Unraveled

TWENTY-SIX

THE SCENE ADEN NEXT FOUND himself in was vastly different than the first. Night had fallen, and he stood in a circle, surrounded by witches draped in red robes. There was a drizzle of rain, soaking him. The moon was high, the air so cold mist bloomed in front of his nose every time he breathed. Yet he wasn’t cold. A fire crackled in the center of the circle, wafting heat at him.

His skin tingled, the fine hairs on the back of his neck standing on end. He looked around.

The blonde was across from him. She said something in a language he didn’t understand, and the women at his sides reached for his hands. That startled him, but he didn’t allow himself to jerk away.

Everyone but him began muttering something under their breath. He listened. Now they were all speaking in that strange language. This must be a spell-casting, he thought, but for what?

Caleb repeated the words. I think…I think they’re asking for protection from dark forces.

If Aden had ever doubted that Caleb had an affinity with the witches, those doubts faded.

“Someone is impeding our power,” the blonde suddenly snapped. Her gaze scanned the circle, then backtracked to Aden, locking down. “Jennifer,” she said. “Why aren’t you chanting?”

Finally, the witch’s name. Jennifer. So very…human.

Rather than reply, Aden pulled back from the memory and settled inside Jennifer’s mind with only the slightest unease, once again watching those TVs. They moved back and forth.

Had his blunder changed anything in the future?

He looked around. Riley was currently draining a glass of water and Victoria was talking about her desire to save the humans. Thank God. Nothing had changed, really. There was no window inside the room, so Aden couldn’t peer outside and determine what time it was. He’d try one or two more times, and then leave the witch, informed or not.

Choose carefully, Elijah said. Did he sense something? Dread had layered his voice, and he wouldn’t have spoken, fearful of alerting Jennifer, without reason.

Aden wanted to ask for Caleb’s help, but didn’t. He wouldn’t risk it. So many screens passed him, some of Jennifer as a little girl, some of Jennifer with a boy, obviously in love, some of Jennifer crying.

Then he saw the unexpected. Dr. Hennessy. Aden stopped breathing. He reached out before he’d realized what he was doing, inserting himself into a new scene. Dizzy only for a moment, he blinked and was clear-headed. This time, he found himself in the very woods he walked through every day. Only, the blonde witch and Dr. Hennessy were keeping pace beside him.

Again, it was night and the moon was high, the air frigid. In the distance, he could hear the howl of several wolves.

The blonde witch tensed.

“Do not worry about the wolves,” Dr. Hennessy said. “They can’t see or sense us.”

And why was that? A spell? What kind of power did the doctor possess?

“So what are you doing here?” the blonde demanded of the doctor.

So beautiful, Caleb said. And mine, I think. We have to talk to her, Aden. Please.

Hush! Aden hissed, but he wasn’t sure if the soul heard him or not. Do you want to alert Jennifer?

Now is not the time for chatter, Caleb, Elijah reminded the soul, perhaps sensing Aden’s thoughts. The psychic was more attuned to him than the other two.

There’s never a good time.

“The same thing you are, I’m sure,” Dr. Hennessy replied, yet his voice was different, softer, more feminine. “You, too, felt that explosion of power, Marie, then the tug of whatever’s here.”

Marie. Another name. This conversation must have happened when they’d first arrived in Oklahoma, when they hadn’t yet known Aden was the source of the “tug.”

“Yes,” Marie said. “We did. Are you saying you didn’t cause that tug to lure us into a trap?”

“Of course that’s what I’m saying. We’re allies. Unless you meant to lure us into a trap. This feels like black magic to me.”

“As you know, we do not deal in the black arts.”

“Then we’re still allies.”

The tension eased. “Great, but admitting we’re still on friendly terms is not the reason you called this meeting, I’m sure. And will you please drop the mask? You’re hideous like that, and I can’t stand to look at you a second longer.”

Dr. Hennessy frowned. “Subterfuge is necessary.”

“With the humans, yes, but not with us.”

