Twisted (Rogues Shifter Series Book 3) (11 page)

“Yes,
all seelie fae train as warriors.”

“
What’s the difference between seelie and unseelie?”

“
We seelie consider ourselves of a higher rank than the unseelie, although we emerged—came into existence at the same time in the earth’s history. Seelie tend to communicate more with other supernatural races and live more in the light, choosing outdoor areas in which to celebrate our festivals. Some call us the Summer Fey. We are more human in appearance and more concerned with our bloodlines, trying to keep them pure and not mixed with many races. We have been breeding with humans and shifters more often over the last millennium because, sadly, we have much trouble conceiving.

"The u
nseelie are an odd conglomeration of mixed and pure races who choose to live mostly in darker, harsher climes and are vicious in battle. Demons are among their ranks. Unless highly motivated, usually by the promise of riches, they are not friendly to other races. There is much inbreeding between their kind, producing horrific creatures with unstable powers. That is why all seelie fae train as warriors, in case a war is declared between the two. Many of the unseelie dabble in blood magic, which is strictly forbidden among the seelie fae."

“So the seelie are good and the u
nseelie are evil?”

“No, that isn't true, although many seelie would say it was.
Look at Lord Kennet. He has turned evil and yet he is seelie fae. I understand the goblin king is quite decent, as long as you don’t go back on your word with him.”

“Thanks
for answering my questions." I gave him a nod, the way I'd seen Garrett do with Caelen. "Would you like something to eat? I was going to make an early dinner, since Sinc, Rob and I skipped lunch.”

“If you’ll permit me, I’ll
help you.”

So, go figure: the f
ae warrior who was so angry with me this morning, helped me make dinner. I didn’t know what had changed, but I was able to put aside some of the guilt that had been weighing me down and put together a delicious meal for the food-eating members of our strange household. Farrell was a good cook, and turned out to be good company.

Chapter Eighteen

Garrett:
9:00 PM Wednesday

We searched the area for hours and didn’t pick up even a whiff of a goblin
, Kennet or Jackie.  I took one look at my team and decided that it was time to head back to the large house. I’d make sure they all ate and rested and I could always go back out again with Liam and Aedus. Stopping where the path widened, Angel caught up with me first. He never seemed to end up with a hair out of place, probably because he stayed behind the rest and kept to the path we’d made. Kyle and Ethan looked like they’d had a run in with half a dozen rogue weres, and even the three Fae looked tired and a little disheveled.

I sent them to
the house while I hit a store, stocking up on more supplies and then, after I'd paid, scrubbing more memories on the way out. I threw steaks on the grill and Liam took care of the rest. While they all ate, I took a shower, dressed and called Sasha.

“How are things going there?”

“We’re good.” I waited. “A fae named Farrell is here. What’s up with that? Don’t trust me, Garrett?”

“Caelen sent him to stand in for Liam. I had nothing to do with it. I do trust you,
Sash. Did the three of you feed?”

“Everything's under control.
” He still sounded annoyed.

“
I’m sorry. I’ve had a shitty evening.”

“No luck?”

“None. He might have moved on, but I hope not. The team's following every lead, working long hours and forgetting to eat."

“So why did you really call
?”

I
laughed. “You know me too well. I want you and Rick to do me a favor.”

“A favor, huh? Let me guess—
lay off of Will.”

“Do you remember what his life was like under Eleanor?”

“We all suffered under Eleanor.”

“I don’t mean to say that his suffering
was worse than yours or Rick’s, but he was kept very weak, so it was much more difficult for him to recover. I don’t think he had one peaceful or happy moment the entire time he was there. You and Rick can’t say that.“

“Ok
ay, we'll ease up. He's a good kid. He's always working hard at the computer."

“
Put Bridgett on, please.”

“Uh..sure, I’ll look for her.”

Thirty seconds later, she picked up the phone. “Hey Garrett.”

After our conversation, I decided to sit and read the paper. The others had crashed out in their rooms, so I thought I’d give them a chance to get some rest before I dragged them out of bed and into the woods again. I was having a little trouble keeping my eyes open, which was unusual for me at this hour, but I t
hought it wouldn’t hurt to rest them for a few minutes.

I dreamt

I was standing in that same clearing between the majestic redwoods, listening to the sounds of the ocean and smelling the salt air. I glance
d up to see a magnificent bird with a large wingspan head off toward the ocean. That same male voice whispered to me. “You owe me vampire so pay better attention. Make good use of your time because she needs your strength.”

T
he sound of feet on a leafy path made me turn quickly to see who was approaching. Jackie raced toward me, dressed in a flowing blue gown a little ripped and muddied at the hem. Her lovely thick hair was flying out behind her as she ran, and her smile was brilliant, her emerald eyes glittering with excitement. She was exquisite.

She threw herself into my arms and we fell to the ground, kissing and clutching frantically at each other. I was overwhelmed with relief, because she was apparently healthy and very much alive. As I buried my face in her hair to take in a lungful of her sweet scent, I felt her lips on my neck. This gift would not be wasted.

Chapter Nineteen

Bridgett:
6:00 PM Wednesday

After everyone ate we went back to work
, taking calls and sending out emails. Will and Heinrich got up around 5:30 and went out to feed. Since Sasha was in the house, Farrell left for a couple of hours to take care of some fae business, but came back around nine when we finally had a chance to finish cleaning up the kitchen. We put on the radio and moved around the room singing along with the music and managing to get water everywhere. He was a very different kind of fae than I'd come in contact with, seeming much younger than Liam. But then Liam was over 1500 years old.

