Paranormally Yours: A Boxed Set

by Alisha Basso

  “For the love of Tweek, absolutely not.”

  “In this situation, though, Tilly, I must insist that you accept some compensation.”

  “How about I get some conversation time with your little dragon. I’d love to talk about Tser and dragons in general. Remis, my husband, makes more money than we even need. Would that be acceptable?”

  “I don’t know…”

  “Oh, I would love to talk about my realm,” Flynn interrupted. “It may be a long time before I see it again, if ever. I would be very agreeable.”

  Nock scowled at his aunt, then at Flynn. It was clear he didn’t want the little dragon down here in his world or horning in on his share of his aunt’s attention.

  “Lighten up, Nock,” I said.

  He stuck his tongue out at me, ducked his aunt’s hand and disappeared.

  “That boy,” she said. “I’ll take you both home.”

  After Tilly dropped us off, I set Flynn on the back of a chair to sun himself by the window and left my apartment. I ignored the fae camped near my door, but it didn’t escape my notice that Talon wasn’t among the three who climbed on those sexy bikes and followed me. The air was crisp as I settled in the seat of my T-bird.

  Pulling out of my space and backing into the street, I waited for a bus to pass before I eased into traffic.

  I drove over the Stone Arch Bridge, one of its kind, and a former railroad bridge crossing the Mississippi River at Saint Anthony Falls in downtown Minneapolis, and feasted my eyes on the river, serene and blue below me.

  The fae rumbled across after me, and when I exited toward the OS, they followed. They didn’t come into the parking lot, but pulled up and parked across the street. I got out of my car and continued to ignore them.

  Entering the lobby, I was a little more aware of my surroundings this time. When the receptionist saw me, she smiled. “Hello again,” she said handing me a visitor’s badge.

  “Second Warden Santana?”

  “He is located on the fourth floor, room 418.”

  I nodded and thanked her, then passed the OS witches manning the scanners without incident and took the elevator.

  I started down the hall, but was brought up short when I saw Val. He was talking to three males, all dressed in that tight black uniform enforcers wore looking very, very dangerous.

  One had long hair the color of rust, one stark white and the other one black. Val stood out among them with his blond hair.

  When Val saw me, his whole face lit up, and it was just about the best feeling in the world. I smiled as I approached.

  “Lily! Welcome to the OS. These are my HellCross Slayer friends, now enforcers. Wardens Lockhart Strife, Raze Dex, and Bastion Kane.

  There was so much to look at with the three Realized standing in front of me. Lockhart was the one with the rust hair. His eyes were a deep, cerulean blue. He was broad-shouldered, compact and muscular, delineated by the black leather. His gaze was open and direct, friendly. Raze Dex was a bit more conservative, with cool grey eyes and a regal demeanor, built like a boxer, leaner than his friend Lockhart and a bit shorter. Then there was Bastion Kane. He was dark. Darker than the other two in more than just his coloring. He was the tallest and leanest of the three of them, but with a distinct presence. He was closed, but there was depth there and a torment which was riding him. They all carried different wicked-looking swords. It amazed me that a few days ago I didn’t know a katana from a ginzu knife. But since meeting Rayne, I had been schooled.

  I slipped past him and felt all their eyes follow me. That must have been some kind of fighting force in their manga. I would have to pick it up and see what the story was about, mostly because I was working with Val and wanted to understand him better. He really was an expression of how he was drawn, but many a time the Realized created their own personalities, regardless of how they had been written. The fact was, a Realized who had previously been a villain in the manga could reinvent himself into a hero. It was totally up to them.

  And, whether I liked it or not Val and I shared the same kind of situation. I didn’t have a memory, and I pretty much was learning as I went. I really wanted to find out how he had handled it when he’d first emerged from HellCross Slayers.

  I left them and went into the office, where I saw Fox standing next to Rayne’s desk. When he saw me, his eyes also lit, but his interest was a little more intent than Val’s.

