by Elle Thorne
“I’ve got this.”
Ciara gave Krisztián a glance of appreciation, then followed Mae up the stairs.
Chapter Fourteen
Krisztián walked into the kitchen. Indeed, several of the dragon shifters, a sorceress or two, a couple of bear shifters, Svetlana—a cousin to Allegra, called Lana—and Salvatore, leader of the dragon shifters and the menagerie of Draecenguard, were all waiting. Though they were trying to make it seem like a casual gathering, it was clear from their expressions they were interested in what Krisztián had been up to.
“What’s going on?” he grabbed a coffee mug and poured himself a cupful. He could use the caffeine boost. Driving all night, then all the time in conference with Ciara, Youngblood, and Griz, had left him tired. He was exhausted from the exchange between Youngblood and Ciara, Ciara’s ordeal, and now this, her issue. He didn’t know what else to call it. He didn’t understand it.
“Not much,” Dimitri, a bear shifter Draecenguard responded. He was sitting next to Nikola, the dragon he had been charged with guarding.
Although the dragons and their Draecenguard had left the confines of the monastery behind and found new lives, the entire structure Salvatore had put together had persisted.
Allegra stood from her seat at the extra-large table and approached him. “How is Ciara?”
He shrugged. He wasn’t sure how much of her business Ciara would want him conveying.
From behind him, Mae spoke up. “She’s holding up.”
He turned to Mae. “You left her alone?”
She nodded slowly. “You think she’s a danger to herself?”
Krisztián flinched. He certainly hadn’t meant to insinuate that. “No. That’s not what I meant.” And now he’d already said more than he’d meant to. “Just wanted to make sure she was fine.”
Mae’s eyes narrowed. Allegra studied him.
“I think I need a shower myself.” He set the mug down and headed toward the staircase leading to his room. He was sure he did. It had been a long couple of days.
* * *
Towel wrapped around his hips, Krisztián stepped out of his room and into the hallway on the second floor of Mae’s B&B. At the end of the corridor, in a plush bathrobe with a towel around her nearly white hair, Ciara was slipping from one room to another.
“Hey,” he said to her.
She whirled around, studied him, then her cheeks turned red. Her eyes focused on his chest. “Hey.”
“How you feeling?” He approached her as she entered the upstairs sitting room. “I was going to get my clothes from the laundry room. Forgot I was mid-laundry when Griz asked me to go check on you.”
“Sorry you got dragged into my…situation.” She pulled the robe tighter around her body. Little did she know, all that served to do was emphasize her curves.
Krisztián’s bear roared in his mind, trying to stake a claim on her. Chill, he cautioned his bear. She’s got enough going on. “It’s not a problem. I hope I could be of some help,” he assured her.
Tears sprang to her eyes, catching him off-guard. “You were a tremendous help. I couldn’t have managed it without you.”
He couldn’t have said what compelled him to do so, but he stepped closer and took her in his arms. “Why the tears? The worst is over and—”
“Because I can’t stop this thing that’s happening now. It’s making it hard to concentrate. And it’s downright painful.” She hiccupped. “And my life feels like it’s gone to hell.”
He tilted her face up with one finger beneath her chin. Her eyes were red rimmed. Her lips pouty with emotion. He had to admit he didn’t know if she did the ugly-cry thing, but she looked damned cute when she’d just finished weeping.
“We’ll figure this out. Whatever is happening to you, it seriously sounds like it may be tied into whatever overtook you when Youngblood took your skills.”
“I don’t know…”
“Well, neither do I, but is it possible it has something to do with you having an ancestor who was a bear shifter?”
She snapped her eyes to his. “Griz,” she muttered.
Krisztián took her by the shoulders. “Look. Griz cares. That’s why he discussed your details. I care. This entire valley seems to be populated with people who care.”
She shook her head slightly. “I’m private.”
“I understand private. Hell, I lived a very private lifetime for a long duration. But sometimes, you have to live a little less privately. Especially when your life’s going to pieces. Which through no control of your own, your life has been. Let the people who love you help you.” Krisztián paused. Love? Sure, Griz loved her. But he wasn’t saying he loved her. No. How could he love her, after such a short time? Still, there was something undeniable here. Something powerful.
