Chapter 22
Bran woke with Evangeline in his arms. God, it felt good to hold her, to feel her heart beating under his hand. For so long he’d wanted this with her, and he finally had it.
He kissed her shoulder blade. Turning over with a sleepy smile, she wrapped her arm around his waist. Her crystalline green eyes sparkled as they blinked open. “Hey, sexy,” she purred.
He chuckled. “Really think I’m sexy?”
She trailed her fingers over every ridge of muscle on her way to his pelvis. “Very. And I should do a better job of showing it.”
He caught her hand. “I don’t need anything special. As long as I have you, I’m happy.”
“But you are gorgeous, strong, and damn, I never thought you could make love so exquisitely.”
He laughed softly. “My only goal is to please you. Well, that and stop whatever that thing is.”
“Yeah, we do need to deal with Zariha, but I need to do some research. I have no clue at all where to find the lighthouse. Other than Europe, most likely France, I just don’t know.”
“We start by looking up lighthouses in France. It might take a little time, but I’m sure we can find it. Start with Google.”
“Really? Google?”
He shrugged, wrapping his hand around her hip to draw her against his straining cock. She made him so damned hard it was amazing he hadn’t woken her up by sliding into her warm heat.
“After I love your body again?” he murmured.
“Sure. You can help me search. I have no idea what I’m really looking for. I’ll appreciate every bit of help.”
He leaned in to kiss her softly. Then her land line rang.
Bran let her go. “Might be your sister.”
She picked up the phone and said, “Hello?”
“Hey, sis. Can I borrow some clothes? We’re going shopping. I won’t be wearing them long.”
“Of course,” Evangeline said, even as she closed her eyes. Her sister was too thin to fit into her clothes properly. Evangeline was in perfect shape. Long body, lean muscles, ample curves. Her sister was skin and bones. And it made sense if that thing had siphoned off some of her life force.
He’d felt what the thing did to him as it slid over and through him, taking his essence with it. And whatever Evangeline had done, had given it back.
But next time they came into contact with that monster, he had a better idea of what he needed to do and how. His magic could counter whatever that was. He felt it in his soul. However, so could Evangeline.
And what had that chick helped Evangeline tap into? What she did wasn’t witch magic. It felt similar to his. Had she pushed more Fae DNA at her? He supposed that was the most likely thing, even if it didn’t make total sense to him. Then again, would anything ever make perfect sense to him again?
Didn’t matter. Evangeline was his and would remain his. She dropped the phone and grinned. “We’re going to meet them for breakfast. Which means we have to put the lovemaking on hold.”
One corner of his mouth tipped up. “I’m starved. Later I can resume worshiping your body.”
She backed off the bed and took his hand, pulling him with her. “Shower. And maybe we can be quick in there. I need to get a new phone before we meet them for breakfast.”
“Mmm, definitely.” He scooped her into his arms and carried her the rest of the way.
* * * *
Zariha woke to a feeling of emptiness. His soul was tied to Merova, and the farther away she managed to go, the faster he faded. Until he took her life, he was stuck within a small radius of her.
Luckily, he could follow her, though it had been several hundred years since she’d moved locations. He concentrated on her essence and ghosted into shadows to follow. He flew down the mountain, across the terrain, and flew faster over the Atlantic. Until he was on a familiar island off the coast of France. That damned lighthouse she’d spent ages in. Merova hid in the building for generations.
In the distance, he could see the small port town full of Others. Their presence scented the air like dessert. No more hunger here. He could feast for ages. One slight benefit to being stuck there.
Would Evangeline go to Merova? So many of her descendants eventually searched for her. Half of them didn’t even realize why.
After Merova died, he could finish off Evangeline, then Genevieve.
He moved to the shore, knowing he couldn’t actually set foot on that island or in the lighthouse. Powerful magic rendered it deadly for him.
He just needed to kill Merova once and for all.
How was he going to get to her? She needed to be fully within this world.
* * * *
Bran shifted from foot to foot inside the diner. Evangeline put her name in, and they were waiting on Genevieve and Neil, and a table. Of course, for a Sunday morning, it was busy in there. It always was.
Evangeline looked lovely in a dress that showed off her curves. Maybe Genevieve would gain the same vitality Evangeline possessed.
Watching Evangeline, his mind drifted to fantasies that had haunted him for years.
