Her surprise must have shown.
“You know, we could maybe work out some kind of exchange.” He wiggled his eyebrows, and despite her disgust, a thrill shot through her.
“I don’t think so.” Still. She was flattered.
“I didn’t think you’d go for it. Can’t be mad at a guy for trying.” His smile didn’t set off the butterflies she experienced with Patrick. Good.
She nodded.
“Much rests on your shoulders, but once you get through this, your strength will help shape the future. Don’t let the power go to your head. You have to keep a balance.”
“Noted. I will do my best.”
“And you, Patrick. You didn’t fail Jana. She failed you. She hated her role and everything that went with it. She didn’t want it, which meant every good thing you did was unrecognized. The events leading to her death were far beyond your control. You did everything you could and then some.”
Patrick tensed under her for a moment. His liberation from his guilt was a palpable force, and she warmed even with the cold presence of the entity inhabiting Mick’s body.
Patrick nodded. “Thank you.”
The thing laughed. “I didn’t tell you as a favor. It’s no secret you’ve screwed up enough of our plans to put you on the list of humans who we’d love to see in Hell. I tell you because of Alaina, because her potential can only be fully reached with your help. Sadly, for that, you’ll no longer be on the hate list.”
“I wish you could tell me why I’m so important.” Alaina sighed, unease settling in her bones as the weight of his words filled her.
“You’re the key to perfect balance. No other guide can even hope to achieve the mastery you’ll come to possess. What you work so hard at now will eventually become no different than how you think about eating or breathing. There will be no thought, and you will have the ability to command others as you’ve commanded me.”
She didn’t know what to say. It was hard to believe him when she continued to struggle to see the truth behind those who waited to be guided into the afterlife. Alaina had no idea how she was supposed to accomplish great feats. Hell, right now she was lucky to remember to comb her hair, let alone command dark forces and balance the good and bad in the universe.
Maybe he was blowing sunshine up her skirt to keep her from slashing out at him in anger. Lord knew she would be well-deserved to berate him for the hell she’d been going through. She had no idea if demons could even tell the truth. He seemed sincere, but that might be a ruse based on how honest and trustworthy she knew Mick was. Though he might not be able to lie, thanks to the words she’d spoken to get him here.
“Thank you. I appreciate your help.” Alaina lowered her head as a sign of respect.
“Without you, our worlds would collide in a most unpleasant way. Though I must warn you, I probably won’t be so pleasant if you summon me twice without much passage of time. You should be safe in this house for now. If you don’t gather your strength, the peace won’t last long. There is only so much I can do.” He smiled again before walking back to the doorway and leaning against the jamb.
The air shifted, the strong wind outside subsiding though rain continued to fall. She turned over her shoulder to Mick, watching as he shuddered and closed his eyes, his body returning to normal. When he stared back at her with a bewildered expression, she shook her head. He started to speak, but she placed a finger over her lips to silence him, not looking forward to how angry he’d be when he found out how much evil had resided in his body.
Shaking the thoughts away, she turned her attention back and reached out to the crouched figure her summoned guest had promised her services to. As the dark, hunched shadow approached, Alaina sensed a kindness masked by what probably had been a physical deformity.
“People weren’t very nice to you,” she stated.
He nodded, raising his head to meet her eyes. Alaina studied the soul inside what was a twisted resemblance of the former physical person. Her heart broke for the tragedies he’d suffered.
“What is it that you want me to say?” She had to be sure. She thought she was, but wanted to be absolute.
“I want to go into the light, but I know I don’t deserve it. I wanted to be a good person, but I wasn’t.” His head lowered, sadness emanating from the dark shape.
“You are a good person. Your circumstances led you down the wrong path, but your soul is good. Go into the light and know you will have the physical form of your choosing there. Regardless of your appearance, you will be accepted and loved. Go in peace.” She reached forward, touching the cold mist that made up the shadow.
For some reason, the single crossing took much out of her. Maybe because of the summoning and subsequent information dump she’d endured. The dark shapes lined up behind the first, and she had no choice but to perform her duties.
When she finally finished, she was as drained as she’d been the first night. Patrick cradled her, standing with her in his arms and blowing out the candles. Mick touched her arm, his awe and nervousness as strong as from the shadows.
“Let me get her showered. If you don’t mind ordering pizza or something for her to eat, we’ll talk about what happened when we come down.” Patrick’s deep voice comforted her, and she snuggled into him.
“You’re making progress, but it’s not over.” Her little houseguest appeared in the doorway of the room he’d claimed as they entered the hall.
“How do you know?” Patrick asked when her mouth refused to speak the question.
“She is coming. And she wants what she wants. Be prepared.” He slammed the door.
Alaina barely registered the change of rooms until the bright light of the bathroom filled her senses.
“Come on. You have to shower. You know that.” Patrick sat her down on the closed lid of the toilet seat.
“I don’t think I can.” She leaned forward, her elbows on her knees.
“You did a lot of good in there. I could feel what you felt. You did very well.” He helped her stand, taking the clip out of her hair and massaging his fingers over her scalp.
