“Wow. Uh. I guess I was wrong.” She stammered through that and realized her brain hadn’t fully rebooted from its abrupt halt. Then without warning Ren added his two cents worth but wasn’t near as subdued as Mitchell.
“I think my wolf and my head have plenty of ideas of what we would like to do with you.” A low growl came from Ren’s throat so deep it sounded like it came from someone else. “See, my wolf likes this way of thinking.” He trailed kisses up her neck and she felt that familiar chill run over her and a subtle version of the vibration she felt when they both touched her. His tongue dragged slowly along the vein in her neck and the vibration moved lower in her body making her knees weaken. His eyes flashed gold and the growl was stronger this time. Aggie noticed his hair was lengthening while his actions became more intense. His kiss moved to her jaw and quickly found her mouth as his hand fisted in her hair at the nape of her neck. Rough wasn’t necessarily something she would have ever considered but with Ren, it was definitely working for her.
A moan escaped her as she lost herself to the sensations Ren was creating. His free hand found her breasts through her shirt and kneaded them a bit forcefully but it wasn’t painful. She felt herself lean into his touch silently pleading for more. Grasping at his clothes she shoved her hands beneath his shirt and could have died at the feel of the rippling muscles covering every inch of his body. Running her nails down the exposed skin, his wolf rumbled his acceptance and pleasure. Unsatisfied with that reaction, Aggie repeated the process but dug her nails in deeper knowing full well she would have left a trail of marks, but no blood, this time. Ren’s reaction was perfect, while his wolf snarled getting more excited, Ren jerked her head back where his hand was still tangled in her hair, kissing her soundly and their tongues battled for dominance. He lifted her from the floor causing a gush of wetness to soak her panties. She responded immediately, wrapping her legs tightly around his hips. Ren’s hands settled perfectly under her ass and gripped each cheek tightly, digging his own fingers into her flesh through the fabric of her pants. Arching her hips, she ground into him and his obvious arousal. She could only imagine how endowed he would prove to be once she tore him of his clothes.
The door burst open with a loud bang, startling Ren and Aggie out of their bubble. Aggie squeaked and quickly tried to muffle it. Ren didn’t even flinch or come close to losing his grip on her, for which she was thankful. “I thought this was a crime scene, now I’m starting to wonder what we just walked in on.” Gryson was smiling and Aggie’s cheeks flushed. She could feel the heat traveling to her face and away from the area that it previously resided, saddening her at the loss.
Embarrassed, she scrambled out of Ren’s arms and he lowered her slowly to the ground. Sneaking a glance back at Mitchell, Aggie noticed the glow was slowly running from his eyes. The tightness in his pants was unmistakable. Aggie wondered if he would have joined in had they not been interrupted so suddenly. That was another thought she filed away for later and only slightly ashamed that it reignited the fire that was boiling moments before.
“Um, we got sidetracked,” Aggie saw Gryson was accompanied by everyone else. They all seemed to be riding in like white knights to save her from unknown danger. “Did everyone need to come? I feel like you all had other things to be working on. Gryson, did you finish the spell?”
“Not yet, I heard what happened and wanted to be sure you were alright. It seems though these two had it well in hand.” Gryson didn’t look jealous but he did look a bit envious. That made Aggie feel desirable and wanted. Her heated face lessened slightly.
“Mathius, Liel, did you guy get the list finished about the kids who might be next on the list of targets?” Still breathless, Aggie tried to rein in control of the situation. This was proving difficult because they were all staring at her obviously aware of her lingering aroused state.
“We were pulled away before we finished. This was more important.” Liel spoke and Aggie was touched at his concern, but needing to take her mind of her fear she dug deep for control.
“Well, now that you are here perhaps you can help us figure out what happened in here. We have figured out that the fire wasn’t magical, and that some sort of curtain was used to start the blaze. Perhaps it was part soaked in the chemical or substance used to ignite everything.” Aggie’s flustered state faded, quickly getting back to work. Realizing something for the first time since all this had happened, “I have no clothes. What am I going to wear and where will I sleep?”
