Enigma, Maine, Bundle Three

by Iris Abbott

  “The Gannons are descendants of wolf shifters. Mitch is the alpha of the Enigma wolf pack. Most of the employees of Gannon Security are part of their pack.”

  “What about Rose and Scarlet? Are they wolves too?”

  “No. Shifters and vampires are always male. Rose and Scarlet are completely human, but they are trusted mates. They know about the legend and the existence of paranormal beings.”

  “So I met lots of wolves today. How many umm vampires have I met? ”

  “Alessandro Russo is the oldest vampire in the Northeast. He’s probably the only one you met tonight. Vampires are more territorial than wolves and raptors.”

  “Alessandro seemed so elegant and gentlemanly. Nothing at all like the mystical and bloodthirsty creatures of literary and film legend.”

  “Russo is many centuries old. Don’t let his courtly manners fool you. He’s deadly when he needs to be. If someone threatened his existence or Julie’s, they’d die a painful and torturous death at Alessandro’s hands.”

  “Are vampires and shifters the only paranormal beings?”

  “Not by a long shot. There are cat shifters born of magic from ancient Egypt known as guardians. Jessica’s husband is the oldest guardian in the world. He is the most powerful being I know, and it’s his job to keep peace and harmony between humans and paranormal beings.”

  “I thought I felt power ripple off of him in waves. He was polite but strangely aloof.”

  Craig snorted. “That perfectly describes Lucian.”

  “What else?” She was learning so much, and this was all so very fascinating to her.

  “There are more, but the only other group you need to worry about are the witches.”

  She frowned. “Why? Did I unintentionally offend a witch and now she and all her buddies are going to turn me into a toad,” she teased.

  “Quite the opposite. You come from a long line of witches. The Harlow family was never powerful. The Sheldon family, however, now that’s a different story. Brianna is the most powerful witch in the country. Brittany is quickly catching up to her grandmother in both status and power.”

  Jenna was shaken to her core. She turned and stared at him for several seconds before she found her voice. “Does this have anything to do with the rift between my mother and her parents?” she asked in alarm.

  “Yes. I will let your family explain the details to you. Just know that your mom and her parents did what they did for your mother’s protection, and ultimately yours and Jillian’s as well.”

  Jenna sniffed and wiped away the tiny bit of moisture gathering in the corner of her eyes. She couldn’t think of anything to say, so she remained silent.

  “You might want to know that Julie and Selena are also witches and Selena’s husband is the second most powerful guardian in this area. He works with Lucian on a governing body or council. They are the law enforcers of the paranormal world.”

  “But I don’t know anything about magic,” she finally managed to stutter. “How can I be a witch?”

  Craig gave Jenna a tight hug. “I’m sure that Brianna and the other ladies will gladly take you under their wings and teach you everything you need to know. Magic has already touched your life. You just didn’t know about it.”

  What do you mean?”

  “Brianna told me that your mother didn’t practice magic. Janie was aware of her powers, however, even if they were limited. She must have cast a protection spell on you when you were born. Brianna could see the remnants of it in your aura. Brianna mentioned it the night she met you.”

  She frowned. “Is that why I survived the fall virtually unscathed?”

  “We believe so. Your mother must have loved you very much. This was one more way for her to protect and look out for you.”

  “I never doubted her love.” Jenna loudly sniffed and silently admonished herself to pull it together. She needed to focus on her budding relationship with Craig. She’d concentrate on family and her heritage later.

  “How come the world at large doesn’t know about shifters, guardians, witches, and vampires?” For the first time since she learned the truth about paranormal beings, she felt more than a little uneasy.

  “The paranormal world goes to great lengths to keep our existence a secret from most humans. It’s vital to our continued existence. Most of the responsibility for that falls to the council I just mentioned.”

  Now she was confused. “Then why did you tell me about the legend?” She tried not to sound scared, but her voice shook when she spoke.

  He lifted and shifted Jenna until she was facing him. “You’re my mate, Jenna. We began bonding the second we met. Emotionally and physically we’re linked. That connection will only grow with time. Even though you don’t practice, you can draw power from the mystical universe. It makes you paranormal and puts you under the protection of the council.”

  “This mate thing? How does it happen, and is that why it feels so right when we’re together?”

  “Yes. One of the kinder goddesses who knew of our existence sent forth a decree into the universe ensuring that all descendants of the evil god’s curse found their one true love. It was her way of balancing the scales so to speak. We were created and born from a curse, but we can be saved by love. Paranormal beings are not ruled by darkness, and we’re not evil unless you turn rogue.”

  Jenna didn’t like the sounds of that. “What happens if you go rogue?”

  “It ends badly, for the rogue. The council hunts down and disposes of rogues quickly and efficiently because they call attention to the paranormal world and therefore are a threat to our survival.”

  Jenna shivered. “Yeah, well, I met both Lucian and Phillip at the Halloween party. I wouldn’t want to be on either one of their bad sides.”

  Craig threw back his head and laughed. “Guardians have that effect on all beings.”

