Forget Me Not (Phased Moonlight Series Book 2) (15 page)

              Sera placed her hand on the stallion’s side, shushing him. “Look at me, boy. Come on.”

              She gently moved his head so he turned his entire body toward the back of the barn. She stroked his mane again, trying to calm him. When she felt his massive heartbeat slow under her palm, she carefully opened his mouth and located the piece of hay. She quickly reached in and swiftly pulled it out.

Demone screeched slightly and jolted. He ran his big tongue over his gums, and she could tell he felt loads better.

              Sera gently nudged past him, back toward the front of the stall. “Gimme your hand,” Sera said to Calandra.

Reluctantly, she did.

Sera gently set Calandra’s hand on Demone’s nose and began cooing to him.

The stallion huffed, nudging her hand, but Calandra smiled and stroked his muzzle.

              “This is amazing. How’d you know it would work?”

              Sera shrugged. “I have thing for animals. I remember reading somewhere that if an animal is in pain, they can become extremely hostile. I don’t know why he was all right with me though. I’m just glad I could help him.”

              Calandra smiled. “Maybe because you weren’t there the night he was brought in. It probably wasn’t the greatest experience for him.”

              “Hmm,” Sera said thoughtfully as she stroked his long mane. “His name isn’t Demone anymore. That just doesn’t seem fair. It’s…Angelo.”

              “Angel!” Calandra said, nodding in approval. “It’s perfect.” 

              “He just needed to be taken care of, that’s all.”

              “I agree.”

              Sera kissed his nose, then turned toward her sister-in-law. “Well, come on already. We’re supposed to go on a ride, aren’t we?” 

              Calandra nodded. “Choose your horse, and I’ll help you saddle up.”

              “I wanna ride Angelo.”

              Calandra’s face scrunched up in concern. “I know you helped him, Sera, but he’s never been ridden before. It’d be extremely dangerous.”

              Sera looked into Angelo’s eyes, and the horse huffed, causing her hair to billow out behind her. “He won’t hurt me,” she said.

              Calandra sighed and walked off to get the biggest saddle she could find, since Angelo was the biggest horse.

              Sera smiled and stroked Angelo’s neck as Calandra threw the saddle over his back and strapped it down.

              “I think you should put on the bridle,” Calandra said, handing it to her. “I don’t want him to bite my face off.”

              Sera rolled her eyes and leaned forward, holding up the bridle. She stood on her tiptoes and reached as high as she could. The horse closed the distance between them, leaning down so she could slip his ears into the straps. She carefully put the bit in his mouth and smiled when she clipped the headpiece. She kissed his nose and gave him a hug. “Good boy,” she said.

              She grabbed his reins and walked him out of the barn to the small wooden stairs that were used to assist short riders onto their horses. Sera put one foot in the cradle, then swung her other leg up and over. When she was completely seated, she smiled to herself as she adjusted her reins. She wasn’t sure if she was remembering correctly or not, but she didn’t feel it was her first time riding a horse, and it wasn’t too hard for her. 

              Calandra came out of the barn on a beautiful coffee-colored mare with a black mane and tail. “This is Mocha,” Calandra said, giving the horse’s neck a hard pat.

              Sera smiled. “Lead the way.”

              Calandra clicked her tongue, urging Mocha forward in a gentle trot.

Sera gently touched her heel into Angelo’s side, and he walked behind Mocha, as if it was second nature to him. “You said Angelo’s wild?” 

              “That was what the broker said,” Calandra called back.

              “Not possible,” Sera whispered to herself, realizing the horse was far too comfortable with her on his back to be a wild stallion. 

              After trotting behind Mocha for a while, Sera grew bored. She smiled to herself and leaned forward to whisper in the big horse’s ear, “Ready, Angelo?”

              He snorted and shook out his mane.

Taking it as a yes, Sera sat up straight and whipped the reins. Angelo reared up and took off at a full gallop. Sera laughed gleefully, bracing her weight fully on the foot cradles. The fresh, clean air whipped past her as they ran together.

Eventually, Mocha caught up to them, and Calandra smiled at her.

Sera winked at her, then whipped the reins again, pushing Angelo to go faster. She screamed in delight, and all her anger seemed to disappear in the dust behind them. They ran toward the villa, and she waved to the family as they past. She turned Angelo toward the beach, hoping he would be able to handle the saddle. It proved to be no struggle for him, and he ran on the damp sand, splashing seawater all over his large hooves.

