M&L03 - SS (4 page)

“You don’t owe me anything at
all, I was happy I could do this for you,” Rook said bowing in return.

Lucien took his seat again
and, sensing his new mate’s confusion through their bond he explained, “This
ring was stolen from me ten years ago when the tournament was last held at
Supernova. Some people call it my lucky ring because I never lost a
marksmanship competition while I wore it. I lost the competition that year and
have failed to come in first place every year since.” He shrugged. “Maybe it’s
lucky, maybe it isn’t. It was a gift from my mother. Whoever stole it put a
replica in its place, but I’ve always known it wasn’t my ring. When I hold this
ring in my hand,” he held up the box, “I feel my mother’s love for me and a
sense of peace fills my soul.”

Liliana caressed the side of
his face. “I wish I could have met her. Just feeling what that ring makes you
feel tells me all I need to know about her. She must have been a wonderful
woman and a caring mother.” She leaned forward and kissed him briefly on the
lips.

Rook sat back down by Angela
and I took his place in front of the group. “I have a gift I’d like to present
as well, something that might help put all our minds at ease,” I announced,
producing a silver ring from my pocket and handing it to Rachel.

“What does it do?” Rachel
asked, having seen my magical rings before.

“It’s a transportation
device, a homing beacon and a health monitor all in one.”

“Huh?” She turned the ring
around looking at it from all sides while everyone else sat up with interest.

“Supernova is not located
here in the human realm. We say it’s in Europe because it has several permanent
portals that lead to various European cities, but it’s really in an alternate
dimension. There’s a lot more magic in the air there, which makes for better
shows, but it also enhances all supernatural powers from strength and speed to
mind control. You will likely be the only unmated human there. As long as you
wear that ring, you will be able to see and move through portals without any of
us helping you. I will also know if you are in mortal danger and I will be able
to find you no matter where you are.”

The look on Jasper’s face
when I said the word
unmated
clearly said he thought of Rachel as his
whether she was his mate or not. I couldn’t help but feel sorry for the kid.
Rachel was having a good time with him for now but I was sure she hadn’t made
him any promises of fidelity and one day soon, she would likely break his
heart.

“I could just become a nightshifter.
Then I’d be able to take care of myself,” Rachel argued.

“We’ve been over this
Rachel,” Angela sighed. “There are just too many things to consider. You need
to wait until you’re at least twenty-one.”

“What kinds of things do I
need to consider other than which animal I want to be?” Rachel asked, not the
slightest bit deterred by a word her mother said.

“Rachel, choosing a sire is
the most important decision you will ever make,” Josephine warned. “Your sire
will always have the ability to enter your mind and he or she will always have
some measure of control over your actions. You must also remember that once
you’re a nightshifter you will be governed by whichever clan your sire belongs
to.”

“I’m already governed by
nightshifter laws and Dragon is my king too. They told me I had to agree to
that if I chose to live here and keep my memories about the supernatural
world.”

“Yes Rachel, but if you were
a wolf you’d have to join a wolf clan and you would be subject to their laws
too,” Doyle explained. “Think of it like state laws and federal laws. You have
to follow both, and the federal government doesn’t step in to overrule the
states unless there’s a pretty good reason. You also have to consider the
nature of the beast you choose. Some animals are more aggressive than others
and that can make it harder to learn control and to get along with others in
your clan.”

“Which is exactly why I chose
to be a fox with Solomon as my sire and clan leader,” Josephine supplied.

I understood why Josephine
chose me, but the actual transformation had been a bit awkward since the
process required me to drink from her. Vampires and nightshifters feel a
euphoric sexual high when they drink blood and they share those sensations
psychically with their donors to mask the pain they would otherwise feel. With
the way Rachel was constantly trying to entice me sexually, drinking from her
would be a bad idea, but if she wanted to be a fox I wouldn’t turn her down.
The fox clans were the most stable among all the clans - especially mine. 

“It’s also important to note
that you are still very young and your mate could be out there somewhere
waiting until the time is right to find you. Having a mate for a sire would
help you learn how to control your animal much faster,” Serafina pointed out,
and I could tell Rachel was biting her tongue. She had no interest in being
mated, but Serafina was the queen so Rachel kept her comments to herself and
let her continue. “Dragons are very aggressive especially compared to foxes,
but I had a much easier time learning control than my mother did because
Dragon’s presence through the mating bond was very soothing to my dragon. Plus,
when he needed to teach me something he could just do it himself and I felt
exactly what I should be doing.”

