Julien grabbed her hand that held my wrist, seeing him ready to use force if he needed to. She eased the draining only a tiny bit but it still caused me enough relief to let out a breath.
''He's right behind us, calm down and focus.'' He was trying to be calm with her but he spoke through his teeth in a low voice. Not calm at all.
She let my wrist go and I nearly fell at the relief, wavering in it as I grabbed ahold of where she held. Julien stepped aside for her to go to him before he helped steady me; watching her for a moment longer but fully focused on me after.
The pain fading muted Cassie's words to her. It felt like she was taking more then my magic; my life force. That had to be her gift and not some spell, she did it so easily.
He lowered himself to look at my face, wipe my stray tear that had fallen from the pain of it all and I looked up at him as he reached for my wrist. ''May I see it?'' He asked and hovered over it, not wanting to touch it or hurt me any further. The pain was anything but surface.
I nodded though and moved my hand that held it to expose it. There was a black bruise where she had held, in the shape of her hand. After he looked at the mark he looked back up at me and I could see the anger in his eyes.
''What the hell did you do?'' Julien turned away from me to ask her, raising his voice but he relaxed himself a bit when I placed my hand on his back. With him being a touch calmer I took a seat where Katy had been laying.
The exhaustion setting in further with her taking some of my magic. I felt weak and tired like I had just casted hundreds of spells.
''I'm sorry. I just needed my son to be safe too.'' She told Julien before looking past him at me, regret on her face indeed.
I nodded before I swayed again, all of taking it's toll on my body at once. I wasn't going to hold it against her. Julien sensed it and turned back to me before closing the space between him and the bed I sat on.
''I've got this, why don't you two head up and get some sleep; Penelope already took care of Deans room.'' Cassie offered us but Julien looked to me for what I wanted to do. I nodded again.
Katy and Ben are safe in good hands. I could rest knowing that and more needing it now. Plus Dean is definitely out like a light.
Julien smiled smally at me, offering me his hand to help me stand and I gladly took it; not sure I could make it upstairs without his help. He helped me off the bed and out into the hallway before he scooped me up to carry me in his arms. A small noise escaped my lips, one of surprise by him doing so but I rested my head on his chest after.
''I need my bag.'' I told him, needing to change; I did not want to be in these jeans anymore let alone sleep in them.
Julien nodded, ''I'll get it for you.'' He told me his voice back to the soft one he used with me but a touch more knowing I was both tired and just hurt. Somehow he could be even more gently then how he already was with me.
Despite all our walking and everything that happened today Julien didn't seem tired in the least bit.
After walking me up the stairs and to the very end of the hall he opened his bedroom door, turning the light on then entering it to walk over to the bed where he placed me to sit.
''Thank you.'' I thanked him with a small smile, he gave me a nod; not doing it for the thanks but accepting it none the less.
''I'll be right back with your bag, the bathroom is just through that door if you need it.'' He pointed to the door not to far from the bed, the side I was on and I nodded before he turned to go to Deans truck.
I watched as he left the room but moved to take off my boots, placing them beside the bed before I stood and felt the lightheaded feeling again. I looked back at my wrist, not any worse but still the same scary looking bruised hand print.
I tried to put the feeling aside to go into the bathroom, pulling my hair down from the ponytail as I did so and tossed it a bit. It being up longer then I had planned. I went to the sink to splash some water over my face before going back out to wait for my clothes so I could change and get some rest; with Julien too I hoped.
With the waiting I found myself making my way over to his desk, I had noticed a few pictures among all the papers and folders he had around the desk. Both the photos were framed at the top, out of the way but still in view. Julien and Alex with who I assumed to be their fathers, all stood together looking unbelievably happy; ear to ear smiles on their faces.
I looked to the other photo, swallowing at the sight of it. This looked like his mother and his father. I smiled smally to myself wishing I could have met her or even him but caught sight of something else. One of the folders had Daven's name on it; Daven Gaul.
