by J. M. Davies
Even other people’s emotions and thoughts crossed into his mind, overlapping and confusing his own jumbled mixture until he had shut them down. The trouble was the thoughts of others crept back in. It was overwhelming. As he held Ella’s hand in church, it eased, but he sensed the grief, pity, anger—even jealousy from those surrounding him. His heartbeat kicked up and the pulse in his neck throbbed as he studied the crowd and listened to their thoughts. Some focused on Ella and the way she looked. Sexy. Beautiful. It made his blood boil. He rubbed his temple with his hand, wishing he could shut it all out.
Now, he stood, holding the silver urn that he had been given at the crematorium after the service with both hands, in his mother’s back garden, staring at her blasted plants. Why hadn’t she known her time was near? He could have been here. He knew as he went over the last several weeks it wouldn’t have been the case. With Orion, he was always working. Josephine knew his team came first. Seagulls circled overhead and screeched, diving down to the shore, and the sun shone on him. This wasn’t closure. He shook his head as a bitterness swirled inside his gut. His entire life could have been different if the Elusti didn’t exist. He would have known his father and had a relationship with his mother that went beyond civility. He felt robbed. Ella leaned against his arm and she slipped her hand on his arm, brushing his skin.
“Let her go, Marcus.”
Ella pressed her soft hand over his and he lifted the top off the silver jar that held his mother’s remains. Holding her hand, he swallowed down his loss and tipped the bottle, scattering the ashes over the cream rose bushes. The light breeze carried the remains, dispersing them all around the blossoming garden and scattering them over the bright fuchsia peonies and vivid blue irises. She loved this place, and strangely enough, despite spending little time here, he did too. The wild ocean was close by, yet, the tranquil garden and cottage offered a peaceful haven. He gathered Ella into his arms and embraced her as she wept against his chest.
I love it here too.
He kissed the top of her head. This would be their home. He would somehow make it safe and raise his family here. No one would take from him again. No one.
A crunching sound to his back made him twist around and push Ella behind him. He drew his weapon, pointing it right at the figure’s heart. His finger touched the trigger to shoot, but he sighed and replaced his gun back in his side holster.
“Drayton, it’s good to see you haven’t lost your game. I need you to look at the interviews with the women you recovered from the mission. There are some interesting points that link Carlos to the professor,” Steel said.
His voice was monotone as he stood in his dark suit, with his hands crossed in front of him as he looked from Marcus to Ella. An image of Ella in the shower with Steel shot into the front of Marcus’s head. He shook his head to dispel it, but when Steel’s thought, she looks tired floated into his brain, that was it. Marcus charged at Steel, knocking him to the ground and letting his fists hit out. He punched with a force that he had never had before and blood spurted from Steel’s nose. Screams sounded around him and before long, arms grabbed at him to tug him away. Marcus pushed and shoved at Jake and Shadow as they held him back from Steel as the man stood up. He growled and spat blood at the ground.
“Get the fuck off me, man. I’m going to kill him,” he shouted.
“Ella, what the hell set him off?” Jake asked.
Bear held Steel, and Ella stood in front of Marcus, touching his arm, but he shrugged it off. Isabella appeared, along with Ava and the other men. Everybody gathered in the garden. All their thoughts merged and jumbled. He couldn’t take all the noise. Ella stared back over at Isabella.
He’s losing it.
I don’t know how she puts up with him.
They’ve mated.
What the fuck is going on?
She’s going to leave him for sure.
Drayton. Drayton. I need to heal Steel.
Don’t you go near him.
“Look, he needs some space. Would you all mind leaving? I’m sorry,” Ella said to the circle of people surrounding him.
Steel stepped next to Isabella, eyeballing Marcus. “Whatever your fucking problem is, you need to sort it out now.”
Marcus yanked his arms held still by Jake and Shadow as they cursed but held on tight. He growled and twisted, shoving his friends away until he stood inches from Steel’s face.
“You’re my problem, asshole. When the fuck were you in the shower with my wife?”
