Unbound

by Emily Dawn

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  Thirty-Three

  Lenna

  After an early but short workout in the guy’s gym, I shower and get dressed for work. Story time days are always more casual for me, so I grab a pair of black wide-leg pants, a white floral sleeveless blouse, and ballet flats. My hair is back up in its usual bun, and I’ve swiped on a layer of mascara. I pull the collar of my shirt over and sigh when I see the scar, it’s completely healed, but I’ll always have it. Oh well, one more battle scar and a well earned one at that.

  I’m surprised when I walk down into the kitchen, and Bob Marley’s Could You Be Loved blasting. Hayes is shirtless, dancing, cooking, and singing along. He’s so into it that he doesn’t hear me come in and sit down at the island to watch him rapt with attention. I haven’t even gotten a good look at him without a shirt, and it’s impressive. He might have Aleksandr beat in the muscle department. And his chest, back, and biceps are covered with tattoos. When the song ends, I say, “if this is

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  what mornings are like around here, I will spend the night more often.”

  He lets out a surprised yelp and whips around, spatula in hand. “Shit, Lenna! I didn’t hear you.” He hits a button on the tablet that controls the lights and electronics for the kitchen and living room.

  “That’s because you were trying to be the Reggae king,” I say while giggling. “I have to say there’s nothing that could have surprised me more that.” I lean over to see behind him, “what are you making?”

  “French toast.” He moves over so I can see better. There’s an entire loaf of bread sliced, definitely more than I assume he and I could eat.

  “Is everyone coming down?” I ask.

  “No, Ross should be back from his morning run soon,” he gestures to the back door. “He’ll eat most of this. I thought as he aged his appetite would diminish but he can still put food away like no one else.” He turns back to flip the slices on the griddle.

  “Aleksandr and Vance tend to sleep in until the afternoon unless there’s something urgent happening.” That makes sense, as they’re both creatures of the night.

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  The urge to wrap my arms around his waist and plant a kiss between his shoulder blades is back. Instead of giving into that, I ask where the dishes are and help set out three plates and cutlery. Ross slides open the glass door and walks in wearing only a pair of low-slung gym shorts. His eyes are a brighter green than normal, so I assume he was out for a run as a fox. He smiles, sheepishly at me after catching me, checking him out.

  “Good morning,” he walks over to the coffeepot and pours coffee into a cup that says ‘I don’t give A’ with a picture of a fox at the end. He looks to me, “you want a cup?”

  “No,” I shake my head, “I don’t drink coffee. I’m a tea gal.”

  Hayes turns around and slides the tablet to me, “add what you like to our shopping list.” It’s open to a list of groceries. I’m about to shake my head no when he says, “seriously, you’re staying with us for at least a few days. Let us know what you like, and I’ll pick some up today.”

  I type in my favorite easy to find tea. “What do you do for work, Hayes?”

  “I have a small security company,” he plates my French toast. “We do normal security systems for humans and wards for supernaturals.” He plates twice as much for Ross. Then he 243

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  comes and sits on the opposite side of me. “Ross and I might stop at the library today to check and see if there’s anything in archives about the amulet.”

  “Sounds like a plan,” I say in between bites. “Story time is in the morning, so I won’t be able to help you out until afterward.”

  The French toast is as good as everything else he makes, and I practically moan in delight while I’m eating it. I finish before Ross and stab a few pieces that he’s already cut. “Deal with it,” I say when he gives me the side-eye, “there are two shifter appetites to be sated in the house now.” I slide off my stool and lay my hand on Hayes’ side, “as usual, that was fucking delicious.”

  “Thank you,” his muscles tighten under my touch, and once again, I’m fighting my urge to embrace him. “See you later.”

  Ross hops off the stool he was perched on and pulled me in for a hug and presses a chaste kiss on my lips, “see you soon.”

  He grabs my plate and goes to the sink to do dishes.

