“Where is that? Scotland?” James frowned.
“Aye,” Dem said, affecting a Scottish accent. “’Tis.”
“It could be a trick,” James warned.
“There is no way I can get to Scotland before dawn, let alone find that coast. Even if we are mated, as you say, and I can sense her as my mate, the odds of me making it from Kansas to those cliffs are impossible.”
“Ah.” Dem closed his hand and the rocky cliffs disappeared. “That’s where I come in.” He reached into his tunic and pulled out a vial of dark red liquid.
“Blood?”
“Magic,” he said.
Roark took it, uncorked the lid and sniffed. “It’s blood.”
“No, it is Natasha’s blood and her magic,” Dem corrected. “The family has been saving it for such a day. If your heart is pure and if you truly love her, it has the power to take you to her at dawn.”
“But, why not use it now? Get her before the sacrifice,” James reasoned.
“Sorry, it doesn’t work that way. When you arrive, you will have to save her.” Dem studied them both.
“Whose dawn? Here or Scotland?” Roark asked, looking at his hand.
“Ah, good question. Both. Farfadets slip through time. We build our homes in frozen seconds. We—”
“We get the idea,” James said wryly. “Natasha’s magic will supposedly slip him through the years to meet her at the right time and place within history—wherever you’ve hidden her.”
“Hmm.” Dem gave Roark’s brother a sharp look before turning back to him. “I warn you. It won’t be easy. In fact, it’s likely the creature they plan on sacrificing her to will end up killing you both.”
“What creature?” Roark asked, though if Natasha was in trouble, he knew he’d fight anything to save her—or, as Dem suggested, die trying.
“A fierce creature born within the icy waters of the Norwegian Sea,” Dem said, his voice lowering an octave. “Feared for centuries, these creatures have terrorized fisherman, pulling their boats under the waves. And, if you were to kill it, the body would die only to be instantly reborn.”
“A kraken?” James frowned. “They don’t exist. All supernaturals know that. Inhabitants of fishing villages used to see the bodies of the creatures wash up on shore and the fisherman’s wives needed something to blame for the deaths of their husbands. It’s just a giant squid.”
“They hardly look like a squid,” Dem snorted. “Historical misconception.”
“Are you saying krakens are real and Natasha is being sacrificed to one by her own family, unless I drink this vial and stop the creature from attacking her?” Roark’s gut was tight with worry. How could her family do this? How dare they come into his home, take Natasha without giving him time to set things straight with her, without giving her time to explain what and who she was and why she was in his home?
“How do we know we can trust you?” James asked. “Roark, you can’t be considering this. He’s probably lying.”
“That’s part of the challenge. You don’t. You may drink the blood and die a horrific death, or you may be transported to Medieval Europe or you might be taken right to where and when I said you will be.” Dem smiled. “As I’ve said, my kind does have the power to slip through dimensions and time. If your heart is pure, you’ll make the right decision.”
Roark couldn’t take it. He balled his fist around the vial and punched Dem. The farfadet was taken by surprise and flew back, disappearing before he hit the wall.
“I’m glad you did that,” James said, finding a pair of blue jeans and tossing them at Roark. “Because I was about to.”
Roark caught the jeans with one hand as he looked at the vial in the other.
“Let’s go find our father. He’s dealt with magic before. Do you have your computer hooked up?” James headed for the bedroom door. “We should be able to get him on webcam.”
“Yeah, back office, end of the hall.” Roark slid on his jeans, still holding the vial of Natasha’s blood. Then, grabbing the T-shirt he’d dropped on the floor, he followed James. His brother was already logging on when he got there.
