Forever Changed (The Mystic Wolves) (6 page)

“So
, I’m married to someone who is as human as everyone else? Hmmm, let me think.” I wrapped my arms around his neck and rose up on my tiptoes. “I love you, Mason O’Connor. All of you. Total acceptance and no judgment.”

“What did I do to deserve you?” He buried his face into my neck, breathing in the scent from my freshly cleaned hair.

“We deserve each other. Never forget that. It’s you and me, always.”

He squeezed me tightly before raising his gaze. “Forever.”

“Forever.”

Stretching
upward, I let our kiss seal the deal.

Chapter 6

Our smiles faded the moment we entered Mason’s office and found Devlin and Daniel waiting for us, serious expressions on their faces. I didn’t have to ask if Daniel knew everything, the concern creasing his forehead into a hard frown was evidence enough.

“So, you know?” Mason asked, noticing the same thing.

“Yeah. Can I just say what the hell?” Daniel groaned, shaking his head. “That’s one heck of a bombshell to just drop on someone. Hey, I’m your uncle
; and by the way, some maniac warlock wants to rip your soul out so he can live forever. Breakfast, anyone?”

Devlin stood quietly at the window, peering out through the curtains, his body taut and rigid. “Am I going to have to apologize for the rest of my life?” There was no sarcasm in his tone. I could tell that he genuinely felt bad for his omission
, as epic as it was.

“No
.” Mason left my side and joined his friend, placing his hand on Devlin’s arm. “But I feel I need to.”

Devlin’s look was incredulous. “You’re kidding, right?” He glanced over at me and I nodded.

“I’m not apologizing for my anger and reaction. But what happened out there in the garden was, maybe, a little extreme. I understand why you kept it to yourself. We’re alike, you and me. We love hard and protect just as fiercely. If I’d been in your position, I would’ve done the same. But, like I told Darcy, the idea that Julian was out there all this time and I was completely clueless . . . that can’t happen anymore. You’re not the only one who cares for her. You’re not the only one entrusted with her safety. I think it’s obvious that everyone in this room would give their lives for her, so we need to all be on the same page. Is there anything else you’ve withheld?”

“I’ve told you everything,” Devlin quietly replied.

“I did want to say thank you, as well,” Mason squeezed Devlin’s shoulder. “Don’t think it’s escaped my attention that it is because of you that Darcy’s enjoyed a normal upbringing. You kept her happy and healthy. You honored your sister and the oath you made. I can’t imagine how difficult it’s been to make the decisions you have . . . but I do understand the love and devotion behind it.”

“It’s the least I could do.”

“I totally meant what I said, we’re good. And, to answer your question, no, you’re not going to have to keep saying sorry. The past is the past and what concerns me now is from this moment on. You mentioned that with Darcy’s powers unbound, she’s like a beacon for this guy?”

“Yeah, her witch nature comes from
Julian and my sister; so it makes it easier for him to track. It doesn’t give a specific location, but enough energy for him to have a good idea where to find her. Vivien and I have kept that unique signature hidden Darcy’s entire life. It’s another reason why we’ve tried to always keep her close to the nexus. We believed it would also help silence any residual leakage from the spell, and we were right. There have been a few close calls over the years, but for the most part, Darcy’s been relatively protected.”

“Until now.”

“Yes. Until now.”

“Are you sure he’s even alive?” Daniel interrupted, asking something I
had wondered as well. “I mean, this was a long time ago. How do you know he isn’t dead and we’re simply jumping at shadows?” He was leaning against Mason’s desk with his arms folded across his chest. I walked over to join him and he wrapped his arm around my shoulders.

Mason glanced at Devlin
, who shook his head. “He’s alive. Trust me. I haven’t seen him since that night, but there’s plenty of evidence he’s still out there, lurking and waiting.”

“Like what?” I asked, curious
ly. It would’ve been simpler if Julian were dead.

