by Bonnie Vanak
A deadly weapon in the wrong hands. He shuddered.
“The Dark Lord would turn me into his minion, forcing me to do his bidding. Kill my charges, kill Skins, spread the evil and hatred.” Xavier took a deep breath. “But you would never allow that to happen, Danu.”
Danu’s gaze turned to the distant mountains and he caught the shadow crossing her lovely face. “Yes. I would be forced to destroy you first.”
1
The stray cat had to be here somewhere.
Bag of food in hand, Ella Princeton trudged alongside the gushing, clear river in Colorado. The sky overhead was cerulean, the sun beaming a merry yellow, the jagged mountain peaks were snow-capped and lovely, and all seemed right with the world.
Except for that cat, which she knew nursed a litter of hungry kittens.
“Here, kitty,” she softly called out.
Pacing on the ground next to her, Darcy looked up and meowed.
“I know, girl. We’ll find her. She’s got to be here, somewhere.”
Ella placed a few bits of kibble on the ground, giving Darcy a stern warning to not eat them. Mindful of her backpack, she climbed over the low split-rail fence dividing the forest from the condominium complex where she suspected the stray cat had her litter.
No cat in sight. Ella glanced around the complex. No one seemed to live here during the day. There weren’t any cars, and yet the complex was tidy, the lawn green and the plants and shrubs well-maintained.
Brambles had caught in her hair. Ella picked them out and then adjusted her long, dark brown ponytail. She headed for a bench near a flower garden and sat. Rescuing a stray cat wasn’t how she planned to spend her few precious hours off from work, but she couldn’t stop worrying about the poor animal.
So, what do you like to do for fun, Ella? I rescue abandoned pets and nurse them back to health. It’s my goal in life.
Here in a town known for peaceful nature retreats and serenity, little opportunity existed for a woman without a college degree. Working three jobs left her so tired at night she had time only to fall into bed and sleep before the 5 a.m. alarm woke her to start all over again.
No social life. No time to study, so she’d had to abandon her dream of studying online for her degree. Few friends, and those she had, wanted to get together when Ella worked. Eventually they faded away.
I’m 29 years old and growing moldy. Might as well lock me in a closet and toss away the key.
Ella struggled to overcome a sudden depression. All her life, it felt as if she waited for…something. But what? She adored studying ancient languages. That particular skill set wasn’t exactly in demand.
At least at the small academic library where she worked a few hours each morning, she could bury herself in work. Ella loved the shelves filled with books, the musty smell of learning, turning pages crackling with age, feeling history spring to life beneath her eager, exploring fingers.
Unfortunately, the library’s salary barely paid the utility bills.
Her cell phone chirped a tune from a familiar and popular television fantasy series. She fished it out, glanced at the screen. Caller ID read MOTHER OF NAGGINGS. Third time in a row. No use avoiding this. She pressed the green button.
“Hi, Mom.”
“Honey, where are you?!”
Her mother would freak out if Ella said she was searching for yet another stray pet. “I’m taking a short break before coming home. Nature walk.”
Heavy sigh over the phone, as if she’d confessed to robbing a liquor store and then smoking something illegal. “Honey, I worry about you being alone so much. It’s not good for you. Why don’t you go out with your friends?”
I don’t have any. Not since I started working three jobs. “I’m fine.”
“Too much time alone daydreaming isn’t good for you.”
“Yes, Mom.”
Ella almost laughed. Her mother didn’t fret about rapists or serial killers one might meet walking alone in a dark forest. She worried about Ella’s imagination.
It had always been like this. From the time she’d learned to speak, Ella had been taught to be practical and logical. Nothing magical or using her imagination. Her parents approved every book she read. Non-fiction got the thumbs up. Fiction was allowed if it was based on history.
Fairy tales were off limits.
“The real world is interesting enough,” her mother often droned.
No television. No theater. Nothing whimsical. No games where she had to use her imagination and make up stories. No magic tricks or magicians. Certainly no video games. Her parents loathed gamers.
“Waste of valuable time,” her father had always harped.
