TheKnightsDruid (7 page)

“Like I have already told Mr. Hennessy, looks can be deceiving. Vance Hollister is
not now
nor
ever been
anything but a family acquaintance.”

“Well, from where I stood it sure the hell looked pretty cozy,” Simon chimed in suspicion and accusation thick in his deep voice.

Irritation quickly gave way to anger as she met the challenge in his diamond bright stare across the table. “Like the rags that print lies and false truths, it’s so easy to believe bullshit when fed it at regular intervals. I will only say this once more. I am not
anything
to Vance Hollister but a tool he wishes to use for his own gain.”

“A tool, how so?” Arthur pounced, as she knew he would.

Foolish move on her part she needed to keep her mouth shut.

“Everyone is a tool to him. His only goal is his own self-interest.”

“He hasn’t changed much then.” A woman’s voice cut through the tension.

Arthur and indeed, all of the men at the table sprung to their feet with smiles and warm welcomes on their faces. She rose from her seat to find the men swarming over the four newcomers. Two women and two men stood within a circle. The obvious affection on display brought home how much of an outsider she truly was. Not that she wanted to belong to this small group. She preferred her isolated life, really she did.

Juliet watched as small curvaceous raven haired woman broke from the group and headed toward her. Violet eyes sparkled with happiness, a large welcoming smile on her small fey-like features. The woman was positively stunning and somehow made her feel huge against the petite woman.

“I’m Merci Tremaine and I know you’re Juliet Boyd. The newspapers sure don’t do you any justice, but then why would they?” She grabbed Juliet’s hand and squeezed it firmly in her own. “I am very pleased to meet you.”

“Merci, don’t scare away the guest before we get to be introduced,” a tall, blond haired man admonished playfully as he made his way to the woman’s side.

Merci giggled as he tucked her possessively under his arm. “This is Drake Monroe, my husband.”

Juliet for the second time within the hour endured the sharp pang of envy watching the two of them. The love they held for each other so painfully obvious Juliet could no longer look upon them without wanting to cry. Cry? Her? She must be crazy, no one would ever want her if they knew what she was capable of, best to keep that in mind and stop wishing for the impossible. Yet, she couldn’t help but feel that small kernel of hope she couldn’t bury completely no matter how hard she tried.

Before Juliet could find a way to escape back to her room a tall dark haired man blocked her exit, his smile disarming as he took her hand and kissed it with old world charm, leaving her speechless as she stared up into eyes a deep cerulean blue. Saying the man was handsome was an understatement and yet, no pulse flutter or heart hammering were to be found for the man who so gently held her hand.

“Lancelot Du Lac at your service, milady,” his deep voice rumbled through the room.

“Lance is just a bit old fashioned,” a woman with long pale hair the color of sun kissed wheat flashed Juliet a dazzling smile.

Juliet blinked twice at the stunning woman who made her way to Lancelot’s side. A mix of Goth meets Glenda the Good Witch of Oz played through her mind. She took in the black tee shirt complete with a voodoo doll stuck with pins, plaid skirt, fishnets and combat boots.

A low feral growl filled the room and all heads turned toward Colin, standing in the middle of the room his face a mask of rage, his gaze zeroed in on her hand in Lancelot’s. Self-conscious and more than a bit fearful she pulled her hand back out Lancelot’s grip.

“Ah, now I see how it is between you two,” Merci broke the sudden tension in the room with an amused chuckle.

“There is nothing between the two of us,” Juliet snapped out her denial, the words sounding weak even to her own ears.

Bitterly she reminded herself Colin made his feelings perfectly clear when he left her naked on his bed in the middle of post orgasm bliss. He couldn’t get his clothes on and out of his room fast enough. The thought still stung, more than it should.

“I beg to differ,” he Goth beauty chimed in with her two cents. Couldn’t people just let it be? “From the look on our dear Colin’s face there is much between the two of you.”

“And you are?” Juliet knew she sounded waspish, but couldn’t seem to help herself as she gave the blond woman a piercing stare.

