by Jo Ellen
He waited patiently for his brothers to quit laughing. “Are you done? Cause I’m clueless.” Devlin jumped up to pace. “Practically overnight she’s changed her mind and accepts being my mate? It has to be the drugs unless she had a sudden epiphany and realized we’re mates. Yeah, I don’t think so.” He sat again and plucked at the grass.
“Maybe a ghost told her you were her one and only true love.” Ian’s sarcastic comment wasn’t helping.
Devlin threw a lump of dirt at his head.
Rafe broke in before they could start wrestling, and shrugged. “Talk to her. That Tarzan crap doesn’t cut it.”
Ian looked at Rafe in astonishment. “You’re one to talk. I seem to remember Lisa coming to visit Stephanie and ending up at our house.”
“I had to protect her,” Rafe said simply. “Anyway, ask her once the drugs have had time to wear off. The mate bond isn’t one way you know, she’s feeling it too. Let’s head back, the more time you spend with her, the stronger the bond.”
* * *
“I’m bored.” Olivia turned the TV off and dropped the remote on the table. “I wonder if Devlin’s had his guy work on my car?”
“We can go and find out. The guys have a garage here on the property they work out of, come on lets go.” Melanie led the way, pulling Olivia toward the back door.
Her car was up on ramps with a pair of muscled, jean clad legs sticking out the side. The man under the car rolled out and stood, wiping his hands on his shop rag. His eyes widened when he saw Olivia standing with Melanie.
“Hello, mo ghraidh,” Niall drawled, staring at Olivia.
Olivia heard the growl behind her and knew Devlin had returned. Smiling, she strolled forward, making sure to sway with each step before leaning into Niall.
“Niall,” she purred as she reached up to kiss his cheek. “Thank you for working on my car.”
Melanie looked back and forth between Niall and Devlin, waiting for the explosion she knew to be coming. Ian’s arm came around her waist, pulling her back against him.
“Damn, she really knows how to torture a guy,” Ian whispered in his mate’s ear. He raised his voice to be heard by Olivia. “You’re mean. I like that in a woman.”
Olivia’s innocently turned back to the brothers. “I don’t know what you mean. Oh, hey Devlin, I didn’t know you were back.”
Devlin knew intellectually she was trying to get even after he’d turned her down this morning. But his wolf was ready to rip their old friend apart. He nodded to Niall, “Niall.” He took his time walking over to her, making sure he had his fury locked down. Niall like to flirt, he knew that. Hell, they both enjoyed flirting with any female the way a chocolate addict loves cocoa. Taking her hand, he led her away.
“Wait, I want to know how my car is coming along.” Olivia tugged his arm to make him stop.
“He’ll let us know. Come along love, we need to talk.”
Olivia could hear Ian’s comments as she followed Devlin.
“Babe, think you could get yourself some heels like that?”
Ian grunted when Melanie elbowed him. “Sure, Fifi. I’d love a pair, and they only cost $700.”
Olivia snorted when she heard Ian’s exclamation.
Devlin sat her down on the sofa in his office, not releasing her hand.
“Niall’s a great guy, isn’t he? Always so nice and charming.” She watched his jaw clench and thought, just maybe, she had gone too far.
Devlin decided it was time to turn the tables. “Yes my love, he is a great guy. We’ve been friends for many years. In fact, I think he’d be a great third. What do you think? Should we invite him into our bed?”
Olivia’s mouth dropped open. “What? No!” She was practically stuttering trying to get the words out as she tried to scoot away from him.
Devlin pounced, pinning her down with his body on top of hers. His voice purred in her ear, “Good to know, my love. Had you answered differently, I would have had to spank that beautiful ass.”
Olivia stiffened beneath him. “Get off me you ass. You think you’re some kind of Dom or something? I think you’ve been reading too many of your sister-in-laws books.”
Devlin chuckled. “Didn’t you know? All male wolves are Doms. We just never felt the need to name it.”
Devlin leaned back and watched her wiggle out to sit in the corner of the sofa.