“Oh, very well.” White light seeped from the doctor’s pores, brightening…brightening…before exploding in a shower of sparks. When those sparks faded, Aden could only gape. Ms. Brendal now stood in Dr. Hennessy’s place.

They were one and the same?

Did I just see what I think I just saw? Caleb asked.

I never suspected, Elijah breathed.

I’m…I’m… Julian couldn’t finish his thought.

Why had Brendal come to the ranch as herself, then, after pretending to be Dr. Hennessy? Because Dan had told “Dr. Hennessy” that Aden would be finding a new doctor? No, because the dinner invitation had come before the firing. This was…this was…too weird. He—she—was a fairy.

“Better,” Marie said. “And thank you.”

Again, Brendal shrugged, but her gaze snagged on Aden and she quirked a brow. “I’m beautiful, yes, but there’s no reason to stare at me.”

“Uh, sorry.” Aden cast his gaze to his feet. He wore sandals under his robe and his toenails were painted neon green. What the— Oh, yeah. He was in Jennifer’s body.

Marie nudged his shoulder, and he glanced up. She was frowning at him, a what’s-with-you glare in her eyes.

“So what do you plan to do about the tug?” Brendal asked, returning them to the only topic that mattered.

“Tell us your plans first,” Marie said.

Brendal gave another of those casual shrugs. “Very well. We must first discover the source of the allure. Is it human? Something man-made? Something just found beneath the earth?” She closed her eyes for a moment, inhaled deeply. Her step never faltered. “We are close to it, whatever it is. I can feel it more strongly than ever.”

Aden tried not to cringe.

“Me, too,” Marie said.

“Me, too,” Aden echoed, just to blend in. “What do you plan to do with it when you find it?”

“Dispose of it, of course,” the fairy said.

“Maybe we should keep it instead,” Marie suggested.

Brendal blinked in confusion. “Why would we want to?”

At Aden’s left, branches and leaves rattled together. Then several goblins sprinted out, their short legs moving faster than Aden would have thought possible. They were grinning evilly, grins that said this was all a game, blood dripping from the corners of their mouths. Two wolves burst after them, leaping through the air and slamming into their backs, sending them hurtling to the ground face-first.

A second later, high-pitched screams, growls, snarls and pleas erupted, then silence reigned. As Brendal had promised, neither the goblins nor the wolves noticed the trio.

Aden watched, horrified. He didn’t recognize the wolves, and he knew what they were doing was for the best, for the protection of the people, but…all that violence.

Brendal and Marie continued walking, unconcerned. When they realized Aden had fallen behind, watching the action, they turned. Frowning again, Marie motioned him over with a wave of her hand. He hurried to catch up, and they kicked back into gear as a group.

“This is a rare opportunity,” Marie went on as if they’d never been interrupted. “Let’s assume the tug comes from a human rather than an inanimate object, which I believe it does because we’re being pulled in different directions all the time, usually at the same time each day. The power required to do something like that must be tremendous. And therein lies the opportunity. Because not only were we summoned, but the vampires and their furry friends were, too.

“If we capture this human, we can harness its strange power for ourselves and lead our enemies into a trap. I mean, think about it. If we slaughter the vampires and the wolves, we’ll no longer have to worry about being used as a blood bank or medicine chest, and you’ll have protected your precious humans from the giant ticks we so abhor.”

Ticks. Aden’s hands fisted at his sides. Victoria was not a tick.

“Neither of our people is known for sharing, Marie. This you know,” Brendal said. “How would we share this human? If we are indeed looking for a human.”

“We’ll work out a custody plan. Anything is better than destroying someone—thing—so powerful.”

So. She didn’t want to destroy him. That was good to know, and finally something he could use.

“Unless that something powerful can be used against us,” the fairy said.

Marie sighed. “True.”

“Well, we’ll continue to search for it and reconvene when we’ve found it. Meanwhile, we must keep each other informed of our progress. Agreed?” Brendal asked.

“Agreed.”

Silence. Expectant silence, at that.

