Intoxicating Magic (10 page)

“Then what’s the problem?” His hand moved to the base of my neck and down my spine, making me want to flare my wings in pleasure. But I kept them tucked to my back, warm under the covers.

I took a moment to just breathe, trying to get my emotions under control. He was so warm, so solid beneath me. Everything about him was familiar and comforting. The way I felt in his arms was like coming home in a way that I hadn’t experienced even when I’d visited Mom’s shop or her house. He was everything to me in a way David would never be. It was all clear in that moment. I wanted him. Wanted to be with him and only him. But I couldn’t lose who I was to do it.

“You’re afraid of something,” he said into the darkness. “And I don’t mean Asher or his followers. You’re afraid of me.”

My body tensed, but I didn’t pull away from him. I couldn’t. I was too weak. Wanted him too much. Finally, I sighed into his chest. “Not you,” I said by way of explanation. But it was no explanation at all. Physically I knew I was safe. But emotionally I was a wreck, and in my heart of hearts, I knew it wasn’t all his fault. I shared the blame just as much, if not more.

I’d had a lot of time to think about why he’d left, and I had to admit that if the situation had been reversed, I wouldn’t have handled things well. If he’d put himself in danger to help a vamp who was in love with him, I’d have lost my mind. He’d had every right to be angry at me. Could I really blame him for leaving such a messed-up situation? No. But most of the resentment had been tied up in him cutting off contact. Now that I knew why, I had a hard time being angry at him.

No, the fear was coming from deep inside me, from knowing that if I gave myself over to him again and our relationship didn’t work out, I’d never be the same. All I wanted right in that moment was to have Talisen back in my life. To be able to lean on him, to talk to him, to be in his inner circle. But getting romantic, as much as I wanted to lift my head and kiss him until everything else was a distant memory, was not an option. I needed my friend. I couldn’t risk losing him again.

I hugged Tal and shook my head. “I could never be afraid of you,” I reassured him as another tear rolled down my face. “You’re my best friend.”

His body relaxed beneath mine as his arms tightened around me. Letting out a soft breath, he kissed the top of my head, prolonging the motion in a tender display of relief. “Always. No matter what.”

I hiccupped on a sob, unable to calm the emotions claiming me.

“Jeez, Wil. I’m so damned sorry. I should’ve never left you in the dark.”

“No, you shouldn’t have.”

“Never again.” He brought his right hand up and tilted my face so our gazes met. “I promise.”

The sincerity in his gaze nearly broke me again, but I sucked in a breath and gave him a small nod, knowing I should promise something in return. But I wasn’t sure what. I couldn’t promise to stay away from vampires or that I wouldn’t put myself in danger, because I would. I’d do whatever it took to protect my nephew. Even if it meant fighting for Allcot.

“Can you do something for me?” he asked.

My heart stilled. There was a time I’d have said yes to anything. But now… there were some promises I couldn’t make. “What?”

He closed his eyes and curled his fingers in my hair. “It doesn’t matter.”

That ache was back in my chest. We’d always been able to talk to each other. This new, strained dynamic was exactly what I’d feared would come to pass. I pressed against his chest and rose up to meet his gaze. “It matters to me.”

He brushed his fingertips over my cheek ever so lightly and nodded. “I know, Wil. Let’s just sleep. Okay?”

Reluctantly, I nodded. He’d tell me what was on his mind when he was ready. I hoped so, anyway.

The wind was still whistling between the cracks of the modest cabin, but in Tal’s arms, I was warm and safe for the time being. Before long, my lids became heavy with sleep and my breathing evened out. I was in that world halfway between consciousness and sleep when I felt Tal shift slightly. His hand wrapped around mine pressed to his heart and then, just barely audible, I heard his deep voice whisper, “Don’t give up on us. I won’t survive it.”

My eyes flew open, but I didn’t move a muscle. My breathing hitched momentarily before I made a conscious effort to keep it steady. I was certain he hadn’t meant for me to hear him. My heart started to race. He had to know I was awake. But he didn’t say anything further as his chest rose and fell in an increasingly steady pattern until I was sure he’d gone to sleep himself.

