The Enchanted: Council of Seven Shifter Romance Collection

by Juniper Hart

  “And my brother is mine!” He had sighed heavily and stared into her face, using his fingertips to push a stray strand of hair out of her eyes.

  “I’ll check in on your brother,” Alec promised. “I’ll put him somewhere safe just in case.”

  Why does he sound so worried if there’s nothing to worry about? Briar didn’t ask the pressing question and instead watched as he left her alone in the desolate cabin.

  The two-roomed cottage, which could only have served him as a hunting ground, was a strange contrast to the mansion.

  It’s hard to imagine Alec in camo and a hunting vest, wielding a rifle, she mused. If she had not been so stressed by the entire affair, she might have been entertained by the idea of a real estate developer getting in touch with nature, living off the land. Unless there’s another purpose for this cabin.

  She wished she could stop her imagination from taking off with her, but the more she considered her situation, the more Briar realized how much trouble she was in. Slowly, she pulled herself off the surprisingly comfortable double bed and made her way toward the main room, her ears trained for signs of life inside. There was nothing. Alec clearly wasn’t back yet.

  Inside the kitchen, she found a variety of loose tea bags and decided to make herself something to calm her nerves, if only a little bit. She kept a careful eye on the kettle, lest it whistle and shatter any semblance of peace she was struggling to maintain in her bones. The water seemed to take forever to boil, but Briar knew that was the old “watched pot” adage. She was hovering over the antique stove, counting seconds by way of passing the time, and when she finally felt like she was going to scream, she snatched the kettle off the stove and poured it into an oversized mug holding a chamomile tea bag.

  I shouldn’t have let him go, she thought. Supplies be damned. I’m going to lose my mind here if I have to stare at these walls.

  She felt like they were closing in on her, and even though Briar had never before been claustrophobic, she knew that was exactly what she was experiencing in those moments. It was shocking to her that she had managed to sleep in Alec’s absence, but the exhaustion had taken its toll, it seemed.

  The alternative, of course, was that she could be running blindly through the woods, and who knew what she might encounter then. The memory of Raven’s gleaming eyes was forever etched into her mind.

  “Come on, Alec,” she muttered aloud, drumming her fingers against the counter. There were so many questions she had for him, the line between reality and illusion confusing her greatly. She worried that she was losing grip on her sanity.

  He obviously didn’t fly you to the hospital on his back. That’s impossible, she scolded herself, but he had not provided any other explanation about how they had gone so far without a car, nor how she had managed to come back from the dead, relatively unscathed.

  Her hand slipped down her chest to feel the now-healed spot where the bullet had entered her flesh, and she shivered. The scar tissue remained, but even then, Briar could tell it was improving with each passing hour. Just like she had after the car accident.

  She set the mug down, realizing her hands were shaking almost violently.

  What if Alec is freaked out by me? What if he’s not coming back? The thoughts plagued her, and she sank back as though the wind had been knocked out of her entirely. Reason had gone out the window a long time earlier, and Briar wondered if it was ever coming back.

  Don’t be insane. Alec wouldn’t have saved you if he intended to abandon you. That doesn’t make any sense. You can’t lose it now. But it was much easier said than done. She could feel herself unraveling piece by piece. I’m a freak, a weirdo who heals like magic and gets shot at by murderous villains. I’m a goddamn comic strip character.

  For a fleeting moment, she considered that she was in a dream and had been since the minute she’d gotten into the car accident. The thought was both comforting and inane. She could still feel Alec on her skin, the scent of his subtle cologne in her nostrils.

  I didn’t imagine any of that. Alec is real. This is real… somehow.

  Briar knew she could spend the next hours driving herself back and forth from the brink, or she could try to shut off her brain and let Alec do as he had promised. If he even came back.

  She was getting annoyed with herself. Stop it! Even if he doesn’t come back, you’re still safer here than you are anywhere else. Unless Alec had told Raven where to find her.

