Sleepwalker

by Brandy L Rivers

  He pushed her hands aside and dropped his pants before tossing his shirt against the wall. Then he slid her shorts down and rid her of the tank top. Covering her breasts with his hands, he kissed her neck.

  “Think it will rain?”

  “It’s coming.”

  He lifted her off her feet, flipped the latch, and carried her down to the beach.

  Laughing, she looked back. “I can walk.”

  “Need a second to get a handle on this raging desire.”

  “Don’t need control. I want it all.”

  * * * *

  Did she have any idea what she was inviting?

  Nate set her down. She turned to him and took a step toward the water.

  “Where do you think you’re going?”

  Her hazel eyes sparkled. “Come get me, Nate.”

  He dove forward, spinning her so he could haul her against his body and set her on a weathered log before taking her mouth.

  The first raindrop landed between his shoulder blades as she turned him to sit beside her. She rose up on her knees, and he straddled the log, pulling her against his body as she pressed tight.

  Her fingers combed into his hair as rain pattered around them, falling on their bodies, the leaves above, the sand and water.

  He wrapped an arm around her hips and lifted her up, laying her back as he reached down and slid his fingers into her.

  “Ready, please, fuck me,” she begged.

  Nate sank into her. Her eyes fluttered as her breath caught. A moan escaped. She rolled, landing him ass first in the sand as she rose over him, rivulets of water rolling down her curves as her mouth crashed over his.

  He lifted her, moving to kneel as he guided her hips over his cock. They’d always fit, two interlocking pieces, neither complete without the other.

  Love, deep, true, and worth fighting for.

  The mistakes of their parents nearly kept them apart, but no more. Together, they’d find their way.

  He needed more. Her body undulated, taking him in, but he spun, pinning her upright against the log as he drove deeper, harder.

  “Yes, that!” she chanted, driving him faster.

  All fear evaporated as she urged him on, her grip tightening as he pushed past all limits and control. Pure need roared through him, his wolf rising but not taking over, something he should have feared, but this felt better than anything that had come before.

  Her arms locked around his neck, her hands holding his head as she kissed him deeper, giving as much as she took. She’d never been a dormant partner, she interacted, making sure he knew who he belonged to.

  Pleasure flared, passion burned hotter. He was nearing climax as rain washed away the sins of their past. She broke the connection of their mouths and bit down where neck meets shoulder.

  The instant pain took the pleasure to a whole new level as he slammed into her several more times while they found their peak and soared into bliss.

  Colors burst through everything. Her love painted the world in a new light. Vibrant, expressive.

  He lay back, bringing her with him. The rain came down softer.

  Savon curled tighter, running her finger over the tender spot on his neck. She pressed a kiss, sending a thrill of magic through him.

  He lifted her face, capturing her attention. “Do you like this place?”

  “Love it. Love you.”

  Lightning hit the ocean and she grinned as thunder crashed.

  “Better take you inside.” He stood, scooping her into his arms, and ran to the house.

  “I don’t mind the storm.”

  “We can watch from the bed.”

  “Don’t want to sleep,” she whispered.

  “Not going to let you,” he promised. “I’m going to hold you, then I’ll make love to you again. Sometime soon I’m going to feed you because I plan to be famished by then.”

  “Mmm, and after I eat I should ward our beach house, and the property.”

  “Will that take long?”

  She shook her head. “Not at all. You can make love to me to reward me for a job well done when I finish.”

  “Was going to do that anyway.”

  Chapter 37

  Bran sat in his office, contemplating whether to interrupt Nate and Savon, or ask someone else who might have a better idea what they were dealing with. Fran managed to work her magic to eradicate the toxin after Bran gave Clay the antidote, but where had the violet starlets come from?

  He knew what it was. His mother taught him about a Fae flower named violet starlets. Tiny star-shaped, purple flowers. Crushing the petals and stems and steeping in water produced a toxin that addicted the victim. Take it away and they would die if they quit cold-turkey.

  Something that grew in the Sylvan Forest. Bran sat back and pulled the card out of his pocket. A Good Book in Edenton Washington. Shaking his head, he punched in the number and called Savon’s friendly mage.

  “This is Tremaine,” he answered.

  “I was going to wait until I talked to Nate, but they need a night without the bullshit. And I have a problem I’m hoping you can help me with—or at least provide some answers.”

  “What’s going on?”

  “There was a wolf who prowled around Savon’s a couple times too many. He’s in a cell right now. And yeah, Nate and I both did some major damage to him, but Nate put him back together. He wasn’t healing how he should. He has all the signs of withdrawal from violet starlets.”

  “Canagan.” Tremaine sighed. “Might be how she’s keeping some of the wolves under her thumb.” He rubbed at his head, then nodded. “There’s an antidote. I know someone who could get it.”

  “We took care of it. I have my mother’s herb journals, and everything we need to counter in the woods around the house.”

  “That’s good. How long has he been in a cell?”

  “Few days. I couldn’t smell the rot when I brought him in but sensed something off.”

  “She may have been withholding it until he gave her answers. Wouldn’t be the first time. Now, I wonder if any other wolves are having this issue.”

