Heart's Flame: Paranormal Romance

by Ann Gimpel

  “If I’m Daoine Sidhe,” she began, her voice sounding broken, “why is my magic so weak? You’re the strongest of the Sidhe.” She yanked her hand out of his and shook her head until her long hair tumbled around her nakedness, hiding it. “None of this makes any sense.”

  He reached for her, but she pulled away. “It’s because you’ve never had proper training in magic. How we manipulate the elements is very different from what the Weres do. You’ve been trying to use their magic. Another problem is this.” He tapped the bracelet spanning her upper arm. “I sense iron in it, which would mute your power down to almost nothing. Once we get it off, we can train you—”

  “Oh, really?” Her voice held an embittered edge. “Who? The father who forgot about me until Danu rang his chimes.”

  “He’s not so bad as all that…” Barrett faltered. He could see it from Keira’s perspective all too well. She’d essentially been orphaned. To discover she had a parent who’d ignored her and left her to suffer abuse at the hands of the Weres was inexcusable, war or no war. He felt torn. He wanted to support her, but he didn’t want to vilify Caelin.

  She thrust her hair away from her face and looked right at him. Her eyes were haunted, as if ghouls danced too near the surface for comfort. “So the plan is for me to show up at your shop and you and my father—” her lips puckered as if she’d tasted something sour “—will somehow fix it so the Weres can’t kill me through the bracelet.”

  He nodded.

  Tears gathered in her silver eyes. One dripped down her cheek, but she ignored it. “I think I should stay here. It will start the war all over again if the Weres find out you spirited me away. And they will.”

  “It may.” He tried to infuse as much compassion as he could into his words. “But you don’t have a choice. Your magic will ignite once you turn twenty-one. It could put us all at risk, if we can’t teach you control it. You need your people around you. We’re the only ones who can mentor you. Otherwise, you’ll never be able to manage your abilities once they emerge. To temper them, so your every whim doesn’t end in potential disaster.”

  He gazed at her, trying to gauge the impact of his words. She looked so distraught, he decided not to tell her that her own death was likely, if they couldn’t get the bracelet off. Not from Were magic, but from her own.

  “What happened to the last Daoine Sidhe queen?” Her voice was small, and it still held a shattered edge.

  “She died just before the war. She had no children. We’ve been without a ruler, save Caelin, ever since.”

  “What do you mean, she died? You, er, I guess that would be we, live practically forever.”

  “We suspect she was poisoned. It was one of the reasons the war started—and then escalated.” He considered telling her Danu was likely her mother, but Keira was overloaded with information. Besides, it was Caelin’s job to tell her about her conception since he’d been there.

  Keira was silent. She looked so tormented, it was all he could do not to gather her close and reassure her that he’d always care for her. Barrett tried to get a handle on the tenderness pouring through him. It wouldn’t do to let her see it. She would be his queen, not his lover.

  Someone pounded on the door. Keira’s head snapped up. She looked like a deer caught in a hunter’s torch.

  “Keira!”

  She jumped to her feet and wound a robe around herself before going to the door. She unlocked it and pulled it open a few inches, standing so her body shielded the Were’s view into the room. “Yes, Simon.”

  “Your other customer is done with Darla. He wanted to know when you’d be available.”

  Barrett groaned inwardly. He didn’t want anyone else fucking Keira. Not now, not ever. He’d have to get that part of himself under better control, but for now he couldn’t help himself. “I’ll buy her for another day,” he called from the bed. “We’re having a really good time.”

  Simon lowered his voice, but Barrett heard him just the same. “Did he pay you?”

  “Not yet,” Keira stammered, “but I’m certain…”

  “Not a problem.” Barrett grabbed a sheet and wrapped it around his shoulders to cover his body as best he could. He bent to his bag and withdrew his wallet. “How much?” He sidled behind Keira and met Simon’s dark green gaze.

  The Were smiled broadly. “For you, seven hundred New Dollars.”

  “And that buys me another full day?”

  Keira drew her brows together and dropped a hand on Simon’s arm. “But that’s highway robbery—”

  “It’s all right,” Barrett broke in. Reaching into his wallet, he counted bills into Simon’s hand. When he got to three hundred, he stopped. “How much does she get?”

