by Iris Abbott
Jessica wanted to believe she finally found a family. After all, she could feel the thin connection between them. But where were they the past twenty-seven years? She frowned and furrowed her brows. “Why did you suspect we were related? Is it because I look so much like Brittany?”
“Partially,” Brianna agreed. She gave Jessica a serious look. “I have to be frank with you. Please keep an open mind about what I’m getting ready to share with you. Jessica, you come from a long line of very powerful witches. I felt your presence as soon as you entered Enigma. I tracked you down and observed you from a distance. I had my suspicions about your identity, so when you came into the shop, I picked up a few pieces of stray hair from the costume you tried on.”
“Why didn’t you just ask me? Not that I would have been of any help, I know nothing about my real family. Was my mother a witch too?” She frowned and pursed her lips.
“Your mother’s powers were growing stronger each year. I think that’s why she was murdered. Someone in the Enigma Coven tried to murder me a couple of years ago. I played dead and stayed hidden for a long time thanks to Lucian. Later we took down the witch that was responsible. I believe she was also accountable for the murder of Brittany’s parents and yours. Someone must have been able to whisk you off to safety, but under the circumstances, everyone thought you were dead.”
“Witches?” It was so farfetched, but Jessica couldn’t find it in herself to be shocked or surprised. That trusted intuition of hers was telling her it was true. And it sort of explained her sharpened senses and awareness of everything around her.
Brittany spoke up for the first time. “I’m so glad you found your way back home to us. And don’t let the word witch scare you. You’ll get used to the idea soon enough. We’ll help you. I can’t wait for us to get to know each other. I want you to join my coven too. You’ll love Julie and Selena!”
She smiled at Brittany. “I actually met them at the Halloween party. They were wonderful to me. They made me feel right at home.”
She remembered the instant and undeniable attraction she felt for Lucian. She turned to Brianna. “What about Lucian? Is he a witch or wizard?”
Brianna and Brittany both glanced at the visible bite mark on Jessica’s shoulder. Brianna gave Brittany a subtle shake of her head. “No, honey. Lucian is not a witch or even a wizard. He’s more, but exactly what, you’ll have to discuss with him.”
Jessica accepted the explanation even though it left her with more questions than answers. She shifted the conversation back to her long lost family. “I was found abandoned near Sedona. Do you know anyone there?” She briskly rubbed her hands over her face just to make sure she wasn’t dreaming. It was a lot for anyone to take in, and she was already under a lot of stress.
“Not personally, but Sedona is home to the second strongest coven in the country. It’s probably not a coincidence that you ended up there. I’m sure whoever whisked you away had ties to the paranormal community,” she shrugged. “They may have thought you would be taken in by the coven there.”
Brianna took a deep breath. “You know, I still have your mother’s personal effects. I’ve kept them all these years. I couldn’t bear to part with them. There’s photos, jewelry, letters, diaries, all sorts of stuff. I’d be more than happy to go through those things with you. You may keep any or all of it that you want. I’d also be happy to tell you all I remember about your mom and dad. They were such wonderful people, and they loved you very much.”
Tears threatened to spill, and Jessica blinked really hard a few times to keep them at bay. She was speechless. She discovered she didn’t need to say anything. Brittany and Brianna rushed over to her, and the three women embraced each other in a group hug. Finally, Jessica knew what it felt like to have a family. It gave her high hopes for a future that once looked very bleak. The only thing that kept the moment from being perfect was Lucian’s absence.
SIX
Lucian would have preferred to take care of the threat to Jessica on his own. He wasn’t a security systems expert though. That’s why he found himself sitting in a surveillance van with Justin Gannon. Security was the Gannon family business after all.
Justin was a computer genius. In exactly five minutes, the beta wolf was going to cut into the security camera feeds in a maximum-security prison and loop previously taped footage for fifteen minutes. It was a miniscule amount of time. But those few short minutes would be long enough to free Jessica for the rest of her long life.
The risk was minimal for someone with Lucian’s capabilities, but any chance of exposure for the paranormal community was a danger to be taken seriously. It was Lucian’s job to weigh the dangers versus the rewards. It was no contest as far as he was concerned. He wanted to build a relationship and a life with Jessica. He already marked her as his. He needed to assure her safety. With Justin’s expertise and help, the risk of exposure for the paranormal community was practically nil.
Lucian called forth the magic inside him. The air around him shimmered, and suddenly the man was gone. A rather large domestic black cat now stood in his place. Justin watched the transformation with equal parts fascination and envy.
Wolf shifters went through an actual physical change that got less painful with time but was nonetheless uncomfortable. The guardian’s metamorphosis was fueled by inner magic gifted from the gods and goddesses of ancient Egypt. It was as seamless as it was painless. There was a tradeoff though. The wolf was a lean, mean, fighting machine. Guardian’s had to fight in human form. The cat was for stealth and getting into tight spots, like say a maximum-security prison.
Justin opened the side door of the van, and the cat jumped out. Lucian found a small hole under the perimeter fence and wiggled his way through. He skirted the outside of the prison grounds. A few people saw him and did a double take, but not too many people paid attention to the stray black cat wandering the prison grounds.