  Briar groaned aloud at the futile circles she was dragging herself through. In her mind’s eye, she could see Alec’s emerald gaze boring into hers, the confidence and warmth exuding from him. There was no malice in him, she was sure. She had no reason to doubt him. She just wished he would hurry back before she lost it entirely.

  Sighing, she shuffled out of the kitchenette area and moved toward the plush sofa, flopping onto the cushions to look around. The cabin was well decorated enough to indicate that Alec spent time there. It had electricity and a backup generator, according to her host.

  Maybe he brings all the girls here, she thought with some bitterness. Again, she wanted to smack her own face. Jealousy was the last thing which should have been on her mind at such a time. Your life is in danger and you’re worried about Alec’s exes. You have gone off the deep end. If I had a car right now, I’d have myself committed.

  A small whisper teased her ears. You could try to fly.

  The dream flooded back to her, and Briar shook her head almost violently, as though she was trying to push the unbidden thoughts from overtaking her mind.

  Her eyes rested on an ancient television, and hope lurched into her gut.

  “Now there’s the distraction I need,” she told herself, hurrying toward the panel. She hoped it worked, even though her faith wasn’t overwhelming. The model seemed circa 1962, with the bunny ear antenna to match. Still, even if she caught a static-ridden episode of All in the Family, Briar would be happy.

  It would be fitting, actually. I’m caught in some time warp or in an alternate reality, aren’t I?

  The screen was shockingly clear, and a news station played distinctly. Not that Briar wanted to hear about the atrocities occurring in the city, but she figured it was something to keep her mind off her own woes. She fell back and reached for her tea again, pressing the mug to her lips.

  And for the next half hour, she allowed the fear to slip away as she pretended she wasn’t Briar Baker, mutant, but some girl in a cabin, waiting for her lover to return.

  14

  “I’m starting to think we need to move,” Henry muttered, turning away from the door. “Haven’t you guys ever heard about calling ahead?”

  “I’m sorry,” Alec told the vampire. “But I couldn’t risk making the call. I don’t know if my phone is being tracked.”

  Henry paused and looked over his shoulder, his brows raising curiously. “Dare I ask?”

  “I need to speak with Lane. Is she here?”

  “Of course you do. It’s the curse of the Aldwin witches,” Henry snorted. “She’s here, and she’s going to say the same thing I just did: ‘Call next time.’”

  “Henry, this is really important,” Alec told him urgently. “I came all the way to New York to see you two in person. Have I ever come to you like this out of the blue?”

  Henry shook his head begrudgingly. “I guess not. Is this about Raven?”

  “Can you get Lane for me, Henry? I’ll explain everything, but I need to speak to her. The Council is at risk, and I’m trusting you both not to breathe a word of this to anyone.”

  Henry’s mouth parted, and his face paled slightly. “Alec, we can’t keep things from the Council. What did you do?”

  “It’s not about me,” Alec sighed. “It’s what Raven did…” He trailed off and raised his head. “And yeah, I guess I’m in deep shit, too.”

  “I thought I heard your voice,” Lane said, sauntering into the hall, her smile wide and sweet. “How are you doing, Alec? Everything okay?”

  “N
o,” he said shortly. “It’s really not, and you might be the only one who can help me.”

  “As a vampire or as a witch?”

  Alec scoffed. “As an Aldwin,” he said, casting Henry an apologetic look. “No offense, Henry.”

  “None taken. I consider it a blessing that my mate is an Aldwin. How lucky am I that my mate is a direct descendant of the most powerful Enchanted being? I get all the perks—even if the Seven has no boundaries.”

  Alec eyed him warily. “Has Raven been here?” he demanded.

  Henry laughed. “No. But Landon popped by not too long ago.”

  “Come in, Alec,” Lane urged. “Do you want something to drink?”

  “No,” Alec replied, glancing at his watch. He’d already been gone too long. It worried him to think what Briar was going through by herself at the cabin, alone with her own thoughts.

  “Sit down,” Lane instructed, her wise eyes studying him closely. “Does this have to do with the robbery?”