“I’ve seen the games the
lions play, the power struggles, and I have no interest in playing them,”
Liliana told Rachel. “When I become a nightshifter I will be a lion because
Lucien is my mate, but if he wasn’t going to be my sire and my clan leader I
wouldn’t even consider being a lion.”

Doyle snorted. “If you think
lions play games, you haven’t been around enough wolves yet.” He just shook his
head probably thinking about all the drama he had to deal with on a daily
basis. Doyle’s horror stories always made me glad to be a fox.

“You should think about the
sun too,” I said adding my two cents into the mix. “You spend a lot of time
sunbathing Rachel. Are you ready to give that up? Most nightshifters can handle
some indirect sunlight now that our beasts are awake, but even a moment of
direct sunlight could cause severe burns and death shortly after that.”

“Okay, I get it,” Rachel
relented, throwing her hands in the air. “Isn’t there a way to make this
decision easier?”

“
Twists and turns, the
world burns. Her only hope, a soul that yearns
,” Claire said cryptically
and tossed Rachel a gold coin.

We all sat in stunned silence
as Rachel examined the coin. Claire probably saw hundreds of visions from the
future every day that only affected a small number of people. Then every once
in a while she saw what we called golden prophecies. During those visions she
cried golden teardrops and mumbled poems that later helped her make sense of
the images in her mind. She always had the gold she cried fashioned into
jewelry or coins that she gave to the person or people that would be involved
in fulfilling the prophecy.

“What is that supposed to
mean?” Rachel finally asked.

“It means that you shouldn’t
worry too much about making this decision dear, because it’s already been
made.”

“Huh?”

Claire just smiled serenely,
and locked eyes with Jasper.

And that was the problem with
Claire. She controlled the future by doling out bits of information - not
enough to give us the full picture, but enough to keep us on the right paths.
The paths she thought we should follow at any rate. She felt that if she gave us
any more, then we might accidentally erase the futures we were meant to have.

Dragon cleared his throat.
“Just remember, no one is allowed to create another nightshifter without my
approval.”

He gave Rachel a hard look
that made her shrink back into her chair and squeak, “I won’t forget.”

We lingered a while longer
talking about Peyton Manning’s record-tying performance in the game but when
they decided to watch a movie I took off. If I was lucky, Renee would still be
at the club and I’d be abl
e to get some answers tonight.

~ Solomon ~

The Myths and Legends castle
was decorated in a style reminiscent of a Hard Rock Cafe, but instead of
focusing on music legends, the memorabilia and artwork highlighted various
supernatural themes based on the nearest attraction. Once you passed the
vampire lore outside Lilith’s Lounge and the nine circles of Hell surrounding
The Inferno, our fine dining restaurant, you came to a forbidding iron gate and
the entrance to The Dungeon, the Myths and Legends fight arena.

The corridor beyond the gate
leading up to the arena was dark and damp, and thanks to my magic evoked a bone
deep chill that had humans looking over their shoulders as they passed the
small alcoves lining the rough, stone walls. Each of those alcoves housed an
old door with wide iron bands reinforcing the scarred planks of wood. The doors
had a small, barred window set at eye level. When humans looked through those
windows, they saw any number of mythical creatures trapped in the rooms beyond.
When supernaturals looked through the same windows, the shimmering rainbow of a
portal greeted them.

The portals led to our other
properties and to The Pit where fights to the death settled disputes and
grievances. I’d been standing in front of the portal to Supernova for nearly
twenty minutes when Doyle found me.

“Oh good, you haven’t left
yet,” he said coming to a stop beside me. When I didn’t reply he asked, “Is
something wrong?”

“I can’t go through the
portal,” I growled barely containing the wave of fury that threatened to
consume me.

He looked at me, then the
portal and then back at me again. “No shit?”

I shook my head and stepped
back. “All this time I thought I was just second guessing myself when I decided
not to go see Renee, but it wasn’t me making that choice, it was that fucking
spell. It hasn’t just been keeping me away from her in our dreams; it’s been
keeping me from going to Supernova.” I ran my fingers through my hair. “How
could I have been so stupid?”

“It’s not your fault
Solomon...”

I glared at him and he
clamped his mouth shut. “Don’t Doyle, not right now.” I took a deep breath,
then another one but it really didn’t help much. The fox wanted his mate, the
vampire in me wanted the sorcerer responsible for the spell, and I couldn’t
figure out how to give either one of them what they wanted.

Doyle cleared his throat
beside me and I took another deep breath pinching the bridge of my nose between
my thumb and forefinger. “What is it Doyle?”

“That hurricane in the Gulf
isn’t going to Texas anymore. It’s coming here and they expect it to make
landfall tomorrow evening.”

