Trapped In Shadow (Shadow Walker Romance Series Book 4) (10 page)

Hugh kissed her. “Baby, are you all right?” He gathered her close rolling to the side to take his weight off her. “Stacey?”

She blinked her watery eyes. “It was perfect. I’m fine.”

Hugh kissed her eyes and her cheeks. She pulled on his neck, keeping him close, still clinging to him. God, she loved this man. He continued to kiss her and stroke her as her body shuddered, until her heartbeat slowed and she could finally keep her eyes open.

Hugh gazed at her, his face painted with a love she couldn’t put into words. Never had she felt as complete or beautiful as she did at this moment.

“Don’t ever go away,” she whispered to him.

“Never will I leave you,” he swore, his voice filled with his promise.

Stacey glanced down to see blue and green flames surrounding her arms. She opened her mouth to scream feeling a tingling burn on her skin, and then they were gone, extinguished.

“Did you see that?”

“What?” Hugh asked, his face relaxed and eyes slumberous.

“Nothing,” Stacey said.

§

Hugh held Stacey’s hand as they walked into the morning briefing. He smiled at Charlie and his rumpled appearance before seating Stacey and taking the chair next to her. He was worried about her, afraid he’d hurt her and she wouldn’t tell him. This morning had been amazing and profound. Even though he felt her release, he still wasn’t sure he hadn’t damaged her in some way. She’d gone quiet. Guilt ate away at his soul. He’d never forgive himself if he injured her.

She seemed all right now. Listening to the briefing and asking questions. Her hand stayed on his knee and once he was sure he felt her tremble. He grasped her hand under the table and held on. What had he done to his brave assassin that left her like this and how could he make it right?

Raven assigned him to accompany Stacey to meet her sister. The chief was eager to add another mated Shadow Walker to the group.

The meeting ended and they all stood. Stacey wandered to the coffee pot and poured herself a cup. Katherine, Derek’s wife followed her over, and the two women talked quietly.

“Everything okay?” Derek asked, watching his wife with Stacey.

“I’m not sure,” Hugh answered a sinking feeling in his gut.

“Give her a little space. Sometimes women need to talk to other women,” Derek advised.

Hugh nodded.

§

“You look like a woman who’s had her world turned upside down,” Katherine said handing Stacey creamer for the coffee.

“It shows?” Stacey felt heat creep into her face.

“You must really love him.”

“Yeah. I’ve never felt anything like this. I love him so much it hurts. I’m terrified of losing him.”

“You haven’t lost him yet. You’ve left him twice and he still wants you. Now you know how that felt for him.”

“This wonderful agony? Knowing if he wasn’t in my life, I wouldn’t have a reason to live.”

“That’s the one.” Katherine chuckled. “It doesn’t get better, that wonderful agony, but you do learn to live with it. It’s called trust. You have to trust that Hugh feels the same.”

“Trust? That doesn’t come easy for me.” If there was one person she could trust, it would be Hugh.

“Given your past, I can understand why. Trust is the only way you can get your equilibrium back and take care of your man. He’s never going to leave you to face Zenith and your father alone. You need to know he’ll have your back, and you will have his in return. Then that wonderful agony becomes something shared, a partnership that puts you back on even footing.”

“I see what you mean.” Stacey sipped at her coffee. “Thanks, I needed to hear that.”

“Don’t worry. Hugh isn’t the only one who has your back. You’re one of us now, one of the family, one of the tribe. We all want your happiness. Hugh deserves it and so do you.”

“This is all new to me. I never had a family after my mother died. I’ve been on my own for a long time.”

“Well, now you’ll never be alone. You have Hugh and you have the tribe. Give us a chance. I’ve never been happier than I am now, being a part of this tribe and the men who are holding onto their heritage. Believe me, it’s worth it.”

“Thanks, Kathy, for everything. We didn’t exactly meet under good circumstances. I appreciate you looking past my poor attempts to test your loyalty.”

