Jade and Harper tossed up a great-looking salad while Erin made a vinaigrette dressing.
They sat at the long outdoor table, some chose beer, some wine, and ate their fine meal. They remained outside, talking, laughing and just relaxing. After a fiery and brilliant sunset, darkness descended, and the night grew chilly. Small logs crackled in the chiminea not far from the table. Max laid on the rug in front of the sliding glass door. Sam remained indoors, looking out through the sliding glass door.
The group’s conversations were light and enjoyable. There was no talk of demons, or defeating them.
Jade marveled at how close and comfortable they had become with one another. Of course, they had been sharing Decker’s house for a week, and would share the Decker family’s incredible vacation home for another. Sure, she, Erin, and Harper had known each other since they were kids and were like sisters, and the Deckers were brothers. Still, the six of them talked and joked with one another as if they had been friends forever. The six of them had bonded. Was it her long ago blood ties to the Deckers? She couldn’t say. And Decker? Well, she was crazy about him. They hadn’t known each other long, and had probably rushed things, but it didn’t feel wrong. With each passing day, it only felt stronger. It felt right and good. She wasn’t the least bit sorry that they had rushed. Besides, they weren’t having sex yet, although Jade knew it was close to that point. At least, she hoped so.
“Cat got your tongue, Jade? You’re quiet tonight.” Liam grinned at her.
Jade angled her head toward the sliding glass door where Sam looked out at them. “No, does it look like she has my tongue?” She grinned at him.
Liam chuckled. “Just making sure you’re still with us.”
“I am.” She nodded and smiled. “I’m just very relaxed.”
“Probably for the first time in almost a week,” Liam added.
“Yeah, well, I’m enjoying the relaxation.” Jade leaned against the back of her chair.
Beneath the table, Decker took her hand and squeezed it. She turned to find him watching her.
“You okay?”
“I’m doing great. I enjoyed a great dinner, a gorgeous sunset, had a glass of wine and I’m just all mellow and went into thinking mode.” She sat up straight and gave him a happy smile.
His hand moved to rub her back.
He felt her shiver. “Are you cold?” He didn’t really have to ask. It had cooled off as the sun slid behind the mountains and she was still in jeans and a sleeveless top. One glance at her, and the telltale sign of her hardened nipples, told him she was chilled.
“I am. I think I will pry myself out of this chair and go find my jacket. I’ll be right back.” She told him as she rose.
“Where are you going?” Harper asked her.
“To get my jacket.”
“Would you grab mine too? It’s on my bed.”
“Sure,” Jade answered. She bent to pet Sam on the head as she entered the family room. The travertine was cool beneath her bare feet as she walked down the hall to the bedroom she and Decker would share. Sam ran past her and into their room.
Jade decided she should put her shoes on too. When she entered the bedroom, she flicked the light on and stepped into a pair of pretty gray and magenta backless, walking shoes. Sam was already on the bed talking and chirping, trying to persuade Jade to pet her. She plucked her zip jacket from the top of her bag and was about to turn her attention to Sam when she heard her hiss and growl. Sam let go an eerie sort of howl.
A definite scratching noise on the glass came from one of the floor to ceiling windows behind her.
She turned and saw him. The demon. Ciaran.
“You will be mine. Come to me now, I will spare the others. It’s you I want,” his voice seemed to float disembodied about the room. Though she knew him to be a demon, his voice was oddly soothing and hypnotic.
“You want me, the power I have. I can feel it. Look at me, that’s it. Look into my eyes.”
Frozen until she saw something dark and evil spark and shine in his unholy eyes, she struggled to resist the incredible pull she felt to go to him. She looked away.
“Go to hell!” Jade scooped Sam into her arms then turned and ran from the room. “Angels protect us. Send the darkness away. Send him away,” she shouted. She could feel her heart racing in her chest.
A loud banging on the glass echoed in the corridor behind her. The shrill buzz of alarms blared through the corridor as she ran.
At the end of the hallway, she turned the corner to head toward the family room and would have plowed right into Decker had he not been prepared and caught her.
