Secrets of the Sapphires

by T. Sue VerSteeg

  He pulled the mare to a stop and slid from her back as he stared at the horrifying scenario before him. Nia stood proud upon a step, hands tied together, noose around her neck, with screaming, chanting people mobbed around her. Garrett lunged forward, gun cocked in his right hand and sword drawn in his left, as she stepped from the stool.

  “No!” he screamed as he dropped his chin and ran faster toward her.

  Face contorted in pain and fear, her mouth gaping, Nia gasped for breath, flailing for control while she dangled from the rope. Her bound hands struggled in vain to reach her neck.

  Anger and vengeance fueled Garrett now. After shooting the parson between the eyes, Garrett swung the sword and cut Nia loose from the scaffold. She crumpled to the ground in a lifeless heap as he sheathed his sword and reached down to loosen the rope. He scooped her into his arms just as the stunned crowd realized what had happened. The black mare galloped to his side. Garrett draped her limp body over the horse, swinging into position behind her. Without any prodding, the horse broke into a dead run. He allowed the horse to pick the direction, concentrating on Nia’s wilted form. After he removed the noose and tossed it away, he placed a finger to her red, rope-burned neck to check for a pulse. Even with the bouncing momentum of the ride, he was able to feel the beat of her heart. Garrett pulled her body next to his own and cradled her while he used his free hand to unbind her hands. Her head bobbled against the crook of his elbow, her golden red hair fluttering against his shoulder.

  A defining moment slammed into him like a brick wall in his path. Feelings, ones he’d only heard others speak of prior to that moment, puckered his skin with gooseflesh and warmed his body all at the same time. These were more than feelings of need, lust, or even selfish wanting—the usual guy stuff—and more along the lines of waking up the next morning early just to watch her sleep, or the urge to make her breakfast in bed. He’d always scoffed in the past at how unrealistic it was.

  But now…

  He shook his head, regaining control of his male ego and the reins, guiding the mare into a creek. The water would cause a diversion without tracks on the other side to follow. Going upstream, against the current, would throw them off further. Garrett’s mind was in full agent mode. He paid close attention to details and landmarks so they could return to the church, back to the sapphire they needed to get home. They rode for what seemed like hours. As the sun began to fade, dipping below the mountains in the distance, fate produced an old barn nestled in a grove of trees. Dilapidated and sagging, it appeared to be abandoned. After leading the mare into a stall, which still held old hay for her to eat, Garrett slid off the horse with Nia cradled in his arms.

  As he draped Nia onto a straw pile at the end of the open area, her body stiffened and a hand shot out, fingers jabbing into Garrett’s neck with brute force, clutching around his Adams apple.

  “Nia,” he croaked while tugging at her hands.

  Her eyes snapped open, black pupil consuming most of the emerald green area, staring at Garrett’s face in a look of horror and disbelief. With her hand still in place crushing his windpipe, she spat, “Phineas, did you kill Van Deren too?”

  “It’s me; I’m Van Deren. I promise,” he huffed in a coarse whisper, struggling for a breath.

  Shoving him backward, retaining control of his neck, she screamed, “Prove it!”

  He felt lightheaded from lack of oxygen and uttered the only thing he knew would prove his identity to her, “Sugar…lips.”

  She released him, immediately bursting into tears, crumpling into a heap in the straw. “Forgive me, Van Deren. Phineas…”

  Garrett dropped to his knees in front of her and pulled her hands away from her face. “Phineas is dead. I shot him right between the eyes. No one walks away from that.” He allowed a cocky smile to creep onto his face.

  “A vampire does.” Tears continued to streak down her face.

  “No, he couldn’t be…” Garrett’s words trailed off with his prideful smile. He stared at his knees, shaking his head in disbelief.

  “Yeah, he shifted into his real form right in front of me, just before he dragged me off to that lynch mob.” Nia rose to her knees, brushing Garrett’s bangs from his eyes as he turned his gaze back toward her. “He’s one of the guys who killed my parents. I don’t know what his real name is, but I know it’s him. I’ll never forget his face.” The tears, which had let up only moments before, now spilled over her cheeks again. “He told me I was supposed to be his kill for the night. The only reason he didn’t eat my heart today was to retain his cover. Now that the parson was killed in front of everyone, he’ll be after me with a vengeance. There isn’t anything to hold him back now.”

