by JF Holland
Jaden then headed back into the water, to get to the other side of the banking It was time to check how his brother, Balin had faired at Maisie’s hands.
Chapter One
I n the front room, Lana paced, as upstairs, Agatha treated Balin. Her gut twisted with nausea at the injuries he’d received. Shuddering as she thought about the glimpses she’d gotten of them as she’d helped clean him up in the shower earlier, with Sam and Leonard. God, he’d looked like someone had opened him up with a can opener before turning his lower legs into mush. Once the adrenaline of his rescue had worn off, she’d been truly horrified by the damage he’d sustained at that sick bitch’s hand.
How the hell had he survived? She mused, stunned again at the strength and determination it must have taken for him to hold on for her. She swung between anger and guilt at herself, as she’d been the one who’d refused to let him go. She had forced him to endure and wait for them to locate and rescue him.
“Baby, come, sit down,” her mother, Lara said, tiredly, from her place on the sofa. She was exhausted, and had dropped onto the nearest sofa after the boys had brought her and Helena back. She’d had to ride on the back of a grizzly, her abilities to levitate gone in her distress. She’d been sat there since, nursing a strong cup of tea, her mind still stuck on the last image she’d had of Davion. In her mind’s eye, she saw her mate’s limping, dejected form disappearing through that strange doorway. He’d been badly hurt, losing strength… Cutting of the thought, she put her cup in her other hand and examined her mate mark. It was still present, which meant that there was still hope for him. He was still alive at least. For now, anyway. Enclosing the mark within a fist, she took another sip of her tea, and continued to watch their daughter. She had been pacing since she’d come down the stairs. In her worry and agitation, she was moving backwards and forwards like a soldier on guard duty. “Lara, baby, it’s making me dizzy watching you walk up and down.”
“Do you think he’s okay?”
“Balin… of course. He’ll be fine sweetie.”
“Reach for him,” Jaden told Lana as he stepped into the room, rubbing his brow as if it hurt.
“I don’t want to disturb him,” Lara replied, stopping her pacing and nervously moving from foot to foot while nibbling on a thumb nail.” The bane of her family, they always bit their thumb nails when nervous or upset. She desperately wanted to hear Balin’s voice, just to know that he as okay. Her confused thoughts were interrupted as Jaden once again spoke.
“It will disturb him more if he can sense your anxiety,” he told Lana. A tight smile on his face as his eyes continually rose to the ceiling as if wishing he could see through the floor to check on his brother.
“Agatha will take care of him,” Maya told them, coming into the room carrying her own drink. She put it down on the small rounded table, beside the sofa Lara sat on, and moved over to Jaden. Taking hold of his hand, she rested her head against his arm as she entwined their fingers, offering him comfort.
“I know. It’s the waiting that always plays on nerves,” Jaden told Maya, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze, eyes once again rising towards the ceiling.
“What have I missed?” Sophia asked, stepping inside, Luc once again on her heels.
“Agatha is with him now,” Jaden responded, turning to her.
“Then, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll go to see if I can aid her,” she told them, heading towards the hallway. She instantly missed the large, reassuring presence at her back as soon as she moved off. “Oh, Luc, thank you for the lift,” she told him. Then stopping, she turned to smile at him over her shoulder.
Luc inclined his head in response. He was unsure how to deal with this woman, this witch who’d arrived amongst them. There was something about her, something that called to him, but he couldn’t quite put his finger on what it was.
“Will you still be here when I get back from helping Agatha?” Sophia asked, interrupting his musing.
She didn’t know why it was important that he still be here when she was through, but it was. She felt like she should explain herself though, because he watched her with such caution, as if she were an unexploded bomb. She didn’t want him to watch her with suspicion though, she wanted something else altogether from him, and nearly rolled her eyes at the idea. I mean, she was pushing sixty-years-old. Okay she was fifty-six, but Luc was a handsome, young, virile man, and her interest in him should appal her. She didn’t know why his suspicion upset her, but it did. She needed to spend time with him to understand where this interest in him came from, because quite frankly she found it unsettling.
