Bran (Fae Shifters Book 2)

by M. D. Stewart

  Unfortunately, Seamus Bailor had worked around their magic, damn him. They had to rework their carefully made plans, until Marinda got the idea she could still destroy the Prince and his mostly human mate. She got herself killed in the process. That forced Mori and Lena to flee to the Earth Plane with just enough time for Mori to wipe Lena’s memories and glamor herself. But the magic was quickly fading and Mori was left with the last bit of revenge for her sister, her niece and her entire line. If it couldn’t be that damnable youngest son Devitt, then his father would do fine.

  A knock at the door stopped Mori’s pacing. She looked around at the small house noting the dirty dishes and unkempt appearance. So what? She only had a few more days at most. Let the witches clean up the messy house. They should’ve given Mori a housekeeper. They knew she hadn’t ever cleaned a day in her life. She had house elves who did that. The knock came again, pulling Mori from her thoughts and forcing her to answer the door.

  A young-looking woman stood in the door and barely hid the look of disgust at Mori’s appearance. “Why are you here? I still have until two days before the full moon before you can evict me.” The witch’s eyes widened before she crossed her arms over her chest.

  “For your information, we can put you out anytime we want, full moon or not.” The young witch took a deep breath and continued, “I was sent to tell you that the High Priestess will be visiting you later tonight. She wants you to be ready.” The woman looked over Mori’s shoulder into the messy house and frowned. “I would suggest you spend the time cleaning the house before she arrives or she just might toss you out when she gets here.”

  “I don’t know how to clean! I’ve never had to stoop to do something so base. I come from royalty and I had house elves to do the cooking and cleaning. I told Eden that when she put me in this tiny little excuse for a home!” When Mori felt backed into a corner, she came out swinging and damn the consequences.

  “I’d advise you to show her more respect than you are to me. She’ll knock you on your ass and send you back to Faedom before you wake up. We can’t prove it, but we all think you’re on the run. It’s funny, you know, but King Bran put out an edict that rogue Fae have been expelled from the realm and anyone who knowingly harbors the fugitives will be dealt with harshly.” The woman’s eyes narrowed as she studied Mori. The glamor she was using was barely holding together. The witch raised an eyebrow and seemed to consider her next words.

  “I know you look different than the statement indicated, but I think with not too much magic, we could see if you hold glamor. Any untrained child from the Coven members could snap their fingers.” The woman snapped and Mori felt the tingle of magic bounce off her from the woman. “And poof you could be exposed for the fraud you are.” Her smirk had Mori grinding her teeth in anger. She had to fight her instincts to keep her mouth shut. She had no magic to zap the little bitch.

  “There’s no secret to cleaning, you know. You made the mess, so just do everything opposite of what you did to make it. Clean it up.” With that, the woman turned on her heel and strode away. Mori had to hold in the scream that bubbled up. She hated the witches almost as much as she did the St. Clair line. But she needed the witches to hide behind for just a little longer.

  Mori closed the door and looked at the house. Clothes, dishes and take-out boxes littered the room. She growled at the mess. Part of her wished she’d grabbed the snotty young witch and drained her but without magic, she couldn’t drop her fangs to feed. Her energy level was being drained and her glamor was nearly gone. Soon they’d know she was on the run and they’d have to inform Bran that they had been giving her aid. The house could wait, Mori needed to plan. Then she needed to leave.

  ****

  Eden looked up from the paperwork on her desk as her daughter walked into her study. “Why do you look so angry?”

  The young witch walked to her mom’s desk and sat in the comfortable chair across from her. “Mom, the house is a disaster. I wouldn’t be surprised if we had to do more than a spiritual cleansing on the place. It looks like you’ll need to drop a magical bomb on it. If nothing else to get rid of the roaches.” Eden grinned at her daughter’s words. “No kidding, Mom, it’s a mess. It even smells bad.”

  “I’m afraid we’ll have to clean it the old-fashioned way. Let the novate girls know they might have to do some housework on the ritual house.” She smiled as Payton huffed then crossed her legs. “Too bad we can’t twitch our noses like that television witch and have our vacuum run by itself.”

