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Chapter One
Lissa Elam moved through the halls of Castor’s old home. All was quiet and everyone was sleeping except for her. Yes, Suzanne was right, it would be a while before she ever felt normal again, but Lissa was slowly building herself back up. She knew her brother, Stephen, was worried about her. Hell, he hovered over her non-stop when he wasn’t busy, but something was off about him and she shied away from him for now.
She pushed open the patio door and took a sip of her glass of wine; enjoying the fall air, her favorite time of year, and stepped out onto the deck. The night air was warm, the stars were out in full, as the crickets sang their songs filling the night. Fall had colored the leaves that blew off the trees reflected in the lights from the torches around the gardens. Lissa knew the men would be furious if they discovered she was out here alone, but right now she didn’t care. Plus, she could take care of herself. Lissa’s knife collection was well hidden and ready in case she needed it.
Taking the last drink of her wine, Lissa laid the glass down on the glass patio table before she strolled down the path towards the courtyard. Earlier she had seen the massive gardens from the car.
Lissa missed the plantings and trees at her human home where she and her mother used to work outside for hours, plucking weeds and planting new flowers. Every year, something different would come up, surprising everyone.
The Kentucky blue grass path turned to the left. As she rounded the corner, a large oak tree sat to the left of the path. Lissa jumped when she noticed Nikola, a fae warrior, moving to block her path.
“I’m sorry; I didn’t realize anyone was out here.” Under his gaze, Lissa’s body awakened. It was the first time since before her ordeal, surprising her.
“Do you think it’s wise to be out here alone when so many enemies are close?” He moved like a warrior and a man who knew every detail around him, full off confidence, but also so alone.
Once more he leaned against the tree, his arms crossed over his bare muscular chest.
Lissa studied him under her long black bangs while she slowly ran her gaze up his body. Anyone could get lost in his dark green eyes. His hair was the color of wheat lit by the sun and it brushed his shoulders. He had to stand at least seven feet tall, but then she was small at five feet four inches. She raised her gaze to his, his lips curled up and Lissa blushed. He had caught her staring. She moved back a step. “Umm sorry, but, no I’m not important like Suzanne, Jaycee, Cecil or Shelly. If you’ll excuse me…” Lissa waved to the path. “I think I’ll continue my walk.” She moved back onto the path and once more concentrated on her surroundings. Lissa listened to the whispers of the roses, mums, lilies and all sort of flowers which lined the path, hastas mixed into the mix. They calmed her as nothing else could.
“You really don’t believe yourself important enough to have protection?” Nikola asked from behind her. She jumped and frowned at him.
Lissa stopped, her full attention on him now. “It’s not a matter of importance, it’s more of a pattern, and I’m perfectly capable of protecting myself.” She grabbed the knife from the back of her shirt and picked at her nails. “You see after being hurt, you learn never to trust anyone, for even family can turn on you if you are not careful.”
Nikola stood slowly working the kinks out of his shoulders, he was a giant to her. He cracked his neck and in a second he was in her personal space, his nose an inch from hers. His eyes blazed with fire, almost to the point she could have sworn she saw sparks in his green eyes. A slight warmth slid up her arms. “Is your brother hurting you? If so, just say the word, and he will be no more.” The threat to Stephen was a real one.
For a minute Lissa just stared up at Nikola, then what he had said hit her. She threw her head back and laughed. “Nooo, Stephen would kill anyone that harmed me. He can be annoying, but that’s normal.” She put the knife back in its hiding place and cocked her head to the side. “I can see you’re bound and determined to follow me, so come on.” Lissa turned and entered the maze that led to the gardens, hoping her words had been true about Stephen, but something in her subconscious did not sit well.
“If not your brother, then who?” Nikola asked, not giving up.
He grabbed her hand, entwined his fingers with hers, stopping her movement. A small spark of electricity ran up her arm, but Lissa ignored it.
