The Shadows

by Cheyenne McCray

  Now she had nothing.

  Garran was quiet as he embraced her, holding her close, but he couldn’t hug her tight enough to chase away the pain.

  She clenched her dry eyes shut, but the images of her mirror shattering and the empty frame battered the inside of her mind. What had she done for them to leave her like they had?

  Garran stroked her hair, whispering soft words that could only be Elvin. Words of power that flowed through her and lessened her pain until she felt like a boat rocking with soft swells of water beneath her.

  A new burst of pain slammed down on her that his words couldn’t protect her from. For a moment she felt like she was drowning in that water that had been rocking her so gently.

  “Hannah.” Garran said her name loud enough to drag her from the feeling of being underwater. His sensual Elvin accent drew her. “Look at me.”

  She didn’t want to, but she forced herself to tilt her head and look up at him. His expression, his eyes, seemed to carry part of her pain. She didn’t want that, didn’t need anyone to bear this burden for her.

  “I’ll be all right.” She slid her hands down his chest and felt his warmth, his strength, beneath her palms. He smelled so good. Of earth and moss. So grounding and real. She tried a smile, but it didn’t work. “I’ll figure something out.”

  “Together.” He stroked her face, his expression intent. “But you must tell me what happened.”

  The day had passed so quickly. The sun was setting, the last rays of sunlight fading away. The dark windows of the building grew darker yet, and the only illumination came from the warehouse lights above.

  As she watched Garran, his hair gradually changed until it was silvery-blue, and his skin returned to the bluish gray of the Drow.

  She reached up and slid her fingers through some of his long hair lying over one of his shoulders. “I don’t want to talk about it now. I just want—need—to rest before we go out on patrol.”

  His liquid silver eyes remained focused on hers. “For now, then you will tell me everything.”

  The weights holding Hannah down were lifted away as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders and started leading her through the maze of rooms to the one they had slept in before.

  With no ceiling, the room was still fairly bright. The lights would not be dimmed or turned off until well into the night when everyone needed to rest. In the almost bare room were rolled-up sleeping bags, Garran’s leather clothing, sword, and chest straps, along with her pack.

  An ache the size of a softball welled up in her throat at the sight of her pack lying next to a pile of her clothing. Hannah wanted to turn and run the moment she saw it. She’d left the pack in the room when she walked away from the broken mirror and the circle. Cassia must have gathered everything together.

  Hannah glanced away, not wanting to look at it.

  “I am sorry to leave you, sweet one.” Garran brought her around to face him again and he looked genuinely concerned. “You rest. I must go back to my realm to attend to matters there. It will most likely be morning before I return.”

  The thought of Garran leaving created a strange sort of hollowness in her belly. But with him gone, it would give her time to do what she needed to. He’d never let her do it alone, and as far as she was concerned, now she had no choice. She had no other way to be of use to her Coven. To humanity.

  Hannah took a deep breath, centering herself, drawing on her ability to maintain an air of calm despite the fact she felt anything but. She forced herself to relax her muscles as much as she could.

  Together, once she showed him how, they flattened each of the sleeping bags to make a full-sized “bed” with one bag on top of the other. Even though they’d only spent one night together, the arrangement—the two of them sharing a bed—seemed right, for now.

  When her thoughts went back to him leaving for the night, her belly clenched. She’d scried him being in some kind of danger, but had believed it was in the future. What if he was heading into that danger now?

  Should she go with him? Or try and convene with the goddess Anu, as she planned?

  Her heart pounded and her thoughts whirled. It was all so confusing, her mind felt like it was going to fly apart.

  Hannah sucked in another deep breath of air as Garran started to strip out of his human clothing to put on his warrior’s gear.

  She knew what she needed, wanted to do, right then and there. She could give him a part of herself to help protect him. After she kicked her running shoes aside and tugged off her socks, she unbuttoned her jeans.

  Garran had pulled his boots off, yanked his T-shirt over his head then stilled when he caught sight of her. She kept her gaze on him as she unzipped her jeans, dropped them to her ankles, and pushed them aside.

  His throat worked and his muscles flexed as she pulled her T-shirt over her head, tossed it aside, leaving her in only her bra and panties. She unhooked her bra and flung it on the floor before easing her panties down and stepping out of them.

  It was obvious by the darkness in his eyes and the intent expression on his face that he wanted her. Her need for Garran was so great she could almost forget everything else.

  “I should be leaving.” His voice was a husky growl as he unfastened the top button of his jeans. His length was already a huge outline against the tough cotton material.

  “Stay.” She took a step toward him. “Just a little while.”

  It didn’t take him more than two seconds to shove down his jeans, kick them aside, and face her in all his naked glory with his silvery-blue hair brushing his shoulders, his skin tightening over rippling muscles.

  He was magnificent.

  Before she could catch her breath, he reached her and gathered her in his embrace.

  Hannah wrapped her arms around his neck and her thighs around his waist as he carried her to the sleeping bags. He had pressed himself against her belly, making her insides twirl like crazy.

