“No. Aphrodite’s strength is a part of you. It is who you are. The men will love you for you. Remember that.”
“Men?” More than one?
“Your beauty and strength will attract many. Yes, more than one. I should think you would like more than one. Aphrodite always did.” Marissa’s smile turned into a laugh once again. I wondered where she would get her entertainment when I left.
Chapter Twenty-four
Running through the courtyard towards the Guard building, I looked down to make sure I hadn’t forgotten a piece of clothing. In my haze, after Marissa’s reading, I had to hurry and change clothes to make it to my session with Alexander. Black yoga pants stretched down the short length of my body and a fitted camisole with a gray sweatshirt shielded my chest. Up ahead the door to the Guard building was visible to me, but I still had a few moments to be lost in my thoughts.
Although Marissa had certainly shocked the hell out of me, I couldn’t help but feel a little bit stronger. It did also drive my curiosity into overload about my parents. Did they know what I would become? What was I exactly? A healing, magical, fighting, sexual superwoman. I kind of liked it. But, I wasn’t quite ready to share with the world yet. My mind couldn’t help but toy with the idea that Alexander had to know some of this. He was the head of the Guard and a close confidante of Iostus. As the door came closer in my vision, he stepped out.
All reasonable thoughts disappeared. Muscle ripped off of his arms and tightened through his fitted shirt on his chest. Talk about taking a deep breath. This man was my ultimate weakness and the epitome of every hormone in my body. My gaze stopped at his face. There in his eyes, I was tempted to just fall and let him catch me.
His arm snaked around my neck to tuck me into his body. I inhaled and was consumed with need that bordered on insanity. Alexander smelled of man and strength. My own personal catnip.
“You know that it makes my heart stop to watch you walk towards me with that look in your eye. Don’t think I don’t know what you’re thinking.” A small but possessive nip at my ear engulfed my body in flames. It still shocked my mind that he could incite that kind of response. He pulled me closer and whispered in my ear.
“Are you ready for me?” Anticipation spilled out of my pores. We could sneak off to a secluded stairwell and have a fast, hard fuck. That’s exactly what I needed to calm my nerves from all the “crazy” thoughts that were clouded in my head. Oh yeah. I was ready for him.
The front door swung open behind us.
“Are you coming? I’ve got the mat reserved for only an hour.” That had to be Shane. I twisted slightly to see fingers brush through his long blonde hair and amused topaz eyes settle on me. Those eyes were the source of most women’s undoing. Alexander pushed me deeper into an embrace with no hope of breaking free. He probably believed he needed to shield me from Shane’s charms.
“Must be rough to go to bed lonely every night.” Alexander’s remark was partly accurate. Shane emanated hotness, but he chose to share himself with several girls. None of them ever stayed the night. I wouldn’t call it lonely, but Alexander’s point was definitely taken.
Shane stepped back in the building.
Alexander turned his head toward me again and lowered his voice.
“I meant sparring, but you’ve given me another idea.” Wickedness dripped from his lips as they descended onto my neck. I liked it, but I knew Shane waited and I didn’t want to walk out there with rosy cheeks.
“Um…on second thought, I’m ready to take you down.” I knew as soon as the words left my mouth that Alexander would have some comment for that.
“You can take me down anytime. Just tell me where to lie.” Sincerity echoed through his words and heat licked up my spine as they touched my ears. Oh, the things I would do with him at my disposal like that.
Deep sigh. “You know we have to go. I think you’re just scared of being beaten by a girl.” Honestly, I had been getting closer and closer to defeating him at our last few sessions. Today was the day. I felt it in my blood. I grabbed his hand and went to the door. His other hand reached out to hold the door as we walked through.
Everyone always stared but pretended not to. No one had actually mentioned anything, but I thought it was because I was the only person in here that was not a Guard. As far as they knew, I was just a Healer. Or, it could have been the fact that I was closely intimate with the highest ranking Guard in here. Oh hell, it was probably both things. I was glad to provide a lot of fun gossip for the Conservatory. Well, I wasn’t really just a Healer, if Marissa was an accurate Seer. Marissa’s words started to replay in my thoughts.
“How did it go with Marissa?” Shit. Do I lie? Or just give a little less information?
“Informative.” Alexander’s brow’s arched up in question and he started to drop my hand when Shane ran over to us. Shane ran all the time in training—this was definitely not a training run. His face was covered in rage. I had seen that kind of rage in Alexander’s face when my house had been set on fire.
“Iostus needs us in his office now. There’s an emergency. He’s asked me to gather our first line for an immediate rescue mission.” Words became lost to me. My mind was wrapped up in fear. Something was pounding in my ear. Was that my heartbeat? Alexander brought me down in a chair on the side of the mats.
The others around me jumped to action. Shane began to call off names and bring a smaller group over to us. The chatter of the Guards silenced soon, waiting for Alexander to speak. Shane was his second, and he had called them, but Alexander was their highest point of command. Instead of immediately addressing the Guards that surrounded us, his words fell to my ears alone.
“Are you seeing something? The serpents?” No serpents, but that reminded me of something important.