Opening it quickly upon picking it up I started to read through everything Julien has found on him. From what I know to things about his pack and how his mate died. Daven had refused an alliance with another alpha, he sought revenge through his mate. That alpha was sentenced to death but Daven had already started his spiral.
Julien had some hand written notes, adding about Nick; It looked like he was making a case against him. I turned to Julien when I heard the door opening again and he looked at the folder in my hands before looking back at me.
''How far did you read?'' He asked me as he walked over, seeming nervous for me to be reading it but not mad; a haste in his voice but not his movement.
I wasn't sure why he would be, I already knew what Daven is capable of. ''Just a few pages.'' He nodded and looked back down at it for a moment again.
He set my bag down before gently grabbing the folder from my hands to put back down onto the desk; closed. ''There's some....'' He though for the right word, disturbed by it none the less. ''Some pretty awful stuff in there.''
''What did you find?'' I glanced back at it, how could he get any worse?
Julien sighed before he picked my bag back up and moved to place it on the end of his bed. Standing there for a moment, his back turned to me but I took a few steps closer to him as I waited for his response.
''When he found his mate dead...he slaughtered almost half his pack in his rage.'' Julien nodded and turned to face me finally. He looked distraught over the knowledge.
Like he thought he would be capable of such a horrible thing, nothing could make him do that; not even my death but I didn't plan on leaving this world anytime soon. Nor him.
''We will get him; he won't keep hurting people.'' I told him, closing the few feet of remaining space between us and placed my hand onto his chest. Once I did so he placed his hand over mine, holding it there.
Julien nodded though, not confident in his abilities still but I had seen them first hand; he's strong and he is good. Better then Daven who didn't have the elders or my support like Julien.
''You have two witches on your side now.'' I told him with a smile, knowing I would keep searching for something to help us and with Katy's knowledge too we could really have an upper hand now.
I just hoped her spells went past boundary spells and to suck the life and magic from people; not helping unless she wants to get close enough to Daven to do so.
Julien pulled my other hand into view, my bruise. ''We don't know she's on our side yet.'' I swallowed as he showed me before I pulled my hand back down, looking down too.
He sighed before pulling my hand that was on his chest up to his lips, placing a kiss there to get my attention again. ''Let's change and get some rest, I'll talk to Katy in the morning and at least get that sorted.'' I nodded, nothing we could do now anyways.
I gave him a smile when he kissed my hand once more time quicky and let it go to let me get to my bag, he went into his closet and I moved my bag to pull it closer and unzip it.
Pulling out the book Julien gave me and the grimoire to set aside; I searched for my pajamas, finding something better suited for not sleeping outside. I took out a tank top and the soft pants I packed for the cold, not expecting to sleep inside or next to Julien who is a heater of his own.
I left the bag open to put everything back and made my way back to the bathroom after I glanced over my shoulder; he would be finished soon. I still didn't feel confident enough for him to see that much, I wanted him to but...I just wasn't ready.
After quickly changing I collected my worn clothes and as I left the bathroom I pulled my hair from the tank top, spotting Julien at my back; looking at the book he let me borrow. He had been smiling at a page before he looked up at me with a bigger smile.
I did not know if it was possible to resist his smile and returned his with one of my own as I made my way over to the side of the bed he had placed me on. I pulled my bag over to put the clothes in and placed the grimoire in and set it on the floor beside my shoes but out of the way.
Julien got onto the bed on his side before laying down and turned to show me the spot in the book he had been looking at. ''I think you may like this part.''
I moved to lay too before really looking at it, farther then were I was at in it. I read the words, looking for what part he was talking about it. Then I read the words; the pack witch. He handed me the book to read it, seeing me see the part.
Witches are incredibly rare but prized among pack members, capable of protecting whole packs and offering insight with their gifts. To meet or even know a witch is rare but to have a pack witch is rarer. Packs used to fight over them before the elders placed a rule into affect that only the witch would decide the pack.
There was another interesting yet scary part; more of a warning to werewolf's, those meant to be the readers. Just as witches are known to be powerful allies they are also known to be fearful enemies. Best to keep them on your good side.
