20 comments/ 27535 views/ 64 favorites Trusting Love By: jtoughkat "If you ever need me, regardless of where you are or the time of day, call me." Trevyn had said and Trev always kept his promises to her. In the year she had known him he had never let her down. Why had she not trusted him? Most of all, why had she not listened to him? "He is going to kill you if you stay." He had stated the last time she had seen him. "No," she denied with stubborn defiance. "He loves me!" "I would never lay a finger on you, not like that." His midnight eyes intent upon her, a look that always ignited something inside her she did not want to acknowledge, the effect on her the same. Her heart missed a beat before racing, a tingle flowing down her spine, curled around her stomach and exploded in delicious fireworks. That was why she had never listened, his interest in her and her unwanted reaction to him. Her core creamed at the velvet tone of his musical, molten voice, the heat in her stomach settling on that lusty part of her. Anger flared in her at that, she was not a slut to lust after another man when she was in a committed relationship! "Mom says never trust a man who wants to get into your pants by trashing your man." "Hence the crude phrasing." He stated dryly, suppressed anger in his voice. She gasped, hurt. She knew her mother was rough around the edges but that was uncalled for, the woman had worked herself half to death so that her daughters could have a future, she deserved better. Fear stopped her from hitting him or scratching his eyes out as she wanted, he was so big and if he turned on her, she would not survive. "You always listen to her don't you? Even to the point of staying with a man who uses you as a punching bag." He grated, violence brimming in his eyes. She was immobilized as he stalked near, her eyes wide on him. Framing her face, he touched his forehead to hers. "You make me so furious, so angry, yet I would not hurt you for the world. But here you are afraid of me and not that monster you claim to love." He gritted his teeth, "A white man is not the one beating you." Her throat ached with her determination not to cry, pain filling her heart at his words. Why couldn't he respect her choices? If he truly cared about her, he would want her to be happy and she was happy. She did not need him ruining her fragile balance. He did not have to accept her decision just be her friend as he claimed to be, of course he probably thought as her friend he could undermine her relationship and she would just fall into his arms. Which she was currently in danger of doing, his body almost touched hers, strong and well-defined, heat that magnetized her body until all she wanted was to mesh them together. He was so tall she had to crane her head to look into his eyes, their ardent depths mesmerized, aroused and scared her. He was so intense, his model perfect face frozen with unbearable need and aching love, love as clear as day, so fierce and irrevocable. How could he feel that way about her and why? He had everything he could possibly want, rich, cultured and so sexy he was every girl's fantasy. She on the other hand was just a white man's black bastard, unworthy of any acknowledgement. Caught in his enthralling gaze she could not look away as he lowered his head for a kiss. Her breath caught as liquid desire flowed through her veins as his hot hungry lips took command over hers. Instinctively her arms wrapped around his shoulders her body curving into his and she opened up to him. Pleasure inundated her as his tongue swept through her mouth, tasting her as none ever had. He drank from her in long hard possessive sips, swallowing her hopeless moans, his slow hands sweeping up and down her back. Held secure in his muscled power she melted into him. En-flamed she devoured him, passion she had never experienced poured out of her with a raging need to consume and be consumed. Fire conflaged between them, need denied for too long. Nothing mattered beyond the desire necessitated. She could not get close enough, the clothes between them felt so coarse, a hindrance to her need. Frantic, her hands swept under his t-shirt pushing it up as they glided over his ribbed torso, heat flamed from him and through her with delicious sensuality as she reveled in his hardness. In one swift move, he had the shirt off, breaking their kiss for an instant that to her hungry need was like forever. She protested the separation only to rejoice at the feel of his naked skin, that erotic, delightful tensile silk scorching her through the confines of her clothes. Frenetic hands worked on the buttons of her blouse, tangling together in their mutual need, her bra unceremoniously ripped from her. In unison, they groaned as her ripe breasts flattened against the rock-hard heat of his chest. She held him tight to her, reveling in the rough silken feel of his chest hair against her sensitized nipples. With slow erotic desperation, her nails raked his naked back to his growling approval. The animalistic sounds he made should have shocked her but for some reason they excited her, driving her desire for him higher. Never had she felt like this, so sexy and irresistible he could not get enough of her, his lips devouring her, his hands blazing across her body. Breaking their kiss his lips closed over her nipple with devastating surety. A tug of pure sensation wrenched through her, connecting every erogenous zone she had including some she had been unaware of. She arched her back to give him more of herself, her hand holding him in place as she tossed her head back and screamed her pleasure. With teeth and tongue, he teased her, reducing her to mindless pleasure. Without reason she called out his name, rubbing her aching pussy against his thigh to relieve the pain of it. She needed more, wanted everything he had to give. Nothing had ever felt this good; no touch had ever driven her like his. One of his hands toyed with her other nipple, pinching it between his fingers, pulling with just the right amount of pleasurable pain. She had never been one for the pain pleasure scene but this was too arousing, exquisite. Her body jerked with it, burned for more, undulating against him as her hands roamed his Reacting to her unspoken need her cupped her butt then splayed her hot center against his straining shaft. Pleasure pierced through her nave to the rest of her body, a shock of electrical bliss freezing her in time with the twin assault of his teeth on her tender nipple before her body convulsed. Sanity returned at the shocking pleasure, she pulled then turned away from his disturbing touch shaking her head as tears flowed down her cheeks. Picking up her blouse she put it back on, trembling with the urge to fling herself into his arms. What must he think of her? She had thrown herself at him like a sex-starved wanton, humiliated herself with her lack of morals. Trev was a man of noble character, no matter how she had thought he wanted to come between her and Ray he would never resort to underhanded tricks. She was the one at fault here, the one in a relationship, the one who had just cheated. Something needed to give, she knew. Her relationships with the two men had irrevocably changed and it was all her fault. Why couldn't she leave things as they were? She just had to taste Trev, see if the reality matched the fantasies she denied she had. Now a maw of her own making had swallowed her, she couldn't have Trev and now she had ruined herself for the man she loved. How could she even claim to love Ray when she readily fell into the arms of the first good-looking male to show interest in her in a long time? She had to put a stop to it, had to regain her balance somehow. She turned to face him surprising the most forlorn dejected look she had ever seen on him. He looked so lost, so hopeless she ached, yet she could not change what was. "I love Ray and he loves me." She declared in a pain-filled voice. "If you cannot accept that then I want you out of my life." His face hardened, eyes devoid of anything pinned her to the spot. "That might be for the best." He agreed cold and remote. Pain laced her heart and she had to struggle not to let him see how much he hurt her. She had not thought he could so easily cut her out of his life, obvious he did not love her as she had thought, that was her mistake not his. She had meant only to have him back off a bit, give her room to figure out her situation but he had made the decision for her. Only her heart bled, it felt as if it had been torn in two, like something fragile she had not realized she had had just been torn out. He meant more to her than she had thought but now it was too late. That had been three weeks ago and now his words were coming true, Ray was going to kill her. He had said that before as he hit her but the look on his face had not been as it was now nor had he beat her in this way. Tied to a table leg she lay on her back on the wooden floor, the floor she kept army boot shiny, unable to move as he had already broken her legs. He sat on her broken ribs, repeatedly punching her face as he hurled profanities at her. Her crime? She had broken up with him two and a half weeks back. After the passion she had shared with Trev and the realization of her true feelings she had recognized the futility of her relationship with Ray and how she had been hiding from herself for so long, believing lies thinking she would be safe from pain even as she was experiencing it. Ray choosing that time to hit her had also brought home some of the facts Trev had pointed out, he would never lay a finger on her. How could she have been so stupid? Trev had most likely meant to call him on the phone but grasping that Ray meant to kill her this time and unable to get to the phone she started screaming his name. Ray had assumed he was her lover, the reason for their break up, and had been enraged, kicking her ribs with his hunting boots it was a wonder none had not punctured her lungs. She could no longer shout but still she moaned the name of the one man who had never let her down, whose intense love she had experienced for a few precious moments before she had ruined it all for the monster who was now killing her. She knew she was close to her mortality and she wanted to die with Trevyn's face in her mind's eye, the love she had not dared feel filling her heart. Ray could take away everything else; he already had, but not that. Why had it been so hard to love him when she had the chance? He would not have done this to her. In her stupidity, she had let her mother's experiences with her father taint her and yet fall for the same kind of man. Had she loved Ray or simply taken up with a man most like her father and fooled herself on the pretense of race? She prayed for another chance at life, a chance to love a man who was as dangerous as he was gentle. Power radiated from every plane of his lithe muscular frame, confidence she had envied. Easy to be around she could talk about anything and be whatever she wanted -he had encouraged her- and she had started to let go. "Trevyn!" she cried in a weak voice, fighting to stay awake, to hold on hoping by some miracle he would show up. It was irrational she knew but still she held on. Every breath was excruciating, aggravating her ribs, Ray's weight upon her squeezing her lungs, but she held on for Trev. He was strong, and he had been trying to teach her to believe in her own strength. She would hold on to the strength he believed she had for all she was worth. A crash sounded nearby, vibrating through her skin more that it registered to her ears. She wondered if Ray had broken the table, she could no longer feel whether her hands were still tied to the leg nor could she see properly. A snarl of rage reverberated through the room, too guttural to come from a human and so chilling it brought her back to her senses. Ray would not be killing her after all; whatever animal had invaded her home would do the job, had she not been so close to death she would have braved the pain and ran. Only she would be unlucky enough to be attacked by a savage animal whilst its human counterpart was already killing her. A dark shadow bawled into Ray, knocking him off her. The fear she had felt as Ray hit her was nothing compared to the terror she experienced as she listened to his screams. Horror and pain laced his voice and the animal snarls mingled with it to create a waking nightmare. She wanted to turn and see what was happening but agonizing pain precluded that. Wolves. Their musky scent overpowered the coppery scent of her blood and terror. They were all around her, at least half a dozen. Two bracketed her to go where the other was mauling Ray and another sat besides her. Its eyes on her were quite intelligent, strange but she thought they were aware of her and trying to convey something. Whatever it might be, she was too terrorized to comprehend it, blood attracted wolves and hers was everywhere. She gave up the fight and blacked out. Trusting Love Ch. 02 A pleasant breeze wafted off the coast onto the terrace dining area, pleasant in the ninety-eight degree weather, a perfect day with clear skies and a few dreamy clouds floating far above. The light summer breeze maintaining a cooler temperature than the sun endangered. The ocean a blanket graduating in colour from blue gray to a startling blue then aquamarine and jade towards the horizon. There was peace to be had there, with nothing to look forward to but a lazy day sailing. Instead, he was looking over the ocean wishing he were sailing. Despite knowing the importance of their discussion he wished they would cease. There was nothing for them to do, the rules had been set centuries past and time had only made them harder still. Nothing would please him more than to have it all resolved to his needs and the good of his people but it was out of his hands. Six of the most powerful men of his people sat behind him and he could not dismiss their worries even though that was what he wanted. His back was to them, hardly civil but he was sure they forgave him, under the circumstances. The future of their people was at stake, his to secure, yet it was not in his hands to decide. An undesirable outcome spelled the end of their people and he was powerless to do anything. Fate was psychotic. Nevertheless, that was his burden to carry and it never got easier. He hoped destiny would hold sway at least she had no issues. A day in which to forget all his problem, responsibilities and shortcomings that was all he needed. A perfect summer day to laze away accompanied by the waves and the sea breeze, nothing beat the romance of sea weather, so close and yet so far from land it was another world. A gentle and forceful, tender and vibrant world; a lover honest in her emotions, as loving as she was moody, one knew what to expect from her. All who loved her knew to treat her with respect, to watch for her disposition with care. She sheltered her children upon her, nestled them at her bosom and soothed any worries they had, exposed them for the futile endeavors they were. Ageless she was no judge of faults treating all alike. Today she was tranquil, lulling many to her cherished embrace and he ached for her, wished for her serene company. Tension had long been his companion and he needed rest from it. He stood overlooking the cliff edge from which the balcony rail sprung, watching as the tides crushed against the rocky bottom. Their spray misting the air at the base to the delight of the gracious sun who birthed a rainbow in it. Sea birds hovered above the rocks, eyes on the lookout for any unlucky sea creatures the tides brought in, some rested on the rocks and or preened themselves. He spent as much of his summer days as he could at this balcony when he was here . "We are not trying to tell you how to live your life," Braeden stated "But this is at the heart of every one of us and we have waited so long, then and now." Trevyn smiled then turned to face his companions, his eyes meeting those of the mountain prince. "In trying to secure the future of our people you are telling me how to live my life, there is no way around it. The fact remains though; I am not the one to decide how to proceed, my hands are tied. I cannot force the issue or risk putting our people in more peril." "What do you mean?" As he was about to answer a wave of terror suddenly washed over him, unimaginable pain whacked his being. He stood by the dining terrace in the fullness of the noon sun yet he was shrouded in darkness. There was nothing in his world to see touch or smell only pain. Intense despair harrowed his soul, a taste of death denuding his sense of self. He was nowhere at the same time he was in two places. Time drained as if its sands filtered through a fine sieve still as it rushed in a confusing kaleidoscope. A hand caught him as he would have pitched over the railing and he felt its tight grip as if through a plastic medium, the sharp pain of a boot kicking and breaking his ribs more portent. He cried out as the merciless boot repeatedly drove into him. The voices of his companions meant nothing, registering at an insignificant level of his awareness. His legs were useless, yet he stood rigid on them, he had cuts all over his body and still he did not bleed. Nothing made sense. Trevyn! Her voice cried out from his throat and as understanding came his vision became his again. She needed him. Never before had she called him by his full name that she did so now said a lot. Let me out now! His wolf demanded understanding at the same time he did. He had to stay in control and not let his animal side take over completely. As much as he wanted to, he could not cross the line his rage and the primal need demanded. However, he needed that side of him to get there in time, if he was not already too late. Why had he left her? She was his to protect and he had let his pride let him lose focus, now it might be too late. "Call Rafe," he growled at the shadow that still held him as fury blinded him. Kill! His other raged, straining against his control, gaining with each second. No! He was a prince of his people, his duty was to secure their survival and if he killed a human it would spell the end for their way of life, the return of the dark times of being hunted which had ended just four decades past. "Don't let me kill him." He ordered the same shadow. "Kill Rafe?" the shadow asked but he was beyond hearing, in his mind's eye he saw her tied to a table leg, the brute she loved kicking her as if she were a dog. A howl of fury erupted from deep within, a killing note none could mistake. He shifted as it assaulted the air and all reservations were gone. Ray was a dead man; he was one with his wolf. That puny sorry excuse for a human had dared touch his woman in ways only he should, kept him from his mate for many moons and now he dared to touch her in ways he never would. Nothing would save him from his wrath. Before he even finished shifting, he was running with the six lycan close behind him. Stretching his body fully he tore off at a ground eating pace. His fury gave him the impetus to overcome the limits of his abilities, his legs stretching as far as they could, faster than he had ever run. Rafe joined them as they hit the beach but Trevyn had no time to answer his questions any more than he had answered the others. Her house was on the same stretch of beach but seven miles from his, amongst the cluster beachfront properties. At his speed it would take him ten minutes to get to her, he only hoped she would be alive. If he failed to get to her in time, it would haunt him for the rest of his life, which would be mercifully short but the damage that would result was unthinkable. He would do all in his power to ensure her life, no matter the cost. Running across sand was arduous; it shifted beneath his paws, got between his toes, irritating him, especially as it slowed him down when he needed to hurry. This though was the shortest route to her, the best way to save her before he lost her forever. There were no trees or boulders to hide them from view, people would wonder at a pack of wolves running around, would be scared, but he didn't care. Their natural brothers no longer roamed these parts, confined as they were to reserves and dwindling in numbers, hunted to near extinction by ignorant humans. A wolf sighting though would likely spark a hunt, but by then all would be decided one way or another. Her scent was in the air, clear to his overdeveloped senses rosemary and rose, the scent that wrapped around his heart every time he caught it, fired his arousal to the point of pain as her flavor sank through his taste buds. Ray's drunken stench was also on the wind as was the taste of her blood. Rage boiled in him, he snarled in his throat like a rabid wolf would, lost any sense but his need for blood, the need to protect his mate. With a burst of energy he raced up to her door, his momentum tearing it from its hinges and throwing it halfway into her living room. Without pause, he ran into her dining where the sound of her voice calling to him assaulted his ears. It was weak, a testament she was close to death but to him it was a clarion call to war. He pounced onto the sorry excuse of a man, knocking him off her and landing onto his chest as he fell onto the floor. The coward screamed, a high-pitched wail that would shame any man worth of the distinction, Ray though had already shown himself unworthy of being called one. Trevyn unsheathed his claws, sinking them into the bastard's chest to the accompaniment of more shrieks; he bared his teeth going after the throat with deadly intent. With the rush of the kill burning in his blood he focused on the pulsing vein at the neck, one bite was all it would take and Ray did not have the strength to fight him off, helpless at his mercy. He relished the power he had over him, the fear reeking from him appealed to the predator bringing out the need to toy with his victim. The hunger for the kill that plagued his kind, their nature that centuries of civilization could not erase arose in him as he had never felt it. Never had he allowed the primitive needs of his wolf to take over, always aware of whom he was and the consequences of his actions, his mate though had never been threatened. That was one thing guaranteed to bring out the ruthlessness of his kind and the instant Ray decided to harm what was Trevyn's his life became forfeit As he leaned in for the kill already tasting the gush of blood in his mouth, the heat of life pulsing through it in ever weakening spurts as life ebbed away, a two hundred plus body barred into him knocking him off Ray. With speed Trevyn would never have suspected of him Ray scrambled up, out through the back door and into his car before he had regained his feet. Having his primal self aroused then denied maddened him, rage pounded into him blinding his senses that he turned against the other wolf but his reaction had already been anticipated. Trevyn followed wanting to punish the one who had deprived him of his prey and stopped in his tracks. Gérald, he noted by snow flecked midnight fur, but that was not what had brought him to his senses. Jumping over Tara's body the wolf lay down in submission besides her placating sounds vibrating from his throat. Swifter than he had ever shifted he was in his human form and at her side, she looked so broken, her blood splattered about her, socking what little of her clothes were left. Her beautiful face was unrecognizable, swollen, bruised it did not look human. Her chest was caved in, some of her ribs clearly broken though it still rose and fell with every one of her shallow breaths. Both her legs were tied to a table leg broken in several places in all she resembled nothing human. He wanted to hold her, needed to but could not bear to cause her pain as no part of her was uninjured. Pain lashed through him, the knowledge that he had failed her ripped through his heart as if a hot knife were slashing it. She was dying and there was nothing he could do about it, all his power and he was helpless to do anything but watch her die. Helpless was something he had never been before and it sat ill with him yet he could not think of a way to save her. She was going to die and all he could do was watch. There would be no last words to hold on to, no goodbyes, no closure for either of them just painful deaths. Why had he left her alone? He had known she was running scared, afraid of the intensity between them and needing time to regroup. Yet he had left her, abandoned her as if she was nothing and not the most important part of him. He had abandoned his mate to die, failed to protect her. It hurt too much to see her like this, broken, betrayed by the men who were supposed to protect her. What good were all his powers if they failed at what mattered most? He had betrayed her as much as Ray had and in so doing betrayed all his people. His race was as doomed as she now was and it was all his