Chapter Ten
Braden stared at Greg. He didn’t quite believe what the wolf had asked him. He stood in the center of over thirty shifters, male and female, who lived in Maeve’s refuge. “You want me to stay in Elegance and create a pack of Landing wolves?”
“That’s what I’m saying, yes. As much as each of us would like to be back in Savage, we’re committed to supporting Maeve however we can. We’d all be dead but for her diligence in the Graveyard every night. Besides, we’ve gotten a taste for getting rid of dark coven witches and we think we might have a mission for our pack. What do you say?”
It was simple. “I have a pack waiting for me in Savage.”
Greg’s lips grew into a tight line. “Permission to speak freely?”
Braden nodded, though he steeled himself.
Greg’s nostrils elongated and flared. “You haven’t lived in Savage for a long time now. Seems to me, maybe you’ve already made a change. You just haven’t seen it for what it is. That, and we all think Maeve could use some grit like yours.”
“I agree with the last part, but not the first. I came to Elegance to get justice for my wife’s death. Once I have it, I’m committed to return. I’ve seen my wolves every month. They’re expecting me to resume my duties and I want to. I’m also now convinced Veyda’s my wife’s killer, so it’s only a matter of time before I draw my investigation to a close.
“Sorry, Greg.” He glanced around the group. “But my decision stands.”
For the first time, however, he wondered just how hard it would be to pry Maeve from the Landing. Whether she understood it or not, she’d established herself as a force in Elegance.
Greg, and his pack’s bond with her, was no small thing. He would have offered for them to join his Savage pack, but he already knew the answer. Maeve was it for these fur-bearers.
He thanked the wolves for their dedication and for their offer. Greg said he understood. The wolves nodded in accord.
He’d already turned to head back to the main building, when Maeve’s voice entered his head. I’m in my spellroom. I have something to tell you.
On my way.
His first reaction to hearing her telepathic voice involved a swell of affection and excitement. Maeve had wanted to spend some time alone with Kiara, though Braden had been reluctant to leave her side. Now that he’d committed to her, he didn’t want to be apart, especially not until he’d persuaded her to bond with him as his alpha-mate.
His second response, as he entered the main building and walked down the broad central hall, was that he knew something was wrong. Had Kiara told her things about Veyda that Maeve didn’t know? If so, this could be a good thing. But why was his woman so distressed?
He’d already decided Veyda needed to be hunted down and the truth forced from her. He’d seen Maeve in action. If she wasn’t already, she would soon become Veyda’s equal in power and ability. It was no wonder Veyda had tried to force her into her dark coven early on.
But why had Veyda want him dead?
As he approached Maeve’s apartment and harnessed his new warlock powers, suddenly the pieces fell into place. He’d been the instrument of bringing Maeve’s powers to the fore. Veyda must have tapped into the future enough to discover his role in Maeve’s life.
He located the protective spell outside Maeve’s apartment and this time crossed the boundary easily. As he descended the spiral steps, he felt something brush his shoulder. But when he turned to face the intruder, no one was there
He took a moment to reach out with what warlock senses he’d developed, yet he found nothing.
He grew very still. His cheekbones elongated as he sniffed the air. But all he scented was Maeve’s soft lemon and lavender fragrance.
He put his feet back in motion, crossed the living room then headed down the second curved stairwell.
By the time he reached the bottom, he knew something was terribly wrong.
For one thing, he’d never seen that particular expression on Maeve’s face. Her cheeks looked drawn, almost sunken and the light blue of her eyes had dulled out, clouds on a usually sunny day. “What’s wrong? Are you upset about Kiara? She’ll be okay. You’ll see.”
She shook her head. She didn’t meet his gaze either. For a half second, he wondered if she was drugged.
She gestured with an uneven wave of her hand toward her workbench. The wood surface was pristine except for two small ceramic dishes, one black, one white. “I made something for you.”
He sniffed the air. “It smells bad.”
“I know. But it’s for you.”
He found it difficult to read either Maeve or the situation. She definitely wasn’t herself. And why had she made something for him that smelled like it could eat through metal? The stench at Veyda’s kill room had carried a similar odor.
He approached the table. She drew close as well. Using a bay leaf, she swiped it over what looked like green toothpaste. “Hold out your arm.”
He trusted her, so he did as she commanded. “Are you sure?”
“Yes. Please turn your arm over, palm up. Good. That will do.”
She drew close and flipped the bay leaf over, paste down. She pressed the substance onto his arm.
He didn’t feel anything at first, then the paste began to heat up. She peeled the bay leaf off and suddenly the mixture began to burn. “What have you done? Maeve? Get this off me.”
The burn became a flame eating into his skin. The pain had him shouting. She moved out of the way as he ran to the sink. He turned on the water and slid his arm underneath, but the flow seemed to intensify the spell. He grabbed a paper towel to try to get rid of the paste, but by then his skin was bubbling and bleeding. The pain was so severe, he shouted.
He turned to her. “Maeve! Help me! Get this off me!”
She stood very still. Tears poured down her cheeks.
“Maeve!”
He held his arm. He shouted. He screamed.
Finally, she moved to the white dish. Using another bay leaf, she scooped up a creamy substance the color of eggshells. She approached him. “Hold out your arm. This will stop the spell.”
He had no choice.
The moment the cream touched the burn, it eased quickly into all parts of the wound and the pain ceased. He watched the tissue heal swiftly and his skin come back together as though nothing had happened.
