Goldie Lox And Her Trio Of Bears (Goldie Lox Prophecy Book 1)

by Amy Star

  “If you were to…” Jillian blushed. “Bite me. Would I become like you?”

  “No.” Finn shook his head. “I haven’t been able to figure out what causes it.”

  “It’s not a disease.” Conner scowled. “As far as I can tell, it’s not even genetic. Both my parents were human.”

  “I guess some of us are just born lucky.” Finn huffed.

  “Before the skylines were jagged with skyscrapers,” Vincent continued, ignoring the boys, “they looked to our kind for spiritual guidance. Because we are attuned to nature, we have the ability to commune with the spirit world.”

  “What happened?” Jillian glanced around. “Why are there so few of you left?”

  “Over time, through their grand achievements, humanity became proud and greedy. Those in power turned their backs on the spirits. They believed that the only way for them to advance was by leaving behind the old ways. That’s what caused what we call The Great Rift. Sometime during the early 1800s, something happened.”

  “What?” Jillian urged him to go on.

  “All we know is that fewer and fewer cubs were being born. Shamans and oracles became even harder to find. My grandmother was an oracle, but her biological children were human. Her very presence drew shifters from all over; souls that had previously only known loss, rejection, and terror.”

  “Where is your grandmother now?” Jillian’s eyes lit up.

  It would be nice to talk to another woman about all this.

  “My tribe is gone.” Vincent clenched his fists. “But the last vision she had was of a human woman with golden hair who would rise from the river. She said three bears would save her life, and that woman would be the only one who could mend The Great Rift and revive our people.”

  Jillian shifted her weight and wiped some flyaway hairs out of her face.

  “Guys,” she let out a defeated chuckle, “if this healing ritual depends on me being some chosen savior, you may as well just let me die.”

  “You can’t mean that.” Conner shook his head.

  “I’m just a spoiled little rich girl.” Her eyes clouded with tears as her voice got a little higher. “I’ve never contributed anything to this world beyond posting pictures of dolphins in fishing nets, but the truth is…” She wiped her nose. “I’m the most useless person there ever was.”

  “Look.” Conner crouched to bring his face down to her eye-level. “I was a piece of shit in high-school. All I cared about was football, parties, and girls in that order.”

  “You sound like a real dick.” Jillian sniffed with a soft chuckle.

  “Yeah?” Conner’s face lit up with a bashful smile, and he glanced down before looking back at her. “But things are different now. I can’t change where I was born or how I was raised. But I do get to decide who I want to be going forward. So, that means you don’t get to cry about being basic. That girl you were is gone.”

  Jillian bit her lip and squirmed. All that stuff about being the savior of shifter-kind made her more than a little uncomfortable. Still, the clarity in his eyes shook her to her core. There was no question that he believed in her. That was something she had never felt in her life, and she liked it.

  “Let’s do this.” She nodded to Conner, who smiled and stood back up.

  “All right, boys.” Vincent loosened up his shoulders and cracked his neck. “Finn, fire-glyphs.”

  Finn looked straight ahead, lifting his hands before making a series of gestures. His lips parted, and his voice shook the air as he spoke under his breath in a language Jillian didn’t recognize. He rolled his tongue across every word, and the flames of the candles seemed to shiver in response.

  Conner began his hand movements, speaking a different chant, and the air around her suddenly felt alive, moving up one arm and down the other. Vincent was silent at first as he painted shapes in the air with his hands. The earth didn’t shake, but Jillian could feel the energy moving from the stone into her body.

  “Jillian.” Vincent smiled at her with a tinge of sadness in his eyes. “You’ve taken a few yoga classes, haven’t you?”

  She nodded, wheezing as her vision blurred. Her face had already been white as a sheet, but somehow she looked even.

  “They have you meditate, right?”

  “Yes.” Her eyebrows tilted upward as she flexed her throat, struggling to keep her airway open.

