Chapter Eight
Maeve wasn’t sure if it was the smell or what, but she knew this was where Veyda had tried to force her to join the dark coven.
She didn’t have a specific recollection, not of the elegant foyer. But the smell had lit up her memory. The past swooped down on her. She listed, but Braden caught her arm.
Steady.
She could feel the memory pressing in on her wanting to come back, to instruct her. She realized the touch of emerald flame was enhancing her perceptions as well and possibly igniting the forgotten parts of that night.
Any time she thought back to that terrifying experience when she’d first released her killing power, dread threatened to immobilize her.
She closed her eyes and turned inward. What had Kiara said to her time and again, You must face and accept what happened fully, then you will be free.
She knew she was close to remembering everything. She calmed her mind then focused on what could help Kiara right now.
Slowly, her memory opened up with critical information. She could recall in detail the lay-out of this part of Veyda’s compound. Resolve descended like a steel wall. She would take this place down, one piece at a time, if it was the last thing she did.
And she would start now.
She pivoted to face the team and accessed the group telepathy. Beyond that lovely fall of water are two entrances. One, to the killing room. The other to the observation room.
As much as I’d like to get into the latter and slice the throats of every paying customer, our goal is to get Kiara and get her out. But I want you to know, I intend to fry as many of these dark coven witches as I can. And I definitely intend to burn the room up.
We’ll be entering to the left of the waterfall. Once inside there’s an emergency exit at the far west end, opposite our point of entry.
The horrible chanting started up again. Let’s go.
She turned around and let her killing energy rise in her left hand. Now facing the waterfall, she began to levitate.
A witch appeared wearing one of the scarlet velvet gowns used for rituals.
She opened her mouth to shout the alarm, but Maeve had already swept her arm in a quick swathe. A golden stream of energy hit the woman in the throat before she could utter a cry. She sank to the floor, dead.
Levitating swiftly, Maeve reached the waterfall then flew to the left. The entrance, however, was blocked by a wizard she knew by name but whom she’d never met. Wizard Glissane. It was believed he worked hand-in-hand with the cartels.
Power boiled in the air.
Maeve’s heart set up a racket. Wizard Glissane could kill them all right now. Without hesitation, she sent a wave of energy toward him. He crossed his arms over his chest and closed his eyes. Her killing power fell harmless to the floor, then he vanished.
She listened intently and waited for the attack.
But nothing happened.
His voice pierced her mind. I want Kiara to live. I hope you succeed, Maeve.
Where did he go? Greg asked.
Braden responded. I heard the front door open and close. Best guess? He took off.
Wolves had excellent hearing.
Maeve worked to calm her heart. She didn’t understand why the wizard hadn’t acted against her, though she suspected his reasons weren’t good.
Braden planted a hand on her shoulder. Maeve, Glissane is gone. Let’s get on with our mission.
When the chanting stopped, Maeve knew the torture was about to begin again. Only this time, it would be death for those who’d been involved on any level with Kiara’s pain and agony.
Rage filled her and with it a powering of her energy that felt very familiar. She’d become enraged during the forced induction. She’d been out of her mind, except for one thing. She knew she had to escape and the witches had to die.
She whipped through the doorway that led to the killing room. The final barrier was a red velvet curtain like the gowns of the dark coven witches.
She pushed past the drapery and with a swift glance took it all in. Kiara lay inert on the central killing platform. She was naked, her wrists and ankles bound with ropes. Her body had been burned with poisons. The wounds leaked blood everywhere.
To the left of the platform, Veyda stood with both arms raised high. She held a sharp, steel blade in her hands. She had dark green flames on her neck and rising into her cheeks, a sure sign she was addicted to the drug after its name.
The chanting witches stood at the far end just as they had the night of her attempted induction. Anticipation for the sacrifice held them in thrall.
To the right was the bank of two-way mirrors where no doubt every manner of perversion occurred.
All this Maeve saw in a split-second.