“I have people looking for him and whenever I’m out on assignment for Zane, I also make my own inquiries. Rumors and reports filter back to me every now and then of a powerful warlock, of ritualistic sacrifices people have uncovered, and . . .” Devlin’s voice dropped away and he looked painfully uncomfortable.

“Tell us, we can handle it.”

“There have been other women he’s corrupted.” My mind instantly went to the images he’d invoked of Elynor when he’d found her. “There
has been evidence of more children. Seems he was trying to recreate what he had with my sister in the hopes of finding a way around the spell.”

I wanted to vomit. The thought of that monster torturing and abusing more people because he was obsessed with immortality wrenched at my insides. He was beyond evil and he was coming for me. Fear blasted through me, causing Mason to walk away from the window and pull me into his
strong embrace.

“I won’t let him near you, sweetheart. I’ll kill him before he has a chance.” All I could do was shake against him.

“So, what do we need to do?” Daniel asked. “I don’t want this punk anywhere near my girl.”

“Your girl?” Mason chuckled.

“Fine,” Daniel rolled his eyes. “Our girl.”

“He’s been waiting for centuries for his chance. I can’t imagine him ignoring it.” Devlin scrubbed his hand over his face before
beginning to pace back and forth. 

“I agree. I think our number one priority right now
is to come up with some kind of plan, because my gut tells me he’s coming. So we need to find where he is and prepare ourselves for when he arrives.”

“This is just an idea, but wouldn’t it also help if we could turn off the beacon?” I added, a thought slowly revealing itself. “I mean, if he’s focusing on me and my magic, what would happen if suddenly he didn’t have it to follow
? No magic, no signal.” I looked between each of them as they pondered it.

“It’s worth a shot,” Mason agreed. “Do you think that’d work, Devlin? You and Vivien bound her powers once
; surely you can do it again?”

“I don’t know if the same spell will work but we can definitely try. Vivien would know more about that
than me.”

“And if it doesn’t, you can always strip my magic away.”
They all turned to look at me in horror.

“You’d want to lose what makes you a witch?” Mason’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Face it, I only just found out I was one this morning. I’ve spent my whole life believing I was only a werewolf, so I don’t think I’d really miss it,” I admitted.

“But think of how much it could help you. It’s also an essential part of who you are,” Daniel commented, watching me.

“Again, a part of me I didn’t know existed.”

“Is that even possible?” Mason aimed his question to Devlin.

“I don’t know, but I agree. I don’t think it’s a good idea, Darcy. I’d much rather help rebind your magic and help you learn to control it afterward, rather than remove it completely.” Devlin’s brow furrowed as he finally stopped pacing and rested against the wall.

“Let’s not be hasty. See what Vivien and her coven can do first
, then we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.”

“Okay, that makes sense. I just don’t like the idea that he’s going to be putting everyone
I love in danger. If there’s a way to completely stop him, I’m not afraid to do it.”

“I know you’re not. You’re one of the bravest people I know. But
, you’re not alone in this. We’ll get through it.” Mason kissed the side of my head and I leaned into him more.

“So
, let’s head over to Vivien’s home and brainstorm there.” Devlin was already reaching for his phone so he could warn her we were coming. “I also need to let Zane know what’s going on. I’m sure he’ll offer whatever we need to keep you safe.”

“I appreciate it.” Mason released me from his embrace, but grabbed hold of my hand instead. I hated the way worry had settled over him again. For once, I wanted us to get the chance to enjoy longer periods of peace. After all we’d been through lately, I
had really hoped that now would be that time.

A sudden thought stopped me. “Um, has anyone seen my parents this morning?” It was late when the reception finished last night, so Mason
had invited them to stay in one of the guest rooms.

“I saw them earlier in the kitchen,” Daniel answered. “But not for the last hour or so.”

“Let’s go find your mom and dad,” Mason whispered softly, knowing I needed to see and talk with them before we left.

After making
arrangements to meet outside in an hour, he led me to the door, holding it open like a true gentleman.

My insides were once again a riot of nerves—unsure whether my parents had also been kept in the dark.

Surely they had
, I wondered silently.