When the pain was gone, he had sweat pouring off every inch of his skin. He wiped his forehead with the sleeve of his t-shirt. He was breathing hard and his heart pounded. The residual effect of the pain had him shaking with adrenaline. He could smell the poisonous paste, as well as his burned flesh, hanging in the air. He hadn’t imagined it.
He stood very still, staring at her. “What’s going on? Why did you just do this to me?” He wasn’t sure he’d ever be able to trust her again.
Maeve grabbed tissues from the box on the counter, wiped her face and blew her nose. “That’s what Veyda did to your wife. To Laura. I was there. I’m remembering now. I remember it all.”
He still struggled to breathe. Why was she talking about Laura? He already knew she’d been tortured.
He leaned against the sink. “I know Veyda hurt her like this, but why did you do this to me?”
“Because I need you to know just a small part of what she suffered that night otherwise you’ll never understand.”
“Why?” The question seemed critical. Yet, he wasn’t sure he wanted to hear the answer.
She started talking again about that night, about standing near Veyda, of hearing her voice in her head, of watching the dark fog roll away from the victim’s body. “Braden. It was Laura.”
A terrible sensation descended on him, like he was caught in a nightmare he couldn’t escape.
“Laura begged me to end her suffering. She was in more pain than you can imagine. Even though I’ve given you a taste of what she endured, try to picture the same poison all over your torso and your thighs. Can you do that?”
He nodded very slowly.
Maeve continued. “I crossed to the platform and climbed the steps. One of the witches gave me the ceremonial knife.” She gestured in front of her as though she could see the past as clearly as she could the present. She shifted her gaze to meet his. “But the poison was designed not to penetrate to the organs. Do you understand what that means? The death is slow, beyond any kind of agony you and I can imagine. The same poison eats through the muscle all the way to the bone, but it’s not life-threatening until hours have passed and it bleeds into the bone, then the blood supply.”
He looked at his now healed arm. He’d felt the burning chewing up his muscles as well. He rubbed his arm, trying to make the memory go away. “But why did you do this to me?”
“I needed you to have a frame of reference for what happened that night.”
He knew the rest of what she’d done. She’d told him. He’d helped her recover her memory.
But there was something else he wasn’t seeing.
His gaze dropped to her hands. “You said the witch gave you a blade?”
A terrible vibration passed through him as he finally understood what she was trying to tell him. “You were the witch who killed my wife.”
More tears flowed down Maeve’s cheeks. Her skin was white as porcelain. “Laura was screaming and I could smell her burning flesh. Veyda said she planned to take Laura to the pyre and burn her slowly if I didn’t do it. I knew she would follow through on her threat. I couldn’t let her continue to torture the woman strapped down on the killing table. That’s all I knew. I couldn’t let the poison continue to eat away at her flesh causing more pain than either you or I could ever comprehend.”
Maeve shook her head back and forth. “Laura was so brave. So grateful. I had the knife in my hand. I lifted both hands high overhead, the way Veyda was positioned above Kiara’s when we entered the killing room. Only there was no one to rescue Laura. There was just me with the chance to save her hours of agony. I didn’t want to do it, Braden. But I could see through to the bones of her thighs and her pelvis, her ribs. There was blood everywhere. Her muscles were being liquified. That’s why I gave you a taste of it. I needed you to know why I took Laura’s life.”
He now had the clearest possible picture of the night his wife had died. He had the murderess in his sights. He’d been hunting for Maeve all this time, the woman who had wielded the blade that drove the last bit of life from Laura’s body.
As he watched her blow her nose, he shook his head. What horrible twist of fate had caused this thing to happen that he’d fallen in love with her?
The night he’d discovered Laura had died, he’d made himself a simple promise. He would have vengeance for those responsible for her death.
He moved swiftly, before she could do anything. He slid one arm around her waist and with his free hand, he caught her throat with his fingers. Fur sprouted, wolf claws formed. He sunk them in. She was bleeding at her throat before he’d formed the thought to take his revenge.
Braden. Just do it. End this torment for me. You have a right exact my life for hers.
The last thing he’d expected was for her to acquiesce to his judgment.
He eased up on his stranglehold. She coughed and sputtered, though he didn’t release her entirely.
She burst into tears again, but her voice was once more in his head. She was so good and kind. Afterward, she stayed in her spirit form and led me to safety, to Kiara. Why would she do that? I was part of the whole thing.
“What do you mean? Explain.”
She coughed a few more times then spoke aloud. “I was still drugged and exhausted from firing my killing power that night. The room was in flames. All the witches were gone. I didn’t know where I was or how to get out of there.
“Laura came to me in her ghost form and led me by the hand from the house. Veyda would have killed me otherwise. She took me to Kiara’s. I didn’t remember any of this until about a half hour ago. Braden, I wish I was dead. Why did this have to happen? To me? To her? To any of us? Oh, God, I wish I was dead.”
Braden felt a numbness invade his heart. Everything he’d just heard and experienced had forced him to relive Laura’s death all over again.
He did the only sensible thing he could think of. He took her in his arms and held her. He’d hurt her and he could feel the wet of her blood on his neck and throat. In his pain, in his rage, he’d hurt her.
Gone, however, was the tenderness he’d once felt for Maeve. She couldn’t relax against him either. She felt stiff in his arms and he sensed her feelings of worthlessness because she’d been Veyda’s instrument that night. She’d killed three women and one of them had been the kindest soul Braden had ever known. So kind, she’d returned in spirit form to lead Maeve to safety.