  “Mom, seriously? Watch some current television. Thanks to modern technology, there are vacuums that are robots. They do run by themselves.”

  Eden laughed and shook her head. “I guess there is some magic out there to help humans clean, after all. I know she is helpless and coming from the Fae realm. She told me she didn’t know how to clean. I didn’t believe her, but I see she was telling the truth.” Eden watched her daughter roll her eyes and had to hide her smile.

  “Payton, you need to have compassion for her. That’s something I tried to instill into you and my Coven. My own father’s Coven is a horrible place full of backstabbing and infighting for power. I swore when I left to make my own Coven, I’d not have that type of atmosphere. We live by Gaia’s protective, supportive energy and compassion. Did you tell Marie that I would be by later?”

  Payton sighed but smiled. “I did, but she doesn’t seem to be concerned. She’s lived off the Coven for the past several weeks, and has given us nothing in return. I don’t care that she says she knew great-granddad back in the day. She’s Fae and she’s certainly acting like she’s in hiding. If King Bran so much as gets a whiff she’s here, we’re fu-, uh, I mean screwed.”

  Eden took off her reading glasses and laid them on the desk. “Good save on the language, dear. She didn’t just know my grandfather, according to legend, she saved him from being hanged as a witch. I have heard of her. Many of the Fae rescued and protected the witches when there would be a round of witch mania. Are you sure she’s the rogue Fae Bran is searching for? The last I heard there were two women and neither could do magic on the Earth Plane. She looks nothing like the description he sent out of the women.” Eden moved her paperwork around looking for the written missive, before giving up and returning her attention to her daughter.

  “I gave her a small energy zap and I felt the telltale sizzle. She’s got a glamor going on and it’s pretty weak. I’d say she is the one Bran wants. She could have initiated the glamor before she left the Fae realm. I think we should inform them of our guest just to cover our asses, sorry, I mean bases.”

  Eden sighed and twirled her glasses between her fingers. She was just about to tell Payton to contact The St. Clair when her office door opened. A pretty blonde walked in holding a silver carafe full of coffee and a newspaper. “Gaia love your heart, Maryann. I am dying for more coffee.”

  The pretty girl smiled as she poured the strong brew into Eden’s mug. “I had a feeling you might need to refuel. I’ll start on lunch if you’re eating here today.” Maryann backed away from the desk after setting the carafe and newspaper on the desk.

  “No, I wish I could stay. I have to meet with Sam at The Garden. We have some staff issues at the restaurant with the full moon coming up. And every magical creature in the area is on the lookout for those rogue Fae. Speaking of which, I can’t find the—” Eden looked down at the newspaper and froze. Her eye was drawn to the story of the Hogg Trough Bar and the attached house being destroyed by an explosion. Her body felt cold as she stood up, gripping the edge of the desk.

  “Mom. Are you okay?” Eden could hardly hear Payton over the buzzing in her ears. She felt a warm hand cover her cold one. Payton moved behind the desk and became quiet. She heard her daughter take in a deep breath. “Oh, mom. I’m so sorry.” A wet drop fell to the newspaper, then another, she barely registered her tears splattering on the paper.

  “Maryann, could you leave me and Mom alone for a bit. Do me a favor, get the girl
s together for The Grief Ritual and if you can, bring me contact information for Bran St. Clair. But take your time, okay?”

  The office door closed quietly and then Eden felt arms come around her, offering her strength and comfort. Her body started to shake as grief and pain swirled around her like fog. She could hear her breath coming out in pants as she fought off her anguish. “Oh goddess, Payton. I can’t, I can’t deal with the pain.” Her knees gave out and she fell into her chair. Payton squatted beside the chair, facing her and grabbed both of her hands. She squeezed slightly and rubbed her thumbs over the backs of her hands.

  “Do we know for sure that she was there? Maybe she wasn’t home. Don’t assume Josie is gone.” Payton stood and laid her cheek on her mom’s head.

  “They found a body, Pay.” No longer able to hold back her sobs, Eden doubled over and cried over the loss of her firstborn child.

