by Shea Balik
But when Ryley urged Meghan to move further into the vehicle, she cried out, this time not in grief but in pain. Twilight had faded long enough ago that it made seeing her wounds all but impossible, as the SUV’s interior lights weren’t on either.
“My arm,” Meghan said through clenched teeth. “It feels like it’s on fire.”
Eirik encouraged them to keep moving into the vehicle so he could shut the door. “I have first aid supplies in the back,” he told them.
Ryley wasn’t sure what good that would do. “She needs a doctor not a band-aid,” he told Eirik when the man opened the back gate to get the supplies.
Piercing green eyes met his over the back seat. “We don’t have time for a doctor. Plus, I’m trained to treat injuries. Can you drive if I work on your sister?”
“Uhm,” Meghan said, her eyes wide enough they looked as if they were about to pop out of her head. “Please tell me I’m hallucinating.”
Ryley had no clue what she was talking about, but Eirik must have realized she hadn’t been looking at either of them when she asked the question. In one smooth move, Eirik tossed the first aid kit over the back seat, slammed the gate and spun with his sword rising from… To be honest, Ryley had no idea where it had come from since he hadn’t seen it since Eirik had used it at the house.
A huge shape that Ryley had trouble making out amongst the dark night charged toward Eirik. The glint of the sword slashed through the creature’s neck, severing it.
Meghan ducked down, plastering herself against the seat, covering her head with her arms. She hissed in pain as she moved her injured arm, but it didn’t slow her down from hiding. Something Ryley wished to God he could do, too.
When he glanced to the back of the vehicle once again, Eirik was gone. The driver’s side door opened. He didn’t care what anybody said, he didn’t scream like a girl.
Eirik flashed him a smirk even as he put the SUV in drive. They lurched forward as he slammed the gas pedal down to the floorboard.
He had no idea how much time had passed as they all sat there in silence, while Eirik tore up the backroads that led to the interstate. It wasn’t until they were going almost eighty with the rest of traffic that Ryley’s heart started to beat a bit more normally and the tension in his body began to relax.
A soft sob from Meghan reminded Ryley she still needed help. “Can we pull over so I can drive while you tend to Meghan’s wounds?”
But Meghan refused. “We aren’t stopping. Not with those things around,” she said adamantly. “Another couple of hours isn’t going to make a difference.”
The light over the backseat turned on. “I threw the first aid kit to you,” Eirik said. “You can clean up her arm and forehead until we’ve put a little more distance between us and…” Eirik glanced in the rearview mirror landing on Meghan.
It was obvious he wasn’t sure how much to say in front of her. The thing was, Meghan might have only been sixteen, but she was smart as a whip, especially when it came to who they were.
“You mean the Unseelie’s attack guards?” Meghan said way too matter-of-factly for Ryley’s comfort.
“Is that what they’re called?” Eirik asked.
Ryley’s fingers slipped on the first aid kit, dropping it to the floor in surprise at her words. He picked it back up, opened it, and took out some alcohol swabs and a few cotton squares. Then he reached between the front seats and grabbed the remaining bottle of water.
“That’s what grandma Maureen called them.” Meghan shrugged. “I don’t know if she made up the name or if that’s what they really are.” She hissed and tried to jerk back her arm when Ryley poured some water over it so he could wipe off the blood. “That hurts,” she said accusingly, as if Ryley had done it on purpose.
“Sorry,” he mumbled, even if a part of him had wanted to hurt her. Not because he sought to cause her pain, but he hated talking about their heritage. Even if he now had proof it was real.
In Ryley’s eyes, there was nothing worse than being… Even thinking the word made him shudder, as his mind rebelled against it. His whole life had revolved around the old ways and Ryley was sick of it. All he had ever wanted was to be a normal kid, with normal holidays, and normal family gatherings.
What he got instead was stories of death and destruction, impending doom, and rituals that had to be kept secret. It was a life he dreaded. Now that he knew the truth, he dreaded it even more.