“You will stay with us.” Mitchell’s flat statement was unexpected, this man was full of surprises. For always acting like he had a stick up his ass when she was around, he was being very generous.
“That makes the most sense. We have an adjoined room and the most space, for our wolves when needed. We can bunk together if needed unless you want me to stay with you,” Ren added suggestively. The chill returned and she wasn’t even touching him. The draw to him had grown and something had changed after their encounter.”
“That is not the reason I suggested it, well, not the last part.” Mitchell looked at his brother with an annoyed look only a brother could give accurately. “I was betting that if someone is on the hunt for her, as this message suggests, we are the first round of defense for her. Even while we are sleeping, our wolves are on alert and will identify any danger.”
“Oh, that too. I was just hoping for some added benefit of her being so close. I’ve had a taste and I’m not sure I want to wait for the main course.” Ren wasn’t shy about his intentions and that turned Aggie on all over again. Shaking her head, she made a futile attempt to shake their encounter out of her system. This was her reaction to just one of them and the pull was getting stronger. How was she ever going to resist them all?
“I honestly don’t care where I sleep. I’d be happy with the floor, but I do want to be safe. Constantly looking over my shoulder or waiting for the next shoe to drop isn’t my idea of fun. Now Mathius, have you seen these curtains anywhere?” Taking the scrap from Mitchell, she handed it over to Mathius to examine.
His face scrunched up and his head tilted from side to side like someone trying to figure out a puzzle. “This is impossible.” Mathius muttered under his breath, but Aggie was standing close enough she heard him plainly.
“Impossible? That doesn’t sound like a start to a good story.” Aggie took a step closer and the other guys mirrored her actions waiting for Mathius to explain.
“Many years ago, there was a woman who lusted after King Talogar. It was a time before he had married Queen Annare. The King acknowledged her as a potential mate but had made no commitments. He knew, as King, he would need to be mated to carry on the line, should anything happen to him. Though he hadn’t found her yet. This woman was almost crowned, when she began to show her true colors. She treated the servants like lesser beings and that was something King Talogar never wanted. He knew the castle wouldn’t upkeep itself and that people were necessary to make that happen. They weren’t better than anyone as royalty. That is one thing that has always made him a well-respected King. Those around him are always considered before all else. She thought as the queen that would make her the most powerful woman alive and everyone should treat her as such. Over a short time, the servants began to talk and word got back to Talogar. He was appalled but trusted the words and never doubted his people.
He confronted her and she lashed out, trying to hurt Talogar and the guards had to intervene. There was a struggle and threats thrown out against the king and his entire family. The change was so abrupt and she screamed and screeched her words. The guards lifted her from the floor and she was dragged kicking and screaming to the dungeons.
Her threats and anger never ceased, they kept her locked up for a month. After that time, she was brought before Talogar. He asked if she admitted her wrongs and if she was ready to pay the penance for her crimes. Instead, she cursed him and a lightning bolt shot from the ceiling aimed straight for the king. I dove in front of the King and to
ok the bulk of the energy. Had it not been for my armor and magical protective spells protecting it I would have been dead. For that, I was promoted and she was stripped of her powers and banished to the outer lands that are uninhabited for the remainder of her life. She is now only known as The Wanderer.” Mathius absently rubbed at a place above his heart, trapped in the memory.
Aggie came close and placed her hand over his, stilling his movement. She recalled the tapestry on her way in and grieved for the woman and for Mathius. The sayings about women scorned were no joke, but there is a level of pity one should have for the woman. Sickness or misbelief is no excuse, but there is still a level of reality for the woman and their own choices reflect that. Their belief in these false realities is their downfall.
“I don’t understand what that has to do with this piece of fabric.” Aggie softly rubbed her hand over his never separating and enjoying the sensation his touch gave her. No longer scared by the reactions they produced, just relishing in their differences.
