The Enchanted Crossroads

by Dora Blume

  “Okay, so does everything from fiction exist? I mean, like everything?” I stared at them.

  “Yeah, pretty much.” Haskell replied. He cocked his head to the side and watched for a moment as I processed the information. God, this world was so different than I thought. How did I go my whole life not knowing there was another world living within my own. Had I casually had conversations with any other supernatural beings I didn’t even know about? I took a deep breath. I should be used to this by now. By the time I looked back to them, Haskell had sat in his chair and was typing something on the computer. I noticed several chat windows open on the screen before him. I looked over and met Leif’s eyes. He held a amused expression and the corner of his mouth turned up slightly.

  “What?” I asked.

  “Watching you take in all the new information is rather interesting. I watched different flutters of emotion cross your face as you processed. You’re facial expressions are like an open book.” There was a slight marveling in his voice as he spoke about me.

  “I’m not entirely an open book. Come on, Haskell’s right. I could use some sleep.”

  “Did I just hear that correctly? Did you say I was right? I’ve never heard a woman say that before. I’m going to bask in this moment of history. A woman said I was right. Was it hard for you? Saying those words? I’ve always been so curious about that.” He turned around in his chair and fluttered his eyelashes at me.

  “You’ve never been told you were right?” I tried to hold back a laugh.

  “No, was it as good for you as it was for me?” He fanned himself.

  “Maybe, you’ve never been right before.” I smiled.

  “Oh, honey, I’m always right.” He gave me a salacious look before turning back to the screen.

  Leif reached out and took my hand. “Let’s go to bed.” He smiled at me.

  I followed behind him up the stairs and to his bedroom. He guided me into the room and closed the door. His eyes were hooded as he stalked toward me. His hands found my hips and pulled me against him. His lips met mine. They were soft and searching. His hands found the bottom hem of my shirt and he lifted it over my head. I stood unabashed as his eyes took in all of me. He unbuttoned my pants and slid them down my legs. I stepped out of them. His fingers skimmed up my thighs as he stood to meet me. His lips found mine again. I began unbuttoning his shirt as his lips rediscovered mine. I slid the shirt over his shoulders and ran my hands over the hard muscles. I pulled him against my body and twined my fingers in his hair.

  I broke away from the kiss. I gazed into his hazel eyes. I stroked my fingers over the planes of his chest. “Should we be doing this when we have a battle ahead of us tomorrow?” I licked my lips. I didn’t want to stop, but I also wanted to save my friend.

  “Everynight in this life could be our last. Let’s not deny ourselves tonight over what could happen tomorrow.” His fingers skimmed up my side and his hand rested on my hips. I bit my lip. I wanted him so bad. He was probably right. Who knew what would happen tomorrow. He waited as he watched me. I pulled his mouth back to mine. We fell into a natural kiss. He lifted me in his arms and set me back onto the bed. I slid back and he crawled forward, his body resting between my legs. The weight of him felt pleasant against mine. His mouth left mine and trailed down my neck, to my breast. He took my nipple in his mouth and I gasped. He smiled against my skin. I gripped the sheets in my hand as he continued to lick and suck my skin. “Oh Leif,” I cried out.

  He smiled and moved down my body again. His fingers found my sensitive spot and he began stroking and my breath quickened with each stroke and flick against me. “Oh God, Leif don’t stop, please don’t stop.”

  “You like this?” his fingers continued to toy with me. He replaced his hand with his mouth. I ran my hand through his hair and gripped as he continued to pleasure me. I felt the familiar build within me and bit my lip to stop from crying out. My muscles tensed as he continued, despite my attempt to wiggle away from him.

  “Where do you think you’re going?” He rose up and pulled me back toward him.

  “Oh God, Leif, You’re so amazing. I can’t take it.”

  “I’m not even close to done with you.” I felt him resting against me. His fingers moved against me again. I pulled his mouth to mine. He kissed me as I felt him slide home. He filled me completely, and I breathed heavy against his mouth. I met his rocking hips with thrusts of my own. He felt incredible. I gripped and scratched at his back as the climax built inside me.

  “Kaira, you feel so good.” He dropped his forehead to rest against mine.