  “I need you to close your eyes and listen to the sound of the waterfall. Imagine sinking beneath the ripples without having to hold your breath.”

  Jillian nodded, lying back on the cold stone surface and trying to relax. Her muscles twitched and spasmed as the venom spread through her nervous system. Homing in on the sound of the rushing water, everything else faded away.

  Water…

  The voices of the three men overlapped, in a chorus of whispers. Electricity prickled over every inch of her skin. Unnerved, she clenched her fists as the whooshing sensation that overtook her in the woods returned. A picture formed in her mind, the face she had seen in the stars. This time, the only stars were the ones in the eyes, the rest of the face was only visible because of the mist from the waterfall drifting across the invisible contours of sharp cheekbones, a broad nose, and two full lips. The mouth didn’t move, but a feminine voice vibrated through Jillian’s consciousness.

  “What are you, little one?”

  Jillian’s body went rigid, her heart rushing in the presence of something she sensed was as ancient as the Earth itself.

  “This is real, isn’t it?” Jillian whispered. “And you’re a… a spirit?”

  The face descended over her, the starry pupils darting around as it examined her more closely.

  “I know what I am.” The spirit closed its eyes, inhaling as if it were trying to identify her by smell. “I want to know what you are.”

  “I’m nobody.” Tears ran from Jillian’s eyes into her ears. “I’m just another human.”

  “That’s not exactly true, is it?” The mist-shrouded lips made an O shape as the spirit breathed over Jillian’s body, and the fire in her blood was replaced with a cold numbness. “I haven’t seen one like you in a millennium.”

  “One like me?” Jillian stopped trembling.

  “A vessel and an oracle.” The lips smiled.

  “A what?” Jillian’s voice wavered, and a sour feeling churned in her stomach.

  “You have the power to see beyond the veil,” the voice whispered. “And the power to bear the children of gods.”

  “Wait…” Jillian’s eyes widened. “I’m supposed to do what?”

  “There is no greater honor than to be a mother.” The voice caressed her, and Jillian shrank back.

  “No one said anything about me being a baby factory.” She turned away her face. “If the price for saving my life is to live in the woods all barefoot and pregnant like some hillbilly concubine, you can forget it.”

  “Strange little creature.” The eyes narrowed. “And strong-willed. It would be a shame to let you perish without giving you a chance to fulfill your potential.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” Jillian’s eyes widened.

  “You have piqued my curiosity, little one.” The lips curved upward in a soft maternal smile and wrinkles formed around the eyes. “Your life I will give as a gift, only this once. You may return to your old ways if you wish. If you return to ask anything else of me, you know what I will ask of you.”

  “No.” Jillian shook her head. “I would never.”

  “Should you come to me again, I will ask that you take your place among your people.” The face took on a stern expression.

  “They’re not my people.” Jillian scooted backward. “I don’t belong here.”

  “You will take a shifter as a mate and use your power to bring back the old ways, lest all spirit fades from your world forever.” The spirit frowned. “Without spirit, the sun will die, and humanity too will perish along with the rest of you.”

  “You can’t ask this of me.” Jill
ian’s chin quivered. “I can’t save anyone. I can’t even save myself.”

  It felt like falling off of a hundred-story building as she was pulled back into her body. Physical awareness rushed over her in a blinding wave of agony. The crushing pain squeezed the air from her lungs as she screamed, writhing on the stone surface. As the fog of her vision lifted, a bright-blue glow beamed from the incised lines in the rock, forming a sacred geometric pattern on the circle.

  The tattoos on Vincent’s arms lit up with the same dynamic energy, sizzling as the lines spread out, burning into his flesh. The scattered symbols were no longer fragmented pieces. The story of his ancestors had been diluted by time after generations of retellings. But at that moment, they were made whole.

  Light filled her body, spilling out of her eyes and mouth as she screamed.