''Have you heard of this with anyone?'' I asked and showed him the book before he looked back up at me and I closed it; having read enough for the night. He nodded though and took the book when I handed it to him; placing it on the table beside his side of the bed.
''No, besides maybe you.'' He smirked and laid onto his side. I smiled although I did not want to, nor did I agree. I was not anyone's enemy. Perhaps the book just wanted to scare wolfs from harming witches.
''Who is my enemy?'' I asked and tried to push my smile away; easily doing so once he spoke. Not even considering it.
''Daven; Pax, Daven is your enemy.'' He told me, his smirk disappearing too; very serious now. I swallowed at his change, knowing deep down that I suppose he is but he isn't just mine.
I whispered after a moment with a nod. ''I know.'' I however was far from fearful. He didn't seem to be afraid of anything anyhow. Just out for what he wants or blood, just a roadblock to him. Now though we had to have pissed him off.
Julien looked down for a thought and sighed before looking back up. ''I'm sorry.'' He paused for a moment. ''I just; do not under estimate him, he's not Katy. There's no saving him.'' His voice went back to normal but the warning was clear.
I nodded and moved myself even closer but Julien sat up to take his shirt off. Pulling it over his head then tossing it aside; when he laid back down he moved his arm out for me to come over fully. Once I did I rested my head on his chest and adjusted to lay like that. When I stopped moving Julien placed his hand on my hip, holding me there gently and placing a kiss atop my head.
"I love you Pax." He whispered and I blinked the lights off with my magic, not going to have either of us get up to turn them off.
I kept my eyes closed, "I love you Julien." It was nice to hear him say it first this time. Nice to hear it said at all.
It's like he knew the moment I closed my eye, beginning his gentle rub to try to soothe me into sleep. It began to work; easier then ever with my exhaustion and I gave into it. I of course would enjoy just being in his arms but this time I had no choice.
With my eyes closed I was out in no time, not sure if Julien would sleep too or wait. I knew if I was concerned about Davens next move after tonight then so would he be.
It was only a matter of time until Daven found that she is missing but Alex will let us know if he comes back or not. The trap at the front door had me thinking on if he planned on going back or not; or if he knew that we would come looking.
He knew she did some magic but I was certain he couldn't feel the type of spell and only the magic. Perhaps there was no reason to any of it; clearly having not much thought into anything he does.
Julien woke with the sun rise, spending a few well earned minutes watching Pax sleep peacefully in his arms; fully comfortable on his chest. But he made himself get up after a bit, careful to not wake her up but he wanted to prepare her breakfast and get that grimoire he promised to find her. Cassie being the one who found it; being the one who had stored it in the first place.
He was a bit upset with himself that her actual present wasn't ready yet but she would get it as soon as it was. Going to do everything else in his power to make sure her birthday isn't ruined over the camping trip ending. She was so excited for it.
Normally Cassie prepared breakfast but he was making her a special one and catered to her diet rather then theirs. With her sweet tooth in mind he had something he knew he wanted to make her but Julien would have her well feed too. He made a note to learn her appetite as time went on.
''Is she staying another night; Penelope and I can make her a cake, really celebrate for her?'' Cassie offered as she made breakfast for the rest of the pack. She absolutely deserved it but Julien didn't know if she would be canceling the whole trip. She was willing to give it up to help someone, fully knowing it would take her time; an important time for witches in general.
''I'll let you know.'' Julien told her as he placed the completed dishes onto the tray, ready to serve and picked it up. ''Where did you put the Grimoire?'' He asked her, stopping before he went to make his way upstairs to Pax.
Cassie paused what she was doing, expecting him to be near upstairs by now. ''The office desk.'' She told him however, on the same page of it still being strange for it to not be filled by his father. That office may never feel like it really belongs to Julien.
That office remained empty for quite some time until Julien finally had to really deal with the pack and began doing business again with other packs. All of them understood, the weight of losing a father to gain the role; not passed down with a guiding hand.