  “Couldn’t tell you. I sensed something off a few days ago, but the black stain started yesterday. At least his healing is back to normal now.”

  “Good. Want me to take a look at him?”

  “Maybe to be on the safe side. Make sure we didn’t miss anything.”

  “He harmed Savon?” Tremaine asked.

  “No, but he wanted to.”

  “Figured. She wouldn’t have let him live if he pushed her too far. You don’t have to worry about her.”

  “The coma,” Bran reminded Tremaine.

  “Yeah, but worse would have happened to Nate. So let’s drop that argument.”

  “You really do believe she can handle herself?”

  “Against nearly anything. And after Nadya teaches her to better control her sorceress powers without falling to the demon side, she’ll be even stronger.”

  “That a good thing?”

  “Yes, because she fears the darkness within. And with Nate there to balance her, she’s not going to fall. She’s smarter than that anyway.”

  “Come to the precinct. Bring who you need. I want to be sure we didn’t miss any other problems. And please have Robert bring you. I don’t want the other wolves to know about your trip out.”

  “You got it.”

  * * * *

  “Think we should take this wolf to the Silver Council?” Robert asked.

  Tremaine shook his head. “Leave it up to them. It’s pack business, it’s not spilling into the human population, and if Nate is going to take this pack, his choices and actions will affect how the rest of the wolves react.”

  “Okay, but if he’s a problem, we can stop it now,” Robert offered.

  “And also hurt the pack dynamic.” He snorted. “We’re here for Savon, and to make sure the Wolfssengen Pendant doesn’t fall into the wrong han
ds. Let Nate prove he can be a strong Alpha.”

  “All right.” Robert stood and glanced at Preston. “Are you coming as well?”

  “May as well. This town doesn’t have much to do, and I miss my woman.”

  “Yeah, me too, but this whole situation could change in a moment,” Robert added.

  “Then let’s go,” Tremaine said. He missed Liz, but they had just spoken before Bran called with news.

  They appeared in the precinct, and Preston’s head cocked. “Werewolves are prowling nearby,” Preston whispered.

  Bran entered the room from a hidden door. “Yeah, and they’re on our side. Making sure the rest don’t find Clay before Savon and Nate are back. Though, he’s resting peacefully now. The corruption of the toxin caused is gone.” He rubbed at his head. “I don’t think anyone but Canagan could find the violet starlet plant. It’s in Faery, can’t grow on Earth, according to my mother.”

  “It can if grown correctly. Canagan always has it handy.”

  “Would explain why a number of the pack get sick and die when they displease Canagan.”

  “Who were these wolves?”

  “All of them had ties to Canagan, but two of them were enforcers of Killian.”

  “And where are the rest of Killian’s enforcers now?”

  “They left after Killian died. None of them wanted to be under his rule, and without an Alpha, there was a good chance that Jay would have destroyed them. A couple of them came to me, to see if I knew a way to counter the toxin. I’m lucky my mother taught me that much.”

  Tremaine nodded. “Most new Alphas would clear house. I’m curious why they came to you.”

  “They know what Canagan is, know what I am. Hoped I would have an answer.”

  Robert looked at Tremaine. “I think it’s worth looking into Clay’s head. We can get a better idea of what Canagan wants with Nate and Savon.”

  “Pretty sure Nate got that out of him. Canagan wanted her out of the way, hoping it would tear Nate down.”

  “Would it have?”

  “Yeah, it would.”

  “Killian was a real asshole,” Tremaine muttered. “And I understand he’s your father too.”

  “Yeah, but I didn’t know that until the fucker saved my life. At that point, I was fine with dying. He could have saved my wife. No, he waited until she was dead, and I was ready to let everything go. He knew what I was losing when Margaret got sick and finally died. He didn’t make a move then. He knew about Meridian, about the awakening. Shit…my mother could have done something too.”

  Tremaine ran a hand through his hair. “Sorry. I never realized who Savon’s parents were. I knew what she was, but I fell out of touch with Darron decades ago. And I had only heard stories about Fawn. I didn’t know him well enough to know they were together and had kids.”

  Bran shrugged. “It’s okay. Darron blamed himself for a massacre thirty-five years ago. He came out to Silvertail Ridge to leave the guilt behind.”

  “Did it work?” Preston asked.

  “He refused to train Savon. Taught her some control and to lock away the power,” Bran answered.

  Tremaine huffed. “Oh, he found someone to lock down her magic. I think he knew better than to come to me. Ms. Murdock explained her power had already manifested before they attempted to lock it down.”

  “Why?” Bran inquired.

  “Some types of casters can go through the process early. Without maintenance it wears off. Sometimes, stress can tear it apart and all hell breaks loose. Like with Savon.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  Tremaine rubbed at his head. “Ask her. It’s not for me to share if she hasn’t.”

  Robert walked to the cell. “Sylvan magic still surrounds him. Not sure what it’s meant for.”

  “He could be a problem,” Preston pointed out.

  Bran lifted a shoulder. “For now, he stays. I can call Nate if I need to, let him decide, but I’m not making that call.”

  “Why?” Tremaine asked, genuinely curious.