  I felt the spark between us, but immediately doused it. It wasn’t that I was confused about my relationship with Talon. I wasn’t. I just didn’t want to rebound right into this warm, strong man for the wrong reasons. I didn’t want to have feelings for Talon. It would have been easier if what we had shared had been purely physical. But it hadn’t, and me wishing it away wasn’t going to work. I felt I needed to sort everything out before I let myself engage in anything with the enigmatic shaman.

  Oh damn…I was wavering, and I wasn’t sure it was the right way to go.

  I looked away when our eyes met, ignoring the disappointment on his face. Rayne waved and I waved back, and then headed for Deangelo’s office, all the while feeling Fox’s gaze on me.

  I knocked on the closed door and heard the vamp’s invitation to enter. When I peeked in, he said, “Don’t hover there, Lily. Come in and shut the door.” His face didn’t light up at seeing me, but he was a vamp, and I don’t think light ever touched those dark eyes.

  I complied and took a chair in front of his desk.

  “I got the lowdown on your last visit here. Bite me, you took out a whole room of wardens. Well-trained and lethal wardens, with nothing but your hands and feet. What was that all about?”

  “I have no idea, and I couldn’t replicate it if my life depended on it. At least I don’t think I could. I don’t remember a thing since I was under a coercion spell. Maybe that’s what…”

  “No. I don’t think so. You have the abilities, and clearly had extensive training at some time in your past. I have to say you are a definite wild card, and I’m not so sure I want you on my team.”

  “Then why…”

  He held up his hand. “But Rayne’s got your back, and you’ve charmed my shaman and forerunner. I value their opinions highly, but Rayne’s in particular. She doesn’t suffer people well and fools even less. She has vouched for you. Said you might be a loose cannon, but your head was in the right place. Can I rely on that, Lily?”

  I sat there for a moment and dug deep out of respect for his forthrightness. “I’m not so sure I want to get entangled in rules and protocol. Working for the OS is an honor. I’m well aware of that, and I don’t take it lightly. But I do have an agenda. You know what it is, so there are no surprises there. I want the person who murdered Olivia to pay.

  “I was willing to wait for a thorough investigation,” I continued after a moment, “but that isn’t going to happen, since there are forces tampering with the very people who are duty-bound to bring the culprit to justice. The rogue mage is dangerous, and bringing him in serves both of our agendas. I’m willing to put aside my personal agenda in this case for the common good. He can’t be allowed to get away with murdering six wardens. Not to mention the fact that his plan to release game monsters into this realm is demented. So…where do I sign?”

  He picked up a sheaf of papers and handed them to me. “Fill these out. They’re just the temporary consultant forms. As you’ll see, we expect the same kind of professionalism we expect from anyone who serves with the OS, but either party can terminate the contract at any time. We can adjust the terms. We are at a disadvantage, because you are the only person who knows the mage’s name. It would be for the good of not only the Twin Cities, but for the realm. The pay is outlined there along with the bonus for field work. If that’s acceptable…”

  “Holy shit!” When I saw my consultant fee, I almost swallowed my tongue. I looked up at him. He stared at me blandly and I worked to wipe the shock off my face. Rayne had been right. I wouldn’t have any problem paying the rent or utilities.
In fact, this would really help me regain my financial footing. The fact that they paid so well told me this was a dangerous job, but I was willing to do what it took to find out who murdered Olivia.

  “I’ll just take these outside to fill them in.”

  “You can leave them with Kaylee at the desk near the door. The team is ready to go out as soon as you take care of the necessary paperwork.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Don’t thank me yet. We’ll see how it goes.”

  I rose and saluted.

  “We don’t salute at the OS.”

  With a wry smile, I sassed, “I know.”

  “Get out of my office,” he growled.

  When I walked out, Val was hovering above Fox and Rayne. They were hanging out, talking smack. Something shifted in me, something dangerous I’d rather not feel. Camaraderie. Part of me recognized the need for that connection, but the other part of me, the part which had just been ripped out and stomped on, wanted to retreat.

