by Dora Blume
She hopped out and headed in the direction where Ely had gone after the others. She saw a man standing alone near the treeline. Ely said there were several people lost, was he one of them? Jessie got closer and wondered about the lonely man. Why would he be all alone out here?
“Excuse me, do you need help?” Jessie leaned to the side trying to get a better look at him. A shiver of energy ran up her spine, and she knew in a second he was a demon. Her hands rose to freeze him. A second later, she was thrown off her feet, landing on her back with a hard thud. Son of a bitch, he had Shikari powers. Instead of trying to scramble to get up, she focused all her energy on freezing this man. If she could freeze him, she had a fighting chance. As he got closer, she felt a shiver of energy again. She held her hands and sent her own power toward him. When he stopped mid-stride, she let out a sigh of relief. This was exactly why she wasn’t supposed to get out of the van.
Saying the incantation, she got up from the ground and brushed off her pants. Ely’s voice came through her earpiece. “Jessie, where did you go?” he sounded perturbed.
“I walked a little ways from the van toward the woods. I thought I could help with the confused people. There was a memory spell we used in Minneapolis. I thought it would help here.” Jessie looked down to the guy she’d just encountered. “Are you sure you got all the demons?” she asked.
“Pretty sure, why?” his voice was leery.
“Because I was just attacked by one near the woods.”
Twin shouts of “What?” rang in her ears. Apparently Erik’s device suddenly started working again. “Where are you? I’m coming to get you.” Erik called.
“I’m fine, I took care of it already. I’m on my way back to the van anyway. I’ll just meet you guys there.” Jessie shook her head at their over protectiveness. She could obviously take care of herself. She had gotten knocked on her ass, but in all fairness, there weren’t supposed to be any demons out here. She decided to leave him frozen until she could figure out where he came from.
Erik met her on her walk back to the van. “Jess, I told you not to leave the van. What were you thinking?” He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her against him. He kissed her hair. “Please, don’t scare me like that again,” he breathed. Jessie looked down to the blood covering the bottom half of his shirt.
“Um, mind explaining all the blood.”
“Oh,” his voice softened. “Bryant stabbed me when he tried to run.” Erik shrugged. “I’m more worried about you. Why did you try to take on a demon?”
Jessie gaped at him. His father stabbed him and he was worried about why she left the van. Sighing, she decided to answer, knowing he would brush off her concern about him. “I just thought I could help. I figured Ely had already taken care of all the demons, so I thought it would be okay to help with the humans. I guess I was wrong. I’m sorry.” He pulled back. His eyes scanned over her entire body. As he did, she stared at his shirt. It was obvious that he was the one in need of medical attention.
“Why do you have dirt on your pants?” he asked, narrowing his eyes suspiciously.
“Well, the guy I found was a demon. Apparently he had the power to throw me on my ass. Don’t worry, I dispossessed him and left him frozen over there.” Jessie pointed in the direction she’d just left. “Now, will you please go sit in the van. I think you’re the one in need of attention here, like medical attention. Erik, you’ve lost a lot of blood.”
He pulled her back into another fierce hug. “Jess, I’ll be fine. I love you. I want you to be safe.” He showered her face with kisses, and she let out a giggle.
“Erik, stop, what happened inside?” she asked, trying to get him to be serious.
“Nothing much, we went in, we kicked ass, end of story,” Erik shrugged and winced, his hand going back to his wound.
“Considering you’re bleeding and you said Bryant stabbed you, I believe it was as simple as that?” She cupped his cheek in her hand. “Come on, Erik. Whatever it is we can deal with it together.”
His eyes lit with unshed tears. “Bryant was behind my mom’s death. He was behind everything,” Erik swallowed hard. His voice was choked as he went on. “Sloane is still in there with him. I came out here with Amy. Bryant tried to shoot her to get to Sloane,” he sighed and closed his eyes. Jessie could tell he was fighting back his pain.
“You left him alone in there with Sloane?” Her eyes widened.
“She told me to leave.” His shoulders sagged, and she could tell he was carrying the heavy weight of what he’d left behind. Jessie pulled him against her and hugged him this time, knowing that he needed her support.
