by J. M. Davies
“Jake, where are you going?”
The somber man racked his hand through his short hair and flicked his head back to glance at Marcus and the others. “We’re leaving in three hours. I need to shower and change. Nothing else matters. We have to get to the Veil and discuss how we kill this bitch. As for fucking fate, I don’t believe in that shit. I cannot sit here and listen to that crap. I made the decision to send Isabella to Roman. I have to live with that.”
Marcus left Ella’s side and marched over to his friend. “The way I see it, you didn’t make the choice. Roman did. If he didn’t, she would be dead right now. You know that.”
Jake raised his head. His pale-blue eyes were clear and sharp as his nostrils flared. “She may wish she was for all I know.”
Zephra touched his shoulder. “Isabella will accept what is. She’s a fighter, Jake Meadows, and she will not hold what happened against you. You will see.”
Jake stared at the witch, but he didn’t acknowledge her words or smile. He simply walked out of the room.
Marcus headed back to resume his seat. “Raine, how is Steel doing? Any sign of improvement?”
“No—not really. I cannot coax him awake. Whatever is holding him there will not give him up without a fight.”
Ella listened to every word the witch said. She wondered why she had been able to step into the Morrigan if it wasn’t for a good reason. As a soul-shifter, after each death, her soul resided in a new body. Now, being immortal and mated, her powers had grown, allowing her to wander outside of her body and to slip inside others, like an unseen ghost. She needed to harness those skills and use them.
“What if I could locate Steel, and communicate with him? After I gave birth to Nate, I lay dying, but I was able to step outside of my physical form. I visited the moon Goddess Ariana. Recently, I’m certain, I slipped inside the Morrigan’s mind, and I could feel her anger. What if I could recreate this at will? What if I could slip into Steel’s body and mind? I read about this in The Book of Blood. As soul-shifters, we can separate our souls from our physical forms if we take control of our bodies. I want to try this,” Ella shouted out, desperate to help.
Zephra came to her side and touched her arm. At the connection, a warmth flowed through her. She studied the striking red-head with the identical eyes as Isabella. Her face was harder than her friend’s, and she sank her teeth into her lip.
“What you’re explaining is an out-of-body experience. It’s called astral projection. There really is only one way to know for sure. You have to try.”
Marcus left his seat. “What does this entail?”
She studied him, surprised he hadn’t objected. “I lower my heart rate to as slow as possible. I have decreased the speed when I am agitated before. I think I can slow it low enough to enable me to slip out of my physical form. I need to try this. Steel was there for me at a really low point.”
Marcus gripped her arm. “If you can help Steel, you have to try. But please, be careful. I know right now things between us aren’t how they should be, but Nate and I love you. We need you in one piece. I want Raine to stay with you, and be your anchor in case you get into trouble, or we do not proceed with this.”
She smiled at his willingness to let her try. “Agreed. I can do that.”
Marcus faced the witch. “Zephra, I want you to take Nate back with you…”
What the hell? Ella pushed her chair back. “You cannot be serious. We only just got Nate back!”
“Goddammit, Ella—be reasonable. You said the Morrigan mentioned Nate—by name. You said her words chilled you to the bone, and instinctively you picked him up. I will not let any harm befall him, Ella, and while you’re helping Steel, it leaves him vulnerable. The coven as a whole can protect him. Listen to Zephra.”
Ella swallowed down an invisible lump and faced the woman, who gave her a sympathetic smile.
“Our isle is ancient and fortified in the strongest of magic. It’s a place of serenity and peace. Nate will be well protected and cared for, until it is safe for him to return. I will guard him with my life.”
Ella knew she could fight this, but deep in her heart, she knew a temporary separation would be best while they tackled the Morrigan. A part of her feared that by sending her son away, she wouldn’t be there to save him should anything happen. Danger followed them everywhere. Was this isle really an impenetrable location? Marcus pressed into her back. She should push him away, but right now, she couldn’t. Studying her husband, she acknowledged the lines that bracketed his captivating eyes.
