by J. M. Witt
There was no way Mina was going to fight this battle for me. This ended tonight. We fought and grappled and I struggled. My injuries were worse than I wanted to admit, but there was no way I was going to stand down. I needed to focus.
I managed to take him by surprise and swept his legs out from under him. When he landed on his back, I let him be. I needed every spare second to catch my bearings. And I knew from a lifetime of fighting beside him, that if he got angry he would make mistakes.
And that’s just what he did. He jumped up and hurled himself at me, but I was ready for him. I busted his nose and the sound of it filled the barn. Gasps and groans were exchanged as blood poured from his nose. Part of me wanted him to beg for mercy, but I knew that was very unlikely. It was then that all hell broke loose. A gunshot rang through the air, but I couldn’t tell where it came from.
Screaming began from behind me. Debi and Mina were huddled over the body of another woman. Debi began sobbing and I knew whoever it was that had been shot was important to her and therefore important to Mina.
Before I could even try to get a grip on matters, everyone began shifting and a war broke out. Zeke pounced on me in his husky form so I had no choice but to shift as well. My arm in his mouth, I quickly rolled him gaining the advantage. I was well aware of the thunder and lightning that started overhead.
I tried finding her in the mob, but couldn’t. Zeke growled behind me and I turned to prepare for his attack. Grabbing hold of his neck, I had him in the death grip. His whimpers were the only thing I could hear as his blood filled my mouth. Releasing him, he didn’t move and he refused to make eye contact with me. It was over, or so I thought.
In the distance I could hear tornado sirens going off. Mina had outdone herself. I had to find her. Remaining in my husky form, I let my sense of smell find her. The progress she’d made was becoming well evident. I ran past more than a few pack members, loyal to Zeke, who were no longer breathing. It was a shame and all for nothing.
I found her in the field behind the barn. Victoria was creeping up behind her and I didn’t think I’d make it there in time. Shifting back to human form I screamed for her, but she couldn’t hear me over the howling of the wind. Just before Victoria struck her, Jillian appeared and Victoria was thrown back by the simple movement of Jillian’s hand.
Naked as a jaybird, I continued making my way toward Mina. Eyes aglow, she turned them on me. Another thing she’d accomplished, being able to focus through the power. The fighting was beginning to die down. Jillian and Victoria were in a standoff and Jillian didn’t hesitate to make the fatal blow. Victoria crumbled to the ground and I prayed that vile bitch was dead.
Once everyone saw that Victoria was down, the fighting slowly ceased. All eyes seemed to be on Mina, everyone looking on in awe as she wielded her power. The winds died down and I went in search of Zeke, and clothes. My truck was the closest thing and I opened the door and pulled out a pair of sweats and yanked them on.
Another gunshot rang through the air and fear gripped me. Mina! As I ran back to where she was, I heard my name.
“ROLLO!” It was Zeke.
He stood in the field where Mina had been, but I couldn’t spot her. Then I saw her figure on the ground in the tall grass. No! Running toward her, I saw her begin to move.
“I’d stop if I were you, Rollo.”
Slowing my pace, I looked to Zeke who had blood dripping down his neck from my bite marks. “Zeke, it’s over. You won’t make it out of here alive.”
“If I’m dead, you’re coming with me.” He cocked the shot gun as the winds picked up again. “Dixie, NOW!”
Jerking my head back toward Mina, she was focused on me. She spotted Dixie in her shifter form, ready to pounce on her, but did nothing. We both made the ultimate sacrifice. I stepped between her and Zeke hoping she’d take the defense with Dixie. She didn’t. A board from the barn flew overhead and nailed Zeke in the head causing him to drop the gun. I wasted no time and snapped his neck.
When I turned to Mina, it was in time to see her waver from all the power she’d consumed and Dixie attacked. Mina didn’t stand a chance. My worst nightmare played out in front of me. Mina was limp on the ground and Dixie tossed her about like a ragdoll. When I reached them, I kicked Dixie in the gut and she flew off of Mina and then ran off.