“I want to go back to Charlie’s and get to work.”
“No.”
“What do you mean, no? You are not my keeper. I’m an adult, I make my own decisions.”
“You’re going to tell me what changed your mind. Yesterday you denied you’re my mate, today you wake up and suddenly come to the realization that you’re mine. So, no more games, why do you accept my claim now?” Devlin waited while she adjusted her dress and smoothed the lines out by running her hands down her thighs.
This would be much easier if he would just kiss her and shut up, she grumbled under her breath. She felt like a fool trying to explain her quick turn around.
“Umm, I had a revelation?” Crap, that was supposed to be a statement, not a question.
Devlin stared at her, unblinking.
“I feel it too, okay? You’re the one for me, the stars are aligned, the earth is on its axis, everything is right in the world, blah, blah, blah.” She sat back and crossing her arms, dared him to laugh.
He held his laughter in, barely as he inched closer to her. “My love, your declaration makes my heart soar.”
She tried to shove him back, but he didn’t budge. “Oh, shut up.”
Lifting her up, he placed her in his lap with her butt snuggled up to his groin. Sweet torture. Devlin blew the hair away from her ear and whispered, “Tonight. The medication will be out of your system by then, and I’ll claim you.” Olivia shivered.
“Afterwards, we’ll go down to the pond and you’ll accept your gift from the Faery Queen and become a werewolf. Normally our pack would come along to watch and celebrate with us, but I don’t want to wait for a formal ceremony. You’ll be stronger, live longer and heal faster.”
“Will it hurt?” she asked quietly as she snuggled into his neck.
“No, this is pure magic. No morphing because of the moon or cracking bones. The magic simply takes over and transforms you.”
Olivia relaxed in his arms, letting her worries fall away.
Chapter 6
Willie woke with the expected disorientation, which seemed to be his new normal. Taking a moment, he looked around trying to figure out where he was. Oh yeah, now he remembered. He always woke up back in his crappy apartment.
He laughed knowing the residents in the building had no idea he haunted the place. The room had not changed at all, still dreary and dirty. He wondered if they would rent the place out eventually and thought of the fun he could have with any new tenants.
There was something he wanted to do, he knew. Thinking hard, he remembered. The pond. That place was incredible, the power embedded in the water called to him. He needed to get back there, but he was confused about how he’d found the pond in the first place.
Sitting on the edge of his dirty mattress, he pushed through the memories, trying to take hold and capture the pond in his head. That was the trick. Picture it and he could transport himself there.
A moment later he stood at the waters edge across from a castle. He stared at the monstrosity thinking some old couple probably lived there with more money than brains.
Walking into the water, he felt his essence absorb the energy. He felt godlike, indestructible. Dying wasn’t so bad. He could go wherever he wanted with no one to stop him.
Now, if he could find that last girl that had gotten away. That one still troubled him. There was something different about her, something he couldn’t get a handle on.
She’d been an easy target. He’d seen her talking on her phone as she left the student center, unaware he stood in the shadows, watching.
When he shot the electrodes from his Taser
, she’d crumbled gracelessly into his arms. He had no problem pouring her onto his trucks bench seat with the electrodes still attached to her body. Bending her knees, he arranged her on her side and shut his passenger door before going around to the drive’s side.
Sliding in, he picked his Taser back up from the floorboard where he had placed it. He would need to shock her every few minutes to keep her down, he knew.
The parking lot was dark, courtesy of the BB gun he carried in his truck. He chuckled. No one realized the damage a simple BB gun could do. Quiet but powerful under the right circumstance.
He felt her head move against his thigh, surprising him, so he automatically shocked her again. This bitch was strong. His other victims had been crying and slobbering after the first shot.
He slowly rolled out onto the road, not wanting the attention of any police. The college was right off the highway which made getting away so much easier. He did not have far to go before he turned off onto a dirt track which led to an abandoned camper surrounded by dense trees.
