Whispers in the Dark

Whispers in the Dark [A Raven Saga Book 3] by Crymsyn R. Hart

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Whispers in the Dark [A Raven Saga Book 3] by Crymsyn R. Hart

CONTENTS Prologue Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Chapter Four Chapter Five Chapter Six Chapter Seven Chapter Eight Chapter Nine Chapter Ten Chapter Eleven Chapter Twelve Chapter Thirteen Chapter Fourteen Chapter Fifteen Chapter Sixteen Chapter Seventeen Chapter Eighteen Chapter Nineteen Chapter Twenty Chapter Twenty-One Chapter Twenty-Two Epilogue About the Author **** 3

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Whispers in the Dark [A Raven Saga Book 3] by Crymsyn R. Hart

Whispers in the Dark: A Raven Saga Book 3 Copyright © August 2008, Crymsyn R. Hart Cover art by Anastasia Rabiyah © August 2008 This is a work of fiction. All characters and events portrayed in this novel are fictitious or used fictitiously. All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book, or portions thereof, in any form. ISBN: 978-1-934475-93-5 Amira Press, LLC Baltimore, MD 21216 www.amirapress.com

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Whispers in the Dark [A Raven Saga Book 3] by Crymsyn R. Hart

Prologue When the door opened, the chimes rang once again, announcing there was someone else in the shop with her. Jayd popped her head out of the back room where she'd been sorting through the latest shipment of herbs. There was a teenage boy, who looked to be eighteen, with dyed black hair, pale skin, black lipstick, and a long trench coat picking through her assortment of books on witchcraft and Satanic rituals. She didn't recognize him from the other Goth teens in the small town. She could pick out every one of the wayward and curious locals who browsed or those who begged her not to tell his or her parents if they ever came in by how their multicolored hair fell on their pimpled faces. Because Jayd was young, some of the teenagers thought she was an older version of themselves, even though she didn't do the Goth thing. Jayd liked to think she had earned the "cool" moniker in their eyes. She didn't know who the teen was. Sighing, Jayd got up and dusted herself off. Lavender and dragon's blood incense particles had attached themselves to her like burrs. Sometimes, she'd spend slow days doing inventory. By the time she'd go home, she'd be steeped in a multitude of herbs and incense. Jayd wondered why she wasn't allergic to any of the scents. Pushing aside the beads separating the stockroom from the rest of the shop, Jayd glanced at the clock on the counter. It was near nine. Closing time. I didn't realize I'd been in there so long. Where did the hours go? A chill slid over her 6

Whispers in the Dark [A Raven Saga Book 3] by Crymsyn R. Hart

skin when she studied the boy again. His back was turned to her now. His ebony hair was long and braided down his back. The longer she stared at him, the more of an impression of offness, of him not belonging, came over her. Jayd might run a New Age supply shop, employed psychics, and had a license to have massages in the back part of the shop, but she was not psychic herself. She loved being immersed in the whole New Age atmosphere, but her new customer gave her a creepy feeling that made her shiver. "Can I help you with something?" Jayd asked. The boy turned around. In his hand, he held a quartz gargoyle. It was one of her favorite pieces. She had even bought one for herself. He smiled, a perfunctory gesture. The expression didn't bring her any reassurance. Something in his eyes when he came closer to the counter twisted her stomach into large lumps. His eyes seemed dead. They had no light or life in them at all. The Goth teen's smile widened. Today, she wished Seth were scheduled to work. Seth always made her feel safe, even in this small town, but he wasn't going to be in for another two weeks. The customer placed the crystal gargoyle on the counter. "I'd like to buy this, please." Jayd returned the smile the best she could. "Twenty even." Her patron reached into his deep trench coat pockets and pulled out a bill. When he did, she realized he wasn't wearing a shirt. He was skinny yet had defined muscles. His features were feminine. His eyes were such a bright shade of green they reminded her of neon signs. Jayd took the bill. It was a fifty. She didn't have much in the register. 7

Whispers in the Dark [A Raven Saga Book 3] by Crymsyn R. Hart

"Do you have anything smaller? I can't break it unless you buy something else." His gaze never left hers. It reached into Jayd, touching her heart and making it stutter. Absently, she clutched the counter. A sudden jolt of pain from a sliver she picked up from underneath the counter stabbed her palm. Her customer's stare tried to capture her. "No, Jayd. I don't want anything else just yet. Keep the change." Surprise widened her eyes. I don't have a name tag, and I'm out of business cards. "How do you know my name?" He laughed, this time showing a mouthful of perfect teeth white enough to match his skin. "I know a lot about you, Jayd. More than you know about yourself." He leaned over the counter. She tried to back away, but her feet were not obeying her mind. Terror had her planted to the spot. This teen shouldn't scare her the way he did, but something told her he was not an ordinary teenager. He reached out his hand and encircled the wrist of her hand that held the bill. His movement was only a blur to her eyes and his grip strong enough to challenge a vice, and yet he held Jayd's wrist delicately. "One day soon, I'll come back and show you a world you've never dreamed about. Until then, I'll be seeing you." Instantly, his lips were on Jayd's. He had taken her by such surprise that she didn't have time to react to the kiss. All she knew was that his satin lips were on her mouth. His tongue danced across her teeth. She found herself succumbing to the gesture. Tremors of lust invaded Jayd's 8

Whispers in the Dark [A Raven Saga Book 3] by Crymsyn R. Hart

mind and body, possessing her. Part of her began to fantasize what would happen if they got together. Another part made her wonder what the hell she was thinking. She was twentyeight. This kid was ten years younger than she, and if anyone walked in, they'd question what was going on. However, the rational part of her brain had shut down. Somehow his kiss had reached in and smothered it with some kind of overwhelming power. It didn't matter if anyone waltzed in. Jayd craved more of his touch. She desired to feel his fingers sliding over her breasts and down to lower, wetter regions. Jayd hadn't been ignited for a long time. A moan escaped from her lips and her seducer swallowed it up. Before she could even comprehend what had happened, she was suddenly left wanting. The bells chimed on the door, and the breeze from the outside cooled her down enough to think again. The place where his lips had touched hers still burned. But they weren't seared from the heat of the gesture. Rather, her lips were frigid. Looking around, Jayd realized the Goth was gone, she still had the fifty, and the crystal gargoyle had disappeared along with her mysterious guest. Her fingers traced over her lips holding onto the kiss for a moment longer before snapping back into action. She ran her tongue over her mouth trying to get some feeling back into it. Jayd, wondering why the stranger had come in at all, shook her head. He said he knew more about me than I did. What did he mean by that? Jayd thought about it the rest of the night while she closed up. She climbed the five steps from her shop to street level and glanced around Main Street. Main Street was silent and 9

Whispers in the Dark [A Raven Saga Book 3] by Crymsyn R. Hart

deserted save for the whine of the streetlights. The lights were heated gas lamps, a throwback to older times. The hum of traffic came from a couple of streets over. The oldfashioned clock on the bank next door read twenty till ten. The rest of the stores were closed for the night except the pizza shop on the next block, and they closed at ten. This was what she loved about the town. It was quiet and not hassled with the hustle and bustle of the city. People lived in peace here. But tonight, when she locked up, Jayd had the eerie feeling that she was being watched. There was no one on the road. The shadows seemed darker for some reason. It's just my mind playing tricks on me. When she took in the lonely stretch of road, hers was the only car next to the sidewalk. Across the street from the shop, perched on the globe of the streetlight, were the blackest eyes of a crow she had ever seen. It was large enough to have been an eagle blending with the inkiness of the night around her. It had its eyes trained on her. Maybe I'm its next meal. Jayd chuckled and shook her head placing her key in the lock of her car door. "You'd better stop spying on me," she laughed nervously at the crow. It turned its head acknowledging she was talking to it. It clapped its beak at her and then spread its wings, displaying a wingspan close to six feet. After settling its wings back into place, it didn't move, but neither did it take its eyes off of her. Maybe it's waiting for the pizza place to bring out the trash. Free meal. Maybe it has a thing for pepperoni. Jayd giggled a little and wiped the strange encounter with the Goth from her mind. There are plenty of ways that boy could have gotten my name. I don't have an unpublished number so all 10

Whispers in the Dark [A Raven Saga Book 3] by Crymsyn R. Hart

he had to do was call information or something. That had to be it. Jayd climbed into her car, and the only thought dominating her mind was that of sleep. It had been a long, slow day, and she still had half a shipment of herbs and incense to put away. Tomorrow was another lengthy day, and she doubted that she'd have much more to show for it. Tonight was for sleeping, once her head hit her feather pillow. Hopefully, there'd be no dreams of the strange visitor she had. [Back to Table of Contents]

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Whispers in the Dark [A Raven Saga Book 3] by Crymsyn R. Hart

Chapter One Three months later... Jayd stared at the discombobulated shelves. A frustrated groan escaped her lips. How does it get so bad in only a few days? I swear I just organized this mess! Argh! The alphabetized rows of jarred herbs were so out of place that ginger root was in the powered mandrake root's spot. If she wanted to find the catnip to make tea, she would have found it buried behind the bagged chili peppers. She pushed her unruly curly hair out of her eyes. Then put her hands on her hips and thought of a game plan. Shipments of books had arrived yesterday. Aromatherapy oils were overpowering her nose. The oils had been delivered last week, and she hadn't gotten an opportunity to restock them. Jayd rolled up her sleeves and wished she hadn't worn a skirt today. This work was better suited for jeans. Then again, her plans for coming in early weren't for rearranging and moving inventory. This morning, she had listed her goals over a cup of coffee. Now her notepad still happened to be resting on her kitchen table, the list forgotten after she got a phone call and realized she was running late. Now, Jayd couldn't remember what she was going to do except pay the bills and try again to get a hold of a few clients whose orders had come in. Once she thought she remembered one thing, it flew out of her head like escaping fireflies from a glass mason jar. 12

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Jayd pulled over a step stool, kicked off her heels, and began to tackle the disorder. It always made her feel better when she knew everything was in its place. She wasn't a crazy neat freak, but to her, having order meant knowing her life was going well. Jayd was great about setting up schedules a couple of months in advance with her shop's massage therapists, since they all had insane schedules. There were times she felt they only fit her into their lives when it was convenient for them. She had three regulars and one who was only there on certain days of the month. When she thought about it, she wondered when the next time Seth would be in. Jayd always looked forward to when he was scheduled. Seth helped her in the shop, was courteous, and always gave her his winning smile that twisted her insides and gave her a nice floaty feeling. Knocking together a few of the glass jars, she tried not to let her mind wander to Seth. His tall, dark, handsome frame intrigued her. Those velvet black eyes entranced her, and the deep timbre to his voice reminded her of purring. He had a faint trace of an accent, but his English was perfect. Seth's hair hung down his back in long dreadlocks. When he pushed them back, Jayd always heard the faint jingling of chimes and other trinkets that were woven into his hair. God, I can't think about him now. I have to get this done before the shop opens. Jayd stopped her mind from thinking about Seth, even though it was difficult. But after a while, concentrating on her task, Jayd fell into a rhythm of her own. The clinking of the glass jars together made for a crystalline symphony making 13

