Running in Fear: New Beginnings Jubilee (9 page)

“Run, it’s a trap!” She growled out before Blair jumped and attacked her.

Lissa shifted, knowing at once they had transported into a trap, but she had hated seeing her friend worry about Dane. “Nikola is so going to kill me.” She snapped and moved to protect Jaycee’s back as she and the strange woman fought.

“You die tonight, bitch!” Jaycee screamed and latched on to the woman’s neck, but not before the woman raked her claws down Jaycee’s arm. Three large males moved in, two of them in beast form, while the other hissed and she knew he was a snake shifter.

“I so hate snakes.” Lissa crouched. ready to take on any of the men when Adonis and Pierre appeared in front of her. On the side, she caught Dane’s form moving up fast.

Adonis attacked first, followed by Pierre, leaving the snake man to her, but once again Nikola was there, his sword raised.

Vender countered with his own sword which appeared out of thin air. “Hello, dear brother.” The man said, his appearance changing in front of her eyes.

Vender’s sword met Nikola’s. “I understand you now rule our homeland, so why are you here? Isn’t ruling one world enough for you?” his brother sneered, and countered Nikola who said nothing, but that didn’t stop Vender from running his mouth.

“She is beautiful, if you’re into a little chunk. Me, I prefer them on the skinny side, but she’ll do as my sex slave. Who knows, maybe I’ll share her with father.”

A cold chill went up Lissa’s spine as she wrapped her arms around herself and glanced behind her. The woman at her feet was dead. Jaycee lifted her head and stared at her, before she let a howl out filling the night air.

Dane and Ralph approached Jaycee slowly, but she snarled at Dane. “You left us!”

She reached out and Lissa took her hand. “You lied to me again, just because you were afraid to admit what has been there for months.” Jaycee shifted back to her human form, tears rolled down her face. “Let’s go home Lissa, I was wrong to come here.”

Lissa squeezed her hand, and took a quick glance at Nikola, who still battled his brother.
“Go, I’ll be home soon and we’ll be talking about putting yourself in danger again.”

The air around them swirled, small pinpoint lights circled them until Lissa let out her breath as she opened her eyes to see them back at Jaycee’s home. Remi stood in the room, Lissa could have sworn she saw smoke come out of his nose, he was so furious.

Jaycee brushed past her, ignoring Remi as she headed into the master bedroom. “You’re hurt!” He stated plainly.

On that note, Lissa left them, and went home. She gazed around the large airy master bedroom. Lissa still hadn’t done anything to redesign Castor’s home, but now that she knew they would be living there, it was time. Plus she needed the distraction, because as soon as Nikola showed up, things were going to heat up.

Glancing at the large bed, she shook her head. “Nope that will not do.”

With a flick of her wrist, a large Cherry wood canopy bed replaced the old bed. “Now…” Lissa tried a black canopy, but it made the room too dark and she switched it to dark tan color to go with the rest of the furniture in the room. In the left corner of the room an old wooden hutch hugged the wall. Black magic marker notches lined the side of the wood.

“You’re safe here.” Lissa ran her hand over one of the pieces of furniture she had saved from her home long ago. Lissa’s name was carved in the side of the wood by her father long ago. “I miss you, Daddy.”

A warm body pressed up against her, Castor’s arms came around, hugging her. “Your father made that?”

“Yes, where grandfather worked with watches, Dad worked with wood. This piece used to be in our family room. When I moved out, my dad gave it to me.” She turned in Castor’s arms and smiled up at him. “I hope you don’t mind if I change a few things.”

He kissed her forehead. “No, it’s about time, but Nikola would like a word with you down stairs.”

“Damn.” Lissa glanced around to see that Castor had transported them into a room she hadn’t seen before. Nikola stood in the room alone.

“Thank you, Castor.” Castor nodded and disappeared from the room as Nikola stripped out of his shirt and threw it onto a chair. The room reminded her of a doctor’s office - sterile, blue tile floor, but on the walls hung…Lissa took a closer look and sucked in her breath.

Floggers, paddles, cuffs; she was in a playroom. “Nikola?”

“Come here, Lissa.” Nikola stood still staring at her, waiting.

