should have turned into a pile of ash. I felt scorched from it, and I wasn’t even in punching distance. She simply crossed her arms and glared back.

  After endless seconds, the Prince lifted his chin. “Come. This trifle has grown stale, and I am bored by it.”

  He walked out, but I noticed he put space between himself and Shella’s bracelet. I waited for the door to close before I stumble-walked across the store and locked it behind him. I used the door as a support, leaning against it while I stared at Shella.

  “How did you—ˮ

  “Know to come armed?” She shook the bracelet again. “Jon, my soon to be former boss, knows about the Veil, and the non-humans who use Santa Luna as their private arrival point. Hey,” she strode over to me, using the hand not sporting the bracelet to support me. “You okay?”

  “Yeah.” I took a shaky breath. “He caught me off guard. I didn’t expect word of my new ability to spread so quickly.”

  “Jon told me Maeve is behind you learning about your ability.” I nodded, and the surprise must have shown, because she smiled. “I do research, and background checks for Jon’s investigators. He told me a long time ago.”

  “Then—you know about Bran?”

  “That gorgeous hunk of half-demon?” That would be a yes. “He used to work for Jon—before my time, but they’re still tight. And speak of the devil.” She waved at the door.

  I turned, unlocking the door before Bran could burst through it. He hauled me off my feet and into his arms.

  “Are you okay?” I nodded against his shoulder, and his clenched muscles relaxed. “When I felt that bastard, I was afraid I wouldn’t get to you in time. Hey, Shella.”

  “Bran. Good to see you.”

  I lifted my head. “Shella saved the day.”

  She shrugged. “I just barged in at the right time, with the right defense.”

  Bran studied her bracelet. “Jon brought out the big guns.”

  “He told me a Seer is a huge deal to the Fae. He wasn’t wrong.”

  “That depends.” He finally eased his grip on me, settling me to the floor. “If Lachlan came on his own, he was trying to lay claim. But if the Queen of the Dark Court sent him—ˮ

  “Then I’m on her radar,” I said.

  Bran rubbed my back, his touch banishing the last of my fear. “It was bound to happen. There hasn’t been a Fae Seer for the Light Court since Fiona disappeared. It has been even longer for the Dark Court, since they tend to burn through Fae who have useful powers.”

  I looked up at him. “How do you know? You would have been in elementary school when Mom left. And how do you know so much about the Courts?”

  He looked everywhere but at me. “I—Reese, I haven’t—I meant to—ˮ

  “You haven’t told her, have you?” Shella said. She patted Bran’s shoulder. “That’s my cue to leave. I’ll put my papers on the counter, Reese, and I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “Okay. Ten o’clock,” I said, my gaze still on Bran. When Shella headed for the door, I looked at her. “Thank you, for barging in.”

  She smiled. “My pleasure. Looks like my new job is going to be so much more interesting than I thought. See you tomorrow.”

  I waited until she left before I eased out of Bran’s arms and put my hands on my hips.

  “Talk.”

  He rubbed his forehead, clearly stalling. “I was going to tell you, Reese. But you’ve already had so much thrown at you—ˮ

  “Spill, Malcolm. Now.”

  With a sigh, he finally looked at me. The despair that darkened his grey eyes scared me.

  “Like the Fae, demons are long-lived creatures. Being a half-demon means that—I am—ˮ

  “Older than you look. How much older, Bran?”

  He swallowed. “I was born in London, during the reign of Elizabeth the First.”

  I backed away from him. “That’s—centuries, Bran.”

  “Yeah.” To his credit, he kept his gaze on me, even though my reaction must have hurt him. “My father is a powerful demon.”

  “Is? He’s alive?” I hugged myself, another new reality crashing into my used-to-be-normal world.

  “Last I heard. Reese—I’ve lived a hundred lives, and I know this has to be difficult for you to take in. But this life—this is the one I want, for good.”

  “How long—ˮ I cleared my throat, my heart pounding so hard my chest hurt. Or maybe it was my heart, aching for the man I thought I knew. “How long will you live?”

  “If I don’t die trying to stop Torlogh,” he gave me a grim smile. “Another hundred years, at least.”

  “Then why are you tying yourself to me? I’ll die long before—ˮ

  “Reese.” He moved forward, his hands resting on my shoulders. “You are half Fae. Think about it.”

  I stared up at him. That thought wouldn’t complete itself, even in my mind. I was human first—wasn’t I?

  Another thought threatened to take me down to the floor. If Mom was Fae, then—

  My knees buckled, probably in self-defense.

  “I’ve got you, sweetheart.” Bran picked me up and carried me behind the counter, into the back room of the store. I kept a table there, for my working lunches, and for my more time-intensive cleaning projects. He lowered me to a chair, and knelt next to me. “Breathe, Reese.” I did, and my head started to clear. “I’m going to lock up the store for lunch. I’ll be right back.”

  I nodded, relieved that he understood that the store came first. And I closed for lunch every once in a while. Hopefully, Bran would find the sign I kept in a basket under the open/closed sign.

  I really didn’t want to, but I’d have to face the facts sometime. My life had changed—or, more accurately, it had become what it was supposed to be. Bran had nothing to do with that. He was just the unfortunate messenger.