She didn’t have time to think. She simply lifted her arm and leveled a shot at Veyda.
At the exact same moment, Veyda caught sight of Maeve. Her eyes widened followed by a flash of horror. The blade fell from her hands. But as the shot reached her, she crossed her arms over her chest and Maeve’s shot disintegrated.
Veyda disappeared.
The witches started to scream and scatter.
Braden held her back. Let the team take care of Kiara. Watch for Veyda.
The team moved forward heading to Kiara. If a witch tried to stop one of them, the wolf used his blade and cut her throat. Maeve was surprised at how many of the women made the attempt. Most, however, scattered toward the two exit doors near the choir seats.
Maeve kept her senses focused on the room. She worked hard to locate Veyda.
The woman’s voice was suddenly in her head. I see you’ve used a pinch of emerald flame.
Maeve didn’t respond. In this situation, silence was power. Instead, she focused all her attention on Veyda’s whereabouts.
She felt movement behind her, a slight shifting of air as though Veyda had barely brushed by her, then nothing. Does he know the truth, Maeve, about that night?
Again, Maeve remained very quiet. Braden seemed to understand her silence since he didn’t try to communicate with her. He remained next to her, watching the team free the barely-conscious woman. One of the wolves took her into his arms while another one used his t-shirt to cover her up.
Veyda again. I’m guessing you didn’t because why would he be with you right now?
She had no idea what Veyda was talking about.
You were such a disappointment to me that night, Maeve-the-gifted. I offered you the world and you turned me down. I don’t like being turned down.
The hardness of the last phrase, ignited Maeve to action. With the entire team safely in front of her, she whipped around and sent her killing power in a broad arc behind her.
Veyda screamed.
Maeve had wounded her!
Good. She kept firing in the same direction though she doubted Veyda was still there. She continued the onslaught of her killing power until the velvet curtains at the entrance to the room caught fire. She heard running from behind the mirrors.
Braden tracked with her as she began to move around the room.
Levitating swiftly, she set every bit of velvet drapery on fire. Braden stuck close and often placed his hands at her waist to support her.
She took her time setting the central killing platform on fire. But because it was made of wood, it lit up like kindling.
Braden’s voice was in her had. This place sickens me.
Maeve glanced at him. He was facing the mirrors.
Have at it.
Braden lifted his AR-15 and fired at the mirrored glass. The sound was deafening in the enclosed space.
As the glass fell to the floor, the interior viewing rooms appeared. But they were empty now.
Maeve extended her killing power into what was three large rooms. Each had a platform of its own, a bar, chairs, just as she’d remembered. The whole thing was disgusting.
She added her own stream of power. When flames climbed the walls and the heat of the burning platform reached a dangerous level, Maeve headed for the exit near the choir seats.
She levitated swiftly and found the team on watch in the hallway just beyond. Greg still held Kiara in his arms.
Stay silent, team. Braden’s deep voice filled her mind. We’re not out of the woods yet.
He turned to Maeve. Which way should we go? The wrong one and I suspect we’ll be ambushed.
There were three possible paths. Maeve knew the witches had taken the central one. The hall to the right led back to the private viewing rooms and the foyer.
We can’t leave the way we came.
She gestured to the left. This hall will take us to the cells. It’s an unlikely move on our part, which makes it the right one.
I agree. Braden dipped his chin once firmly.
Maeve led the way. She had another profound sense that she’d stayed in this part of the compound while Veyda had kept her drugged.
With the house burning, she said, Let’s get the other women out.
There wasn’t a single protest. She felt the team’s drive and unified purpose, their need, like hers, to right this wrong. She flew swiftly down the hall to the end. It wasn’t far to the various cells. They weren’t high-tech. Each used the same master key that hung on the wall.
One of the men took the key and went down the row of cells unlocking them. Most of the women could walk and moved swiftly into the hallway. The wolves whispered to them asking them to keep quiet. Those that couldn’t walk, the wolves carried out. A door closest to the street emptied back onto the spelled path.