“This isn’t a curtain, it is the fabric she wore as a cloak and cowl. It is her family crest and for that she was very proud. She was never seen in public without it. She felt like if seen at a distance those who saw her would know the respect she was due. It was sent with her to the void. All remaining pieces were destroyed amongst her things.” Mathius was very solemn and his words were spoken with much grief. His memories of this woman and the incident were still fresh as though they might have happened the day before and not years previous. “I was promoted to the head of the guard after I recovered.”
“So why is my room on fire and not yours?” Aggie knew the question was inconsiderate and rude, but she couldn’t be the only one thinking it.
“Perhaps one attempt on my life taught her I’m hard to kill. Attacking you is her way of hurting me by default.” Mathius shrugged as though he wasn’t one hundred percent certain of his answer.
“That makes sense if she was stripped of her powers, why the room wasn’t magically burned. The fabric may have been left intentionally so we would come looking for her. Maybe she is looking for a fight and one last shot at you, Mathius.” Eldon’s theory was valid and worth considering. The thought that someone was picking a fight with Mathius out of revenge and attacking her to get at one of the guys brought out a protective side of Aggie.
“If she wants a fight I will give it to her. She can’t do any of this and just get away with it.” Then it dawned on Aggie, “Did you say she hit you with lightning?” Mathius nodded his face was stricken with remorse Aggie didn’t fully understand. “The children who have been taken have weather-related powers and the weather is what is changing to disrupt life here.”
As though he had been slapped with a stack of bricks, Mathius stumbled back, “That’s it! She’s back and by taking King Talogar’s son, she is drawing the lines of battle. She wants him to come to her.” Mathius began storming around the room knocking over anything that was still standing. Aggie dodged a few things that came a little too close.
“Enough! Losing control isn’t the answer here.” Xavier boomed through the chaos. “We need a plan of action and someplace to start looking. Obviously, she has found her way back from the void. She could be anywhere. We need to start narrowing down options for where she would hide.”
“Now that I have an idea of who it is, I can scry for possible power spikes along with this scrap of fabric.” Gryson ever helpful and full of ideas, for that Aggie was grateful.
“Do we still need to meet with Delia, if we know who is behind all of this?” Aggie didn’t want to be left out of the action and she worried that if she left to go on a mission of lesser importance, the guys would leave without her.
“I think we should still see what she has to say. Those messages were more than enough to make me uncomfortable about Yavari’s intentions around the castle. It is possible she has a connection to this after all.” Eldon was the voice of reason and Aggie was forced to agree. She had heard those messages in the Security Room with her own ears. Yavari was capable of anything.
Chapter 12
Walking down the hallway Aggie was ready to get this meeting over with. They were meeting in Delia’s chambers to avoid any prying ears. Gryson had finished the spell and she now had to control her thoughts. The only way he could make it work was to tie everyone into actual emotions. It was the best way to avoid them being found out by making them alert for help audibly.
“This corridor is darker than I expected.” Aggie muttered to herself. Slowing her steps to avoid tripping on a loose stone, even though she knew that the likelihood of that was slim.
“Are you afraid of the dark, wee one?” Xavier’s voice sounded in her head and she cringed at the thought. It was a strange feeling to have someone speak to her and not actually be there. The only forgiving factor is they were all connected as though they were in a room having a conversation. That didn’t take away the unease of knowing everyone could hear her, no matter what.
“Now Xavier, don’t toy with the girl. It isn’t her fault you are attracted to dark corners everywhere you go.” Kyrel’s words made Aggie stifle a laugh. Nothing made a person look crazier than talking to yourself and laughing at silent jokes.
“I love to do unspeakable things in dark corners. It is my nature.” Aggie didn’t know if Xavier meant his choice of meal or other more tantalizing activities, but she was happy to imagine them.
“Oh, my dear. I like the way you think.” Xavier purred in her mind. Eldon never once acknowledged the conversation happening in her head, but she knew he could hear. Glancing up at him as they passed one of the few lights in the hallway she caught a glimpse of his resolute face, but his slightly pointed ears were tipped in red. He shared that trait with Liel, but his ears were shorter and slightly rounded on the edges and then pointed at the very tip that was now crimson. Liel was elongated and pointed as though they had been stretched as a child.