Gasps sounded out around him. He shot a glance at Ella, whose face paled, but she stepped closer and squeezed his arm. Ava didn’t move, but the rest of his team did.
“Drayton, whatever you think happened, it didn’t. Look at me.” Steel’s voice calmed down as he wiped his bloody mouth and tucked his torn shirt in his pants.
Marcus examined Steel but he couldn’t rein his anger in and still wanted to pound the man to dust.
“Steel helped me when Josephine died. I fell apart. I didn’t tell you because I didn’t think there was any point. I wanted to be strong for you. We’ve been through so much.”
Tears sprung from Ella’s eyes, and he swung his eyes back to her. There was silence around them. Jake and Shadow brushed themselves down as he stared at each of them in turn. A million thoughts swam around and he forced them away; hearing everyone at once confused him. Marcus fought to focus his thoughts only on Ella. He caught a memory, one that showed her lying in bed. It touched him, and he lifted his gaze at Steel, knowing how vulnerable Ella had been.
His boss stared right at him. She needed help. I did what I thought was best. How could you think that?
He pressed his hand over his temple, listening to Steel’s thoughts, and shut his eyes.
“It’s okay, Jake. He’ll be okay. Just leave him with me,” Ella said.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, he won’t hurt me.”
“We’ll be inside. I’m not leaving until I see that he’s calmed down,” Steel said.
“Isabella, will you stay?” Ella said.
At that, he opened his eyes. He didn’t want anyone here. Seeing Ella in the arms of another man was one thing, but Steel? The man was so superior and damn smug. He still wanted to wipe the floor with him and his nostrils flared as he watched the team walk away.
“Get it together, Drayton,” Jake said.
Shadow walked away, shaking his head.
He stared at Jake, whose eyes narrowed at him. Come on, man. Don’t be an asshole. There’s no one else in the world but you for her.
Jake nodded at Ella and Isabella. “First and last time I rent a suit.” He brushed down his jacket. “How comes Sparkles gets to stay?” He nodded at Isabella.
Watching Isabella frown and give Jake a sideways rundown, Marcus laughed. Jerk, but he’s jacked. He looks good in a suit, but I bet he looks even better with nothing on.
Marcus rubbed his chin and smiled. Jake had a thing for Isabella, and she had a thing for him, but she wouldn’t let him in one bit.
“Women like a man in a suit, dude. I’ll pay for the dry cleaning,” he said.
“Too right you will. Be cool, man. Talk later,” Jake said.
It was weird listening in on everyone. Waves of annoyance hit him as Ella grabbed the front of his shirt and he looked down at his petite angry woman. Her blue eyes flashed a warning at him. Shit, she was beautiful and dangerous.
“What the hell, Drayton? It’s Josephine’s funeral. What’s got into you?” she fired.
She was still holding his shirt in her hand, twisting the cotton. He caught her hand and untangled her clasp to let it drop. It might not be the time or place, but damn it, she should have told him what had gone on in his absence. He had a right to know how she fared, and damn it yet again, he hadn’t been able to help her.
“Stop it, Drayton. I can hear you.”
He flicked his glance over at Isabella.
“It’s okay, Drayton. You can trust me.”
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nbsp; He narrowed his eyes, summing up Isabella as she stood with her arms folded and her hand brushing across her lips, as if she was doing the exact same thing to him. She stood in her staple black top and pants with her flame-red hair tied back that matched her lips and dark glasses hiding her emerald eyes. He peered closer and concentrated harder, but he couldn’t read her thoughts. What the hell?
“I blocked you, Drayton. I could feel you listening to my thoughts, but as you and Ella are linked, it was hard to override you two. I assume you both realize you are now bonded, mated, whatever you call it, properly?”
He glanced at Ella with a half-smile and sighed. She moved to stand next to him but didn’t touch him and he was grateful. His anger at her remained.
“Yes. I thought we had mated months ago, but it seems we didn’t actually complete the ceremony.” He couldn’t help the laugh that escaped his lips. Everything seemed surreal. After everything he had argued with Josephine about and now look at him—he was drinking blood from his wife.