Whispers in the Dark [A Raven Saga Book 3] by Crymsyn R. Hart

the passage of time move quicker until she barely realized what her watch said. When Jayd stared at the shelves, a pleasant feeling washed over her. She felt satisfied when she finished a project. Her aunt had instilled that feeling after completing chores when she was little. Her Aunt Gabrielle was the one who raised Jayd until her death only a few years ago. Because of her aunt, Jayd had taken up the mantle of opening a New Age store. It had been her aunt's dream. Jayd had fine-tuned the dream and turned it more into a bookstore instead of just a straight New Age shop. When customers walked in, they had comfy chairs to sit in and could read a book while they waited for their massage. They could order herb tea or coffee and hang out in the store. There were more books than there was anything else in the shop, which was what Jayd wanted because she had always loved to read. In school, she had never left home without a book. Aunt Gabrielle had encouraged her to read, especially when it came to understanding where Jayd fit into the world because she didn't have any parents to watch plays or soccer games. "Wow, looks like you've been here all morning! Do you need any help?" Jayd jumped at the sudden intrusion into her solitude. Her heart rocketed into her throat. Her hand settled over her chest from the sudden disturbance. She closed her eyes to gather her wits. When the shock passed, she opened her eyes and stared at Aubrey, one of her employees and massage therapists. Rainbow-colored dreads of real hair and multicolored yarn surrounded a pale, round face. Two distinct colored eyes, one deep blue and the other dark brown, stared 14

Whispers in the Dark [A Raven Saga Book 3] by Crymsyn R. Hart

intently at Jayd. Aubrey was the hippie type who thought everyone had to eat granola, was vegan, and dressed only in natural clothing. She wore loose-fitting skirts and shirts that always jingled whenever she moved, and she had an infectious laugh. Today, her skirt was dark purple and hung straight on her form since she had no butt. No matter, she made up for it with her top half. Jayd had always envied Aubrey for her cleavage. Jayd was average, but she'd learned to live with that. She'd stopped trying to increase her chest when she had a water bra pop on her. But Aubrey was topheavy. Every shirt the massage therapist wore, even today's black one, stretched to the max trying to keep her breasts inside her shirt. It was hard not to look down into the crevice between her ample bosom while up on the stepstool. Aubrey's chest, and her eyes, made her demand attention when she walked into a room. Jayd chuckled when her heart fell back into place and she stopped quaking from the spook. "No. I'm good. I didn't realize what time it was. Is it after eleven already?" Aubrey looked down and shuffled her feet before her gaze returned to Jayd's. "Actually, it's past noon. I was hoping you wouldn't notice I was late." "Why were you late?" "I had to stop and get a quick snack. I was starving when I got up this morning. I hope you don't mind." Jayd shook her head. She didn't mind. It was probably a good thing that Aubrey had come into the back room or she'd have been there all day rearranging everything. Thank God she has a key. "No, Aubrey, it's cool. Your first appointment is 15

Whispers in the Dark [A Raven Saga Book 3] by Crymsyn R. Hart

at twelve-thirty so you had better hurry and set up." I had better hurry up and get my ass in gear. I can't believe I lost track of time. Goes to show how I have a one-track mind sometimes. Aubrey smiled, flashing Jayd one of those perfect white ones she always did. Jayd climbed down off the stool when the massage therapist moved through the beads and went into the back of the store where there were two private massage rooms. Jayd flipped the on switch to the radio, and almost immediately, Celtic harp music strummed out of the speakers in the shop. When she stepped out in the store, the smell of books hit her hard. A small wave of pleasure washed over Jayd when she inhaled the perfume of all the different volumes. She had always loved bookstores. Aunt Gabrielle would take her into antique bookstores to look for a rare book on magic or astrology. The scents of leather mixed with the hint of decay from the brittle pages always made Jayd happy. Her store reminded her of those days when she was with her aunt. Even though Aunt Gabrielle was dead, Jayd knew she would be happy with what she was doing with her life. Content with how the shop looked, Jayd went to the door and flipped the cardboard sign from closed to open. When she did, the bells above the door jingled a little. Aunt Gabrielle always said bells drove away evil spirits, invited fairies into a room, and always sounded pure like heavenly flutes. Her aunt had been dead now for five years. With her savings, Jayd had bought a small house twenty minutes away and three towns over from the shop and took the rest of the money to invest in a store. She had stowed some away in case she needed it 16

Whispers in the Dark [A Raven Saga Book 3] by Crymsyn R. Hart

for emergencies, but so far, so good. Jayd hadn't had to touch it, save once. The shop had been open for three and half years. There were two other New Age-pagan outlets in the vicinity, but Jayd hadn't seen them cutting into her profits. Jayd stared at the calendar on the counter next to the register. She glanced over the schedule for the next couple of weeks. Catrina was off, in Vegas getting married and on her honeymoon for the next two weeks. Malcolm, the other regular massage therapist and Reiki master, was picking up Catrina's shifts, along with Aubrey. The only one left was Seth. And he was listed to be in tomorrow. Jayd's insides tingled again when she thought about him. Seth was handsome, and she had to admit she had a crush on him big time. She'd never confess it though. She had a cardinal rule of never dating her employees. It would be bad for business. Jayd blushed when her thoughts turned to Seth and her being alone late one night. They would be stuck in the shop for some reason, and he would tell her quietly that he had been craving her for months. She had to get her mind out of the gutter, but even when she glanced over the schedule, the little full moon symbol on the calendar drew her attention. She'd never noticed it before, but when she flipped through the calendar for the upcoming months, and even those in the past, she noticed that Seth was always listed on the days of the full moon. That's odd. I wonder if he's a werewolf. A half smile curled her lips. I guess I'll have to ask him next time I see him. 17

Whispers in the Dark [A Raven Saga Book 3] by Crymsyn R. Hart

"Hey, Jayd. I must have grabbed this when I came in with my other stuff. Sorry. I started taking a night class and brought my books with me. Here." Aubrey held out a large black envelope. Jayd took it from the massage therapist. When she touched it, a cold chill came over her. She shook it off and focused on the envelope. It was rather strange. The paper felt satiny it was so smooth. There was no return address and no postage. Someone must have come in and dropped it off while she was in the back, and she hadn't heard the bells. The only handwriting was her name. The script was done carefully in a silver marker. This is very strange. I wonder who left it. Aubrey rested her elbows on the counter and then her chin on her hands. The intensity of her stare reminded Jayd of a kid anticipating a surprise. Jayd gave her a fake smile and was about to slide her letter opener under the flap but the bells on the door sounded. Jayd jumped a little. Aubrey looked over. Following her gaze, Jayd saw it was the massage therapist's first client of the day. Aubrey was booked solid. The client walked in, gave them each a grin, and headed to the massage room. After he was gone, Jayd put down the envelope. Her hands were trembling. A cold sweat had broken out on her brow when she flashed back to the night three months ago when the strange teenager had come into the shop and kissed her. After that night, Jayd had thought her imagination was playing tricks on her. When she'd left the store, there had been the largest crow she had ever seen sitting on top of the street lamp. Since then, she'd seen that bird on more than 18

Whispers in the Dark [A Raven Saga Book 3] by Crymsyn R. Hart

one occasion. It was following her. It had been outside her house, hovering around the shop, even on her route home in some of the trees and on the side of the road. Either the crow was obsessed with her and planning its next move, or she was losing her mind. Then, things had gotten stranger. Jayd had written them off, but after a while, there was no way she could. It started with little things in the beginning. At first, the shadows seemed denser and that someone lingered inside of them, even though that was impossible. Fearing the darkness was something only a child would do. But when the weeks progressed, she heard voices in the shop and in her house coming from obscured corners where no light penetrated. They were whispers. Each voice said unintelligible things. When Jayd put the light on, the voices stopped immediately. She thought someone was playing with her. Then she started getting little gifts. A single white Easter lily. She found it on the counter, next to her toaster. Someone had been inside her house! Jayd hadn't gone to the cops or told anyone about it because she thought she was losing her mind. One of her patrons had brought in a bouquet of lilies, and by the time she'd gotten home that night, she was exhausted. Maybe she had brought one home with her, or someone had slipped it into her bag. Jayd hadn't remembered. The next odd thing that happened to her was the back door of the store had been left open. It was right after Seth had worked, and she wondered if he had forgotten to lock it. Nothing was stolen, but she did come into the shop to find all of her books on Ancient Egypt stacked on the round table 19

Whispers in the Dark [A Raven Saga Book 3] by Crymsyn R. Hart

nestled in the corner. Again, it was odd. Seth had always looked at her books on Ancient Egypt. Jayd connected none of it to the Goth boy. Until, one morning, she woke and found the twin of her own gargoyle staring at her from her bedside table. At first, Jayd assumed it was hers. Maybe she had moved it from the small table in her office. When she picked it up, she saw a white sticker on it with a stamp of an Easter lily that read, "For you." All the strange occurrences, whispers, and events fell into place in her mind. Someone was playing tricks on her. Jayd got up at that point, checking all the locks in her house and all the windows. Nothing had been breached. There was still an inch of dust on all the windowsills. No prowler could have entered in through the windows unless they were magical. Jayd knew there was no such thing unless she had suddenly turned into a fairy princess. After searching the house, she had finally decided to call the police. When she picked up the phone, what was she going to tell them? Someone is moving objects in my house, leaving me flowers, and I'm hearing whispers in the shadows? Yeah, that would go over really well. So she hung up, sat on her bed, and stared at the gargoyle. There was nothing she could do. People would think she was mad. She was thinking she was insane. After the gargoyle, Jayd started getting notes left in the mail slot of her front door or stuck in the glass at her shop. All in either black or red envelopes. All saying the same thing. You'll be mine, Jayd. Soon. 20

Whispers in the Dark [A Raven Saga Book 3] by Crymsyn R. Hart

She had gone to the police with the notes, but they told her they couldn't do anything since she didn't have any hard proof, save the notes, that anyone was stalking her. They dusted them for prints, but no fingerprints showed up. Since no one had broken into her house or her shop again, the cops couldn't issue a restraining order to a ghost. Around the time Seth came in again, he asked her if everything was going okay. She smiled and told him everything was fine. Seth didn't pry, but it seemed he knew something was not right with her. However, he didn't dig any deeper into the issue and let her alone, even though, by the look in his eye, he appeared to want to help her. Jayd wished now that she'd told Seth about what was going on. Even though she'd only known him for two years, Jayd sensed he'd believe her if she told him what was going on. Jayd shook her head coming back to the present. Seth'll be in tomorrow. Maybe then I can talk to him about it. Maybe he'll know what to do. Yeah, and maybe he'll think I'm crazy when I start telling him about hearing voices in my house coming from the shadows. She stared at the script on the envelope again. It matched all the letters she'd gotten so far. Was the message the same? Her fingers shook when she picked up her letter opener again and went to open the letter. She sliced through the fine satinlike black envelope, dreading the tearing sound, like the scratching of nails on a chalkboard. Jayd took a deep breath and pulled out the matching black stationary inside. The same silver marker had been used to write another message. This time there was only one word on the paper. 21

Whispers in the Dark [A Raven Saga Book 3] by Crymsyn R. Hart

Tonight. Fear turned in Jayd's heart. She thought she heard the shadows calling her name again. She shook her head. It was impossible. She searched the obscure corners of the shop. Today, they were darker than normal. The day had started out semisunny, but now, the clouds were spitting rain and foretold a boom of a thunderstorm. The atmosphere made her shiver. Her instincts told her something was going to happen, but she wasn't going to let it. Whatever her invisible stalker wanted with her, she was not going to give them the satisfaction. She stared at the silver marker reflecting in the light and crushed the paper in her fist. Her will turned to iron. Jayd was tired of the messages and the little gifts. Tonight, she would wait for her mysterious stalker and end it. [Back to Table of Contents]

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Whispers in the Dark [A Raven Saga Book 3] by Crymsyn R. Hart