“You have to take me with you!” I’ll admit, the words came out a little loud, considering I was only speaking to Alexander. But the moment I spoke, I saw a flare in his face for just a moment. He knew how important I was, too.
“Layna, let’s think this through and talk to Iostus. We don’t even know what’s going on yet.” Alexander’s face wrinkled up with indecision. “I don’t want you out of my sight for the time being. You can come with us and we’ll decide with Iostus.” Alexander stood back up to his staggering height and addressed the Guards. I heard bits and pieces of the directions he dictated to them. Something about first and second teams and back up teams that would stay behind. Mostly, I was alone in my head. And as any good therapist will tell you, it’s not a safe place to be when your mind is in chaos.
Alexander was the head Guard at the Conservatory. He was the best of the best. The fact that he would be assigned Guard detail on me said something. There were a lot of things he still had not told me. Maybe he knew more about me than I still knew. Suspicion plunged its way into my veins. Focus. I needed to focus on how crucial my abilities could be in this rescue. My ability to sense the Hunters was uncanny. I was their best bet at an alarm system. The distance of my radar had not been tested, but surely any warning was better than waiting for face to face contact.
Alexander finished talking and I jumped up to stand with him. Scared and frightened were not going to be words used to describe me.
We descended onto the grounds toward Iostus’ office. Immediately I noticed the formation the Guards took around me. I shifted my head to Alexander in question and he started speaking softly.
“Everyone has not been made aware of the specifics of your powers, but they do know that keeping you alive could save many, many lives.” His eyes shifted around in a militant gaze that seemed commonplace on his face.
“Why would I need protection here? I thought the Conservatory was safe. Marissa said that magic users cast spells to keep this place protected.” I wanted to feel safe—please, help me feel safe again.
“I don’t know all the details yet, but Shane was told there was a breach in one of our safe houses.” The hurried pace of our walk made it hard for me to breathe a
nd talk at the same time.
“Breach? What does that mean?” Urgency spilled from everyone’s face, but no one around us spoke.
“There was an attack at one of our safe houses. The Guards are the only ones that know those locations. We need to get in and heal the dying ones and keep away any more Hunters that are thirsty for their blood.” Vengeance colored his tone. I understood now.
We had a leak among us. Gazing around the Guards that surrounded me, I wondered if the wolf watched now. The cold trickle of reality settled over me.
It could be anyone.
The comfort I had taken for granted in my short time here melted away. Left in its place was fear. I glanced sideways to see Alexander slow down his pace to make sure we were together. Our hands gripped each other tighter and power surged through me. He was my protector, he saved me. I would take comfort in him. This burned with real emotions unlike any other human interaction in my life. I would do anything for him and our people. Calmness settled over me as I realized I had to go on this mission. This is what I had been born for. A little bit of pain sliced through me at knowing the reason for these attacks most likely involved me. It was a good thing my parents had gotten rid of me. They had tried to protect our people and now my coming back made it worse. I had to help stop this.
The long silent walk came to a halt in front of the building that housed Iostus. At that moment I wondered why no one had been out on the grounds when we paraded across the yard. It was eerily quiet in a place usually filled with calm, busy voices.
“Where is everyone?”
“They’ve gone into lock-down mode. We need to keep everyone else safe and we still don’t know where the leak came from.” Shane was the voice that responded to me. It was then I noticed he shielded me on the left while Alexander was on my right. Nothing could get through those two men.
Iostus stepped out of the front door to meet us on the covered area in front of the building. His gaze locked with Alexander’s and then a swift nod to the others.
“The time has come. You are divine in your skills and I have no doubt you will bring our Healers home. I am sending a Healer for every four Guards. I don’t know the extent of our wounded but I want to be prepared for the worst. Have all your teams been assembled?” Strength in his voice commanded. It was clear why this was the leader we would follow.
“We are ready, Iostus.” Confidence laced Alexander’s tone. I could feel the strength he was projecting to us all. We needed it.
“The vehicles are ready, your Guards may go.”
Silence. No one moved and no one spoke. Alexander’s voice broke the silence.
“Layna will stay with us. She needs all of our protection right now. I cannot consent for them to leave without us. Especially, when we don’t know where the traitor is.” The formation that caged me stayed in place.
“You need me.” It was my voice, but it still shocked me. “I saw Marissa today, Iostus.” Surely, he knew what I implied. There was no way I would get specific in this crowd, but I wanted him to know I had not lost my mind. I was capable of helping. If Marissa was right, they couldn’t do it without me.
Iostus carefully eyed Alexander. The pressure of the decision was apparent in his strained jaw. Black silky strands of his hair fell wispy on his ears. I was so absorbed in staring at Iostus, it was an interruption when Alexander spoke.
“Teams one and two get to the vehicles right away and wait for my next instruction. Shane and Talon, stay with me.” He had chosen his two best. Talon intimidated the hell out of me, but I was able to appreciate his choice. Long and slender, but lethal. God help any man that tried to seduce her. He might end up bloody and swollen on the floor. Although, there were some guys that were into that.
Alexander wrapped his arm around my waist with an air that radiated possession.