“Yes, about that. You need to be very careful.”
“Is it normal for soul-shifters to drink from one another?” Ella looked away.
He sensed her discomfort. Did he hurt her?
“Well, you’re not entirely human, are you? You’re both supernatural creatures like me. Most magical entities have a mix of both human and animal instincts, which are acutely enhanced. It’s a case of survival, you see. When you drink your mate’s blood, a merging took place. For the cycle to be complete, you both must drink from the other. Have you done that?”
Marcus watched as Isabella studied Ella, who sucked her lower lip as she nodded. Isabella flicked her gaze over at him.
“You already know the answer to that, Isabella.” His voice was hoarse with desire even thinking about the act.
“Okay, well, you’ll be able to read each other’s thoughts and feelings as well as other people’s. That gets very confusing and crowded. I’m assuming it’s what led to today’s outburst. I can teach you how to dampen down those effects. All your senses will be sharper. Animals are natural predators and skilled at survival. All those inborn skills will ramp up. The desire to keep each other close is fierce and each other’s survival will be of paramount concern. Your passion will also reach new heights, but other emotions like jealousy and anger will also rise from nowhere. You’ll need to master and control your emotions or you’ll lose control. Fast.”
Ella’s swirling emotions and concerns came in waves. She tried to stop them from reaching him.
Stop that, Ella. I want to know what you’re thinking. Don’t fight me—you’ll lose.
He stared at her and even though she wanted to look away, she held her gaze, looking right at him. He didn’t smile or break his hold on Ella.
“Are we nightwalkers?” Ella asked.
Marcus laughed. His mind was fried. What the hell was a nightwalker?
“A nightwalker is a vampire, a blood-sucker,” Isabella said.
He winced at the term blood-sucker and took a deep breath, folding his arms. “Then why? Why did I feel compelled to…”? Even though drinking from Ella was divine, he had never felt anything like it. The power and exhilaration that raced through was heady. There was a part that made him feel like a beast and he didn’t like that. He didn’t like feeling out of control.
“Tell me—who drank first?” Isabella asked.
Marcus narrowed his gaze over the slim woman. “Why?” Marcus arched his brow, not looking at Ella.
“Usually with mates, one is the dominant and the need to assert power over the other becomes irresistible. It’s instinctive. Some words may be said, but it’s the act of drawing blood when the partner submits, that completes the mating binding you together forever. As for the need to drink blood, usually that compulsion only occurs at the peak of the full moon or at Beltane. It’s about survival. Your instincts drive you to create life. Geez, enough sex talk.” Her cheeks flushed.
A wide smile spread across his cheeks, one he couldn’t help or hide. Ella was quiet, and he knew she was fighting with the information Isabella had supplied. She walked away, touching the large blooming peony and showing him her back.
“Isabella, what else do you know? You seem to be an expert in this particular field,” he said, his curiosity piqued at Isabella’s insight. If he was the dominant in the relationship with Ella, could he assert his power over her in any other ways? That knowledge could prove invaluable.
“No,” Ella shouted.
He smirked. He would never take control, but it would be good to know.
Ella marched over to her friend and gripped her arm. “Don’t say any more, please.”
Isabella studied her and peered at Marcus. “One thing I will say and be clear about. Being bonded is incredible. It’s an eternal commitment. There’s many positives that you will discover. However, even though you hear each other’s thoughts and feelings, you can also feel their pain. I’m telling you both this, and warning you, I will not be manipulated by either of you. I can help you both if you wish. I can teach you how to control your abilities. Protect your thoughts and emotions. Block and switch them on at will. This requires focus and patience, but you can master them.” Isabella glanced back and forth at both.
“How do you know all of this?” Marcus asked. All his life, he had resisted the unexplained because of Josephine; now there was no choice. He needed to learn and master all he could to use his skills to defeat his enemies. “I need to know everything,” he stated.
“My full name is Isabella Lockheart. Fields is my alias surname. My coven lives not far from here, and we are educated from a young age about the history of our people and other supernatural beings. It’s a matter of…”
“Survival,” he finished.
