Mending Scars

by Rivers, Brandy L

He opened his eyes slowly to find her gone, but he felt her close. Probably changing. He quickly pulled his clothes on, and waited for her to come back down. He needed to taste her lips one last time.

  His phone buzzed, and he pressed talk, expecting Robert’s call. “Hey, I’m not late yet.”

  “You aren’t. I wanted to make sure you’re not hung-over again.”

  “Haha, very funny. I didn’t even have a drink last night. I was too busy with my woman.”

  Robert groaned. “Don’t need that image in my head. Thanks to all the memories, I may never scrub my mind free of the two of you.”

  Preston laughed out loud. “I’d say sorry, but it’s payback for having you in my head in the first place.”

  “At your request,” Robert reminded.

  “Yesterday, sure, but not back when we were kids and I was playing guinea pig while you learned your craft.”

  “You have a point there,” he grumbled. “How long before I should meet you?”

  “Not long. How about I stop by your place to pick you up?”

  “Sounds like a plan.”

  Dacia came down in a robe as he slid his phone into his pocket. Her smile brightened. “You didn’t leave yet?”

  He rubbed the back of one hand. “Not without saying goodbye. Do you really think that poorly of me?”

  “I’m not used to this kind of attention, Preston.” She moved closer and took his hands in hers. “I’m trying not to expect the worst. You’re different, but…” she looked away with a sigh.

  “But you haven’t been…” he wanted to say one word, but was sure she’d bolt, so he switched directions, “appreciated?”

  She nodded as her attention came back to him.

  He shook his head. “Give me a chance, Dacia. That’s all I ask.” He kissed her briefly. “I need to pick up Robert. I’ll talk to you later.”

  “Bye, Ember.”

  His brow arched as he took a step toward the door. “Ember?”

  “You’re warming my heart, and if you aren’t careful, you’ll set me on fire.”

  A smile pulled at his lips. “Tonight, Minx.” With that he slipped out the door.

  * * * *

  I’m in a world of trouble. I can’t resist him.

  After she watched Preston walk to his car and drive away, she hurried upstairs to rush through getting ready. In record time, she was dressed in her usual designer clothes. For a second she paused, wondering what Preston preferred her in.

  Nude, most likely. What does he really see in me?

  Dispersing, she made a trip to Dane’s. Her brother always had the best advice, even if she didn’t usually listen. This time, she would, as long as he didn’t tell her to avoid Preston.

  She reformed on Dane’s porch and knocked softly. He’d hear.

  A moment later, Dane opened the door. He sniffed the air, then leaned in to sniff her. “You smell like a mage. You hooking up with Preston?”

  “Something like that. Can we talk?”

  Eyes rounding, he stepped back and swept his arm inside. “Of course. Will you listen though?”

  She nodded, her tone serious. “That’s why I’m here.”

  “Has he hurt you?” he growled.

  “Oh no, he hasn’t.” Her arms wrapped around herself. “He’s different. I’m falling—hard. I think he’s the one. How do I keep him?”

  “Is he running?”

  Her shoulder lifted in a shrug. “Only to catch me when I bolt.”

  Dane nodded to the couch. “Sit down. Let’s talk.” He put his arm around her shoulders and sat down beside her. “He’s getting under your skin, isn’t he?”

  She nodded. “I want him there. It feels right. Better than anything. It’s getting serious.”

  “So what’s wrong?”

  “He wants me, all of me.”

  “Then let him have you. He was good with Jamie—”

  Dacia growled, pulling away to turn toward him.

  Laughing, he held his hands up in surrender. “Calm down. Shit, just listen.”

  She nodded, but her temper didn’t cool.

  “When Jamie and Preston broke up, he didn’t turn around and chase her. They’re still friends, but he let her go. If he’s chasing you, it’s more than a bootie call. He feels something. He’s the type of guy who doesn’t take anything too seriously until it’s the real thing. Give him a chance.”