  “Like I said,” Alec reiterated. “What I tell you now has to stay between us.” He looked meaningfully at Henry. “If you can’t adhere to those terms, I’ll have to go.”

  “Alec…” Henry started, but Lane held up a small hand to stop him from continuing.

  “Consider us priests,” she interjected. “Tell us what’s going on.”

  Alec sat on the edge of a winged chair and looked at his hands, folding and unfolding them nervously.

  “Know I wouldn’t be here if I had another option,” he began, and Henry muttered something under his breath. Alec stared at him angrily. “You can probably count on one hand how many times I’ve asked you for anything in the years I’ve known you, Henry,” Alec snapped, and Henry had the decency to look contrite.

  “Go on,” the vampire muttered.

  “Raven is trying to kill the woman she believes is responsible for the robbery. She almost succeeded last night.”

  The couple stared at him in surprise.

  “What do you mean, ‘almost succeeded’?” Lane asked slowly. “Raven isn’t really the type to do anything half-assed.”

  “No,” Alec agreed. “And the bullet she put through Briar’s heart should have done the trick.”

  Lane gasped. “Please tell me you’re kidding! She can’t do that!”

  “Well, she did.”

  “The girl survived that? What hospital is she at?” Henry demanded, his eyes huge in disbelief.

  “She’s not at a hospital, and yes, she survived it…” Alec bit on his lower lip, suddenly unsure if he was doing the right thing. Of all the members of the Council, he was certain that Henry and Lane would not sell him out. Theo might not, either, but that didn’t change the fact that he was asking a lot of them.

  “Go on, Alec, what is it?”

  “I think she’s got Enchanted blood.”

  “Oh, Christ,” Henry breathed. “This story is not getting any better.”

  “How do you know?” Lane asked, shooting her lover a scathing look. “Are you sure?”

  “She was in a car accident two days ago, which broke several bones, which healed within hours. I watched the bullet force itself out of her body. She’s not mortal, but I don’t think she knows it.”

  “So, let me get this straight,” Henry grunted. “You have a clueless Enchanted running around robbing us, and she’s evaded death because she’s oblivious?”

  “She didn’t rob us.” Alec’s words rang through with conviction. It didn’t matter what Alicia or Raven or Drake thought about Briar. He knew her as well as he knew himself. He had been drawn to her, sent by Miriam to protect her from the night it had happened.

  “How can you be sure?” Lane asked gently. “Raven is sure she was there—”

  “Raven went against the Council and tried to kill a mortal without just cause. You know as well as I do what the punishment for her will be if the rest of the Seven finds out about this,” Alec interjected. “But I don’t want to turn her in. I know she’s not always rational, none more so than when she’s enraged. I’m furious with her, but I don’t want her stricken from the Council or brought up on death charges.”

  Lane’s eyes softened. “What do you want, Alec?” she asked gently.

  “I need you to make Raven believe that Briar is dead. She can’t continue to hunt her down.”

  “Send her away!” Henry snapped, shaking his head in disbelief. “Why are you coming to us?”

  “I can’t send her away.” The words hung over them, and while Henry didn’t seem to understand why, Alec could read Lane’s expression clearly. She gets it.

  “Raven is bound to find out about Briar eventually, Alec,” Lane told him reasonably. “No matter how hard you try to hide it from her.”

  “There has to be a way to get her off Briar’s tail,” Alec insisted. “Before she comes back for her. Raven will realize sooner or later that Briar isn’t mortal, and she’ll bite her.”

  “This is insane!” Henry growled. “The only solution is to tell the Council and rein her in. She’s out of control.”

  “She’ll be thrown off the Council!” Alec barked. “And she really thinks she’s punishing one of the people responsible for what happened that night.”

  “Maybe she deserves to be thrown off the Council. Being a loose cannon is not a good trait, even for a demon,” Henry insisted, but Lane shook her head.

  “No, Alec is right. We promised not to say anything, and we won’t. But there’s only one way we’re going to get Briar out from under Raven’s radar.”

  Alec stared at her imploringly. “I’m all ears.”

