by Elle Thorne
Vengeance had been the closest thing to a best friend he’d had all these years.
Then again, it’d be mighty shitty and selfish to keep her prisoner in a spider’s body if that’s not who Vengeance was. He figured Vengeance was a female, though he had no idea what made him think so.
“Yeah, I don’t want to be unfair to Vengeance, but I’d sure like to find out about my sister. Going to the United States would throw that schedule off. Our family was living in Europe when—” He didn’t want to say the words out loud. “—when my family was attacked.”
Ven might prefer to live with her, not me.
Now why did that make him sad? Why was he sad over a hairy legged little—maybe not so little—spider?
“Let’s have Jonah ask Mikhail if Desideria can visit. Then you don’t have to leave.”
“Jester, Erethra, why don’t you two give us a few moments of privacy. Plus, her arm’s probably about numb from holding it up.”
The birds flew away.
Alannah gasped.
“What’s wrong?”
“It’s not normal. What just happened isn’t normal.”
“What do you mean?”
“You just told them to leave. And they did. As if they understood.”
“Maybe you’re right. Maybe I am a beast whisperer.” He laughed at that joke. “Alannah, I have a favor to ask you. You have every right to say no, considering what I put you and your sister through.”
In the rising sun’s rays, her green eyes were iridescent, her hair glinted as if on fire. “What?”
“It would be a lot of help if I had a witch on my side while I’m trying to learn more about the raid on my family, and maybe what might have happened to my sister, if she was taken, or if she died.” Plus, I can’t imagine not having you in my life, daily.
She studied him, and on her shoulder, Vengeance appeared, hiding under the cover of her burnished copper hair, spindly legs twitching as she settled into a comfortable spot near the crook of her neck. “Well—” She took a deep breath. “I mean…”
He regretted asking. He put her in an awkward position. Clearly, she wanted to decline.
“I shouldn’t have asked.” He kicked at the dirt and snow with his shoe. He was such a fool. What made him think she’d want to traipse throughout Europe looking for answers for the guy who kidnapped her and her sister. “I’m sure you have enough to do.”
What does she do, anyway? It occurred to him he had a lot to learn about this woman. If she’d give him a chance. Which right now, it didn’t look like she would.
“I’m in between jobs.” She grimaced. “Maybe in between guilds. I was in the same guild as Ilse. I’m sure after the fiasco, they’re probably assessing if they should dissolve the guild.”
He understood covens, he got that a coven was a band of witches, but what the hell was a guild? “Guild?”
“A group of covens organized into a guild. For protection, education. That sort of thing.”
“I get that. We shifters do clans.”
“You don’t seem to have a clan.”
He shook his head. “I’ve been solo since my family was taken.” He didn’t want to go into all the different things he’d gone through. How difficult it was to trust or be a part of something that could be snatched away at a moment’s notice.
“How about some coffee?” Hawke pointed toward a small cottage in the corner.
Inside the little house, he set up a pot to brew.
“Would you ever consider being a part of something?” She leaned against the table, looking just like she belonged there.
If that something included you. “I’d consider it.”
“I’ll help you.”
You could have knocked Hawke down with a feather, that’s how much her statement caught him off-guard.
Chapter Twenty-One
Alannah couldn’t have said why she said what she did. Out of the blue, she’d blurted that she’d help him. At first, she stood absorbing the words, and trying to absorb the fact she was the one who voiced them. That really was her. It was. And she did say it.
It was his eyes. It was that tortured look deep in his eyes, and when a flicker of a silver-white flame gleamed in those blue depths. It was as if something within him was calling to her soul.
Here she was, in this cottage, not much more than a shack, with this gorgeous man she’d only recently met, and not under the best of circumstances, and she couldn’t imagine not being next to him. She couldn’t see a day where she didn’t get to be near him.
I guess if that’s the only way I can have him near me, by helping him with his cause, then I’ll take that.