Nikola held her gaze as she stepped in front of him. “Do you know why you’re here?” He gripped her blouse and pulled it apart. Buttons went flying around the room, as he pushed it off her shoulders.

“Yes Nikola, but Jaycee was so upset, she needed to see Dane. Then we saw that little boy and we couldn’t let him get hurt.” Lissa knew she was rambling, but she was nervous.

“Take the rest of your clothes off Lissa and hop on the table.” Nikola nodded to the large padded table that was bolted to the floor on the other side of the room.

Pushing down the skirt she wore, Lissa slipped off her shoes and stared at the table seeing the straps on the side and the holes positioned just right.

“On your stomach, I want your breasts in the holes and your arms out at your sides.” Nikola moved to the side of the table and helped her up onto the table, then strapped her arms down.

He separated her legs and strapped each one to the table. Nikola ran his hand up her leg and squeezed her butt cheek. “I’m very disappointed in you, Lissa. Once again you put yourself and our children at risk by not thinking. For this you have to be punished.”

Adonis moved into the room carrying a tray that was covered. He moved behind the table, but she couldn’t even turn her head to see what he was doing. Nikola placed two fingers under her chin and sighed.

“You will stay here until we come back. You will not be allowed to come.” Nikola nodded, slowly a well lubed toy cock pushed into her. “This machine will know when to stop and start again. Your magic will not work in this room. We love you Lissa, but we will not have you risk your life again.”

Adonis and Nikola left the room as the machine pushed the dildo further into her. A small rubber clamp rubbed her clit at the same time the cock moved in and out of her. “Nikola please.” She whispered as she tried to move her hips away, but they had strapped her down good.

“Well…It could…be worse.” She grunted and banged her head onto the table. “Damn!” Lissa whispered, her nails digging into the table. “Relax, just relax.”

Closing her eyes, Lissa tried to concentrate on the changes she wanted to do to the house, but after five minutes, she was on the verge of her first orgasm when the machine stopped, releasing her clit at the same time. With a moan, and small beads of sweat starting to form, Lissa gritted her teeth.

“I can do thisss!” She screamed when a swat came down on her ass, shocking her. Lissa turned, but no one was there. Yet, her ass tingled from the imaginary hand where it had spanked her.

For the next half hour the machine and Nikola’s magic tortured her body. Her nipples were swollen from magical hands and clamps, sweat dripped down her body, and Lissa could take no more. “Please Nikola, I’m sorry.” She whispered, her throat raw from her screams, tears slipped onto the table.

The door opened, but she didn’t move to look, her body was too tired and ready to explode. The machine was removed, and her straps undone, when Nikola picked her up, holding her in his arms.

“Castor has a nice warm bath waiting for you. I have work to do.” He kissed her forehead and placed her shaking body into Castor’s arms.

“When she is done with her bath make sure she eats something before she does anything, and Lissa there will be no touching yourself.” Nikola kissed her lips. “We are the only ones who give you pleasure.”

Lissa moaned and buried her face into Castor’s chest. “Maybe next time you’ll think before you risk yourself and our children.” Nikola disappeared along with Adonis and Pierre.

“He’s still furious with me, isn’t he?” Lissa’s voice was scratchy.

“We all are, Lissa. You are our life, if you die, we all die, but mostly never have any of us been more terrified than Nikola.” Castor walked up the stairs instead of using magic. “I’ve never seen a man break down in less than two seconds after you left our world. Didn’t the separation affect you?”

Castor set her down in the tub, and Lissa glanced up at him. “I don’t remember, I think Jaycee and I were just so shocked by all the destruction, we blocked everything out.” A single tear slipped down her cheek. “Is it all like that Castor? Are the places I used to call home all destroyed?”

He sighed and kneeled down next to the large tub, grabbing the bottle of shampoo. “Turn around and let me wash your hair. Some of the bigger cities are destroyed. New York is pretty much totaled. Nikola’s men have found two of the homes you and your friend showed them. Over two hundred women have been released and are being healed as we speak. They have found four labs, but I’m afraid the news isn’t good there. Most of the families there have been killed, but tomorrow will be the big push in New York and Cleveland. We’ll hit both cities, dividing their forces. Now that Nikola knows that his father is the one planning the attacks, he believes he knows their next move.” Castor stopped, massaging her head. “You still haven’t answered my question. Didn’t you feel the separation from Nikola?”

