Chapter Seven: An Unexpected VisitorShe was still in a daze when they pulled up in front of the Allises’ home more than an hour later. Carol—her mother—no, Carol felt better than calling her mother… She had stopped by a pharmacy on the way home to fill the prescription, which she clutched in one hand while coming around to North’s side to help her out with the other. The hand on her arm was probably meant to be comforting, but it felt restrictive and almost as tight as a handcuffed as Carol led her to the house.They were on the porch before she realized there was someone standing in the shadows cast by the big pillars of the sunporch. She gasped and took a step back, suddenly on edge. Conversely, the panic seemed to snap her world back into focus, and she could think again.“Who’s there?” Carol sounded annoyed.“It’s me, Dr. Elias Scott. I met North last night, and I’m the one who cared for her father.” As he spoke, he stepped out of the shadow, and he wore an affable grin, but ther
Chapter Eight: EscapeThe door opened a moment later, and the light clicked on. “North?” asked Carol softly. “Are you awake, sweetheart?”The endearment made her skin crawl, but she struggled to keep her repulsion out of her expression as she turned over slowly and blinked her eyes as though they weighed a thousand pounds each. “Is that you, Carol?”“It is. I have your other pill.”She feigned a yawn. “I don’t think I need it. I’m feeling much calmer now, and I’m still pretty sleepy.”“We must listen to the doctor. Take your last pill like a good girl, and maybe tomorrow we could—”She yawned again, though this one was authentic. “I was hoping you might be able to take me shopping tomorrow, Carol. I have no clothes with me besides the one outfit.” It was imperative to get to the mall, which seemed to be her only option to escape whatever was going on with the Allises and the mysterious doctor. If her mother thought she was an enthusiastic participant, she might drop her guard and give
Chapter Nine: Kidnapped?She woke just a few minutes later, certain it couldn’t have been longer than that, because the day didn’t appear any later, and the sun was where it had been, though obscured behind the clouds that had shadowed it all day. She was sitting in a van, and her arms were tied to the seat. She started struggling against them, trying to break the bonds, and a cool hand brushed across her brow. For some reason, she immediately felt less fearful.It was the man with the sandy-brown hair, and he was smiling kindly at her. He didn’t seem to be frightening, but she was certain she should be terrified. The ropes binding her to the seat were evidence of that.“Just relax, North. We aren’t going to hurt you.”She didn’t speak but glared at him and made no attempt to hide her skepticism.“I’m Ryland DiFarness, and I’m honored to be one of your guards.”“Enough with the details, Ryland. Let Caius explain before you delve too much into it,” barked the one with flaming-red hair
Chapter Ten: BirthrightElias continued his explanation, “The mythics have fought wars over the millennia, but we’ve reached a truce that is sometimes tenuous, but has lasted for five centuries. Our groups formed the Council, comprised of all of us and represented by at least one being from each realm. There’s even a human on the Council.” He flashed her a smile.“Let me see if I have this straight. You claim you’re all some kind of…creatures from other realms, and you live here on Earth as part of some kind of intergalactic U.N., while ignorant humans go about their daily lives with no clue what’s going on around them. Is that about right?” She felt ridiculous even saying the words.“And there are portals between each realm, but they’re carefully guarded, and access is restricted only to approved travelers, and never in large groups.” Orin offered that explanation.She was certainly surrounded by lunatics, but perhaps she should indulge them for the moment. “Why can’t they travel in
Chapter Eleven: In The BloodA small moan of fear escaped her as a tall man with craggy features, tanned skin, and golden eyes entered the room. He had long white hair that hung down to the middle of his back and took each step as though he carefully measured doing so ahead of time, weighing his options and deciding on the most beneficial course. He radiated wisdom, but no warmth. She shivered again.“You’ve enlightened her, Eli?” asked the man.“I have, Caius.”Those golden eyes focused on her, but his expression gave away nothing. “What do you think of what you’ve heard, young Trueblood?”Her back stiffened, and she had to swallow before she could answer. “I think you’re all crazy.”Caius surprised her by giving a small chuckle, and the temperature in the room seemed to warm infinitesimally. “I’m certain you wish we were, but I believe you know in your heart we’re telling you the truth, North. No doubt, it resonates within you, awakening knowledge you’ve possessed all along, but rem
Chapter Twelve: Eamon’s DeliveryRather than napping, she spent the time pacing and trying to discern the best course of action. She was no closer to an answer when there was a tap on her door around six-thirty. She thought about ignoring it for a moment, but knew they wouldn’t leave her alone forever. With a sigh, she stopped pacing and crossed the room to open the door, sticking out her head cautiously.Eamon stood in the hallway, and he held a garment bag in his hands. “Caius sends this with his regards and requests you wear it tonight for the gathering.”She frowned at him, not taking the bag. “What gathering?”“The Council and other dignitaries here on Earth would like to meet you. You’re a bit like a princess now, North. You’re in danger, and there are those who would hurt you, but there are just as many who will marvel at your existence and be humbled by your presence. You should become accustomed to being the center of attention from now on.”She shook her head, starting to ta
