by JL Madore
Samuel lowered a glare on me, the solid glow of his white eyes as eerie as it was beautiful. Even without sight, the male seemed to direct his anger with quite a degree of accuracy.
His lifted his chin and barked a laugh. “I dinnae bring us anywhere. Why would ye touch a man about to Flash? Are ye not right in the head? Ye know how dangerous it is, aye? If ye let go during our travels—”
The ringing in my ears persisted. “You caught your hip on the table. I meant to stabilize you, not intrude.”
“Weel, ye have.” He crossed his arms over his chest and gave me the muscled span of his back. Though he was not banded with brute strength like Bruin or Reign, Samuel was built with sleek power. The rigid tension in those shoulders all too evident. “Ye have no business bein’ here.”
“Yet here we are.” I pulled my wrap tighter around my shoulders. The sky hung solid gray, overcast with a cold drizzle misting in the breeze. “You did this. I simply wanted to tell you I am saddened—”
His finger thrust in the air as he whirled on me. “Dinnae speak of my life, Elf. Ye have no right.”
My skirt rustled and frozen grass crunched beneath my feet as I moved to edge of the wide stream.
Winter’s ice had all but melted off the surface of the water. The last few patches and clumps clung to the edges of the bank, while a steady trickle of water danced over the stones and broke the sparkling surface. Where the flow was interrupted, the current spun and detoured around the rocks, meandering toward a bend down the way.
Samuel leaned his shoulder against an aged oak and reached to capture the rope of an old plank swing. His fingers closed around the worn frayed fibers and he swung the seat in a slow arc staring unseeingly over the water.
The landscape struck me. The foliage grew thinner than any I had seen since living in my valley. I searched the sky for the purple peaks of the Haven mountains. The sky and ceiling above spanned in a vast gray sea of nothing, save a few birds passing. I spun a full circle.
“Have we left the sanctuary of the mountain?” Samuel ignored me and my chest tightened. “Please, warrior, where have you brought me?”
If we were not on Haven grounds the Scourge could come. Galan told me Abaddon needed me for his plan to reinstate the power of the exiled Queen. And here I was. Unprotected. I fumbled with the collar of my dress, tugging at my mourning band. Where had the air gone from this clearing? My pulse rushed through my ears like a thundering waterfall.
“Lia?” Samuel’s voice registered distant and faint.
Tears dripped off my chin as I struggled with my collar.
“Lia, what’s wrong? What is it?”
“I cannot breathe.” A dark, unbearable weight pressed on my chest, forcing the air from my lungs.
“Settle, lass, and I’ll help ye.” Strong hands manacled my wrists and pulled away my trembling fingers. He unsnapped the mourning band and pressed his hand flat against my skin. “Pax vobiscum.”
At his command, a rush of serenity washed through me. It tingled from the tips of my ears to the tips of my toes. My lungs opened. My hands steadied. And the splotches clouding my vision cleared. I closed my eyes and inhaled, grateful for the crisp forest air filling my lungs.
Once I regained some composure, I opened my eyes.
His hand remained on my flesh, the warmth of his magic tingling through my body. Close as he was, and momentarily distracted from his hatred of me, my family and my race in general, I was struck by the male. Dark for my light, in hair and skin, he stood taller than I, yet only enough for me to tilt my chin upward to meet his blind gaze.
“Gratitude, Samuel. I am well enough now.”
He withdrew. “How long have ye suffered panic attacks?”
“Since the Scourge caverns.”
A manly spice overpowered the bitter scent of his usual hostility. “I’m sorry ye suffer for that, truly.”
I straightened my hair and ran my hands down my skirts before remembering there was no need. Grateful for a few moments of unseen impropriety I breathed deep once more. “Apologies, I never properly thanked you for my recovery.”
Samuel waved his hand in the air between us. “Don’t—”
“No, I must. If not for you and all you sacrificed, I—”
“I was duty bound—nothing more.” Samuel drew his wand from the pocket of his slicker and ran his fingers along the polished wood. “So, what set ye off, just now?”
I brushed firm hands down the front of my skirt and stared at the toes of my boots peeking beneath the hem. Verily, if he could refuse to listen to my thoughts, I could do the same.
