She lay there in the nook of my arm, so quiet and peaceful. I watched her chest rise and fall slowly as she inhaled and exhaled my scent. The moonlight washed over her like a satin sheet across her body. She had fallen asleep not long after we had made love and sealed our bond.
Her curly mess of Chocolate locks framed her beautiful elvish like face, while long lashes hid her vibrantly shining violet eyes from my view but I knew they were there, resting for the time being. I ached to touch her, but I knew better. For to wake this sleeping Goddess would be a crime against all art. That is what she looked like to me, a beautiful masterpiece. Inside and out.
She jerked suddenly, just a slight twitch of her arm and hand but enough to peak my interest. I watched as her face slowly took on the look of discomfort then quickly shifted to horror. She jerked again, this time twisting away from me. She raised her arms as if to shield herself from an oncoming invisible attack.
I rolled to one side and propped myself up on my elbow as I reached out to try and wake her. She flailed again and this time a gut wrenching scream exploded from her chest. I bolted upright and grabbed her arm's so she did not do more damage to herself.
She now had an open wound on her neck and one on her face from trying to fight off the dream attacker. I gave her a shake and called her name sternly, nothing. I shook her a bit more aggressively and again called her name, still nothing. She seized in my arms then slumped into a pile on my lap.
I hurriedly ran to the bathroom and retrieved a cold wash rag and placed it on her head then the back of her neck in an attempt to wake her. I gently called her name and reached out to her mind. Once I was inside I could see she was horribly distraught, she was lost in her own head, unable to discern what was dream and what was real. I touched into her frantic thoughts.
Sending calming rushes to her I slowly guided her back to reality. She was almost awake when I started retreating from her thoughts. A quick flash in the corner of my vision gave me pause, I looked closer but saw nothing. Upon a more thorough investigation I found what I thought I had saw, it was a fleeting memory. It darted from view many times in the short stint of my visit.
I made a mental note to ask Redalia about this strange goings on. I pulled free of her mind just in time to see her eye lids flutter open. She looked around, shocked and confused. Then her gaze rested on me.
"What the hell happened? I feel like I just went 10 rounds in the cage with "The Notorious" himself!
"It looked as if you were having a nightmare, but when I tried to wake you, you wouldn't budge. Then you clawed your face and neck. It doesn't look t bad though. We should be able to get you healed in no time. Can I ask....what were you dreaming of?"
I thought for a long moment before answering honestly.
"I remember feeling overwhelmingly scared and then it was like pure terror. No holds bar...real life terror. Then there was something trying to kill me and …....nothing. Everything is a blur."
We sat in silence a moment then she got up to go clean herself up in the bathroom. I took the opportunity to fix the sheet she had ripped off the bed during her fit. It was then that I saw a glint through the window as if light were being reflected off of a very shiny surface. I stood and made my way over to unlock it and look around when Redalia came back from straightening herself out.
She rubbed the back of her neck then stood in front of me and placed her head on my chest, taking in a few deep breaths. She looked up at me, worry clouding her otherwise brilliantly shimmering eyes, I wanted to stare into those eye's forever. But I couldn't shake the curiosity eating away at me.
I looked back at the window as I placed a protective arm around Redalia's waist. She noticed my unease immediately and began following my eye line out the window. She saw it before I did and gave a slight gasp then cursed herself under her breath.
My gaze quickly darted to where she was staring. A tall masculine figure stood just beyond the fence that bordered Red's land. A deep growl began in my chest and quickly bubbled to the surface, I tightened my grip on Red and moved her behind me. Every hair on my neck stood at attention.
The figure looked up at us in the window and beneath the lip of his worn leather Bush hat I saw a twisted smile form. He looked like he had just stepped out of an Indiana Jones movie to be honest. He kept his hat low so the only view of his face I got was of his cheek and jaw. But it was enough to see a white scar that ran down his left cheek.
It was my guess, from the tragectory of the scar and the thickness that it covered his left eye as well. There was only one man I knew that had a scar like that, I prayed I was wrong in my assumption. Just then we heard a buzz coming from the nightstand. It was Red's phone, she had a new text. She walked briskly around the bed and grabbed the phone and disconnected the charger. I heard her unlock the screen, type a few keys then gasp.
I looked back at her then back out the window. The figure was gone. I cursed myself for looking away then locked the window tightly. Then I sat at the end of the bed and rubbed my neck and head. I was so tired but I knew I needed to go after the man.
I stood back up and walked towards Redalia who looked as if she were about to hit the floor. All color had drained from her face. I gently took the phone from her, she looked away quickly.
I knew she hated showing so much emotion. I rubbed her shoulder's and kissed her forehead. Then I ushered her back into the bed and laid with her, stroking her hair until she was nearly asleep. She gave a slight yawn then asked...