  “Oh Leif, I’m so close.” He slowed his pace. He kissed me leisurely, memorizing my mouth with his.

  “Hold on, baby. I want you to come with me.” He began quickening again. His hand brushed down my hair and the side of my face. His eyes were fierce as he stared down at me. A playful look crossed his face. He lifted me into his lap. I wrapped my legs around him and moaned as the new position sent my body into a tidal wave of sensations. I planted my hands on his shoulders and began moving, clawing at him as he managed to go deeper inside me. He gripped me tighter as I felt him swell. We were both on the brink. I kissed him as I continued my pace.

  He broke away and whispered in my ear, “Let go for me, Karia. Let it all go.” I erupted then, my movements no longer my own as my body exploded with pleasure. I felt him do the same as he cried out, “Kaira,”

  I dug my nails into his shoulders as I rode out the release. Both panting, we looked at each other. I was enthralled by this man. I saw the devotion in his eyes as he stared back at me. He scooted us both back from the headboard. He laid me gently back on my back and rested down next to me. He kissed my forehead and went back to gazing into my eyes. I could stare at him forever. “Kaira, I want to spend the rest of my life with you.” Leif said. He brushed his hand down my hair and cupped my cheek. I gasped.

  “Like, forever, like honestly?” I was so shocked by the declaration it was like my mouth was spitting out words, and my brain was only now catching up. He laughed.

  “Yeah, like forever.” He smiled as he continued to look into my eyes. “I know guys don’t usually say this stuff, but I mean it. I love you, Kaira. I want to spend the rest of my life with you.” His voice was thick with his love.

  “Wow,” was all I responded. I know I should be saying I love him and want to spend forever with him. In that moment, I panicked. I didn’t know what to say. No one had ever said anything like that before. My last boyfriend hadn’t even really said I love you. It was a more ‘I love ya, babe,’ and it had only been after he rolled off me. Leif was making a declaration of love. It was after some mind-blowing sex, and I’m pretty sure I’d call him a God after that performance. I continued to stare at him. It took me a minute to realize my mouth was hanging slightly open. He slid his thumb down my chin and pinched it.

  “You’re so cute when caught off guard.” He smiled and tugged at a lock of my hair. “Stop thinking so hard. You need to rest. You’ve been training all day, and we have a big fight tomorrow.” He continued to twirl a lock of my hair around his finger. He scooted closer to me. “Come here, I want to feel you against me as we sleep.” He pulled me against him, and I rolled to my side. I still didn’t know what to say. I should tell him I loved him too, but did I? I wasn’t sure. Everything was happening so fast. I was also guarded. Every guy I’ve been with in the past ended up hurting me. Maybe Leif would be different. Maybe Leif would protect my heart instead of hurt it. I felt his breath next to my ear. “Mmm, I can feel you thinking in there. Stop, I am the one person you don’t have to worry about. I’m always going to be here. Even if you’re not ready to say it. I’ll be here when you are. Now, go to sleep, my love.” He tightened his arms around me. I was so exhausted. When I closed my eyes, I was out.

  CHAPTER 17

  There was a faint buzzing in the background. When it stopped, I felt soft lips on my forehead. “Wake up sleepy head. We’ve got a friend to save.” His lips ma
de their way down to mine. He kissed me softly. I lifted my hand to run my fingers along his jawline. I kissed him back lazily. The memories from the night before flooded back to me. I could wake up like this forever. Tingles ran down my body.

  “Come on, babe. You need to wake up.” I fluttered my lashes open and looked up at him.

  “Mmm, just another minute.” I closed my eyes again. His mouth met mine again and this time his kiss was fierce. When he moved away, I reached for him, pulling him back toward me. I kissed him passionately. I wasn’t ready for the battle we were about to face.

  “Okay, sleepy head, time to shower and meet Haskell.” He slid out of the bed. I moaned and sat up in the bed. I glanced up and took a moment to appreciate Leif’s body. He was all hard lines and lean muscle. I wanted to taste every inch of him. I bit my lip and stood. I knew I needed to get with it. Leif turned to look at me. He stalked toward me, reaching his hand out for me. I slipped my hand in his easily. “Come on, we need to shower.” His eyebrows rose and I grinned wide at him.

