Lost in Shadow (A Shadow Walkers Ghost Novel)

by Cynthia Luhrs

  “The cop’s going to be a problem. We don’t need him sticking his nose where it doesn’t belong. Thorne is going to rip your head off when he finds out what you did.”

  “The guy deserved some closure, his woman’s death was eating him up from the inside. Anyway, we could use a mortal’s help here and there. I’ll talk to Thorne…eventually.”

  Colin shrugged, “It’s your head.” A small change in the air pressure was the only warning Colin and Robert had before Thorne materialized into the hallway. “Talk to me about what? About how you broke the simple rules I’ve drilled into your head. Maybe about how you involved a human in Shadow Walker matters, or maybe how you cocked it up when you told him all about our merry little band, hmmm.”

  Robert paled. Fuck me, he was here. This was so not good. At least Thorne had his human guise in place though at six foot seven, giving off the whole I’ll kill you with a look vibe, he was the kind of guy people instinctively backed away from. Today he was wearing a black tux by Armani, his silver hair pulled back in a ponytail, his icy blue eyes, sparking with anger, looking like he’d walked off the pages of some men’s fashion magazine.

  “Guess that about sums it up,” he shot back, cocky.

  Landing against the far wall of the great hall, he decided it wasn’t the best way to start the morning by getting blasted by a bolt of energy. At least it wasn’t full force—if it were he’d be dust by now.

  “While you made a few relevant points to Colin, how do you know we can trust this human?” Thorne raked a glare over Robert. “I’m trying to decide whether I should send you back to the Shadow Walker realm and have you beaten for a few hundred years for your insolence or…guess what, he’s your responsibility. The cop fucks up anything, talks about us to anyone, your life is forfeit. Are we clear?” Thorne was right up in his grill. Robert wanted to back away but showing weakness would only earn you a bitch slap or something worse. He stood his ground.

  “Crystal.”

  “I’ll be back for the wedding.” With that the god vanished.

  Later that evening Monroe pulled Emily aside. “Look, are you sure you know what you’re doing? What do you know about this guy? You only met him, now you’re all I do, down the aisle?”

  Patting his shoulder, she told him, “No need to worry. Yes, it’s fast but I’m more sure about Colin than I’ve ever been about anything in my life. Sometimes you go through an…event in life, it changes you. Afterwards what’s important seems to be clear, the rest is noise, it falls away. Please don’t worry, I’m happy.”

  He blew out a deep breath, “Ah, then, I’ll be checking in from time to time to see if you need anything.”

  She bid him goodnight and crawled into bed in one of the many guestrooms. She’d refused to kick Colin out of their bedroom. It was strange sleeping alone after being with Colin every night. Emily had insisted in keeping the tradition of him not seeing her the night before or day of the wedding.

  Fresh from her shower with a cold Pepsi, wrapped in a cozy robe, she thought about the night before. A feast, lots of toasts, surrounded by those she loved, all there to see her married. Colin’s friends would be in attendance, he told her his boss was putting in an appearance. She only wished her parents were alive to see her married, her dad here to walk her down the aisle, her mom to help plan things. Wiping a tear away, a knock on the door made her jump, pulling her from her memories.

  “It’s about time you’re up; we have so much to do today to get you ready. Come with me, I’ve taken over a room called the lady’s solar. I have a hairdresser, manicurist, masseuse, waxer, and Meg all waiting to get you bride ready.” Kat blew the hair out of her eyes. Standing there, Emily was overcome with emotion, jumping up and hugging her tight.

  “Thank you again for coming on such short notice. I need you here, you’re more than my best friend to me, you’re my sister, I love you, Kat.”

  Wiping her eyes, Kat playfully smacked her on the arm, “Don’t put my waterproof mascara to the test, it’s going to get enough of a workout when you walk down the aisle. Come on sleepyhead, I brought Pop-Tarts…”

  “You are an angel. You know Pop-Tarts and Pepsi are my favorite breakfast.”

  Screwing up her face in distaste, Kat grimaced. “See how you know I love you, I bring you horribly processed food to eat. On the bright side, if there’s a siege, you can survive on Pop-Tarts. I think they’re like Twinkies, they never go bad.”

