Chapter 5

“The world is growing smaller every day. As the magic in the other realms begins to wane, more and more supernatural beings migrate into the human realm. These new arrivals soon find they can share power with one another. The boundaries between races has been swept aside, not merely so we supernaturals can survive, but so we can grow stronger. The next step in our rising will be to put the humans in their rightful place … at our feet.”
~ Ludcarab, King of the Elves

Zara stepped hesitantly through the doorway of the gypsy headquarters. There were tables lining the walls all the way around the room which held books, jars, beakers, and all manner of scientific instruments. She expected to smell a pungent chemical odor, but the scent in the room was a mixture of pleasant spices and the outdoors. It was refreshing but warm and inviting as well.
“Please come in,” Rachel said as she looked over at Zara and Wadim from where she stood measuring out a purple liquid into a large beaker. The substance made Zara think of grape juice. The healer motioned to a stool. “Have a seat there, Zara.”
Zara complied and turned to face Rachel. “Am I going to have to drink that?” Zara asked.
The healer shook her head. “No, I just have to pour it on your head while you stand naked under a full moon. It will be tonight, when the moon’s pull is at its strongest.”
Zara’s mouth dropped open. She couldn’t tell if Rachel was joking. The woman’s deadpan face was the best she’d ever seen. She looked over at Wadim to see if he was smirking, but he just waggled his eyebrows suggestively at her. No help there. Stupid males and their love of nudity.
“There’s nothing wrong with nudity, Z. We come into this world naked, after all,” he said in her mind.
“Maybe you did,” Zara quipped and smiled when Wadim laughed out loud.
“So, you came out wearing clothes?”
Zara nodded her head. “Completely covered and speaking, to boot. My parents said it was the damnedest thing they’d ever seen.”
He rolled his eyes at her. “Did you change your own diapers too?”
“Pssht, please. I was potty trained.”
The grin on her mate’s face was contagious. Wadim had a playfulness about him that made her feel comfortable, as if she’d known him her whole life. She liked how he understood her sense of humor and liked it even more that he could dish out his own jibes right back to her.
“Are you two done playing goo-goo eyes at each other?” Rachel asked as she transferred the contents of the beaker to a glass and then sat it down on the table in front of Zara. “Drink that,” Rachel said with a smirk.
“I totally knew you were kidding about the whole dancing naked under the moon,” Zara said as she picked up the glass and took a sniff of the mysterious drink. It didn’t smell like grape. Rather, it reminded her of pine cones. Not exactly what she would want to put in her mouth. But it could be worse.
“Sure, you did,” Rachel said, folding her arms across her chest and leaning back against the table.
“What will happen? Are you sure this isn’t going to go terribly wrong and wind up killing me? Or maybe turn me back into a wolf and I get stuck like that forever?” Zara asked.
“Yes, that,” Wadim said, pointing to her. “What she said. Is there a possibility that could happen?”
Rachel sighed. “Do you really think I would give her something that might kill her?” she asked Wadim and then looked at Zara. “There’s no chance the potion could kill you. It’s made with some harmless plants mixed with a few secret ingredients. I can’t exactly divulge those, or Peri would kill me. But they’re perfectly safe. Just trust me. And it won’t force you to phase. The potion will have the opposite effect. It will keep you from phasing.”
“For how long?” Zara asked.
“After you drink it, I will place my hand on your chest, and I will use my magic to bind your wolf magic. I’ve written the spell so that it will dissipate upon completion of the Blood Rites,” Rachel explained.
“What does that mean?” the girl asked.
“It means you stay human until you and I do the nasty,” Wadim cut in, waggling his eyebrows at her. Zara’s eyes grew wide.
“Stop teasing your mate,” Rachel scolded. “There is nothing nasty about the Blood Rites,” she said to Zara in a soothing voice. “Once you and this adolescent book-Nazi complete the bonding ceremony, you will be able to phase as normal. Being mated should calm the wolf raging inside of you. Hopefully, with your mate’s steadying influence, you will then be able to phase to your wolf and back like normal.”
“Hopefully?” Zara asked with raised eyebrows.
“A situation like yours doesn’t come along very often. Peri and I have a lot of experience dealing with weird supernatural maladies, but we don’t know everything. The mate bond is mysterious. Still, I’m certain this will work. There’s nothing to worry about. The Great Luna doesn’t make mistakes. She wouldn’t have given you to this lout if she didn’t think he could handle you.”
