Chapter Four
“We can’t find Kryder. He’s disappeared again.”
Grant heard Ryan’s words. But they didn’t register. From the time he’d finished his shift at two am, his thoughts had been fixed on Natalie. He couldn’t shake the sensation something was wrong.
Ryan sat next to him at the rowdy bar in the center of the pine forest. They were both on stools. Grant faced out, his unseeing gaze settled on the shallow sandpit where two drunk wolves stumbled around throwing wild punches that rarely landed. The crowd was laughing hard.
He barely saw any of it.
“Your shirt’s on fire.” Ryan spun on his stool, mug in his left hand, to face the pit as well.
Grant knew Ryan had said something. But his words once more grazed his ears then slid off. Grant wasn’t drinking. He wasn’t interested, which was a first. He liked tossing back a few at the end of his shift. His wolf metabolism took care of the effects of alcohol quickly. He’d always considered it one of the best parts of his alter status.
Not tonight.
Instead, his thoughts were focused on something Natalie had said, that someone might have targeted her specifically to become an alter fae. He believed she was right, but who had done this to her and why?
Ryan again. “You have flames shooting out of the top of your head.”
This time, Grant heard his friend and turned to him. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?” He scowled.
Ryan put his mug to his mouth and took a big drink. He glanced at Grant. “I wondered what it would take to make you surface. You’ve been scowling, arms-crossed over your chest and your mind fixed elsewhere from the time we arrived. I need your attention.”
Grant forced himself to concentrate. “Fine. What’s going on?”
Ryan grimaced. “Kryder’s been gone again, two nights now from the pack, and you’ve been absent longer than usual as well. Our wolves are getting restless. So, what’s going on with you?”
Ryan was the perfect beta wolf. His role fit him like foam on beer. He kept the pack’s machinery running smoothly. Yet, even as he spoke, even with important info to communicate, Grant couldn’t seem to think about anything other than Natalie’s invisible stalker. “Let’s go for a walk.”
Ryan quickly drank the rest of his beer. Grant headed outside and heard the thump of Ryan’s boots as he fell in behind him.
He led Ryan out the less-used east exit by the bathrooms. The trash bins were out there forcing him to close his sensitive wolf nose.
“This is a real treat,” Ryan said.
Grant chuckled and walked faster to get away from the middle-of the-forest bar.
When all he smelled were the pine trees, he looked up and caught sight of a star or two. There wasn’t much visible given Phoenix’s light-pollution, but they were still stars. From how many continents had he and Renee looked up at the night sky? All of them, including a trip to the Antarctica Peninsula.
Ryan stood a few feet away and did a slow pivot. “We’re alone.”
“Good.” He then outlined what had happened with Natalie and the dreamglides.
Ryan didn’t say anything for a long moment. Finally, he stroked his narrow chin and smiled. “You know what this means.”
“No. I don’t.”
“Big picture, Grant. You can finally take on Kryder.”
This was the last thing he’d expected Ryan to say. “How do you figure?”
“Think about Fergus and Mary. He only learned to build dreamglides once she showed up in his life. It’s possible Natalie has done something similar for you, somehow ignited a similar ability. Fergus and Mary thwarted an entire territorial takeover because they worked together. That’s why I’m thinking you’ll be able to defeat Kryder.”
Ryan had a made a few mental leaps Grant wasn’t prepared to hear. “The point I’m trying to make is that Natalie has sensed an invisible presence. We’ve been worried about something like this for a long time, wizards selling invisibility spells and making our jobs even harder.”
“And you’ve missed my point. If you bond with Natalie, you’d probably be able to figure out who’s shadowing her and maybe even why.”
Since Ryan wouldn’t let go of this bone, Grant addressed the issue. “That’s not going to happen for Natalie and me. Ever.” Saying the words caused his chest to ache.
“Why not?”
“She participated in the Fae-Wolf Wars. She’s a futurist and she provided intel about our activities.”
“Jesus.”
“Exactly. She said she only did it once and regretted it.”
Ryan filled in the real problem. “But some of our people died.”
“She said they did, and it made her miserable. The truth is, I wasn’t proud of my role in the wars either. But it’s a big chasm.”
Ryan nodded several times, his gaze intense. “All right. But I don’t think you’re going to like what I’m about to say.”
Grant sighed. “Then just say it.”
“Neil.”
“Fuck. I’m not doing that.” Neil was an Elegance warlock of great power who was on the verge of becoming a wizard.
Ryan summed things up. “Take him a bottle of his favorite cognac and make peace with him. It’s time. You and I both know we need to follow up on this invisibility thing and Neil will know something. You’ve got a ghost giving warnings to Natalie, she’s a futurist probably of some ability, and she thinks she’s been stalked for years. This isn’t a coincidence, not if Renee is involved.
“Besides, Neil reminds me of you and Alpha Warren. I suspect, if given a chance, Neil could become a real force for Elegance and for Five Bridges.”
Grant was always surprised when Ryan compared him to Alpha Warren or to Fergus. These wolves were heroes in Savage Territory. Grant wasn’t even powerful enough to take on Kryder. In that sense, Grant was still a beta even though his pack looked to him for leadership and direction.
Despite his self-doubts, he knew Ryan was right about Neil. The warlock brimmed with emerging wizard-power and he was one of the good guys.
“You were both drunk,” Ryan added. “And that vampire female you were both chasing went home with a deadtalker anyway.”
Neil had gotten under Grant’s skin and Grant still held a grudge. He’d bought the plump vampire female several drinks but had come back to find Neil with his tongue down her throat. He’d sensed the spell Neil had used and Grant still bristled when he thought about it. Neil hadn’t played fair.
There had to be someone else he could contact about the invisibility spell. “Who else do we know in Elegance? I don’t trust Neil. He used a spell when he shouldn’t have.”