  “First, are you sure that Briar is innocent?” Lane asked, her gaze fixed on Alec. “Because if you have any doubt, Alec—”

  “She had nothing to do with this.”

  “Do you know who did?”

  Alec gritted his teeth and looked down. If I sell Colton out, Briar will never forgive me, no matter how much he deserves it.

  “Alec, you can’t have it both ways,” Lane said quietly. “You can’t protect the innocent and the guilty.”

  “What will you do?” Alec asked. It was a stupid question. He knew exactly what was going to be done to Colton and his accomplices.

  Lane shot Henry a look. “There’s only one thing we can do,” she replied. “We have to get him to confess and give up his co-conspirators, ensuring he excludes Briar’s name.”

  A feeling of dread washed through Alec as he imagined what Briar would do if she learned what he had done.

  “Raven will kill him instead,” Alec muttered.

  “Not necessarily,” Lane said, and the dragon jerked his head up quickly to look at her curiously.

  “How do you figure?”

  “Raven’s main concern was her rings. Yes, her ego was wounded, but if we can get our hands on those rings, we might lessen the pressure building in her mind before it explodes.”

  “Assuming he hasn’t sold them.”

  “Well, we have to start somewhere,” Lane replied. She paused and stared at him closely. “Are you sure about this girl, Alec? Is she really worth all this?” Without hesitation, he nodded eagerly.

  “She is.” It was all Lane needed to hear, and she smiled warmly.

  “Fine,” she said sweetly. “Then let’s get this mess resolved once and for all. Give me a name.” Alec inhaled and closed his eyes, knowing that he was about to open Pandora’s Box. “Alec?”

  “Colton. Colton Baker.” He opened his eyes.

  “Baker?” Henry echoed. “Any relation to the girl?”

  “It’s her brother. He stole her van and used it for the heist.”

  “What a prince,” Henry muttered, sinking into a chair.

  “We’ll go easy on him,” Lane said quietly. “Go back to Briar now and keep her safe. We’ll be in touch soon.”

  Alec rose and nodded gratefully toward the pair. “I’m sorry I dragged you into this, but…”

  “She’s your mate,” Lane finished. “You don’t have to explain it to u
s.”

  He offered them a wan smile and let himself out without another word. For the first time since the ordeal had begun, Alec found himself feeling surer of the outcome, and he hurried out of the back door of the condo building, shifting into his dragon form, twisting heavenward into a massive form of greenish-black scales.

  Even though it was the middle of the night in New York, the city was alive, but Alec couldn’t be bothered to check and see if he had been witnessed disappearing into the sky. His only thoughts were of getting back to Briar at the cottage. Inherently, he could feel that she was awake and calling out for him in her confusion and fear.

  I’m coming, he promised her silently. I’ll be there soon.

  As he soared through the air, he thought about what would happen after Raven was placated. He needed to explain to Briar who she was, and Alec had no idea how she might handle such information. If Raven was ever placated.

  Lane’s optimism was not contagious. Alec couldn’t help but feel that her way was too simple. In Raven’s mind, Briar had not only robbed from her, but humiliated her a second time by not dying.

  He landed near the cabin and saw the light glow of the TV inside but no movement as he stalked toward the door. Alec paused outside, the desire to burst through the door and tell Briar the truth about herself overwhelming him. What would she say to him?

  He knew what she would do—the very same thing she had done at the house: run. And I can’t afford to lose her again, not until Raven and Drake are disarmed.

  Alec stalked toward the back door, but before he could enter, he froze, his nostrils flaring as he sensed someone else nearby.

  “Who’s there?” he growled, his eyes glowing like heated embers through the night. There was no obvious movement, but Alec knew he was not alone. “I know you’re out there,” he hissed, deliberately keeping his voice low as to not arouse Briar’s attention. “Show yourself.” He backed away, doing a three-sixty with his body as he moved. “Raven?”

  And as quickly as it had come, the scent was lost. Alec stood, feeling ridiculous for a long moment.