Bran (Fae Shifters Book 2)

by M. D. Stewart

  “You will explain yourself to me. You’ve broken more edicts than I can count. First, you crossbred. To a Vampire. None of us knew such a thing was possible. Second, you abandoned her and kept her from learning her heritage and her birthright. She didn’t even know she was a witch, much less know how to defend herself from magical attacks. She was left with a human father who couldn’t protect her. She loves him and mourned when he was punished for your death. Apparently, he’s suffering for a crime that never happened. So yes, Eden, you will start talking. Now.”

  Josie heard a hiss before the woman made a small cry of pain. “If you know who I am then you know of my father. His Coven is evil, through and through. The Black Raven Coven harbors criminals, both human and Others because my father likes to have his fingers in all the criminal pies he can. He owns human judges, police officers, lawyers, you name it. I ran away when I was sixteen. Dreven found me and took me in. He hid me inside his Family and swore them to a Blood Oath to not only protect me, but not tell any that I was in hiding there. He and I became close. I couldn’t explain what drew me to him, but I never thought I’d get pregnant. We both thought it impossible.

  “When it became clear that I was going to have his child, he contacted a human male who worked closely with his Family. Together they decided that I should marry the human and hide the baby in plain sight. It worked for several years. Logan Davis was a wonderful man who knew the dangers of having me in his life. Since he worked with Vampires, he knew of Others, his entire club knew. They all did their best to protect Josie. One night, when she was about four years old, my father and two of his henchmen found me. Logan was in the bar, Josie was asleep but he was going to kill her. I had put a spell on her that if something like that ever happened, she’d hide and stay quiet.

  “Luckily, they thought she escaped and I talked them into letting me come back and I swore Logan knew nothing about Others. I had to protect his life so I wrote him words that we had agreed on so he’d know I was going back to my father’s coven. He understood that I would someday disappear and he’d be a suspect. We’d discussed it for years. I truly loved him, but only as a brother. He felt the same way and he loved Josie completely.

  “When I was of age to start my own Coven, my father tried to infiltrate it. I surrounded myself with women and men that I trusted implicitly. After a few years my father quit trying but using his connections with law enforcement, went after Logan. It broke my heart and I pled with Logan to let me influence the jury to keep him from prison but he knew that my father wouldn’t give up. He agreed to a plea deal to save his life. Once he was put in prison, I had one of my own Coven companions stationed in that prison to watch over him. He’s not mistreated, he has protection from the inmates as well as from any danger my father may pose. It seems since I’m with a Coven, Dreven is underground and Logan is in prison that my father has moved on to other, more profitable, pursuits.

  “I didn’t claim Josie before now because she was at the mercy of my father’s vindictiveness but she has you and Michael now, and she seems to have come into her own power. She may be more powerful than that cold bastard. I know he will never be able to harm her. I was thinking only of her and her safety along with Logan. My father may still try to kill Logan, once he knows I’ve come forward and made Josie’s life and heritage public. I’ve talked it over with Logan and he agreed it was time. I’m making arrangements to sneak him from prison right now. Draven will take him in and care for him.

  “Bran, I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my life, but I can’t and I won’t say protecting my daughter was one of them. She might be angry, and I would understand that, but she doesn’t know the evil that is my father. Protecting her to adulthood is among one of my greatest accomplishments. And it was one of my most painful sacrifices.”

  ****

  Josie felt a hand slip into hers. “I know you’re awake. I don’t blame you for missing the shitshow going on out there.” Josie looked up to the young woman who had stood beside Eden Adaire. Her eyes looked eerily familiar to her own. “My name is Payton Adaire. Eden is my mother.” She didn’t say more, she didn’t’ have to. Josie could figure out this woman was her sister, if not by the name but by her looks.

  “I don’t really know what to say.” Josie didn’t know if she should move her hand away or keep hold of it. Obviously, nothing that happened was this young woman’s fault.