Chapter Two Seth settled on the rim of the clock on top of the bank. He pierced the veil of the Grey, the astral plane, searching for anything unusual hovering around the shop he worked at on the days he assumed human form. He was a massage therapist for now. In past incarnations, he'd been a librarian, a bartender, and a waiter. Anything that had a flexible schedule so he could interact with people. Being around humans made him remember his days when he was a mortal man. He'd been cursed for so long that he didn't want to forget how to act around them. Seth's curse dictated that he could not make love to a human woman. One thought or arousal and his skin began to tighten. His backbone bowed and shrank until he took himself away from the situation. He was transfixed in Raven form for twenty-eight days of the month. The only freedom Seth had was the three days and nights of the full moon and the eight Sacred Holidays celebrated by pagans in this day and age like Halloween. The Raven Warrior shivered. It wasn't from the chill on the back of the wind but from the memories of the hardships he endured in his childhood. He had been sold into slavery for a couple of pounds of wheat that his mother needed for survival, and she had valued food over his life. His masters were the Priests of Ra, who beat him if he performed his duties incorrectly. When he grew, one priest took a liking to Seth and saw he was smart, and that through his own accord 23

Whispers in the Dark [A Raven Saga Book 3] by Crymsyn R. Hart

he had begun to learn to read some of the scrolls he was carrying to the other priests in the temple. Seth shook his head from the painful memories. He had reconciled the past. Nothing he could do would change his actions or the consequences of his actions. Right now, he had to focus on the present, and that also meant tomorrow. Seth loved to be around mortals. Even in bird form, he would watch them, transfixed at the things they did or took for granted even when they didn't realize it. He'd alight in a busy park, pretending to only be a regular raven, hopping about once and a while. Many people never realized he was there when they talked on their cell phones planning their next business meeting or dinner plans. Some stopped and stared at him. He loved to mess with them when he was in the mood. He'd cock his head to the side, snap his beak together, and gaze intently at the person. Other times, he'd open his wings and race at the mortals, making them think he was going to attack them. It always made him laugh when men clutched their briefcases to their chests and ran away all scared. He'd chuckle, which came out in a loud cackle. Seth didn't know what it was about people. He'd always had a fascination for observing them. Even when he was human. In the marketplace, he'd sit outside shops while one of the priests was blessing the owner or haggling for goods. Peasants, slaves, nobles, or other merchants traveling the road enraptured Seth. How they looked and how they sounded enthralled him. Many different languages surrounded him in the market, building together like a prayer to the gods. 24

Whispers in the Dark [A Raven Saga Book 3] by Crymsyn R. Hart

Today, his Raven brothers teased him about his fascination. Normally, it was Arik or Julius who joked that he was in love with mortals, and they were surprised he even turned into a man on his days off because just being around humans could give him a hard-on. He always laughed at their jabs. They and Seneca were his closest friends among the Raven Warriors. Their leader, Caleb, was the first Raven among them. None knew how he'd been cursed or why, except that his father was the one to breathe life into the curse they were all ensnared in. Whatever the reason for Caleb's own father to condemn his son, it must have been horrific. Caleb's father was on the Raven Council that governed the Warriors. On it were four others. Those four had once been cursed Raven Warriors, but they had found their heartmates and were now free to be men all the time and still had their wings. It was said, they could never be truly human once they were cursed. Seth had known two when they were Raven Warriors. Now, they had sway over his fate if he messed something up. Under them was Betha, the Banshee Queen, who gave them their assignments. She chose the charges they were assigned to. The one who governed them all was the goddess Morrigain. She was a death goddess who went by many names, and in his belief system, she was Nephthys, the Egyptian goddess of death. He hadn't had a charge in a few years. Unlike the other Warriors who always had humans to protect, Seth had some on and off. His last charge had died of natural causes five years ago. Being embraced by Azrael, the Angel of Death, 25

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was a blessing, and there was nothing he could do to stop it. The one time Seth had intervened with the natural order of things, he had wasted the one precious gift he had which came with his curse. The Raven Warrior saw it was his only choice. After it had happened, he realized the mistake he had made. Seth had damned a soul who didn't desire the life he offered, but had wanted Azrael to take her. In a sense, he'd been no better than the priests who had sacrificed him to an eternity of wings. Seth sighed and stretched his wings when he thought about his past actions. It was the one event in his history that left a black spot on his soul. Over the past twenty-five hundred years, the Raven Warrior had lost a few of his charges because he couldn't get to them fast enough or he couldn't summon the Queen's Shadow guards. It had been over a hundred years since he'd lost a charge. Now he waited for Betha to assign him to a mortal who needed protecting. While Seth was free of orders, he did odd jobs for Betha, checking on stray werewolves, making sure her banshees stayed in line and didn't try to entice humans into the astral realm where they'd lose their souls. His oddest and most recent assignment was to keep an eye on his two freed brothers, Tremain and Darius, and their heartmates. He spied on his own kind and reported their actions. Betha was interested in Linnea, the witch Tremain had fallen in love with. Betha was fascinated with Linnea and Tremain's infant twins, Whitney and Nicholas. However, it was the girl the Banshee Queen desired information on. Months ago, the 26

Whispers in the Dark [A Raven Saga Book 3] by Crymsyn R. Hart

council had debated if the children should inherit any of the Raven Warrior powers. In the end, Caleb and Jet, their second-in-command, had won over the council. The infants were allowed to inherit the powers of both bloodlines. Caleb had argued that the babies were innocent in the universal scheme of things, and the council had no right to influence the outcome of their destinies. Seth agreed with Caleb. Ever since the birth, Betha had wanted to know every step of Whitney's development, and popped in on Linnea and Tremain whenever she desired. Since Maili, Betha's daughter, had died, the Queen hadn't been herself. Seth knew the Banshee Queen had never been completely sane to begin with, but something broke when the princess had died. Betha flew into fits of rage, cried, or cackled for hours. The only one who could calm her was Caleb. There were times that her appearance was mortal. She had to drink human blood to regain her human composure. It was then that she'd summoned Seth or visited the infant. Seth had shadowed the queen a couple of times, observing her with Whitney. Betha would stare and coo at the baby, rocking her slowly, for hours. Whitney was transfixed with the Banshee Queen. Poor Linnea was beside herself, but the witch hid her emotions well. Seth had warned Caleb that Betha might want to replace her dead daughter with Whitney. His leader had brushed off the comment and grew upset at the notion Seth would even suggest such a thing. "And why do you think Caleb would ever think our beloved queen would hurt the child?" 27

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Seth blinked. The Raven Warrior realized he was not alone. He peered across the street. An identical raven was perched atop the New Age shop Seth worked at. The other bird was another Warrior. The only difference in outward appearance between him and his brother was that the other bird was a tad smaller than he was. Seth let out a loud caw that echoed off the brick buildings and the cars beneath him. A human coming out of the bank glanced up at the noise. Seth returned the look with a hard stare of his own and a little mental push so the mortal man would be on his way. "Arik, what are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be watching your charge?" "Naw. I had to stretch my wings. He was getting busy with his new girlfriend and I didn't need to see that. Besides, I didn't sense anything in the area." "That still doesn't mean you shouldn't be there," Seth replied. He flexed his wings and cawed. He watched his fellow Raven hop into the air. For second, Arik hung suspended in the air like a frozen tableau. The other Raven Warrior's blueblack wings glinted in the sunlight. Flight was the only gift granted to them that took their mind off their drawn-out existence. Sometimes Seth would fly for hours without even realizing it or getting tired. Arik opened his wings at the last possible minute and caught the breeze, sailing on the current. He rode the wind in a high arc and barrel rolled, twisting and curling around until he pulled out and landed gracefully next to Seth. "Show-off." 28

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"I wouldn't talk, brother. I've seen you do some magnificent stunts. I don't know anyone else better at it than you besides our distinguished leader. Lately, our leader has been so wrapped up in our beautiful queen that he no longer seems to care about the rest of us. Would you not agree?" Arik asked Seth. Seth had his suspicions about what was going on between the Banshee Queen and Caleb, but it wasn't Seth's place to say anything. If he did, he feared there would be consequences. The Raven Warrior did not wish to go before the council or have Betha fly off the handle. She had cursed Tremain to an eternity in Raven form, stripping him of his ability to transform into a human. Seth was surprised the others in the flock were having the same feelings of dissention. If Arik was noticing Caleb's behavior, he wondered if his freed brothers were feeling the same way. "I have my qualms, but Caleb has always been the one to handle Betha. She only responds to him lately. I think there's more between them than we know. But, Arik, did you really come here to talk about Caleb and what's going on between him and the illustrious Banshee Queen?" Arik cocked his head as if he heard or sensed something in the distance. Seth noticed when the other's dark gaze settled on the New Age store. Jayd, the owner, was coming out. Seth watched when she walked into the back parking lot toward her car. He checked the sun, more out of habit than anything else. Instinctively, he knew what time it was. He knew that in fourteen hours, a new day would dawn and he'd be a man again. It was the makeup of his curse. He'd learned to read 29

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the tides of the moon and sun until they were second nature to him. It was that way with all Raven Warriors. The anticipation to be mortal bunched their bodies until muscles twisted and ached. Soon, they could stand erect on their own two feet again instead of the spindly, taloned ones they balanced on for twenty-eight days. Seth wondered what Jayd was doing going to her car this early. The shop didn't close until nine. Nonetheless, her car pulled out of the parking lot, and she sped off. The instinct to fly after her almost made him spread his wings and take to the air, but he held off. He didn't want to be rude to Arik. "What is it with that woman that has you so fascinated? You are free of a charge, and yet, you are here, hovering over the shop like a benevolent spirit? You're not a guardian angel," Arik observed. "She's my boss. I just want to be sure she's taken care of. I don't want to lose my job." Seth felt a sharp jab in his side. Arik had pecked him. "What was that for?" "That mortal woman is not your boss. Your boss is a crazy Banshee Queen and a council of five. Just because you work for her on your days off, which is absurd, by the way, does not mean that you have to hover over her every move. There's nothing magickal about her. She's not a werewolf, half fairy, or pookah. You have no ties to her at all, Seth." "She pays me. I want to be sure she's okay." "What do you do with the money she gives you, anyway?" Seth smiled at the comment. He had no need of money, really. Everything he desired was at his feathertips. When a man, Seth had magick and could make anything he wanted 30

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appear. All it took was a thought. Just like slipping the veil between this world and the astral. He could become light as a feather and glide anywhere shadows traveled. "Mostly I give it away, but I use some to buy a few things in the mortal realm that I desire. That and I have an addiction to french fries. The pizza place down the street has great chili fries." "You have the ability to magick anything you wish to eat, and you buy deep fried potatoes. I'll never understand you, my friend. I ... " Arik grew silent and stared off into the distance. After a moment, he opened his wings and let the wind catch him. "I'm needed. I shall talk to you again soon, Seth. Fly well." "Fly well, Arik." Seth watched when his Raven brother became insubstantial. The power of the parting of worlds touched Seth's feathers and made him shiver. The breeze seemed to slip between the fine spaces in his feathers and caressed every part of his body. Crossing worlds could be erotic in its own way, when the power raced through him, but he did not have to do that and focused his mind back on the shop below. Inside, he sensed there were two others. One aura he recognized, Aubrey, another massage therapist, who he worked with most of the time he was there. The other must have been her client. There was no one else. Seth scanned the surroundings and didn't sense anything amiss, but something had made Jayd leave in a hurry. Seth would never admit it to any of his brothers, or really to himself, that he had appointed himself unofficial guardian over Jayd. His last charge was her Aunt Gabrielle. She had been a witch with a gift for calling fire. Before Jayd was born, 31