  I quirked a brow at him. “We?”

  “Yes, we.” he pulled me behind him into the bathroom.

  After an intoxicating shower, we both dressed and headed to the kitchen. Haskell was waiting. I glanced out of the window into the darkness. “Well, it’s about time.” Haskell crossed his arms over his chest. “You’ll be eating on the run, since you waited until the last minute.”

  He tossed a bag with pastries to Leif. He caught it and looked in the bag. “You had time to get donuts?” he asked.

  “Yeah, I knew you two wouldn’t be up early enough for breakfast.” He huffed as he leaned against the counter.

  “So, is everyone in place?” Leif asked.

  “Yeah, we need to get over there before sunrise. No much has changed. Alexis mentioned there are five Morrigans guarding Shar. So, there should be about four after the one goes out for coffee and breakfast.”

  “Alright,” he looked to me. “You ready?”

  “Yeah, let’s go.” We headed out to the car. Haskell slid in back, and I took the passenger seat. We pulled up to the apartment complex.

  “I’ll call Alexis to let her know we’re here.” I turned in the seat to look at Haskell. When I looked to the complex across the street, I saw a woman poke her head out from between the curtains. Her long braids and mocha skin made her stunning. She scanned the street before her eyes rested on our car. I heard Haskell say, “Yeah, we’re in the red one.”

  “Will you ask if they’ve left yet?” My eyes locked on my apartment building. Shar was just up the stairs and to the right. I could run up there right now and save her. I began bouncing my leg in anticipation.

  Leif took my hand in his. “Calm down. I don’t want you accidentally starting the car on fire.” He winked at me.

  “Okay...yeah...I’ll alert you when they leave.” Haskell dropped the phone from his ear.

  “We’re going to be the lookout. As soon as the guy leaves to get breakfast, they’ll go in. You will stay out here and keep watch until we get Shar out of there. We need to alert them if the guys back too soon. Are you okay with that?” His tone was sharp.

  “Sounds like a plan.” Leif said and eyed me.

  “Yeah, whatever we need to do to get Shar.” I kept my eyes focused on the door of the apartment.

  “That doesn’t sound very convincing. Are you sure you’re not going to run into the building as soon as they do?” Haskell asked.

  “I’ll do whatever necessary to get my friend back.” I said.

  “Bloody hell,” Haskell cursed.

  “Kaira, I need you to agree to stay here. I promise this is the best plan. Alexis and the others will be able to get Shar out. You need to trust us, okay?” Leif squeezed my hand. When I didn’t look his way, he said, “Kaira, promise me you won’t go in there.”

  I met his eyes. “Fine, I probably won’t go in there. If I hear they need help though, I’m running in there.”

  “So, you would leave them without a lookout?” Haskell accused.

  “Well, you’ll still be here, right? You could be the lookout.” My eyes were trained on the door again. I wanted to see my friend. I don’t care if my plans weren’t rational. I wanted to see Shar. I needed to know she was okay. Everything around me was changing. I wanted one thing to be the same, something I could count on. Shar was always there for me, whenever I needed her. It was my turn to be there for her. I don’t care that she was a Verity sworn to protect me. I was going to make sure she was safe.

  “Kaira, the only thing you will do by going in there is putting yourself in danger and stopping the others from getting to Shar. They will protect you before Shar. If you go in there, you will distract them. You could put them all in danger. You need to think of Shar. She needs you to be here for her, not in there. Okay?” Leif’s voice was firm. I just nodded. I knew what he was saying was reasonable. I also knew I didn’t care.

  I felt the hair on my arms rise before I saw him. An unusually tall man with dark hair exited the building. He looked like he was whistling as he walked down the street. I glanced back at Haskell. He was typing into this phone. Alexis looked through the curtains again. I saw her motion to someone else in the room, but I couldn’t see them through the curtains.

  “They’ll head over as soon as he’s in his car and pulls out. We don’t want him to see us and alert the others.” He stared at his phone as he spoke.