When she was ten, Ella secretly watched “Miracle on 34th Street” at a school friend’s house. The little girl who didn’t believe in Santa gave her a sense of assurance.
She could identify with Susan. There was no Santa Claus. And when in the movie Susan started to believe, Ella dissed her. What a wuss, thinking of imaginary men who gave out gifts a certain time of the year.
All magic was bad. There was no such thing as good magic or fantasy.
Her parents wholeheartedly approved of her studies in ancient languages and history. They’d even hunted down and purchased rare, used books for her to devour.
And yet after she turned 21, she found herself daydreaming more. It was as if, having denied fantasy and creativity as a child, her naughty imagination pushed to the surface in full force.
On these solitary walks through the woods with her pet, she imagined there was another, magic world out there, and she was not such an oddball. Maybe she’d even flirt with the idea that she was special.
Then the phone would chirp, and reality would kick her in the back of the knees. Like now.
“Your boss called and needs you in the restaurant two hours early. You need the overtime, Ella. I don’t know how we’re going to pay the mortgage this month…”
Stomach twisting in knots, she closed her eyes. Damn, she was so tired. Working all morning, no time for lunch. Ella had only wanted to spend a precious hour before her third job alone, exploring the river and the forest that beckoned to her in an odd way more and more lately. This ungated complex seemed almost magical, and filled her with an odd yearning she could not identity.
But duty and bills came first. “Okay, Mom. I’ll come home. I can dress and be there in time.”
“Ella, I’m sorry. If I could, I would work my fingers to the bone. But you know what the doctor said. Please Ella, you don’t want to get fired…”
Of course not. Because then we’ll be on the streets, as you keep reminding me. Guilt pierced her. It wasn’t her mother’s fault that her dad had died, leaving them in debt. Or that her mother’s frail health prevented her from getting a job.
When she spoke, her voice was gentler. “Don’t worry, Mom. See you soon.”
Ella pocketed her cell and rubbed her hands against her jeans. Mom was a hot mess these days, and constantly worried about money. Then again, when was her mother not a hot mess since Dad had died five years ago?
She raised you. The least you can do is help support her.
But would she ever have a real life of her own? Be free to explore the world, meet people? Men, perhaps? Ella couldn’t remember the last time she’d had a full day off. It was almost as if each time she caught a break, something happened to send them sliding back down all over again.
Ridiculous. It’s your imagination.
Ella poured a bunch of kibble on the ground for the stray cat. She turned to walk back to her bike, parked on the main road when she noticed Darcy had vanished.
Heart racing, she walked along the riverbank. Darcy could be anywhere, with all these delicious places to hide. Or maybe Darcy was searching for that litter of kittens.
“Darcy!”
Uh-oh. Technically, she trespassed on this property. If the caretaker came along and saw her, and ordered her off….
Ella hooked a right around a building a
nd jerked to an abrupt halt.
A naked man stood in her way.
She squeezed her eyes shut. Opened them. Still here, with a confused look on his handsome face. He looked about her age.
Every cell tingled with awareness. She felt as if all her nerves had been fired up and she could not move, could not speak, only stand staring in fascinated hunger at his magnificent body.
Dimly she became aware that if he were fully clothed, she’d have the same reaction. If the entire world stopped revolving, she would not notice. It made no sense. She liked men, and had seen one or two naked, but none had made her feel this alive, this female before.
Her lady parts tightened in anticipation, as if he wasn’t merely standing there, but was going to do something more. Like seduce her. Lay her down upon the soft, green grass and mount her like a beast.
Breathing hard, she forced herself to calm down. Ella jerked her gaze down to his legs. Big feet, with nice toes, limbs strong and athletic, dusted with dark hair.
She closed her eyes and opened them to study his face.
He had short, wavy hair, dark as night. Eyes the color of onyx. She gazed at his stunned expression, at his chest, covered with black hair, and stomach flat and rippling with muscles down to his…
Oh, yeah. Big feet. Not only that but… Awe filled her as his shaft became quite erect, as if he were ready to do the deed.