There was only one way to find out.

****

Mason laughed as I tentatively knocked on my parent’s door. “Don’t tell me you’re scared?”

“A little,” I revealed, unsure of what I was going to say when I saw them. Would I be the one to tell them there’d been a conspiracy since my birth or would they confide that they’d known all along? My heart raced from nervousness and I couldn’t tell which option terrified me more. “Maybe I should wait,” I uttered, backing away.

He tightened his hold on my hand. “Why put of
f what you can do now? You’ll be fine. Besides, I hear someone coming.” Sure enough, the door swung open and my father looked at us quizzically.

“You both okay?” Standing to the side, he gestured for us to come in. My mom was sitting on the end of the bed, her hands fidgeting in her lap. It wasn’t a good sign when my mother looked uneasy.

“So you know?” I blurted out, dropping Mason’s grip and coming to sit by her. “You know.”

“What do you mean, Darcy?” My dad interrupted. He glanced at Mason who shook his head, pointing over to me. “If you mean that something’s happened between Mason and Devlin, we saw
it through the window.”

There was a slight brush of relief as I realized they’d no doubt seen the fight out in the garden. Many of the rooms overlooked different parts of the property. If they’d witnessed the brawl, it was no wonder my mother was so agitated.

“That was my fault, sir,” Mason confided, respectfully. It didn’t matter how many times he was told to call his new father-in-law either Dean or Dad, it always came down to ‘sir’. I thought it was sweet. “I received some news today and didn’t handle it too well.”

“Looked like you handle it right from where I was watching, son. Remind me never to get on your
bad side. I can see why you’re so well-respected.” There was pride in his voice and Mason looked down with wolfish grin. “Something told me I was right to trust my daughter with you.”

My mother remained quiet the whole time and the rigid way she held her body told me it was
n’t the fight that had upset her. “Mom?” She seemed to be caught up in something, a memory, and startled when I lightly touched her arm.

“I’m sorry
; I’ve been having a bit of a rough morning.” Smiling, whatever held her evaporated and she gave me a side hug. “How are you both? I’m glad no one was hurt from that caveman display earlier.” She gave Mason a stern look, shaking her head with disapproval.

“Now, Lynn. Men will be men. We don’t talk out our feelings like you do. Sometimes all it takes is a few hard
hits to clear the air. Isn’t that right?” My father chuckled and punched Mason in the upper arm.  “And I won’t lie; it did me good to see someone knock that vampire on his ass.”

“Dad!” I exclaimed.

“What? I love Devlin as much as you, but come on . . . a wolf against a vampire? It was impressive.”

Mason cleared his throat and ducked his head, scratching the side of his nose. As much as he liked praising others, he hated being on the receiving end of someone else’s compliments. “We actually came to discuss something with you both.”

“Yeah, something important,” I added. My glance darted back and forth between my parents and, again, I noticed a darkness cloud over my mother’s features before she brushed it away.

“What do you need, kitten?” My father always thought it was funny when he called me the nickname from my childhood. “You two are okay, right?” Now he was looking worried.

“We’re fine . . . I mean, there is something, but . . .” Now the moment had arrived and I didn’t know how to continue. Mason moved behind me and wrapped his arms securely around my waist, offering me his support and strength. He kissed the side of my ear, whispering to take a deep breath, and I obeyed. As long as I kept calm, we’d get through this conversation. If I kept relaxed, there was less chance of a power flare.

“You’re starting to scare me, Darcy. Whatever it is, just tell us.”
It was my father who spoke up again, my mother remained quiet. She began fidgeting with her fingers, the motion distracting me momentarily.

Mason gently prodded me, jolting my focus back to the matter at hand. “Something happened this morning and Devlin came over with Vivien. They told me about a secret they’ve been keeping that involves me. They also shared that I’m in danger.”

Just that little bit of information took the wind out of my dad’s sail and he dropped onto the bed beside my mother. “A secret? Danger?” He looked over at Mason before returning his attention to me. “Start talking.”