“Kennet has had that coming for a long time.” said Aedus, actually laughing. “Garrett, my friend, you have chosen a warrior, like yourself, for a mate. This cheetah has sharp claws and a strong bite, I suspect.”
Garrett draped his arm over my shoulder and said dramatically. “I have the scars to prove it.” We all laughed and the black mood left behind by Kennet was broken.
Lord Caelen called Farrell over. “Please deliver this message to Lord Kennet. Due to the events at tonight’s Council meeting, Jacqueline Crawford and Garrett Cuvier will not be attending the Midsummer Celebration with him tomorrow. Instead they’ll be joining me.” Farrell nodded formally and Caelen returned his gaze to us. “I hope that is acceptable to both of you?"
Garrett smiled. "Yes. Thank you, Caelen."
"May Aedus, Liam, Kaera and I escort you back to your rooms?”
“We’d be honored.” Garrett took my free hand as I grabbed Samson's leash. We left after saying goodbye to the other Council members and to Lady Silvus and Lady Erin. Everyone felt that I had handled Lord Kennet well and that he’d deserved what he gotten.
The trip back to our room was full of visual and sensory wonders. I saw a ‘flock’ of tiny fae flying across a golden river, their teal green wings shimmering as they disappeared behind a cherry tree covered in blossoms. My mouth watered as scents of cinnamon and clove, cardamom and sage wafted through the air. Haunting music filled each corner of our short journey, making me yearn for something wonderful but unknown that was just beyond my reach, And always under everything was the smell and the rhythm of the fae magic: intoxicating and delicious.
I figured that Lord Caelen and his sons had something to discuss with us privately and that’s why they’d asked to escort us back, so we invited them in and had them make themselves comfortable. I didn’t understand why Kaera was there, but as Lord Caelen sat and gestured toward Aedus, I knew we’d be enlightened soon.
Aedus spoke, saying, “We need help with a private matter. Kaera’s sister, Brina, has gone missing. She is Lord Argon’s daughter by his concubine, Lady Tereza. They are distraught. We believe that she has followed a werewolf named Drew who was an ambassador of the Brownlow Werewolf Pack at one of our recent meetings. We feel that she left of her own free will, but we have no idea where she is or if she is safe.“
Lord Caelen continued. “They may be in love and feared that Lord Argon wouldn’t approve the match. Whatever the reason, we need to know where she is. We cannot allow one of our young ones to disappear.” Young was relative in Faerie. She was probably over a hundred years old. Kaera grunted in annoyance so Lord Caelen nodded at her and she took a step away from the wall to speak.
“With all respect, Lord, my sister is a trained warrior and does not need a team of shifters and vampires searching for her. She does nothing without careful thought, and must have felt that her mission could have been jeopardized by letting anyone know her plans. I believe that she knows exactly what she is doing and does not need our help. She is definitely not in love with the werewolf. She is only using him to get information.”
"Information about what?"
"She did not confide in me." She was speaking with a little more volume and emotion than the fae usually used, making Aedus frown at her and say, “Your father and Lady Tereza have approved this endeavor. You should respect their decision.”
“Then let me go with their shifter team. They won’t be able to find her, and if the impossible happens, she won’t be pleased when they do.” She'd indicated Garrett and me with a derisive sweep of her hand.
Lord Caelen spoke softly but sternly. “Your presence will defeat the purpose of hiring Garrett’s team. His shifters will blend in, you will not. Brina has a special ability to camouflage herself completely. She can hide, even from her father’s acute senses. I have complete trust in any team that Garrett has put together. I will speak to you privately, Kaera." She nodded toward him, but then slumped against the wall, looking worried about her sister and frustrated at being denied a chance to join the search for her.
Garrett squeezed my hand. “Give us all the information you have and we’ll do whatever we can to find her.”
“Thank you both. Liam has suggested that we keep a close eye on Kennet, so don’t worry about the fool.” He smiled at me as I tried to stifle a yawn. “We should be going.” When Caelen stood, we all stood, and I was surprised when he took my hand in his. “Jacqueline, tonight has been most entertaining and enlightening. I look forward to seeing you again tomorrow.”