  “I don’t expect you to say anything. I can guess the last few days have been pretty fucking hard for you.” The woman winced. “Sorry. I’m trying to learn to control my language. Still, shit happens.” Josie felt herself smile. This girl was like a breath of fresh air.

  “Well, sometimes I let things slip when I’m emotional too. Thank you for sitting with me.” Payton shrugged but quickly smiled.

  “It seems to me you need a friend right now. Look, I didn’t know about you until I turned twenty and Mom told me. I’m not going to defend what she did or the decisions she made. I tried to get her to bring you to the Coven and protect you, but she was right not to. Dear old granddad is an evil prick who would’ve destroyed us all if he knew you were there. I will tell you this though.” She blinked a few times, trying to stop the tears that threatened. “Josie, when she saw the newspaper article about the bar being destroyed and the fact there was a body inside the residence, it devastated her. I worried about her. I didn’t think the love of the Coven or even me could keep her Earthbound, her pain was so great.” Josie didn’t hear jealousy, just honest fear for Eden’s life.

  “She couldn’t even stay upright and I practically had to carry her to the Grief Ritual. It wasn’t until the goddess showed her, showed all of us that you survived and were with King Bran. Nice job on the mate thing, by the way! Not one but two drop-dead gorgeous mates. I’ve heard about Fae and Shifters and one day in the future you need to give me all the deets on rumors I heard.” Josie couldn’t help but laugh when Payton winked.

  “I don’t know what you heard but I can probably say they’re true.” Josie liked this woman, her sister. She felt comfortable with her and the energy she gave off felt good on her frazzled nerves.

  Payton grinned. “Hot damn! I might just have to hook up while I’m here.” Both women laughed until a deep rumble came from the door. They looked up to see Michael grinning from the doorway. Payton didn’t even blush.

  “I’m more than confident that any shifter out there would be more than happy to spend the evening in your company. I’m sure you know shifters are very sexual beings.”

  Payton grinned and did a fist pump. “Yes!” She looked back at Josie and winked again. “I’m going to leave you with your very gorgeous shifter mate. Listen, I’m always close by if you want to talk and it’ll be just between us. I can’t imagine all the changes you’ve had to absorb recently, and having a sister is just another in that mix, but I really do hope you can be a part of my life.” Payton leaned down and kissed Josie’s forehead before standing and walking away.

  “I’m glad she came in here. She seems like a great kid.” Josie pushed herself to sit up while Michael walked over to the small bed. He picked up her hand and held it between his. Neither said a word until Josie moved into his arms.

  “How much did you hear between the High Priestess and Bran?” He was rubbing her back gently.

  “I guess I heard it all. I understand why she did what she did but the little girl inside me is still hurting. I know I shouldn’t blame her, I should blame my dick of a grandfather for putting her in that position. I also know I wasn’t the only one who hurt. I thought she had died, but she was not too far away, striving to live her life, knowing her child was growing up without her.” Josie shrugged. “Maybe I should try to have a relationship with her. Afterall, she’s right. If dear old granddad finds out about me, I may lose her.”

  “No one said you have to make a decision right now, Josie. Trust me, I’ve worked with her before and she’s a powerful mage. She rivals most Fae or shifters I know. I think she’s outgrown
her father’s reach and she can take care of herself. Payton was right, you’ve had to live with lots of changes recently. Take some time if you need it. No one will blame you for that.” He leaned back and kissed her forehead.

  Josie nodded and wrapped her arms around her mate. She felt the energy in the room shift as Bran came in and sat at her back. He put his arms around her and Michael. They sat that way for a long while. He sighed and kissed the back of her head.

