by Ruby Raine
Charlie growled, drowning it with a toss back of whiskey. Imagining Lizzy and Grayson together in any intimate fashion got his temper flaring, hackles raised, and just plain hurt to the very depths of him.
He’d fallen too hard, too fast.
He’d put the brakes on, but it was more like a long skid that never quite came to a stop.
Somehow, he needed to get his brain on straight. Go home. And treat this Grayson job like any other. The vampire deserved a fair trial just like anyone else, regardless of who he was.
Or who he might steal from you.
Another sloshing of whiskey flushed down his throat.
He let the boat float away to wherever the wind took him. Fog hid him from the world. He wished from his own thoughts. God, for any way to turn it off, for even a few minutes. In times like this, he wondered how his brother Michael dealt with it all. The never ending deluge of emotions flinging at him from all directions, all the time. It was a testament to his brother that he hadn’t checked himself into an insane asylum yet.
Charlie let the booze bottle drop to the floor and closed his eyes, hoping the swoosh of the ocean waves might carry away the troubles there were no solutions for. His breaths evened and slowed. The gentle toss of the waves rocking the boat, lulling him into a hazy dream-like serenity.
Or maybe it was all the booze.
He sighed languidly. Grateful the morning fog hadn’t dissipated yet even though it was late morning, nearly afternoon. And grateful he didn’t care what time it was or that he’d been some form of buzzed since sailing out to sea.
A warm caress brushed across his cheek.
A soft hand. A soothing stroke of fingers.
I must have fallen asleep, his weary brain assumed.
His head slanted into the caress, embracing the velvety comfort. A cool breeze itched through his whiskers, tickling the thick shade growing across his face.
A light, womanly laugh.
A familiar one.
Definitely dreaming.
Charlie’s eyes flickered open just the same, his cloudy gaze coming into focus on a golden ghostly form.
“Hello, Charlie.”
He blinked a few times. Senses flaring to life.
“Nina?” he breathed out.
“You think me a dream.” She dropped her hand, dark skin illuminated in a heavenly golden glow.
He breathed in, letting it out slowly. Alert and present.
“I never thought I’d see you again.”
“I’m here. One final time as your Guardian. A short time. My rebirth into a human form is upon me. The breath of new life, close.”
“You’re okay, Nina?” He was compelled to ask this before anything else. Their previous goodbye, hasty. Too rushed. Not given nearly the time it deserved considering what she’d done for him.
She nodded, but there was sadness in her movement. “You are not okay, Charlie.”
He didn’t bother disagreeing. There was no point, not with Nina. And hence, the reason he was hiding on his boat, a haven Nina was aware of, though she’d never gone out to sea with him before.
The Guardian moved fluidly to her knees, eyes lifting to meet his. An ocean of blue swirling in misery staring back at her. Nina’s warmth was something he could bask in for days, but for this moment he’d soak up the comfort her presence offered.
“You’re so beautiful, Nina.” It wasn’t like it had been before, between them. Even with his love life crumbling, he didn’t yearn to be with Nina like that now. He didn’t crave it like he did before.
He really was in love, with a woman he wasn’t sure he had any future with.
Nina understood Charlie’s compliment though and cast him one of her regal smiles. She was a true beauty, not just outwardly. She was the embodiment of perfection and goodness. With a little slice of temptress that as always, included some measure of solace in it.
“Our time together, is done, Charlie. Though I do look back on it fondly.”
Charlie smiled back, his first genuine smile in days.
Nina laughed lightly again. “I do believe the wolf is blushing. Never thought I’d see the day.”
Charlie shook his head, certain the red flush was just getting worse, not better.
“It looks good on you, Charlie. But we both know our summer fling is not why I’m here. You have questions.”
“So many,” he breathed out coarsely.
“And I’ve been permitted the chance to answer what I can, even though I’m not technically your Guardian any longer.”
He reached out and touched her cheek. “You really are here. This isn’t a dream?”
“As real as I get.”
“Wait, so you’re not my Guardian anymore, is there another assigned? How does that work?”
“As Howard Witches, you are always being watched out for in some way or another. We do not interfere with your daily lives, and we don’t look in like spies. It’s not like that. But we are aware, and will step in on the occasions we can. Sometimes you see us, sometimes you do not.”
“Like when you died for me and gave me this?” He lifted his hand, reverently showing her the ring that had once belonged to her.
“I have no regrets, Charlie. I wish I could explain more, but my time is limited. While many things cannot be changed, and life will most certainly have its challenges, we do all we can, and you have already been assigned a new Guardian. One who will... play an important role in things to come.” She chuckled like the idea was funny for some reason.
“What am I missing?”
“Sorry. It’s nothing. You will like him. I’ll say nothing else as I don’t wish to preset your opinion of him.”
“Might be too late. You obviously care for this Guardian. How could I not?”
“I care for each one. Equally,” she insisted.
“We will get to meet him though?”
