by Lexi Ostrow
“It’s what?” Kellie interrupted, a pink blush painting her cheeks.
Ryce cleared his throat. “It’s a connection that is very much about the power a team can wield, and the emotional connection they share. Due to that, not every Guardian and every Word Speaker are the perfect fit right off the bat. Some, like you, come into their gifts at an older age. Others, like Alcott’s first Word Speaker, begin so young that there is no telling what they will end with.”
Alcott felt his hands ball into fists. Any reminder of Ciara, especially how he’d lost her, was still enough to set him on edge. It didn’t matter that he’d seen her happy. It didn’t even matter that so much time had passed that, if she’d remained in the real world, she would have recently released Stryder. It only mattered that he’d repressed part of their pairing and had ruined what might have been between them — even if he was fairly certain she no longer thought of him.
“There will be no changing. Should you reach your twenty-seventh birthday, and you are not an ideal match, he will simply be returned to his world. As soon as you connect with another, they will be your partner. It is not a punishment. Those are just the terms Alcott and I have worked out.” Ryce had lessened the agreement to nothing more than a bet made over beers and a game. “Now, I will be going. My part is done, and the rest is up to you too.”
In a flash, like always, Ryce was gone. Alcott had always found the trait rather interesting, but with the way things had been left, he wanted to punch him for it. Shaking his head and giving a rather exasperated sigh, he crossed the room to stand toe-to-toe with Kellie. His blue eyes bore into her deep brown ones, and he focused on what he was saying, versus how being so close to her was making his pulse race.
“Your choice is admirable. This will not be easy, and there is much to learn. But I promise that you are safe. I never allowed harm to come to my last Word Speaker, and you will be no different whether we merely spend the next two years together, or a lifetime.” He was taken aback at how little the idea of remaining with her bothered him. Could such a mind-altering decision be made over the course of a conversation?
Obviously.
“I have a question? One that makes sense based on the qualifications for a Guardian to be . . . pulled.”
He nodded, content that it was not the worst word choice he’d heard for the situation.
“Why is it that I want your approval? I’ve known you were real, or something like being real, for less than an hour. Yet, here I am, practically melting at the way those words sound.” She took a step closer, causing their feet to knock together while simultaneously tucking a teal strand of hair behind her ear. “Why do I feel like I could melt into the floor if you would just touch me?” Her voice was a breathy whisper, and her eyes shined with desire.
Everything snapped. The small grip on control he’d been holding onto while she spoke wound so tightly into place that he wheezed for air as she jumped backward from him. There was no way he was going to give into a connection that was based on nothing more than the need to form a bond to survive. He hadn’t with Ciara, and he sure as shit wouldn’t with anyone else.
“We need to cover some more ground rules before this goes any further.” His voice was a harsh rasp, and he watched as she flinched. A small ounce of regret flitted through him, vanishing as quickly as it had come. “What you were told about the emotional connection, is true. It’s like a lure. Something that bonds Guardian and Word Speaker together and gives them a reason to want to protect one another. It’s not necessary to act on it, and it’s certainly not something I will allow us to give into.” Lies.
Hurt spread across her face as thoroughly as if he’d slapped her and the remorse returned. He hadn’t wanted to hurt her, only to stop anything from forming between them that would cloud their judgment on their roles. He’d always protected Ciara without it, and while he wouldn’t deny the strength in the attraction he was feeling, he would not act on it. There was simply no need.
“I’m sorry. I hadn’t intended for that to come across as rudely as it did.” He cleared his throat. “What I meant to say is that what you are feeling is a natural part of this . . . process. Desiring one another is normal and nearly impossible to ignore, but it is possible. I will protect you with my life, and perhaps one day, we might grow to develop true feelings for one another. What I will not do is give into baser instincts simply because my body is screaming for me to throw you down and bury myself as deep as I can get.”
Her lips parted in the most sensual way as she gasped. A punch of lust rocked through him so hard it took all his focus not to give into it. He’d spent years with Ciara, waiting as their connection grew to something natural. That is how he wanted it to go now since they had nearly two years to learn one another.
“Is there anything else I need to know?” Her voice was still laced with lust, even as she shook her head as if trying to zap the connection they were sharing.
“Give me the books. Both of them.” He’d meant for the words to be a command, but they came across as a plea instead.
Without speaking, she pivoted and reached into the bag on the counter. Pulling out both book one and two, she passed them to him. He wasn’t certain if destroying them was right. Fuck, he wasn’t even certain if he could destroy them. But he was not going to let her read them. He was there now, and the story didn’t need to be continued. They would make their story, and if needed, he would return to his if he failed to be what she needed.
He took them and walked to the window. He’d prefer witch fire, but he knew that he couldn’t possibly destroy something in the strange half-life he was living. “Does this open?” He nodded at the window.
“Yes.” Her voice was riddled with skepticism, and she arched a brow at him. “I don’t think fresh air —”
Her words turned to a startled yelp as he opened the window and tossed the books out.
“You don’t need to read them. There’s nothing in my series that will do you any good. You were drawn to me, and I to you. That is all the information you need in advance. We can learn about each other together in the normal way as if I am merely a normal man.”