“Thank you, Lord Caelen.” A touch of humor glinting in his rich purple eyes. I couldn’t help but smile back at him, feeling one hundred times more relaxed than I had when I first met him that evening. As intimidating as this powerful fae lord could be, he’d treated me with respect and courtesy and I was grateful. He nodded and left as did Aedus with Kaera trailing behind them.
Liam took a moment to speak quietly to Garrett then came to me. His lovely violet gaze locked with mine as he lifted my hand to rest it over his heart. I felt its steady beat beneath his blue tunic. “Thank you Jackie.” He closed the door behind him.
“So what was that about?” Garrett was taking off his suit jacket and loosening his tie.
“He just appreciated what I said to them about why he gave me the blade.” I kicked off my heels.
“Or what you didn’t say.” We stared at each other for a moment. Liam was dear to both of us.
I changed the subject. “The meeting went well I guess, but I’m exhausted.”
“Since there’s no true sunlight here, I don’t have to rest in the day. I can just sleep when you do.”
“That’s a nice change." I turned my back to him.” Unzip me?”
He whispered behind me, “I’ve been waiting to hear those words all evening.” I laughed as he nuzzled my neck and slowly brought my zipper all the way down, then helped me step out of the dress.
I turned back to him and ran my hand down his muscular chest to his flat stomach, coming to rest on a shirt button near his waist. “Do you need help unbuttoning your shirt?” My lighthearted offer led to other playful and loving moments and then eventually, to sleep.
Chapter Four
The next evening was the Solstice Celebration, so we’d invited Liam to our room that afternoon and asked him what we should expect to see. Garrett and I were on the couch and Liam sat in the comfortable arm chair across from us, dressed in his usual tunic and dark pants, smiling mischievously at both of us. It always amazed me that my 1500 year old friend still looked to be no more than twenty, with his golden blonde hair gleaming and hanging down around his shoulders and his violet eyes sparkling with excitement as he described the evening’s events.
And yes, I did think of him as a friend and not only my teacher or the friend of my mate. When he'd offered me his blade before the duel, he'd saved my life and endangered his own. We’d talked for hours on end about what it meant to be healers who had to fight against our own natures in order to kill, a quirk of our DNA that no one else shared or understood. Liam had become as important to me as the rest of my team of rogues.
“At the ceremony there are the usual rituals, delicious food and wine, a huge bonfire, lively dancing and singing. Sex is customary but optional. It’s all delightfully hedonistic.” He smiled playfully watching my reaction. Of course, my face heated up in its usual embarrassed blush. I kicked myself mentally.
“It sounds perfect,“ said Garrett in his sultry way, kissing me on the cheek and looking a little wound up.
“You hedonist,“ I teased.
“Vampire in love,” he teased back, pointing to his chest and making my heart warm.
Liam smiled as he continued. “The men wear something yellow or gold as a tribute to the sun, the women something green or blue as a tribute to the earth. I’ll have some things brought over for you to choose from. The celebration is over a three day period. Tonight is the main event. You should be prepared for just about anything.” His large violet eyes turned
serious as he looked at me directly. “It’s important that you bring Samson. Kennet is dangerous.”
“I’m sure we can handle Kennet.” I shrugged.
He shook his head in irritation. “Perhaps you think of my race as beautiful and gentle, but we are also cruel and terrifying, as bloodthirsty as any vampire. We carry in us the ancient Wild Magic. We are the Sidhe: banshee, goblin, selkie, slaugh, and so many more. Seelie and Unseelie.”
Liam’s eyes suddenly shone black with dark magic. His teeth sharpened to fine points and saliva dripped down his pointier chin. His body grew bulkier and glowed with a dark power that sent waves of ice cold energy spearing through my chest, making the hair stand up on my arms. His hands turned to ugly stumps with sharp claws and scales covered his visible skin. As the air in the room cooled, my body temperature began to drop dramatically.
A moment later the transformation reversed and Liam was himself again. I must have looked frightened because he said, “I’m sorry, Jacqueline, but you always seem to need a practical demonstration before you believe what I tell you.” He smiled a little sheepishly.