Kneeling next to her, I cried out for Jillian. Mina was bleeding profusely from the neck and I didn’t know how to stop it. Scooping her to my chest, foreign sobs ripped through my throat. I hadn’t cried like this since my mother died when I was a young boy.
“Please Mina, don’t leave me. I just found you.” With shaky hands, I traced her face when Jillian knelt down next to us.
“Lay her down, son.” Jillian began slowly waving her hands over her. “I can try to save her, but I don’t know that I can save her powers.”
I just shook my head. “I don’t care about her powers just fix her.”
“She may not be able to shift either. You know her better than I do. Will she be ok with that?”
Debi joined us and added, “Shifter doesn’t define her. She’ll get over it.”
I nodded my agreement, but all I heard in my head was Mina talking about always wanting a pack of her own. It was idiotic to think that way. She was young and had so much ahead of her, shifter or not.
Jillian closed her eyes and began chanting. All the shifters gathered around Mina, some holding hands as we all said our silent prayers. Just when I thought all hope was lost, Mina took in a big breath and let it out just as quick. The color began to fill her face again, but she didn’t open her eyes.
“I’ve done everything I can. The rest is up to her.”
With some help, I placed her in the back of my truck. Jillian sat with her as I drove to the hospital. Debi followed behind with her sister Diane who was barely clinging to life, thanks also to Jillian. Seven Devils by Florence and The Machine was playing. The song had almost come to fruition. But we’d conquered our devils, I just prayed Mina lived to tell the story.
We told the ER staff that she’d been attacked by a stray dog and they believed it given her wounds. They gave her a transfusion and said that the hope was for her to regain consciousness soon.
We waited for over two days. During that time, Diane passed away and every last ounce of Debi’s hope resided with Mina surviving. Chief of Police, TJ Rickman was circling like a hawk. I was beginning to think it was more out of concern for Mina and not out of suspicion to the few shifters now missing and the bodies of my pack that had been found in the woods.
If I was a suspect, he was keeping hush about it. But I had my alibi; Jillian, who also confirmed she was with Mina and me. I wasn’t sure what had become of Victoria’s body, but Jillian had assured me that it was taken care of. That old witch probably had over a dozen bodies buried in her yard, God love her.
I was sleeping in the corner chair when something woke me. Startled, my eyes tried focusing in the dimly lit room. She was stirring. I jumped up and rushed to her bedside. Stroking her face, I kissed her forehead and waited for her eyes to find me.
“Rollo?” Her voice was hoarse as she tried speaking. “What happened?”
“Shh, you’re safe. Everything’s ok. You’re going to be ok.”
Tears fell from her eyes. I wasn’t able to console her long before her nurse came in and then the doctors. They ran their tests and brought her some liquids to drink. I smiled watching her down the three juice cartons they brought her.
“Take it easy, Mina. You’re going to upset your stomach.” The nurse warned her and then left the room.
She yawned and I urged her to go back to sleep. Shaking her head she asked, “Will you hold me? It’s freezing in here.”
That statement resonated with me. She was never cold. Maybe what Jillian was concerned about had happened. Was it possible her powers were gone or was it just the circumstances and the cold hospital room? I walked to the thermostat and increased the temperature before sitting on the b
ed next to her. Curling into my side, I think she was asleep before I could even get comfortable.
I’d been home for almost a week and was finally starting to feel like a human again. I was so weak and felt like I was sleeping my life away. The doctors assured me it was normal and to get my rest. Jillian was coming over that night to check on me and I was looking forward to seeing her.
The four of us sat down to eat; Rollo at my side and Jillian and Amy sat across from us. The carryout smelled delicious and I didn’t hesitate to dive in. A few minutes later I realized how eerily quiet things were.
Looking up, I questioned them. “What, what’s wrong?”
Sighing, Jillian replied, “We need to talk, sweetie.”
Putting my fork down, I mumbled, “This doesn’t sound good.”
“Something happened that night on the farm.”
