Loch

by Amy Star

  “But why pretend to help him in the first place?”

  “I told you, I’ve tried reasoning with him, but he’s so convinced he’s on the right path that he can’t be told otherwise.” Elise pressed a hand into her temple. “Besides, someone needs to look out for him. The shifters who follow him would turn on him in the blink of an eye if it suited them. He’s all alone now that I’m here.”

  Holly closed her eyes. “I’m sorry. If I’d have known, I wouldn’t have trapped you like this.”

  “Maybe it’s for the best.” Elise shrugged. “If you can help him, then it’s all worth it.”

  “I have to tell the others about this,” Holly said. “We’re both in over our heads.”

  “They won’t help him,” Elise scoffed. “They see him as someone who can take you away. They’ll sooner kill him.”

  “You don’t know them,” Holly pled. “They will listen if I ask them to. It’s their duty, after all.”

  “I hope you’re right, for Trevor’s sake.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE—Holly

  The witches didn’t emerge from their cave for another week. They only did so because Garret threatened to trash their cozy little living room and cause a cave-in. In all of the confusion that came with setting the witch trap, those sneaky little witches escaped without giving Holly the promised spells.

  Now, everyone in the house except for Elise wore pendants.

  Holly had planned on negotiating another protection spell for Elise to wear, but the witches didn’t want to strike a deal.

  Johnny, Garret, and Keller wore stones of glowing amber on stripes of white leather around their necks. The amber would darken to black should danger be near. What near was exactly wasn’t specified, but they would find out sooner or later.

  Holly now wore a deep blue stone on a silver chain. As long as the stone remained blue, she was in trustworthy company. What the stone would change to should she be near someone untrustworthy was also yet to be determined.

  Holly believed the witches had been deliberately vague out of spite. She didn’t care. As far as she was concerned, her business with the witches was concluded until she dealt with the dark shifters.

  “Keep your hand steady,” Loch called to her as she took up a bow.

  After Holly lost her training staff in the forest when the dark shifter attacked, she and Loch had to scramble to find other weapons. As it happens, Grandmother Pearl had an entire damn arsenal locked away in what they had thought to be a guest room.

  The swords were dull and rusted, most of the spears had wood rot, and the single bow in working condition was heavy as hell, but they were prepared to make do.

  Holly took to the bow quicker than she had anything else. She wasn’t a great shot yet, but she enjoyed the training. “It is steady,” Holly insisted.

  “I can see you shaking from here.” Loch chuckled.

  “As your Maiden, I command you to say I’m holding steady.”

  “I’ll say it over and over again if that’s what you want, but that won’t make it true.”

  “She should try her hand with daggers,” Elise said from her seat on one of the deck chairs.

  “No, thanks.” Holly laughed. “I like having all my fingers attached to my body.”

  “I only sliced myself a handful of times before I got the hang of it,” Elise said with a dismissive shrug. “And they were able to reattach my thumb before I suffered nerve damage.”

  Holly fumbled with her bow, eliciting a cackle from Elise.

  “Kidding!” She laughed.

  “I like her.” Loch grinned. “Her brother, on the other hand, I’m still on the fence about. I don’t usually forgive people who locked me in a cage.”

  “You mean, that’s happened to you more than once?” Elise arched a brow.

  “Get to know him a little better, and you’ll see how plausible that is.” Holly smirked.

  “Oh, I believe it’s plausible, but how many people in the area have the resources to pull it off?”

  “Let’s not got there.” Loch rubbed the back of his neck. “Like I said, I did odd jobs to get by for a long while.”

  Holly and Elise shared a look, then returned their gazes to Loch.

  “You say that like it gives some sort of clarification, but it only spawned more questions,” Holly said.

  “Questions I have no desire to ask.”

  “Good because you don’t want the answers, either.” Loch winked. “Now, stop ganging up on me and pick up your bow.”

  “If you think this is ganging up on you, then you’re in for a rude awakening.” Holly took up her bow once more and nocked a practice arrow. “All Elise is doing is validating my reactions to your unsettling anecdotes.”