Maeve went first. Just in case, she used her killing power and swept her arm in a swathe, but she had a strong sense no one was there.
She also suspected they’d be in serious trouble once they emerged onto the street especially with so many captives in tow
Braden, we need to go up into the night sky and out. There’s no other way. Not with the captives with us.
I agree. But you’ll have to assist everyone through the spell.
No problem.
The women huddled together wild-eyed with fear, not daring to hope. Most were humans. Of the three alter women present, only one could levitate. But Greg had an answer.
We can fly them across the rooftops one by one. Have Alfonso waiting for us at the entrance to the Landing. He can get us in. Then we’ll come back for more.
Braden nodded. It’ll work. Maeve will lead you up through Veyda’s spell then wait for you to return. I’ll protect those that remain.
Maeve levitated above the spelled building. The six wolves carried out the severely wounded first then took off into the air.
She remained where she was. As she looked around, she was pretty sure she could now see holes in the spell. She smiled. She’d wounded the bitch, all right.
Smoke boiled in the air and fire engines now blared in the distance.
The wolves returned swiftly. She guided them back through the security spell. They quickly picked up the next group. There were fifteen women in all, fifteen at different stages of torture, all awaiting death.
She led the next group up through the spell and watched as the wolves carried them into the dark. The wolves hustled and returned in less than two minutes.
As the remaining women were picked up, Braden held is AR-15 upright and ready. Until they were all safely back at the Landing, they were in jeopardy.
As she led the last group through the spell, however, she felt Veyda’s presence.
Veyda’s here.
Hold! Braden held his fist in the air. The team froze where they were. Heat now boiled off the building as flames ate through to the west side where they now hovered above the spell.
Maeve searched the area and finally saw Veyda at the far end near the well-kept front garden. The witch was burned across her face and chest. I’m coming for you, Maeve, but you’ll never see me.
The witch vanished. Veyda’s badly wounded and can’t hurt us right now. Let’s go.
The flight back to the Landing, however, felt like it took an hour. Her back itched as she flew. Was Veyda following despite her wounds and her pain?
Within less than a minute, they’d reached her compound. Alfonso waited outside and ushered them in.
Once within, Maeve felt the need to reestablish the security spell. She knew Alfonso would take good care of the victims.
Braden remained with her. He still held his gun in hand. She didn’t blame him.
Maeve told him what she needed to do then levitated just inside the wall and gates. She took her time. Maybe it was the touch of emerald flame, but she felt the weak areas of her spell as though they were something she could touch with her hands.
She had Braden track with her as she traveled the entire perimeter of her refuge. She rebuilt the spell over and over, shoring up the Landing with the last remaining energy she possessed.
When she was done and knew her compound was safe, she wobbled sideways.
Braden caught her then lifted her into his arms. “Let me carry you. My guess is that using your killing power the way you did tonight has used up your reserves.”
“I won’t refuse your help.”
Braden flew her back to the emergency entrance doors.
“I’m okay. I can manage.”
He set her on her feet, but sure enough her legs gave out.
Braden caught her before she hit the ground and held her in his arms once more. “Maeve, are you sure you’re okay? Do you need to see Alfonso?”
“I’m done in, is all. I need a meal, a lot of water, and I really need to sleep. I used up a boatload of energy burning down the killing room.”
“You were magnificent.”
She leaned her head against Braden’s muscular chest. She felt safe and could finely relax.
The last thing she remembered was the wonderful scent of Madagascar and how it gave her a tingle all the way to her toes. Then there was nothing.
She woke up in her bed, her head throbbed and her left hand and arm ached. No surprise there.
She heard Braden’s voice. “Drink this.” She felt his arm behind her shoulders as helped her to sit up. She guzzled a tall glass of water, then fell back asleep.
Later, she woke up once more just as Braden climbed into bed. She caught his arm. “How’s Kiara?”
He turned toward her and pet her curls. “She’s fine. She’s sleeping as are the others we brought out of there. Your people have rushed in to care for them all. You have nothing to worry about. Go back to sleep.”