“The sorting seemed easier tonight. I don’t know why I’m so wasted.” The way her mind and body ached worried her, but she got no similar vibes from Patrick.
The sound of the shower running filled her like a lullaby as Patrick tugged her shirt over her head and unhooked her bra. The noise he made low in his throat snapped her to attention, and she leaned into him, needing his heat. He fumbled with the buttons on her jeans. She giggled when she remembered she’d worn the button-fly denim today.
“Not funny. You should have warned me.” He hooked his thumbs in the waistband of the jeans. “Did I ever tell you how turned on button-fly jeans make me?”
Oh Lord. Need for him spiked through her, confusing her weary brain. Steam rose around them as he stripped her of her panties.
“And I love these too.” He held up the purple thong with his index finger while moving her forward to rest against him.
“Hmm.” She licked his neck.
“You’re killing me.” He sighed into her hair. “I promised myself we weren’t going to do this again.” He cupped her breasts, his thumbs on her nipples.
“But I need you so much.” She grabbed the waistband of his jeans and met his lower body with hers.
The fatigue had eased a fraction. She actually managed to unhook his zipper and tug his jeans down. Again he wore no underwear, and again, she snickered.
“You know, I do have a washing machine. In fact, I even have a dryer.”
“That’s great and all, except I didn’t bring my dirty laundry.” He kissed her hard, and she forgot what they’d been talking about. “Now shower so you can eat. Poor Mick is probably down there freaking out because he doesn’t know what happened to him.”
“Yeah. Yeah
. Whatever. You have to shower, too. I’m sure you absorbed some of the nastiness with me sitting on you all night. Come on.” She tugged his shirt over his head.
Alaina didn’t expect him to follow, but as soon as he took his shoes and pants off, he did. As she moved the curtain back, he pulled her back against his front, resting her head against his shoulder and moving her into the spray of water. She reached back to fully saturate her hair, accepting the bottle of shampoo he offered. Patrick took over lathering her hair, his fingers working the soap through her scalp. She relaxed against him, her nerve endings coming out of hibernation as his touch soothed her.
After rinsing her hair, he turned her to face him as he lathered a washcloth with her favorite body wash. Alaina let him wash her. Her body might feel alive, but her brain and muscles were clumsy. She leaned her head against his shoulder with a sigh, too tired to think.
When he moved the washcloth between her legs, her body jerked and a moan slipped out. As he rinsed her, the constant need exploded like a volcanic eruption. Raising her head, she found his mouth, breathing him in. He backed her against the shower wall, entering her in a solid, earth-shattering movement, and murmured her name against her dripping hair. She clutched his back, her nails digging into his muscled flesh as he moved in her. Reality ceased as she gave herself up to simply feeling him inside her. When it was over, she clung to him, unable to move without the tiny aftershocks that made her knees too weak to hold her body upright.
He held her tight, his heart still racing against her breast. The tenderness of his touch contrasted with the roughness of their lovemaking. Patrick tilted her head up so she could see his face. He kissed her gently, the intensity lingering below the surface of his lips on hers.
Quickly washing, he rinsed and then opened the shower curtain and handed her a towel. She mechanically toweled off, her brain buzzing with everything that had happened in the past few hours. Dressing in sweats and thick socks, she shoved her feet into her boots, combed her hair, and sat on the bed to wait for Patrick.
She must have dozed off because the next thing she knew, Patrick tugged her hand. “Come on, sleepyhead. You have to eat and we have to explain everything to Mick.”
She stood, stumbling into him and accepting the hand he offered.
“I promise you can sleep soon. We’ll figure the rest out in the morning.”
The hall was quiet, the constant ominous presence gone. She took a deep breath, wondering how she’d stayed here for so long with the heaviness that had filled up every available space. Everything seemed brighter, including the hallway she’d come to hate. Nothing lurked in the dark corners, and instead of the constant musty odor she’d become accustomed to, the scent she associated with Gram filled her senses.
Finally. She was home. She hoped.
~ ~ ~
Patrick glanced at Alaina, glad she noticed the change in their surroundings. Sadness filled him with the thought that he’d be leaving her soon. Once they ended whatever the trio of demons thought they were doing, his tie with her would end.
Only he didn’t want it to.
He couldn’t stop thinking about the words of the creature Alaina summoned. Some of his guilt had eased. Jana would always hold a special place in his heart, and he’d forever mourn the loss of their child. But her death hadn’t been his fault, and he had to continue living. Staying in the past, even though his quest for revenge had gotten him through many lonely nights, wasn’t going to work anymore.
Except what he wanted and what he could have were two entirely different things. He wanted to stay with Alaina. Wanted to wake up next to her every morning and go to bed with her naked in his arms every night. Somehow he didn’t think his life was going to work out the way he wanted. Already she disconnected from him, despite the passion in their lovemaking. He’d sensed her disconnect, knowing it would only get worse as she explored and took control of the power filling her. She had a job to do, and as soon as she gained her full power, she wouldn’t need him—like Jana hadn’t needed him.