              They rode until the sun was directly above them. Knowing she needed to let Angelo rest, Sera finally turned back toward the direction of the barn. Mocha and Calandra trotted next to them at a much slower pace.

Sera reached over to grab her sister-in-law’s hand as they stopped in front of the barn. “Thank you for this. I appreciate it.”

              Calandra nodded.

              Sera hopped down from Angelo’s back, wincing a little.

              “Are you okay?” Calandra asked.

              Sera nodded and led Angelo into his stall. “Just a little sore, nothing to worry about.”

              She left his saddle on and went to work to remove the bit from his mouth so he could eat. She threw a large bail of hay into his trough and sprinkled chunks of carrots over it as a treat. She gave him a hearty pat, then walked over to Calandra, who was tending to Mocha.

              “Have fun?” Calandra asked.

              Sera nodded, stretching out her back. “I did, but now I’m starving. I could eat a horse,” she joked, winking at Angelo, who only snorted at her and returned to his trough.

              Calandra laughed, patting her flat, toned stomach. “Neve, you just read my mind. Let’s go get some food.”

              Calandra locked the doors of the barn, and they squeezed back onto the ATV and rode back to the villa. When they reached the main house, they walked through the back door that led to the kitchen. Marcos and Zio were sitting at the island in the middle, discussing something in hushed tones. Calandra cleared her throat, startling them. Whatever Zio had in his hand was quickly shoved into his pocket.

              “Hey, guys,” Sera said, ignoring their odd behavior.

              “
Ciao
(hey), Neve,” Marcos said. “How has your day been?”

              “Amazing!” Sera smiled.

              “You’ll never believe this,” Calandra said, picking up a grape from Marcos’s plate. “Guess who rode Demone today.”

              “Not your skinny ass,” Marcos said, scoffing.

              Calandra hit him with a smile. “No, you ass. Neve did.”

              The twins looked at her as their jaws dropped.

              “His name is Angelo now,” Sera said proudly, looking at Calandra with a smirk.

              “You rode that beast and lived to tell about it? Are you serious?”

              “How could you let her do that?” Marcos and Zio asked at the same time.

              “Do what?” Ceo said when he walked in. 

              Sera looked at her husband, and she felt her heart lurch. He looked so worn and tired. Bags hung heavy under his eyes, and his normally bright gray irises seemed dull and empty. His shoulders were slumped slightly, as if he was too tired to even stand straight.

              Sera set her cup down and walked over to him. She wrapped her arms around his waist. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have made you sleep on the couch in our suite,” she said, her chin on his chest as she looked up at him.

              He shook his head, cupped her face, and kissed her gently. “No. I’m sorry I’m such as ass.”

              Sera shrugged. “I guess we both have our flaws.” She kissed him once more, then returned to her cup on the opposite side of the island.

              “Now, what did she do that has you two looking so terrified?”

              “Your wife broke in Demone,” Marcos said.

              “You let her do that?” Ceo said strictly to his little sister.

              “Like I coulda stopped her.”

              “She’s right, Ceo. I was going to whether she allowed it or not…and his name is Angelo now. He’s no demon.”

              “Did he hurt you?” Ceo asked, crossing the room to her.

              Sera shook her head and swatted his hands away. “No, not at all. He’s really a sweet horse. He was just in a lot of pain. He had some hay digging into his gum, hurting him, so he was a little hostile. I guess he didn’t see me as threatening.”

              “Of course he didn’t! You’re still recovering and appear weak.”

              Sera closed her eyes, brushing his comment off. “I am perfectly capable of handling myself. I am not weak.”

              “I don’t like it.”

              “I’ll be fine.”

              He sighed and kissed the top of her head. “You’re so damn stubborn.”

              “And it has taken you this long to realize that?” She smiled, making them laugh.

              They joked around for a while, smiling and laughing together.

Sera glanced up at the clock and noticed that an hour had passed. “I’m gonna go ride some more.” She turned to Ceo. “Come with me!”              

              Ceo shook his head. “No, darling. I am much too busy for that.”

              “Please! Come on, babe. I really—”

              “I said no, Sera.”