So, she did.
~ ~ ~
The next night, Braden leaned against the bedroom doorframe. Maeve lay on her stomach and was still sound asleep. Every once in a while, the fingers of her left hand twitched. She’d been dead to the world for over twenty hours.
It was almost eleven at night, but a full day had passed since Kiara’s rescue.
Sheba slept at the foot of the bed. She’d stuck close to offer her cat-comfort.
Mug in hand, he sipped his coffee, his thoughts sobered and very pointed. He could think of little else than Maeve and what she’d come to mean to him.
When he’d put her to bed, he’d begun to wonder how far down the road he’d already traveled with her. He even admitted to himself they were as close as he and Laura had been.
He’d gotten her clothes off, all the while trying not to become aroused and failing. As he settled her on the sheets, he’d even tried to kiss her neck. But she murmured something incomprehensible, rolled on her side and had fallen into a deep sleep.
So, here he stood, sipping his coffee and wondering.
Only he really wasn’t wondering anymore.
After the mission to rescue Kiara, he knew he was in love with Maeve Lennox. Somewhere over the months of getting to know her through his twice-weekly interviews, of being brought back from the dead by her, of being with her and making love to her, and of rescuing her mentor, he’d fallen in love with the witch.
He might not understand how or why it had happened, but he’d chosen his next alpha-mate. She had red curly hair, a no-nonsense approach to life, a profound, almost wolf-like desire to serve her community, and despite everything she’d been through, she still cared deeply about those in her charge.
She was a woman of worth and when she woke up, he’d start the process of courting her. Could she love him in return? Would she be willing to serve in Savage Territory the way she did in Elegance? Could she leave the Landing?
Of course, all he wanted right now was for her to wake up so he could make love to her again. His body was in tune with Maeve and now that he’d come to a full awareness she was the one, he needed to stake his claim. He needed to bond with her.
It was all he’d been thinking about for hours.
And still she slept.
He forced himself to turn away from the bedroom.
Moving back into the living room, he opened up his telepathy and focused on Warren, the alpha wolf of Caldion Pack.
How’s it going? Heard you rescued a witch from Veyda’s coven?
We did. He told Warren about the Landing wolves and the rescue itself. Kiara’s recovering. She’s got terrible burns on her stomach. Acid-like. One of the burns had pierced her intestines. Alfonso had to do surgery.
Warren was a badly scarred wolf himself and had experienced a similar torture at another witch’s hands. He didn’t say anything for a long moment, but Braden had a strong sense his mind was full of invective.
Finally, Warren telepathed, Grateful beyond words you and Maeve were able to get her out of that hellhole.
It was Maeve’s doing. She organized the rescue and I was happy to help. But that leads me to something I need to ask you.
Shoot.
Braden took a deep breath. I want to bring her back as my alpha-mate. What do you think? Could my pack accept her?
Warren was silent again, this time for what felt like a year. Fergus’s pack has had no problem accepting Mary as the alpha female and she’s fae. But I see a different issue.
Because Maeve’s a witch. More statement than question.
Wolves don’t like them. You know that. On the other hand, her Graveyard rescues are well-known in Savage. There are times around the bonfire when she’s celebrated as a folk-hero.
Braden thought it was the least his woman deserved. What she does is amazing for a woman who’s gone through so much. Veyda killed her still-human husband just before he left Five Bridges for good. They’d said good-bye and Veyda killed him.
Braden heard Warren growl telepathically. That woman needs to be brought down for good.
Maeve wounded Veyda during Kiara’s rescue, but she was still making threats when we left. She’s got power you wouldn’t believe. She can make herself invisible.
This time, Warren didn’t hold back but sent a line of telepathic invective ran straight though Braden’s head. The words eased him.
When Warren calmed down, Braden asked, So, how’s my pack doing?