Isabella nodded. “It’s not that we’re at war directly per se, but a war is already underway. Throughout history, different entities have fought each other, and we have suffered great losses. We always make sure we are ready and prepared. Wars break out over territory, love, money, or power. My family has always strived to live peacefully, but not all cultures are the same. Peace is never taken for granted. The need to stay protected is always at the forefront of everything we do.”
Ella stared at him and he knew she was worried. He extended his hand to her. “You said you trusted me, Ella. Has that changed?”
A wave of confusion clouded her mind.
“I would never change who you are, Ella. I love you and would never take away your free will and force you to do anything. Is that what you fear?”
He could read and see inside, but he wanted her to voice her concerns.
“All of this worries me. The idea of anyone having power over me makes me nervous,” she said.
“I cannot change who you are, Ella. You will always be you, and this is who we are,” he said.
“Look, the battle for dominance is a legitimate concern and it will not be solved now. It’s not something I want to be in the middle of either. I can suppress the thoughts for you both if they’re overwhelming until you have developed your skills.”
Ella placed her hand in Marcus’s and he moved to her side. “One more thing, Isabella. Your meeting my wife and joining Orion—it’s a little too coincidental. Will you explain how that happened?”
Isabella inhaled and the wind rose, pushing the bushes backward. She removed her sunglasses and two women appeared from thin air. They looked the same age as Isabella, each wearing a black cloak over their clothes. Each woman was striking and beautiful.
“These are my sisters Zephra and Raine. My coven is always watching. There’s an underground and secret network out there all with a similar code of honor that Orion has. We wish to live in harmony among humans. We do not choose to expose our existence unless we have no option. A nightwalker, Roman, picked up and detected Ella’s unique scent some time ago. You see, a soul-shifter is a rare breed, especially one as gifted as Ella. He observed for a while, but when the professor stole her that first ti
me there were no clear guidelines in place as to what we should do. We chose not to intervene. It was a mistake. In the end, I was sent to befriend you and help.”
Marcus squeezed Ella’s hand. She was indeed a rare individual, and now she was both surprised and pissed off with her friend. Her mouth opened, ready to fire.
“Let me get this straight—you knew about me before we met? For how long? How long did you know I was in trouble before you intervened?” Ella shouted.
“I’m sorry, it wasn’t my decision to make. The council decides when and how we act in any given situation. Their first order was to observe you and relay information back. By the time the council decided to intervene, the nightwalker lost sight of you. It was weeks before we traced your location in Wales and then you were back in the States. I didn’t know much about your kind, but researched all I could find in the book of blood, liber sanguinis. It’s a history book. I pushed to make contact, but not hard enough.” Isabella dipped her head.
Marcus held Ella tight, sensing her exhaustion, confusion, and sadness.
The sisters flanked either side of Isabella, as if guarding her in case of a fight. He wondered, as he looked them over, what they would do. He had never fought against any supernatural being.
“I’m sorry. I thought it would be easier if you didn’t know at the start. I was trying to keep you safe. I never meant you any harm. Right from the beginning, I knew you were not a threat. That you were gifted in a way I have not known any other kind to be without changing them. You have the healing touch. I witnessed that firsthand. Once I told my people, it was decided I should stay. I’m sorry if you feel deceived. It was not my intention. I knew you would need my help.”
The taller sister with flowing jet-black hair and the same emerald-green eyes came forward. She smiled at Marcus and let her gaze wander over him from head to foot before moving onto Ella.
“My name is Raine. My sister is right. Our coven has sensed danger for some time and when the vampire Roman confirmed it, we agreed that Isabella should intervene. A witch is always more appealing and more friendly that a vampire. Especially one of his caliber, but he was not entirely convinced. You see, everyone is curious about your breed and where you lie in the evolutionary chain of things, dear. We are an eclectic mix of magical entities and it has taken centuries to build this alliance. You must understand a new face is unsettling to everyone. More so, when there is attention drawn to it.” Raine’s eyes peered down at Ella.