"Conall, who do you think he was?"
I thought for a moment. If I tell her now, she may want to go after him. She is after all a member of THE ELITE. It would be her first instinct to track him down and question him. Maybe I could put off telling her until I know for sure it's him.
"You cant hide thing's from me ya know."
Her voice was laced with exhaustion and sleep depravity, but still she had a point. She'd know I was lying if I tried to hide from her what I was thinking.
"You can tell me in the morning, I'm too tired to deal with it now anyway. Besides we need to get some sleep before work."
"Work?" I said with a smile.
"Yea work. I OWN a bar remember. I can't just close up shop because some jackass is trying to steal my heart. Hell, if I stayed home every time that happened I'd never go to work."
She cocked her head slightly and opened one beautiful eye just enough to peek out at me and smile lazily. I returned her smile and raised my eyebrow at her tenacity.
"So there are many men who want to steal your heart huh?"
"Oh yeah, I'm a hot commodity around these part's."
I chuckled at her ability to turn any situation into a joke. Then I slid closer as she snuggled into my chest. A few deep breaths and twitching hand's later and I knew she was once again fast asleep. I hoped this time she would find only peace and joy in her dreams.
It was then I remembered the phone, I had put it on my nightstand after I'd taken it from Redalia. The text she'd received had drained her of color and seemed to have put her in a state of disarray. I gently adjusted Redalia so she rolled onto her side away from me then I sat up and snatched the phone off the nightstand.
I quickly unlocked the screen and opened her messaging app. What I saw chilled me all the way to my core. I turned the phone back off and replaced it on my nightstand. Anger welled up inside me. I laid back down, threw my arm over my eyes and begged my brain to just let me turn myself off and get some sleep.
But every time I closed my eye's all I could see were the word's of the text, burning a hole in my mind.
"Beautiful dress tonight my lovely little witch. Though if I were you I'd reconsider the company I keep. Beware the thief in the shining knights armor, for he is not at all what he is perceived to be. Until we finally meet, Just remember I'll be watching.
V."
I knew then my worst fear had been realized. Doran had sent the most feared creature in all the Black Forest after my mate. Stories of Veno Petrov had been circling throughout all the Wolven clans all across the globe. He was not only a skilled and deadly fighter, he was said to be horrifically savage.
In one case, a young couple had borrowed money from the mob boss who employed Petrov. When they couldn't pay back their debt the boss sent Petrov to their home. Once there, he butchered the husband in front of his wife. It was said he took great pleasure in hearing her screams as he ravaged her then left her for dead.
I couldn't allow myself to think about all this now though, Red was right. I'd have to tell her the truth but not now. Now she should be allowed to sleep, to dream whatever she likes, whatever eases her mind and comforts her. For after tomorrow, after I tell her about Veno Petrov, she may not sleep comfortably for a long time.
I rolled in close to Red and wrapped my arm around her, pulling her close to my chest. I breathed in her scent, she smelled of Sweet Apples. Like Macintosh fresh off the tree, I relished in it. I closed my eyes and once again attempted to fall asleep.
This time though I felt a presence in my subconscious. It warmed me and eased me into sleep, it was my Red, come to help me get some rest. She held my hand fast as she pulled me into her dream. The sun shone bright, the sand was warm and the water cool. Before I knew it we were relaxing on a beach. I looked over at my mate, thankful to her and appreciative of her caring nature. She smiled back in her sly, coy like way. This girl will be the death of me.
When I woke the next morning Red was no where to be seen. I quickly scanned the house for her via our telepathic bond. Nothing. This wasn't good. I shot out of the bed then suddenly remembered I had no clothing here. Looking around the room for a moment I saw a note on my nightstand.
"Hey,
Had to go into work a bit earlier than usual. Something about a coon in the kitchen. Clothes are in the other room in the dresser. We'll go shopping this afternoon and get you some new stuff of your own if you like. Come on down to the bar when you're ready. I expect you can find your way easy enough.
R."
Well that solves the clothing issue I suppose. I pushed myself up and left to get cleaned up, change and get down to the bar. After a nice hot shower and some fresh clothes I grabbed a quick bite to eat on my way down to The Dark Horse. I made a mental note to stop off at the local car dealership to purchase a new vehicle before the day was out.
It wasn't a particularly long walk, nor was it bothersome in any way. I just thought a car or truck would be faster since I couldn't run in my wolf form here. I'd learned a long time ago, people in this day and age do not believe in the Wolven like they used too. If I ran in the open I would be seen as prey to they or worse...a predator who would kill their families.
No, human form was best in this kind of delicate situation. Before long I was standing in front of what looked to be the classic dive bar. The Dark Horse was a simple establishment yet it held the aura of self confidence that Redalia emitted. It must be why people flock to her. Humans tend to gravitate towards the people who embody what they all want in life or how they want to be.