  And the expression in his eyes—she’d never had anyone look at her like that before. Like she was the world to him. It didn’t matter that it was just sex. For now she could slip into this feeling of being wanted and desired and needed.

  Garran settled Hannah on her back, his hips firmly between her thighs as he pressed his weight on her, just enough that she felt protected from the outside world.

  Garran brought his mouth to hers and rubbed himself against her.

  Hannah almost said, “I need you,” before she bit it back.

  If she didn’t need him, though, then what were these feelings rolling through her? Lust? Or something more?

  She refused to let any other thoughts cross her mind save for the way Garran was making her body feel right at that moment.

  He moved his mouth over hers, kissing her so thoroughly her head spun.

  More. She wanted more. And he seemed to sense exactly what it was that she had to have at that moment.

  He adjusted himself so that he was at the opening of her core before sliding slowly inside her.

  A cross between a sigh and a moan escaped Hannah as he gently began to rock inside her. She looked up into his intense eyes as his long, silvery-blue hair slid over her skin, brushing her cheeks and her shoulders.

  So slowly he moved, his body feeling almost as if it were a part of hers. She kept her thighs hooked around his hips and gripped his shoulders as she closed her eyes, focused on the sensations.

  And released her magic.

  Garran made a sound of surprise as she released her essence, letting a part of herself go to help strengthen him, to help protect him.

  He stilled and she opened her eyes. “Don’t stop,” she whispered. Her green magic glittered around them like a sparkling cloud.

  “What are you doing, Hannah?” He remained motionless, deep inside her, his brow furrowed.

  “Sharing myself with you.” She moved her hands from his powerful shoulders until she was gripping his ass and pressed her hips tighter to his. “Let me.”

  Garran
kept still as he looked down at her. “Only if I can do the same for you.”

  Before Hannah could respond, Garran let warmth flood from his body to hers and he began sliding in and out with firm, solid strokes. She gasped and cried out at the intensity of the feelings he unleashed inside her. What had been sparkling green around them blended into a fabric of both darkness and light, like the sphere that had carried them back from Alcatraz. Dark and beautiful all at once.

  The darkness didn’t scare her. It intrigued her and she embraced it, letting it join with her own magic.

  The power they created together was beyond anything Hannah had ever imagined. It filled her soul, her heart—her entire being was energized and alive just from the combination of their magic.

  She gave him as much as she could of her own essence but every time she did, he would give her just as much of himself. It wasn’t draining, it was exciting, thrilling, exhilarating. Enough so that she could only think of him and nothing else. Nothing seemed to exist outside of Garran and her, their bodies and their magic.

  His thrusts became harder and more powerful. Hannah gave a small cry every time he drove deep inside her, almost touching her magical core itself.

  Warmth and protection flowed around them, a cocoon of pleasure that raised Hannah higher and higher until she thought they might be floating in the air.

  Garran’s expression tightened at the same time her climax began to spiral and spiral inside her, coming closer to the edge of what felt as if it would be nothing short of an explosion.

  Their combined magic had an erotic scent to it. Not just the smells of sex but something deeper and more fulfilling. Frankincense. Honeysuckle. Mint.

  Hannah started to writhe beneath Garran, unable to control the magic wanting to burst from every nerve ending in her body. He kissed her, putting power into his kiss, and it was like setting off fireworks inside of her.

  She cried out and he stole the cry with an even harder kiss that made the climax tearing through her more extreme. The combination of their magic made the experience so heady, as if at that moment they were more powerful together than they could ever be alone.

  Garran shouted as her core continued to contract around him. He throbbed inside her and she clamped down with her inner muscles, making him give another groan as he pressed his hips tightly to hers and remained motionless.

  He braced his arms to either side of her head and held himself up as her mind spun and she tried to focus on his eyes.

  Hannah sighed and wrapped her arms around his neck, drawing him to her so that their lips met and he kissed her sweet and slow. Every movement of his lips and tongue caused her core to spasm. She felt so much pleasure that it filled her as if she would never feel pain again.

  When Garran drew away, separating their bodies, the real world came crashing back down on her. The connection they’d just made barely cushioned the blow of the memories of what she’d lost today, and what was horrible and wrong in the future.

  Garran settled on his side and brushed his knuckles over her face. “When I return, you will talk with me about what troubles you.”

  She pushed herself to a sitting position as he stood and he took her hand to help her to her feet. Ignoring his statement, she said, “You need to get back to your people.”

  He grabbed his leather pants. “And you need rest.”

  Garran would be safe in his world while she did what she had to do here.

  She almost reached for her discarded clothing, but she didn’t want him to suspect anything. She picked up one of her red robes instead and slipped it on. “When will you be back?”

  He was jerking on his boots. “Before the sun rises.”

  Hannah nodded.

  So would she.

  21

  Garran entered his throne room through the obsidian door to find his First and Second, Vidar and Carden, seated with the two head members of the Directorate, Sepan and Hark. They occupied one end of the large oval strategy table.

  The only others in the room were the guards stationed to either side of the door leading into the great hall. Familiar scents of his world met Garran. Earth and minerals carried on a cool breeze coming from the hall.