doing. "Tara," a whisper had never held such anguish, his hand caressed the air above her cheek as he remembered all the times he had touched her. Shock raced through him as her eyes fluttered open, in her state she should not be conscious but she looked straight into his eyes with the same intelligent awareness she held. There was no pain in their depths, she was in that state before death when all pain ceased and peace settled. "Tara." He had no idea what to say, how to say goodbye. "Trev," she smiled the smile that always went straight to his heart, this time it bled. "I knew you would come." "I'm sorry I wasn't here sooner." He replied "No, I'm sorry; I should have listened to you." "It's okay sweetheart, you have nothing to be sorry for." Tears filled and fell from her eyes but the smile reappeared whilst she looked at him with eyes brimming with more than tears. So many emotions were clear in her eyes, emotions that had him regretting so much. "You are a wonderful man," she said her voice getting fainter. "There is something I need to tell you." "What?" he asked but her eyes were already closed and her chest still, something shifted in him, a void opening where his soul dwelt. Taking her hand in his he held it as if it were a fragile flower covering it with his other and closed his eyes. "Trevyn, I..." Braeden started to say. "Don't." Trevyn commanded. There was nothing to say and if there was he did not want to hear it. What was the point of words, what could possibly make a difference? "Leave." He ordered and was grateful when they left without saying anything. It was bad enough their pity clogged the air he did not want to hear it. "Sibum ammeni sunu simtim alaku" (witness why they go to one's fate) he gave her the parting blessing of his ancestors. * * * * A council of immortals had convened, something that rarely happened given the smoldering hatreds that had endured millennia. None of the different races sat together, even some of the same race sat with that certain distance between them, the one that existed regardless of space. Although their concentration was elsewhere they all watched each other despite the assurance there would be no trouble tolerated. The safeguards placed on the meeting place were extensive, designed to kill any who went against the rules they had all given signature to but nothing was ever foolproof. In their world there were no guarantees and the business that had brought them here was evidence of that. They watched as the prince of the urlykae mourned the eminent death of his mate, listened as she struggled with her last words then breathed a collective sigh of relief as she took her last breath. Instant celebration broke out as they toasted each other on the unexpected good fortune. Owain of the fey found the whole scene disturbing but knew not show it. He sat and drank the toasts as they were made and kept his face emotionless. It would not do to let the powerhouses around him see his defection. That they could plot and rejoice at the death of an innocent sickened him and the fact that he had no choice but to go along did not bode well for his kind's future. Security was one thing but the innocent were never meant to suffer. Always he had believed it was a matter of security but as he watched the glee and smugness on most faces about him he wondered. Acts like these though tended to birth more trouble than was anticipated and who was to know what further actions security would demand. Who would be the next liability to security and who would gain from it? He knew his race was competent enough to be the next perceived threat or thereabouts, it was time to make a stand and new alliances. Looking about him he saw others who like him were not overly exuberant, dismissing most of them he surreptitiously studied the remaining before settling on four who were of the same race. Though he knew none other would see it he could tell they were of the same mind, what concerned him was the fact they did not get along, could barely stand to be in the same room. Their honour nonetheless prevented any unpleasantness to the point that they were even civil to one another, still their race was as powerful as his and they were likely to be targeted next moreso because of their infighting. The leonine princes had never gotten along, just as their ancestors had not but in the past fourteen years they had declared a war without allies, indiscriminately killing any of the others until they were vastly reduced. At the rate they were going they would all be gone, another of their races to fall into legends for the future generations and he could not have that, not from any ultraism. The lions were the only ones in the current group he could remotely trust and he had to have allies. They were alike not just in looks but in principles despite their differences. Fernán, heir to the throne of the forest lions in the amazon belt, had a distinctly Castilian cast to it with the high cheekbones and reddish skin that pronounced an Indian heritage. He had dark hair and cat green eyes that were incisive and missed nothing, he tended to watch listen and analyze more than he talked and when he made a decision he stayed true to it. Sitting next to him was Jabír, prince of Abzin, a kingdom populated by mostly afro-arabic leonine shifters situated in the mountains at the borders of Libya, Niger and Chad was dark haired with tawny eyes like a lion's. He was decisive, never one to waste time and implacable with a no nonsense attitude. Besides him sat Alaric of the snow lions from the Antarctic where the prides lived with little human interference. Their fur was snow white to give them better camoflash them as a result they were mostly platinum haired with tawny eyes and decidedly pale skin. Alaric lived on his honour, was known in their world to be a man of his word, he was the oldest of the four princes and tended to take that as a reason to be the most responsible. Last was the prince of the north American werelions Nayel, platinum haired and green-eyed he was a humourous guy who made a point of having people underestimate him. His eyes were normally at half mast as if he could not care less what was about him, a glint of amusement danced about his lips and could be found in his eyes. He had a relaxed indulgent air around him but any who knew him well saw through all this to the steel behind his pose, for that was what it was. Their collective principles were well-known, their honour unquestionable so he wondered how they had been included in the meeting, he himself was known to have dubious honour, he kept his word but it was the way of his people to be ambiguous and out for themselves no matter who got hurt. Making up his mind to approach them he turned his eyes to the screen and froze. We need to talk now. He mentally sent to the four who bristled collectively at his intrusion and tone. Without giving them any more mind he walked out of the room, there would be no suspicion of them as others were already making new alliances within their perceived victory. As he had known the four followed him maybe out of curiosity but definitely to put him in his place but he would not give them a chance. He waited at one of the many balconies that bordered the island that was not where the meetings always took place. It like the rest of them overlooked nothing more that the tenebrous mist from which the island was made. Many found the sight irksome as the mist was known to destroy even immortals but he like his kind was a creature of mists. "Tell me, who do you think is going to be next on the list of security risks?" he asked when he felt their presence behind him, turning as he did. "There are no more security risks." Jabir replied. Trusting Love Ch. 02 Owain raised his brow at that. "You do not actually believe that do you? First it was the vampires four thousand years ago, then the elementals a millennia and a half later then it was the phoenix clan and the lykae, whom they failed to kill." "Until today." Nayel answered lazily his shoulder rested on a pillar in a pose one might think relaxed and be wrong. "That remains to be seen." "Indeed?" he drawled. "Is that why you ordered us to you?" "Yes and no. I believe one of our races, likely yours, will be next on the extermination list, for security reasons of course." "Of course. And why would ours be the likely choice?" The man looked at the other and knew he had already come to the same conclusion as he had; he looked at the others and saw the same comprehension. "Because you are divided and are already killing each other." "That is not precisely true," Alaric stated his tawny eyes calm and perceptive. "Would you believe we have agreed not to kill each other?" He smiled at that relieved he had chosen the right people though he had doubts to the fluidity of the alliance, centuries of hostility did not disappear overnight. "I would suggest we form an alliance of our people," he paused for effect "and with the lykae." Four raised eyebrows met his assessing gaze but it was the last one who spoke, Fernán who had been watching all as the discussion unfolded. "The lykae who have been dealt a killing blow by the death of one woman? They will all be dead soon and are now unworthy of any consideration." "Except suicidal revenge." Nayel said with lazy amusement. Owain shook his head with a mysterious smile on his face. "She will live." He stated to which he was treated with varying degrees of skeptism causing his smile to widen. "Sometimes death is but a catalyst." All four went on alert, their warrior sides emerging at the sign of trouble yet to come as their minds raced through the possibilities. "Are you positive?" Alaric demanded. "Yes." He sighed "As you know my people see the soul as it returns to the ether, hers did not. It gathered the ether about it and awakened." "Vampire?" "No, they did not have the ability to gather the ether and this soul is old even though it has never existed before today." He had them as worried as he was, an unknown power was one thing but to have that unknown power against you was a chilling thing, especially when that power was ancient. "There was another soul just as powerful and identical and yet opposite that awoke at the same time. Both are neutral, neither good or bad and both." "Contradictions are ever the answers of your kind." Fernán snorted in disgust. He did not allow the comment to anger him as it would normally. At stake were the lives of all their people and they could not afford to start fighting, not when they had a lot to discuss. 'That is as plain as I can be." He replied stiffly. "You are right," Alaric said cutting across any argument that might arise. "If she is an ancient we have to form an alliance with the lykae, if they will even consider it." "We are in a position to help curb further attempts to kill the mate, which is a start to an alliance." Jabir replied after a moment. For a moment they were all lost in their thoughts, still they watched each other. Nodding his acceptance the green-eyed blond turned and walked away to be followed by the others after a reasonable amount of time, trust would be hard to come by. He was the last to go back inside in tome to watch with the others as Tara was reborn, the room was again as quiet as it had been to begin with but now there was no satisfaction or anticipation, fury reigned. He caught the eyes of his new allies for a brief moment then turned to watch the rest of the room. Yes, he thought to himself, watch your doom rise. Unease spread through the room as they failed to understand what she was, none had ever seen or heard of a rebirth such as hers. Though she was unconscious there was no obvious change to her, none of the death pallor vampirism entailed, the ashes that signified the phoenix or even the coagulation of nature an elemental would have. "Ray," a succubus called "you have five seconds to tell me what she is or you are dead." The dark-skinned man who had beaten the mate to death trembled were he stood visibly swallowed then stammered. "F-f-forgive me grand master but I-I'm just a neophyte and have no idea." He bowed. A cruel look overcame the already cruel features of the grand master as she turned to another succubus and smiled. "Yes, it is the duty of the master to know what her student is dealing with." The other paled at that and opened her mouth to defend herself, at the same time the grand master opened hers and a light came out of the unfortunate man's mouth to the grand master's. Horror replaced the panic on the master's face as she felt her life energy flow to the other. Within moments she was a desiccated husk then a pile of ashes. "Well Ray, it seems you are a novice once more and are in need of a new master." The grand master said with malicious pleasantry, Ray paled but bowed and mumbled his thanks to the woman then melted into the crowd as the grand master turned to the room at large. "It seems we have a lykan mate to kill" * * * * Trusting Love Ch. 03 Here are some definitions: Etlu ahu - Warrior brother Cacama - Amen Zianna - Heavenly life Ilu - God * Trevyn sat holding Tara's hand for what seemed like hours, his mind far from all that was around him. He felt nothing, heard nothing, even the awareness of his people faded; he sensed their stillness, the shocked realization of what had happened and the implications. Without putting much thought to it he withdrew from them despite knowing the pain they would experience without the touch of an alpha. He could not summon the will to shoulder his people and did not want them to feel him meet his end. He knew the other Alphas would hold them up. Inside him, his wolf howled pitifully lying with its front paws covering its eyes as its mournful cries echoed through the realm only immortals could sense. Had Trevyn been able to feel anything, he would have been heartbroken by the cries but he felt numb. She would not feel pain anymore, would never feel it again. Her hair, virtually untouched, fanned about her as it would if she were asleep and he buried his hand in it closing his eyes to savour the feel of it. The other traced over her face his eyes still closed as he remembered her as she had been. He traced her nose, from the rounded tip up the once straight line leading to her delicately rounded forehead. The gentle fingers traced her hairline down to the refined shell of her ear, outlined her high cheekbone down the curve of her cheek to her slightly square chin. As he outlined her lips he remembered the one time he had kissed her, the soft sensual feel of them on his. He lingered knowing he would never feel the sweet taste of them again. Anguish almost overwhelmed him but he put it aside and concentrated on his memories. The smile that had often graced these lips, open, confided and trusting, no one would have known she was abused, he hadn't, not really. And her eyes, those whiskey brown pools holding so much in their depths, an innocence inconsistent with her age and the times. He loved her. Why had he never told her that simple fact? It had all seemed logical at the time and yet now he could not recall much of his reasoning. It had to have been pride, the one thing known to break many great men and he was honest enough to acknowledge that he had more than his share. He had wanted her to be the first to admit her need for him, to be the first to bare herself whilst he would not have been as vulnerable. Only now he was more vulnerable than he had ever been, adrift with no anchor or hope. Dying with the knowledge he had doomed his people. Did he have the courage to tell them about it? He had always thought himself an honourable and courageous man but the temptation to just die and leave the telling to the one man he had ever told was strong. He felt a wave of indifference creep into his soul, a disregard for the people he had always put first. He combed through her hair thinking of all the times she had tossed it, the light catching in it to bring out obscure highlights. She would always have these strands that fell into her eyes and a curious, sexy way of tossing it back. How he had yearned to sift through the long strands as he did now. She would not approve of his dereliction of duty he knew, and for her sake he would have to find the strength to care, the courage to face them with what would pain his people more than they already had been. He only had to sit with her for a while longer, to touch her a bit more, kiss her one last time. He only had to breathe her scent for a minute, a second, a moment. Only to live one more moment before he let go and became a menace to his people, his wolf would not go quietly, they never did, and he was too powerful for any but his fellow princes to kill. Now his wolf was in morning and would be for a few days. That's all the time he had to set all things right, not that they would ever be right but he would mercifully be gone. It was more of a shock for being unexpected. Power like nothing he had ever experienced slammed into her body. His hands touching her were fused to her so that he could not have let go had he wanted to. Sensations too intense to be pain or pleasure even as they were seared into him from her. Heat that should have immolated him emanated from her at the same time as a wave of pure energy slammed and broke everything within sight. An instant later it was all restored and the blood that had marred the floor was gone. Tara, his beloved mate was whole, more beautiful than she had been before, more beautiful than any woman had a right to be. A sob caught at his throat as he felt the faint pulse through her scalp and saw her chest rise. She was alive! His soul, his heart was alive! He would do anything to keep it like that and no one was ever getting to her. He would kill anything that even thought of threatening her. Taking her into his arms he held her to him then turned as the others ran into the room. His eyes caught and held Niall's seeing the puzzled wonder in them. He knew there was a sheen of tears in his own but he felt no shame just the resolve, pain, hope and love he knew was also in his eyes. Space, infinite, boundless space that was all there was. An existence peaceful orderly and tranquil where everything that happened had a purpose, all had been and would be as ordered. Light and darkness existed together, blended and yet separated in ways they never could be on the earthly plane. Love and hate, rage and calm, cowardice and bravery, generosity and greediness, shyness and boldness all were but there was peace in them. Time had no purpose or hold much or little of it passing with little change or awareness. And yet there was an awareness in the void, disembodied, the sense that it was separate came gradually until the knowledge that it was alien intruded. Nonetheless it was somewhat the same as all that was about it. Power about was quiescent, a sluggish flow rife with untold potential. The awareness rejoiced in the power, absorbed, released and changed its structure at will. She, yes she was female, knew she did not belong here just as she knew here was an intrinsic part of her. Where she was and who she was were yet a mystery the knowledge would come in its own time, she was content. Like a barely there wisp, unacknowledged, time began to flow in her. Its birth, reason and breadth unfolded as it moved at a fore ordained pace, at the right moment the living things were. She watched as they developed, some becoming extinct as nature changed and some thriving as they adapted. The humanoid races fought their wars, loved and died as she watched dispassionately, their reasoning and weaknesses understood. She saw worlds begin and die in their time saw the races on them, those on earth had yet to know of if ever, live out their lives. Yes earth, that was her home and she saw the lives of every living thing as if it were her own. There were no secrets, nothing she could not know but she was too content to wonder at the fact or any of the others. In her apathy she nonetheless felt a thread of anguish beating through it all, one that was personal yet too faint to identify. It tugged her essence, demanded a response and threatened her complacency. 'What is this place?' she wondered. Her voice was soundless, a part of the here she dwelt in as she was. She did not expect an answer but she got one. 'Space.' The other voice was also soundless, apart from her and not. 'Space is everywhere.' 'Then we are everywhere.' 'That is impossible.' She stated with conviction. 'Are we... separate?' she asked the other. 'I think so.' 'Do we know each other?' 'We are sisters.' The other answered as if it should have been obvious. Somehow that fit, a fact that transcended time and reality. 'Alright, what else are we?' 'I don't know' Another voice, soundless and multi-toned answered, 'You are the souls of ether, set to govern and control its changes' Silence reigned for a moment, time standing still again awaiting a moment ordained from its beginning, when the two who were meant to touch timelessness and time awoke to themselves. 'Who are you?' The second awareness asked. 'We are ether' 'And we are your soul?' 'Yes.' 'How then can you have a conversation with you if we are your soul, wouldn't that make you our body or something? 'We are energy, the power that enables all immortals to use their abilities and more than that. We create, destroy and program all that is as should be, as we were commanded from creation yet we had no voice or consciousness. You were born our voice and now come to be and through you we are conscious. Now we have the means to act between the times of our purpose. 'Does that make any sense to you?' her sister, the second awareness, asked. 'Nope' 'I always hated the esoteric.' 'Well you're part of this so you're just hating yourself.' 'Anyone called for some psychobabble?' her sister called out as if there was anyone other than the three of them, that is, if conscious energy could be counted as a being. Tara smiled at that, her sister could always be counted on for her sarcastic humour. Wait she had just remembered her name! Although all the other pertinent details like how old she was, where she lived, what she was doing here were still out of her reach, even her sister's name. 'You have taken the knowledge it is necessary for you to have at this time, now you must go. It is not advisable for even you to stay for long on your first trip. And your soulmates await you' the conscious energy advised. 'Wait, you haven't explained anything, what soulmates?' Tara protested but it was too late. As the presence faded or maybe as she faded a last thought reached her. 