* * * * *
Natasha looked at her cousin and frowned. The big chair dwarfed her, as she sat before the fireplace. The old castle was her childhood home—a place stopped in time for all eternity. In human reality, it had belonged to a duke that had died centuries before the current time. In their reality, a place in which every mortal deed, every word, every action was kept, time was forever frozen as their magical home, never changing, already decorated and furnished. Occasionally, the elders would let time slip, carrying them forward and back to change the decoration, to change where the duke and his household stood within the home, like statues. Maybe that’s why farfadets weren’t shy about sex. Natasha could remember several times as a young girl, almost a century ago, when she’d stumble into a room she used as her own, only to see mortal lovers frozen in a sexual embrace.
That was how all farfadets lived. They stole brief times in history and moved about as if they had forever. Living amongst mortals, but completely unseen, as they were frozen within a single second in the lives of mortals. Occasionally, there would be a strange flicker seen by human eyes as the two species passed, but it went by so fast the mortals never realized them for what they were—farfadets living amongst them in another state of existence. Farfadets traveled through time, moved through history like walking across a room, by the sheer desire to do so. It kept them hidden from other supernatural races as well as the mortals, their true defense of the ages. Strangely, there was a point where history ended, a sudden point that hadn’t been lived yet in which the farfadet could not pass. If they tried, they’d stop, like hitting a brick wall they couldn’t see or move past. Right now, that time was with Roark, technically the future of where she was now.
“Do you think he’ll come for me, Dem?” she asked softly, turning to her cousin. He was older than her, but only by twenty years. She knew the elders thought them young and impulsive, even now. Her kind was immortal for the most part, unless—like in her, situation—the elders cursed them. Her curse had been mortality, but what had been a punishment had taught her a great amount about life.
Dem gave her a small smile, one that was most likely meant to be reassuring. He was nursing a black eye, one that Roark had given him. She knew he’d given her lover the vial of her blood laced with her magic and that Roark would have to truly feel something for her—regardless if he said it with words—in order to feel its power and come for her.
“Did he look like he would come?” she insisted.
“Nat, you know I can’t tell you that,” Dem answered. “Ask me again and the elders will most likely tell me I can’t wait with you any longer.”
Natasha nodded, knowing it to be true. Rubbing her temples, she felt the smooth skin by her eyes indicating her farfadet appearance. It was odd after all the years of looking human. But the full force of her transformational shift was over and she looked somewhat like her old self—the self Roark now knew her as. “I know, Dem, I know. I just can’t stand this long wait.”
“Long?” Dem laughed softly. “You call one night long? You have been among the mortals too long, haven’t you?”
“I have a good life there,” she said. Dem would never understand that. They grew up together, in magic, swimming through time. It’s how they appeared to move so fast. They could freeze time. Too bad they couldn’t speed it up.
“A good life? As a mortal? Doing what, Nat?”
“I taught etiquette to rich people.”
Dem gasped, looking shocked before laughing heartily. Soon, she was joining him with a small giggle of her own. It was a little funny.
“You?” Dem demanded. “Etiquette? It was all your mother could do to make you act proper. Your lack of manners and etiquette was what got you into trouble in the first…” He paled, not finishing. “Oh, Nat, I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. We both know what happened. There i
s no reason to skirt around the issue, is there? I defied my parents and the elders, and I was punished for refusing to marry when it was my ‘time’. But the truth was, Dem, it wasn’t my time. Until I saw Roark, it wasn’t my time. I did what I must and in retaliation my father did as he must. As a human I had to learn to blend in, so I studied etiquette. I also needed a job and the company I work for happened to be hiring.”
“Ugh, I didn’t even think of that!” Dem exclaimed, shivering. “A job? You couldn’t even materialize your own money? Poor girl!”
“It wasn’t so bad,” she admitted. “It filled the hours.”
“Well, you are home, now,” Dem said.
“Yes, home. But for how long?” She again looked at the fire, thinking of Roark. The odds that he would come were slim. They’d only known each other for an incredibly short period of time.
“And yet you knew, didn’t you?” Dem whispered, standing. “You knew.”
Natasha glanced up at him, trying to read his blank expression. Was Dem trying to tell her something? Or was he just trying to give her hope? Cheer her up?