And maybe she’d get over him during that time. She’d see the imperfections she always found in men, and she’d not be intrigued or interested in him.
Not likely.
It was evident, she wasn’t the only one stunned as he stood, speechless, staring at her.
She felt a slight tickle against her neck as Vengeance stepped out from under her hair and shot a line of web to the ceiling, then swung away and into a cubby hole at the top of the ceiling, hidden out of sight.
Odd, Alannah thought, but she didn’t get much time to think on it. Hawke had closed the distance between them. Her breath hitched as he leaned closer. His breath was hot on her cheek, and his body warmth, all those muscles, it was like standing next to a furnace.
Or maybe that’s my damned hormones, because it’s been so long.
She tried to dismiss her reaction to the sexy man standing so close to her, yet not touching her.
A myriad of emotions shook her. She ached inside, wondering what it would be like to have those large, capable hands on her body, to have those lips against hers, or in other areas.
She didn’t realize she sighed out loud until she heard the small breathless sound escape between her lips.
His eyes held hers on lockdown, daring her to move. The only move she wanted was to jump into his arms, wrap her legs around him and never let him go.
God, when did I turn into THAT woman.
Right after I met him, she surmised.
His hands rose, swiftly, clutching the back of her head, holding her captive while he swooped in and claimed her mouth.
The man knew how to kiss. Her skin seared where it touched his, her nerve endings tingled, and she was going to fall if she didn’t hold onto something.
Her hands knew exactly what she needed to hold onto, for they reached out as if on their own volition and walked her fingers up his chest until she’d reached that magnificently muscled thick neck of his. She wrapped her hands around, and wound them into his hair, scoring his scalp with her nails.
He gave as good as he got, though, thrusting his tongue in, tangling it with hers in a dance that was primeval and graceful.
She leaned against him, her toes curled in her shoes, her mouth groaned into his.
She pressed her body against his, the launch sequence in motion, fully activated. She felt his reaction against her body, and held her breath, thinking of the imprint of the hardness she’d seen in his pants earlier.
Heaven help me, the things I could do with that.
His tongue traced her lips and shivers erupted across her flesh from head to toe.
“Hawke,” she breathed his name out, her eyes beginning to drop in full supplication. She wanted nothing more than to join with this man.
How did we go from zero to sixty so fast?
He pulled back. “Don’t worry,” his voice was sex-husky. “I won’t push you.”
I wish you would.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Somewhere in the middle of the ride back to Hawke’s home, Alannah noticed they weren’t alone, not exactly, anyway.
Behind and above, Erethra and Jester flew, as if sentries.
That wasn’t such a big deal, but when a large shadow crossed over the four-wheeler, it drew Alannah’s attention.
She glanced up again, then tugged on Hawke’s sleeve. W
hen he slowed and looked back at her, she pointed up.
More than a dozen falcons in varying sizes were following them.
He shrugged, but didn’t seem to think much of it as he picked up speed again.
Alannah’s legs were still shaking when Hawke pulled the four-wheeler into the driveway of his home, her lips still swollen from that kiss, her heart still racing. She dismounted and felt Vengeance making her way out of the hood and onto her shoulder.
She’d really agreed to help him. She had. She actually had. And they’d kissed.
And damn. What a kiss.
Hawke secured the vehicle, then pulled the shed door shut.
Then he froze, staring.
The SUV that Fiona and Jonah had come in was there, but so was another vehicle. A black Mercedes sedan with dark tinted windows. Alannah wasn’t much for cars, but this one didn’t look cheap. And it was spotless, even though it had come all the way out here in the country.
She glanced at Hawke to see if he might know the car. “Friend of yours?”
He shook his head. “Nope.”
A knot formed in the pit of her stomach. Alannah braced herself. “I hope everything is okay.” She lowered, ready to run in.
Hawke put a hand on her arm. “Hold on. Element of surprise, maybe they didn’t hear us approach. It’s not the main way in. Let’s go around the back.”