“Ye haven’t left Haven since we got you back, is that it?”
“I went to my village a few weeks ago.”
“But other than then.”
“Galan warned that I must never leave Haven. I shall live the rest of my days hunted by the Scourge.”
“He dinnae say it like that?” Samuel barked a laugh. He screwed up his expression as if he tasted something foul. “Yer brother actually said the Scourge will hunt ye for the rest of yer life, so dinnae think about leaving Haven?”
“Is it not the truth?”
“It may be, but after all ye went through, I’m sure there was a nicer way to phrase it so ye weren’t quite so frightened? No wonder ye panic.”
I searched the surrounding trees for movement or sound beyond the scurry of woodland creatures waking from winter slumber. The breeze was crisp, the only scent in the air remained the clean scent of male and a subtle hint of what the males of the house called cologne.
“Truth is truth,” I said. “There is no need to soften words to make them more palatable. Does it ease you when people avoid the fact you are blind and can no longer fight with the Talon? Does it make the loss of your abilities and future any less of a reality for you?”
“No,” he said, his jaw twitching. “It cheeses me off.”
“So, you prefer when people are direct with you.”
“I do.”
“As do I.” I stepped toward the embankment, running my fingers up the column of my throat, thankful to breathe easy. “I would rather meet what comes than be caught unaware.”
“Really? Ye strike me more as a bottle-it-up and pretend-it-didn’t-happen type.” He moved back to the swing and sat on the plank seat. With his feet firmly on the packed earth, he moved the swing in a slow pendulum.
“I was taken, held prisoner and rescued by you and the others. Frightening as it was, I acknowledge what happened.”
When no reply came, I abandoned my view of the landscape. Samuel stared at me, tracking me as if by the sound of my movement as I paced a circuit along the bank.
“If we’re being direct, that’s not all that happened. Is it?”
No. My heart beat faster. Abaddon captured my soul and meant to force me into his service somehow. I remained suspended in the nether realm, Behind the Veil, for weeks, neither dead nor alive. “It was more complicated, yes.”
Samuel arched a brow as if he waited for more.
“I refuse to dwell on it any further.”
“Fair enough.” He shrugged and stood. “Look, we’re nae friends, so ye needn’t tell me shit, but I wasn’t the one touting the virtues of brutal honesty a moment ago. Stick to yer story and I’ll never say a word, but remember, I was there.”
“What is that supposed to mean? You think I lie?”
His mouth curved up in a sly smile. “Just what I said, lass. As far as I’m concerned people can spill it, bury it, or drink themselves into the ground. If ye want to smile and spread feckin sunshine and rainbows, have at it.”
No wonder Galan and Lexi detested this man to the extent they did. “And this lesson on virtue comes from the male who discarded the woman he loves, yet continues to pretend he is merely one of her closest friends? You may be able to fool Jade into believing your sunshine and rainbows, Samuel, but I smell your wanton anguish when you near my brother’s mate and there is nothing frank or honest about it.”
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br /> Samuel stiffened and a vicious rambling curse about Highbornes filled the damp air.
I clenched my fists to my sides and fought the impulse to speak my mind. How I wished I was less of a female of worth. Never had I uttered an oath but those living in Jade’s home cursed so freely I knew what I would say. Pressing my palms against my thighs, I calmed my thoughts. “I shall not force my Highborne presence upon you any longer, Samuel. If you would return me to Haven, we need never speak again.”
“Suits me fine, Elf.” Stepping forward, he reached out. When I offered him my hand, he clamped hard around my wrist and in the next moment, we Flashed.
CHAPTER THREE
My fingers tingled hot with the sensation of nettles after Samuel released his grip. I rubbed my wrist and sighed as I made a slow turn, scanning my surroundings. The turrets and peaks of the main castle rose beyond the skeletal treetops. In the distance to my left, the patina of Jade’s rooftop glistened beneath the afternoon sun.
Samuel Flashed us into the forest off the main path.
“Do ye need me to walk ye back?” His eyes were blank, his face as stark as the air between us.