“It’s him.” She told him, pausing to take a deep, ragged breath. “He was at the window in our bedroom.” She raised her hand and pointed, breathless from both fear and the run.
Brody and Liam went on toward Decker’s room, instructing everyone to stay where they were.
Jade heard Max howl from somewhere in the family room even with the alarm blaring.
“He’s gone,” Brody informed Decker as he ran past them toward the computer room.
Harper grabbed Erin by the arm. “Come with me to get my jacket.”
“I’ll go with you,” Liam offered. “Then I’m going to check out the house.”
The shrill pitch of alarms stopped. The ensuing silence was broken by a low humming sound.
“Brody is locking down the windows,” Decker explained.
Jade nodded.
By the time they reached the family room, the Sedona police had arrived.
She heard Brody tell them they had no idea what set the alarm off, that they were all out on the patio enjoying their dinner when it sounded.
Liam returned from searching the interior of the house and reported he found no point of entry.
After Decker introduced himself to the two officers, they, along with Decker, did another search inside.
Liam, Brody, Erin, and Harper ducked onto the patio to pick up their dinner dishes.
Jade insisted on helping Erin and Harper in the kitchen.
“I can’t just sit and think about it. I need to keep busy,” she explained.
The girls kept the conversation light while they quickly put the kitchen to rights.
After an outside search with the Sedona officers, Decker and Brody returned to the family room twenty minutes later.
“Sorry guys. I decided to go ahead and let the police come this time. I did want them to see if there was anything unusual outside and we needed the time to check everything and lock everything down. I didn’t think he would show himself with the police here. The house is locked down tight. The doors are locked. All windows are covered with security shades except the patio door which will be shortly after I put the fire in the chiminea out and let Max out one last time tonight,” Brody explained.
Once they sat down, Jade explained everything to them, even the fact that for a few seconds, she wanted to walk toward Ciaran. She didn’t understand it. Even knowing what he was, she remembered wanting to go to him.
“I know what he is, what he can do and I couldn’t help it, I felt myself wanting to go to him.” Jade rubbed her temples. Her head was still aching.
“Were you looking into his eyes?” Harper asked.
“I think I was. I don’t know why, I just didn’t think. I wasn’t expecting him to be there, and I suppose I always look people in the eye when they are talking to me. I should have remembered not to, it all happened so fast.” She shook her head.
Decker slid his arm around her. “The important thing is you didn’t walk toward him, and you looked away. Now we know how important it is not to look into his eyes.”
“You are right.” Jade nodded numbly.
Decker thought she looked tired, maybe even a little pale. She was definitely not relaxed anymore. The stress of O’Sullivan targeting her was wearing on her. More than ever, he wanted to end this thing.
Liam opened his laptop. The only sound was the clicking of keys.
“Excell
ent!” He smiled. “Our cousin, Niall O’Flynn, has responded to my email.”
“What does it say?” Brody moved behind the sofa to look over his brother’s shoulder.
Liam turned to give him a glare. “I’ll tell you when I’ve read it. Chill a minute, would you?”
Liam did his best to relay what was in the message as he read. “Niall O’Flynn is Sean’s eldest son. He has a sister Fianna. They run the Ballymarter Castle Hotel. Sean was our Grandfather’s youngest cousin. He has retired and Niall and Fianna now run the hotel. That branch of the O’Flynns has always been the Guardians, uh, whatever that means. Niall says he has much to tell us, and wants to set up an appointment for a Skype. He was heading to bed when he wrote this. He apologizes for not answering the message sooner, but he and his sister were out of town for a family wedding. He doesn’t check his father’s old hotel email account on a daily basis. He told me to respond back and give him a good time for us. He’s given me the time difference between Ireland and New York, and he says he will check his mail first thing in the morning. He gave me his personal email address to use for future correspondence.”
“Tomorrow, late morning, early afternoon our time, if he can arrange it that quickly. It would be early evening there, I think. Otherwise as soon as he can manage,” Decker advised. “I’ll get up at four a.m. to hear what he has to say if I have to!”