  Leif reached over and squeezed my hand. “Please be patient, Kaira.” His voice was low as he spoke. I nodded in response. I was ready to run if I needed to. I watched as Alexis walked casually out the door. She was talking to another girl. Her dark hair flowed down her back. They stopped at the curb and two men exited the building behind them. Alexis turned to take the hand of one of the men. They continued to chat as they strode across the street.

  “The tall guy next to Alexis is Brady. Mariah is the other girl, obviously and Alex is next to her. They should have no problem getting Shar out of there.” Haskell sat forward in the seat.

  I turned so I could see them go into the apartment building. I gripped the seat as I watched. It was hard to stay where I was when they were going to save my friend.

  “Kaira, they’ve got her. Trust them.” Leif’s voice was soft as he spoke. I knew he was attempting to be soothing. But I didn’t feel relaxed at all. I wanted to be in there. I scanned the people on the street. They had made it into the building. I wished Shar’s apartment wasn’t in the back of the building. It would be nice to see what was really happening. I continued to scan the street. “Ah, Haskell is that the guy who just left?” I pointed at the guy who we’d just watched leave the apartment. He wasn’t holding anything, so I didn’t understand what he was doing back so soon.

  “Oh shit,” he grabbed up his phone. “We need to let them know.”

  “No, we need to stop him from going in the apartment.” I jumped out of the car and hurried toward the guy walking toward the door of the apartment.

  I heard Leif say, “Kaira, no.” But I was already on my way toward him. I knew he would recognize who I was, but I was hoping I could distract him. I heard another car door shut behind me. I looked down the street. When I saw my chance, I ran across.

  “Hey,” I called. When he didn’t respond, I said, “Hey, you.”

  He looked around when he reached the door. I jumped in front of him. “Hey, I believe you were looking for me.” I smiled wide. His eyes grew wide as recognition dawned on his face.

  “What the…” he said as he stared down at me. His body suddenly was pressed against the wall. I could tell he was being held there. I turned my head and Leif strode across the street. His eyes were staring daggers at me.

  “We can’t let anyone see us use our powers.” He mouthed at me. I nodded, but I didn’t see any way around it. I glanced down both sides of the street. “Ire somnum,” Leif said and the man’s eyes closed. “He’s out, for now.” He turned toward Haskell and motioned for him. Leif kept the guy up against
the wall. “Help me get this guy in the apartment.”

  Haskell glared at me. “Bloody hell,” he hooked his arm under one side of the guy, Leif took the other. I opened the door for them, and they dragged him into the building.

  “Take him up to my apartment. I have the vanquishing potions in my purse. It’s back in the car.” I turned to head back.

  “Wait, you need to stick close. There may be Morrigans watching for you.” Leif and Haskell lowered the guy to the ground. “Haskell will you go grab her purse from the car?”

  “What am I the bloody errand boy?” He threw his arms up before he stalked out of the door. I turned back to Leif and looked to the guy on the ground.

  “We’ll need his blood to vanquish him.” I met Leif’s eyes.

  “Yeah,” he looked up the stairs. “You just had to have an upper level apartment.”

  A scream came from the floor above. I didn’t even think before I raced up the stairs. “Shar,” I called. I knew it probably wasn’t her scream because they had been draining her. I felt my pulse begin to race as the fear of her being hurt took hold. I needed to get to her.

  “Kaira,” Leif raced after me.

  I swung the door open. Alexis was sending energy balls at a Muscular man in the corner of the room. The man was blocking her from getting to Shar, who was tied to a chair behind him. Shar was slumped unconscious in the chair. Alexis continued her assault, but the man was blocking her blasts with what looked like an invisible wall. His laugh filled the room.

  “Take your energy somewhere else, you stupid Verity bitch.” He spat as he continued to block Alexis.

  “Oh, I haven’t even sent you full blast, yet. She held her hands out in front of her and a large ball of blue light formed in her hand. She smiled before sending it toward the Morrigan. He stumbled backward when he tried to block her. She held another ball of blue light ready to strike.

  The sound of metal on metal drew my head to the other side of the room. Brady had a sword and was engaged in combat with another large man. His body was covered in snake tattoos. There was a black shield tattooed on his upper left arm. Leif pointed to him.