  “Twenty percent.”

  Keira yanked her hand off Simon’s arm. “That’s crap. You know I get forty.”

  “Oh?” The Were eyed her lewdly. “I thought since you were having such a good time, you might want to share a bit more with the house.”

  “Not on your life.” She turned to Barrett. “My share is two hundred eighty New Dollars.”

  He smiled at her, loving her feistiness, and counted another hundred twenty New Dollars into the Were’s hand. Simon just stood there, gawking.

  “Well?” Barrett stepped in front of Keira. “You’ve been paid, how about moving back, so I can shut the door.”

  “Maybe I could, you know, join the festivities?” Simon’s eyes lit with lust. They traveled the length of Barrett’s sheet-clad body. “You’re quite the man there, buddy. I know you haven’t frequented Were Calls before, but we cater to all tastes.” He waved his fistful of money at Barrett. “Might even consider a twenty percent discount.”

  “Thanks, but no thanks.” Barrett tried to push the door shut, but Simon’s foot was in the way.

  “Well, if you ever change your mind… Men can be a lot of fun.”

  The Were reached to his crotch and rubbed himself. Barrett glanced downward. Simon had a hell of an erection. His cock wouldn’t have been out of place on an elephant.

  “You’ll be the first to know. Now, if you don’t mind, I have a lady waiting for me.” Simon finally moved back far enough for Barrett to close the door. He took care to lock it.

  “That was priceless!” Keira had obviously been struggling not to laugh. A giggle escaped her, followed by a string of them. “Shit. I had no idea he swung both ways. He’s never asked to join me before.”

  Now wasn’t the time to tell her the Daoine Sidhe’s sexuality was nearly impossible for other races to resist unless the Sidhe in question cloaked it. She’d find out soon enough. The room reeked of his lust. Barrett wasn’t surprised it had gotten the Were going. He smiled sourly to himself. With Keira’s looks, never mind her being royalty, she’d have a string of potential lovers a mile long.

  Keira walked up behind him and wrapped her arms around him. He felt her breasts press into his back. His cock swelled again. Reluctantly, he untangled her hands and turned to face her, letting the sheet slide to waist level.

  “I’d love to, but we have more important things to work on. Like figuring out how to spring you from here. I just bought us another day. Hopefully, it will be enough for Caelin to search out a spell to remove the bracelet before the Weres show up in force to try to get you back.”

  “What are we going to do?” She dropped her voice to the barest whisper.

  “Get dressed. Don’t worry about bringing anything. I wasn’t certain how long I’d be gone, or what I’d need, or I wouldn’t have brought that along.” He gestured toward the leather bag he’d chucked in a corner of the room.

  “What then?”

  “I’ll use magic to transport us to my shop.”

  “If they check, they’ll know I’m not in the bordello anymore. From this.” She pointed at the bracelet.

  “Well, let’s hope they don’t check. At least not too soon. Simon probably thinks we’ll be fucking like rabbits for the next few hours. Especially since he charged me half again the
going rate.”

  “He did overcharge you, but how’d…” She shook her head. “Never mind, Renn mentioned five hundred New Dollars for two days. You did the math.”

  Barrett didn’t tell her he would’ve paid any amount to get rid of the Were, so he could have her to himself again. He kicked himself mentally.

  She’s not mine. She never will be. Just focus on getting her back to Caelin.

  “I have to get some warmer clothes,” Keira murmured. “Be back in a flash. I’ll take the back stairs.”

  She returned with clothing hung over one arm and proceeded to put on heavy pants against the cold, a sweater, and a warm jacket. Stout lace-up boots completed her outfit. Barrett admired her. She had to be scared to death, but she had the presence of mind to understand she’d need something other than her flimsy hooker apparel.

  He smiled to himself. She could’ve been dressed in a potato sack, and he would have thought her beautiful. “Ready?”

  She nodded. Her mouth was set in a resolute line, and her normally rosy complexion had paled.

