Lost Girl (Soul Bound Book 1)

by E. M Jefferson

  Looking back at the dancing rabbit I watch as red eyes take me in before blinking to a blue colour. I want to pet it and take it home. “Can I keep it?” I try to move forward but Max pulls me back. Trying to lead me back into the car.

  “You cannot keep it! It will steal your fucking soul!” He tries to warn me but with how he looks I can’t help but laugh. His eyes have gone very large, tiger ears and I can feel his tail wrap around my body. His like cat man!

  “Amazing can I kept it?” Maybe it would be obedient.

  “Belle-“Max never got to finish as the Jackalope came running towards us. No longer was it dancing or in its tutu instead deadly horns pointed our way twisting around to form one giant horn. Large white fangs produced from its mouth as saliva dripped from them.

  Maybe it wasn’t as cute as I through it was. How hard did Max hit me again? But where did its tutu go?

  As the jackalope gets within jumping range it leaps out as Max pushes my fragile body into the ground where a large black and orange tiger emerges from his body. My eyes must be playing tricks on me as it smiles at Max before licking its lips.

  A Rabbit. A Tiger. A Fae. Oh my.

  What has my life turned into?

  With dazed eyes I push myself up from the floor and back away from the fight going on as more red eyes light up in the shadows. But the movement causes me to double over as bile comes up. Man, I really need to lie down as this head ach is getting worse. How the hell am I meant to fight when I can barely stand up? My vision must be going crazy as I watch them begin to multiple their numbers as some have hats on.

  My movements are sloppy and wide as one tried to jump on me, sending the jackalope into the wall. More of them realise that I’m the weakest link as I can barely function. Like a pack of dogs as that is about their size, they begin to circle me. Jackalopes smoking cigars, wearing top hats and walking like cowboys. What the fuck has my night turned into?

  I take a quick glance over to Max as I see his becoming overwhelmed with…… Is that a gangster rabbit dressed like scar face and the joker? I rub my eyes to make sure I’m not imagining this. But no. There is a Jackalope that looks like the Joker dressed exactly like him and one looking like Scar face.

  I stick on my big girl pants and head straight into them as I hear Max let out a cry for help. I may be sluggish and wobbly, but I’ll be damned if I sit back and do nothing!

  As I head towards them the strangest feeling came over me, feeling like someone jacked me up on drugs, as my mind begins to sharpen and the pain fades away. I could focus on the beings coming to attack me almost like I could see their attack before it had even happened.

  Final! My Fae powers were waking up inside me as I moved quicker than normal. One Jackalope jumped at me from the side where I had grabbed it by the scruff of its neck before throwing it into the next group. I didn’t want to kill them, but it was becoming a dog eats dog world. It was time to get my hands dirty. Literally.

  Whining out in pain I could see Max had a chunk taken out of his leg. Needing to help him I kicked and punched my way throw the army of Jackalopes that look like they came from Freddie’s night club. By the time I reached him they had pinned him down as he tried to swipe them with his claws.

  “MAX!” I shouted as I drove into them grabbing one before snapping its neck where a sickening sound could be heard. But it didn’t stop me as my instincts pushed me to save him. A shifter who didn’t need to stay and keep me safe, but he did. I owed it to him to at least try. Claws and teeth pieced my skin trying to prevent me from stealing their food. Surprising enough I couldn’t feel the wounds they inflicted as it felt like my skin was made out of stone. I just hoped they hadn’t stolen his soul as there wasn’t much I could do otherwise.

  Hands pounded against the softest fur I had ever felt which was a stark contrast to how strong they were. I refused to give up and every time I had taken one down another had appeared in its place. It was never ending like a bad dream you wanted to wake up from but couldn’t.

  Then it happened. The moment I dreaded as it happened so fast but felt like time had stopped as I watch it approach. One massive white Jackalope appeared through the crowd pushing the smaller ones away or crushing them under its large paws. Eyes that burned like an eternal flame with glistening teeth that could cut through flesh and bones without a problem. The sound of its feet echoed of the walls as it moved with a thumbing sound. I could feel it deep in my bones that some one was about to die which only proven my theory right when the sound of a banshee started to scream nearby.

  It moved with more grace then a mountain lion as it stalked towards it prey. But this time it wasn’t me as one look at Max and I could see him fighting for his life. His eyes pleaded with me to end him before it could take his soul. Not wanting to but I owed him I made my way as quickly as possible as I reached his neck and snapped it. This caused me to be put right in front of this creature.

  I swear I could see its evil grin as it took me in, eyeing me up and down before its eyes started to glow with red smoke. It felt like it was looking deep into my soul where it feasted first on my emotions before attacking the one thing, I held dear.

  My memories.