I looked from Liam to Garrett, who was doing his best not to break out laughing, and back again to Liam. “What the fuck, Liam. I almost wet myself.”
That did it. They both started laughing, Garrett so hard he almost fell off the couch. I scowled at them and got up and walked over to where Samson was sprawled on the floor. “You’re supposed to protect me from these assholes, Samson. Go and bite them.” Instead, he rolled over onto his back, tongue lolling out, just begging for a belly scratch. “You’re a big help. You guys always stick together.” I sat down on the floor next to my canine traitor, leaned against the wall and crossed my arms over my chest.
“I will see you later.” Liam ducked out the door before I could yell at him again, leaving Garrett to bear the brunt. I glared daggers at my mate who was rolling off the couch and crawling toward me in supplication.
"I'm on my hands and knees begging for your forgiveness." He moved with his usual animal grace, successfully distracting me. All part of his evil plan.
"Won't work." I was forced to bite my lip to keep my mouth from twitching into a smile.
He laid his head in my lap so I’d have a good look at his handsome face. “You can hit me if you want.” His sapphire eyes glittering with mischief, a pink tear still shining at the corner of his left eye.
So he'd laughed so hard he'd cried, huh? I scowled. “It's tempting, but it wouldn’t hurt you and you’d probably just get turned on. But let me tell you something, Mr. Cuvier, you’re not getting any for at least a week.”
He laughed again. “We’ll see."
“Go feed from one of your pretty donors. I’m taking a shower.” I pushed his head roughly out of my lap and stalked off to the bathroom, hearing the sound of his laughter behind me.
My shower cooled down my temper, so by the time Farrell showed up to lead us to the ceremony, we trod the curved flower-laden path hand in hand. It would only take a kiss for my resolve to shatter, so what was the point? Samson trotted happily behind us, stopping to sniff at trees and bark at creatures apparently only he could see. The path ended at an open field. In the center burned a magical fire colored with streaks of faerie gold, rose red, the violet of fae eyes, and the teal of pixie wings.
As Liam had described, all the fae that passed us on the way to the field were wearing something yellow or orange, green or blue. I had chosen a lovely turquoise flower which I wore in my blonde hair. The rest of my outfit consisted of my usual low rise jeans, a slinky sleeveless v-necked top and sandals. Garrett wore a tan shirt, a rust colored vest that gave him an old world look, and jeans.
The path ended at an open field. In the center burned a magical fire colored with streaks of faerie gold, rose red, the violet of fae eyes, and the teal of pixie wings. Sloping up from the field were rich green hills with multiple flat plateaus where hundreds of fae gathered together to watch the proceedings in the clearing below. The four Elders were seated in the ceremonial clearing along with a young male and a young female fae. Those two were scantily clad and wearing wreaths of summer flowers. The male elders wore long saffron robes, their hair hanging loosely around their shoulders. The two female Elders were dressed in similar robes in a rich blue shade, also with their hair unbound.
Farrell led us up a lushly green sloping path to end at a lovely area fragrant with the scent of fresh herbs and flowers. Tables were laden with food and there were hand carved chairs set out in different arrangements so that small groups could sit together and talk. Standing off to the left were Aedus and Lady Silvus, so Garrett and I made our way in that direction. They greeted us formally at first but then warmly invited us to sit where we could have a good view of the proceedings.
Liam strolled over to where we were sitting, squatted beside me and spoke softly. “Miss Jacqueline,” he teased. “I humbly ask you to accept my apology. I regret the way I behaved this afternoon. Please forgive me.”
He looked contrite and adorable so I sighed and gave him my hand like a medieval queen. “I accept your apology.” He kissed it gently and Garrett choked out a laugh. Liam’s eyes were sparkling with humor. “Please, no more demonstrations of what a badass you are.”
“As long as you take my advice seriously.” He shrugged. "My intention was not to frighten you."
I pointed toward Samson. "Happy?”
“Your continued safety makes me happy.” He sent with a more serious expression.
“Thank you, Liam. I know I’m a pain in the ass sometimes."