“I will tell him.” Liam sighed. “That’s really good news. I hope he can tell us how to protect ourselves and get rid of this demon creep.” He proceeded to type his response.
“I hope so,” Erin agreed. She looked to Jade.
They talked about the Ciaran situation for twenty minutes longer.
Finally, after noticing how tense Jade was, Decker suggested they go to the media room and watch a movie.
Harper and Erin rose to fetch some bottled water. Brody went outside with Max. Liam stood at the sliding door, watching over his brother.
“You look tired, babe. Does watching a movie sound good to you?”
Jade shrugged. She was nervous and unsettled. “I don’t know what I feel like. A movie is fine.” She agreed with a shrug.
“You look tired, and if you are, we can go to our room and relax if you’d like to. I’m not really in the mood for a movie either, and if you change your mind, there is a TV in the room. We have satellite here.”
“That sounds better than watching a movie in the media room actually.” She gave him a wan smile. “I don’t think I can concentrate right now.”
He rose, went to the fridge, and snagged a couple bottles of water. When Brody came in with Max, he told his brothers that he and Jade were heading to their room.
Harper and Erin both hugged Jade.
“Get some sleep, sweetie,” Erin told her as she rubbed her arms.
“We’re gonna kick this guy’s ass, Jade, don’t you worry.” Harper gave her an extra squeeze.
“I hope so, Harp.” Turning to Erin, she said, “I will get some sleep, I promise.”
“I brought my massage table along. I’m giving Liam a massage tomorrow. I would be happy to give you one too,” Erin offered.
“That sounds perfect.” The corners of Jade’s mouth turned upward. “I’ll take you up on that.”
Decker took her hand and led her from the room.
The summer nights were a little cooler in Sedona than in Phoenix, Jade put on cotton pajama bottoms, white with little blue angel wings and yellow halos on them, along with a soft, little blue tee.
She peeked out and saw Decker was sitting in bed with his back against the headboard reading a mystery novel. He was wearing a pair of navy and gray plaid sleep pants, a gray t-shirt, sporting five o’clock shadow, and had run his hands through his hair, leaving him looking disheveled and irresistible. He was so handsome, but more importantly he was a strong, and kind-hearted person, good to the core. Again, she was thankful she had met him, and so thankful that they were together.
She washed her face, brushed and flossed. She left the door ajar, because the pitiful truth was, she was afraid to be alone in the bathroom for five freaking minutes. She took a deep breath in order to quiet her mind. She needed to release the fear. She could not live in fear.
Thoughts raced through her mind. She was crazy about Decker. He seemed to feel the same about her. What if they were in love? “If? I think I might already be halfway there,” she whispered to herself.
She buried her face in the ultra soft towel she held. She realized if she wasn’t in love yet, she was well on her way. She just hadn’t had time to think about everything.
She was one of six who could defeat a demon that had plagued his ancestors and probably hers for what, eight hundred years. He and his brothers had survived this long because his parents had taken great care to hide their sons, their family, from the demon, Ciaran O’Sullivan. What if Decker loved her too? If it weren’t for this curse, she would be overjoyed at the chance to marry a man like Decker someday, to have a long, happy, life with him. He was an amazing man. The perfect guy for her, really. So, if they didn’t defeat this ancient demon, would they all live through it? The thought of losing her friends, Decker, or his brothers was quite simply overwhelming. Could she handle more loss? She reasoned she might be one who was lost.
Well, loss was a part of life. She knew that, but if they battled this thing, lived, and didn’t end him, if she and Decker were in love and decided to get married, they might have kids. She wasn’t sure she wanted to bring kids into this thing. She couldn’t fathom worrying about this demon after the six of them for the rest of their life. What if she and Decker had babies? Oh God! She didn’t want this thing after her babies. She always hoped to have children someday.
When she realized her mind was creating scenarios, she stilled her racing thoughts and reminded herself, the power was in the present moment. She did not need to think fearful thoughts anyway, but certainly not about the future. “Like attracts like,” she reminded herself in a whisper. She wanted a happy, demon-free future.