Holding steady. Jeremy has kept them in good order. As you know, I go over there every other night to check on things. But I have to say, your pack’s humming. I also think the responsibility has brought Jeremy closer than ever to alpha level. I’d expect a dominance fight when you get back.
Braden smiled. All wolves loved dominance fights, watching or participating. It was part of pack life. I wouldn’t expect anything less.
Or –
Or, what? Braden felt suddenly uneasy.
No one would think the less of you if you didn’t return to Savage.
Why the hell would you say that? His uneasiness increased.
You’ve been gone eighteen months. Are you sure you haven’t made a home there, in Elegance?
Of course not. Savage is my home.
Right. Then, no worries. You have a pack waiting for you. I’ve got an appointment, so I have to go. I had a wolf shot up by a cartel last night.
The same one that’s been ramping up production on emerald flame?
That’s the one.
All right. Thanks for everything, Warren.
Braden ended the telepathic conversation, then leaned back on the couch. It pissed him off that Warren would even suggest he shouldn’t come back. He’d stayed away so that Jeremy could work more easily as a placeholder during his absence. But he had no intention of changing his plans. He simply needed to get his answers about his wife’s murder, exact the revenge he needed, then he’d head back home to Savage.
All roads led to Veyda. When he’d been in the foyer of her compound, he knew Laura had died there.
As soon as Maeve recovered, he fully intended to enlist her to track the witch down and make her talk. He wanted a confession, then he wanted the witch deader than dead.
Braden? Are you there?
Maeve.
He was on his feet like a bolt of lightning, then levitated swiftly to the bedroom. She was still in bed but stretching and yawning. “I’m here. You’re awake.”
She looked around. “How long have I slept?”
“Through the day and well into the night. It’s eleven.”
“Wow. Well, I’m not surprised.”
He drew close and sat down on the side of the bed. He took her hand in his. She had serious bed-head, but had never looked more beautiful.
She smiled. “You smell so wonderful.” She drew their connected hands close and sniffed. “It’s this brand of vanilla that I swear is the best.” She sniffed a second time. “Yet, beneath it, I can smell the musk of your wolf. Although, I have to say, your wolf scent is starting to come through more and more.”
Because he wanted to bond with her. But he wasn’t about to say that to her, not right now. “Are you hungry?”
Her eyes rolled back in head. “Starved. You would think I hadn’t eaten in a decade.”
He lifted up and plucked his phone out of his jeans pocket. He hadn’t wasted his time while she slept. At the very least, he’d made friends with Carmen, the chef. She’d fixed him his meals and wanted to know the second Maeve woke up.
When he had her on the line, he passed the phone to Maeve.
Her list of foods was long and thorough. She was lean as hell. He wasn’t sure where she’d put it all. Worse, he feared with her stomach full, she’d fall right back to sleep.
When Maeve was done, she handed the phone back. “You’ll have to let her in.” She glanced at the doorway. “Wait a minute, I don’t remember releasing the security spell. Did I? When we got back?” She reverted her gaze to him.
He shook his head and smiled. “I’m channeling your witchness these days. The spell, through my eyes, had purple waves.”
“That’s the one. But, wow. I’m amazed you could see it.”
“Me, too.” He thought maybe now was the time to begin his courtship. “So, I’m wondering about something. How would you feel if I marked you?”
At that, her lovely reddish-brown, arched brows rose. “You mean an alpha-wolf kind of mark?”
He didn’t want to scare her off, so he added, “It’s not a bond. That’s much more intricate and requires a big commitment. But a mark will keep other alphas from poking their noses where they don’t belong.” Literally.
To his nose, she smelled like heaven. From the moment he’d decided he wanted more from her, her lemon and lavender scent had been tearing at his mind and keeping him in a partially-aroused state.
She looked away from him and appeared to be thinking hard. She had a deep furrow between her brows. When she met his gaze again, she sighed. “Are we getting in too deep here, Braden?”