'The longer you wait, the closer your mate comes to his death. Tara's heart twisted painfully at that, though she could not summon any knowledge of him she could not stand the thought of his death, he had to live. Until a painful wrenching tore them apart she hadn't realized how connected she had been to her sister. An anguished protest rang through the empty space, the sound of a single voice, denial through the ages of time. But it was only a single moment of denial powered by two voices that in unison could speak anything to being. She was torn, to stay she would condemn her soulmate to death but to go meant a separation from one who was so much a part of her. The choice though was out of her hands. Her being grew heavy or more likely the essence of earth was lighter than ether, which she was, her speed was phenomenally fast, daunting. She fell forever yet it was a mere nanosecond, her existence traveling faster than light, a mere thought transferred from ether to flesh. In that moment she saw him holding her hand and knew him. Lykan. Powerful. Her mate. She crashed into her body, a useless mangled shell incapable of holding what she was and yet meant to suffice. Ether collided with everything, shattering it to its microscopic level then rebuilding it in less time than it took to blink. Her body was reformed as it was and yet not, now it was ancient, beyond age and yet only twenty five, a contradiction as she was, holding so much knowledge and yet knowing nothing. "Camryn." She remembered her sister's name; it had been nagging at her that she had not remembered. "Tara!" an emotion laden voice chocked as strong arms wrapped around her. Something about the voice was familiar, Trevyn she thought, but why would he be so upset? Nothing could bring Trevyn to such a state. He was so strong and capable she could not bear to have anything upsetting him. She wanted to comfort him but she was so tired, weary in fact and wanted to sleep forever. Darkness overcame her and she lost all awareness. * * * * Agent Raphason looked around the property taking note of all exits and defensible position. As he did he issues instructions to his second who relayed them to the others to be swiftly carried out. He hoped it was just a case of stray wolves that had wandered into the neighborhood but he doubted it. When he had joined the paranormal control agency he had thought he would be dealing with hoaxes, psychics and fakes, normal stuff not real paranormal beings. The things he had come across in his three years on the job were enough to make the hair on any sane person stand. He wished he had never entered the agency or could leave but it was a thing you could not back out of, hotel California. If the pack that had been sighted were lycanthropic he was in for a dicey situation, considered friendlies they were however not to be trusted nor their friendliness taken for granted. He had never had to deal with them before but those who had had always advised to thread carefully but Raphason was not known for his subtlety. There was a crowd around the house despite the efforts of his people to keep them away. It amazed him how many people had nothing to do, which raised a new problem, if they were lykan as he suspected how were they going to explain the absence of wolves to the crowd. "How many were reported to be seen?" he asked his second. "Nine, Twenty-four depending on who you asked." "Which means six or seven. Okay get me nine closed dog cages and a van, no matter what we find we are going to need them." He noticed a camera crew unloading a few feet from the house and swore, the vultures were always looking for a story and this was not one of those he could bury, not unless he wanted to bring attention to the existence of their agency. The one thing they knew was never to draw attention to their presence. "And someone come up with a story for the media." More people were coming to watch as the story of what had been seen traveled with some exaggerations, if he did not get the situation under control soon he would have a disaster on his hands. Wolves were regarded with much fear by most and judging by the restlessness of the growing crowd they would soon be taking matters into their own hands. As he cased the crowd for potential troublemakers he noticed a good number of extremely good-looking men, the kind of looks even male models did not have. The hair at the back of his neck rose as he caught the eye of one of them. His eyes were a common enough brown but something lurked in them that was more than common, the watchfulness of a predator, calm, patient and ready. In their depth was a message and understanding, the lykan knew what he was and was telling him no mistakes would be tolerated on his part. One of the things they learned as PCA agents was the etiquette of dealing with lykae and their nonverbal communications as far as the humans could understand. He swallowed hard as he realized something more was happening here and he had stumbled into the midst of it. He wished someone could come and take over from him, the number of the human wolves was increasing with each minute and he was feeling out of his depths. "Call it in Sanders." He told his second who seemed to be frozen by the eyes of another lykan, fear radiating from him. The man should know enough to keep his fear in check in the presence of wolves but it was also his first encounter. He nudged him to get his attention and the man nearly jumped out of his skin. "Call for backup and you might want to remember they can smell fear and isolate scent." Not to mention hear our conversation He added to himself. Sanders swallowed then nodded. As Sanders put the call through, Raphason took a deep breath and walked through the broken door. The remains were scattered in the room with the main part halfway to the archway into the dining area where he could see extensive blood splatter. The wooden floor, the walls, even into the living room he was in had blood all over them. He had seen many unpleasant things but this was shocking moreso as none of the furniture in the house was disturbed in any way. The brutality the amount of blood testified to was sickening, someone had died in that room and from the looks of it that someone had been bludgeoned to death or maybe ravaged by a wolf. So much for their ascertainment they did not hurt any innocent. He turned to go back out and wait for backup but instead he found he was not alone in the room. Six men who were, by their looks alone, the wolves he had come here for, lounged about the room poised as any group hanging out would, a group of muscular, tall, male models who oozed sex appeal, power and a bit of danger. It made for an unreal scene even had he not known they were supernatural beings, no humans had such flawless features nor would they hang together if they did, let alone a few feet from such a scene. The hairs at the back of his neck stood again as fear arose from the deep places most people never had the opportunity to realize they had. It was that ancient fear of the dark that never really went away, becoming pronounced for those who had the knowledge of what lurked in it. He knew, and now faced six of those beings who could tear his throat before he could blink but instead sat there looking at him, waiting, for what he had no idea. They smelled his fear he knew, even he could scent it, taste it as a coppery taint on his tongue, but there was nothing he could do to hold it back. Fear called to the predators in them, marked him as weak and to be hunted, would their human side reason out the consequences of attacking him? Seconds turned into minutes in slow agonizing procession, the men before him sitting back as if nothing was amiss. It would seem the first move was his, they had violated the rules they had agreed to and he was here to enforce those rules. "What did you do to her?" he demanded in his most belligerent voice. The house was registered to a Miss TaraLynn Townsend and that was probably who was in the other room. "You might want to revise your tone and consider asking instead of accusing." The lykan closer to him replied in a calm voice belied by his swirling luminous eyes. Raphason knew when a lykan's wolf was close to taking over, their eyes became a glowing amber, green or grey depending on their wolfen heritage. He knew the Alpha princes' eyes had flecks of all three colours radiating from the dark iris to give their eyes the appearance of mini suns. None of the intel though had prepared him for the shimmering incandescence he was looking into. He felt small, insignificant, overpowered. Never had he experienced such an impact, no one should hold such power! He wanted to fall to his knees and give himself to the Alpha's mercy, needed to be protected by him and serve him for all his days. The knowledge in those eyes made his insides ache, made him want to weep and rejoice. Shame washed over him that he had doubted the Alpha's nobility that he had shown such disrespect. He was sinking in it, lost to all reason and feeling except for the shame. "Alpha." He whispered in agony and the Alpha took his eyes away from his, releasing him. Raphason felt bereft, like he had been abandoned, cut off from his reason to live, the foundation of his existence. Was that how a lykan felt without an Alpha? Alone, unwanted, restless, desperate and uncertain. There was no point in going on, his life meaningless and better ended. "Damn it Braeden, must you always show such anger, and to a mortal?" Raphason looked up to see another Alpha coming to stand before him, he flinched as the lykan reached out to him. "You have managed to infuse him with your displeasure and you know what that does to a lykan what more a human?" The second Alpha touched his fingers to Raphason's forehead his eyes afire, just as incandescent as in the other's but somehow gentle. Soothing warmth calmed his raging thoughts and dispersed the hopelessness until he was as he had been, without the restless energy that characterized him. He could have wept with relief had he not been too proud a man or trying to find his balance from what had just happened. Trusting Love Ch. 03 "Why don't you ensure he is never so susceptible," a third Alpha said, his eyes flashing for a second before they settled into their normal colour. "We wouldn't want him to be so easily taken." "And we should care why?" Braeden asked his tone declaring Raphason insignificant. He had heard there were some paranormals who thought humans were beneath them and this alpha seemed to be one of them. "Well aside from teaching him some respect we do need someone to liaise between the humans and our people and he is just as good as any and he is here." Raphason was insulted, he was a certified genius, held three degrees in criminology, theoretical psychology and alternative physiology. What he was not, was as good as any other and yet he could not help but be gratified at the prospect of being the human liaison with the wolves. The things he could learn about their behavior, psychology not to mention any physiological differences with humans and how that helped make them what they were. Even if his work never became world known he would be the first human in recent history to study lycans, however covertly, and it would be well-known in his circles. "Very well," Braeden waved his acceptance. "Since you are already in his mind Niall you might as well." "Your highness is very kind." Niall replied his tone dry and mocking. As the alpha placed his hand on his forehead again Raphason wondered at the palpable tension he had somehow failed to sense when he got into the room. The six men were on edge, ready to explode and his presence was not helping. He felt like a bone the big dogs were playing with and that did not sit well with him. Always he had been the man with answers to the questions that had baffled all, the one who placed logic above all and yet here he was on a roller coaster of emotions and sensations he could hardly name. He resented it all but before he could deny any of it he felt a wall slam around his mind, only then did he realize his mind had been oppressed by the others' and he had not known it. His back straightened a bit as if a weight had been lifted off his shoulders. In wonder he stared about him and it dawned on him that all his thoughts from the moment he had entered the house had been public knowledge. Such power had not been recorded before and he wondered if it was a result of the presence of at least three Alphas, half of the six known to exist though none had ever seen any except for the Alpha prince Trevyn. What were three Alphas doing together and in the house of a murdered ordinary citizen? An intense energy pulse radiated out of the dinning knocking him back and into the wall with some loose pieces of furniture, naturally his companions were not affected. Whilst he was moaning at the pain of impact the six men rushed, well glided, to the other room making him feel inadequate, a feeling that was becoming a bit too common for him. Aside from the six he had already encountered there were two others in the other room all entranced by the woman who lay in the arms of the Alpha of the city lykae or urlykae as they were called, Trevyn. Raphason had never believed in anything much, choosing to trust in what he could perceive and logically reason out. He believed the paranormal beings were humans who diverted from the normal path of evolution and their psychical gifts a result of utilizing some of the 88% of the brain normal humans did not. His theories in studying any and all physiological differences were along that line of thought. He knew their regenerative abilities were phenomenal with the exception of immolation and decapitation and still he had a scientific explanation for that. This however was beyond his science. One minute her body was mangled to an unrecognizable extend and the next she was whole, her skin smooth and flawless. She radiated with life, peace, love and all the goody goody emotions Raphason had always scoffed at, death, chaos, hatred and all the terrifying emotions also pulsed from her. She was frightening, beautiful, unnerving and mesmerizing, the most stunning woman he had ever seen and she gave him chills. He wanted to run as far away from her as he could and yet he wanted to stay forever in her presence. The barriers newly erected in his mind were as nothing as all her terrible, enchanting aura washed through him. In the second it took Raphason knew he was forever changed, he loved this woman like he had never loved another nor did he think he ever would love another. A futile love as he could see she belonged to the alpha holding her like she was the most wonderful treasure on earth, which he knew she was. "What was that?" one of the lykae asked. "What is she?" another asked "Alive." Prince Trevyn replied. "Thank Ilu." One of the Alphas murmured. "Cacama." "Zianna has looked kindly upon you Etlu ahu." Sumer, they were talking Sumerian! The shocks the day held were becoming too much to take in, Raphason had taken up ancient languages as a hobby and knew a bit of most of them. Sumer being the most ancient of recorded languages had less known words but Raphason knew Ilu meant God and cacama meant amen. No one knew about the origin of the lykae and if they spoke Sumerian they had to originate from then if not predate that civilization, They had to be the only living people who still spoke the language. He found himself awed anew, his mind racing to what they could teach him about the culture and language. If what he suspected was true they would be able to write cuineform something even the foremost authority on the Sumerian language could not do. Trevyn looked up to meet Raphason's eyes and in that instant the agent knew what the Alpha wanted, no demanded, of him. He now had a sensational heartwarming story for the media, an idea of what he was dealing with and what his life would be like from then, too bad the Alphas would not have him write a book. Even if he were foolish enough to want to write it anyway he could not go against their combined wishes, their will together was absolute. He got outside just as the backup was pulling up. The most harrowing hours of his life had only lasted a mere twenty minutes. "Raphason, you ok?" Saunders asked his voice betraying his worry and relief "We tried to go in after you but we couldn't" Raphason looked behind him at the gaping door "Strangest thing." Saunders commented like one who wanted to forget what he couldn't. "Strange doesn't begin to explain it." Raphason was surprised at how rusty his voice sounded and cleared his throat though he doubted it would help much. "They in there too huh?" "Yes." He croaked again "Any idea why this has suddenly become lykan central?" "Alphas," he stated and almost smiled as all the agents about him froze, even the regional PCA director, his boss, who had come in with the backup crew. "Four out of the six Alphas." A telling silence permeated the air, to their knowledge the lykae Alphas had never been known to congregate in what was basically human territory. The fact that they did so portended some major upheave, one which could spell more trouble than they had the means to deal with. "Well, what are they doing here?" his boss demanded. Raphason gave a humourless laugh "Did you think they would tell me?" "But you can name them right?" the director asked trying to salvage something. As good of an agent as he was he was a politician and being the director to uncover the identity of not one but three of the hitherto unknown princes would be quite a coup. "Yes." Another silence ensured as Raphason did not elaborate. "Well?" the other man demanded. "I'm not at liberty to say." "I'm giving you the liberty." That was said through clenched teeth. "Sir none of us have the slightest idea of how powerful they are. Everyone knows I'm the most detached and clinical SOB we have and yet one of them looked at me with displeasure and I wanted to commit suicide. Another touched my forehead and..." he shook his head deciding it was not the kind of info the other agents needed to know about. They certainly did not need to know about her, whatever she was. "I will brief you when we get back sir, but just know they are much more than we ever guessed. I literary cannot go against their wishes." The other man scrutinized him as he weighed his words then gave a curt nod. "I take it you have a plan for the media?" his tone clearly stated that Raphason had better have a solution. "Yes sir." "And the Alphas?" "They are all gone with the exception of prince Trevyn and he will come out with Miss Townsend." "Any relationship to Andrew Townsend?" he asked thinking of the publicity they would have if there was one. "None we could find." Sanders answered. "Get to it then, Raphason." Raphason dispatched six agents with dog crates into the house and as they returned with wolves in the crates he was feeding the media a fantastic story. He looked at the wolves and noted that none of them had those disconcerting eyes and shuddered. It would seem the wolves could translocate themselves. Raphason wondered why they would expose such a vital talent, unless it was immaterial compared to the others they had, it was a sobering thought. Prince Trevyn walked besides Miss Townsend as the paramedics wheeled her away, not to any hospital, he knew, but to the beachfront mansion he owned. The place had enough security to give fort Knox a run for its money and no one could get to her again. He turned back to the media, his mind resting on what was mundane in an effort to shield him from so many shocks. * * * * * * She met his eyes the moment hers opened, it was as if he had known she was about to awaken. Unlikely as it was Tara was certain that was the case. He stood by the window outlined by the light coming through with his face in the shadows. As she sat up to get a better look at him she wondered if he was aware of how the light showed off his body to advantage. His broad shoulders blocked most of it, their muscles bulging deliciously beneath his dress shirt, enough to make any red blooded female ache and she was as female as the next. He had a tall, athletic, lithe frame, muscled but not obscenely so. His legs went on forever, strong firm encased in tight fitting tailored jeans that left nothing to the imagination. The bulge between his legs caught and entranced her eyes, impossibly big her eyes widened as she wondered how she would survive a taste of him, which was what she found herself aching for. He was obviously aroused, his cock straining against the tightness she wondered how he could stand the discomfort. An answering ache flamed through her pussy, the blood flowing to it, swelling her mons and engorging her clit. Her silken panties felt rough against her, stimulating to her sensitized sex. Cream gushed out of her, wetting the thin scrap of underwear she had on and scenting the air. She watched his nostrils flare as he caught it; his eyes, a dark fire reaching across the room to burn her. Agonizingly tight, her nipples hungered as if they had a mind of their own, electricity radiated from them through her breasts and to the rest of her body. Never had she felt such excruciating need, a woman ruled by logic she had never been a slave to her desires and yet here she was with nothing on her mind expect wanting Trev. Standing up with the grace of a courtesan greeting her lover she sashayed towards him, her hips rolling an invitation to mate. She was in the throes of a mating fire, a female enticing her lover and knowing he stood no chance. Tonight he would be hers. How she knew that was a mystery she had no intention of uncovering, all that mattered was that he was hers. Hers to savour, hers to taste, bite and devour. His eyes were dual sunburst a lighter colour than his normal black scotching into hers but she was ready. She accepted and knew at a deep level this was how it was supposed to be. Heat shimmered from him, poured into her pores then burned through her blood. She was ablaze, wild, needing to consume and be consumed, wanting to be quenched as she conquered. She stopped a breath away from him, her hardened nipples grazing his hard muscled chest. He stood still, rigid with control, his muscles so hard they could have been carved in stone. His restraint aroused her more than she already was, her cream leaking out of her to run against her thighs. "Tara," he begged through clenched teeth his eyes flashing between their normal colour and that of his wolf. Trevyn knew he should keep his hands away from her, knew she was not in control of her need and would hate him if he made love to her. He knew she would hate herself for losing control but his wolf was making being noble harder than it had ever had to be. The beast had always been the more noble of the two and yet confronted with their mate he lost all reason. Trevyn really didn't want to be noble, his mate had died in his arms and even if he lived forever he would never forget that moment. He needed to claim her, to ensure she would not be so easily killed again, to bind her so he would always know where she was and if she was in danger. But as with every immortal who had found his mate her needs came first. As she had worked her way to consciousness they had felt the mating pull, triggered by her near miss that aspect of the immortals that made it essential to celebrate life with raw sex arose. He yearned for her with every fiber of his being, craved her touch like it was the only thing between life and death. His body burned as it had never done before. He had heard about the need between mates to reestablish their bond after a traumatic event but he had never believed the tales of its strength. He was holding on by a thread, his sanity slowly slipping as his wolf fought him to claim what was his. 'It is our right to take our mate and she wants us.' His wolf argued. 'She is not herself, we might get her now but we will lose her trust.' 'She is our mate and will forgive us in time, which is the way of mates.' The wolf reasoned then turned persuasive. 