  Half dragging her to the solar, Emily came to a full stop in the doorway to the room, her mouth open. It looked like…a spa exploded in the room. Emily took a deep breath and put herself in their hands.

  A rap on the door, had everyone’s head turning as Robert walked in. “Well, this is my kind of place, a room full of beautiful ladies, I think I’ve died and ended up in the hall of beautiful women.” He flashed his pearly white teeth at them and a few of the women giggled, making eyes at him. Emily was willing to bet he wouldn’t be spending the night alone.

  He stopped next to Emily with a horrified look on his face, “What on earth are you eating?” Kat busted out laughing. Emily was indignant. “Do not make fun of the Pop-Tarts. These are one of the best inventions in the last hundred years.” With that, she stuck her nose in the air. His hands up in front of him, Robert roared, “I’ll take your word for it.” Kneeling down to sit beside her, he looked a little nervous, pulling a box out of his pocket.

  “I wanted you to have this; it belonged to my sister a long time ago. I know you need ‘something borrowed’ but consider it a wedding gift; she’d have liked you wearing it.”

  Opening the box with a gasp, everyone crowded around Emily for a closer look at the stunning bracelet. It was fashioned into flowers and vines. The vines were tiny emeralds, the flowers alternated between sapphires, rubies, and diamonds.

  “Oh, Robert, it’s stunning. I would be honored to wear it but I must give it back. You’ll want to give it to the woman you marry someday.”

  A shadow crossed his face, leaning down so only she could hear, “No, lass. ‘Tis unheard of for one of us to break our curse, I don’t expect to see it happen again. I gave up on love a long, long, time ago.”

  Straightening up, he turned on his heel, “I’ll leave you ladies to your rituals.”

  “Robert, wait.” Emily rushed over to him, shyly handing him a box. “Would you please give this to Colin? It’s his wedding band; I understand he is supposed to be wearing it when the ceremony starts after sunset tonight.”

  The band was a plain, wide gold band with the old Celtic symbols for love, life, eternity and energy engraved on the outside, very masculine just like her warrior. Inside the band, she’d had engraved, My heart belongs to you.

  Her wedding band had been waiting for her when she woke up. Meg must have put it on the nightstand while she slept. The emerald-cut diamonds went all the way around and matched her engagement ring. If anyone tried to hurt her, she could blind them with all the diamonds on the rings. Inside was inscribed; Your love gives me life.

  The day passed in a blur. She’d been waxed, had her nails and toes done in a plaid pattern to match her sash, eyebrows plucked, and ended with a massage after lunch.

  “Why don’t you have a nap, then we’ll do your hair and help you get dressed later.” Meg shooed her upstairs.

  Monroe barged into the study where Colin and Robert were enjoying a whisky. “Whoa cop, where’s the fire?” Colin snarled.

  “Whatever with the attitude, I got a call from my partner; he was called to a domestic dispute at a house next door to the orphanage in Edinburgh. Here’s the interesting bit, a girl who works at the place said there are a lot of kids there one week then the next week, when she asks why there are so many missing, she’s told they’ve been adopted. Said a big, blond guy comes once every few weeks to check on the place. He looks like some toff out of a fashion magazine, has an English accent. The other thing she told him was every few weeks it smells like burnt electrical wiring. She told her superiors bu
t they told her not to worry. The girl wanted him to know in case the old place was going to burn down.”

  A look passed between Colin and Robert. Monroe continued with the tale. “Shamus only told me about it as the girl was attractive, he wanted to ask her out. He called to find out how long I’d be on medical leave, tell me what I was missing. Look, I think that strange smell is related to all the missing persons. I’ve smelled it before at crime scenes where grandmothers are killed, only they turn out not to be grandmothers. It’s connected. I’m going to check it out.”

  “No cop, let us take this one. We’ve been hearing rumors related to the missing people, don’t want to tip anyone off, we can be a bit more discreet than you, get my drift?”

