“I’m... I’m sorry. I don’t know why I lost it. I guess too much too soon. I’m ok. Really.” She leaned forward and whispered, “Can they all change or just you?”
Laughter, soft and polite, echoed around the large space. “We can all change, but the cubs have a harder time of it. No, you cannot be bitten and suddenly start to change; you have to be mated first. And no, we don’t have to wait for just the full moon.” The mysterious male peered behind him, casting an indulgent smile at the pup’s impatient whine. “Try again, Ian. You will eat as a boy, not a pup.”
“What... I know I’m dreaming now. I have to be. None of you are real; you’re all fairy tales and make-believe.” Chrissy ignored the deepening chuckles that brought a heated blush to her cheeks. “I’m sorry, I’m being rude again.”
“We’re all real, Chrissy Macintyre, just as real as you and your family.” Arwan said softly.
“How...” Chrissy never told them her last name. For that matter, she never told them her first name either. Granted, she was known to talk in her sleep, but it didn’t seem likely that she would tell them her name. “I never...”
Before she had a chance to do more than press her back against the cold, stone wall, Arwan had her hands clasped in his larger, warmer ones. His touch seemed to chase the panic away, “Please, we mean you no harm, Chrissy. You must trust us. We are only trying to help you.”
Not knowing why, Chrissy believed him. He reminded her so much of her grandpa; it was hard not to. “I shouldn’t. I really shouldn’t, but I do. Just... give me one reason why I should?”
“I know a lot about you, Chrissy, and I know you managed to wander through the veil. We could have left you, injured and lost, but we didn’t. Instead, we brought you here where I expended a terrific amount of energy healing you.” Gently, Arwan released her hands and set them on either side of her forgotten plate, his way of silently encouraging her to eat. “However, what Fenric and I don’t understand,” he nodded to the other man as he moved closer, “is how you managed to cross the veil into my realm.”
Absentmindedly, Chrissy began to nibble at the food, all while watching as Ian finally managed to shift into a small, brown-haired boy. When she realized they were all staring at her, she felt her face heat with a dark blush. Leaning closer to Arwan, she whispered, “What are they all waiting for?”
Fenric’s deep chuckle skittered down her spine, a sense of awareness flowing from her head to her toes. “Once you have taken a proper bite, they will stop watching you and eat as well.”
She took a moment to study Fenric, realizing just how handsome he was. His body was built but not excessively so. And his eyes held a bit of that wild wolf to them, giving him an air of being barely civil.
Nodding, she took a small nibble before murmuring softly, “I don’t... What are you talking about? What veil? The only thing I remember is that fog, and then, I fell down. It was like a wall that ended at the top...” Her voice trailed off as she turned to Arwan, beseeching him to give her an answer.
“Exactly, Chrissy, it was a wall. You need to remember what happened, how you made it across.” Arwan settled himself next to her, sitting on the bench to her right; his eyes peered deeply into hers. “Once you remember, then everything else will make sense. I promise.”
Another stabbing pain shot through her temples as she tried to think back, “I don’t... I can’t remember! It hurts to even think past that fog!”
A hand lifted, rubbing at the stabbing in her left temple, easing away the hurt. Fenric frowned as he concentrated, “Don’t push yourself, Chrissy; you’re still recovering from your concussion.” His hand lingered, trailing a blazing path down her cheek and neck until it rested on her opposite shoulder. “It’ll come when it’s ready. For now, eat and rest.”
Chrissy leaned over her plate and did just that, watching silently as a man that looked exactly like Fenric, but older, brought a plate for him and Arwan.
All the while, her mind was whirling. How could she be sitting here, eating delicious food with mythical beings? She would think it was a dream, if not for the slight ache in her leg and head.
Suddenly, that searing pain came roaring back; she nearly screamed as her memories came rushing back, a tidal wave that caused her body to lurch unexpectedly off of the stone bench to the hard floor. Chrissy felt her eyes roll back in her head and her body shuddered uncontrollably. All she could do was hold on for the ride as all of her memories surged through her mind, the force felt much like a raging tsunami. She moved through periods of her life, the images blurring and slowing then blurring once more.
