Trial By Fire (Beyond The Veil Book 1)

by Cate Dean

  “In the meantime.” Claire touched my bracelet, then my ring. “I have a ring that will help amplify these.”

  She walked over to a small cabinet and unlocked the top drawer. What she was after obviously wasn’t for sale. When she came back to the table, she had a ring in her hand, with a round, peacock blue stone set in silver. It had an iridescent sheen to it, and just looking at the stone drew me toward it.

  “What is it?” I whispered, wanting so badly to touch the stone, and scared by that need.

  “An Aqua Aura.” She studied me closely, keeping the ring in her hand. “Tell me what you feel, Reese.”

  “I want—no, I need to touch it.”

  “This ring was given to me by an Irish witch, in another life.” A smile tugged at her mouth. “She told me I would know when to pass it on.” Claire took my right hand and slid the ring on my middle finger. Silver-blue light coiled around the stone, tendrils sliding over my skin. “Don’t be afraid.” Claire’s voice was low, calm. “That is your power, Reese.”

  “It’s—what?” My skin tingled, and I felt lightheaded.

  “It seems your human side has power as well. The ring is a focus.” Claire gently squeezed my hand. “Breathe, sweetheart.”

  I took in a shaky breath, realizing I had been holding it as I stared at my hand. At my power.

  This had gotten too real, too fast.

  Claire moved to me, and slipped one arm around my shoulders. “Stay here as long as you need.”

  I heard the voices then, filtering in past the shock. She had customers—and I had to go.

  “I’ll just—” I started to stand, and let out a startled gasp when my legs refused to cooperate.

  “Like I said, as long as you need.” She smiled down at me, her eyes kind. “You’re not the first to discover yourself at this table. Enjoy your tea, Reese. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

  I’d forgotten about the glass of mint tea, until Claire mentioned it. Now I closed both hands over the tall, cold glass, and drank half of it in one go. The cool, minty tea felt good on my dry throat. Drinking the tea also reminded me that I hadn’t eaten yet. My stomach growled, so loud I was sure Claire’s customers heard it.

  That was my cue to go. As much as I wanted to talk to her, learn more about what she knew, not eating always ended badly for me, and anyone around me.

  By the time I reached the front of the store, Claire had my purchases in a sturdy blue and brown carry bag.

  “I haven’t—”

  She waved her hand at me, keeping an eye on the two women bent over the display case. “I put it on your tab.” She glanced at me long enough for me to see the silver edging her eyes. “Go on, now.”

  I looked at the two women—really looked at them. And I almost dropped the bag when I saw through the thin glamour that hid them from human eyes, saw what they were.

  Garden faeries, with long, filmy wings tucked up against their shoulders. I would never get used to seeing my childhood faerie tales come to life.

  One of the faeries turned to get Claire’s attention, and she moved forward, blocking me from their view. I took the hint and strode to the door, completely forgetting about the bell until after I’d opened the door.

  Claire lifted one hand, and the bell stilled, like it had been frozen in place. I looked over at her, mouthed a thank you, and eased the door closed. Through the window, I saw her with the faeries, part of me still hoping I’d wake up from a crazy dream.

  Yeah—that hope already sailed.

  And if accepting it didn’t hammer the truth home, Mom standing in front of my store did.

  Delicate silver tattoos glowed against her skin. I don’t know how I knew, but I could sense that she had—renewed them somehow, since Maeve pretty much blew her cover.

  “Reese—”

  “Inside, Mom.” I dug my keys out of my jacket and unlocked the door, letting her go in ahead of me. I took down my vacation sign and flipped the other sign to open. I couldn’t afford to turn away summer tourists. Plus, customers would give me a buffer. “What are you doing here?”

  “Retrieving my SUV, for starters.”

  “Right.”

  I completely forgot about her car. I’d parked it in the small alley behind my store, to keep it safe. I owned the parking rights for the two spaces, and with parking at a premium here, I guarded them zealously. Since I rarely drove my car, it took one of the spaces. The other always had my trashcans or boxes blocking it, to the annoyance of some other merchants on this side of Forest. But I knew if I let one of them use the space, I’d never get it back.

