Fated Desire: A Paranormal Romance Novel (The Twisted Destiny Saga Book 1) (13 page)

CHAPTER 24

“Be careful. It may be daylight outside, but it’s not just the vamps you need to worry about. Don’t forget about Michael’s wolves,” Josh told Ryan as they both strode into the garage.

Ryan patted the pistol at his hip. “Don’t worry.”

“Please tell me you’re not packing silver bullets in that thing.”

“I’m not taking any chances with his damned wolves. I’m not letting their poisonous claws anywhere near me this time.”

Josh nodded his understanding. The last time the pack had had a run-in with Michael’s wolves, Ryan had protected his boys and ended up enduring the wrath of their poisoned claws. They’d shredded his arms, his chest. It had been Josh who had tended to his wounds with the antidote. He’d never seen anyone in such horrific pain as he had that night. No one was tougher than Ryan and he’d literally been on his knees in agony. “I hear you. One of Cora’s weapons, I’m guessing? She was a Seeker, after all. Aside from a stake, that thing is their weapon of choice.”

Ryan nodded. “Yeah. It’s on loan.”

“Is she feeling better now?”

A few hours ago Cora had suffered an excruciating migraine that had left her incapacitated and relegated to bed rest. It had come out of nowhere. She’d taken her painkillers, but the pain wasn’t subsiding.

Ryan shook his head. “No. And those drugs the doctors prescribed to her are fucking strong, Josh. Real damn strong.”

“You think Shaye will help her?”

Ryan hauled open the door to his truck. As he climbed into the driver’s seat, he said, “She’s a powerful witch. She responded to the message I sent her and gave me her latest address, so she’s willing to help with protecting us during the full moon. It shouldn’t be a problem getting her help with Cora, too.”

“Witches can be fickle, Ry.”

“And
I
can be very persuasive.”

“But you’re married now. Be careful how you choose to
persuade
her.”

Ryan smiled. “Watching out for my wife now, are you?”

“She’s your mate. She’s one of us now.”

“Good. I’m glad you feel that way. Take care of her while I’m gone. Don’t let her take any more pills. No matter what she does, or what she says. Only two every twelve hours. They’re strong. If she takes more it could be fatal. Promise me.”

“Of course,” Josh said, holding up the vial of Cora’s medication. “I’ve got it covered. Just watch your back out there.”

Ryan smiled and slammed the door closed.

Josh watched as he fired up the truck and sped out of the garage.
Shit. Be careful, Ry.

#

Josh rushed into Ryan’s bedroom. He’d heard Cora’s screams all the way over on the other side of the base, while he’d been checking in on the other packs. Everyone had heard them. Wolf hearing was acute, extremely heightened. They could hear a damned pin drop in the middle of a noisy nightclub for goodness’ sake. And, as a result, his pack had come running and followed him to Ryan’s room. They barged into his bedroom and rushed with him towards the ensuite bathroom where Cora’s pained screams were coming from.

He threw open the door and gasped as he found her writhing on the floor of the bathroom, screaming, as she clamped her hands tightly to her head. She was in absolute agony.

“I…need…give them,” she rasped, looking at him through glazed, unsteady eyes.

“It’s only been four hours. Not yet,” he told her.

“Now…please….”

He forced himself to break her gaze, so he could maintain an emotional distance. The sight of her in so much agony—of one of their own suffering—was horrifying to witness. But he couldn’t give in. He’d promised Ryan that he would take care of her and allowing her to overdose on her medication wasn’t part of that.

“I’m sorry, sweetheart,” he said, reaching for her.

“It hurts…help me,” she pleaded, looking at him and the pack.

He felt the wolves move behind him and he held up his hand. “No. Ryan’s orders.”

He watched her remove one of her hands from her head. She fisted it and slammed it down on the tiled floor, the force of it cracking the tile beneath it. And then a silver glow emanated from it.
Shit, she’s out of her mind with pain. She’s gonna use her power!

He lunged at her and gripped her palm, driving it onto the floor. “No. Calm down.”

She struggled against him. She was so damned strong. He remembered how she’d bested Roy, their strongest wolf aside from Ryan, a few weeks back in the mess hall.

“Ben! Roy! Guys! Some help here!” he called out as he struggled to keep her down and prevent her from assaulting them with her magic. “And someone go to the armory. There’s a wooden box with faerie engravings on it. Bring it to me. Now. She blasted through Luca’s power like it was nothing back at his mansion. She’s strong. Her power could blow this place apart. Hurry!”

She screamed and struggled against him and the other three wolves trying to hold her down on the bathroom floor. She was wild, completely out of control. Whatever was causing her so much agony, was also driving her to the brink of insanity.

“Cora, try to hear me. I’m gonna take away the pain. Just hold on, sweetheart.”

“What are you gonna do?” Roy asked.

“You can’t knock her out,” Ben added.