  ****

  Eden forced herself to walk from the house to the expansive yard. Her body still shook and tears constantly ran down her face but she made it to the circle. The only way she knew she could make it was the comfort the Grief Ritual would bring. If Payton hadn’t physically supported her, Eden didn’t think she’d have been able to walk to the arms of her sister witches.

  Once she made it to the circle, her Coven surrounded her and sent her healing vibrations. She sniffed as she pulled away from the women and nodded. “Thank you so much for being here.” She reached her hand out and grasped Payton’s hand, finding strength in the connection. “I will invoke the circle and we can commence with The Grief Ritual.”

  The twelve other women backed away to form a circle around a large stone altar. They all raised their hands, and the bell sleeves on their black robes slid down their arms to bunch at their shoulders. Eden moved to the middle of the altar and opened a large leather-bound book. She picked up her oak staff decorated with carvings and topped with a perfect quartz point. She walked to the women in her circle and weaved between each woman until she reached her starting point. Stepping behind the women as she pointed the crystal-tipped staff outward, the crystal began to glow. She pointed north and slowly moved the staff as a glowing stream followed the crystal point.

  “Guardians of the North, lend us the strength of your daughter Gaia the Earth to keep us safe from below. Guardians of the East, lend us the strength of Air so that nothing from above can harm us. Guardians of the South, lend us the strength of Fire to burn away evil. Guardians of the West, lend us the strength of Water, the very substance that held us all in our mother’s womb to surround us in unconditional love. As above and so below, the Circle is cast. Goddess, mother of all, I invite you to our Circle.”

  Eden felt the energy surround them and the comfort of the bubble of protection eased some of her grief. She moved to the center of the circle and along with her Coven, dropped their ceremonial robes to the ground. “Goddess I ask that you enter me, your vessel. Mother to mother I ask you to ease the grief of the passing of…” Her voice faded as pain lanced through her chest. She sobbed briefly, remembering the face of her sweet daughter the night she was forced to return to the Coven. She raised her head to the sky, allowing the tears to stream down her face.

  “Mother to mother, I ask you to ease the grief of the passing of my daughter Josie, your daughter witch.” The women began to chant and Eden let her body relax into the electric feel of pure love. Her grief began to dissipate into the energy that surrounded her and pulled from her by contact with Gaia. More energy infused her from the ground, and the world fell away as visions swamped her.

  A dark-haired man she recognized as King Bran was with her daughter. She let go of the confusion of how her daughter knew the King of the Fae, and tried to concentrate on the vision. Eden watched from above as they ran from the small house she remembered so well. She witnessed the explosions of the house and their blood bond making it easy to slip into her oldest child’s mind at that moment. She felt the fear her daughter radiated. Anger rolled from her and grief at losing the connection she felt with her father and Eden herself. Relief hit her next as she realized Josie hadn’t been inside the house.

  Eden watched as Bran comforted her daughter and later that Connor had used his magic to help ease her pain. Somehow, her daughter had connected with the Fae and they were protecting her. Pure love radiated from Josie for Bran and Eden felt tears roll down her face, knowing her child was in love.

  Next, she saw a Native American man she knew well as Michael Mato, Chief and Lead Elder of the closest bear shifters. Eden also felt the tug of the mating bond. Confused, she wasn’t sure if the bond was to Bran or Michael but she knew her daughter was safe. The next vision she saw was of Mori, the rogue Fae setting the explosions that would have killed Josie if Bran hadn’t saved her daughter.

  Anger strong and nearly a living entity surged through Eden. The explosion that should have killed Josie was a deliberate act to end her life. Eden threw back her head and screamed in rage. She had sacrificed her life with her daughter to ensure her survival. She had marked her with her blood to hide her heritage and stall her magic from growing so she could live undetected as a human. She had given up knowing her oldest daughter to keep the peace between her Coven and her father, the evil Leader of their Black Raven Coven.