Lissa couldn’t lie to Castor, and she shook her head, as fat tears dripped down into the tub and her shoulders slumped. “No, and I didn’t before either. What if he’s not my companion, Castor? What if all of this was a mistake?” She cried and hated the weakness in her.

“That’s the real reason you took Jaycee, isn’t it? You offered to take her?” Castor didn’t touch her, but waited and she nodded as she slid under the water, washing the shampoo out of hair, not wanting to face him.

She came up out of the water and rubbed the water away from her now swollen eyes. Lissa opened her eyes to see Nikola kneeling at the tub’s edge, facing her, with Castor behind him.

“Come here, Lissa?” Nikola held out his hand to her and she placed her trembling hand into his.

He pulled her up and out of the tub. Nikola wrapped a large warm towel around her body. “Do you really believe you are not my companion?”

Her lip shook and Lissa glanced down at the ground. “You are my world Nikola, but as far as feeling a separation when I left this place, there was nothing. It was as if I had nothing, no pain, but also no feelings.”

“Look at me Lissa.” Nikola pulled her closer to his body as she gazed up at him. He smiled, kissing her nose. “What was the first thing that came to your mind when you were there?”

She tried to remember back to both incidents, when it came to her. Each time the first thing she had thought of or said was of Nikola. “It was of you and how upset you would be with me.”

He cupped her ass cheeks and lifted her body up against his. “Do you really believe I would allow you to have any pain? Lissa what you felt was normal, the emptiness, wanting to be with me, those are all signs of our bond.”

Nikola lowered his head down, his warm satin lips rubbed against hers as he traced his tongue along the inside of her lips until he moved slightly to the side pushing his tongue inside her. He wrapped is tongue around hers, rubbing and caressing it as he kneaded her butt cheeks.

Slowly he pulled back and nipped her lip. “I wish I could continue this, but you are still being punished and I have much work to do. I love you Lissa, never forget that.” He slowly lowered her feet to the ground and released her as he disappeared from the room.

Her favorite pair of black jeans and halter top covered her body as she glanced up at Castor. “Looks like you get stuck babysitting. Would you like to help me bring a few of my personal things here?”

His large hand enclosed hers and Castor squeezed it. “I’m not babysitting, I’m spending some quality time with the woman of my heart and I would love to help you bring your things home.” Castor leaned down kissing her softly. “Come, why don’t we start with the family room. I have a feeling we’ll be spending most of our free time there anyway.”

They both walked out of the bathroom and into the master bedroom. “Is there anything else you would like done in here?” Castor asked glancing around the room. “I think that canopy is still a little dark. How about this?”

Lissa glanced up to see a bright pink canopy covering their oversized bed and she laughed. “Sorry, but that is hideous. I am so not a pink woman, but this might do.” In a flash the pink turned to a black and purple stripe. “Bet you didn’t know that purple was my favorite color?”

He pulled her into his arms and nodded towards the bed. Matching comforter and pillows now covered the bed.

Resting her head on his chest, she stared around the room. “I’d like it if it was only me, but there are five of us.” Once more the canopy and quilt changed. The canopy was now white with a trim of purple and black. The bed covers were a mixture of black, purple and white.

She moved over to the corner cabinet and ran her hand over the old glass. “I used to have this filled with snowmen. I collected them when I was small. Each time one of my parents would go away on a trip, they would bring me one.”

“Well, then let’s start your collection again, shall we? I believe this one was the one you loved the most?” Castor came up behind her and in his hand was a six inch purple snowman, which was An exact replica of the one her father had given to her when she had turned twelve.

A lump formed in her throat and her hands shook as she took the small glass snowman, turning to face Castor. “Thank you.” She hugged the snowman to her chest and closed her eyes, remembering the moment she had received it from her father with Castor. “Now you too will remember that day, and you and my father will always be remembered together.” Lissa reached up and pulled him down, kissing his lips. “Thank you.”

Suzanne stood in the doorway sipping her tea, watching Samantha sleep. She didn’t have the heart to wake her just yet. She had gone through a major trauma and needed her sleep.