“That’s why I know you are going to fit in beautifully to our group. Even before you claimed Hugh and the tribe, you tried to protect them. Now all you have to do is admit it to yourself. Go ahead, take the plunge. Hugh will catch you and so will the rest of us.”

Kathy looked at her husband. He winked at her. She patted Stacey on the arm even as she blushed before walking into her husband’s arms. Stacey felt Hugh’s eyes on her and looked to find him. He looked worried and she was the reason. She smiled. Pushing back the fears associated with loving so deeply. She knew Hugh loved her just as much. Together they would be fine.

I’d like to show you something, but to tell you the truth, I’m a little nervous.” Hugh ran his hand through his dark hair and glanced out the window at the star-studded sky.

He ordered a meal for two delivered to his apartment. The kitchen hadn’t disappointed delivering filet mignon and baked potatoes, as well as side salads. For dessert there was cheesecake.

“What are you talking about?” Stacey asked, finishing her last bite of dinner and putting her fork on the plate.

After the briefing, Stacey returned to her normal self and Hugh had heaved a huge sigh of relief.

“On the way to Greenenough, I’d like to stop off and show you something. It won’t take long. We’ll arrive at the bar before the meeting.”

“You’re acting very mysterious, buster. What has you so wound up?”

You.
“Stacey, I know it’s been a long time coming, now that we’re together, I can’t wait to join our lives together. I’ll live wherever you feel most comfortable. Here or back east.” Hugh reached across the table and squeezed her hand. “I don’t want to pressure you, but I have a surprise to show you, which is why I asked you to come with me.” Hugh rose from his chair and went to the coat closet. “Here, wear this. It’s going to be cold in Montana, not to mention Shadow.”

Hugh held out a black fur lined leather overcoat. Stacey rose from her chair and put it on. Hugh smiled and grabbed his leather jacket.

“Come here,” he held his hand out to her.

Stacey put her hand in his. He drew her in for a kiss and then buttoned the coat up, taking his time to brush his fingers against her. She shivered, giving him a sense of satisfaction. Stacey was his and he would never let her go. He grabbed her hand as he flipped off the light in the room. Finding a shadow he opened a portal into the Shadow Dimension and pulled Stacey in behind him.

They arrived in a blink of an eye and stepped out of Shadow under a huge pine tree. Snow covered the ground, and the nearly full moon turned the whole place into a magical wonderland. Hugh felt something in his chest release as he took the first breath of crisp clean air.

“Where are we?” Stacey asked. Her eyes darted around, taking in everything at once.

Hugh pulled her in close. “I own this property. It’s part of the land the tribe purchased to make our home on. These five acres are mine. Come over here.” Hugh led her to a small rise.

“There’s a lake through those trees, can you see it?” Hugh asked, pointing. Stacey nodded. “Over there on that far corner. See those lights? That’s Katherine and Derek’s house. If we owned a boat, we could be there in fifteen minutes. Driving around the lake takes around thirty or so. We wanted each property to feel secluded, but still be close enough for back up if we needed it. What do you think?”

“It’s beautiful here, Hugh, but I guess I still don’t understand.”

“I’m asking you to live with me. We can build our dream house. Anything you want. Construction can start in the spring. When we get back, I can show you the plans for the community that has already been drawn up. There’s going to be a school for our kids, and an old fashioned square for gatherings.”

“You want us to build a house together?” Stacey asked.

“No, I want us to build a life together.”

§

Hugh’s face was alight with excitement. Stacey couldn’t help but smile. He was like a little kid. He offered her a home here, with him. Anything she wanted. All she had to do was reach out and grab it. She could leave her old life behind.

He’d mentioned kids. Stacey always longed to have children. Her happiest memories were from when she was little. She didn’t know what to say.

“Hugh. I’m overwhelmed.”

He picked her up and swung her around. She laughed, his joy infectious.

“That’s okay. We’ll work everything out. You’ll see. I’ll make you happy, Stacey. I promise.”

Hugh always kept his promises.