“Oh, Erik I’m so sorry. I know you wanted to believe it wasn’t him.” She ran her hands over the hard muscles of his back and she could feel his body shake with silent sobs. He wouldn’t let others see him, but he would let her. She would hold him as long as he needed. She rubbed soothing circles over his skin just as he did when she’d been shot. He needed her now more than ever. Jessie glanced up and Sloane was walking out of the building with Mike at her side. She looked like she was on a mission or something. She yanked Ely around to face her.
“Um, Erik, I know you may need some more time, but we may need to stop your sister from killing Ely.” She let go of Erik and his head flew up from her shoulder.
“What?” his eyes were wide as he turned to take in the scene. Sloane was standing less than a foot from Ely. Her finger jabbed into his chest as she yelled at him. Jessie didn’t know what she was saying, but she was obviously pissed.
“We should probably go see what’s going on.” Jessie grabbed Erik’s hand before he could answer and pulled her behind him to where Sloane was yelling.
“Seriously, you want me to believe that? He accused you in his dying breath. His last words were to out you as a traitor. You think I’m going to believe you?” Sloane jabbed her finger into Ely’s chest.
“Sloane, calm down. Are you absolutely certain that’s what he said?” Mike asked, raking a hand through his dark curls.
“Yes, I’m sure. What, now you don’t believe me?” She threw up her hands and stalked away from both of them. “Fucking unbelievable.”
“Uh, do I even want to know what’s going on?” Erik asked.
“Apparently, Bryant said Ely had been helping him this whole time.” Mike glanced at Sloane. She was pacing a few yards back with her hands balled into fists. Jessie could hear her muttering in frustration.
“Um, I think Sloane may have hit her breaking point,” Jessie commented as she watched her continue to pace.
“Yeah, well, she just shot our father and then watched him die.” Erik raked a hand through his hair and spared his sister a concerned look. “I think that would be anyone's breaking point.” He looked back to Mike and Ely. “Is there any way he was talking about another Ely?” Erik asked.
“I have no idea what he was talking about. The only one who heard what he said was Sloane. She said he told her Ely was helping him. That’s all we know,” Mike shrugged.
“Okay, let me talk to her.” He strode over to his sister. Jessie was a step behind him. He turned surprised. “What are you doing?” he asked.
“Coming with you.”
“Um, okay,” he closed the distance to where Sloane was pacing. “Hey, are you sure that’s what he said, that it was this Ely?” Erik pointed his thumb over his shoulder toward Ely.
“Yes, I’m sure. I wasn’t hearing things.” Sloane dropped her arms to her sides.
“Okay, well is there any chance he was saying it to get to you? He liked to do whatever he could to manipulate you of all people. Are you sure that’s not what he was doing?” Erik took a step toward Sloane. He rested his hand on his shoulder and looked into her eyes. She pressed her lips together.
“No, I guess not,” she admitted.
“Do you think I would have noticed if Ely was working with him?”
“Yeah, I guess you would. Plus, he wouldn’t have helped with the other demons.” S
he shifted her weight from one foot to the other.
“Okay, so we can both admit that Bryant was probably just fucking with you.” He smirked and Sloane scowled at her brother.
“An asshole to the very end,” she nodded.
“Now that’s the sister I know and love. So, everything taken care of in there?” He jerked his head toward the building.
“You mean are all the Shikari free of all invading demons? Yeah, I’m good at taking out demons. Bryant’s gone too. I think my shot nicked his lung. He didn’t last much longer after you left.” Sloane looked to the ground, shifting her weight.
Erik nodded. “You did what you had to do.” He pulled his sister into a hug. Jessie smiled at the rare affection between the two. “So, what do you think? You up for running the new order?” Erik asked his voice turning from solemn to playful.
“Oh hell no. I think we all deserve a long vacation.” Sloane pulled away from her brother. “Besides, you probably need to visit a hospital before you try to head up anything.” Sloane glanced over to her brother’s stomach.
