She entered the kitchen and turned on the light, and had to cover her mouth to muffle a scream. Colt sat at the table with an ice pack over one eye; his face was covered in blood and swollen with fresh bruising. She felt sick.
“Don’t worry, the other guy looks worse,” he said, trying to make light of his injuries. “I’ll get out of your way now.” He stood and winced, holding his ribs, but in typical stubborn Colt fashion kept on walking. She gripped his arm, needing him to sit back down and talk.
“Colt, I’m sorry about before. Please let me help you, you’re hurt.” Tears escaped her eyes and she didn’t attempt to wipe them away. Her heart broke at seeing the pain on his face with every move he made.
“It’s ok, Clara, you don’t owe me anything,” Colt said, but carried on looking ahead, avoiding eye contact.
“Colt, I owe you everything and besides, I lied. I do l—”
Colt falls to his knees and bows his head; his battered face is full of anguish. “Don’t say it, Clara, please. I don’t think I could cope hearing those words from your lips for you just to reject me again.” The tremor in his voice breaks her heart all over again, she wasn’t leaving him like this.
He had gone out and got himself hurt because of her stupid pride. She needed to fix him. She had been practising some of the spells Heather had left – it was worth a shot.
She placed her hand on top of Colt’s head, running her fingers through his sweat-dampened hair, and closed her eyes. Focusing on the meaning of the words, she chanted. She envisioned Annabelle as she spoke.
“Great goddess I call upon you,
Heal this man, heal his wounds,
Make him well.
Magnum numen,
Sana huic, vulnera sanat.”
Underneath her skin began to glow and she felt the familiar heat flowing through her limbs. The heat from inside her passed through her hand that was pressed on Colt’s head. It flowed into Colt. She opened her eyes; his skin began to mirror hers. His wounds were beginning to heal. She had to get out what she needed to say before the magic was finished and he stopped her again.
“I lied before when I said I didn’t feel the same. It was because I was scared, so scared of everything... I was such a bitch to you. I am so sorry, I didn’t mean it... I’ve never felt like this about any man ever and it’s not just an infatuation or because you saved me. I love you too, Colt, so much,” she said, praying once the spell was done he wouldn’t tell her it was too late.
The glowing dimmed and all that was left of his injuries was the dried blood on his skin. He stood, with his back to her. She didn’t speak for the fear of getting told to get lost, but what came out of his mouth gave her hope.
“I think I fell in love with you as soon as I saw you, Clara. You are so fearless and beautiful. When I got to kiss you that night in the garden I knew I was completely fucked for anyone else. You have a way of getting under my skin like no other woman has before. I’ve done something really bad tonight, Clara, something I am going to have to go through with and I don’t know if you’ll want any more to do with me,” he says, his deep voice full of remorse.
“Colt, what is it? What did you do?” she says, placing her hand on his back. She feels his muscles tense under her fingers.
“I went to Perdition... I wanted to find that bastard who hurt you and kill him, but I found someone else instead,” he says in a low pain-filled voice.
“It’s my fault you felt you had to do that, Colt. It’s my fault yyou got hurt. I am so sorry.” Big tears roll down her cheeks and she hiccups.
Colt turns and pulls her to him, wrapping his big arms around her. She snuggles into him, soaking his already bloodied shirt with tears. “Hey, it’s ok Clara. Shh, please don’t cry baby, not over me ever... Yeah, I was pissed about everything but you didn’t make me go, Clara. I am just a dickhead. Will you let me explain everything before we talk about me and you?” he asks, loosening his arms so she can look up at him.
“Of course, but whatever you have to say, it won’t change the way I feel about you, Colt.” Clara steps out of his embrace and walks to the table and wipes her eyes with the sleeve of her pyjamas. “Come and sit with me, talk. I need to know what happened and who hurt you, Colt,” she says, pulling out one of the dining chairs and sitting down, waiting for him to join her.
Colt goes to the cupboard and pulls out a bottle of Jack Daniels. “I knew I liked Heather for a reason,” he states, grabbing two shot glasses and sitting opposite Clara, pouring a shot in each and downing his straight away.