How much that sounded like the wife of his heart, the woman he’d shared his life with before and after the alter transformation had ruined their human plans and dreams.
Eventually, he released Maeve. She stepped away then sank down to sit in a chair near the sink. It backed up to the wall.
He had to leave her now. He was more grateful than he could say that he hadn’t bonded with her. Maeve didn’t deserve death for her part in his wife’s murder, but he couldn’t stay with her either.
He levitated slowly up the stairs. He still had his hotel room. He thought it might be best to head there now, get some distance.
Yet as he used his warlock-senses and crossed the protective spell into the broad hallway, there was one thing he wanted to do before he left.
He headed to the right and down the hall that led to the Landing’s emergency services, the place he’d been brought while close to death.
He made a left before the E.R. and headed to Kiara’s room.
He found her sitting up. Because she bore a strange expression on her face, he asked, “What’s wrong? What’s happened?”
She gestured to her left.
Braden turned and felt his fur appear once more along his cheeks, neck and the backs of his hands. Standing behind the chair was Laura in spirit form. She wore her favorite blue jeans and a red tank top. She looked as beautiful as he remembered, with her long dark hair floating around her shoulders.
He immediately moved toward her, but she lifted her hand and he stopped. Her voice, more melodious than Maeve’s, was in his head. If you come closer, I’ll have to leave. It’s one of the rules. And I am including Kiara in this conversation.
What are you doing here? His heart swelled at the sight of her. All the love he’d ever felt for her rose to the surface of his mind, his body, and yes, his spirit too.
She smiled, her beautiful grin that had always squeezed his heart. Making sure you don’t do something idiotic. You must forgive her, my love. Maeve performed a tremendous service for me that night. My spirit had already gone to the other side. I won’t go into the pain I experienced, though I think it was smart of Maeve to let you feel the poison yourself. My life had run its course and she saved me from hours of agony. But what I need to say to you is that it wounded Maeve severely to take my life, as necessary as it was. Do you understand? It broke her mind and her heart. It will destroy her completely unless you help her through this.
He could only nod. He was in shock at seeing her, at hearing her voice once more inside his mind. He would have given anything to take her in his arms, but her physical body was no longer there.
Braden. Focus and hear me! Stop thinking about me as I was. I’m no longer that woman. But Maeve needs you. She blocked these memories because of her tender heart. You must help her through this if she’s to survive and become the force Five Bridges needs her to be. She’s spent all these months saving other people, including you. Now you must return the favor. Go to her and save her.
I’m going to say good-bye now. You have my blessings and enjoy your children.
Laura, don’t go.
She grinned again. Nonsense. I must. One last thing, Veyda is in Maeve’s spellroom. Get over yourself and go save our girl.
With that, she offered one last smile, blew him a kiss then vanished.
He knew without having to be told that she’d only returned to offer this one last service, not to him, but to Maeve.
He glanced at Kiara, who in turn added her voice to Laura’s. “Go to Maeve, Braden! She’s in danger. Veyda’s here and she came with one purpose: To kill Maeve. Go!”
~ ~ ~
Maeve had never been more grateful for anything in her life than seeing the bitch, Veyda, in her spellroom. She didn’t know how she’d gotten in or when. She didn’t care. She was pretty sure Veyda had witnessed her use of the poisoned paste on Braden. She must have enjoyed those few moments when Braden shouted in pain.
She could see Veyda now and Maeve wanted her wiped from the face of the planet. She’d hurt so many people, destroyed so many lives, and had made Maeve’s conscience a fiery thing she’d have to live with the rest of her life.
Veyda stood near the stone steps. She was tall for a woman, about Maeve’s height. Her hair was blond and wrapped in braids on top of her head. She wore a shimmering dark blue gown. Her eyes were black and held an unholy light. She wasn’t a lost soul. She was damned.
She’d recovered from the recent burns Maeve had inflicted, but the green flames on her neck and cheeks had darkened. The woman was full of emerald flame. Maeve could smell it on her.
Veyda’s gaze took in the wall of canisters as she stepped slowly into the spellroom. “Not bad for a beginner.”
Maeve remained near the end of the sink counter, her back to the wall.
There was one question, however, she wanted Veyda to answer. “Why did you kill Frank? He was a good man. He’d never hurt anybody in his life.”
“Simple. I didn’t want you to have any attachments to the human world.”
“But we’d said our good-byes. He was leaving Five Bridges forever. You must have known that.”
“Yes. I saw your farewells.” Veyda moved to the wood cupboard opposite the sink but adjacent to the shelves with all the canisters. She ran her fingertips over each implement as though claiming them. Maybe she thought she was.
Maeve slowly accessed her killing power. She had no intention of aligning herself with Veyda and she didn’t mind if the encounter with the bitch from hell ended in her own death. She was ready.
“You were so new to Five Bridges, I felt certain you’d cave and summon him back here. But I needed you with me, devoted to our coven.”
Maeve could have responded. Instead, she stayed in a quiet watchful place, building her power.
She was going to battle this woman to the death. She knew it now as surely as Veyda continued to handle her tools. Though she carried Braden’s children, even they weren’t safe so long as Veyda lived. No one was. It was time to take her down or die trying.
“You should see my spellroom, then you would know what a real witch does to create potions. By the way, how did you duplicate my paste poison? Although I liked the bit of mint you added.” Veyda shifted her gaze sideways to Maeve.
