Twisted (Rogues Shifter Series Book 3) (39 page)

Sasha walked through the door as I was answer
ing. “Things are quiet. Sinc worked out travel arrangements for everyone and Aaron’s weres were out at the building site all day. I’ve decided that I’m going to put my old house on the market and sell it, as long as that’s okay with you. I mean, you may not want me here when I get back from Faerie in two years.”

“Bridgett, I didn’t lie to you when I said we were family. You can live with us for as long as you want. In fact I’ll buy the house from you and make it into a sa
fe house. Some of the families in your old pack will need a place to live if they can’t afford their mortgages any more. Your house is large, right?”

“Yeah it’s a huge old thing on a lot of property.”

“Great, I’ll get a moving company over there to pack up all your personal stuff and then we’ll see how many families we can fit in comfortably.“

“You are a
vampire
, right?” I could never get over his generosity.

“Ye
s, but first a shifter. Plus, I have all of Eleanor’s money now. Might as well do some good with it.”

“Thanks Garrett. Here’s Sasha.” I handed the phone over to him and he got comfortable in an armchair. I used my cell phone to call Sinc and Ethan to tell them the good news about Jackie, then went back to preparing dinner for just myself since the weres had left a while ago.
I ate and then cleaned up, feeling good that my old house would be helping out my old pack. Mom and Dad would've been happy about that.

Chapter Seventy

Jackie: 4:30 PM Thursday

Someone was kissing my forehead. I’d been in Garrett’s lap in the woods, but now I seemed to be lying down and someone was definitely kissing my forehead. It smelled like Garrett, so I opened my eyes and smiled when I saw him leaning over me. I tried to move, but there was someone holding my hand, so I turned to look at Liam, lying in the bed next to mine, staring back at me with his lovely violet eyes. We smiled at each other, and then it all came rushing back.

I jerked my hand away from Liam’s and threw myself at Garrett, burying my head in his chest and clasping on to his shirt for dear life. I was shaking, just a little, and he looked concerned, so he got me a glass of water, which I gulped down quickly and then wrapped his arms around me
again. I glanced over at Liam who was also drinking water and speaking quietly to his father in Fae. Garrett was whispering in French and kissing my face and my head, so I leaned up to kiss him and then pulled away and covered my mouth.

“I think I could use a toothbrush.” Everyone laughed, not expecting those to be my first words upon returning from reliving my horrible trauma. A fae who’d been standing nearby went to the closet to get me what I needed and then showed me where the bathroom was located. Garrett helped me get up and walked me over
, but I felt well enough to handle the rest myself.

When I opened the door again, dressed once more in my own clothes, Garrett was waiting patiently for his kiss, and so I didn’t make him suffer any longer. The kiss probably lasted a little longer than was proper in front of Lord Caelen, Liam and now Aedus, but I didn’t stress over it. They were all smiling when we broke apart.

Lord Caelen spoke, “You seem to be recovering from the potion. How are you feeling?”

“I feel…” Ok
ay, so how did I feel?  Better?  Yes, definitely. Great?  Maybe not quite yet but soon, I think. I looked at Liam. “Untwisted?” He laughed over our private joke. “How are you feeling?”

“Untwisted as well, and perhaps a little bit in awe. The courage you showed while imprisoned was extraordinary.” I gave him a worried look. I really didn’t want tales of my captivity to spread around Faerie like some TV soap opera.
“Jackie, you know I would never discuss what you went through with anyone.”
He looked hurt.

“I’m sorry, Liam, Of course
you wouldn’t.”

“But I think you should tell
Garrett what you did to Kennet, twice. It was priceless.”
He was smiling.

“Maybe, if I
ever need to keep him in line.”

Kellai
ne entered the room gracefully, reaching out for Liam's hand with her own. He smiled at her with great affection and I could see relief flood her eyes as he pulled her in closer and kissed her deeply. Garrett was speaking to Lord Caelen and Aedus in the corner so I was the only one to witness this tender expression of their love for each other. When they broke apart they spoke quietly, fingers entwined and bodies nestled together. Untwisted indeed.

