Passion and hunger lit up across his face. Lucky for me, he hadn’t gotten any action in awhile and this would be easier than I planned.
James lifted me and put me in a chair by the empty desk in the room. No makeshift weapons available for me. Then he pulled out some ropes that he happily knotted me to the chair arms with. The twisting of the rope across my skin almost caused me to pinch together my brows when it occurred to me to be grateful. I could feel my skin again and most likely I could move when I was not tied to the chair.
A hard grip on my jaw brought my eyes to James, or rather his midsection. He kept one hand on my jaw line and the other he used to unzip his pants and flop out his erection.
“You see this, Layna. I’m going to savor every part of you with it.”
I seriously doubted that when it didn’t look bigger than my pinky finger at full staff. Laughter and throw up gathered in my throat simultaneously.
“I can’t wait. Now get rid of the girls.” Strength that I didn’t know I had came out with my confident words. James zipped himself up, so I didn’t have to look at the teeny tiny weapon in his pants anymore, and went to attend to Claire first.
“Oh Claire, you were ever so useful to me. I hope this doesn’t hurt too badly.” With those condescending words he whacked her over the head.
Something inside me snapped and I called out for help in my mind.
Alexander!
I wanted to be rescued. Here I had tried to rescue everyone else and I sat tied up to a chair afraid to try magic that I couldn’t control and about to be sexually assaulted by a pervert.
The smell of rough delicious man in my head. It lingered for a moment in hues of waterfalls and steep mountains.
Layna! Where are you?
Oh, wow. I had really lost it. Hearing voices in my head hit a new low for me, on top of recreating his scent.
Layna!
The mountains and rugged cliffs assaulted my senses again.
Alexander? I’m crazy…
I’ll explain later, just tell me where the hell you are!
Clomay building, Claire’s room. James is going to….hurt me.
I’m coming.
The scent gone, I focused on James again and hoped he hadn’t noticed my mental conversation. Thank goodness he had been deterred with his own good deeds—removing Claire and Jasmine in a brutish manor.
He sauntered back into the room alone and locked his eyes on me.
There would be no sex party with me and James ever. I would release magic without caution before it came to that. Everyone would be here in seconds—I just had to stall him.
Full movement had come back to my body, but I continued to lie limp, tied in the chair.
“How long have you been planning this, James?” He quickly got in my face again and started with the zipper. If he really thought to force that on me I would have to bite if off.
“The only thing I want to see those plump lips open for is to be wrapped around my hard-on.”
And there it was, small and rigid in all its glory in my face. Really, how does a man of such insignificant size even attempt to show that thing to people?
It touched my lips and I lost all my apprehension about using magic.
Thánatos
The words spoke only in my mind this time, but it did not lessen the power. I knew the intent of the words, death. James meant to violate me and I would kill him for it.
A horrid expression crossed his face and he stepped back a few paces.
“Witch.” Then he exploded.
Blood and body parts bathed the room and me. There I sat, tied to a chair, and I realized how ridiculous that looked. I had blown a man to bits, but couldn’t untie myself. All reason escaped my thoughts.
Alexander came through the door and didn’t hesitate to touch me in my haphazard state. People milled everywhere, but I only noticed him. No words necessary, I could see the way he checked me over vigourously for any harm. Fear gripped his tight jaw.
“I’m fine. Just get me away, please.”
The knots slipped off of my skin and he cradled me to his chest and he turned to go.
“Wait, Jasmine and Claire are in another room. Are they…alive?”
“There’s Healers with them right now. Don’t worry, Layna. Let me take care of you.” He held me tighter and turned to walk out of the room.
I gripped his neck and tucked my head into his chest. That mountain and waterfall smell soothed me until I could breathe slowly. Then it brought out another need. I wanted him to claim me again and wash off the taint of James.
“Did I dream it?” Had he really been in my head?
“No.” He shifted his grip to hold me tighter and I realized his body didn’t seem tired at all carrying me. This man had big muscles.
“We are kissed, Layna. It means that our souls have chosen each other to be complete. The ancient ones described it as when two souls join in an eternal kiss. There are stories told of two becoming one and being able to reach the other through telepathy.” His words dropped off and I felt the catch in his breath. He had been shocked, too.
After he bathed me, we were lying together in my bed. Sweat trickled down my skin from the repeated onslaught of orgasms. Alexander’s arms braced around me and caressed my skin.
“It’s important that you see Marissa. There’s an abundance of magic in you and I want to make sure you get trained in how to use it.” A sudden intake of breath forced him to pause. “My heart lies with you and if something had happened today, I would not have survived it. Promise me you will never go into a dangerous situation like that alone again. We go together.” The fervor in his words constricted my heart until I thought it might explode. I must be dreaming. There was no way he wanted me as much as I wanted him.
Although, a sudden rise in his body indicated otherwise.
Chapter Twenty-three
It was definitely later. And I sat in Marissa’s office. Office wasn’t really the right word for this room. The walls were covered in warm colors and plush pillows were scattered among the sofa. The floors were wood with rugs all around. It was a small space, providing security to my nervous mind. Warmth radiated from the room and found its way into my body. I watched curiously as Marissa started to light the candles that lay haphazardly across the end tables and desk in the room. The deep burgundy of the couch filled my thoughts with blood.