“Dem…?” she began, moving to stand.
“Demovoi!” an elder yelled from the door. “Come.”
She knew the man had heard him. Dem didn’t look at her as he walked away, but she saw the corner of his mouth shift into a subtle smile.
When she was alone, she took a deep breath.
Roark, please, I beg you come for me. Please come. Don’t leave me. Please, don’t leave me.
A pain washed over her as she thought of being left alone, tied to the cliff at the mercy of the kraken.
* * * * *
Roark waited all night, staring at the clock on his living room wall as the hours ticked by. His father couldn’t be of help and James had offered to stay and was sleeping in the guest bedroom.
Looking at his hand, to the vial he had yet to set down since it was given to him, he wasn’t scared of facing death. He wasn’t frightened by his own end. What did scare him was Natasha’s death, of losing her, of having to live with the knowledge that he’d failed her.
Should he go ahead and drink the vial?
Did he have a choice?
Looking at the clock, he watched the minutes click by. Her cousin wouldn’t want her dead, would he? Dem was her family. That had to count for something. The vial tingled in his hand and he opened it. Warmth spread over him and he smelled Natasha. Without bothering to wake his brother, he drank the blood.
“Roark?” James’ voice penetrated his thoughts, but it was too late. His vision blurred, darkening as he felt a pull along his body. His back hit a wall and then another as he was pulled magically from the house. Scenery passed by, speeding faster and faster as he flew through the air. Minutes later he was dropped on the ground. Dawn peeked over the horizon and the sound of waves crashing on stone pierced his senses.
He was nauseated from his trip over the distance, but his fear for Natasha took over his body. Instantly, he shifted, instinctively knowing that would be the best way to find her. His bones cracked as fur grew over his body. He fell on all fours, his flesh rippling with the change.
Sniffing before his nose had fully turned, he caught her scent. Without thought of the danger, he ran for her. He had to get to her. If she was harmed, if they sacrificed her, he’d never forgive himself. He should’ve just said he claimed her. When her father asked, he should’ve grabbed her and refused to let go.
Natasha, he called out to her. A thaisce…
Suddenly, a scream rang out. She was by the cliffs. Without looking, he leapt over the edge of the earth toward the ocean. Roark howled as he fell through the air, bouncing his paws off the rocky incline as he fell, propelling his body toward her.
Natasha was tied to a wall of rock. Her magical appearance had faded, changing back into the human form she’d worn during her curse. Her red hair was pulled high on her head into a ponytail, crimped and braided in the farfadet style. Her blue eyes were turned toward the sea.
Natasha screamed again, her eyes widening. Roark landed on the ground. And that was when he saw it, the creature that caused her great fear. The kracken was a strange cross between an octopus and crab with sharp pinchers and tentacles for legs. Its head was more like a dragon with sharp fangs and big oval eyes. A black, inky substance clouded the water around it as the enormous sea monster pulled itself forward. Loud pops sounded as its suckers attacked themselves to the rocks along the shoreline. Roark’s stomach tightened as he stood before Natasha, putting himself between the beast and her body.
“Roark!” Natasha gasped. “You came!”
Of course he came for her. How could he not?
“Roark!” Natasha screamed, never so happy to see someone in her life. Her heart pounded in fear, but part of her had known he would come. Deep down, she knew her feelings had to be returned. But, just as she was happy to see him, to know he loved her, she was scared for him. “Roark, you have to get out of here! Save yourself, please.”
He growled, his body partly shifting back to his human form as he stood on two legs. Hair still covered his body and fangs still glinted in his mouth. He rushed for her, reaching to grab the chains. The fearsome kraken growled behind him, roaring so hard that the wind shifted and blew against them.
“I’m not leaving you,” he said, his voice gruff and hard. “I love you. I shouldn’t have hesitated, but I promise you I will never falter again.”
She opened her mouth to speak, but he surprised her by leaning forward toward her neck. Sharp fangs pieced her skin as he bit her. When he pulled back, blood dripped from his mouth.