She slowly withdrew her hand from his. “I’m sorry, but I can’t do this now, Nikola. I came out here to think and maybe write.” Lissa showed him the pack at her hip. “You don’t need to worry about me, I’m fine.” She patted his chest and continued on her journey to the center of the garden. Lissa turned the corner and smiled.
“I’m as fine as a woman can be after what I’ve gone through.” Lissa whispered gazing at the Lilac, pear, apple, and cherry trees which were in fully blossom. A small gurgling fountain, in the middle of a man made pond, was the center piece of the garden. Many large different colored carp rose to the surface as she moved closer, their big mouths skimmed the top of the water, looking for food.
Lissa sat on the edge of the pond and ran her fingers over the top of the water. Nikola’s large frame appeared behind her image in the pond. “When I was growing up, my mother and I would work in the gardens every morning, making sure all the weeds were pulled and new flowers planted. Each year we would add something different, seeing if my dad would recognize the difference.
The garden was always my favorite place to hold family gatherings and special occasions. Even in the winter my father would find me and my mom there, as we cut back all the dead plants to leave room for the new ones come spring.” She laughed and dug out her notebook.
“But usually Mom and Dad would end up in a snowball fight.
Of course, mom would lose and be covered in snow.” Lissa smiled, remembering the special times she’d had before everything had changed.
Nikola sat down in front of her, and nodded at her notebook.
“What do you write? Can I see?”
She shrugged and glanced down at the last entry she had written, “Only in My Dreams”. “They’re just my writings - sometimes poems, sometimes dreams, or just my thoughts. I used to have this beautiful handmade folder my mom made me, but it’s long gone.” She handed him the notebook and watched as he read her latest words. Lissa visualized the words in her head.
Only In My Dreams
Only in my dreams can I come to you free and not scared.
Only in my dreams you stand there with your arms out waiting for me to run into them. Protecting me, teach-ing me, and guiding me through my next journey.
Only in my dreams you stand tall, the warrior I know you to be, my master, teacher, and lover.
Here in my dreams there are no monsters, there are no lies, there is no distance to keep us apart, and there are no fists pounding my flesh, or a man stealing what was meant only for you.
Only in my dreams do you wait for me, night after night.
Only destiny knows when I’ll be allowed to escape to you, I watch you when I’m allowed, seeing you teach others, laughing with them, wishing it was me, but know it cannot be.
I must let you go, for I am tied to my present, for a little while longer at least. I know in my heart it’s wrong, to wish you would claim me as yours. At least in my dreams I can escape and you are there for me. For now I must deal with the nightmares, face the monsters alone and conquer them myself.
You know my pain, your kind words bring tears to my eyes, but I hide them. I’m quiet, I watch and yearn for your touch, but know it
will only be in my dreams.
Even though I don’t know who you are, I know you are out there and one day soon it won’t be only in my dreams, but in the flesh, skin to skin.
Your collar on me, claiming me as yours, daring any other to touch me; ready to protect me and keep me safe, you are my master and I am your slave, the only one I trust with my body, soul and spirit.
I am yours, now in my dreams, and in the flesh, thank you for finding me, and saving me.
But for now I smile, wait for tonight, when my dreams bring me to your open arms.
Lissa grinned as Nikola adjusted his pants and handed the notebook to her. His gaze heated as he looked down her body. “Your words are powerful and beautiful, but if you’ll excuse me, I forgot I have a meeting with our queen.” He stood and glanced to the woods. “Your brother comes now, so I’ll leave you.” One minute he was there and the next he was gone.
Stephen stepped into the garden and marched right to her, his face a mask of anger. “Do you mind telling me what you think you’re doing? Didn’t you get enough abuse at the hands of that gang?” He yelled, insects stopped their chattering, and even the carp in the pond scattered, hiding.
