by SJ Davis
“What you say may be true, but I am not dead. Nor will I give up without a fight,” she raised her arm in a come hither motion and waved Jonelle forward to incite her. It did the job just as it was suppose to. The vampire came rushing forward and Helen used her momentum against her. One step to the side and a downward swing of the Mithril and Jonelle was no more.
Helen fell in exhaustion, relief and tears against the apple tree. The shock wore off quickly between what she’d experienced, what she knew to be true in her gut about Brody and what the visions showed her about the coven. It wasn’t long and Helen had rolled into a ball giving herself over to the emotional turmoil inside of her.
Funny, she had thought about going to check on Luke and knew he’d dispatch the male vampire quickly. Knowing the wolf shifter, he was pissed he got guts on his boots and had to traipse into the woods after her. But her concern lasted only a minute before the darkness crashed around her.
How did things go so wrong? Sacrifices? Human or were they animal or enemies? The flashes were too infrequent, too garbled to make sense in Heli’s mind. Yes, sacrificing Jonelle saved her life, but there was too much Vivian hadn’t told her. Too much Luke hadn’t told her.
“Trying to hide from me?” Just a hint of humor rumbled in the deep bass of Luke’s voice doing all sorts of wicked things to her. This was so unfair.
“No,” she said. “Why would I do that?”
“Why indeed?” He asked laying on the patchy earth as if he had nothing better to do. “Then why the blanket of grass?” Helen finally looked down to discover she was basically covered by new blades of grass.
“Oh, I didn’t realize. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry. It’s one of the things that make you genuine. I see you got rid of fangface. Nice job.”
“Wow, a compliment from Luke Knox?” The snark defense snapped back into place immediately as a protective shield. Luke was a dangerous to her freedom as much as she wanted him, almost desperately needed him. Undeterred, Luke lifted her up by her upper arms bringing them face to face. Her heart kicked into overdrive going from zero to sixty in point three seconds. “Thank you,” she whispered while trying to keep her eyes on his rather than his mouth and failing.
“Wow,” he teased back. “An unheard of gesture. Helen Grove saying thank you.”
Then he smiled and showed dimples. Gods how she loved his dimples. Helen had always wanted to kiss and lick the deep dents in his cheeks until they were hot and sweaty and maybe then she would move to another part of his anatomy. Danger Helen Grove, put those thoughts back into your head.
“Are you trying to seduce me while sitting in blood and gore in the middle of my orchard? Because, um no. Just no. Um, yes. Strip me down big boy. My brother is still missing. I think I know where they have him. Brody is not dead and don’t you dare say he is because I will cut you. Ezra has a bone to pick with me for some reason and I’ve one to pick with Vivian about my tree. So which one should we tackle first?”
“You ain’t goin’ after Brody, period. Ezra is off limits without Council sayin’ you can take him out, but you’ll need all your mojo for that,” Luke stood to his full height and pulled her up with him. “Are you ready to do that? To claim your birthright?”
What Luke didn’t ask was if he was going to be claimed along with the leadership, power, responsibility. Yes, I’m ready to claim you. “After what I just witnessed and what you just did for me? Absolutely.”
Graced with another grin, Helen was given a full-bodied hug this time. “Now we’re talkin’! You ain’t leavin’ in your truck. I’ve a spare cut you can wear and you’ll ride bitch, right up close and tight behind me. I’d say we’d get this started right, but I figure we’ll teach you how to ride in case you want yer own bike,” Helen swore the grin was still on his face, but the smirk would be leavin’ just as soon as she started talking with Vivian and Lucian.
“Don’t get all excited there wolf, you’ll wet yourself,” how long had it been they were able to tease one another like this? Helen couldn’t remember but it came so easily when he wasn’t grousing at her. She even held his hand as they started walking back toward the farmhouse. She might take him up on the offer to learn how to ride too, though the thought of all his growly muscles packed up tight just for her was a big turn on for damn sure. “Luke, tell me what happened to the other vampire, Josiah?”
“Since when have you been on a first name basis?”