Guards came and went. The black cat slipped through a crack in the door behind someone who entered the prison. Thanks to Justin’s research, he knew exactly where to go. The drug lord he wanted, the one who put a two million dollar price on Jessica’s head was four hallways and six cells down. He was in an individual cell and only allowed out for one hour a day. Thanks to Justin and his computer skills Lucian knew that hour didn’t come until much later.
His claws clicked against the cold tile floor as he ran toward his destination. Just because he looked like a house cat didn’t mean he couldn’t defend himself if provoked. He still carried the mind and will of a guardian. His feline claws and teeth could do severe damage if he found himself in trouble. Luckily, he made it to the drug lord’s cell without incident.
His internal clock told him it took six minutes to reach his destination. That meant he had about nine minutes left to finish the job and get out of the prison. He peered through the metal bars. His target was alive and breathing, but not for long.
The man who owned all of Lucian’s contempt for the moment was stretched out on a cot. He looked up when he felt another presence. His mouth opened slightly when he saw the black house cat who stared him down. If anyone had been able to ask the prisoner later, he probably would have said that the cat had a searing stare that looked right through him.
“Never did like cats,” the man muttered. A shiver snaked down his spine. The man’s chubby body trembled.
Never trust a human who doesn’t like cats, Lucian almost purred the words to himself. He slipped through the bars and then right before the drug lord’s eyes he transformed into a well-honed killing machine who was intent on dispensing justice.
The man’s eyes bugged out of his head. He jumped up in an attempt to defend himself, but he’d gone soft over the years. There was nothing lax about the assassin who stood in front of him.
The prisoner had to know he stared death in the face, but he made an effort anyway. “Whatever you’re being paid, I can top it if you just leave the same way you came.” He narrowed his beady eyes when Lucian
ignored him. “At least tell me why I’m going to die.”
“I could probably give you two million reasons, but the only one you need to know is an architect named Jessica.” Lucian swiftly moved forward. It only took one forceful blow to the side of the man’s head, and then one sharp twist of the neck to end it all.
Lucian took a few seconds to shake off the negative energy associated with a kill. There was a higher purpose to what he did, and he would never regret taking a life to protect others. After all, it was why the guardians were created. Job done, in the blink of an eye, the man was replaced with a cat.
Lucian slunk through the bars and back the way he came. He made it to the van with two minutes to spare. Justin backed his program out of the prison’s security system, and the two men returned to the private airstrip and Gannon Security’s jet.
Later when guards found the body of the drug lord, a few people recalled seeing a stray black cat. Nobody thought it held any connection to the assassin who somehow found his way into a maximum-security prison and ended the life of one of the most dangerous thugs in North America.
****
Jessica stifled a yawn. It was late, but she was determined to wait up for Lucian. He called long enough to say her nightmare was finally over and that he was coming home to her. That was a couple of hours ago.
While she enjoyed getting to know Brittany and Brianna, she wanted Lucian. She couldn’t wait to wrap her arms around him and know both of them were safe. The bite mark Lucian left on her began to tingle. She absently rubbed it.
The front door swung open. Suddenly Lucian was in her sights. She ran and didn’t stop until she was in his arms. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Brianna and Brittany wave goodbye and slip out the front door. As quickly as that the other two women were forgotten, and the burning passion between Lucian and Jessica took over.
Lucian backed her into the closed door. His swollen erection pressed against her heated mound. She rubbed against him. Their moans of desire echoed through the room. They were only separated for hours, but it felt like days. “Need you now,” she unbuttoned his jeans. “Can’t wait,” she pulled down the zipper.
Lucian used his upper body strength to push her into the door. “Hold on,” he rasped. He shoved his jeans and underwear down below his knees. His erection sprang free, and Jessica moaned at the sight. They fit well together, and she couldn’t wait to feel the stretching burn of his hard-on completely fill her.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her head in the curve of his neck and shoulder. She licked a spot of bare flesh and lightly sucked it inside her mouth. The move seemed to set Lucian off. He grabbed the waistband of her sweatpants and underwear, yanking them down far enough to bare her mound.
Cold air brushed across her exposed flesh. He cupped her hips between his strong, capable hands and guided her lower body toward his straining erection. He eased his body inside of hers, and Jessica used her leg muscles to squeeze his lower back and pull him in deeper.
“Feels good, so good,” she whispered. She arched her back, rotated her hips, and joined Lucian in the journey to total satisfaction.
After they reached the peak of pleasure, Lucian gracefully stepped out of his pants and carried her upstairs. He was still sheathed inside her body, and every step was a jolt to the sensitive feminine nerves being caressed by Lucian’s body. By the time they reached the bedroom, Lucian was fully erect again. “Umm, I’m definitely going to love your stamina and short recovery time,” she purred.
****
Jessica’s heart rate finally calmed. She stretched and drew lazy circles against Lucian’s chest. “I need to know how you ended the threat to my life. The truth,” she insisted. “If I’m gonna believe the nightmare is finally over I have to know everything.”