Just what I fucking needed
right now.

With a hurricane on the way,
I wasn’t going anywhere so I slammed the door on the portal and strode down the
hallway heading to my office. I couldn’t stop this hurricane from coming, but
with the right preparations and a lot of luck, I could minimize the damage it
caused for most of the Mississippi coastline. Besides, tackling this storm
would help me blow off some steam so that maybe when I did catch up with Renee
I wouldn’t end up strangling her.

~ Renee ~

“Are you going to stare at
that portal all night Renee?” Dimitri asked sliding onto the barstool beside
me.

“After the dream last night I
was sure he’d show up tonight.”

“I told you, the spell won’t
let him come through that portal.”

I turned to face Dimitri.
“You also said he wouldn’t be able to find me in my dreams. Then he found the
house and you swore he wouldn’t be able to get inside. You don’t know Solomon.
He’ll never give up now that he knows I’m his mate.”

He reached out to caress the
side of my face. “Maybe if you told him about us he’d get the picture and stay
away.”

I pulled back out of his
reach. “There is no
us
Dimitri.”

He shrugged. “There could be
Renee. You don’t have to stay here with the nightshifters. We could travel the
worlds together, go places Solomon would never even think to look for you. All
you have to do is say you’ll be mine and we can leave this place together.”

It was the second time in my
life a man offered to whisk me away for a better life and for just a moment, I
seriously considered his offer. Dimitri was very good looking with his dark
brown hair brushing his collar and his well-toned body dressed in designer
jeans and a fitted black shirt. On top of that, we got along very well and had
a lot of fun dancing and partying here at the club. There were times though
when I looked into his deep blue eyes and saw something slithering in their
depths that made my blood run cold; some hint that once he got me truly alone
I’d never be safe again.

“I’ll keep the offer in mind
Dimitri, but for now I’m going to stay here and take my chances.”

Red flames flared in his eyes
then he shook his head and they were blue again. “You are the most stubborn
female I have ever met Renee, but I’m not ready to give up on you just yet.” He
stood and offered me his hand. “Will you at least dance with me?”

“Not tonight Dimitri,” I said
shaking my head. “I’m going home early since I didn’t get a lot of sleep last
night.”

His hand fell to his side.
“I’ll see you tomorrow then.”

The look in his eyes sent a
shiver up my spine and I knew it was time to go. Whether he was angry about
being turned down or thinking about all the things he’d like to do with me in
bed, I knew I didn’t want any part of whatever plans he was cooking up in that
devious brain of his.

“Tomorrow,” I agreed and left
before he could say another word.

I made my way across the club
to the wall of portals. Just before I stepped through the one that would take
me home, I looked over my shoulder to see that Dimitri was still staring at me.
That shiver went up my spine again but this time a deep sense of foreboding
accompanied it.

Maybe Solomon wasn’t the only
one I needed to leave town to avoid. Unfortunately, I was still very young as
far as supernaturals went and finding a place to settle down on my own would be
difficult. Supernaturals were very territorial and they didn’t like surprises.
If I wanted to move somewhere, I’d have to ask for permission first, but how
would I even know who to ask? I had some friends that I was sure would be
willing to help me - right up until I told them I didn’t want Solomon to know
where I’d gone.

And that was the problem. How
do you run from a man with friends in every corner, of every world, ever
discovered, that is loved by almost everyone he’s ever met? The answer is; you
can’t, not even if you’re doing it for his own good.

~ Solomon ~

Rachel and I were in the
watchtower high above the Myths and Legends castle where we had a good view of
the Gulf and the storm bearing down on us. It was still light outside but
beneath the storm clouds roiling overhead, the atmosphere had that strange
yellow tint that often came right before a storm hit. It was almost as if we
were looking through a yellow camera lens or a pair of yellow tinted glasses.
And with that strange yellow light, there was an eerie calm pressing in on us
that spoke to the primitive part of my brain where instincts rule, urging me to
seek shelter now.

“You know, everyone around
here thinks Myths and Legends is charmed because hurricanes seem to bounce
right over it without causing any damage,” Rachel noted from where she leaned
against the short, stone wall surrounding us.

“They’re not that far off
actually,” I said walking over to the very edge of the shade provided by the
circular roof over our heads. “Whenever a hurricane comes this way I create a
protective ward that keeps most of the storm surge from coming on shore and
lessens the impact of the rain and wind. The ward actually creates a drag that
slows the storm down a lot faster than simply passing over land would, so it
also lessens the damage done to areas hit after the storm moves beyond my
reach. While we were cursed, I only had enough magic to cover the resort plus a
few miles in every direction. Tonight I’m going to see how far I can reach now
that I can tap into the animal magic of all the nightshifters here at the
resort.”

