by Ann Gimpel
“You’re conscious. Thank fucking God. Despite Caelin’s reassurances, I wasn’t at all certain… Your heartbeat was erratic and… It doesn’t matter. Nothing matters so long as you’ve found your way back.”
She pulled her left arm up, so she could inspect it. Beyond hope and reason, it was still there, and the bracelet was gone. Her fingers were even ruddy again. She flexed her hand, grateful it still worked. Keira looked at Barrett. His face was wet.
Must be the spell. He couldn’t have been crying. Not over me.
She wanted to ask him to hold her again, so she could feel his solidness next to her, but he’d risen to his feet. “Where are you going?” She tried to stand, but her legs wouldn’t cooperate.
“To help Caelin.”
“What about me?” Keira was appalled. She sounded like a ten-year-old. Besides, Barrett didn’t owe her a thing. “Never mind. Didn’t mean it.”
“You’re weak from the effects of Were magic and our own. It will take a few hours for you to recover. Caelin is outside fighting Weres with several other Sidhe.” He cracked a wry smile. “Had no idea they’d pull out all the stops for someone they thought was a mixed-blood hooker.”
“You don’t know them. They’re unbelievably possessive.”
Barrett made a sound between a snort and a grunt. “Quite the understatement.” He gestured to a mug on a small side table. “Drink that. It will help get you back on your feet. I’ll return as soon as I can. I have living quarters in the back of the shop. You’re welcome to them.”
His presence warmed her soul. She could have listened to his wonderful voice forever. Get a grip, her inner voice shouted. He doesn’t care about me. Getting me away from the Weres was a job, an assignment. And now it’s over.
“Thank you.” She pointed to her arm.
He smiled and her heart sped up. “I owe you thanks as well. Your well-timed warning probably saved my life. Before the Weres hauled you back, they would’ve been all too glad to kill me.” He snorted. “Collateral damage.”
Strong light flashed. It hurt her eyes, and she squeezed them shut. When she opened them, he was gone. Keira dragged herself along the floor to where her drink was. She was thirsty. So much so it seemed she hadn’t had any fluids for weeks. The mug’s contents had a strong, medicinal flavor. She made a face as she forced it down. Warmth spread from her belly outward, soothing her.
Whatever was in the drink did its work well. The next time she tried to get her feet under her, she succeeded. Keira still felt woozy, but better than she had. She wandered around the shop, picking up things she’d always been curious about. Bundles of herbs, crystal figurines, amulets, incense, casting candles, tarot decks.
A Daoine Sidhe spell book sat behind glass in a locked case. She looked longingly at it. If she were to make a start at figuring out who she really was, the book might give her a place to begin. Keira clapped a hand to her forehead. She wasn’t thinking straight. The book was probably written in ancient Gaelic. She wasn’t certain, but she thought only the Daoine retained an ability to read the arcane script.
It was curious she couldn’t hear sounds from the battle she figured had to be raging just outside. Barrett had said the shop was warded. Maybe that was why she couldn’t hear anything. Rather like the shielding that masked sound on the second floor of Were Calls.
“I have a lot to learn,” she muttered half aloud.
Keira pulled a dusty blue velvet curtain aside. An arched doorway and short hall led to a sitting room furnished in nineteenth century antiques. She ran her hand over floral sofas with curved legs, matching easy chairs, cut crystal lamps, and shiny tables. Dishes from what looked like an interrupted meal were scattered on one of them.
An open doorway sat off to one side leading to another room with an elaborate four poster bed and matching carved wooden dressers. The wood was highly burnished and very beautiful, maybe cherry or mahogany.
Barrett’s bedroom.
She wondered if Renn had ever been in it, and then shook her head to erase an image of the lusty Fairy with her head bent over Barrett’s cock.
A carafe sat on a sideboard. She went to it and sniffed. Mead. She shrugged and tipped it to her mouth. The honey wine was smooth with just a touch of spice. It smelled like Barrett and made her feel sad. Whatever her new life included, he would only be a peripheral part of it. He’d spirited her safely away from the Weres, so his task was done.
