Rebirth (Rogues Shifter Series) (31 page)

"Not many non-fae can drink more than a swallow."

"I was so thirsty." He laughed and suddenly we were standing once more on the patio behind Garrett's house.
How did we get back here so fast?

“We begin tomorrow at noon.”  He nodded in the fae manner then turned away to continue his work out in the garden as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened. I pulled up some power and watched the tendrils of rainbow colored energy still spiraling around him. I had to admit, Liam was a little spooky, especially outside of Garrett’s house. I could only imagine what kind of power he pulled in
when he was battling an enemy. His scent, which somehow covered me, was exotically fragrant and enticing. I turned away, thinking that I needed to clear my head.

Chapter Thirty-eight

I sat down to a small bowl of cereal and a cup of coffee, not feeling very hungry even though I hadn’t eaten since last night’s steak. Still, I thought It was probably a good idea to put some real food in my stomach. The small amount of fae magic I’d ingested made every nerve ending tingle in a very pleasant way, plus all my usually acute senses were going into sensory overload.

A few spoonfuls of cereal and sips of coffee later, I realized that maybe what I’d done wasn’t so smart after all. It wasn’t taking in magic that bothered me. It was that I’d just made a binding agreement with a fae. Garrett wasn’t going to be happy. Liam had kind of glamoured me with his purple eyes and his floating golden hair and his adorable smile. Garrett trusted him with his life and I was growing to like him, but there was something—alien about him. Weres and vampires had been human once and the shifters I knew were just like a lot of the people I’d grown up with. But Liam was
other
in a very obvious way. Who knows what his true motivation might be for making this agreement. Well, I couldn’t take it back now, so I was going to have to trust that Liam meant no harm.

After breakfast I called Carly to see how she was doing
, then gave Sinc a call to plan a possible lunch date. Still feeling buzzed from Liam's magic, I decided to go out for a run. I made sure to stay in the approved areas under Maya's protective shield, not feeling up to another run in with Lily.

I walked in the front door to find Garrett sitting at the desk in his study working at his computer. I walked over to hug him and he grabbed me and pulled me into his lap
.

"
Any regrets?" He whispered as he nuzzled my ear.

I gave him a gentle kiss
at the corner of his mouth. "Last night was perfect."

He took a sniff and his eyes widened. “Jackie, I smell fae on you.
That’s Liam.” His eyebrows arched in curiosity.

I swallowed. “I kind of…have to tell you something. I hope you won’t get upset.” He just looked at me, patiently waiting. “You absolutely can’t tell anyone else, ok? Please, you have to promise me.”

He nodded. “I promise.” He didn’t seem angry, but I hadn’t actually told him yet. I opened my mind to him, but found that he was closed up tight, so I nudged him and he let down his wall.

“Today Liam offered to train me in how to use the ley lines. He said I could only tell you, on pain of possible death. The agreement is for three months, six hours a
week. He took me down the path out back, only it looked nothing like it does normally. We drank some kind of water that was infused with fae magic.”

“And you didn’t think that I should have shared in a decision that could theoretically cause your death?”
His eyes darkened. Never a good sign.

“Wait a minute!”  I said out loud then switched back to mind speech.
“Who just announced that he was fighting a duel to the death with a vicious vampire without consulting me first? I’m trying to be a grownup here. I made the decision so that I can learn to use the lines more quickly to help you and the team. I have a sneaky suspicion that Liam’s class isn't going to be an easy ‘A'.

“The fae rarely do anything without getting something in return. What did you promise him?”

“Nothing, really. He asked for my compliance when he was teaching me and he said our relationship the rest of the time would be the same as always. He wouldn’t force me to do anything…evil…would he?”

“Liam has been loyal to me for over a century and I trust him completely. But the fae are a strange collection of beings. He’ll use you if it suits him.”

“So I messed up?”
I asked, glancing at his face to see if he was still angry.

“No, I think it’ll be fine. I just want you to be aware that the fae aren’t what they seem. What you see is a handsome young man with perfect manners and a warm smile. But he kills as viciously as any vampire and he’s more powerful than all the other supes put together. The fae are made of magic. And Liam is an unusual case."

"Unusual, in what way?"

Until he came to me, Liam
had spent 1400 years  almost  exclusively in Faerie, as is the case with most fae. He'd had absolutely no contact with humans, except for his mother, who may as well be fae at this point, and very little normal contact with other supernatural groups. Now  that he's spent a century with me, he's become fascinated by other races. He wants to learn as much as he can about how others live and work and love. Having you here, must be like a dream come true for him."

"He's fond of you
."

Garrett smiled
. "We've become like brothers over the years. Just do me a favor and don’t make any more bargains without talking to me about it. I don't want you to become part of an experiment."

"He wants to help me because he thinks it'll help you.
”

"Oh, so you
think you understand his motives after knowing him for how many days???" 
He held my wrist up to his nose and said out loud in his sexiest voice, “So are you going to share?”

“Share what?” I asked
, grinning.

“The fae magic,” He grazed my wrist with his fangs.