  “I also came to apologize.” Mom moved in for a hug. This time I needed it, needed the unconditional love, the familiarity I was fast losing. “I was so scared for you, honey. I never wanted you to be part of this world.”

  “I’m scared, too.” Mom was the one person I could admit that to without sounding like a coward. “But it’s my fault.” I pulled out of her embrace and met her eyes. “I touched the pendant, and I knew better.”

  “If you hadn’t decided to—”

  “Stop.” We were not having that argument again. I loved my store, loved pairing people with the right piece for them. “I did, and we have to move on.”

  “All right.” She wandered away from me when a group of women walked into the store.

  I dropped the bag behind the counter and walked over to them. “Welcome to The Dragon’s Breath. How can I help you?”

  The tallest woman wrapped an arm around an embarrassed teenage girl. “It’s my daughter’s birthday, and I’ve been past your lovely store windows several times since we’ve been here. I knew she would love your selection.”

  “Take a look around, and let me know when you want to see a piece.” I smiled at the now blushing teenager. “Happy birthday.” I pointed at the small case of rings near the door. “That is my birthday case. Find a ring you like, and it’s my gift to you.”

  Her blush faded, pleasure replacing the embarrassment. “Thanks,” she said. “I really like your hair. That blonde stripe is cool.”

  “I like it, too.” I stepped back, giving them space. There’s nothing I hate more than a hovering sales clerk, so I’ve never done it. “Enjoy your browsing. I’ll be over at the main counter if you have any questions.”

  Mom waited for me at the waist high, wood counter that served as my point of sale. I stifled a sigh, and joined her. She surprised the hell out of me when she took my hand.

  “You were so perfect with her. With them.” She studied my face, her blue eyes blurring with tears. “You really are good at this, Reese.”

  “I like to think so.”

  She laughed, wiping at her eyes. “I deserve that. I’ve just been so afraid, that something—”

  “Might happen.” I glanced over at the small group. They were at the ring case, oohing and aahing over the selection. If I could read the teenager right, I’d be giving one away. “You prepared me, just in case, with all those stories.”

  “I could hardly leave you defenseless. And if something had happened to me, or if they had found me—” She rubbed at her forehead, and I knew she was trying to compose herself.

  Mom was an emotional person—a fact that used to horrify and embarrass the teenage me. Now I wonder if it’s because she suppressed so much of who she really was, for so many years. For me.

  “Mom—”

  “Excuse me!” The mother waved frantically at me. “We found a piece we’d like to see.”

  “On my way.” I touched Mom’s wrist, startled by the heat coming off the vine tattoo that curled around her wrist. “Stay. I’d like to talk.”

  She nodded, and I headed over to the case on the far side of the store, ready to make a profitable sale.

  Fourteen

  Bran decided to try and take his mind off Reese by making a list of suspects. He knew more Fae than he wanted to, and that would finally work to his advantage.

  And he knew Reese would be safe in her store. He was a ten m
inute drive away, and the ring she had given him tied them together in a way she didn’t know yet.

  If she was in any kind of danger, he would sense it.

  “Okay—down to business,” he muttered.

  He started writing, using one of his legal pads and a pencil, so he could erase if necessary. Reese’s face still popped into his mind every other minute.

  Halfway through his second list, the office phone rang. It was Nick Phillips. His greeting shoved any thought of Reese out of Bran’s mind.

  “I need you to come down to the station, Bran.”

  His demon wanted to snarl a rude response. He slapped it down, and kept his voice level.

  “Why, Nick?”

  “There have been new developments in the case. New evidence. I have some questions.”

  In other words, he was a person of interest. Also known as a suspect.

  “What did your techs find, Nick?”

  The long hesitation rang every warning bell.