Brendal flicked Aden a glance. “Your apprentice is quiet. Have you no thoughts, girl?”

Once again, Aden found himself pulling back. He couldn’t think of an answer to give the fairy, and didn’t want to alter the future too much, so he imagined himself back inside Jennifer’s head. This time, when he settled into his shadowed corner, he realized the TV screens were no longer floating about and the boxes had returned.

Why? Had he given himself away? Or had he altered the future?

With a sigh, Aden stepped from the shadows.

Who’s there? Jennifer immediately demanded.

Without replying, Aden reached an arm out of her body, then the other, then a leg, then the other, until he was standing in front of her, sweating, panting. His knees gave out and he dropped, putting himself at eye-level with her. Or more accurately, blindfold-level. Body-possessing always weakened him, but the act had never done so this quickly. He must have stayed there too long.

“What did you do to me?” Jennifer shouted. “You’re the reason for my blackouts, aren’t you? Because it just happened again. Answer me!”

Blackouts. That’s how she saw the times he’d gone back. He’d changed the future, then. Made her weary and wonder what had been done to her.

She’s alive and she’s healthy, Caleb said with relief. Good job, Team Aden.

“Thank God,” Victoria breathed, suddenly behind him, arms wrapping around him, body heat seeping into him, strengthening him. “We didn’t think you would ever emerge.”

“How much time passed?”

“About six hours.”

His eyes widened. That long? The day was wasting away, a mere blink of time left. “Help me up,” he said, urgent.

She stood and dragged him with her, stronger than a girl who looked so delicate should be. With her arm around his waist, they left the room and the still-shouting witch. Down the hall and into another room they stumbled. There was a couch and a chair, both empty.

“Where’s Riley?” Aden asked as he plopped on the couch.

“He and Mary Ann went to get something to eat.” Victoria settled beside him. “Did you learn anything?”

“Nothing that helps us with the meeting.”

Her shoulders drooped with disappointment. “Then what did you learn?”

“I learned I have worse luck than I thought. Not only did Dr. Hennessy hypnotize and ward me, but it turns out he is really a she, and she is really a fairy. Nice, huh? She and the witches are working together, planning to use me to draw the vampires and wolves into a trap so both races can be slaughtered.”

“Okay, that’s a lot to absorb.”

“I know, and I’m sorry to throw it at you like this. But why haven’t they just snatched me up? Both the fairies and the witches now know I’m the one pulling at them, and they’ve had the opportunity.”

“Because you were protected by the vampires and the weres, maybe?”

“Maybe.”

“So…what are we going to do about that meeting?”

I have an amazing idea, Caleb said. The best you’ll ever hear, if I do say so myself.

Elijah groaned. I know what you’re going to say. Don’t listen to him, Aden.

Now I’m nervous, Julian piped up.

Caleb outlined his plan. Afterward, Aden was the one to groan. Of course Caleb thought his plan was a gold-star idea, because he liked those witches, but he wasn’t using his brain, merely his hormones. Still, Aden could think of nothing else to free his friends from their curse.

“I’m going to give myself up,” he said flatly, and Caleb patted himself on the back.

Told you it was the best.

Victoria gasped, shook her head, strands of black hair hitting her cheeks. “No. That’s dangerous and foolish and—”

“The only way. I’m the only one who has to make the meeting. If we pretend to set Jennifer free, she can—”

“Jennifer?” Victoria interjected with a twinge of anger. “Who’s Jennifer?”

“Our delightful hostage.” He motioned to the doorway with a tilt of his chin. “Anyway, if we let her go, she’ll likely want to capture me and take me to her friends. I’ll be with them. They’ll ask me questions. That counts as a meeting, right?”

Victoria chewed on her bottom lip. “They could decide to destroy you, despite your origins.”

That was a chance he was willing to take. For her. For the others. He reached out and cupped her jaw. As always, she was hot, so hot, and utterly soft. “We’ve run out of time.”

And the idea is made of awesome, but whatever.

