by Aliyah Burke
“I recognize some of them.”
The surge of excitement that hit her washed away the massive exhaustion that had been tormenting her previously. “From where?”
“On the artifacts the others have found.” His fingers joined hers in skimming over the engraved marks.
“Do you think it’s actually water we’re touching? Have you ever seen this place before?”
“I don’t know, and no, I haven’t.”
Before he could say anything else, she sat on it. “It’s not water, since it’s holding me up. Christ, Tiarnán, I feel it beneath me, pulsing. It’s alive.”
She could see his scowl and knew he wanted to jerk her from the seat. “Don’t move. I’m going to let go of you.”
“Got it.” She leaned back and found herself braced against a support that hadn’t been there previously. It was taking care of her needs. Then he let her go. Darkness swarmed around her, scaring her. She wanted to cry out for him but kept her mouth shut for she felt his loss like a fist and kick to her solar plexus.
Chapter Eleven
Alone. He was alone. Tiarnán took a deep breath and waited for the calm to spread through him. His eyes adjusted to the faint light that managed to fight its way through the thick leaf cover over their heads. He found Calida—she sat before him on a low hanging tree branch. There was nothing existing of what he’d witnessed while touching her. Not a single thing. She was focused on him.
“Can you hear me, Calida?”
“Of course.”
He wouldn’t agree with the of course. There was something going on here, something he’d never experienced before.
“Stay put.”
A small yawn. “Okay.”
The fact she didn’t salute him surprised him by the snap in her response. Content she’d stay there, he glanced around. This was the forest he remembered. Heavy foliage, barely any light penetration at night, especially in the summer. There tended to be more during winter, but not tons.
Flaring out, he used his power to check for trouble. Nothing. None of this made any sense to him. How could she see what she did? Why didn’t anyone else?
Tiarnán stepped cautiously to where the edge of the liquid rested. The ground remained firm beneath his feet.
“Calida? Am I in the water?”
“On it. I can see all of your boots. It is water, Tiarnán. I see it moving. There are ripples flowing out from your steps.”
Touching the tree beside him, he asked, “You see a tree?”
“Around us.”
“No, one that I’m touching.”
“There’s no tree there. I see you standing there, on the water looking like you just raised your hand.”
He put it at his side and stepped back to where she said was dry land.
“Lian?”
“Do you ever sleep, young tiger?”
Something he’d not been called in many years. “I am with Calida and we have—she has—discovered a place similar to your spot done in honor of Ms. Lana. I am so confused she can see things that I can’t unless I’m touching her. How is this possible?”
“A place similar?”
“Yes. There are no benches or fountain but otherwise, same. She led me to it, a path wide and groomed through the forest. She touched a blade of grass—odd color, like mercury—after I did it and had no result. She did and it spread out like a small pond. A chair rose from the water and became to look like a chair carved from a stump. A dripping one. Yet it was firm and covered with engraved symbols. Many of which are on the artifacts in the safe.”
Lian didn’t answer him for a few moments and he wondered if he was still there. Then his answer came.
“In the dark, one must find the light. Thought the night that drives your fears and desires, do not despair and yield to your anger, hold fast.”
“Which means what?”
“She is special. Love her. Protect her.” Lian was gone. Just like that.
Tiarnán didn’t show his frustration, after all, riddles were Lian’s way. Swiping his hand along his face, he turned back to Calida. She was gone. The fear which assuaged him nearly took him to his knees.
Where is she?
“Calida?”
Sounds of the forest at night were his only responses. Weapons appeared on his body and he tensed, searching for any hint of where she could be.
“Calida?” He’d not heard her move, at all.
The wind blew through the trees and he blended in with his surroundings as the scent of an unknown reached him. To his right, on the branch where she was supposed to be, he saw Calida. Her eyes were closed and she was sound asleep.
He covered the distance to her in only a few strides and gathered her into his arms. Immediately, the area around him changed from thick forest to open space and the body of water.
Readjusting the woman he held, Tiarnán brushed the back of his hand down her face. The chair that had risen up melted away, then the water retreated, leaving behind the single blade of discolored grass.
“Wake up, Calida.”
Not a moment too soon did her eyes open and meet his. Confusion spread across her features as her gaze darted from side to side. “Are we outside?”
He frowned. “Yes. Don’t you remember what just happened?”
She squinted up at him in the spotty moonlight. “Last I remember was tired but hungry and eating a sandwich with you. Why are we outside?”
More unease skated up his spine. “Nothing about taking a walk with Lian?”
Her eyebrow rose. “At this time at night? What time is it anyway? Shouldn’t he be sleeping? I mean, shouldn’t we all be asleep?”
“Don’t joke, Calida.”
“I’m not. Are you just going to ask questions or will you tell me why we’re outside instead of in bed?”
A thrill coursed through him at her wording but he ignored it for the moment. Something more serious faced them. How could she not remember what they’d experienced moments ago?
He carried her as he walked to the edge of the forest. Calida didn’t fight him but from her increased huffs, he knew she was getting irritated with his lack of communication. When they reached the graveled path leading to the house, he placed her down, aware if he didn’t she would struggle.