Her female parts moistened in sheer anticipation. Let’s go!
Ella jerked her gaze back to his face. He stared at her with the same intensity she felt.
“Who are you?” he demanded.
Ella tilted her head. “I might ask the same of you.”
He frowned. “I am Kieran, commander and protector of the realm of His Majesty’s kingdom. And you… why do I feel as if the entire kingdom could collapse and it mattered not, as long as you are here?”
The sexual arousal faded a little. Yeah, he looked mighty fine, but there were a few lights dimmed on the upper floors.
She sighed. I don’t have time for this. “I’m Ella of the realm of Colorado. Look, I’m not into cosplay. And I’m not a gamer. Are you one of those nudists on a retreat?”
“Retreat? I never retreat.”
An escapee from a gluten-free, vegan camp, the type who likes to cavort in the woods in the nude. “Even if you live here, there are standards. Get some clothing, before someone dials 9-11 and reports you to the cops.”
He frowned and glanced down at his erection. To her disappointment, it began to shrink. Then again, if he were a nutcase, it was safer.
“I had clothing. My uniform. Tis gone now. It vanished when I was transported here. Against my free will.”
Kieran raised a fist to the sky. “Do you hear that? I protest your actions, Danu!”
Oh, swell. The cutest guy she’d seen in months, a guy who fired her blood and made her feel alive and free…and he was a real mental case.
Ignoring him, though it was hard to do, Ella sidestepped him and stole a peek at his behind. Yum. Tight. Cute. She loved a good ass on a guy. Even if the guy himself was an ass.
“Darcy!” She saw a tree, craned her neck, hoping Darcy had not decided it was a good day for exploring. “Darcy!”
“Who is Darcy?”
Ella jumped. Kieran had snuck up beside her so quietly, so catlike, she had not heard him.
“My cat.”
Kieran’s expression brightened. “Ah, a feline. My favorite kind of animal. I will render aid in finding her.”
Nostrils flared. Kieran sniffed the air, then he raced forward with tremendous strength and yet such grace she had to admire his fluid moves. A man like that would be exquisite in bed, all power and strength and ….
As if you’ll ever know. When was the last time you even had a date?
He ran into the woods and returned in five minutes. Grim-faced, he marched into a small wooden shed at the forest’s edge. The door was open. Kieran went inside and then emerged from the shed, her black cat at his side. Oddly enough in the shed, he’d also found clothing. Some kind of strange cosplay outfit – leather boots and black leggings and a black tunic.
In his arms he held a blanket. Cradled in the blanket were three tiny, mewling kittens. He cooed and murmured to them as if they were babies.
Ella’s heart broke. Oh, no. She ran forward. “Don’t take them. They’re too young and still nursing.”
Kieran glanced at her, his expression filled with anger and grief. “The mother is dead.”
“In there?” She pointed to the shed.
“No, in the forest. Someone snapped her neck.” His dark gaze narrowed. “Your world is cruel to my kind.”
Taken aback, she scowled. “Yeah, I know it, mental cases have it rough. This isn’t about you, chum. I need to get those kittens home and fed. They’re probably hungry and cold.”
“I do not know if I can trust you to care for helpless kittens.”
Her temper began to rise. “And I don’t know if I can trust a naked nutcase! I’ve been feeding the mother, okay? I’ve done this before.” She rattled the bag of kibble, sorrow biting her. Why would someone kill a poor, innocent mother cat?
Kieran seemed to struggle with a decision. His nostrils flared. “Very well. I cannot see any guile in you so I must trust you. I have not the facilities in this world to care for them and if they are not cared for, they will die.”
That’s faculties, chum. As in the ability of your mind to reason. Yours is missing a few nuts and bolts.
Kieran handed her the blanket.
“Thank you,” she said, cradling the kittens. “Come on, Darcy. Let’s go home, girl.”
Darcy blinked, her green gaze steady.
“She is not a girl.” Kieran sniffed. “Although there may be some Changeling blood, along with shifter. I sense it.”