Again, it moved backward; the images flashing and colliding with each other until it became nothing more than a blur. As though someone had hit the rewind button on a movie and refused to let it play at a normal pace.
She was unable to stop the memories, couldn’t even slow them enough for her to really see them before they were whizzing past once more. They started skipping around, losing the linear path they had been following as they jumped from one point in time to another, before finally settling down just as her family seemed to melt in front of her.
It was like watching Star Trek, her family was solidly around her, but as she started to drift off, they began to dematerialize. She faded from the edges to the center until they were completely gone. No, that wasn’t right. They weren’t the ones vanishing, she was. She could hear her brother screaming, her father’s bellow as he turned and tried to grab her. The horrible screeching as her mom slammed on the breaks while screaming at her dad to “do something!” The thundering noises drove her into a blind panic.
Above it all, she heard the ominous chuckle, felt the heated breath against the back of her neck. “Your terror, it will feed us for years to come!”
Chapter Four
Fenric was livid at himself, Arwan and this entire situation. He was supposed to be taking care of the human, not driving her into a seizure. At least he had been quick enough to grab her as she lurched forward, preventing her from cracking her head once more.
As gently as he could, he lowered her to the floor, positioning her on her side. Her back was pressed against his chest as he held her, just enough to keep her from hurting herself while she thrashed about. Thankfully, it was a short seizure, her body shuddering less by the time he had her propped against him.
With a ragged sigh, Chrissy stilled. Her aura, that light which surrounded all living beings, finally settled down from a maelstrom of colors into soft blues and greens. Tenderly, Fenric turned her, letting her head rest against his shoulder as he rolled to his back.
“She’s coming around. I think her mind was overloaded with the return of her memories.” Arwan was crouched over them, his hand resting lightly against the back of her head. “I apologize, Fenric, for not seeing this as a possibility.”
“Even you aren’t omnipotent, Arwan.” He knew his voice was a deep grumble, but he couldn’t prevent it, not that he wanted to anyway, his beast was thrashing just as madly as Chrissy had been. She is ok, we’ll protect her, and nothing will ever harm her again.
Chrissy moaned softly, turning her head further into his neck. The warm breaths caressed him, stirring him in ways he never knew existed. Ours! Protect ours! Fenric wasn’t even aware of the soft growl emanating from him until Chrissy jerked back slowly.
“You’re growling.” She paused, her brows drawing down into a frown. “Why are we on the ground?”
“How are you feeling, child?” Arwan began stroking her hair, “You had a seizure. Do you remember anything?”
The touch was meant to be comforting, but Fenric was having a hard time not lashing out at Arwan. He was touching their woman. No, that wasn’t right. Chrissy was too young to claim, and Arwan had no designs on her, but Fenric made a vow to be there when she was old enough to claim. He would find that honeysuckle scent anywhere, no matter where she went, Fenric would be there whenever she needed him.
Her next words
jolted him from his thoughts. “We were going camping but never made it. Mom was driving, but we were going around a curve on the highway...”
“What happened, Chrissy?” Fenric reached out, running the tips of his fingers against her silky-smooth cheek. “How did you end up in the forest alone and running?”
“I don’t... I don’t know. I was just starting to fall asleep. I remember hearing a screech and banging. I... I think we were hit by something?” She shuddered as she spoke. “It wasn’t right. It wasn’t normal, though, like our car had hit or been hit. There was a blinding light, and it smelled nasty. I remember thinking that it was like a skunk on fire.”
Fenric tried to hide his shock; there was only one creature that emitted that scent. One that he and the pack had killed decades ago or, at least, he thought they had. “Did you see it, Chrissy?”
At the negative shake of her head, Fenric slowly sat up. “That would explain why she felt like she had to run... Arwan, if it’s still alive, then we are all in peril.”