She leaned into the touch. “Well, I’m not willing to risk your life. I’ll let her capture me, too, and that way—”

He shook his head before she could finish. “Witches and vampires are a bad mix, as you know. I’m sorry to say this, but they’re more likely to take me if you’re not there. And we need to do this before Riley returns.” As protective as the wolf was of his king, he, too, would insist on going with Aden. If he “allowed” Aden to go at all, that is.

But most of all, Aden recalled the conversation that had just taken place. The witches and the fairies wanted to destroy the vamps and the weres. He wasn’t going to let Victoria and Riley become their first victims.

“You’re king,” Victoria said, fisting his shirt, “so I can’t stop you if you insist on doing this, but you have to—”

“I’m not your king,” he said. “I’m your boyfriend.”

Her gaze pleaded with him to understand. “And I want my boyfriend to stay alive.”

He softened, inside and out. “I’m going to die soon. We both know that.” He pried her fingers from his shirt and slid her palms underneath, above the scabs on the right side of his ribs. He’d possessed scars in the vision Elijah had shown him. Soon, these scabs would become scars. Soon after that, he would die.

No fear, though. He wouldn’t let her see his fear at the thought of being stabbed in the heart again. Only his willingness to do what was necessary to protect his friends.

“There’s a difference between knowing you might soon die and courting danger,” she cried.

“Listen. These are scabs, not scars. Not yet. I’ve still got a little time. Which means the witches won’t kill me.” A lie. They could keep him for weeks, months, enough time to turn the scabs to scars, and then kill him. But he didn’t want Victoria to worry the entire time he was gone.

A sigh left her as she absorbed his words, and he knew the exact second she accepted his claim; hope brightened her irises, making them glow like twin sunrises over the ocean. “If you do this, you need more wards,” she said, scooting closer. “That is nonnegotiable.”

“If by nonnegotiable, you mean we should negotiate, then yes. I agree. There isn’t time for more wards, sweetheart.”

She scowled. “So I’m just supposed to let you leave with the witch and hope everything turns out okay?”

Yes, but he didn’t say it aloud. “Will you make sure no one misses me at the ranch?”

Her scowl deepened, but she nodded.

“Thank you. And just in case you’ve forgotten, I love you.” He kissed her then, tasting her, deep and thorough, as if this was the last time they’d ever be able to do this.

Maybe it was.

Her hands tangled in his hair, and she angled his head for even deeper contact. At some point, he thought he tasted blood—perhaps he’d accidentally swiped his tongue on her fangs—but even that didn’t slow him. In fact, they stayed like that, locked together, kissing, the souls quiet, until the front door creaked open and footsteps pounded.

They sprang apart, and Aden noticed Riley’s brothers standing a few feet away, grinning.

“Okay, well,” Aden said, and popped to his feet. He wavered, still weak, but didn’t fall.

Victoria stood beside him and smoothed her pink shirt. “Hello, boys.”

“I never thought I’d see the day Victoria got her tonsils cleaned, did you?” Maxwell asked Nathan.

Nathan barked out a laugh. “That wasn’t a cleaning. That was a full-on surgery.”

Aden’s cheeks heated. “Enough.” He turned to Victoria, pulling her close for a final hug. “Distract them,” he whispered in her ear, “and I’ll take off with Jennifer.”

She kissed the side of his face before drawing away, her hand remaining on his arm as long as possible. When she was positioned in front of the wolves, who were still grinning like loons, she looked at Maxwell. “Take my hand.”

“What? You want to perform another surgery? Sure, I’m game.” He clasped her outstretched fingers.

They disappeared a second later. Nathan spun, frowning. Then Victoria reappeared, alone, and grabbed his arm before he could stop her. They, too, disappeared, this time leaving Aden alone.

Now! Caleb commanded. You have to act now.

Aden, Elijah began. Think about this.

“Thinking time’s over. I’m doing it, and that’s that.” Chin high, he stalked back down the hall to the witch’s door, drew in a breath and turned the knob.