  Friends. I’d really had only a few. Olivia and Nock. Now my life was full of new people. Nock’s aunt and uncle, Talon and his two flunkies. Fox and Val, and a legendary dragon with a mind of his own. Then there was Rayne, who had given me a place to stay. In my mind, it was a temporary fix for my situation. I would only stay there long enough to get my feet under me and go out on my own. I knew gratitude was the appropriate response, but I wouldn’t allow myself even that much. I was just still too raw.

  Overwhelmed, I pulled my eyes away and focused on the forms. I was part of a team. It was important, but something I just couldn’t acknowledge. I was here for one purpose only. Stop Cole Bleak any way I could. I only hoped none of my teammates got in my way.

  As soon as I handed in the paperwork, Rayne rose, nodding toward me. Val floated down to the floor and Fox rose.

  “You ready to go?” Rayne said.

  “Yes. Where are we off to?”

  “We have a complaint about the Honeycrisp trees in River Walk Park throwing their apples at passersbys,” she said.

  “You’re an Earth witch, right?” Val asked.

  I nodded.

  “Can you talk to trees?” he added.

  Before I had melded with Talon, I would have said no. I didn’t think so, but now I wasn’t so sure. “I sure can give it a try.”

  By the time we arrived at the park I was looking forward to conversing with trees, but as we approached it was easy to see they weren’t going to be very cooperative. Several apples came sailing our way. Rayne was quick enough to catch the one lobbed at her, and the branches of the trees shook. I heard the soft sound of laughter.

  After I almost got hit with one in the head, Fox chanted and my hair lifted as a small whirlwind swirled around me.

  “You know how to shield yourself, right?” Rayne said as apples bounced off her personal tornado and went zinging off into the grass.

  “Shield?” I said distractedly as the song of the trees captured my attention like a reflection of my own essence.

  Even as Rayne huffed out a breath and I heard her say, “Fox, shield her until we have the time to teach her how to shield on her own.” I knew I wasn’t in any danger from the trees. I knew them like they were my family.

  Fox nodded and I sensed a weight on my mind, felt his presence, warm and strong. Even his aura was larger than life and a deep, gorgeous golden hue. I caught a glimpse of his enormous power and I almost reeled from that small taste. A flavor of him lingered, the deep connection to every living thing, the feel of the earth beneath his feet, the Great Spirit which guided him and his deeply held shamanic beliefs flashed through my awareness. I decided then to learn more about him. He chanted softly and the barrier strengthened.

  The trees’ laughter sounded like small children enjoying a game. I could feel the life of the trees, vibrating with it. I cast out my magic to soothe and make a connection, pure green and as calming as the waves of a placid ocean. A line of birds moved along one of the roofs, step-hopping along the ridgepole, aware of my magic sweeping over them.

  I also felt a distinctive presence of…someone, but the person was too cloaked for me to make out anything concrete. The essence I sensed had a decidedly male tinge to it. This person, this male, was the source of the power which had animated the trees, brought their almost slumbering minds to full awareness.

  There was a party in a nearby house, right on the river. I could feel the energy rising higher, excitement, fear, but the normal fear of the completely normal human. Then the shivering energy of the river which was a constant.

  Now I had opened to the Earth, I was able to ascertain its moods. It was like white noise, but something seductive calling to me, a huge, rolling power. My living tattoo moved up to my neck as if it was trying to catch a glimpse of the water, almost as if it was…homesick.

  When the apples couldn’t touch us, the trees became agitated, some of them even angry. One of them uprooted from the ground and stomped toward us. I watched it move, and I was mesmerized by the beauty of the trunk, gnarled and brown, with living veins to bring the life-giving force of the water into the branches and the leaves, the red, red ripeness of the apples dangling from those supple branches.

  I walked toward it and Val said with warning, “Rayne, should she be doing that?”

  “I know you’re itching to distract it, but in this case, I think Lily knows what she’s doing. If we can’t trust her instincts…what’s the point?”

  “Right as always,” he said. “Sorry Lily.”