§

Hugh opened the door to the Hole in the Wall Saloon, the one and only bar in Greenenough, Montana and motioned for Stacey to precede him. After shrugging out of their coats, Hugh hung them on a hook on the wall. He glanced down to admire Stacey’s trim behind in the leather pants that made up a Shadow Walker’s uniform. He couldn’t wait to peel those pants off and have her at his mercy once again. When they got back to Isanti, he’d do just that.

Music from an old jukebox filled the space, but for some reason the crowd was quiet tonight, a thread of tension filled the air. The clink of glasses and a low mummer could be heard over the country western artist singing about a boy who done her wrong.

The last time Hugh had been in Greenenough, he’d discovered there were stranger things in the world than Shadow Walkers. Raven’s foster sister prepared to marry one of them, a lycan. Not a werewolf monster, but a man who could turn into a wolf at will.

Before that moment, Hugh had been blissfully blind to the rest of the magical races, preferring to think that the Shadow Walkers were unique. After doing some research, he discovered how naïve he’d really been. The Native Americans alone had shifters, shamans, and other assorted supernaturals. The Europeans brought in their own shifters, as well as witches and Fae. There were even rumors of dragon shifters. He’d found all this and barely scratched the surface.

Stacey walked to the booth in the corner and sat facing the door. Hugh nodded to a couple of the local pack members. Raven arranged for the lycans to back them up if there were any problems or if this was a trap. Hugh hoped the meeting was on the level since they were dealing with Stacey’s sister, but having the lycans, who were stronger than a normal human, backing him helped him relax. If something went wrong, the team outside would take care of it. All Hugh must do was get Stacey to safety.

“You want something?” Hugh asked, slipping onto the vinyl seat across from her.

“Hard cider, make it cold.” Stacey grinned at him. “Stop being so serious. It’s going to be fine.” Stacey glanced around the room taking it all in. She might say relax, but she wasn’t letting anything slip by her notice.

There was a hallway leading away from the bar toward the back of the place. A sign marked it as the location of the bathrooms and another smaller exit sign told of a second escape route. Hugh signaled the waitress and then gave their order. He waited for the girl to leave before he asked his next question.

“How do you know everything will be fine?”

Stacey possessed a sixth sense that cropped up now and then. It hadn’t saved them from the ambush where he was almost killed, however.

“I don’t think my sister is an enemy. She doesn’t feel evil.”

“You haven’t known her very long. How can you be sure?”

Stacey shrugged. “A hunch.”

“Nadezhda may not be your enemy, but there is evidence she wants to assassinate your father. I don’t want you putting your trust in her and then getting hurt.”

“Hugh, haven’t you realized, yet, that the only person I trust completely is you?” Stacey reached across the table and took his hand.

“I don’t want you hurt,
tehila
.” Hugh ran his thumb over the softness of her skin.

The front door opened and Hugh stiffened. He glanced at the clock on the wall. It was time for the meet. Instead of Nadezhda arriving, Dasan Fighting Eagle walked up to the bar and took one of the stools.

“Looks like my sister is going to have to deal with Dasan tonight. I think she hurt him when she left like that. She was probably running scared. Knowing you have a destined mate can do that to a girl.”

“I guess you would know. Tell me,” Hugh said capturing Stacey’s gaze. “Are you still scared?”

“Terrified. Not of you, of us. What we have is so …”

“So?” Hugh squeezed Stacey’s hand, willing her to continue.

“So much more than I ever thought possible.”

The waitress came over with their drinks and Hugh released Stacey. The cold cider looked appetizing in the frosted glasses. Hugh picked up the glass and clinked it against the one in Stacey’s hand.

“To more than we ever thought possible.”

Stacey chuckled. “I can drink to that.”

§

Stacey sipped at her drink, enjoying the cold, crisp taste of apples. The front door opened again and Stacey couldn’t help but check out who entered. It was Nadezhda. Her gaze immediately locked on Dasan before she turned to search the room, finding Stacey’s booth near the back. A middle-aged woman with honey blond hair followed her through the door.