  “I know today has been rough, sweet girl. Eden relayed that Mori did in fact make a run for it. She must have found out the necklace Eden gave her held a locator spell. She completely disappeared from sight.” He took a deep breath and continued. “She thinks Mori was planted in her Coven and given a magical boost by her father’s Coven. It makes sense, really. I think we should be on the lookout, but with the shifters on guard and Faedom on lockdown you’re safe. Michael and I will continue with your training and Leland has again offered to help. Besides the Vampires have heard about you and they are wanting to come to Faedom and meet you. The noose will be tight on Mori and on Cullum. That’s his name by the way, Cullum Noir.”

  Josie took a deep breath and nodded. “Of course, he’d be obvious with a last name like Noir. I have no doubt that I’ll be protected. Mori is the last of my worries. I want to talk to Eden and I want to find my father. Who is apparently a freaking Vampire. And if Eden does get my dad out of prison, I want to see him too. Then there’s Payton. I wish we could go back to the Crystal Cave for a while.”

  Behind her Bran chuckled. “Oh, I think we can arrange that. I think we can most definitely arrange that.”

  Epilogue

  Cullum sat in his office trying to hide the disgust for the Fae wench sitting across the desk from him. When he heard there was a woman staying in Eden’s ritual house, he sent a few of his spies to investigate. Her magic was almost nil and the locator object Eden had given the stupid woman was draining what glamor she had remaining. How could someone be so obtuse? He had no patience for stupidity. Now he just needed to decide what to do with this – Fae.

  “Mori, you have a choice as I see it. You can give me every detail of what you know about my daughter’s Coven and that abomination my daughter gave birth to, or you can be turned over to the King of the Fae to grant me favor with him. The last option is to let me put you out of your misery. I promise I’ll end your life quickly and painlessly.” He watched her study him. She showed no fear at his words. He supposed someone who had nothing to lose wouldn’t really care about his threats. He knew he was correct when she smiled and leaned forward putting her arms on his desk. Many had died for being so bold.

  “First, I know nothing of the Silver Circle Coven except they are snooty, do-gooders. Secondly, turning me over to Bran will get you no favors. He’ll look at it as your duty to turn over a traitor and nothing more. What I can tell you is ways to breach Faedom, and where their weaknesses are. Imagine having all that power at your fingertips” She really was a twit. Even if Cullum entered Faedom, which he would anyway as part of the Convening, there would be no way he could tap into Fae Magic. Being a male witch, he had no magic anyway, except the power of his female Coven.

  “You know nothing about born witches I assume, or you’d not make such an ill-informed statement.” He watched anger cross her face. “I really see no reason to keep you since you have absolutely nothing to offer me. What you do offer me is a way to draw out that abomination Eden birthed. If you’re dead, she doesn’t need to be in hiding and if that no good human father of hers dies in prison, well she might even show herself to claim his body.” He clapped his hands and rubbed them together.

  “Well, our business here is concluded.” He nodded to the two men standing at the door who immediately came forward and wrapped their hands around Mori’s arms, pulling her up. “Oh and one more thing, I don’t imagine you’d be so good as to tell me where your niece is? I’ll spare her life, but I would love to bring her into my Coven, see if I can train her to be a novate. She might have a spark of magic that I can utilize. If not, I can give her to one of my males as a wife.” He watched the woman pale before shaking her head.

  “I don’t know where she is. I did that for her protection. You could torture me and you’d still not have your answer.” She shook off the hands of the men who held her. In reality, she wasn’t strong enough physically to do him harm and his little pet witch who was watching in the next room could put a barrier around him if needed.

  “Fine. Well, I wish I could say it was a pleasure but it turned out to be a monumental waste of my time. Boys, take her to the dungeon and when you’ve finished, send her head to King Bran. I don’t care what you do between taking her there and killing her. Just make sure her face is recognizable. I don’t want there to be any question of her identity.”

  She jerked her arms free from the men. “Unhand me you filthy witch. I can walk on my own. I may be many things, but a whining female isn’t one. I’ll make it to your dungeon on my own power and I promise you, you’ll not make me scream.”