Maeve saw no reason not to tell her the truth. “By smell.”
Veyda may have murmured a couple of invectives. Maeve wasn’t sure. “Are you having wolf-like responses to things? Is that it? Has Officer Braden infected you with his dog-like attributes?”
Maeve’s mind made the leap. “You wanted Braden dead because he might bond with me.”
“It was one possible future.” She moved back to the glass canisters and turned to lean her hips against the wood counter. She now faced Maeve. “I had a sensitive fae in my employ who alerted me to Braden’s possible influence in your life. Though she’s not with me anymore. She was one of the women you took out of my prison.” She clucked her tongue. “You shouldn’t have done that, you know. I’m very angry with you.”
Maeve snorted in disbelief. “You’re angry? You abducted me and I killed Braden’s wife because of your sick, twisted perversions. You tortured Kiara. Then you and your pals tried to kill Braden in the Graveyard. No, I’m the one who’s angry.”
“Good. You should always hold your rage close. Fury is a witch’s best friend. It will keep you focused.”
Maeve was ready to take the woman on. But not in her spellroom. The power of her killing arm could shatter all the glass canisters and she didn’t know what would happen if the ingredients came together with two powerful witches in one room. She could end up significantly, if accidentally, giving the bitch a power boost.
Though she was reluctant to reveal her burrow to Veyda, she had no other choice. Besides, the close proximity could help her do what needed to be done.
She would do everything she could to come out of the confrontation alive, for the sake of her babies. But more than anything right now, Veyda had to disappear off the face of the earth.
She moved swiftly to the burrow door, opened it then slipped inside.
She heard Veyda laugh. “Where do you think you’re going? Did you think you can escape me? I know that space is a dead end.”
Maeve moved to the back of the burrow and faced the doorway.
Slowly Veyda opened the door. “What an idiotic move.”
The moment the witch was in plain view, Maeve let loose with her killing power.
Veyda screamed in pain, then returned fire with her own deadly, blood red stream of energy.
Maeve met the power with the force of her will and her rage. Gold and red sparks flew up toward the rock ceiling. She could feel the plants recoiling all around her, but she couldn’t help the damage that would be done.
She also sensed that Braden was nearby. He’d come back to her apartment.
Maybe she had a chance after all.
She didn’t hesitate to reach out to him. I’ve got Veyda in the burrow and I’m not letting her leave except on her back, eyes wide open, her heart at a dead stop. I could use your help, though. You might want to put a spell together. I suggest you use a touch of emerald flame. Either that, or stay the hell out of here.
Got it. Braden’s deep telepathic voice heightened Maeve’s determination.
Maeve continued to fire her killing power. Yet, she knew Veyda had tremendous ability and eventually Maeve would be in serious trouble.
It came sooner than she expected as she watched Veyda’s right hand flick in her direction.
The next moment, Maeve’s power faltered and Veyda drew her own back. Maeve fell, or perhaps floated, onto the nearby furs. Her mind spun in beautiful circles.
This felt and smelled very familiar. She remembered now. This was how Veyda had abducted her the first time. She now knew the ingredients and one of them was emerald flame.
She tried to reach Braden, but couldn’t. She just hoped to hell he could set aside his abhorrence of the drug and take care of business. He was a noble man and wouldn’t leave here as long as Veyda was present in Maeve’s home. Yet, he would need the added boost to have even a small chance of defeating the demon witch.
In the meantime, Veyda moved to hover nearby, smiling in triumph.
You’ll be mine, soon, Maeve. And you will join my coven.
~ ~ ~
Braden stood in front of the glass canisters and accessed his warlock-sense. He knew Maeve was in trouble. He’d felt her fall beneath one of Veyda’s spells.
He had to work fast. He wasn’t sure what Veyda planned to do, but it wouldn’t be good. When he heard her start chanting, his heartrate doubled.
He also had to subdue his wolf. The sheer physicality of his wolf-life, as well as his time as a Border Patrol officer, demanded he act.
If he did, however, they’d both die. He needed warlock cunning right now, not wolf brawn.
He pulled five glass containers from the shelves as though he’d been creating spells his entire life. He dipped into each one, took out a portion that felt right, then dumped it into the nearby mortar.
When he had the correct mixture assembled, he stared down into the marble bowl. He was missing one ingredient. He could sense it as though the letters were carved into the smooth surface of the stone: Emerald flame.
He hated this drug more than the others because he’d seen the results of its abuse in Savage. As a result, he’d had a zero-tolerance policy in his pack.
But if he was to save the woman he loved and the children she carried, it was the only way.
He took the container from the fridge and using tweezers as Maeve had done, he removed three grains exactly. He added these to the compound and ground away with the pestle.
It didn’t take long. He poured the dry compound into another ceramic bowl, held his breath as he added just enough water, then mixed and drank.
The potion bubbled down his throat.
When it hit his wolf’s stomach, it turned to lightning and spread through his veins. The flame drug had enhanced the potion a hundred-fold.
He lifted his left hand, stunned. He felt a warlock’s killing power forming. Only this time, he was using his wolf’s physical strength as well. He embraced this new ability and turned in the direction of the closed burrow door.
He crossed swiftly and with a powerful kick of his foot, knocked the door flat. It landed flat on the stone floor next to the bed of furs.
Veyda, who was hovering over Maeve and chanting, whipped in his direction. In the same split-second, she fired a red bolt of her own killing power. But it was as though the terrible witch energy moved in slow-motion.