  She smiled. “That’s what he keeps asking for. I hope I don’t wind up being too much for him.”

  “He chased you, hard, and he only seems more interested since he caught you. That means something. You could potentially fuck it up, but I saw you with him last night. Seems to me you two belong together.”

  “Exactly, I can still fuck everything up. I will—I always do.” She took a deep breath and let it out in a huff.

  Dane growled slightly. “I’ll kick his ass if he turns his back on you before you’re ready to let him go.”

  She snorted a laugh. “You never offered that for Brody or Hayden. What makes you think you can stand up against a mage?”

  “You didn’t smile like this for them. You wanted them, but you didn’t need them. A whole different ballpark.”

  “He’d kick your ass, Dane.”

  “You’re my baby sister, and I’ve got your back. Maybe he can kick my ass, but I’ll make him hurt first.”

  “Let’s hope that’s not necessary.”

  “I don’t think it will be.”

  She smacked his chest lightly. “Then stop stressing.”

  Dominique slipped through the front door as she started unbuttoning her dress. She froze when she saw Dacia. “Um, should I come back?” she asked with a giggle.

  Dacia shook her head. “Have at him. I need to go pick up Lincoln. I promised we would have brunch and discuss putting his mother’s house on the market. Have fun.” She turned back to Dane who pulled her into a hug.

  “Good luck.”

  She squeezed back. “Thank you for the talk, Dane. Really.”

  “Anytime, Sis.”

  * * * *

  After stopping by home to get ready for the day, Preston walked up the steps to Liz’s. He was wracking his brain to figure out the best way to track down Remus. There was no sign of him, and the wards he set at the Deception Pass hideout hadn’t been tripped. He hoped the bastard would go there first so Robert could zap them both back there and they could have the whole mess over with.

  Tremaine opened the door and nodded inside. “Hey, Preston. Robert has breakfast ready. He’s expecting another long day.”

  “Sorry. Got to catch the inter-dimensional scumbag. Before he does something to his daughter, or anyone else.”

  “Call if you need me. We’ll keep her safe.”

  “Thanks, man. And I may have a few questions for you later, about my mom. First, I need to talk to Robert.”

  Tremaine’s brow arched. “I’m intrigued, but I’m due at the bookstore. Anything you need, I’ll share.” He dipped his head before ducking out the door.

  Preston walked back to the kitchen where Robert sat at the table. There was a plate and a cup of coffee ready for him. He slid into the seat. “Thank you.”

  “Figured we could eat while we come up with a game plan.”

  “Perfect. I skipped breakfast.” He picked up a piece of bacon and took a bite. “I have no clue where to start. Fucker hasn’t been back to his place on Whidbey yet. We have a whole list of locations to check.”

  “I’m worried about why he went to your mother’s in the first place.”

  “It’s no secret I’ve been looking for him. Dacia said as much. He thinks I’m using her to find him.”

  “Maybe we’re being too smart about how we’re looking for him. He usually does the most asinine thing.”

  “Good point. Like lingering at his office instead of a hideout. No one in their right mind would have stayed so close after what he did to that woman a few weeks ago. Someone was bound to find out sooner or later.” Preston starte
d on the hash browns. “Somehow I don’t think he’s stupid enough to go to Faerie.”

  “With the Elder Guard? Yeah, he has to know that’s out.”

  Preston nodded gravely. “What about Lamar? In that stack of papers, Remus had connections with the Dales, and the Dales used Lamar.” He dropped his fork as he perked up. “Shit, I bet that’s how he found my mother. Fucking hell.” He pulled out his phone.

  “Who are you calling?”

  “Gwen Fate. She’s still assigned to watch Lamar. Maybe she can do some investigating. After we’re done eating, you can take me to a few more hideouts, and maybe we can find a lead on his location.”

  Chapter 10

  Third fucking dungeon in the third damned property and Preston’s stomach was ready to heave. He didn’t have to use a replay spell to know every one of the torture chambers had been used. The essence left behind spoke of agony and humiliation. Preston hoped his imagination was worse than reality, but truthfully didn’t want to risk watching history replay itself and prove him right.