  “Happy to help!” Elise stretched out on the deck chair, the picture of relaxation.

  “It’s only going to get worse from here.” Loch shook his head. “Aim for the spruce.”

  “You’re kidding, right?”

  Loch gave Holly a blank stare.

  “They’re all spruces!” she exclaimed.

  “Not all of them. That one is a pine. That one’s a fir. That one is a different sort of fir. You really ought to learn the forest better, now that you’re in charge of it.”

  “I’m not in charge of the forest,” Holly scoffed.

  “You kind of are,” Elise said. “The Maiden maintains balance. You’re the agent of the Maiden. Ergo, you’re in charge.”

  “And if you want to stay in charge, you’ll figure out how to hit a broad target at thirty paces.”

  “Is that far?”

  “I can split a twig at sixty, so no.” Elise laughed. “But you’ll get there.”

  “I’d rather learn magic,” Holly said for the tenth time that week. “It seems safer than bows and daggers.”

  “If you think it’s safer than you have a serious misunderstanding of magic,” Elise replied. “Magic is the hardest thing you’ll ever learn. I’m sorry to say I’m nowhere near qualified to teach you.”

  What about you? Holly asked the Maiden. You have magic, don’t you?

  My magic is older and deeper than anything your kind can comprehend. Even the most powerful witch would struggle to wield what I hold inside me.

  But you said you’re training me to withstand your power, Holly protested.

  Withstand. Not use. When the time comes, my power will flow through you, but you will not be in control. When that happens, we will be fully joined.

  Your voice is in my head, I feel like that constitutes as joined.

  Return to your training, the Maiden commanded. You and I will work later tonight.

  After dinner, Holly had been retreating to her room to converse with the Maiden and complete her mental exercises. Now, Holly could shut the Maiden out—and keep her out—with ease. She never had the gall to do it mid-conversation.

  Can’t we take a night off? I’ve been getting headaches in the morning.

  No, and you will soon see why. Do not call me cryptic.

  Holly pressed her lips together, the word cryptic already taking shape in her mind. She stopped her train of thought.

  “Holly! Loch!” Keller stepped onto the deck.

  “There’s a third person out here, too.” Elise waggled her fingers.

  “Sorry,” Keller said without looking at her. “I’m not used to another person living here.”

  “I’ve been here nearing on three weeks.”

  “I’m a creature of habit.”

  The tension between Keller and Elise was manageable, but no one could deny its presence.

  Holly had decided weeks ago that she didn’t have the bandwidth to take care of every little issue in the house. Keller and Elise were both adults. If they wanted to talk about whatever animosity was between them, fine. If they wanted to give each other a wide, but civil, berth, that was also fine. As long as it didn’t detract from the main goal, Holly didn’t care.

  “What is it, Keller?” she asked, setting aside her bow.
The pleasant ache in her arm let her know she was improving.

  “I’ve spent the last week reaching out to every bear clan member I believe to be unfailingly loyal to Silver Spruce. I told them what we know. They agree something must be done. They’ll be here tonight to discuss our options.”

  Holly’s bow clattered against the deck. “Tonight?” Were her legs shaking, or was she imagining that? “Kind of short notice, don’t you think?”

  “I just got off a massive conference call with everyone. They’re all raring to go. I couldn’t delay it if I wanted to.” Keller turned to Holly. “If you think we’re a heated bunch, just wait to you meet the veterans.”

  “I’m not prepared for this.” Holly’s voice came out tight and pinched. “How the hell am I going to pull this off? What am I supposed to say? What if they don’t like me? What if they don’t believe I’m the Maiden.”

  “Hey.” Loch appeared in front of her and placed his hands on her shoulders.

  The weight anchored her. The world, which she hadn’t realized was spinning until that moment, returned to its normal state.

  “You won’t have to do anything,” Loch assured her. “Except show up, of course. The four of us will handle the talking part. We’ll handle any fights that break out as well.”