“She is precious, Suzanne.” Tonya nudged her and glanced down at Samantha. “Anthony is downstairs helping Granger and Archer with the new arrivals coming in. Did you know there are over five thousand demons coming? From what Anthony said, Dominic couldn’t believe so many are willing to follow along with the Vampires.”

Samantha slowly opened her eyes and smiled up at her, as she sat on the edge of the bed. “I figured there would be more, with mates. How are you feeling Samantha? You ready to go see Sam and Jaycee? Because I have it on good authority they are waiting for us. We even get to drive the new SUVs. It’s powered by the sun and perfect for this new world.”

Tonya laughed and handed her a pair of jeans and a sweater for Samantha as the girl stood before her. “You are too silly, like Samantha is going to know anything about cars. Do you think we’ll have cars here on this world?”

Tonya sat down on the bed while she helped dress Samantha. “I don’t know. I do know Dominic, Nikola and Remi contacted the people at Cadillac last month. They designed this vehicle especially for us. Nikola has had thirty of them brought over for us to get around. They have decided that there will be no automobiles that pollute the air and take gas. Everything here will be natural as was in the fae world. How do you think we have electricity?” she teased, as her best friend grabbed the brush.

Samantha turned and glanced up at her. “Can we still play our games? Or play on the computer?”

Suzanne frowned. “I don’t know, Samantha, we’ll have to find out later. I’m sure Jaycee has already found out since Sam is such a computer wiz. Who know maybe Leda also has something set up since she is using the computer to find things out.” She smiled and nodded. “Yep, if Leda is still using the computer, I’m sure there has to be some kind of connection, but we must be careful Samantha. We don’t know who controls what now, so until we know, you’ll have to stick with programs that are already on the computer. I don’t want you online till we know it’s safe.”

“Are you three ready?” Granger asked from the doorway, grinning. “Don’t worry Samantha, I have it on good authority that Dominic and Nikola have control of this wide web thing.” Granger swung Samantha up in his arms, kissing her cheek. “If I’m not mistaken, I believe Dominic and Archer have a little laptop down on the table for you. He thought you would like to take it to visit Sam. He even has one built for Sam so the both of you can talk back and forth.”

Samantha hugged Granger tight. “That is so cool. Let’s go!”

Suzanne grabbed her now empty cup and followed Granger down the hallway, Tonya right next to her. “Damn that man has a fine ass.” Tonya whispered to her, and Suzanne laughed when Granger turned to her and grinned.

“Thank you Tonya, and what do you think Suzanne?” He teased at the top of the stairs.

She frowned and glanced up at the ceiling. “I don’t know Granger, if I remember correctly, Alex had the best Gluteus Maximus.” Suzanne nudged Tonya, who fanned herself.

“Crap, I forgot about him, and you’re right he does have a nice a…” she covered her mouth quickly when Samantha glanced back at them, her nose all scrunched up.

“Ewww that is gross,” she said, and Suzanne busted out laughing, but she had noticed Granger’s promise of retribution.

“Come Samantha, let’s leave these silly women and get you ready for your trip.”

Granger turned back to the stairs and descended them fast, as she and Tonya busted out laughing. “I swear I never seen him look shocked before. My god, Suzanne you are mean.”

“Ha, that man knows he has a fine backside. Can’t let his head swell any more than it already is…” Suzanne grabbed onto the banister and glanced back at Tonya, to once more bust out laughing.

“If you two are done carrying on like two teenagers, the car is warmed up and ready for you.” Anthony yelled at the bottom of the stairs.

He wrapped his arm around the both of them as they stepped off the stairs. “You two do not need to be looking at any other men. You are both taken.” Anthony growled, moving them towards the door.

She reached up and patted Anthony’s cheek. “My dear friend, all women, and I don’t care if they have been happily married for over fifty years, will glance at a man’s body, just as you check out a female when she enters the room.”

“I, for one think any female of mine shouldn’t be looking at any male, and that I should be enough for her.” Anthony grumbled, and kissed Tonya’s head then hers.