Erik kept one arm over her shoulder and rested the other on Jessie’s shoulders. “Yeah, I’ll get to that part. We better go figure out who’s going to be in charge because I’m not interested. I’m going to have a kid to raise.” He bent and kissed Jessie’s head.
“Hey, Bryant headed up the Minneapolis area while raising us,” Sloane remarked.
“No he didn’t. Mom raised us.” Erik shot back.
“Yeah, that’s true. What the hell did he do anyway?” Sloane asked.
“Taught us how to fight.” Erik looked over to his sister.
“Yeah, he did teach us how to do that.” She tugged at his hand.
“I love you, little bro,” she smiled.
“I love you too, sis. Now come on. We have some decisions to make and a life to get back to living.” He smiled and for the first time in a long time, Jessie noticed his smile actually reached his eyes.
Epilogue
One Year Later
“Jess, come on, you can’t stay in that bathroom forever.” Sloane called from her bedroom door.
Butterflies filled Jessie’s stomach as she stared at herself in the mirror. The day had finally come. Jessie was going to marry Erik. Well, as long as she left this bathroom. Currently, leaving felt like an impossibility. Her feet felt like cement bricks on the tile floor. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to marry Erik. Jessie wanted to spend the rest of her life with him. There was a whole room full of people. Most she barely knew. They were there to watch their union, especially since Erik took on a leadership role in Minneapolis. She thought he was crazy, especially since Cooper was born. Sloane insisted that he was the best person for the job. She promised to help in any way she could. Mike agreed to do what he could as well. With the overwhelming support, it was hard for Erik to refuse.
“Jessie, love, are you okay in there?” Mike’s voice was filled with concern as he rapped his knuckles lightly against the door. “If you’re not out here soon, Erik’s going to think you got cold feet.”
Jessie swung open the door, the end of her dress pulling on the corner of the door. She yanked the white fabric from the door and glared at Mike. “I’m not getting cold feet. I just don’t understand why we couldn’t get married with a small gathering of friends. Why are there so many people here?” Jessie smoothed her hands over the white lace of her dress. The self-conscious feeling coming over her wasn’t her. She never felt like this around her friends.
“Jess, they’re here to celebrate with you. You’re the most beautiful woman here today.” Sloane took a step forward, taking Jessie’s hand. “My brother’s lucky to have you. Besides, Ely’s keeping Cooper calm. If you don’t hurry your butt up, that boy’s going to start screaming and ruin all the cute ring bearer pictures.” Sloane smirked.
“Well, in that case.” Jessie rolled her eyes. She wasn’t wrong. Cooper had one hell of a set of lungs. When he cried, the whole house heard him. Jessie was grateful that Sloane, Mike, and Ely had all moved into the house with them. They’ve been such a help since they got home from the hospital.
Cooper was born four months ago. He was the light of their world. His little towhead was adorable. He had this father’s bright eyes and his mother’s button nose. Jessie even loved how his cheeks and forehead turned rosy-red when he cried. Sloane had even surprised her. She went out and bought him the cutest clothes, including little baby suits. Jessie thought it was ridiculous. Sloane said she would have the most stylish baby boy.
“So, you ready? You know Erik’s waiting.” Sloane gave her a knowing look.
“Yes, I’m ready,” she sighed.
“Good, cause you look stunning. It’d be a shame if no one got to see you.” Sloane patted Jessie’s shoulder and smiled.
“Of course, you’d say that.” Jessie shook her head. She took one last look at herself before she followed Sloane out the door. Jessie was supposed to descend the steps to Erik waiting in the living room. Sloane had taken charge with a wedding planner and the entire living room had been decked out in silver chairs and a thin silver gossamer lined the aisle. The scent of the white lilies filled the air. Sloane had somehow made the dark living room, look light and airy. Jessie was so grateful. With Cooper, she hadn’t had time to plan anything. Sloane took care of every last detail. Even Tamslyn chipped in and helped.
The look Tamslyn gave her now, as she stood on the top step was filled with pride. Jessie’s heart swelled as she looked to Erik. The absolute glow radiating from him was unmistakable. It probably mirrored her own look of admiration. The wedding march began. Jessie’s eyes paused on Copper, who was cradled in Ely’s arms. He looked so adorable in his mini-black tuxedo. He was sleeping contentedly in Ely’s capable arms.
