I pulled Liam’s coat tightly around me and stepped forward to put my arm around Nym’s waist. As soon as I touched the elf’s warm body I realized how cold I really was.
My teeth began to chatter as Liam said, “Your place is closest, Luna. Is it all right if we all go there?”
I nodded. At this point the very thought of my fireplace (and how far I was from it) made me shiver again.
“I’ll take her in my car,” Nym said. “I’ve got a blanket.” Liam gathered the rest of my clothes in his arms and motioned for us to hurry.
“It’s the remnant of winter fairy in his blood that keeps the cold from whomever he’s touching,” Nym explained as he held the door for me.
He hurried around and got behind the wheel. “Since you’re not touching him anymore, let me turn up the heat.”
“Nym,” I said, my teeth chattering harder. “I can’t tell you how glad I am to see you and the pimpmobile.” And its great heating system.
He laughed and passed me the leopard print blanket I’d teased him about earlier.
“Like I said, you never know when you’ll need a blanket.” I snuggled underneath the soft fabric and thanked him again.
“You’re not going to elaborate on what happened in the alley, are you?” he asked.
I gave him a teasing smile. “Maybe later. I think you got the basic idea. How long were you standing there?”
“Long enough.”
Nym took a few side roads that before the veil was lifted, I couldn’t see. We reached my apartment in record time. Once we were in the building, I handed Nym my keys.
My hands were shaking too badly to open the door. Just as Liam walked up behind us one of my neighbors stuck her head out. She took one look at us and her eyes widened.
Liam laughed as she closed the door and we heard the lock turn.
Once we were inside my apartment Nym propped his umbrella beside the door.
“Go get out of those clothes and I’ll make some tea,” he said.
“Elvish tea is good for everything,” Liam said sarcastically.
“It damn well prevents catching cold,” Nym countered. “Now go get dry. What I have to tell you can wait a few more minutes.” As he spoke, Nym made a shooing motion with his hands and pushed us toward the hallway.
“I’m going,” I said.
Liam followed me into the bedroom and closed the door behind us. I slid out of my wet bra and panties while he kicked off his boots beside the door.
“I’m sorry,” he said.
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“Don’t worry about it. I needed to clean the floor anyway,” I said, and moved toward the bathroom.
When he didn’t respond I turned back to him. The look in his eyes said he was referring to more than the mud on the carpet.
“What is it?” I asked.
“I may be wrong, but I think tonight’s performance was out of character for you.
That’s my fault. I’ve had these abilities my whole life and I should have blocked the effects sooner.”
I put my wet clothes in a pile and my shaking grew worse.
“What I’m trying to say is I would never want to make you do anything you would find embarrassing or—”
While he was talking I closed the distance between us and put a finger to his lips.
The warmth of his skin was in stark contrast to my frozen digit and I trembled when I touched him.
“I appreciate your concern, but you shouldn’t worry. It’s true I wouldn’t normally jump you in an alley without powerful magic to persuade me. But that’s only because on my own I lack the courage, not the desire.”
Liam wrapped me in his arms and rubbed my back, easing some of my shivers.
“Let’s get you in a hot shower.”
I stepped underneath the water and listened as Liam stripped on the other side of the curtain.
“It’s about twenty-five degrees outside, how come I don’t have hypothermia?” Steam rose from his skin as Liam joined me underneath the water and pulled me close.
“My magic blocked most of the cold.”
He kissed my forehead and for a moment his arms tightened around me. I sighed and snuggled my face against his chest.
“The rain had a much stronger impact than standing in the shower.”
“I noticed.” Sarcasm laced my reply, but it was playful.
His laughter rumbled beneath my ear. “My grandmother said there was nothing like Mother Nature putting her two cents in.”
Even though I wasn’t looking at his face I could sense the humor of the moment had passed. When he spoke again his deep voice was softer and I could feel his sadness.
“She went out in a snowstorm years ago, and didn’t think anyone would see her.
Being a winter fairy, she craved the cold. Since she believed herself to be alone, Grandmother didn’t block the effects of her power. A man caught a glimpse through his window and ran out in search of her, in his nightshirt.”
“Oh my God.”
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“He died. I’ve always been afraid of something like that happening to me. I’d never forgive myself if you were harmed.”
I pulled back to look at him but left my hands against his chest. His eyes filled with tears as he watched me and even though I could sense his pain my heart soared. In that moment I felt like I could fly. Liam cared for me.
“I know,” I said softly.
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Chapter Ten
“Marco said he could sense my ability, that I wasn’t the first empath he’d met. Is that from being with you?”
“Yes. You said before that if you were going to read for someone you had to touch them, right?”
I nodded.
“Well, I’m sure you know this, but most empaths work by touch. They can feel the emotions of others this way, even pick up some imagery associated with those feelings.”
“Well, I picked up a lot more than that from Nym.” Liam laughed. “I think you were already empathic, just not as strongly as you are now. There are all kinds of psychic abilities; some people have more than one. I believe this applies to you also, only now your empathic talents have become predominant.” This worried me a little. “What about my palm reading business? Do you think I’ll still be able to do that? Before, I got glimpses of people’s lives and bits of emotions along with it. Sometimes I saw their future or could guess their future from the pieces I saw of their past. Does that make sense?”