I woke with a breath, feeling the sun light on my eyes before I opened them to see it; the large window beside his bed made it easy to come in. The morning had arrived some time ago and I was alone in the bed. Not a fan of waking up with him gone every time we spent the night together.
I throw the blanket off that he must have put over me when he got up; whenever that was and placed my bare feet onto the wood floor, taking a moment to adjust to the cold of it. I went to brush my hair back and noticed my wrist no longer had the dark bruise, somehow healing overnight; clearly not being just a normal bruise. Her magic may have been the only thing that caused it.
Julien wasn't in the bathroom or his closet which I thought he may have been getting dressed but he was no where to be found. With a small sigh I left the bathroom to go to my bag, getting something to wear for the day. Julien must be doing something so I didn't think I needed to go to the bathroom and undressed.
I had picked this one to wear for my birthday. I always liked to dress up a little bit and this felt like a good one for camping too.
I finished by buttoning up the skirt and pulled my hair from the shirt once I looked to see it was tucked properly. I turned after a moment when I heard something, the door opening.
Before Julien fully opened the door I fixed my hair some more and noticed the tray in his hand when he did so; closing the door behind him.
''Happy birthday.'' He turned and began walking over to me with a smile on his face. I smiled at him, not as upset about walking up without him now. He presented me the tray once he gestured for me to sit on the bed, placing it on my lap once I did so.
The tray had breakfast, a fruit salad and pancakes. My smile only grew when I saw the chocolate chips in them. I looked up at him, ''Thank you, this is; this is great.''
He smiled, proud of himself. ''Eat up, I've got another thing for you after. It's not exactly a gift but that's coming.'' He told me and I raised an eyebrow.
He got me a gift; already, this was already more then enough. ''You don't have to get me anything.'' I told him and picked up my fork. He nodded though and sat beside me.
''I already got it.'' What could he have gotten me; and why is it coming?
I couldn't argue with something he has already got so I took a bite of the fruit salad before he spoke more, filling me in on what else he has done this morning.
''Katy's gift is to Siphon. She can take power from anything that has it; like me.'' He began explaining and sighed. ''She was draining you last night.'' He swallowed and looked over at me once he fully told me.
''My magic is fine though, It came back and look.'' I put the fork down and raised up my wrist into view to show it to him. ''My wrist is back to normal too.'' He raised one of his eyebrows, starting to see I was an optimist as Dean described but I was an optimist who knew what I was talking about.
''Just be careful around her until we know more; until we know she's on our side.'' Julien requested of me, unaware I already knew the answer to that. I took a few bite of the pancakes, getting full after having some of both the fruit salad and pancakes.
''She's on our side.'' I told him and set the tray aside onto the bed side table, one on both sides. He turned his head at me, not knowing how I did. ''Not only did we safe her child but were both witches, there's something that pulls me to her and she feels it too; that's why she asked for help.'' I explained as I stood and grabbed my phone.
Julien nodded, ''Seems like your birthday is helping you understand things more.'' He mused but I hadn't thought about it that way, maybe how it just came to me. I had only ever felt the connection to my mother but I thought it was because we are blood and in the same coven.
I found her energy before Daven; his being far stronger and more noticeable with it's corruption.
''Speaking of which; is Katy awake, I need to talk to her?'' Julien nodded but before I could turn away he caught my arm after standing and spun me back around to him.
''Hold on a minute.'' He wrapped his hands around my lower waist, wanting to hold me as he looked down into my eyes. ''Let me have you for just a little longer please.'' I turned my head and smiled up at him.
I did not have a problem with that and I too placed my hands onto his back to hold him. Feeling how he reacted to my touch. ''We are camping another whole day.'' I told him, not camping anymore at this point but we could still enjoy our time as if we were.
''Lucky me." That smile on his face turned into that of a smirk. Liking it in more then one ways. His eyes flicked to my lips, making it obvious that he wanted to kiss me.
I didn't ask this time and leaned up to kiss his lips once but he held me up and deepened the kiss, a growl came from within his chest as he did so but I felt his small smirk before he pulled back. Stopping himself for some reason.
