by Bryce Evans
“I know that right now you need to get a lot of rest and get your strength back, but I wanted you to know that the Unit is willing to wait as long as you need before you report to work. In fact, you can stay in this room or you can move to another one when you feel better.” Emerson knew she was just sitting there with a stupid frown on her face and needed to say something, but she couldn’t speak a word.
“Is everything okay?” Jonas asked, sitting in the chair beside the bed.
She fought back tears as she realized they still wanted her on the team. “You still want me?” Her voice cracked with emotion.
His forehead furrowed as he stared at her, worried now because of her expression. “Of course we want you. Why wouldn’t we?”
“Because I got caught and taken. I couldn’t get away. I couldn’t use my magic to help me. So…” Her eyes welled up as she thought about what happened to her.
“Emerson, what happened wasn’t your fault. Any of us would’ve pulled over and stopped to see if we could help that woman. These people had done this a hundred times, and I don’t think you could’ve cast a spell fast enough before she hit you with the dart. We would’ve all been in the same boat you were in.
“So to ease your mind, we still want you, and we’re willing to wait until we get you. Because you’re a pretty impressive woman, and you’ll be an asset to the Unit. There will be times when we won’t be able to use magic, and then the Unit will have to rethink their plan. That’s where shifters or vampires come in handy. Magic isn’t the only weapon the Unit has in its arsenal. To think that wouldn’t be very smart of me as the commander. But when the time comes, your magic will be a powerful weapon that will assist the Unit in defeating the worst of the worst. Plus, we need your help in figuring out how to counter the spell that was in the building. From what Jansen said, it was pretty powerful.”
Emerson knew her mouth was hanging open, but she couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “I just thought…that once you found out I wasn’t able to get free—”
“Something terrible happened to you, Emerson, but you’re a strong woman. We know that you’ll learn to live with it, and the only way to make sure that man doesn’t hurt anyone else is to get out there and try and prevent it. That means taking these people down.”
She had to close her eyes. Jonas’s kind words floored her. She hadn’t expected this. “My father said that you didn’t want me, and I thought that it was true.”
“To be quite honest with you, Emerson, I don’t give a shit what your father thinks. He isn’t the person who was asked to be on this team. If your father can’t see how special you are, then shame on him. I did my background check on you; I know the type of person you are, and that is who I want on my team.
“This is a bump in the road. You make your own destiny, not your father. So with that being said, get some rest, and I look forward to working with you. I hope you plan on staying, because it would be a shame to let them win. They tried to break that spirit that I saw and wanted on my team.” Jonas leaned over and patted her hand, then stood up. “Let me know if you need anything.”
Emerson watched as Jonas got up and walked out the door.
Her father came in a few minutes later. He didn’t say anything, just jerked the dresser drawers open and started pulling her underwear and shirts out and putting them in a suitcase. “The doctor said that you were cleared to leave and come home. I’ve already got the plane ready to leave in the morning.” Before she could respond, a knock at the door drew her attention.
They both turned toward the door as a lady with beautiful black hair stuck her head inside.
“Oh good, you’re awake. Hello.” The woman walked over and shook her father’s hand first. She was dressed in a black pencil skirt, along with a white top and some gold jewelry. She looked like some of the wives of her father’s friends, but this lady was clearly different. She made the outfit look professional but feminine. Not like the other women Emerson was so used to seeing, who were fake with only one expression—disdain.
“I’m Lilly Wilder, and you must be Kingston Prescott.”
She almost fell out of the bed as her father, the man who hated shifters, blushed and shook Lilly’s hand. Has the world ended? Or is this just the weirdest dream I’ve ever had?
“Yes ma’am, I’m Kingston.”
“Such manners. I heard you were a true gentleman through and through. I brought some lunch for you both. I hope you don’t mind, I figured you’d be hungry. We can sit and have a picnic and get to know each other.”
His whole face lit up as Lilly pulled a table over to the bed and sat the picnic basket on it. “I hope you like steak and chicken. I had the chef make both, because I wasn’t certain which one you would like. Are you hungry? I guess I should’ve asked you.”
Lilly bent down over the bed. “Hello Emerson. I’ve been waiting to meet you. Both of you, actually. I’ve read everything about magic that I could get my hands on, and let’s be honest—when they talk about the best of the best, both of your names come up.” Lilly winked at Emerson, then turned to face Kingston. “Now, I have a sneaking suspicion that she learned everything from her dad.”
This woman was one smooth operator. She was playing Emerson’s father like a drum, and the funny part was that she was a shifter. She had her father eating out of the palm of her hand as they sat down at the table. “I wish I could do magic, but the gods said no.” Lilly laughed, and Kingston did too. Emerson just sat there watching this woman win her father over. Did she hit her head? Did they do something to her? Was this a miracle in the making?
“Well, maybe we can teach you some magic. Maybe you just needed the right teacher,” Kingston said, smiling at Lilly.
Lilly put some of the food on a plate and handed it to Emerson. Tucking a napkin into her shirt, she smiled again and winked. “Emerson, you don’t know how important you are to the Unit. They’ve been bragging about you since they found out that you were coming.” Lilly looked over at her father and put her hand on his. “I know you’re so proud of her. Her name alone should scare some people away. The paranormal communities have been talking about the Prescott’s and how Emerson being on the Unit was monumental gain for them. So when people come up to you and thank you, I want you to be prepared.”
