Sleepwalker

by Brandy L Rivers

  “Deserved worse,” Nate and Jay snarled, both growling.

  Okay, that freaked her out a little, though she knew neither would touch her at the moment.

  “What did the bastard do?” Bran asked.

  “Planned to fuck me into submission or kill me. Guess he wasn’t expecting me to fight back, except I did last time.”

  “Going to kill him.” Bran joined the rumbling.

  Savon left the room, heading to the kitchen. For the first time, she noticed the house was completely different, and her paintings hung on nearly every wall.

  She stopped to stare at a self-portrait she painted soon after the miscarriage and froze, her heart thundering in her chest.

  Nate’s hands closed over her shoulders as tears fell down her face. “Why?”

  “You kept running. I needed something you created. Only it became something of an obsession.”

  “Why that one?”

  “It’s how you looked when I finally reached you.”

  “I was so broken, Nate. I sold it so I wouldn’t have to look at it.”

  “Only found it a few years ago. I was afraid to go to your exhibitions. If my father knew—shit, he would have destroyed you.”

  Savon turned, placing her hands on his chest. “Yeah, well, he’s not here now. And if he comes back, he’s not going to destroy me. I know a lot more about what I can do than he does. A werewolf doesn’t scare me.”

  “Does Nikolai?”

  She lifted a shoulder. “Not until recently, but only because he thinks I’ll shift sides, and he’s willing to tear me apart to prove it.”

  “Won’t let him. I finally have you here with me. Nothing is going to come between us until you tell me you don’t want me.” His attention never wavered.

  “I want you,” she whispered. “Thought too many things changed. Maybe they did, but not the important ones.”

  He dropped his lips to hers, threading his fingers into her hair as he kissed her breathless.

  The doorbell rang and she pulled away, looking up at Nate. “I wish—”

  He pressed his fingers to her mouth, laying his forehead against hers. “I have what I want—right here, in my arms. But I think Frannie is here to help with your wrists.”

  “She can heal third degree burns?”

  “And more.” He walked to the living room and opened the door.

  Savon came out with a raised brow.

  Frannie rushed in and frowned at Jay. “What is he doing here?”

  He threw his hands up and dropped into a chair. “Here to help. What do I have to do to prove that?”

  A smirk lifted the corners of her mouth. “As long as everyone is getting along, that works for me.” She walked to Savon with a look at her wrists. “Need to see the damage.”

  Savon lifted her hands to unwrap the bandages, but Nate took over, quickly revealing the burns.

  “Damn, who did this to you?” Frannie asked, her eyes wide.

  Her eyes closed. “My ex. Can we not discuss that mess?”

  “You need to talk to someone.”

  “Did already. For my sanity, that can wait until never.”

  “No. Nope. You need to tell me, and if I need to contact the Silver Council, I will,” Frannie promised.

  “Shit, one of Tremaine’s other thirds is the Magister. I think I have the Silver Council covered.”

  Bran’s mouth fell open. “Are you kidding me?”

  Frannie bit her lip. “Might hurt at first.”

  “No worse than it did when the bastard burned me,” she answered.

  Fran’s eyes closed as her shoulders rose and fell. She was probably counting to ten. When she opened them, she took Savon’s forearms and worked the spell.

  The burn flared, then started to recede. Savon held her breath through it, willing the pain away.

  Nate closed in, his arms wrapped around her waist as he nuzzled her neck. Savon watched the burns fade, her skin mend. Then it was gone, with it the pain between her thighs, and around her throat.

  Did she know what Nikolai did? Or was Frannie just that good?

  Savon hugged Frannie. “Thank you.”

  “I need to get going, but you’re going to talk to me, and soon.” Frannie left the house.

  Before she could think, her phone rang. Savon didn’t have it to her ear before Tremaine demanded, “Where are you?”

  “Next door. You here already?”

  “Yeah, Robert can take us anywhere in a second.”

  She stepped outside, and Nate followed, wrapping an arm around her waist.