Because Ryley was one of the keepers of the Veil that held the Fae in their realm, so they were unable to wreak havoc upon the mortal humans. He wielded magic that would end him in a government lab if it were ever discovered.
Yet, instead of hiding, he was required to perform six rituals each year. The rituals included spells, dance, fire, and blood to keep the veil intact. Ryley wasn’t an ordinary man, he was a Druid.
CHAPTER 7
Not sure exactly where they were, other than somewhere along a winding road in the heart of Colorado, Ryley asked, “Where are we going?”
As good as running sounded, if Eirik was right and the Unseelie’s attack guard were hunting all druids down, eventually they would catch up to them. Right? Ryley honestly didn’t know what to think any longer. His mind spun with all that had happened in the past couple of days.
“We have a hide out in the Colorado mountains,” Eirik told him.
“We?” This was the first he was hearing there might be more like Eirik.
Eirik sighed heavily as his fingers drummed against the steering wheel. “There are eight of us who live there.”
That was it. The only explanation. Not that Ryley should be that surprised. Eirik hadn’t exactly been forthcoming with information. Even when Ryley asked, the man usually managed to turn the conversation around, not ever really answering any of his questions.
They came up to what Ryley assumed was supposed to be a small town. Small was an overstatement. The place only had a gas station with an attached mechanic’s garage, a diner that looked like it was about to fall down, and a clothing and feed store. How those two things went together, Ryley had no clue.
As the vehicle slowed down and pulled into the gas station, Meghan let out a small groan from the backseat. “Please, tell me this place has a bathroom,” she said as she lifted her head and looked out the window in dismay. “I really shouldn’t have had that large orange juice and a bottle of water for breakfast.”
Eirik’s gaze softened as he glanced back at her in the rearview mirror.
Spikes of jealousy drove into Ryley before he could squash them like the mother fucking irritant they were. No way was he going to allow himself to envy the way Eirik treated his own damn sister when he either ignored Ryley, or treated him like a little annoying kid, instead of the man he was.
“There is a restroom in both the gas station and the feed store, although, since I recommend you both go pick out some warmer cloths, you might want to just use the feed store’s facilities,” Eirik told her.
“Clothes?” Ryley glanced at the somewhat dilapidated store and shivered in revulsion. “You expect us to buy clothes here?”
There it was again, that irritated expression Eirik got whenever Ryley opened his mouth. He half expected the man to take Ryley over his knee and spank him.
Fuck. That really shouldn’t have turned him on. That he was still wearing the stupid cotton pants from Samhain wasn’t helping, as his dick started to thicken. Maybe new clothes weren’t such a bad idea.
“Come on, squirt.” He opened the door before Eirik could see that he was half hard. The freezing cold air that rushed into the vehicle did the trick of erasing any erection he might have had. If he stayed outside any longer, his balls might try to crawl back up into his body.
While Eirik filled up the tank, Ryley and Meghan headed across the street to the feed and clothing store. When they walked in, both of their faces fell. Just as he’d feared, their lack of variety was… well… non-existent, unless one was into flannel.
Lots and lots of
flannel.
Meghan whispered. “I know beggars can’t be choosers, but I think even beggars would say, ‘No thanks.’”
“Hopefully, we’ll be able to get to a real store in a few days. Just pick out a few things that will keep you warm,” he whispered back. Although, considering the country music blaring through the store, he wasn’t sure why he’d bothered to try and keep his voice lowered.
It hadn’t been easy, but they’d each found something to wear, as well as some shoes. It helped that their only real requirement, once they realized what the store selection entailed, was what color flannel they wanted. Since the answer, for both of them, was none, they just picked out whatever fit.
By the time they were done, Eirik had pulled the SUV in front of the store and was waiting on them. Tossing their things in the back, Ryley got in the front and said, “Please, tell me you don’t actually live in this…” he waved a hand around at the three buildings. “Town.”