She watched as her father’s eyes sparked at the mention of how everyone would be talking about them. What a joke! If they knew him at all they wouldn’t be coming up to him and thanking him, or her. Did people know about her father and his magic? She knew her community did, but did shifters and vampires know just how powerful he was, and how much of a bigot he was?
“I don’t know what to say, Lilly. To be honest, I don’t want Emerson to be on the Unit. I just don’t know if she’s—”
Lilly gave a dismissive wave of her hand, stopping Kingston from saying anything further. “Oh, don’t you worry about that. My mate Sindrid said she would be a great addition to the Unit, and believe me when I say he is a strategic operator when it comes to fighting. You’ve done well, Mr. Prescott.”
“But she got kidnapped, and—”
“Mr. Prescott, your daughter did what every member of the Unit would have done, including my mate. We actually talked about that. If your daughter had kept going they would’ve chased her down to get to her. She was targeted for a reason, and I don’t think it was because of something she did. We actually think it was because of you. They wanted to send you a message.”
“Me?” Kingston’s voice screeched. Her father’s expression hardened, obviously not believing what Lilly was telling him.
“I’m sure you didn’t get at the top of your game by being nice to everyone. Just like my mate; he made some enemies along the way. Look, it’s just a theory, but how did they know she would be leaving at that time, and from your residence? They wanted Emerson for a reason. What that reason is, we don’t know, but I think she deserves a shot at helping the Unit figure it out. I know you’re the type of man who only wants the best fo
r your daughter. Give her the chance to show everyone that she’s Kingston Prescott’s daughter. I have a good feeling about you, Emerson. I think that it will be you who figures this all out.”
Emerson sat with her mouth open as a shifter pretty much turned the tables on one of the shrewdest men she ever knew, and had him believing what she was saying.
Sadness clouded his features as he got up and walked over to the window. She knew that look, and when he was in deep thought it was best to leave him alone. “I need some time to think about this. Thank you for dinner, Lilly. Emerson, I’ll be back in a while to check on you.”
Emerson watched as her father walked out of the room. His expression had sobered. Lilly turned and waited for her to say something.
“I’ve never seen anything like that before. What do you do for a living? Because you need to be a lawyer or something. You could change any jury’s mind.” Emerson shook her head. She didn’t know what to say right now. Nobody had ever done that. Especially to one of the sharpest men she knew.
“I’m the event planner here at the lodge, among other things, but I didn’t want him trying to take you away. Look, we don’t know each other yet, but I think we will be great friends. The only way for that to happen is for you to know that the Unit does need you, Emerson. Jansen can’t do it all. And I think you need them, too.”
“Basically, everything you said was a load of crap,” Emerson offered as explanation.
“No. I may have stretched it a bit, but it’s the truth. I’m sure your dad taught you a lot, but I believe that most of it comes from you. And the Unit desperately wants and needs you.”
“He taught me everything,” Emerson whispered.
“And people in the paranormal community are talking about you joining the Unit, so that wasn’t a lie. He just needs a push to see how good you are. He’s scared something bad is going to happen to you. He’s a father, and you’re his only child. There’s nothing worse for a parent than losing a child. It makes them feel like a failure. So they latch on, and if it means hurting you to keep you safe they will. So take what your father has said and wait for that moment. I think he’s going to apologize to you. You may have to remind him, but I think he will eventually.
“Tomorrow we’ll get you out of this bed. I’ll have River come see you tonight to take away any pain you have. She’ll heal the physical part, and in time you’ll heal the mental part. We are here for you, Emerson, and you have one hell of a man behind you.”
“You’re talking about Nash?”
“Nash is my cousin and my best friend. I hope you give him a chance to get to know you, and you him. He’s a very special person, and a good guy. But I have to ask…” Lilly licked her lips and leaned forward in her chair. “Does it bother you that he’s a shifter?”
Emerson knew her eyebrows shot up, because that wasn’t even a second thought for her. “God no. He fascinates me, but this is happening so fast, and…”
She watched as Lilly bounced up and down in her seat. “Good. I’m glad you think that way. Look, nobody said this was going to happen overnight; you can take it slow. I’m here for you too, and if you have any questions you can ask me. If you need something just call me. I hope we can be friends.”
Emerson didn’t have many friends, and she could see that Lilly was a strong woman. Of course she is, she’s mated to the King of Vampires.
“I can see that you hold your breath when you move too much, so I’m going to go and get River. I think once she heals you everything will look a little different.” Lilly took a drink from her cup, then got up and walked to the door. “Emerson?”
“Yeah.”
“You can be anything you want to be. My mother always told me that we make our own destiny in life. We can come from the best of families and still turn out to be POS, but it’s up to us to change how we treat people in life and how we choose to live.” Emerson watched the petite woman open the door and turn around. “Hey, don’t go anywhere.”