“What are you talking about?” she demanded, slapping a hand over his chest as if she could stop his forward progress. “What walk did I take with Lian?”
He gently captured her hand in his, rubbing the back of it. “Can we discuss this inside?”
“No. We do it here and now.”
“Aren’t you tired?”
“Stop trying to distract me, Tiarnán.” She smacked him with her other hand. “Why are you smiling?”
“You say my name with the perfect accent.”
“Would you remain focused?”
“May we at least go sit down?”
“Fine.” She huffed again and practically stomped over to one of the tables, where she drew back a chair and sat. “Talk.”
He did and spent the next two hours telling her what they’d gone through. Light began to creep up over the land and she still hadn’t said a word, just continued to listen. The moment he finished, he rested his arms on the iron and leaned closer to her.
“I don’t remember any of that.” She rubbed her mouth. “None of it.” Calida took his hand and said, “Where do I look to see if it’s happening again?”
He didn’t like the distress in her tone. “Take it easy, Calida. We’ll figure it out.”
Her gaze was frightened when she met his but she never voiced her fear. “Promise?”
“I promise.” And they were two words he vowed not to go back on. One way or another, he’d find out what the hell was going on. Tiarnán retook her hand and laced their fingers, halting her attempt to get some distance between them. Right now, he needed her touch. With small circles, he moved his thumb along her finger. She pulled her gaze from whatever had held her attention and put it back on him.
&nb
sp; “Trust me, Calida.”
“You keep saying that.”
“Because I need you to do it.”
“Why aren’t the flames visible?” She moved her hand. “You know, I mean, we’re touching.”
“We think it’s tied to emotion.”
“Emotion?”
“Powerful surges of it.” Hell, he hadn’t figured it all out yet.
“Oh.” She yawned.
“Ready for bed?”
“I could use a bit more rest.”
Together they walked to the door. He held it for her prior to them walking up the stairs. With each one they conquered, he could see more of her body tremble. He wanted to carry her but knew she wanted to walk. Once in her room, he turned down the bed while she brushed her teeth. Calida walked out, her sweatshirt and sweatpants in hand. That left her in a pale blue tank top and—Lord help him—dark blue underwear in bikini cut.
She made a beeline for the bed, tossing the clothes on a chair and climbing in before tugging the blankets up. He left her there and drew the curtains while leaving the window open for breeze. By the time he returned to her bedside, she was out. Soft snores drifted from her and he ran his knuckles down her smooth cheek.
After casting a final assessing gaze about the room, he left her there and sought a specific person, content in the knowledge he’d be awake. And waiting for him. Taking the stairs down, he walked to the conservatory. As anticipated, Lian sat there, waiting. A tray with a teapot and two cups on it was before him.
“Good morning, Lian,” he said with a bow. Reaching for the ancient pot, he poured the tea without being instructed to, and served his mentor first. Then he sat and drank from his own.
Dracen had been correct in that Lian looked old and drained. It was the drained that bothered him.
“What disturbs you, young tiger?”
The familiarity of having long talks with this man made him feel more at ease. “Calida remembers nothing of what happened.”
“The mind has a way of protecting us.” He put the cup to his mouth and took a drink. “Information may return at a later date.”
“Shouldn’t we be concerned by what she—we—saw in the forest?”
“No.”
“Does anything bother you anymore?”
Lian got a faraway look for a moment before a sad smile lifted his lips. “Bother? Not at my age. But I do worry daily. All of you are my children and I worry for you.”
“Have you heard from Dracen?”
“No. She has been more silent than usual. I do not get a response from her either.”
“So she could be in danger.”
“Of course.” Tiarnán’s heart plummeted. “We are all in danger. She has contacted you since she left, so she has the means to do so if she wanted us.”
“Or had.”
A patient look was adopted by the man he respected more than anything in the world. “Your ‘little sister’ is a very capable guardian. She wouldn’t have been chosen were she not.” He gestured. “Drink.”
Despite the urge to go train, or of course return to Calida, he sat there and waited for Lian. The man had his rituals and they couldn’t be—would not be—rushed. So he would be patient.
* * * *
Calida mulled over what Tiarnán had told her. How did I manage to forget a period of time? She chewed on her thumbnail as she made her way down the corridor to the door she sought. There, she knocked and stuck her head in.
“Morning,” she said.
“Same to you.” Mal sent her a brilliant smile. “Ready for your checkup?”
“I am.”
“Wonderful. Go on in and sit on the table.”
She listened and was swinging her feet when Mal walked in after a knock. Calida breathed deep and did everything else asked of her. Even gave up her blood without any fuss. Okay, without too much of one. Mal, however, did a bit of hemming, which concerned her.
“What’s wrong?” she asked as she left the exam room and stood in the office.
The slender woman made some notes and a few more noncommittal grunts before she used her foot to hook the small stool and bring it to her. She sat across from the chair Calida had taken as opposed to being behind her desk.
“Hear what I have to say first.”
Panic exploded. “Um, if you were looking to keep me calm and unpanicked, that way wasn’t the way to do it.”
“I want you to hear my words before you ask questions.”