My mind suddenly focused on the fact that there were people who wanted mine. Magic tingles shivered through me in a reminder of who I was. I could fight them. This is what my power had been intended for. I felt confident that Marissa would be telling me something along those lines. What if she said something different? I wasn’t even sure if I believed in Seers.
Guilt plagued me as I sat safe and sound in this peaceful room. Here I sat, in this serene environment, when out in the world there was chaos. Did I have any right to be living in peace right now? So many others needed me, for good and bad. Anticipation bubbled inside when I imagined Marissa’s words today.
“I’m going to center my mind for just a moment to make sure I give you a clear reading. It might be wise if you do the same.”
Huh? I had no idea what she meant and I’m sure my face gave her that indication.
“Close your eyes and focus your mind on something peaceful.”
Without closing my eyes, I tried to find my happy place. In Marissa’s office I saw a painting of a rod with one serpent wrapped around it. This triggered the responses that usually occurred from the nightmares. I flinched and Marissa turned her head.
“What is it?”
“The serpents… I have nightmares about them.” She had been present when we discussed this in Iostus’ office.
“That is the rod of Asclepius. Never fear it. Your nightmares are the two serpents together. That is the symbol of the Hunters.” Her worn down hands grabbed onto pencil and paper to show me the difference.
“I’ve seen the symbol with the two serpents before.” I raked throug
h the pictures in my head, unable to find the memory.
“Of course you have. Most doctors wear that symbol on them.” Worry wrinkled her face as she stared into my eyes.
“I’ve seen it somewhere else. On a painting like yours.” My eyes lidded in frustration for the memory.
“On a painting. Are you sure?” Marissa’s smoky gray eyes darkened.
I thought for a moment. “I’m sure.”
“This is a very old painting. We did not know until much later, but that particular artist created two versions of this painting, one for us and one for the Hunters. They are very rare. You must have been in close contact with a Hunter. Please let me know as soon as you recall where you saw it.” I shivered from the seriousness in her tone. Had I been that close to a Hunter? Why did I live?
“I will. Why would they have not tried to kill me?” Sadness shadowed Marissa’s face.
“They won’t kill you, my sweet. You, they would keep for their own.” Her words stilled everything in the room.
“W-why?”
“To heal their people and to bring life to their bloodline. The strength in your blood would make it possible to provide good heirs for a strong Hunter.” Like cattle. They wanted to breed me.
Worry wrinkled my brows.
“Layna, I hardly think Alexander would allow you out of his sight long enough for any of those things to happen. Let us be calm. I still need to read your hands.” She reached over to grab both of my hands. “Close your eyes. Be still in your mind.”
Meditating has always been challenging for me. I’m not quite sure how to make my mind still. First, images of my home popped into my head. Then I remembered the fire and that I would not live there anymore. I closed my eyes and began to breathe deeply. Calm. Think calm, happy thoughts. My hands splayed over the tops of my thighs, with Marissa still holding them, and my back rested firmly against the sofa. I could still feel Marissa’s presence and catch her floral scent, but it ceased to disturb my mind after a few moments.
The Vineyard that Alexander had taken me too popped into my thoughts first. I could see the little stream that ran through the property surrounded by green as far as you could see. Occasionally, subtle hints of color sprinkled throughout the green. I knew Texas wildflowers were the cause of the color, but I was unsure of all the names. I shook with the sensory overload of his intent in that kiss. We were standing in front of the cabin one moment and the next our bodies were a breath apart. My mind drew back to the memory of him in that bed with me for the first time. Every sensation on my skin tingled and echoed from his loving hands. My entire essence buzzed right now with the touches in my mind. I remembered the way he closed his body over me in the night. Alexander’s silent possession of my body left me breathless. His arm pulled me onto his chest and I was overcome with the sound of his heartbeat. My head turned to look out the window and gaze at the moon. His deep breaths indicated he was asleep. For some reason, that had allowed me to open up more to him. I wrapped my arms around him as far as I could reach and just held on. Kisses planted themselves all through strands of my hair from his lips. Embarrassment fired its way through my emotions at being caught gripping him so tightly. Needy was not the impression I had wanted to leave. My hands tried to slyly remove themselves when he gentled them back into place. The tears stung my eyes with the memory even though they were closed. I could hear his words clearly again.
“Psihi mou.” The literal meaning of the words were lost to me, but I was able to grasp a little from the emotions rippling across his firm jaw line. He was letting me see himself vulnerable to me like this. The adoration that spilled from his eyes grasped my heart like an illusion.
“Layna, I asked you to relax. I did not think you would elevate your blood pressure while meditating.” Marissa’s real words called me back to her office.
I slowly opened my eyes and remembered I was not in Alexander’s arms snuggled away in bed.
“Sorry.” Although, I wasn’t.
“It’s alright, Layna. I just need to work with you on learning to relax yourself. If you don’t take some of that load off of your shoulders, it going to cause your death.” Her words reminded me to breathe deeply again and my shoulders relaxed. Until that moment, I was unaware that my body was tense. Blissfully lost in a memory that I savored should not induce tension. What in the hell was wrong with me?
