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2020-12-22 04:56:13He’d originally intended to take her straight to her quarters to settle in, and then slowly introduce her to his world. Seeing the wonder in her eyes changed his mind. Why not build on it? This magic, the mystique of stepping into an alien world that was now her own, this is what she needed. Let her first moments be full of pleasure and the rest of her days would be colored by it. Tossing aside his mental itinerary, he took her hand, threw her a grin, and headed for the path that led to the market.
The path through the woods wasn’t long. Rain’s eyes lit up when she first caught sight of the colorful tents and booths nestled against the curve of the Citadel’s stonewall, facing the bay. Rows of merchants selling everything from produce and crafts to weapons and livestock greeted shoppers with cheerful invitations to try
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Golden Bell 13
Wondering what she looked like, for she’d yet to see a mirror, she drew back the curtain.Fallon glanced at her and froze. Very slowly, he inhaled, his eyes wandering from her head to her feet. By the time they met hers again, they were a glowing, brilliant green.Beaming, the shopkeeper took her arm and pulled the breathless Rain in front of a full-length mirror. Rain gasped.That had to be her, but she couldn’t believe it. Her hair was prettily braided and swept up from her face in a princess’s coronet. She hadn’t paid much attention when the shopkeeper had applied makeup, other than enjoying the attention and praying she wouldn’t look like a clown when she was do
Last Updated : 2020-12-22Golden Bell 14
Heavy with irony, his tone only made her feel lower. Panic attacks with claws could be deadly enough, but she’d never attacked a friend before. Of course, she’d never had a friend to attack, and even now, she wasn’t sure that Fallon was one. That didn’t stop the sickness tearing up her guts, however.Fallon didn’t need to hear an apology, not with her bowed shoulders and hidden face shouting it out. A surge of pity mixed with lingering irritation. Her half-change was unsettling. Their kind was either-or, not an odd mix of both states, and by the look on her face as she’d changed she had no control over it. Maybe that had contributed to her fright. In human form, Haunt had human senses, except for sharpened hearing. In Haunt form, they had the keen senses of wolves coupled with superior strength, speed and a
Last Updated : 2020-12-22Golden Bell 15
Rain thought about it, thought about the Haunt outside her room. “Uh, the books sound good. Could you bring me a stack? And if you know anyone with a broken gadget, I’d like to have it. Tools, too, if you can borrow some.” She never had a gofer before, but Rain didn’t hesitate to use her services. If Fallon wanted to pay for a servant, fine. He was part of the reason she was stuck here, anyway.“Yes, mistress.”“Thanks.”Rain went back outside to look at the fish as Malian cleared the table. When she was sure she was gone, she took out the Bell and set it. Now that she was here, she could flash back to Earth anytime, at any of the various points sh
Last Updated : 2020-12-22Golden Bell 16
“No, I wouldn’t know. When in the last few days that I’ve known you would I have figured that out?”“Ah. You need time, and I’m rushing you.” He didn’t apologize.She breathed deeply for strength. “I’ve got no interest in a relationship with you, however brief. Don’t tell me you’re desperate for female companionship. I’m sure there’s a few women around here you haven’t bedded. Probably a teen or two who came of age while you were away.”“Ouch. I hate to disappoint, but I haven’t been as busy as that. I’ll bet there’s ten women, at least, who I haven’t bedded here.”
Last Updated : 2021-01-10Golden Bell 17
His hand cradled her head, gently holding her steady. When his body joined hers on the bed, she blinked in surprise, but the kisses soon dragged her back down. There were covers between them, after all. One hand curved behind her back, pulling her closer, showing her how good it felt to press against him. She whimpered her encouragement.Boldly, he swept down the covers and snuggled closer. The kisses alternated on her lips and ears, trailed down her jaw and caressed her neck. The hand on her back slid down to cup the curve of her behind, massaging, pulling her closer.She should have objected. Should have said no. Instead she gasped, unable to remember why this was a problem. It had just been so long since she’d felt pleasure of any kind, and he was giving her his full atte
Last Updated : 2021-01-10Golden Bell 18
She still looked dazed when he brought her to his suite and seated her at the long table. Larger than her own apartments, his was furnished in soft greens, bronze and tan leather. It had three bedrooms, suitable for the family he’d one day have. The houseplants were few, but well cared for thanks to his housekeeper. He looked at Rain, but whatever she thought of the place, she seemed too unsettled to comment.The meal had just been laid out on the table. Content to leave the unfocused expression on her face, he filled her plate and poured her wine before serving himself.She ate, but kept her eyes on her plate. He let her have silence for a little while, then said casually, “I thought we could fish on the bay in the morning. I’ve arranged to borrow a
Last Updated : 2021-01-10Golden Bell 19
Rain shrugged. “I learned a long time ago to make the most of the moment. Yeah, they were cool. I enjoyed parts of Ireland, too, but I wouldn’t want to live there permanently.”“What would change your mind?”She looked away, toward the glass patio doors, and blinked. There were three moons in the sky. “Whoa!” Unable to resist, she crossed the room and stepped outside, his question forgotten.Moonlight bathed Fallon’s private garden, making it almost twilight. Why did they call this place the Dark Lands?Fallon followed her out, lounging against a tree trunk. “Pretty?&r
Last Updated : 2021-01-10Golden Bell 20
Anxiety made her restless, and pacing her small room didn’t help. She needed out, so she threw on some jeans, a navy sports bra and a long sleeved, black shirt. Dressed for success, she scaled her garden wall.She wasn’t trying to escape the Dark Lands. It was freezing cold on the other side of the gate, assuming she could even find it. Her sense of direction sucked. Even if she could follow the snow machine tracks back, she’d freeze long before she reached civilization.No, she just needed a break from company, especially Fallon’s. Crossing the grassy spot behind the wall, she took a straight line toward the looming shape of an obstacle course she’d seen in the distance that morning. At the time it had been swarming with Haunt, but now it
Last Updated : 2021-01-10
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Golden Bell 37
“She’s not!”“Fine, but she did us a service just the same. Don’t punish her for it. Have you considered that she might be hurting? Killing is never easy. For all you know, she’s afraid of what we’ll do if we find out.”“We won’t do anything! Well, I might spank her blue, but…”Keilor actually shook him, smoothly dodging Fallon’s thank-you punch. “Fine, now that you’ve got your aggression out, you’d better plan what you’re really going to say to her,” he snapped, and then his face softened. “I’m trying to help you, cuz.”