“It won’t be for long,” he said.
No one knew for sure how long it would take to defeat this monster. Ella smoothed her hand over her flat belly, knowing that the life growing inside her was an issue she needed to discuss with her husband. She couldn’t do anything about the life inside her, but she could do this.
“Okay—I need to explain Nate’s routine and gather all his stuff. You wouldn’t believe what a six-month-old requires…” Her voice broke and she placed a trembling hand over her mouth as her heart squeezed. In a matter of hours, Marcus and Nate would leave her, and she may never see Isabella again. Her family was dissolving before her eyes. She spun around and launched herself into Marcus’s waiting arms, sobbing.
He pressed his weight into her and wrapped his arms around her, holding her tight. “Shh, it’s okay. Let it out.” He rubbed her back.
The gentleness he displayed was not lost on her as she splintered. Footsteps tapped behind her and the door clicked closed as she pressed her wet face into his solid chest. She sobbed until the tears dried up. He kissed the top of her head and continued to stroke her back, allowing her to fall apart, secure in his embrace. She turned her head to the side and listened to the slow and steady beat of his heart as she played with the buttons on his shirt.
“Everyone is leaving.”
Marcus brushed her hair away from her face and tilted her chin up. “It’s not forever, Ella. Nate will be back. As for Isabella, you heard Zephra—she isn’t lost to us. We have to believe she will be all right, even if she’s a vampire. Look—we need to talk.”
“I haven’t forgotten what you did. Don’t think because I’m in your arms I have forgiven you because I haven’t.”
He brushed his thumb over her lower lip and a warmth pooled inside her belly. She closed her eyes, allowing the tingles to dominate and flood her senses. She needed the energy he provided to help her weather the storm.
“I know, but I hope in time you will. I love you, and I will do whatever it takes to win you back. I’m sorry—I should have made you listen, but hell, you are so stubborn, Ella. You never back down, even when you need to listen. You scare the life out of me. I need you to understand—I never completed the ritual. I never wanted control over you. I just wanted you and Nate safe.”
She lifted her hand and stroked his cheek. “Do you think Isabella is going to be all right?”
“Did you listen to anything I just said?”
“Yes. I did, but right now, I cannot stop thinking about Isabella, and what becoming a vampire will mean. A vampire, Marcus. Her mortal life is over.” She covered her abdomen with her hand, knowing how her friend loved Nate, and perhaps someday would have wanted children of her own. She pressed her lips to stem the cry.
He shook her gently. “Isabella is one of the strongest women I know, after you, and she will adjust.”
He spoke the truth. Isabella was one tough cookie. If anyone could survive and persevere, it would be her.
“I’m pregnant.”
He kissed her temple and let out a long breath. “I’ve been having visions, but I didn’t believe they were anything more than wishful thinking on my part. I also noticed certain additions to the grocery list, like chocolate ice cream. You never buy stuff like that. I could mention other signs, but hearing you confirm it, well, I knew. When did you take a test?”
Marcus bracketed her shoulders, waiting, and she bit her lip. “A couple of days ago.”
“And how do you feel about it?”
“Truthfully—I don’t know.”
“Well, just know you’re not alone. I will do whatever you need me to do. Look after Nate more, buy you ice cream. Give you massages. Whatever you want. I’m here for you.”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
The memory of Marcus’s confession and his attentive behavior before he left revisited her as she settled down in the comfortable pullout next to Steel’s bed. Since her husband and son left four days ago, the need to discover more about the Morrigan consumed her. It seemed impossible, the goddess as untouchable as Ariana. But she wouldn’t accept that they couldn’t retaliate in some way. Each day, she visited Steel in his room and attempted to reach inside his mind to lure him back into the here and now, not the dream world he resided in. Outwardly, the strong man looked unchanged, although slimmer, having lost weight. The doctor worked to keep him hydrated and nourished with feeding tubes and fluids, but there had been little change.
“Ella, are you feeling all right? Your aura isn’t as strong as a couple of days ago,” Raine asked.