“The man apologized. You’ve been an ass all this time.”
Grant’s temper caused lines of fur to rise on his cheeks.
Ryan didn’t back off. Instead, he got close and puffed up his chest. “You’re still an ass on this one. The pair of you were drunk as hell and nearly tore the White Flame apart. Make peace with Neil. He’s who you need at your back right now. You know it and I know it.”
The dominant wolf-part of Grant caused his snout to elongate and fur to show at his throat and along the backs of his hands and wrists. If a beta was going to challenge him like this, he had to answer.
“You need to back down. Now.”
The words, misshaped by his snout, sounded demonic.
But Ryan didn’t step back, didn’t lower his gaze. He did nothing to alter his challenging posture, not even when Grant started to growl.
Instead, Ryan smiled. “Yes, I know you want to rip my throat out, but I hope you don’t. Instead, use your brain and your instincts on this one. When you said Natalie was being watched by an invisible presence, I sensed you were right. I even thought Kryder might be behind it. But you need proof and Neil’s our best shot. I trust him and despite what you say, so do you.”
Grant felt the fear in Ryan. It was taking him a shitload of courage for the lesser wolf to stand up to him like this.
Grant stepped away from him and took deep breaths. Ryan had an annoying knack for being right ninety-nine percent of the time. He was also right about something else. Grant felt it as well. Every wolf instinct he possessed told him Neil was the one they needed in this situation.
“Shit.”
He heard Ryan’s heavy sigh of relief.
Grant paced and shook his head about a dozen times. Finally, he barked, “Will you set it up? I doubt he’d take my call.”
“Happy to.” Ryan pulled his phone from his jean’s pocket. Grant moved away several yards as Ryan began the peace talks.
The conversation was even on Ryan’s side but more than once, Ryan pulled his phone away from his ear. Grant could hear Neil shouting.
Finally, Grant knew he had to step in.
He took the phone. “Dammit, Neil, I need your help. I’ve got a fae who thinks she might have an alter shadowing her behind an Elegance spell. I don’t know any warlocks who have your level of power who could help figure this out. I’m not asking for myself, but for Natalie.”
“Natalie? Is she the futurist who also financially supports Kiara’s Revel refuge?”
“Yes.”
“I know her. I’m one of her clients.”
Grant felt his brows lift skyward. Another connection. Neil was one of the wealthiest men in Elegance and Natalie had no doubt helped get him there. Talk about a small world. “Will you help us then?”
A long pause ensued. “You’ll have to come here. Things are rough with this transition. And I’ll want an apology.”
Grant swallowed his temper and his pride. “Done.”
~ ~ ~
Natalie locked up her studio for the night and rose slowly into the air.
Dawn was still a few hours away. She had kept her futurist appointments well past midnight but had never been more bored. The only thing she wanted to do before retiring for her day’s sleep was to inquire about the fae, Talya, to see how she was doing.
Talya had been moved to Agnes’s high-security compound and would be well taken care of there.
Natalie flew to her home less than a half-mile away. She’d done well over the years with her futurism and had built a home on the canal. It was an upscale neighborhood and in recent years had seen an unwelcome increase in human tourist boats. Still, she loved her home and at well past two, the last of the tourists had gone home. Only the quiet sound of paddle boats belonging to alters could be heard disturbing the waters.
She landed as she often did in the backyard near the patio off the kitchen. A good part of her garden was shrouded with hedges to keep her privacy against the more recent tourist invasions. Many of her neighbors had done the same. When she wanted to enjoy the canal, she went for long walks on the canal-side paths usually after the crowds had returned to their U.S. homes.
She’d landscaped following a simple Mediterranean design with straight gravel paths, Italian Cypress trees, and a purple flowering ground cover. Several large stone pots dotted the patio and contained a mixture of citrus trees and yellow hibiscus. Closer to the master bedroom end of the yard, she had a rectangular stretch of lawn which her human gardening service maintained along with the rest of her property.
She entered through the sliding patio door to her kitchen. By habit, she poured herself a glass of Pinot Grigio and prepared a small plate of parmesan, sweet grapes and salty crackers. She took her feast, including the bottle of wine, back to the patio. In the early hours of the morning, the late September temperature was about perfect.
As she ate, Grant came to mind like a sudden breeze. Memories surged as they had off-and-on all night.
What kept drawing her back was the kiss at Boulders Beach and how, because the dreamglide had lowered her inhibitions, she’d almost made love to a wolf.
She felt so many things that her mind reeled.
She took a long drink of wine then lifted her gaze skyward, to the few scattered stars. Only the brightest showed through. There was too much city-light.
A few more swallows and the wine began to ease through her veins. She felt her limbs start to relax.
The kisses had been heaven, the first she’d had in six years. The first she’d allowed herself.
She’d forgotten the immense comfort a man’s arms could offer. She’d even forgotten the quick, exhilarating burst of desire she could feel. She’d wanted sex with Grant like the wind craving space to gather speed.
Something about the wolf had electrified her body.
She took another long sip.
She didn’t want to want him, but oh, God, she did.
Settling her wine glass on the table, she leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes.
She couldn’t be with a wolf. There was a part of her that loathed Savage Territory and the nature of the wolf alter. Each time she saw the results of wolf teeth and powerful wolf jaws, her dislike grew.
When Alexis had disappeared during the Fae-Wolf Wars, she’d broken her vow to stay removed from the conflict. She’d used her futurism to predict the location of the next wolf attack. The fae victory that followed, as well as the deaths of several wolves, had been shouted to the heavens.