  “Let’s talk about something more pleasant,” she insisted. “One true love, that sounds so romantic,” Jenna whispered. She straddled his knees and lightly pressed her lips to his. “I know it seems impossible after only a few days, but I love you and everything about you, Craig Aquila.”

  “I love you too, Jenna. And I look forward to spending an eternity by your side.”

  Jenna looked at him in surprise. “What do you mean by an eternity? Are witches immortal, are shifters?”

  “No, you’re not. Vampires, shifters, and guardians live much longer than humans or witches. I’ve been alive for over a hundred years. As long as I don't receive a catastrophic injury, my body heals itself and continually regenerates. It’s almost as if I don’t age.”

  The thought both fascinated and terrified Jenna. “That doesn’t explain how you hope to spend eternity with me. You just told me that witches aren’t immortal?”

  “Vampires share their blood with their mates. Guardians and shifters mark their mate with a bite.”

  She rubbed the spot on her neck that was suddenly tingling. Jenna gasped. “That’s why you bit me so hard and for so long.”

  “The sharing of enzymes and bacteria in paranormal saliva and blood slows down aging and speeds up the healing process. Barring any serious injuries mates can live as long as their paranormal partners.”

  Jenna released a long and dreamy sigh. “An eternity to spend in my eagle’s loving embrace. I may be the luckiest woman alive!” She certainly felt like it.

  She reconnected with her family. She was making wonderful new friends. She found the man she wanted to spend the rest of her life with, no matter how long that life turned out to be. The only fly in the ointment was Scott. But she trusted Craig and his friends to take care of that threat once and for all. It might take time, but they’d take him down eventually. Jenna was looking forward to that day when it came!

  All thoughts of the threats, the future, and everything else fled when Craig rolled over and pinned Jenna to the mattress. Crushing her lips and body with his weight, he showed her how much he loved her. The couple joined their bodies togeth
er and rejoiced in each other. Anything else would have to wait for another day!

  MAGIC’S EMBRACE

  Enigma, Maine Series

  Book 10

  Iris Abbott

  WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal.

  MAGIC’S EMBRACE

  Copyright © 2014 by Iris Abbott

  First E-book publication: October 2014

  Cover design by Iris Abbott

  Photos obtained from bigstockphoto.com.

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission. All characters in this book are fictitious and exist only in the imagination of the author. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.

  ONE

  Big yellow eyes reflected what little light managed to penetrate the dense fog. Dante didn’t need much to see every single detail around him. Felines were at home in the dark. As a guardian, Dante willingly embraced his feline traits and characteristics just as much as the use of magic he inherited from the ancient gods.

  He stealthily followed his prey on sure and silent feet, much as a cat stalks a mouse. He could be as patient as he needed to be to get the job done, but this was going to end tonight. After watching her for a year, Dante was done holding back. He needed action, and he was more than ready to turn on the charm and actively pursue the woman who took over his every waking hour.

  He wanted her bad. She was more than a favor he took on for another of his kind. She was a fever raging inside him. He couldn’t wait to have her, but there was a more pressing matter that had to be dealt with first. Afterward, he’d be free to turn on the old world charm he was known for and finally seduce the woman he couldn’t get out of his mind.

  Dante stalked closer without making a sound. His victim stank from the smell of depravity and evil. The tainted smell was offensive to Dante. He could stand the stench long enough for his quarry to make a grave error. One wrong move, touching what Dante considered his, would be a life-ending mistake.

  Time was running out for his prey. The guardian called on just enough magic to bring forth the strength, agility, and hunting skills of a feline while maintaining his human form. When the time was right, he would pounce.

  ****

  An unnatural mist swirled around her body, impeding her vision. Jillian felt closed in surrounded as she was by the filmy white condensation. She could only see about six inches in front of her. Someone could walk right by her, and Jillian wouldn’t know it, unless whoever it was made a noise or reached out and touched her. This was the first time she experienced such a weather phenomenon even though she’d been in Rome for over a year.

  Her original plan for the evening was to enjoy a leisurely stroll and soak up the sights and sounds unique to the area. It started out well enough. She walked to a local trattoria a couple of hours before and enjoyed a light dinner and small glass of Amaretto. Usually, good food and drink helped soothe her nerves after a particularly rough day at work, but she was anything but relaxed now.

  A cold shiver skated down her spine, causing her body to shake. The uncanny sixth sense Jillian possessed told her that trouble stalked her. Which was silly, because she couldn’t imagine anyone actually being able to see her in the dense fog. Unfortunately, the uncomfortable feeling had become all too familiar the last few months. She couldn’t help but glance fearfully around her, even though she couldn’t see anything.

  She wasn’t a pessimist by any means, but she knew something horrible was about to happen. Jillian’s heart started to pound in her chest, and her raspy breathing sounded unusually loud. She walked as fast as she could without actually running. She’d do that if she could see where she was going, but fear of the unknown kept Jillian from bolting. A decision she regretted just a few seconds later.

  A large hand reached out of the fog and roughly grabbed her shoulder, halting her movement. A startled squeak of alarm passed her lips. She struck out with a free hand and tried to pull herself loose. She’d been waiting for the other shoe to drop, and here it was.

