by JF Holland
“Any luck finding Maisie’s trail?” Lana asked, taking a mouthful of the tea with a sigh. It may not be coffee, but it was still warm, strong and sweet, so she could live with it for a while.
“None,” Jaden informed her from across the table. “That’s what I was just discussing with Nathan. We’re going to have to keep up the patrols. The leopards, Edgar and Nicolas, are out there now, they took over from Nathan and Adam so they could eat and rest. We’re using the same map routes we used earlier; as we searched for Balin, but we’re doing it in shifts. The wolves, Daniel and James will take over in the morning, then myself and Leonard will do the afternoon. We won’t give up Lana, we know she’s still out there somewhere and that she has your father.” Jaden replied quietly.
“Thank you, I can help…”
“You’re needed here for the time being,” Jaden interrupted. “Balin needs you more than ever just now. Plus, he’d kick my arse if he thought you were in danger out there,” he informed her.
Sighing, she sat back, then finding him still looking at her silently, she nodded, understanding that he needed her word. He gave her a tight smile after she’d given him the affirmation he needed, and turned back to Nathan.
She picked up another sandwich finding that she was hungry.
“What have I missed,” Sophia asked, coming into the kitchen.
“Nothing major to report.” Sam told her, pulling out the chair beside Helena for her.
“I’ll just go see if Agatha is ready?” Douglas replied, about to get up from his seat as she walked in the door. He stood, offering her his seat, as he took the one beside it, kissing her cheek, and passing her a plate of sandwiches and a cup of tea.
“Is Luc not in yet?” Sophia enquired and Agatha took a sip of her tea, then lowering it replied.
“It doesn’t look like it, why don’t you go see if he’s ready yet Sophia?” Douglas looked to his wife, but she just took another sip of her tea with another sigh.
“I won’t be a moment,” Sophia replied, pushing back up from her seat and heading into the kitchen, then out of the back door.
Chapter Seven
S tepping through the back door, Sophia, pulled it closed behind her, shutting off the chattering sounds which had carried from the group around the large family table.
Head turning, she spotted on the patio; in the far corner to her left, a large stone statue. Wiping her clammy palms over her jean clad thighs, she made her way over, stopping short at her first proper look. Her stomach rolled, and desperately, she tried to keep her revulsion for Luc’s other form from reaching her face. She knew he could hear her, but was unsure if he any of his other senses worked; like sight or sense of smell. He truly was horrifyingly grotesque in this form, the stuff of nightmares. There was nothing left of the visually stunning, sculpted planes of his face now present in what she now stood before. In place of his large, muscular body was a dull, pitted, slate grey stone, weathered and worn from time, as if it had stood out in the elements for years.
Luc’s iridescent, molasses black, leathery wings, were more or less the same; shape wise anyway. They still arched high over his back, but now where the tops had been curved, they had a hook like claw at the highest point over his shoulder. But again, they were dull and worn looking, just like the rest of him. It was as if all the colour had been sucked out of their usual ebony beauty. His face was completely unrecognisable, fangs showed from beneath his now thin, shapeless upper lip, and his jaw was so far forward it was more muzzle now than lower face. The little horns that had fascinated her and were usually hidden beneath his floppy fringe, were now large. They were so big and sweeping, they looked as if they’d be better served on a bull elephant. His hands and feet were now more claw like than actual hands, and as for his legs, the knee was backwards, more animal than anything resembling a human limb. The sight; although frightening, was also awe inspiring. All in all, he was a perfect caricature of a gargoyle of fable. There was not one thing remaining of the warm, beautiful man that he actually was.
Stepping closer; now she’d become use to him in this form, her eyes once again traced over all the changes. She couldn’t believe that this was the same man who held her with such care, putting himself before her when he felt she was in danger. By rights, he should have treated her with contempt, especially, as it was one of her kind that had wrought such changes in him. She catalogued each detail, trying to find something of him, but couldn’t. He looked nothing like his true form. His life must be hell to live with this curse, to have no control but still be aware of everything going on around him. It would have been kinder to have left him in stasis once he took this form, but then again, true black magic wasn’t known for kindness.