But she’d seen the bodies of the dead and had known that these weren’t rogue enemies, but members of one of the twelve packs. She’d been misled and had ceased her involvement then and there. It was one thing to be attacking vicious wolves who lived apart from pack life and were a law unto themselves, but quite another to be engaged in an ongoing battle with hard-working pack members. She knew the difference and was angry with those fae officers who had told her they were dealing with rogues intent on killing fae.
She’d shed countless tears and eventually had gone to the Tribunal begging for an intervention. She didn’t stop pleading her case until finally the Trib relented and stepped in to end the conflict.
She ate a few grapes and stacked thin slices of parmesan on the crackers. She refilled her glass and drank more wine.
When she lifted her glass to her lips, she noticed something very odd on the backs of her hands. She set her glass down and held her hands up at eye-level. She didn’t know what she was looking at. A rainbow-like luminescence floated across the surface of her skin and seemed to be in motion.
Oddly enough, she wasn’t frightened or distressed, which she should have been. Instead, the iridescent movement felt like part of her.
She sat back in her chair and the colors began to fade then disappeared. Where had it gone, and could she bring it back?
She sought about in her mind for some clue as to why she’d suddenly developed such a strange physical symptom in the first place.
What had she just been thinking about?
The answer was simple: the wolves of Savage.
Just like that, the iridescence returned and moved over her skin once more. She brought Grant forward within her mind and held him there. The colors intensified. She explored her desire for him, then pondered what she thought of his character and his worth, about his former life as a science teacher, even about Renee. More movement, more color.
She switched her focus to some of the fae Border Patrol officers she knew and gradually the odd colors and movement faded. But the moment she brought Grant back to mind, the colors returned.
She tried another experiment and settled her mind on Talya, who was fae. The signs disappeared. Then she focused on Savage Territory and the two alphas who were doing good things for their packs, Alphas Warren and Fergus. The iridescence strengthened once more.
She continued doing this, losing the sign when she thought of anything other than wolves and Savage, but regaining it no matter which part of wolf-life she began to think about.
There was only one conclusion and it felt like a blow to the back of her head: Whatever this was on her hands, it was wolf.
She blinked. It couldn’t be.
She closed her eyes and sent up a quick prayer to the heavens. She couldn’t be part wolf.
Renee’s voice was suddenly in her mind. Ooooh, I really like this table.
Natalie popped her eyes open. Renee stood on top of the large, round wrought-iron table with her bare toes curled over the edge and her arms spread out as though she was riding a wave.
Her balancing movements sent her ghost-mist shifting about. But enough held together that she really did look like she was surfing.
Had her prayer just been answered?
“You’re back.”
Renee turned to her and smiled. She then jumped from the table to the tile patio floor, a movement that sent her mist flattening into a pool then materializing back into her colorful ghost form. She wore red shorts this time and a white tank top.
I am. I’ve got an archangel up my ass about you. I have only one message tonight, though, then I’m outta here.
“Okay.”
Renee appeared to be thinking hard. Right. I’ve got it. You’re to go see the tall fae. No that’s not right, though she is tall. She snapped her fingers sending quick drifts sideways off her hand. Go see Talya, the fae. That’s it. Gotta run.
She disappeared but came right back. Listen up. This isn’t from Gabriel, it’s from me. If you’re gonna survive the not-too-distant future, you’ve gotta jump in with both feet. Oh, and Aaron said to say, ‘Don’t hold back.’
Renee said nothing more, she simply vanished.
Natalie was left feeling like she’d taken another hard hit to her skull.
And Aaron had sent her a message.
She had a strange, wolfish iridescence on the backs of her.
Renee surfing on her table.
Grant and penguins and dreamglide-building.
And now, on Gabriel’s orders, she needed to go see Talya.
She couldn’t imagine what was going to happen next. At least, she’d be able to see for herself how Talya was doing.
~ ~ ~
Grant flew to Elegance Territory with clenched fists. His nails dug into the palms of his hands. The night was still warm in September as his gaze flitted across the sky in front of him. He checked to make sure his route over Savage was clear.
Most alter creatures couldn’t levitate. But Grant had been able to since his first year in Five Bridges, a sure sign even then he’d been alpha material.
As far as he could tell, he was alone in the skies.
Crossing the border between Savage and Elegance, he wasn’t far from Defiance Bridge, which formed a ‘T’ with Phoenix and was the sole connection between the two territories. The Border Patrols of both worked this bridge heavily though at opposite ends. There were five such bridges separating the territories. At this hour, not far from dawn, there was just a trickle of humans driving out of their world and back to their safe homes in the U.S.
Below him, was a deep ditch full of broken concrete and topped with a thick barrier of barbed wire. The ditch was twenty feet wide and extended from the Graveyard all the way to the Five Bridges heavily-patrolled border with the U.S. proper.
In the early days, thirty years ago, the animosity between species had ended in a series of bloody massacres. Kryder had been part of that era which explained to some degree his persistent brutality. It was decided during the first year of their world that each species would have a territory and each territory would be separated from the others with ditches and barbed wire. It had helped diminish a good portion of the violence, but the mutual dislike among species remained to this day.
Humans visited Five Bridges by the thousands every night, using one of the five access points around the perimeter. They did so at their own risk. The FBI was rarely allowed into their world and dead humans were usually cremated before the evidence of their bodies could alert the U.S. authorities.
Each species entered other territories under the same conditions. He was putting himself in danger by flying into Elegance. He wasn’t too concerned, though. He’d been battling a long time and if he had to fight some unknown enemy in the skies over Elegance, so be it.
Heading east to Neil’s gated island community, he recalled the situation that had put him at odds with Neil.
Grant had known the warlock almost as long as he’d been in Five Bridges. They’d both served on their respective Border Patrols and had become friends, at least before the drunken altercation occurred.