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Gabrielle had summoned a few evil fairies who pretended to be demons. One of them had seduced her and tried to get her gift by sacrificing her to their gods. However, their ritual fell on a full moon and Seth was lucky. He was able to save Gabrielle and killed all the fey. He didn't have to call upon the Shadow guards for backup. Gabrielle had been so beside herself that she never questioned his appearance. All Seth said to her was that he was her guardian. And he was always watching out for her. If she didn't believe it, then she could look around, and if she saw a raven sitting in a tree or heard the caw, then he was somewhere close. He said he'd always be there for her if she vowed never again to try her hand at the wrong kind of spell casting. She promised. For years, Gabrielle seemed to forget about him. Seth watched when Jayd, three years old, had been brought to her on a bright sunny summer day with only a teddy bear in her hand and a few bruises on her cheek. If she remembered what had happened to her before arriving at Gabrielle's, she had pushed it to the back of her mind. Right before her death, Gabrielle did a spell thinking it would bring Seth to her. He did the dramatic act of pecking at her window. She was horrified at first but after a few moments realized he was no ordinary bird. He hopped in and stared at her circle. The candles flickered in the breeze. He knew she had lit them only with a thought, and if she really wanted, she could have sent a fireball at the tree outside with her mind and watch it explode into fiery splinters. Her gift had grown over the years. **** 32

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Seth cawed at Gabrielle, and she laughed. She'd been frightened and wasn't sure if he would show. After she calmed down, he hopped nearer to her and stared intently at her. He was already linked telepathically to Gabrielle. All Raven Warriors were connected to their charges, but she didn't know that. "You summoned me?" She was surprised he spoke directly to her mind. "Yes. Yes, I did. I was wondering if you could do something for me." What did she want him to do? She had never asked him for anything before. Seth had always kept his distance making sure she was okay. It had been that way with all his charges. He never got involved with their lives unless it was necessary. It depends on what your request is. "All those years ago, you saved my life, and I appreciate it, but my time is coming to an end. The reason I assume why you protect me is actually killing me. The doctors can't figure it out, but my body temperature is slowly rising. They're blaming it on high blood pressure, but I know the real reason. The human body is not meant to contain the power of fire. Fire is a living being and can't be bound in flesh." "I'm saddened to hear that. I've watched over you for many years. I will miss you, but there's nothing I can do to stop your death. We are not..." Gabrielle waved her hands. "No. Of course not. Honestly, I'm tired of this existence. I'm ready to be cool. I didn't summon you to ask you to grant me immortality or take my 33

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power away. I was hoping you could watch out for Jayd when I'm gone. She has no one besides me. I want to be sure she will be taken care of." Seth sighed then. He opened his wings and mimicked a bow. "I can't promise you anything, but I'll do my best as long as I am not assigned to another after you have departed." He felt Gabrielle's tension drain from her. A sigh parted her lips. She had figured he'd turn her down. "Thank you. If I could repay you, please let me know." "One day, don't say no to a stranger who shows up on your doorstep and asks you to take him out for some french fries." Gabrielle laughed at that. "If that is what you want. Then sure." Seth said nothing but hopped backward across the room. When he did, his powers expanded around him. He made a show of letting the shadows grip him. The darkness stretched and enfolded his form when he split the worlds. His power carried him back into the midnight darkness that clung to the tree across the street. Three months later, Death's cold touch had already claimed Gabrielle, but she had been happy. One day while she was reading, Seth appeared on her doorstep dressed all in black. It took his charge a minute to come to the door. Jayd worked at a retail job and wasn't home. Gabrielle opened the door and stared at him. Seth saw fear in her eyes. She assumed he was going to try to rush past her and rob her. In all outward appearances, he did not fit into her neighborhood 34

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because it was all white and he was not. He had been a Raven for so long that the matter of color no longer fazed him, and he saw himself as nothing more than a man. "Can I help you?" Seth heard the barest quiver in her voice and saw how she clutched the door. He flashed her smile. "I was wondering if you wanted to go get some french fries. There's a great place in the next town over." After a moment, realization came to her face. Her demeanor relaxed. She laughed and opened her arms to Seth. Before he could skirt the gesture, she had her arms wrapped around him in a tight hug. After a moment, he embraced her also. Then, he pulled himself out of the hold. It'd been a long time since he'd been touched by anyone, and he did not feel himself turning back into a Raven. Then again, he was not aroused by Gabrielle's gesture. "It's really you!" "Yes. It's really me," Seth answered. "How..." Seth sensed the questions brewing in her mind. He put up his hand to stop his charge before she got started because he was not allowed to answer any of her inquiries. "I can't talk business. It's against the rules." "So what do we talk about then?" "How about we figure that out over some french fries?" Gabrielle said nothing and turned to get her purse. Seth put a hand on her shoulder and shook his head. He wanted to wow her. It was against policy, but she was not long for the 35

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world. During the days he was human, he didn't care what he did. "Just hold onto me." Gabrielle looped her arm through his and clutched it tightly. Seth stepped in and closed the door. After a moment, he had his power wrapped around them both. It would be a spectacular show of power to his charge, but to him it was nothing. They spent the rest of the afternoon talking about everything from her childhood to her marriage. All of it Seth knew, but he didn't let on. He mentioned a few details of his life, but nothing more than that. He gorged on french fries, and when it was time to pay, he magicked the money for the meal and then brought Gabrielle back home. That was the last time he appeared before her in human guise. In the last days, when he felt her slipping away, Seth would talk to her in her mind, and she would talk back. Jayd thought her aunt was out of her mind, but he knew Gabrielle was lucid until the moment the Angel of Death came and claimed her soul. It had been a sad moment because he had cared for the woman in his own way. **** Seth pulled himself out of the memory. From the moment of her death, he had kept his promise to Gabrielle and watched over Jayd. From how she left the store, the Raven Warrior had a bad feeling. Things had been strange with Jayd the past few months. Every time he went into the shop, she seemed to want to tell him something. Whatever bothered her, it sat on the edge of her tongue, and she never got the 36

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courage to confide in him. For that, Seth had been keeping an extra sharp eye on her. Without wasting any time, he decided he would wing over to her house to be sure she was all right. With a little jump, Seth opened his wings and let the current catch him. Unlike Arik, he wasn't in the mood for acrobatics. He pumped his wings fast so he could catch up to the car. However, even when he soared through the sky, something wasn't settling right in the pit of his stomach. No matter what it was, tomorrow he'd approach Jayd and ask her what was on her mind. No matter what it took, he would get it out of her. He owed Gabrielle that much to be sure that Jayd was safe. [Back to Table of Contents]

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Chapter Three Jayd left the shop and then phoned Aubrey to tell her she'd gone home thinking that she had come down with a bug. Jayd had left the letter under the counter behind some other papers. She was trying not to let fear consume her. So far, it had eaten away her stomach and was slowly stealing the air from her lungs. A panic attack while she was doing fifty was not going to help matters. She could handle the situation. But during the ride home, her iron will had dissolved into molten fear. After she got home, she raced upstairs and started throwing things into an overnight bag, with the plan of heading into Boston to get a hotel room and be around lots of people. Her hands shook so badly when she threw stuff into her bag she had to stop. When she did, and looked around her bedroom, a realization descended over her. The terror her stalker was instilling in her was not going to rule her life. She was not going to run from her own house. She was going to stay and face the man who was leaving her gifts and little love notes. Her Aunt Gabrielle would tell her she had to face her fear. Gabrielle had never been afraid of death—even in the end when she was having imaginary conversations with what she claimed was one of her guides. Jayd wished she had that kind of courage. Sometimes, it had wavered. She had worked at a retail job for years, first at the local mall in a clothing store chain. By the time her aunt was dying, Jayd was the manager of her department and making good money. She never had many friends except the books she brought 38

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with her on her lunch breaks. The only person she needed in her life was her aunt. When she died, Jayd was lost. Now that Jayd ran the New Age store, she'd emerged from her shell. The years in retail had prepared her to run her own business. There had been unruly customers at her counters, but she'd never had to deal with a stalker. The closest thing she had encountered was when one of her employees had a crazy boyfriend who had started to be abusive. He'd call the store at all hours of day wondering who she was having an affair with. Jayd had a soft spot for the employee, but after a while, the phone calls got to be too much, and he started coming into the store and making scenes. Finally, Jayd had him arrested, and she fired the girl. That was years ago. Jayd had seen all those cop shows on television with women or celebrities who came home and found people in their bathtubs or something. I'm not going to be driven from my own house. If he wants to come and get me here, then so be it! I may be afraid, but I'll be ready for him. Jayd looked at her bag and slowly began to take the things out of it. The rhythm of going back and forth to her bureau drawer was soothing and hypnotic enough her heart did not feel like it was being eaten alive by the teeth which had developed in her stomach from all the terror she had stored inside. It had become its own entity inside her body and was eating her alive. Maybe it was fear combining with a little bit of anticipation. She wanted to see the face of her nighttime visitor. Was it really the teenager she'd met months ago who had come into her shop? It had to be. The 39

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stalker had left the same crystal gargoyle the Goth boy purchased that night. After Jayd put everything away, she sat on her bed and stared at herself in the mirror. Curly blonde hair hung like twisted snakes around her face and brushed the top of her shoulders. If she straightened it, her hair would be a couple inches past her shoulders. It was such a pain and took so much time she hardly bothered. Her cheeks were rosy, like they had been pinched. Aunt Gabrielle used to say the goddess blessed her with roses all year round. Jayd's lips were undecorated, but she had dashed some dark green on her lids before she left. Eye shadow and lipstick were the only kinds of makeup she was not allergic to. It didn't matter how expensive or how hypoallergenic the stuff was. She was sensitive to every brand of blush, foundation, and powder she had ever tried over the years. At graduation, her eyes had puffed up so much she looked like she'd been punched and forwent getting her pictures taken in her cap and gown. However, the swelling had gone enough on graduation day that she was able to get away with going. After that, she experimented some, but the same result always occurred. The dark green made her eyes not look so dull. She had medium brown eyes that never popped. Nothing akin to Aubrey's, but then again, having two different color eyes was unusual. In comparison to some of the women she'd see in the department store, Jayd had never considered herself stunning. She was average. She'd had a few boyfriends over the years. Had one that was almost going to propose, but he realized he was gay at the last minute and told her after they 40

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had made love one night. That had crushed her heart a little, but Jayd bounced back and went right back into the dating pool. She lived with Gabrielle until she died and then got her own home because her aunt's house had held so many memories. Most of them were good, but a few of them were bad. Especially the day that she had first arrived at her aunt's house. Jayd recalled it was in the back of a police car. She didn't remember what had happened. The memories were fuzzy inside her mind, and whenever she tried to recall them, they were out of reach like a dream she couldn't quite grasp. All she did recollect was the fear about her parents. Of course, now she knew the reason why she lived with her aunt. Her father had found out her mother was cheating on him and he'd lost it. He got a gun, shot her mother, and came after her. She had run and hidden in a small crawlspace under the house. Then he had shot himself when he could not get at her. Three days later, the police found her under the house. Jayd only knew her mother and father from pictures. Growing up, Gabrielle had suggested maybe she should try therapy since she had nightmares for a few years, but after a while, those dreams faded, and she didn't remember anything of her parents. Gabrielle had replaced them in her mind and she knew comfort and safety with her. When she died, Jayd thought she would feel all alone in the world, but her aunt had always pushed her to be independent. Now, living by herself, Jayd had never felt unsafe. It always seemed that she had some kind of guardian angel watching over her. It was corny to say, but she had felt something hovering over her, 41

