Behind the Veil: 3 (Temptation Unveiled)

by Alexander, R. G.

There it was again. Her greatest fear. Was it true then? He hadn’t mentioned what he’d seen. Hadn’t mentioned Eonis at all. Was he distracted by desire or was his sincerity an act?

  She couldn’t believe that. No one, human or Other, could fake that kind of passion. His need for her had been real. She’d bet her life on it.

  Honestly, she wasn’t sure what had just happened. The only thing she knew was that she’d be spending the rest of her last night in Raj’s lodge with her mini personal companion instead of the man she was growing far too attached to for her own good.

  He wanted her trust, he said. He wanted everything.

  “Good luck, buddy,” she muttered as she headed to the showers. Again.

  He may have been the one to throw down the gauntlet, but she loved a challenge. And she had the advantage, knowing now what she’d only guessed at before. The intensity of Finn’s desires.

  This game wasn’t over, not by a long shot.

  And they had a deal.

  Chapter Six

  “So was anyone going to tell me about this sting operation? Or were you all hoping I’d slink off to my own dimension and leave all the fun to you Fianna this go-round?”

  Kyle hopped out of the chair he’d been lounging in and strode across the room, a ready smile causing the dimple on his chin to deepen. “Nyc, good to see you, man. I was wondering when you’d get here.”

  Nyctimus. Sheridan gritted her teeth. As if the room didn’t have enough magical testosterone. Between Damon, Raj, Finn and the Viking boys, she was already far too outnumbered here in Fairyland. At least she’d gotten to skip the meet-and-greet at the dimensional front door. Raj had flashed her right into the Guardian Mother’s suite—currently sans Guardian Mother.

  Where the hell were all the women? Linnea and Badger? Her mother, Lily? And where was Meru? Damon didn’t usually let her out of his sight. “Great. The boy band is back together. You should tour. Now would be good.”

  Nyc chuckled at her words, but she noticed his mercurial gaze was focused on Kyle. “Something is different about you. Wait, don’t tell me, let me guess.”

  Kyle stuck his chin out unconsciously, but Nyc shook his head. “I can’t put my finger on it. Oh wait, yes I can.” He snapped his fingers. “You rascal. You left me with your sobbing partner while you went off to have yourself a kinky Fae three-way. I would say you fucked me, but then I suppose I was the only thing not nailed down that you didn’t.”

  Kyle turned bright red as the men around him snorted and guffawed. Sheridan rolled her eyes. Apparently eternity didn’t make you wise. It just made you more of a guy.

  She felt inclined to defend him. “Back off, Scarface.” She frowned, thinking of all the time Nyc had been spending with her best friend. Her fists clenched with the strong desire to punch…anyone. “I know your feelings are hurt that you didn’t get an invite to the powwow, but back the fuck off my partner.”

  Nyc’s perfect eyebrows lifted, his ridiculously gorgeous features showing surprise. “Good job, Raj. Personally, I didn’t think you were the right man for the job since you care so much about other people’s feelings. But it looks like the Harridan got her fight back. I’m man enough to admit when I’m wrong.”

  Damon stepped forward, his massive shoulders seeming to fill the room. “Nyc, leave Raj alone. We’ll talk about your adventures in cop-sitting and why it’s inappropriate later. Right now we have more important things to deal with.” He turned to Sheridan. “This celebration only lasts a few days. There is a feast and some ritual games followed by the consummation ceremony. Hawk has given you the list of suspects and you have your partner,” he bit his lip as if to hold back his laughter, “freshly defiled, claimed and shaved for the occasion.”

  “Yuck it up, assholes,” Kyle grumbled.

  Damon smirked but continued to speak to Sheridan. “The Fianna will be at your service, as much as we can be. Our presence will draw its own kind of attention and probably not the kind your investigation needs. The people of Danu are not fools, but some of their suspicions will be eased by Hawk and Val. As far as most of them are concerned, we are here to bear witness to our friends’ joining as the family of the grooms.”

  “But?” Sheridan knew it was there. Could feel it hovering. The but.