Golden Bell 36
Rain closed her eyes against the flash. When she opened them, all that remained of him was a pile of rust colored dust. Her hand clenched on the Bell, closing the connection.Her room was neat and empty. There was no way to trace Azion’s death to her.She felt a little sick. She’d let the man reach out to his own destiny, but knowing he was dead wasn’t the sweet relief she’d hoped for. Abruptly, she got up and left the room.***Fallon was in Jayems’s study, examining a printout of Azion’s rooms. He’
Golden Bell 35
He kissed the top of her foot. “His brother gave their parents the parts list. He can’t wait to make his own…Guess rifle, was it?”“Gauss. Wait. You mean DJ and Malix are brothers?”“Yes, twins. His dad’s proud of him for not hitting a girl, but he promised to give him pointers about making her stop without hurting her. He also told him to stop teasing girls.”She smiled at that. “Who’s his father?”“My cousin, Keilor.” He snuggled up behind her on the wide wooden lawn chair. It was a tight fit, but not claustrophobic. With his hand low o
Golden Bell 34
Relieved to have the whole business over, Rain nodded and started hobbling back toward home, going the long way around. She didn’t feel like trying to scramble over the wall again.The kids followed her.“Whatcha doing?” Bracelet kid asked.“Going home. You should, too. What’s your name, anyway?”“I’m Malix.” He grinned at her, showing off his missing tooth. He nudged the unknown boy, another red head. “This is Twix. He’s Carri’s older brother.”Rain grinned. Twix, was it
Golden Bell 33
Kial did as Fallon directed. The change itself wasn’t dramatic, just a simple melting of form, accomplished in seconds. Underneath all that fur, Kial was an unassuming brunette of average height and looks. His expression was a little hesitant as he addressed her. “Good morning, my lady.”She stared at him without blinking, wary as a kitten suddenly dropped into a box of pit bull puppies. Her abused muscles were screaming at her to relax, but her mind wasn’t listening. She’d run hurt before.Fallon gestured for Kial to sit. “So tell me, are you still thinking about getting your red sash? You’re more than eligible.”“I don’t know if I wan
Golden Bell 32
Rain opened her eyes and found that she was alone. Lovely. She’d had unpleasant dreams and would have welcomed a distraction, even if it were Fallon’s scowling face. Not that she could blame him. She felt a creeping embarrassment that she’d thrown herself over a four-story waterfall without a good reason. She shifted and winced. She must have hit every rock in that blasted river.The current had been fast, and she was amazed that she’d survived. There had been a couple of times she’d been sucked under and nearly drowned. Maybe somebody upstairs was watching out for her, because there was no way she should have made it out of that river.If a higher power had saved her though, she couldn’t fathom why. Fallon was mad at her, for one. Y
Golden Bell 31
“My lord, later,” one of the medics snapped at him. “Let’s make sure she lives first.”“I’ll live,” Rain muttered, but it was clear she wasn’t fully sensible.They wouldn’t let him inside the operating room, so Fallon paced. Keilor joined him, keeping silent vigil as they waited for news.“Maybe a flashback?” Fallon offered, when over half an hour had crawled by. “She has panic attacks around Haunt.”While Keilor had not yet met Rain, he’d listened just that morning as Fallon had spilled his guts about his wife. “Maybe.”
Golden Bell 30
The park was too crowded, though by no means full. She felt exposed as curious eyes tracked her progress. It was as she entered the orchard and achieved the seclusion she’d hoped for that she began to worry. Something wasn’t right. Shouldn’t her bodyguards have said something by now, questioned her choice of wandering in the woods? She expected someone to appear, ready to chew her out.A familiar pain gripped her as the change came over her, lengthening her nails, sharpening her teeth and her senses. This time she rode it out, using her nose to test the wind before the change dulled it, blessing the ears that picked up sound unavailable to mere human ears. She stood still, looking, scenting as shiny red fruit swayed gently in the breeze. Something…
Golden Bell 29
She’d hurt him tonight; wanted to hurt him. Part of her was angry with him for making her come here, for railroading her into a relationship she wasn’t ready for. They were both going to cross some rough roads to get to a place where this marriage he’d started could work. He’d taken advantage of her, but she was to blame, too.She hated admitting that, but she was nothing if not fair. Now, they were stuck. She was stuck, because she’d willingly given up her ticket off this planet. For what? To soothe Fallon’s fear. Why had she done that?Maybe it was because she understood fear. He had been kind to her. Maybe the only thing he felt for her was desire, but he’d been generous about sharing that, too. He didn’t make her feel