“I think not.” I tipped my head back and cupped my mouth releasing a sharp eeyloooo from the back of my throat. A replying howl echoed through the trees and, after a moment, the scrub rustled and swayed with life. “The wolves will see me safely home.” Without awaiting a reply, I gathered my skirt and swept off for the main path.
Nightrunner, the Haven pack alpha, padded in beside me. He cocked his wide russet head, his amber eyes taking in my resolute stride. Glancing behind us, the wolf pulled his ears back and released a slow, curious growl.
“Fash not, friend. He may hate Highbornes but, in truth, we are none so fond of him either.”
Nightrunner raised his head and pricked his ears back and forth. Several others from the pack filled in around us. Faolan, Aust’s closest companion from the village, nudged my thigh and I bent to give her a pat. Her silver coat clumped a little with the need to shed her winter heft but she remained one of the most striking wolves of the pack.
A stiff March wind raced through the tree tops stirring a tumult of dried leaves and detritus upon us. Dismissing the uneasiness of my interlude with Samuel, I squealed and ran. The wolves paced me, nipping at the air.
The cool breeze slapped my cheeks and sent another wave of leaves and scrub upon us. Laughing, I picked several from my hair before moving on.
Tightening my wrap around my shoulders, I looked to the sky. Wherever Samuel Flashed us earlier, it was a good distance away for this skyline held hope and warmth behind Haven’s mountainous peaks.
“Samuel was vexed,” I said to Faolan beside me. “Is it wrong that a small part of me delighted to see him annoyed?” Yes, it was. The wolves paid no mind to my musings and we plodded in companionable silence.
Lost in the search of what Jade found so endearing about Samuel, I jolted when Nightrunner crossed my path. The russet fur of his hackles raised and his ears pressed back. A low growl rumbled from his chest and the rest of the pack took their cue and closed ranks.
Scanning the shadows and sounds of the forest, I stilled and drew a deep breath. Nothing.
Faolan dropped her head low and bared her sharp, white teeth. “What alarms you, girl?”
I followed her line of sight. A young girl sat well back from the path, perched on the large knotty burl of a red cedar. Shaggy brown hair hung to her chest, hiding her face as she bent forward and wept. Thank the gods, it was just a girl. Not Scourge. No danger. After searching the trees and path, I felt certain we were alone.
“Hello?” As I closed the distance between us, I tugged, freeing the hem of my skirt from the grasp of prickly scrub. Nightrunner blocked my way, shouldering my thigh and impeding my progress. I glanced through the shadows and shapes of the forest. “All is well, boy.”
He swung his head from me back to the girl, releasing a throaty growl. The subordinate pack members circled, shoulders raised, heads down and eyes riveted on our sad, forest friend.
I moved to step beyond my protectors. Nightrunner lifted his lips and flashed his canines. Snap. He bit the air between us. Snap. He threatened me again.
“What possesses you? I appreciate your concern, but this girl poses no danger.”
Nightrunner strode no closer, whether he was offended I ignored his warning or too frightened to follow. Having heard how he and his pack tore Scourge warriors to bits in battles past, I doubted his motivation could be fear.
“Hello?” I said again. As I drew close, an icy gust blew up my skirt, raising the fine hairs on my flesh. “Are you well?”
She met my gaze. “Are you speaking to me?”
I gestured to a mossy log adjacent to her. “May I sit?”
The girl studied me with a strange expression, her brows raised behind shaggy brown bangs accenting piercing turquois eyes. “I, uh, people don’t speak to me . . . ever.” Her mouth opened, closed, and opened again. “Who are you?”
“I am Lia, merry meet, and who are—”
A shrill screech pierced the air and a giant red-tailed hawk swooped at my head. The weighty flap of wings sounded close to my ear as feathers brushed my cheek. Raising my arms, I hunched and scrabbled to my feet. The great bird maneuvered between the leaf-bare trees, pivoted and returned.
Again, its sharp shriek cut the air. Mighty talons extended towards me like hooked daggers. I ducked. The thud of the raptor’s claws against my back was painless but brought an icy realization. “You thieving scoundrel.”