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except, of course, for these past three months, when she started receiving her private messages and the gifts. I will not let him win. I will not be afraid. I will not let anyone push me around. Jayd wrapped her hair in a ponytail. A few tendrils escaped the elastic band and sprang around her face. She sighed. There was no way around it. Her hair never did what she wanted. Jayd got up from the bed and changed into jeans and a long T-shirt. After that, she checked the time. It was only three in the afternoon, and she still had hours before nightfall. The hours ticked by slowly. Jayd tried to keep herself busy, but it did no good. She checked and rechecked the windows and doors. They were still locked. She sat and stared into the woods behind her house wondering if there were any beasts lurking in the shadows. Gabrielle used to tell her stories about magic and fairies, but she never believed her aunt. Her aunt was a witch who cast spells and worshipped nature. However, Jayd just respected nature. Whatever was out there in the cosmos was fine where it was in Jayd's mind. Jayd didn't watch horror movies because she didn't enjoy the gore, and she hated dramas because they always made her cry. The only ones she loved were fantasy and sci-fi. However, they were few and far between. Reading, knitting, and crocheting, on occasion, helped her pass the time and keep her mind occupied. And it was what she was doing now. The clicking of the knitting needles put her mind at ease for a while until she didn't bother to even look at the clock. In the back of her mind, she was well aware of the time, but she was trying not to think about it. 42

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Soon, her ball of yarn had run out, and the woods around her were silent. When she stopped and came out of her selfinduced world, she noticed a large bird. The crow had settled in the fir tree right outside her window. Its large dark eyes stared at her studying her soul. It was the same one she'd seen following her around for months. She had some mind to think that maybe it was her stalker. How crazy is that? There are no such things as shapeshifters or werewolves. There is nothing more to magic than smoke and mirrors performed on stage. I might run a New Age store, but that doesn't mean that I believe in what I sell. The only things that I believe in are the books in the store. They are the only things that are real. Jayd shook her head. This is ridiculous. The crow is a crow. They all look alike. It's not following me. Damn, I'm out of yarn. She sighed and stretched. When she did, she realized that it was past sunset, and her muscles were screaming from sitting for so long. Everything had frozen since she'd been in one position. When she got up, her stomach rumbled. She hadn't eaten since breakfast. The thought of food made her queasy. Maybe she should eat. Maybe she shouldn't. Aubrey hadn't sounded too concerned when Jayd told her she wasn't feeling well and to close up the shop early. Jayd was glad she had hired Aubrey, even though the massage therapist was little strange and saw life a little differently from most. Jayd had never seen her eat anything solid because she was always drinking some plant or soy concoction. Aubrey said it was to keep her body pure of toxins. Jayd didn't understand it, but hey, Aubrey was always normally on time and never 43

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complained if they weren't busy. She was the closest thing Jayd had to a friend at her job. And Jayd had given her the only set of keys she had in case anything had happened. Jayd opened her refrigerator and stared at the contents. There was two-day-old Chinese food and some leftover pizza she'd bought from the place down the street. It was a good joint. The cheeseburger pizza included a pickle and mustard on every slice. She never thought she would like pickles on pizza, but it turned out pretty good. Right when she reached for a slice, Jayd heard a loud bang outside. Her heart hit somewhere behind her eyes and landed at the top of her throat. She jumped, letting the fridge door swing shut. Jayd grabbed the countertop and scanned the rooms. All of them were dark except her living room. She lived in a split-level ranch with her bedroom, bathroom, and den downstairs. Her kitchen, half bath, and large living room were upstairs. The bang sounded from outside in the forest almost if a cannon had exploded at her neighbors' house. You are way too jumpy, Jayd. Nothing's going to happen. In the back of her mind, something didn't set right. After her heart slipped back into her chest, Jayd decided she wasn't in the mood for pizza or Chinese. So she opened her freezer and plucked out a pint of strawberry ice cream. Inside her drawer, she grabbed a spoon and a bottle opener. From her cabinet, she pulled out a bottle of red wine and didn't bother to get any glasses. She shut the light off with her elbow and padded downstairs. There she maneuvered her way around in the dark until she was able to flip the light on with a free finger. When she did, her own reflection startled her, but there 44

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wasn't anything else in the room with her. She sat down on her futon, snuggled in the corner with her blanket around her, and waited. Jayd hardly touched the wine, but she ate the whole pint of ice cream. The flickering of different television shows kept her company. The volume remained on mute so she could be aware of what was going on around her. Somewhere near three in the morning, her stamina gave out and she fell asleep. When she woke up, what was left of her ice cream had melted onto the carpet. The wine smelled from turning into vinegar. She wrinkled her nose at it and wondered what she'd been thinking last night. The birds twittered outside. The sun was shining. Jayd got up and shivered when she realized there was a chill on the morning. She looked at her clock and saw she had gotten only four hours of sleep. Her head was pounding, and her stomach upset. If she wanted, she could crawl under the covers and get another two hours of sleep before her deadline of getting up and going to open the shop. Slowly, she got up and found she was steady on her feet. She picked up the ice cream carton and padded upstairs, wincing at the glare of the sun. It showed how badly her windows needed to be cleaned. Tomorrow. I swear I'll clean the house tomorrow. Jayd laughed when she looked around the kitchen and the dining room. Nothing was amiss. Every knickknack and book was in its place like it had been the night before. Jayd threw the soggy ice cream container into the trash. When she turned around, something on her fridge made her blood run cold. A startled cry escaped her lips. There, stuck to 45

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the refrigerator, was another envelope. A red one this time. With shaking fingers, she snatched the envelope from the magnet. Opening it, Jayd pulled out the card. The writing was the identical flowery handwriting on all the others. She dry swallowed and scanned around the house. She didn't see anything. "Hello?" she half called out and half whispered. The only sound that answered her was the loud cawing of a crow. Maybe the crow is the same guy who had come into the shop months ago. She searched the corners gazing where even the slightest shadow stood. There was still no one. She glanced back to the red parchment. Tears welled in her eyes when she read it. Forgive me for missing our engagement last night. I do regret that something came up. I assure you I shall keep my promise and see you tonight, Jayd. No matter where you go, or think you can go, I will be there for you. Jayd crushed the paper in her fingers and then shoved it in her pocket. Hurriedly, she grabbed her purse and keys from where she'd left them on her breakfast bar. The need to get out of the house consumed her enough that she didn't even think where she was going. She had to find some kind of order. She hated to admit it. Jayd needed some help. Tears wet her eyes when she climbed into her car and started driving. The note said that it didn't matter where she went, he was still going to come after her. No matter what. If that was true, then she wanted to be somewhere on her own turf. The shop. There it was smaller. People would be there. And Seth was working today. 46

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Maybe I should tell him. He's always asking me what the matter is. He's noticed me being on edge these past few months. I've just never wanted him to get involved with this mess. Jayd shook her head when thoughts ran through her mind. Budding trees zoomed by her while some were still skeletal bare. The only green in the woods were the fir and pine trees. Along the way to the shop, she barely saw another car on the twisting and turning roads. Finally, she arrived at the store. She parked out front and tried to insert her key into the door. Her hand shook so much that she wasn't able to connect to the keyhole. Tears of frustration streamed hot down her cheeks when she let her head fall against the glass. She beat her fist against the door. The street was still, but soon there would be cars roaring up the road because the business day would soon begin. I can do this. I really can. She took a deep breath, but her hand still trembled. Jayd missed the keyhole again. A scream of anguish left her throat when she couldn't get the door open. "You look like you could use some help. Why don't you let me give it a try?" Jayd recognized that smooth deep voice. She looked up and turned around. Standing before her was Seth. At first, she thought he was a mirage brought on by her hysteria, but once his fingers brushed against hers when he plucked the keys from her palm, she grasped he was real. Without thinking, she wrapped her arms around him, buried her head in his chest, and let out her pent-up tears. 47

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Chapter Four The sudden hug from Jayd startled Seth. He froze and wasn't sure if he should react. However, in the state she was in, something was wrong. He didn't have to be a supernatural being to sense that. Automatically he returned the gesture. Her whole body trembled. She seemed to have had an awesome fright. The Raven Warrior had watched her house last night and through the morning. Something had stirred the atmosphere, but it could've been a passing fairy or some other creature. In his years, he'd witnessed lots of things. He had killed many more. There were some beings for which he had no name. Beasts so horrible they were beautiful in their uniqueness. But last night, he circled the house when he got bored of sitting, a tingling sensation had started at the tips of his tail feathers and blanketed him. Something was around. Whatever it was, it knew the art of blending in with the shadows. It was a night creature. There were hundreds of things it could have been. Seth couldn't tell if it was native to the forest. It could have been an evil brownie or a gremlin. The thing hovered around Jayd's house for a few seconds and then was gone. It irritated him more than he'd wanted to admit. When he sensed it, Seth used to power to search the Grey, the void between the worlds, and yet, he saw nothing. It was hiding itself well. He had seen Jayd run out of her house early and decided it was best to follow her. Seth winged himself over the towns, following the twisting roads that wound their way through forests and over rivers. 49

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Even though he left the same time as Jayd, he had arrived way ahead of her. The shadows caressed him when he transformed into human form. It was the first day of the full moon. During these times, he had the choice to be a Raven again since flying was a convenient and much faster way to travel. Once the sun kissed the horizon, his feathers fell away like ashes. Over the years, he learned he might have been cursed, but his powers had grown with age. No longer did his feathers recede back into his skin, they turned to dust and shadow. Of late, in human form, he'd noticed some of his dreadlocks were beginning to change color at the root. At first glance, Seth thought they were gray, but he would never age since he'd been cursed. His locks were turning silver like Caleb's hair. It meant that eventually all of his feathers, and his eyes would become silver too. It went along with his growing powers. It troubled Seth some. He had been so alone for so many years that if his outward appearance changed anymore, he would be singled out among the humans. Would his skin bleach out also? Once his feathers fell away, his cramped muscles screamed out in thanks when they were able to stretch into his mortal form. The Raven Warrior always forgot the weight of his hair when it fell halfway down his back. Among the dreads, he had trinkets woven into his hair. Some he'd had when he was cursed. Some he had collected over the years. They jingled together when he moved his head. The subtle clink of bells was music to his ears. The cold air of the morning caressed his naked flesh while he stood in the alleyway. The chill didn't bother him in Raven form, but once 50

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his feathers dropped away, he was susceptible to the elements. The wind stroked his flesh, causing all the little hairs on his body to stand up. Hunger pangs hit him. So did a burning thirst. He needed to eat, but now was not the time because Jayd was going to be arriving soon. It wouldn't be good for her to find him naked. Seth did wonder what her reaction would be. He smiled when he pushed the hunger aside. After twenty-five hundred years, he had disciplined his mind enough to control the hunger and his thirst. He looked down at his form and with a wave of his hand donned his normal attire. Black jeans and a long black shirt that snapped up the front. His dreads were bound back in a black ribbon. On his right hand, he had a gold ring given to him back when he was mortal by the priest who had inducted him into the Priesthood of Ra. The man had been a father to Seth after Seth realized that he was not going to hurt him where the other priests had demanded his body for their own whims. It was a simple band of thick metal that had become part of him With another thought, the weight of his silver sword landed in his hand. He lifted it to the sun. The light, shattering into a thousand rainbows, glinted off the blade, which acted like a prism. The sword was light in his grip. Hieroglyphics etched into the metal stated his name and the date he was cursed with a warning to any who went against the Raven Warriors. The edge was thin enough to compare to a piece of paper, but sharp enough to slice a diamond in half. It could cut through anything. The blade was three inches across and three feet long. The pommel was of the winged goddess Nephthys. She was sister to the great goddess Isis 51