“I know. I’d rather keep my head,” Josh said.
Fuck. Like I’m gonna do something like that.
If he struck her, he couldn’t even imagine what Ryan would do to him. Knocking her out was a way to take away her pain, at least for a little while, but, fortunately, he had a better way of doing it that didn’t involve hurting her at all.

“Here!” a voice called.

He held out his hand behind him and felt the familiar wooden box being pushed into his hand. He released his hold on Cora and told the three other wolves, “Sit her up.”

Despite her powerful struggles, they succeeded.

Josh opened the lid and scooped out some of the glowing purple powder inside. He ignored the murderous stare in her eyes and blew on it. It gravitated towards her and she coughed and sputtered. She tried to turn away to avoid inhaling the unknown substance.

“Hold her head,” Josh ordered.

He blew more of the powder at her and the wolves held her steady, forcing her to inhale all of it. He closed the box and clutched it tightly as he waited. A few seconds passed before it finally happened. The fact that it had taken so long, told him just how powerful she really was. The effects were supposed to be instantaneous. Her eyelids finally grew heavy. He could see her trying to fight to keep them open, but she couldn’t resist it. Her eyes closed and her body relaxed, going limp in the hands of the wolves.

He breathed a sigh of relief. “Okay. We’re good. Return the box,” he said, holding the box out behind him for someone to take it back to the armory.

The wolves released her and Josh gathered her in his arms and climbed to his feet, holding her tightly.

“What was that?” Roy asked.

“Faerie magic. A sleep inducer. It can knock out any supernatural being. It should keep her asleep for a few hours. But, just in case, we need to move her to a secure location.”

“The holding cells?” Ben asked, incredulous.

Josh nodded. “I’m gonna need blankets and pillows. Despite the circumstances, we can at least make sure she’s comfortable.”

Without another word, he carried her out of the bedroom and down the winding corridors of the base. He kicked open the door to one of the holding cells. He put her down, leaning her against the wall.

“I’m sorry I have to do this,” he said as he reached for the chains screwed into the wall above her.

He cuffed her wrists behind her back. He couldn’t risk her waking up and trying to use her power against them. He had to protect the base in Ryan’s absence.

He turned at the sound of someone entering the cell. He smiled as he saw Roy hurrying in with a pile of blankets and pillows in his arms.

“Thanks, Roy. Get her settled in. I need to call Ryan and give him a heads-up about this.”

CHAPTER 25

Ryan glanced at the spectacular works of art lining the walls of the long corridor as he was led along by two members of Shaye’s coven. Both blondes, their long hair cascaded down their backs in waves and glistened under the light of the crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. They looked like they’d just stepped out of one of the paintings lining the walls. Their long, flowing, corset gowns swept the soft carpet as they walked. They looked like Renaissance royalty.
Shaye always did have expensive tastes. The only reason she’d hooked up with a wolf, like me, was because of my royal heritage.
She enjoyed proximity to power. What witch didn’t?

The women turned to him as they came to a stop outside a door right at the end of the corridor. One of them held up her hand to it. She smiled and told him, “She would like you to come inside.”

They giggled amongst themselves and looked him up and down, making no pretense of their interest in him. He ignored it and reached for the door. He pushed it open and stepped inside. He heard it shut behind him.
No turning back now.

The room was dark and it took his eyes a moment to adjust to it. As he walked further in, he tensed, suddenly, as he felt the intense sexuality in the room. It was so potent that it completely caught him off guard.
Fucking hell.

It took him a moment to notice the massive bed in the corner of the room. Hundreds of candles surrounded it, illuminating the red silk sheets and the scene playing out on them.

And there she was.

Shaye.

She lay on her back, her striking, white hair fanned out over the abundance of pillows beneath her while a naked woman knelt between her legs, lapping at her pussy frenziedly. Another straddled her waist and Shaye pumped two fingers in and out of the naked beauty’s pussy and suckled one of her breasts.

Her sun-kissed skin glistened with sweat and her hips started to buck furiously as the woman between her legs drove her to orgasm. Moments later, he heard Shaye’s familiar scream of pleasure as she came.

“Leave me,” her velvety smooth voice ordered the women moments later.

The girls clambered off the bed and hurried to the door. They hesitated when they noticed Ryan standing there. Their eyes were hooded with dark desire.

“He is not for you,” Shaye said.

The girls giggled and ran out of the room, closing the door behind them quietly.

When Ryan turned back to Shaye, she was tying a black, silk robe around herself, thankfully having the decency to cover up in his presence. She gestured for him to follow her to a seating area over on the other side of the room.

“I would’ve waited outside, Shaye.”

“You didn’t enjoy the show?” she asked, smiling coyly. “You used to.”

Ryan slumped onto one of the couches and eyed her as she sank gracefully onto the one opposite him. “A long time ago, Shaye.”

“Hmm…yes. Neither I, nor any number of my girls, could sate
your
appetite, Ryan.”