'Can we resist the fire in her? Feel how it calls to our need, how her need perfumes the air. Imagine losing ourselves in her heat, having her cling to us and beg us for more. Think of her taste, her rich cream melting on our tongue as she holds us in place.' The wolf wasn't fighting for control anymore, there was no need, Trevyn was near his breaking point and the picture the wolf painted was more than he could resist. Tara choosing that moment to paste her body against his drove him over the edge and he attacked. There was no other way to describe the intensity of his kiss. He took control of her mouth, plundering like a pirate caught up in a treasure frenzy, he devoured her with a wild hunger devoid of reason. His tongue dueled with hers and dominated, explored the sweet succulent depths of her to discover all her secrets. Her taste was like nothing he had ever had, ambrosia, only better than the so called gods had, like liquid bliss with a touch of danger wrapped in innocence. She could be the death of him, held all he was in her hands and Trevyn wouldn't have it any other way. He shaped her firm, silky thighs, taking the t-shirt she wore up over her lusciously curved hips past her small waist and up still, a sensual exploration at odds with the ardor of his kiss. She moaned as his fingers brushed her nipples with deliberate slowness before he pulled the t-shirt off her. Her skin was softer than anything he had ever touched, more sensual than supple velvet its molten texture gliding against him as she danced to the sexual beat between them. There was something free in her movements, something innate, primeval as the beginning of time. Her body rubbed against his in slow gyrating motions that evoked an answer from his, mesmeric movements tying them together at a level beyond sexual. He stepped away to get a better look at her and groaned. Aside from the barely there panties she wore she was naked, her heavy well rounded breasts crowned with dusky tight nipples begging to be touched. She had a tall slender hourglass shape, her legs long and shapely, legs meant to go over his shoulders as he rammed into her, to cradle him as he tasted her juicy cunt. Her hair could be called strawberry blond but that would be too bland a description, primarily copper it had brown, auburn, platinum and black highlights its glorious curls giving it the look of out of control flame. Reaching to her waist it embraced her, haloing her in fire. "You're so beautiful," he whispered in awe as he cupped her breasts, squeezing them together until the nipples were so close that he took them into his mouth and suckled. Her cries rang through the room as she begged for more, called out his name and swore at him, something she had never done before. One hand clutched his hair to keep him at her breasts whilst the other clawed at his back. His wolf growled at the sweet pleasure of it, the wolf had always gone to sleep whenever Trevyn had been with other women and for the first time he was experiencing pleasure. Centuries old need focused on his mate was unleashed and no power or reason would sway. Releasing her breasts he lifted her into his arms and carried her to the bed where he covered her body with his, taking care to anchor most of his weight on his arms. He took her mouth in a searing kiss his wolf almost purring as her hands explored him with a restlessness that broadcasted her urgent need. She moaned when he bit her lower lip then her chin, gasped when he tongued the column of her neck then gave a keening cry as he sucked her nipple through his teeth. With one hand he explored her, gliding over the hills and valleys that shaped her with a reverent barely there touch that had her arcing into him. "Trevyn please," she panted. "What?" he asked even as he knew what she wanted a part of him needing to hear her express her need. "What do you want Tara?" he lapped at a nipple eliciting another moaning cry. "I need..." she gasped. "You need what sweetheart?" "Everything" "Tell me." He demanded. "I want you, every which... way... except... MISSIONERY!" She screamed the last word as he bit her nipple. She came with a surprised gasp that told him she had never experienced the exquisite pleasure he gave her. His heart soared at the thought; he wanted to be the only man ever to please her thus, to make sure she would never want another. He needed to brand her and he knew there was no better brand than intense all-consuming ecstasy. Her pleasure was and would forever be his to see to and she would know it, they had all night and he had only just begun. Trevyn thrust a finger into her, she was so tight, her convulsing walls sucking his finger deeper and squeezing it as if never to let it go. Over and over he thrust into her prolonging her orgasm 'til she was panting for every breath, her body thrashing with pleasure beneath his. He petted her until she calmed down wondering what the request was all about. When her breathing was somewhat back to normal he kissed and nibbled his way to the juncture between her legs. "Trev?" She questioned shakily, her body rigid with anticipation. "Trev I've never..." She screamed in surprise as he traced her seam all the way to her clit instinctively trying to pull away from the overwhelming sensations. Trevyn held her tight taking her nub into his mouth sucking it hard enough to straddle the threshold between pain and pleasure. He knew the confusion between the two sensations would elicit the most intense pleasure. Bringing her to the brink he stopped, caressed her thighs until she was no longer there then brought her higher again. He repeatedly brought her to that peak and down again until her body was trembling uncontrollably. Trusting Love Ch. 03 Trevyn raised his head to look at her and groaned. She was like a pagan sex goddess; her hair fanned about her the red standing out against the black satin. Her milk chocolate skin was flushed a deeper brown and she had her back arced as if offering the bounty of her lush breast to a devotee. Her tautly muscled torso flowed into rounded, toned thighs, thighs that openly showcased that succulent well he had been feeding from. Powerless to do anything else he dove back in, grazing her with his teeth, sucking, licking and then thrusting his tongue into her soft satin sheath. She pulled at his hair, yelled, cried out his name and thrust herself at his mouth. He growled his pleasure at the sweet taste, redoubling his efforts as her body gushed more of her tasty cream. "Trevyn!" she shrieked as another orgasm wracked her body. Unable to wait any longer he flipped her onto her stomach, positioned himself behind her and thrust. Instead of being enveloped in her hot sheath the head of his cock slid down across her seam until he was nestled between her legs and not in the way he wanted. Repositioning himself he thrust again only to end up in the same position, he frowned then tried again with the same result. Puzzled he reached for power he had only ever used in his youth and focused inward as he had been taught. It was a simple enough thing to do and soon his senses flared outside of himself encompassing their two bodies. He saw them in their aural nature, the pulsating too bright lights he had never taken the time to understand. Her aura was fire, all the blues, yellows and reds whilst he was icy blue, grey, green and white. He shied away from the knowledge his aura evinced, there was not even a hint of his lykan heritage in it. Where they should have been joined dark green and blue lights pulsated repelling his aura, a chastity spell aimed specifically for him. It took much skill to be able to cast such a spell; someone had gone to great length to ensure they would not mate. Anger infused him; he noted his aura darkening as the emotion flowed through him until it overshadowed everything. Who could have done this to him? Many races did not want theirs to be revived but he had no idea which one could have gotten to her? He would have known if she came in contact with them and he should have felt the difference after the spell. Rubbing the head against her folds, he let her soft slickness wipe all thought from him. Her hips pushed back against him an effort to take him in and the head slid into her tight sheath. Their groans of pleasure came out as one but in spite of both their efforts he could go no further. They did manage to drive their need higher without reaching that glorious peak. Tara reached between their legs to grasp the base of his cock, her hand couldn't wrap around his girth but there was room for her to glide up and down even as he also held himself. At first she was hesitant, not sure what to do but as he moaned his pleasure, she increased her pace, her hand tight on his hard shaft. It was exquisite, her thumb gliding over his tightening balls with every down stroke, sweet torture as her grip kept him at the edge. Her previous orgasms made her more resilient as he made shallow thrusts into her, his thumb rubbing her sensitive nub. Their cries filled the room, rising as their sweat-slickened bodies rubbed against each other, as they rose impossibly closer without toppling. Her hand gripped his tighter, moving faster bumping into his as he too stroked himself. Every cell in his body felt alive, caught at the bittersweet edge of need, burning for more even as he could not take more. He took her lips in a savage kiss that only became more so as they drew closer, he could feel what she felt just as she felt his anguished need. Her body trembled beneath his, her knees almost buckling. Then the dam broke and the windows vibrated to the sound of her scream and his triumphant roar. His seed spurted into her but flowed out as he was not deep enough. For an eternity in time they were caught on that erotically painful razor edge before they collapsed in a tangle of limbs. * * * * * Tara awakened to a lazy sensual exploration, erotic and disconcerting. The fingers barely touched her as they glided down her thigh to tease the back of her knee before sliding back up. They circled her hip bone, an erogenous point she would never have suspected, teased their way across her stomach, just above her already creaming pussy. Half asleep as she was her legs were already parting in invitation, her breath short and her hands reaching for her lover. Her head was pillowed on his arm and his musky scent fueled her need. She loved the way Trev always smelled, like the forest after a spring shower. Tara frowned, that did not sound right, she couldn't be in bed with Trev, which must be why a part of her had been unsettled trying to bring her to her senses. She pulled away her eyes still close not wanting to face the inevitable fight. "Ray, I..." she began then some sixth sense stopped her as the other side of the bed stilled, she opened her eyes to meet the glacial midnight of Trevyn's eyes. With a sinking heart she realized her mistake, memories of the night before flooded her and she winced even as desire inundated her system. "Trev, it's not what you think." "Really?" he drawled sitting up, "You did not just call me by another man's name?" She chewed her lips her eyes pleading with him, "Yes but it's not as it sounded." "You still want him!" he accused. "What is it going to take for you to come to your senses? He beats you any chance he gets and you stayed with him for three freaking years! He kills you and you still yearn for him in your bed, even after spending the night in my arms." She shook her head as she sat up and tried to reach out to him. Moving away from her he got out of bed and reached for his jeans. She had to only make him listen and then he would understand. It was an honest enough mistake and he would see it had nothing to do with wanting Ray. "I am tired of putting your masochistic needs before those of my people." He declared as he put on his jeans, Tara found herself focused on his sculptured body, his cock looking impressive despite its unaroused state. "You spend the night in my arms and all you can think about is a man who uses you as a punching bag." "Trevyn..." she pleaded lifting her eyes to his. "Enough," he commanded in an absolute tone only an idiot would ignore. "Your clothes will be here soon, make yourself comfortable, you're not going anywhere." "Trevyn!" the hurt in her voice would have stayed most but Trevyn walked away. As the door closed Tara curled into herself and cried. Why had she thought he would be different? Sure she had said another man's name but it wasn't in the throes of passion. If only he had given her a chance to explain, but no he had to assume the worst and imprison her. Was she so twisted she could only attract abusive, controlling men? She cried for all the years she had been beaten, degraded and insulted, she cried for all the years her father had abused her mother, she cried for the year she had spent wanting Trevyn, denying it only to find he was no different. She cried for the pain her sister could not hide nor talk about and for all the little injustices she had endured. Years of knowing she was somebody's by-blow, an embarrassment to the family. She cried until she was too exhausted to cry, until no tears would come, until she fell asleep. Trevyn stood with his forehead on the door to her room unable to bring himself to comfort her. The bedroom like all the others was soundproofed but her tears resonated inside him, tearing his insides. He couldn't understand why he couldn't just go to her. She had died as he watched! Ilu only knew what she had endured before dying and after, and now she was crying as if her heart was breaking but he could not comfort her as a mate should. All he could focus on was the pain in his heart, the knowledge she preferred another to him. The woman he had waited eight centuries for desired a brute of a man who hit her. Having studied psychology he intellectually understood the abuser/victim dynamics, the dependence some developed for their abuser so much that they did not want to be saved. But damn it all she was his mate! The one woman who should crave him as much as he did, yet after knowing her for a year she had just triggered the mating urge and only because she had died. Was it now gone? He listened for the wrenching sobs he could not hope to hear, his mind in turmoil as his heart ached for conflicting reasons. He stood still as her breaths came in gasps, as she became too exhausted to cry and finally fell asleep. Even then he listened for any sound of her, needing to know she slept without nightmares. After some time he went downstairs knowing he had made things between them worse but unable to change his mind, he would not be parted from her. Even the words that ancient seer had spoken would not sway him. Trusting Love Ch. 04 "You will be the first to find your mate," the ancient seer had predicted, her voice like that of a cadaver who had not uttered a word in several centuries. "Unlike any other before her or to come she will have the choice to refuse you and with her choice no other mate will accept your people." Her eyes had bored into his as she made that devastating pronouncement, uncaring as they studied him for a reaction. She studied him with the detachment of a clinical analyst, as if he a prince of his people was nothing more than an insect of interest. "Whatever happens between you two shall be the standard for all lykae until a new generation is born. So take care how you go about for your very nature will be enough to drive her away. For if you lose her no other will have their mates." Trevyn cursed the seer as he had since then, more so in the last year as he had endured nights alone in his bed with his body burning for his mate. Nights when he had pictured her in the arms of another knowing he was powerless. He knew many immortals who simply took their mate knowing the destined bond would ensure it all came out right but because of those words he could not, despite the instincts that screamed for him to do just that. He had endured, tried his best to woe her, court her as they had courted women in the old days. Still as she still did, she had preferred another man, when their souls were crying out for each other she had preferred another. He could not bear it anymore, whatever happened; whoever she was he could no longer sit idle. "Why did you not tell us sooner?" Braeden demanded his anger apparent. Trevyn had just recounted the events of that fateful meeting centuries back to his fellow Alphas, a meeting they had had the courtesy never to ask about before. Though he had promised himself to inform his fellow alphas he did not owe them an explanation. He turned an uncompromising glare to the other man not appreciating the challenge. What he chose to inform them concerning his life or that of his mate was for him to decide. In all his centuries he had never doubted his ability to claim his mate. Not once had what the old hag said concerned him, not until her anguished voice had wrung in his soul and he had known fear, until she had been lifeless in his arms. So what right did anyone have to question his actions? They could not imagine what he had experienced in those moments, he hoped they never had to, but until then none of them could question him. He did not need this. Braeden was the most difficult Alpha to deal with; despite the centuries they had known and even lived together Trevyn still found himself aching to strangle the mountain prince. He was as obstinate as the mountains he called home with a volatile temper that came and went with the suddenness of a summer squall. He was forthright to a fault, which grated on Trevyn more circumspective character. Braeden made no apologies for himself and could and did bulldoze his way through any weak characters. He could not abide deceptions or procrastinations. Not to say he was a bully quite the opposite, living in the mountains though made for hardy men and none were hardier than the kurgalykae, mountain lykae. They were uncompromising men who were as patient as stone, as incisive as the wind and generally blunt. Trevyn being the prince of the city lykae preferred diplomacy and circumspection. Which Braeden thought was mostly a waste of time. Trevyn took a deep breath to calm himself before addressing the other prince. "And just what did she say to you about your mate?" he asked with an edge to his voice. Braeden held his gaze without flinching or any sign he would answer, tension rose about them, thick, nerve stretching, hair rising tension. It was not often that the alphas fought against each other as they were too equally matched for there to be a winner. After working so hard to bring the different lykan packs closer they could not afford to go back to the infighting and distrust that had prevailed during their predecessors' time. Trevyn's muscles ached as did his jaw, a precursor to his shifting. His wolf always calm in most situations strained at the bit. Ready for a fight. He could see the same happening to Braeden, his muscles bulging even more until his shirt appeared in danger of being ripped through its seams. "Enough!" Niall commanded. "You will not undo all we have achieved just when we have hope." They both turned away, avoiding each other's eyes and the eyes of the others. Niall was right; they had come a long way to risk everything. Finally he had found his mate and had the chance to change history. He needed to concentrate on that, concentrate on her. Lord, he should be with her right now, apologizing and begging her forgiveness. He should be doing all he could to have her forgive him not starting fights he could not afford. Dammit, couldn't they just leave him alone? Understand that no man wanted to court his woman with a bunch of observers about? He wished he could kick them out of his house. "You know Braeden," he reflected with his back to the other Alpha, "When you do find you mate I am going to take a front row seat and make your life as miserable as you are presently making mine." He turned to meet Braeden's steady eyes. He lifted an arrogant brow at him. "I would think you will be too busy enjoying your mate to bother." "I will make the sacrifice." "Let me save you the trouble and tell you I will not be claiming my mate." At that Trevyn froze as did the other alphas and the enforcers. No lykan would ever contemplate not claiming his mate let alone a Lykan prince; his wolf would demand nothing else. The silence in the room was deafening, full of so much there was no way to describe it. Trevyn kept his eyes locked with Braeden waiting for whatever the Alpha prince had to say. "She asked if I would ever be the cause for the end of our race. I was outraged that she would even have to ask but she insisted on an answer and of course I said no." Braeden broke eye contact to go to the side bar and poured a shot of whiskey for himself raising the decanter in question if anyone wanted any. The others all shook their heads and he replaced it, took a sip from his glass savouring it before continuing with his story. "She then asked if I believed that I would immediately claim her once I saw her. Of course it was not a question per se, more statement. I asked what she was implying and she told me without flinching." He lifted his head a notch higher, a defensive move Trevyn was sure he was not aware of making. "If I claimed my mate I would ensure a fate worse than any machinations the council ever has or could dream for our race. And if I do not I would ensure at least six generations of our race but no more than twenty." If the silence of before had been deafening the one that followed was ear shattering. No one moved or seemed to breathe, shocked and shattered by the new troubles they now had to face. Trevyn could understand why Braeden would have wanted to keep that to himself. His own situation was far much better and he had not wanted the others to know. It must have been killing him to have such a burden on top of those he had as an alpha of a race a step away from extinction. That fact would have been indelibly written in his mind for centuries, knowing he had to give up his very soul just for a little more time for the rest of them. As an alpha though there would be no question of what he had to do, Trevyn himself had endured a year of knowing his mate was letting another make love to her just for a better future for his people. Lord, how his race had been reduced to this was unfathomable. "So you see Trevyn, I am here to secure the best future for our race. If I badger the rest of you into securing your mates we have a better chance of survival and where there is life there is hope. I had not considered she had told a doomsday prophesy for the rest of you." Niall gave a humourless laugh and every eye turned to him. "So we have six chances of destroying our race?" "Seven." One of the enforcers corrected. "Oh yes, Ken'ichi was with us when we saw the seer. I keep forgetting him." He turned to Trevyn and Braeden. "Do you suppose this prophetess of doom had something to do with why he chose such solitude?" "I would say definitely." Braeden answered for the both of them. 'Thought as much." "And you?" Braeden asked "What did she say to you?" "This show and tell has been a ball," Niall replied as he stood up. "But I think we have had enough to mull over for a while don't you? Suffice to say my disaster will not play itself out for a long while as I will be the last Alpha to find his mate. I will get around to sharing though." Opening the door he left. As the others left Trevyn turned to the view of his gardens afforded by the bay windows of his study. He had had the gardens designed to remind him of who he was, redolent with evergreen shrubs and trees it was somewhat wild in its beauty and covered a greater portion of his property. Strictly speaking it was a forest but as the zoning district frowned upon forests in the neighborhood it was listed as a garden. He had bought two adjacent properties so as to have the little piece of freedom that allowed him and his people to shift and run without fear but as vast as the humans thought it, it wasn't enough for them. Which was why the pack owned a more than a thousand acres up in the Rockies just outside of town. More than anything he wanted to shift and run, lose himself in his wolf and forget all his troubles, to remember that wildness his ancestors had revered before there ever were cities. In his mind he pictured Tara running alongside him, experiencing the freedom and wonder of the forest with him. "Why not just tell her." Trevyn turned to see Braeden standing at the door with his hand on it. "The seer assured me that if I tell her, her right to free will is being used against her I will lose her." "Of course," the cynicism in the other Alpha's voice matched how he felt. He turned back to the garden view as Braeden walked out and closed the door. Nothing in life, he had learned, was ever easy. The more you wanted it the harder it was to obtain. * * * * * Tara woke up to an empty bed, her hand sliding over to where Trev should have been besides her and the pain sleep had kept at bay returned at the feel of the too cold sheets. He had not come back, but how could she have expected him to, after all to him she was a slut who thought only of another man no matter who she was with. Hadn't she thrown herself at him when she was supposed to be in love with Ray? Now she had broken it off with Ray to immediately fall into bed with him and then call out another man's name. What self-respecting man would stay with a woman like that? How could she have been so stupid? He must think she was a floozy, a cheap bed hoping floozy. But then what did she care what he thought of her? She was her own woman and it was time she stood on her own, who needed him anyway? All he could bring was misery. Misery was a beautiful thing though, she realized, in its thrall you saw things much more clearly. Like how useless most things were, love for example, really, who needed love anyway? It was the root of all evil, not money or the love of it, love was, simply love. She was done with it, she decided, love don't live here no more! What did she need with it anyway? No man was worth the heartache it brought, they were all users at any rate. All a girl had to do was believe this one was better than the last and soon enough she would be heartbroken. Well she was not going through that again. It wasn't like she was in love with Trevyn, sure she had convinced herself she loved him but that was understandable, she had a rebound. The angel next door always sounded better than the demon in the house until you met him. And Trev was definitely no angel nor was he a prince. She was done looking for a prince. Determined to leave in spite of what he had decreed she got out of bed wincing as some of her muscles protested. Though he had not been inside her at any time during the night he had stretched and explored her body in ways that brought a blush to her face. He had been so thorough, so talented taking her to heights she had never dreamed existed, schooled her in the art of love as if she had never been touched. In all honesty she had only thought she knew about sex, even the one erotic novel she had blushingly read had not prepared her for Trev. Lord the man knew how to use that gorgeous body of his and he had not been shy about what he had wanted. A delicious shudder went through her body as she recalled the places her hands had been. She wanted to explore those same places with her mouth, tongue and teeth, needed to explore him in new ways. No he was a snake! She did not need him and her body was most definitely not heating up at the thought of doing things to him that would make her mama blush. She had no intentions of finding him and having her way with him, none whatsoever. And those were not tears warming a trail down her cheeks or teardrops splashing onto the floor as she made her way to the bathroom. She could see just as well as she did on any given day because tears were not misting her eyes. She was fine and he still was not worth it, her heart was not breaking, no, not at all. She avoided looking in the mirror as she brushed her teeth, avoided the one in the shower room as she took a quick shower she even managed to avoid looking into one as she brushed her hair, lathered on her lotion and dressed. All there was for her