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and the one who watched over Death. She was the goddess he worshipped and called upon when he was cursed. Nephthys had enfolded her wings around him, infusing Seth with her dark power, cursing him for an eternity, all because he had been put on the sacrificial altar to her. Seth shook his head while he stared at Jayd. He didn't need to worry about his past or about how hungry he was. A slice of desire cut his heart from Jayd's arms wrapping around him. He suppressed a shudder. Automatically his body tightened. I will not let this happen. I will not revert to my feathered form. She needs me. Seth released his arms from around his boss and let her cry a moment longer before he pushed her away. When he did, he saw her red-rimmed eyes and how much she hadn't slept. Something was going on that she wasn't telling him. He didn't know what it was, but he was sure going to find out even if Jayd didn't let him into her personal life. He knew it wasn't another guy, because she wasn't dating anyone. Taking the keys from her still-shaking hand, Seth slid one into the lock and, with a turn, heard the bolt click when the door gave. He opened the door for Jayd and let her pass in front of him. When he did, Jayd turned and gave him the brightest smile she could. Her cheeks were rosier than normal from crying, and her eyes were glassy from lack of sleep. Crumpled clothes hugged her. Seth had never seen her so disheveled. Her world incorporated order. She wasn't a neat freak, but tidiness made her feel complete. It gave her something to concentrate on, especially after her aunt died. It helped her deal with the passage of time. 52

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Once inside, Seth closed and locked the door, making sure the sign still showed closed. He sat Jayd down in one of the chairs in the corner on the other side of a bookcase so they'd have more privacy. He brewed her some tea and got himself a glass of water. It would help stave off the thirst parching his throat and shrinking his insides. Then again, it didn't compare to the thirst which came with standing outside under the sun at high noon for hours in the desert. In the shadows of the great pyramids, which in his time were even ancient, his whole body had felt on fire. It was one of the tests given to him in the priesthood to see if he was worthy of being a disciple of Ra, the mighty sun god. He gulped down the water and got another glass before he went and sat across from Jayd. He handed her the tea. Her fingertips brushed against the inside of his palm, reminding him of velvet. His groin tightened. Seth pushed away his body's response and reminded himself. He had to be a Warrior and see what the matter was because something told him Jayd was in danger. He was not going to let his promise to Gabrielle fall to the wayside. Jayd's hand was not shaking while she sipped the tea and then blew the steam off the hot liquid. She seemed lost like a little girl wandering in the woods who wasn't sure who was going to rescue her. Seth sighed and rested his elbows on his knees when he looked at her. "Jayd, what's the matter? I've never seen you so beside yourself. Will you tell me please what's bothering you?" 53

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His employer looked up and met his gaze. Her skin had blanched. The silence spread before them. She chewed the inside of her lip and gripped the porcelain cup a little harder. Seth could make out the tension in her fingers and her wrist with his keen vision. Her gaze settled behind him on some unknown title she was studying while she made up her mind to tell him, to let him into her life and reveal the deeper workings of her emotions. Slowly, she reached into her pocket and withdrew a rumpled red piece of parchment. Her hand quaked when she held it out to him. He reached over, careful not to touch her again. The paper was of a fine grain. It was custom-made. It had a particular smell he couldn't place but reminded him of the catacombs he had wandered in the priesthood. The handwriting was feminine, with lots of loops on the tops and ends of letters reminding him of something from the eighteenth century. The marker used to write the note was something that could be found in any stationery store. He darted over the message. Dread filled him. Why hadn't he seen this? Why hadn't he sensed something or someone hovering around her? His gaze settled back on Jayd. It took her a moment to start talking. When she did, her voice was far away almost if she was trying to ward off the messenger who had written her the note. "I've been getting gifts and notes for the past three months. I'm hearing things in the shadows. Whispers in the dark. At first, I thought it was just me going crazy. Too stressed and overworked maybe. After a while, the gloom seemed to thicken like there was someone watching me from the darkness. There's even this crow that I keep seeing. I 54

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swear it's following me, spying on me like it's staring into my soul." A bolt of fear ran through Seth. He hadn't realized that Jayd had noticed him. The Raven Warrior didn't like that she noticed the shadows were more tangible. He hadn't been lurking in them. Whoever was observing her was going to claim her. He wondered why they hadn't appeared last night. There had been something at her house. It wasn't his imagination that he felt something or had the tingle go up his tail feathers. It wasn't a creature that was native to the forest. Whatever it was, he was not going to let it get Jayd. "What else has been happening besides the notes? Do you know who it is? Have you gone to the police?" Jayd shook her head and told him about the teenager who had come into the shop three months ago. When she described her customer's appearance, Seth's heart sank. He wasn't sure, but his gut told him it was a true creature of darkness. If that were the case, it would not stop until it got Jayd. He had only directly dealt with vampires a few times in his many years of existence. Vampires were immortal and hard to kill. He'd exterminated only one nest back in the fifteen hundreds with Arik, but ever since then, they made a point to stay away from vampires. They hardly took any interest in magickal humans. When they did get someone in their sights, they wouldn't cease. Whatever this one saw in Jayd, it was going to come tonight. He had to stay with her. The beast had to be killed. One slice of his sword through the creature's neck and it would crumple to the floor, turning to ash. The thought of Jayd being one of those cold, bloodthirsty 55

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monsters turned his stomach. Stealing away her warmth would condemn her to an eternity of hell. She was a creature of the sun and not the night. "I went to the cops. They said they couldn't do anything. There were no fingerprints on any of the notes. There were none at my house. Nothing was broken. Since there was no damage and I hadn't actually seen anything, there was nothing they could do about it. So much for the wonders of our great law enforcement. What am I going to do, Seth?" Her brown eyes cut through to his soul, and he saw the terror and himself reflected in them. Her wild hair had come free of its elastic prison and framed her face like a soft golden halo. Seth knelt down in front of Jayd and took her hands in his. Her gaze intensified, surprise lightened her grim expression. It was obvious she never thought he'd be kneeling in front of her. He had always made it a point to keep a polite distance between himself and her. "Jayd, I swear to you. I'll do whatever it is in my power to make sure you are safe. I'll stay with you tonight. Here or at your house. Wherever you want. No one is going to harm you." "Seth, I can't ask you to protect me. I..." The Raven Warrior waved his hand and shushed the shop owner. He was not going to let anything happen to her. He had already made up his mind on that. Seth was human for the next three days and nights, and he was going to use his time how he wanted. No one was going to call him away from his assignment. "Jayd, trust me when I tell you, I can take care of myself. There's much that you don't know about me." 56

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Jayd giggled when he said that. Seth always enjoyed the sound of her laugh because it reminded him of the bells above the door. It circled his heart and lifted it. Whenever he was in the shop, he always joked around with her, but kept aloof. In the two years he had worked with Jayd, he had only touched her a handful of times. It was the lightest of brushes when she was handing him money or when they passed one another in the shop. When he was not chatting with her, Seth was settled in one of the chairs reading a book and waiting for his massage clients to come in. Reading was another pastime for him. He loved reading about his homeland, about Ancient Egypt and things the archaeologists were digging up and claiming to be marvelous discoveries when they were normal everyday things when he was alive. He found it funny every time they found a different mummy from a different dynasty and thought it was great miracle. If they ever did find the Temple of Ra, they'd be surprised at all the mummies in the catacombs. There were thousands. When he was a child he was afraid to wander there alone. He thought the mummies would reach out and snatch him up. Then, he realized they were the bodies of all the priests who had come before him. Seth vowed that he would never let himself become one. And he hadn't. He had been tricked into becoming a sacrifice. Seth shook his head. It was not his time to dwell on the past. He had to think about the now. He had to plan what he could do to save Jayd. There was only one other person who possessed more knowledge about vampires than him, and that was Caleb. I can't go to him. He won't listen to me 57

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anyway. Caleb already thinks my fascination with Jayd is too macabre since she's not my charge. Besides, my wondrous leader is involved with Betha trying to keep her sedate. Seth shivered when the echo of disruption rippled through him at his thoughts about the Banshee Queen. Something was not right with her. I'll just have to deal with this. Crosses don't work on vampires and neither does garlic. Holy water is a joke and silver doesn't do anything to them. That only pertains to werewolves. The only way to kill the undead is to take their head or stake their heart. In some respects, they are similar to us. If we are beheaded, then we will die. Or if you poison us with an enchanted silver dagger, we can die. Thank the gods they are rare and Seneca and Jet know the antidote. It was bad enough taking care of Darius when he was stabbed. "Seth, can I ask you something?" Jayd drew him from his thoughts. "You can ask me anything you wish. I might tell you the sky is purple, but I promise I will answer." Her fantastic smile turned his heart. His body began to constrict. He'd have to be careful around her and keep his distance. Now was not the time to frighten her and turn into a Raven. If Jayd saw that, she would be terrified of him and think that he was the one trying to hurt her instead of the real nemesis. "Tell me why is it you only work on the three days of the full moon? You don't have a bank account from what I can tell, and you never talk about your past. Who are you really, Seth? You don't even have a last name. You just have one 58

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name, like a rock star or something. Is that what you do the days you're not here? Do you have some secret identity making millions singing for a living, and humor me by coming in here three days a month? Or are you a werewolf?" Seth chuckled. His grin widened even more until it hurt the edges of his face. He shook his head, and his laughter continued to boom from his chest. Jayd didn't know what he was, but her suspicions and conclusions were not too far from the truth. If only he did tell her what he was, what would she do? A werewolf. He patted her hand and shook his head. "No, Jayd. I'm not a werewolf. Have you ever seen me get furry? If I sing, I sound like a sick raven cawing all over the place. I'm certainly no rock star. And you're right. I have no bank account." He smiled more to himself than to her. What good was money to him? Like he told Arik, he gave most of it away. When you had magick at your feathertips, there was no point in needing money. Most of what he had left over he donated to a charity. When he thought about her other questions, about not having a last name and who he was, it made him grim. He used to have a last name. He didn't remember what it was. It might have been recorded somewhere on some temple. The scrolls with his cartouche had all turned to dust. The temple walls had been worn down by ages of sand. All he had left of his past were his ring and a few of the trinkets he had in his hair. Everything else was ancient history. He lifted his eyes and made sure some of his power touched Jayd's mind so she would understand and not ask any more questions about his past. He hated to use his 59

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power on her, but it was the only way of not revealing his true nature. "Jayd, does it really matter why I'm here only three days a month? My past is my own, and I don't like to talk about it. Let's leave it at that. Okay?" He pressed his power into her thoughts, leaving a mild suggestion not to ask about his past again and to focus on getting things in order for the rest of the day. Seth was going to be with her. Nothing was going to change that. He instilled a sense of comfort in her so she wouldn't have to worry so much about the coming night. The Raven Warrior pushed that a little deeper into her psyche than his first suggestion and hoped it would stick. He hated seeing her terrified. Whenever Seth was around Jayd, he felt at ease in his human skin. It wasn't because he'd made up his mind to watch her either. He was fond of her. After a moment, Jayd blinked coming out of daze and nodded her head. The smile she gave him was semi-dumb. "Oh God, I can't believe I've been sitting here talking your ear off and bawling over what happened last night." Jayd got up and stretched. It seemed his suggestion was taking root because some of the color was returning to her cheeks and her hands weren't shaking as they had been before. Seth watched her turn away from him and took a few steps toward the cash register and then she turned back around. There was a hardness in her eyes that hadn't been there before. She had made her mind up about something. "Seth, thank you for staying with me. I don't mean just about tonight. I mean in general. I've always wanted us to spend more time together." 60

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The blood turned her flesh pink, reminding him of newly blossomed roses, when Jayd realized what she had said and how it sounded. She was about to apologize, but Seth held up his hand and waved it off. "I've wanted to spend more time with you too, Jayd." More than you know. [Back to Table of Contents]