  He came back, long before I was ready. Hell, I doubt I’d ever be ready for this conversation.

  “So,” I stood, finally gathered the courage to meet his eyes. “You’re vampire old.”

  He laughed, relief easing some of the despair. “Yes. If vampires still existed.”

  “Wait—they did?” Another shock to add to the list.

  “Most myth is based in reality, Reese. But unlike the Fae, and the dragons, who retreated to their mountain caves, vampires refused to disguise their true nature. They were hunted to extinction during World War II.”

  “Were you…”

  “My demon half could smell them. I was a tracker.” He started to retreat, and I grabbed his hand.

  “Tell me.” He shook his head. I cupped his chin, looking into the face that I wanted to wake up next to for the rest of our lives. Learning the truth didn’t change that. “I can see how much it hurts you, Bran. I don’t want you to be afraid to tell me about your past. You startled me, but I’m getting over that.”

  He let out a hollow laugh. “You’re still white as a sheet.”

  “Like I said, getting over it. You dumped a lot on me—and I should have known, about me, my non-human half. I’ll lay the blame for that where it belongs.” I moved my hand, cradling his cheek. “Please tell me.”

  He closed his eyes, old pain tightening his face. “I had no choice. My father gave me up to the hunters. But when I saw how many the vampires were killing, how they tortured and toyed with their victims, I had to stop them. Even knowing their true nature, watching them die broke me, in a way I never thought would heal.” He swallowed, and I moved to him, wrapping my arms around his waist. With a strangled sound, he pulled me in, his face buried in my hair. “I came to Santa Luna to die,
Reese. Instead, I found a place to heal, to gradually learn how to live again.”

  “Is this where you became a doctor?”

  He nodded. “Not the best decision, with my demon’s rabid enjoyment of wounded souls. But I had planned on going into the research side of it. Then an advisor recommended psychiatry. I almost made it through.”

  “Your demon?”

  Bran lifted his head and met my eyes, amusement easing some of the despair that twisted my heart. “Boredom.”

  I couldn’t help myself—I laughed. “Sorry,” I said, once I could talk. “That wasn’t the answer I expected.”

  “Neither did I. But I’ve never been so bored and restless as I was in those classes. I didn’t care, and that’s a dangerous attitude for someone who’s supposed to be helping people.”

  I kissed him one more time, because I needed to, and let him go. “I think it’s time for that talk with my mom.”

  Bran took my hand. “Want company?”

  “Thanks, but I need to do this on my own.” I squeezed his hand. “I’m glad you told me.”

  “I was going to. Eventually.” He tried for a smile, and nearly got there. “Be careful, Reese. Powerful Fae know who you are, and where you are.” His fingers brushed my bracelet. “This will help—more than you think. From what I understand, your father was a master artisan.”

  I wanted to ask the question—I needed to ask it. But I wasn’t all that sure I wanted the answer. I asked anyway. “Do you know if my father is still alive?”

  “The last I heard of him, more than ten years ago, he was in the Light Court.” Bran’s voice was gentle, his hands just as gentle as he closed them over my shoulders. “If he’s still there, Reese, he won’t be completely human. Not anymore.”

  “Okay,” I whispered. Mom was going to tell me the truth—whether she wanted to or not. “I’m not the only one who needs to be careful. Watch your back.”

  He took out his wallet and pulled out a business card, handing it to me. “My home address is on the back. Meet me there when you’re finished with your mom. My protections are stronger—and after what happened here, I want you in the safest place I can find.”

  “I’ll call you when I’m on my way.”

  “Deal.” He pulled me in and kissed my temple. “I miss you already.”

  Before I could get past my surprise to answer him, he slipped out the back door.

  “I miss you, too,” I whispered, and went to lock the back door.

  I could arrange for Shella to cover the store, but she hadn’t even been trained yet. Looks like I was taking a little vacation, whether I wanted to or not.

  I walked out to the main part of the store—and halted when I saw Shella standing outside. I moved to the door and unlocked it, gesturing for her to come inside. “What you doing here?”

  “I thought you might want some backup.” She smiled. “You did have a rough afternoon.”

  I looked at the clock. It was close enough to closing time that I could lock up without feeling too guilty. “I’m good for today. But I was just about to call you, and ask—”

  “If I could work tomorrow?”

  “To let you know I have to close for a day, maybe more. But if you can, I think—” I nodded. “I know I can trust you.” After what she did, I might even trust her with knowledge of the floor safe.

  “I’ll be happy to fill in. It’s not my first retail rodeo.”

  “Let me get you the spare key.” I walked over to the tall counter, Shella following me, and grabbed my ring of spare keys out of the hidden drawer. After I took front door key off, I handed it to her. “I’m staying with Bran tonight, and hoping I can make it in tomorrow. I’ll let you know either way.” I held out my hand. “Thank you, again, for saving my butt today.”

  She sandwiched my hand in both of hers. “It’s not every day a human gets to meet a dark, sexy Fae prince. I’m glad I was here to help.” She squeezed my hand before she let go, a wicked smile flashing across her face. “Say hi to Bran for me.”