The spell Neil had contrived that night had turned the woman’s head. She’d been ripe as hell and ready for plucking. Grant had excused himself to get some relief from too many beers. When he’d returned, Neil was kissing the bespelled woman.
Grant had levitated like a bullet in Neil’s direction and hauled him out of the booth. The woman had shrieked. Neil had tried to throw a spell at Grant, but it hadn’t worked.
Grant had plowed into him.
A drunken brawl had ensued ending when Grant’s skull connected with the wood bar. He’d awakened when one of the owners threw a glass of water over his face. Shortly after, Trib forces had taken him to their nearby drunk tank where he’d passed out. Later, he’d awakened, smelled urine and vomited then passed out again. He’d spent the entire next day in the same cell, repeating the process.
Good times.
Ryan had collected him just after full dark.
He hadn’t spoken to Neil in all that time.
He still didn’t trust him completely because of those damn, highly illegal spells he’d employed, or tried to.
Grant flew slowly, wondering how the hell this was going to work.
He knew the island community in which Neil had bought an upscale property. Rumors had it the area had underground levels as well. Neil was one of the wealthiest men in Elegance and Natalie had helped get him there.
Reaching the island, Grant hovered in the air above Neil’s modern home. Huge rocks and dozens of evergreens shaped the landscaping. There were stone pavers for paths, the occasional cactus, an absence of flowers. It was a man’s home.
Tall sissoos and pines separated the various properties of which there were only six in this exclusive development. But as a group they were surrounded by a large moat with two small stone bridges at either end that connected them to nearby residential streets.
He drew his cell from his pocket and texted Neil to let him know he’d arrived. He remained in the air a few yards away from the house and above the stone path.
A half-minute later, Neil opened the front door and stepped onto the walkway. He wasn’t smiling and didn’t invite him in.
Grant levitated down to the path. He was three yards away from Neil, uncertain if the warlock intended to try more of his spell-tricks.
“Well, shit.” Neil glanced up at the sky then back at Grant.
“What’s bugging you now?” Grant asked, irritated by his attitude.
“It seems you found my house with no trouble at all.”
Grant also looked up then finally understood. “You’ve got a disguising spell over your house.”
“And you saw my property as though the spell didn’t exist.”
“Guess I did.”
Neil narrowed his gaze. “You’re experiencing a power surge, am I right?”
“You could say that.” Grant took in Neil’s garb. He wore an odd, gray artist’s smock over leathers. He was pasty white with blue forming shadows beneath his eyes. Even so, he radiated power like the air currents of an electrical storm. “You don’t look so good.”
“I’m for shit right now, no question. You’d better come in.” He seemed to weave on his feet as he turned and entered his house. He left the door wide which was the only welcome Grant was going to get.
The interior of Neil’s home was like his landscaping, lots of stone everywhere even covering the entire face of the entrance wall. To the right was the living room and a massive stone fireplace.
The floor was also made of dark gray stone tiles.
A dining space and a kitchen opened up to the left beyond. It was a great-room with tall glass windows on the north and south walls overlooking both the front and back gravel-and-rock yards, as well as the moat.
Wood tables eased back some of the hard, granite feel to the space. But the furniture was in black leather. The theme shouted its message. Beyond the moat was a park-like green belt with dozens of trees. But Grant had the sense this was more for protection than beauty.
Grant knew that most wizards had an affinity with an earth element. It didn’t take a genius to figure out that Neil was fully aligned with stone.
He was forming the words to begin making amends for his drunken behavior during their brawl, when Neil said, “I want to apologize for what happened at the White Flame Club. I did use a spell. It was a chump move. My only excuse is that I was drunk out of my mind.”
Neil looking contrite shifted everything for Grant. He could even smile. “At least you didn’t spend the day in a drunk tank. I smelled like puke for a week afterward.”
Neil tried to chuckle, but it turned into a groan and a wince. “You’ll have to excuse me.” He moved to a large leather chair next to the fireplace but didn’t sit down on the seat. Instead, he eased himself onto the broad, padded arm of the chair. His smock draped over the sides.
A haunted, pained expression clung to Neil’s gray eyes.
He was a striking man with narrow features, not unlike Ryan. His black hair hung in waves to his shoulders. He’d heard some of the female wolves say he was the best-looking warlock of them all.
Right now, he looked like he’d been beat up.
“You okay?”
Neil gritted his teeth. “I’m going through the crucible of become a wizard. I’d heard it was bad and it is, almost as painful as going through the alter transformation.” He gestured to the assorted furniture in the space. “Please. Sit down.”
Grant settled himself on the couch adjacent to Neil’s chair. He noticed a large cast-iron pot on the hearth. His brows rose.
“I know,” Neil said, glancing at the fireplace as well. “A bit on-the-nose, but it speaks to me.” He sighed heavily then shifted his gaze to Grant. “Can I offer you a Scotch or a brandy? I’ll be having the latter.” He rose slowly. Grant now wished he’d followed Ryan’s advice and brought him a bottle of cognac.
“Scotch is fine.”
Neil walked slowly to an antique sideboard to the left of the fireplace. “I’ve needed an excuse and you’ll do.” He poured the drinks but drank his own down quickly then poured himself a second.
As he brought the tumbler of Scotch back to Grant, he explained “We’re supposed to keep the alcohol to a minimum during this process. But I’ve been craving a fifth of anything for the last two hours.”
Grant took the tumbler. “To cut the pain?”
Neil returned to his chair-arm seat. “Exactly. My nerve-endings feel like they’ve been blow-torched.”
Grant sipped his Scotch but didn’t say anything further. Neil had closed his eyes and kept swirling his snifter beneath his nose. Maybe he hoped the fumes would help ease his suffering as well.
After a moment, he seemed to relax then finally opened his eyes. “Do you accept my apology?”
“Of course. So long as you take mine.”
