“Marisa, you have to help me. I tried to board my ship and these things attacked me. They’re coming for me ... help me, please.”
She eyed him warily. It seemed odd to her that Peter, a man who prided himself on his fine upbringing, would have enough survival skills to last in the wilderness for eight weeks, but she couldn’t in good conscience leave him out there with the likes of Stegian’s goons.
Running to the nearest security gate, she stood before its scanning screen and let it see that it was her. The gate slid open quickly and she motioned for Peter to come. He took a few steps toward her, then tumbled to the ground. Instinct took over and Marisa raced toward his fallen body.
She dropped down next to him attempted to roll him over slowly. He swung around and knocked her to the ground. Landing with a thud, pain shot through her back. “Peter?”
Peter’s blond head of hair appeared above her and he leered down at her. His eyes seemed to scorch her with no more than a look. When he got to her swollen belly, his eyes narrowed to slits. “Get up.”
Marisa opened her mouth to yell for help, but stopped when she felt something cold and hard pressing against her stomach.
“One sound and I will cut this abomination from your body, Marisa.”
Unsure if he was telling the truth or not, Marisa froze. Peter touched her neck, the blade still in his hand, and ran his rough fingers over her skin. His touch used to bring her joy, now it made her skin crawl. There was something about him, something different. It was his eyes. Where once they were brown, now they were gray.
“So, soft, Marisa ... always so soft,” he whispered.
She didn’t dare move. Whatever had happened to Peter had left him wild, untamed, frightening.
“You’ll come with me.” When she didn’t respond to his command he put the knife to her throat and sneered at her. “He promised I could have you.”
Who? The question was on the tip of her tongue, but she knew better than to ask it.
Marisa stiffened as he jerked her to her feet. Wanting to run, shout, anything that would grab the attention of the villagers, she twisted slightly, preparing to run.
Peter seized hold of her hair and yanked her back to him. His hot breath hit her cheek as he spoke. “I will gut you, Marisa ... know that. And when your screams bring Bradi, the others that lurk around me will hold him down and make him watch as I cut you to pieces, then we will tear him limb from limb. It is as the Master wishes it to be.”
The Master? It hit her then who he spoke of. “Stegian,” she whispered.
“Yes.”
* * * *
Bradi took another sip of wine and rubbed his temples. If they continued to sit in here spinning their wheels they’d be too old to go after Stegian. All he wanted to do right now was attack and assure that his family was safe.
The door to the conference room burst open and all eyes went to it. When Bradi saw Pheebes standing there he knew that something was wrong. “What has happened? Is it the baby?”
Pheebes paled and shook his head no.
“Then speak.” Christian commanded.
“She is gone.”
“Who is gone?”
“The lady doctor. She was hungry so I went to retrieve lunch for her, and she was to go to Lorelei’s, but she never arrived.” Pheebes said, hanging his head in shame. “The pard men are tracking her scent as we speak. I did not stay to see what they found. I thought that you would want to know.”
Bradi couldn’t move, couldn’t breathe. Christian grabbed his shoulder and it was all the jolt he needed to run out the door.
* * * *
Marisa pulled at her wrists to free them, but the manacles on them would not give. Each time she pulled, they only got tighter. Her feet barely touched the floor as it was, so she stopped struggling. She did her best not to think about the sound of the mice scurrying about around her. The sound of boots scraping over the floor grabbed her attention.
“Ready to surrender yourself to me?”
Marisa didn’t recognize the voice, but had a good idea of who its owner was. “I’ll not give you an inch, Stegian.”
In a flash, something was behind her, touching her, rubbing against her. She bit back a scream and kept her eyes forward. Cool hands gripped her neck and she felt fingernails digging into her skin.
“Ah, I know that you will taste divine. I do so miss a woman who tastes as good as she feels when my cock is in her, and you do want my cock in you, don’t you, Healer?”
She wanted to ask how he’d managed to pop up behind her, but she didn’t. “No.”