“Are you okay, babe?” Decker asked softly as he came in, even though he could see she was not.
She started to speak, but no words came. She choked up and felt tears threaten.
He opened his arms to her. “Come here, babe.”
She was engulfed in his strong, muscled arms. He hugged her tightly and kept her in his warm embrace. Her world righted just a little.
As she held onto him, she realized, she was being silly, feeling a little sorry for herself. She could not walk away from Decker and the others if she wanted to. She was one of the six. She was being hunted by this demon because of her blood, just like Decker and his brothers. Even if there weren’t blood ties for them, Erin and Harper were her family and roommates, so either way, they were in danger. They were all in this, regardless. She was not walking away from a great guy like Decker because Ciaran O’Sullivan scared her. Maybe it was just because she was a little emotional right now, or maybe it was her intuition, but she felt like she had been waiting for Decker her whole life. Things had never felt this right with Austin – not even in the beginning.
She shivered a little then felt the warmth of his hand on her cheek. She looked up into those gorgeous blue eyes framed by those long, dark lashes. His eyes were filled with concern for her. She closed her eyes as he caressed her cheek. She snuggled closer into him, inhaling his scent, reveling in his warmth and the strength that was just part of him.
“We’re going to find the way to end this guy, Jade.” He told her as he rubbed her back. “I promise you, I will do everything in my power to find the way. We’ll get through this. Our Irish cousin, Niall, will have answers for us, maybe as soon as tomorrow. Brody said he and Liam would start looking for the notebook tonight after they watch the movie. We have a lot more information of Mom’s to go through yet. If they don’t find the notebook tonight, we’ll look again tomorrow. We have the whole week to work together and try to find what it is we can do to destroy O’Sullivan. I know
it’s hard, I wish it wasn’t. If I could just find a way to take the worry from those gorgeous, green eyes of yours, it would make me happier.” She felt the warmth of his lips against her temple.
“I know you’re right, Decker. I’m going to help you. We’ll find the way. He just caught me off guard. I was feeling relaxed and safe then he showed up. We will find the answers we need to make him go away. We have to.” She opened her eyes and gave him a little smile.
“Yes, we do. We will, babe,” he said as he wiped her tears away with his thumbs. They had to find a way to get rid of Ciaran O’Sullivan for good. Decker was already in deep, and he fell a little harder for Jade with each passing day. Unless they finished this, and destroyed Ciaran O’Sullivan, the road that loomed ahead of him and Jade as a couple would be difficult. Hell, life in general would be difficult for all six of them. He felt like Jade was the woman for him. If they could just catch a break and maybe date normally without all the stress of a demon hunting them, they could both figure out what this was.
Who was he trying to kid, he had a feeling, deep in his soul, that he and Jade were meant to spend their lives together. If so, he wanted that life to be a good one for her, and any family they might someday have. And he did want a family. He had to find the way to get rid of the demon pursuing them, and end the curse. For all of them, he had to find the way to end this, so they could live normal lives, and live without the threat and fear of Ciaran O’Sullivan always hanging over them. Not to live in hiding or even die, as his parents had.
He picked Jade up and slid her into bed. Wrapping his arms around her, he held her tight. They talked of anything but demons, kissed, and caressed one another. He made her laugh a few times. Gradually, he felt her relax. Eventually she slept. He couldn’t sleep. He ran through everything he knew about Ciaran O’Sullivan in his mind, trying to find answers. Frustrated, he eventually gave up, and finally slept.
Decker woke before Jade. It was only five, but he doubted he could go back to sleep. He was used to getting up at four during the week. He wouldn’t get up and leave her in the room to wake up alone after the fright she had last night. He dozed and just enjoyed having her warm, soft body in his arms. Her honey-blonde hair spread over his arm and chest. When she woke some time later, he kissed her, caressed her, and snuggled with her until she was awake. Once she was awake, she kissed him and moved her hands over his body in slow exploration. He returned those kisses. He allowed his hands to explore her firm, slender body.
Decker's Fate (The Decker Brothers Trilogy Book 1) Page 26