As comfortable as I was draped over Tal and snuggled on the other side by Link, it took me a long time to finally slip into the welcome void of sleep.

***

I was startled awake by a vicious growl.

“Link?” I called as I sat straight up in bed. Talisen was already moving toward the door, crossbow in hand. Where had that come from?

“Shh.” Talisen pressed against the wall and peered through the slit of the curtains.

I swung my legs over the bed and wrapped the blanket around my shoulders as I stuffed my feet into my athletic shoes. Link stood on guard at the door, the hair on his back standing straight up. A shuffling noise sounded from outside and he growled again, this time jumping up on the door.

“Down, Link,” Talisen ordered.

Link did as he was told, but his teeth were bared, ready to attack.

Tal glanced at me. “Get in the closet.”

I eyed the small walk-in just off the kitchen and contemplated refusing but decided to do as I was told. Talisen had been right the night before. He could talk his way out of a search party, but if they saw me, all bets were off. Clenching my jaw, I slipped into the tiny utility closet and shut the door.

“Open up, Kavanagh,” an angry voice bellowed through the door.

Link’s growls grew more insistent.

“Relax, Macinson,” Tal said easily. “It’s just me and the wolf.”

Peering through the crack in the door, I watched as Tal pulled the door open, revealing a man who was clearly a vampire. His features were entirely too chiseled, too perfect, to be human. Only I couldn’t feel him. What was wrong with my vamp detector? What was different about this one? Another Fae? No. If he was undercover wouldn’t he be working with Tal?

“What are you doing here?” The tall vampire was dressed in black thermal snow pants and a matching jacket. A ski hat was pulled down over his ink-black hair and he carried a tranq gun.

“Waiting out the storm.” Tal glanced at Link. “I’d invite you in, but the wolf isn’t friendly. Better if you stay outside.”

Macinson flattened his hand on the partially open door and pushed, but stopped when Link crept forward. He took two steps back, giving Link the space he demanded. “Where the fuck is she?”

Tal raised one eyebrow. “Who?”

“You know damned well who. The fae.
Your friend.
”

Tal leaned his forearm against the door and swung the crossbow over his shoulder. His brows pitched together as he gave the other man a confused look. “She’s with Hunter. Didn’t you see her when they got back to the compound last night?”

Macinson let out a hollow laugh. “The bitch attacked him. Escaped before they ever made it up the mountain.”

Tal’s eyebrows shot straight up in the perfect imitation of shock. “Attacked him? Willow? You’re kidding, right? But how could she overpower a vampire? That seems unlikely.”

Macinson scoffed. “You’re so naïve. Didn’t you learn anything about her when you were banging her last winter?”

I scowled. Banging me? Had Tal been telling everyone that’s how he knew me? If anyone did any research at all, they’d know we’d grown up together. Why the messed-up lie?

“Seems like you could’ve spent a little more time investigating her abilities and a little less time fu—”

“That’s enough,” Tal barked in anger. “I was there to get information on the Cryrique. Not Willow. Besides, I’ve known her for forever and am well aware of her abilities already.”

“Idiot,” Macinson said under his breath. “Well, she nearly killed Hunter. If it hadn’t been for that human we stumbled upon, he’d have slipped into an unrecoverable coma. That bitch has powerful magic. Too bad you were too stupid to unravel it. Maybe then you’d be able to do more than just watch the dog.”

Tal’s eyes narrowed. “Human?”

Macinson shrugged. “Hunter needed blood. What’s one human life compared to the war?”

Acid burned on the back of my tongue. They’d fed a human to Hunter? Had he really killed someone in order to avoid suspicion? Had he really needed human blood to recover? My knees went weak, and I clutched the shelving, hanging on for all I was worth.

If that was true, was it sanctioned by the Void? My hands went numb from clutching the nearby shelves. I had to get away from them, and I’d do whatever it took to take Tal with me.