He rubbed against her back and she felt his erection digging into her skin. “The answer to your question is magic. I have always had the gift to wield it, but it was not until I became what you see before you that I truly knew how to use it.”
“Hmm, I haven’t seen anything before me, Stegian,” Marisa said, shocked that she’d let that slip out.
A cold laugh sounded behind her and she shivered. “I see why Raiden’s son likes you.”
Stegian moved around her slowly, but she didn’t turn her head to look at him. Instead, she let her eyelids flutter closed. “You believe me to be hideous, do you not?”
Marisa saw little point in lying to the man. “I have no idea what you look like, but I’ve heard of the things that you’ve done and those are heinous crimes that are inexcusable.”
He grabbed her chin and she felt his hand warm a bit to the touch. “Look upon me, Healer. Let me see myself through your eyes.”
“Nooo.”
He tightened his grip on her. “Look.”
There was a certain push in his voice that she could no longer ignore. Opening her eyes slowly, she looked upon him. At first she thought it a trick--another use of his magic, because the man she looked upon was not hideous. In fact, he was far from it. His long brown hair was pulled tightly back from his face leaving nothing obstructing his high forehead, strong jaw, and gray eyes. He was tall, taller than she thought he’d be and a hell of a lot bulkier too. Why she had assumed that he’d be this hideously thin monster with scales was beyond her, but he was a far cry from it and that made him even scarier.
His lip pulled into a smile. “I am pleased to know that you find me attractive, Healer. Most fear me so much that they do not dare look upon my face for fear that I will capture their minds with but a look.”
“Can you do that?” Marisa asked, fearing that she too would succumb to him.
“With most, yes, but not you.”
“Why?”
He laughed. “That I do not know, but I find it intriguing.”
“Why do you do it?”
He moved closer to her and touched her face lightly. “Why do I do what?”
“Why do you hurt the Shamenians?”
Stegian bent down and Marisa sucked in her breath as his lips came to her face. He flickered his cool tongue over her skin before flashing her an unnaturally white smile. “Because I can.”
“There’s a mature answer.”
He grabbed the back of her hair and jerked her head back. “You would dare to speak back to me?”
Someone ought to, she thought to herself.
He tapped the side of her temple lightly and smiled. “I can hear you.”
Great, gorgeous, psycho, and a mind reader.
“I like you, Healer, and I am not prone to liking anyone.”
“Like me enough to let me go?”
“I wish I could, but you see, I need to eliminate Raiden’s line, and the quickest way to do that is to keep you until Bradiainn comes, kill him, and then I am afraid that I will have to kill you as well.”
“No!” someone shouted.
Stegian turned and then looked back at her. “It appears that you have a rather brave admirer.”
“You promised that I could have her.”
“Peter?” Marisa asked.
Peter moved up toward her and seemed to drink her in. It was unnerving and very un-Peter like.
&nb
sp; “What did you do to him?”
Stegian laughed and shrugged. “When he landed near my home, I greeted him as an honored guest. When he returned from his visit with you enraged, I helped him free himself of his inhibitions.”
“Meaning, that if he feels the urge to fuck you like a dog then he will,” Stegian said. Marisa tensed at his words and looked at Peter. “I can stop him, Healer. I control him now. All you have to do is agree to help me and I will not allow him to harm you.”
“Pfft, you said you were going to kill me. Geesh, remember your threats before you go making promises.”
Stegian lowered his mouth to hers and she pulled her lips in, not wanting to kiss him. He didn’t seem to care. Squeezing her cheeks hard, her lips puckered out. His cool lips pressed down on her mouth. His tongue flickered into her mouth and she considered biting it. He tightened his hold on her cheeks and she knew that he was scanning her thoughts.
How a man who seemed as though he could have it all turned so violent was beyond her. It was clear by his actions toward the Shamenians that he could not be redeemed. It seemed a shame, because her gifts had always given her the ability to sense others like her, healers, and she sensed that in him. He had the gift to restore life, but instead had decided to take it--as often as he could it seemed.