  One by one I felt the creature steal them before I felt the hooks try to pull my soul. By this point I had lost who I was but somehow, I knew I couldn’t let this being take it away. As the pulling became worse, I tried to cling onto my soul with everything I had. But it was slipping out of my grip like trying to hold water that would sweep through the holes in your hands. In a last ditched attempt, I leaped at the creature in the hopes that if I could hurt it. Then it would be forced to free me from its grasp.

  Determination hummed through me as I wrap my hands and arms around its massive neck taking it by surprise. From here I pulled and twisted as it realised what I attempted to do. But it was too late as my grip was unyielding before using everything I had. It screeched in terror from the crushing hold I had on it which was surprising considering how small I was. But logic no longer made sense as one by one some of the little ones started to puff out of existence.

  Eventually I heard the sound I was waiting for as I could feel its neck snapping before slumping in my arms. It looked like I had killed the alpha as the rest of them had started to back away from me.

  I felt relieved until I looked at Max who laid on the ground unmoving. I walked towards his cold body before dropping in front of him. “I’m so sorry Max” I said as I ran my hands through his fur as tears leaked out of my eyes. This was all my fault. If I didn’t mess up in training, then I would never had needed to be taken home.

  “I’m so sorry, please forgive” I sobbed uncontrollable as I held onto him.

  “Belle. Calm down” Dante whispers into my ear. His voice tries to calm me but instead it makes me worse. Nothing will ever erase the guilt I feel for having to kill a friend. “Its just a hallucination, come back to me” There is no way my mind would conjure up something this cruel.

  “Come to me little one, let me ease the pain you feel” He tried again as something warm touched my cheek. But I was the only one left. So how was it possible I could feel the touch of Dante when he wasn’t even here? My mind was playing tricks on me as I felt my hair moving.

  Closing my eyes once more I said a silent prayed for Max and hoped he would find peace in the afterlife. I was a big believer on, if you do good in your life then you will have a kind place to go to when your soul crosses over.

  When I opened my eyes, I expected to still be within the ally way sitting with Max’s body. What I didn’t expect to find was to be laying in a large bed where a pair of black eyes stared down at me in concern.

  Blinking my eyes, I rubbed them to double check this wasn’t some sick joke. But no. Dante was indeed looking down at me in soft expression as he raised his hand to my head. However, my mind had other things to worry about.

  “MAX!” I screamed out in fear from leaving his body behind. However, me calling out another man’s name ha
d Dante frowning in an unpleasant way.

  “Max?” He growled out in warning. But just hearing his name from his lips had me crying once more.

  I started to sob before saying “I…..I…. Killed him” in between broken words.

  It might have been my confession or the way I looked so vulnerable that made Dante pull me into his arms and hold me. “I promise you it was nothing but a dream” Dante said in a soft tone. I know this must be a dream as Dante would never. I mean never have taken the time to look after me let alone come when I’m on the verge of collapsing. “Easy little one just rest” His hands try to keep me from getting up as he pushed down. I take in the softness in his eyes which have lines of worry around them. But more importantly I knew I had killed Max.

  “I can’t be I- “

  “Belle, just breath. Everything will be fine. You are in my home where you will rest and we will speak about this tomorrow” He tells me in a firm tone.

  He must be delusional if he thinks I’m really here. “No, I’m not. This is the dream world as my body is currently in an ally way from where I passed out” I wonder if I passed out from the pain of losing Max or from the multiple wounds I endured.

  “No this is a dream” I tried to tell dream Dante, but he just looks at me like he can’t believe the words his hearing.

  “If this is a dream then you won’t mind staying the night with me” Something about his smile sends alarm bells ringing. I should take note, but my body is already shutting down once more.

  “Ok? Will you stay?” I asked in a pathetic voice as I needed emotional support.

  “Yes” he whispers as my sobs started to calm down and his hands were rubbing calming circles alone my back. It was enough to lure me to sleep as he held an iron grip around me. I felt like I was falling down, as my eyes closed, and my mind shut down leaving me in the dark.

  For today truly felt like I had fallen down the rabbit hole.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Captured By Dante

  I woke up from the most satisfying sleep I had ever had in one of the most luxurious beds I had ever been in. This should have been the first indication that something was wrong. However, I was basking in the warmth and safety I felt from having strong solid arms wrapped around me pulling me in close. I let out a content sigh.

  I didn’t want to wake up to reality as that meant what happened last night was real. Instead I stayed in a bed that felt strange and different from mine where a warm body was pressed against me. Instead of focusing on who this intruder was I had turn around and snuggled further into them. Why I did this? I have no clue, but it was better than facing the truth. That was before gentle hands ran up my bed and the person spoke “Someone slept peacefully last night”

  Suddenly my eyes shoot open as I watched a grin spread across Dante’s lips.

  “AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH” I screamed in a very high pitch noise which was enough to cause dogs to bark nearby. But what was worse and more embarrassing was the way I tried to put distance between us and instead I had fallen off the bed and ended up tangled in the sheets.

