CHAPTER 33
G aetan placed his hand against the cedar’s rough bark. He leaned in and peered around the massive tree’s trunk. The bark’s familiar scent eased into his lungs, but couldn’t chase away his need or his desire for his medication. His leg didn’t hurt, not anymore, but the constant craving burned like fire in his veins.
He jabbed his hand into his pocket and gripped his satchel. The contents of the well-warn fabric enticed him. A bead of sweat dribbled over his brow, and he clenched his teeth.
With more force than he’d intended, he thrust the end of his cane into the moist loam at his feet and withdrew his hand. He curled his fingers into a fist.
“I won’t give in. I won’t give in.” The mantra helped him focus, and he pushed away from the tree intent on his destination. Mauree’s lake house couldn’t be much farther. “I have to find Anlon.”
He trudged onward. Cane, foot, foot, cane, foot, foot.
The scent of melons wafted by on the breeze.
Gaetan stilled. Nicole…
Light footfalls padded toward him. “Gaetan. I’m so glad I found you. I…”
He turned to face her.
Long and sleek, her blonde tresses caught in the wind, whipping over her shoulders. The moon’s glow accentuated her porcelain skin, and her eyes, oh, those beautiful green eyes, etched with love, bore into him.
Like the first time he’d seen her, his breath caught in his throat. “Nicole…” Her name came out on a growl, and his inner beast bucked inside, wanting to run to her, cradle her in his arms, kiss her until she begged for more, but he held still. She’d kicked him out, wanting nothing to do with him.
She approached him as if he were a caged animal, her steps tentative. With the need for a pill sending shivers down his back, perhaps that assumption wasn’t too far off base.
“What are you doing here? You said you’d return to the Keep.” Fear for her snuck into his chest, tightening around his heart.
She stopped a few feet away. Her brow furrowed. “I came after you.”
A flutter of hope intertwined with the fear. “Why?”
She gnawed on her bottom lip. Blood rushed south as memories of kissing those plump lips raced through him.
“I’m sorry, Gaetan, I…” She let out a quick exhale.
This was it. This was when she’d say she couldn’t be with him, leave him and find another mate. She couldn’t love him, not after what he’d done. He held his breath.
“…was wrong to send you away. You aren’t to blame for what happened to me. In fact, I’m glad the Gossum attacked me, glad you saved me, glad I’m your female. I will do—”
He didn’t give her a chance to continue. After closing the distance, he wrapped his free hand around her waist and tugged her to him.
She let out a quick gasp.
He trailed his hand up her back and rested his palm at the base of her neck. As he drew her close, he kissed her, pouring all his love for her into his kiss. Clasping her fingers around his shoulders, she returned his passion, leaning into him.
After a long moment, she broke the kiss, pulling away, but she teased the gray lock in his hair. “I love you and will do everything I can to help you find Anlon then beat this addiction.”
A mixture of joy and dread skittered down his back. To hear her confess her love for him just about brought him to his knees. Never in a million years had he expected to hear those words from her. Yet, she’d brought up his addiction. She didn’t want to be with an addict. He wasn’t sure he could conquer the soul-sucking demon that had weaseled into every fiber of his being. She didn’t want to be with an addict, that he knew.
He stroked his finger down her arm and along her marking. “Nicole, I—”
The breeze shifted. A bitter, astringent scent stung his nostrils. Gossum.
He turned, putting himself between the Gossum and his mate. With a tight grip, he brought his staff in front of him, ready and waiting. “Call Rin. Return to the Keep.”
Branches in a nearby cedar rustled. A Gossum, then another, slid from the bough. Dressed in black with bald heads and dark, emotionless eyes, the creatures hissed. One snapped its tongue, revealing its sharp, serrated teeth.
A deep growl rumbled in Gaetan’s chest. “Go, Nicole, now. I’ll hold them off.”
“No.” She stepped around him. “We fight together.”
Before he could react, she swirled her hands, drawing on the water from the small river. A thin stream of water curled toward the Gossum.
“Look! She has magical power.” One of the Gossum pointed at the water as it swirled toward them. “Capture her. We have to make up for not finding that Stiyaha baby. Besides, I’m sure Mauree will be very interested in her ability.”
No. Oh, craya, no. Gaetan swung his staff around and advanced on the pair. “Run, Nicole, run.”
They didn’t have Anlon, but Gaetan didn’t have time to dwell on it because the Gossum closed in.
Loud, guttural warning chuffs, along with the snap of a wet tongue connecting with flesh, echoed from behind Gaetan.
The water Nicole had summoned splashed a few feet from their enemy. Her tormented scream ripped through the trees.
Gaetan’s blood froze. Even as his staff smashed into one of the attackers, he craned his neck, searching for his mate.
A Gossum gripped her arm. His barbed tongue connected with her forehead.
Gaetan’s roar ripped into the night.
The barbed sting of a Gossum’s tongue hit Gaetan on the hand. His fingers numbed. He tightened his grip on his staff with his good hand. Another creature ripped his claws down Gaetan’s arm. He grimaced at the stinging pain, but concern for his mate outweighed his own safety.
Nicole struggled against the creature holding her, kicking and punching. A sense of pride for her fight joined the anxiety pulsing through his veins. Blood pumping loud in his ears, he bolted toward her.
One of the two Gossum he fought jumped in front of him. Gaetan had to deal with these two before he could help Nicole. Fear for her lit a fire inside him.
He pulled on the energy and swung his staff. The end slammed into the Gossum’s temple.
A loud crack rent the air.
The creature wobbled on its feet, stunned.
Taking advantage, Gaetan gripped the sunstone embedded in the handle and shoved the pointed tip into the creature’s eye. The beast stiffened for a moment then transformed into a pile of goo.
The other Gossum flicked out its tongue and hit Gaetan on his bad knee. He grunted and crashed to the ground.
Nicole’s scream echoed between the trees before being cut short.
Out of the corner of his eye, Gaetan caught a glimpse as the Gossum carried his mate over his shoulder into the dark forest.
“No!” Gaetan screamed.
The remaining Gossum leapt into the air, claws extended, serrated teeth bared.
Determination to save his mate pooled inside Gaetan. He thrust the pointed tip of his staff up, skewering the Gossum in the chest. A choking gurgle bubbled up from its mouth, along with a stream of dark blood. The creature stiffened then slid to the ground, becoming black sludge.
“Nicole!” Gaetan pushed to his feet, forcing his battered leg to cooperate.
The only reply was his voice echoing against the trees.
Nicole was gone, captured by the Gossum. The old, bitter, and familiar ache of guilt burned in his chest, squeezing his lungs until white spots formed in his vision.
His inner beast roared, eager to break free and chase the vile creature that had stolen his female, but Gaetan held the beast in check. He needed brains more than brawn. “I’m coming for you, Nicole. Nothing will stand in my way.”