Stegian dropped his hand from her face and backed away from her. He wiped his mouth and let his finger linger over his lip. “Your powers are strong to be able to persuade me so easily.”
“Persuade you? I didn’t ask you to kiss me.” She wanted to smack his face, but her bound hands prevented that. The blood had long since drained, her hands were now numb.
Peter moved closer and looked as though he intended to touch her. Stegian’s hand shot out and he grabbed Peter by the throat. “Do not touch her.”
“She’s mine.”
“No, she is not.”
“You said you wanted the baby dead and I could have her!” Peter spat.
Stegian backhanded him, sending him hurtling into the wall. Marisa closed her eyes tight, not wanting to see what Stegian would do to her now. “I ... regret,” he seemed to choke on his words, as if he’d never spoken even semi kindly to a soul in his life, “having to do this, Healer, but the child cannot be allowed to survive.”
Marisa bit back a cry and just stared at him.
“Hag.”
There was a bright light and an old woman appeared before them. “Yes, Master?” Her eyes appeared to be covered with a white film, yet they fixed on Marisa. “Oh, you have brought the child closer for me to drain.”
“Drain?” Marisa asked.
Stegian’s face dropped. “Do what you must, Hag.” With that, he stormed out of the room.
Marisa found herself wanting to call him back. It was odd that the leader of evil had seemed less of a threat to her than the old woman and Peter. Glancing over her shoulder, she saw Peter climbing up. His eyes locked on her as he wiped the blood from his mouth.
Heat flared through her stomach and brought Marisa’s attention back to the old woman. The woman stood with her hands out, chanting something softly. Cramps rippled through Marisa’s body and she cried out.
Peter pushed his body against the back of her, and she felt his erection. Lifting her dress in the air, he pulled her hips back to him.
“Please, Peter, stop this. Stop her ... she’s hurting the baby,” Marisa cried out as pain shot through her body.
“No,” Peter said, his voice harsh. “She’s ridding you of that abomination.” He clawed at her hips and rubbed his body against hers. The hag’s eyes lit like fire and an orange light shot forth from her to Marisa’s stomach.
Marisa screamed out as her stomach cramped. A loud growl caught her attention as the weight of Peter’s body was suddenly ripped from her. Waves of blond hair spilled around her and she looked up to see Christian standing before her. She tried to ask him where Bradi was, but when she heard another growl, she knew.
Christian cut her wrists free and caught her as she fell forward. She clung to his arms, and cried out as another cramp ran through her. “The hag ... she’s doing this.”
“Sevan, stop the witch!”
Bradi moved off Peter’s limp body and focused on the old woman before him. He watched as Sevan charged her, his sword drawn. The witch cackled and turned a hand out to him. Sevan’s body flew through the air and Jordan did a partial change, catching his brother before he hit the ground. The witch turned and looked at Christian. She put her hand up and Bradi leapt into action, snatching up Sevan’s sword and bringing it down hard and fast. The witch’s arm went one way and her body went another. She screamed out, but Bradi didn’t stop his assault. She was the reason his baby had suffered.
With a flick of his wrist, he turned the sword around and backed into her, effectively ramming it in to the hilt. He pushed her off the end of the sword and turned to Christian. He held Marisa’s still body in his arms.
“She is dying,” Christian said, softly.
Jordan and Sevan moved up next to him. Jordan’s face said it all. He was sure Marisa was dying as well. “Let’s get her home.”
Bradi scooped his wife up in his arms and drew in a sharp breath. She was so weak, so unlike herself. Christian touched her forehead and her eyes closed slowly.
“Thank you,” Bradi said, knowing that Christian had just eased Marisa’s pain.
Epilogue
Bradi sat with his head down, afraid to move. His life had changed so much in a few short months. The rustling of a chair moving behind him caught his attention. He turned and smiled as Christian sat down.
“How’s she doing?” Christian asked.