“Hey, I’m not a lout,” said Wadim, a faux hurt look on his face. “An adolescent book-Nazi? Maybe, but not a lout.”
“Would you prefer hooligan?” Rachel asked.
Wadim appeared to think deeply for a moment. “I think I would. Hooligan has an air of gravitas that I think I’m due. Think about it. People will say, ‘Look, there goes Wadim, the library hooligan.’ Sounds much better than ‘Look, there goes Wadim, the library lout.’”
Rachel narrowed her eyes on him. “Were you and Jen somehow separated at birth and then somehow separated through time as well?” Before he could answer she shook her head and waved him off. “Fine, whatever, hooligan. Just get your girl to drink.”
Wadim turned to Zara. Go ahead, Z. I’ll be right here, no matter what happens. The potion could turn you into Mr. Hyde and I wouldn’t care. I’m yours and I’m not going anywhere.
Zara nodded at him, smiled, and said, “Bottoms up,” then she put the glass to her lips and tilted it back, pouring the liquid into her mouth. She barely registered the earthy taste as the drink hit the back of her throat, and she swallowed quickly. Zara put the glass down on the counter and waited to see if something happened.
Rachel stepped closer, pressed her hand to Zara’s chest, and closed her eyes. Zara watched the healer intently and forced herself not to push Rachel away when she felt the invasion of the healer’s magic inside of her. Zara’s veins began to warm as though hot liquid was being poured into them, starting at her chest and making its way down through her body. The outside of her body felt cool, and she shivered at the contrasting temperatures.
Rachel stepped back and dropped her hand, watching Zara intently. “How do you feel?”
“Like you poured hot chocolate into my veins,” Zara admitted. All of a sudden, she felt an emptiness inside her. The sensation was surreal. She hadn’t even realized there’d been something previously filling the empty hole. “And I feel like something is missing inside of me. Like a part of me is gone.”
Rachel nodded. “You won’t be able to feel your wolf while the spell is active. Even though you haven’t known her long, she was already a part of you. Being separated from her soul will feel odd to you now. If it becomes painful, I need you to let me know.”
Zara felt her energy level suddenly plummet and weariness settle over her. Wadim must have felt it, as well, through their bond because he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her down from the stool.
“Come on, beautiful,” he murmured quietly. “You need some rest.” He looked at Rachel and said, “Thank you for your help, healer. It will not be forgotten.”
Rachel bowed her head at them and smiled. “It’s what I’m here for.”
After a few twists and turns, Zara and Wadim reached the hall that led to the archive stairs. All of a sudden, Wadim stopped. Zara took another step before pausing and turning back to him. Quickly, he scooped her up into his arms and nuzzled her neck.
“I can walk,” Zara said, though she didn’t sound the least bit convincing, even to herself.
“I’m sure you can. But I want to have you in my arms. Humor me.”
She laid her head on his shoulder and sighed. If Wadim wanted to pamper her, then she wasn’t about to stop him. It had been so very long since anyone had taken care of her, unless of course you count vampires tossing a small bowl of mealy rice into her dark cell a couple of times a day just to keep her alive.
“Thank you,” she whispered as she closed her eyes.
“It is an honor to care for my mate,” Wadim said. “Now rest, my love. I’ll be here when you wake up.”
~
Cyn watched as Thalion, the elf prince and her husband, inspected the swords the elven blacksmith had forged. One by one, Thalion laid them down on a table, lining them up straight. She waited for him to finish and let her know it was time for her to work her magic on the blades. Cyn would like to think that this would give them an advantage in battle, but Ludcarab was old and crafty. He would no doubt have some tricks up his sleeves.
After another fifteen minutes, Thalion finally turned to her. “If you will,” he said and motioned toward the swords.
Cyn walked over and ran her finger over the first blade, slicing her skin just deep enough for it to bleed. She let drops of blood fall onto the blade as she whispered a spell in her people’s language. The blood absorbed into the sword as if it were a sponge and not steel. She continued the process on each blade until all fifty blades were done.
“Are we going to do the arrows as well?” Cyn asked as she turned to face Thalion.
“If you are willing,” Thalion said.
“We need all the help we can get, Thalion,” Cyn said. “This magic will ensure that wherever you aim your sword, arrow, or knife blade, it will land true. A child could throw one of the knives I’ve magicked and not miss. So yes, my love, I’m willing.”
“Then I will have all the arrows brought here.”
