Chapter 9 – Aline
Chapter Nine
Aline
E verything is hazy as I relive the nightmare of my wedding day. I’m not really here, and I know that, but I can’t shake myself awake.
“Hey, kitten. Sorry I’m late,” the enticing voice says from behind me.
Dark hands slide around my waist as his shadows swirl around us.
I jolt as I’m yanked back into a strong chest, but my nose twitches with the familiar scent.
The longer we’re apart, the easier it is for me to forget him, but it hasn’t been long enough this time for that to happen. “This one always hurts the worst.”
I clutch at his arm, nodding my agreement. He’s right. My wedding day cost me everything and everyone I loved. My heart throbs as I think of my mother and sister.
I miss them more than I have the words to describe. My fathers too, but they always kept my sister and me at a distance. It’s hard to admit, but it made their loss easier to handle.
“Let me take your pain,” Malice murmurs, kissing my cheek. His left hand cups my head, and he tilts my chin up to his. Our lips meet, and warmth fills my mouth and throat as he sucks away my torment.
Nightmares might be feared by most, but Malice is my stoic protector. I can’t imagine looking at him and seeing anything except pure safety.
“You always make me feel lighter when we’re together,” I admit as we pull apart.
“That’s because I only feed from you. I never use your hurts to multiply my own power. I couldn’t stand it if you truly feared me.”
I nod, but I feel like I need to be honest with him. “I’m afraid that I’m not being fair to you. You know about Atlas. We were?—”
“The orc and I will come to an agreement.” He smiles against my skin. “I’m fairly sure we already have. He protects you, does he not?”
“He does,” I agree.
“As do I. We’re clearly on the same team.” He grins dangerously.
“He knows about you, and he said something similar, at least, the ultimate meaning.”
“See? You have nothing to worry about. And hopefully I’ll be with you all of the time very soon.”
“Am I about to wake up?” My grip tightens on his arm around my middle.
“You are. I’m afraid this isn’t something I can save you from. I’ll be by your side before you know it, and you’ll never have to hurt again.” His mouth meets mine for a slow, tantalizing kiss. “Not if I have anything to say about it.”
I jolt awake from sleeping against Atlas’s chest. Searing pain takes my breath away as shock courses through my system.
“Oh no,” I groan, clutching at my neck.
“What’s wrong?” Atlas asks, running his hands over my arms.
“Someone is dying,” I choke out around the fire in my esophagus. I climb off his lap, staggering toward the door. My hand glows as I slide it down my form. It manifests my panties and dress.
Atlas moves around behind me. I don’t know what he’s doing, but I make a break for the door. He follows, yanking on his boots before buttoning his pants. He grabs his discarded shirt, pulling it on as we exit my office.
“My mate,” Dread snarls. He stomps toward the back door with Ryktus at his back.
Ryktus’s wings flutter before pulling close to his back. The gargoyle’s sharp, bony claws nearly rake the top of the door frame as he exits. I glance around, checking for Laithe.
Dread, Ryktus, and Laithe haven’t been at The Den recently. I thought they were still at home, looking out for Emerson and her daughter, Ember.
The back door slams open.
Dread growls. It’s an agonized sound that radiates in my heart as if his pain were my own. Being empathic is a curse sometimes.
I follow Dread and Ryktus out, gasping when I get a look at the scene.
There are wolves littering the ground. The stench of death is heavy in the air.
Emerson lies on the concrete with her head nearly removed from her body. There’s no way a human comes back from that kind of damage with that amount of blood loss.
“Oh gods,” I whisper, staggering forward. I fall to my knees at her side as my mind races.
Ember is in her tiny wolf pup form. She licks at her mother’s wrist, and it’s almost more than I can process. Ember’s confusion and sadness overwhelm my senses.
There’s commotion and discussion about how to save Emerson. She’s pregnant, and it sends an aching pain to my heart. She’s already a mother, with another life growing inside her.
I can’t stand by and do nothing.
My magic is restless. It’s gotten more powerful over the years, but I’ve learned to trap it inside my relics to keep it from drawing the hunters to me.
It’s telling me time is running out for the best-case scenario.
I don’t understand how I know that, but it’s clear in my mind.
If I fail to act soon, then the baby won’t be savable.
“They’ll find me,” I say to no one in particular.
I grimace, shaking my head.
My eyes fly back to the building. I don’t know where Atlas is, but a comfortable life here in Haven isn’t worth the turmoil it would cause my friends to lose their mate or their unborn child.