to put on was a bikini she had left behind and Trev's shirt, the one he had been wearing last night and with the belt she had once left here on one of her stay overs cinched onto her waist she was ready to face the world. While the shirt came down to mid-thigh and the open sides came close to exposing her hips it was decent enough. It was summer and people went about with lesser clothes. Who would know that she had spent the night in the arms of the owner of the shirt, came close to having her heart broken and imprisoned by said guy with nothing to wear but his clothes? Clothes that held his clean masculine scent and nearly broke her with desire with every breath she took, no one. Putting on a pair of slip-ons she kept for the times they took a dive in his massive pool or enjoyed his very private beach she walked to the door vowing to forget all about the one night stand that wasn't really she had had. Most people had one night stands and it was no big deal. In fact she had read once that it could be the ultimate high in a woman's sexual experience. Of course the article had talked about anonymous mind blowing sex with no names exchanged but really her experience had been just as mind-blowing and as it was going to be a one-time only thing it counted. Tara wondered why he hadn't filled her body with his during their long night of passion. Was it that he hadn't wanted her as much as she had assumed? Had he not wanted her at all? After all she had given him carte blanche on her body. She cringed as she recalled telling him how she wanted him every which way. No wonder he did not want to let her go, what man would? Well since it was a one-time thing he could forget about having a willing sex slave! Who knew maybe the next guy would be much better, better looking, better character and better in bed. That would show Trev a thing. He probably thought he was a gift to women and she should be grateful for his attentions. She most definitely did not need Trevyn st Jerome. There were plenty of men out there just as likely to nuke her mind with a kiss, who no doubt knew how to find surprising erogenous points on her body. Plenty of men would know how to swirl their tongue inside her creaming channel, there was no need to assume he was the only one with fingers long enough to touch that electrifying spot deep inside her. Just because Ray had never in four years been able to do any of that did not mean Trevyn was unique. Besides she was done with love, sex and all that so it was a moot point. Tara slid down to the floor next to the bed, drawing her legs up to hug them. No matter how much she tried she could not stop her mind from replaying the long sensual hours she had spent in his arms. Her traitorous body could not stop burning at the knowledge he was somewhere nearby. Whatever she might try to convince herself the truth was that the idea of leaving Trev made her want to cry, the thought of never seeing him again ushered a wave of depression that threatened to swallow her into a dark bottomless abyss. The wounded woman in her wanted to wash her hands of him, to maybe even have a string of flings just to show him how little he meant to her. But whatever it was that her core was made of, be it her soul or spirit, that intractable bit of self beyond comprehension, common sense or logic clung to him. That part of her understood him without need for words; defended him when she did not want to, insisting that all she needed was to apologize and she would be wrapped in his arms about her and all would be well. But she had nothing to apologize for. Okay fine, so she had said another man's name whilst with him but it wasn't like she had called out in a moment of passion. The least he could have done was ask her about it. Instead he had totally flipped out and went psycho on her. Well she was not sitting around waiting for a repeat cycle. With determination she stood back up and walked to the door. Her hand on the handle she squared her shoulders and reminded herself of how far women had come and the obstacles they had overcome. Five or so centuries back it was a commonly held belief that women had no brains and two centuries back they had no rights to vote. She might not be historian enough to know the names of the women who had fought for all that she had taken for granted but she wasn't going to let them down. She was strong enough to stand on her own, to fight for her God given, and hard won, right to go where she pleased and do as she willed. With that little pep talk in mind she took a fortifying breath and opened the door. The hallway was deserted; a part of her had believed Trev would have one of his bodyguards stationed just outside her room to prevent her escape. She definitely needed to cut down on her action movie fixes too much Jason Stratham could do that. On the other hand Trev did have a suspiciously high number of bodyguards and he seemed to change them on a weekly basis. In the year she had known him she had yet to see the same group twice. His only constants were Callan Hughes who was some sort of personal assistant, though he was unlike any PA she had ever met, and Raphael Gutierrez who was his doctor. Tara had wondered, but never asked, why he would keep a doctor about him. Why did he even need bodyguards anyway? He had never answered that question to her satisfaction and she had been too trusting to persist. As he was extremely wealthy he probably made a habit of seducing gullible women then imprisoning them and doing God-knows-what to them. He changed bodyguards every other week left no credible witnesses and with a doctor about no evidence of abuse. Not to mention with his money and connections he could cover up anything. Well there was no way she would be his latest victim. Ok so maybe she was being paranoid but he had some issues and she was not sticking around to find out what they were. What right did he have to keep her against her will? As she was halfway down the stairs he turned the corner on his way up. Their eyes met there was a pause in time, a moment clear and riddled with beauty, recognition of something that was greater than she was. Something incomprehensibly perfect drawing her, drawing him. She was breathless, held by intangible threads she could neither break nor see only feel. Nothing existed beyond the two of them; if it did it did not matter. Trusting Love Ch. 04 There was danger about him, elusive but commanding and solid, the very something that continuously drew her in spite of her common sense. He stood with seeming ease, an assured man who had no need to establish himself, poetry in his stance that belied that danger. Clearer than she ever had, she saw the coiled raw power that his sophisticated manner couched. He was like a predatory cat at rest luring those about into thinking he was harmless. He took her breath away, that edge in him calling to some base instinct left over from her Neolithic ancestresses. Calling up a yearning to surrender to him, to beg for his touch, his domination. He wasn't human. Tara had no idea how she knew or why she had never noticed before but that fact solidified in her with crystal clarity. His features were too precise, too perfect as if crafted by a divine sculptor. Dark unfathomable eyes holding too many secrets stared at her with the unblinking watchfulness of a hunting predator. He shifted his weight and she was drawn to the play of his muscles. The subtle erotic movement delineated his strength, his sensuality. She ached to touch him, burned to have his hands on her, desired the unparalleled pleasure he had given her. It was too much. Too enticing, too foreign, too overwhelming. Never had she dreamt such consuming need could be. She felt defenseless, exposed to him, to dark needs she had never known were in her. Longing drenched her every cell, uncontrollable need overtaking all the doubts and resolutions she had made. Without volition she moved to him, called by hungers she could not name, cravings that ate at her until they were all that was left, all she could think of. His scent wafted to her so enticing, so delicious it was all she could do to keep her legs from balking. With every step her heavy breasts ached all the more, burning for his touch, aching for the soothing feel of his long strong hands and the warmth of his moist mouth. She stopped a step above him, a mere breath separating them, his lips brushed against hers. A soft touch that sent shivers down her spine and left her yearning for more. With a helpless little moan she pressed herself against him, a silent demand for more. His drew her closer, the steel strength of his arms holding her up as he deepened the kiss, taking control. A hot, seductive exploration of her. An intensity burning all thoughts from her mind as spears of pleasure raced down her spine to pool between her legs. His tongue caressed hers with long slow deep strokes, erotic exploration designed to heighten her awareness of everywhere they touched. Tara sighed with pleasure as Trevyn lowered his head to lick the valley between her breasts, his hands moving to cup her behind, drawing her against his hardness. The moist warmth sent tremors through her body, tightening it with painful anticipation, his hardness enhancing the aching void at her juncture. Her hands played a restless tune upon his body, unable to touch him enough to suit her. Intrigued by the perfect muscles defining his firm length she traced their contours, loving the strength they attested to. "Trev," she moaned as she buried her one hand in his hair holding him in place. "You're so beautiful," he whispered against her skin. His soft lips caressed her skin and his breath fanned her. "So soft." She moved a step back as a shred of her sanity came back to her, still her body swayed towards his needing him. He held her with his eyes, desire a burning pit in their depth. The hardest thing she had ever done was not throwing herself at him in that moment. The possessive glint in his eyes exited her, seduced her effortlessly. No one had ever wanted her as he obviously did, never claimed her in such a way. "What is happening to me?" she whispered the question and her voice came out husky, rusty as if it had not been used in a long time. She saw his body tense and he closed his eyes in reaction. As if the sound of her voice was more torment than he could endure. A whimper escaped her as her body responded and his eyes flew open. For an instant she thought they appeared lighter than their black colour, swirling with different colours but as she blinked they were back to normal. Had she not thought she had seen the same thing a couple of times last night she could have dismissed it, had she not just now been so sure he was not human she could have chucked it up to stress. As it was she froze as fear overtook her, her desire instantly relegated to the back burner. She took a step back then another all of a sudden feeling trapped. Though she was almost sure Trev would never hurt her she had no idea what he was and had a lot of unanswered questions. "You're not human." She stated, her voice pitched a little higher than normal in her fear. "No I'm not" he answered as if they were talking about the weather, as if she had an idea of how she had even come to be here in his house. The last thing she remembered was doing her laundry before waking up her and mauling him. Which was nothing like her. "What did you do to me? How did I get here?" her fear was escalating but he appeared as calm as ever. "I brought you here." He frowned "You called me for help and I was too late." The last was said in guilty anguish but she still had no idea what he was talking about. "I did not call you." She denied. "And too late for what?" The frown on his face deepened and he took a step up. She scurried back a few more steps almost falling before propping herself with one hand. He froze and just for a moment before his face became a mask she thought she saw hurt flash across his face. 'I would never hurt you Tara. I can understand your reaction with what you just went through but I will never lay a finger on you, not like that." "I didn't go through anything and you didn't answer my question, too late for what." Somehow she knew the answer to that would unravel the answers to all this confusion. She just needed that one simple answer and she would be alright. His face closed down even more, his eyes becoming stark and emotionless. The coldness that descended upon his features scared her more than the lack of answers she had and the thought of whatever he was. Even in the times he had given her a hint of his dangerous side he had never been so inhuman. More than anything she wanted to run but some primal instinct screamed to her that was the last thing she should do. "I was too late to save you." His voice could have come out of an ice carven and she shivered even before she realized what he had said. "What do you mean too late, I'm right here." Panic flowed through her as she realized either he was insane or she was. None of this made sense and he was talking in riddles. "I was too late Tara, he killed you." "No," she almost shouted, "You are insane. If I was dead what am I doing here having this conversation with you? Am I now a zombie, a vampire or something?" she laughed at that, her laugh coming out brittle and hysterical. "This is crazy. I think I should go and it's best if we don't see each other for a while, I mean you obviously have things in your life I can't understand." Like insanity. "Things you need to work out." And I will be as far from here as I can get. "I'm sorry Tara, I can't let you go." Faster than she could blink he was in front of her, he had been at least ten steps down from her but now he was just in front of her his eyes swirling with colour like a sunburst. Hard merciless eyes boring into her wide-eyed panicked gaze. She could see every fleck in his multicoloured eyes, see the unusually large iris, his scent was wilder than before, like the cooler depths of an ancient forest rarely disturbed by humanity. It took her a while to register the low whinny sound that filled the air and another while to realize it was coming from her or that Trevyn was talking to her. She couldn't think beyond what she had seen, couldn't register anything else aside from that moment, couldn't even scream. He had moved so fast, inhumanly fast. One minute he was there and the next he was here and, and... she was going crazy. That was the only logical explanation as this could not be real, any of it. As his arms came around her she flinched but he did not let her go instead he lifted her into his arms. She whimpered as he started back up the stair and he whispered into her ear, something that no doubt was meant to soothe her. Over his shoulder she noticed a couple of men looking at them as he took her to be his prisoner. No not men, whatever he was, they too did not feel human and she knew she would not get help even if she asked for it. She was well and truly trapped. * Trevyn felt like the most despicable of beings. The morning was not yet gone and he had already made her cry once and scared her senseless. Gone were his thoughts of doing whatever it took to have her, she was all that mattered. He needed her to be okay, to be safe regardless of how it affected him. Her fear tore through his heart; wrenched all the emotions he had always kept in control from the depth of his being. In that moment he understood how a man could tear his heart out for the woman he loved. Still he had no intention of letting her walk away. He loved Tara, God how he loved her. For a whole year he had lived for the moment he could hold her as his own, when he could finally build a life with her. And just when that was becoming a reality he was on his way to messing it up. How could he even think of forcing his will upon her? How could he have messed everything up so badly? "Tell me what you need baby." He whispered as he feathered kisses into her hair. "Tell me how to make it right." She became more rigid distancing herself from him as much as she could; he could feel her drawing into herself. Every muscle in his body tightened to the point of pain, his instinctual need to protect her warring with the knowledge he could do nothing. She looked so lost, so confused and it was all his fault. He had failed her again. It was understandable her mind would block out the unpleasant experience to protect itself but now he had just punched a hole through her psyche and might have lost her for good. She never wanted to see him again. Those words twisted in his gut like a hot serrated knife. He would never survive her rejection. Once in his room he strode to the bed, placed her on it then lay besides her, holding her to him. When she curled into him he felt like he had just won the lottery. Having her lean into him as if he was the only solid thing in her life was the most amazing thing he could ever have asked for. She fit perfectly against him, as if she had been created just for him, as if every detail to their beings were created with the other in mind. It was more than he had ever imagined a mate would be like, so perfect despite the painful uncertainty they were in. He held her tighter, unwilling to let her go, wanting to hold her forever. Her body was rigid against his, her fists clenched as her body shook. He whispered reassurance into her hair, sweet nonsense he had never thought he would ever say. It felt right and as she quieted his world felt right for the first time, and he hadn't known it wasn't right. A part of him knew it was a small start but it was a start nonetheless and he would hold on to that. "You okay?" She sat up quickly flipping her hair as she turned to look at him, scrambling away from him a bit. The light seeming to hit it the right way, caressing it with a loving touch, highlighting each strand and the different shades. It shone with a light of its own, as if it were alive and he was mesmerized by it. He wanted to bury his hands in it, bury his nose as he took in the intoxicating sent of her shampoo. She had always been beautiful but now she was breathtaking, in a way only an immortal could be. Her every gesture seemed alluring, mesmerizing. "I'm not okay," she nearly shouted. "I'm mad." She brushed hair off her face to glare at him, angry tears filling her eyes. "I'm furious, scared and I don't have a clue why. I don't have a clue about anything. Why does it feel like I'm seeing you for the first time?" she laughed without humour, lifting her hands and letting them fall in a helpless gesture. "I have this insane need to rip off every shred of clothing you are wearing and that's not me! And what you did outside, your eyes and that speed of yours." She shook her head. Trevyn breathed a sigh of relief; he much preferred her anger to her earlier panicked fear. The fear was still there but she was valiantly trying to overcome it and anger was always a good way out of fear. She got off the bed then made her way to the door. Trevyn watched her walk away unsure whether to let her go or stop her. She had every right to be angry; after all she had just been through. He hadn't helped things either; it was surprising she wasn't tearing into him. Which was one of the reasons he wasn't jumping to explain, he knew enough about women not to offer further explanations when they had not asked. Not when they clearly wanted to sort through their emotions. She swung back to face him, met his eyes with eyes full of confused hurt. "What am I doing here Trev? How did I get here?" her arms were folded about herself as if to comfort herself, his job. "What do you remember?" Trevyn asked softly. "The last thing I remember is doing my laundry then I was waking up here and..." she trailed off meeting his eyes for a few awareness charged moments. "And the fight we had three week ago, do you remember what it was about?" "You insulted my mother." She lifted her chin in defiance "I wasn't going to let that stand, whatever else she is she is a strong woman." He nodded his understanding but that was not what he had been asking. "What about the bruises you had?" "What bruises?" Trevyn swore to himself, he hurt to see the bleakness that entered her eyes but he knew they had to hash it out if there was any chance of them moving forward. He was getting a gruesome, sickening picture. If he was right God help Ray when he finally caught up to him. "You had fading bruises on your upper arms and around your ribs; I had not seen you in a while so I thought you had been healing. I remembered that it wasn't the first time I saw fading bruises on you, even when you had none the day before." She shook her head at that. "Ray never hit me, not once." There was painful doubt in her voice as if a part of her knew what he was talking about even though she did not recall it. Getting up he walked to her, she did not resist as he took her into his arms resting his forehead on hers. Her lips were parted her sweet breath fanning him, fanning the desire that was never too far when she was near. More than he needed to breathe he wanted to kiss her, longed to lose himself with her. To comfort her in the age old way. Her scent intoxicated him far more than any drug ever could so he took a moment to savour it. Heat swirled between them, awareness that heightened both of their senses. He wanted to lose himself in her warmth, needed to feel her wrapped around him but he knew this was not the time. "Tell me," she whispered, her voice sent his blood south so that it took a few moments for him to reason out what she was asking for. He shook his head, he would give anything not to tell her, he did not even want to think about what he had seen, how he had found her. "I need to know Trev, please." As much as he wanted to spare her he found he could not deny her. Not when her pink tongue licked across her upper lip. To his mesmerized eyes it seemed she traced her lips with slow seductive leisure, leaving a sexy sheen on lips that begged to be kissed. When she bit her lower lip all the blood in his body migrated south, his balls tightened and his jeans felt tighter. "Trev." He knew what she was pleading for but all he could think about was her begging for more as their slick bodies rubbed against each other in sublime ecstasy. "Please" Fingers tangling in her hair he massaged her scalp in an attempt to soothe her against what he was about to tell her. "I found you tied to your dining table," her breath caught at that and he met her anguished eyes. "They were obviously broken, as were your ribs." He stilled his heart as tears fell from her eyes; now that he had begun he wanted to finish the telling with as few words as he could. "He was sitting on you whilst he continued to punch you. I attacked him but he managed to get away and I had you to take care of." Drawing in a ragged breath she squared her shoulders a bit determination hardening her eyes. "Was I already dead?" "No." He cleared his throat as his voice came out scratchy. "You died in my arms." She shook her head unable to comprehend what he was saying, unwilling to accept it. With gentle hands she pushed him away and wiped away the tears still flowing down her cheeks. Her hands went to rub her arms as if she were cold even though the room was well heated. "How can I be here if I was dead? Did you do something to me, change me somehow?" Trevyn shook his head which seemed to somehow deflate her. "I'm human, I am." "No," he denied compassion colouring his eyes "It doesn't seem to be true." "So, I'm what, suddenly going to crave human meat or blood and develop sun sensitivity?" she clutched her stomach as if she was experiencing some excruciating pain. "I can't live like that Trev, I'd rather die." Cupping her cheek he looked deeply into her eyes so she could see how serious he was. "You are not a zombie or a vampire, you are still yourself, still the same beautiful and vibrant woman you have always been." "How do you know?" "Because zombies live in swamps and infect humans with their bite, we exterminate them when we come across them. Vampires were exterminated around four thousand years back so you can't be that either." Tara laughed without humour and had to stop herself before it became hysterical. "Of course they exist. If not them then what am I?" "I don't know." * She felt tired, older than dirt. None of this could be happening, certainly not to her. She was dull ordinary Tara, unremarkable really. Yet she had a homicidal ex-boyfriend, a something for a new lover, she was an unknown something. Had she now lost her humanity? What price would she have to pay to live, could she pay it? Trev said she was still the same but she knew that was not true. Her eyes saw much more than before, greater depths, more of the light spectrum and the detail to everything was more defined. If she looked hard enough she could almost see some light around everything, that same light that had her knowing Trev was not human, that he was older than he looked. Somehow she knew if she just concentrated