  The door closed behind the Fae and Cullum’s men when the hidden door opened and a shapely woman in red moved into the room. “I could try a memory spell on her. She’s going to die anyway, so it wouldn’t matter if the spell caused her brain to bleed.” She sat on the edge of the desk facing him.

  He steepled his fingers, considering her offer. “No, Garnett. I’m planning on sending her head to Bran. I don’t want to leave a residue of magic on her that can be traced. The only reason I’d consider it would be to give you practice, but we both know that isn’t necessary. Let the boys have fun taking her up on her challenge to make her scream. She can’t do that if she’s had a magical lobotomy.” He reached up trailing a fingertip along her bare arm.

  “I have much better ways for you to spend your afternoon. You know how horny torture makes me.” He reached down and unzipped his perfectly pressed dress slacks and pulled out his hard cock. The woman smiled before taking off her glasses and put them on the desk, then began to unbutton her shirt. He stroked his erection licking his lips as each inch of skin was revealed. When her bra fell from her large breasts, he squeezed his cock hard and leaned forward to pinch her nipples.

  She reached for her pencil skirt when he grabbed her hands. “Undress me. You’ll not need to strip. You’re going to get on your knees, and that will be all that’s required.” Garnett simply nodded before helping Cullum from his slacks. She got in place between his knees and began to play with his cock, just as he liked it best. He reached for his cell phone calling one of the two guards who took Mori to the dungeon. When the man answered, he put it on speaker, listening to the screams coming from the phone. “Go slower, Garnett. God, that fucking feels good. I want to enjoy this before I come.” Garnett worked him over slowly, allowing him to push her head down, making her choke and gag. He grinned as he panted to the chorus of his men’s grunts and Mori’s cries until he had to clench his teeth. As Mori cried out in pain, Cullum cried out in orgasm.

  Garnett stood and turned to pick up her clothes. She wiped her lips with the back of her hand and barely held in the disgust she felt. She hated the fucking prick sitting behind her. She pulled her shirt down, schooled her features, and she turned to face the leader of the Black Raven Coven.

  “Is there anything else I can help you with, Sire Noir?” She nearly gagged just hearing those words come out of her mouth.

  “Yes. Wipe me down then dress me.”

  After taking care of Cullum, Garnett held her emotions until she left his office and entered her apartment on the Coven grounds. Her sobs were bordering on hysteria. It took effort to regain control, but once she could breathe again, she walked to her bedroom. She sat on her bed and pulled out the large book she had on her nightstand. Opening the book, she waved her hands over the pages, unlocking a hidden compartment. The only thing that helped her survive this horrible place, was knowing it was coming to an end. Pulling out the burner cell, she took a deep breath before typi
ng and hitting send.

  “It’s time.”

  Other Books by the Author

  Psy-Bond Series

  Mine

  Ours

  The Hunter

  Saving the Elite

  The Watcher Series

  Aoki

  Harliss

  Crossing the Line Series

  Double Time

  My Forever Love

  Fae Shifters Series

  Devitt

  About the Author

  I grew up in southern West Virginia and being the middle child, was surrounded by family, namely my two brothers. After high school, I married a man I met in college. He left school and joined the Navy, and we traveled to different bases along the East Coast. He gave me two great boys before we parted ways.

  After the divorce, I attended beauty college, which helped me express my creativity differently than the poems and stories I'd written in the privacy of my bedroom. I began a twenty-year career in the beauty industry including teaching at my alma mater and then working for the state cosmetology licensing agency.

  I always had a vivid imagination and dreamed of writing and publishing my own stories. Now, that I've hit fifty, my dream has been realized because of the love and support of my retired coal miner husband.

  I live in rural Boone County, West Virginia, with my fabulous husband, one cat, one chunky dog, and six pet chickens. When I'm not writing, I'm helping my husband preserve the goodies from our garden, walking my dog, or gathering eggs.

  If you like my stories, please tell your friends about them and leave a review, it helps new authors like me.