  The first part of the morning goes by quickly. I’m setting up the craft supplies at the toddler size tables and laying out the rainbow carpet that the kids will sit on when I see two figures darkening the doorway. I look up, and it’s Ross and Hayes.

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  “Hey, you guys are early. The kids show up any minute now.” I stand and wipe my hands on my thighs. “Do you know where the archives are or do you want me to show you real quick?”

  “We’re staying for story time,” Hayes says looking around.

  “I need to hear the story of the grumpy fish that reminds you of me,” the corners of his lips are turned up like he’s trying to fight a smile.

  I huff out a laugh, “fine with me. You can sit on some of those chairs at the tables or the rainbow rug if you like. You’ll probably have to fight a couple of kids for the spots closest to me though.” I wink and continue setting up.

  The kids filter in about 15 minutes before we’re supposed to start. I lookup from laying out coloring sheets and see that both Ross and Hayes are surrounded by kids trying to rope them into playing or reading stories. I stop and watch in amazement as one of the more precocious girls grabs a book and shimmies into Hayes’ lap. He laughs and acquiesces to her demand that he read to her. Then a little boy who I know is a shifter from Glo’s pack sits in Ross’ lap. My ovaries flutter watching them with the kids; it’s such a shock to see them so at ease. I realize with a start that if I were to embrace the suggestion of our mate-bond fully, 245

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  these two would be the ones to give me children. My wolf chuffs contentedly at that thought, definitely a conversation for another day far down the road.

  Much to my amusement as story time starts the kids pull the guys down into the circle with us. Seeing two tall men fold themselves down to sit crisscross applesauce with preschoolers is the highlight of my day, and the parents of the kids are highly entertained. After the kids, all leave I show the guys where all the books with information on magical objects are, and they spend the afternoon buried in books.

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  Thirty-Four

  Lenna

  I’m locking up the main level of the library when I double over in pain, blood running down my nose. I stagger to the stairs when Ross and Hayes step out of the elevator. Hayes is in a similar state as me and as soon as we lock eyes we both realize what’s happening. “The ward! Gloria and Zora!” I panic, “we have to get to them.” Another blow to the ward sends me to my knees. Ross bends down and scoops me into his arms.

  “Let’s go,” he turns to Hayes, “you can walk right?”

  “Yeah, I’ll be fine.” He doubles over and grunts. “Hurry.”

  Ross gets us to Hayes’ jeep and catches the keys that Hayes throws. He sets me in the back and to my surprise, Hayes gets in beside me. He links his fingers with mine and calls Aleksandr with the other. Ross is driving entirely too fast but I don’t care. I know that something terrible is waiting for us. I close my eyes and lean on Hayes, taking comfort in his warmth and strength. I know he’s feeling the pain every bit as much as I am.

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  Ross skids the car to a stop and we run around the side of the house. Vance and Aleksandr are already standing there in the backyard, facing down against… I gasp when my eyes meet a familiar face. Hunter. He’s holding both Zora and Gloria with a long sword across both their throats. I step forward, not understanding at all what is happening. The guys flank me two to either side and I feel their trepidation.

  “Hunter,” my voice cr
acks and my heart starts to splinter,

  “what are you doing? Put the sword down.”

  “No. I’m not who you think I am.” His eyes are cold and hard, unlike anything I’ve ever seen from him. “My real name is Troyan, and I was sent to bring you to the Dawn Court in the Light Fae Realm. I was assigned to infiltrate your life ten years ago. My job was to trigger the release of your bound magic.”

  My vision is going in and out and blood is roaring in my ears so loudly I can barely understand him, “you what? I don’t understand. Why?”

  “Your magic is powerful. We want it and the king and queen of Dawn Court will stop at nothing to harness it. I’ve tried small things over the years. I even sent Liam to attack you but they,” he gestures angrily at the guys, “had to step in.” He turns 248

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  his head and I notice for the first time that his ears are pointed.

  He’s been glamoured around me the entire time I’ve known him.