“Sweetheart, you are all the man I need, but it does not mean I can’t enjoy a good show. Now behave, you’re all going to meet us at Jaycee’s later, right?” Tonya stopped and kissed his chest, while she made her way around to the driver’s door.

Granger leaned inside the car, hooking Samantha up in the car seat. Suzanne smiled and ran her hand down his back to cup his ass cheek. He snarled and jumped, hitting his head on the roof of the car. “Suzanne!”

“What? I just touching what is mine and admiring it?” She glanced up into Granger’s heated gaze. “I love you wild man, be careful.”

He lifted her and put her on the hood of the SUV, placing both of his hands on her face. “You be careful driving.” Granger glanced around. “The road is not the best Suzanne, but you three should be fine. If you have any troubles, call us!” He kissed her hard and quick. “I love you Little Red, stay safe.”

She glanced at Tonya and smiled as Suzanne closed the door and waved at Granger and Anthony as they drove down the dirt road. After ten miles of driving, the sense of dread came over her. “Why do I have a bad feeling about this trip?” She glanced at Tonya and she too nodded.

“I’ve had the same feeling in my stomach for a while. Something is off.” Tonya glanced back at their mates. “Do you think we should tell them to come with us?”

Your friend is right, I too feel as if something is wrong, but it’s not here with us. One of your friends is in danger. That’s all I know.
Temmra stretched inside her.
We need to fly Suzanne, if we are going to help her.

Suzanne stopped the car, glancing at Tonya. “Take the car back. Tell Granger to follow me. I can’t even contact him this far away and Tonya, keep Samantha safe.” She hopped out of the car, after putting it in park.

Bones crunched, muscles stretched as she shifted, glancing once more at her daughter who was pointing and laughing at her dragon form. “
One day soon I’ll take you for a ride, but for now, I must go help someone.”
Suzanne whispered to her daughter and took off into the red sky, heading towards Castor’s home. Lissa was in trouble.”

* * * *

Lissa smiled and touched the plants as she made her way down the golden path of her new garden. Plants of all kinds greeted her and sang to her as she inhaled their fragrance. Castor had been called to help Nikola and Pierre, while Adonis helped Remi bring the rest of their clan over. He had made her promise she would stay on their land and she wasn’t about to break the promise with all of them still angry with her.

The plants stopped talking first, which had been her first clue something wasn’t right, but then she heard footsteps behind her. She turned to see her personal guard behind her and she sighed. “You guys scared the crap out of me, but I’m glad you’re here. I owe all three of you an apology. I shouldn’t have tricked you the way I did to leave. Will you forgive me?” She smiled up at Matlock, but her smile died as he advanced on her.

“What’s wrong? I said I was sorry.” She backed up watching as all three of them moved towards her with a steady gate, Matlock drew his sword pointing it at her.

“Nikola believes making us your guards will keep us under control. Well he was wrong. It just gives us what we want, to take what he cherishes the most: you.” His gaze slid up and down her body. “We will have fun training you for our needs.” He nodded and his brother, Ken, grabbed her from behind, but that lasted only a moment before her plants covered his body.

His screams filled the air as Matlock reached for her, but was stopped by flames from above. He jumped back and glared at her. “This isn’t over…” He chocked, his eyes grew large and he reached for his throat, as did his brother.

Lissa moved away from them as Suzanne ran to her side. There was a shadow above and Lissa knew one of Suzanne’s mate was there, but so were hers. Nikola and Pierre appeared in front of them. Nikola’s hand traced down her the side of her face, but his attention on the two in front of them.

“I had hoped you would have grabbed this opportunity to change. This place gave you a chance, but you blew it. Now, how do I explain to your mother and father that all three of her sons have raised their sword against their king’s mate? How about your sisters. Who will be there for them?” Nikola glared and stepped forward.

All of a sudden, both men gasped and drew breath into their lungs and fell to their knees before Nikola. “For some reason, this new planet has let you live, so there must be something good inside the both of you, but I’m afraid your brother is no more. You are no longer Lissa’s guards, but you will be working with Norris helping their people adjust. Both you and your brother will spend ten years in servitude. Norris and his people will control your punishment and your powers are gone.”

Both men disappeared as Dominic landed in their spot and shifted. His gaze landed on Suzanne. “Shit, he’s in his dominant mode.” Suzanne moved forward, but glanced back at her, winking.