“You can do that; use magic
from the other nightshifters?”

“Yes, magic is everywhere; in
the air, in all of us, even in humans like you. I can pull magic from any
available source, and I do on a regular basis to keep the portals and wards up
and running. Normally I don’t draw enough magic from the supernaturals here for
anyone to notice, but this will be different - this they’re going to notice.
They won’t mind though because what I’m about to do will likely save lives and
homes.”

“Can I stay here and watch?”

I shook my head. “I don’t
think that’s a good idea Rachel. This is going to take a lot out of me and when
it’s over I’ll need to feed.”

She stepped towards me, her
fingertips tracing the side of her neck then continuing down between her ample
breasts. “I wouldn’t mind if you drank from me Solomon.” She was getting much
better at playing the seductress. No wonder poor Jasper was so whipped.

“I know, but I would. I value
our friendship Rachel and I don’t want anything to come between us. Drinking
your blood would change our relationship in ways that I’m not sure I could live
with.”

“You really aren’t going to
ever sleep with me are you?” she asked, looking far more vulnerable than usual.

“No Rachel, I’m not. You’re a
beautiful young woman, but my heart and soul are already spoken for.”

Rachel was quiet for a moment
then she smirked. “Well she better treat you right or she’ll have to deal with
me.”

Smiling, I reached out to
muss her hair. “I’m sure Renee will be terrified.”

“I’m serious Solomon. I’ve
been sparring with Mom and Rook. If Renee doesn’t stop hurting you I’m going to
kick her ass.”

I chuckled and pulled her in
for a hug. “Thank you Rachel, it’s nice to have you watching my back.” When she
stepped back I said, “Why don’t you head back downstairs now. I need to get
started or the ward won’t be strong enough when the storm hits.”

She smiled sadly but did as I
asked.

Once she was gone I sat down
on the hard stone floor with my legs folded and started chanting, weaving my
spell, focusing all my energy on holding back the devastating power of the
hurricane. With every breath I took, I pulled more and more magic from my
surroundings, creating a shield between us and Mother Nature’s fury.

Hours later, I was drenched
from head to toe but the castle was still standing and the land around it only
had minimal flooding and erosion. I stood in the tower watching the storm rage
around me, the clouds swirling above, the wind howling through the trees and
the rain pelting down with punishing force. The churning waters of the Gulf
crashed against my ward again and again only to fall back into the salty abyss
and be sucked back out to sea.

All the while, another storm
was brewing inside me, one born of frustration and months of denial. The wild
energy of thousands of shapeshifters pulsed through my veins, vibrated in my
bones, ignited a fire that burned through all reason and awareness until I was
delirious with want and need.

Oh Renee, I need you now more
than ever.

Eventually my strength began
to wane and the vampire rose to the surface, the virus whispering dark thoughts
through my mind urging me to do unspeakable things. I needed blood soon or I
was going to fall into bloodlust.

“Solomon?”

My head whipped around at the
sound of the soft feminine voice. Renee? Could it be? I had her in my arms
before I even realized I’d moved. “I need you.” It was a hoarse whisper just
before I sank my fangs into her tender flesh.

A growl vibrated in my throat
when her blood rushed over my tongue electrifying my cells, bringing me back
from the edge of darkness. I felt her hands at my belt then my pants were open
and her hand was stroking my aroused flesh. Already consumed by lust, I lifted
her in my arms and impaled her as I turned to put her back against one of the
stone pillars supporting the roof.

I heard her shout, “Yes!” but
I was already lost to the sensations ravaging my body. It had been so long...

Thrusting hard and fast I
felt her wet channel tightening around my shaft as my climax drew nearer. A
moment later, she screamed, clawing at my back and I felt her release, hot and
slick, and so fucking good. I plunged in harder, burying myself as my orgasm
crashed over me.

After a moment, I bit my
tongue and swiped my blood over her neck, sealing the puncture marks made by my
fangs. Her head fell forward onto my shoulder and I rested my forehead against
the cool stone behind her while I tried to catch my breath.

“That was even better than I
ever dreamed possible.”

“Rachel?” I stumbled back
dropping Rachel on her feet as I fell flat on my ass. I was at a complete loss.
How did this happen? Why didn’t the fox stop it? Then I realized he’d been
buried so deep in my consciousness by the overwhelming force of the vampire
that he wasn’t aware of what I was doing until it was too late. As he struggled
to the surface now he wanted to lash out at Rachel for the betrayal she helped
us commit.