Chapter 30
Chapter
Thirty
REID
“You don’t have to worry,” Warlock Birch said, the gentle tone of his voice contrasting with the intense look in his eyes.
“I have a permanent shield around me that deflects seeking spells. Yes, I felt it, but there’s no cause for concern.
My shield repelled the spell and it won’t provide the sender with any information. ”
“Really?” My shoulders slumped and I drew in a deep breath, finally able to breathe now that the tension in my chest had lessened.
Even just knowing that someone else had experienced the same magical poking that I’d been sensing on and off for days—if not weeks—was a relief because it meant that I’d been right.
It was real and I wasn’t losing my mind.
He nodded. “I promise, they won’t find us using that spell. However, it’s a short-range seeking spell which means that whoever sent it is in the area. Why don’t you and I go under the cover of the trees in case they decide to search another way?”
“That sounds like a good idea.” I clambered to my feet. I might not fully trust him, but I doubted he had anything to do with the magic I’d felt. He had no reason to seek me out because he already knew where I was. “Will you teach me how to make a shield like yours?”
He started toward the woods, moving surprisingly quickly despite his limp. Jilly ran ahead of him, her nose to the ground. “I can but it’s quite advanced. It might take a while before you reach that level.”
“I’ll train hard to get there.” I was sick and tired of being a victim. If I knew how to wield my power effectively, I’d never be forced into that role again.
He glanced over his shoulder. “I know you will. You’re a quick study.”
As we entered the woods, the shadows lowered the temperature and I shivered.
“If you concentrate, you can ward us against the element and warm us,” Birch said. “Close your eyes and imagine the warmth of a fire. Not the fire itself because we don’t want to start a forest fire, but envision the heat wrapping around you and warming you all the way through, then say calor.”
I stopped walking and tried to concentrate on imagining warmth. “Calor.”
When he cried out in alarm, my eyes flew open just in time to see him stomp a flame out of existence.
“I’m sorry!” I raced over, looking helplessly down at the ash on the ground. There was nothing I could do to help. The problem had been dealt with, but I felt like I had to do something.
“It’s okay,” he soothed, his hands out as though I was a skittish animal. “It was just a little fire. No harm done.” His phone rang and he reached into his pocket to get it without taking his eyes off me. He answered with, “Birch.”
He relaxed a little. The caller must have been someone he knew. Jilly nudged my hand and I petted her absentmindedly.
“We’re in the woods near that playground on the edge of town,” Birch said, and then nodded. He hung up. “Zander will be here soon.”
My heart lifted and I was taken aback by the strangeness of the emotion.
I was looking forward to seeing him.
It was so strange. I was excited to see an alpha. Less than a month ago, I’d happily have gone my entire life without encountering one again.
“Why don’t you try the warmth spell a second time?” he prompted.
I chewed on my lower lip. When Jilly bumped against me, I buried my hands in her fur. “What if I start another fire?”
“Then I’ll put it out. It’s the middle of winter, and despite appearances”—he gestured to his leg—“I’m a reasonably strong warlock. There’s nothing to worry about.”
I bit back the retort that we were surrounded by trees and that forest fires could happen at any time of year. I had to believe that if he said there was nothing to worry about then that meant he really could handle anything that might happen.
Closing my eyes, I breathed evenly and instead of imagining a fire, I pictured sitting in front of a heater, the warmth radiating outward. No flames, just heat. Slowly, the air around me became less frigid and I stopped shivering.
“Calor.”
“Nice work,” Birch said.
I opened my eyes again. “I did it?”
He grinned. “You did. I think Zander is here so let’s meet him halfway, shall we?”
I glanced at his leg, thinking that perhaps it would be kinder to him if we made Zander come all the way over here, but I didn’t want to say the wrong thing. This was the closest I’d ever been to having a mentor. I kept my mouth shut and followed him out of the trees.
Zander’s tall form appeared ahead of us, his hat atop his head like always, and although he wore a jacket it was nowhere near enough for the conditions. At least, it wouldn’t be for me. Especially not without a woolen hat, gloves, and a scarf.
As his features became clear, I noticed that his forehead was furrowed and his lips were pressed firmly together.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
He opened his mouth but hesitated for so long that dread curled in my gut. Whatever it was, it must be bad. “There’s a man in town claiming to be the High Priest of your coven. He’s tall with dark hair and tattoos… hey, are you all right?”
I swayed from one foot to the other, my blood rushing in my ears. White lines danced in front of my eyes and my vision blurred.
I tried to concentrate on Zander but his voice was a deep drone in the back of my mind. I couldn’t pick out individual words let alone figure out their meaning.
No. No. No.
They’d found me.
They knew I was here.
I tried to draw in a breath but my throat was too tight. I clutched at it, my fingernails digging into the skin, pinpricks of pain helping me to focus enough to meet Zander’s eyes as he knelt in front of me.
Knelt?
When had I sat down?
“Breathe,” he urged, putting my hand on his chest and inhaling deeply, his rib cage expanding beneath my fingertips. “In and out, sweetheart. Come on, you can do it.”
I sucked in a lungful of air, just enough to make my head spin.
What was the exercise that Jessie had taught me?
In for four, hold for seven, out for eight.