“Are you ok, Eldon?” She paused in the hallway and reached up to touch his ears but hesitated at the last minute as he tensed. She felt his apprehension as though it were her own. She couldn’t hear his thoughts. “Why can’t I hear what you’re thinking?” She blurted the last part as was her norm when she wanted to know something bad enough.
“I’m blocking them. It takes years to learn, but even though we’re connected I’m only transmitting what I want to be heard.” Matter-of-factly and with little emotion she was reminded of Liel yet again. “It takes a great deal of concentration.” That made sense now. He must have been focusing so hard to block, his regular intonation was lost in the process.
“I can feel you though.” Then she realized how that sounded as the rest of the crew laughed in her mind.
“That is the cost of blocking all else. Strong emotions break through.
“Why did you tense when I reached for you.” They had both stopped walking during this exchange.
“We should get moving or we’ll be late and that wouldn’t look very good since we requested the meeting.” Eldon deflected her answer, frustrating her. She shoved her hands in the pockets of her jeans but Eldon ignored her obvious tantrum. They picked up their pace again and Aggie stewed in her thoughts. Not caring that everyone must know how angry she was for being ignored.
“For our kind, the ears are an erogenous zone. Fae and Elves share that between our species. It isn’t considered polite to touch them in mixed company or amongst strangers any more than if someone were to grab your breasts in public.” Liel as ever the voice of reason and information must have taken some sort of pity on her and shared that little bit of information. Eldon on the other hand flared again with his reddened tips. Aggie realized he didn’t want her to know that and was embarrassed again. First, it was the silent conversation between the guys and her shy little Fae was now embarrassed to have been turned on by her in a hallway.
“I’m not going to say I’m sorry, Eldon. I will say I will never knowingly make you uncomfortable in public again. I do want you t
o know I’m flattered more than you know. The thought of how you see me is beyond words and I’m sure at this point you can all figure out my reaction to any and all of you individually. It doesn’t take much for you to get my blood pumping. Hey, and what girl doesn’t want to spend time with a guy who can literally create flowers for her on a whim?” That got him out of his shell because a beautiful smile crept onto Eldon’s face. She felt satisfied that he was back and out of his funk.
“Oh man! You broke out the flower, wild card? How are the rest of us supposed to compete with such chivalry?” Ren’s words made Aggie laugh out loud, but she quickly covered her mouth because the outburst echoed through the walls of the hallway. This castle really needs some sound dampeners. Aggie thought with her hand still clamped over her mouth.
“That it does, thankfully our bedrooms are damped magically so certain sounds won’t escape into the hallways.” Ren added suggestively.
“Well, then it’s a good thing you aren’t competing with each other, or so you say.” Aggie said her words audibly because to everyone else she and Eldon could have been having a passing conversation. That, and the idea of telekinetic conversations creeped her out. It was bad enough the rest of the guys were in her head, she didn’t have to join them.
A short walk later, they arrived at Delia’s room. Knocking quietly so as not to have it echo down the hall, Eldon stepped back to stand beside Aggie while they waited. When the door cracked, Delia’s face appeared in the crack of the door. Aggie felt more like this meeting was clandestine and not just a passing conversation.
“Hello, I’m Aggie and I’m sure you know Eldon. May we come in so we can chat?” Aggie pulled her hands from her pants pockets and held them facing out, to show they were there under friendly circumstances. Delia hesitated and then nodded while opening the door a little wider so Aggie and Eldon could pass through. Quickly shutting it behind them, then waved her hand over the knob and it was quickly covered in a golden serpent moving across and embedded its teeth in the door frame. Immediately hardening into solid gold as though it had never once moved. Aggie didn’t know what to think but was definitely impressed by the show of power. While to everyone else it was probably just a little display, to Aggie it was amazing.
The Final Link_The Gateway Saga Page 12