For the first time since meeting Eirik, the man tilted his head back and laughed. The sound echoed around Ryley, sinking deep into his bones, and headed straight for his balls. The sight of Eirik delighted was the best he’d looked yet, and Ryley found himself completely mesmerized.
Everything about Eirik screamed warrior, even when he was laughing. His strong chin, high cheek bones, and piercing green eyes gave the man a, “Don’t fuck with me,” vibe that Ryley was sure worked on anyone the guy met. Well, anyone but the Unseelie, anyway.
“Actually, kitten,” Eirik teased. “This is the closest thing to civilization where the ranch is located.”
“Ranch?” Meghan asked excitedly. “Does that mean you raise cattle or something?”
“Horses,” Eirik told her, once more reverting back to his one-word answers. At least this time it wasn’t just Ryley who was receiving them.
“Who else lives there?” Ryley asked. “You mentioned there were eight of you. Who are the other seven?”
“There are more people like you?” Meghan scooted herself so she could lean between the front seats. “Are they all men or do you have women? Are they as old as you?”
There was a flush of red that crept up Eirik’s neck and into his face when Meghan called him old. When he answered their questions, Ryley noticed he left off that one.
“There is Ulf, Bjorn, Arne, Hrafn, Oluf, Fritjof, and Brandr.” Eirik said the names as if there wasn’t anything unusual about them. Then again, Ryley had a weird feeling the names were normal from wherever they had come from. “Ulf is my blood brother; the others are like brothers to me.”
“As for any other questions,” Eirik said. “I think it’s best to wait until we get to the safety of the ranch.”
It wasn’t long after that Eirik turned off onto a dirt road that ran behind a nice two-story house. But, instead of heading for the house, Eirik veered toward the barn off to the right. Ryley had assumed it to be a garage, but Eirik passed the large, worn, muted red building.
Then he followed what, in the best of terms, could be called a deeply rutted path that barely had enough room for the SUV to pass. Technically, considering many tree branches were scratching along the sides and top of the vehicle, there wasn’t enough room.
“Wh-where are w-we going?” Ryley couldn’t help the stutter, as within less than a minute nothing but trees could be seen all around them. Even the house and barn they’d recently passed was no longer visible.
“My house.” Eirik’s tone didn’t invite more questions. The fact that the… God, Ryley wasn’t even sure he could call it a path any longer, was causing the vehicle to bounce around as they weaved through trees while heading up a large mountain, Ryley was willing to keep his mouth shut to let Eirik concentrate.
No point dying after all he’d been through because Eirik ran them into a tree. Not that it should have been a factor, when any sane person would have slowed down to a crawl, but not Eirik. No. He drove as if he was in the trials for the Daytona 500.
It was as if he purposely drove fast, so when he hit another rut it bounced Ryley all over the front seat. Sure, he had a seat belt on, for which he was extremely grateful since it stopped him from flying through the windshield, but it didn’t stop his head from hitting the roof of the vehicle or bashing it against the window.
Good thing Meghan was belted into the center of the back seat. At least that way she didn’t end up cracking her skull against the glass.
At one point, Ryley swore his stomach was going to come up out of his mouth. Just when Ryley was ready to beg Eirik to stop, since walking in the snow would be preferable to more of the same, the trees thinned as they crested the mountain.
His breath caught in his throat as the vista before them cleared to a spectacular view of the valley below. Fences zigzagged throughout the valley, with only a few horses lazily eating from a trough.
The driveway, that before had been more like a rut filled path, now flared out into a wide, smooth, dirt road. A large archway that looked like it was made out of tree trunks cut down on this very land, held a large worn sign – Wolf Canyon Ranch.
The driveway meandered for a distance before coming to stop in front of a house. Not that it could be called that. A hotel might be more appropriate. Hell, a castle was more accurate, if they made castles out of logs.
“This is where you live?” Ryley breathed out, sure it had to be some weird dream. Maybe an alternate universe. At this point, with all the crazy shit Ryley had endured, he wasn’t ruling out anything.