So, with that in mind, she needed to give him a reason to stay. “I have something I’d like to discuss with you,” she informed him, sure she’d come up with something in the meantime.
Luc turned then, his back to her as he looked towards the lightening sky through the back window. Mouth grim, he nodded, just a slight jerky movement of his chin.
“I will speak to your shortly then,” Sophia replied, relieved to know he’d still be here. She went to turn, but his deep voice stopped her in her tracks.
“Unfortunately, I’m afraid it must wait until the sun has set,” Luc informed her tightly, unhappy with what was to come.
Stopping, Sophia again looked at him over her shoulder, hand on the bannister and brow rising in silent query. His face was pinched, and she wondered what had him looking so pissed off. Then she swallowed, because maybe it was her, maybe it was her presence that upset him. Maybe he really didn’t want to be around her, it made sense, because he looked annoyed. If that was the case he could tell her, so with that in mind, she silently waited for an answer.
“I’m afraid I’ll be… indisposed until then,” Luc murmured, but didn’t elaborate further. She frowned, trying to figure out what he meant by his cryptic words, but came up blank.
Luc did not want to have to explain to this woman what he’d become shortly. For some reason, it bothered him to know that she’d see him in his other form. His gut twisted at the thought of her horrified reaction to him, and his mouth slashed with displeasure.
Sophia couldn’t figure out what was going on. She looked from Luc; tall, stoic, but quiet Luc to the sky outside the window, looking for answers. Still he stood there, no further explanation, so she looked towards Jaden to clear it up.
“Luc is cursed. He’s more statue than man once the sun rises,” Jaden informed her with a sigh. Sophia gasped, her eyes going wide and turning to Luc for clarification, but he just swore. She was horrified at the thought. I mean, who would do such a thing to this man, then it hit her, his behaviour out in the trees and her own mouth tightened.
“Merde,” Luc growled, slipping into his first language in agitation. His eyes slitting in disgust as he looked towards Jaden, who in turn, just shrugged.
“One of my kind?” Sophia asked quietly, dreading his answer.
“Non… oui,” Luc replied, turning slightly towards her, but his eyes would not meet hers. “Although, not quite like you,” he continued, mouth twisting. Sophia couldn’t figure out what he’d meant by that, was it good or bad, then shook the thought away. Sheesh, she had important things to deal with, she needed to stop this fixation on him.
Luc turned towards the window again, not comfortable with how she watched him. He found it galling to see pity in her clear, green gaze. He did not want pity from this woman. He wasn’t sure what he wanted from her, but was positive it wasn’t pity.
“Maisie cursed Luc many years ago, so once the sun rises he turns to stone. He can neither move nor speak, but is very much aware of everything that goes on around him.” Jaden clarified for her when Luc still didn’t explain anything further. Sophia sucked in a breath, horrified eyes jumping back to Luc.
She was shocked that someone could do something so heinous to such a man, and then wondered about what had made her do it. From what she’d seen and heard of Maisie, she supposed it could have something or nothing. Then again where Maisie was concerne
d, it could have been much worse, look at poor Balin.
She knew Luc was uncomfortable discussing his curse, because his wide shoulders were now so rigid with tension that he positively vibrated. It was also so palpable in the air that she could taste it as it poured from him in waves, so strong it left a sour aftertaste in her mouth.
“Well then, we will talk once you are… more yourself.” She didn’t know what to say, but needed to ease his tension, not liking it. She had to swallow to clear the lump in her throat as she thought about what he must go through. Luc inclined his head, but did not meet her gaze, before turning on his heel.
“I will be in my usual spot,” Luc informed Jaden, stiltedly, shoulders stiff. “Please, come let me know how Balin is doing.” Jaden nodded as Luc headed passed him, towards the back door.
“Has no one tried to help him?” Sophia quietly asked, watching Luc from her place on the stairs. Smiling slightly because due to the width of his shoulders and wings, he had to turn sideways to get through the doorway.