With Zander murmuring encouragement, I inhaled as slowly as I could and counted through the beats. The lines in front of my eyes started to dissipate. I inhaled again, held it for seven seconds and let it go bit by bit. On the third breath, my ears cleared with a pop.
A hand was rubbing circles on my back. Considering Zander was in front of me, it must be Warlock Birch.
My face burned. How humiliating. I’d had a breakdown in front of a badass former PBI agent.
Zander must have read my expression because he frowned. “Hey now, none of that. There’s no need to be embarrassed. Panic attacks happen. I’m just sorry I brought it on. I assume that means you don’t want to see this man?”
I shook my head vigorously. “No, please no. Don’t let him anywhere near me.”
“I won’t.” Zander’s face darkened, but it didn’t scare me. Perhaps because I knew his anger wasn’t directed at me. “I know you wouldn’t have reacted to hearing about him like that for no reason. If he’s a threat, I won’t let him anywhere near you.”
I stood on wobbly legs and when he straightened too, I threw myself into his arms. “Thank you.”
The muscles of his broad chest were firm beneath my cheek and his heart pounded a steady rhythm. I clung to him, for once comforted by the fact I had a big, strong alpha who’d decided I was his mate. Even though we weren’t bonded, I somehow knew that he wouldn’t let Hephaestes take me away.
For the first time, something warm stirred inside me—a thread of trust that wrapped around my heart and tightened like a hug. I pulled him closer, reveling in his strength and in the knowledge that, for whatever reason, he wanted me.
A spark flickered to life—one I’d never expected to feel again. I rocked against him, needing to feel him, wanting to be as close as two souls could be.
Behind me, Birch cleared his throat. “Would you like me to shore up the wards on the Omega House so that no one unwelcome can get through them?”
I flinched and released Zander, my cheeks burning as I realized I’d been all but dry humping him. “Yes, please.”
I focused on the matter at hand and tried to ignore the hormones going haywire in my body. Was this a side effect of pregnancy, or was it something to do with the mate connection I was beginning to believe we might actually share?
Birch circled me, his weathered eyes creased at the corners, his eyes shining with kindness. “Shall we do that now?”
I cleared my throat, embarrassed. “If that’s okay.”
Having his wards around the house would make it so much safer against the collective knowledge and skill of the Havlock coven than my own basic efforts.
The Havlock coven was dangerous. Honestly, I shouldn’t stay here now that they’d found me. I should run and hide so that they didn’t pose a threat to the people of Grizzly Ridge. But the thought of leaving made me heavyhearted and I wasn’t sure I’d be able to do it.
“Actually, let’s wait,” Zander cut in. “Bea called Hamish at the Omega House before calling me to alert me so your…”
“High Priest.”
“Okay, so your High Priest knows you’ve been staying there.
I asked Bea to take him to Dad’s house but if he resists, Bea won’t be able to force him to go.
We’d be better off keeping you elsewhere for now.
Perhaps at the police station.” He sighed and shook his head.
“No, not that either. He knows that I was coming to speak with you so he’ll expect that too and we can’t take him to my place because it’s too near Mom and Dad’s. ”
“What about the Children’s Home?” I suggested, but then immediately realized that was a bad idea. I didn’t want to endanger the children. “Scratch that.”
“No, it could work,” Zander mused, scratching his jaw. “I doubt anyone would think to look there. Nathaniel, could you hide our presence there and shield the children if need be?”
“No problem,” Nathaniel said. “I won’t let anyone hurt a hair on a child’s head.”
Zander touched the brim of his hat. “Then let’s go.”
“But…”
Neither man acknowledged me as they turned and trudged toward the road. I hurried after them and Jilly danced around my feet, apparently at ease despite the tension in the air.
I was given the choice to drive with either man so I climbed in with Zander since I trusted him more. He led the way to the Children’s Home and he and I waited in the car, parked out the roadside, while Warlock Birch performed a spell of some kind and Jilly stood beside him like a sentinel.
When he finished, we got out and went to the front door. Zander knocked and the door opened only a few seconds later.
George smiled out at us, but his chocolatey brown eyes were wary, especially when they landed on Warlock Birch. Considering that he was one of the omegas my old pack had tried to kidnap, I could understand his caution.
Birch gave a quick intake of breath and a yellow glow flickered around his hands. George’s eyes widened and he took a step back.
“Hey, George.” Zander stepped forward, trying to put him at ease. “Do you mind if we borrow a room for a little while?”
“S-Sure,” he stuttered, his gaze darting from Zander to Birch and back again. His hands fisted at his sides, then loosened.
I looked down, hating how raw and exposed his obvious fear made me feel. I was part of the reason he wasn’t comfortable even here in his workplace. I’d helped someone hurt him—and many others—and it would take a long time before I properly came to terms with that.
George led us down a corridor and into a small playroom. “I’ll keep the children out. Is there anything you need?”
“Not right now,” Zander told him.
I kind of wished I could spend time with the children. Perhaps I’d have to return later. I didn’t have much experience with them and that was something I should probably change considering I’d be a father soon.
I stepped into the room and Zander followed. George turned on his heel and hurried away.
Warlock Birch closed the door and light flickered around his hands again. “I think that sweet human is my mate.”