“Yes. Soon.” Her humor dissolved. “He’s been assigned to you for a very specific reason, Charlie.” There was clearly more on her mind but he did not push. He let out a sharp expulsion of air, rising to his feet. Energized, but wow, where to start? He did have about a thousand questions on his mind. He glanced at the ring that had once belonged to her. If they only had a short time, what did he ask first?
“You’re on the right track, Charlie,” she began, joining him on her feet. “Your concerns are all valid. Your conclusions so far, correct. The ring did not stop you and Eva as it was simply nature taking course, and as you said, at some level, consensual.”
He nodded, understanding. Sort of.
“I realize it doesn’t make it easier to accept, but in the end no matter how you feel about Eva now, you did not hurt her. You did not force her. This is not in your nature, Charlie.”
“So it won’t let me hurt Liz...” he clipped off his question. Did it even matter now?
Nina sighed. “It’s a future I cannot see. Because the one in charge of that future is undecided.”
“Lizzy,” he guessed.
Nina nodded kindly. “Whoever you end up with Charlie, you will not hurt them. The ring is intelligently intuitive.”
“I don’t completely understand what that means.”
“It does not stop free will. It works at an emotional level. The very essence of who you are. Your subconscious intent. It can sense whether what you’re doing is free will, consensual, or something out of your own control. Something you would not do. Eva was a willing partner, as were you. As hard as that might be to accept, some part of you, not just your wolf, wanted it. Her too.”
Charlie shook his head, ashamed. “It’s true. I don’t want it to be. I was attracted to her. Obviously, my wolf was too. I just need to be sure I won’t hurt the woman I love. Not by any physical means, at least.”
“You won’t, Charlie. You can be sure of this. However, like you also fear, this is all with the notion you are wearing the ring. As I removed it voluntarily from my finger, you might do the same. You could be made to do the same. It is o
ne flaw. But one we needed to keep.”
“Why?”
“Can you not guess?”
His chest heaved in aggravating realization.
“Someone got too power hungry?”
“The short version of the story.”
“Always with the greed and the need for more power. More. More. More.”
Charlie had almost removed the ring too though, right after getting it, when the mermaids attempted to mesmerize him. He was all too familiar with this flaw.
“So,” he stopped, gathering his thoughts. “If I am wearing the ring, and let’s say whoever my partner in life ends up being we both consent that I will bite them, and turn them into a werewolf, the ring would permit this? I would not have to remove the ring first?”
“You are correct. Consent, free will, these are decided in the heart and soul. This is where the true power of the ring resides. And to be frank, if you wish to have a family, Charlie, she can’t be human. She would die trying to bring your young into the world. Of this one thing, you can be certain.” She reached out to him. “I truly wish you didn’t have to make this choice.”
“Nina, you’ve given me so much already.”
“But if I were able to fix this, I would. I understand what children mean to you.”
“But that’s not how life works is it?”
Her hand dropped, she cast a grim smile.
“I will have to decide, won’t I? Either spend my life alone, or childless, or,” they both knew the or. It still frightened him. And there were still so many unanswered questions. He had little knowledge of raising werewolf/witch children. Never mind they’d have witches as a mother and father; what would that mean, a pure witch/werewolf bloodline?
And if he turned Lizzy what would happen after? Would he have to lock her up each month on the full moon? And their children? What if one of them accidentally bit someone? Or killed someone? Or... shit, can a child pass on the curse if they bite someone? And damn it. He needed to stop using Lizzy as an example.
Yeah. Okay. Enough.
Problem I can’t solve right now.
Limited time with Nina, too many questions.
Unconsciously, he gazed down at his hands, a question on the tip of his tongue. How had he healed Emily, and Mack? Nina grabbed each hand in her own, holding them reverently.
“It was the magical inheritance you should have received years ago. The ring allowed this gift to finally surface.”
“Why can’t I heal everyone?” By everyone, he meant his father.
“You know why, Charlie. Every gift has limits.” She freed his hands. “We are not meant to be all-powerful, even when on the side of good.”
“Like the ring being able to be removed.”
She nodded. “We have no say in fate. We cannot interfere with free will. We can do our best to aid those doing good deeds. Be there to stop wrongs that can be righted. To stop evil from spreading when we can. Some things cannot be changed. If it is someone’s time to die, you cannot heal them no matter how hard you try. Or how earnestly you want to. If saving someone would undo the purpose of their death...” she stopped, uncharacteristically quiet, her tone apologetic, but firm.
“I think my dad figured that out. He was meant to die alongside my mom four years ago. I think he knew he was living on borrowed time.”
“And his death saved you. He gave his life for his children. For his home. Fulfilling his duty. Healing him would only have taken those precious gifts away.”
“And it would have left Eva Jordan alive and using Emily as a meat suit. It makes sense at some basic level, I just...”
“Wish you could have saved him.”
He breathed out, the full weight of the loss heavy in his breath.
“You’ll be able to save many, Charlie. But not everyone. Sometimes, people need to heal on their own. Sometimes, they cannot be healed.” She reached out and touched his face gently, her caress etched with compassion.
Dread almost instantly consumed him. That moment sure to come when he tried to heal someone, and it didn’t work. Why did every gift have to be equally a curse?