Lissa busted out laughing, her hands shook as she looked behind her, but Castor blocked her view. “You don’t need to see this.”

“Lissa, look at me,” Nikola said behind her, his breath warm on her neck.

She turned slowly and gazed up at Nikola. “I’m sorry Nikola, I know how much you wanted to believe in them.”

Wrapping his large arms around her, he held her tight. “Nothing matters to me as long as you are safe. I can live with their disappointment, but I couldn’t live without you. Would you mind spending some time with me?” Nikola stepped back, but he wrapped his hand around hers.

“I’d like that. Right now I don’t want to be alone. Maybe later we can go to the palace? I need to gather a few things from there. That is if it’s okay with you?”

“What are you up to?” Nikola asked as they reappeared up in the mountains, she was now covered in a heavy down coat, fur lined boots and mittens. Men worked all around them, carrying furniture, and their personal belongs into homes built into the mountain as the mountain men and woman settled in their new land.

“We are still working things out, but so far, we have decided our new holiday will last seven days. It will be called New Beginnings Jubilee and one of those days will be celebrating Queen Isabel and the old ways of your people. I would like to go to the palace to bring certain things for our holiday celebration to save and to treasure so that all of your people will remember where they came from.”

Nikola stared at her, and didn’t say anything for a few seconds, until he wrapped his arm around her and bent her backwards gazing into her face. Men and women stopped and stared at them, smiling. “Nikola let me up, people are staring!” Lissa hit his chest, but his smile only grew bigger.

“Let them watch and know how much you mean to me.” Nikola covered her lips with his while his other hand traveled up and cupped her breast.

She forgot about everything and everyone, the heat from her punishment once more back full force. “Damn it Nikola, It’s not fair to keep teasing me!” Lissa yelled and pushed away from him, with tears in her eyes. “Haven’t I been through enough?”

Knocking on Jaycee’s front door, Lissa wiped the tears from her eyes when Suzanne answered it. “What did they do? I swear if it’s not me, it’s you, or Jaycee. Cecil always seems to have it together, even though I thought for sure she was going to deck Clayton earlier.”

“I heard that. Are you going to invite her in or are you going to stand there babbling?” Cecil laughed and reached over Suzanne, pulling her into Jaycee’s home.

Lissa couldn’t help it, but laughed. “I swear, we are all in trouble here. Just think, we’re the first ladies of our new world.”

Jaycee and Suzanne stared at her for a minute, then busted out laughing. “This world is in so much trouble! What in the hell?” Lissa sat down next to Suzanne at the dining room table and shook her head.

“I don’t know about you two, but the thought of being a queen, or one of the first ladies here, scares the crap out of me.” Lissa smiled up at Marsha who handed her a plate of sandwiches.

“Eat. I know for a fact you haven’t eaten since this morning.” Marsha sat down next to her and patted her arm. “Maybe your insecurities are due to the fact you froze today, and were almost killed.”

Jaycee, Suzanne, Cecil, Tonya, Shelly and Marsha stared at her as she took a bite of the sandwich. “I’m afraid, I still have flashbacks at night. I haven’t been sleeping well either. I feel as if someone has been watching me since Della got me out of there. I know it’s crazy, and I thought the feeling would go away, but today in the garden…” She glanced up at Marsha. “It was as if he was there watching, through Matlock’s eyes.”

Marsha grabbed her hand and squeezed. “Who Lissa? You keep saying ‘he’. Who are you talking about?”

“Yes Lissa, who are you talking about?” Nikola whispered behind her, his hands on her shoulders, as he gently squeezed them, encouraging her. Adonis, Pierre, Remi, Clayton and Dominic moved around the table till each of them fell behind their woman.

“Hombre del Diablo.” She whispered, glancing down at the plate of food, before Nikola turned her chair around and knelt down in front of her.

“Lissa, I killed him, remember?” Nikola covered her hands with his warming them.

She shook her head. “No Nikola, you killed his brother or some imposter. Don’t get me wrong, I believed you killed him too, but something has been nagging me and I’ve been replaying the scene over and over.” She glanced up into his eyes. “Then I remembered.”