  “Hey,” Conner ceased his chanting, panicking at the sight of her in such distress, “I don’t think it’s supposed to be like this. Stop!” He darted forward to help but flew backward, struck by an unseen force swirling around her. He hit the water with a loud splash. Vincent and Finn continued reciting the elemental prayers as black ooze gushed from her wound, running down her leg until the light within burst through the puncture marks. Conner swam back, pulling himself up and rushing to her side to find Jillian limp and unconscious, the magic having vanished after its work was done.

  “Shit! Jillian?” He took her face in his hands.

  Please tell me we didn’t kill her.

  Her parted lips let out a whisper of breath, and he sat back, putting a hand on his chest as he let out a relieved sigh.

  “I can’t believe it.” Vincent looked down at the geometric scars covering his arms. “It’s really her.”

  CHAPTER FOUR

  The curtains fluttered against the soft breath of the mountain. Vincent’s bedroom window screen was still on the ground outside where Jillian had left it. Large callused fingers moved over her calf, and she hummed at the pleasant sensation.

  “It left a scar.” His gravelly voice made her open her eyes. “But you’ll live. Let’s get a look at your head.”

  She ached all over but found the strength to sit up. Vincent sat beside her, separating her hair at the scalp where the gash had been.

  “Barely even a mark.” He let go.

  Jillian ran her fingers through her hair over the spot that had been caked with blood the day before. “This is crazy.” She scratched the spot softly. “How long was I asleep?”

  “Sixteen hours, give or take.” He put the blanket back over her legs, and she caught sight of a pink line on the back of his wrist. Placing her hand on his, she carefully rolled up his sleeve to reveal the freshly burned pattern that spiderwebbed over his skin.

  “Talk about a scar.” She frowned. “Did this happen because of me?”

  “Yes.” The depth of his brown eyes drew her in.

  “I’m so sorry.” She reached out and touched the side of his face, and the softness of his beard delighted her fingers.

  “Don’t be. It’s an honor to wear these marks.” He pretended not to notice that her hand was still resting on his. “I only had about a third of it done when I left to go to medical school. I didn’t get to finish them.”

  “You said your tribe was gone.” She hesitated. “What happened to them?”

  “Their village was out in the middle of nowhere. No electricity or running water, we just lived off the land, like the three of us do now. The closest town was a place called Cave Junction. There’s never been much out there in the way of law enforcement. When I graduated, I went home to find everyone dead.”

  “My God.” Jillian closed her eyes.

  “It looked like they had been that way for a while. I filed a report with the sheriff’s office. My father had a habit of picking fights with the drug cartel that operated in the area. Problem was… the sheriff didn’t give two shits about a bunch of natives living out in the woods.”

  “What?” Jillian’s brow furrowed. “An entire village of people gets massacred, and the sheriff doesn’t do anything about it?”

  “Well, we made a couple of serious mistakes. First, we were born with brown skin, and second, we lived in the state of Oregon.” He smiled, swallowing his sadness and hiding behind a calm façade.

  “I’m so sorry.” She curled her fingers around his hand, and he dragged his thumb over hers. A knock came only half a second before the door opened, and Finn appeared in the doorway.

  “If you still want someone to take you to the ranger station.” Finn cleared his throat. “We’d need to leave now before it gets dark.”

  “Is that what you want?” Vincent pulled her gaze back to his. “I was hoping that with everything that’s happened, you’d decide to stay.”

  Common sense was screaming for her to take Finn up on his offer. That spirit had only given her life back in hopes that she would end up pregnant. She wasn’t afraid of any of these men taking advantage of her. But sparks were already kindling in the primitive depths of her body. It was her own urges she was afraid of giving in to. Still, she had discovered that not only did magic exist, but she was right in the middle of it. Could she walk away without learning more?

  “I don’t know if I feel up to a hike just yet.” She smiled. “Do you think I could rest up for another day or two? I could use a bath and maybe something to eat.”

  “I guess I’ll go out and find us some dinner then.” Finn pressed his lips together with a curt nod and closed the door behind him.