She hesitated, and her hand dropped away. “I mean everything, Lucian. Brianna told me I was born into a long line of witches. I believe her. I’ve always had a magical sixth sense. It’s what saved me in Kansas. I knew someone was coming for me. I felt it in my bones. She explained the basics to me, and I’m going to join Brittany’s coven. I am also going to take lessons from both Brianna and Brittany until I’ve learned how to use the magic of the universe.”
She observed his reaction. He leaned over and kissed the top of her head. “You couldn’t find better teachers. Brianna is the strongest witch I’ve ever met. Even now, I can sense the faint shimmer of magic about you. You’ll be casting spells of your own in no time.”
She suddenly sat up and touched the bite mark on the side of her neck. He’d bitten her again, this time hard enough to break the skin. “Lucian, what are you? I know you’re not a witch or wizard, but you’re not just a man either. I can sense that much.”
Lucian sat up and drew her into his arms. “I’m going to tell you a story. Most would say it’s a myth, nothing true about it at all, but I think you’ll know better than that. The witch inside you will recognize the truth for what it is.”
She shivered, and he lightly rubbed her arms. “I’m what’s known as a guardian. Guardians are responsible for the wellbeing of the mystical universe. It’s our duty to make sure paranormal beings are able to live in harmony side by side with humans. We seek to maintain a balance between the two.” He hugged her tight while she processed his words.
She didn’t interrupt, and he continued. “Guardians are also the law enforcers of the paranormal world. Our mission is twofold. We protect humans by making sure they are not harmed by paranormal beings for any reason other than self-defense of course. We also protect paranormal beings by keeping their existence a secret from humans. Both of those goals require guardians to take out rogues that refuse to conform to the rules set in place by the council. After all, the rules are in place to keep all living beings safe.”
This was a lot for Jessica to take in, but so far, it wasn’t anything she couldn’t handle. There was nothing wrong with law enforcement as a career, except for the danger of course. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t imagine anyone under Lucian’s protection getting hurt. “Maybe you should be in charge of the government’s witness protection program.”
She gave him a lopsided grin. “All jokes aside, dispensing justice to other paranormal beings sounds dangerous.” She shuddered from the thought.
Lucian shrugged. “Guardians were blessed by the gods and goddesses of ancient Egypt, and we literally have nine lives. As long as our body isn’t burned to ashes or our head completely severed from our body, we can recover from anything else. That comes in handy when you’re battling paranormal creatures consumed by evil, greed, bloodlust, or any combination of the three.”
Jessica felt dizzy. She clutched his shirt and held on tight. Her very breath rushed from her body. Lucian paused for several seconds.
She hugged him. “I’m good. Keep talking,” she urged.
“A minor Mesopotamian god created vampires, wolf shifters, and falcon shifters in a fit of rage and spite. A goddess worshiped by the ancient Egyptians wanted to make sure her loyal followers were protected from these strange new beings that would eventually procreate and increase in number. She was the goddess of justice and execution and was often depicted as having the head of a lion. She decided to create new beings of her own to serve as protectors. She chose the already revered and very useful domestic cat as her model. Other gods pitched in their mystical powers and guardians were the result.”
Jessica turned in his arms and looked at him really hard. She took in the dark stubble on his chin, his magnificent cat shaped eyes, and the rest of his heavily muscled, yet graceful body. “Are you trying to tell me you’re a cat shifter descended from these protectors?”
Lucian smirked. “I’m one of the original twenty cat shifters created by the ancient Egyptian goddess.”
“Umm, just how old are you?”
Lucian laughed at the comical look he saw on her face. “I’m several centuries old, but don’t worry. I’m only on life number three.”
/> This time she completely turned around and sat up on her knees. “You don’t age. You still look thirty-five. I know enough about magic to know that it isn’t going to keep me alive for hundreds of years. I’ll die, and you’ll eventually forget about me.” A tear slipped from beneath tightly closed eyes.
“Oh, honey, I’ll never forget you, even if I live another thousand years.”
That made Jessica feel worse. “I don’t want to leave a hole in your heart after I’m gone either.”
He hugged her hard enough to make her squeak. “As if I’d ever let you go, Jessica. I’m afraid you’re stuck with me now for eternity.”
Jessica’s head jerked up. “How? I’m not complaining, but I don’t understand.”
Lucian fingered the bite mark he’d deepened during their second bout of lovemaking. “Actually our saliva has special healing agents much like the blood of vampires. Ever since I bit you and injected some of my saliva into your body, it’s been working to internally heal any damage that might already be there. It all but stops your body’s aging process. Barring any catastrophic injuries, you will live as long as I do. Over the centuries my kind has found that the bite only has to be repeated every month to continue the healing and anti-aging processes.”
Something he said earlier finally clicked. “Wait, there are vampires!”
Lucian laughed out loud before rolling over and completely covering her body with his. “My beautiful, Jessica, I have so much to teach you about the paranormal world around you, but all of it can wait until tomorrow.”
Jessica totally agreed as she surrendered to her guardian’s loving caress.
A WOLF’S LOVING VALENTINE
Enigma, Maine Series