She made her way to the bed—his bed—and lay down. The pillows and bedclothes smelled like him. Keira tried to get hold of her emotions, but too much had happened. She felt weak, vulnerable. More than that, she’d made a cardinal mistake by falling hard for Barrett and dunned herself for being a fool.
“Look.” She spoke aloud to steady herself. “He helped Caelin rescue me for all the reasons he told me about. Sure, we had great sex, but that’s all it was.” Keira thought again about Renn and how the Fairy had whispered familiarly into Barrett’s ear.
A tear rolled down her face, then another.
Stop it. I’m alive. And the Weres don’t own me anymore. It could be so much worse.
Come morning, she’d sort out where she would live while she learned about her magic. Maybe Caelin had an extra room for his long lost daughter. He didn’t seem very friendly. But he couldn’t be any worse than the Weres.
One thing was certain, she had to get away from Barrett. Being close to him and knowing he didn’t want her would be excruciating. She’d lost the relative anonymity where she could come into his shop and watch him from the sidelines, dreaming about a future together. Dispirited, Keira turned onto her side. It was hard to dredge up enthusiasm for a new life that would effectively seal her off from even the limited contact she’d had with Barrett. Weariness dragged her lids shut. She drew her knees up and fell asleep with his scent surrounding her.
* * * *
Barrett lobbed jolts of power until his arms ached. A Were cougar arced into the air, catching him with outstretched claws on the way down. He kicked it for good measure, irritated he hadn’t been quick enough to escape its dying wrath. Blood trickled down his face, but it was more annoyance than anything. He redirected a flow of magic to heal his wounds.
Weres lay dead in piles around him. Caelin had called in reinforcements. Still it was twenty of them against about a hundred Weres. Barrett regarded the street in front of his shop. One advantage of the New World was the predators. They’d cruise by and take care of the carnage. Usually pretty damned fast too. The wolves, bears, coyotes, and pigs knew a competitor would hog down the spoils, if they didn’t get there in time.
“Whew!” Caelin sidled up to him and wiped blood and grit from his face. “That does it. The last few are leaving.”
“I hate to be a naysayer—” Barrett blew out a tired breath “—but all you know is they’re leaving for now.”
“Please. They’re not going to launch another war on the altar of one mixed blood girl.”
“But she’s not.”
“They don’t realize it. You know Weres. We hurt their pride when you made off with something they considered property. I’m certain if one of us goes by tomorrow and offers to buy her bond now that they don’t have her anymore, they’ll happily take our money.”
“Why didn’t you think of that before?” Barrett eyed him. “Might have avoided all that pain for Keira.”
Caelin looked uncomfortable, a rare enough event.
“What? Some other niggling little fact you failed to tell me about?” Barrett was too tired to be subtle.
“It was the first thing I tried—”
“You son of a bitch!” Outrage thrummed through him. A red haze blurred his vision. Before Barrett could stop himself, he wound his hands around Caelin’s neck and squeezed hard.
“Stop!” Power thrummed beneath the one word, but Caelin didn’t struggle, just locked gazes with Barrett.
He pulled himself back with difficulty, forcing words out. “You alerted them she was special to us and
then sent me in there, knowing they’d be watching her.” He turned away. It was hard to look at Caelin. He felt betrayed.
“If I’d told you, you wouldn’t have gone. I couldn’t go back, I’d already shown too much of my hand. Once they determined they could charge half a million New Dollars and I’d pay, they laughed in my face and told me her bond wasn’t up for bid.”
“You should’ve warned me,” Barrett said through clenched teeth.
“Would you have agreed to go if I had?” Caelin stepped in front of Barrett so he had to look at him.
“Probably not.”
The Daoine Sidhe leader set his jaw in a hard line. “I didn’t handle this well. I made a number of mistakes, and they snowballed. No one was more shocked than me when Danu confronted me a short time ago asking why I hadn’t taken Keira under my wing.”
Barrett cocked his head to one side. “Did you tell her you’d forgotten about your blood kin?”
“Actually, I did.”