  Garrett straightened his posture, placed a hand on Nia’s cheek, and forced a playful smile to his lips. “Well, we’ll have to make sure he loses his head next time. Unless you’re still keeping him in the category of senseless killing, that is.”

  “The bastard is going down! He just made it to number one on my shit list. Besides, turn-about is fair play, right?”

  Garrett watched Nia’s eyes narrow and jaw set, glad to see dander return, blocking out her sorrow. Laughing, he spewed, “There’s the Nia I know and…”

  Love?

  As though he could outrun the enormous word, he jumped to his feet and set off in a jog to get their supplies. His side throbbed, reminding him of his wound. He pushed through the pain again even though he was dizzy and tired.

  He undid the saddlebags and carried them back to Nia, dropping them in front of her. “I may not have hunted, but I did gather. I’m not exactly sure why the servant woman was so nice to me. She stuffed those bags full.”

  Producing the watch from her bosom, she showed him another missing stone before she tucked it and the wedding set in an outer pocket of one of the satchels.

  “Geesh, woman, your rack is like our own little Fort Knox.”

  “Little?” Nia raised a brow.

  “Well, in comparison to Fort Knox, yeah. I mean, they are perfect for…well, you know…” Garrett was surprised to feel his face flush and was relieved when a smile graced Nia’s face.

  “I love it when you back-peddle. You get all flustered and cute.”

  Garrett spread one of the wool blankets on top of the hay pile and gave in to gravity. Splayed across the itchy, lumpy surface, he allowed his eyes to droop closed. “I’m glad I could entertain you. I need to shut my eyes for a few minutes then I’ll do my whole standup act.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  The sound of Garrett’s heavy breathing made Nia smile. It also enveloped her in a warm, safe sensation. After checking his bandages and unpacking the supplies, she decided to wander off in search of water. Her eyes had finally adjusted to the dark. From the distance she heard the sound of water lapping against a shore. In the corner of the room were two buckets with rope handles and a roughly fashioned yolk. She draped the bucket handles on each end of the wooden contraption, balanced it over her shoulders, and set off in search of the elusive body of water. She wound through thick brush, quickly finding the path cleared out by the previous owners, making her way to the lake’s edge.

  The waning moonlight glistened off the misty water’s surface, casting twinkles of light through the fog hovering above. Nia placed the buckets on the ground and sat upon a rock at the water’s edge, the slight sent of sulfur detaining her from filling them. She quickly realized there’d be no drinking from the lake. After removing a shoe, she dipped her toe into the warm, hot spring water. Her mind drifted back through all of the awful moments of the prior few days. It seemed an eternity since she had slept in a soft, warm bed, eaten a hot meal, or even used a toothbrush. She decided it would be worth coming down with a cold to enjoy the comfort the lake promised her. She quickly stripped down to her strapless bra and panties, but paused before she walked in. After a quick glance over her shoulder, she slid out of her undergarments, descending from the cold night air into the warm, inviting water. Mud squished betw
een her toes for a few steps before she was left to tread water. Leaning back, she sprawled out, floating, staring up into the heavens. Her breasts peeked out and nipples puckered taut against the brisk night air.

  Never before had she seen so many stars in the night sky. No streetlights, headlights, or city lights in the distance obstructed her view of the Milky Way. When the sporadic clouds cooperated, she was afforded a phenomenal display of the white swirl overhead.

  “Wow, what a view.”

  Garrett’s words sent Nia’s body flailing and splashing about as she flung herself around and dipped under the concealing cover of the water.

  He stood there staring at her, but snapped his gaze heavenward before he continued. “I, uh, have never seen that many stars.” His head slowly lowered back toward her. “Mind if I join you? The mineral water will be good for my side.”