“I’m working on it. Are you ready? What do you need from me?” My eyes found Marissa deeply focused on me.
“I just need touch. I’m going to hold your hands and then start telling you what I see. It’s really quite painless.” The smirk crossed her face so fast that I almost missed it.
I placed both of my hands in hers. Her fingers gently closed over them and her eyes closed.
Panic overcame my emotions as I waited. What did she see? Was it bad? Of course it was, otherwise her eyes would be open, right? My eyes opened.
“You are cursed and blessed.” Now maybe I was a little skeptical, but couldn’t you give that line to anyone? Marissa’s face colored as though she could hear my thoughts.
“You have such strength in you that I almost shiver when I touch you. It was born from the fire that ignited your life. You are almost mythical to our kind. I can see sparks from different types of magic working in you. You are most assuredly a Healer, but it is kissed with strands of other magic. It infuses with the healing magic to make you stronger. I see pain on the horizon. A lot of pain. There will be betrayal from a man.” Ta da! Wasn’t there always pain and betrayal where a man was involved. “This pain will change who you are. You will have to choose whether you are going to be cursed or blessed.” Her eyes closed again and a slight hum escaped from her throat. Shivers traveled down my spine as I wondered if this would turn into some sort of séance.
“Is…um…is that it?” What does a person respond with when such pearls of wisdom are dropped in your lap?
“No.” Marissa’s lips turned up like a little kid’s on Christmas. Her arms wrapped around my shoulders in a friendly embrace and she sat back. “I just wanted to give you a moment to digest it all. It’s a lot to hear all at once. I usually read everyone in small doses as they mature, but you,” her hands cupped my cheeks now, “You and I don’t have much time before it’s necessary for you to grow into your powers.” Her gaze reminded me I had another question.
“Are you sharing this with Iostus? Or Alexander?” I had to know. No more whispering behind my back.
“This is just between us. You can do what you want with this information. My only hope is that it helps to guide you on your path.” Marissa sat up straighter. I took this to mean we had some more to discuss. In my mind, more questions began to percolate.
And what was that exactly?
“I’m not quite sure what my path is. Should I know already?” A man would betray me and I would have to choose between good and evil. Yup. That about summed it up. It sounded like some cross between Harry Potter and Hope Floats. “What did you mean when you said there were different types of magic?” I knew I had healing gifts, but my training with Alexander seemed to come naturally, too. Alexander and I had not spoken about this, but I sensed that he noticed I caught on fast.
“My child, I know you know of Asclepius, but do you know about others?” A blank look across my face gave her reason to go on without any response from me.
“The sparks in you shine from all the realms of our magic. I see the healing powers of Asclepius in you strongly, but I also see Hecate. Hecate is the goddess of magic. The followers of Hecate are the ones that keep us safe here in the Conservatory. They cast spells of protection throughout our borders. Ares is our god of war and his bands are weaved into you with unparalleled strength. There is a story that tells of Ares bestowing his warrior gifts on a tribe of women. These women were known as the Amazones. I see their colors in your soul. It’s almost unclear to me whether your strength comes directly from Ares or the Amazones. However, it is there.” Marissa paused here and I took a moment
to close my eyes and take some more deep breaths. The information that people received in this office seemed to require great strengths in meditation. I wanted to be all those things she described, but I didn’t even know where to start. It was easier to doubt, and believe her readings were inaccurate.
Marissa’s smoky gray eyes fixed on me again.
“As Asclepius lay slain in his chambers, there was a Seer with him among all the Healers. This Seer foretold of a vial of blood that would strengthen and infuse those powers with gifts from all the Gods. The Gods sided with Asclepius and this was their proof. The blood in this vial would be gifted to a Healer and this woman would carry traits of all the gods. Yes, a woman. I’m sure you can imagine the turmoil that this created among the men. They decided to change that story a bit. However, the original tale was passed on throughout the Seers intact. It is most definitely a woman. I believe it to be you, Layna. In all my years of reading people’s souls, yours is colored in such a mixed way that leaves me no doubt. And this is why the choice you have to make is so crucial.” Marissa’s eyes glowed with hope.
“How many of our people know of this prophecy?”
“There are few that know the truth. Most of them are searching for a man. We have done our best to feed that rumor among the Hunters. They have long searched for this man in order to control the rest of us and destroy the person.” Someone knew. Why else would they be after me? I wasn’t sure who I could really trust yet, so I would save that information for later.
“Thank you, Marissa.” It was a heavy weight on my mind to think about all the words she had just shared with me. But, I was grateful for the honesty.
We both stood now and she brought her lips to my cheek. If I had ever been loved by a grandmother, this was what I thought it would feel like.
A chuckle sounded from deep in her chest. Uh oh, I thought. Another surprise.
“Do you know of Aphrodite, sweet Layna? She was the goddess of love.” The smile was plastered to her lips now.
“Let me guess. I have her gifts as well.” Unsure of what to do with that information I just shuffled my feet back and forth. “So men love me because of Aphrodite’s gift?” Just when I thought it couldn’t get any worse.
TheHealers Page 18