“I will. I do. I’ve been stubborn. I swear to you I’d never used a spell before to gain an advantage in a social situation. It’s been one of my vows from the beginning and I regret having broken it.”
“You haven’t since?”
“No.” He leaned forward slightly and hissed. “Jesus. Every joint in my body hurts.”
“Sorry you’re going through it.”
“Yeah.” He breathed slowly. “Thanks.”
Grant watched him for a moment. He didn’t know a lot about wizardry but getting there looked like hell.
Neil set his empty snifter on the small table beside the chair but remained on his perch. “Now, tell me why you’re here and what I can I do for you?”
Grant finished his Scotch then set the tumbler on the coffee table in front of him. He gave Neil the short version.
Neil listened intently and as Grant talked, Neil’s symptoms appeared to abate. By the time Grant told him about the dreamglide adventure to Cape Town, Neil rose from his chair and stretched.
“I take it, the pain comes in waves?”
“Yup. Right now, I’ve got a break, though I have no idea how long it will last. So, Natalie suspects that a wizard was involved in her alter transformation since it occurred when she bought the pie and took it home.”
“Yes. Her husband died that night.”
“I have to be honest. I think she’s been set up. Whether a wizard spiked the pie or whether her unknown stalker did, from what you’ve said, she’s been watched for years.” He then switched subjects. “Natalie’s studio is in a very pretty park.”
“It is.”
“Have you been to her home, though I suppose you have.”
“I flew her home, but I didn’t go inside. You have to remember that though we’ve experienced a lot over the past couple of nights, we’ve only just met.”
Neil nodded. He moved to stand in front of the fireplace opposite Grant. “I’ll tell you what I know. There are over a dozen confirmed wizards in Elegance. Half of those, at the very least, are given to the dark arts and to summoning as much power as possible for every vile purpose under the sun.
“I’m telling you this, so you’ll know what you’re facing and how powerful this level of invisibility is. There have been rumors about these kinds of spells for a long time and only wizards can cast them. They can be controlled by the one who purchases the spell for indefinite periods of time. From what you’ve said about Natalie, if her stalker had used a fae futurist to discover a potential fae of power, I can see an amoral man of any species turning Natalie for his purposes.”
“If that was the case,” Grant said. “Why wait all this time before approaching her?”
Neil shook his head. “I can’t say. Depends on the motivation or there may have always been a particular timing involved, especially if the future was consulted. It also sounds like the hour is getting close.”
Grant experienced a terrible sinking sensation in the pit of his stomach. “I think we need to figure out who this person is. Could you help with that?”
“I’m not sure. But I could ascertain whether or not she’s being stalked. I would need her here and would have to bespell her.” He paused before adding, “And something more. I would need to connect with her mentally and to some degree physically. She may not want that since it can feel invasive.”
Grant felt his fingers balling up as they had on the way over. “What do you mean, ‘physical and mental’?”
“I would need to hold both her hands and invade her mind.”
Grant rose slowly to his feet, teeth clenched. “If Natalie permitted you to do this, she would be completely under your control.”
Neil nodded slowly. “I can see this distresses you. But you would be there to protect her if necessary and you could have anyone else present you wanted. But why the hell are you showing fur? You’re pissed?” A smiled suddenly curved his lips. “Ah. I see. You have an interest in Natalie, a very alpha-wolf interest.”
“No.” The word came out just short of a bark. He paced in the direction of the foyer, then headed back. But every time images of Neil taking hold of Natalie’s hands popped into his mind, more fur appeared, even down his back. “You can’t touch her.” He spoke the words before he could stop them.
Neil left his spot by the fireplace and drew close. His gaze narrowed again. “Your eyes are gold. You’ll be an alpha soon. No, that’s not true. You’re already an alpha, you just don’t have your pack yet. But I think I get what’s happening. Natalie, though she’s fae, could be your alpha-mate because of her level of power, isn’t that right?”
Grant hadn’t considered it before. “I don’t know, but I have no interest in bonding with a fae.”
“You sure?”
Grant didn’t answer the question. Instead, Neil’s observation of her alpha-mate potential disturbed him. He took a moment to search through all his reactions to her. The truth was, if she didn’t have alpha-mate capacity, she was damn close. But what did it matter? She was still fae.
~ ~ ~
“Is this a good time?” Natalie stood in the doorway of the chapel at Agnes’s compound and saw Talya seated in the front pew, down several rows of seats.
Talya turned around to greet her then waved her forward. She smiled. “Of course. I was waiting for you.”
Talya was a very red-haired fae, with light blue eyes and creamy, alabaster skin. She was lean with pronounced cheekbones. Her red brows were high and arched. She wore her long hair in a ponytail and a small amount of make-up, just a little mascara and lip gloss.
Talya continued, “I thought it would be nice to be in the chapel while we talked. Agnes agreed. She seemed to have the sense you and I should meet here. It’s very pleasant.”
Natalie looked around and had to agree. The room was entirely enclosed and hung with tapestries on the side walls. An altar of curved wood, on a raised space at the front, held three tall, glass enclosed candles. Each was lit and gave a warm glow to the space. Overhead were a dozen can-lights.
Natalie crossed the back row of seats then moved down the left sloped aisle. She hadn’t seen Talya since their time together in the refuge ER. She could still hear the flatline when Talya had gone looking for Grant in the afterlife. Then Grant’s touch had brought her back.
As she rounded the front pew, she said, “You look well.” Natalie suppressed the memories of the deep gouges the woman had born because of the Graveyard mauling.
Talya chuckled. “At least the flame-sign is gone, and you don’t have to be kind. I know I still look like death. I’m fair-skinned as it is, but right now I’m blue around the edges.” She pressed a hand to her cheek. “The only good thing to come of the attack is that for the moment my freckles have faded.” She patted the seat beside her.