Alaina squeezed his hand as if reading his thoughts. He wondered if she had and if the squeeze meant she agreed. When she stopped and stepped in front of him, he figured she had total access to his brain. She glared at him. He didn’t take his eyes off hers as they locked in a silent battle of wills. She pushed against him, almost knocking him off balance.
“What was that for?”
Her answer was to grab the front of his shirt and kiss him.
She walked away, leaving him stunned and confused. He paused to collect his thoughts and realized reading her emotions hadn’t happened in a while, except for when they were making love in the shower. Again, the sadness filled him. Maybe she’d shielded him as a way of making sure she didn’t need him anymore.
Alaina was seated at the breakfast bar with a bottle of beer in front of her when he got to the kitchen. Mick sat across from her, his eyes wide. Patrick figured she’d already filled him in on what had been done to him and waited for Mick to go nuts.
Instead of the reaction Patrick expected, Mick sat on one of the bar stools and laughed. “Cool.”
“Is that all you have to say? I thought you’d flip out.”
Mick rested his hands on his stomach. “New experience, dude. I remember some of it. And whatever used my body didn’t hurt me. In fact, I feel better than I have in weeks. My arm isn’t bruised anymore. My bum knee feels great, and my sinuses are actually clear. I think it healed me somehow.”
“Possible. Despite him being from the dark side of things, he was very polite. He probably figured healing you was payment for the use of your skin.”
“Plus, you’re probably the last person they’d want to piss off—lost souls not reaching their destination and all that. I wonder if you caught any of it on tape.” Patrick popped the top off his beer and joined them.
Mick jumped up, opening the oven door and removed three plates loaded with roast beef, mashed potatoes, and corn. “I don’t know, but I’m going to find out soon.”
“Shouldn’t you go home now? I’m pretty sure your purpose for staying has been served.” Patrick grabbed the plate with the hot pad Mick had tossed him, passing it to Alaina who yawned behind her hand.
“I am. But there’s no way I’ll be able to sleep. I’m going to load the laptop with the footage and take it with me. You are both going to fall asleep in your food.” Mick bounced on the balls of his feet, the energy coming off him further draining Patrick’s already paltry resources.
“It’s possible.” Patrick reached over and shook Alaina as her head drooped forward. “Come on, girly, eat so you can go to bed.”
She raised her head and smiled, dropping her fork and fumbling with picking it up. “Sorry. I’m beat.”
“Coolest thing ever.” Mick put the laptop on the counter and plugged in wires in between grabbing bites of food.
“Hey, where did this come from? The only thing left in the fridge was chicken casseroles.” Patrick would have remembered real pot roast, and it probably would have already been gone.
“My wife. She’s worried about you guys.” Mick used his fork to point at the crock-pot on the counter.
“That’s wonderful and much appreciated, but she doesn’t even know me.” Alaina pushed her empty plate away.
“She feels like she does because of how much Alona talked about you. Actually, you’ve probably met her. She’s a regular at Lavender’s and she’s been to your greenhouse a few times. You’d probably know her if you saw her.”
Alaina smiled before resting her head on the table. “When this is over you’ll have to properly introduce us.”
Patrick figured she was thinking of ways to thank her, and his insides warmed. There wasn’t much he didn’t like about Alaina, except the possibility of her rejecting him based on him potentially doing something more stupid than he’d already
done. He’d simply have to try his best to make himself indispensable.
“I’m going to bed.” Alaina stood and took her plate to the dishwasher.
He started to stand, but she stopped him with a hand on his shoulder. “The house is safe now. I can go up by myself. Take your time.”
She kissed the top of his head before waving a good night and walking away. Patrick didn’t know what to think. Would she kiss him, even casually, if she didn’t expect him to join her in her room? Actually, there hadn’t been any question in her statement. She did expect him to come to her after he’d eaten.
He smiled, even though his gut still churned with the uncertainties of their relationship. He didn’t want to wait too long to join her, but the short break from being in each other’s constant company was also welcome. She’d be too tired to make love again. Then again, he seriously doubted that. He could use a few more minutes to recharge if that was going to happen.
Mick was grinning at him. “Dude, you’ve got it bad for her.”
“Oh, come on. I do not.” Yeah. Way to lie.
“What am I, stupid? It’s written all over your face—has been since shortly after we showed up here.” He paused, hooking up the power cord to the video recorder.
“Whatever.” He took care of his dishes and cleared the beer bottles from the table.
“Right. Whatever. She’s good for you. I know you’ve been dealing with a lot of crap lately. Keeping her, and us, safe has totally stressed you out, but there’s a huge difference in you lately. A good one.”
“So, you’re saying I was a bastard before?” He smiled, though he couldn’t help but wonder.
“All I’m saying is it was obvious you needed to get laid. I’m glad you finally did, and I’m glad she’s the one who took the perpetual scowl off your face. Maybe you can let your need for revenge die a natural death and start to live again.” Mick turned a serious stare on him as if daring him to argue about his past motives.
The Shadow Guide (Challenging the Fates) Page 18