Her eyes once again rose to his horns, and then she realised what she was doing, standing here staring at him like a freak in a side show.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to be rude,” she murmured, clearing her throat. “I just came to let you know that Balin is sleeping easier now. His colour is a lot better and I’m hopeful that he will make a full recovery. When you are able, please come and join us, everyone is eating in the family dining room,” she informed him. Shivering, her arms crossed before her, trying to rub the chill out of her bones. There was a bite in the air as the sun sank lower in the sky. By rights she should now leave him in peace as she’d done what she’d come here for, but her eyes kept straying to his face. She had to dig her nails into her arms to stop herself reaching out to see if he felt as cold as the stone appeared. After a couple of minutes, she couldn’t hold off any longer, her hands practically itched with the need to touch him. Eventually, her curiosity got the better of her. “Again, I’m sorry, but you know I’ve got to feel your horns again,” she apologised to him, her hand rising. Lightly, she stroked over the large protrusions, from tip to his forehead. Her shocked eyes dropping to his presently colour and emotionless orbs, trying to make out if he could see. They looked as if they’d been chiselled into his face, so she was unsure as to how he’d be able to see anything. “They still feel soft and warm to the touch,” she murmured in wonder, her hand once again reaching up, when suddenly, there was a cracking sound. She froze, motionless, her hand still raised as now before her was Luc, the man. His ebony brow rose as he stood to his full height, wings stretching out from his back, in their natural, beautiful, shiny black. Green eyes, so full of life once more, sparkled with warmth as he gazed at her in enquiry.
She went to move back, but he quickly stopped her retreat. Keeping her hand in his much larger one, he once again brought it up to his now much small horns. He used his own, light grip to press her hand over one of them, stroking her fingers over their surface as he kept his gaze locked with hers. His mouth kicked up at the corner as her eyes widened as she felt their soft, smoothness once more beneath her delicate hand. Luc’s eyes dropped to her chest as it rose with her sharp inhalation.
“Have I alleviated your curiosity, Sophia?” His tongue seeming to stroke over the ‘I’ in her name, making it sound exotic in his thickly accented English. She bit her lip and nodded, trying to tug her hand free. “My turn now, don’t you think,” he purred, pulling her closer, refusing to release her hand. His other hand lifting, backs of his fingers gently running up her cheek to her temple, before running through her hair, sifting through the long strands as he released it. He stepped closer; her head tilting as he leaned down, still holding eye contact. He ran his nose up the length of her neck, inhaling, deeply a deep rumbling sounding in his chest. Then, he lifted a hand again, threading his fingers through her hair, and cradling the back of her head. He used his grip to hold her in place as he grazed his teeth over her ear lobe and felt her shudder. Nuzzling into her, his lips now trailed down the side of her face, moving along her chin before they finally settled over hers.
“You’re not the only one curious,” he whispered against her mouth, breath caressing her tingling flesh before he kissed her again. He deepened the contact, his tongue slipping over he
r bottom lip, stroking over the seam, before pushing inside. He then twined his tongue with hers, tasting her.
It had drove him to distraction as she’d first appeared, horrified as she’d stood before him. He’d been unable to see properly, but he’d heard her sharp intake of breath, her revulsion apparent as her body’s chemistry had gone into overdrive. Her scent had become sharper with her anxiety, her heart rate spiking and he’d wanted to shout, to tell her to leave him in peace. But then she’d began to really look at him, and her heart rate had settled; her usual citrus scent had risen once more, sweet and tempting. If he could have blinked, he would have at that point, because he’d been shocked as hell when her hand had lifted and stroked over his horn. Although he heard everything that went on around him, he was usually completely unaware of touch in this form, but he’d definitely felt hers. He’d felt the soft the sensation as she’d delicately caressed the protrusion; he’d felt it lower in his body also, as if she’d caressed a part of him that was now as hard as his body had previously been. He moved closer, releasing the hand he held and she wrapped it around his waist - resting below his wings. He pulled her tighter into him, devouring her mouth, drowning in her taste and the feel of her in his arms. His blood rushed through his veins, heating as other hungers rose to the surface, needs that hadn’t affected him for some time. It had been some years since he’d had a woman’s body beneath his own, taking the ultimate pleasure as his own body sank into her heat.