I looked over to catch Garrett’s eye and he gestured for me
to join them, so I wrapped an arm around his familiar waist and he draped his long, always comforting arm around my shoulder. I felt at home there. Not fearful or ashamed or angry.

Yes, I’d been through hell twice and made it back out alive, definitely not uns
cathed. This time I was determined to put my more recent emotional scars on the pile along with the other discarded ones from my past.. My mountain of difficult memories may be growing but I wouldn’t let any of it affect the happiness I’d shaped for myself or the self confidence I’d fought so hard to build. There would still be many difficult days, but I would get through them with the help of my mate and my friends.

Garrett spoke, his eyes twinkling with happiness. “Aedus has some good news.”

I looked at Aedus, who was grinning wider than I’d ever seen him smile. “Philladre is pregnant.”

I hugged him before I even had a chance to think about whether that was the custom or not. He didn’t seem to mind and hugged me back. “I’m so happy for you both. I’ll be very happy to babysit anytime.” Garrett laughed. The fae elders had servants who had servants. Babysitters were not needed, but somehow I thought that they might humor me a few times and let me watch the little one.

“It’s a girl, and we’re going to name her Jacqueline.” I couldn’t think of what to say. I just shook my head in disbelief at the honor. “You saved my life, Jackie, and Philladre believes that when you healed me, you healed more than just my mind.” He smiled mischievously at my shocked expression. “Whatever the reason for this incredible gift we’ve been given, all of Faerie will celebrate Jacqueline’s birth and you will be honored here for all time.”

I looked at Garrett
and shook my head in disbelief. Drawing me in closer he sent, “
My love, you deserve this. Don’t argue with them, their minds are set. Now how do you feel about going home?”
He sweetly kissed my cheek. When I looked into his amazing sapphire eyes and I saw relief and joy and love. His fear had been washed away with mine.

“I can’t think of anywhere I’d rather be.”
I turned to Aedus. “Congratulations and thank you for this incredible honor. Please send Philladre my thanks as well. Lord Caelen, congratulations. As usual you are a treasured friend to Garrett and to me and I thank you for all that you’ve done." He nodded and smiled warmly, probably amused by my little speech.

I turned to Liam and Kellaine stepped quietly aside. I sent,
“How can I thank you? I owe you so much,”

His eyes sparkled with relief.
"
Go home with Garrett and put all of this behind you.”
He turned back to Kellaine who moved into his embrace without hesitation. She smiled at me before I took Garrett’s hand and stepped into the magic.

When we appeared in the kitchen, Bridgett was there cooking herself dinner. She squeaked and then ran to me, throwing her arms around my waist and giving me a huge hug. I took a lo
ok at the new blonde Bridgett and exclaimed, “Your hair looks great. Now we look a lot more like twins.” Her hair had been dyed black when I’d first met her.

She laughed, “Or we would if I was tall and gorgeous like you. But who gives a shit, are you better?”

“Yes, well at least I think so. I don’t feel so anxious. I’m definitely smiling more. We’ll have to wait and see.”

“I’ll make you some dinner, you must be starving.”

“Thanks, I
am
hungry for real food. But don’t make too much. I have to eat lightly for a day or so.” Samson was scratching at the patio door so I ran over to let him in. “Who’s my best faerie dog?” I gave him a huge hug and scratched him behind the ears then rubbed his belly as he wagged his stubby tail. I smelled assorted vampires and turned to see that the gang was watching me.

“You can scratch my belly any time, Jackie.” Sasha was grinning at me, looking like a movie star in his usual tight jeans and open button down white shirt.  I stood up and grinned back even though Garrett was seriously glaring at him.

I teased him. “Instead of scratching your belly, maybe I’ll just stick a pin in that ego of yours. They’ll probably be able to hear the explosion in San Francisco.”