Here was the makeshift camp they, meaning the elves who refused to pledge their fealty to the elf king, had built in the forest three miles from the palace. They’d erected tents for shelters, and Cyn had put a cloaking spell over the camp. It wasn’t a long-term solution to their problem, but it would have to do until they could take on Ludcarab without getting massacred.
“Tonight, we’re going to scout the castle grounds,” Thalion said. “I need to get confirmation my father is involved with the Order.”
“Why?” Cyn asked. “Isn’t it enough that he lied about his death and has chased his son and any who do not want to follow him out of their homeland”
“If he is connected to the Order, then he has committed crimes against the elfin race, and I can execute him without any formal trial. As it stands, he still has a right to a trial,” Thalion explained.
“As it stands,” Cyn said, using his words, “I can execute him without a trial.”
Thalion’s lips twitched as if he fought a smile. “Why is that, my love?”
“Because I don’t care about formalities when it comes to protecting those I care for.”
He stepped closer to her. “And you care for me?”
Cyn tried not to shiver at the warm, velvet tone in his voice but knew she failed when his lips turned up in a crooked smirk. “A minute amount,” she said, trying to keep her face as blank as possible.
Thalion took another step then another until he was standing directly in front of her. He ran his thumb along her jawline as he clucked his tongue at her. “My love, I believe you care for me a great deal more than you let on. I see it in the adoration that fills your eyes when you gaze upon me.”
Cyn couldn’t help the laughter that irrupted from her. He had a way of doing that, making her blank facade break. “I do not gaze on you adoringly, elf prince. That is simply your overinflated ego making your eyes play tricks on you.”
“If that is what you need to tell yourself in order to cope with your feelings, then I will let it lie.” Thalion dropped his hand, and Cyn nearly snatched it back but refrained from acting on the ridiculous impulse.
“If you’re done pestering me, move along so that I can finish my task,” Cyn said.
Thalion chuckled. “I will give you some space. But later you will give me your undivided attention.”
“Needy?”
His smile was positively wicked. “When it comes to you, absolutely.”

~~~~~
Fane waited for his mate while she put Slate in his crib. Whatever it was that she hadn’t wanted him to know about couldn’t be too bad because she seemed fine. There were no tumultuous emotions racing through their bond. She actually seemed quite relaxed. Regardless, he hated having any sort of secret between them, as it made him feel distant from her. Distance was the last thing he or his wolf ever wanted between them and their mate.
“Is he asleep?” Fane asked Jacquelyn as she walked into the living area of their suite.
She nodded. “I don’t think we should have any more children. He’s so easy, the next one is bound to be a hellion.”
Fane didn’t bother to respond. She knew that if it was up to him they’d have a whole litter of pups. “Why did you block your thoughts?” he asked as he folded his arms across his chest.
“Do you remember when I told you about my mom having that weird ability to sense things?” she asked him.
Fane shook his head. “Don’t try to change the subject, Luna.”
She rolled her eyes at him and sighed. “I’m not changing the subject. This has to do with what I blocked you from hearing. Do you remember me telling you about her ability?” she asked again.
He nodded. “She can do more than sense things these days,” he pointed out.
“Exactly,” Jacquelyn said. “Turns out it isn’t just some weird fluke. She’s been doing research in the warlock archives, and she came across something about the sprites.” She paused and watched him.
Fane nearly grinned. Jacque watched him closely, trying to gauge his reaction when he heard the word sprite.
“And?” Fane prompted, knowing it would get her tail in a twist.
“Fane Lupei.” She practically growled at him.
Fane chuckled and held his hands up. “Okay, okay. I’m sorry, love, but you’re hot when you get irritated.”
“Keep it up, wolf-man and you’ll see just how hot I can get.”
Fane’s brow dropped. “Is that supposed to be a threat? It feels more like a promise to me, and I’m really interested in you delivering on that promise.”
She threw her hands up in the air with an exaggerated sigh and plopped down on the sofa. “You’re impossible. Did you or did you not know about sprites?”
“I feel like this would be the perfect opportunity for me to shout, ‘You can’t handle the truth!’ But Jen isn’t here to appreciate my genius movie quote choice.”
Her lips turned up slightly but dropped back down. She was fighting the grin he knew she felt inside. It really was the perfect opportunity to use that quote. Since he and Jacquelyn had been together, he’d picked up on some of her and her friends’ idiosyncrasies. He was glad it was their penchant for hollering out movie quotes and not one of their more ridiculous ones, and yes, there were some that were more ridiculous.