  Suddenly, clear as a picture, the face of their guest, Marie, began to transform into Mori, the rogue Fae. Eden then knew the woman she had been helping had tried to kill her child, Josie. The electricity faded and the vision stopped. The Coven stood around her, hands clasped, retaining the energy of the goddess. Several revelations hit Eden at one time. First, Josie was alive and in love, mated to Bran and Michael. Second, Mori was taking refuge with her Coven and that bitch tried to kill her child. And last, the goddess had shown her that The Prophesy had been fulfilled. Eden would be making a trip to Faedom soon.

  Payton was the first to speak, interrupting her thoughts. “We saw the same vision. Maryann has the contact information for Bran.”

  Eden sniffed but allowed her tears to flow over her cheeks. “After I release the circle, I will contact him personally. Mori will not escape justice. And it’s about time Josie knows her heritage.” Grabbing her staff, Eden began to release the Guardians and collapse the circle. Her heart both lighter for knowing Josie was safe, but aching that she may soon come face-to-face with the child she abandoned.

  Chapter Eight

  “You have to just concentrate on the energy around you. You said before that you could feel our energy like a fuzzy pink blanket.” Bran was sitting on the ground facing Josie, while Michael was behind her. He watched her scrunch her face before she blew out her breath and slapped her thighs with her open palms.

  “I can’t! This is so frustrating!” Josie stood up and paced back and forth in the cave. “I could do it in Michael’s cabin, but it’s like I’m blocked or something.” Bran looked at Michael—both men seemed confused by her inability to get in touch with her soul and access her magic. Just crossing the line into Limbo seemed to have frozen something inside her.

  Michael stood and went to their mate, pulling her in for a hug. “I think you’re trying too hard. You’re concentrating instead of just being open to it. You never had to try before. Let’s take a break.” He stepped back from Josie and ran his hands up and down her arms.

  “I’m sorry, Michael.” She sniffed and laid her forehead against his. “I was afraid I’d be a disappointment to you both. You had such high hopes for me, and it turns out I’m not what you thought I’d be.”

  Understanding hit Bran full force. Her fears had invaded and blocked her abilities. She needed a distraction. In Michael’s cabin, if she was blissed out from sex, or concentrating on pleasure, she could feel and see the energy. He grinned. This was going to be fun.

  Bran stood up and hugged her from behind. “Sweet girl, you’re putting too much pressure on yourself. We don’t expect anything from you. You’re perfect for us the way you are, even if you can’t do anything more than drop your fan
gs and bite us during sex.” He wiggled his eyebrows. “I think that’s extremely sexy.” He dropped little kisses on her neck, trailing down her shoulder until he felt her relax. He glanced at Michael and a look of understanding passed between them. To get her to relax, she needed to stop trying and just … feel

  “Come here, Michael.” His voice was low, husky and brooked no argument.

  They backed away from their female mate. They stood beside her, just out of her reach, staring into each other’s eyes. Bran raised a hand to trace Michael’s jawline with his fingertips. “I’ve spent six centuries reliving our first kiss. The first time I touched you, rubbed the tip of your cock with mine.” He heard Josie inhale deeply before she moaned.

  “I want to show our mate what it was like for us.” Michael moved closer to Bran, both men beginning to breathe hard, their bodies tense with need. Bran cupped the back of Michael’s head, bringing their lips together. The kiss was immediately hot and desperate. Their tongues danced and explored. Michael slid his hands down Bran’s back, grabbing his ass and ground against him, their cocks rubbing against each other.

  Bran broke the kiss. “I need to touch you, Michael. Skin to skin. Goddess, I almost forgot what touching you does to me.” Michael stepped back and ripped his shirt from his body and fought with his jeans. Bran watched for a moment before doing the same. They looked at Josie, her face pink with arousal, her eyes heavy-lidded with passion.

  “Don’t either of you stop. This is the hottest thing I’ve ever seen.” She licked her lips as her eyes strayed to their very hard cocks. “Touch each other.” Her breath hitched when Bran trailed the back of his fingers down Michael’s erection.

  “We will, and you’ll just have to watch us.” Michael threw his hand up and placed Josie in an energy bubble. “I won’t release you. You’ll have to find a way to do it yourself. What do you see and feel, Josie?” Michael’s voice was nearly a growl.