              Sera’s small smile dropped, and she nodded once, then opened the door. She clenched her fists as she started up the ATV.

Ceo ran out after her and grabbed her arm. “When will you be home?”

              “I don’t know for sure, but I’ll be back before dark.”

              He nodded, releasing her arm. “I love you.”

              “You too,” she said, shifting into gear and driving away.

              Ceo stepped back and watched as she got farther and farther away from him.

              “You’re going to lose her, Ceolus.”

              He snarled and turned to face her sister. “Don’t you dare say that!”

              “She’s not happy here or with you. You and I both know it. Hell, anyone who looks at her can tell. When she was on that horse today, it was the first time I’ve ever seen a genuine smile on her face. She isn’t happy.”

              “I can make her happy!”

              “Well you’re doing a piss-poor job of it so far. For one second, take your head out of your ass and see what you are doing to her!”

              Ceolus lunged at her and gripped her throat in his hands.

She gasped, grabbing at his wrist as her air was cut off.

              “Watch yourself, Calandra. You will not speak to me with such disrespect. You may be my blood, but I am your alpha, first and foremost. Are we clear?”

              Calandra nodded as best she could as her skin began to turn blue.

He dropped her and turned his back to show her he didn’t view her as any sort of threat. “Now leave me,” he said, then smiled when he heard her get up and run away. “Coward,” he grumbled to himself. 

              “Following orders does not make her a coward.”

              “Well, well, well,” Ceolus said, turning to face his partner. “It’s about time you graced me with your presence.”

              “I have been busy formulating our plan.”

              “I see.”

              “It is time to re-stimulate our magical connection. I feel the link between you and my magic fading.”

              “Now?”

              “Are you doing anything else?”

              Ceolus stifled a growl. “No.”

              “Then don’t ask stupid questions. I will meet you in your room.”

CHAPTER TEN

A Pack Takes Care of Its Own

We are never free. We will always have rules we must follow and people we must obey. We are told that those above us were chosen to protect us, but I know otherwise. They never hear our pleas for help. As long as that power runs thr0ugh their veins, as long as they sit on those thrones, we will forever be on our own.
~ Nodin Madichi

             
K
oda felt his body instinctively tighten as they approached the veil that separated the mortal realm and the realm of pure magic. The Council didn’t reside in the mortal realm, and it had taken them a week to journey there. The veil was hidden deep within the Transylvania Mountains, unreachable by vehicle. It was cool in the day and freezing at night, dropping to ten below or worse. 

              Koda stopped suddenly, causing his small party to halt behind him. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up as his wolf alerted him to another presence, and he took a fighting stance.

              “Be still, wolf. I have no hostile intent.”

              “Reveal yourself to me.”

              Slowly, a creature appeared in front of them. Faith gasped and stepped back in fear as she caught sight of a hideous being. It was easily three heads taller than Koda and twice the body mass. It had large black eyes and pointed teeth that reminded her of a snake. Its skin looked like dull and gray, like distressed leather. Its fingernails and toenails were gnarly and yellow. It was holding a staff with thorns running up and down it, except on the grip. It turned its onyx gaze on Faith, and she held her breath in fear.

              “You are wise to fear me, child.”

              “Come now Riddin,” Nodin said, stepping closer to the creature. “Let us not be rude.”

              The creature’s eyes widened, and it smiled. “Nodin! Well, I’ll be demon bait. I never thought I’d see you around this part of the forest again.” The formality of the creature’s tone dropped, and it embraced Nodin. 

              “Come, old friend. Show us your second skin,” Nodin coaxed, looking as if he was actually happy to see the abomination.

              Slowly, the monster took the shape of a man. He was little and nimble, almost reaching Nodin’s height. “What brings you?” he asked. 

              “Business with the Council.”

              “Really? Does this pertain to the shift?”

              “Shift?” Nodin asked.

              “Aye. The entire magical community has felt a shift in power. Something has happened, and it has the High Five in a tizzy. I guess you wouldn’t know, since you never venture behind the veil anymore.”

              “This does not pertain to that. This is…a more urgent issue,” Koda said, growling. “In fact, we have no time for pointless chatter.”

              “Ooh,” Riddin mocked, leaning on his thorny staff. “What’s bitten your tail?”