  Loud laughter reverted around the room which caused my face to burn scarlet and my embarrassment to double. I just wanted to crawl under the quilt and hide away while my mind played catch up.

  I could feel the quilt being pulled away from me making me react total irrational as I pulled the quilt back towards me before wrapping myself up in a cocoon. “Are you intending to hide away down their when I had the pleasure of that delectable body pressed against me all night?”

  “No. I’m waiting to wake up from this nightmare and return to reality” I told him

  “Well you might be waiting all eternity as this is reality sweetheart or did you forget that you had passed out”

  “That depends….. Did I pass out before or after I killed Max?” I sent a silent prayed up to the havens for my newly dead friend.

  “Ahh, I see what it is. Well my little lost one. I can safety assure you that your friend is still alive as I have yet to decide his punishment from hurting what’s mine”

  “His alive” I bolted upright from the possible it could have all been a fucked-up dream were no killer rabbits tried to kill us and one that didn’t end with me killing Max.

  “I see that has you attention more than the fact he had given you a black and blue face with a concussion that could have put you in a coma” It was said in such a way that I could pick out the underlaying threat.

  “Please don’t hurt him, it was only an accident” I pleaded at him as I played with the quilt in my lap.

  “That all depends on you” I watched the way his eyes flashed to gold before returning back to black.

  “How does it depend on me?” I ask in a small voice thinking of how I could bargain with Max walking away with his life.

  “If you’re not back where you once was in the next three-“He didn’t get to finish as I shot up and drive onto the bed. Unfortunately, my well planned out plan had backfired as I tripped over the side of the bed and fell into Dante. Literally face planted his ass where I muttered “Gods kill me now” this prompted Dante’s body to shake as laugher spilled out once more. How many times could I embarrass myself in one day?

  “I must say Belle. I have never meant anyone who is as clumsy as you in the morning”

  “That’s only because I woke up next to a God. One is far to cruel to me and scares me” I say into his ass cheek before rolling over to lay on my back.

  The fates must have been tempting me today as Dante was naked expect from a pair of black boxers that where tight around his ass. He is well tanned like someone who spent their time sitting in the sun for long hours. Muscular legs that were well-defined stood out. But I was captivated by his back which held a strange symbol that looked like a lion made from stars where black swirls were embedded within.

  “Why Belle? Why would you ruin this morning with your poisonous tongue?” I can’t tell if his joking or being serious as his face remains neutral from all emotions.

  “My poisonous tongue? It is you Dante who has a tongue that could whip me with pain from the words you say” I couldn’t help say as everything he had done to me runs to the forefront of my mind.

  He scoffs first before saying “Really Belle, do you not know the way of Fae let alone when someone is trying to protect you?” Is he for real! Protect me from what! Only person I need protecting from is his arrogant self!

  “Protect me? protect me from what?! As the only person I need protection from is you Dante” I snap.

  “No Belle. You don’t understand the dangers that wait for you around every corner let alone inside my own club!” His eyes harden at my words, but I don’t care about how they make him feel.

  “Then fucking tell me instead of using your venomous tongue. Don’t think I have forgotten how you have treated me...!”

  “Belle I wouldn’t- “

  “NO! You don’t get to humiliate me in front of everyone in a place I work then permanently mark me as yours. Only to use me as a dog” I shouted at him before thinking myself is worth more than this.

  Fuck this shit for a bag of nuts.

  Getting back out of the bed I aim to leave him and this place behind. I am so done! I am quitting this job and getting the fuck away from him “Where the fuck do you think you’re going women?! Get your fucking ass back into my bed NOW!” HE roared out at me.

  Did I listen to him being a jerk? No. Did I think about what my next words would do? Hell fucking no but who cares because I don’t. “Where am I going? I’m getting the fuck away from you Dante, as far as I can possibly get and there’s nothing you can do to stop me. You are arrogant, self-centred and downright fucking cruel!” I said over my shoulder not caring that I was only in my underwear. Why I was in my underwear I wasn’t sure but that was saved for a rainy day.

  “You sure about that Belle”

  “Positive so do your fucking worse” I regretted the words the moment they left as soon I was pushed up against the wal
l, as his chest pressed into me…..His very naked, hard chest pressed in my naked flesh with only a bra to prevent me from being completely naked with him. “If you try and stop me, I will fucking scream the roof down” I warned him.

  “You could scream all you want but I promise you it would be my name and you would fucking enjoy it” I knew I couldn’t admit to him what his body was doing to me as I felt his hard length press into my stomach.

  “You don’t know that. What makes you think I even want you?” I asked in a roundabout way.

  Throwing his head back he roared out a laugh, one that had me transfixed by how much freer and lighter he looked. “Looks like someone has started to act like a truth Fae…… but more importantly should I put it to the test?”

  “Keep dreaming asshole” It was a lame comeback as my mind fried from our close proximity. Why did he have to have such an effect on me?