  I was suddenly aware this was some kind of test. I couldn’t respond…the consciousness of the tree was overwhelming me, and, beneath its core, the song of the trees flowed endlessly…as endless as the Earth. I strained to hear it, wanting to immerse myself in the richness and depth.

  The secrets of the cool forest, the whole panoply of green, growing things was a symphony of chimes, charming me. I waited for it to get close enough. The branch which had morphed into a long arm and clutching hand, and which had been slinging the apples, lifted to strike me. I could feel my companions ready to spring into action.

  Before the tree could hit me, I placed my hand on its trunk, felt the bark, warm and vibrant beneath my palm—a kinship rolled over me, so powerful my knees went weak. It was as if I sank into the earth. The smell, the feel of the green forest where I had protected Talon, it was all around me again, but I was anchored by the rough sensation of the tree’s bark. I felt its stillness, as though it hadn’t expected to find…me. It used a name I wasn’t familiar with and which spun out of my brain the moment it was uttered. I shivered from the loss of the knowledge, like a piece of my past memories lost in the blackness of my mind. Trees were a gateway to the world of spirit and magic, the web of life and its timeless mysteries.

  It was a deep, primal calling. In this sacred space we melded. The heartwood of the tree was alive, as if it beat with a pulse and life blood, a heart not of flesh, but of wood but just as gloriously alive. Words came naturally and smoothly.

  I reminded it how symbiotic we were. How we gave life to them and they to us. Our breath breathed their life and their breath breathed our life. Right from the beginning of our existence, they were a source of our shelter, warmth, and nourishment.

  Everything in the tree stilled as I opened up my senses. I know you, it said with a soft murmur like the sound of rustling leaves.

  The presence of the person who had animated them stood back and played with them like puppets on a string. I caught another glimpse of him, but he moved out of my sight again.

  Where the energy had been soft and gold, something darker crept in, a violet stain. The tree shook and then said, You’re spoiling our fun. Stupid humans.

  I lurched back, feeling the anger boiling up, the darkness consuming the fragile voice and drowning out our connection.

  “Val,” I shouted.

  He was there, his chimes resonating, distracting the tree from its violence. As soon as he took the full attention of the tree off me, I ran s
traight at the presence by sheer instinct. I collided with him and we rolled to the ground. He sputtered and swore and tried to shove me off. Then Fox was there, grabbing him by his red shirt and dragging him away from me. With a flick of his hand, he locked a pair of spelled cuffs around the guy’s wrists.

  Even as I looked at him, I turned my head to take in the beautiful chiming, so in harmony with the song of the forest. My gaze connected with Val’s and I shivered at the contact. His knowing eyes filled with the understanding of the song. There was much more to this trickster Realized than I had first believed.

  Rayne strode up and, while Fox held the struggling man, she demanded, “Who are you, and why are you manipulating these trees?”

  The trees stopped throwing apples and all seemed to be murmuring at once, upset their game was over.

  When I turned toward the man, I sensed in him a version of Earth magic, one of creation, the magic of growing things. He was as tall as Fox, about six two, with sparkling green eyes and a full head of wavy black hair. More geek than muscle-bound, although his broad chest filled out his red shirt just fine. A faint, charming smile tugged at the corners of his mouth as he met my gaze head on.

  “He’s Realized,” Val said.

  The man’s eyes widened and I caught a distinct sense of mischief and merriment, but there was something else beneath his delightful character, something a little dark, a little dangerous. The love of apple trees, the crisp sweet taste of its fruit, the brace of the trunk for a tired back all flashed across my awareness.

  “Yeah, so I walked out of a book. So did you.”

  “You planted these apple trees here. Didn’t you?” I asked. “They’re young and impressionable.”

  “Like children,” he said. “Yes, I planted them. It’s a park and this park is enhanced by these apple trees. Honeycrisp. So delicious.”

  Val chuckled. “Oh, man,” he said. “I know who you are.” Val turned to me. “Maybe you can cook something with all these apples, Lily. Like a pie,” he elbowed me, just in case I missed the hint.