  Leaning down, he looked across the yard and softly growled against her ear. “You got to stop jumping to run out. My wolf is having a fit, trying to understand why you won’t let me protect you.”

  She spun, meeting his gaze. “Nate, relax. Please.” She turned back. “Tremaine, over here,” she called out.

  His eyes locked on hers, so did Robert’s and another man’s. Then all three stood before Savon in the next heartbeat.

  Nate pulled her back with a snarl.

  She couldn’t resist a laugh. “Calm down. I trust Trem.”

  Tremaine’s brow arched at Nate before swinging his attention back to her. “You two work things out?”

  “Yeah, but come inside and I’ll tell all of you at once.” Savon managed a smile.

  “Can I have a word with you, alone?” Tremaine asked.

  “Yes.” Savon turned to face Nate. “Please, trust him.”

  Nate dipped his head and stepped inside. “This way, gentlemen.”

  The one she didn’t know snorted, but followed.

  Tremaine gently caught her arm. Savon walked away from the door.

  “That’s Nate?”

  She nodded.

  “He’s definitely an Alpha wolf, and he loves you, Sav. He needs you safe. Give him a break.”

  “I am. But he needs to relax, or I’ll put off sex until this is over. He’ll only get more protective. He doesn’t understand what I can do yet. I’m not good with someone breathing down my neck.”

  Tremaine chuckled. “You’re not going to last. You figure it out on your way home?”

  “Yeah, hours to think. And then, after the attack, he did exactly what I needed. I just need to trust what’s always been between us.”

  “Better get in there then.”

  She nodded. “Hey, you have no idea how much I appreciate you coming.”

  “Glad I could.”

  She stepped inside and started introductions. “This is Nate, my brother Bran, and Jay. And this is Tremaine, Robert, and I’m sorry, I don’t know you.” She met the stranger’s pale blue eyes. She’d seen him, but never spoke to him.

  “Preston Emrys.” His smirk held mischief, but Tremaine wouldn’t have brought him if he didn’t trust him.

  Something Nikolai said came back. Branches of Emrys. He had Merlin on one arm, and a lady of the lake on the other. Merlin had been known as Myrddin Emrys. Her head spun through possibilities. And Old Lady Murdock had a book with symbols that revolved around old legends. When asked about it, she told her it was the crest of the Branches of Emrys.

  What the hell was she missing?

  Preston’s gaze followed hers. He chuckled, tipping his head to Tremaine. “She doesn’t miss much. You said she lived with Old Lady Murdock and you all?”

  “Above the garage. She doesn’t know the whole story, not yet. But I can’t get a hold of Ceridwen, and I don’t give a damn what Draecyn thinks. She needs to know. That means they need to know too.”

  “We staying?” Robert asked.

  “I am. Liz will understand. If you two go, I’ll be fine. But I’m not letting that asshole hurt her again.”

  “Oh, I’m staying,” Robert answered.

  “Me too,” Preston agreed.

  That was a relief. Savon finally relaxed, knowing she had several mages nearby.

  * * * *

  Nate
wanted to trust Savon, but he didn’t like three strange men coming to Savon’s aid with no warning. “What the fuck is going on? Why do we need the Magister of the Silver Council, his lieutenant, and you?”

  Savon’s eyes blazed. “You don’t get it, Nate. None of you can stand against Nikolai and whatever allies he has. If he were a wolf, sure. Or another shifter. This is a mage, one bordering on dark arts. You saw my wrists. How are you going to counter a fireball?”

  Tremaine stepped between them. “We’re here as backup. She’s right. Wolves alone aren’t going to win this battle, especially if more of his organization comes out. If Canagan called him specifically, then something he’s searching for is somewhere around here, and I have a feeling Savon is the key.”

  “What are you talking about?” Savon asked, her eyes wide.

  “Your parents were part of the Branches of Emrys. It’s no surprise you wound up with old Lady Murdock when you did.”

  Savon paced away.

  Tremaine caught her arm, stopping her motion. “Look, I didn’t know about any of that shit at the time. I swear I had no fucking clue.”