Natalie sat down, but suddenly felt very uncertain. “I’m not sure what I’m doing here. I mean, of course I wanted to see how you were doing—” She broke off not wanting to say the rest.
Talya turned toward her more fully and took her hand. “Your fingers are warm.” She smiled. “But maybe I can help a little. I have visions. I had one of you.”
“Of the future?”
“Not exactly. It’s more like a portrait frozen in a moment of time. Agnes says I’m unusual, but then given your portrait, I’d say you’re even more unique.”
“What did you see?”
“You, as a spectral wolf, glowing with iridescent violet and green, some blue, some pink. It was beautiful. Your wolf face looked flushed as though you’d been racing around.”
Natalie shook her head. “You’ve described the colors just right. Talya, I don’t know what’s going on here. I mean, Grant can build dreamglides. It happened during the day’s sleep following your rescue. And now I have this wolf, a kind of spectral wolf as you’ve said, as part of my being. All this happened since we were together in Kiara’s refuge.”
“You sound like you’re in shock.”
“I am. The whole thing seems so impossible and now this?” She lifted her hand expecting to see her iridescent wolf, but nothing was there, just her normal skin color.
“Is that where you first saw the sign? On your hands?”
“Yes, but it’s not there.”
“What’s troubling you most?”
She chuckled. “You talk like a counselor.”
“I’m reflecting who you are, that’s all. It’s part of the portrait gift. I asked about you at the refuge. They say you’re one of the benefactors there and I applaud you for that. I was so glad when you called. I wanted to thank you again.”
“Well, actually, you have a ghost to thank for getting me out to the Graveyard.” She told her about Renee ending with her recent insistence that Natalie talk to Talya about her wolf-sign.
Talya frowned at that. “I’m not sure how I can help.”
“Can you get rid of it for me?”
Talya laughed. “Even if I could, why wouldn’t you want such a gift?”
“I guess I don’t see what good can come of it.” She then confessed her part in the Fae-Wolf Wars of three years ago. “I know what I did was wrong. I will carry the guilt of the deaths I’m responsible for as long as I live. But I also hate what the wolves did, who they are, their basic savagery which you experienced first-hand.”
“Why did you engage in the Fae-Wolfs Wars in the first place?”
“My closest friend here in Revel was killed during the conflict. Alexis was the sweetest person, the only true friend I’ve had in Five Bridges. I was grief-stricken and wanted vengeance. It doesn’t make it right, but that’s what happened. I told Grant I’d played a part in the wars and he confessed he had as well. We don’t even know each other, and we’ve already done hurtful things. So how can this be good?”
Talya cocked her head. “Do you want to be with him?”
She debated revealing the truth, but there was something about Talya that invited confidence. Besides, Renee suggested she speak with Talya so there must be something to be gained. “More than I’ve wanted anything in my alter life and I hate myself for it. But he and I pretty much agreed not to see each other again because of the wars. Now this.” She lifted her hand once more, but it was still empty of iridescent color and movement. “I keep thinking the wolf-sign will appear, but it doesn’t.”
“It’s new to you.” Talya shifted her gaze to the simple universal altar. Natalie did the same. The chapel didn’t reflect any one religion or belief-system. Above the altar was a large woodcarving of what looked like flowing water. It was mounted on a gray stone wall.
She leaned back in the comfortable pew and waited for Talya’s response. The sense she had of the woman was one of serenity, a very unusual quality in Five Bridges.
Finally, Talya began, “Since coming to Agnes’s compound, which I love, I’ve been asking myself what my purpose is, as an alter fae, in Five Bridges.” She released a sigh but didn’t continue.
Natalie was curious to know what she’d concluded. “Did you come up with an answer?”
“No.” Talya laughed. “Life just sort of happens, doesn’t it? I was a cop before the serum hit and I loved my job. My transformation was a total cliché. The serum was in a box of donuts. Six officers went through the change. Five of us survived, including my husband, and here I am. That was three years ago.”
“I remember the incident. You must be a Border Patrol officer then.”
“I was until my gift kicked in about a year ago. I would be making an arrest and have a vision. I couldn’t control it back then. I got shot on three separate occasions and was asked to step down.”
She’d said it so matter-of-factly that Natalie was taken aback. “Three times?”
She laughed again. “Non-fatal.”
“Can you control the visions now?”
“Yes, but I won’t be allowed back on the force. It’s been tough. I feel like I was made for police work.”
“I’m so sorry.”
“I still don’t have a clear purpose for these visions. Like right now. I want to help you, but all I have is a portrait. I don’t know where your wolf should lead you except—”
“Except—?”
“I know this is going to sound odd, but you looked really happy in this vision. Maybe this is simple. How did you feel when this wolf of yours showed up?”
This wolf of hers. Natalie’s thoughts shifted immediately to Grant and to the Cloister Garden. She allowed herself to experience what she’d first felt when she saw him in the dreamglide. “When Grant was walking on the grass barefoot in Mont St. Michel, I felt like the world would never be the same again. I felt, well I might as well say it, euphoric.”
Talya chuckled. “Okay, that wasn’t quite what I meant but I think it’s an important clue here. What I was asking about was when your inner-wolf, your spectral wolf, made a sudden appearance. What did you feel like then?”
Natalie felt her cheeks grow warm. That her thoughts had gone first to Grant, made her feel embarrassed, like she’d revealed too much.
“Huh.”
“What?” Natalie asked.
“Well, it seems to me that Grant means something to you.”
“That’s not possible. I don’t even know him.”
“I don’t think that matters. This is Five Bridges and you’re no longer just human. Maybe the greater issue here is that you haven’t given yourself fully to what it is to be an alter fae.”