"What happened to 'I'll never drink from you unless you offer it."

"I'm asking nicely." He
kissed up my arm and then moved even further to nibbled my earlobe. My heart started pounding wildly.

"Unfair tactics." I pulled my
wrist away playfully. “Actually, I was on my way to take a shower after my run when you accosted me.”

He grinned in that boyish way
and stood, pulling me up with him. ”Great idea.”

I looked at his damp hair. “Didn’t you just take a shower?”

“I might have missed a spot. You can’t be too clean." He leaned in and whispered against my ear. "If you're lucky, I might wash your back. I'm very good at it.”

“I’ll just bet you
are.”Without another word, Garrett scooped me up and carried me to his huge shower where we washed and played and loved and where I let him wash my back and share the fae blood.

Later, after a yummy dinner of lasagna that Liam had left for me, we sat in front of the fire wrapped in each other
's arms. I watched the reflection of the flames dancing in his eyes which glowed with energy and excitement as he described a funny adventure he’d shared with his cousin Aaron when they were kids. Apparently, Aaron had been a wild child.

As he spoke
about the good times in his life, I came to realize that in so many ways Garrett was my peer. He was a healthy young guy who liked to listen to music, drive his car fast and surf the net. When he had the time, he’d watch sports on TV, talk about the environment and tell me about the latest book he was reading. I’d forget for an hour or so just what he was. But then, something would happen and he’d grow angry or worried or very, very still. Then I’d notice that he wasn’t breathing, or that his fangs were out or that his eyes were filling up with silver or that his skin was like ice. Those moments still shocked me a little. It didn’t change the way I felt about him, it just kept me on my toes.

It was midnight when we both became aware of another presence nearby. Garrett was instantly in battl
e mode: His fangs out, his eyes swirling in cerulean silver. I pulled on the lines, arming myself as well as I could, and stood behind him so he’d have room to maneuver.

“
Eleanor
” he sent to me just as someone knocked. “Who is it?”  He asked out loud sounding perfectly calm.

“It’s Eleanor, dear. You know it’s me. You must let me in.” The last was
an order, spoken with the Influence of a four hundred year old vampire.

Garrett sent to me, “
Don’t allow her over the threshold. If we can keep her out, we're safe. If not, change and run like the wind. Do NOT argue. I’ve put in a mental call to Liam. He’ll be waiting in the woods to help you escape, if necessary.”

“
I understand
.” I was trembling, but still level headed enough to reinforce my shield.

Garrett opened th
e door, prepared to attack if she got past him. Her steely gaze looked me over with a hint of amusement.

"
The house is mine." I was surprised by how steady my voice sounded.

"Invite me in
, dear." The pull was magnetic, urging me to give in and act the perfect host, at least until she eviscerated me. My shields were wavering. I took a tiny step closer.

Garrett sent,
“It’s a trick, Jackie, she’ll act sweet and then she’ll eat you for dinner.
” I pulled in more power and snapped out of her spell.

“Sweet little cheetah, you want me to come into your home, don’t you?” She spoke with that
.same tone of Influence,

“Not really, El
eanor.”

She glared at me then, realizing her glamour had st
opped working. “Hmm, you’re strong and very pretty. Of course Garrett wouldn’t mate with just anyone, not after he’d been with me.”

“He’s mine now.” I smiled meaningfully, one woman to another, to let her know that Garrett was mine in every way. Garrett backed up slowly and stood next to me, putting an arm around my waist. I leaned against him and smiled, trying not to look as terrified as I felt.

“What do you want, Eleanor?” he asked.

Eleanor’s eyes darke
ned dangerously. “Come home tonight and bring the cheetah so we can all play together. I won’t make a coat out of her, at least not right away."

H
e fought against her control with all of his strength, his hands clenching in anger and his face grim as they battled mentally. Pulling in power, I touched his arm and sent him a strong wave of my healing energy. Eleanor’s eyes widened in surprise as his muscles slowly relaxed and he regained his control. He put his hand over mine. “I’m not coming back to you.”

Her expression turned dangerous
. “I'm your maker, your Mistress."

"Nev
er will I call you
Mistress
, Eleanor. You killed my family and tortured me. You've never deserved my respect.

She glowered. "If you don’t come to me, I’ll kill your little healer; maybe not tonight or tomorrow, but very soon.  And I’ll make her death last a long time. She’ll scream and bleed and beg and I’ll enjoy every second. And then when I’m bored, I’ll give her to Lily. Lily has such a wonderful imagination, doesn’t she?”

Her gaze grew feral, making it crystal clear that the pain and suffering of others fed her dark spirit just as the blood taken from innocents fed her body. She was completely turned on by her violent vision of my painful death. I found her repulsive and pathetic and I lost my fear and grew angrier, thinking about all the innocents she’d murdered. “I’m not afraid of you.”

“Then you’re very foolish, child.”

Garrett took a step forward and spoke to her clearly. “Eleanor Howard, my—Maker.” His voice couldn’t conceal the disgust he felt when he used the title. “I challenge you to a duel to the death on Solo Island one week from tonight at midnight.”