  Barrett looked down at himself and laughed grimly. “Well, you are, but it appears I’ve forgotten a few essentials, like my own clothing.” He dressed hastily and picked up his bag. “Put your arms around me. No matter how odd this feels, do not let go. Do you understand?”

  She shifted from foot to foot, but didn’t move to his side.

  What can I say to give her the strength to do this?

  “When the Daoine Sidhe go into battle or face an adversary, we visualize ourselves dancing in a flame. The flame warms us, protects us, and gives us strength.”

  “Too bad it doesn’t burn whoever’s after us to a cinder.”

  “Once upon a time it did. Our power isn’t as strong as it once was.”

  “Why?”

  “Our link to the Earth has eroded because She’s still angry about the war. I can tell you more about it once we’re safe.” He turned to face her and opened his arms. “Come close.”

  She wrapped her arms around him, and he felt her tremble. A desire to shield her from all the evil in the world was almost overwhelming. He ignored it. He’d need all his concentration to move them both out of there.

  Barrett sucked in a steadying breath, and then another. He fanned magic around them seeking threats. Because the outcome was so critical, he took extra time, being thorough. Satisfied he’d have a clear go, he pulled Earth magic, mixed in fire, visualized his store, and held Keira close against him. Her scent was intoxicating, but he focused on the task at hand.

  The sooner he turned her over to Caelin, the better. He didn’t trust himself to remain in proximity to her, didn’t think he’d be strong enough to keep his hands off her body and his mouth away from her enticing lips. Barrett reined in his sexual fantasies about the woman nestled in his arms. Nothing good could come of his infatuation with her.

  Nothing, and he’d do well to hold that thought front and center.

  Chapter Seven

  A scream tore from Keira’s throat, followed by another. She couldn’t help herself. The bracelet felt as if it were sawing her upper arm in two. Pain was like a live thing, clawing at her, eating her up. She wanted to run away, but there was nowhere to go. The only reason she still had her arms around Barrett was because his were over hers, holding them in place against his body. They were someplace dark with lights that flashed occasionally. The air was thin. Her lungs burned, but it was nothing compared with her arm.

  “Just a little more.” Barrett’s voice next to her ear soothed as he wrapped a calming spell around her. “Hang on for just a few more minutes. Once we’re back and I can let go of my spell, I’ll work on that goddess-forsaken bracelet. Damn the Weres to Hell. We should’ve killed them all in the war. Worthless sacks of dung, the lot of them.”

  She must have passed out from the pain. The next thing Keira knew, she was sprawled on the dusty Oriental carpet in front of the cash register in Barrett’s shop. He spoke urgently into his cell phone. “Oh, wait. I think she’s come around.” He knelt next to her, still talking into the phone. “Is there anything—? No, well, I’ll give her some herbs and wait for you. Hurry, goddammit.”

  He set the phone down and laid a hand on either side of her face. “Caelin will be here very soon.”

  Keira rolled from side to side. Now that she was conscious, pain pierced her again. Hot knives followed by jagged ice picks raced up and down her arm. Desperate, she tried to lift her arm and was shocked to see white, bloodless fingers.

  “C-can’t you do something?” Fear turned her guts to jelly. “I’m going to lose my arm if this keeps up for much longer. Worse, it means they know I’m gone. They’ll be here in a trice. Lots of them. What are you going to do then?”

  “I’ve warded the shop. Their magic’s not strong enough. They’ll never get in.”

  Keira wasn’t so certain. It sounded like Daoine Sidhe bravado, but maybe that was her Were programming talking. The entirety of her consciousness was focused on her arm. It froze. It burned. It ached.

  “Let me make you a draught. It should take the edge off. I’d use magic, but I’m afraid it might not mix well with whatever the Weres are pouring into you through the bracelet.” Barrett jumped to his feet.

  “Don’t leave me,” she wailed. Ashamed of her cowardice, she wished she was dead. Anything to make the pain go away.

  The air developed an odd glow right behind Barrett. If she hadn’t been staring at him, she never would’ve noticed. Weres. She’d lived with them too long not to know their energy. So much for the wards.

  “Behind you,” she shrieked. Keira never knew how she managed, but she lurched to her feet, left arm hanging useless at her side.