Without a word she grabbed her bag and stomped past him. “You are nothing like the man in the book.”
He crossed his arms over his chest, feeling the heat of the tattoo. “That man died when he lost his first Word Speaker.”
Her face softened for a moment, but was quickly drawn into a scowl. “Well, when that man is back, feel free to come find me because he is the one that I would like to get to know. Not some muscle-headed brute that thinks this is all something he can control. I’m the Word Speaker. Apparently, I caused this. So now, I’m going to cause something else.” She crossed the space, pulled open the front door and stomped out, letting it slam behind seconds later.
Sighing, Alcott ran a hand through his hair. He’d never had problems with Ciara, and now he’d just put a wedge between him and the only person that could see him. When the strange sensation of being asleep didn’t overtake him, he looked around the condo. She was certainly gone, which should have meant that he disappeared back into the pages of his story — a complete slave to the words once more.
“Then how are you still standing in the middle of the room like this?” He looked around slowly, and realization hit him. He hadn’t come from his story this time. He’d come from the strange place between the worlds where the brothers lived.
Alcott was stuck, invisible and alone in New Orleans.
Chapter Four
No matter how proud he’d been of his Word Speaker moments prior, his disappointment in Alcott greatly outweighed it. With a sigh, he pulled the trench coat off, hung it on the back of the kitchen chair nearest him and allowed the viewing window showing Alcott and Kellie to stitch closed.
Pairing a Word Speaker and Guardian could often be an arduous task, even if he had very little to do with it. But Alcott knew better. He of all Guardians should have understood the importance of connecting
on every level possible to ensure a successful match. Yet, he’d just wonderfully blundered himself into a situation that could have easily been avoided. His Word Speaker no doubt hated him because of his choices.
Many times, Word Speakers and Guardians did not get along. It how and why Alcott refused to acknowledge the bond that wanted to form. Being intimate with a Word Speaker deepened the connection and furthered the importance of what the two shared. He understood Alcott’s reluctance to accept any feelings for Ciara, but Kellie was more than old enough, and Alcott had been more than celibate enough.
“Jesus, Alcott. You could’ve had it so easy,” he said with a shake of his head as he turned to face the strange rip in reality that was in his living room.
He paused when he saw Hayley sitting at her pristine white desk, neatly pressed lab coat hanging about her shoulders and safety goggles illuminating the beauty of her chocolate-colored eyes — eyes so similar to Kellie’s and yet completely different. He felt his cock begin to throb as blood raced to his appendage. All it took was the smallest sight of her — of the dark curls framing her face or the way she bit the lower corner of her plump lips while she worked. He needed to find out who she was, and it needed to be done quickly.
Kellie was the newest Word Speaker. It wasn’t impossible to believe that Hayley could have slowly growing powers. She’s mine. The words flashed so brightly in his mind, it was like staring into the sun. He should have been concerned with the thought. Instead, he felt his dick throb and plead for attention at the idea of seeking Hayley out, seeing just why she appealed to him and learning how she had come to be stuck in his world so to speak.
Cupping himself, he groaned at the contact. It had become a common occurrence, bringing himself to a climax after seeing the briefest glance of the woman that he should not be able to see. His hand quickened and his grip tightened around his excited shaft as he watched Hayley work.
“Well, well, brother. I’m shocked to see you engaging in such an action. And while watching one of your precious Word Speakers.” Demus’ amused chuckle floated over to him.
Immediately, he released his cock and whirled to face his younger brother. Gold eyes dancing with mirth, Demus continued to grin at him. Without so much as a thought, he shifted in front of the tear and blocked Hayley. They weren’t allowed to harm humans and weren’t truly supposed to interact with any, other than their charges. That didn’t mean they hadn’t seduced random humans before, and the last thing he wanted was for Demus to be anywhere near Hayley.
“Get out,” his eyes flashed silver, and he felt his fangs slip out as he growled at the man that was more a stranger than brother after so many centuries at war.
“Who do you protect? A new source of power? Or perhaps one too weak to even show yourself too?” Demus tried to shove him out of the way, but thanks to a power placed on them by Huracan, he crashed to the ground before he could touch Alcott. “Fucking God!” he snarled in reference to the binding Huracan had placed on them.
“If you aren’t going to get out, you are going to tell me what the fuck you’re doing here.” His eyes shifted to watch as Demus stood from the ground and casually dropped onto the black leather couch.
“You can’t hurt me, brother. I can’t hurt you. Who’s to say I wasn’t lonely and missing family time?” The smirk spreading across his lips oozed with the same darkness that blackened his soul.
“There is nothing to say to you. You’ve broken more rules than you could ever pay for. The war will come when it is ready, but you will no longer take what is mine. My Word Speakers are cut from a cloth far greater than yours. The desire to do good and see the world thrive is by far stronger than any dark desires your warriors have. I am done playing nice with you. I am done being your older brother. Get out, Demus, and never return, or we will see how truly imperfect the protection Huracan placed on us might be.”