Jessie slowly descended the steps. When she reached Erik, he took her hand and they faced the preacher. They’d done their traditional vows. Erik wanted to write them, but Jessie won that argument. Neither of them had time to do that. When the preacher said, “You may kiss the bride,” Erik cupped her face in his hands and gave her a salacious kiss.
They ran hand in hand down the aisle and out into the tented backyard. Erik stopped and spun her around on the make-shift dance floor. “Jessie, I love you so much,” he breathed against her ear.
The others followed out and began taking their spots at their designated tables. Sloane strode up to Jessie. “I’m sorry to break up this mini-celebration, but Jessie has a dinner dress to change into.”
“Already?” she asked.
“I haven’t even worn the wedding dress that long.” Jessie looked down to her bell-shaped dress and swayed her hips watching the dress move from side to side. She let out a giggle.
“That’s why you bought that dress, isn’t it?” Sloane rested her hand on her hip.
“It’s not the only reason.” Jessie swayed again. “Listen,” she swayed again and a swishing noise came from the dress.
Erik smiled. He pulled her against him and kissed her. “I love how you delight in the little things,” his fingers laced with hers.
“Well, aren’t you two just the cutest.” Sloane’s shoulders touched her ears and she pressed her hands together. She dropped them and rolled her eyes. “Come on, you have a dinner dress for a reason.”
“I will change into it soon, I promise. Now, if you haven’t noticed a line is forming to congratulate us on our marriage. We should probably talk to them.” Jessie’s eyes flicked to the people tapping their foot as they stood a few feet back from Sloane. Most everyone gave Sloane a wide berth.
After an hour, Erik excused them so they could sit at their table. Sloane insisted she go change. She agreed, knowing the dinner dress was more comfortable than the bulky wedding dress. It was chiffon gown with a low v cut down the center. The fabric shimmered in the low light. There were twinkle lights hung around the tents. Colored globes of light rested on pillars around the lawn. Erik took her hand and led her onto the dance floor. His strong hands s
played over the bare skin of her back. A thrill ran down her body at the feel of his embrace. Johnny Cash’s Ring of Fire started.
Erik gave her a devilish smile and wiggled his eyebrows. “I fell into a burning ring of fire,” he sang as he began the quick step. Jessie clung to him as he whisked them around the dance floor. He dipped her down and pulled her up into a fiery kiss. Their mouths moved together and the song wasn’t the only thing on fire. Claps and hoots filled the air around them. She clung to him, his tongue dipping between her parted lips, tasting her with such a fierce desire. She clutched his shoulders and held on for dear life. He was the oxygen that filled her lungs and gave her life.
The cry of her son broke their kiss. Erik grinned at her. “Ah, the beautiful sound of our son. I love you so much, Jessie. I’m not sure I will ever be able to express just how much you mean to me, but I will spend my entire life trying to show you.” His lips met hers. This time, his kiss was slow and deliberate. His tongue slid across the seam of her lips, and when she opened them, he slid inside slowly, caressing her tongue with his own.
He pulled away, gazing deep into her eyes. She ran her hand over the sharp lines of his cheekbone. “I love you, too, Erik. I will always love you.” She pulled him against her and they continued their dance, slowly, holding each other.
Over Erik’s shoulder, she could see both Mike and Sloane keeping Cooper busy. Sloane rocked him in her arms while Mike made faces down. She could hear her sons delighted giggles. It was the best sound in the world. Ely came up behind Sloane, resting his hand on her shoulder. Mike smiled at him.
“Your sister looks happy,” she commented next to Erik’s ear.
“Yeah, who knew having two guys would be what made her happy? I don’t get what Mike and Ely are getting out of the deal, but they seem to be fine with each other. I just like they all moved in. We have constant babysitters. I’m not sure we’d be getting a full night’s sleep without them.” Erik’s hands roamed to her lower back. She backed her head away to look at him. His eyebrow rose and she smirked.