Talisen was quiet while he seemed to gather his thoughts and compose himself. Finally he said, “As long as we didn’t lose one of the team. Casualties happen.”

Vomit threatened to choke me. He didn’t mean it. He couldn’t. But he was standing there acting as if nothing was wrong. I took a deep breath.
Calm down, Willow.
What else was he supposed to do? Blow his cover? He was only doing his job.

But it was hard to watch. I don’t know why. I’d watched Phoebe bullshit her way through all kinds of scenarios, and I’d never once doubter her. Why couldn’t I extend Talisen the same courtesy? Maybe because I’d never seen him play this role before. Or maybe I was still punishing him for leaving.

I hated that about myself. But there it was.

“What happened? Why did you end up here?” Macinson asked.

Tal jerked his head toward Link. “After her dog woke up, he took off. Looking for her, no doubt. I had to track him down before he became a nuisance. Once I finally did, it had already started to snow. I holed up waiting for the storm to pass.”

So plausible. I never knew he was that good a liar.

Macinson eyed Link. “He’s useful, then. Hand him over so we can track the girl.”

Link snarled, saliva dripping from his muzzle.

“I don’t think so,” Tal said sympathetically. “He doesn’t play nice with vampires. You’ll spend more time fighting him off than you will getting him to search for his mistress.”

Link inched forward, his eyes narrowed, growling low and deep.

Macinson glared at Link, then pulled a gun from the small of his back and aimed it at my wolf.

My heart nearly stopped right there in my chest. And just as I was pushing the pantry door open, Link lunged.

The loud echo of gunfire filled my ears and all I saw was red.

Chapter 10

“Link,” I screamed and tore across the room toward his unmoving body. Tears blinded me, and while a small voice deep in the back of my mind told me I’d only made things worse by exposing myself, I didn’t care in the least. Link, my little buddy, was hurt and the vampire on the other side of the door was the one who’d have to pay.

“Shit!” I heard Talisen bark.

“She was here the entire time?” the vampire cried and lunged for Talisen. “You fucking spy!”

A whirl of color bypassed me as I fell to my knees near Link’s unmoving body. The pool of blood was coming from his hindquarters. His big amber eyes latched onto mine and suddenly he was on his feet again, going after the vampire who had his hand wrapped around Talisen’s neck.

I didn’t stop to think. Unadulterated rage overtook me, and before I knew what I was doing, I had Tal’s discarded crossbow in my hands.

Link latched onto the vampire’s leg at the same time I leveled the weapon at his chest. Only the vamp twisted, shielding himself with Talisen before I could get a shot off.

Macinson kicked out with tremendous force, dislodging my wounded dog. Blood dripped into a small pool near Link’s back feet. But he was alive. The pressure eased slightly off my chest. That is until I saw Talisen’s reddening face. He needed air. Soon.

“Let Talisen go,” I said with deadly calm.

The vamp froze but didn’t relax his grip. “Why should I do that? He’s a fucking traitor. I always knew we couldn’t trust him.”

Talisen gasped for breath, clawing at the vampire’s hand.

“If you don’t, I’m going to drive this stake right into your unfeeling heart. Then while you’re incapacitated, I’m going to let Link rip your limbs off while you watch.” I almost couldn’t believe the words were coming from my lips. My scenario was so crude. I knew I’d never follow through with such an act. I’d end his existence swiftly, but he didn’t need to know that.

“Pain doesn’t scare me, faery,” he said, his eyes going completely black.

“It should.” And then instead of firing the crossbow, I struck out and clasped my hand on his shoulder. The instant burn brought tears to my eyes as it rushed into my veins and seized my insides like fire ants at a picnic. He was definitely a vampire. Every instinct begged me to let go of the vamp, but I couldn’t. Not while he had a hold on Talisen. Instead, I gritted my teeth and yanked on his toxic vampire energy, pulling until it flowed freely from him to me.

My energy fled fast. Faster than it had every other time I’d used that particular gift. And after only a few seconds, my hand slipped. I fell to my knees, gasping.