His haze of lust lifted, as footsteps could be heard from the house, getting closer; interrupting their moment. Reluctantly, he released her glistening mouth, eyes at half-mast as he stepped back into the shadows.
Sophia blinked her eyes open as Luc was suddenly gone, his heat and warmth no longer surrounding her.
“Hey, if you don’t hurry, the cubs will have eaten everything,” Helena shouted from the backdoor.
“Shall we,” Luc murmured, stepping forward once again, his hand pointing the way.
“Erm, sure,” Sophia replied, giving her head a shake to clear it as she turned to head into the house.
Was she losing the plot, had she just imagined that kiss? And what was a man who looked like Luc, doing with a woman of her age? Her back stiffened at that thought, and suspicion took root. Maybe he’d only done it to see how she’d react, maybe it was a way at getting back at her for staring without being violent, the ultimate payback. Her stomach dropped at the thought, shame and humiliation warring a battle inside her.
“Sophia, I can practically hear your mind,” Luc informed her quietly, as he fell into step by her side. “I don’t know what you mean,” she sniffed.
“I kissed you because I wanted to… no, because I needed to.”
“But…”
“Non, buts about it, I want you,” he told her as he pushed the door open and allowed her to enter before him. His knuckles grazed down the full length of her spine, before stroking over the curve of her buttocks making her shiver. She nearly tripped at the feel of his hands on her.
“Aunt Sophia,” Lana said, tapping the seat beside her.
“How are you feeling now?” Sophia asked as she slipped into the chair she indicated. Luc took the chair on the other side of her, turning it first so he straddled it and his wing brushed across her thigh as they settled.
“Luc, tea or coffee?” Maya asked from the doorway.
“Coffee, black, Merci,” he replied, leaning over and taking a sandwich from the tray, a very depleted tray as Adam once again shoved one into his mouth, grinning at him as he chewed. Luc scoffed, shaking his head at the grizzly.
“Right, Jaden and Sam will get you up to speed. I now have a full stomach, Adam rumbled, rising from his seat. “We have a date, so are off now to feed another appetite,” he said with a wink.
“Animal,” Luc growled with a shake of his head making Adam chuckle.
“Don’t you know it,” he winked as Nathan sighed, apologising for his twin, then left on his heels.
“Sophia, did you think about what we discussed,” Agatha asked from her seat beside Douglas. Luc’s head turned to watch her, smiling his thanks as Maya put a cup of coffee by his elbow.
“I have, but that depends on Luc,” Sophia replied, picking up a cup of tea, sighing at her first sip.
“What depends on me?” he asked, biting into the roast beef sandwich in his hand.
“Would you be willing to let me see if I can help with your curse?” she asked, unable to meet his gaze.
“Oui,” he replied, picking up his drink, taking a swallow of his coffee to chase down his sandwich.
“You’d trust me?”
“Oui,” he shrugged, a very Gaelic gesture. “You are not Maisie,” he informed her, picking up his cup again and watching her heatedly over the rim. Blushing at his interest, she nodded, then turned her attention to the rest of the conversation around the table.
Her appetite vanished, her whole body hyper alert to the man by her side. His heat and scent enveloping her, now and again a wing or a hand would brush over her thigh or arm making her shiver. At first, she thought it was an accident, but she watched his mouth kick up in satisfaction as his eyes picked up on her bodies reaction to him.
The damn man was driving her crazy, her, the woman who hadn’t dated since before her nieces had come to live with her. Why had her interest had to be piqued now, and why this man?