Her heart pounded almost out of control. “All right.” She was proud her voice didn’t shake.
“I ran the checks and short of getting your blood work back, you’re doing fine. In fact, that’s where I’m extremely confused.” Mal inched closer to her until their knees touched. “Your scars are still there so I know I did surgery on you, but that’s outside. Inside it’s like nothing happened. Has anything odd gone on with you?”
She didn’t understand. “No signs. Like I wasn’t ever bleeding out or near death?”
“Nothing. No scars. No scar tissue, no indication of where I sewed you up inside. Also, there are no signs your body is fighting for your recovery, no increased leukocytes, or anything like that.”
“Odd.”
She made a face. “Aye, you could put it that way. Basically your body is telling me, nothing happened to it. I have to know, Calida. Do you remember anything, anything at all?”
No, and that was exactly her problem. She shifted on the hard plastic chair. “Last night…” She hesitated, not wanting to talk more about something she truly didn’t know what to make of.
“Tell me.”
Her brogue actually relaxed Calida and calmed her wayward nerves. “Last night, I apparently did some things I don’t remember.”
“As in?”
Calida relayed to Mal what Tiarnán had told to her. During the entire spiel, Mal remained silent, listening avidly. She finished and clasped her hands together.
“Ready to commit me?”
Mal’s smile was gentle. “Perhaps before I met Billy and was thrust into this world. Now, however, I think that’s it.”
She raised her eyebrow. “That’s what?”
“What healed you.” There was no disguising Mal’s excitement.
Calida was speechless. She scratched her head and pursed her lips all the while staring at the cute surgeon before her. “You think something in the forest healed me?” She couldn’t possibly hide her disbelief.
If Mal took offense, she hid it well. “Before you met Tiarnán, did you believe in flying demons or men and women who were chosen as Astral Guardians?”
“Well, no, but—”
“No buts. If you didn’t, why would my suggestion be so insane?”
So the doc had a valid point. “Guess it’s easier for me to look at them and think they’re human like me as opposed to thinking some mysterious thing, being, and magic, whatever in the forest healed me.”
A slight shrug. “Just a thought and given what we know, I think it’s one you should take seriously.” She stood. “Come back in two days and we’ll run more tests. I’ll let you know if there’s anything in your blood work that concerns me, although I doubt that will be the case.”
“I’ll be here.”
“Good, I’d hate to tell Tiarnán you’re ignoring doctor’s orders.”
“That’s a low blow.”
“I do what I must to ensure cooperation from my patients.”
“And here I was just beginning to like you.”
“You shall continue to,” she said with a cheeky smile. “I’m extremely likeable.”
“And manipulative.”
She didn’t miss a beat. “Absolutely.”
“Come on, no break? I was injured.”
“Not a one, besides, it doesn’t look that way to me.” She reached out and touched Calida’s shoulder. “Off you go.”
“Rushing me out, Doc?”
“Yep, about to have freaky, dirty sex right here in my office.”
&nb
sp; The door opened on her statement and in walked Dex, Aminta’s mate. Tall, fit and hot as all get-out.
“Hey, Doc, ya ready?”
Calida snorted and Mal shoved her in the back. “Not a word out of you.”
“Not a one. Just saying, I think I bought myself a bit of leeway with you.” She grinned. “Bye, Dex. Bye, Mal.” She waved and went out of the door. Calida laughed. While she might be new here, she was positive Mal had nothing going on with the handsome rescue worker.
She made her way outside and headed toward the vineyard. Shoes in hand, she took her time enjoying the warm sun and the earth beneath her feet. A flash of sun off metal to her left had her turning. Tiarnán was there, practicing with his weapons.
Holy shit!
He was off in a side space, away from the main track. She’d not have even noticed him if not for the glint of sun off the metal. The man was so hot. Shirtless, his bronzed skin—covered in sweat—gleamed in the sun’s rays. His black shoulder-length hair whipped around in time with his movements. She expelled a sharp whimper at the sight of him in those tight, dark blue jeans and cowboy boots. Really? He practices in cowboy boots? More importantly, why did she find that so damn sexy?
Poetry in motion. Deadly. Dangerous predator. Such fluidity with a killer edge. There were a lot of terms that came to mind. Sexy. Hot as sin. Darkness was also a word. Despite the brilliance of the day, she could sense darkness around him. She couldn’t stay away and went toward him. He worked with his swords—katanas—at the moment, so she sat there, shoes beside her, and enjoyed the majestic display.
“You just going to watch?” he asked without slowing his strikes.
“Did you want me to leave?”
“No. Want to train?”
She gave a sharp burst of laughter. “With you?”
He sheathed his swords and she watched them melt into him until he stood alone. Tiarnán faced her and her belly clenched with the familiar need he created in her. His chest was—in her defense—drool worthy. All those ridges, peaks and valleys. The cuts making up his arms didn’t help her lust—other than to increase it. Biceps, triceps, so well defined.
“Something wrong with me?”
“God no!” Crap, can’t believe I said that aloud and like I did. He gave a slow grin of pure sex. She cleared her throat. “I mean, I hear you’re the best one, and also one mean bastard during practice.”