  Jillian glanced over her shoulder. Even through the dense fog, she could make out the distorted face of her sister’s ex-boyfriend. So much for the theory that she’d be safe several thousand miles away from her sister and the states.

  “Scott! Let go of me you stupid jerk!” She screamed, hoping someone would hear her distress call and come to her aid. Unfortunately, she didn’t hear any answering calls or echoing footsteps rushing to help her.

  It looked like she was going to have to get out of this dangerous mess all on her own. Which was easier said than done. Scott West tried to kill her sister in cold blood. He wasn’t in Italy just to say hello. She needed to get away from the maniac any way she could.

  She twisted her body, trying to break the man’s hold. Before she could yank free of his grasp, a loud cat-like hiss filled the air around them. It reminded her of the noise the big, black, stray cat that lived in the neighborhood made if anyone but Jillian got too close to it.

  Before she could examine the out of place sound any further, the bruising grip of Scott’s fingers abruptly loosened their hold, and his hand fell away. The man’s cry of surprise and fear was suddenly silenced as he was dragged away from Jillian. Her first instinct was to help him because apparently, he was in trouble. Then she remembered that Scott tried to kill her sister. He pushed Jenna off of a cliff and left her for dead. He was also responsible for Jillian’s isolation. His murderous intentions kept her away from the recently discovered family she so desperately wanted to meet.

  Whatever he wanted with her couldn’t be good. She should consider herself lucky that something took him by surprise long enough for her to get away. Jillian wasn’t going to waste the opportunity she was given. Unless she miscalculated, the small studio apartment she rented was only one block away. Safety was nearby. It was up to her to get there as quickly as she could.

  The worry of the unknown was drowned out by the instinctive need to survive. She ran. The rubber soles of her tennis shoes pounded against the cobblestone street. The slapping sound could barely be heard thanks to her loud and ragged breathing. She pumped her arms and ran even faster.

  The bright red door of the building that housed her apartment stood out in the mist like a beacon of safety. Jillian sharply veered right. She flung open the door and ran for the stairs. No one entered the building on her heels, but Jillian knew she wouldn’t breathe normally until she was behind a locked door.

  She pulled the key out of her pocket and jammed it into the keyhole. The soft snick of the lock being disengaged spurred Jillian into action. Pushing open the door, she lunged inside, slammed the door shut, and locked it as fast as she could.

  She went to the landline and immediately called for a taxi to take her to the airport. Jillian had no idea if Scott knew the exact location of her apartment, and she wasn’t waiting around to find out. The dispatcher assured her that the fog was patchy and wasn’t going to be a problem. She promised to have a car there in about fifteen minutes.

  With no time to waste, Jillian hurried to her bedroom and pulled her suitcase out of its resting spot at the back of the small closet. She haphazardly dragged clothing off their hangers and stuffed them into the bag. She didn’t bother to be neat about it either. She had more pressing matters than unsightly wrinkles in her clothes.

  Jillian raided her lingerie drawer next. Scooping up an armful of sheer silk, she added the undergarments to the growing pile in her suitcase. She didn’t take the time to see if anything matched. She just wanted out of there as fast as possible.

  The bathroom was next on her list. She piled as many toiletries as she could into a makeup bag and stuffed that into her purse. A quick glance around, and she was ready to go. Her mobile phone, passport, ID, and wallet were safely tucked inside her bag. She could buy
anything else she might need once she got to Maine.

  Rolling the piece of carry-on luggage behind her, Jillian slowly opened the door of the apartment and cautiously looked around. The hallway was well lighted, and nothing seemed suspicious or out of place. She turned the lock on the door, slammed it shut, grabbed the handle of her suitcase, and darted down the stairs and out the exit. She huddled against the bright red door, trying to stay as inconspicuous as possible.

  A white compact car came to a stop right in front of the door. The driver jumped out to help her, and Jillian breathed a deep sigh of relief at the fact that the man looked nothing like Scott West. She might be able to make it out of this mess after all. She rushed down the steps to meet him part way.

  The taxi driver greeted her with a big smile. He took the bag from her and stored it in the trunk. Jillian confirmed she wanted to go to Fiumicino Airport and slid into the back seat.

  Her heartbeat and breathing finally slowed when the taxi pulled away from the curb and headed in the direction of the airport. Jillian was beginning to believe she might actually get away from Scott unharmed. The fear and tension inside her turned to excitement. Enigma, Maine was within her sights. She couldn’t wait to see her sister and meet the grandparents and distant cousins she didn’t know existed just a year ago.

  Thirty minutes later the bright lights of the airport came into view. They made it to their destination without incident. Jillian was reasonably sure they weren’t followed either. The airport was busy enough that she wasn’t worried about Scott showing up and trying to harm her there.

  The driver parked, hopped out, opened Jillian’s door, unloaded her bag, and accepted the fare and big tip with a gracious smile. Jillian thanked him and quickly moved into action. She yanked up the handle of the suitcase and started walking. She entered the building, disappearing amongst a large group of people. It would be hard for anyone to pick her out of the crowd. Relief settled inside her as she made her way to the counter to request a flight on the first plane headed to the East Coast of the United States.