Braden flipped his hand up and a gleaming gold stream shot back and caught the red stream. Sparks flew everywhere.
“So, you’ve used the flame drug. Sorry, but it won’t be enough.”
He didn’t bother to respond. Instead, while keeping his killing energy at full-bore, he moved toward her one careful, determined step at a time. Maeve, you there?
Barely.
We’ll need to do this together. Focus on your wolf, not your witch. You need your physical strength right now to escape the spell and Veyda’s not counting on that. But don’t move until you can leap to your feet and start firing. We can do this together.
I’m with you and I’m feeling it. My wolf wants to howl.
Good.
The whole time, Braden kept inching toward Veyda. Sparks still flew as he kept her distracted. The witch had miscalculated one thing in this equation, his trust in Maeve and that they’d journeyed almost to the point of mating.
He held his power steady and wasn’t surprised to watch Veyda taking a step backward then another. He saw sweat bead on her forehead.
She flicked her right hand in his direction.
The spell touched him, then fell away. Ironically, emerald flame had protected him.
But Veyda fought hard. She increased the stream of her power. This time, he was forced back several steps. Maeve was to the right of them both. He could feel her strength rising.
I’m ready, Braden. Tell me what to do.
She’ll try to use her spell on you again, so keep your wolf in the dominant position. Also, try to stay a step behind me. But when you rise from the furs, get as close to me as you can and start firing.
Say when.
Braden smiled at Veyda. “Time to die, Bitch.” Okay, Maeve, when!
From his peripheral, he watched her jump to her feet, a seamless move combined with wolf precision. She let loose with her fierce killing power at the exact same moment so that now two golden, glimmering streams of power flowed toward Veyda.
The dark witch’s eyes went wide as she started backing up. But the space was small in Maeve’s burrow and the stone wall of the cave stopped her.
Sweat poured down her face as she tried to counter both their killing streams at once. When she lifted her right hand to throw another spell toward Maeve, Braden adjusted the flow of his power and pinned her arm to the wall.
She started to scream. Her arm withered then simply disappeared.
The flow of her power began to ebb. Both he and Maeve moved toward her.
Braden knew they had her now. “You deserve worse than this, Veyda, for all the suffering you’ve caused.”
Unlike her, he had no interest in torture. So, instead of prolonging the moment, he added a boost of wolf power. The flow of his killing stream finished hers off. Without her killing power to protect her, his gold stream broke through to her chest then pierced her all the way through.
She threw her head back as if to scream, but she had no lungs left to deliver the air.
With her mouth wide open and her neck arched, she slid down the wall to the floor. Her chest was a gaping, smoking hole.
He lowered his arm. Maeve did the same. She held her nose. “The smell.”
“Rancid. Just like the woman.”
He took her arm and wheeled her out of the burrow. “I’ll get my wolves to take care of her carcass. I don’t want you near her.”
“Your wolves? You mean in Savage?”
“No. Greg and his crew.”
Once in the spellroom, he closed the door.
His wolves.
Funny how life could change so quickly. He hadn’t mean his Savage wolves at all. He’d meant his wolves at the Landing.
He still didn’t want Maeve anywhere near the witch’s remains. So, he guided her up the stairs and back to her living room.
He got on his phone and called Greg to let him know the witch was dead and that he needed the pack’s help to remove the body.
Greg gave a shout, then started to howl in celebration.
“We’re on our way.” He could hear the other wolves join in as well. He took Maeve’s arm and piloted her up the second set of spiral stone steps.
By the time he stepped across the purple protection spell, he saw the wolves as a pack coming toward the building. They were still howling and carrying on.
Maeve tugged on his arm. He glanced at her then watched as she got rid of her security spell. “They’ll need access to the stairs.”
“Good thinking.”
As the howling wolves drew closer, Braden threw his own head back and released a long howl punctuated with yips. The wolves joined him. The hallway beyond soon flooded with the rest of the Landing residents.
Word got out and there was more applause and cheers than he’d heard in a long time.
Maeve kept throwing her head back. He understood. “You should howl with us. It’ll feel good. Real good.”
He slid his hand down her arm and slapped his palm against hers, then held on.
She glanced at their clasped hands. But Braden…
We’ll sort things out. Right now, damn, we’re going to celebrate. The witch is dead.
During a lull in the howls, Braden shouted at the top of his lungs, “Veyda is dead!”
A renewed cheering and howling commenced. Maeve joined in, a sound that sent joy piercing Braden’s heart. He understood everything now and he saw his future as clearly as any path he’d ever taken.
The wolves lifted him up onto their shoulders then Maeve. They were fortunate the ceiling was so tall.
More howling, then Greg led the party outside.
After ordering two of his men to take care of Veyda’s remains, Greg shouted for the rest to light the bonfires.
Once on their feet, Braden took Maeve’s hand again and didn’t let go. He wanted her to know he was with her, no matter what.
She had one of her assistants inform Carmen of the good news then to beg for platters of raw meat and buckets of ice cold beer. Greg was already firing up the grills.
He felt Maeve squeeze his hand. He glanced at her and saw that though tears once more touched her eyes, she was smiling.
We did it, Maeve. We did it together.
She nodded. Yes, we did.
~ ~ ~
Maeve celebrated with the wolves and all the residents of the Landing. Chef and her staff kept preparing food and sending it to the communal outdoor area. Nearly everyone in the complex, including Kiara, now bundled up in a wheelchair, enjoyed the fires that lit up the large patio.