  The sharp words “He should have returned by now,” from Sepan, and “What is this madness we are to lend our efforts to?” from Vidar, met his ears as he stepped into the room, and a slow burn began in his chest.

  Four chairs scraped the floor as the men stood and each bowed. Varying expressions of respect, concern, and anger were reflected on the faces before him.

  “Be seated.” Garran took the chair at the head of the table that Vidar had vacated at once, and settled into it as he braced his arms on the granite tabletop. He maintained his calm as he looked from man to man. “How go the preparations to aid in the war against Ceithlenn?”

  Vidar’s disapproving expression was too easy to read. He would not be a good ruler.

  Garran resisted grinding his teeth as the burn in his chest became greater.

  “Carden has our forces prepared.” Vidar leaned back in his chair and folded his arms, an angry, judging posture, causing Garran to narrow his eyes. “Our warriors are ready to do your bidding as soon as you command them to,” he added.

  Keeping his expression neutral, Garran leveled a long stare at the dark-haired, dark-eyed, fierce warrior who did not back down from his obvious disapproval of Garran’s decision to aid in the war against the goddess and demons.

  Yes, he would deal with Vidar once they were alone.

  Garran’s gaze settled on Carden, who had a much more balanced view on most subjects and who was far more respectful. Not to mention he was strong in belief and honorable to the core. Was it too late to replace Vidar with Carden as Steward?

  “What brings the Directorate to speak with my First and Second?” Garran said as he looked from Hark’s blue eyes to Sepan’s gray ones.

  Sepan’s gray eyes narrowed. “We believed it necessary to convene to discuss the possibility of your failure to return.”

  Garran studied him for a long moment then slowly nodded. “This is good. The Directorate and my highest in command should always be prepared for the worst.”

  His words shocked the four men at the table into silence, which Garran easily filled. “I have been working with the D’Danann, D’Anu witches, and the human law enforcement, the Alliance, to strategize and find a way to eliminate Ceithlenn and the demons.”

  He looked from one man to the other as he continued, his gut churning at the realization that at least once more he would be forced to use the power the Great Guardian had gifted him with.

  “Half of the Fomorii have been returned to Underworld.” He barely held back a frustrated sigh. “The other half remains in the San Francisco Otherworld.”

  Hark’s gaze widened. “How was it that such a large portion of the Fomorii were returned to Underworld?”

  “It does not matter, it is done.” Garran maintained his regal position. “What is important now is that the Drow are prepared to fight the Fomorii who remain.”

  He went on, “It has been divined by the D’Anu witches that a great battle will take place. We will honor our promise and fight by the sides of those we are pledged to.”

  “A pledge you made without consulting the Directorate.” Sepan’s voice had a sharper bite to it than was appropriate.

  To make his point even clearer, Garran firmed his expression and hardened his tone as he spoke to Sepan. “Lest you have forgotten, I am king.” The burn in Garran’s chest had spread along his skin. “Make no mistake, Sepan, the Directorate is here to advise should I require it. But the final decisions lie with me.”

  The older Drow did not back down. “You never gave us the opportunity to advise.”

  “That is correct.” Garran inclined his head in acknowledgment. “I sought counsel with the Great Guardian.”

  Another silence filled the room and Garran could imagine the crystal walls ringing with that silence. Shock registered o
n every face in the room.

  “You would seek counsel with one of the Light Elves before your Directorate?” Sepan finally sputtered as he leaned back in his chair. “She, above all, could have changed the Elders’ minds before they placed the curse over us.”

  “I still have much respect for the Guardian.” Garran kept his temper in check, holding back the fire in his gut. “She requested my audience. I accepted and I chose to follow her wisdom.”

  Garran’s eyes remained on Sepan as he went on. “All of the Directorate is well aware that when the Great Guardian speaks, it is best to listen.”

  “That is so,” Hark said in his calm tone, as Sepan snapped his gaze to the other member of the Directorate. “She above all is revered.”

  If it were not for her insistence that he tell no one of the “gift,” he would have explained it to his men, but she had made it clear that was not an option.

  Garran looked to the two leaders of his Directorate.

  “Now I must speak to my First and Second, if you will excuse us.”

  Sepan still had an entirely unacceptable angry glint to his eyes as he stalked out the door. Garran would deal with him later. Hark merely bowed and left the room.

  While the two members of the Directorate exited, Garran allowed himself to mentally touch the link established between himself and Hannah. Now that they had traded essences, Garran could feel Hannah, sense her deep in his gut. But at that moment the link seemed weaker than it had before he had entered the Drow realm. He brushed aside the weakening as a result of his trip back to Otherworld.

  When only Carden and Vidar remained, Garran eased back, rested his elbows on his chair’s arms and folded his hands on his belly. “What has occurred in my absence?”

  As Vidar was First in Command, Carden did not speak—the warrior looked to Vidar to give the report.

  “The legions wonder why you left the Drow realm and why we are going to war,” Vidar said, his black eyes narrowed.

  Garran’s chest tightened and he could barely leash the fire in his body. He leaned forward and braced his arms on the table again, this time making no pretense of his displeasure with Vidar.