  “I’ve been going back and forth between the realms trying to figure out another way to trigger your magic and this is it.”

  “No!” I start to move toward him but Gloria and Zora shake their heads and look at Hayes and Aleksandr who each grab me.

  “Please, anything but this!” I reach over for a knife I see poking out Vance’s waistband. “Don’t you dare touch them!” I throw a knife at him but it hits a shield and drops to the ground. I grab the other one from Vance.

  A look of resignation filters across his eyes, “This gives me no joy, Lenna. They,” he gestures at the guys again, “won’t be able to keep you from us. We’ll find you where ever you go.”

  My chest is cleaved in two as my aunts grasp each other’s hands and mouth they love me right as Hunter-Troyon, whoever the fuck he is, pulls the sword across both their necks. I release the knife in my hand with an agonized scream, but he winks out of existence before it can hit him.

  I run to my aunts and drop to my knees in the rapidly growing puddle of their blood. A single tear is running down Zora’s face and I catch it with my thumb. I try to cover their 249

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  throats with my hands to stop the bleeding but I already know they’re gone. A chasm opens up in my chest filling with rage, heartache, devastation, and a thirst for vengeance. I let out another primal roar and as I do, I feel magic bursting from within me. My bones start to break and I feel my wolf rise.

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  Thirty-Five

  Aleksandr

  I watch in horror as my mate’s heart breaks right in front of my brothers and me and there’s nothing we can do. The air stills and sucks toward her as she rages over the bodies of her slain aunts. She stands up and tendrils of lavender, plum, and midnight blue magic spread out from her coiling together in an eerie dance. Blood is dripping from her hands, and she roars again. A promise of vengeance and death if ever there was one.

  The tendrils of magic swirl faster and faster, and the air pressurizes. I look at Hayes, and he’s quickly forming a shield to protect us from whatever is about to happen. His teal shield is covered by her lavender magic as a blast rocks out from her in all directions. The shields fail and a veil of her purple and midnight magic covers us, burning for a few seconds and knocking us to the ground.

  Then I hear the first snap followed quickly by the others as her bones break and reform, fur erupts over her body, her jaw

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  elongates, and fingers turn to claws. Then as soon as it starts, it’s over. She’s a large, hauntingly beautiful wolf. She stands over her aunts and howls a sorrowful song into the woods.

  She lays down one paw on each aunt and whines. Ross is stripping down to change into his fox. He’s probably the only one she’ll accept right now. As he moves toward her five dark-haired fae men appear around her. They are identical, and each holds a different weapon and face away from her, except for the one who kneels to bow to her. Ross jumps between her and the intruder, growling.

  “Fox, I am not here to hurt her. My name is Calum, and I am her soul bonded protector.” He holds a hand out says something in the ancient fae language that has her turning back from a wolf to herself. She’s lying limp on the ground, unconscious.

  We all rush to her, but as if they were one, the fae protectors move their weapons to a ready position. “A lot of fucking good you just did her,” Hayes yells, magic pooling in his hands.

  “I’m not interested in fighting her mates. We need to get her somewhere safe. That blast of magic was felt through all the realms, and they’ll be hunting for her soon.” The fae says.

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  His gesture outward with his arms has me realizing that while we were down, we missed that the trees and house around us are all leveled. We all look at each other and nod as if we’re thinking the same thought. Vance runs to Lenna, picks her up, and vanishes into the shadows with her and Ross. He’s back in the blink of an eye for Hayes and me, but we both shake our heads. We’re going to call the alpha of Gloria’s pack and leader of Zora’s coven. They’ll both want to start preparations for funeral rites.

  The fae brings his palms together, and the other four men absorb into his body, weapons and all. I know my eyes widen, that is something I’ve never seen nor heard of. Vance looks at me with a question in his eyes about whether or not he should grab the fae and I give a slight nod yes. He reaches over, grabs him, and they both disappear.

