Enchantment

by Lawna Mackie

  In the distant sky, the gargoyles’ large wings filled the air with a rhythmic beating sound as they descended from the sky. Their massive forms and numbers darkened the sky like storm clouds in response to his command.

  Stryker was in the lead, and the first to land. Kerrigan’s eyes were as black as the sky. He looked at his captain with a stone-cold expression and said two words. “Sweep. Now.”

  Stryker and the other gargoyles fanned out through the heavens. There wasn’t an inch of air or water they wouldn’t search on Enchantment.

  Cradling Meeka’s limp body, he stepped into the water, going out deeper and deeper until she was fully submerged with the exception of her head. With water in the palm of his hand, he touched her cheeks and forehead, continuing to sooth her. He assumed she’d been close to internal combustion, unaware of how to deal with the power building inside her. Her heart rate was slowing to a normal pace, but he needed to get her home safely.

  “Catz, can you follow us back to my home?” Kerrigan asked.

  “I can teleport as long as I can see the place in your mind,” she answered.

  Kerrigan looked back to Threeo, Todd and Paddy. “Mom, Dad, Stryker will ensure you get back home safely. Do not leave your lodge unless you are coming to me through the tunnel. Threeo, you come with me. I’ll take Meeka home with me where I have more security.”

  Catz nuzzled Meeka’s face with her lioness muzzle. “We are here, Meeka. Come back to us. You did a good job, and you’re safe.”

  Mentally Kerrigan spoke to Stryker. “Stryker, make certain my parents get home safely. Our homes will require guards, and ensure the Counselors’ Realm is thoroughly protected.”

  “It will be done, sir. I’ll check in with you later, after we find her assailant. Gods help the bastard if I get my hands on him.”

  “He’s mine. If you find him, notify me immediately.” With a final thought, he placed Threeo on Catz’s large back. “Let’s go.”

  He bit back the silent vow of revenge. No one dared to touch what belonged to him, and like it or not, Meeka was his.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Her eyelids were too heavy. Every inch of her burned, and her tongue felt swollen and thick. Thirst ripped into her.

  What I wouldn't do for a drink of water. Cool, clear water.

  She forced herself awake and attempted to sit up. Blinking to clear the haze from her eyes, she glanced around. Panic flared, tightening the flesh along her jaw, along her throat.

  Where am I?

  Relief swamped her at the sight of Kerrigan’s large frame uncomfortably stretched out on a sofa. Catz was on the bed beside her.

  A fire crackled, and Meeka noticed Threeo perched on the mantle with his head buried under one leg.

  Catz must have felt her move. “Meeka, you’re awake. We were so worried for you.”

  Kerrigan’s eyes opened. He smiled and immediately moved to the side of the bed, grabbing her hand.

  Her mouth was so dry. She could only manage a squeak. “Water.”

  A glass of water appeared in Kerrigan’s hand. He helped her take a drink. In three large gulps, the glass was gone. “More. Please.”

  “Okay, but just sip, or you’ll get sick.” He held her against his chest as she sipped the cold liquid.

  Meeka took his advice and only consumed half the glass before handing it back to him. She looked around the opulent room and the giant king sized bed where she lay. Hot and tired, she gazed up at the ceiling. Water, fish, and greenery swirled across the ceiling.

  That is the ceiling, isn’t it?

  Meeka turned her head toward Kerrigan. Kerrigan smiled back at her. “You like it?” “Are you sure it’s safe?”

  “Perfectly.” Kerrigan softly gazed into her eyes. “I can make it disappear, if you’d feel more comfortable with a normal ceiling.”

  “Oh, no. Please don’t. Leave it. I really do like it. Where are we?” Meeka felt a prickle of guilt at the thought of taking his bed. His masculine, musky scent was all over it, invading her every pore.

  “Meeka, I’m sorry. I should have never left you alone. And to answer your question, you’re in my home. I can do a better job keeping you safe here.”

  Meeka blinked. His embarrassment made her feel awkward. She turned her head from side to side, avoiding his stare.

  Change the subject.

  She looked back up at the ceiling. “Are there funny fish up there?”

  Kerrigan grinned. “Sorry, no funny fish. Precious, I know you’re not feeling well, but do you think you can tell us what happened?”