  “Uh, sure,” Nia sputtered, “There’s plenty of room for two.” She turned away while he undressed, assessed the tree-lined bank, making a mental note of a stream leading into the warm lake for fresh drinking water.

  The tender touch of his hand on her shoulder sent unexpected jolts of pleasure through her body. She turned around, standing tippy toe in the mud before him, her shoulders just above water. Her hands came to rest on the smooth surface of his chest for balance.

  No words were spoken. Nia read the need, the hunger in his eyes for the touch of a familiar hand in an unfamiliar place and time, hunger only sex could satisfy. Wet fingers trailed across her cheeks, cupping her face, pulling it close to his. Their lips met, tongues entwined, danced, explored. The warm water, the cool night air added to the sensory overload Nia felt. Nothing compared to the feel of Garrett’s hands on her naked body. He dipped his hand under the water, running a light finger over one breast; he pulled away from their kiss, doubt splayed on his face.

  A slight smile from her pulled out all the stops.

  He effortlessly lifted her in the inky water. She wrapped her legs carefully around his torso, mindful of his wound. Ravenous, hurried kisses dotted her cheek, neck and shoulders. Leaning against a rock, he slid one hand between them, dipping between her legs. His fingers delved and explored, nearly sending her over the edge.

  Wanting to prolong the inevitable bliss, Nia took him into her hands. His hard shaft slipped through her grip in the silky water. She stroked him several times before placing the tip between her legs. He entered her with one thrust, gripping her thighs to keep the rhythm to his liking. Nia tilted her hips into him with each drive, dragging her breasts along his chest, the silky water making the sensation even more intense.

  She placed her hands on his arms, bracing herself, stopping the sweet tempo before it ended too soon for her. “Please…” she whispered.

  He trailed kisses from the nape of her neck to her ear, punctuating it with a curt nip on the lobe. “Tell me what you want.”

  “For it to last.”

  “Just let it happen then. I don’t plan to go anywhere.” He shrugged her hands off of his biceps, yanked her body taut against his, and plunged into her again.

  The cadence quickened, his hand guiding her lower back. Within minutes, waves of pleasure consumed her. She went limp within his arms, her head dropping back, floating on the water.

  “Oh, God yes!” she screamed into the night air, her body wracked in spasms of pleasure that seemed to last forever.

  Garrett stroked Nia’s back, compressing her against him, the gentle remnant waves of their pleasure lilting her back to Earth. “See, I’m still here.”

  Nia winced as his fingers traced the tender, sore skin around her neck but reveled in the soft kiss that replaced his hand.

  “I wish I’d made it there sooner,” his words whispered into her chilled ear.

  “You got there in time. That’s what matters.” Nia tilted her head back far enough to see into his eyes. “Just like your side, my neck will heal.”

  Garrett’s gaze never left her lips; his tongue slid out to dampen his own. “God, you’re beautiful.” His fingers coiled a lock of her hair. “The way your hair lays in wet ringlets, the moon shining off of your damp body, your lips…” He lowered his face, capturing her mouth with his in another heated kiss.

  When the bond of their lips broke, Nia leaned her forehead against his. “If we hadn’t already had amazing sex…”

  “I know, right?” His impish grin caused her to giggle.

  “As I was saying, if we hadn’t already had…sex, then I’d think you were trying to sweet talk me out of my panties.” She traced his bottom lip with her finger, and he sucked it into his mouth.

  He hardened again between her legs. “You’re not wearing any.”

  Nia wrapped her legs around him again, this time he entered her slowly, the tempo deliberate and unhurried. With each withdrawal, Nia yanked her hips back and dragged her hardened bud along his shaft. She separated herself from him and turned around, her back toward him. Garrett shoved her hair away from her shoulder and bit down on the newly exposed flesh. She felt him shudder as he pulled her up and entered her from behind. His fingers played with her rigid nub while he enjoyed her with renewed fervor and passion. Leaning forward, Nia allowed the water and Garrett to keep her afloat as the fevered waves crashed through her body again. This time it was Garrett’s twitches inside of her that shoved her over the edge. Once more she cried out in the cold night air.