She doesn’t say a word and waits for him to speak; she realises whatever happened to him tonight must be massive and he needs time to process it all before he explains. He looks so conflicted.
“It’s ok, Colt. I promise, whatever you tell me, I won’t leave. I’m done running,” she whispers, taking one of his big hands in hers.
“You just healed me, Clara. Do you know how amazing that is? Not all witches can perform the healing spell. Your magic is growing so much stronger all the time. I think you’re ready to go back,” Colt said, a wariness in his eyes.
“Go back where, Colt?” she said, not liking the way this conversation was going. “I met someone who can help us tonight.” He pours another shot and downs it in one; his eyes look haunted. “I was escorted to the office to identify someone who I had an altercation with when I first got in there. To cut a long story short, he was being rude to the receptionist, so I told him where to go... He apparently got rough with another girl later on and was taken to their office.” He runs his hand through his hair. “When they brought me in, the guy was tied to the ceiling by his hands. Dominic wasn’t there, he had left a familiar called Miles in charge who was a cocky asshole. He had his persecutor in the room with him... He’s a guy named Terrance... Terrance is working for Dominic under false pretences so he can find his sister, Kate. Clara, she went missing about six months ago, and I remembered what Sarah had said about that dancer.”
A little gasp leaves Clara, the information registering. “Oh God, Colt. Did you tell him Kate is dead? Is that why he hurt you?”
“No, Clara. Miles wants me to work for them, he thinks I will be of use because of how strong my beast is. I told them my companion was dead and I had just returned to town. After Miles left the room me and Terrance spoke – I told him if Kate was still alive I may know where she is. Me and Terrance had to have a fight to prove I was worthy. We kind of got carried away and beat the shit out of each other,” he says, snorting out a sarcastic laugh. “Terrance is going to meet me by Hunters Woods tomorrow, and we are going to find where you were held captive and when we do I am going through that place like a Tasmanian devil, Clara. That fucker’s luck has just ran out,” he spits with venom.
“Is that what you meant before about me being ready to go back? Colt, I don’t know if I am,” she says, fear gripping at her gut as she relives her horror of that place.
Colt’s big hands cover hers. “You can do this , baby, you are so strong. I am calling Heather in on this too, we need to close that place down while Dominic is away, give him something nice to come home to. He’s hurt enough people we love now. You won’t need to come in with us. I would never ask that of you after what you went through in there, I just need you to be our guide and then I’ll have Iris drive you back to The Sanctuary.”
Clara looked into his gorgeous dark eyes, searching for another way, but she knew they had to start making Dominic and The Domini Bellatorum pay for what they had put her family through. She had to be brave and face whatever came next.
“Ok Colt, I’ll go, but I’ll be coming in with you. I am sick of hiding. If we’re going to do this then we do it together, and we use everything we have to defeat that sick bastard,” she said, sounding determined.
“You’ll have to wear your disguise so they don’t recognise you though,” Colt said, adoration and excitement in his eyes.
“I can’t stand wearing that thing. I’ve been working on somethin
g in the journal, this spell business is amazing,” she said with a mischievous smirk on her lips.
“I know that look, what are you up to?” Colt said, laughter in his eyes.
“You’ll see tomorrow, now let’s go and get this blood washed off you,” she said, pulling at his hand.
Colt Clara’s beautiful body lay before him as he traced his tongue along the inside of her thigh and swept it along her sweet centre. Her unique smell filled up his senses and sent him into a passionate frenzy, and he feasted on her folds, lapping at her as she cried his name.
He would never get enough of hearing his name being called out on her lips as she found her release. He flipped her luscious body so she straddled his hips and entered her tight centre, lavishing in the way she fit him so perfectly. His eyes rolled back with the sensation and he felt the familiar tingle at the bottom of his spine.
“Fuck, Clara... I love you,” he growled, and she met his thrusts in a perfect rhythm. She gazed upon him with hooded eyes filled with lust. “I love you too,” she cried as he felt her tighten around him as another release tore through her. He almost exploded.