Laughing,
Sasha gave me a little mock bow saying, “Welcome back,
mistress
.” Heinrich gave me a huge grin along with his usual polite nod and William actually gave me a tentative hug.

It occurred to me that William was sort of my brother-in-law, at least according to shifter customs, so I gave him a peck on the cheek and said, “Congratulations, William. You’re a brave man.” I heard Bridgett snort
and then start laughing.

“Yeah, you’re
feeling better, alright.”

I walked over to Garrett and gave him a playful shove for getting riled up over Sasha’s flirting. I sent,
“I don’t need protection from his silliness. You know he likes to get a rise out of people. Anyway, I think he’s done a good job as your second.”

“An excellent job, in fact.  Why don’t you tell Will and Bridgett the good news?”

“Bridgett, Lord Caelen told me that William can visit you for six days every month, and that you’ll be given those days off. You can break it up into three and three or just take the six in a row. He’ll be restricted to your suite of rooms and two designated common areas. You’ll be able to text each other whenever you want, as long as you’re not at work, and you can call him once every night between 11:00 PM and 1:00 AM and talk for no more than thirty minutes. The fae don’t like cell phone signals.  I think that this arrangement is extremely generous and…”

I couldn’t get anymore out because Bridgett had rushed to hug me with so much enthusiasm
that I stumbled backward into Garrett. “Thank you soooo much. You are the best sister on the entire planet.” Then she ran to William and threw herself into his arms and they laughed as he spun her around.

Heinrich was shaking his head. “Ain’t love grand, Sash?”

“Yeah—I guess.”  Sasha's wistful tone made me glance in his direction. Surprisingly I sensed a fleeting stab of envy toward the young couple. He turned his gaze toward mine and slowly smiled, knowing I’d caught him in a vulnerable moment, but also certain that I wouldn’t tell a soul. He winked at me and then switched gears.

“Let’s go feed, Rick.  You coming, Will?” We could see that William was torn, but Bridgett gave him a shove toward the others and went back to the stove to finish the meal. The three of them left and so I sat down and a
te dinner with my very excited and relieved sister. My handsome mate watched me, drinking a glass of red wine and looking as happy as I’d seen him look in a long time.

“So what’s next on the team calendar?”

Garrett started to tell me and the list made my heart race with excitement. The trip to rescue the werewolves' adopted kids in Los Altos would be difficult for Sinc, but getting them back safely would be a significant accomplishment for our team. I had no doubts that we’d find them and only hoped that they’d be healthy when we did. Taking care of Nathaniel had Garrett all excited. Apparently there was some discord in their past relationship which I’m sure he’d let me in on, eventually.

I’d need to help Rob with Flynn. He’d been moved to the hospital after trying to take his own life. He was angry and frightened and desperately needed to learn to accept his
shapeshifter lion self. I’d speak to Flynn, and then maybe put my head together with Rob to see how we could better help other shifters in the same situation.

In a coupl
e of months Kennet would be returned to Faerie, hopefully judged guilty and then executed. That meant that Isaiah would become my house guest while he trained me to tap into my demonic powers. Isaiah was kind of a wild card, which worried me, but if I could learn how to use a whole other set of powers then it was worth spending time with a demon.

At least t
he Vamp Villa should be finished by the time he shows up, so maybe we’d house Isaiah with the nest and see how that worked out.

And we might be going to Paris in May. I grinned in Garrett's direction, excited at the prospect of visiting such a lovely county.
He caught me looking at him so he smiled his incredible smile and reached out to hold my hand. Suddenly, I wasn’t all that hungry anymore.  “Bridgett…”

“Yeah, go ahead. I’ll clean up.” She giggled. “But remember, I’m leaving tomorrow at noon, so I’m going to be really selfish and ask for a little sister-talk time be
fore I go. I’m kind of nervous.“

Garrett slapped his forehead. "Oh I completely forgot. Lady Dinestri said you could have an extra week, since you've hardly had any time with Jackie."