Several rebuttals came to mind, but he chose the simplest route. “Maybe we are, but this is for my benefit while we’re working together. If I mark you, I won’t have to think about any other unbonded alphas we might come across.” It wasn’t the whole truth, but she was gun-shy and he was trying to be wise.
“Just a maybe, huh?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know. I won’t pretend you haven’t become important to me, because you have.” His wolf ears picked up the sounds of footsteps. He’d been half-listening anyway. He could smell the food as well. “Chef is here.”
“Whoa. That was fast.”
He stood up, then leaned down and kissed her on the lips. “Everyone’s been on standby waiting for you to wake up, including chef. I’ll be right back.”
~ ~ ~
She watched him go, her fingers touching her lips. She loved the long-sleeved t-shirt and jeans. He wore rugged boots as well. The whole look worked for him. Dammit, the man shouldn’t be so good-looking.
And he wanted to mark her.
Maeve wasn’t a fool. Besides, she could sense his emotions and that something had definitely changed with Braden. He wanted to be close.
She swallowed hard. She did, too. That was her truth. She wanted to shrink Braden down and carry him around in her back pocket for the rest of her life. But how wise would that be?
Her heart still ached something fierce for Frank. Besides, her memory still had one huge gap from the night she’d escaped Veyda’s clutches. She didn’t know who the woman was that had died. Somehow, she’d blocked seeing her face. And she had no idea how she’d made it out of the compound or gotten to Kiara’s home when she’d never met the witch before. Maybe if she could recall everything about that night, she’d have more confidence moving into a relationship with him.
Of course, he hadn’t used the word ‘relationship’, but he’d been a happily married man before. A man often took a wife again if he’d enjoyed his marriage.
Was that what Braden wanted? To marry her? To be her husband?
What did she want?
She hardly knew.
She glanced at her left hand. Her fingers still tingled at the tips. When she’d fallen asleep, her arm had vibrated all the way to the shoulder, a sensation just short of pain.
Now she was back to herself.
A few minutes later, when Braden returned carrying a large tray, she realized she was completely naked under the sheet. She held onto it as she scooted herself to a sitting position. She really didn’t want to expose her breasts to Braden. He stared down at her smiling as she worked to stuff some of the sheet behind her to maintain some decency.
He chuckled. “Don’t bother on my account.”
When she was ready, she took the tray and settled it on her lap. “Why don’t you grab a chair and talk to me. I want a full report on Kiara’s condition.”
“Be right back.” He left the room in search of something to sit on.
She turned her attention to her meal. On the tray was a cup of black coffee, a bowl of ripe, sweet chopped mango, and a bear claw. As she lifted the lid to what was an oversized oval plate, the aroma flooded her nostrils. She groaned loudly. Frying a few evil witches sure boosted a woman’s appetite. Steak, scrambled eggs, avocado, jack cheese. Her stomach rumbled.
She dug in. She ate quickly, as though her alter body demanded as much sustenance as she could give it and as fast as she could deliver.
She glanced up briefly when Braden returned, but all her attention was on her meal.
When her body started getting the message she was being well-fed, she finally surfaced. Braden now sat in a chair he’d drawn close to the bed. He held a cup of coffee in both hands, an amused smile on his lips. She took her own sip of the rich black brew.
“In case you’re wondering.” Braden pointed to her tray. “I know that exact same panicky feel.”
“Right. You were in the same state when you woke up from your coma.”
“I was.”
She stared at him for a moment. “You shouldn’t be so handsome, you know. It would make it easier to refuse your offer of a wolf-mark.”
“Are you saying no?”
She shook her head. “I’m still thinking.”
“Don’t worry. It can be undone. This is for my peace of mind.”
“But that’s not all, is it?”
He shook his head. “No, it’s not. I want more. As I said earlier, you’ve become important to me. But how about you? Any thoughts that direction?” The question made her stop and think. She set her coffee back on the tray.
“I have a lot of affection for you, I might even call it love. That much I know. The sex is amazing. And your wolfness doesn’t bother me anymore. It’s not personal. I mean you being a shifter disturbed me in the same way I was a witch. I’ve had so much to get used to. A year-and-a-half isn’t that long.”