  Meeka pushed back into the pillows, trying to remember the events as they had happened. A cold chill ran through her body as she reflected on the thing that had tried to take her. She shivered, and felt the rolling waves of fury coming from Kerrigan. Shivering, she rested her hand on his arm and spoke gently. “You can’t be everywhere all at once, Kerrigan. I’ll be okay. This wasn’t your fault.”

  Meeka could feel his body tighten at her touch, and he held his breath. Her fingertips traced a path up and down the length of his forearm. “When you left me at the lake, I saw a funny fish. It was close to the shore, right at the edge of the water. I couldn’t resist. I followed it, and I wasn’t paying attention. Before I knew it, I was surrounded by tall trees and couldn’t see you guys. I didn’t know where I was.” She paused, inhaling a calming breath. “I felt something bad. The hairs on my neck stood up, Kerrigan. It was like this voice was telling me I was in danger. I turned to run, and the mist grabbed me.”

  Kerrigan pulled her into his arms, running his hand down her long silky hair. Her heart fluttered with the feel of his touch. She could cuddle in his arms forever and never feel threatened by anything ever again.

  “God, Meeka, I’m so sorry. I swear to you, I’ll kill anyone who lays a harmful hand on you.”

  Catz jumped to Meeka’s side, her eyes filled with tears. “I’m sorry, too, Meeka. I also failed to protect you. Whatever we are dealing with here is the purest of evil, and it wants you. Kerrigan and I will never let anything happen to you. Our guards will never be down again.”

  Immediately, she cried out on the inside as he lowered her body to the bed. Loneliness engulfed her. She reached for his arm. “No. Please. Can you just stay with me?”

  * * * *

  How could he ever refuse her anything? His heart ached, and his mind tried to reason. “Of course. Rest. Catz and I are here,” he said.

  “Will you hold me?”

  How he wanted to hold her, to love her, to keep her safe. Carefully, Kerrigan lifted his body over hers to lie at her side. His arms gathered her against him. She fit perfectly, molded to him. Every inch of his body was on fire for her. He forced himself to constrain his breathing. Kerrigan could hear her tired but contented sigh. Soon, her breathing was relaxed, and he knew she was sound asleep in his arms.

  He couldn’t remember a time when he had felt so tormented. How could something that felt so right be so wrong? In a brief moment of self-pity, he cursed the fates, wondering what he could have done to deserve such cruelty.

  Okay, so he had issues when it came to his real parents. The only people he needed in his life were his surrogate parents, and he didn’t have room for anyone else. His job was his life, and he liked solitude. Caring for people only brought hurt with it. He wasn’t about to go there. Teach him love, his parents had instructed in the letter. What a joke! If love meant abandonment, he wanted nothing to do with it. He didn’t need it.

  So why do I care what happened to Meeka? Damn everything to hell! I do care.

  He wanted revenge, and he was going to have it. Screw everything else. Kerrigan pulled her closer. She may be powerful, but she needed him. Her hair was splayed over his arm and the smell of lilacs filled his head.

  She would be under his guard, his protection, there would be no more foolishness, no more trusting others with his keep. Starting tomorrow, he would begin digging, begin seeking answers. Tomorrow, Meeka would begin trai
ning to keep her occupied while he went hunting.

  * * * *

  Kerrigan awoke a few hours later, surprised he’d fallen asleep. He felt a prickle of amazement tinged with uncertainty that reminded him he wasn’t alone. He’d never had a woman in his home, never mind in his bed. Home was his sanctuary, off limits to everyone.

  There goes another rule.

  He didn’t want to wake her as he carefully tried to untangle her limbs from his.

  Actually, he did want to wake her. He wanted to make love to her all night long and through to the next day. His body had been in a constant state of arousal since he first laid eyes on her. The taste of her sweetness on his tongue would live with him forever. How he wished things could be different.

  With his feet on the ground, he turned stiffly and left the room before he did something stupid.

  In his den, he poured a drink and beckoned to Threeo, who appeared on the desk in front of him. It was day three, and he had to appear before the Council this morning. What should he share with them?