He nodded. “I think if anything you’ll be even better.”
“I’m glad you have a good understanding of all this.” His expression softened again and his eyes sparkled with a new emotion, one I couldn’t quite place.
“Don’t think about it and you’ll understand more. Empathy is instinctive, like breathing. The only invitation you need now is a touch.” With these words he put my hand on his chest.
“Feel my heart,” he whispered.
He didn’t ask me to feel his pulse, but to feel his heart. That was something different entirely. Emotion flowed over me, gentle as the warm shower, but devastating just the same. My heart fluttered to match the pace of his as I was swept away.
He was afraid and unashamed to let it show. Afraid that whatever got Rachel was after me as well. Frightened of an almost immortal lifespan alone, and terrified that he was falling in love with me.
I pulled back with a gasp, unsure what to say. When Liam spoke his voice was soft and filled with emotion. “Once all of this is over, I can take away your craving for me…if that’s what you want.”
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I understood then. Liam was afraid I only wanted him because of his addictive qualities. That wasn’t the case. However, before I could say otherwise Nym knocked on the door.
“The tea is ready. Unless you’d prefer me to join you in the shower?” Liam smiled. “At least he’s consistent.”
He turned off the shower and got out first, handing me a towel. I was still shivering but not nearly as much as before.
“Since you turned off the water I’ll take that as a ‘no’ on a three-way,” Nym called.
I pulled on my robe just as Liam opened the door wearing nothing but a towel.
“Take it as a ‘yes’ on tea.”
I slipped on my favorite fuzzy orange bedroom shoes (which clashed horribly with my green bathrobe) and walked to the closet. My apartment isn’t big, but it has great closet space. Honestly, I don’t mind sleeping on a double bed instead of a queen if it means I can have a bigger closet.
“I’ve got another robe in here,” I said to Liam.
“Don’t bother on my account,” Nym said.
As I walked past the elf I brushed against him. That slight touch was enough for me to use my newly strengthened talent. It would appear I didn’t even have to touch skin. I only needed to be near someone and focus on them. It was curiosity that made me reach out with my mind. I found that what Liam said was exactly correct. Empathy was instinctive. It helped that Nym wasn’t hard to read either.
When he spoke, his tone was light and I could sense the playfulness in his voice. He wasn’t trying to block me in any way so I took advantage and literally “felt him out”.
Nym would never pursue Liam at this point because he liked me. As far as he was concerned it was plain to see how I felt. He considered Liam a lost cause romantically, as well as a good friend. I could feel similar warm, fuzzy emotions when Nym looked at me and this made me smile.
“Are you reading my mind?” the elf asked. “Because I can think of something dirtier if you want.”
He winked and I knew he didn’t mind me knowing his true feelings.
Liam moved closer. “I don’t want to know,” he teased. “I’d appreciate a robe. Even I get a little chill now and then.”
I went to the back of the closet and took out a plush black robe. “It’s too big for me, but perfect for snuggling up in cold weather,” I said, passing the robe to Liam.
Beads of water still glistened against his skin. He moved slightly and one of the droplets on his chest started to run. I followed the drop downward over his abs and gasped when he let his towel fall to the floor.
“Wow,” Nym said.
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“Since you’ve already seen the show,” Liam said as he pulled on the robe. He tied the sash and ran a hand through his long white hair. I wondered if my desire was as obvious as his beauty. I’d never seen a smile so welcoming or eyes so kind as when he looked down at me and brushed the hair back from my face. For a moment I was lost. I reached out, barely touching his skin where the robe hung open, and trailed my fingertips over his abs. I wanted to feel every curve, every line and nuance of his physique, to read his body like Braille.
With everything in me I focused on one thought, “I don’t mind a little craving.” Liam’s smile let me know he’d understood. It wasn’t exactly telepathy, but I knew he could feel my words.
He ran his fingers through my hair again and I sighed. “I should comb it before it dries this way,” I said.
He traced my cheekbone with the back of his hand before pulling away with a sexy growl.
I shivered, but it had nothing to do with the cold. “Are you sure you aren’t part werewolf?”
“Positive. You just bring out the animal in me.”
“Oh please,” Nym said, rolling his eyes. “It wasn’t that sexy.” I raised an eyebrow, giving Nym a skeptical look.
The elf put his hands on his hips and returned my look. “All right, it was hot. But his werewolf impersonation has nothing to do with why I went looking for you tonight.”
I laughed.
“Why don’t you tell us what you were doing at Red?” Liam asked.
We followed Nym into the kitchen and he handed me a cup of elvish tea. “I carry only two bags at a time and I made you a double dose.” He turned to Liam. “I found some breakfast tea in the cabinet for us.” He passed Liam a cup as he said to me, “I hope you don’t mind?”
“No. Help yourself.” Actually, I was impressed with how well he knew his way around the kitchen.