“Many have tried, none have succeeded,” Sam informed her as he passed by her, coming down the stairs. She’d been so focused on watching Luc’s retreating figure that she hadn’t even heard Sam descend the stairs.
Sophia now turned her attention to her niece; if not by blood, then by bond as she’d raised her. Her green eyes looked worriedly towards Lana now. She wanted to go back down the stairs and hug her - tell her that everything would be okay - but that she couldn’t guarantee.
“Balin?” Lana asked nervously, turning at hearing Sam’s voice.
“Agatha is beginning his healing. I’ve been sent to make tea. Not a clue why?” Sam sounded perplexed, and a little annoyed.
“I take it you were acting anxious?” Maya asked with amusement.
“Like a mother hen over a newly hatched chick,” Leonard replied dryly, stepping around Sam and coming into the room. Sam growled, but Leonard just grinned as he moved to the far corner, his eyes going to the window. “He needs help,” he rumbled, jaw tight.
“I will see what I can do,” Sophia replied.
“That would be appreciated,” Leonard replied, eyes still on the window.
“You and he are good friends?” Sophia asked, head tilted to one side as she observed the vampire. He looked devastated as he watched the window. His usually aloof, but whimsical manner was missing for once.
“We used to be. What he will become now…” he sighed, shaking his head. “It is my fault,” he told her, jaw rigid. He leaned against the wall, head back. With his eyes closed and arms folded, he still managed to look imposing stood there in nothing but a towelling robe.
“Argh, I see,” Sophia replied, and with that turned, making her way upstairs. She didn’t elaborate, because she could tell that Leonard carried a lot of guilt over what had happened to his friend. He obviously hid his hurt over their broken friendship; and his guilt over his part in it, under a cavalier guise.
A knock at the door had Jaden frowning, but before he could move, Sam went to answer. They could hear him talking lowly to someone as he came back into the room.
“Jaden, meet Thomas Stevens, the lion of Essex.” Sam grinned as he slapped the tall, lean, strawberry blond male on the back.
“Will I ever live that down?” the newcomer asked wryly.
“Not in my lifetime… Therefore, I’d say not,” Sam laughed.
“Essex lion?” Jaden asked, confused, then blinked realising that both Sam and Leonard stood in nothing but a towelling robe. No explanation for their state of undress was forthcoming as Sam continued to rib the newcomer. Jaden left him to it, his attention on their interaction. It would at least take his mind off what was happening to his brother upstairs.
“Thomas here got very drunk one night while away with friends down south. Idiot was so sozzled, he shifted to help him find his way home. He thought it would be the quickest way. Unfortunately, he managed to get snapped by a holidaying couple. They reported it to the police, and he ended up in the press; picture included, which caused a manhunt.”
“Jesus Sam, give me a break. I was a little worse for wear. I’d been out celebrating after just finishing medical school, and putting many long years and arduous hours of study in. May I also add in my own defence that it was the one and only time that have I ever gotten drunk.” Sam laughed, and Thomas scowled at him. “My father gave me hell for my lapse in judgement when he read the papers the following day,” he said, shaking his head in remembrance.
“As fascinating as this is…”
“Jaden, Thomas is a surgeon,” Sam explained, stopping his tirade. “He works at Higher Lunaton general. I called him to come and examine Balin,” Sam explained.
“But Agatha and…”
“He’s lost a lot of blood,” Sam explained, jaw tight. “They can heal him, but I think after what he’s been through he may also need a transfusion.” Jaden’s eyes again dropped to Sam’s lack of attire and his jaw tightened realising that he and Leonard must have had to shower him.
Just how bad was his brother? Deciding that he didn’t want to think about that, he asked questions instead.
“Can you give a shifter a transfusion?”
“You can if there is a match,” Thomas informed him.
“Family?” Jaden asked, disentangling himself from Maya and rolling up his sleeve. He needed to do something, something to help his brother, anything. Giving blood would certainly help him, and that he could do.