  The world began to spin once more. “Fights?” Holly whispered. Or maybe she shouted. It was hard to tell. The ringing in her ears climbed to an unbearable pitch.

  “Not real fights,” Keller cut in. “Bear shifters have a specific way of dealing with things. They like to punch through their disagreements. Literally. It’s totally normal. You won’t have to worry.”

  “You always say that after you tell me something I need to worry about,” Holly whimpered.

  “How about you lie down for a little while?” Loch suggested. “You overdid it in training today. That’s all.”

  “Don’t patronize me,” Holly snapped. “I didn’t overwork myself. I’m overwhelmed. I’m about to have a panic attack.”

  “Should we get Garret? He seems good at dealing with those,” Loch said to Keller.

  “He’s at his sister’s place,” Keller said. Suddenly, his face brightened. “Oh, my brothers and sisters are coming tonight as well. They’re willing to help us, of course. You’ll get to meet them.”

  “Oh, great!” Holly threw her hands up. “Let’s add more fuel to the fire, why don’t we? Loch, you’re right. I need to lie down.”

  Holly brushed past a bewildered-looking Keller and a smirking Loch.

  Keller had told her about his huge family over a month ago. When Keller lost his father in the same battle that took Loch and Johnny’s parents, he had stepped up to look after his five younger siblings.

  She assumed she’d meet them eventually. In fact, she couldn’t wait to meet them. However, the middle of a war council meeting wasn’t an ideal setting. Holly’s nerves were already fried as it was. The last thing she wanted was to risk making a bad impression on the people who meant the most to Keller.

  Up in her room, she crawled into bed and tried to sleep. It didn’t work. She tossed and turned only getting sorer and crankier by the minute. When minutes turned to hours, she gave up.

  She climbed back out of bed and walked into the bathroom.

  Do you think they’ll believe I’m your vessel? Holly asked.

  I do not know. Like I said, I often misunderstand the hearts of men.

  Can’t you make me glow or something? Holly slipped out of her clothing and turned on the shower as hot as it would go. She’d felt a slight chill in her bones since the night of the witch trap. It wouldn’t go away no matter what she did.

  Glow? Why would I do that?

  To make me look magical and, I don’t know, Maiden-like!

  She stepped into the shower, letting the steam envelop her. The hot water soothed the ache in her muscles and urged her to relax.

  If they cannot see you for what you are, then they don’t deserve to be in your presence.

  Holly pondered the Maiden’s words for a moment.

  You’re right. Thanks!

  Craving some time alone before every shifter in the territory showed up in her living room, Holly gently shut the Maiden out of her mind.

  When she stepped out of the shower, she recalled the formal gowns Jess had lent to her. At first, Holly thought it was completely ridiculous. Now, she planned on giving Jess the biggest bear hug her non-shifter self could muster.

  She dug through the duffle bags of borrowed clothes she’d yet to unpack. She found three gowns in vacuum-sealed bags at the bottom of the last duffle. She unpacked them and laid them each out on her bed, allowing them to breathe.

  She didn’t expect anyone to show up in a suit and tie, but if she were trying to exude a sense of regality, a gown was the way to go. Jess even had the foresight to pack two pairs of glimmering heels. Holly slipped into the lowest pair. They were a little big, but she wasn’t planning on traipsing around all night. They’d do nicely.

  The dress itself wasn’t an easy choice to make.

  She ran her fingertips along the gauzy fabric of a flowing, red gown. Red might not be an appropriate color for a war council. It was a little too on the nose. She didn’t want to do anything, even wear a specific color, that might lead people to think she wanted bloodshed.

  She hung the red dress in the closet before returning to her bed to stare at the remaining gowns.

  She could wear a simple, classy, black gown with minimal embellishments. She wouldn’t draw attention to herself. Rather, draw as much attention to herself as she would in the other gown.

  The other gown glowed like candlelight. Its warm golden fabric was almost completely covered in tiny, reflective beads giving the impression that it was made of molten gold.