Lissa stood and thumped his chest. “Don’t you ever, and I mean ever, get into my face again. How dare you even say that to me, Stephen? You have no right. I will not live my life afraid of every shadow. I came out here to relax, because I knew sleep would not come. It’s not like we need it, plus I wanted to write and enjoy the garden alone. So turn your ass around and leave, please.” Her hands shook she was so pissed off at Stephen’s words.
How dare he accuse her of wanting to be hurt again? It was one thing to trust a man you love, but totally different to be held hostage, and raped over and over again, by strangers. They both stood there, neither one of them moved or said anything until she heard the soft footsteps of someone on the path. She turned to see a very pregnant Jaycee there by herself, staring at them both.
Scanning the area, Lissa moved slowly to Jaycee. “Jaycee is anything wrong? Why are you out here by yourself?” Lissa took her arm and led her to the pond, where she sat down, holding her back, smiling.
“I couldn’t sleep. With all the snoring going on, I thought I would lose my mind. Plus, I saw you coming out here and I rarely get a chance to enjoy the night without one of my mates hovering over me.” She patted her arm and frowned up at Stephen.
“I know for a fact, if you had said what you have just said to me, and you were my brother, you would be swimming in this pond. Your sister did not choose to be attacked, and for you to even bring it up is downright nasty. If I was up to it, I’d kick your ass myself.” Jaycee sneered and glanced away from him, as if dismissing him.
Stephen narrowed his gaze on Jaycee and Lissa stepped in front of him. “Go, I’ll make sure Jaycee gets back safely.”
“I’ll be right over there. There is no way I’m leaving the two of you out here. Remi alone would castrate me. Hell, he still might for not waking him.” Her brother mumbled and moved towards the woods, but stayed in the circle that contained the garden.
Lissa sighed sitting beside Jaycee. “I’m sorry you had to overhear that. Stephen is usually never so cruel, but lately, since I’ve been back, he’s different.” Lissa glanced at her brother and frowned as she watched Stephen talking to the air around him.
Jaycee reached over and patted her hand, drawing her attention once more. She studied her as if she could see into her soul making her squirm. “You weren’t born a vampire, were you?” Jaycee asked as she unwrapped a sandwich she had tucked away in the little bag she carried with her.
“No, it was my fifteen birthday when I found out I was dying.
I had these real bad headaches. The doctors found a tumor the size of a walnut inside here.” Lissa knocked on her head and smiled.
“It turned out my mother was best friends with Stephen’s mom.
Needless to say they couldn’t operate and the only way for me to survive was to come over. My mom asked Stephen’s mother and well, ever since that I’ve lived with his family on and off until my folks were killed in an automobile accident. It’s been over sixty years my parents are gone and Maria, Stephen’s mom, is the only one I have left from that past.”
“You are very lucky to have had loving parents. It’s just too bad you had to deal with the bloods. I’m afraid, the violence is only going to get worse, before it gets better around here.” Jaycee leaned over and patted her arm. “I don’t know how, but you’re part of the circle we keep seeing. Those in this circle will be who defeat those who are trying to kill us. Marsha and I keep receiving the same message about you and some form of Ghost Warriors. I don’t know how you are connected to all of them, but you are these warriors’ heart. As I am to my mates, and the other women here are to their men. I believe our bonds with our mates will be an important aspect to defeating those that are tormented.” Jaycee sat back and glanced up at the night sky and flinched.
“Damn, they’re awake.” She grinned and wiggled her eyebrows. “They have informed me they are going to spank my ass.” Jaycee leaned over, glancing both ways. “It’s about time, I‘ve been waiting for over a month, but they have been so worried about the children they have been less then attentive.” She stood and stretched, Jaycee turned towards the path and rubbed her round belly which was the size of a large basketball.
“There will three or four of them Lissa. You’ll be their mate. I can’t see them, but they are close.”
Remi, Dane and Mark jumped over the last hedge to enter the clearing in the garden, followed by Nikola and three other fae warriors, who all transported into the area with their large metal swords ready.