  Shella left, and I locked the door, flipping over the closed sign. I took a few deep breaths, pulled my cell phone out of my pocket, and tapped in Mom’s home phone.

  “Hi, Mom. Is now a good time to come over?”

  “You know you’re always welcome here, Reese.”

  She may retract that after our conversation.

  “I’m on my way. I’ll see you soon.”

  I ended the call before she could start asking questions. Yeah, I wanted to spring the topic on her, so she didn’t have time to form pat answers.

  It was long past time to learn who and what I really was.

  Twenty Two

  Bran wasn’t surprised to see Maeve when he got to his office. She had set off his perimeter alarms.

  She was yelling at him before he had taken two steps through the door.

  “How could you place her in such danger! You swore to protect her—and I was fool enough to believe you—”

  “Lachlan came to claim her.” His voice was quiet, but it cut through her protests.

  She turned white, and clutched the back of the visitor’s chair. “Are you certain?” she whispered.

  “There was a witness. A human witness.” Bran ran one hand through his hair, frustrated. “Fortunately, she had protection. Lachlan doesn’t have much experience with mortals who don’t bow and grovel to him, so she surprised him into leaving.”

  He watched Maeve sit, her hands clutched together in her lap. “He should not have known. Aoife would have kept the news close, not allowing it to reach the Dark Court—”

  “Then how did he find out, Maeve?” He crouched in front of her, waiting until she met his eyes. He had suspected for years that Maeve split her alliance between the Courts—a dangerous game, even for a Fae with her power and influence. “Who would have told Lachlan?”

  For the first time in their long acquaintance, she looked troubled. “I have no idea, Bran. Stop thinking that I played both sides with Reese. She belongs in the Light Court, and I only told Aoife.”

  “Here’s another bit of news for you—a Fae broke into the Divine Light Center, and set a trap for Reese.” Bran told her what had almost happened, and she grew paler with each word.

  “I never meant for this—you have to know I only had her best interests—”

  “Your best interests, Maeve. It was in your best interest to awaken Reese’s power. You can lie to everyone else, but don’t lie to me.”

  He stood, and put the length of the office between them, so he wouldn’t give into his need to punch her.

  Maeve watched him, composed now, her face as unreadable as a marble statue. “I came here because I felt the danger around her. I cannot protect her. She is half human, which makes her as close to untouchable as a mortal. But I want to make amends with Fiona for what was done to her and Aidan.”

  “You picked one twisted way to do that.”

  She ignored him, but he saw the flash in her eyes. “I charge you now with her safety, demon.”

  “Half-demon.” It was almost habit with her. She did like to point out his non-human side. “I’m in love with Reese, Maeve. I will do everything in my power to keep her safe. But you need to inform the Queen that one of her subjects is playing footsie with Torlogh.”

  She stood, her chin lifted. “I want to believe the best of my own, but there has been dissent in the realm. Queen Aoife’s decision to banish Torlogh was not popular. You will keep her safe, whatever the cost to you, demon.”

  He decided to let her slur pass this time. He was done with her. “I have things to do, Maeve. Are there any other commands for me?”

  “There is no need for sarcasm, demon.”

  “Half-demon.”

  “If Reese is harmed, you will answer to the Queen.”

  “Understood.”

  He crossed his arms, and waited. With a huff, Maeve stalked across the office, pausing at the door. “Does she love you, Bran?”

  “Yes.” If she wasn’t a
lready there, she was well on her way. “Goodbye, Maeve.”

  She didn’t deign to say goodbye, and stomped out of the office. He leaned out the doorway, saw her disappear halfway down the hall.

  Once she was finally gone, he moved over to his desk chair and sank into it, trembling. Matching wits with a Fae as powerful as Maeve always drained him—especially since he locked away his demon half whenever she was around.

  Now he could do what he came here to do. Gather up every protection he owned, so he could create a barricade against any Fae who wanted Reese.

  They would take her—when they crawled over his cold, dead body.

  Twenty Three

  Mom stood on the front porch when I pulled my car up, twisting her hands together. She probably knew what I wanted to talk to her about, but a little uncertainty couldn’t hurt. I didn’t want to say it was because she had lied to me my entire life—but I couldn’t not say it. She did lie to me, and what she had kept from me has now put me in the middle of a private war.

  “Reese.” She started to reach for me when I stepped on the porch, and retreated. “I’m glad you’re here, honey.”

  I followed her into the house, through the living room, and into my favorite room—what we called the library. All four walls were lined with shelves, and those shelves were crammed with books. I’d read every single one, at least once. They had been my friends, my escape, the adventures I could never have growing up. I should have hated this room, but I had spent so many wonderful hours, living other lives, that my memories were good ones.

  Mom sat in the chair behind the desk, putting the heavy piece of furniture between us, like a shield. I lowered myself to the padded chair on the other side of the desk and waited.

  “I know why you’re here, Reese.” Mom’s fingers twisted around each other until I was afraid she would break a couple of them. I leaned over and laid my hand over hers. “I never told you, honey, because I never wanted you to be part of that world.”