Stacey almost dropped her glass. This woman looked enough like Akilina Konstantinov to be her sister. A tall man with silver hair followed them in. He also looked to be older, but something about him seemed ageless. His hand rested briefly on the older woman’s shoulder before they moved toward Stacey and Hugh. Hugh stood.

Nadezhda smiled and patted Hugh on the arm. “I’m so glad you’re both safe. I didn’t know that Zenith would use me to try and trap you.”

“Blow us to smithereens is more like it.” Hugh went to fetch a chair while Nadezhda sat next to Stacey, and the other couple sat on the bench seat across from them.

“He’s very dramatic, isn’t he?” the older man asked. His voice flowed over Stacey like warm honey sinking into her skin. Whatever he was, his voice alone was a weapon.

“Sometimes,” Stacey answered. “This time, he’s only being truthful. The building was rigged to blow if anyone entered.” Stacey fiddled with her glass, for some reason she didn’t want to look this stranger in the eye.

“Anastacia, this is our aunt, Alyona, and her chosen mate, Radu Drăculești. Radu is also my second-in-command. When I left Brazil so abruptly, it was to save Alyona from Zenith.”

“You don’t have to explain your departure to me,” Stacey said. “The one you need to talk to is Dasan. Shadow marked you as his mate. That’s not a gift you should squander.”

“I’ll talk to Dasan before we leave, but there’s something you should know, especially now that you’ve linked with Hugh.”

Nadezhda looked from Stacey to Alyona. Everyone sat there, the silence stretching. Stacey wanted to scream. Hugh shook his head.

“Spit it out, already,” he said.

“Nadezhda and Anastacia are Baba Yagas,” Alyona said. “All the women of our line are born with the gift. I’ve watched over both of you from the time of your birth. Here, you need this.” Alyona pulled a ring from a velvet bag. A huge emerald surrounded by diamonds flashed in the light.

Stacey reached for the ring, feeling a pull that both excited and scared her. Hugh caught her hand.

“What is it?” he asked, his voice cold.

“It is many things,” Alyona said. “It won’t hurt her, but it will change her and you too, since you are her chosen mate.”

“Explain, please,” Stacey said, pulling her hand back.

“Stacia, you need to trust us,” Nadezhda said.

That’s when Stacey noticed a similar ring with a blue stone on her sister’s hand. Stacey looked at Hugh. He was moments from dragging her out of the bar.

“Just explain what you mean, or Hugh and I are out of here.”

“The ring is a key and a focus. When you choose a mate, it is even more important that you use the spell to sync the ring to your powers. We live very long lives and our mates are also given that gift. More, your love and attachment will open channels inside you that you’ve never experienced. Without the ring, you could possibly harm yourself and those you love. Before committing to Hugh, your power was strong, but intermittent. Now everything you are capable of will start to manifest. Hugh will be your rock, grounding you to Earth and the physical.”

“When you say Baba Yaga, you mean the Russian fairytale witch?” Hugh asked.

“Yes, only there really was a line of women known as Baba Yaga and we are descendants of that line.” Alyona continued. “We can control the elements, know the future, fly, but having all this power is dangerous. That’s why they don’t completely manifest until we choose a mate.

“The man we love holds us to Earth and our life here. With the ring, we learn to focus and control our powers. After a few years, we don’t need the ring any longer and it can be passed to the next generation. There were originally three sisters known as Baba Yaga and all we have left of them are three rings. After your mother died, I feared her ring was lost to us, then I realized your father had hidden it. Luckily, he sent it to me with a note to pass it onto Anastacia when she chose a mate. I guess that’s his way of blessing your nuptials.”

“You’re the young girl in the picture of Akilina on her wedding day. You handed her the flowers,” Hugh said, snapping his fingers.

“Yes. After the wedding I returned to boarding school. Nadezhda had already been given to my parents to raise. We decided it would be better if I stayed away. Many have tried to exploit what we can do. The KGB was always a threat. We never knew if they would take Nadezhda from us or use her to control us.”

“So you’re coming forward now, because Hugh and I have mated?” Stacey asked.