Her perfect pink mouth formed an O of surprise and Juliet found herself hard pressed not to slap it from her perfectly flawless face. It was time for her to get the hell out of there and now or she would end up beating someone senseless. Before she could beat the hasty retreat to the sanctuary of her temporary bedroom the woman moved up to her. Surprise and wonder in those clear blue eyes.

“I am Viviane of Avalon. Who are you?” her demand held more than a little hope.

“I’m Juliet of Woodland Hills,” she returned, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

“Well, Juliet of Woodland Hills, it’s a great pleasure to meet you. I had thought you lost to me. I am glad to see the bloodline still flows strong.”

Was the woman on drugs? Avalon, really?

Juliet let her gaze wander over each occupant in the room an impossible notion taking root in her mind. No it was too ridiculous to even contemplate, still, the suspicion grew. Arthur, looking guarded and stern, every inch a leader of men, Lancelot du Lac and Viviane of Avalon, perhaps she was the one on drugs. Did they put something in her food?

“Look, whoever you guys think you are that’s cool with me. I’ll just go to my room now and let you all go back to your reunion.”

Colin moved up so close his arm brushed hers, a look of challenge glittering in his emerald eyes as they met Lancelot’s. With a slight nod of his head, Lancelot moved to stand next to Viviane. A small smile playing on his sensual lips and she wondered why she felt nothing in the presence of such masculine beauty.

Just her luck she had the hots for a grouchy Irishman who could give a rat’s ass about her or her feelings.
Way to go, Juliet.
That small voice mocked her.

“Just who do you think Juliet is to you, Viviane?” Colin demanded.

“Why, she’s a Druid of course, by the magic radiating off of her a very powerful one at that.”

“Druids, Avalon, Arthur. Look, this is not some fairy tale here. I don’t know why you think I’m one of these Druid people, but I assure you you’re very much mistaken,” Juliet scoffed, taking a cautious step toward the door and escape from these crazy people.

“Oh, Juliet, but you are a Druid and all of these men before you are the reincarnation of Arthur’s fabled knights. All but for Lancelot, who has spent millennia in Avalon.”

“Oookay, I’m a Druid, sure thing, well like I said before I’ll just be going now.”

“Seedlings grow just by your touch, animals seek you out. You cannot abide cities, feeling smothered by all the concrete. You live surrounded by the earth, find strength within the woods you call home. Your magic is of the earth and as such you control the very ground we tread,” Viviane’s voice rang with authority, the voice of the Goddess and Juliet felt her world tilt on its axis. “I had long thought my children gone from this plane of existence. To find you here before me is nothing short of miraculous.”

“How can you know this?” Juliet asked, fear and vulnerability a living thing writhing in her belly.

“She knows because she is the Goddess Viviane, Lady of the Lake and the mist shrouded isle of Avalon,” Colin spoke softly by her side. “She sees with senses none of us could begin to understand.”

“Oh stop that, Colin,” Viviane admonished lightly. “The poor girl needs time to digest all of this, just look at her, she’s pale as a ghost. Besides, I need to see Excalibur back in its rightful hands.”

Viviane swept one delicate long fingered hand in the air and Juliet blinked as the air shimmered around the sudden appearance of a simple unadorned sword. Viviane gripped the hilt and drew the sword toward her. The air solidified as Viviane turned and presented the weapon to Arthur.

“I present to you Excalibur, once again she is yours to command,” Viviane’s voice rang with authority. “You only have to think of your weapon of choice and she will become what you require. Just a little twenty-first century magic to mix with the old.” She gave Arthur an impish grin as he took Excalibur from her with solemn reverence.

“I’m humbled by such a gift given to me freely twice. I will wield it with wisdom and courage.” Arthur bowed deeply before Viviane.

Juliet didn’t know what happened or what to think. Far too many things had transpired which defied explanation for her to digest. She could only shake her head in disbelief while she struggled to assimilate it all.

Without her being aware Andrea was at her side. “I think Juliet needs to lie down a bit.”

“Then I will escort her back to her rooms,” Colin announced firmly daring anyone to object.

“And I too shall retire,” Darius interjected. “I’ll do what I can to get you the information you need, Arthur.”

“Like hell you will,” Simon’s growl startled the group, all eyes turning to his dark scowl. “There is another way besides your visions. There is too much danger to your health to take such a chance.”