His brother’s laughter was merciless and loud. “You think that can stop those who seek destruction and fulfillment? We will see brother, we will see.” He nodded to the space where Hayley had been. “So who is she, and just how did she get far enough under your skin to lead you to temptation?”
A growl raised the hair on the back of his neck. Temptation shifted to fury as an image of him leaping on top of Demus and dropping him to the floor filled the space Hayley’s face had been. He wanted to rip his nails into his brother’s flesh, tear out muscle and watch as the blood drained dry. He hadn’t felt such a feral urge since before Huracan had approached them — centuries before, when they’d been boys, hunting for their next meal many. It startled him, but not because he’d had the thought so much as why he’d had it.
“She is of no concern to you.” He growled in warning, preparing to strike in any way he might be able to, despite the protection.
Demus rose and shrugged, completely unaware of how much anger he had caused. “You do not lie well, Brother. Besides, anyone that is of consequence to you — even if it is merely of the sexual kind — is of great import to me. Anyone that can crawl under your skin enough to cause a reaction is leverage I do not wish to lose. Ciara Miller caused such responses and rule breaking. Dale Evanhart did as well, though I suspect that was merely because of how important he became to you. If there is a woman whose window you have left open and are openly pleasuring yourself too, she matters.”
Fury blasted through him so hot that he nearly lost control and attacked Demus, which was likely what his brother wanted. An excuse to fight, to tear one another apart and get Huracan to move along the war simply because his figureheads weren’t playing nice in the sandbox.
He clenched his jaw so tightly that his words were barely more than a mumble. “She’s nothing more than an attractive woman. I am still human enough to have basic desires.”
Demus’ golden eyes flashed brightly, annoyance bristling over his face. “I do not like how lying looks on you, brother. It does not suit you.” He flashed before the end of his sentence, trying to drive a dagger into him and crashing uselessly to the carpet, blade impaling into the base board. His growl was as animalistic as the need in him to do harm had just been.
“I will find out. I promise you that.” His threat hung in empty space as he flashed out, leaving nothing more than angry words and a disturbing promise.
He turned quickly, as if needing to assure himself that Hayley was still safely working at her little microscope and utterly unaware of the rift that allowed him to see her. His sigh of relief was loud as he found her hunched over, eyes glued to what could have only been a lab report. He didn’t like the way his heart pounded in his chest as he looked her over. It wasn’t sexual — it was fear. If Demus was ever able to find out anything more about her, she’d be in grave danger.
“Which means it’s imperative you do not let him find Kellie.”
***
Who does he think he is? My Guardian, that’s fucking who. She snorted and kicked a loose rock as she trudged down Pirates Alley and back to her condo. Spending a few nights at her cousin’s had been cheating, but with no job and no pets, there had been no reason to return to home before she was ready.
She’d fully expected to wake up one morning since she’d left her place and tell Hayley all about a crazy dream she’d had. Unfortunately, when she’d checked her bag, the two books were still missing, she was still fired and she’d certainly had that delightfully carnal dream about Alcott.
“So, basically, you’re as crazy as half the inhabitants here. Because, goddess knows, a practicing Wiccan fits right in. Why not be some crazy super hero too?” She huffed.
A couple standing in front of the TV station looked her over, but she ignored them. It was far too early in the morning to explain that she wasn’t drunk and raving to herself. Turning onto Royal, she couldn’t help but smile. Life on the street was bustling already. Cars were still allowed to drive down it before the afternoon, but it didn’t diminish the crowds piling in and out of expensive antique shops and galleries.
Her
thoughts were distracting her from any desire to look in the shop windows, for what might have been the first time since she’d purchased the large condo on Royal. It was bad enough that she had some sort of gift that allowed her to see and create things that were otherwise fictional. But to know the man she’d connected with was going to abstain from something that could have been both extremely pleasurable and beneficial later as partners was more upsetting than she’d like to admit. Especially since she certainly hadn’t been looking for a man to fill her nights.
Can you blame him for not wanting to just jump into bed with someone? For that matter, why the fuck do you want too? The question slammed into her so hard that she nearly dropped her key as she pulled it out. Why was she so upset? Was it simply the fact that it seemed like it was a normal thing to jump in bed with a stranger simply because you lusted after them? Or was it the fact that she’d been secretly crushing on the boy from the book from the moment she read his story?
“It’s not like it’s going to matter. You’ve got close to two years with him. Follow his rules, set some of your own, and if anything does grow from it, then great. If not, well, the guy in the coat did say you could choose someone else.”
Pushing the door opened, she frowned, not liking the thought of picking someone else. Even if Alcott seemed very hands off, he likely had a very good reason. Didn’t he?
She stepped out of her flip-flops by the front door and set her bag down on the small table before leaving the entryway. It was silent, which meant Lana had left. Her roommate had been her best friend since college, but Goddess, could she blast music like no one else when in one her moods, which she almost always was.
She stepped quietly through the main room and into the kitchen. There wasn’t even the slightest trace of Alcott. What happens to him if I’m not with him? If I don’t need him? Pulling open the door to the stainless steel refrigerator, she felt a hand on her shoulder. Whirling, she punched out and felt her first smack harmlessly into a wall of muscle.