The space had expanded over the months. Maeve had bought up more property from her booming candle business to accommodate how the shifters enjoyed celebrating life. Their enthusiasm was infectious. Even the somber vampires could be caught smiling and laughing.
More than once, the wolves hoisted her on their shoulders and spun her around. She might have used levitation to keep from falling more than once since a lot of beer was being imbibed. But she loved it.
As soon as they would put her down, they’d pick up Braden again. She’d never seen him look so happy.
Knowing that Veyda could never hurt anyone again, kept her spirits floating. She felt tremendous relief that the woman who’d killed Frank and Laura was now dead.
Her gaze often went to Braden. He stuck close to the wolves and howled until he was hoarse. She was surrounded by many of her rescues who shouted often, no matter the alter species. The demise of such an evil force in Five Bridges would be long remembered.
Braden broke away from the pack often just to come to her. He even kissed her a few times, which made her think either he was drunk and had forgotten the terrible thing she’d done, or somewhere in the past hour or so, he’d forgiven her.
She wasn’t counting on the latter. She fully expected him to come down from the high of victory, and remember the truth. He’d promised vengeance on everyone involved in his wife’s murder.
She saw Kiara sitting quietly apart from the group near the low stone sitting wall. Alfonso was nearby in case Kiara needed him.
The recent victim of Veyda’s vile torture had a peaceful smile on her lips. With Braden howling anew near the grills, she joined her friend and mentor.
She leaned down and kissed Kiara on the cheek, then sat on the wide stone edge of the low wall, near her mentor’s wheelchair. She told Alfonso she’d see to Kiara and to take a few minutes to enjoy himself.
When he joined the others, Maeve extended her hand to Kiara. She took it readily and gave a squeeze. “Your wolves are ecstatic.”
“No less so than myself. She’s dead, Kiara. The woman who tortured you can’t hurt you or anyone else ever again.”
“I know and my heart is so full of joy and we owe it all to your vigilance and dedication. You’ve accomplished many good things here, Maeve. Amazing things. From the time you arrived in Five Bridges, you’ve done nothing but make our world a better place. Thank you.”
Maeve felt her cheeks warm up. She didn’t know how to respond to the sincere compliment. She hadn’t set out to be a world-changer. She’d only done what needed doing. She was practical in that way. “I suppose I could say ‘you’re welcome’, but it doesn’t seem right somehow.”
“You’re not one for compliments.”
“No, I guess I’m not. So, how are you doing?”
Kiara took a deep breath. “I don’t know. I intend to book some time with your resident therapist. Some serious time. I think all the women you brought out of that place will need help recovering.”
“I’ll see what I can do to add to my staff for the time-being.”
“Hey. I didn’t mean to complicate your to-do list.”
Maeve turned and met her gaze dead on. “You, and the women we rescued, are not part of a to-do list. Ever. You’re people I care about. You’re my priority.”
Kiara smiled but tears filled her eyes. She shifted her gaze to the throng of revelers. “Speaking of priorities, is Braden now yours as well?”
Maeve glanced sideways at him. He’d shaken up a bottle of beer and sprayed it over Greg. The latter set to howling anew. Two of the shifters had gone full-on fur and were racing around the large patio. Maeve knew she would never shift, not like a true wolf, but she felt the instincts inside her now, a result of being with Braden and of having alpha capacity. “I suspect he’s headed back to Savage now that he’s fulfilled his mission.”
“Somehow, I doubt that. The Landing wolves are about an inch away from bonding with him.”
She turned back to Kiara. “Do you think so?”
“I do.”
“So, you’re saying you think he’s not going back.”
“I would be surprised if he did. No, I’d be shocked. There’s something else you should know. Laura was here tonight. In my hospital room.”
A shiver traveled over Maeve, head-to-toe, and a gasp left her throat. “She was?”
“Braden was there when she appeared. She talked to him, telepathically, but she included me in the conversation. She said something I think you should know. She told Braden that when you took her life, her spirit had already gone to the other side. The poison had entered her bones as well as her blood-stream. She still had to endure the physical separation, but nothing could have saved her. You did the right thing and Braden knows it.”
At that, Maeve leaned forward and planted her elbow on her thigh, then her forehead in her hand. “I had no memory of what I’d done until tonight. I remembered it all when I was talking to you in your hospital room.” She told Kiara about using the poison paste on Braden so he would have some understanding of what Laura had endured.
“That was smart. Very smart. He would never have accepted what happened otherwise.”
“But can he forgive me? No, that’s not even the right question. How can he ever forgive me? I was the instrument that separated him forever from the woman who meant the world to him.”
“You know, I don’t think this is about Braden at all. You have a very different question to answer: Can you forgive yourself?”
At that, Maeve rose to a sitting position. “I didn’t mind killing those witches, not after the torture they’d put Laura through. But I hate that my hands took her life, even though I know it was necessary.”
“Well, tell you what. When you add to your staff, set up a few appointments with a therapist yourself. Otherwise, you’ll never get over this.”
“I will do just that.” After a moment, she said, “You know what’s funny?”
“What?”
“How much I complained about all the little things before I became an alter witch. If the day was too hot or too cold. Or if I didn’t like the meal I just ate. I fretted about my weight and worried about what other people thought of me. I worked hard to make money, but never paid the smallest attention to those in need in my community.