Because of what Nina said.
No one person should ever wield that kind of power.
We all need reminders that life is fragile and can be stripped away at any moment.
That none of us are permanent. Not even William, his life though potentially everlasting, wasn’t a guarantee of immortality either. There were ways to kill a vampire. He’d come precariously close to death during the Feyk attack.
“It was because I was bitten, right, that I’m just getting this gift now?” Charlie confirmed.
“Yes. Your father should have been bitten that day. But just as he was willing to sacrifice his life for you, you were willing to do the same. Free will. That moment when you are faced with a life altering choice. And you made yours. To save your father.”
He touched the bite mark scar that never healed on his shoulder.
“I guess my life got a little off track.”
Nina chuckled. “A little. A wrong we’ve righted as much as possible.” Her breath caught and she clutched her chest.
“What is it?”
“It’s almost here. My new life.”
There were so many things he wanted to say, but before he did, Nina sighed, her gaze casting downward.
“What’s wrong?”
“We do know each other well, don’t we?”
“I guess we do. Better than I ever realized. I thought we always kept things casual, but I guess even casual we got underneath each other’s skin.”
“And all over it,” she returned.
They’d definitely done that.
Her posture cemented, her sexy grin hardening.
“There’s a war coming, Charlie.”
He stiffened. “The battles you spoke of before. William believes you gave me this ring in part because you fear the balance of good and evil is shifting, toward evil.”
“He’s not wrong. But it’s such a small piece of the picture.”
“This war is coming to the Isle?” Charlie clarified apprehensively.
“Yes. It will be widespread if not contained. And the Isle is where it begins. It is a battle you, or no human, should be part of. But in the end, it will not be avoided. Evil does not hold any value on human life.”
“Wait, are you saying this is war in your world?”
“Yes. But it will spread to yours as well.”
“How do we stop it? How do we help you? I don’t see how we can help those who already possess such power as you do.”
“By protecting those on earth who will help us upon their deaths.”
“I don’t understand. I’m sorry.”
Nina took a thoughtful breath.
“Charlie, the information I’m about to share with you has never before been uttered to a human. And you must never tell another. No one. Not even your family. It is a secret we have kept, always. It ensures our protection. Our very survival.”
His eyes widened, heart pounded. “I would never divulge any secret you share with me, Nina. But I have to admit, whatever knowledge this is it frightens me a little.”
“And this is why we can trust you, Charlie. You’ve always seen the value and logic in fear.”
He did, but it still didn’t make him comfortable to be privy to a secret he was unable to share with anyone. Not even those closest to him.
“The Guardians, our bloodline, it is ancient. I’m talking original people ancient. Humans think of Guardians as God-like or angelic creatures. Descended from, or ruled by, a heavenly, all-powerful being. This is not truth, Charlie.”
He listened, barely able to breathe.
What exactly was she telling him?
“I’m not saying there isn’t some higher God-like power, but if there is, I’ve never seen it and it’s not us. Guardians, as we call ourselves, as you think of us, accidentally integrated our blood with humans. I do not have time to tell our entire story but bec
ause of this integration, we watch over all humans. But most especially, our own bloodlines. Because once these humans shed their mortal lives...”
“They become Guardians,” Charlie realized.
“Not always,” Nina said pointedly.
His eyes narrowed.
“There is both good, and evil,” she reminded.
He let out an overwhelmed push of air. “So if they are evil in life after they die...”
“Demons.”
“Demons were once humans?”
“Yes. Humans, with Guardian blood in their veins, who did not live worthy lives. Who can only live demonic afterlives.”
“Um. Wow. Um...”
“I’m sorry, Charlie. This is a lot to tell someone. A lot to take in and wrap your brain around.”
“It pretty much changes one’s entire outlook on the world. But I still don’t get how we can help you. How knowing this, helps you.”
“We are not allowed to interfere with the lives of our human bloodlines. But we are permitted to teach, and watch over, and nudge someone in the right direction. In the end though...”
“Back to free will again. They have to choose which path to take.”
“Yes. And the frightening truth is we need every life we can, on our side. We need the balance to stay in our favor. If evil takes over...”
“This is the balance of good and evil you are fighting to keep. It’s not just about The Demon Isle, or the power source, or magic.”
“No. It’s an unfortunate byproduct of our accidental integration with your kind so many, many years ago.”
“Balance is switching, isn’t it?” Charlie dared to put forth.
“It is on a precarious edge. Every single human life matters if we are to succeed. The Guardian bloodline is dwindling and there are two lives at stake even as we speak. Two lives you can watch over. Two lives that today are destined for good. But evil is going to try hard to sway them. To tempt them. Good will try too. But that’s all either side can do. Tempt. In the end, their choices will decide their fate. And possibly tip the scales.”
“Two lives. Just two lives can do this?”
“Yes. Our numbers are not as great as you might think. Our human bloodline is weakening. Many years have passed since we integrated our blood with humans, and now, it’s dying out. There are few left to determine the outcome of this balance.”