“I won’t disagree with you.” I looked around for something to throw at him but instead had to settle for a glare. He just smiled and turned to Garrett. “I’ll translate for you both tonight. Connect and I will speak to you at the same time. Also I strongly recommend that you hold on to each other tightly. It can be rather overwhelming the first time.”
“Of course, thank you Liam.” Garrett was still laughing over Liam’s apology. He scooted his chair next to mine and wrapped his long arm over my shoulder while I leaned against him. I was nervous. I should have asked for a little more information about what this celebration entailed. Overwhelming? Was that in a good way?
The light in the field and on the individual plateaus began to dim as if the sun were setting quickly. A few scattered fae lights sprang to life around the perimeter, but other than the bonfire, most of the area was in darkness. There was a warm pinkish glow on the central platform, spotlighting the young couple and the Elders. The gathered fae grew very quiet.
The four Elders rose and began to sing in a language alien yet exquisitely beautiful to the ear. The song’s rhythms and melodies constantly changed: becoming musical dances with harmonies so perfect that they made me yearn to move closer to the singers so that I could catch every nuance. They swayed to the song and lifted their hands in invocation. I was entranced.
“The song is about life energy renewing itself each year. We believe in the Balance in all things. These three days represent the peak of life energy before nature begins its first steps toward a symbolic death at the winter solstice. The song that the Elders sing calls up our ancient vision of the sun. The sun represents the male aspect of nature’s balance.”
The feel of the energy in my chest and the smell of the magic being tossed around the clearing was so strong that I was afraid to take deep breaths. “Is it alright for me to be breathing in all of this potent magic, Liam?”
“You should be fine.”
“But this is more intense than anything...” An amazing vibration hummed and pulsed steadily throughout my body, making even my toes buzz with energy.
“Relax and enjoy it. You may never have another chance. It’s a unique experience.” A lovely redheaded female fae stood next to Liam, giving him a sweet kiss on the cheek in greeting. He took her hand with a warm smile as Garrett held me a little tighter.
The expressive singing stopped when the sun’s avatar appeared above the bonfire
. It pulsed with the rhythm of the ley lines and sent out three strong rays. One fell on the young man sitting on the platform, making him stand up gracefully and begin his own lovely song. After a few minutes another ray fell on the two male Elders and the third ray split into many pieces and lit up each fae male. They all joined the young man in his song. Their song was as beautiful as the first, dipping and rising and making me tremble with sorrow. I felt Garrett hug me even tighter so I turned, surprised to see that he was also bathed in yellow light. A single pink tear trickled down his cheek so I squeezed his hand and gently kissed it away.
“The men sing of their search. They search for balance and purpose. ” Liam continued. They call to the earth to help them. The earth represents the female aspect.” I noticed that Liam and his female friend were glowing slightly. In fact the entire area was full of couples holding hands and shining as the males sang.
I gasped as a vibrant green and blue earth appeared to spin beside the sun and the men’s voices died away. The earth sent out blue/green waves of magic to touch the young woman on the platform, causing her to stand and sing, the sound of her voice creating its own magic. A few minutes passed as her song hypnotized us all and then wave after wave of blue green magic was sent out to the two female Elders and to every female in the crowd, including me. I felt the energy enter my body in a rush of power and warm me from head to toe with a glowing urgency. The women joined the song.
“The women sing of their need to create balance and their search for a companion to help them achieve it.” At first, the music made me feel great sadness, because I was lost and empty. Then the men joined the women in song and the effect was astonishing. Multi colored magic was flowing through my mind and my body at a speed I’d never experienced. I clung to Garrett as our physical forms dissolved and together we became the currents and eddies of the ley lines. Our souls burned with fire and ice, pleasure and pain, the light and the dark, birth and death. Garrett and I were delivered into the magic along with countless fae: all of us searching alone then blending together to form a union with the earth and the sun. Somewhere in my head I saw the two avatars over the bonfire joining to become something else—something glorious in its simplicity. Something so right that it made my heart melt with joy.
Stalked (Rogues Shifter #2) Page 4