Carrying her inside, he stretched her out on the bed and clamped heavy chains around her wrist. He then took a towel and wrapped it around her mouth to keep her quiet before shocking her again.
He laughed as he watched her muscles twitch in agony. “Sorry baby, but I’ve gotta go to a rodeo. I’ve already paid my entrance fee, and I can’t disappoint the fans. But don’t fret, sweetheart, I’ll be back to ride you later. By the way, those chains are connected to steel poles I drilled into the ground. But go ahead and tear those dainty little wrists apart and try to get loose. What’s a little blood between friends?” Willie winked as he walked off. He felt a shiver go down his spine hearing her animal like scream behind the gag.
Willie became aware he was still standing in the pond and made his way back to dry land. Not that it mattered, he didn’t get wet, just rejuvenated.
Going back to that night left him frustrated. He’d missed his opportunity to get the girl he’d been watching at the rodeo and arrived back at the camper pissed off. At least he had the college kid to work over.
He remembered climbing out of his truck and noticing a stillness in the woods. No crickets were chirping, and no animals were rustling in the underbrush. He spun around, feeling like prey caught in a hunter’s sight. Spinning back around he was amazed to see a huge, blonde, nude man standing before him.
What had the guy said? Something about revenge for his victims? Then his college girl stepped out from behind the big guy. Willie shook his head, how did she get loose? A moment later two cougars leapt at him, claws reaching for his head. The last thing he remembered was covering his face and screaming.
Chapter 7
“I’m hungry.” Devlin pulled Olivia up and herded her to the kitchen where Rafe and Lisa were eating.
Rafe gave Devlin a nod, seeing his brother had relaxed and no longer looked stressed out.
Small talk ruled the lunch until Olivia sat her sandwich down and cleared her throat.
“I’m going to have to go back to the bar.” She held her hand up to stop Devlin before he could break in. “I have to do this, moving spirits along is what I am driven to do.”
“No, I will not allow you to go back to Charlie’s,” Devlin stated adamantly.
Olivia did not get angry at his use of the word allow, she knew it was worry driving him. “Devlin, there’s something going on I don’t understand, and it’s hard to explain. There’s this light, flame, I don’t know what to call it. It’s in my head, calling to me, but I’m afraid to answer. I know, somehow, this has something to do with Willie.”
They were all silent as they stared at Olivia, not knowing what they were waiting on.
Lisa cleared her throat. “I could take a peek. If you allow me to, I can get into your head and see just what this is.”
“Really? How?” Olivia asked.
“It’s what my little witch does, one of her many talents.” Rafe picked up his mates hand and kissed her knuckles.
“Okay, umm, what do I need to do?” Olivia looked to Devlin for help.
“Come on love, will go into the great room where everyone can relax.” Devlin pulled her to her feet and moved her to the couch.
Jack appeared leaning against the mantel. “I’ve been searching, but I haven’t found Willie. Sorry, I was hoping I could help more.”
“Don’t worry about it man, I’m sure you’ll help when the time comes,” Devlin said.
Lisa explained to Olivia how she would take a stroll through her head. “You’ll be able to see and hear me once I’m inside. Think of it as a virtual world.”
Olivia closed her eyes and followed Lisa’s instructions to quiet her mind. Opening her senses, she could see Lisa standing in front of her in a flowing, white Greek Goddess dress with her auburn hair piled on top of her head.
“Lisa?” Olivia was surprised her mind had conjured Lisa up this way.
“Oh, you didn’t fabricate this, I did. Awesome isn’t it? We can look or be whatever we want to be in our imaginations,” Lisa said.
Great, Olivia thought, a witch with visions of grandeur.
“I heard that, you know. I am in your head.”
“Okay, sorry about that, I’m not used to having a witch know my thoughts.” Olivia shrugged apologetically.
“Come on, I can see that flame you were talking about. You think it’s like the flame of knowledge or something?” Lisa asked.
“I doubt it, I’m not an oracle, just look at my old report cards.”