His bear growled its agreement.
Krisztián leaned down, placed his lips against hers. He couldn’t have said what in the world had taken him over. He simply acted from a stance that was not controlled by his brain. Her eyes stayed locked on his, and she didn’t pull away.
He did. Slightly. Not enough to show he regretted what he’d done, but just enough to let her know he was aware he’d crossed a line. Hopefully, he didn’t cross it so egregiously it repelled her. He appraised her face, searching for any sign of distress.
He exhaled slowly, relieved she didn’t seem to be upset.
“You’re right,” she whispered. “I vacillate between trusting and not trusting.”
The sound of a throat clearing sent Krisztián whirling to find Mae at the entrance to the sitting room. In her hand was a pile of clothing. “Here’s something you can wear,” she told Ciara before turning to Krisztián. “Your stuff was in the dryer when you left. It’s in a basket next to the washer.”
“Thanks.” He felt a measure of discomfort at having been caught kissing her. He recognized Mae’s position in Bear Canyon Valley. He also realized how close Mae was to Griz. He wouldn’t want to cause any problems here. He’d come to like this place far too much to risk losing the relationships at stake.
Mae gasped softly. She was staring at Ciara’s arms, where the once-bold tats had now faded to white lines.
Ciara ran her hands over her arms, as though to hide or erase the marks.
Mae unfolded one of the items in the pile. A long sleeve shirt. She draped it over Ciara’s bare shoulders and arms. “Griz and Victor, and a few others, all had to head out. Slate Youngblood ran off after you two came inside. They’re searching for him.”
He took a step toward the laundry room. “I should get dressed and go help Griz.”
Mae put her hand on his arm. “Griz asked if you’d consider staying and helping Ciara.”
He glanced from Mae to Ciara then back to Mae. “I can do that.” Though really, he had no idea what he was supposed to help Ciara with. Other than being there for her.
Mae turned toward Ciara. “We should check into those tattoos. Since the talons and fangs are gone, if you have residual effects, I have to wonder if they aren’t related to the things you’re dealing with now.”
He looked askance at Ciara. She’d divulged the headache and roaring sounds to Mae? Ciara, clearly seeing the question in his eyes, gave a short nod.
Taking that as permission—albeit tacit—Krisztián addressed Mae. “I have pictures of the tattoos. The pictures are clearer. They were taken when the tats were dark.”
“If you two want to come down after you’re dressed, we can talk to a couple of Salvatore’s sorceresses. Maybe include Svetlana in the conversation.” She pushed her dark hair back. “Actually, now that I’m thinking of it, Lézare, Theo, and the girls are here. They’re at Grant’s. I’ll see if Leandra can maybe stop by. Worth hearing her opinion on the matter.”
Chapter Fifteen
Walking next to Krisztián, Ciara made her way downstairs, definitely going slower than usual. She didn’t like being the center of attention. The notion there’d be several people ogling her, trying to determine what was going on
with the tattoos, and with her other problems—she’d briefed Mae when they’d gone upstairs.
Outside a separate dining area Mae was waiting. She waved them forward. “Everyone’s gathered. Refreshments and snacks will be brought in shortly.”
Krisztián took her hand, just before they crossed over the threshold, squeezed it. “We’ve got this. You’re not alone.”
Ciara nodded, appreciating his words and actions more than he could possibly know. Then she thought of their kiss, brief though it had been. It had stirred something deep within her. But more importantly, for that short duration, the clawing at her brain and ceased. For that short-short time, she’d had peace. And that, in and of itself, was confusing.
When he released her hand, she felt the absence of his warmth and she tugged on the cuff of her long-sleeved shirt and stepped into the room. . In seats surrounding a round table were a few faces she didn’t know and one she did—Leandra, Theo’s woman. She nodded at her then glanced from face to face.