Emerson couldn’t help but smile. Lilly was a hoot, and she even had her father second-guessing himself. She knew that now he was thinking about who would want to hurt her because of him. She understood that her father loved her, but he had beliefs that she didn’t agree with. After what happened, she was even second-guessing if she was really strong enough to do this herself. Would the terrors come back over and over again after everything returned to normal? Would she forever be looking over her shoulder, afraid to help anyone? She had a lot to think about. The warmth of the bed was calling to her as she slid back down into the mattress and covered up. It felt good until she moved and the pain thundered up her body. “Ouch.”
“Are you okay?” Emerson popped her head up out of the covers to find Nash standing there with a basket full of goodies. Boxes wrapped in bright colors were sticking out of the top, along with packs of assorted candy.
“Yeah, just a little sore.”
“Oh…” Nash replied as all the color drained from his face. The smile of a handsome man slid off his face, and she could see his wolf as it moved across his skin.
“Nash—” She watched as he closed his eyes, trying to regain control before he turned and faced her.
“Yes?”
“I’m okay, just sore from lying on the hard table.” Emerson tried to make it sound better, but he knew.
“I, uh, brought you something.” Nash said, picking up the basket showing her and quickly changing the subject. “I know this local artist who lives out in the woods at the top of the mountain. She’s truly talented with the rocks and crystals she finds. She polishes them down into little beads, and the results are simply breathtaking. I thought you might like something she made.”
She watched as Nash sat down in the seat beside her bed, pulled out one of the colorful boxes and handed it to her. “In fact, she wanted me to give this to you. I go and sit with her a lot and just watch her work. It’s very peaceful. She made this for you, and said that the crystals had a magical energy inside of them. Something she hadn’t felt in a long time. I don’t know if that’s true, but when she’s done working with them they sure seem magical to me.”
Nash leaned over as she unwrapped the box and opened it to reveal a beautiful bracelet. When she held it up, the light in the chandelier sparkled against the color of the crystals. Each of the stones was a different color and glittered like a polished diamond sitting in a display case. It was beautiful, but it was too much; she couldn’t accept something like this from him.
“It’s very beautiful—” Before she could tell him she couldn’t accept it, he slid the bracelet onto her wrist. She could feel the energy zooming through her body as the crystals illuminated the room with sparks of color. A warm feeling came over her as she held her arm up.
“I knew you would like it. She said it would help you heal, too,” Nash added.
“I feel bad taking something like this, Nash. We just met, and…” Emerson took it off and tried to give it back to him.
Nash held his hands out. “I know, but Jessie wanted you to have it. That’s her name: Jessie Sinclair. And I really wanted you to have this basket full of goodies. All the women in my family said the same thing.”
“What’s that?” Emerson asked, smiling.
“That women love to receive gifts to make them feel better, and jewelry is one of the best to give. So please take this,” Nash pleaded.
She didn’t have the heart to say no, especially after he explained it so sweetly. “Okay.” She glanced down, staring at the beautiful bracelet and how it shimmered around the room. “Thank you, Nash. It’s a wonderful gift. I’ve never gotten anything like it before.”
She looked up at him and smiled. “Will you put it on for me again?”
“Sure.” Nash’s voice wavered as he took the bracelet and put it around her wrist. “Perfect,” he said, backing up. Then his nostrils flared, and he turned and looked at the door.
“Is it okay to come in?” Lilly asked. She had another woman with her. Emer
son could see the new woman’s aura; it was a beautiful blue color. She was a healer, and a good one judging by the brightness of the blue. One of Emerson’s talents was being able to see magic in anyone. All shifters possessed a certain amount of magic, but whoever this woman was, she held a lot of healing qualities. This had to be River—the person Lilly had gone to fetch, to help her heal.
“Hey River.” Nash smiled at the young woman, then turned back toward Emerson. “Is it okay for River and Lilly to come in?”
Clearing her throat, Emerson pushed herself up and winced as the pain shot up her back. She grunted in an effort to keep herself from crying out. She didn’t want these people to think she was weak, but every time she moved it hurt. Her body had been strapped down on the table with straps that had cut through her skin as she tried to get away. The thoughts of what happened flashed through her mind, seeming to be etched there permanently.
“Just lay back, baby. Don’t move. You’re doing too much,” Nash said, pushing her hair off her face.
“Nash, if you’ll let me I can take the pain away,” River told him gently, coming up beside the bed. “That’s if you would like me to, Emerson?”
Her jaw clenched as she nodded. “I hate for you to waste your energy on me.”
“That’s what I do, and once I’m done you’ll feel much better. Can you two leave while I do this? I need to pull the comforter down.” River glanced over her shoulder, waiting until Nash and Lilly stepped out of the room. “I hope you’re okay with that?”
“Yes, thank you.”
“Okay, well, I want to make sure I get all the pain so I’m going to pull this comforter down. You’ll warm up in a few minutes. Just so you know what’s going to happen, I want to walk you through my healing process. Is that okay?”
“Of course.” Emerson nodded.
“First, lay down flat and I’ll put my hands on your lower abdomen. Then you’ll feel some warmth coming from my fingers, and a tingling feeling in your body. Then I’ll pull out whatever is making you hurt and throw it out the window.”