As they got closer to the flame, it burned brighter before flashing into a soft glow outlining five women.
Lisa halted behind Olivia, hiding behind her taller friend. “Hey, you’re bigger than me and everyone knows I like to cower behind the bigger target.”
They waited as one of the women stepped forward. She was beautiful, athletic and young. Olivia knew this was one of Willie’s victims. How horrible it must be to be cut down in the prime of her life.
“Hello Olivia, welcome. My name is Karen,” the woman said solemnly as she walked forward.
“Man, she’s freaking me out,” Lisa whispered.
Suddenly Karen’s voice and manner changed, becoming much friendlier. “Chill Lisa. I like messing with the living, they’re so easy to freak out.”
“Stop it Karen, you’re scaring her,” Marie, the one Olivia thought of as motherly spoke up. “We called you here to help you understand your power. You were given a gift at birth. This gift makes it possible for you to move spirits along to the next step in their soul’s growth.”
“But I’ve already been doing that,” Olivia said.
“We know, but moving Willie along is going to be much harder. His soul is evil, and he does not want to move on to the next tier.”
“Wait a minute. Does he get to move along? What about Hell? Doesn’t he have to pay for his crimes?” Olivia was getting a little freaked out, trying to understand what Marie was telling her.
Karen moved to stand next to Marie. “Your soul is on a journey to learn to love and help mankind, the earth, whatever. Basically, becoming a Liberal does it.”
“Hush Karen,” Marie told her and turned back to Olivia. “We are not his judge, Willie has his own spirit guide who will help to decide what to do with his soul. Whether it’s a Hell of his own making or something else, it’s not up to us. But know he will be dealt with once you enter the death realm and bring him here.”
“I wish it were up to us,” Karen said. “I’m not as evolved as the rest of them. I can think up some truly evil punishments for that degenerate asshole.”
Marie simply sighed.
“Let me get this straight. I have to go into this death realm and haul Willie out? How do I do that?” Olivia asked.
Karen stuttered, “Uh, we don’t really know that part,” she said guiltily. “We were told you had the power to get him here but not how.”
“Great, I’m flying blind.” Olivia muttered.
Marie took hold of he
r hand. “Use the magical waters and your wolf spirit.” The women started fading away.
“Wait! I don’t have a wolf spirit,” Olivia shouted.
“You will, after tonight.” Karen grinned.
“Shit, what are you, a voyeuristic ghost?” Olivia mumbled.
Olivia felt Lisa tug on her arm. “I think we’re done here, time to wakey wakey.”
Olivia opened her eyes to find everyone staring at her. She saw Lisa stretching as she yawned.
“That Karen is a trip. I expect ghost to be all, I dunno, all depressed or something,” Lisa said.
“You don’t change who you are just because you died. The personality you have alive doesn’t change when you die,” Olivia said.
“That makes sense, although I’ve never thought about it before,” Lisa said.
Olivia explained to the men what they had learned, with Lisa’s input about her needing her wolf spirit.
Olivia found herself blushing with Devlin’s slow smile and wink. This is ridiculous, it wasn’t like she was some sixteen-year-old virgin.
“We need more information about the death realm. We cannot expect Olivia to go after Willie on her own without any backup,” Rafe said.
Lisa looked thoughtful. “Maybe she won’t have to. What if she could handle him from this realm?”
Devlin leaned down and kissed Olivia’s forehead. “I’m going to do some research. Maybe you, Lisa, and Melanie can figure something out. Between a witch, druid and psychic, that’s some pretty powerful magic. I’ll be in my office if you need me.”
“Ian and I will go and patrol the pond, I don’t like the thought of that little fucker hanging around. Niall, come with us. Maybe you’ll be able to pick up on anything we may not see. Jack, you’re probably our best bet if he’s there,” Rafe said.
Arriving at the waters’ edge, Rafe called one of his enforcers over to ask if anything unusual had occurred.
“He’s not here now, but he’s been here recently.” Jack appeared on the other side of the water before popping back to where they waited.