Natalie felt something in her heart give way like a trap door beneath her that suddenly fell open. What slid through was a whole lot of fear and self-doubt. She was completely overwhelmed. But what did Talya mean that she hadn’t given herself completely to being an alter fae?
Talya kept her gaze on the candles. “I have a confession to make. I went to gifted people, good alters, from each territory, hoping to find someone who could remove my vision ability. Of course, they weren’t all honorable. One warlock with striking gray eyes suggested a good amount of time spent in his bed might take care of the problem. He was a conceited ass. But when I refused his offer, he almost charmed me anyway. And when I still refused, he stopped trying to seduce me and told me his philosophy. I’ve held to it since. I would even say it brought me some peace. Do you want to know what he said?”
“Yes. Please.”
“It wasn’t elegant at all so brace yourself. He said something like, “Only an idiot would refuse a rise in power, especially in our world. Power means survival.”
Natalie sucked in a deep breath. “Oh, God, he’s right. Even Renee said I was in a battle for survival. But why me?”
“Maybe because you can make a difference. You’re one of the good alters. And you have courage. I can attest to that. As to why you’re suddenly part-wolf, who knows? I will say this, every time I offer a portrait-vision, good things come of it. Just keep being brave.”
Natalie glanced at her. “There’s something I’ve wanted to ask you.”
“Sure. Anything.”
“Why were you in the Graveyard that night? Had those wolves attacked you in Revel then taken you out there? Because I can’t imagine you went out to no-man’s-land on your own.”
“No, I definitely wouldn’t have done that. I believe I was hunted because of my vision-gift and maybe because of my sister and her gifts.”
“The one who died?”
“Yes. I was abducted from my front yard and taken to a gambling house though I have no idea which one.”
“Was it The Sapphire Club?”
She shrugged. “I have no way of knowing. I was kept in a darkened room and I was completely out of it because they’d shot me up with sapphire flame. I’m sure they believed it would enhance any futurist abilities I possessed. Unfortunately, it didn’t work for my very limited skill.
“The wolves got mad and I think they were scared. They kept talking about how the boss wasn’t going to like it that I wouldn’t be able to provide futurist visions for them.
“When the big man himself came in, they all got quiet. The drug had hold of me. I felt like I had lightning in my veins but mud in my muscles. I couldn’t move. I could barely think.
“He told them to get rid of me. They put me in the back of a Jeep and took me to the Graveyard. I thought they’d rape me, instead, their pleasure seemed to be in going wolf and ripping my body to shreds. I don’t know how I survived the attack. I’m having nightmares.”
Natalie could tell the recounting had agitated her. She covered her hand and gave it a squeeze. “That would be normal.”
“I know. Recovery will be a process, but I’m so angry.”
“Who was their boss?”
“Someone named Kryder. He’s an alpha of one of the Savage Packs.”
“I know all about Kryder. He’s the alpha of Grant’s pack.”
Talya glanced at her. “Seriously?”
“Kryder’s a bad man. The worst. Grant says he routinely seduces then rapes the youngest members of the packs, gender being unimportant. That’s just one of his many crimes. Grant’s only goal is to bring Kryder down, to defeat him in a dominance battle and take over the pack.”
“I hope he succeeds.”
“I do, too.”
“So, what do you think you’ll do?” Talya asked.
“I never thought I’d say this, but I think I need to have another talk with Grant.”
Talya cocked her head. “No time like the present.”
Natalie drew a deep, steadying breath. “I’ll do it now.”
She rose to her feet and moved closer to the altar. She stared at the wood and the water-like waves as she accessed her telepathy and sent a message straight to Grant. She sensed he was no longer in Savage or in Revel. The location seemed more like Elegance. She wondered what he was doing there. Grant?
I’m here.
For a moment, she couldn’t think. Even his telepathic voice had a low rumble that afflicted the back of her knees. She forced herself to take another breath. I need to see you. Um…there’s been a development.
Same here.
His response surprised her. Really?
Yes. I’ve been trying to find out more information about the presence you mentioned. In fact, I’m with a warlock right now who thinks he can help figure this out. Would you be willing to see him? Consult with him? It would mean a certain level of engagement, but he might be able to confirm and perhaps even identify your stalker.
For a second, she was disappointed, not in seeing someone else as well but that Grant had a specific reason to want to see her as opposed to just wanting to see her. She was being foolish. I’m at Agnes’s chapel in her compound. We’ve still got some time before dawn. Can you come now?
He wanted you to come to his place.
She thought for a moment. It’s safe here, Grant. Agnes’s compound is like a fortress.
You’re right. It is. Let me see if he’s willing to travel.
She waited as he spoke to the warlock. When he came back on, he said, Neil, the warlock I mentioned, is willing but he doesn’t have a lot of time, so we’ll need to get to it.
I understand. She didn’t exactly, but she could work with whatever was going on.
We’ll be there in a few. Also, we’re flying in. It might be best if you let Agnes know we’ve been invited. She knows both of us.
I’ll alert her. I’m sure there won’t be a problem. But if she has a concern, I’ll get right back to you.
Okay. We won’t be long.
Natalie felt Grant disconnect. She realized her heart was pounding in her chest. She’d even broken a sweat. She glanced at the back of her hand and there it was, the beginning of her wolf, a sliver of iridescence in a strip across the back of her right hand.
She showed it to Talya who seemed surprised. “That’s really something and so beautiful.”
“I suppose it is.” She forced it away, however. For whatever reason, she didn’t want Grant to see her wolf-sign. The whole thing embarrassed her.
She contacted Agnes telepathically and received permission for the men to come into the compound and join them at the chapel. Agnes said she would let the guards at the front gate know they were coming.