  Nate let out a growl. “Take your hands off her.”

  Tremaine lifted his hands, a chuckle bubbling up. “Calm down, pup. We’re old friends. I’m not here to steal her away. In fact, I talked her into actually listening to you and following her heart. I’m on your side, buddy.”

  Savon elbowed Tremaine lightly. “You’re a pain, you know that?” She turned back to Nate. “He’s right. If he hadn’t talked some sense into me, I may still be avoiding you.”

  Shit, he had this asshole to thank? Not comforting considering he recognized Tremaine from earlier dreams. He helped her get over him…then sent her back? Fuck, he needed to get her alone to talk to her.

  Nate managed a nod, breathing through the anger and doubt. “What do you suggest?”

  “We explain what you’re dealing with and why. And I promise, I didn’t learn of any of this until a few months back. I don’t have all the answers, but I’ll tell you what I know.”

  “How is Ms. Murdock involved?” Savon asked.

  “She’s one of the upper members of the Branches of Emrys.”

  She nodded at Preston. “And how is he involved?”

  “Myrddin is his grandfather, but apparently, he’s trapped in another plane, and has been the last century. You know about HARP. There’s a higher level, more secretive, and they worked with the Dark Templar.” HARP stood for Humans Against Radical Paranormals. Humans who fell in with them hunted Others. The rest of the group took others to stir up trouble. She didn’t know about this higher tier but she knew plenty about the Dark Templar.

  “Fucking hate those bastards,” Savon muttered

  Robert’s brow wrinkled. “How do you know of them?”

  “Everyone knows of them, and my father was a sorcerer powerful enough to garner their attention. Ms. Murdock told me to always watch for them.”

  “Shit. Okay, that makes sense,” Preston answered. “Who was your father?”

  Savon sighed. “Darron Roantree.”

  “Yeah, that explains so much. The man commanded any entity who came near him. It took Fawn to tame him,” Preston answered.

  Tremaine’s brow arched. “Didn’t think you’d know about them. They fell off the radar long ago.”

  “My mother knew Darron well. I met him when I was a kid. He would show up at my mother’s café every ten years or so. Last time I saw him, Fawn was with him.”

  “When was that? They’d been here for forty years.”

  Shrugging, Preston answered, “Thirty years ago, or so.”

  “How the fuck old are you?” Bran blurted out.

  “Ninety. He’s the old one.” He tipped his head at Tremaine.

  Nate bit back his first remark, trying to remember age was a number past a certain point. His own father had a couple thousand years under his belt. Maybe a few.

  “Okay, and how does that figure into this Branches of Emrys?”

  Tremaine turned to Nate. “Ceridwen had Fawn hide an artifact. Darron’s spirits made it impossible to find. Canagan wanted it. Probably why she showed up here.” He rubbed at his face. “How did she find out?”

  Savon shook her head. “Don’t have any clue. Never heard of it until Nikolai mentioned it.”

  “I’ve heard my father mention it a few times,” Nate offered. “I don’t know anything other than he knew of it.”

  “I wonder if that was why he wanted Fawn in the first place,” Tremaine muttered.

  “Where is Old Lady Murdock?” Savon asked.

  “Scotland. I got a hold of her, and she’ll be here after she figures something out.” Tremaine rolled his eyes. “I’d tell you what if I knew.”

  “She always was secretive,” Savon muttered. “Need somewhere to stay?”

  “We’ll go to a hotel, motel, whatever is nearby. Pretty sure we don’t want to be in your way when things calm down. After you tell me everything Nikolai did from breaking your trust to attacking you. I assume all three of these werewolves are growly because they found you in a much worse state than you’re in now.”

  Savon’s eyes swept to Nate and she gulped.

  “I’m not going to judge you,” Nate promised. “You told me part of it already.”

  Nate caught Tremaine’s grin from the corner of his eye.

  She stood straighter and started a couple weeks before moving back. He listened to the story, his rage building with every new detail. Savon distanced herself from everyone with every new piece. As soon as the story was done, she’d bolt.