  “I did want to glow,” she murmured to herself, running an adoring hand over the fabric. She plucked the gold gown from her bed and held it against her body.

  One glimpse in the mirror had her convinced.

  She shimmied into the strapless gown. Zipping up the back was a struggle. It took longer than she cared to admit, and she may or may not have knocked a picture frame off the bedside table in the process.

  Once the dress was on, she allowed herself to get lost in the fun of getting ready. She hadn’t had any reason to dress up in so long. Sure, this wasn’t really a reason, but Holly figured she’s earned some pampering even if she was the only one around to pamper herself.

  By the time she heard strange voices downstairs, she was transformed. Before she could leave her room, someone knocked on the door.

  “Coming!” Holly hurried out of her bathroom and opened the door.

  Loch stood in the doorway, wide-eyed and slack jawed.

  “I…um…wow…you…I,” he stammered.

  “Thank you.” Holly giggled. “I figure I should look like the mortal vessel for an all-powerful being, right?”

  “No. I mean, yes! Definitely.” Loch closed his eyes and took a deep breath. When he opened his eyes again, his composure had returned to him. “You look beautiful. You always look beautiful, but this is something special.”

  Holly felt the heat rising in her cheeks. “Thank you.” She smoothed her hands down the front of her dress. “Shall we?”

  Loch simply nodded.

  When Holly moved to step out of her bedroom, she brushed against Loch. Electricity sparked between them wherever their skin touched. With a soft gasp, her eyes darted to his, then dropped to his parted lips.

  Her attraction to him rose up within her so quickly that she couldn’t get it under control before she reached for him. He wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her in as close as she could get. Their mouths crashed together in a frantic fury of lips, tongues, and teeth. Desperation dug its claws into Holly. She felt as though if she didn’t get all of him, right now, she’d burst into flames or crumble into dust.

  Loch moved her backward, back into her bedroom and shut the door, locking it in one swift movement.


  Holly tugged at his shirt, ready to rip it to shreds if that meant she got to feel his skin against hers all the sooner.

  Loch felt the back of her dress for her zipper.

  She didn’t care that she nearly fractured her wrist, getting into place. If she could bear the thought of removing her lips from Loch’s, she’d be begging him to break the zipper.

  Thankfully, the zipper wasn’t harmed as Holly’s dress fell open. Loch pushed the yards of silky fabric down her body until it pooled at their feet. Both had the good sense to carefully step around the dress before tumbling down onto the bed.

  Holly frantically undid the button of Loch’s jeans while he slid her panties down her leg. He kissed his way back up her thigh. Holly let out a sharp gasp as his tongue stroked her entrance. She spread her legs, silently begging for more.

  Loch didn’t disappoint.

  Within minutes, her legs trembled, and stars exploded behind her eyes. Loch kissed his way up her body, smiling over her skin as she trembled beneath him. He traced his tongue over each nipple before finding her mouth.

  Holly kissed him hungrily, the fire inside her still raging.

  Loch pressed his cock against her soaking slit. He pulled away just enough to look into her eyes. Without exchanging a single syllable, Loch asked for permission, and Holly gave it. In one swift stroke, he buried himself inside her to the hilt.

  Holly arched up into him, a cry of perfect pleasure tearing from her lips. She didn’t care if anyone downstairs heard her. She felt like she was taking a sip of water after roaming the desert for months.

  Loch thrust into her mercilessly.

  Holly clung to him for dear life, sinking her teeth into his shoulder. This wasn’t a tender moment to be drawn out and savored. This was passion in its rawest form. The bed collided with the wall over and over again.

  “Holly,” Loch murmured against her flaming skin. “I’m in love with you.”

  “I’m in love with you, too.”

  She had strong feelings for all four of the shifters in her life, but she’d never gone so far as to say such a thing out loud before. She meant it with her whole heart. She wanted to tell him so over and over again, but soon, pleasure drowned out her words.