Amazed, I raced after the rust tailfeathers of the bird making away with my favorite wrap. Pale lavender chenille billowed and flapped where it hung beneath the great bird. The mischievous beast tilted and soared through trees pumping its wings to keep my property beyond reach.
A gleam of silver metal flashed against the cool, gray afternoon. Wherever was she taking me? The scrub thinned, the surrounding trees growing taller and more imposing.
I giggled at the absurdity of the entire escapade.
I leapt from the path. Silky tails of fringe narrowly evaded my grasp, but then, the beast’s talons released and my shawl fluttered and fell to the forest floor.
The gleam of silver caught my eye once more and I assessed where I—“Jade!”
My wrap fell a few meters from Jade’s motionless form. I bolted to her side and dropped to my knees. She lay face down, half hidden by loose brush pulled to cover her. I flung it away. Dear gods. Her knit sweater-coat was twisted like a noose around her swollen belly, her auburn locks matted with blood. “Jade, wake up. Wake, sister mine.”
Faolan barked once and bolted off along the path. The wolves took up position around us.
I eased her limp frame to her back. She made no sound. Her chin was gashed, a deep purple bloom pooling across her jaw. “Please, Jade. Please open your eyes.”
I pressed my fingers to her neck as I watched her do many times in the clinic. Her skin was not nearly warm enough and only the faintest rhythm met my touch. “Oh, gods.”
Brushing the dirt from her face, I looked her over. Even unconscious, her palm cupped the mound of her belly.
“You need to call for help.” It was the girl from the tree. She leaned over my shoulder looking worried, pointing down. “She keeps her phone in her right front pocket.”
It was not there. I searched the ground. There. The reflection of light from the phone’s surface was the silver flash. I lunged to untangle it from the grass, my fingers fluttering like a moth in wind. After several tries, I managed to flip it open.
“How does it work?” I stared at the contraption as moments ebbed by. What if I could not summon help in time? What if Jade and the young died because I was too daft in this world to call for aid? I shoved the phone at the girl. Her face blurred behind the wall of my tears. “Please. Help me call someone.”
She pointed again. “Push the star and then the button that looks like the bird’s talon.”
&nbs
p; I swiped my sleeve across my eyes, pushed the buttons and pressed the phone to my ear.
“Yo, Blaze. Whassup?”
“Julian! Julian, it is Lia. I need aid. Jade is unconscious and bleeding. Someone has attacked her.”
On the other end of our connection there rained a hasty tapping of fingers to keyboard. Jade’s adopted brother was said to hold an unmatched intellect. He would know what to do. “Lia, where are you?”
I scanned the forest but my bearings were skewed from chasing the hawk. Where was I? Oh gods, please, where was I? “I cannot say. Oh gods, Julian—”
“Okay. The GPS on the phone is activated. Are you all right? Are the attackers gone?”
I glanced around. “Yes . . . yes, I believe so.”
The tapping of keys continued. “Gotcha. Hang tight.” Julian’s voice grew distant as he spoke away from the phone. “All call. Campus grounds. We have a hostile. Blaze is down. Sending coordinates to all systems now.”
The air surged with energy and Talon Enforcers Flashed in. Daggers, swords and wands were drawn. First Reign appeared. Then Savage. Julian. Cowboy. Sin. Rue . . .
“She will need Galan,” I said. “And Bruin’s phone fails when he is deep within the Dens.”
Julian grabbed the leather cord around his neck and pulled out his skirl pendant. Made from one of Bruin’s shed bear claws, the talisman was a powerful tool to call his brother. Putting the satin finish of the claw to his mouth, Julian blew, long and hard.
The response was instant.
“Julian?” Bruin Flashed in at a ready stance.
His gaze flashed first to his brother and then to Jade lying motionless in front of me. He growled, lunging forward and dropped to the ground. “Lia? Who did this?”
“I cannot say. I found her thus.”
“Give her a sniff, son,” Reign said. “We’ll take care of Jade, you and the boys hunt and flay the bastard.”
Bruin leaned close to her cheek and drew in long and hard. “I smell that ginger-haired kid who’s always with Nash. What the fuck’s his name?”