  Nate did his best to calm himself. Being there for her meant not flying off the rails, which he was dangerously close to doing. The idea of anyone putting their hands on her in anger, and then trying to take what they wanted boiled his blood. He’d never wanted to commit murder so damned bad in his life.

  Savon ended at the willow tree and reached for the door.

  Nate breezed past everyone, slamming his hand against the door before she could open it. He held the other hand up, pleading. “You have every right to need room after that, but you’re not walking out right now. We’re all here for you.”

  Her hazel eyes glowed with magic. Her chest rose and fell. “I’m barely holding on, Nate. I get too emotional, I can’t control what happens. Outside is better.”

  “Don’t worry about that,” Tremaine offered. “We can deal with whatever comes.”

  “Can’t see them,” she pointed out.

  “None of us are afraid of you or what comes with you,” Bran added.

  Jay didn’t look too sure, but he nodded. Seemed the more he learned the less interested he was in her, at least sexually. He was still pissed someone hurt her. Maybe the bastard wasn’t the asshole he believed.

  “Please, stay,” Nate whispered.

  Closing her eyes, she nodded. “Okay.”

  Relieved, he stayed near her. There was always the chance she’d bolt anyway.

  Tremaine took a seat. “Nikolai wants the Wolfssengen Pendant. It’s supposed to be the key to breaking through the dimensional barriers. It’s also rumored to break bonds. I know Nikolai is part of the Dark Templar, but there was a time he worked for HARP, and they certainly want to bring another realm into this one, creating something else.”

  “The Burning Dawn,” Savon answered.

  “Yeah. They’ll rip our dimension apart to bring the remains of theirs, causing a chain reaction that merges the two. Very few would survive.”

  “Yeah, got that. Some of the spirits filled me in on more than that.”

  “I’m trying to figure out why Ceridwen didn’t ask you to join her already. She’s been replacing fallen members.” Tremaine hopped up and paced away.

  “So you’re part of it now?”

  “Haven’t committed yet,” Preston answered. “None of us is real sure what to think. And since we haven’t definitely said yes, we haven’t been
told everything.”

  Savon nodded, leaning against the wall. “Ms. Murdock rarely shared details unless I needed to know. And this is big. They’re trying to prevent something that is only whispered about by those in the know. And most of them don’t want to believe it’s a possibility.”

  Jay moved toward the door. “I need to open the bar soon, but I’ll listen to see if I can find out anything.”

  Savon met his blue eyes. “Hey, thank you for finding me.”

  He nodded. “I may be an asshole, but there are lines I won’t cross. I hope you remember that.”

  Bran looked from the mages, at Jay, and back at Savon. Then he sighed. “Yeah, Jay, thank you for coming to me. I shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions.”

  A laugh burst free, and Jay moved in front of Savon. “If you need help, don’t hesitate to ask. I’m sorry he hurt you.”

  “Thanks, but I’m more sorry I didn’t killed the bastard.”

  “I knew there was a reason I liked you.” He ducked out the door before she could answer.

  Tremaine stood and offered a smile. “Until we have some more information, we’re going to take off. We’ll be nearby in case something happens, and Preston can see if he can track down either Canagan or Nikolai. I have a feeling it’s not going to be that easy.”

  “Keep me posted. Please.” Savon hugged Tremaine, and Nate had to close his eyes and force down the possessive streak. They didn’t act like ex-lovers. They acted like old friends.

  It reminded him of his relationship with Evangeline. They made a drunken mistake and attempted to run with it. Neither of them could make that work. He needed to fess up to Savon and before Bran managed to get them all in one place.

  Tremaine bent to whisper, “Let Nate in. Stop pushing so damned hard and follow your heart.”

  “I am.” She shoved him toward the door. “You have no idea how relieved I am you came.”

  “You only had to ask for help. See you later, Sav. I’ll be in touch when I either have more information, or have the bastard.”

  Robert dipped his head, though Nate didn’t miss the curiosity on his face. And Preston waved before heading out.