The outside was done in a moderate old cabin style wood siding while river rock surrounded the door. Infused inside the double doors there sat two beautiful pieces of stained glass, twin horses, black as night with fierce glowing blue eyes faced each other, standing on hind legs as if ready to charge into battle.
I knew immediately the doors had been spelled with an Alluring Charm, it's meant to draw people in. That was a good idea on Redalia's part. The more people come in the more money she makes even if people only want to sit in a nice calm place to have a drink or to sit and just pass the time, she still makes a profit. Smart lass. I smiled to myself and pushed through the doors. Redalia greeted me from the bar by waving me over, a smile plastered upon her gorgeous face.
Though I felt the eyes of every woman in the place land on me the moment I walked in, I only had eyes for my Red. I made my way to the bar where I sat down directly in front of her. She wiped the bar down before looking at me.
"Well hey there sleepy head."
"Hey yourself, lass."
"Get yourself all rested up did ya?"
"You could say that. I about had a heart attack when I woke and you were gone. Red, you know you have to be careful."
"I know, but I had a call from Jax this morning. He said Alexandria had come in and opened the bar for me and it looked like a coon had been in the kitchen. All the food had been thrown everywhere, bags ripped open, silverware thrown all over the place. It was a damn mess and a half. We ended up throwing a ton of produce out and scrubbing everything down with bleach and Tornado this morning."
"A raccoon did all that? It doesn't exactly sound like a little old coon to me Mo Ghra."
"Yeah me neither, but I couldn't tell them that. Anyway I got it took care of. So, I wanted to talk to you about me hiring you."
"Ok, what do you want me to do?"
"Well, have you ever worked the line before?"
"The line? Oh! You mean have I ever been a chef?"
"Yeah, in a sense of the word. Since it's a bar I don't really employ a chef, just a really good cook. But he need's a bus boy."
"Oh...well if that's where I'm needed that's where I can go. Though if we're talking in the way of experience, I used to tend bar in Charleston for a time. When I was searching for you. I also bounced for that same establishment."
"Oh! Well that works out perfect! I've been tending bar here forever. I can't seem to find anyone who can handle the Friday night rush. No one makes it passed their first Friday. You're welcome to try though if you want."
I flashed her my brightest smile. Then winked as I leaned in to close the gap between us and kissed her.
"Challenge accepted."
She smiled back at me. Goddess I loved her smile! Suddenly her attention was called to the other end of the bar. She nodded in the customers direction then flashed him a toothy grin before expertly pouring him another glass of Killians Brew.
He thanked her then went back to his previous conversation with his guest. Redalia came back to me but had no time to speak. She was demanded back and forth all afternoon. Not once did I see her get to sit down. She poured countless drinks, all the while thrilling everyone in the building with her "Alcoholic Acrobats" as she called them.
She twisted and threw bottle after bottle into the air then caught them behind her back, in front of her chest, under her leg, then she twirled them in her palms with the ease of someone who had done this their entire lives. She smiled all the while, I could see by the color of her aura, she was truly happy. She had fun with these people, and what made her happy, made me happy.
Our happiness was short lived though. Just as she threw a bottle of Old No.7 in the air, the doors slammed open. Drawing everyone's attention to the men standing in it's frame. Remembering the bottle suddenly Redalia used her quick reflexes to catch it just in time before it hit the bar and shattered.
She placed the bottle beneath the bar and wiped her hands off on her rag hanging from her packet. Then she placed her hands on the bar's edge and leaned against it as she smiled at the men in her doorway.
"Well, come on in and find a seat boy's there's room for all."
I could feel her pushing a calming spell throughout the bar. It was draining her energy fast. She leaned on the bar a bit more. The men moved slow as they entered. Slowly people started going back to their drinks and food. I knew it was because of Red's spell.
The men chose the tables in the darkest corner of the bar, next to the pool tables. Three of the men started pulling out the pool cues from the wall and chalking them up. Then one of the three found the rack and started lining the balls up inside it. I scanned the area but found nothing from them. I knew immediately what they were. I turned back to Red and reached out.
"Mo Ghra, the men in the corner. They aren't men at all."
"What are they then? They've never been in here before. I don't think they're from Sanctuary."
"They aren't. They're Dark Reapers...."
"What?! No, they can't be. Check again."
"A stor, they have no aura. Every living or dead thing that has a soul has an aura. These creatures have no souls. They used to though. Back when they were Wolven."
"Conall....what do we do?"
"Nothing. We wait for them to make the first move. Until we find out what that move is, I think it best we act like bar keep and customer."
"Agreed. Alexandria has that section. I think I'll give her a hand."
"Redalia NO!"
To late, she was already on her way over to the table, smile on her face, pen and paper in her hand. I swear this woman was going to be the death of me!