“Grab your mate now, they know you are out here from all the noise.” Nikola ordered, and wrapped his arms around Lissa from behind, not giving her time to think or move.
Chapter Two
Nikola glared down at the top of Lissa’s head and transported her back to her bedroom. “You will stay inside now.” He spoke while he listened to his warriors, who spoke to him telepathically.
Each warrior kept him informed of any activity around the com-pound. All was quiet, but soon an attack would come. All of a sudden, Nikola found his ass hitting the ground hard. He stared up at a very furious female.
“First, you do not tell me what the hell to do! Second, how dare you bring me here without making sure Jaycee was protected first?
Suzanne and Jaycee should be your primary concerns, not me.” Lissa threw her notebook and pen onto the bed and turned once more to glare at him. “I know you meant well Nikola, but I insist you protect those who are more important than I am, right now.
The fate of our world rests with them, not with me.” Her bedroom door opened and Suzanne peaked in, Dominic’s head right above hers. “Can I come in?”
“You mean can we come in?” Dominic corrected her, as Suzanne rolled her eyes and walked in.
“This is supposed to be a girl meeting, you know. A little gos-sip here and there, stuff like that, and Dominic you just don’t have the body parts to qualify as a female.” Suzanne winked at Lissa, and turned back to her mate.
“Now, I’m sure Temmra would be happy to change that if you really want, but I kind of like your man parts.” She slid one of her hands down his stomach, to his thigh, where he grabbed her hand, and put it behind her holding it there.
“You can just tell Temmra to leave my body parts alone, and Suzanne I expect you to call me as soon as you are done. You’re still exhausted from earlier.” Dominic wrapped his arms around Suzanne, leaning her back, trapping her and giving her a kiss that Lissa could have sworn gave off smoke. He brought her back up and released her, smiling as Suzanne grabbed onto his arm to steady herself.
After she got her focus back, she slapped his arm. “You did that on purpose!”
He turned and left as Shelly, Marsha, Jaycee, Tonya and Cecil all came in, wearing their PJs. Remi followed.
Lissa sat down on the
bed and watched as Jaycee stood at its end. She glared at Remi. “Out, all of you, we have girl things to discuss, and right now you are not invited.” She grabbed onto Remi’s arm and stared up at him. “Remi, you damn well better keep your promise.” Her last words were a whisper, but he had heard them as he made his way to the hallway, where all the men now stood.
The door slammed, and locked without anyone touching it.
The small table near the bed became a large table which was filled with food and drinks. Nikola watched the women, as they moved around the room unaware of him until Suzanne glanced over to where he stood invisible against the wall. He had hoped Lissa and the others would have forgotten he was there, but his luck ran out.
“You will have to do better than that Nikola, now out.” Suzanne pointed to the door, a small puff of smoke came out with her words, and he grinned nodding to her.
“I just wanted to make sure everyone is alright.” Nikola allowed his physical form to appear, and every woman there frowned.
The older woman, Marsha walked around him and studied him. “You will lead them. You might want to inform your queen that you will be staying here, that you will not be able to serve her anymore.” The woman talked in circles, as she stared at him.
Nikola shook his head and walked around the women. He made his way to the door. “I have no idea what you are talking about, and I will not inform my queen of anything. I’m here on assignment, and that is it.”
He reached for the door, but a strong need to be home came upon him. One minute, he was thinking about the men in the hallway, waiting for their woman, and the next he was in his living quarters.
Nikola looked out at the rolling green grass of his homeland, the large window that was the showcase of his apartment-like living quarters. Nikola had very few personal possessions. A few pictures of his family, but that was about all. He jumped, when a small hand touched his shoulder.
Natural reflexes kicked in, and he swung the person to the floor, a knife to their throat until he realized who he had in his grasp. “Queen Isabel, please forgive me.” He slowly helped her stand, the knife disappeared, and she laughed.
Running in Fear: Ghost Warrior Page 1