His mate stared up at him. She wasn’t going to budge until he satisfied her curiosity. Fane walked over and sat on the sofa next to her. He took one of her hands and laced their fingers together. “Yes, I knew of the sprites, but”—he held up his finger when she opened her mouth—“no one has heard from the sprites in so long, and I’ve never seen them. I’ve only read about them during my studies.”
She narrowed her eyes on him. “I’ll let it go simply because what I have to tell you is important, and I’m tired. So, my mom found some stuff about the sprites.”
Once she’d finished telling Fane about her mom and Sally’s parents, Fane decided there was nothing else that could surprise him. Something always topped the last thing, so Fane decided to accept that anything was possible.
“So, you’re a sprite as well as a Canis lupus,” he said slowly, considering the implications of the new information.
“Guess so.”
“And will you be able to do the things your mom can do?”
“Don’t know. Mom said we’d just have to wait and see.”
Fane stared at her a few minutes in silence. She simply stared back. After a couple of minutes, he asked, “Why did you block me? That’s not bad news.”
“Because I know you,” she said with a small smile. “You would have left your meeting to come make sure I was okay.”
Okay, she had him there. He would have left to check on her. “Fair enough. Next time could you just give me some sort of heads up?”
She tapped her chin as she thought about it and then nodded. “Okay, if it happens again, I will say, ‘Fane, I’m going to kick you out for a few minutes to get some secret info, and if I feel it’s something you need to know, I will share.’”
He narrowed his eyes on her, though he couldn’t hide his smile. “Cheeky minx.” He reached out and ran the back of his fingers gently across her cheeks. Her face warmed up in a soft blush. Fane liked that he still had that effect on her. He hoped that never changed.
“Ready for bed?” Jacquelyn asked him.
He stood, holding his hand out to her, and then pulled her up from the sofa. Fane captured her face in both of his hands. Her skin was like silk against the roughness of his own. She was warm and growing warmer as he stepped closer to her. Slowly, he leaned down, watching the reaction of her eyes, her pupils dilating and her eyelids getting heavier as her desire for him rose. His own mouth watered at the memory of all their past kisses and, as usual, Fane found himself wanting to make this kiss better than all the others. He moved slowly, wanting to draw the moment out and build the anticipation, but he also liked to see her get flustered when he didn’t give her what she wanted immediately.
“Fane,” Jacquelyn growled at him.
He couldn’t help but grin. “What, Luna?” he murmured, his lips mere centimeters from hers.
“Quit making me wait.”
“Patience, my love. Good things come to those who wait.”
When she opened her mouth to give him a good tongue lashing, Fane dipped down and bit her bottom lip, tugging on it gently. Jacquelyn groaned as she pressed closer to him. Fane released her lip and pressed his to hers. He didn’t wait any longer but instead opened his own mouth, inviting her in. She never disappointed, his passionate mate, meeting his own desire with hers.
Jacquelyn lifted her arms and wrapped them around his neck.
Fane dropped his hands and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her impossibly tighter against him. “I love the way you taste,” he whispered into her mind as he increased the pressure of his lips against hers, letting his tongue leisurely explore her mouth, though he knew it as well as he knew his own face.
“Why is it I never get tired of this?” she asked, the breathiness in her voice coming through, even in his mind. “Why do I want you even more with each kiss?”
“Because I’m so good at it,” he teased but then said seriously, “My desire and need for you grows daily, Jacquelyn. Don’t think for a minute you are the only one affected.”
Without breaking the kiss, Fane changed the position of his arms and leaned down, picking her up and cradling her body against his chest. He walked them unerringly to their room. He finally separated their mouths as he laid her down on the bed. Her skin was a beautiful shade of pink that started on her face and moved down her neck. He knew from experience that the blush didn’t end there.
“If there is anything lovelier than you, I’ve never seen it,” Fane said, meaning every word. There was nothing more pleasant to look upon than his mate, and when she was looking up at him like she wanted to devour him, there was nothing more desirable than her either.
“Mate,” she said, still breathless from their kiss.
Fane nearly growled as he saw her eyes begin to glow. Apparently, it wasn’t only the human side of her that wanted him. That was a game changer. Jacquelyn had been an arduous lover from the start, but when her wolf’s emotions joined her own, things got even more intense. And no, he wasn’t complaining. “Yes, Luna?”
“Now.” Her voice had grown guttural, and her eyes were a bright, shining green.
He grinned, feeling his teeth lengthen. “Soon.”