“Um, since they broke into my house and kidnapped my brother, tore my entire life apart in the span of about thirty minutes. Oh and you,” Helen pierced Luke with a glare. “How the hell did you get here so fast? Are you spying on me?”
“No, I wasn’t spying on you...this time,” she caught the wink or she may have slugged him. “I was over on Sandford and felt the wards power down or whatever the hell they do only it didn’t smell right when they went back up again. I was already on my way when I got the call.” Helen was surprised when Luke stopped them for a moment. “Seriously Heli, if anything happens to you…” The thought had crossed her mind too. They’d let too much shit cross under bridges which should never have been built. It was past time they were torn down.
“I feel the same. This is step one in changing things.”
“I’m glad. Step two is you are never sleeping alone,” An unladylike snort came out of her and she turned them back on the path. “You haven’t even kissed me without being drunk yet, Luke, and you think you’re gonna boss me around? Not happening.”
Just when she thought she might get that kiss, Gretchen began barking welcoming them back to the main house. “Gretchen,” she shouted the little beast’s legs runnings as fast as possible. Whereas Helen had moved her Escape when she made a power move, it didn’t occur to dumb and dumber not to damage the vehicle or other personal property. “What did you do to my SUV?” The small dog jumped into her arms to welcome her home.
“Nothing. The vamp did it.”
If looks could kill, the vampholes would have already been dead and the conversation she was having with a guilty looking six-foot plus giant of a wolf shifter would be moot.
“You are buying me a new one. If you aren’t your dad is, one of the two. So hop on your bicycle, rev it up so you can tell him,” Helen smirked when some of the color drained from Luke’s face.
“Why don’t you deal with Lucian and I’ll deal with Vivian for you?”
“Ha! You are a chickenshit and you want to be the dominate in this relationship? I don’t think so, Tim,” Luke growled revving up his Harley. He’d always hated her Home Improvement comparisons. He’d hate it even more now, but there wasn’t much to watch on TV way out here. Reruns were a great source of entertainment especially when you found the man of your dreams playing in starring roles.
“That cut looks good on you, baby,” Heli cupped his cheek and kissed the corner of his mouth as she climbed on.
“Let’s get moving and get this over. Gretchen, guard the fort,” the dog barked as they left to head into Boulder Circle.
Speaking, for her was difficult on the bike. Though Luke would hear anything she might say, she wouldn’t hear him. Instead, Helen took this time to stay where she hadn’t had the chance to be in a long time, wrapped around the only man who set her blood afire and made her magic come to life in more ways than one.
Now, however, things popped into her mind which only made her more determined to get answers and do whatever it took find her brother and bring him back to Boulder Circle and back to the orchard to heal. Questions such as how long have the sacrifices been going on? How much history have the elders not been teaching them? What other secrets was Vivian not telling her specifically and where the hell was her family’s grimoire? Because in the visions she saw, the Book of Knowledge and Knowing did not look like the one hidden by magic beneath her altar and Helen was pretty sure it was her family crest on the cover. Something fi
shy was happening here and it wasn’t the smell of trout.
CHAPTER THREE
Just as they were leaving, Luke’s unit pulled in. Some on bikes others in trucks and SUV’s.
“They’ve been in the house,” Luke stated to Galen Cross, the oldest of black irish twins who’d chased her non-stop until Luke asserted his claim, when he stopped his motorcycle beside Luke’s . A simple lift of his chin was all the acknowledgement Galen gave his leader. The shifter waved his brother Finn forward. “I’m taking Helen to see Vivian. Tell Lilly things are changing.”
Helen sat up straighter and looked into the faces of the male and female wolves pulling into her wide driveway. It didn’t take her long to find the beautiful vixen, Lilly Cross, younger sister to the twins, nor did it take long to figure out where Luke had spent at least some of his nights. For the life of her, Helen was jealous though she had no right to be. She and Brody were the ones who pulled away from the Coven. Whether they were misinformed or not, it was her choice to make and she made the wrong one.
“Nice! Bout’ damn time Helen. We’ve been waitin’ on you forever.”