  Robert reached toward the door, but his hand trembled.

  Preston turned to him and caught his shoulder. “Hey, talk to me. Can you do this?”

  He nodded, but didn’t answer.

  “Is this about Liz?”

  “How can it not be?” Robert half-laughed and closed his eyes.

  “Look, Liz survived. She’s a strong woman who overcame all the shit in her life. Stop letting your imagination get the better of you. That’s the only way I’m pushing through.”

  “How? I see those instruments and devices and all I can envision Liz in horrible situations. Those damned pictures are filling my head, and every face has been replaced with Liz’s.”

  “She ever tell you about what happened at Sinclair’s hands?”

  He shook his head. “Other than the one time she opened up about the night Tremaine found her, no.”

  Preston squeezed his shoulder. “Maybe she let it go. Or buried whatever happened so deep it doesn’t affect her. Does she still have nightmares?”

  Robert shook his head. “Not since those first few days I was back with her. And those nightmares were about James, not Sinclair and the years he had her.”

  “Then you can’t think like that. She’ll talk if she needs to.”

  “I’m trying,” Robert admitted. “Not so easy. My uncle beat her for years. Then raped her when she was still a child. My brother wanted to do the same. He took our unborn child from us. My own blood nearly destroyed the woman I’ve loved since the moment I laid eyes on her. Tell me how to push the imagined horrors aside when she won’t talk about what did happen?”

  “I don’t know, but if you need to talk, I’m right here, always.”

  “I know, but we have a case to solve, and maybe this will help me find some closure.” He pushed open the door and they stepped into another cavernous room.

  A whimper shattered the silence and Preston grabbed Robert’s arm, as his head whipped toward the sound. Any victim would be in bad shape.

  Preston gave Robert an understanding look. “We’ll get her out. Take her to the council. Okay?”

  He nodded, unshed tears shining in his eyes. “We’ll stop him,” Robert promised.

  Not soon enough.

  He created a light orb and blew a stream of air into it. It burst into glowing particles that swept through the room with gentle, flickering light.

  His breath caught when he spotted the young woman in the cage. Her wrists were chained above her head, her body slumped against the bars. Blood seeped down her back in tiny rivulets where the skin had been whipped to shreds.

  Even Preston saw the similarity between that damned photo of Liz strung up and whipped.

  Pulling a mana-blade he hurried to the cage, cut through the locking mechanism, then carefully sliced through the shackles. Robert stepped in beside him and caught the woman before she fell to the floor.

  In an instant, he was gone with the woman, leaving Preston alone. Stumbling away from the cage, he squeezed his eyes shut and tried to banish the image so he could search the rest of the place.

  * * * *

  Robert appeared in the council’s medical facility. His sister looked up and saw the woman draped facedown over his shoulder. She’d passed out when he translocated.

  Emily stood and rushed to him. “Lay her face down on the cot.”

  His heart stuttered as he looked at his sister. Their brother had abused her for years, and she kept it a secret until she couldn’t anymore. Had he known, Robert would have stopped James when they were all still kids.

  His guilt nearly overwhelmed him as he laid the woman face down, and carefully pulled her stringy hair to the side. “I can’t even imagine what possesses someone to do this.”

  Emily looked up, and gently dried the tear that tracked down his face. “Sometimes, evil lives in the heart of people. There’s no reason other than monsters hide in many guises.”

  “Our own brother. Our uncle.” Robert shook his head. “Can you help her? Or should I find someone else?”

  “I’m fine. Helping people who’ve been through similar experiences is therapeutic.”

  Nodding, he tried to understand.

  “Hey, I know what you’re trying to do, but none of it was your fault. There were opportunities to say something, seek help. It’s over, and thankfully, I can better care for her because I understand what she’s been through and can help her find a way to get over whatever the monster did.”