Agnes took no chances when it came to her well-protected compound. She had several guards constantly patrolling the area as well as a high-tech electronic surveillance system. A grid covered the cottages that formed a large U-shape at the back of the property so that no one could even fly over without her system being alerted.
Once Agnes confirmed the guards had been informed, Natalie turned back to Talya and told her what was going on, including that a warlock would be joining them.
Talya’s auburn brows rose. She was a beautiful woman and getting healthier by the moment. “You say his name is Neil? Is that his last name?”
Natalie shrugged. “I have no idea. Why?”
Talya’s lips quirked. “I think the asshole’s name was Neil.”
“Oh, dear.” But Natalie grinned.
“I should stop calling him that. After all, it was only his opening lines that made me think bad of him. Like I said, once he got real, that’s when he almost seduced me, though I didn’t tell him that. He has a unique look, too. Wavy black hair, thick to his shoulders. His features are very striking, and he has unusual gray eyes. You’ll have to tell me what you think once he gets here.”
“I will.” Natalie searched Talya’s face. “He got to you. I mean, he really did.”
“Yeah. After that initial encounter, I had vivid dreams about him. I even wondered if he’d used a spell on me. But after a while, it all faded. I have thought about him, though. The thing is, I’ll probably excuse myself once they get here. I’d leave now, but I’d like to see Grant again, get a feel for him myself in case you want to talk later. Though I confess I’m a bit used up.”
Natalie was surprised by her reaction to these relatively innocent comments. What shot through her mind first was that she did not want Talya ‘getting a feel’ for Grant. She knew what Talya meant, but the words themselves conjured very different images.
She finally said, “I’m not sure what all is going on with me, but it might be best if you kept your distance from the wolf.”
Again, Talya’s brows rose. She nodded slowly. “I’ll make a point of it.”
Natalie released a sigh that came out like it was crossing a series of speed bumps. How ridiculous to be so relieved. “Thank you,” was all she could think to say.
The anticipation of seeing Grant again coupled with the worrisome thought that Neil, the warlock, could discover if she had an invisible entity spying on her, focused her thoughts on what Neil would have to say.
Her gaze drifted along the back wall of the chapel. There was a beautiful stained-glass window in a long arch over the double doors and walls. Light from the foyer beyond lit it up.
Natalie was grateful for something to focus on. The scene was a landscape of rolling hills, blue sky, and trees with lots of violet, blue and green hues throughout. It was lovely.
For a moment, she forgot her worries until of course she heard masculine voices in the foyer and both doors opened.
The men walked through.
She heard Talya’s soft gasp and felt her fingers suddenly entwine with Natalie’s.
Natalie squeezed in response. Odd tears bit her eyes as her gaze settled on Grant. The chapel was small with only a dozen rows of seats and aisles down each side. The distance was no more than thirty feet.
She couldn’t take her eyes off Grant as he moved to the top of the closest aisle and made his march in her direction. Instinctively, she released Talya’s hand and held out both of hers to him. When he reached her, he took them in his firm grip. His fingers were warm as he nodded to her.
She had that same, familiar sensation of coming home.
She released his hands. “You remember Talya.”
Grant smiled and extended a hand to the fae. She took it which caused Natalie a twinge of jealousy, a sensation she loathed. “How are you doing? You look fantastic. You’ve healed up quickly and I don’t see a single sign of sapphire flame.”
“I’m feeling incredible given how recently I was in the ER. Emma has an amazing healing gift. Agnes gave me a treatment here as well that helped remove the drug from my system. She’s amazing.”
“That she is.” Grant then turned slightly in Neil’s direction. “Natalie, you know Neil.”
“I do.” Natalie shook his hand.
Neil turned to Talya. “Well, hello there.”
His obvious interest made Natalie smile.
“Actually,” Talya said. “Neil and I have met, about a year ago.”
“That we have.” His lips quirked. “As I recall, I was being an ass.”
Talya chuckled. “Yes, you were. But your advice was solid. I took it to heart.”
“Glad to hear it.”
Natalie saw what Talya meant about Neil being a striking man. It was more than his looks. He had an aura about him, of devastating ease and strength. The only thing that marred his appearance were the shadows beneath his eyes. She wondered if he’d been ill recently.
A soft growl next to Natalie, brought her attention sharply to Grant. She lifted her brows in question but said nothing.
Stop looking at him. You’re throwing off lemons and mint.
You’re jealous. The words came out in the form of a statement she instantly regretted. Yet she knew the same sensation extremely well.
There’s no point in denying it. I am. Whatever this is between you and me, I’m not handling it well. Neil said he would need to have physical contact with you and it angers my wolf.
She watched fur appear suddenly on the lines of his cheeks.
She drew closer to him and slid her hand in his. I understand. I do. Talya mentioned wanting to see you again, to ‘get a feel for you’, and I was ready to scratch her eyes out.
She met his gaze, and his lips curved softly. She had a sudden urge to touch his long braid and run her fingers the length.
More mint and lemons.
Yeah, well, you’re smelling like a pile of fresh-cut sawdust yourself.
He blinked a couple of times then looked away from her.
She understood and shifted her focus to Talya and Neil who’d been conversing. She heard Neil say, “I’m glad they were both there to get you out of the Graveyard. I can see you’re doing well, though.”
“I am.” Talya glanced at Natalie. “But I will excuse myself now. My bed is calling for me. I hope to see you again.”
Neil took her outstretched hand. For a moment, she thought he meant to lift Talya’s fingers to his lips. Instead, he released her hand with, “Sleep well.”
“Thank you.”
Talya kissed Natalie on the cheek then thanked Grant once again for risking his life as he had to save her. He nodded as she moved past them both. When she reached the doors and just before she passed through, she took one last look at Neil.
Natalie was now alone with a wolf and a warlock and with the hope she’d soon discover who had been spying on her.