  Before Monroe could protest, Colin held up a hand, “We’ll share what we find out.” Colin had heard orphanages across Scotland were being bought by the same corporation. He was trying to find out if it was tied to the Day Walkers. If they were killing kids, he’d tear every one of them apart. Maybe the cop could be useful after all.

  Worthington interrupted them, “Milord, ‘tis time.” Robert clapped him on the back and even the prickly cop wished him well as the butler led them to the orangerie.

  Kat and Emily were the only ones left in the solar. Zipping up the dress, Kat started to tear up, “You look so amazing, Colin is going to fall out when he sees you walking down the aisle.” The dress was white silk with a slight gray blue undertone which looked gorgeous with the colors in the plaid and set off Emily’s gray eyes.

  Her hair was up in a messy chignon with rhinestone sticks holding it together. She’d done her own make up with a light hand, letting the dress and stunning jewelry take center stage.

  Slipping her skyscraper heels on, they left the solar, Matt was waiting outside.

  “Sis, you look beautiful. Mom and dad would be so proud.”

  She hugged him, smiling through unshed tears of happiness. Kat led the way to the orangerie while Matt took her arm, keeping her steady. There were candles everywhere, the flames making shadows dance on the glass, the night stars shining down, the moon bathing Colin in silvery light as he stood there, his gaze locked on her. Standing there in his kilt, his hair down, he was her mysterious man in the painting come to life. She mouthed “I love you,” took a deep breath and walked towards him hoping she wouldn’t trip in her heels.

  Fred was on her left smiling and nodding as she passed by. Kat kissed her on the cheek and took her seat next to Fred, wiping her eyes as he passed her a handkerchief. On the right, she saw Meg and Worthington. Robert and Monroe stood against the wall, nodding in admiration as she passed by.

  Matt released her hand and moved to sit next to Fred and Kat, kissing her cheek as he nodded to Colin. Standing next to Colin, Emily felt his breath on her ear as he leaned in to her, “I’ve waited an eternity for you.”

  She reached up, stroking his cheek, her face filled with the love she felt for him. Looking around she didn’t see anyone waiting to marry them, until her eye caught on a very tall man she’d mistaken for a tree, waiting in the shadows.

  The man moved to stand in front of them. He was huge, gorgeous, with silver hair. Colin bowed, “Thorne, may I present Emily Laurens. Emily love, this is Thorne.” His icy blue eyes bored into her, searching as he seemed to come to some silent acceptance.

  Colin presented his palm as Thorne took a silver dagger from his Armani tux. Holding it up he said, “You pledge your blood and soul to Emily Laurens for all eternity?”

  “I so pledge.”

  “To protect her from harm?”

  “I so pledge.”

  “To sacrifice yourself for her?”

  “I so pledge.”

  With that, he sliced a deep cut across Colin’s palm, the blood, flowing, dripping to the floor.

  “Milady, your hand.” Thorne smiled kindly at her.

  Oh boy, blood was not her friend; Emily prayed she wouldn’t faint. Taking a deep breath, she held out her hand, palm up.

  “Will you love Baron Colin Campbell with your body and soul for all eternity?”

  “I will.”

  She felt a sharp prick then something like an electrical current running through her palm as Thorne placed her palm over Colin’s, pressing them together. A blue tattoo appeared, encircling Colin’s wrist. The design was intricate, made up of symbols, pulsing in shades of blue and green. Thorne spoke in a low voice, nodding, “You can now throw bolts of energy without draining your power, my blessing to you warrior.”

  “By the energy of the blood the bond is consecrated.”

  Cheering broke out. She was vaguely aware of another tingling as Robert wrapped their hands. He saw her look of confusion. “Yes, the wound is already healed but can’t have the guests seeing that now, can we lass?” He clapped Colin on the back and hugged Emily, congratulating them. The staff served champagne while everyone mingled, waiting for dinner.

  Emily was on her way back from powdering her nose when Thorne appeared in front of her. Startled, she jumped, “Sorry, you scared me.”

  “Don’t fear me Emily, only my men need fear me. My wedding present to you, the children you carry will be half mortal, half immortal, they will age slowly, living very long lives.”