enough she would know just how old he was. "Is there any way to find out what I am?" she asked him trying to sound normal even as she asked the not so normal question. "Yes, we will have you try to do various things and from what you will be able to do we can figure out what you are. In old times we could have consulted one of the Fey but we are no longer in contact with them." His tone had a blandness in it when he spoke of the Fey, whatever they were, that told of a story beyond the mere statement. "And if I can't do any of the things?" "Or we could just ask your mother." "Yeah, that would be easier," she agreed with a small smile she was sure did not reach her eyes. "I'll just call her." She turned towards the dresser where he kept his phone having no idea where her cellphone was. The call went straight to voicemail, her house phone rang without answer and one of the girls at the saloon told her she had no idea where her mother was. Her mother was always available; someone at her business always knew where she was and for none of them not to have any was puzzling. Tara had always been able to reach her whenever she wanted to just talk no matter the time. Even though she was out of the country Tara called her sister. There was no answer on either her cell or her apartment; in fact her cell was out of service. Trusting Love Ch. 04 "Neither one of them is answering, mom or Cam." She turned to him with worried eyes. "Do you think something could have happened to them? Cam's cell is out of service and its one of those that would get reception in the middle of the amazon and mom always answers hers but now it's just going to voicemail." "There is no reason to believe that." "Then why are they not answering? If it was one of them it would be understandable but for both of them? I have never been unable to get a hold of either one of them. They always answer even if it is to tell me they are currently busy so something must be wrong. I just got killed by someone I spend three years of my life with so who's to say he didn't go after my mom and sister. And if I'm suddenly other than human who's to say he too isn't human. He obviously has been drugging me to make me forget and I always heal so fast." She knew she was rumbling probably not making much sense but the thought that Ray had gotten to her family was chilling. "Hey, hey it's alright." He took her into his arms. "We will find your mother and sister and you will see they are fine." "What if they are not, what if he just had a relationship with me just to get close to my family? He could be some heredital enemy and I lived with him, slept with him and even thought of marrying him." He held her tighter and she clutched his shoulders convulsively. "How will I ever trust my own judgment? How can I believe in someone, anyone when the man I thought I loved is some monster who abused me and I can't remember? I always had these irrational fears I could not explain but they make sense if he abused me and took my memories of it. I can't trust what I feel for you, I don't even know what I feel for you and you're talking about imprisoning me." "I didn't mean that Tara." "You said it!" she pulled away from him. "How can you say something like that and not mean it? You wouldn't even listen!" "I'm sorry." He reached out to clasp her arms and she didn't pull back. "I don't make a habit of waking up with different men, Ray was the only one and I just thought he had climbed into bed with me even though we had broken up. I just thought I was fantasizing about waking up with you since I've fantasized about doing a lot of things with you and then you went psycho on me. How can I trust you?" "Because I would cut my hand off before I ever hurt you." She looked into his eyes unsure if he was serious and saw that he was. "How am I supposed to take that?" "Just as I said. I would rather die than hurt you Tara." No, that made no sense. Men, people really always chose themselves before others no matter how much they claimed to love someone. A parent would die for their child that was understandable but for someone to die for a lover was something that happened in Hollywood and novels. She felt overwhelmed, too much had happened, was happening and she felt unequal to it. What she needed was to forget all about it, to relax. "That's not what I need Trev." "Tell me what you need." Tara straightened then smiled. "Ben and Jerry." Trev frowned in confusion clearly not following the change in conversation. "What?" "If I'm going to be your prisoner for the unforeseeable future I'm going to need lots of Ben and jerry, everything but the..., karamel sutra and especially phish food." "You are not a prisoner, we just can't take the chance he'll come back for you." That remained to be seen, she was too tired to argue and frankly scared to go to her own house. For the moment being Trev's captive didn't sound so bad, it should but maybe her brain had been deprived of oxygen for one moment too long when she had checked out. She knew he would not force her to stay no matter what he said, she hoped, right now she didn't want to be alone in her house. Not until she had come to terms with what had happened, remembered what had happened. "My Ice cream?" Trev held out his hand to her and she took it feeling like a teen girl going on her first date with her first crush. She might be out of her depth but he was currently her anchor and she really needed him, really needed normal. And eating ice cream across from him was normal, something they had done a hundred times before. * Lycans! Ray hated those howling dogs in human skin. As far as he was concerned they were the scum of immortals. If the immortal council had been competent eight centuries back the filthy animal would have been no more. Now one of the oldest immortal laws was in place and the Lycans were near untouchable. Killing them off would take more of an effort than it should have. In ancient times when the impartial guardian race had interacted more with the immortals they had set rules upon the ether that was the source of immortality. One of which was that an attempt to annihilate one of the races should only happen once. If that attempt failed the race could never again be the subject of annihilation. The vampires had been wiped out, then the elementals and the phoenix. But the Lycans had survived, through some fluke that had allowed only the male children below the age of eighteen to survive leaving the council to machinations that had probabilities to fail. He could not stand that, even though the chances were minute, the probabilities existed. Three years back his mother, a seer of their people, had led her to Tara. Sweet, innocent Tara brimming with untapped passion, so much passion. For a blood incubus innocence was an aphrodisiac, something they craved above all else. She had been a virgin and the power he had harvested when he had taken her virginity had been immeasurable. Normally that would never have been equaled on any successive couplings but something about Tara had remained innocent. Even when he had brutalized her to get the runehyer, power that came from destroying trust or innocence, she had retained her innocence. Sure he had poisoned her with the memory depriving agent his people secreted but even that eventually could not stay the destruction of the human soul. After three years Tara still had a measure of her innocence and Ray found he had become addicted to her power, there was something different about it, something unique. Then the council had found out she was Trevyn's mate and he had been ordered to kill her. His secretion had ensured she would not choose to bond with the Lycan prince and Ray had enjoyed the man's frustration having heard from the council that Trevyn had been warned not to force the mating. Once an Ubus got their claws into someone it was hard for that person to get free. Ray had come back to Tara's house hoping the bond he had established with his serum would mean Tara would come back to the home she had made for them, come back to him. She always had in the past but now he watched as Trevyn's dogs collected Tara's things. Anger boiled in his blood, she was his, Tara and whatever sweet power she had were his. He had found her first, it did not matter that some filthy canine thought she was his he would get her back. And when that happened damn the council and that bitch of a master the blood Ubus followed. * * * * Trusting Love Ch. 05 She sat across from him on the kitchen island, a haunted sadness darkening her eyes. He would give anything to take it away but he was powerless. The ice-cream had been reduced to muddy syrup she kept stirring at. He ached to see her so dejected when she had always been so vibrant, positive with an enchanting belief in the goodness of others. Countless times he had told her it was terribly naive of her but she had argued that people were basically good at their core, that he was too cynical if he didn't see it. Now that trust was crushed, how could it not be? She would never be that woman again, never look at the world through a ray of sunlight, and never treat a stranger like he was a friend. Once he had found it maddening, now though he would give anything to have that old argument. To have her be that open again, trusting the world to be what she saw it to be, not doubting it or her place in it. Had he really ever wanted her to be different? He was going to torture Ray. Peal his skin over and over again, if he did it enough times it would take longer and longer before it grew back, then he would spit and roast him. He knew of only one breed of immortals that lived to brutalize others and poison their memories away, the Ubus. More specifically the blood Ubus. How had he failed to recognise Ray as one? He should have scented him but he hadn't. Walking over to her he gathered her into his arms then he sat back down onto her stool with her on his lap. For an infinitesimal moment she sat still whilst he wondered if he had done the wrong thing. Then she laid her head upon his shoulder, her hand above his heart curling into him as a sobbing sigh escaped her. It was his turn to sit still, afraid that if he moved he might make it worse than it already was. She shuddered as silent tears leaked from her eyes to soak the front of his shirt. He knew he was out of his depths, unused to feminine tears as he was. He had only ever associated with strong women, women not given to emotional displays, who knew better than to manipulate him with tears. But this was not a ploy on Tara's part; she was not trying to wring something out of him. She was hurting and while he could admit to previous annoyance with even genuine tears he felt none of that now. She was like a fragile flower he ached to nurture. He found himself willing to do anything, be anything, to give her the world if only to make her feel better. And if all he could do was hold her as her sobs ripped him to shreds so be it. Physical pain would be preferable but it wasn't his choice so he held her, feeling inadequate. He held her like the precious gift she was, stroked her back as she leaned into him and feathered kisses onto her hair whilst she clutched his shirt. The language of his people flowed from him, its magic digging into a well he had never suspected dwelt inside him. Power flowed from him into her where their bodies touched. Trevyn wondered at the soothing quality of it, an empathic instinctive outpouring of all she needed, what he couldn't think to provide. It filled him even as it drained from him, this unknown expression of his need, their need. He wondered if it was something only a mate could trigger as nothing like this had ever occurred that he knew. Basking in the wonder of it he continued to soothe her with his touch and native tongue until she lifted her head to look at him. The gold flecked brown pools mesmerised him, he knew he could and would spend eternity lost in their depth. The trust in them tightened something in his heart and he swore to himself he would never betray it. She was so artless in her allure, a white rose amid thorns, unconsciously beguiling. Her soft lips parted, tempting him with a glimpse of her soft moist depths. He longed to taste her again, to devour that succulent mouth until they were both drunk with passion. "What is that?" her voice cut through his passion but he was at a loss as to the question. "The language you're speaking." she added. "Sumerian." he replied "It's beautiful." the smile she gave him was not her usual brilliant one but it lightened his heart. "The ancestors of the Sumerians were practitioners of what you'd call magic." he explained just to get her mind away from things. "Their creator, Enki, was also their god of magic, wisdom and water. To honour him they expanded the words of their magic until it became a language, calling it Emegir, 'master tongue' which led to their rule." "Let me guess, they oppressed the others?" her dry tone brought a smile to his face. "In time, yes they did. They could access the ether without much effort." "Why didn't the others also learn the new language?" "You had to have an affinity for magic to learn it, otherwise you never could." Trevyn explained. "But archaeologists have mapped a significant amount of Sumerian." "Yes they have, but not the language of power." "Their original?" "No, they derived a common language from their Emegir which they used in everyday life. Using the language of magic in everyday life had proved to be costly. It tapped into the ether and made even common phrases have unpredictable results. Children especially died or inadvertently killed others." She winced as she imagined the countless disasters that had likely resulted. "I take it they were too good to revert to the other language?" Trevyn laughed at that. "They were the aristocracy." She pouted prettily, her lush lower lip just begging to be kissed. "You mean entitled sadistic separatists." "How do you know they were sadistic?" he questioned, lifting a dark somewhat imperial brow. "Oh come on, everybody knows the ancient world was a cesspool of brutality." "Only the punishments, never someone innocent." "And that excuses it?" her eyes heated with indignation, the gold flecks becoming more prominent. "It reduced criminal incidents" he explained. "There is no justification for inhumane treatment!" she shifted, rubbing against that needy part of him. He sucked his breath in as fire bust through his loins. Her breath caught as heat flared in her eyes telegraphing her hunger. Hunger the mating pull birthed in them. His muscles tightened, readying for the chase, anticipating the uninhibited coupling that would ensure. The predator in him arose, watching, waiting to see what she would do. He was at her mercy; she could tease and torment him, bring him to unimaginable heights and leave him wanting. The when and where of the first mating - the claiming - was entirely up to the female. If she wanted to tear into him and be claimed right there he would do that, if she wanted to be chased he was hers to command. At this point a lykan female would tease him until his guard was down before running with everything she had. Only leaving her scent every now and then to entice him, to ensure he would continue after her. She would be caught when she wanted or when her mate proved his prowess. He watched to see what she would do. Her eyes widened and he knew his own showed his wolf. Apprehension flickered across her eyes though the scent of her arousal intensified. Just like him she was in the thrall of the mating urge. The golden flecks in her brown eyes crackled like bursts of intense heat in pools of fire. The tip of her tongue swept over her lip and he watched mesmerised as time seemed to slow and her tongue took forever to caress her upper lip. It was too much; he could not resist the unconscious invitation. She tasted like the first fruit he had ever had. The flavour indistinguishable as it exploded in his mouth, leaving the satisfaction of tangy sweetness that quenched his hunger while stroking his need for more. Heavenly, succulent lips matched the primordial flames driving him. The wild need to dominate her. She devoured him with the same urgency he felt, thrusting her tongue into his mouth to ruthlessly explore his every crevasse. He duelled her tongue with his, demanding her surrender, needing it, but she continued to defy him, equalling his ferocity. His arms tightened around her another demand; she rolled her hips deliberately rubbing against his straining shaft. Breaking the kiss he met her eyes and growled, a low menacing rumble that cowered most immortals. She however gave him a smug little smile as if she had him where she wanted. Her eyes looked like fire, the brown turning into deep red swirling with blue, yellow, gold and intense white it was like looking into dancing flames. He had never seen eyes like that, had no idea what they signified but he knew they should be radiating power. Yet all he saw was the guileless innocence and slight vulnerability she always had with confused hurt beneath a determination to shoulder on. She also looked tired, her eyes puffy from her earlier crying. He had kept her awake most of the night, now was not the time to give in to his needs. "You need some rest." he stated, brushing her hair back. "I need my clothes." she countered. "I already sent someone to collect them." She stiffened, her eyes which had returned to their normal brown blazed into the earlier fiery state. Her hair followed suit, deepening and lightening in colour until it resembled living flame. As it danced in response to some unfelt wind he could hear it crackling, where it brushed against his arm he felt intense heat. The kind that could reduce anything in its vicinity to ash. Immortal fire or the fire of immolation. It was the only kind of fire that could do irreversible damage to an immortal. Every immortal in existence knew to avoid it, feared it to the extent that any immortal who could conjure it had a major bounty on them. As her mate though whatever power she had would not harm him, which he was oh so grateful for. Fear twisted his insides though as he watched the mesmerising flames that were her hair. Not fear of her but for her. It was bad enough the Lykans had so many enemies who would want her dead. If the world found out what she could so easily do without conscious thought every immortal in existence would be after her. The kitchen had two doors leading to and from it into the dining room and the foyer. He felt his people coming in through both. They would have felt the presence of the deadly fire, and come in to save him. 'No!' His mental shout was too late as a concussion of power emanated from Tara to slam into both groups. Stunned he watched as some of them summoned shields to deflect the wave, shields that were disintegrated as if they were nothing more than a feeble undertaking. His men were conversant with the art of war, had been fighting for centuries, they had come in prepared to defend him. Their shields were considered indestructible, had never faltered, yet she had shattered them unknowingly. Whatever power she had instinctively unleashed was like nothing he had ever seen. Unlike what had been released at the time of her rebirth. Tara blinked, like someone who had just woken up in a strange place and was trying to remember how she had ended up there in the first place. Biting her lip she looked around at the men strewn about the room. "I did that?" she asked him. "Yes." He saw no reason to hide it from her, it would only come back to bite him. "Sorry." she said to the room in general. "Don't worry about it, they are used to being thrashed by beautiful women." he teased. "Beautiful women? Plural?" she demanded with mock severity. "Just how many 'beautiful women' have you kidnapped?" she gave beautiful women air quotes. He smiled at her. "None as beautiful as you." Laughing she gave him a light punch on his shoulder. "You're not funny." Absently she rubbed the spot she had punched as if to soothe the hurt away. Trevyn wasn't going to tell her he hadn't even felt the punch, he loved her light loving touch. A caress meant to mollify but instead managed to excite him. Taking hold of the hand he kissed her palm, she looked up to him, her eyes intent. "How did I do it?" her voice was little more than a whisper. "You were only defending yourself against what you perceived to be a threat." "But how did I do it?" "I don't know." Resting her head against his chest she sighed. "I think I'll go lie down like you suggested," she sighed. "I can't take more of this right now." "I'll come and tuck you in." She blushed then gave him a shy smile. He knew she was a bit embarrassed by the audience they had but at least it took her mind off the fact that she had just realised she wasn't human. He knew she would sleep; she looked like she could barely keep her eyes open. When she woke up they would have to talk about a few things. With her head down she walked out. "That's a dangerous woman." his friend Tate stated drawing his eyes away from where he had been watching Tara. "What do you mean?" "Remember how the women of predatory races always look so fragile and vulnerable?" Trevyn couldn't get what he was trying to say. "Yes?" he questioned. "Your mate goes beyond that." he explained. "I want to go out and slay dragons in her name and you know I don't exert myself all that much." Trevyn looked to the stairs she had just gone up. He couldn't deny what his friend was saying; Tara's vulnerable air went beyond the norm. Innocence radiated about her as if it were a halo. "All of which means she is the biggest predator we have ever encountered." Damn it, this was Tara they were talking about. She wouldn't hurt a fly. Yet there was no way he could deny what Tate was saying. Tara had a vibe that drove men to defend and take care of her. Moreso now that she was immortal. Before he had never taken it into consideration, used as he was to immortal women with that hint of innocent vulnerability. It made sense though, if she was akin to the immortal fire she was more than your average predatory immortal. Maybe he needed to have everyone out of the house until he knew what her powers were. She would never forgive herself if she hurt someone. Not that he expected them to agree, he couldn't recall a time in his life where he had been left totally on his own. "I think you should all leave until we figure out how to control her powers and what they are." He had to try at least. "Right," the sarcasm in his friend's voice was hard to miss. "We'll leave you alone when we know the council is going to be gunning for your hide and that of your new-born of a mate. That's a real good idea Trevyn, why didn't we think of that?" Trevyn raked his hand through his hair in frustration. "Damn if Tate, she just manifested immortal fire without even being aware of it. We both know how hard it is to conjure even a flicker of it and all this while maintaining a human aura. There is no telling what she's capable of and if she inadvertently kills any of you she'll never get over it. I'm immune to whatever power she has but none of you are." "She is our Alpha; we will stay to protect her." His enforcer stated. Trevyn blinked at that, he had not taken that into consideration. Even though he and Tara had yet to be mated she was destined to be the Alpha of his pack and his people would treat her as such. As there were no women in the lykan world no force on earth would force his men and even those from the other packs to leave her unprotected. They would even disobey his orders if he insisted so he let it drop. * * * Warmth surrounded her as she drifted out of sleep, security that seeped deep into her being to ease worries she had never known she had. Savouring the sensation she burrowed into the warmth, luxuriating in the confidence that came with it. She was where she had always been meant to be. Whatever path she might have taken in her life would have brought her to this moment. She had no idea where that thought came from but she didn't mind if it were true. Sure she wasn't one to believe in fated moments or paths but this felt like that. The arms around her tightened and she smiled. This was how she should have woken up that morning. "I forgive you." She murmured. "For what?" "Not being here when I woke up this morning." "I am sorry about that. How can I make it up to you?" With the tips of her fingers she caressed his arm, her touch barely there, the kind of touch that heightened one's senses. She loved the feel of his skin, the scent was intoxicating and the hair roughened texture felt divine to her sensitive tips. "Kiss me awake every morning." Her heart surged at her own boldness. Once again she had just told him she was his for the taking, offered herself to him. Mortified she ducked under the covers. "Forget I said that." She mumbled. Hearing his laughter she cringed. Yup he was not going to let it pass, let alone forget about it. "Never." He