  “He’s my brother. Shit, I wasn’t even surprised when I learned. Things were always strained between my parents and his. Of my friends, Nate is the wisest. He reads a situation, knows how to resolve it. He lacked the confidence, but he’s gained that, even before Savon moved back.”

  “Let us know if you need us,” Tremaine said and reached for Robert. Preston touched Robert’s back, and they were back in the hotel room.

  “I think we need to go to Draecyn’s. See what we can find about the Wolfssengen Pendant.”

  Robert dropped into a seat. “Supposed to make the wearer mad. Also forges or breaks any bond they share with another. Or supposed to. I remember the story my father used to tell me.”

  “Can you tell it?” Tremaine asked.

  “I don’t remember all of it, but the pendant was sought by wolves to break their mate bond when one went feral or crazed. The Fae created it to break bonds forced on one, or those that forged and were corrupted. It can also bind a person to the wearer. Without the pendant, it can’t be broken.”

  “You think Canagan used it against Killian?” Preston asked.

  “That or the other way around,” Tremaine answered. “I don’t know. They both wanted the pendant. That much I knew. And at times Killian and Canagan were lovers. Shit…after how he made her a wolf, I don’t know what to think.”

  “I’m not sure I want to know.” Robert stood. “Think Draecyn will share his knowledge?”

  “Only one way to find out.”

  Chapter 38

  Savon stood in the open sun room, painting the view in vivid colors he only vaguely saw. Nate only had a taste of how she saw the world.

  In her element, Savon was breathtaking. She swayed to music only she heard, painting things few ever saw with their own eyes.

  Ceridwen was on the way with Mircea and Nadya. Part of him wished they could have dealt with it sooner, but he knew the moment he took the pack, he would be challenged by someone. Question was who.

  He stole a day now, because it could take months for things to settle down. If she had said no, they would have moved anywhere she wanted. Though whoever these Dark Templar were would still come for him and this pendant he only heard mentioned a few times through the years.

  The bell rang, and he walked to the door.

  Nadya looked up at him with a blush. “Is Savon ready?”

  “This way, though give her a moment. She was painting.”

  Nadya nodded. “I think most of us find an outlet. Some don’t find it until much later in life.”

  “She’s always been an artist.” He led them to the sun room.

  Savon looked up from cleaning her brushes. “Morning. I’ll be ready in a minute.”

  Nadya walked into the room, past Savon, to look at the painting. “This is beautiful.”

  Savon smiled. “Thank you. Take it with you.”

  “Really?”

  Lifting her head, she nodded out the window. “I can paint it again. Nate made sure of that.”

  He couldn’t help the smile that spread on his face.

  “Let’s step outside,” Mircea whispered.

  Nate took one last look at Savon and led them out front. Ceridwen followed.

  “Nadya will need time alone with her to decide the best route to train Savon.”

  “Will it take long?”

  “Not for the basics. But I believe Nadya likes Silvertail Ridge. Which means I’m more than happy to stay until Savon has a firm grasp on her abilities.”

  “Unfortunately, I think we’re running out of time to act. I don’t know how much time you’ve spent in Silvertail Ridge, but there are definitely factions, and with Jay losing interest in leading, or maybe that was never his interest, everything is shifting, for the worse. Something needs to happen concerning my father.”

  “Agreed. Which is why Nadya will focus on the biggest concerns first, then she can take he
r time as things settle down.”

  Nate leaned against the rail of the porch. “Sorry about my reaction when I first saw you.”

  “Don’t concern yourself with that. I know what my brother was capable of. It’s part of the reason we move campsites often, and always where he’s unlikely to find us. There are women there he’s hurt in the past.”

  “Did he start off an asshole?”

  “No. He could be quite charming when he wanted something, or someone. Sooner or later, his personality always shines through the façade. He could go a decade before that happened, unless something made him slip. Like this pendant. And no, I don’t want it, but I do know what would happen if he had given it to his superiors.”

  “Would it be the end of the world?” Nate asked.

  “Our way of life would end. The environment wouldn’t be livable to most of us.”

  “We need to stop my father. And Canagan. Shit, I don’t know what she wants with it, but I don’t believe it’s the same thing Nikolai wanted it for.”

  “Don’t worry about the pendant for now,” Ceridwen said. “After you take control of the pack, there will be plenty to discuss.”

  Nate turned toward her. “Why not now?”

  “One thing at a time,” she suggested.

  * * * *

  Nadya walked to the glass door and stepped outside. Savon followed, wondering if the girl would actually talk, teach her anything, or if she’d wind up like the others.

  “The spirits flock to you. Even more than they ever have to me.” Nadya walked to the water’s edge. “It’s nice. They aren’t pelting me with requests and questions.”

  Savon froze, her head cocked. “Questions? Requests? Sure, they occasionally want something, a few insist, and I send them away. But most don’t pester.”

  “They’re afraid of you. That’s why. Most of us can’t send them away for good. I take it you can?”

  Savon shrugged. “I guess. I mean, I honestly don’t know for sure.”

  Nadya turned to her, her dark eyes penetrating. “What happens when you get tired of hearing them?”

  “Used to tuning them out. But the ones who insist go away when I blow up at them. I tell them to go and they’re gone.”