“So how come you’re being nice to me now?”

He laughed, sounding like one of my peers. “Lord Caelen told me to get over myself. Well not in those words exactly, but he said I should show respect to Jacqueline’s sister and that there was more to you than your one mistake.”

“How old are you, Farrell?”
I hoped that asking his age wasn't rude.

“Eighty-
five human years.”

“T
hat’s young for a fae, right?”

“Yes, extremely so. I’m afraid I’m a little too human in my tastes for
some of the more conservative members of my sidhe. Many would be shocked to know that I have an iPod and a laptop.”

“Wow, a real rebel, huh?  So what music do you like?”

We both reached for a plate at the same time and it ended up crashing to the floor, breaking into a dozen pieces. We crouched down behind the table and laughed as we were cleaning up the mess we’d made.

I heard a hiss an
d knew exactly who it was. William blocked the archway with his body, staring at Farrell with anger. Was he actually jealous or did he think that Farrell was an ally of Kennet's, here to attack us?

“Hi William, this is Farrell. He’s taking Liam’s place for a few days. Farrell, this is William Carlyle, one of Garrett’s nest.”

“Is there a problem, William Carlyle?” Farrell rested his hand on the hilt of his blade.

William looked at me. My hair was in my face and I must have been flushed from dancing around. He turned back to Farrell. “I guess not. I’m sorry I interrupted.” He turned around to leave and I didn’
t know what to say to stop him.

I
ended up blurting out, “William, wait. I want to ask you something.”

Of course just at that moment, Sasha ca
me strolling in. “Garrett’s on the phone and wants to talk to you.” The look on his face was wary. He didn’t know if I was going to say anything about what had happened that afternoon between us.

He didn’t need to worry. I’d grown up with a bunch of unruly weres who didn’t have half the class that Sasha had in his little finger. If I’d been honest with myself
, I was a little flattered. He was drop dead gorgeous and could have just about any shifter he wanted. He’d never hear that from me, though.

“Don’
t worry Sasha, I need a favor.” When he scowled, I smiled at him and sauntered over to get the phone on the wall.

“Hi
, Garrett.”

“How are you feeling
?”

“A little sore, but much better
.”

“And things at the house? Is everyone behaving themselves?”

“Yes we’re all getting along great.” I looked at Sasha and he narrowed his eyes. “Garrett, I wondered if it would be alright for Sasha to train me? I mean it’s up to him, but I thought I should ask you first. I mean, I’m a shifter. I should have a little muscle power.“

“It’s fine with me
. Just take it easy. You’re not in the same physical shape as Jackie. You could also ask Rob. He’s usually the one to train beginners.”

“Rob had to go back to the island to d
eal with another Flynn episode. Is there any news about Jackie?"

"No, but w
e’ll keep all of you in the loop. I’ll be in touch.”

I hung up and looked at Sasha, knowing that he’d heard every word. “So what do you say?”

He grinned slowly, looking just a little bit dangerous. “It will be my pleasure, little shifter. We’ll start tomorrow at 7:00 PM and we’ll train until 8:30. Will, you can join us if you want.” Sasha arched an eyebrow at Will in challenge.

“Sure, Sash, I'll
join you. That'll be great.” I wasn’t too sure William meant it, but it sounded good anyway.

Sasha left and Willia
m’s gaze moved back to Farrell. After a moment, he turned to walk out of the room but I slipped next to him and put my hand in his. He froze, his surprised expression making me smile. “Let’s go upstairs and talk.” I led him up the stairs where I knew we’d be alone and then out to the upstairs balcony where I sat him down on the wicker couch next to me. It had stopped raining, and the stars were beautiful tonight.

I made sure I had his full attention by facing him and holding both of hi
s hands. “Farrell's just a lot of fun to be around. He told me that he has a fae girlfriend, one of the prisoners who’d been held by my father. Anyway, I don’t like him in—in that way.” It was frightening to be so honest. I waited, halfway expecting him to laugh at me.

Instead I saw his light blue eyes travel from my eyes to my lips. My heart started to beat really fast as I felt his hands move up to grip my fore arms and then pull me closer to him. He looked once more into my eyes to see if there was any fear or hesitation t
here, but all he saw was me thinking,
please kiss me
."

He licked his lip
s. “I want to kiss you.” His words were whispered so close to my mouth that I could taste his sweet, warm breath. His hands had moved slowly up my arms to my shoulders, brushing lightly against my skin and making me shiver, but definitely not because I was cold. “I know that I told you I want to take time to get to know you, and I still do, but right now, all I can think about is what your lips will feel like when...”

This guy talked too much
. I leaned in even closer and hesitantly pushed my lips against his.

At first he was very gentle. He brushed lightly across my
mouth with his lips still closed and his eyes open, watching my every reaction. When he spoke, his sweet breath tickled my jaw. “They're so soft.” His words were full of wonder as he lifted his hand and ran it down my face. “Your skin and your eyes are beautiful.” He leaned in and nuzzled my ear, breathing in my scent. I could feel his fangs scrape gently against the overly sensitive skin of my neck.

At
this point my body was tingling happily and I really wanted him to kiss me again. I hesitantly tangled my hand in his thick red hair and lifted my chin, parting my lips in invitation. He didn’t hesitate, but leaned in and pressed his mouth against mine and this time his kiss was much more intense. When I felt his tongue run along my bottom lip I opened my mouth so that our tongues could explore each other. He tasted sooo good and he made my whole body feel warm in a really cool way.

Chapter Twenty

Jackie:
9:00 PM Wednesday