I sat at the table and Liam scooped three teaspoons of sugar into his tea while Nym began to explain.
“I went to The Spot after I left here earlier.”
“To harass Aurora,” Liam added.
“Of course. I didn’t have anything else going on tonight. Anyway, I was having some coffee and a slice of pie when she mentioned that crazy witch who tried to get me to eat her cookies. Do you remember that?”
Liam nearly choked on his tea and put the cup down. He laughed for a minute before replying, “Yeah, I remember it.” They looked at me.
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“Oh you haven’t heard that story,” Nym said.
“This witch was completely obsessed with him,” Liam interrupted.
“So she baked me some magical cookies.”
“Her plan would have worked if I wasn’t there,” Liam said.
Nym nodded his agreement.
“How did this obsession start?” I asked.
“I slept with her,” Nym admitted. “We hooked up at a club one night. The sex was pretty good, but she was creepy.”
“Creepy how?”
He took a sip of tea. “She started talking about our future and actually used the word relationship before the sheets had cooled down.”
“Yikes,” I said, laughing. “That is a little weird.”
“It’s a lot weird,” the elf said. “Anyway, she knew where I lived and kept dropping by with presents. This went on for a few weeks. I was polite, accepted the gifts and thanked her, but made no move to progress what she called our relationship.”
“You probably shouldn’t have accepted the gifts,” Liam said.
The elf turned to him, hands on hips. “What else was I supposed to do? I didn’t want to be rude. Anyway, she stopped by one afternoon with a basket of cookies. I wasn’t there, but found them at my door. As you know, I’m not that good at detecting magic sometimes. Liam stopped by just in time to keep me from eating them.”
“They would have made him fall madly in love with her,” the shaman explained.
“But what has this got to do with anything?”
The elf looked impatient. “I’m getting to that. It’s all relevant, Luna just didn’t know the backstory. Here’s the point, I hadn’t thought about this stuff in a while until Aurora mentioned it. That made me think back to the last time she and I had talked about the witch and her cookies and that made me think about the hoofprints you saw earlier today.”
“You saw hoofprints?” Liam asked.
Nym waved off his comment. “Stop interrupting. Anyway, the last time we talked about the witch, Aurora joked that I should ask Oberon to send the Wild Hunt after her.”
He looked like this was a great revelation of some sort, but I just wasn’t getting it.
“Before you explain whatever it is I’m obviously missing, what happened to the witch?” I asked.
“She gave up.”
Liam slapped his hand down on the counter. “Of course! Do you really think Cernunnos is in town?” He turned to me then. “Are you certain you saw hoofprints?”
“Whoa. Slow down. I have no idea what’s going on. What the fuck is the Wild Hunt?”
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Liam propped against the bar, looking better than anyone with wet hair and wearing a bathrobe had a right to.
“It surprises me the stories aren’t in more books, but it’s not a very popular myth.
The most widely known version is that seeing the Wild Hunt means some sort of catastrophe like war or plague is on the way. People also used to believe that anyone who saw the Hunt would die or be kidnapped and transported to the land of the dead.” He paused and I sipped my tea, wondering how to proceed.
“Al
l right. But what exactly is the Hunt?”
“Hunters.”
I gave the shaman a sarcastic look.
“Seriously. There are all kinds of hunters and that’s what the Hunt consists of.
Elves, goblins, werewolves, you name it.”
“Who is this Cernunnos you mentioned and what has he got to do with the hoofprints I saw?” I told Liam exactly what I’d seen and he paused again.
“Cernunnos is known by many names, among them the Horned God. The hoofprints you saw were most likely his.”
“You mean his horse’s?”
“No, I mean his.”
I finished my tea and took a second to wonder how my life got so complicated so fast. For the moment I decided not to ask if Cernunnos had hooves. I needed a better understanding of what we were potentially dealing with first.
“You said those were myths about the Hunt. So what’s its real purpose?”
“Cernunnos is the grim reaper of the magical world. He is also the leader of The Wild Hunt. When someone in the magical community is sentenced to death he is the one who carries out the task.”
“Or in some cases if someone of magical descent has led an evil life he’ll hunt them down just for fun when it’s their time to go,” Nym added.
“The fae are immortal unless they are stabbed through the heart or decapitated with an iron weapon,” Liam said. “Cernunnos carries an iron sword. He alone has authorization from King Oberon to slay one of our kind.” This new information made my chill return, but it piqued my curiosity as well.
“What makes you think he’s here?”
“The weather. I should have thought of it before. Wherever the Hunt travels the cold follows them. After all, Cernunnos is the bringer of death. The last time he visited Atlanta was in 1917. It got down to fifteen degrees.”
“Wasn’t that record broken a year or two ago?” Nym asked.
“Just for an hour or so. He didn’t stay as long on that visit.” Liam sat down across from me as he explained further, “Cernunnos is the one exception to lifting the veil.”
“What do you mean?”
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“He is only visible when he wants to be.”
Finally something made sense. “He has to be able to hide in order to assassinate fairies.”
Constant Cravings Page 10