She hadn’t been able to keep any food down, the early stage of pregnancy wiping her out. It hadn’t been this way when she carried Nate. There were no outward signs yet that she was even pregnant. So far, only Marcus and Isabella knew.
“I’m a little tired, but I can do this. I have to try.”
Raine nodded and clutched her hand to squeeze it. “I’ll be right here.”
As a soul-shifter, she was part goddess and part human. Raine, as a witch, held supernatural powers. As she lay back and closed her eyes, she thought about her previous lives, and wondered whether the women would help her in this quest. It didn’t take long for sleep to consume her. She hadn’t intended to fall so deeply asleep, but she did. Steel’s face flashed in her mind, and a scene she remembered from months ago, when Josephine died, jolted her. The roughness of his voice brought the vivid memory to life, and she focused on his voice to drift into the dream world.
Steel crouched down and pruned the bottom foliage on the bushes that surrounded his mansion. He used to have a gardener, but he dismissed him because he gained such satisfaction from the manual labor. Picking up the weeds from the ground, he turned and threw them into the small black wheelbarrow. Standing, he admired his hard work for the morning and wiped his sweaty brow. The row of rosebushes was his pride and joy. Raine loved them too. He walked to the patio and sat down in the white wrought-iron chair. After the morning’s work, he lifted the glass of fresh lemonade his wife had left for him, thirsty. Gardening in this warm June sun required plenty of fluids.
Steel, this isn’t real. Steel.
He sipped the lemonade and searched his large garden, studying the trees, bushes and flowers, frowning.
Steel, wake up. This isn’t real. We need you.
The man checked over his shoulder as if he heard her, and Ella called out again, trying to garner his attention.
Remember, boss, how you once pulled me out of the darkness because you needed me to help locate Marcus? Well, we need you. Henry is about to fly solo and Drayton is worried about him. He’s in the Veil of Shadows, and Isabella is—well, we don’t know yet, but it’s a mess. The Morrigan is reaching out and picking us off one by one. You need to wake up—now!
Her boss stood, rubbed his head and walked away, but searched around, as if looking for someone.
“Ben, are you all right?” A soft female voice reached out from inside the house and Ella waited. Out walked a pregnant Raine, with her long, flowing hair and bright-green eyes, stroking her large belly.
Steel strolled over to the witch and wrapped his arm around her shoulder. He kissed her soft lips, and broke away. “I’m fine—too much sun for an old man like me, but better now you’re here. I hope you let Mom rest, Thomas?” He stroked her round belly and gazed up at her, smiling.
She placed her hands over his. “Hey, it could be Jessica or Emma you’re taunting in there, and yes, the baby stopped kicking and let me sleep. But there are other things Mommy needs besides rest.”
“Woman, you’re going to give me a heart attack at this rate.”
She pressed her palm over his cheek, and smiled. “Nothing is going to happen to you. I need you, and I’m not letting you go this time.”
Steel. Steel. Steel.
The tentative connection Ella created with her boss broke, and the scene evaporated. She opened her eyes and stared over at Steel, who remained motionless and silent. Raine lounged near his other side, asleep and resting her hand over his.
“Raine, wake up—Raine!” she shouted.
The witch slowly stretched her arms before she rubbed her eyes. “Did anything happen?”
Ella studied the witch. “You’re in the dream with him, Raine. Do you want to tell me about your relationship with Steel? Because from what I’ve seen, the reason he doesn’t want to leave is because of you.”
“That’s absurd. When I fall asleep, I reach out and call to him, but there’s nothing.”
“You’ve been saying that since you started. Whatever you’re doing, it isn’t helping him. Did you have an affair with him?”
The witch jumped out of the chair and pulled the pink cardigan from the bed, slipping her arms through. “You make it sound like I’m inflicting this on Steel. I wouldn’t do that,” she shouted.
Ella stood and folded her arms, observing the fiery witch. “Why should I believe you? I mean, I don’t know you very well, and even Isabella let me down. How do I know you’re not the one messing with Steel’s mind? It certainly looks that way.”