“Coming to live here didn’t just change my life. It’s changed my view of life. I would be a different person now, if I could return magically to the human world.”
“We all would. Ah, here comes Braden.” She was silent and Maeve could tell she was communicating telepathically with someone, probably Alfonso since he left the group he was chatting with and headed back to her as well.
Kiara turned to Maeve. “I’m ready for my bed and you need some time with Braden.”
Kiara caught her hand then sent the words straight into Maeve’s mind. Don’t let him go. You need each other and you’re good for each other.
At the same moment Braden drew close to Maeve, Alfonso slid behind Kiara’s wheelchair and started to push. Kiara caught Braden’s hand as well. “Good job tonight.”
“Thanks. Get some rest.”
“I will.”
Maeve turned toward him uncertain what to expect. His eyes were alive with celebration and rimmed with a golden light. “How many beers have you had?”
He chuckled. “Not nearly enough. I plan to keep celebrating for at least the next year.”
He settled beside her on the heavy top stones of the low garden wall. He pushed his shoulder against hers. “How you doin’? Are you recovered from the battle?”
She rubbed her left hand. “I’m not too bad, really. My fingers tingle and twitch, but that’s to be expected.” She glanced at his hand. “And you have killing power too, now.”
“That I do. Or maybe I do if I can recreate the same potion.”
“You used emerald flame.”
“Three grains. I’d do it again, too, if it meant ridding our world of another monster like Veyda. Name the time and place and I’m there.”
He heaved a sigh and grew quiet. His gaze shifted about.
She felt the need to address the tough issue between them. “Kiara told me Laura was here tonight.”
At that, he met her gaze. His beautiful green eyes bore a shard of pain she understood extremely well. “She was. She wore her favorite outfit.”
“Remember earlier when I called you into the shower?”
“Uh-huh.”
“Frank had just visited me. I mean I didn’t see him like you saw Laura. But his voice was in my head, though he sounded like he spoke from a great distance. He told me I needed to move on.”
Braden spoke quietly. “Do you think you can?”
She tried to smile but failed. “I think so. But I’m going to need some time to get over all that’s happened.”
He slid his arm around her and she leaned her head against his shoulder. He switched to telepathy. I love you, Maeve.
She drew a deep breath. I love you, too.
He squeezed her shoulders. Aloud, he said, “I never thought I’d say this, but I don’t want to leave the Landing. Not ever. How would you feel if I stuck around?”
At that, she drew back and stared at him. Though she’d shifted position, he still kept his arm around her. “Really? I’d love it. But when did things change?”
He smiled then kissed her forehead. “I don’t know how it happened, or when. I think it was a gradual process from the time I woke up from my coma. But it looks like I’ve found a new home here.”
“What about your pack in Savage? You love them. You’re bonded to them.”
“I know. I don’t even know how this is going to work exactly. But I’ll talk to Jeremy and Alpha Warren. We’ll figure it out. Yet, somehow, I don’t think it’s going to be a problem.
“Five Bridges isn’t like the human world. We’ve got forces working for us. Laura brought me here for you. I know that now. She knew you’d need me and that I’d fall in love with you.”
Maeve’s throat grew really tight. “But, Braden—” She let the words hang once more.
At that, he shifted toward her and caught her chin with his free hand. “You ended her suffering, at her pleading, and Laura knew what it was going to cost you. That’s why she stuck around, to make sure you were okay.
“I know it won’t be easy for you to get over what happened. I’ll have my own impossible days as well. But it will never be about recrimination. Do you understand? There’s nothing to forgive here. I have only gratitude for your courage in the face of an impossible situation.”
His words and his sincerity brought a wave of peace flowing through her.
Nothing to forgive.
When he leaned in and kissed her, she accepted his lips without reservation. She had a man in her life, a partner, a lover. And he wasn’t going away.
Her heart opened wide in that moment. Frank had helped her to get past her grief. She would always miss him. But Braden had become her present and as long as they both lived, he would be her future.
The celebration continued until shortly before dawn.
Even then, as Braden walked her back to her burrow apartment, she could hear several plaintive howls draw the night to a close.
~ ~ ~
Braden wanted to bond with Maeve, but he wasn’t sure if the timing was right. Laura’s appearance earlier and her words to him, had cemented his determination to do right by Maeve, no matter what. The critical part she’d played in Laura’s death had changed his view of the situation. Instead of rage, he felt nothing but relief that she’d saved Laura from hours of unimaginable pain and torment.
Laura was right as well. Maeve would need his help in overcoming her guilt and horror about what had happened that night.
As he crossed the living room with Maeve and entered the bedroom, Sheba jumped up on the foot of the bed. “Well, look who’s here.”
He released Maeve and went to the cat. As soon as he extended his curved palm, Sheba lifted her head and met his fingers with a purr.
He took his time trailing his hand along her silken fur.
“I still can’t get over how much she likes you.” Maeve stood a couple of feet away. She was smiling at her cat, her witch’s muse.
“Sheba knows I love you, that’s why. I’ve loved you for a long time. For months.”
She moved closer. They were finally alone.
He turned toward her and drew her into his arms. A kiss followed, but it wasn’t like anything he’d known before. Maeve was a first for him. His alpha-wolf was at the fore, but beneath were his growing warlock senses.
He slid an arm around her waist and pulled her tight against him. With his left hand, he held her loosely across her shoulders. He kept kissing her.