  He sighed. “Not all of them will be so trusting. And some of them could be dangerous. The queen has already sent out a message to Myrddin, asking that he keep your mother away for now. It was a surprise and as you can imagine, Lily is not happy about it. But Myrddin agreed that if all three of Áine’s female descendants were in this domain at once, it would be a temptation the Dark wouldn’t be able to resist.”

  Myrddin agreed, huh? She supposed he wouldn’t have unless Lily was in actual danger. It wouldn’t be worth the hell he was going to catch from her, or the curiosity that would be eating him alive now that he couldn’t be in the thick of things. Nosy old bastard.

  She missed her mother. In fact, she hadn’t realized until this moment just how much. But what he said made sense. Made sense and made her nervous. They would be targets. Without the descendants, there would be no book. No prophecy. The Fianna would never be able to stop them in time.

  Meru and the baby… “Should Meru really be here? There’s no reason for her to stay. I know for a fact this place gets cell service, though I’d prefer it if no one explained exactly how that’s possible.”

  Hawk, leaning against the wall with his muscular arms crossed, chuckled. “I get cable and internet too, just don’t tell the queen. But speaking of impossible things, keeping Meru away goes to the top of the list. Even if Damon could force himself from her side for more than fifteen minutes at a time, she has made it clear that she needs to be here for this. In an official capacity, as well as for you and her mate. We’re all safer if our leader is focused, Sheridan. And he will only remain focused if his wife is happy. Don’t worry, none of us will let anyone near her.”

  Meru’s sigh drifted through the opening door. “Yes, yes. Poor helpless Meru will be carried around on a soft cushion made of clouds and unicorn hair. My feet will never touch the ground and my hands will never know toil. No one has to worry about little old powerless me.”

  Was Damon blushing? Sheridan lifted her eyebrows and met Hawk’s wink with a smile as the Lycan reached for his mate. “Sweetheart, no one is saying you couldn’t take care of yourself. I’ve sparred with you once or twice, I know what you can do now. But we do have to think about the baby.”

  Meru huffed. “I think about the baby all the time. Even if you let me forget her for a minute, I’m the one experiencing the internal acrobatics she loves to execute. And we won’t even talk about what she’s doing to my blad—” She glanced over at Sheridan, a light blush staining her cheeks. “I’m sorry I didn’t get here sooner. Badger and I were discussing birthing options. As in magical versus natural. I’m leaning toward the magical no-pain option myself. How are you holding up?”

  She would have replied, but she didn’t have the chance.

  “She’s fine.” The confidence in Badger’s voice was belied by the concern in her expression. Her presence instantly filled the room, despite her lack of stature. She still dressed as if she were working at the Renaissance Festival. It suited her. Sheridan couldn’t imagine this timeless character in a pair of ordinary sweatpants.

  Badger nodded toward her in greeting before continuing. “She might need a reading and a little emotional exorcism…and she definitely has some issues with sexual frustration that one of my teas could fix right up. Other than that, your cousin is loaded for bear.”

  “Did someone say my name?” Badger’s husband, Bear, ducked beneath the entrance with a bashful smile. The Fianna was made up of large men, no one more so than Damon. But Bear was nearly the Lycan’s equal. His wild hair and beard, along with the weapon attached to his back, might have made him appear ferocious if not for his surprisingly gentle expression. A peaceful giant, Meru had insisted. Protective, particularly of Linnea and her daug
hter, but peaceful.

  He turned to Hawk and Val. “Where is our little wren? And the young princess?”

  Val, who’d been sitting on the arm of one of the lush lounging chairs, answered him. “Linnea and Crystal are with Queen Morrigan. They have to officially begin the celebration. Ringing the bell and lighting the fire in the main hall before Crystal goes to join the other children for their far more innocent observation of the holiday. It is Imbolg for them as well. The celebration of new life. Luckily for the kiddies, I believe they will just learn songs and dream the dreams of the innocent.”

  Sheridan’s head was spinning. She barely heard what Val was saying. “Rewind. Did you say exorcism, Badger? I don’t think that was mentioned in the prophecy.”

  The room fell silent and several heads turned toward Badger. Sheridan winced. She hadn’t meant to draw that much attention. Especially not if the Druid was talking about what Sheridan thought she was talking about. Did she know? She’d instinctively liked the woman. Trusted her. Badger was a Druid and she had a serious amount of fight…but how could she know?