Mae put her arm around Ciara. “Let me introduce you to some of our latest residents.” She pointed to a dark-haired woman. “This is Ilona. She was part of Allegra’s Draecenguard. The sorceress part. This is Allegra.” Mae indicated a beautiful brunette. “She’s Griz’s—”
Ciara stepped forward, taking Allegra’s hand. “Krisztián mentioned you.” He had, on the drive to Bear Canyon Valley. “I’m sorry I couldn’t have come earlier. I was…unavoidably detained.” By my body betraying me and turning me into a monster. But she couldn’t tell Allegra that. No, she certainly couldn’t. Though she had a feeling she’d know about it once this meeting was over. “You are a sorceress?” she could have sworn Krisztián had said she was a dragon shifter.
Allegra pulled Ciara in for a hug. “I am not. But I am descended from sorceresses. And I’m happy to meet a relative of Griz’s.”
Mae indicated the next woman. “This is Bella. She’s sorceress to another dragon shifter, Nikola.”
Ciara nodded at Bella. “Nice to meet you.”
Bella inclined a blonde head, casting her blue eyes down, clearly on the shy side. “Nice to meet you.”
“And this is Svetlana.”
Ciara assessed the woman with hair almost as light as her own and vivid green eyes. “Nice to meet you. Also a sorceress?”
“Call me Lana, please. No, not a sorceress. From a line of sorceresses, but with a different skillset.”
Ciara frowned. “Different, how?”
Allegra laughed softly. “Lana is a cousin of mine. She sees things.”
Ciara tilted her head, took stock of the blonde, wondering what things she saw. She tuned out—or tried to—the dull roaring still plaguing her.
Lana released a soft chuckle, self-effacing. “I’m a failure at sorceressing. Not even a word, but still, you know what I mean.”
No. Ciara had no idea what she meant. “What things do you see?” This was professional curiosity, as she herself could see things. Like auras. And she could imprint on people. So, she had a vast amount of inquisitiveness about what Lana could do.
“Visions. About people, things, events.”
“The future?” Ciara pressed on.
“Mostly, but not always. Sometimes things in the past.”
Very interesting. Ciara was looking forward to learning more about these skills of Lana’s—after her own problem was resolved. She’d like to know what type of being Lana was. What were her kind called?
“And you know Leandra,” Mae said, breaking the uncomfortable silence.
Ciara smiled at Theo’s woman. “Nice to see you again, Leandra.” They’d met once, when Lézare and Theo had visited, some time back.
“It’s nice to be in the valley,” Leandra said with a soft smile. “Escaping the bayou heat.” Her voice held a soft drawl.
“I bet,” Mae agreed. “Louisiana this time of the year’s pretty warm.”
“Most times of the year,” Leandra added.
“No doubt.” Mae waved them forward. “Let’s have a seat.” She indicated the chairs flanking a long, dark wood dining table that gleamed. “Thank you all for coming. Ciara’s been through an ordeal, and though she’s private by nature.” Mae took a spot next to Ciara’s chair. “We have to share what she’s been through…is going through…to help her.”
Ciara nodded. She got it. For anyone to help her, she’d have to let them know what was going on. “Where do we start?”
They all settled in, pulling chairs forward with a slight scraping noise on the hardwood floors.
Mae steepled her fingers and placed them under her chin.” Maybe we should start briefing everyone on the troubles you’ve gone through in the last few days. Then we’ll look at the tattoos, since they are the only thing remaining from the…from before.”
Ciara expanded on the last few days’ tribulations, then mentioned the tattoos. She started to unbutton her sleeve to raise it, only to find that the tattoos were even more washed out than before.
Mae grimaced. “They have faded substantially. It’s too bad because we could stand to have a better idea of what they look like.
On Ciara’s other side, Krisztián said, “I have pictures.” He pulled his phone from a pocket and pressed then scrolled, pressed again then handed it to Mae.
Mae looked at it then passed it down the line. One by one, they all glanced at the phone. Some murmured, others said, “hmmm,” but no one vocalized any thoughts. Then Allegra passed it to Lana.