  Barrett spun, hands raised to call magic. “Get behind the register counter,” he barked. “And stay down.”

  Keira’s head was fuzzy from pain. It was hard to think. She started for the counter, but the air between her and it glowed too. Not safe.

  “Make it easy on all of us and come along without a fight,” sounded in her head. For the barest of moments, the bracelet stopped squeezing the life out of her arm. “See. We can make it stop.”

  Keira opened her mouth. It would be better for everyone if she went with the Weres. Maybe the Were shaman knew something about the mysterious power she was supposed to come into on her birthday. The bracelet tightened again. This time it shocked her too. She straightened her spine, humiliated by her momentary weakness. Barrett had risked a lot to rescue her. She wouldn’t throw his sacrifice away.

  “Never. I’m stronger than that. You’ll have to kill me to get me back.”

  Barrett raced to her side. “Who are you talking to in mind speech?” he gritted out. “I told you to take cover.” He clamped a hand over her other arm and tugged her toward the register.

  “Stop.” She shook her head. “They’re here. Lots of them. We just can’t see them. One of them, Simon I think, told me I have to go back.”

  Barrett scanned the room with his ice-blue gaze and narrowed his eyes. Power erupted from his hands. The air split in a dozen places, and Weres fell through onto the Oriental carpets. Some still twitched, but most lay still.

  Keira drew closer to Barrett. “Are they dead?”

  “Mostly.” His nostrils flared. “Damn. Where’d they learn to hide their energy so effectively?”

  Her arm ached. Waves of cold sent icy anguish skittering through her blood. Moaning, she sank to the floor and cradled her arm against her body. “Don’t let your guard down,” she murmured. “When this group doesn’t report in, more will show up.”

  The air shimmered. A tall, slender Daoine Sidhe with flame-red hair stepped into the room.

  Must be Caelin, my father.

  Keira stared at him. He looked formidable—and furious.

  “What the fuck happened here?” He turned his head from side to side taking in dead and dying Weres. “Well?” He stared hard at Barrett. “Didn’t you have the presence of mind to ward the place?�
�

  “I did.” Barrett bristled. “Look to your daughter. I’ll do what I can to strengthen the wards. Now that I know the feel of their cloaking, I might be able to do a better job.”

  Caelin dropped to the floor next to her. Anger radiated from the set-in-stone line of his jaw. “Daughter.” He inclined his head ever so slightly. “What a hell of a way to meet.”

  “Stop talking,” Barrett shouted. “Do something to help her. I’ve got the wards under control. At least I think I do.”

  “Give me a moment. I must assess what I face.” Caelin drew his brows into a thin, worried line. A knife materialized in his hand. He sliced the fabric of her sleeve from shoulder to wrist and touched the bracelet with a finger.

  “Damn! No time to decipher what might neutralize its power. Barrett, take her left hand. On my count of three, focus the unmaking spell right at the bracelet.”

  “But that will take her arm off right along with it,” Barrett protested.

  “What?” Keira didn’t think she could feel any worse, but fear made her pain escalate. Her heart beat so hard it felt like it was trying to escape from her chest. She rolled away from Caelin and curled into a ball on her side, panting.

  “No, it won’t. I will see it doesn’t. Daughter.” Strong hands rolled her onto her back again. Eyes so deep a blue they were nearly black bored into her. “Steel yourself. We must move quickly before we have a passel more Weres to fight atop everything else.”

  Her teeth chattered. She’d never felt quite so cold, scared, or alone. Barrett knelt by her side and took her hand in his. Chanting rose around her. Magic gathered and soared to a crescendo. Her agony escalated right along with it. She’d thought her arm hurt before. It was nothing compared with what happened to it now. It felt like someone had ripped it out by its roots. Keira shrieked again and again, unable to control the unholy sounds coming from her. The descent into blackness, when she couldn’t bear to feel anything else for even one more second, was welcome.

  She came to with Barrett’s arms around her. The pain was gone, and for a moment she wondered if she was dead. Barrett’s solid presence convinced her she wasn’t. He rocked her against him, crooning in ancient Gaelic, language of the Daoine Sidhe. She wriggled in his arms, and he loosened his hold.