“Like I said, a long time ago.”

She leaned back against the couch as she said, “Ah, yes. Now you have found your mate. The White Realm princess. The only woman who can leave you feeling satisfied…in every way.” She smiled sweetly at him as she said, “I am glad, Ryan.”

He returned her smile. “Thanks.”

“The supernatural world is rife with talk of you. Your union with Cora Black and the return of the Wolf King. I haven’t heard this much chatter in centuries.”

“The Vampire Prince has threatened all the wolves in this realm. I had no choice.”

“You are ready for all the consequences that such a war between vampires and werewolves will bring? Blood will spill, Ryan. A lot of blood. It won’t just affect wolves and vampires either. Other supernatural creatures will take sides and many could become your enemies.”

“And where do
you
stand?”

“I am a white witch. Normally, I would stay out of it, because, under normal circumstances, this wouldn’t concern me. Vampires and wolves are Dark Realm creatures, not a white witch’s concern.
But
this war has one significant difference. The White Realm princess. I must stand where she stands.”

“Then you’ll help me?”

She nodded. “I can cast a field of protection strong enough to withstand an attack from Luca’s vampire army
and
Michael’s wolves that will protect your packs during the full moon. But Michael is powerful, Ryan. Even with me drawing on the entire power of the coven, my magic will only hold for a few hours. You must limit your time outside the base. It will be difficult for me to hold it for the normal length of time encompassing a
run of the wolves
.”

“I understand. Thank you.”

She nodded and rose to her feet.

“There’s something else.”

She looked at him in surprise and returned to her seat.

“Cora is in pain. I don’t know how to stop it. Her head…the drugs aren’t working.”

She didn’t say anything for several moments and he knew why. She was surprised by the emotion in his voice. He’d never shown her any vulnerability before. Hell, he’d never had any. But…now…now his love for his wife was such that all of that was changing.

Shaye sat forward and took his hands in hers. She closed her eyes for a few moments before opening them and telling him, “Good. Her blood is strong in you.”

“What?”

“I need something of hers to be able to reach her, so I can see what the issue is, what is causing her pain. Her blood coursing through your veins is enough to make a connection. Don’t let go,” she said as she gripped his hands tighter.

Ryan watched as her eyes glazed over, her pupils dilating to the point where they were solely white. He could feel the powerful energy coursing through her into him as she channeled her magic, using Cora’s blood in him as a sort of magickal compass to find her essence and tap into it.

She gasped suddenly and he felt her tense. The warm energy coursing through him became painful, scorching. He grunted from the effort of maintaining contact. Her hands started to shake furiously. She screamed and pulled back suddenly.

“What? What is it?” he asked urgently.

Shaye’s eyes snapped open and she struggled to catch her breath as she told him, “Her power is strong. It transcends mine completely. I couldn’t connect to her for long. But I felt it.”

“Felt what?”

“Her agony and…something else. Energy. Dark energy. The White Realm princess doesn’t possess such energy. She is purely the light. It is they. They are there with her now. She is too weak with pain right now in
reality
to cast them out in her dream state.”

“What? Who’s in her dreams? Luca?”

“And Michael.”

“They’re hurting her?”

“Not yet. They have just arrived.”

“What do they want?”

“To take her from you. To weaken you and destroy the very real threat you pose to them. And to draw her power from her. Michael wants it.”

“Michael wants her power?”

“Yes, to take on the Vampire King.”

“That’s why Luca didn’t kill him that night when he had the chance. They’re working together.” And then something else occurred to Ryan. “As my brother, he should be unable to kill me. But he delivered a fatal wound to me. Michael’s work?”

Shaye nodded. “He is strong enough to transcend that law. It could be.”

“How do I help her?”

“Her pain is the result of her power trying to force its way free. She keeps it buried down deep. She must release it, must learn how to use it, to let it become a part of her, like it is meant to be.”

“She’s released it on Luca.”

Shaye shook her head. “It can only have been a fraction of her true power, because the agony I felt from her, tells me she has barely touched it yet.”

“My boys have forced her into a sleep, because she threatened them with her power. The agony she’s in has made her lose control. If I wake her now and she tries to use it, it could kill all of us at the base. Can you help her?”

Shaye shook her head and got to her feet with a heavy sigh. “I am not strong enough. Her power is far beyond mine.”

“Then who? Shaye, I need to help her,” Ryan said, gripping her arm and pulling her back to face him.

“You need to go to King Vazra.”

“I can’t, Shaye. You know that. I’m a creature of the Dark Realm. Passage through to the White Realm isn’t possible. I can’t even locate the gates to the White Realm. They’re hidden from all those who aren’t Vazra’s subjects.”

“I am a white witch. I can locate the gates.”

“But
I
can’t enter.”

“It may be possible. Cora’s blood is strong in you. You are her rightful mate and you have completed the bonding ritual. It might be enough to grant you access to the White Realm.”