  “Threeo, tell me the short version of your vision again,” Kerrigan cajoled.

  Threeo puffed out his feathers with annoyance. “Oh, sure, now you want to hear my vision. You never listened before.”

  “No, I haven’t cared much about your visions in the past. I refused to believe your dream was true. I’m sorry, but now I have to figure out who is after Meeka and why I can’t detect the force.”

  Plump little legs walked back and forth on Kerrigan’s desk. Threeo’s little dog tail was nowhere to be seen. “I saw this tall woman with black hair. Kerrigan was fighting with many. There is a monster, and he wants the woman. He is very bad and powerful. You lose all your powers—everyone does—except her.” Threeo blinked slowly, and his voice wavered, but continued. “The woman is gone with the bad people, and Kerrigan dies.” Threeo sat on his butt, hanging his head.

  Immediately, Kerrigan felt guilty and sought to sooth his pet. “Come on, Threeo, you’ve had other visions which haven’t come true. Sometimes just a part of the vision is true. Think about it, Threeo. Have I ever lost a fight?”

  “No, I think not.” Threeo answered.

  “Are there any others stronger or more powerful than me, other than the Power of Ten?” “No.” Threeo repeated again a little more hopeful.

  Kerrigan leaned over and swatted Threeo on the rear end. Threeo chirped with a laugh and slightly raised his tail.

  “Meeka wasn’t taken, was she? She is going to be just fine. I don’t think all of your vision will be true.” He looked into the yellow eyes of his companion. “I hope you’re right, Kerrigan.”

  “I am. Now stop your worrying. You’re starting to sound like Mom. Threeo, have you checked on the babies since we’ve been home?” Kerrigan knew Threeo had, but it was better to distract him then let melancholy take hold.

  “Yes, the babies are all fine. I thought Meeka might like to see them tomorrow,” Threeo queried.

  “I think that’s a great idea. If she liked the funny fish, she’ll love the babies.”

  Threeo stood back up and vanished by teleporting to the fireplace mantle across the room. “That’s what I thought. Threeo really likes Meeka.”

  Kerrigan didn’t respond. Who wouldn’t like Meeka?

  Threeo blinked heavily and said good night, burrowing his soft owl head between his large legs. In seconds, he was asleep.

  Kerrigan stood staring into the fire.

  Who? What? Why?

  The questions played over in his mind. How could he not have sensed the evil before its attack? He’d done numerous scans on Enchantment since being home, and nothing appeared out of the ordinary.

  Stryker and the gargoyles were still doing the sweep, but absolutely nothing had shown up. It just didn’t make sense. How could an Enchanter have magic of that power? Magic of that magnitude didn’t exist in a natural state. Cloaking was a skill requiring many years of training, something no Enchanter would have.

  No one but a Counselor.

  The stray thought sent a shard of fear through him. He ruthlessly crushed his unease.

  No, it wouldn’t be. Couldn’t be.

  Kerrigan wondered what the visit to the Counselors would bring.

  Could they send Meeka back?

  His heart lurched at the thought. One thing was certain. He needed to find out more about her powers and teach her how to use them properly. He couldn’t imagine she would ever need to defend herself when he was around, but until he could be sure, she needed to learn skills and learn fast.

  Tomorrow, she would accompany him to the Counselors’ Realm. She would train with him and the gargoyles.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Jager sat feet on his ratty old desk in Tombs. He didn’t know why he’d returned there. Probably because it had been the only place he’d ever known. He hadn’t been out wandering around in Enchantment long enough to call it home. Kerrigan always busted his ass and threw him back into Tombs.

  Selling magic was not allowed, but he’d made a good living at it. Who the hell cared if he killed a few skanky females along the way? Jager didn’t think anyone would miss them, but apparently, Kerrigan had.

  He clenched his fist and pounded the desk in anger. At least in Tombs, he was appreciated. Even the creatures with no brains knew to respect his leadership.

  There was no doubt Thalius would be pissed at his failed attempt at capturing the little bitch, but Tombs was the one place magic didn’t exist, so he was safe from Thalius’s attack. A sick smile grew over Jager’s disfigured face. Tombs was his home, not Thalius’s. Jager had more power—not magic. No, never magic—but true power here. For now, he was safe, but tomorrow, it could be a different story.