whispered against her ear, confirming it. "I will definitely kiss you awake, in many, many different ways." Shivers danced down her spine as she imagined what those places would be. Her curiosity almost gave her the courage to ask but she had never been sexually forward so even as she ached to know she burrowed deeper into the covers. Drawing her closer he laughed again. "I'm going to enjoy being with you." Tara thought she was also going to enjoy being with him, but was she supposed to say that back to him. She had always known what to say to Trev but this was new, she felt so unsure. Would he still expect her to be as she had been or would he expect her to be different? He was a polished man; surely he would want a polished woman. She wasn't that by any stretch of the imagination. Sure she wasn't gauche but she was far from polished, she was a normal person. Finding a bit of her courage she peaked at him over her shoulder, lowering the covers just a bit. Their eyes met and as had been happening lately her breath caught. "Maybe we should hold off on that for a while." She croaked, an actual croak. Lord she was gauche. "Is that what you want?" She wasn't sure. She wanted to explore these new feelings she was having, savour them but at the same time they overwhelmed her so much that she wanted to push them back. He was right here, waiting patiently. Though she could feel his arousal against her he acted like it was nothing pressing. Like a man with all the time in the world. Would he give her time to come to terms with whatever was happening to her? "I don't know." There it was again, that croak, could she be any more of a doofus? And what kind of an answer was that? "That's all right." He gave her cheek a light caress. "We have all the time in the world." "You make it sound like we have an eternity." She said, more of a question, as she shifted to fully face him. His hand cupped the back of her neck then started massaging it, the arm pressing against her breast. She was so aware of him, too aware and for an instant she forgot what they were talking about. He seemed to be able to do that without effort. "You know now that I am not human." He stated as if it were something unremarkable. Her heart rate increased and her breath quickened. She had been trying to forget that as it had recalling that she too was far from human. That her mother and sister were nowhere to ask. For all she knew she did have an eternity to live. "And neither am I." she finished. "Yes, it would seem so." Smiling she kissed the tip of his nose then gave him a wide-eyed innocent look. "So I can take, say, a century or so to make up my mind." Trev gave her a quelling look. "I will spank you." Tara giggled at the threat, the idea of being spanked didn't sound as bad as it should. She was curious to find out how it would feel like to get a little spanking. Though right now she wasn't sure it would be a good idea to try it, not until she came to grips with the fact that her fiancé had just used her as a punching bag. No matter how much she was trying to forget, that detail remained at the forefront of her mind. How could she have been so weak as to allow herself to stay in a toxic relationship? She should have left the first time he had hit her. Sure he had somehow removed her memory of it but Tara could remember the many times she had awoken to fading bruises she could not explain. As she had always healed abnormally fast she should have known something serious had happened to her to wake up with any bruises at all. Most times her wounds and bruises were healed in mere hours. And when Trev had brought it up she should have had enough sense to listen to him. It was all her fault for being stupid. Trusting Love Ch. 05 He must have sensed the path her mind was taking; tilting her chin so that their eyes met he gave her a sombre look. "So exactly what are the rules?" he asked. "Am I allowed to kiss you every now and then or do I have to steal one?" he gave her a soft feathery kiss. "Should I kiss and caress your soft, silken skin?" he trailed his lips down her upper arm. "Do I have permission to lick you like this?" his tongue blazed a trail up her neck. "Or would you prefer a little biting?" his teeth closed about her lobe and he gave a slight tug. Apparently it was so easy to arouse her, who knew? Everything he was doing spiked the fervour raging through her bloodstream. How did he do this to her without much effort? Soon enough she would be lost to his touch. Drowning in the ecstasy he offered. She wanted this, needed it in point of fact, but the part of her that was sorting through all that had happened was still a bit fragile. "Trev," she admonished. Innocence did not look good on him. There was no hiding the raw authoritative power in him and that did not accessorise well with it. "I'm just asking." He grinned. "Questions do not require touching and kissing." "Ah, but questions about touching and kissing require touching and kissing." "Says who?" "Everybody knows that." "Not me." "Ah, so I take it I am going to be subjected to the, oh so unfair feminine logic?" "Unfair?" she pulled back to eye her. "How is feminine logic unfair?" "You get to touch and I don't." Tara gave him a teasing smile her eyes stroking the naked expanse of his chest. "Who said I want to touch you?" "Your eyes and smile, those fleeting looks you women are so good at giving." He teased. "You ache to touch me, don't worry though, you have my permission to do anything you want." He leaned forward until his face was a breath away from hers. "Anything." Her heart beat a fandango, the breath catching in her throat as her mind flooded with all the naughty possibilities her sister had fostered on her. Scenarios crowded in her mind, things she had refused to acknowledge she desired. Could she really do all that she wanted to him? Ray had never allowed her to explore his body as she wanted. Lord she had been so stupid! But she didn't want to think about that right then. She wanted to savour the idea of touching Trev any way she wanted. She couldn't decide what exactly that was but she got tingles at the thought of having her way with him. She had given him carte blanche to her body and he had allowed her to withdraw the offer, turned around to give her full access to his. "Just one question. I am allowed to ask questions right?" The slight smile on his face gave her pause but her curiosity had her giving him a small nod. "What have you got against the missionary?" With a squeak of a scream Tara scrambled out of the bed then raced to the bathroom. As she slammed the door after her she heard his laughter echoing through her bedroom. Even after the door separated them she could still hear his laughter. Her face flamed while he enjoyed himself at her expense. A giggle rose up and she had to cover her mouth so that he wouldn't hear. Sure it was a bit funny in an embarrassing kinda way but she wasn't going to let him know she found it so. He was being smug as it was, sure of himself, sure he had her in the palm of his hands. Maybe he did but really, there was no point in letting him know. After a quick shower she came back to find an evening gown laid out on the bed. It was one of her more daring ones in red. She had bought it on a whim and had never worn it before. Red was not a colour for red-haired people but there were a few shades she could wear. This was one of those, a deep red she had been surprised didn't clash with her own deep red hair. The backless halter neck dress clung to her upper torso then flowed from her hips to her feet. A long slit ended halfway down her right thigh to expose her leg with every step. It was simple in style, elegant and sexy, at least she thought so, Trev apparently agreed. Paired with strappy jimmy choos in the same shades and a necklace and bracelet she was done. He was waiting for her at the bottom of the stairs. In a tailored suit he looked better than any man had a right to be. The jacket moulded his muscles without endangering the fit, looking more like a luxurious second skin than clothing. Nipping his waist it emphasised his broad shoulders and somehow enhanced his height. The trousers hugged his thighs in a rather distracting manner. The dark blue silk shirt contrasted nicely with the blue-black suit. Her breath caught at the sight of such masculine beauty. Clean shaven, the strong angles of his face delineated his impeccable features to advantage. Damn, how was she supposed to resist him even for an hour when he looked like that? She had never seen him this put together. And she had thought him elegant before. He put her to shame but the look in his eyes denied that thought and it was all that mattered. "You are stunning." The compliment felt like it had flowed from his soul. His eyes on her were enraptured, like she was a vision of perfection. He moaned when she smiled then drew her into his arms. "I'm going to kiss you." He whispered and her breath caught. "Tell me to stop." She couldn't, didn't want to. No man had ever looked at her like that. Like he was starving and a taste of her was all it would take to revive him, like she was the last tasty morsel in existence and he had to have her. Wrapped in his arms she felt safer than she had for a while. His strength seeped into her, warming her to the core of her being. She savoured him, drawing as much of her essence into herself, giving him all that she had, more than she had ever given. She smiled up at him when they came up for air, vowing to forget everything and enjoy being with him. Trusting Love Ch. 06 The restaurant was exclusive, the lighting intimate. Trev had told her it was owned by one of his people. He had yet to tell her who and what exactly his people were but she had decided to leave those questions for another time. Most of the patrons were immortals, with a scattering of high ranking humans. He had said all the humans in the place knew about the immortal world. Tara was amazed as she recognised famous people that Trev identified as immortals. She hadn't thought they would be in the public eye. She and Trev sat on a private balcony in full view of the rest of the patrons but removed enough to be virtually on their own. "How do they hide who they are?" she whispered knowing that immortals had a keener sense of hearing and could possibly hear them even from afar. "You don't have to whisper," he smiled "The tables are spelled so no one can hear our conversations. And the immortals in the public eye spell themselves to age and not be too conspicuous." "Just how many immortals are there in the world?" she asked "About half a billion" Tara couldn't help but gape at that. How could there be so many of them and yet the world knew nothing of them? She had never suspected it, though her sister was convinced supernatural people and events were common enough. She couldn't wait to tell her how right she had been. "How can people not know? With that many of you it's hard to believe people don't find out" "You have to understand, most of the existing immortals were born in ancient times, no matter how we adapt to the times we don't really change" "And we are back to the archaic forms of discipline" She shuddered Trev took her hand into his and she looked up to meet his eyes "My people and I do not believe in torturing others. Yes there are reported incidences where humans have been tortured for trying to expose our existence but for the main part most are simply discredited" "How?" "Living as long as we do, we tend to accumulate vast amounts of wealth and as you have seen we are in public office and own major businesses. Humans who try to expose us find that the man they're trying to sell the story to is one of us, their member of parliament, the police commissioner, mayor, you name it. Normally they are advised to drop it and if they don't the story gets trashed and they find it difficult to maintain their jobs. If they are in business then they lose their connections, most end up bankrupt" Tara gasped. "That's cruel!" He gave her a penetrating look that she had seen many times, one that told her he was serious about what he was about to tell her and would be gauging her reaction. She had wondered at that trait of his, although now that she knew he was some kind of nonhuman it sort of made sense. "What do you think would happen if humans find out that they live among people capable of feats they confine to science fiction?" his intense eyes held hers "They would panic, give in to their jealousy and greed, they would petition their governments to eradicate us. The governments would want to weaponise us, experiment on what makes us tick. Our children are born far apart and they are the ones that would be targeted. We know this because we went through it before. Each act of group cleansing, like the Salem massacres and many others, humans going out of their way to kill immortals" She couldn't deny what he was saying, it made too much sense. Yet still to destroy someone's life so callously? She couldn't get over that. "Tara. We have a right to live just as much as humans do. We are not mutants or results of heinous magic or experiments. Our heritage traces back to Adam and Eve just as that of humans does. The difference is it, for us, was lesser generations ago and we retain the knowledge" Tara found that surprising, she had not even thought about the origins of the immortals but now that she thought about it she realised she had assumed it was some sort of a disease. A contagious one, like how it took a bite from a werewolf or vampire to become one, how ghouls infected with even the slightest scratch. To hear that they were as normal as humans was a bit of a shock "So you don't infect people?" Trev winced at that, she couldn't blame him, it was an awfull question but she had to know. A part of her couldn't let go of the idea that Ray or someone else in her life had infected her with immortal blood or maybe experimented on her. Trev had said he had no idea what she was. As an immortal he should know about all the others in existence and if he didn't know what she was becoming she was in more trouble than she wanted to believe. "No, we don't turn humans into what we are. Most immortals don't know how to do that and the handful that do would not do it lightly. Turned humans are a danger to our existence. As children we are taught to hide what we are, to blend with humanity and not leave evidence of who we are. A turned human would come with parents, siblings, friends who would notice the change immortal blood bestores" "Like what?" "All signs of aging would be reversed, their looks refined and at times they would gain some height. Those are not things you can hide from those who love you and few humans are willing to leave their loved ones. Then there is also the fact that some humans having gained the power that comes with whatever race they become would want to show their enemies and competitors how much more powerful they have become. The military would want to get their hands on the way of the change for military purposes." "You mean they know of your existence?" from what he had said about the government wanting to weaponise them she would not have thought they would know. "We have an understanding with your government." "Why?" she questioned having a few conspiracy theorists as friends led her to believe the government would not let such a goldmine be without good reason. "Because when beings from other worlds, more advanced and or magical, threaten this world we deal with them." He said it with a straight face, casual, as if it was the most natural of statements and not the height of insanity. Tara laughed at that. That was all she needed to cap this weird ride she was now on, aliens. "Are you for real?" she whispered. "Little green men exist." Shaking his head he gave her an amused half smile then leaned in. "No," he whispered. "They are mostly humanoids with different abilities and slight physiological differences." He leaned in even closer and lowered his voice further. "Some of them even live amongst us." "Get out!" she whispered back almost bouncing in her chair with excitement. "Does that mean area 51 exists?" He was enjoying her excitement though he looked as composed as ever. He had that look of an indulgent adult enjoying a beloved child's discovery of the world's wonders. Yeah it was a bit condescending but she was too excited to care. "Well, like I said we deal with those who prove threats to our world, sometimes that includes incarceration." "Ooh some of my friends are going to love this." she enthused. "Tara." The serious note in his voice brought her up short. "You cannot tell anyone about the existence of our world. Our survival and most likely the continuance of the human race depend on our existence being relegated to myths." "Two of my friends and my sister already believe in the paranormal and extra-terrestrial beings so I won't be telling them anything new." He sighed clearly not happy with that but before he could say anything their server returned. They had requested a few minutes to decide on what to eat when the rather deferential server had materialised. She had forgotten all about the menu in her interest in their fellow dinners. "Madam, sir, have you decided yet?" Tara had never had a waiter bow to her before and she found it rather fascinating that he did that now. She might have concluded that he was showing such respect for Trev's sake - he seemed to garner more attention than even the celebrities there - but he appeared to afford her the same regard. She was new to this world and couldn't reason out why he would afford her such treatment. "Yes," Trev replied though he hadn't so much as glanced at the menu. "The lady will have the filet mignon with gorgonzola cream sauce and I will have the stuffed chicken valentine with pasta and alfredo sauce." Tara had to fight not to raise her eyebrow as he ordered sides, starters and some accompanying salads and wine. She had a healthy appetite but this was all more than she could eat. "Am I supposed to eat all that?" she asked. "The calories alone will have me ballooning by the end of the week." "You're immortal now. Your body will need more calories and you will burn them fast." She grinned at that suddenly loving the whole immortal thing. "You mean I can eat anything without worrying about getting fat or anything?" "Yes, most women find that rather significant for some reason." He smiled. "Make my desert a double chocolate with extra cream please." "As you wish my lady." The waiter said and then left to see to their order. She turned back to Trev then gave him a saucy smile "So if my teeth start rotting will you still kiss me?" "No rotten teeth once you reach your immortality. Unless you had them already." She wrinkled her nose at him. "I can see why humans would hate you for being immortal. I take it no diseases for you." "No. Our bodies purge any impurities when we freeze into immortality and anything we get afterwards." It was fascinating, the idea that she would live what most would term an enchanted life. No diseases, no aging and a wealthy man wanting to spend his life with her. She had yet to figure out what was between them but she doubted he wanted a fling. Still it was best to ask. "So what exactly is this?" "This is a dinner date." He replied. Tara wrinkled her nose at him. "You know what I mean." He leaned over; taking her hand in his he caressed the back with his thumb, a soothing move that had fear spiking through her for a moment. Surely he didn't intend to have a fling with her? He turned her hand over, absently playing with her fingers. "Every immortal has one person fated to be with them, a chosen, bride or soulmate, whatever you want to call them. You are my soulmate." Tara had never believed in burying her head in the sand so even though the idea of a forever marriage terrified her she pushed it all aside. "How long have you known that I was your soulmate?" "From the moment I first saw you." That hurt. He had believed they were meant to be together for the whole year he had known her and yet he had done nothing. Sure he had flirted with her, hinted that he wanted her but he should have come out and said they were meant to be. He could have saved her from the beating Ray had just given her but he hadn't. "But you didn't want me." Her voice was thick with unshed tears, the lump in her throat making it hard to speak. Damn him, he was turning her into a mess. She had no reason to be upset; it was just that it seemed another reason to doubt that he really wanted her. First he hadn't made love to her and now she finds out he had ignored her when he thought she was his soulmate. From the little she knew finding a soulmate was akin to being hit by lightning and a person was driven to be with the other to the exclusion of everything else. How could he have resisted her if she was his? He shook his head, his hand tightening on hers. "I wanted you from that moment on." "And yet you managed to resist me for a year?" Pain shot through her heart at that thought. Just when she thought she was getting a handle on the present the carpet got pulled out from beneath her. Tara tilted her face down, letting her hair fall in to hide her face when their waiter came back. But not before she saw the murderous look Trev gave the man. The waiter froze and from beneath her lashes she saw Trev waving him on to get it over with. The man hurried through his service before he nearly ran off from the table. Neither one of them reached for their food. Tara felt as if they were the centre of the restaurant with all eyes on her. It was irrational but as someone who hated arguing in public she felt exposed. Why had she started it anyway? They had been having a good time until she had ruined it. "Sweetheart," his voice was like honey, mesmerizing she found she had no choice but to look up at him. "There has never been a moment from the day we met that I did not want you." That didn't make her feel better; he had still managed to resist her for a year. She had to be the only soulmate in existence who had been resisted for so long. Nature had made her irresistible to him but he had managed to do it. "You had to come to me.' He explained, as if that statement was enough. "You cannot imagine how desperate I was to have you." "Your pride demanded I come to you." She accused. He still held her hand. Even though she had been trying to pull it back he held on to it until she realised how futile her attempt was. "I wish it were that simple; that it was all about my pride but it's not." "Then what is it?" her breath caught in a sob but she suppressed it. "Why when I ... when I pretty much begged you to have your way with me you couldn't be bothered to make love to me?" she felt so vulnerable, knew this wasn't the place for this conversation but she couldn't seem to help herself. His other hand cupped her cheek; she needed his touch as much as he wanted to avoid it. The sincere anguish in his eyes brought her up short, made her want to believe him but she hurt too much. This was supposed to have been a time to forget, just let loose and enjoy a night out. Maybe for him to convince her that he hadn't really meant it when he said he would not let her leave his house. "I can't risk telling you, couldn't risk telling you." "Why?" "Because I can't risk losing you." She couldn't accept that, didn't want to accept it but she would put it aside for the moment. "That doesn't explain why you didn't want to make love to me." "There are many ways to make love Tara, and that's what we did last night. We made love." Tears filled her eyes and she knew she wouldn't be able to hold them back. She felt too much, lost, alone, needy, elated and a whole plethora of others she couldn't identify. "Can they see me?" she asked and had to clarify when she saw the confused look in his eyes. 