A slow
, evil smile spread across her face as she realized his mistake. “I eagerly accept your challenge, foolish Garrett, but who is your second?” Her voice dripped with menace.

Garrett hesitated,
then said, “Robert……”

“Robert is
not here and according to our laws, your second must be here when the challenge is made. Antoine will be my second.” The bald vamp I’d seen with Lily appeared next to her. He smiled at me with that same disturbing hunger and I couldn’t stop myself from shivering.

“
Shit!
” Garret was furious with himself. He’d made a serious tactical error and was thinking that he’d blown the whole deal.

“I’m his second.” I was livid and in no mood to put up with anymore of her crap. She lifted her chin slightly and then smiled in triumph. 

I felt Garrett tense and turn to face me, holding my arms tightly enough to bruise.“
You are NOT my fucking second. Antoine will challenge you and he’s as powerful as I am. You are not putting your life on the line because I made a stupid mistake.”

He was frightened for me and honestly, so was I, but I narrowed my eyes and made him listen.
“I can take him. He can’t use the lines like a cheetah, he can’t shift form. He’s a powerful vampire, I’m sure. But I’m much more than a vampire. I’m a cheetah shifter, a magical warrior. Most importantly I’m your mate, which makes me stronger still. I have a week to get ready. Maya will train me and I’ll have twelve hours with Liam under my belt. I trusted you when you decided to challenge her. So trust me, Garrett, I can do this
.” I hid every ounce of terror tightly behind my wall so that all he would see was my confidence.

Eleanor asked, “Is the precious little cheetah your second? If not then the challenge is null and you’ll not get another opportunity.” She was leaning against Antoine, tracing one of his tattoos with her sharp nail, leaving behind a trail of blood. He seemed to be enjoying it.

Garrett was backed into a corner with nowhere to run.“Please tell her.”

I watched his fists clench and his jaw tighten as he warred within himself. Finally he made a decis
ion. “Yes, Jacqueline Crawford is my second.”

“Antoine, now.” Eleanor turned to watch my reaction as Antoine said in a husky voice, “I challenge Jacqueline, to a duel to the death which will take place before the duel of Eleanor and Garrett one week from today.” His voice was deep and gravel
ly, his sharp fangs still glistening with blood.

I couldn’t let them see my fear. “I accept your challenge, Antoine
. Bring it on.” He glared and hissed, looking quite ferocious with his arm muscles bunching up. I heard Garrett blow out a frustrated sigh at my bravado. He obviously thought I should be taking this much more seriously. Oh yeah, I was scared shitless, but I also felt a tiny tinge of joy, glad that I’d be more than just a bystander on the day my mate destroyed his enemy.

“Next Saturday at midnight, Garrett, I will rip your throat out. But first Antoine will drain and torture your juicy little cheetah while you watch. Until then, Garrett my dear, au revoir.” They disappeared, leaving behind the scent of rotten blood, their laughter dying in the distance.

I closed the front door and turned back toward the room. Garrett sat down on the couch and stared into the fire, his eyes flat, and his skin looking even paler than normal. His hands were trembling slightly from pent up tension, so I crouched down next to him and held them in mine. They were so cold.

His mental standoff with Eleanor must have wiped out any benefit he’d gained from our activities earlier in the evening. “Feed, you’ll be able to think more clearly.” I said trying to be practical. He just kept staring straight ahead not really hearing me. I tried to reach his mind but his walls were up and he wouldn’t let me in. I was getting worried.

“Garrett, you need to feed now.” I shook him but he still wasn’t really responding.

Crap!
I crawled into his lap, took a breath and then forced healing energy into him. “I’m going to be really pissed off, if you don't start taking my magic. I don't like cuddling with an iceberg.” His expression changed as he started to pull in energy. I leaned against him and closed my eyes and let the floating sensation take over my body, hoping that this would be enough to bring him back to himself

A fe
w moments later I felt him stroking my hair. “I’m so sorry, my love. I’ve made an enormous mistake and now you’re in terrible danger. I tried to protect you by challenging her and now you’re…”

“Now I ca
n help you. I want to do this."

"Jacqueline..."

"Stop beating yourself up. Liam and Maya will teach me everything I need to know to beat this asshole.” He looked skeptical. "Have a little faith. I'm gonna channel Buffy."

When he started to laugh, I
let go of my tension too. "Does that make me Angel?"

"Depends on the
season." I couldn't manage to suppress the yawn, so he picked me up effortlessly and took me to my bed where we cuddled and allowed our fear for each other to drift away with each sweet kiss. I fell asleep in his strong loving arms, my favorite place in the whole world.

Chapter Thirty-nine

The next six days flew by in a flurry of activity. Garrett would rise around 3:00 PM and take off for the island with Rob and Ethan. They were setting up traps and defenses in case things got out of hand and the vampires decided to forget the rules of the duel and attack us all. They also spent time training the twelve or so shifters who’d volunteered to fight. Garrett usually didn’t get back until around midnight, so any alone time we could squeeze in was precious.