“Roark?” she gasped, shaking.
“You are my wife, both in your way and mine. Not even death can stop what we have. If you are to die today, then so shall I. From this day forward, your fate is mine. Your life is mine and mine is yours. I love you, Natasha. The first moment I saw you I felt it. I’m sorry it took me so long to say it.”
“But it was only a day,” she whispered. The kraken growled again, but love replaced her fear.
“And after an eternity of living, it should not have taken me that long to know what I know now. I love you.”
“Say it again,” she whispered, grinning in the face of death. How could she feel anything but love when he was looking at her like that?
“I love you,” he answered, shielding her with his body.
“And I you. I love you. I love you.” She reached forward with her face, searching for his kiss. He kissed her. The kraken growled, sounding closer. The wind hit against them hard. Roark turned, ready to fight.
Natasha gasped. The great beast was gone and in its place stood her father, roaring like the creature.
“Father?” she asked, stunned to see him.
“It’s about time, Button,” he chuckled. “Damn youths. You’re always so stubborn. Not like when I met your mother. We didn’t have to have our lives threatened to admit when we were in love. Though we did have to get, ah, ‘cursed’ and sent away. Though we were put into training camp for troubled farfadets. The humans were in some kind of war and I guess it inspired the idea with the elders.”
“You were sent away?” Natasha gasped.
“Oh, you didn’t really think you were a cursed mortal, did you? Like we could ever leave you like that.” Her father laughed. “Everyone gets sent on a pilgrimage when it’s their time. The longest one on record is fifty years, but Elder Angus was cursed to be an elf. That is when we started moving to mortals. The threat of a short life usually helps facilitate the process. Funny though, how you were sent to find a mortal—one we were completely prepared to magically change—only to come back with a lycan.”
She stared at her father as she tried to process what was being said. This was all a test? She wasn’t in trouble? There was no curse? She had never really been human? No wonder she’d felt parts of her magic rising up when she first met Roark, her mate. They’d only suppressed her powers, not taken them away.
“So t
here is no threat?” Roark said, shielding her. He was breathing hard, clearly not ready to let down his guard.
“No, no threat,” the farfadet answered, smiling. “Welcome to the family.”
“Ah, Father?” Natasha shook her chains. “Do you mind?”
“Oh, certainly.” The farfadet nodded and the chains around her wrists melted away. She fell against Roark. Her body was weak from her fearful night and now the sudden relief.
“What?” Roark asked, still blocking her from a harm that was no longer there.
“You came through, dear boy.” Her father laughed and glanced down at Roark’s naked, shifted body. “When you two are done sorting things out, come back to the castle. Your family is waiting for you up there, my son, and I’m not sure the one called James believes that we meant no harm. Button, you know the frozen second in time in which we are living.”
Natasha nodded, clinging to her husband. “Yes, I can find the time.”
“Natasha?” Roark asked, pulling her close as her father disappeared.
“Time,” she explained. “We live in seconds of time. So you have to not only know the place, but the second as well to find us.”
He held her tighter. “I was so scared I’d lost you.”
“I’m sorry about all this. We farfadets can be a little dramatic.”
“Oh, baby, I’m so glad you’re all right. When I heard that creature coming for you and felt your fear—”
“Shhh,” she hushed him. “It’s okay now. I didn’t know, but I should’ve. My father wouldn’t have let any harm come to me. I should’ve realized. But it’s okay now. You’re here. Now, let’s go get your father’s permission.”
“For what?” he asked, leaning forward to kiss where he’d bitten her. His lips felt good and she shivered with longing. It had only been one night and yet she had missed his touch, needed it desperately.
“To get an elder’s permission to marry so it’s complete.” She moaned accepting his touch without question or hesitation. It was like they’d known for an eternity, their souls just gliding through time until the day they met.
Call of the Lycan Trilogy Bundle Page 14