  The short, voluptuous beauty pulled her long braid over her shoulder and moved closer. “Meru has true sight and you have true knowing. That much was no real secret. But you have something more. And I’m not talking about your physical strength, though I hear it is impressive. Whatever it is, it’s enhanced your abilities.” She paused for a breath. “Do you understand what true knowing entails?”

  “If I say the dog ate my Druidism for Dummies book, can I be sent home without fulfilling the prophecy?” Sheridan tried to laugh. “I’m good at knowing how to catch criminals when they lie. I’m good at knowing how to aim a gun. I’m also good at knowing when I’m uncomfortable. Now would be a good ‘for example’.”

  Run. They’ll hurt you if they know. They are all watching you too closely. This is dangerous.

  She sensed Finn walk over to stand behind her protectively. The heat from his body helped distract from her nerves but introduced a whole new set of problems.

  Badger looked up at her husband. “We should do this now. We don’t have time to delay. The Fianna, the human and the Archon need to go.”

  Bear nodded and stood tall, allowing his height and the eerily calm demeanor he was rarely without do his talking. Sheridan watched in awe as the other men reacted. Damon released his wife reluctantly and Raj followed in pensive silence, both of them exiting without argument. Nyc and Kyle walked out together, heads close as they spoke to each other in a hushed conversation she couldn’t make out.

  Hawk and Val were the last to leave, one of them mumbling something about being kicked out of their own home. They closed the door behind them.

  Meru crossed her arms. “Finn? Badger said Fianna. That’s still you, right?”

  “I’m not going anywhere.” Finn’s tone was subdued, but firm. Meru stared at him in silence and Sheridan couldn’t help but wonder if they were communicating without words, the way they had before. What was he telling her? Whatever it was, it seemed to do the trick, since she didn’t force him to leave. Instead, Meru turned toward her with an enigmatic expression. Was she trying to read her?

  Sheridan looked over her shoulder and glared at Finn. He’d given something away. They’d agreed to keep it a secret but he must have. She sighed. This was the last thing she needed today. If Meru knew, she’d want to start planning the friggin’ wedding. It was her romantic nature. But not every story had a happy ending. Last night’s episode certainly hadn’t. If he’d changed his mind about their arrangement, that was fine. He didn’t have to tattle as if he were a petulant two-year-old having a tantrum.

  She wished she were back in the mountains. There, she wouldn’t be judged for her weaknesses or seen for what she was. Wouldn’t be spied on in her dreams by a sexy, irritating man who then felt the need to spill his guts to her nearest relative.

  Sheridan shivered, part of her terrified of what might be coming now that they knew. She turned back to the others. “Okay, they’ve gone. Now what?”

  Bear held out a leather pouch that looked miniature in his hands. “First things first. Reach for a stone.”

  “Really?” That was a bit anticlimactic.

  “That’s why everyone had to leave? I’ve never liked these darn readings, no offense, Bear,” she muttered. “I still have nightmarish flashbacks about the number of times my mother tried to find out what I was up to with her stupid cards.”

  Being a nonbeliever in a house filled with homeless pagans, crystals and protective herbs had been a full-time job. Now that Lily had been proven right about the woo-woo being real, Sheridan was the grouchy, out-of-work skeptic in the family. Reformed only because she’d been dragged, kicking and screaming, into this surreal new world.

  She slid her hand into the bag, feeling the smooth, cool weight of the stones slide through her fingers. They wrapped around one and she pulled her fist out triumphantly. “There. Done. Do we play light as a feather, stiff as a board now, or just head straight for the head-spinning pea soup-spitting fun?”

  Meru shook her head. “Don’t be flip. What did you get?”

  Sheridan opened her hand and looked down. “This particular reading is brought to you by the backward letter E and the word suck. Sorry. Was I being flip again?”

  Finn’s breath against her ear almost made her knees buckle. His voice was whisper soft. “I couldn’t tell. I heard you say the word suck. I lost track after that.”

  Tempting bastard. Her cousin was watching. Her reputation would be ruined forever if she dropped to her knees, unzipped his jeans and had another taste of his delicious, addictive—

  “Holly. That’s holly, isn’t it?” Meru’s voice was louder than it needed to be. “Bear, am I wrong?”