“I’m guessing it didn’t go over very well.”
Caelin made an offensive noise somewhere between a growl and a grunt. “It went so badly, it seeded the remainder of the errors that led to this mess.” He spread his arms wide.
“Did you know about the bracelet?”
“No.” Caelin held up a hand. “While I was removing it, I did figure out it could’ve redirected her magic once it surged, and killed her.” A muscle danced in the tight line of his jaw. “So spare me your lecture.”
The air hummed with magic. Barrett glanced about. The Sidhe were leaving. It made sense. There wasn’t any reason for them to remain. “I say we don’t bother paying off the Weres for Keira. They’re a greedy bunch of bastards, and they’ve cost us plenty over the years. They can go to hell for all I care. Want to come inside?”
Caelin nodded. “Fine by me. How’s the girl?”
Barrett raised a curious brow. “You mean your daughter?”
Caelin winced. “It’s going to take a bit of getting used to. Damn me, but I can scarcely force myself to say the word. Quite the beauty, isn’t she? Takes after Danu—and Ivanne. Those silver eyes are unique.”
“I’m sure she’d like to hear that.” Barrett got hold of his inner snark. Both of them were tired. Their magic needed a chance to recharge. Carping at Caelin for his failures as a parent wouldn’t do anyone any good.
He withdrew magic from the wards around his shop and went inside, holding the door for Caelin. He activated the Closed sign and locked both deadbolts. Barrett wasn’t certain when he’d open for business again, but it wouldn’t be for at least couple of days.
He walked quietly through his shop and peeked behind the curtain into his living quarters. Keira was curled on his bed, fast asleep. His heart squeezed in his chest. She was so lovely with her golden hair spread over the pillows and comforter, it took his breath away. More than anything, he wanted to settle quietly next to her and draw her into his arms. If it were up to him, no further harm would ever befall her.
Barrett fisted his hands at his sides and pulled himself together. He was used to being alone. Keira made a place deep within him ache for something he’d never had, but she wasn’t for him. She was destined to lead the Daoine Sidhe.
He let the curtain fall back into place, scuttled behind one of the displays, and came out with a bottle of mead. A few quick cuts with his pocket knife made short work of the wax seal. “Made it myself,” he said to Caelin with a heartiness he was far from feeling. “Let’s sit. We need to get some things squared away.”
The bottle passed between them many times before Barrett broke the silence. “I suppose you’ll be taking Keira home with you?”
Caelin’s head snapped up. “Uh, I hadn’t actually thought that far ahead. Since you know her, I guess I assumed she’d remain here. You could begin to work with her magic. Of course, I’d look in from time to time—”
“No.” The vehemence of that one word surprised him. “The goddess came to you. Keira is your daughter. Once she wakens, you need to take over as her father and mentor of her magic.”
“Why?” Caelin handed the bottle over. Barrett felt a small truth spell settle between them.
“Because I’m falling in love with her. I—”
“It’s all right. I understand.” Caelin’s voice was gruff. Discussions about emotions made him uncomfortable. The Daoine Sidhe leader was heartbreakingly beautiful, but a string of women had left him over the centuries. The detachment that made him a superior military strategist didn’t translate into being a sensitive or considerate lover.
Caelin chuckled wryly. “I can read your thoughts. They’re too close to home for comfort. How about if we both get some sleep? I’ll do the right thing by Keira. I just need some time to get used to the idea of being responsible for someone other than Sidhe in battle. Never fear. I’ll return in a few hours.”
The air took on an incandescent glow. Barrett felt a rush of magic that prickled against his skin and made the small hairs on his arms stand upright. He wasn’t surprised when Caelin vanished.
Barrett sat in his chair until his body was stiff and uncomfortable. The last time he picked up the mead bottle and tipped it back, it was empty. Time to go to bed. But Keira was there.
I’ll lie on the other side, he reasoned with himself. That way she won’t be frightened if she wakes. Caelin will be back to collect her soon enough.