  Exhaling in relief, Emily hugged him. Thorne had a shocked look on his face as if no one dared touch him, let alone hug him.

  Kissing the top of Emily’s head, Thorne vanished. Walking back into the orangerie in a daze she barely noticed Kat as her best friend hugged her. “Um, sweetie, you have a streak of silver in your hair, not like gray hair but silver and kind of sparkly, it’s pretty, I don’t remember the hairdresser doing it.”

  Linking her arm through Kat’s, they walked towards Fred, the corner of her mouth tilting up, the silver streak was where Thorne had kissed her hair.

  The wedding festivities lasted late into the night. The full moon was high in the sky when Colin pushed back his chair. He bid everyone goodnight, sweeping Emily into his arms, kissing her, she laughed, waving goodbye at everyone, pleasantly tipsy.

  “I’ve been waiting hours, no longer; I’m taking you to bed Mrs. Colin Campbell.”

  “Say it again.”

  Smiling down at her, he growled, “Mrs. Colin Campbell, Emily Campbell, Baroness Campbell, Mine, always and forever.”

  Happiness radiated through her body, from her head down to her toes. So consumed with joy at knowing this warrior was her own, she didn’t notice what had happened. “You blinked us here, not sure if that was a good idea, I think you’ll need all your strength for the night ahead.”

  “Uh, wasn’t me, it was you. A powerful will you have there, wife. It usually takes a few years to master dematerializing, even longer to do it taking someone with you.”

  Eyes wide, she couldn’t believe it, what a cool power to have. She was going to have to practice and see what else she could do. She tried to summon a drink to her hand but no go. Hmm, not as easy as it seems. The shadows from the candles danced across the walls of their room. Colin undressed her, scattering the pins from her hair to the floor.

  “My wife.”

  “Husband.” She hugged him, stepping out of her shoes and returning the favor. Impatient, he quickly stripped and picked her up, carrying her to the bathing chamber. Meg had scattered rose petals and gardenia blossoms across the bed and floor leading to the bathroom. Steam was rising from the huge tub, flowers floating on the water. Bathing by candlelight, Emily leaned back against Colin still wearing the jewelry. He noticed the silver streak in her hair, “Where did this come from?”

  “Thorne gave it to me. He had a gift for me.” Colin tensed behind her.

  “Before I tell you his gift, I want to give you my wedding present…I found out this morning, we are pregnant as Terya promised.”

  He sat up sloshing water out of the tub onto the stone floor, laughing with joy.

  “I’m going to be a father. We have so much to do to get ready for twins.”

  His face radiant, Coli
n placed a protective palm against her stomach as if imagining his children growing within her, declaring them his.

  “Darlin, we have a good nine months, don’t start worrying yet. So, do you want to know what Thorne gave us?” Wary, Colin nodded. “He said our children will be half mortal, half immortal, age slowly and live very long lives.”

  “I’ll be damned; the bloody bugger can be decent when he wants to.” Pulling her tight against him, he kissed her soundly. Caressed by moonlight, they were molten silver unable to tell where one began and the other ended; they spent the rest of the endless night loving each other.

  Sputtering as he came to, his senses slowly returning, so long without them. Everything was louder, brighter, smelled stronger. He was in a throne room, curled in a fetal position on black marble floors. In front of him sprawled in the huge, ornate silver throne was what he could only describe as a god. The air was icy cold, smelling of the night, filled with promise. He inhaled deeply, grateful. It had been too long to remember, lost in a gray world where he couldn’t speak, smell or taste. As far as the eye could see, gray nothingness, he’d never experienced anything like it. Shuddering at the horror of that place, was it purgatory? He didn’t know, but if it was, where was he now? Didn’t seem to be heaven; he couldn’t imagine he’d rate an audience there. It seemed too cold to be hell so where the bloody hell was he?

  The being on the throne stared down at him. “Hamish Campbell, how would you like a second chance…”

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  Books by Cynthia Luhrs

  Listed in the correct reading order

  THE SHADOW WALKER SERIES

  Lost in Shadow

  Desired by Shadow

  Iced in Shadow – novella