  Tomorrow, he would have to withstand Thalius’s wrath. What kind of defense would throw Thalius’s attention off him? He didn’t want the twisted old bastard to suspect his own plan. Indeed, he relished the chance to spend a little time with the girl.

  He scratched at his balding head until he felt the warm ooze of his blood. The fucking pixies had almost ruined everything. He’d forgotten about their special abilities.

  But the fish thing almost worked. Almost. I’ll need that as part of his defense when dealing with Thalius. And he neglected to mention what kind of powers the girl possesses. How could I complete the job without all the information?

  Hunger gnawed at him. He yanked open the desk drawer and grabbed a handful of dried worms, shoving them into his mouth. With all the decaying bodies in Tombs, insects were plentiful. Stuffing the still-moving insects into his mouth, he reached for another handful.

  He paced back and forth in the tiny room. If Thalius wanted him to successfully kidnap the girl, the old crone would need to help. A distraction would be needed to get Kerrigan out of the way. He would complete this job and get the fuck off this world.

  Jager recalled the feeling of the beauty’s satiny skin. Her long legs had wrapped around him as she fought. He’d never felt anything so silky and soft. He reached down to his crotch and began rubbing himself, pretending he could feel himself thrusting into her. It would be worth the risks he took.

  Perhaps tomorrow’s meeting with Thalius won’t be so bad. His breathing increased, and he rubbed faster.

  * * * *

  Meeka awoke to Threeo’s large owl eyes staring excitedly into her own. Awaking from sleep certainly wasn’t dull there. A sideways glance revealed Catz seemed unimpressed.

  “Did you sleep well, Meeka,” Catz asked.

  Meeka looked to the side where she knew Kerrigan had been. He’d held her like a precious doll. Her old insecurities returned as she wondered why he’d left. Her stomach knotted and churned. Couldn’t things go her way just once? She wanted, more than she dared admit, for him to stay with her. “I did sleep well, and I feel much better. Thanks for asking. Do you know where Kerrigan is?”

  “He’s in the den.” Threeo answered her question. His feathers puffed out, and she could almost see a smile form on hi
s tiny mouth. “Threeo would like to show you the baby Threeos,” he blurted out.

  “You have babies, Threeo? Where is your…umm…uhhh, spouse? Meeka sheepishly inquired.

  “Oh, no—Threeos are born in a pod. Kerrigan and I hatch the babies’ pods here. We care for them until we find a great companion for each of them. Just like Kerrigan and me.”

  Why does he have to be so damn perfect?

  Of course Kerrigan would care for the Threeos. He was wrapping her heart around his finger and he didn’t even know it.

  “Threeo, I’d love to see the babies.” She swallowed against the faint hope she’d catch a glimpse of Kerrigan. “Will Kerrigan be there, too?”

  “Threeo doubts it. He stayed up late last night and woke early this morning. He’s not in a good mood.” Threeo jumped onto the floor.

  “If you’d like to freshen up, I can lead the way. Kerrigan gave me instructions to show you everything.”

  How nice of his highness

  She pouted, disappointed. “Thank you, Threeo. I’d be grateful. Catz, would you like to come with us?” Meeka chuckled; Catz was already on the floor beside Threeo.

  She looked at Threeo. “I’ll lead the way, feather brain.”

  Threeo made an abrupt stop and glared at Catz. “Excuse, me fur ball, but this is my house. Get out of my way!”

  Meeka tried to hide her smile at the friendly bickering back and forth. What she got in return were very icy stares from the two them. “You two can’t blame me for laughing. You sound like an old married couple.”

  Threeo emphatically stated. “Not on her life,” and continued walking out the door.

  Meeka followed Catz and Threeo through the empty house. His house was enormous. She would definitely get lost if not escorted. Endless staircases lined with plush red carpet led from room to room. Each room was more elaborate than the last, with lavishly carved furniture and unique decorations. On Earth, he would be one of the wealthiest people alive.

  Finally, Threeo stopped on a large landing flanked by two curving stairwells. A shadowy corridor stretched beyond Meeka’s vision on the left, the faint glitter of lights at the end pricking her interest.