  I look over to where Hayes is kneeling between Gloria and Zora’s bodies. His hands are on both their faces. When I get over there, I realize he’s speaking softly, “we will love, protect, and fight for and with Lenna until we take our dying breaths. I promise you she will want for nothing. You deserved better than this.” Then he lays his forehead against Zora’s, then Gloria’s, “be at peace.”

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  The Alpha and Beta of Gloria’s pack arrive first, both quivering with barely suppressed rage. They wait for the Coven leader to arrive and start discussing funeral ceremonies and preparations before leaving us with details and condolences for Lenna. I walk through what parts of the house are still standing with Hayes. He’s looking for Zora’s grimoire and says he’s not leaving until he finds it. He eventually finds it, along with some pictures we salvage for Lenna.

  I know watching that was as hard for him as it was for me.

  Memories of watching Cassandra bleed my wife dry haunt me just as his memories of losing his mom and sisters haunt him. I pull him to me, and we hold each other through our pain, so when we get back to Lenna, we can focus on being the rocks she’ll need to get through this. I text Vance to come to get us, Hayes’ jeep is wrapped around a tree.

  Vance steps out the shadows and grabs both us by the shoulder, and we jump into the corner of our living room. Ross is still in his fox form, lying beside where Lenna is draped over the couch. Blood has dried on her hands and arms. Vance covered her up with a blanket. Calum, the fae, is sitting on the coffee table staring, waiting for her to wake up.

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  Vance pulls me into the kitchen where we can still see her but speak privately. “The fairy won’t tell me anything. He keeps saying he’s soul bonded to her and will only talk when she wakes.” He scrubs a hand over his face, “should we take her up to her room and clean her up? I don’t want her waking up covered in her aunts’ blood.”

  “Yeah, you and Ross do it. Hayes and I will stay down here with the fae.” I watch as Vance walks over to Lenna and Ross.

  He bends and gently gathers her in his arms, and as soon as Ross turns back to human and grabs his shoulder, they disappear into the shadows.

  “Vampire,” Calum stands, “what is your name?”

  “Aleksandr Zaytsev.” I watch for any hint of recognition, but this guy isn’t giving anything away. “That’s Hayes Fletcher,”

  I point to Hayes. I know he won’t be speaking for a while, especially to this wild card.

  “I need to take
her home. Soon more fae will descend on this realm for her. We will not permit you and the demon in the realm of the Dark Fae. The fox and the elemental may join us.”

  He walks to look out the back window into the night. “Do you have protection on your home?”

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  “She is home,” Hayes growls, surprising me.

  “Yes, there are wards. Then there are the four men who live here and would die for Lenna. She’s not going anywhere without all of us. She definitely won’t want to leave until her aunts’ funerals.” I watch him pace along the back wall. “How are we supposed to trust that you are who you say you are?”

  “I bear her mark,” he walks toward me and shows me what looks like a tattoo of a knot of vines behind his left ear. “She should have the same mark in the same place.”

  “I’ve never noticed one on her before,” I look to Hayes. “Did you see anything when you helped her bathe?” He shakes his head, no. “They’re probably done cleaning her up. Let’s go check on her.”

  I turn to head up the stairs and don’t turn to see if Calum is following. I don’t particularly want him in the room when she wakes. She’ll see a strange fae man in the room and probably freak out considering what Hunter just did to her. I’ll never forget the look on her face when she put all the pieces together. I swear I felt her heart shatter. I’m redirecting all of my resources in the Light Fae realm to find him. He will pay.

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  I open the door to Lenna’s room with Hayes hot on my heels to find Calum already there. He’s leaning against the French doors, looking out into the night again. Ross is back in fox form curled up beside Lenna with his head resting on her stomach.

  Vance motions Hayes and me over to the bed, “look at this.”

  He gently pulls her hair back and shows us her ears, which are now pointed where they used to be round. I turn her head to the right and look behind her left ear where we see the same mark Calum has.