Shoot she didn’t even know which of the Cross twins had spoken.
“Kinda happens when Noctis eff up the last haven you have on earth,” she said honestly then snuggled closer to Luke. “Can we go now?”
“Looky there bro. Lady’s in a hurry to get to the honeymoon phase.”
Finn Cross, the smart-alec, womanizing younger twin. Heli had moved this shifter higher on her list of people to smack around after Vivian, Lucian and all the Noctis in the north. He might rate higher if Luke didn’t stop laughing. “Stop, Luke. It wasn’t funny,” Heli shouted though a whisper would have been sufficient.
“Hell no,” more chuckles. “You didn’t see the look on your face from my perspective.”
“What’da mean?” Goddess if she made that “eww gross” face she’d been known to make, she would die. But with Luke laughing the way he was, it was more likely she made the “oh yeah baby” face. Either way it was not how she wanted to start this thing between them.
“We’ve known each other forever, Helen. Your dad used to chase me away with a broom remember?”
Until that moment, she had forgotten. Luke’s reminder brought long forgotten memories to the surface. “We were, young. I was young only about ten. The way you looked at me then. The way you look at me now. It hasn’t changed. It was a good thing Heli was staring at the back of Luke’s head when the realization came, though he would hear the change in her heartbeat and he did, tightening his hold on her grip around his waist and growling deep in his chest.
They flew toward the small town. The painted yellow lines became a blur of yellow in her vision to complement the smear of green from the trees. A child’s finger painting hung on the refrigerator. The thought did little to cool the fire smoldering within her soul and all too soon Luke had stopped his bike in front of the enchanted building.
“Shit,” Luke muttered as he put the kickstand down then turned to the side before she could dismount on her own to wrap a big arm around her waist. “Lucian’s coming. Are you ready to do this? You say the word and we’re outta here.”
Helen had removed the helmet so she couldn’t hide from the intensity of his gaze. The blue had darkened. He was aroused or ready to fight. She hoped it was the first, but knowing Luke it was both. But it was the fierce determination behind the coloring which held her immobile. Pinned to his hip, half on the bike, half off of it. Helen knew if she wanted to run he would go with her this time.
“I’m ready,” her voice strong she cupped his cheek letter her thumb the fullness of his bottom lip. “Unless you’ve changed your mind?”
The corner of Luke’s mouth curved into a smirk. “Not a chance. Just remember, you owe me for making me wait this long.” He winked as she snorted. The momentary tension dissipated, Helen placed her hand in Luke’s giving a squeeze.
“We’ll see about that. Let’s get this over with, kill Noctis and go from there.”
“Just because you’ll have all your power doesn’t mean you’ll be the boss, Heli. I’m the Alpha in this relationship not to mention the fact I’m the one with the experience in fight Noctis. You got lucky today.”
Helen didn’t exactly disagree but an arched brow and haughty snort put them on equal footing for the time being.
“Helen, Son.” Lucian, an older version of Luke with silvering dark hair and blue eyes that mesmerized just like Luke’s, met them just inside what looked like a brick, typical government building to humans, but was actually more gothic looking in nature reflecting Vivian’s style. Helen tightened her hold on Luke’s hand when she felt him tense. Right now she couldn’t wait to give Lucian Stone a piece of her mind for pulling that shit on Luke right now. He hadn’t been a father to any of his kids since Vivian’ ascended the throne and chose him as her consort.
“Lucian,” Luke didn’t acknowledge the familial connection.
“I’m here to address the Counsel.”
“You’ll need to make that request to Vivian first.” Lucian stated still blocking their way.
Luke dropped her hand to mimic Lucian’s stance and crossed his arms, feet braced apart. The Alpha wolf bullshit did nothing to help and just irritated her to the point that smoldering flame in the center of her magic began to flare.
“Listen up, you sorry sack of shriveled up fur balls,” Heli shouted, shoving her way in between the two men. “I’m going to address the Counsel and receive my birthright today. In the next ten minutes in fact or do I need to make this building fall on your head?” The trembling beneath their feet emphasised her point.