He walked through his darkened shop. Night must have fallen again. Barrett felt his way into his sitting room, quietly pried his boots off, and crept to the bed. Her scent tickled his nostrils, new-mown hay mingled with summer wildflowers, and his cock sprang to attention. It didn’t care how tired he was—or how conflicted. He settled himself on the far edge of the large bed, taking care to make as little noise as possible. It would just make things more difficult if she were to waken and wanted to be held.
He must’ve drifted off because her warmth burrowing next to him brought him half awake. She’d wrapped an arm around him and the weight of her sleeping body against his back warmed him. After a brief internal war, he turned and drew her into his arms.
Just once more, he told himself. What harm can it do if we make love one more time?
She still had all her clothes on. For that fact, so did he, but that could be remedied easily enough.
He kissed her face gently. Cheeks, forehead, lips. When he settled his mouth over hers, she kissed him back. Barrett felt a rush of love and tenderness that nearly flattened him. Maybe she cared about him after all. Maybe…
She’s half asleep. Probably doesn’t even know who she’s with. Take this for what it is.
He stroked her hair away from her face and kindled a mage light. It hovered off to one side, glowing a soft blue. He considered a peek inside her mind, but she wasn’t just another Sidhe. She would be his queen, and it felt like a huge boundary violation to pluck thoughts from her head.
Keira’s silver eyes fluttered open. Her full lips curved in the softest of smiles. “I’m glad you’re back…” Her voice faded to nothing. The warm, welcoming glow in her eyes guttered and died. She wriggled away from him, putting some distance between their bodies. “Uh, so how’d things go outside? Did any of the Sidhe die because of me?”
He struggled with wanting to crush her to him and kiss her until her cheeks flushed and her breathing quickened. He knew she’d respond to him. Sex between them had been electric. He hadn’t imagined it. He also knew what a bad idea it was. “No. No casualties on our side.”
“Do you think the Weres have given up?” She moved back another inch or two.
“Hard to say.” Barrett reined in his disappointment. His cock throbbed. He ignored it. “How are you feeling?”
“Surprisingly good, considering everything.” She slitted her eyes his way. “What happens next? I saw a book out there about Daoine Sidhe spells. Is it in English?”
Good. She’s thinking ahead. She’d grow into a competent leader for our people.
But his life fe
lt like a wasteland because it was clear she was moving beyond him.
“Well?” Her voice held a bit of an edge.
“Oh, the book. No, it’s in Gaelic. Like almost all the Sidhe teachings.”
She drew her brows together, creating a crease between them. “Could you teach me?”
“Yes, but you’ll be going with Caelin. As soon as he gets back here.”
“When will that be? I’d like to get started.”
“I’m not sure. Not more than a few hours.” His heart sank even further. She didn’t need to sound so fucking cheerful about leaving him. “If you’re ready to get up, I could see about something to eat.” He tried hard to keep his voice neutral.
“Sure.” She smiled.
Hunger that had nothing to do with food kindled deep inside him. It felt nearly unbearable, but there wasn’t a goddamned thing he could do about it.
Keira got to her feet. “I can help cook, if you point me in the right direction.”
Chapter Eight
Three Days Later
Barrett pulled the Closed sign off his shop door. He’d been shut for the better part of four days. As far as he was concerned, he’d have kept the place shuttered forever, but it wasn’t practical—or fair. The other magic wielders depended on him. If he wanted to get out of the magic supplies business, he’d have to train another to take his place. It wasn’t like things were before the war, when several places worldwide had stocked his wares. As it was, he grew most of the herbs he sold in a temperature controlled greenhouse behind his shop. The thing ran on a combination of magic and solar power, and it was persnickety. Beyond what he could grow, other items had gotten progressively harder to locate and some, like certain crystals and some exotic poisons extracted from sea life, weren’t available at all.
He’d kept his nose to the ground in the days since Keira’s rescue, but hadn’t caught even a whiff that the Weres were contemplating resurrecting the war. Barrett smiled grimly. They couldn’t afford to lose anything further. None of them could. Survival teetered at a precarious balance point for everyone, and the Weres knew it as well as any of the rest of them.