“No, it’s not.” He cradled his cup in both hands as he leaned forward. He rested his forearms on his powerful thighs.
His shift in position brought him within touching distance. She reached out and swept her fingers into his hair. Silky. A sensual slide across her skin. “It’s been a long time since I had a man in my life.”
Shifting his mug to one hand, he caught her wrist then kissed her palm. Her heart flipped a couple of times. She could get used to this. She just didn’t know if it would be wise. This was Five Bridges, a place of violence and death. What if she got close and Braden died?
“Hey.” He reached up and thumbed her cheek.
She was surprised to realize tears had slid from her eyes.
“The last thing I want is to upset you.” His deep voice pounded against her heart. “Why don’t you finish your meal and I’ll tell you about Kiara.”
She breathed a sigh of relief. “Good idea.”
He told her about the burns and Alfonso’s excellent care. “She’ll be scarred, but she knew that would be the case when the torture was happening. She’s been asking for you, though I think she’s asleep right now. I checked in on her about a half hour ago, not long before you woke up.
“Greg and the wolves celebrated her rescue in prime style.” As Maeve finished her steak, he talked about the bonfire, beer and a whole lot of howling.
“I would have loved that.”
“I’m sure they’d be happy to do a repeat just for you.”
She chuckled.
Once she finished her meal, she headed to the bathroom. A hot shower sounded good. Plus, she wanted to wash her hair and think. She could feel Braden holding back a request or two. She could sense his need to be with her and how much he longed to take her back to bed.
She wanted to be with him, as well, but she was scared. She was starting to care too much and relationships in this world tended to end in death.
Once in the shower, the warm water eased her. She was stiff from being in bed so long. She knew something within her needed to change, she just couldn’t figure out what?
Thoughts of Frank brought a new bout of unexpected tears.
Maybe it was the soothing water, or the long sleep, or that she’d actually succeeded in getting Kiara out of her hellhole, but her mind grew very open and relaxed.
Like a mist moving through her thoughts, Frank’s voice was suddenly there. I’m at peace, Sweetheart, you can let me go now.
Frank?
It’s me, but I can’t stay for very long.
His presence in her head was very distant and faint so she knew he wasn’t actually near her. She could also tell he wasn’t permitted to get any closer or to reveal himself to her in a physical sense. He could only communicate through telepathy.
But here was one aspect of Five Bridges that rarely occurred in the human world. Sometimes, ghosts returned to lend a hand. This time, it was Frank and he’d come to her.
Tears once more streamed down her cheeks. I miss you so much.
I know. But it’s time to move on and more than anything I want you to know some happiness as an alter witch. Alpha Braden can do that for you. Please tell me you’ll try to let him in.
In some ways, the prior eighteen months since Frank’s death had been building to this moment. She had to let him go. Maybe now she could. I’ll always love you.
And I, you. But our hearts were designed to love well and to love again. You can do this, Maeve. Be at peace.
He left, just like that. He was no longer present in her mind and she doubted he would ever come back.
The brief exchange, however, had brought more comfort to her soul than anything else could have. A heavy weight at the bottom of her heart suddenly gave way. All her pain and grief rushed out in a flood of relieving sensation. Then her heart resumed its normal shape but felt as though it was about a hundred pounds lighter.
She really could let go now. She could turn toward Five Bridges and begin building a life and not just her hole in the ground here at the Landing.
There was something else she wanted to do as well.
Damn. More tears. “Braden? Want to join me?”
As she listened for a response, she thought she heard a banging sound. She definitely heard Braden let loose with a couple of choice words. “Coming.”
As he appeared around the corner, he hobbled just a little. “Did you stub your toe?”
“It hurts like hell.”
“Well, why don’t you come here and let me make it feel better.”
A look of intense relief swept over his features. “You sure?”
“Yes.” She held out a bar of soap. “Besides, I need you to wash my back.”