She nodded. “Good call” and followed him through the field, picking their way carefully among the snow and vegetation, keeping the footfalls to a minimum silence.
“I’m ready to shift, if needed,” he whispered.
He didn’t have to say it. Mireille, Fiona, and Jonah were in there.
“And I’m ready to do my thing.”
“Ven, be on guard,” he told the spider.
Alannah felt the spider shuffling on her shoulder.
At the back door, laughter came from inside. Some of it unmistakably from Mireille and Fiona.
Alannah looked at Hawke. “I don’t think it’s a dangerous situation.”
“Agreed.” He pushed the back door open.
Jonah, Fiona, and Mireille turned their way. Two men Alannah didn’t recognize stood next to them.
“It’s about time.” Mireille gave them a mock frown. “If I hadn’t thought you were with Hawke, I’d have been worried.”
“Sorry.” Alannah tried to look apologetic, though she didn’t regret the way the morning had gone.
Hawke’s eyes were glued on the newcomers. “I don’t think I’ve had the pleasure.” His tone was guarded.
Jonah stepped forward. “Mikhail texted that Desideria couldn’t make it.” Then he frowned. “Maybe you don’t know what I’m talking about,” he said as if it just occurred to him that perhaps Hawke had no idea of the girls’ discussion yesterday while he was out.
“Is this about that transformation stuff Alannah mentioned this morning?” He glanced at Vengeance. “For Ven?”
Meanwhile, Alannah also stared. Two tall men with dark skin the hue of mahogany and light colored eyes with gold flecks.
Wizards, her witch instinct told her. These two were her kind.
But she’d never seen them before and the power that emanated from them was almost tangible. They released a golden aura she wasn’t sure anyone who wasn’t a witch or a wizard could see.
With their wide chests, muscular arms, and strong jawlines, Alannah couldn’t help but stare. They were identical.
Twin wizards was a rarity. In truth, she’d heard there’d only been one other instance, and that was during the medieval times.
Jonah cleared his throat, and Alannah realized she was staring as was Hawke. “Meet Cedric. And Jenner.”
Alannah bit back a gasp. She’d heard those names. Probably every witch in existence had.
The dark-skinned men with their amber colored eyes nodded their greetings.
Hawke’s stare had not subsided, nor had a smile appeared on his face. Instead, a frown creased his forehead. He turned to Jonah. “You know they are…”
It was as if he didn’t want to say it.
“Wizards,” the two newcomers said simultaneously. Their voices sounded as if they were in an echo chamber.
Eerie.
Mireille was practically drooling. Alannah understood why, they were remarkable looking, striking, with that skin so dark and gleaming, and those eyes, amber and glowing. Not to mention their high cheekbones and regal bearing. Closely cropped ebony hair crowned their heads while jeans and turtlenecks covered their forms. She had a feeling they’d look as comfortable in long ceremonial robes.
“They aren’t just any wizards,” Fiona added, her voice reverential. “They’re part of the Circle.”
“Everyone’s heard of them,” Mireille seemed to have found her voice.
“I suppose I don’t know the right people,” Hawke said. “What can I do for you?”
The way he said it sounded more like he was saying, what the hell do you want?
Jenner tipped his head slightly to the left, looked at Fiona and Jonah, then said, “As we were saying before you walked in, Desideria couldn’t make it. She said there might be a need for some assistance. She called us, as we are the ones who are closest who might be able to help.”
Just that moment, as if she’d been beckoned, Vengeance skittered across Alannah’s shoulder and down her bicep, toward her forearm.
Cedric smiled at the spider. “You’re quite the formidable one, aren’t you?” He held his hand out, his fingers almost touching Alannah’s.
Vengeance sidestepped across Alannah’s arm, down the top of her hand, and took a long leap onto Cedric’s arm.