“So dramatic,” a high pitched tone spoke from behind Lucian. “Let them pass before she tears down my home and Counsel proper. It appears she has finally welcomed her power. It’s about time. Your parents can finally rest in peace.”
“Shut your mouth about my parents.” Vivian just stared, but Helen pushed her way past Lucian leaving both men to follow behind. “It’s because of you the Noctis have Brody. He never would have left if we’d been told the truth.” Helen didn’t stop to confront Vivian. Instead she brushed past the now sputtering woman to the Counsel chamber.
Called from her entrance to the sacred space, witches and warlocks began to fill the space as Helen continued to down dress Vivian. “You stopped the sacrifices. You put us all in jeopardy. By stopping the active Noctis hunts. It’s no wonder the Mithrail harvest has been so few. Everything has been lean.”
“Be careful of what you speak. The sacrifices were in the days of the witch wars. Witches willingly gave their lives so their coven could live,” Vivan countered.
“I’m not denying that part. I’m talking about sacrificing Noctis to the ancient trees in the orchard. Probably not just at the point. All over the coven. You’ve been killing us, but no more. I’m claiming what is rightfully mine, including the proper Grove Book of Knowledge and Knowing and at the end of the decade your reign ends.”
Static electricity crackled in the air. The Coven members, the room itself waited on Vivian before taking its next breath. The blonde priestess slowly took Helen’s measure viewing her slowly from head to foot and back again. She must have found her acceptable, because Vivian turned on her heel and took her place at the head of the Coven.
From a door hidden in the wall, shifters filed into the room to fill the seats behind the witches. Helen stood with Luke and Lucian in the center of the circle. She’d been here once before and ran. There would be no running this time. She was no longer the frightened little girl looking up into faces wanting to tell her what to do. Yes, they wanted to control her, but no one knew her. No one, but Brody and Luke.
Luke stood slightly behind her and to the right while Lucian was at her left. She faced Vivian and the key members of the Counsel. This was about to get interesting. Helen was practically jumping ou
t of her skin in anticipation for what was about to happen; maybe even a little nauseous.
“Helen Grove, you have called this gathering of the full Counsel. State your intentions or leave this place,” Vivian spoke clearly.
“I am here to obtain my birthright. My first intention is to retrieve my brother Brody from the Noctis who are torturing him for information about the Coven. At the end of this decade I will ascend the throne.”
Vivian’s chin lifted slightly the only indication she wasn’t thrilled with the turn of events.
“We will protect this Coven above all else and make it a safe haven for witches from around the world,” Helen knew this would not necessarily be popular. The old-timers would remember the witch-wars and harbor hurt and fear. But it was the lack of progress which made Brody leave. She would have left too if her parents were still alive. Such waste. With her declaration the clan erupted in support of her plan.
The wolves were behind what she wanted. If only there were younger witch’s on the Counsel she’d have it made. “Silence.” Lucian shouted. One by one they all calmed down, but the hum of excitement hung in the air.
“Ambitious plan for one so young,” an older warlock with graying sideburns spoke from his position in the circle. “What makes you think you and a few pups can pull off what generations of witches have been unable to do?” The snobbishness sound made Helen stiffen her back and loosen her lips to the point she knew if Luke were in a position to do so, he’d have put a hand over her mouth or kissed her senseless. The thought put even more sass into her spitfire especially when the younger shifters started to growl.
“Seriously?” Helen’s hands ended on her hips then her hands came out to emphasis her words. She had a difficult time keeping control of her magic she was so mad. “Maybe what we should be asking is what have you been doing to protect us? Why has it taken me so long to be standing here to accept my powers? Have you given it some thought? I’m certainly not afraid of them, or of any of you,” Helen waved her hand to include everyone sitting around her. “Brody left because he was bored to death. There is nothing to keep young witch’s here. Nothing to keep young shifters here but the word of the Alpha. Then I discover we’ve been lied to by the very people who are supposed to have our best intentions at heart. Huh,” Heli stated dramatically. “It sounds to me as if you were just keeping your asses fat with money and power and to hell with the rest of us.”