“I know there was more than one. At least, it felt like there was more than one.” Chrissy was so focused on trying to remember, that she missed the worried expressions that crossed the faces of those close enough to hear her.
It took all of Fenric’s strength to lay still, his beast wanted to destroy Si’tal once more. This time, he’d make sure to end him. “Arwan, if he is the one, then we must get Chrissy back to her people as quickly as possible. A hunting party will have to go with her, to protect her and her family.”
Arwan nodded. Fenric knew he didn’t have to tell the other male that the likelihood of Chrissy’s family being alive was slim.
“Of course, time must not be wasted. While you assemble the team you wish to take, I will help Chrissy gather supplies. We’ll meet at the gateway in an hour.” As Arwan spoke, he helped Chrissy to her feet. “I’m sure you have several questions, and I will answer them as best I can, but we must be quick.”
Fenric watched as Chrissy meekly followed behind Arwan as he bustled about the cavern. They didn’t always use the caves, mostly when they were meeting with the Others and felt unsafe with bringing them to the village. With a shake of his head, Fenric rolled to his feet, calling out for several of his special Hunters to join him by the fire.
* * * *
Chrissy stared at the people in the cave. It went from being boisterous as everyone sat around eating and laughing to a surge of activity. The scary part was no one said a word. They all just set their food aside and began gathering the needed items.
She had no idea what was going on or who this person—or thing—was they had been talking about, but from the grim expressions on everyone’s faces, it couldn’t be good. “What’s going on?”
“We’re gathering supplies to take you back across the veil. Once we’re there, we’ll locate your family and take care of the one that attacked you. He’s a former member of my clan, Chrissy, one that is too dangerous to run free.” Fenric’s deep voice fluttered over her shoulder; he’d managed to sneak up behind her. “We thought we had taken care of him a decade ago, but this time, he will never come back to hurt anyone.” Large, gentle hands turned her to face him; his serious mien gave her chills. “He is one of us, Chrissy. And if he’s turned anyone, then your entire world is in danger. We must move quickly to deal with him. Don’t worry; we will make sure your family is protected.”
Mutely, Chrissy nodded. What could she say? She had no idea what Fenric and his people were... other than shifters. If they had some extra-special powers, she didn’t know. In all of the stories she’d ever read, there wasn’t any indication that they could teleport people or wipe their memories. Most of them could only change from human to some animal and back again.
Fenric studied her intently, looking for something only he could see, before he nodded and moved off to assist the others. When he returned and passed a small pack to her, Chrissy simply slung it over her shoulder, her mind whirling with the need to process everything that’d happened.
The journey from the cave to the small clearing was short, much more so than she thought it would be. After only a handful of minutes walking at a brisk pace, they were making their way through the small meadow and up the short hill into the tree line.
A surge of trepidation overcame Chrissy, causing her to dig in her heels. She didn’t want to cross into that consuming fog.
“Be at ease, child. I will not let it confuse you.” Arwan gathered her hand and, much like a father, led her into the swirling white vortex. It slid out of the way, parting to reveal a well-worn path.
Chrissy slowly began to relax and breathe again, not realizing that she’d been holding her breath. She loosened her tight grip on Arwan’s hand, not completely letting his hand free; she was sure it hurt him, but he didn’t complain. Instead, he gave her a comforting squeeze.
As silent as the forest had been before, it was filled with a cacophony of insect and bird noises now. It was almost as though the very forest was greeting them.
Before she knew it, they broke through to a paved road. How had they traveled so far, so fast?
“It’s the magic of the wall. When you know where to go; the path will take you there.”
Chrissy blinked, peering behind them past the others to where the fog quickly swallowed any trace of the path, only to see it come to an abrupt stop a good distance from the road.
Fenric came up to her side, handing her some dried meat and water from a canteen. “We will camp here for the night and get a fresh start in the morning. The others are setting up the hammocks and getting a small fire going. If you want something else to eat, I can see what they packed.”