  Robert nodded but didn’t have words.

  Emily’s eyes narrowed. “Who did you leave to bring her here?”

  “Preston. We’re tracking the piece of trash responsible for her condition.”

  “Then go. I promise, I can handle this.”

  She was so much stronger than he ever gave her credit for. He wished he’d been a better brother. Robert moved to her and wrapped her in a hug. “Love you, Em. Call me if you need anything.”

  “I will. Go.”

  He did, and appeared in the room facing the cage. He had to turn away, and found Preston pacing. “Nothing here,” he stated. “At least we freed that poor woman.”

  Robert nodded. “There’s that. And Emily said helping the woman would be therapy for her in some way.”

  He nodded. “That’s Emily for you.”

  “I want to catch him.”

  “So do I.”

  “Maybe we aren’t dumbing this down enough.”

  “Any suggestions are welcome at this point,” Preston growled. His eyes rounded as he gasped. “Wait. He’s tried to contact Dacia almost every day. Maybe he went to Druciela.”

  “She can protect herself. What about Dane?”

  “Shit. We need to be there, now.” Preston latched onto Robert’s arm, and a heartbeat later, found himself on a porch in Edenton.

  * * * *

  Remus drifted through Dane’s house. He could feel the wards, but the magic was unraveling. When he floated into Dane’s room and found him wrapped around the leprechaun he understood the reason for the broken enchantments.

  Naughty, devious, and generally trouble—all accurate ways to describe the species. There was a reason leprechauns were known for mischief. Luck was generally in their favor, yet wards and spells unraveled around them.

  The woman could help him immensely, and never even realize it.

  Moving closer without form, he whispered directly into Dane’s head, You have a visitor in the living room. Come alone.

  Dane yawned, his eyes opening as his hand slid up the lithe body entwined with his. The leprechaun’s back arched, pressing her breasts into the man’s body.

  If you want to protect your woman come to the living room before I show you what I would do with her. She’ll never be the same.

  Dane rolled out of bed, into a fighting stance as he sniffed the air, his head jerking side-to-side as he tried to find the intruder.

  Living room, dog. I’m losing patience. With a gust of wind, he pushed the blank
et off the still sleeping woman and a growl rent the air.

  Dane snatched a pair of shorts from the floor and stalked to the living room.

  Remus took one more lustful look at the woman, wishing Toryn hadn’t taken away his favorite pastime. Then he joined Dane who stood in the center of the room with a menacing scowl.

  Materializing well out of reach, Remus smiled coldly at Dane. “Don’t worry, I won’t touch your troublemaker today. I simply need your help.”

  A deep growl rumbled from the werewolf’s chest. “Who the fuck are you?”

  “Don’t you recognize me?”

  “Why would I?”

  “You were tiny last you saw me, and you inherited none of your mother’s gifts. A mere human until a feral bitch made you what you are.”

  Deep brown eyes narrowed at him. “What the hell are you talking about?”

  “I’m your darling sister’s daddy. Don’t you recognize me? I tried to convince your mother to boil you alive for being a worthless mortal.” Druciela had the boy before he met her. He was still convinced Dane was what kept her from falling for him. Always so protective of the little shit.

  A snarl sounded as Dane lunged forward at the same time the door burst open. Remus evaporated, floating near the top of the ceiling as he watched Preston and another mage tear into the house.

  Preston caught the werewolf, holding him upright. “Remus is here.”

  “Fucker disappeared,” Dane growled.

  “Oh, he’s not gone,” Preston answered as he stepped further into the living room. “I still feel his presence.” He raised his hands in front of him, palms up and started chanting.

  The spell felt like a vacuum sucking at Remus’ particles. He howled as he was pulled back into form before Preston, flames bursting up the mage’s arms.

  * * * *

  Preston stepped around Dane and closed his eyes as he thrust his hands out and cast a spell. He felt Remus’ energy flow in front of him. A whirlwind of green-black essence swirled.