Darius turned on him with a snarl. “It is my decision to make, not yours. Just keep away from me,” he warned, turning his back on his best friend Darius stormed out of the room, leaving everyone in stunned silence.

Without a word Simon followed Darius out. “Well, that was…interesting,” Merci frowned. “What’s up with that? Those two have always been as thick as thieves.”

“I’m not sure, but if they don’t get it cleared up and fast I’ll have to make it my business.” Worry laced through Arthur’s words, matching the scowl he wore on his face.

“Well,” Viviane sighed. “It looks like we arrived just in time and by the way things are going around here, I’m going to be staying around here for a while.”

Chapter Seven

Colin walked along side Juliet in strained silence. His emotions a seething vortex of desire, guilt soon followed then frustration and back again to desire. It was enough to make a man go insane. He stopped in the empty hallway and raked his fingers through his hair in agitation. Juliet stopped one tawny brow raised in question.

“I owe you an apology for earlier, lass.”

“Don’t even say it,” Juliet hissed, her cheeks flushing with color, blue eyes turning as dark as a storm at sea. “You have made your feelings abundantly clear there is no need to further stress the point.”

“Have I now? Then perhaps you can enlighten me on what I feel since I have no clear idea,” he snapped his frustration fast becoming anger. Irrational, yes and for the moment he couldn’t seem to care. It was
her
, she did this to him. When he came near her, scented her heady fragrance of wildflowers, green grass and earth, his mind shut down leaving only the instincts of the wild animals he shifted into. And they were all in accord on one thing. They wanted to claim her, plunge into her hot, wet depths and get lost in her essence.

Damn him and his nature.

“Whatever your problem is deal with it,” Juliet bit out over her shoulder quickening her stride to his room. Opening the door she slammed it in his face.

The tenuous grip he had on his emotions snapped, scalding anger coursed through his veins, his pulse pounding in his ears. He gripped the doorknob only to find it locked. If she thought to keep him out of his own damn room then she would soon learn otherwise. With a snarl of pure menace he broke the knob in his hand and shoved the door open.

Juliet whirled around to face him; the look of surprise on her beautiful face would have been amusing had he not been so furious at the moment. He stalked into the room. Her gaze turned wary as he closed the space between them, so close he could feel her breath caress his throat and jaw.

He raised a hand, his fingers lightly brushing over her cheek. “You,
darlin’,
are the problem and it’s driving me out of my mind. I can’t stop thinking about you, when I am not with you there’s a void inside.”

There,
he said it. Leaving himself open and vulnerable to this woman, who shook him to his very core. The admission made him feel…good. He wouldn’t castigate himself for the honesty of the emotions which she awoken deep inside him. Wouldn’t fight or rail against it anymore. Guilt sloughed off of him, heavy chains he carried for far too long, dropped away. His gaze caught and held on hers, drowning in those sky blue depths.

Mine
. His inner voice shouted and he finally agreed.

He pulled his gaze from hers settling on her full, pink mouth. He wanted them red and swollen from his kisses, had every intention of doing so.

Without a word, he pulled her into his arms, his head swooping down, capturing those delectable lips, taking her gasp of surprise into his lungs. Her taste intoxicating, addictive as the sweetest nectar he would never get enough of her. His tongue darted out to tangle with hers, stroking and twining in an ancient dance of seduction. She moaned into his mouth, the sound causing his cock to press painfully against his zipper.

“Ah, Jules I want to taste you, be in you and have your scent all over me. No matter how much I fight it, there’s no resisting you.”

Her body suddenly stiffened, her small hands pushing at his chest for release. “No. You can’t just barge in here and…and do this to me,” she railed against him, her hands clenching into fist, pummeling his hard chest with a mixture of hurt and frustration.

He caught and held her hands in one large fist, the other lifting her enraged face up to meet his gaze. Her face flushed, eyes glittering like sapphires with unshed tears. Gods above, she was the most beautiful sight he’d seen is a very long time. “I owe you an explanation and you will hear it, lass.”

Juliet frowned up at him. “Then let’s have it.”

“I have been searching for someone for a very long time.”

“Let me guess, a woman.” A statement not a question.