Alannah couldn’t have held her gasp back. She didn’t realize she’d reached for Hawke’s hand until she felt the warmth of his fingers holding hers. She squeezed hard. “I was right,” she whispered. “I’m sure of it.”
“Could we have a moment?” Cedric asked.
“A moment alone. Privacy,” Jenner clarified.
In her hand, Hawke’s fingers stiffened. She squeezed again, and leaned into him. “You have to trust someone, sometime.”
The look his eyes gave her brought back the kiss. A flush rose from her chest, heating her face.
“I do trust someone.” His voice was so low, she barely heard the words, but what it did to her body was like a tsunami roaring in her mind, coursing through her. Hawke turned to Jenner and Cedric. He pointed to the side. “You can use the dining area.”
They left the room, and Alannah prayed all would turn out okay for Vengeance.
She didn’t want to eavesdrop or be nosy, but she couldn’t help but see in the cabinet’s glass in the hallway. It gave her a perfect view of the dining area Jenner and Cedric had just entered.
Amber light flared from Jenner’s hands, resting over him and Vengeance like a halo.
A flash of brightness forced Alannah’s eyes closed, and even then, behind drawn lids, she still saw tiny sparks. She rubbed her eyes to clear them, then opened them once more. The tiny points of light had become smaller, almost like the ones that appeared whenever she stood too quickly.
She blinked them away.
Jenner and Cedric exited the dining area, and behind them was a young woman. She had dark brown hair and light blue eyes, and her cheek was marked with a half-moon crescent scar, a white mark that spanned an inch of her high set cheekbones.
Her hair was pulled back and she had the tablecloth from Hawke’s dining room table wrapped around her.
Hawke was transfixed. His fingers had gone from stiff to limp. He stared at the new arrival as if she were a ghost.
Hawke’s hand fell out of Alannah’s and he approached the dark-haired young woman.
“You.” He touched a finger to the scar on her cheek. “You were Vengeance. All this time?”
She nodded. Then she burst into the longest most mournful wail Alannah had ever heard.
He wrapped his arms around the young woman then locked eyes with Alannah.
; One word left his lips.
“Renee.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Hawke was numb. This was Renee. All this time. He put his mouth close to her ear. “All this time, you were Vengeance?”
She nodded, her body tiny against his.
“My baby sister. They didn’t kill you?”
“No. I was turned and then one day they gave me to you.”
“Ah, God.” He hugged her tighter. “Damn them. I’ll kill them all.”
She turned eyes that matched his toward his face and locked gazes with him.
“Terrence. No.”
“What?” He was shocked. Did she not want revenge?
“I can’t do the killing anymore. I need peace. I need to be…” She inhaled, then released the word with a sob. “…me.”
“Aw, damn.” His urge for revenge vanished like a deflating balloon. His little sister needed him.
He looked up at the two men who’d given her back to him.
“Thank you,” he mouthed.
They nodded, all seriousness. “She will need rest. A lot of it. Though she’s no longer under enchantment, the reversal spell isn’t easy on a body.”
“Got it.” Hawke would give his sister all the recuperation time she needed. Right here.
Renee put her hands on his cheeks. “There’s something you need to know.”
“Erethra, Jester, and the rest of your gang—”
“I’d never have let them hurt you.” He took in her serious expression. “Ever.”
“It’s not that.”
“Then…”
Renee reached out and took Alannah’s hand. “You were right. All along, you knew I was not a spider.” Tears glistened in Renee’s eyes.
Alannah sniffed and wiped away a tear of her own. “I’m so glad you’re okay. And thank you…”
“No, thank you.” Renee hugged her. “And Jester, Erethra, and the others, they are the same as I was.”
Jenner and Cedric again spoke at the same moment. “What is this?”
“I have an aviary, with falcons.”
“Actually,” Alannah interjected. “They followed us here. They’re in the trees. Well, they were. They should still be there. Do you think you could look at them? Help them if need be?”