He gave Darcy a stern look. “Behave now. No more scaring your mistress. Stay by her side. Do you understand?”
Darcy simply stared. It was as if they communicated.
Right. She was tired. Her imagination was working overtime. How many times had her mother cautioned her against indulging in a little fantasy world?
The world was filled with struggles, and the best one could do was to survive from day to day. Imagination and things like magic were reserved for the foolhardy.
Like a man who wandered around without clothing, talking to cats as if they were his friends.
Ella glanced at her watch. Damnit, now she’d have to pedal fast to reach home and get to work on time. She gave Darcy a censuring look
“You’re going to stay in the basket with the kittens and behave, or next time I’ll leave you home. You’ll be stuck with Mom, watching re-runs of the Home Shopping Network and running away from the vacuum.”
Darcy gave a protesting meow.
As she hurried toward the road, Kieran fell into step with her. “Where are you going, fair maiden?”
“My name is Ella. Not maiden.”
He gave a knowing smile. “But you are a maiden. I can smell the innocence on you. You are virgin.”
Ella turned and gave him The Look she reserved for groping male customers who thought ordering steak meant they could order her as well. “My love life is no one’s business but mine. Get it? I work and I don’t have time to eat, let alone date.”
She waited for him to say something cruel about her weight, as a few men had. Ella had tried to slim down the curves that only seemed to become more pronounced after she’d turned 21. Even these days, when she barely had time to grab an apple for dinner, she still looked plump. No amount of exercise nor dieting worked.
His caressing gaze swept over her body. “A pity. A lovely woman like you should have plenty of suitors eager to get to know you.” Then his brow wrinkled. “Although the notion displeases me greatly. Why is that? I feel a sudden surge of very primitive male jealousy.”
Kieran sniffed again, drawing closer. Ella scowled. “Get away from me!”
He drew back, swept her a form
al bow. “My apologies. You smell quite delicious, like snow on a sharp winter’s day. You are very ripe. Tis hard for a male like me to resist.”
What the hell? Heat suffused her cheeks. Ripe? “I’m not fruit, chum. So resist or I’ll show you the business end of my hiking boots.”
She hurried back to the road. At her bicycle, she took great care in placing the kittens into the wicker basket, alongside Darcy. The cat meowed and stared at Kieran.
“Behave,” he told the cat sternly.
As if cats ever did. Fortunately, Darcy liked riding in the basket and she was the nurturing sort. Her cat curled around the kittens, who snuggled against her for warmth.
Ella mounted the bike. Then she hesitated. Maybe the guy was a lunatic, but he had been wandering around, looking lost. And there was something about the gentle way he’d handled the kittens that indicated a good heart. “Do you have any place to go? Do you know someone there?”
She pointed to the condos.
“I must, since Danu placed me here.”
Danu. A friend or ex-girlfriend. “Okay, take care. I have to go or I’ll be late for work.”
Kieran frowned. “Work? Why should you work? Are you a servant?”
Her temper started to rise. “Yeah, you might say. I serve every night, lots of customers who like steak with their beer and cocktails.”
“I do not understand what you are doing here. A woman alone, unprotected and without a guardian in this world, is not a good thing. Where are your elders? Those who protect you? Who are they?”
Ella’s temper snapped. “Their names are Smith and Wesson, and they’re in my backpack. I can take care of myself.”
He shook his head. “This is a dangerous world, woman. I have experienced this. You must trust me. You are too weak in your Skin to wander about this world on your own.”
She’d had enough. “Enough with the mansplaining, Sir Kieran. Good luck with your fantasy game.”
“Tis no fantasy of mine. I did not want to come here. This place… has bad memories for me. There are too many people for my liking, those who do not cherish what I do,” he said quietly.
For a moment he looked sad. Lost, as if he did not belong and wasn’t sure how to get home. Ella felt a sudden jab of pity. She knew what it felt like, surrounded by dozens of people and yet so lonely she could barely stand it. As if she were different and belonged to not only a different social set, but a different culture all together.