  Bear shook his head. “You’re not wrong at all. This rune’s name is Tinne, but it represents holly. More specifically, the holly spear.”

  Spear? Sheridan sensed Finn tense up behind her, as alert as she’d become with that word. “I thought holly came in sprigs that hang in doorways and force you to kiss people you’d otherwise avoid. Why did you say spear?”

  “That’s mistletoe, Sher,” Meru said under her breath.

  Sheridan smirked. “I always get them confused. And again I query. Spear?”

  “The glyph literally means ‘I am a battle-waging spear’. The dark king that rules winter.” Bear’s eyes seemed to reflect the stone as he studied it. “Tinne is a complicated rune, like the holly itself. Sharp thorns pointed outward to defend the fragile beauty inside. In a person, this would represent someone who looks like they can protect themselves, and perhaps in many ways they can, but when out of balance, their sensitive spirit can be affected by outside influences. Affected by the light…or by the darkness.”

  She stepped back, bumping into Finn before moving away from everyone, her back to the wall. “Is this some weird Druid way of accusing me of something? Are you saying I’ve been influenced by the Dark?”

  Badger touched Bear’s hand affectionately when he winced. “No, of course he’s not. But you have been affected. Touched. And because of your gifts, your—let’s call them complexities—that effect has been allowed to intensify.” She smiled kindly at Sheridan, moving subtly to take a protective stance in front of Meru. “The good news is you made your own monster, Sheridan Kelly. Though if you’d allowed it more time to grow, it might eventually have manifested. But since you have so many other things you have to worry about, we need to get this out of the way now.”

  “I saw it.” Finn’s voice was harsh with warning. As if he were also waiting to see what Badger would do. Was he concerned? “In her dreams, I saw it. It was real. It felt like Horde.”

  Badger tsked. “I’m sure it did. Don’t feel shame that your tracking instincts had a hard time discerning the difference. Sheridan is strong. Meru, Bear and I have all sensed it. Her gift is as well. True knowing alone can be a powerful tool. To truly know something, on occasion, is to become it. To walk inside its skin.
”

  Meru bit her full lower lip, her voice subdued. Thoughtful. “She’s always been strong. But after…when she came back, the energy around her was more alive. Intense. As if she’d turned up the volume inside.”

  Badger nodded. “She might not have meant to, but I believe her experience with the Horde was so traumatic that she took some of it inside her. Knew it completely. Then she allowed it to become her nemesis. It may have woken her gifts, but it also elevated her fears and doubts about herself. That only added power to her creation. She doesn’t see it, even now, but her blinders are starting to become a danger to her.”

  Sheridan held up her hands, her body instinctively preparing for battle. “First of all, she is standing right here and wishes people would stop talking like she wasn’t. Secondly, I don’t see your flaming poi anywhere, Badger. Are you going to fight it out of me? Or will Bear slay this thing that’s been killing me for months, making me think I’m crazy, or worse, possessed—taking me away from my family? This thing you say I made. If you know so goddamned much, then tell me how to make it go away instead of analyzing me in front of the class.”

  They will fool you. I can’t be destroyed. I will never leave you. You can’t make something like me. But I can unmake you.

  Had it really been her all along? Was she just crazy? If this was her “power”, she’d gotten a truly shitty gift from her ancestor and she’d be perfectly willing to give it back. Maybe trade it in for Meru’s talents. Or none at all. She didn’t want to understand her enemy. She wanted to find that bloody spear and destroy her enemy with violent and repeated blows.

  Badger’s voice broke through the angry buzz building around her head. “Sheridan, you need to calm down before you hurt someone.”

  Another voice swore, muttering. “Is that Hawk’s dagger? How the hell did she get her hands on that?”

  Sheridan didn’t know what their words meant and she didn’t care. She needed to fight. She was ready to fight. A red haze was descending in a cloak of pure, unadulterated rage around her shoulders. She heard the angry screech of a massive hawk…was in awe of its wingspan. She felt its talons dig into her skin. She knew—as it was happening—she knew what she was. What she would always be. Something no one and nothing could stop or defeat. Something isolated and alone and craving carnage.