Chapter Eight
B alin woke to hear familiar music, something he’d not heard since his childhood. Eyes slowly opening, he turned his head to find Jaden sat beside him. As his eyes cleared he realised that candlelight lit the room, and the pleasing scent of herbs was thick in the air. He also became aware of a warm, soothing sensation and slight weight on his legs and abdomen. It was divine to not feel as if his body was being torn apart, and he took his first deep breath in what felt like forever.
“Don’t stop,” he murmured, voice croaking as silence descended on the room. “You used to sing that to me as a child. Please, I’ve not heard that for over one-hundred-and-ninety years.”
“I’m amazed you remembered,” Jaden replied, clearing his throat. Then sitting back in his chair, he averted his eyes and ran a hand around the back of his neck self-consciously.
“I could never remember the name; or the words, but I always remembered the melody.”
“All Through the Night or Ar Hyd Y Nos. It’s old, but one of the most widely known Welsh folk songs. Mother used to sing it to us both. Then as I got older, I began singing it to you when you couldn’t sleep. Apt really,” Jaden said, mouth twisting wryly as he slung one leg over the other and rested his left foot on his right knee.
“Why’s that?”
“The last verse.”
“Why, what’s the last verse?”
“Though sad fate our lives may sever. Parting will not last forever. There's a hope that leaves me never, all through the night.” Jaden spoked the words with melancholy lacing his voice and Balin frowned, not understanding what his brother meant.
“The words turned out to be rather apt. In our case, anyway,” Jaden informed him, dropping his foot, hands now a steeple beneath his chin as he leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees.
“Yeah, I suppose so,” Balin murmured, thinking about how long it took them to find each other again. He sighed at the thought, then yawned. “Jesus I’m tired.” Then he went to stretch, but came up short, his left arm hindered. His heart rate spiked at the sensation of not being able to move it.
“Hey, you okay?”
Swallowing, Balin looked towards his older brother, panic evident in his eyes as he tried to see what was stopping his movement. “Don’t dislodge the runes, they are to aid in your healing. Agatha would have my head if she thought I’d disturbed you.” Balin’s eyes dropped to his stomach, frowning at the little pebble like rocks, each carved with a symbol. He again tried to see behind him and Jaden stood up, putting his arm on his shoulder to stay him.
“Hey, it’s okay. It’s just a d
rip, you’re not tied, Balin,” Jaden murmured, swallowing at the look of panic his brother wore. “You needed fluids and a transfusion, that’s all. Lana gave you blood, but you still need hydrating,” he explained.
Balin looked over his shoulder, wincing as the movement pulled on his stomach. His shoulders relaxing as he spotted the bag of fluid hung behind him, half empty. He traced the clear, thin tubing going from the bag to the needle in his arm.
“Where’s Lana now?” he asked settling back again against the pillows.
“She’s having something to eat, she’ll be back shortly.”
“Are you okay, Jaden, you look a little tired?”
“I was worried about you, I wasn’t sure I’d get to see you again, get to know the man you’ve become.” He cleared his throat again, looking down.
“I’m okay, I’m doing okay. Did you manage to get her?”
“No. But we’re not giving up,” he assured his brother.
“Davion risked his life to save me,” Balin told him.
“I know, we’re trying to find him too.”
“God, what he’s been through,” Balin shook his head. “We thought he was as sick as the others, but Jesus, Jaden, he’s been nothing but a puppet for years. Can you imagine what that must do to him, knowing he was made to hurt his wife and child over, and over again, and unable to stop himself.” Balin shook his head, trying to get his head around what the man had been put through. “Adrian sold him to her. He gave his own brother over to that sick bitch.”
“It doesn’t bear thinking about,” Jaden replied. “Anyway, enough melancholy for now, are you hungry?” Just then Balin’s stomach rumbled loudly and Jaden grinned.
“I’m starving,” Balin admitted.
“Okay, hold tight, I’ll go grab you something to eat. I think the grizzlies may have left crumbs.”
“Ouch,” Balin laughed, holding his stomach.
“Lie still, or Agatha will have my head,” Jaden warned his brother as he left the room.