              Faith frowned and marched forward. She stood in front of Riddin and stabbed her finger right into his chest as anger grabbed hold of her. “Listen up, smartass. We don’t have time for your jokes. His mate is my best friend, and she is missing. I’m guessing you’re some kind of VIP or something, since he,” she said, pointing at Koda, “hasn’t ripped your small, empty head off. Now, either take us where we wanna go or get the hell outta our way!” 

              Riddin transformed into his beast again and roared in her face.

Before he could finish his roar, she screamed back, shocking him into silence. “Yeah, I can roar too.”

              Koda laid his hands on her shoulders, wearing a smirk on his lips. “Riddin, Guardian of the Entrance of the Veil, my party and I request passage into the high realm.”

              Riddin stood up straight and met Koda’s stare. “As you know, passage comes at a price.” 

              “Name it.”

              Riddin turned his gaze to Faith and shifted back into his human form. He walked closer to her and reached down to touch her but stopped just short of her cheek. “Her,” he said.

              “What?!” she cried as all the color drained from her face.

              “I want her. It has been a long time since I have taken a spunky woman to my bed.”

              As he reached for her again, Nodin’s hand shot out and gripped his arm. He pulled him closer and whispered in his ear.

              “I see,” Riddin said, then stepped away from her. “All right. Nodin, because you are my friend and because I owe you a favor, I will veto the expense.” He then  slammed his staff on the ground, and a large black hole appeared. “Step through, and you shall be before the castle of the Council.”

              “Faith, hold on to someone,” Koda instructed as he stepped into the black void.

              Nodin stepped forward, and she began to stutter.

              “Don’t worry, babe,” Trisha said, stepping forward. “I gotcha.”

              They stepped through and were instantly engulfed in darkness.

Faith’s breath escaped her lungs, and she panicked and lost sense of everything, including Trisha’s hand. She opened her mouth to scream, but everything came slamming back.

              Koda looked at her and realized she was about to have another anxiety attack.

Nodin quickly tended to her then turned toward two elves standing at the large wooden doors of the large stone castle. “We have been granted entrance by Riddin, Guardian of the Veil.”

              “You have brought a felon. Why should we allow you to confront our masters?”

              “My third has been expunged of his crimes. I can control him if need be.”

              “And who will control you?” the other guard asked.

              “The rage inside you swirls like a thick black dust storm.”

              “I can control myself. I am the alpha of the Moon Stone Pack. I would not hold such a title if I was unable to do so.” 

              The elves nodded. “Enter.”

              The large wooden doors opened, and they stepped into a wide corridor. It seemed to be divided into five different sections, even though it was entirely one room. The décor was sparse, though each section seemed to be decorated in its own theme.

              “It is for the High Five,” Koda said, noticing the confused looks on Trisha’s and Faith’s faces. “Each race represents a different element. The High Five are the main representatives of each. Thaddeus is earth, for the wolf is very connected to it. Shego is air, for witches once had the power to fly. Elessar is water, for elf blood is blue, and it is said that water runs through their veins. Kioshi is fire, for demons reside deep under the Earth’s crust in the fiery center. Dario is darkness, for there is only a black void in a vampire, with no soul.” 

              “Wow. That’s not creepy at all,” Faith muttered.

              A small silver dragon, about the size of a large dog, gracefully walked into the room. “Follow,” it hissed, without even opening its mouth. 

              “It’s all right,” Nodin said to Koda. “He belongs to Master Dario.”

              Koda nodded and followed the dragon. They wound through a series of hallways with multiple doors, until they came to what looked like a dead end. The dragon spat fire, and a large door appeared. It opened wide with a
creak,
and as they stepped in, the room hushed.

              It reminded Koda of an arena. The center was lower, with cement walls rising out of it. At the top, around the dome, sat creatures of all types, staring at them. On the wall opposite the door, five seats were elevated on a special platform.

Koda narrowed his eyes as he observed the five beings who sat on those thrones. “Where is Thaddeus?” he asked, noticing that his representative was absent.

              “He is occupied,” Master Dario hissed. “Show proper respect for your elders.”

              Begrudgingly, Koda knelt on one knee and bowed his head. He hated to obey anyone, but he needed their help to find his mate. His small pack followed, and he felt Jackson’s agitation.