“I can’t leave her. She won’t be safe enough.” That angered me. I was going to protect everyone else, not to be protected.
“That’s not what this is about, Iostus, and you know it. This is why you searched for me, sent Alexander to find me. Let me do what I was born to do.” The words were mine but they still tasted foreign as they came off my lips.
Iostus cupped his hands around my cheeks. Alexander bristled next to me. Why did Alexander insist on believing every man that touched me was out to invade my panties? It was ludicrous.
“You are so much more than just that, Layna. I would not risk your life to save others. This is your home and you belong with us. I want to take care of you.” Soft words kissed my ears. It would be simple to stay here where it was safe. I leaned in to press my lips onto his cheek.
“I am a strong Healer. At the very least I need to try and help them. I can’t stay.” I stepped back towards Talon. “Let’s go.” Silent prayers for her to give me some much needed female support amongst this group of highly strong men.
Talon and I walked a few paces before she spoke.
“I respect what you’re doing. It’s normal for them to underestimate your abilities because you’re not a man. Most of them are too smart to do that to me anymore. I’ve seen you fight with Alexander and I’m not blind to what I saw. You can fight and you can heal. Let’s go kick some ass. I, for one, am glad to have you on our team.” This girl was badass. She reminded me of someone else who could do some damage. Where was Scyrus?
“Is Scyrus coming with us?”
“She’s in one of the other vehicles with team two giving us support.” That gave me comfort. I was pretty confident Scyrus was not the traitor. If there was a traitor among us, wouldn’t I be having visions of the serpents? Or was that only when I came close to Hunters? Uugh! I wish I’d had more time to talk to Marissa or anyone that could guide me through understanding all my quirks.
Talon and I stopped at the vehicle we would be riding in with Shane and Alexander. It looked exactly like the vehicle that Alexander had brought me to the Conservatory in. Black, big, and truck like. I was still unable to label it with a name of a car I was familiar with.
I caught his scent before he reached me. It was wild and untamed, laced with rough man. Nothing about his smell allowed me to stay away from him for even a moment. Just as my body angled back I was clutched to his hot and sculpted body.
“When this is over, I’m going to strip you naked and gorge on you until I pass out.” Fire burned up my thighs from his words that came to my ears alone. My hand clutched onto his chest and the breath caught in his lungs. It was beautiful to me to see the reaction I incited in this man. His body towered over me for a moment and then leaned in to capture my mouth. Those warm lips crashed onto me without any apologies. His rough tongue brushed over, forcing my lips to part and take his tongue into my mouth. It licked and probed demanding that I give him every part of me. So close. I was on the edge of doing just that.
Chapter Twenty-five
Alexander and I sat in the back seat with Talon and Shane in the front. Of course, Shane drove. I think he was a little too dominant to allow Talon the wheel, unless he was dying, of course.
“The coordinates are not that far from here.” Shane’s eyes spoke something else to Alexander through the rear-view mirror.
“Why don’t you just tell us what the hell you mean, Shane? We can all hear you.” I didn’t understand the point of keeping secrets now.
“He’s trying to say that they’re close. Isn’t that right?” From the look on Shane’s face, Alexander’s words rang true. Why didn’t I realize it sooner?
“Are they at our Vineyard?” Panic gripped my muscles as I thought about Irena and Trevor and the safety they had given us there.
No one answered me.
I grabbed onto Alexander’s shirt with both hands and demanded.
“Tell me the truth.”
“It’s on their property. I’m not sure if they were hurt or not. I do know that it seems like the Hunters are tracking you.” Right there in his lap I crumbled. Tears were streaming down my face, but I did my best to control the sobbing.
I only hoped Talon and Shane couldn’t hear.
“Look at me, Layna. You are my life.” Alexander pulled me into his lap. “You belong to me now and I won’t let anyone else have you.” Soft touches wiped tears from my face. “I’ve still got a lot of plans for our life together, don’t leave me. You have to fight and stay with us. You are a fighter, I see it growing in you everyday. When we find them, this will be over.” I clung to the power in those words and it calmed me. We were going to get out of this. There was no way the world would be cruel enough to show me such love and devotion from a man and then take it away. At least I hoped not.
Trees and cattle blurred through the window as we flew by. I pondered a nice life in the middle of the country. Lots of grass and a ranch style house. I took another look at the people in the car and shuddered as I doused that dream with cold water.
“What’s going to happen when we get there?” I knew we were close from my recollection of the drive to the Conservatory I had done with Alexander.
“Our first job is to make sure that the Hunters are gone. Normally, we would have to hunt them out, but you should be able to sense their presence when we get there.” Talon and Shane both shifted their bodies simultaneously at those words. Well, now they knew. I had known it had to come out eventually.
“What if I sense them? What if they’re still there?”
“Then we take em’ out.” Conviction and Shane’s slight southern dialect filled the car.
Alexander reached behind us to pull out a black heavy duty box. This I was familiar with. The box popped open to reveal the metal behind this mission. It was a fine looking tac gun. Instinctively, my hand went out to touch. This was a serious weapon. Sig’s were carried by some of the most elite shooters and they never missed their mark.
TheHealers Page 19