'The other dinners, does this spell around the table prevent them from seeing that I'm about to cry?" "No, but I can. And you're hurting me with your tears." They fell then. She hated all the tears she had been shedding lately but again she couldn't help herself. They never should have come here; they should have stayed at home, talked. She could have shouted at him until she got the answers he was doing his best not to give her." "Just tell me why you didn't want to fuck me!" She never swore he knew that, had to know that. She saw how her doing so was like a punch to his gut. But she was at the end of her rope, why couldn't he just tell her what she wanted to know without all this run around? "Tara, ..." "Just tell me damn it!" she was almost weeping. He closed his eyes. "You have a chastity spell on you. One that makes copulation impossible." Her laughter was bitter and she winced when she heard it. "I am not a virgin, there is no chastity spell or anything on me! Don't... please don't lie to me!" "The spell was set specifically for me, or more likely set against your soulmate." Tara wanted to laugh, it was ridiculous, the whole thing was ridiculous. Immortals, soulmates, spells and aliens all of it. To think she had started to think it couldn't be so bad but this was too much. He had to be lying; who would cast a spell on him to make sure he never slept with him. "Tara, have I ever lied to you?" he asked as if he had read her mind. She shook her head, while he had certainly kept the truth from her he had never lied to her. "Why, why would someone go to such lengths?" It didn't make sense. He went back to playing with her fingers, his thumb caressing her palm in slow circles that soothed the anger and panic that had risen in her. He continued for a few moments almost as if he was aware of her feelings and was waiting for her to be calmer. Choosing to trust him she fought her own panicked feelings, the sense of betrayal that she felt. "I, no my people have many enemies that would rather see us dead. Enemies that would do anything they can to see us all dead. As my mate you are the only woman in existence who can have my children, something they want to prevent at all cost." Eyes widening she stared at him stunned. "They would want to see me dead?" she supposed. Running his hand through his hair he sighed. "This is not what I wanted for tonight. I wanted to give you a romantic night," he laughed but there was no humour in it. "Yes, they would love to see you dead. My fear for you was one of the reasons I wanted to keep you at my house, protect you. Before they saw you as a human friend i had, now I am sure they know you are mine." "And then what? You were going to keep me imprisoned for the rest of my life?" she shook her head at the thought. "You can't cage me to keep me safe Trev. I need to experience life, and if I'm going to live forever I need to be able to move freely." He nodded and she breathed out her relief. "You will have to be well guarded at all times." There was no give to his tone, an order he expected her to live by without question. "Trev..." she started to protest. "I will not lose you again." He stated with absolute conviction but there was no hiding the anguish in his voice. He had not said much about the time she had been dead but the desperation lacing his voice told a lot. She wanted to comfort him, to assure him he wouldn't lose her but she had no idea if it would be true. He had seen her lifeless body, mourned her and realised what had to be the worst fear in his life. Her heart melted and she knew she would not protest even though the idea of having people following her around did not sit well with her. She decided it would be best to change the subject, at least back to what they had been discussing before. "I'm sorry for giving you mixed signals. One minute I'm telling you I want you, the next I want to wait and then now..." she bit her lip confused at her own behaviour. At no time had she ever been this wishy washy. "That is the mating instinct affecting you. When you meet your soulmate all you want is to rip their clothes and make love to them to the exclusion of all else. Even against your common sense." Feeling vulnerable she voiced the obvious observation. "You didn't feel the same, I didn't." Maybe they were not meant to be after all. "Eat." Trev commanded even as he turned to his food. Tara didn't feel like eating but she forced herself to take a bite of her food. It was well prepared, seemed to melt on her mouth and suddenly she found she was hungry. He smiled at her. "You and I are a special case." Knowing it was unladylike and not caring Tara snorted. "That usually means we are aberrations, freaks, abnormal. I gotta tell you being an immortal is enough freak for the moment." "We will talk everything out when we get home, I promise. Now is just for you and me." It was a relief when their conversation turned to mundane things. Giving her time to mull over what he had already said while enjoying the moment, as much as she could. She realized that she had spent the whole day feeling sorry for herself. It felt longer but it had only been a day since she had woken up in Trev's arms after which she had been all over the place. Not to mention seriously second guessing everything and herself. Trev had shown that he wanted her and yet at every opportunity she had found reason to doubt that. She was displaying insecurities that had never been a part of her make up. Trusting Love Ch. 06 Sure she had been through a harrowing experience but she had no memory of it and so shouldn't be so affected that she lost herself. She felt different so there was no reason to doubt what Trev had said, she had died, that was the only explanation as to why she was so changed. When she had looked into the mirror after dressing she had barely recognised the woman who had stared back at her. Her features while still the same had changed, a subtle change that nevertheless caught one's eye. She was now lascivious, the depth of her eyes holding secrets she could not guess at. While the shape and fullness of her lips had not changed they somehow appeared lusher, enticing. She had suddenly turned into a sex bunny who exhibited all the innocence meant to draw the opposite sex. All she needed was a breathy voice to go with it and listening to it now Tara was dismayed to hear a thread that had never been in it before. A mesmerising quality that invited things that she would never dream of offering, well maybe only to Trev. Was this how all immortal women were? No matter this was who she now was and she intended to own it, in her own way. "Dance with me." Trev said after their meal was done. Their waiter had not had to run for his life again. "You are supposed to ask Trev." She admonished. "Don't you want to dance?" he sounded surprised. "I do but a woman likes to be asked instead of the demand you issued." Giving her that smile that went straight to her girly parts he stood and offered his hand to her. "May I have the honour of this dance miss Townsend?" he asked with old world formality. Her eyes danced up at him, a smile splitting across her face. "It would be a delight Mr. St. James." He leaned over to her as if about to impart a secret, the look on his face a tad bit sheepish. "Actually it is your highness." He corrected. "What?" Tara was sure she shouted that with an oh so telling lack of finesse. She couldn't have heard him right, right? He nodded, again as if he could read her mind which given that he had some mystical powers just might be the case. "I am a prince." He informed her as he helped her unresisting self up and onto the dance floor. "Couldn't you have told me this before?" she grumbled suddenly intimidated and just when she had convinced herself that she could handle the whole thing, he threw another curve ball. She narrowed her eyes at him "What else aren't you telling me?" "When we get home I will answer all the questions you have, right now I want to hold you, get lost with you." Her heart skipped a beat and she melted against him as he took her into his arms * She was graceful, had always been but as with everything about her it was now enhanced. She fit against him like she had always been there. Their moves were effortless that they seemed to float on the dance floor as the music became a part of their togetherness. It was like it was an accompaniment to them alone even as they were in the sea of other dancers. His wolf was at peace holding her; it had been tormenting him since he had woken up, wanting her. Clawing and biting, something the Alpha had never done even when they were younger. As she had her head lying against his shoulder and his chin resting against her crown he let his wolf surface. Though his Alpha was aching to claim their mate the wolf would have a bit more control in public. Trevyn took a back seat to the wolf, experiencing their mate more through its senses. Her scent was more acute, the wolf excluded that of the products she used until only her natural scent remained. Trevyn had not known he could do that and he savoured the exotic fragrance she exuded. It was like nothing he could name, light, it evoked the memory of something ephemeral, superlative splendour one was awed to encounter, joyous even as the pain of knowing you could never have them again was prominent. Wonder blossomed in the wolf, a need to howl his supremacy, a primal call all would know. He had found his mate, held her with all the possessiveness of his nature. She knew she was his, and soon he would find a way around her chastity spell and they would be mated. He dared anyone to take her from him. None would get close to her unless they courted death. "You feel different than you did a moment ago." She murmured. "Does it scare you?" the wolf asked. There was a subtle difference in the inflection of the voice, something few people ever noticed but Tara was proving to be too intuitive. She had felt the difference in the wolf so quickly surely she had noted the difference in the voice. She didn't lift her head or tense as he thought she would but settled even more against him. "It should." Her voice was intimate and stroked his inside so much that he felt himself almost purring. "But for some reason I feel safer." It was all he could do not to howl in triumph, he was at his most predatory, his wild power more in the open, scaring some of the lesser immortals about but she felt safer with him. Closing his eyes he savoured the feeling, a part of him wishing they were at home so he could persuade her to let him touch her or to touch him. Wolves were earthy creatures, given to a lot of touching, and addicted to taste, it was all he could do to keep his hands to himself but wolves were also loyal. He would never break a promise he had made to his mate. They danced as if there was no one but them. Nothing else mattered but the feel of her in his arms, her sweet breath caressing his neck, the heat coming from her body as he held her close. There was no space between them as their bodies rubbed against each other with the tiniest of movement. She shivered as his hand trailed down her spine, her breath shallowed and the hand on his shoulder tightened. Turning her head she rubbed her lips against his chest, an innocent sensual caress that clenched his heart. "Promise me you won't ever keep things from me. After you tell me whatever it is you're keeping." She whispered. "I know there're some things that will have nothing to do with me but I need to know those that affect me." "I promise." He would keep that promise even if it killed him. Wolves were after all simple beings at their core, their needs primal. They didn't break promises. She looked up at him with those big fiery pools she had for eyes and his world narrowed to her face. Drawn to her his eyes spoke for him when she robbed him of speech. Her smile of accent was all it took for him to lower his lips to hers. * No one had told her it would be like this, intense, elemental. The taste of him was different, more primal, rough uninhibited yet so controlled. He delved into her mouth, explored every inch with his tongue. He was thorough, tasting her like she was a treat he could never get enough of. Their tongues duelled, caressed and teased whilst he held her with easy strength. His heat held her as much as his arms did; imprinting him on her until she was sure she would always carry the feel of him, the taste. She moaned, loving the sweet sensations that danced through her where she had felt nothing for decades. The feel of her lover's body flush against hers brought the ancient being to the fore. From the moment of creation she had been asleep and when she should have been awake she had been put into a deeper sleep. She had been awaken at the point of Tara's death and feeling how Trev's wolf had arisen had shown her how to do just that. His hand spayed her back, searing her naked skin. She dug her nail into him, holding him to her. Lost in the feel of him she pressed closer seeking more of him, all of him. A moan of protest issued from her when he broke their kiss but the smile he gave her made up for it, only for her. "We are not alone here for all I want to do." The formality of his wording pulsed a thrill through her. "Let's go home." She heard the invitation and need in her voice and her heart gave a hard kick. She had waited longer than the earth had existed for this, knowing that her lover would come but never knowing much about him. Now here he was and nothing was going to stand in her way with him. Not even her other self's reservations. * She was euphoric; Trevyn couldn't figure out if it was the wine they had had at dinner or a product of her emerging powers. She had only had two glasses and for an immortal with their higher metabolism it was a drop in the ocean. What he knew was that the woman besides him was not acting like herself. She had kissed him the moment they had entered the chauffeured car and kept at it all the way back. Now she was running to the front of the house from the back instead of going through the connecting door from the garage. The giggling and the glances she kept throwing back told him she expected him to chase her. Her eyes were again the embodiment of fire. She couldn't have any idea how enticing she was to a wolf, her teasing demand an invitation to mate he could not deny. He followed her, letting her keep her slim lead even though she wasn't really running. Laughing she yanked the door open and tried to close it behind her but he was already there his wolf reflected in his eyes. As soon as he closed the door behind him she turned and threw her arms around him then kissed him like she wanted to devour him. He lost himself in the kiss, the taste of her going straight to his head. He hungered for her, his instincts driving to claim her and lose the annoying insecurity that drove him to act unlike his normal self. He hated it, hated that he even had to consider it as a reason to make love to the woman he loved. He felt out of control, holding on to his sanity by a thread. She was everything he had hungered for in all his centuries, more than that. Drawing her closer he savoured the heat of her lush body. She was tall, five foot eleven to his six foot four with curves meant for a man to hold, unlike the sticks men went for these days. Sleekly muscled without it being the prominent definition of her he was all woman and he couldn't wait to sink into her. Sure whatever spell that kept him from claiming her was still there but he could lose himself in the heat of her mouth, her sweet behind, her hands. He got harder just imagining it. It felt like he had gone for decades without the tender touch of a woman, her touch. She was manna, ambrosia, his raison d'être. Sweet Any she was his death. A slow languorous death that was pure pleasure in its torment. How had he lived his life without her? He devoured her even as she did the same. Explored her mouth and lips with brutal sensuality. Drank her in to the depths of his soul 'til she was all that was inside him. "Treváyn Ianatan Naomh Sheámais." Trevyn froze at the name called by someone who should not know his fey name. Growling, a low menacing sound barely heard he turned to face his intruder. "Care to tell me what you have done to my daughter?" She glared her anger not showing any fear when powerful immortal had run at the hint of his anger. She looked like she was ready to attack, a mother bear preparing to defend her cub. The foolish woman would probably attack him even knowing he wasn't human. She had to know, how else would she know his true name? "Erin, to what do we owe the pleasure." He bit off fighting hard the instinctive need to attack. What was it about this blasted woman that had him reacting against his principles? He never attacked women and as the mother of his mate his first impulse should be to protect her. And yet from the very begining she had raised his hackles. He had been driven to attack her even before her hostility for him had registered. "I'm here to take my daughter home." She declared. His wolf surged and he had to fight hard for it not to attack. Tara would never forgive him if he killed her mother. "Over my dead body." His voice was even deeper than before with his anger. How dare she want to take his mate? No one would ever take his mate away from him. "That can be arranged easily enough." Was the woman's cold reply. Was she insane? He could rip her throat to shreads before she knew to blink. "Mom!" Tara admonished and tried to move past him to her mother. He put out his hand to stop her all the while keeping his eyes locked on the idiot woman who had the gall to threaten him in his own home. You didn't win a fight in the wolf's own lair with him. Erin turned to look at her daughter for the first time since the confrontation, she gasped and tears filled her eyes. "Oh my baby! Come here. I haven't held you for so long." She held her arms out to Tara. Trevyn wanted to stop Tara from going to her but there were also tears in Tara's eyes and he knew better than to get between two emotional women. Confused at the turn he looked at the other men witnessing the scene to see the same bafflement he felt. "You're so beautiful." She was cried as she held her daughter like she would never let go. "So powerful." "I know." The two words should have sounded so vain and yet there wasn't even a hint. It was an acknowledgement of fact such as a guileless innocent might make. A stament that accepted something pleasing to hear and yet unremarkable. Trevyn blinked at that. Tara had always been rather shy about her look even uncomfortable with compliments. What was going on here. The two women held and cried to each other for a bit longer before Erin glared at him over her daughter's shoulder. "This is why I did not want her anywhere near you got her killed before it was time." "Excuse me," Trevyn ground out with quiet rage. "You wanted her killed?" She broke the embrace to hold her daughter to her side. "That is not what I meant. She was safe and would have stayed that way until it was time if you had not interfered." "Safe." Trevyn stalked to within inches of the deluded woman. "It was that that bald headed SOB you are so found of who bludgeon her to death. So no I am not going to trust my mate to your judgement." Trevyn regretted the words as soon as they left his mouth. Much as he disliked the woman he couldn't fault the love she had for her daughters. Her brown skin ashened at his words, horror replaced her returned anger. He could see that the words he had carelessly thrown at her had torn her heart out. The lines on her face seemed more pronounced. With renewed tears she turned to her daughter. "Darling?" There were so many questions in that one pained word and Trevyn hated himself all over again. What was wrong with him? "I'm alright mom. Trevyn came for me." Erin shook her head as she wiped the tears off her daughter's cheeks. "This is all my fault. If I had been more experienced I would not have bound so much of my powers with yours and would have seen that blood incubus for what he was." "Blood incubus?" Tara asked. Her mother nodded. "I knew Ray was an ubus but I had no idea he was a blood ubus, they're sadistic. And I left you to one." "You didn't know mom, and though I hate to admit it putting Cam and I to sleep was a good idea." "Cam!" Erin gasped as she pulled away from Tara. Worry lined her face even as it became somewhat blank as if she was no longer altogether there. "Oh no!" She gasped holding her hand to her stomach as if in pain. Trevyn became alert as did his men at the distress in Erin's voice. Tara ran to her mother. "What is it? What's wrong with Cam?" "You are two sides of the same coin. Whatever happens to you..." She whispered her horror. "...happens to her." Tara finished the thought her voice echoing her mother's horrified tones. "What can we do?" Erin drew herself to her considerable five foot nine, drewher shoulders back then marched to the nearest wall which happened to be where Trevyn had been kissing Tara just moments ago, moments that now seemed like ages ago. She placed her hand on it and suddenly it became water. Water that stayed confined even though there was no glass between it and his foyer. He could see scattered debris at the floor of whatever body of water this was, the murky depths betrayed shoals of varied fish swimming by. But what caught his eye, what caught everyone's eyes was the woman floating in the water her left leg caught by a chain to a rock. Her eyes were open, staring at them, icy blue eyes that had what looked like shards of ice radiating about her pupils. Mercurious flecks glinted through the blue and raw power shone from their depths. This was not a woman to ness with. The most disconcerting thing about her though was how identical she was to Tara. She gad never said her sister was a twin and he had not been prepaired for it. Tara gasped and ran towards her as if to dive into the waters but her sister held out her hand and she took it to pull her into the foyer. The woman dropped to the floor taking Tara with her which finally broke Trevyn's stupified spell. He rushed to help the two women but the chain still held Cam, sticking out of the watery wall with a ripple. It was spelled iron. Only a few of the truly ancient immortals could escape the chains without a key. Even then it would be a struggle for them. With little effort Erin encircled the manacle at her daughter's ankle and crushed it. It was, to put it mildly impossible. "Who are you?" He asked her unable to keep the awe from his voice. "Someone who will not stand to her children attacked." Her hardened tone promised retribution. "What happened." She asked her daughter in a voice of total command. Cam laughed with bitterness. "Bad taste in men, this one turned out to be a Dorian mafia." Trevyn raised his eyebrows at that. The Dorian mafia were a group of immortal crime families that amoung other unsavory crimes stole powers from the unwary. If Cam was like her sister then she had had no idea she was immortal and would have been easy bait. Like the blood ubus the Dorians could use sex with their vicyim to draw in enough of their powere that upon their victim's death all their powers would go to the Dorian. "I see." Erin said with icy calm. Backing away from her daugters she held her hands out palms up. Without ang fanfarr fire formed upon them, perfectly controlled resting upon her palms. Only his supernatural senses told him the fire in her right hand was more than it appeared, nothing else differentiated it from ordinary flame, immortal fire. The one in her left hand though was something he had never seen. A near blinding white at the base it gradually became icy blue to be crowned with a blue that was a shade darker. "Fireice," Erin stated as if she had seen his confusion even though she was so focused on her flames. "Nobody hurts my girls." She brought her palms together for a second and when she seperated them the two had taken something from each other. Now they were both identical, both bearing the heat and ice for all to see. As if freeing a couple of birds she let the fires fly and they shot out. One into the water that promptly became a wall again and the other passed throug the door without scorching it. Fireice. He had only ever heard rumours about it, that there were two wells of it each at the exact poles of the earth. Thank God humans had missed the true poles by a margin. But he had asumed it was a myth. No one he had ever heard of could summon it unlike the fire whose opposite it was. Who was his mate's mother that she could summon both? He couldn't sense a glamour on her so she had to be as old as she appeared and immortals stayed young. Yet no human could hold the power needed to generate either one of the deadly fires. "Come on love, let's take your sister to dry up." Tara met his eyes over her sister's head. "See you soon." She mouthed as she helped her up then led her towards the stairs. "Is that the mother to be that you dislike?" His friend Tate asked but didn't give him time to reply. "You my dear friend are in trouble with those three." He added with a commiserating slap on the shoulder. Trusting Love Ch. 06 "Three? I haven't had anything to do with the sister." "Yes, but you've had something to do with Tara and her mother and you know how women talk, so you've definately had something to do with the lovely mermaid." Swearing under his breath Trevyn marched to his library. He needed something to drink, something strong enought to counter even his immortal endurance. Only Tara had said she would come to him and he did not want her to find him intoxicated. Anu! He had been a fool, an arrogant damned fool. He had let an irrational impulse control him enough to alienate his mate's mother. Thinking he was more powerful that her human self he had not cared and now it turned out she was powerful enough to maybe keep him away from her. But could he have lived with himself if he had pretended to like her for Tara's sake when everythig in him reacted so negatively to her? And to think they had been getting along quite well before all this. Damn. * * *