I just stared at them. “A lot fucking happened that night on the farm. You’ll have to be more specific.”
“Mina, you died. I had to bring you back.”
“Wait. What do you mean I died?”
Jillian and Rollo began to explain what had happened. I had scars on my neck from Dixie, but I had no idea it was that bad. The doctors hadn’t alluded that they had to bring me back and I told all three of them that.
“You’re not listening. I brought you back dear, but with that kind of magic there can be consequences.” I nodded for her to continue. “Have you felt the power at all; shifter or wizard?”
I hadn’t even thought about it. I was just so relieved to be alive and home. “I, well, I haven’t really thought about it at all.” My eyes danced in my head as I tried thinking about it.
“You’re always cold, Mina. You never used to be cold, at least as long as I’ve known you.”
He was right. “So, I can’t shift anymore? I don’t understand.”
“Your life force was gone. If someone brings you back, but enough time has passed, those powers can’t be reclaimed. Now, sometimes it takes a while, but there’s a good chance you’ve lost your powers.”
I covered my face with my hands and began crying. My reaction surprised me. Never in my wildest dreams did I think something like this could happen. I knew there was a possibility one of my powers could overrun the other, but to lose them both entirely had never crossed my mind. Of course, I never expected to have my throat nearly ripped out either.
Jillian rubbed my back and Rollo squeezed my knee. Standing up, I asked for a few moments alone and went up to my room. I stood in front of the mirror and stared at myself. Focusing as hard as I could, I tried to force myself to shift. When that didn’t work, I tried to concentrate on the weather outside. Nothing.
Dropping to the bed, I lay there completely numb. Who was I without my shifter side? It was all I’d known and caused me great joy and great strife my entire life. The wizard side was so new to me, but once I was able to control it, it’d saved so many lives—and taken some, too. My brain was on overdrive and I ended up falling asleep from sheer mental exhaustion.
When I woke I found Rollo asleep next to me. His beautiful hair no longer fanned out behind him. I was getting used to his ponytail being gone, but I think part of me would always miss it. I went to touch him and then my brain started messing with me. Would he still want me if I was just a human?
“Stop overthinking, Mina.”
My eyes met his and he pulled me close. “Will you still want me if I’m not a shifter?”
“Sweet Mina. When I looked at you I never thought ‘Yes, a fellow shifter’. Would you like to know what I thought?” I just nodded. “I thought MINE. I don’t care if you’re wizard, shifter, human, or serial killer. You’re mine.”
I started laughing. “Serial killer, really?”
“Well as long as I’m not your killing type.”
Giggling, it then dawned on me how rude I’d been to Jillian and Amy the night before. “Jillian and Amy?”
“No worries. When I found you asleep, we cleaned up and they went home. They’re not upset. We all just want what’s best for you.”
“I can’t help but feel guilty about Diane. Why did Jillian’s magic work on me and not her?”
He shook his head, “I wish I knew for sure, but Jillian got to you a lot quicker than she did Diane. Things erupted in mass chaos once Diane was shot.” He was quiet for a moment before asking, “Have you heard from Debi?”
“No. I need to go see her, but I’m worried she’ll hate me.”
“She doesn’t hate you, Mina. You’re probably the one person who can bring her comfort. She was in that hospital room by your side probably as much as I was. She postponed the funeral until you woke up. You should go see her. I can take you.”
I knew he was right. Later that day we did just that. After I showered and dressed, Rollo drove me to her apartment, the one she’d shared with Diane. He parked and I walked away. I knocked on her door a few times, but she didn’t answer. Remembering I had my own key, I pulled out my keyring and found the one for her door.
Opening the door, I called for her. “Debi? It’s Mina. Are you home?”
Her car was parked in the lot downstairs, but that didn’t mean anything. I stepped down the hallway as the door to the bathroom opened. Debi stepped out wearing her pajamas and looking worse for wear. When she saw me she burst into tears.
Crying with her, I wrapped my arms around her. “I’m so sorry, Debi. I wish I could bring her back.”