Dread, Laithe, and Ryktus know I’m in hiding from the fae. They know what using my magic will mean.
The witch, Meena, kneels at my side. She likely knows too, considering she can see the future.
“You’re sure?” I need my magic to be positive that we can save her, because as selfish as it sounds, I’m happy with my life here.
I don’t want to have to run again.
“Yes, she’s definitely pregnant,” Meena says, staring into my eyes. She’s a witch with powers of a seer, and she obviously thinks I was speaking to her.
Emerson and her daughter, Ember, have been living with Meena since they came to town.
I nod my understanding.
My magic agrees, and that’s enough for me.
The owners of The Den offered me sanctuary when I knew not a single thing about the human world. They’ve treated me with dignity and kindness when I was the most vulnerable I’ve ever been.
I can’t sit by and watch Dread lose his mate. It would destroy him, especially if she’s carrying his pup.
“Children are always a gift,” I say mindlessly as I rip the bracelet off my wrist.
I’ve worn the soft pastel piece of jewelry for years, although it has been magically reinforced. My fingers glide over each bead until I feel the hum.
I rip off a light pink bead, and the others slide together like there was never any damage to the relic.
“Be prepared to fight,” I say, blanching. “The hunters will come for me as soon as I use my magic. I can get away with small amounts, but anything this large will cause a disruption they’ll be able to track. I need a head start.”
“Understood,” Ryktus says, fluttering his wings as he takes a fighting stance.
I crush the orb between my fingers and shove Laithe away. The vampire bristles, but too bad. I have more important things to focus on. I spill half the magic into Emerson’s mouth and push it closed.
“There are no guarantees that this will work.” I blow the rest of the powder over her body.
It immediately dissolves into nothing.
I really have no idea if this will be successful. I’ve kept my magic so starved over the years that it might not.
I really didn’t want to leave Haven.
My heart pounds when I think of Atlas, but I can’t repay my bosses’ kindness and acceptance by sitting back and doing nothing. Everything feels hazy, like I’m stuck in a nightmare.
This is what Malice warned me about .
Meena continues to hold her illuminated hands over Emerson’s womb.
“I’m going to continue with the blood.” Laithe sounds unsure of himself. I’ve never heard the vampire lack confidence a day in the years I’ve known him.
“No, no more,” I hiss.
My hands and eyes glow while I try to force my magic into action. It’s been trapped in that relic for years, and I can only hope I’m coaxing it into working.
My eyes slide shut as I feel the energy of the babies.
Meena is keeping them in a sort of stasis while Emerson is deceased.
Four .
She’s pregnant with four babies.
My heart pangs. I know it makes me a terrible hag, but I can’t fight the ache of discomfort that slams into my chest. I swallow thickly around the rocks that seem to have formed.
Blowing out a breath, I refocus my attention.
Meena only mentioned one baby.
My eyes pop open. I watch the old witch suspiciously, but she shakes her head.
Okay, I guess that’s a secret for now.
“She is truly blessed.” Gods, what I would give to have even a single child of my own. I’ve spent years watching families in Haven grow. Employees have come and gone, building lives of their own.
I’ll get to do it all over again in a new town once I get resettled.
The echoing pop of a portal being opened radiates through the parking lot.
“Fuck,” I whisper. Ice slides through my veins as my hand flies to my chest. Did my heart just decide to stop beating? I’m on my knees, but I sway like I might hit the ground.
I knew they’d be able to track me, but I had no idea it would come this fast. I haven’t even had the chance to explain to Atlas.
Dread snarls, stepping between us and the glowing opening to another realm.
Silence’s voice funnels through the portal. He says only one word, but my heart stops. “Ali.” He has a bit of an English accent, or that’s what comes closest to describing it in the human realm.
“Shit.” I’m sure he wants me dead so he can break our bond and find a replacement mate.
Emerson’s heart beats an erratic thump. My eyes fly to hers. The wound on her neck is completely sealed, which is a good sign, but several long seconds pass without any additional heartbeats.
I don’t know what the hell that means.
Her eyes pop open, and she sits straight up. Her eyes are completely white, and that’s a very bad sign for the babies...
I think.
In all honesty, I have no idea.
“Shit,” Laithe choruses.
“Shit indeed,” Meena mutters.
“Ember,” Emerson sobs, pulling her daughter into her chest. The small wolf wallows around her mother’s chest, sniffing and looking confused.
I blow out a heavy breath, nodding mindlessly.
She’s alive. Well, at least in some capacity. Thank the gods it worked.