  “Come down, Bran.” His cell vibrated a second later, with an address. He almost laughed out loud. Nick wanted to meet him at the Hillside Shops—a high-end mall that catered to the well-heeled. Nick was seriously addicted to a certain fast food served at the huge food court. “I’ll answer your questions then.”

  “Got it.” Whatever they found, he didn’t want to risk being overheard, even by his own men. Nick was one of a small handful of law enforcement who even knew supernaturals existed. “I’ll see you soon.”

  Bran hung up, and pulled both his nine millimeter and his backup piece out of the lockbox, in the also locked bottom drawer of his desk. The backup went on his right ankle, and his nine millimeter and the holster at his waist, in a position that his bomber jacket covered, but he could still easily reach. No need to frighten the local shoppers.

  He took the coast highway, then surface streets to the mall. The disadvantage of living in Santa Luna was lack of access to any freeways. But the advantages far outweighed that inconvenience. By the time he reached the mall, the after school crowd had invaded.

  With a sigh, he parked his convertible in the far corner of the back parking lot, and engaged the alarm guaranteed to stop any hormone-raging teen from stealing it. Instead of the constant bleep that everyone ignored, it blared a message that could be heard for half a mile.

  Bran found acute embarrassment always worked better than threats.

  After jogging through the huge parking lot, he wanted to strip out of his jacket. Instead, he hoped for arctic level air conditioning and pulled the glass door open.

  Nick waited for him at the back of the crowded food court. He waved, and Bran strode across the slick marble floor.

  “I’m here. What are these new developments?”

  “Your fingerprints were in the vault.”

  “What?” Shock had him stepping back. “I’ve never been to the Center before I met you there, and I was careful not to touch anything while I was inside the vault. You know me, Nick.”

  “I do, and I trust you. But as the techs always say, evidence doesn’t lie. I know from personal experience that it can be misleading.” Nick rubbed his forehead. “I just need you to lay low until I get this sorted out. Are you working on any cases right now?”

  “I just finished one, and I can pass the other two on my desk to Jon Wright. He’ll appreciate the business. What the hell, Nick.”

  “I know. Someone associated with this wants you out of the way. I’m not asking you to stop investigating,” he said, when Bran opened his mouth to say just that. “I’m asking you to keep under the radar while you do. How’s Reese?”

  “Safe.” Or she would be, as soon as he set up the items he had her buy at Claire’s store. “I’ll let you know if she gets any other impressions from the scene.”

  “Thanks. Keep your head down, my friend. I’ll call you if I have any news.”

  Nick walked through the food court, stopping to get a hot dog on a stick and a lemonade. Bran smiled at his friend’s choice of lunch—or, rather, dinner. A quick glance at his watch told Bran he had lost more time than he thought working on his list at the office.

  Time to grab a bite, and meet up with Reese. Not only did he need her to be safe, he needed to see her.

  “Who are you kidding, Malcolm?” He needed her. Period.

  The knowledge exhilarated him, and terrified him. He had never felt like this, about any woman.

  After more years than he cared to admit, Reese Pierpoint had pierced the armor around his heart.

  Fifteen

  After dinner with Mom, I finally managed to escape, and headed home.

  Don’t get me wrong—I love her, but she could be a smothering presence. I understood why now. I also understood her need to keep protecting me, even though she no longer had any power to stand up to whatever Fae might come for me.

  We needed to have another talk about that. I wouldn’t let her stand in front of me when I knew she wouldn’t be able to defend—

  A sharp crack from the bushes that lined the front of the porch halted me. I lowered the carry bag to the sidewalk and slipped my keys out of my jacket pocket, ready to poke the eye out of any potential attacker. Right before he stepped out of the shadows, I knew it was Bran.

  I ran straight at him and collided with his chest. He let out a muffled laugh, since his face was buried in my hair.

  “I’m happy to see you, too, Reese.”

  “Sorry I didn’t call you. My mom was waiting for me at the store after I came back from The Wiche’s Broom, and the day got away from me.”