We ended up back in her room and sat on the side of her bed. Placing her head on my shoulder she reassured me that she didn’t blame me or Jillian.
“Diane was always up for a fight. She went in there knowing full well the risk. You were like a sister to her, too. I’m more upset about having to cover all the rent now.”
I gawked at her and we both started laughing. Leave it to Debi to find the humor in any situation. “I’d say you could move in with me, but, yeah.” She smiled at me and I knew it was her way of asking for more details. “I don’t know. I’m pretty sure my powers are gone. What if he doesn’t want me anymore?”
“Oh, my God, Mina. Shut up. If I wasn’t straight, I’d want you. That man is head over heels for you. He turned his back on his entire back because of a letter and a hunch that you were worth fighting for. Don’t let go of that or I’ll claim him for myself.”
That was at least the second time she’d teased me about staking claim to him. “Yeah, I get it. It’s just going to take some getting used to.”
“I know.”
“Do you want me to stay or do you want to have a girl’s night like we used to?”
“I’d love to, but I’m supposed to work tonight.” I looked at my watch and she said, “Yeah, I’m late.”
“Well, get to it. You stink. When’s the last time you took a shower?”
Shoving me off the bed, she stuck her tongue out at me as I left the room. “Get out of here bitch.”
“Will do. We’ll stop at Vider’s and tell them you’re on your way.”
“Thank you!”
I closed and locked the door before heading back down to the truck where Rollo was waiting for me. Climbing in, I closed the distance between us and kissed him with everything I had. He was momentarily surprised, but immediately began kissing me back. We hadn’t been together since all hell broke loose and I needed him.
“Mina, let’s go home.”
Sighing, “I want that, but we have to swing by Vider’s first. I promised Debi.”
Groaning, he threw the truck into drive and headed toward Vider’s. Once Debi arrived and we were sure she was fine we got the hell out of there.
That night it was different with her. We were both different. Something had changed between us and it was even better than it had been before. I pulled her on top of me and guided my way inside her. Her eyes closed as we both groaned.
Only Love by Mumford & Sons played through the speakers and it was almost a short retelling of our romance. I’d fallen so quickly for her, only to let her do
wn. The fact that she’d forgiven me was my only saving grace. Slowly, her hips rocked back and forth against mine.
Running her hands up my arms, her hands found mine as we intertwined our fingers. Her mouth found mine as our tongues and bodies moved to the same rhythm. Her back arched as she got lost in the sensations. My lips captured her nipple as she squeezed her fingers tight around my own.
Her moans and gasps nearly undid me. I wanted her again and I hadn’t even finished with round one. She changed the motion of her hips and I knew what she was doing. She liked to draw it out, enjoying the restraint it took to avoid coming. She truly was a vixen.
“Mina. We have all night and the rest of our lives. Come for me.”
She sat up and I took advantage of it, circling my thumb over her clit as she moaned. “Rollo...”
Her legs began to tremble against my hips and I knew she was ready to break apart. Thrusting up into her harder over and over again until I felt her entire body begin to quiver. No longer able to hold herself up, my arms encased her as I continued fucking her.
“Rollo, don’t stop.”
She cried out as I whispered in her ear. “I love feeling you soak me as you come. I love you, Mina.” Her cries and whimpers were telling as her walls clamped down on me. “I’m gonna cum, Mina.”
She lifted her face in search of my mouth. As her tongue caressed mine, I groaned out my release. She swiveled her hips ever so gently and milked every drop from me. I was spent, yet still hard.
Looking at me curiously, she inquired, “Didn’t you...?”
Smiling, I flipped her to her back and sank back into her. “Yes, I did. I just need you again.”
In the Spring, we finally got word that they were going to exhume Scott’s body in the next few days. Mina stared at me, almost as if she had forgotten about it. We had come to terms with the fact that we may never have the answers we needed or wanted and we were ok with that.
“Rollo, I think we should let him—Scott or Jude, whoever it is—rest in peace.”