“A mate is better,” Thomas informed him quietly, and at Jaden’s confused look, explained further. “In my experience, I’ve found that once a pairing is thrown into the mix, their connection over-rides genetics.”
Lana, who’d begun pacing again stopped in the middle of the room, turning to the newcomer after hearing his answer.
“I can help Balin?” her heart pounded with hope that she may be able to do something useful. Something that would help him and aid in his recovery.
“If you are his mate, then yes,” Thomas told her. Then, brow creasing, he frowned, sighing before he continued. “I must warn you, if you do this, there will be no turning back for you.”
“What do you mean?”
“Whether you go through with the binding ceremony or not, your link to him will not only be permanent, but also stronger than ever.”
“Is that a bad thing?” Lana didn’t think a strong connection between mates could be bad.
“It can be if you decide not to go ahead with the binding.”
“What do you mean?”
Thomas didn’t respond. He closed his mouth, and shook his head - as if incapable of speech.
“He can’t tell you,” Lara told her daughter in disgust from her seat on the sofa. “That damn block they have on them about being able to reveal anything about the binding. It’s like a gag order, stopping him from being able to explain,” Lara told her daughter.
“What’s he not telling me, mum?”
“Lara, you can’t tell her,” Sam spoke up, horrified.
“Why do we keep having these conversations with you males? How many times must we tell you, that just because you’re unable to explain about it, it doesn’t mean we can’t? We are not tied by your laws,” Lara told him with a growl of distaste, and Sam frowned. Thomas just crossed his arms, brow raised and a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
“I like these women, they’re feisty.”
“You have no idea,” Leonard replied dryly from the corner.
“Mum?” Lana needed answer. She had been feeling useless, if she could help him she’d feel better. Although, she needed to hear this. There was so much about her own world and kind that she just didn’t understand.
“If you don’t go through with the binding…” Lara sighed, trying to figure out the best way of explaining it. Then clearing her throat began again. “Let’s just say that if you don’t go ahead, when Balin begins to lose his humanity; reverting permanently to his animal form, he will still be drawn to you. However, as
an animal; and you being human, he won’t understand why he has this need for you. He’ll be curious, so will seek you out. Obviously, this can be dangerous.”
Lana opened her mouth, confusion written all over her face, and sighing again, Lara continued. “What you must understand honey, after a shifter is paired, and the binding doesn’t take place before the five-years are up, he turns into his animal form. He’ll have no idea of his human side. Therefore, no humanity, it will be as if it never was. He’ll have no clue that he was ever anything but an animal.” Lana gasped, her hand covering her mouth as her mother explained it to her. She wasn’t sure she wanted to hear anymore, her stomach already rebelled, but her mother continued.
“Therefore, if your pairing is strengthened, but not followed through…” Taking a breath, Lara frowned, trying to find the right words. “If he does come across you – which he will because he’ll search you out – then as a wild cat he’ll perceive you as a threat,” she informed her, sadly.
Lana knew Balin was a jaguar, but why would he hurt her, she couldn’t grasp what she was being told.
“Lana, a wild cat attacks those that they perceive as a threat; which he will with you due to his confusion over his interest in you. However, even if he doesn’t come after you; which is highly unlikely, you’ll be mentally tortured as you’ll be privy to his decline into loneliness, confusion, and eventual death.” Lara shook her head at the travesty that the males went though. Her horrified eyes turning to Sam, hoping that he’d refute her mother’s claims. He just stood there with his fists clenched by his side, a nerve jumping beside his slashed mouth.
“That’s barbaric. Who the hell makes these laws?” Lara spat in disgust.
“It is hard-wired into our DNA, there is no one that set them.” Sam informed her, running a hand over his short cropped tight curls. “We are all born knowing this, it’s instinctive,” he told her with a shrug.
“It’s wrong,” Lana growled, devastated at the thought of Balin being confused and searching for something he didn’t understand.