  “Am I being paranoid, or is he trying to get rid of me?” She released Vincent’s hand and rubbed the back of her head again, reaffirming the wound had closed.

  “Finn’s complicated sometimes. Every time he lets himself care about someone, they burn him. In his mind, you’re already gone. This is his way of trying to rip the bandage off.”

  The door swung open. No knock this time.

  “You’re staying?” Conner strode in with a massive smile on his face.

  “Only for another day or two.” She shifted her weight. “Is that okay?”

  “Are you kidding?” He scoffed. “You’re a lot more fun to look at then these two.”

  “Well, I have to catch up on my journal entries for the last couple of days.” Vincent stood up and crossed the room to sit at his writing desk. “Conner, can you get her some lunch and show her where she can wash up. Knowing Finn, he’ll be out hunting till dark, and I don’t want her to starve.”

  “Of course.” He stood aside, and Jillian looked down at herself, still wearing the purple lacey bra and panty set she’d been wearing going on three days. “Don’t worry. I’ll grab you a towel. Follow me.”

  Wrapping the sheet around her once again, she got to her feet and followed Conner to the kitchen. Score-marks from a chainsaw scarred the boards that made the surface of the table. Jillian glanced around, realizing that just about everything except for the woodstove had been crafted by hand. Conner crossed the living area that consisted of two armchairs and a sofa, disappearing into one of two rooms that connected to the den.

  Jillian scooted away from the wood stove that was putting off a shocking amount of heat. Practically every wall contained built-in shelves. Stacks of books and artifacts added a splash of color to the otherwise earthy tone of the room. She scanned the cracked bindings and leather spines of the various volumes. No two of them looked alike.

  “You a bookworm?” Conner emerged with a stack of clothes and a towel folded over his arm.

  “I majored in English Lit in college.” She shrugged.

  “That doesn’t answer my question.” He opened the front door and jerked his head, inviting her to follow. She cracked a smile and headed out after him. The crisp air outside filled her lungs, and she smiled into the sunshine.

  “It’s nice out today.” She held her hand up, hooding her brow. “A little on the warm side.

  “Wait till you get in the water.” Conner squinted into the sun.

  “Is it one of those outdo
or showers?” She stretched.

  “Something like that.” He chuckled. “Come on.”

  She tensed a little, following him through a grove of trees to a clearing next to a stream that wasn’t quite wide or wild enough to be considered a river. The sun shone through the clear water, glinting off the mossy rocks on the bottom. A few meters out, the creek bed faded off into a murky area, indicating deeper water.

  Conner hung up what she now realized were two towels on the low branch of a gnarled tree. Placing the folded clothes on a large rock, he stripped off his shirt and dropped his pants. Jillian averted her eyes, holding up her hand next to her face as she turned around.

  “You are not bashful at all, are you?” She blushed.

  “You’ve been walking around in that sexy little number ever since you got here.” He dove in with a splash before popping back up and spitting a stream of water out. “Besides, I have it on good authority that male nudity isn’t as provocative as female nudity.”

  “Uh-huh.” She looked back, relieved that the ripples were hiding the details of his anatomy, though she had to make a conscious effort to keep her eyes at the level of his face. “That sounds like some sexist crap from the last century if you ask me.”

  “Actually, no. It was a study they did at the community college in my hometown. They took a pole of people reacting to a picture of a naked man versus a picture of a naked woman. Both were in average physical condition, both in identical neutral poses.”

  “And what were their findings?” Jillian crossed her arms.

  “Almost everyone who saw the male photo either laughed, looked away, or made a comedic remark. People who saw the picture of the woman commented on what they found attractive or not.”

  “And what was the point of that study?” She cocked her head to the side.

  “That our society oversexualizes women, and no one gives a shit about a dude taking a bath.” He scratched his chin before waving her out. “Come on, the water feels great, and I have some amazing shampoo stashed out here.”