His alpha drive took over. He knew he was releasing a flood of his bonding scent, but he couldn’t help it. Everything within his soul and his body wanted her, wanted to make her his own, now and forever.
She drew back. “Braden, what is this?”
“What do you mean?” He tried to kiss her again but she pulled away just enough to plant a hand on his chest.
“I’m sorry, Maeve. I…want, no I need to bond with you.”
She stared at him, her lips parted. Tears touched her eyes. “Even after what happened with Laura, you want to bond with me?” She sounded stunned.
“Well, yes.”
She laughed, then she slung her arms around his neck and kissed him hard. You are the most remarkable man I have ever known.
Maeve.
She parted her lips and he drove his tongue inside. He was trembling. His wolfness was taking over. I can’t control this, Maeve. If you don’t want to bond with me, I’d better leave now.
He drew back and released her. He shook with need, head-to-toe. His cheeks kept elongating.
But she didn’t leave, instead she picked Sheba up off the bed, went to the bedroom door and gently pushed her outside. Sheba meowed, but to Braden’s ears, it sounded like approval.
Maeve closed the door and turned to face him. “So, how do we do this, wolf, because I’m all in.”
Braden levitated swiftly toward her, picked her up and carried her to the bed. He levitated as he tore her clothes from her body. He then stripped faster than lightning out of his own.
Maeve laughed the whole time and the sound was a symphony to his wolf’s ears. She would never fully shift, but she sprouted a thin layer of red fur on the backs of her hands and along the sides of her cheeks.
When he had her on her back, he jumped on top, part wolf part man.
She reached up and stroked his face, digging her nails into his fur. Will you bond with me, Maeve? Will you be my alpha-female? Will you serve the Landing Pack as you’ve served them for months already?
She didn’t answer right away, but he saw a rim of gold around her light blue eyes. Even her cheeks had elongated wolf-style. It was the most beautiful sight he’d ever seen.
She stroked his fur with her fingers and looked at him. You’re beautiful as a wolf, Braden.
He waited, his body tense. If she didn’t verbally agree to the bond, he’d have to take a cold shower. Maybe an ice bath. Then he’d have to leave, take up a room in the shifters’ quarters.
But her wolf-features softened so that she smiled. “Of course, I’ll bond with you. You are the man I want, the wolf I desire, and more than anything in the world, you’re the future I know that’s right for me.”
His own wolfness eased back. His fur disappeared as well.
In this moment, he was more man than wolf. “I vow to do everything in my power to bring a portion of happiness into your life. Our work has only just begun. I never thought my path would take me permanently here to Elegance, but together we’ll scour the Graveyard every night and hunt down dark covens and free those enslaved by dark spells.”
She caressed his neck, his shoulders, his chest. He loved the feel of her hands on him. “And I vow to love you, to ease you, to be your burrow-mate for now and always. Thank you for coming to Elegance and being willing to stay. I will be your partner in everything.”
“So, you’ll bond with me.”
“I will.”
He let his wolf swell over him once more. His scent poured from his body and enveloped her. He remained in his fully human form as he kissed her and entered her. His mark was already there. The bond sealed the mark and made it permanent. No other wolf would come near her without knowing she belonged only to him.
It seemed odd that at the very moment he was most wolf, he felt more human than he had in a long time. He made love to her, taking her to the heights repeatedly.
She was with him completely, nothing held back.
She wept more than once, but laughed just as often.
Her cries of ecstasy brought him close to the edge of heaven.
~ ~ ~
Later, with the sheets rumpled and Braden on his back, snoring, Maeve awoke. It was noon. She didn’t know what had disturbed her sleep.
She was exhausted, though, and started to drift off. In this drowsy state, she felt someone come into her bedroom, yet she didn’t feel panicky.
She forced her eyes to open and there they were, Frank and Laura. They hovered at the foot of the bed. Each was smiling. Suddenly, a tremendous wave of peace flowed over her, like a warm, gentle breeze. All the suffering of the past eighteen-months drifted away and in its stead was nothing but tranquility and bliss.
Laura held her gaze and nodded. Be well, Maeve of Elegance.
Frank blew her a kiss. Be well, Sweetheart. You deserve him.
She wanted to say something, to thank them both, to express her gratitude. But just like that, they were gone.
Be well. She would treasure the words forever.
She turned on her side and drew close to Braden, easing against his big warm body.
Be well.
Laura’s words fit the state of her mind and heart perfectly. She’d become an alter witch through no design or desire of her own. Five Bridges had for months seemed like it would hold nothing but death and horror for her.
Now she had the love of a good man, she would share his bed for as many years as would be given to them, and together they would raise their son and daughter with every ounce of love each possessed.
Braden startled awake, as he’d done after he’d been recovering from his wounds. “Maeve?”
“I’m here.”
She stretched her arm across his chest and he covered it with his own.
“I dreamed Laura was here and your Frank.”
“They were. I saw them, too. I think they were giving us their blessing.”
“I remember now. Laura said, ‘Be well’.”
“Yes, she did.”
He was silent for a moment, then asked, “Are you okay?” His deep voice warmed her heart.
She smiled and snuggled closer. “I’m more than okay.”
“I love you.” His need for sleep begin to drag him back to his slumbers.
“I love you, too.”
With that, she let herself rest, perhaps for the first time since coming to Five Bridges. As she drifted off to sleep, she thought maybe she would have Laura’s final words emblazoned in every corner of the Landing.
Be well.
With Braden, she knew she would.
The End