              “That’s better,” Dario said smugly.

              “Now, Dario,” a deep Irish voice said as the door was thrown open, “that is not very nice.”

              “Thad?” Trisha said, standing up.

              “I don’t believe it! Trisha?”

              “Oh, Thad!” Trisha squealed and ran to the large, burly man. She jumped into his arms, and he caught her and swung her around, both of them laughing.

He set her down, cupped her face, then touched his forehead to hers.

              Jackson began to growl, but a warning look from Koda silenced him.

              “How have you been? I guess I understand your sudden disappearance.”

              “I’ve missed you, lass. You’ve grown so much since I’ve seen you last.”

              “Trisha!” Koda called.

              “Come with me, Thad,” Trisha said, grabbing his large hand. She dragged him over to her pack.

Koda straightened his back, sizing the elder up. The man was large, only a few inches tall than him. He had short brown hair shaved close on the sides and left long on the top. His brown eyes held a constant glow, and he smiled at Koda, though it was more of a challenge.

              “Thad, this is my mate, Jackson Jacobs, my alpha, Koda Stephano, and my best friend, Faith Sharp.”

              “So this is the lad who stole your heart?”

              She nodded.

              “Pleasure to meet you, son,” he said, shaking hands with Jackson.

              “Likewise, Master Thaddeus.”

              “Thaddeus,” Shego said gently, “we must begin.”

              Thaddeus nodded and tapped Trisha’s nose lovingly. “Give me a lift, darlin’.” 

              She nodded, and Thaddeus disappeared, then reappeared in his throne on the platform above them.

              “You will explain later,” Koda said to Trisha lowly.

              “Now, what is it you seek from us, child?” Shego asked.

              Koda looked up at the woman, almost in awe. She wasn’t anything compared to Sera, but he couldn’t deny her astounding beauty. Mistress Shego was a small woman, with long, flowing, blonde hair that fell to her ankles. Her dress reminded him of medieval times. The long sleeves came to a point in the middle of her hands. The bodice was tight around her chest and cinched right under her breast, then flowed down to the ground, covering her feet. A silver band was wrapped around her head, and a single rose quartz crystal sat in the center of her forehead. Her hazel eyes danced. Beside her, a wolf watched over her, very protective of his mistress. She seemed to be the kindest of the five, and there was an aura of tranquility about her.

              Mistress Kioshi was a stark contrast to Mistress Shego. Her hair was long and wavy and resembled the color of spilled blood. She also wore a band around her head, though hers was adorned with a ruby. Her eyes were completely black, and not a single shred of white could be seen. Her canines were pointed and sharp and protruded out of her beautifully sculpted lips. Her dress was similar to Shego’s, albeit much more provocative and black.

              Master Thaddeus seemed to be the most modern of the quintet. He was dressed in a black tank-top and camouflage boots. His clothes displayed his muscular build and mating marks. His chin was covered by a thick goatee, and his white teeth gleamed when he smiled.

Master Dario seemed to be a very dark man. His eyes were deep red, almost the color of blood. His long black hair was pulled back at his temples in a intricate braid. His fangs sat on his lips, bright and gleaming. He wore a dark robe, tied at his waist. His hand rested on the silver dragon’s head. Koda couldn’t help noticing the large ruby ring on his finger; he was sure it was the master’s pendant that allowed him to walk in the sunlight.

              Master Elessar was the shortest of them. He had long, deep blue hair, tightly fastened into the braid common to elves. His eyes matched his hair, and they seemed to swirl like smoke. He wore a tight vest over a loose undershirt that, cinched at his wrists. Tight brown leather pants and knee-high boots completed his wardrobe, and Koda could tell by the two she-elves who sat behind his throne with their hands on his chest that Elessar was something of a ladies’ man.

              Koda cleared his throat and focused on what was important. “We seek your help,” he said. “My mate was stolen from me, and I need to get her back.”

              “We cannot meddle in the low-class disturbances of pack life,” Dario said. “We cannot help you.”

              “A witch supplied black magic to my enemy, Ceolus Acconci.”

              Mistress Shego stepped forward. “Are you certain of this?”

              Koda nodded.

              “Even so, we cannot—”

              “Black magic is illegal in the eyes of the magical community. You cannot turn a blind eye to this!” Trisha said.