Chapter Thirteen: Fae’dThey followed her. Of course they did, and North wasn’t surprised that they had done so. When she stopped fleeing in a panic and had a chance to calm down and think, it was no surprise to see the six of them emerge from the shadows to surround her in a semi-circle. She leaned against a nearby cement retainer wall, uncaring about any damage it might do to the dress. She crossed her arms over her chest and stared at them for a long moment without speaking. “This isn’t fair.”“What exactly isn’t fair?” asked Marek.North gave him a look full of disbelief. “All of this. Caius just expects me to step into a role he’s designated for me, and I had no idea about any of this until two days ago. That’s hardly enough time to process anything, let alone run headlong into what you all expect from me. I haven’t even had a chance to explore this realm, since I’ve been living with my father all these years in the cabin, and you expect me to just hop into the next one? That’s n
Chapter Fourteen: DancingThey exited the shop the way they had come after Orin assured her there was no need to pay, and it would be on his tab automatically. They returned to the sidewalk, but didn’t get back in the van. Instead, they walked two blocks through rough areas to emerge onto a main street with several clubs and a string of food trucks. She marveled at how quickly things changed, morphing from the decaying neighborhood to one showing obvious signs of rejuvenation. “Where do we start?”“Everywhere,” said Eamon with a laugh.That sounded like a fine plan to her, and they split into smaller groups, each intending to order enough to share. She was between Ryland and Marek as they waited for falafel on a stick.Soon enough the seven of them met back in the middle of the street, and she enjoyed new flavors she’d never tried before as she stuffed herself silly sharing various treats they had purchased from the vendors.When she couldn’t eat another bite, North put up her hands w
Chapter Fifty-Three: ReunionIt was over, and relief swept through her. Her spine stiffened, and she managed to stand upright again. “We’ll do our best.” Persephone nodded and disappeared into the crowd of people who were triaging survivors or stacking the dead to be jettisoned into Noirvald. North turned away from all the chaos, no longer wanting in part of it. Other people could clean up, but she needed the reassurance of her mates. “I need to be alone with you. All of you.”“Of course.” Eamon took the lead, and they ended up back in the bedroom she first used at her arrival at headquarters. North waited until the door closed before she started undressing.“North, maybe you shouldn’t…” Ryland looked uncertain.She managed a small smile. “I should. I definitely need to. I was denied contact with you for the last two weeks, and I need to renew our bonds. This is what I need right now. Trust me.”At her words, their resistance evaporated, and they started undressing too.Orin was the f
Chapter Fifty-Two: Find Your WayNorth stared around, vaguely aware the place was familiar. When Pytor moved from her side, she felt nothing but a wave of relief. Even that was a dull sense, and emotions barely penetrated her. Her mind was thick and heavy, like it was shrouded in fog.She remembered opening the portal, and how it had drained her for several minutes. She’d had to regain her strength before Pytor could lead her through it. She remembered thinking she should resist, but hadn’t been able to do so.She remembered the moment when the portal had torn open, though it hadn’t been a neat hole. Even now, the edges were ripped, and the energy felt wrong to her. She still had her physical senses intact, even if she couldn’t really access her emotions. Her arm remained hanging, and she willed it to fall at her side, but couldn’t without his permission.Anger stirred in her that she needed his authorization for such a mundane task, and she glared at his back. It was easier to think
Chapter Fifty-One: AttackOrin paced around the cell, sick to death of the confines of the small room. They’d been trapped in there for two weeks, let out only on a one-by-one basis in order to shower and see to hygiene needs three times per day. He was amazed they still let them do that after the last couple of escape attempts, but perhaps Caius had some remaining compassion.Just not enough to risk weakening the Council to a level that made them uncomfortable even if it meant rescuing North from Pytor. He didn’t understand how Caius could justify that decision, even though the Council had little love for North. They should realize that the longer North was with Pytor, the more vulnerable she was to falling under his command. Apparently, that wasn’t worth risking their control.Before he could stop himself, he paused, rammed a fist against the bar, and cursed. The curse was a combination of frustration and pain from colliding with the bar. There were wards placed all around them, plu