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Chapter Five "Seth, why do you always eat french fries? I don't think I've ever seen you eat anything else. Not even the occasional burger to go with the fries. You always get cheese fries or chili-smothered fries. You know that those are bad for you!" Jayd teased him. She glanced over the schedule. Surprisingly, Seth didn't have any massages booked today. Then again, it worked out pretty well, considering she didn't want to have him out of her sight. Seth looked up from his book and gave Jayd one of the winning smiles she so loved about him. It made his rock hard face brighten. Her insides quivered and she felt like a teenager staring at her favorite crush over the lunchroom table. She was grateful to him for stepping in and helping her this morning. Maybe he knew I was in danger. Maybe I should've told him sooner about what was going on. Jayd shook her head. The one thing she'd learned from her Aunt Gabrielle was that everything happened for a reason. Even if Jayd didn't have faith in some of the other things her aunt tried to instill in her, it was the one thing close to her heart. Jayd believed more in fate than she did in a heavenly creature watching down over all of them. Seth glanced at his fries, which were drowning in cheese, and licked his lips. Jayd didn't know what it was he saw in those things. He reminded her of Aubrey, who drank nothing but whatever wheatgrass-barley shake she was fond of drinking at the moment. He only ate french fries, and he 62

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seemed to favor the ones from the pizza place on the next block. The strangest combination she had seen him come in with one day was french fries covered in tomato sauce, mustard, jalapeños, and pickles. The thought of it turned her stomach, but he ate them without complaint. "Hmm, honestly I don't know. Ever since I discovered potatoes, I've always liked them. I like loaded baked potatoes too, but french fries are my favorite. Now, my beautiful Jayd, how are you doing? Do you need me to get you anything?" Jayd shook her head. The burning of a blush touched her cheek when he called her beautiful. He was being valiant about staying with her and she almost felt bad about asking him, but something had changed in her mind ever since he had shown up. Whatever or whoever was after her was going to be in for a big surprise with Seth being there. Seth would be at her side. With him, she did not have to be scared. Jayd skimmed the appointment book. It was after one. Seth was eating fries again for lunch. She couldn't think of eating anything her stomach was still in knots from earlier. She let her eyes slide up from the appointment book and settle on Seth. The breath caught in her throat every time she looked at him. This morning having him so close to her ... and then he'd taken her hands in his. Her insides had turned to knots. At that point, she wasn't sure what she was more frightened of, Seth holding her hands and the possibility that he might lean in and try to kiss her or the mysterious stalker who was coming after her tonight. Everything about Seth twisted Jayd into pretzels. She doubted he suspected the extent of her feelings, the enormous crush she had on him 63

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since first seeing the masseuse. At first, Jayd thought Seth was gay. Seth had asked to only work on male clients. After she got to know him better, she chided herself for thinking that, because by no means was he attracted to men. He said he preferred working on men. However, the massage therapist did have quite a following. Every time Seth was scheduled, he was booked. Except today. No matter how much of a great worker he was, she would never admit how she felt about him. Nor would she confide in him that she always counted the days when he would come into work. For the two years since Seth was hired, he had never missed a scheduled day. Seth always deflected any personal questions, but in a nice way. He was always punctual and volunteered to stay late if she needed the help. He never came onto her or made her feel uncomfortable. When they were alone together, he normally kept his distance. This morning was the first time she remembered him touching her of his own free will. Jayd never saw him hanging out with friends or had anyone come in and visit him. He was calm, cool, collected, and so damn fine she wanted to jump him every time he appeared at the store. God, it's been a long time since I've been on a date with anyone. The business takes up so much of my time, and then with this crazy stalker after me, I haven't wanted to go out with anyone. Besides that, I need to get laid. Maybe after all this Seth and I can ... no. Bad idea. I have a rule about dating my employees. But today, he looked at me and I thought I saw interest from him. And I almost let myself slip about telling him I wanted to spend more time together. 64

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I have to pull myself together. I have to stay focused. She glanced at Seth again. He was reading something on Egyptian history. Once and a while, he chuckled, turning his lips up into an inviting smile at the words. His dreads hung halfway down his back and jingled every time he moved. Egyptian symbols were woven into them. She knew he had several ankhs but was never too sure on the rest of the symbols except the Eye of Horus. She was never good about history and mythology, and whenever she saw him in his off time, he was always reading and was more knowledgeable than she about the past. His voice was low, with a hint of an exotic accent that had been tamed over time. Seth reminded her of a wild animal caught up in some kind of cage, the way he stalked her store. It was a panther or a lion. She didn't know if there was anything higher on the food chain, but whatever it was, it was Seth. His features were chiseled from the most beautiful onyx. His skin gleamed even in the faintest light. Everything about him reminded her of dark, creamy chocolate, and she loved dark chocolate. Her stomach lurched forward when she thought of the way his fingers would feel winding through her curly hair. Would they be velvety soft on her cheek? Would his lips touch her delicate places that had been hidden from men for so long? I can't think about this. I have a store to run and a schedule to redo. "Jayd?" The chimes jingled when the door hit them. Jayd looked up and saw Aubrey standing in the doorway. The incense smoke that surrounded her had made her seem hazy and out of sorts. 65

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Jayd smiled when the other massage therapist walked in. "Hey, Aubrey. Thanks for closing up for me yesterday." Jayd looked down at the schedule and noticed she was not on it. "Why are you here?" Aubrey asked. Jayd noticed Seth looking up at the new arrival over his book. Aubrey hadn't noticed that Seth was there yet. "Ahh, I work here. I own the place. Why wouldn't I be here?" She crossed her arms over her chest and tried not to stare at Aubrey. She wondered what Aubrey's intent was for saying what she had said. "No, no. Sorry, I mean ... I was just saying that you said you came down with something yesterday, and it was so sudden I thought you'd be home in bed sleeping the bug off. Or maybe curled up with some tea trying to get over the flu. I figured I'd come in and keep an eye on the place while you were out of commission. What are friends for?" Aubrey smiled. Relief washed over Jayd. Yes, what were friends for? She was too on edge not to trust one of the only people she considered a friend in the shop. Aubrey had been with her since the first day she had decided to do massages. Aubrey had been a godsend over the past few years, being there when Jayd needed her. Of course she's thinking about the shop and how I was doing. I have to get this stalker out of my mind. Before you know it, I'll be seeing enemies everywhere. Like the silly crow I keep seeing. I know it's not the same one. It can't be. It's just different ones and I happen to focus on it whenever I see one. "I'm sorry, Aubrey. It's been a tough night. Thank you for wanting to look after 66

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the shop. I do appreciate it. However, Seth and I have got it covered." "We sure do," Seth chimed in. He made it a point to put his book down and stand up to his full six-feet-five frame. Aubrey turned and looked at him when Jayd did. "Seth, my goodness, I didn't know you were scheduled today. Well, I'm glad to see that you're in capable hands. Since that's the case, I will let the two of you get back to whatever it was you were doing. Jayd, I'll see you soon." Jayd watched Aubrey stop for a split second and stare at Seth. The tension in the air mounted between them. Jayd had never seen Aubrey act unkindly toward the other massage therapist. On the contrary, she was always willing to help him out if he ever needed it. The shop owner watched when Seth crossed his arms over his chest and stared back at Aubrey. His jovial demeanor changed and he got serious. The other massage therapist's eyes went between Seth and herself. Jayd wondered if Aubrey thought there was something going on between her and Seth. "My God, I'm being so rude. Seth, I'm sorry. I just haven't seen in you so long." Aubrey threw her arms around Seth. A large smile appeared on his face when he hugged her lightly. A bolt of jealousy ran through Jayd when she saw Seth in another woman's arms. It wasn't right. She knew that, but it still made her green. He met Jayd's eyes and she looked away when he released Aubrey. "How are you?" Seth chuckled. "I'm fine. Thanks, Aubrey. It's good to see you too. I..." 67

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The bells rattled above the door. Jayd looked over to the entrance and saw a tall, blond man dressed all in black standing there. Seth stopped talking to Aubrey. Jayd stared between the newcomer and Seth. Whatever tension there had been between him and Aubrey now doubled to almost cuttable. Terror filled her gut. Whoever this new guy was, she doubted he was here to buy something. He didn't seem the type to be interested in an occult bookshop. His blond hair was bound in a short ponytail. He appeared to be carved from ice. He was the exact opposite of Seth in every way. Jayd swallowed. Aubrey backed away from the two men to avoid being in the middle of them. "Seth." "Arik, what are you doing here?" Jayd watched when the stranger stared down Seth. No one ever came in here looking for him. Was he in trouble? Had he done something and now this guy was coming to collect on a bad debt? Was Seth a criminal and the blond was a bounty hunter come to haul him off to jail? Arik's gray eyes caught Jayd's. They reminded her of the color of thick fog on an overcast day. There was a weight on her mind as if someone was pressing against her forehead the longer she was captured by his gaze. She tried to look away. It seemed if Arik was whispering inside her mind. It was a warning for her not to get involved with why he had come for Seth. "Arik!" Seth snapped. The pressure was released on her thoughts. Arik's eyes were nothing more than dull gray eyes. She shook her head 68

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when a slight headache came over her, but she pushed it aside and focused on the two men. "Um, Seth, who is this man?" Jayd asked. Seth went rigid when he took his eyes away from the newcomer and focused on her. Nothing of the cheerful man she cared for was in his nature. On the contrary, he seemed sharp and deadly, almost if he could kill without a thought. Oh God, I've employed a killer, and now his partner has come to call him out for something. "Jayd, this is my friend Arik. He and I go way back." "Seth, we need to talk," Arik stated. Jayd realized it was not a statement, but a command. "Well, I'm going to get out of here before they come to blows," Aubrey muttered when she slid behind Arik and went out of the door. Seth didn't say anything, but walked over and grabbed his friend's wrist and hauled him into the one of the private rooms they used for massages. Jayd watched the two of them pass by her and heard the door slam. When they left, Jayd felt vulnerable and exposed. Her eyes checked the shadows, darting this way and that, but they were still insubstantial. There was nothing lurking in the darkness. There were no voices whispering nonsensical things in her mind. Jayd had a bad feeling about the stranger. He was going to take Seth away with him and leave her open to attack. Jayd put her hand to her chest when her heart began pounding like an over energized rabbit's foot thumping on the inside of her chest. Jayd had always assumed she was calm and collected, but in these past few months her world had been turned 69

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upside down. She needed some kind of order. Drawing in a breath, she stepped through the beads into the storeroom and decided she needed to rearrange everything. She needed something to keep her mind off the coming night that was drawing closer. [Back to Table of Contents]

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Chapter Six "What the hell do you mean by coming here? Bugging me in Raven form is one thing. But when I'm a man ... You had better have a good reason why you showed up here!" Seth seethed staring at Arik. He had been surprised to see Aubrey. She was shocked to see Jayd. It was obvious that Jayd had not told the other massage therapist about what was going on with her. That made him feel privileged that Jayd had only shared her secret with him, even though it was a horrible secret. To have someone stalking her, and with his suspicions growing that it was a vampire, he knew he had to be ready because the buggers were hard to kill. They were similar to an infestation of cockroaches that kept breeding and breeding. The nest he and Arik had taken care of in the past had had at least thirty. It might have been more, but he didn't remember. It was so long ago. Right before Aubrey left, he sensed something about her he hadn't noticed before. He couldn't put his finger on it, but then in walked Arik. Seth assumed that he sensed the presence of his Raven Warrior brother and that it was throwing him off. He had been thrown off a lot today. "I don't mean to interrupt you playing human, but you are being summoned." Arik stared at him. After a moment of waiting for the punch line, Seth realized that Arik was serious because his demeanor had not changed. It seemed to be growing darker by the minute. 71