He couldn’t let go yet primal need took over and he lifted her off him, turning her so she was on all fours. She was open and so ready for him as he thrust into her deeply, riding her until he felt her tighten around him and cry out, soaking him again. Only then did he let himself go. His release ripped through him and he growled out her name as he rode the aftershocks that coursed through him, making him shudder. He trailed kisses over her shoulders and down her spine. Pulling out of her and flipping her on to her back, he looked deep into her emerald eyes that glowed in the moonlight.
“You’re mine, Clara,” he growled. She smiled at him, her eyes filled with something he didn’t think he was worthy of from this amazingly beautiful woman. She looked upon him with pure unadulterated love.
“I’m yours, and you’re mine,” she whispered into the darkness. He knew they had a long way to go before it would be safe for them to be together, but he knew if he died tomorrow he would die the happiest man alive knowing she returned his love unconditionally.
They both fell into a deep sleep, exhausted from their lovemaking. Tomorrow would bring a whole new wave of trials and tribulations but for now he would enjoy wrapping his arms around the only woman who held his heart in her hands.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Colt Colt checked his watch for the tenth time in as many minutes. It was two o’clock exactly. Terrance was running late and Heather was supposed to meet them in fifteen minutes. He blew out a frustrated sigh, hoping this wouldn’t be a wasted journey.
Clara was waiting in the back of his van with Jake conjuring some spell so she wouldn’t have to wear the disguise anymore. He had to give it to her, she was adamant about ridding herself of that wig. He chuckled to himself, remembering her little tantrum this morning, when he made her put it on.
He was amazed at how much of the spells she had picked up in such a short space of time; she was going to give Heather a run for her money at this rate.
A snapping of twigs breaking sounded to his right, startling him out of his Clara daydream. He whipped his head around.
Terrance made his way through an opening in the trees dressed in dark jeans, a dark sweater, and a leather jacket. He seemed even bigger today with his clothes on. There was bruising around his right cheekbone and a cut under his left eye; a feeling of satisfaction ran through Colt, knowing he had given as good as he got.
“Sorry I’m late, Miles had me run an errand for him. I swear that dickhead couldn’t organise a piss-up in a pub,” he said with a guilty look on his face.
“You’re here now, that’s all that matters,” Colt said, sounding a little shorter than he intended. “I’m just waiting for a few friends to join us. One of them has a rough idea of where this place might be. They are all spectrals, so they can help if needed.” Colt had told Danny to stay at The Sanctuary, he couldn’t risk him getting in the way. Being a human, Danny was a liability if anything kicked off.
Terrance observed Colt through narrowed eyes. “How the fuck did all your bruises heal overnight?” Terrance said, a confused look on his face. “I know for a fact that eye of yours was closed when you left the club last night.”
“I have my sources,” Colt said, feeling a bit uncomfortable discussing the hows and whys before he knew he could fully trust this guy.
“Who the fuck are you? And how do you have a companion that can perform the healing spell that well? Dominic can’t perform it that well and he’s a strong fucker,” Terrance said, looking a little rattled.
He was glad Terrance looked a little scared. If he was playing them then Heather could use his fear to her advantage. This big bastard would be a quivering wreck if Heather didn’t like what she saw.
“I hope you weren’t going to leave without me,” Heather’s voice says from behind them in the trees, making them both jump and turn around.
“Who’s this?” Terrance said with his eyebrow s raised. The look on his face said he obviously appreciated the sight before him. Heather was casually dressed in blue jeans, a black jumper and a black trench coat. Her blonde poker-straight hair was left down and even without an ounce of makeup on, her complexion was still perfect. Colt could tell she was in one of her usual delightful moods.
“Who I am doesn’t concern you, doofus. Tell him, wolfy,” She said abruptly, looking at Colt. He glared at her stubbornly and then introduced her to Terrance.
“Terrance this is Heather, she’s going to conjure a memory sweep on you before we go any further, it’s just to make sure you are who you say,” he said, smiling smugly at a less-than-impressed Heather.