Chapter Fifty: FrenemyTwo weeks. Two miserable weeks had passed, and North was no closer to recovering her memory. Each time she had a flash of something important, Pytor seemed to realize it and ordered Kira to adjust her dose of the “solution.” She still had no idea what that was, but each dose made it harder to think and harder to resist his horrible orders.“Do it.” He raged at her, waving at the body crumpled on the floor. “Kill the yaogui.”She closed her eyes, her body trembling from the torture he’d already forced her to inflict on the small creature huddling on the floor before her. “Why?”“Don’t question. Never question me. You do as I say. Now kill it. Show me the range of your power.” His temples throbbed with the force of his anger.North looked down at the pitiful creature, which had been broken for at least an hour. She wished she could say it was the first time he’d made her use her magic to hurt others, but it wasn’t. This was the first time he’d told her to kill for
Chapter Forty-Nine: Memories (Lack Thereof)North woke with a throbbing headache. It hurt so badly that she couldn’t think clearly. The pain centered in a spot on top of her head, so she lifted a hand to touch it and flinched when she encountered something metallic in nature. She whimpered and started to thrash.“Enough, Nara. You must be calm.” The male voice was authoritative, but it didn’t make her want to listen.Instead, she wanted to run away. Panic filled her as she opened her eyes, unable to see anything. “What’s happening? Who are you? Where am I?” Who am I? That question echoed around in her head. He’d called her Nara, but that didn’t feel right. In fact, it felt wrong on so many levels that she rejected the name immediately.If she wasn’t Nara, who was she? She tried to think, but couldn’t remember anything beyond being certain her name was North.“Calm please.” The soothing female voice had a gentle touch to match. “Let me make some adjustments.”North froze as those hands
Chapter Forty-Eight: BetrayedKriss was the one to knock on the Allises’ door, since there was a chance they didn’t know him. He was taking no chances of them recognizing Eli and trying to keep them out. They wouldn’t be denied entry, but he’d like to make things as quick and neat as possible.Carol was the one to open the door, and she left the chain on. “What is it? Do you have any idea what time it is?”“It’s time for you to tell us what you know.” Eli burst past Kriss, ripping the chain from its plate as he collided for the door.So much for subtlety. With a shrug, Kriss entered behind him and closed the door as the sound of bare feet running down the hall reached them. He stood with his arms crossed over his chest as he waited for Jim to join them.Eli held Carol by the back of her shirt, ignoring her ineffectual struggles. When Jim burst into the kitchen, he nodded at Kriss.Kriss moved quickly, intercepting Jim and twisting his arm behind his back before forcing him to stand wi
Chapter Forty-Seven: OpeningThe fighting was brutal, with an overwhelming number of soldiers. If it hadn’t been for Eli’s brethren joining them, they would have been wiped out by the sheer numbers that poured through the portal in the short time it was opened before it closed. Marek fought as hard as the others until all he could see was a pile of fallen and smell the coppery tang of blood in the air.“We have to get back to the Council.” Eli looked wary, but seemed determined to ignore the reality of exhaustion.Marek could relate. It was finally safe, so he returned his fire sword to the scabbard hidden by his wings. “What about all this?” He gestured at the pile of bodies.Eileen approached, looking grim. Blood smeared her face, but it didn’t seem to be her own, since there were no visible injuries. “You go after North. We’ll sort out our dead from theirs for a proper burial and then burn the rest.”“Thanks, Ma.” Eli leaned forward to hug her. “I’m sorry to run.”Eileen nodded. “I
Chapter Forty-Six: ImpossibleThe next night was a full moon, which meant a gathering for the wolf-shifters. She had the fae fabric become a comfortable outfit, in case they ran. She had no idea what to expect as they all followed Eli to the square of the village. Someone had started a huge bonfire, and there were several naked shifters cavorting around it. Others had already shifted.“Try this.” Eli handed her a glass of something pale purple.She sniffed it. “What is it?”“Pink yarrow wine. It’s good for you.”She took a cautious sip and gasped. “I didn’t expect it to be so strong.”Eli laughed as he handed glasses of the wine to the other men. “It has a kick, but it tastes great.”North wasn’t entirely sure she’d use the word great, but it wasn’t bad. She ended up finishing the glass over the next twenty minutes as they all mingled. She interacted more with Eli’s family and saw her other husbands were getting along with the wolves too. It was important to her that they all get alon
Chapter Forty-Five: UntamedThey entered a thickly forested area. This wasn’t the same kind of almost-tamed forest that had been on Bael. It was dark and primeval, with the fecund scent of soil, and everything looked rough around the edges. Even the buildings visible in the distance were on the primitive side.They moved closer to the settlement as they walked carefully through the wild forest. Most huts were clearly fashioned from material provided by the forest, and someone appeared to have carved the bare niche of land forming the space for the buildings from sheer brute force. Everywhere she looked, she could see signs of the forest trying to encroach again and reclaim its territory.The smell of soil gradually faded from her nostrils to be replaced by a less pleasant scent—wet fur and shifter bodies, combined with the unique musk that she had never noticed on Eli, but could only assume emitted from each of the shifters and joined together to create a strange musk.Ryland sneezed