“No, thank you. I’m not really that hungry, just super tired.” Chrissy knew her cheeks were glowing with a blush; she always felt awkward around boys her age, and Fenric was making her feel even more socially inept.
“I had them set up yours first.” A warm hand brushed the side of her face, the fingertips lingering on her cheek before sliding away. “Why don’t you go lay down and rest; I’ll wake you in the morning.”
Stifling a yawn, Chrissy nodded and moved reluctantly to where the others had strung up several cloth hammocks between the trees. After climbing into the only one set up and wiggling until she was comfortable, Chrissy waited for sleep to come, watching the mesmerizing flicker of firelight as it moved over the others as they sat in a semi-circle facing her. It teased and danced with the shadows, playing over Fenric’s profile. She could tell that he was in his element, laughing and joking with the others. His eyes glimmered, catching the light and reflecting it back like a wild animal before the hunt.
She knew she should be afraid, or at least concerned, but she wasn’t. Chrissy’s thoughts turned inward, analyzing why she wasn’t scared of this group of strangers. From the beginning, she felt safe and secure, knowing that they wouldn’t hurt her. Arwan felt like a grandfather, and Fenric, well, she wasn’t sure what to think of him, but it certainly wasn’t like a brother.
He was handsome and sent her heart skittering into overdrive, but there was something more, something almost tender whenever he looked at her.
As though her thoughts called him, Fenric lifted his gaze and focused on her. Pulling her attention, she watched as he stood and slowly stalked toward her. She felt trapped, like a mouse in a trap. A sense of anticipation surrounded her, and she pushed herself upright, biting back an undignified squeak as the hammock started to swing wildly. At least her name wasn’t Grace.
One primal step after another brought him before her, his regard searing as he stopped before her. One warm hand moved to cup her cheek before it was gliding to the back and capturing her hair. The touch sent shivers cascading down her spine, accentuated as the other hand began to comb through her loose locks before it joined the other. The grip was tight, not painful but enough to secure her head in place, as he forced her head to tip further back.
Immersed as she was in his gaze, she
could see him slowly bending at the waist, giving her ample time to turn away. She didn’t want to turn, didn’t want to protest in any way as his lips glided against hers. The touch, feather light and tender, glided back and forth. It ended too soon, with a deep groan as Fenric pulled away. “If circumstances were different, you would be mine.”
Resting his head against hers, Chrissy’s breath thundered through parted lips. With a start, she felt his chest, his own breath running madly through taut muscles and his heart racing. She wasn’t the only one affected.
“Sleep, Chrissy. Tomorrow will be hectic.” Gently, he freed his hands, another soft moan filling their small bubble as he urged her to lie back down. “We will protect you.”
No one saw the figure hiding in the depths of the fog as it slipped away, disintegrating until nothing was left but the shuddering of the leaves as it moved further from the clustered group.
Chapter Five
Awakening with a gasp, Chrissy moved to scrub at her eyes to clear the sleep from them. Not knowing what woke her up, she stared in confusion at the white walls surrounding her. This wasn’t right, where were the trees and animals? Why couldn’t she see Fenric, Arwan and the others wrapped in their hammocks? Even the fire was gone.
She didn’t recall leaving the forest; in fact, the last thing she remembered was being curled on her side in the hammock and Fenric wrapping her in a soft blanket.
“Oh god, you’re awake!” A woman’s voice called from her left, startling Chrissy and jerking her attention to her.
“Mom...” Why was Chrissy’s voice so scratchy? Why couldn’t she move? Chrissy started to shake her head, trying to clear the cobwebs, but a raging pain in her temple stopped her.
Slowly, the world started to clear, the sleep and drugs finally allowing her to notice her surroundings—soft bands around her wrists held them to metal railings on the hospital bed and the rhythmic beeping of machines that gradually began to speed up as her heart began racing. Twin footsteps began pounding outside her door, burying the sounds of someone talking over the intercom.
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