Expecting an argument or round two, Colt is a little taken aback when he gets no argument from Terrance at all and almost doubles over laughing when he sees the expression on the big guy’s face. He is smitten and looking at Heather like she’s a goddess.
He wasn’t surprised, he probably had the same goofy expression when he first met her – she was hot and a badass Cailleach. But after ten years of putting up with her arrogance pet names and constant resting bitch face, he was immune to her beauty and charm. She just pissed him off most of the time now.
“Is this the enchanting creature who healed you, Tommy lad?” Terrance says, not taking his eyes off Heather. “I suggest you stop looking at me like I am your next meal, or I’ll conjure a spell to make your dick fall off,” Heather snarls at him, snapping him out of his daze.
“I apologise, ma’am... Please excuse my manners, the name’s Terrance.”
Heather rolled her eyes, ignoring his extended hand. “I’m not here for niceties, we’ve got a job to do. Now kneel down so I can frisk your mind,” Heather demanded, looking bored with the way the conversation was going.
The look on Heather’s face when Terrance immediately threw himself onto his knees in front of her was priceless. Colt had to walk off because he couldn’t hold in the belly laugh that was building inside him.
He didn’t know how Heather did it but she managed to have every familiar in awe of her, and seeing a big burly guy throw himself at her was the funniest thing he had seen for a while.
“Colt, he’s trustworthy,” Heather says with both of her hands on top of Terrance’s head, channelling his thoughts and deepest memories. “Go get her,” she mouths at him, before carrying on rummaging through Terrance’s brain a bit more.
He walks in the direction of the van and is surprised to see Jake sat on an old tree stump outside the van looking deep in thought.
“Everything alright?” Colt asks Jake’s solemn face. “Yeah, Clara is just conjuring and wanted quiet, she said I was distracting her,” he grumbles. Colt chuckles and walks to the van door, knocking loudly. “Are you ready, beautiful?” he says. “Terrance and Heather have just shown up.”
There’s a loud thump like someone’s fallen over and he knocks again. “Are you ok in there, baby?” “Yeah, I am, but you are going
to freak out when you see me,” she says from the other side of the door. “Can you guys just go ahead and I’ll catch you up?”
“It can’t be that bad, Clara, surely. Open up and let me see what’s happened?” Colt says, feeling a bit concerned.
“Please, Colt, just take Heather, Terrance, and Jake. I’ll wait here for Iris and meet you at Lincoln Cliffs,” Clara says defiantly. She wasn’t going to budge on this and he didn’t want an argument.
“Ok baby, any sign of danger an—”
“I know, I know, I’ll call you straight away... I promise,” she says.
“Ok beautiful, I’ll see you in a bit,” he says, unsure how he feels about this predicament. Colt glances over to Jake who now is almost falling off the tree stump, belly laughing at his lack of authority.
“What’s so funny, douchebag?” Colt says, unable to hide the smirk on his face. “You... you’re pussy whipped,” Jake says, wiping his eyes. “I never thought my big scary uncle Colt would ever be pussy whipped.” Another belly laugh escapes Jake.
“Ha, ha, ha, knob. Let’s go and get on with what we came here for,” Colt says, feeling a little emasculated.
Clara The spell had worked better than she had anticipated and she was a little freaked out by the whole thing. She pulled on a black long-sleeved t-shirt and jeans and sat on the mattress to put her boots on.
She had no intention of waiting for Iris, she needed to walk through the woods by herself and allow herself to feel the magic this forest had to offer, now she was starting to understand what this was all about.
She sat for fifteen minutes to let Colt get a head start with the others. She checked her phone for any missed calls and noticed the signal bar was low. Great.
She pulled on her black trench coat and climbed over the seat into the passenger side; she had Colt’s spare keys, thankfully, so she wouldn’t leave his van open, not that she thought anyone would steal this once they saw the battered mattress in the back.
Unfamiliar (The Vandran Legacy Book 1) Page 23