  Garrett spun her around in his arms, touching his forehead to hers. “We’d better get dried off and back to the barn before we catch cold.”

  Waving toward the creek she’d spied earlier she said, “We have to get fresh water first.”

  Releasing an annoyed groan, Garrett huffed, “I just want to get dried off and have my way with you in the barn.”

  “You’ll be glad the water is there then to keep us hydrated.” A mischievous grin curled her lips.

  “I like the way you think.”

  After donning their cloaks over their wet bodies, they rushed up the hill, dried and dressed quickly. Each of them grabbing a bucket, they had them filled and were back at the barn in record time. Nia dropped her pail in front of the grateful mare, stroking her mane for a moment before returning to Garrett. Rounding the corner, her heart melted. He had started a small fire, unloaded some dried meat, fruit, a bottle of what appeared to be wine, and arranged them all on one of the blankets in a makeshift picnic. His hand was outstretched toward her when the shock of his romantic side finally wore off.

  Waggling his fingers, he chided, “Don’t keep a hungry man waiting.”

  After hanging her cloak next to his to dry by the fire, she dropped to her knees across the feast from him. He was lying languidly on his good side, propped up on an elbow. Reaching across the food, he dragged a dried fig along her lower lip. The tart taste exploded in her mouth when she bit down. Her stomach growled as she chewed, reminding her of how long it had been since she’d actually eaten anything. Tearing off a piece of dried pork, she ravenously devoured it then leaned back, staring at Garrett’s stunned expression.

  One brow cocked and slack-jawed, he uttered, “I’m pretty sure you didn’t even chew that meat.”

  Stomach sated, she leaned forward on all fours, crawling around the food toward Garrett. “Well, I guess I need to learn how to savor what I eat.” She gently pushed him onto his back, straddling his waist just below his wound, sitting back on his groin. Feeling him grow under her weight, she smiled and added, “Perhaps I was entertaining the wrong type of meat?” She unzipped Garrett’s pants.

  The mare snorted and whinnied wildly as she slammed herself against the walls of her stall. An ethereal growl mixed in with the sound of the horse’s distress as Nia and Garrett bolted around the corner. Garrett had his sword drawn, leading the way to the horrifying scene. The horse that had been devoted to them, their only saving grace, now lay torn and battered in a pool of its own blood. The crimson color so bright, it was evident even in the dimly lit barn.

  The acrid smell of fresh
blood filled the air. Nia slumped next to the horse and whispered, “Please forgive me for allowing this to happen, my faithful friend.” Tears brimmed in her eyes, but the rising anger in her gut quelled them.

  She stood, her pulse pounding in her ears, the loud beat blocking out common sense as she walked out from the shelter into the unprotected open area surrounding it. A cold breeze whipped against the skin of her exposed arms. The clouds had cleared and moonlight flooded the area. A hand clamped on her shoulder from behind; without hesitation, she grabbed and twisted the wrist, flinging her head around to stare into Garrett’s eyes.

  “Getting yourself killed will not bring the horse back,” he muttered into her ear as he yanked his arm from her grip.

  Clenching her jaw, she turned back to scan the surrounding area. “Are you only brave enough to fight poor defenseless animals?” The silence after her words only amplified her rage. “Show yourself, damn it!”

  The guttural snarl returned. Nia spun around to face the source. The same blue eyes stared at her; teeth bared, they were stained red with frothy foam dripping from his growling, quivering mouth.

  Garrett stepped in front of her with his sword aimed directly at the slobbering animal. Nia quickly shoved her way back to the forefront. Hands on her hips, she announced, “Is this the only way you can handle your enemies: claws, teeth and animal aggression? Show me your man form so I can kill you without remorse!”

  He shoved her behind him again while whispering, “Has anyone ever told you that you have more chutzpah than brains? Pissing him off even more is not how to handle a shifter foaming at the mouth.”

  Nia muttered, “Chutzpah?” and took a split second to give Garrett a confused sideways glance before returning her attention to the snarling beast before them.