Slender fingers wrapped around his arm, and he spun to find Genevieve smiling. She looked more vibrant than the day before, though still far too thin for a wereanimal.
All he could hope was that her appetite had improved a ton.
Grinning, she asked, “Have a good night?”
“Best night of my life.”
Evangeline blushed as she came back to him. “Mine too, Bran.” Her peridot eyes latched onto him, and he smiled, pulling her close. She pressed tighter, mashing her breasts against his chest.
A soft growl rumbled from his lips.
Neil chuckled as he stepped beside Genevieve.
Bran pulled away and asked Genevieve, “How was your night?”
She turned, wrapping her arms around Neil. “Second best night. But the first was the night you changed me and showed me something so much more to live for.”
“Just wait. I have more in store for you,” Neil murmured.
Evangeline giggled. “I’ll need to come by and get some of my clothes. Then you’ll have a few days without interruption unless you call me.”
“You don’t have to abandon your home,” Genevieve whispered.
“Bran’s house feels more like home.”
Warmth spread through his chest. He dipped his head to take a kiss.
Someone patted him on his back, and he lifted his gaze to see Joe, Fran, and their brood of kids.
Fran grinned. “You two finally figured out where your hearts belong.”
“And who’s this?” Joe nodded to Genevieve and Neil.
Bran answered, “Genevieve is Evangeline’s twin. Neil is her mate. And these are friends, Joe, Fran, Billy, Ella, Lilly, and Benji.”
Joe shook hands with Neil, then Genevieve, while Fran hugged each.
Fran pulled Joe toward the door. “We should go. You all have fun. And I look forward to talking to you soon, Evangeline.”
The entire Brownstone family left. The hostess took them back to a table in the corner. He sat across from Neil and nodded to him. He didn’t know a lot about werecats, only that they were different. At least their mating was. They were still ruled by moon cycles.
There were a million questions on his mind, but he wasn’t about to ask in the middle of a busy diner. Nate had already promised to let the wolves know about the new werelynxes in town. He didn’t want a problem for his extended family.
At the table, they looked over the menus with little conversation. Bran was more focused on Evangeline’s nerves than anything else.
He wanted to assure her that everything would be fine, that there was nothing to worry about with them all being out in the open. But none of them knew where Evangeline’s father happened to be.
Unless Neil did. But the more he was around him, the more he realized he was in a similar position to Bran. They both wanted a woman for years, thought they couldn’t have them, and now they did. Neil didn’t want to disappoint or hurt Genevieve. Bran didn’t imagine the guy had it in him.
Once the waitress brought a round of coffee, Evangeline leaned into Bran’s side and said, “Need help with shopping?”
Genevieve shook her head. “No, Neil already figured out where to go, and it’s all within walking distance. We’ll enjoy a day of exploring our new town. He may even buy a car while he’s here. We might look into homes, too.”
Evangeline gave her sister a tight smile. “That’s good to hear.” Her tension ratcheted up.
Bran leaned in to whisper against her ear, “Evangeline, you’re welcome to move in. Or we can move into your home. We could go wherever. I just want to be with you.”
Turning to face him, she took his hand. “Your home is perfect.”
“It’s not as nice as yours.”
“No, but it’s a home, whereas I view my house as a house. I don’t need all that.” Smiling, she added, “And if you really mean that, maybe it’s best if Genevieve and Neil stay in my home. I’d be willing to part with it permanently. They’re happy, and I’m more than happy with you, in your home.”
“I’ll pay whatever you want for the house. It may be a bit before I have the money transferred as I’m trying to avoid Olivier finding us, but as soon as that’s no longer an issue, I’ll wire the money if you want.”
Evangeline looked at her sister. “What do you think?”
She nodded enthusiastically, her eyes dancing with light. “I love that idea. It feels like home to me already. Maybe because it’s the first time I’ve been without that dark presence, and I’m with the man I love.”
“Then stay in town, and if you’re interested in the house, we can work that out.”
Neil nodded. “Sounds good. And I noticed a car dealership at the end of Main Street.”
“If you need a ride somewhere, you know I’ll take you,” Evangeline promised.
“Yes, but you’re newly mated as well, and you have your own things to worry about. We’ll enjoy breakfast, then we can figure out the next move.”
“Whatever you need, just ask,” Bran offered, even though Neil was a stand-up guy who’d likely insist on doing it all on his own.