Jones moans in pain and slowly opens his eyes at the feel of something wet touching his forehead. Staring down into his face is his former mate, carefully pressing a compress to his head. "Selene..." he sighs, leaning into her touch.
"Don't strain yourself, Jones. Just rest." She calmly replies as she continues to apply the towel to his flushed face. "Please don't go.." Jones sighs as sleep takes hold of him.The next time he wakes, something is poking his arm. He groans in protest, hiding his limb underneath his body. The movement moves to the shoulder. Jones snaps his eyes open, ready to attack the aggressor. Instead, he is met with two small gold eyes and an awe-filled babyface. Grace backs away, curious about the strange man on her couch. After she has satisfied her curiosity, she backs away from the former alpha vampire. Jones is transfixed by the toddler. She looks like a small version of Selene. He can imagine Grace, like her mother, had everyone wrapped around her fingSorry about the late update! Had a busy day and forgot to post a chapter. Thank you for your patience and for the lovely gems you leave! :)
"Liam!" Toby pushes his twin brother's shoulder. "What the hell?!" Liam growls and punches Toby's nose. "What the fuck? Now you are hitting me?""You are here to defend her, no?" Liam snarls. "I won't hear any more excuses, brother. You and Luke have far more patience than I. One year, ONE YEAR! Where my own mate hardly touched me. Do you know how much it hurt when I would feel her with Luke or you? But she couldn't even throw so much as a glance my way. She is either cleaning up after the bloodsuckers, meeting with Maddie and the coven, being a mum, or being the female beta!" Liam slams his fist into a tree trunk."Exactly! Do you know why Luke and I get time with her? We seek her out! Even if it is for five minutes, we ensure she is taken care of and knows we love her. What have you done? You expected her to seek you out! What happened to the brother who worshipped the ground she stood?"Liam cackles and shoves Toby. "He was a fool! He died when he found out who the b
"You okay, ban-dia?" Luke asks for the seventh time. After Liam had departed in an angry rage, Selene had locked herself in her room. She and Liam have had countless arguments over the last two years, but none felt so final as today. Their bond had thinned with the harsh words exchanged; the expression on Toby's face when he returned from talking to his brother confirmed it. Morgan, Heather, and Grace had left shortly after Liam's departure. Selene insisted they go to take Grace from the turmoil. So now here she was, sobbing. "Baby? Open up." Toby's concerned voice comes through the door. "We are worried, ban-dia."GoddessHow she hated that nickname at the moment. She was anything but a goddess. If she were, then why did Liam seek comfort from another? "Don't you dare blame yourself for that arse's actions!" It's like Luke can see into her soul.
" I still don't understand how you know this, Selene." Toby crosses his arms. Selene quirks an eyebrow at her Beta. Why was he looking at her like that? "Because think about it, one is strengthened by the darkness-that is obviously Cleo. She was already a powerful witch; she would likely use the darkness to gain more power. That only leaves the one that gives into darkness-obviously Grace.""What does that mean, Selene?!" Toby snaps. Selene cowers at his tone. Toby had never raised his voice to her, not once in two years. Maddie snarls at the wolf. "Watch yer tone, boy!" Toby growls and sulks against the wall. Maddie and Selene exchange a look. What is going on with her sweet mate? Selene watches as Maddie's hand glows, and she whispers a simple enchantment under her breath. Selene realizes the older witch is casting a magic detection spell. The air around Toby shifts and blackens. "Toby, why don't you and Luke go check on Jones? See if ye can find him a blood bag. Selene and I
"Lead the way, Drogo. We will follow ye." Maddie throws her bags in the back of the car. Drogo shifts to his dragon form. Before he can spread his wings, a cold wind and a loud death rattle whip around them. "Fomoire." Selene and Maddie exclaim. Jones hisses, wrapping his hand around Selene's arm and pulling her behind him. "Stay there." Selene rolls her eyes and steps around him. She appreciated his help, but she had her wolf and magic to protect her. Off in the distance, an odd shape moves closer. The shape begins to form a figure, and Selene gasps as she recognizes the face of her beloved mentor. Grace looks like she always had, her radiant red hair hung about her thin frame, but her eyes held none of the sparkle Selene had grown accustomed to, instead, she is looking into two endless pits of despair. Grace holds up her hands in surrender to the witches. "I'm here to help!" "Goddess, Grace! How i
Blood-curdling shrieks surround Jones as he approaches The Celtic Faerie Realm. From what little bits he caught from Selene, he gathered Morgan lived near the western border between the mortal and faerie realms. He approaches the edge cautiously as the wailing continues to grow in volume. Fucking banshees! The frightening floating entities float around, their mouths gaping. Banshees were without mercy, and it was clear that if they got through the border, the inhabitants on the other side would die in excruciating agony. Jones crouches in the bushes, watching as the gaggle of demons roams about, trying to break through the barrier. Since Jones is a vampire, the banshees wouldn't be able to detect him. Their prey was usually warm blood beings, not cold-blooded vampires. Despite this knowledge, the former vampire alpha didn't want to take any chances; these banshees were out for any blood, his included. Jones takes out his phone and scrolls thr
"Where is she, Luke?!" Toby pushes the vampire roughly against the wall. Before Luke can react, the wolf grabs him by the shirt, lifting him up and throwing him towards the couch. Luke crashes through the piece of furniture, landing in a pile of cloth and broken wood. "What the hell, Toby? You know I can't tell you!" Luke flashes his red eyes, warning his friend of his waning temper. "You are cursed! We are cursed! Until she finds a solution to lift this spell, she won't come back."A howl of heartbreak escapes Toby's throat, and his eyes shimmer with unshed tears. He pulls at tufts of his red hair, eyes shifting from black to sapphire. "There has to be another way. She can't just abandon us!" Luke slowly approaches Toby like a wild animal. "Listen, this is the best way. Look at you now- you are consumed with pain. If you clear your head, you would realize this is the best way." Toby sits on his haun
Chaos breaks throughout the Dragon's Belly. Drogo stops holding an arm out to protect Selene and Maddie. He shifts his head up to the cavern roof, where several dragons glide. "Something is wrong. Quick!" Drogo grabs Selene's arm, pulling her into a door on the left. A small bedroom lies on the other side, with torches lighting the intimate space. " Stay in here! Don't come out of this room unless I give the all-clear! Clear?"Selene and Maddie nod. "Clear." The Celtic Dragon slams and locks the door behind them. "Heavens above!" Maddie exclaims. She rushes to the bed and slams their bags on the mattress. She opens one of the smaller bags, dragging out vials, herbs, and pots. "We are going to need this!"Selene comes to Maddie's side, riffling through some herbs. "We don't know what 'this is, Mads. What are the dragons worried about?"
An awkward silence fell in the office after Selene broke the news. Paiste stares at the hybrid conflicted on how to offer comfort. Paiste was never sensitive; he was the typical alpha dragon who took instead of gave. So he watched, motionless as Selene's bottom lip wobbled."I think I should go to my room, yea?" She rasps, turning on her heel quickly to run. Memories of Nathaniel flood her mind. Nathaniel, the man that raised her on Gabriel Island. Her surrogate father when she was an orphan. He gave up everything to help her escape and come to Danyrus. After Gracey was born, Nathaniel was a constant presence in her life and became a part of her growing family. Then, a month ago, the old faerie had fallen ill and passed away in the night. His death had hit her hard. Nathaniel, along with her parents, Mathias, and Diana, was her security, and the thought of not hearing his sarcastic retorts or tasting