“You tell me. She doesn’t seem to have changed a bit in the last week. How can that be?” Bradi looked down at Marisa and touched her cheek gently. She hadn’t moved since they’d brought her home and everyone was doing their best to stay out of his way.
“She’s only at rest because I keep her that way.” Christian exhaled. It was clear to see the Shaman cared for Marisa. As it should be.
“I know.”
“She’ll live and be able to have more children.”
Marisa’s eyes popped open and she looked from Bradi to Christian. Bradi stood quickly and touched her forehead. Her fever was gone. He looked up at Christian with wide eyes, relieved she was awake but scared something else might be wrong. “I thought you were willing her to rest.”
“I was.” Christian said, seeming as shocked by Marisa’s awakening as Bradi was. It was rare for Christian to be caught off guard with anything relating to medicine or healing. He was an expert. A man born to the art.
Marisa’s gaze went to her stomach and Bradi saw the pain in her eyes. Her breath caught. “Oh gods ... no.... Bradi, no.”
“Shh, Doc, it’s all right. Everything is all right.”
Her head shook violently. “No, it’s not all right. The baby?”
“Nina!” Bradi called out, needing to see his wife at peace but wanting to yank her up from the bed and hold her close. Gods how he missed her.
The door to the room opened and he heard his sister there before she even spoke. “Bring in my son, Nina. It is time he met his mommy.”
Marisa covered her mouth and each tear she shed chipped away at his heart. “You didn’t keep him ... did you?”
Bradi was shocked by her question. “Of course I kept him. He’s my son--our son!”
Nina came back into the room and Bradi turned to see her carrying the baby wrapped up tightly in a blue blanket. Pride welled in him, just as it had done every moment he looked upon his son. “Here you go,” she said, handing the child to Bradi.
He took his son gently and looked down into his eyes. “He has your eyes and my hair.”
Marisa sat up on the bed, but then backed away from him, seeming beyond hesitant. As if she didn’t want to accept what was before her eyes. “He’s alive?”
“Of course he’s alive, Doc. What the ... oh, honey, you thought that I had kept him
and that he was ... oh, sweetie, no. He’s perfect.” Bradi sat of the edge of the bed and held the baby so that she could see him. “He’s not only alive, but healthy and right now, asleep.”
Marisa let out a half sob and reached for the baby. “But how? He was too early and under so much stress.”
Christian cleared his throat. “Excuse me, I know this is a moment for the two of you, but I think that I might be able to clear this up for Marisa.” Bradi nodded his head. “Your healing power surged once we brought you back with us. At first we thought that you were dying, but once the light cleared we realized that you were not only fine, but had saved the baby. And in the process, had removed him from your womb, and strengthened his heart and lungs. He is part shifter so he naturally is stronger than a normal human baby, but Marisa, whatever you did brought about a perfectly healthy baby boy. I was just telling Bradi that I can find no evidence of scarring in your uterus and you should be able to have many more children. Now that the hag is dead, they will not be drained of their life-forces.”
Bradi watched his wife’s eyes light up as she held their child and he wrapped them both tightly in his embrace. “We weren’t sure that you were going to wake up. You didn’t show any signs of coming around.”
Marisa pressed her lips to his and he felt them trembling. “I love you so much, I couldn’t go where you weren’t.”
“I love you, too.” Bradi touched her cheek and looked down at the baby. “And you too, little man.”
“Does he have a name?” Marisa asked, tears streaming down her cheeks.
“No, I wanted you to name him.”
She smiled. “I’d like to name him Eli Bradiainn Janelle.”
“Eli?”
Marisa looked hurt. “You don’t like it?”
Bradi shook his head. “No, it’s a fine name. I just wondered what made you pick it.”
She laughed. “Oh, it’s in honor of the first thing to welcome me to your home planet. A giant eel.”
“Giant eel? Where?” Christian asked.
“In the red sea that we crashed into,” Marisa said, holding their child tight to her bosom, where he belonged.
Force of Attraction Page 12