“How dare you—Isabella took huge risks for you, Ella. She played with dark magic to help you and it made her ill. She cares about you more than you realize.”
Ella shook her head. Was it her fault that Isabella had been attacked? She dug her nails into her arm, but Raine caught her hand.
“No—you’re not to blame. The Morrigan is to blame, but she was worried about you enough to risk her health for you. You two are alike in ways. Reckless and willing to break the rules for those you love. When people love you that much, sometimes it makes them do crazy things. Neither Marcus nor Isabella wanted to hurt you. Quite the opposite. As for Steel—I love that man with all my heart. I would never harm him, and he knows that. To answer your question, yes, we had an affair. He was separated from his wife at the time, but do not tell Isabella, I beg you.”
Raine ended the conversation and walked away, sobbing, but Ella carried on.
“What happened?”
“I happened. I’m a witch, which means I’m not entirely human. We view the world with different eyes, and there is always danger. That wasn’t the issue with Steel being a military man; he faced danger many times. He accepted me and all that entailed right away. I think in truth, in the beginning, it was simply sex. Ha, that’s not true. It was never just sex, because the sex was amazing. The sort you never forget. Anyway, as our feelings grew, we broke it off. A mutual decision. A relationship with a human is not encouraged in our coven because, like you soul-shifters, when we choose a mate, it’s for life. Steel is mine. I knew this the moment I met him. I explained how that works, but he wouldn’t accept it. He told me to find someone my own age to settle down with. He’s twenty years older than me. It doesn’t bother me one bit, but he wouldn’t hear it. He’s a stubborn fool.”
“What about his wife?”
Raine put her hands up. “Have you ever met her? Or even seen her? I did ask, but I didn’t want to pry. He told me they married right out of high school when he enlisted. After several miscarriages, she changed. She left him, I think, but as far as I know, they’re still legally married.”
Ella nodded—not even Marcus knew about Steel’s past fully—and she dipped her head low. She knew Steel was a man of honor, and there must be more to the story, even if Raine didn’t know it herself. She had observed these two together, and her boss held strong feelings for the witch. In the scene she entered with Ste
el, Raine was pregnant with his child.
“Raine, something isn’t right here, and you have to listen before you go crazy. When I slipped into Steel’s mind, like I said, you’re there. His world is right there with you. You’re pregnant. I have never seen Steel so devoted. He’s in love with the idea of you and his child. I couldn’t wake him up. He’s adamant what he’s seeing is real. I need to step into this virtual world he’s created and make him see me.”
“How can I help?” the witch asked.
Ella rubbed her bracelet. “You need to leave, Raine. Get Elizabeth. She can monitor me.”
Raine studied her. “Marcus said I should stay to keep you grounded, to pull you back if needed.”
“You’re linked to him. Holding him hostage even if it isn’t on purpose. I need to break into this façade, and I cannot do it with you here. You have to trust me.” She moved closer to the witch and pressed her hand on the woman’s arm.
“Okay—but Drayton will be pissed.”
“You leave him to me. Go and get the doctor.”
Ella marched over to the side of the table and grabbed a bottle of water. After she drank enough fluids, she settled back down on the pullout and waited.
Dr. Davies strolled into the room, minus the witch. “Are you sure you want to do this, Ella? I’m concerned this might actually be harmful for you.”
Ella narrowed her eyes and studied her friend, shaking her head. “Marcus told you, didn’t he?”
The doctor removed her white coat and hooked it on the back of the door, which she closed. She stopped at the foot of Steel’s bed and reviewed the machines and recordings.
“Yes—he knew he would be gone several days and wanted me to keep an eye on you. I don’t understand why, as your doctor, you didn’t come and see me. We need to arrange an ultrasound and blood test.”
“I know I should have, but after last time, I just needed some time to sort out my feelings.”
“And how do you feel?”
Ella huffed and shook her head. “Honestly, I don’t know. There’s so much going on right now, and things between Marcus and me aren’t exactly blissful.”