“Yes.” Even now, Eirik kept to his one word answers instead of elaborating.
“It’s amazing.” Meghan’s voice held the same wonder that Ryley felt at the moment.
A small smile lifted the corners of Eirik’s mouth. “Thank you.” Pride infused his words.
Two words. They were making progress.
CHAPTER 8
Each question sent his way was answered as vaguely as possible. Was it strictly necessary? Nope. If anything, it was kind of a dick move, but the irritation on Ryley’s face each time he did it was worth it.
That said, he and his brethren tended to keep from answering the complicated questions until they’d arrived home, or whatever safe destination that had been decided upon. It was just easier that way. For one, as they were running from the Unseelie’s creatures, the last thing Eirik and the others needed was to be distracted.
Yet, that’s exactly what Eirik had been since the moment he wrapped his arms around Ryley to pull him back from being seen by the beasts killing his family. He wasn’t sure what had hit him first. The woodsy musk coming off Ryley, or the feel of his slim, yet toned, muscular body against his own.
He was ashamed it had been that attraction that had given the Unseelie’s minions the time to find them when they had stopped on the side of the road. Ryley’s need to throw up wasn’t exactly a new experience. But he and the others had always kept the episodes as brief as possible. He sure as hell had never cradled someone on his lap, whispering words of assurance about keeping him safe. Which Eirik had no right promising when he knew damn well how dangerous the future would be.
Maybe, if he had only had the one slip up, Eirik wouldn’t be questioning his sanity, but for the entire trip he’d found excuses to touch the sexy man. He’d hoped whatever force was driving him toward Ryley would dissipate after the long trip from Florida to Colorado but, if anything, it had only increased.
Even his need to tease the man wasn’t to be mean, but to draw Ryley out of his own tormented thoughts about his family. Hell, Eirik had even taken the path that led to their house at breakneck speeds, just to hold Ryley’s rising fear of where they were going at bay.
Replacing one fear for another wasn’t probably his best plan, but Eirik hadn’t like that Ryley thought Eirik had nefarious plans by taking him deep into the forest to do gods knew what. It had pissed him off just enough to make him reckless – something Eirik couldn’t afford to be. Not if he planned on keeping Ryley and his sister safe.
A growl thr
eatened to roll up from deep within his chest at the thought of anything happening to either one of them. Human life may hang in the balance, more so now than since the day the druids first trapped the Fae behind the veil, especially since it seemed the signs for the end had started, but Eirik honestly didn’t care. Humanity could burn, but he’d be damned if he allowed a hair on Ryley’s head to be touched.
What he didn’t understand was, why?
The moment the house came into view, Eirik felt himself truly relax for the first time since he’d arrived at Ryley’s to find the Unseelie’s minions already there. At first, he’d thought he was too late, for it was obvious everyone around the bonfire was dead.
It wasn’t until he heard the snap of twig coming from the trees in the back of the house, that Eirik dared to hope he’d be able save at least one of the powerful family. The Duggan clan, tied in marriage with the Lorcan clan, was considered royalty in druid circles. It was their ancestors that had been key in creating the veil to hold back the Fae.
Losing their bloodlines would have been a serious blow to keeping the veil intact. If Eirik’s suspicions about Ryley were true, they just might have a chance of surviving the coming war. It would mean keeping the sexy man alive, and that was something Eirik would gladly lay down his life to do.
He parked in front of the two-story house that he and the others had built themselves from the logs they’d cut down on their land. The interior was nearly a hundred thousand square feet. A bit large? Yep. But it wasn’t just for the eight of them. Over the years, they’d had many druid families staying with them for protection.
Even though their home was immense, they’d managed to give it a log cabin homey feel. Sort of.
They had barely come to a stop when the intricately carved front door opened and Ulf, Arne, and Hrafn rushed down the front staircase as if the hounds of hell were chasing them.