  “The life of a store owner.” He kissed the top of my head and tucked me under his chin. It felt so good, being wrapped in his arms, his heart beating under my cheek. “I’m tied to you, sweetheart, and I would have known if you were in trouble.”

  It took me a second. “The ring.”

  “I told you it was a potent choice, giving it to me.”

  “It felt right.” I leaned back, tilting my head until I could meet his eyes. “If you knew I was okay, what are you doing lurking in the bushes?”

  “I missed you.”

  My only response to that was to kiss him. So I did, standing on tiptoe to reach his lips. He smiled, right before I did.

  We were both gasping when I finally freed him.

  “Missed you, too,” I whispered.

  His laughter rumbled through me. “Am I invited upstairs?”

  My heart skipped. This time, neither one of us had been inches from death, and exhausted. This time, if I invited him to my home, it wouldn’t be just to sleep.

  I took a deep breath. “On one condition.”

  He raised his eyebrows. “Which is?”

  I picked up the bag. “You tell me what I’m supposed to do with all of this.”

  His smile made my knees weak. “Deal.”

  Sixteen

  Bran followed Reese upstairs, admiring the view. She was so beautiful, with more courage than most men he knew. She would need it, if they had to face Torlogh again.

  After seeing what had been taken from the Center, he had a feeling they were far from done with him.

  But tonight—tonight was for them. As soon as he set up the protection she carried in her bag.

  The sooner she had a barrier between her and the life-sucking Fae, the better he’d feel.

  Bran held out his hand for her keys when they reached the front door. “I’m going in first.”

  “So protective.” She handed him the keys. “I’m not sure how I feel about that.”

  “After your mom’s smothering ways?” Bran unlocked the door, and glanced over his shoulder. “I’m not like her, Reese. If you didn’t have a child-killing Dark Man stalking you, I’d be happy to let you open the door first. But since you do—”

  “You’re going in first.” She let out a sigh, and he wanted to pull her into his arms again. “I get it. I’ll wait here until the all clear.”

  He stepped over the threshold, and let his demon senses lead the wa
y. Residue from the portal was still here, which he didn’t like at all. Torlogh could latch on to that residue and open another portal in the same spot.

  All he had to do was sacrifice another kid.

  Aside from the residue, there was nothing…

  Bran stopped next to a pair of boots sitting next to Reese’s bed. Transport magic—and he recognized the source.

  “Maeve—you’ve been a bad girl, circumventing Reese’s invitation.”

  The barrier would put a stop to that.

  He did a quick check of her bathroom, and her closet, pausing to admire her collection of cropped, colorful t-shirts. Reese Pierpoint was one sexy, interesting woman.

  She stood outside, away from the open doorway. Bran stepped out, and gave a quick bow.

  “Your castle awaits, milady.”

  “Thank you, good sir.” She curtsied, playing along with him. God help him, he could fall in love with her. “Will you be so kind as to escort me?”

  “I am your humble servant, milady.”

  With a smile, he held out his left arm, wanting to keep his right hand free. Just in case he missed something. Once they were inside, he engaged every lock on the door. There were only two; Santa Luna was a safe place, despite it being a recent entry point for the Fae allowed to cross the Veil.

  He didn’t plan on going anywhere until tomorrow.

  Reese held up the bag. “I got everything, as requested.”

  “What did you think of Claire?”

  “I liked her.” She handed him the bag, and slipped out of her jacket. Bran tried not to stare as she revealed bare, toned arms, her black, sleeveless t-shirt hugging the slim curves his hands itched to trace. “She didn’t seem like—”

  “A demon? She’s one of the good guys, Reese.”

  She raised an eyebrow, hands on her hips. “I figured that out, all on my own.”

  “Sorry.” He sighed, rubbing his forehead.

  “Did I hit a sensitive spot?” She surprised him by moving to him and wrapping her arms around his waist. “You’re not the only non-human in the room, Bran. And I’m still trying to get used to the fact that I’m part of your clique.”