''Ben is asking for you.'' He smiled down at me, having heard him. ''He's lucky he's a kid.'' Julien said and looked down at my lips once again. Both us wanting to stay and continue what we had started.
But not only did Ben want to see me but I wanted to see Katy; and talk to her. I needed her knowledge, her spells and I wanted to know about her cuffs. Daven has something he can use against us; stop us from being able to protect ourselves against him.
I nodded but before I was ready to go down I had to kiss him once more, his borderline teasing by continuing the kiss earlier. One of his hands reached up to cup my face, moving from my lower back. When I pulled back he rested his forehead on mine and rubbed his thumb over my bottom lip.
''You're so beautiful; you know that right?'' Julien asked me with a breath, asking but also declaring. My face heated up but he held me to look into my eyes, lowering a bit when he did so. ''I'm serious.'' Then he released my face but I didn't look down this time and nodded.
I was starting to at least believe he thinks I am. The way he looked at me.
Julien offered me his hand to go downstairs with me. I gladly took it before we began to walk together. ''I love you.'' I told him watching his back as he led the way.
''I love you too Pax.'' I loved the way his voice changed when he said both I love you and my name. It had more significance within his tone. It was specially for me.
Julien led me back to the med bay, set up in there still as Cassie had Katy set up to monitor her head for a bit. Ben was enjoying a very large breakfast all to himself at a table sat next to the bed Katy was laying on.
She sat up upon seeing us enter the med bay, getting Ben's attention too and he turned to look who it was she had reacted to.
"I know I keep saying it but I'm sorry Pax." I nodded but gestured with a wave. She didn't need to apologize. I know exactly why she did it and she did stop.
"I understand; don't worry about it." I looked to Ben now and smiled. ''I heard someone was asking for me?'' He gave me a small smile in return and nodded.
"Thank you." He said after finishing his chewing of the bite he had taken. Waiting patiently well his mother and I spoke.
Just as she didn't need to apologize he didn't need to thank me. It was the right thing to do and I was glad to have been able to finally control my powers to an extent to find them.
After talking a bit more with Ben, Julien offered to take him outside for a bit with Nick; both needing to get energy out. I still needed to speak to Katy and it she seemed to trust me the most. Being the one she reached out for help; or perhaps the only one she could reach out too.
''Are you feeling well enough to talk?'' I asked, having more then a few things to discuss with her. Matters of importance for catching Daven and helping Julien and his pack.
She nodded, knowing how important it is to help now and she's safe enough to be able to do so.
I moved closer to her bed when they cleared out and looked back to her. "In my vision you mentioned his father, he's helping Daven with something?" I asked her first, having several crucial questions that needed to be asked this very morning. Any further curiosity's could wait.
She nodded and sat back onto the pillow she had propped up so she could sit up. "He offered him a choice, help him with tracking someone down or I'd never leave the basement." She told me regrettably. "My husband is the best tracker in the pack- or what was the pack." She sighed after correcting herself.
"How did Daven get cuffs that can stop you from using magic?" I asked, nodding. She didn't know who he was tracking so we'd have to figure that out some other way. I'd tell Julien if he wasn't partly listening already.
Katy sighed again before nodding. "I made those...when I was pregnant with Ben. I couldn't control how I siphoned or when. I almost killed him so I needed something that wouldn't let me." She explained but it was actually a good thing, that means Daven hadn't known how to make them.
Her gift could also be a curse, I was starting to see the trend. There was good and bad to every gift. Far beyond the reach of control too.
"Julien broke them when he took them off them but if you still need them for anything I can help you make more.'' I offered, understanding lack of control but if it came to her son especially.
She declined, having had practice in the years of Ben growing up to learn the control she needed. Able to do in time when she isn't just in peril. Katy sat up again at my offer and looked toward the door before whispering.
''My husband wrote down the address he's to meet Daven at in two days, when he finds whoever he asked him too.'' She told me as she pulled out a folded piece of paper from her back pocket.
....To Be Continued In The Next Chapter....