It took less than a second for Lana to gasp. She pulled the phone closer, studied it. “I know these.”
Krisztián leaned forward. “From where?”
“When I was in Britain, I spent some time among some druids.” She raised a hand, clearly anticipating questions. “Yes, druids still exist. They maintain an extremely low profile.” She rotated the phone, studied the picture in landscape, then used two fingers to zoom in on the screen. “I’ll reach out to my druid friends. Ask a question. See if they can shed some light.” Lana passed the phone to Ilona then excused herself from the table. “I’ll be back in a few.”
Ilona studied it then handed it to Krisztián. The phone had made the rounds, and, other than Lana indicating an awareness of the tattoos, no one else had said a word.
Mae put her palms on the table and leaned forward. “Anyone else have any suggestions?”
Ilona shook her head. “I’m not familiar with tattoos. It’s not a part of the sorcery I work in. I don’t know how that would relate to the problems Ciara’s had.”
“Agreed,” Bella said.
Leandra frowned. “Also not familiar.”
“Same,” Allegra added.
So much for getting help, Ciara thought.
Mae put her hand on hers. “All’s not lost. I can forward the pictures to Cedric and—”
“No need.” Svetlana swooshed into the room, a bloom of excitement on her cheeks. “I’ve got answers.” She stopped in front of her chair but didn’t take a seat. Instead, she bounced from one foot to the other. “I don’t mean I’ve got answers to the tattoos.”
“Okay, then what? What answers?” To say Ciara was anxious would have been an understatement. She could feel Krisztián tensing next to her, clearly as eager as she was to get to the bottom of Lana’s proclamation.
“There is a druid from the sect I know in Great Britain who lives here in the United States. In the mountains near the Olympic National Forest.”
Ciara gasped. That was driving distance. Sure, long, long driving distance, but still, could this druid give her a solution to her problem?
Krisztián reached under the table and took her hand then turned to Mae. “Can we borrow a vehicle to go see this druid? To see if he can help Ciara?” He faced Ciara. “If not, I can rent a car. We will dig into this,” he assured her.
Ciara nodded.
“She,” Lana interjected. “Not he.”
Krisztián looked chagrinned. “Apologies.”
Ciara hid a smile. In spite of the discom
fort she was in, it was amusing.
He nudged her. “What? I didn’t know druids could be women. Cut me some slack.”
She let the smile show. “Slack cut.”
Mae was shaking her head in amusement. “I can do you one better, Krisztián. Instead of driving, I’ll reach out to Mikhail Romanoff. I bet he can have a plane here by morning. Then you can fly to the nearest airport. I’ll arranged to have a car at the airport for you.”
Ciara leaned to the side and wrapped an arm around Mae. “Thank you.”
Mae turned toward Lana. “You have the address?”
“I do.”
Chapter Sixteen
Krisztián couldn’t sleep. He wondered if Ciara could. He was tense with anticipation at what they’d have to do tomorrow. He wanted answers as bad as she did, for her sake. What would a normal Ciara be like? One not tormented by half-shifting, pain and incessant roaring.
He was well aware of what it was like to have a bear roaring at him in his head. And he couldn’t imagine that happening relentlessly.
He tossed the sheet off of him and yanked on a pair of jeans over his boxers. There would be no more sleep. He knew this. His bear could sense the glowing pink-and-lilac fingers of a sunrise would be arriving shortly. And knowing this, Krisztián slipped out of his bedroom at Mae’s B&B and crept down the stairs, out the front door, and off the porch, heading toward the table he’d sat at earlier with Griz, Youngblood, and Ciara.
He stopped short.
Before him, in a long white dress, her hair catching the last slivers of the full moon’s rays, Ciara rested her head on her arms. She turned his way, her eyes silver in the moon’s shine.
“I didn’t know anyone would be out here,” he whispered, keeping his voice low though they were alone.
“I couldn’t sleep.” She rubbed her temples.
“The roaring still?”
She nodded.
Joining her at the table, sitting next to her, straddling the picnic bench, he replaced her fingers with his own and began to massage her forehead and scalp.