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"Who would be sending for me on my days off? Has Caleb deemed I have to go on an assignment? Have I overstepped my bounds? What is it?" Arik ran his hand through his hair and pulled it free from his ponytail. "Seth, have you not heard Betha's calls? She was silently calling you at first, but now her screams are being heard by all. Soon she'll send either her banshees or the Shadows after you. Caleb got tired of her wails and sent me after you before the hounds were released. Have you been so engrossed in your mortal woman in there that you forgot what you are and who holds sway over you?" "Great. Just great. I don't need this right now, Arik. I don't need to go to the Banshee Queen because she wants me to spy on Linnea and her children. Besides, Jayd can't be alone tonight." Arik laughed, breaking some of the tension in the room. He leaned on the wall and crossed his arms over his chest. "Why? Are you planning a romantic getaway between you two? I've seen how you look at her." Seth felt fire touch his cheeks when he shook his head. "No. Nothing like that. Something is after her. I swore to her aunt, my last charge, that I would protect her. If I go to her Divine Majesty, can you watch over Jayd for me?" Seth hated to ask his brother to do it, but it was the only way he would feel okay with going to Betha. Now, when he concentrated, he heard the Banshee Queen's shrill cries. If mortals heard them, their brains would liquefy in an instant. To the Raven Warriors, it was akin hearing nails on a chalkboard. He wondered why he hadn't heard it before. Everything was 72

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turning upside down from his normal way of life. Arik's statement about him being engrossed with Jayd was preposterous. Was he mesmerized with Jayd? "No can do, Seth. I already made plans with Julius and Rayhan. They want to go see what trouble we can stir up. The rest of them are busy, and our freed brothers are spending time with their heartmates. What about this human you're smitten with? Do you think she's your heartmate, Seth? Maybe that was why you were able to block out Betha." Seth laughed. Jayd, his soul mate? The one to break his curse? He doubted that very much. She wasn't even magickal. The more he began to ponder the idea, the more impossible it seemed. "No. I just told her aunt that I'd watch out for her. She doesn't have anyone, and if what I think is coming to get her, she needs someone like us to protect her." "That other one wasn't so bad on the eyes. I don't see how you work around humans and don't turn back into a Raven every time you see that gorgeous rack that walked out strolling by you all the time." Arik licked his lips, and Seth could tell he was thinking about Aubrey. "Arik, that is the difference between you and me. I don't see women's breasts as one of their assets to go gaga over." His brother punched him in the chest and gave him a wide grin. His eyes sparkled in the dim light. "That is so the difference between you and me, brother." Seth laughed and nodded stroking his chin. "Yeah, it is. That was also the thing that got you cursed from what I remember." 73

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Arik opened his arms wide and spun around. "Hey, it's not my fault there were so many to choose from, and they all wanted a piece of me. I mean we're both prime specimens. It wasn't my fault that my betrothed realized I had bedded her mother, her sister, and..." "The rest of the village. I know. I've heard the story a hundred times over. You were insatiable. I get it." Arik laughed a little, but then his seriousness returned. "Seth, please answer Betha's calling. I'm getting a headache." Seth threw up his hands. He was not going to get out of this one. The sooner he went, the sooner he would return and make sure Jayd was safe. First, he had to tell her that he was leaving. "Fine. Go tell Caleb I'll be there in a minute. I have to talk to Jayd first." Arik bowed. Seth watched the long shadows in the room weave and wrap around the other Raven Warrior, enclosing him in a shroud until he was consumed. Once that happened, there was a bulge in the dimension where he stood, and then the space was empty. Betha's incessant screaming filled Seth's mind and were beginning to ring in his ears. He tried to force the cries to the back of his mind, but it only worked to dull them a little. He left the back room and closed the door softly. When he did not see Jayd in the main room of the shop, his heart went to lead and dropped to his feet. His breath caught in his throat. "Jayd?" He heard rustling coming from the storeroom. Without a thought, he summoned his sword to his hand. He changed his stance into the familiar one he was trained for, into that of a 74

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Warrior. He pulled back and let the sword lead him through the beads when he parted them with the blade. Cautiously, he poked his head in and saw Jayd up on her stepladder with her back turned to him. He stopped and let out a long sigh of relief. He found he was admiring her round bottom. He had never noticed it before. Also he had never noticed the arch of her neck and how slender it was. Her skin was pale as a swan's feather. She was the total opposite of him. The blood rose to his face when he realized he was acting. This is silly. Jayd and I are not soul mates. How can she be my heartmate when she isn't even magickal? Jayd turned around and jumped, clutching her chest when she realized he was behind her. He still had the sword in his hand, but when she turned, he dropped it, and it vanished into thin air. "What was that?" she asked. "What was what?" he asked innocently. She shook her head. "Nothing. I must be seeing things from the all the stress I'm under. I swore you had a sword in your hand just a minute ago." He smiled at her and offered her his hand so she could step down from the stepstool. "Nope. No sword. Look, Jayd..." The Raven Warrior lost his train of thought when Jayd laid her hand in his. There was a spark between them which had been waiting to ignite. Seth couldn't deny it. The pull he felt between them made the shrieks of the Banshee Queen inaudible. All he heard was the blood pounding in his veins and in Jayd's. His groin tightened. His body should have been transforming back 75

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to Raven form right about now, but it wasn't. They stared at one another. Jayd's eyes widened. Her breathing quickened. And then Seth was lost in her sparkling eyes. Seth was enraptured. Without thinking, he wrapped his hand around her waist and gently pulled her into him. His palm fit the curve of her hip. At first, he thought that Jayd wasn't going to respond, but after a moment's hesitation, she melted against him. With his other hand, once entwined with her fingers, he lifted her chin up so Seth could taste her lips. She was a good foot shorter than him, but he didn't care. All he saw was Jayd. The whole world had fallen away for Seth in that instant. He forgot he ever was a Raven Warrior and from Ancient Egypt. In this frozen second of time, he was only a mortal man whose heart was swelling with love at the realization he had found the one woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. Slowly, Seth lowered his lips to hers and kissed her lightly, not wanting to force himself on her. Jayd tasted sweet like ripe strawberries. Seth had desired to do this thing for so long. What would Jayd do if his curse turned him back? What would Jayd think if he approached her? Had she wanted him the same way he did her? All these were questions and concerns which had held him back. A soft sigh escaped Jayd's lips and breathed over his when he pulled away. For years, he had thought his curse would never end. Now that he'd endured forever, he knew it was for this one moment. The Raven Warrior wanted to draw Jayd up in his arms and crush her to his body. He wanted to feel all of her pressed against him. He wanted to run the hand that rested lightly on her hip along the curve of her back and 76

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make her shiver from the caresses he could give her. His curse had been bestowed upon him so he could discover the one being he could have eternity with. When Seth pulled away, he waited for his body to tighten and for feathers to sprout from the tiny pores presently occupied by hair. Nothing happened. His fingers didn't darken into hard talons, and his spine didn't bow with the anticipation of wings. Jayd was his salvation. Is this how Tremain and Darius felt when they realized their heartmates were in their arms? Wetness streaked down his cheek. Thank you, great goddess. Thank you, Nephthys, for giving me a second chance. If she accepts me, I will bring her under your wings for your protection. No. Wait. I've already given my gift away. Great goddess, is it fair to dangle such a prize over my... "Seth?" He heard Jayd through a long tunnel. Seth had been so engrossed in his thoughts that he had almost forgotten she was there. He blinked and saw her look of concern. "Yes, Jayd." He reached for her again, but she stepped back. A sharp blow hit his heart shattering it into a million splinters with a battering ram. She does not want me. After all of this, I should have known. My curse will remain and Jayd will never know how I feel. Whatever happens between us, I will make sure she will be safe. Damn Betha and her summons. "Where is your friend?" Seth put on a strong face. "He left. Jayd, I hate to do this to you, but..." 77

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"You have to leave. I kinda figured when he showed up. Does this mean that you're quitting? Was he a hit man? Are you one? Are you in trouble?" Seth's lips curled at her questions. Her mind was making wild assumptions about him and his brother. If only you knew the truth, beautiful one. If only I could tell you and not expose my secret. He grabbed her shoulders and stared her in the eye. He brushed her mind with his power. Seth had been furious that Arik had entered Jayd's thoughts when he had come into the shop. His brother had no reason to, and Arik knew it, too. "Jayd, I swear I will be back. I only have an errand to run. I'm not in trouble." I don't think. "And no, I'm not a hit man. What I do in the time I'm not here is hard to explain. Let's just say I watch out for people." He used his power to reassure her that he would return. No matter what, he would be back before midnight. Betha's screaming was making it hard to think. When he looked around, he noticed the shadows seemed longer and thicker. The queen was getting ready to send her guards to retrieve him. "I have to go. I'll be back. Promise." She nodded. There were tears in her eyes. He couldn't tell if it was because she was terrified of him leaving her alone or if it was because she wanted to be close to him. Seth was not about to read her thoughts. It was an invasion of privacy unless he was connected with his charges. He was against departing, but he also didn't want to expose Jayd to the Shadows either. They could be brutal with mortals. He was not going to let them get their hands on her. 78

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"Seth, please don't leave me alone." The slight whimper in her voice cut him to the quick. "Jayd, I don't have a choice. I have to go." "Why?" Seth sighed. He growled and smashed his fist into the wall. Jayd jumped and a strangled cry caught in her throat. He was better at controlling his emotions in normal situations. The beads shook. The Raven Warrior hated that he scared Jayd, but the screaming in his head was getting unbearable. No matter how much he tried to block it out now, he could not. The cold of the other world was pressing down on him. Soon Betha would pull him against his will, because she had the power to do that. "Jayd, I can't tell you. Please don't make me wait any longer to go." She stepped back and looked away from him. There was defeat in her eyes. If she only knew the real reason. It's only to protect you, he wanted to say to her. It's only to make sure you're safe. He reached out a hand to her, but curled his fingers in toward his palm before he got to her cheek. It would be too much to touch her supple flesh and not be able to think that she would want him again. He yearned to put his hands over his ears and block out the screeching. The triple raven brand on his left shoulder began to itch. It was the symbol of his curse, a sign of the dark goddess who ruled them. All his brothers had it. Now his was burning, and he was being pulled. Seth used all his will to try and fight the pull of the Banshee Queen. A sharp pain sliced him through the stomach. He doubled over. Jayd stepped forward to help him. Seth couldn't dig his heels in anymore. He didn't want to 79

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frighten Jayd or reveal himself, but he couldn't hold on anymore. He reached out his hand to Jayd. Her fingers only touched his fingertips. At that moment, his power wrapped around him. The coolness of the shadows embraced him when he flattened and moved through the Grey, a shadow himself, until he appeared kneeling at the feet of the Banshee Queen, sword in hand, like a knight of old before heading off to a quest or facing certain death. [Back to Table of Contents]

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Chapter Seven Jayd stared at the spot Seth had occupied. One minute he was there. The next he was gone. Like a vanishing ghost. Like he never had existed before. This is not possible. He was just here. I know he was. Seth is real. He kissed me. He held me in his arms. I felt the heat of his body against mine. Jayd shook her head and stepped to where he had been. She reached out and moved her hand through the empty space where Seth had stood. It seemed a tad colder than the air around her. Puzzlement worked through her mind and painted her face. Jayd had never minded puzzles, but this one was over the top. Horror filled her. Her first thoughts of Seth's disappearance were that he was the one who d been stalking her. He had the time off enough to do it. The more she agonized over it, the more her gut told her she was drawing the wrong conclusion. Seth had made it a point to keep her calm. He had told her he was going to watch out for her. The look on his face when she asked him why he had to go was agonizing. Then he had doubled over in pain. He wants to tell me what's going on, but he can't. I bet it has something to do with why he only works on the three days of the full moon. Maybe that was why he couldn't tell me what was going on. Maybe I'm just losing my mind. All of this is too crazy. People don't just disappear into thin air. People ... Fear gripped Jayd. She stumbled back into one of the shelves holding her containers of herbs. The bottles banged together from the vibration of her impact. Luckily, they did 81

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not fall. Her hand flew to her lips. Seth had kissed her so softly. He had a heart. He was a regular man. But he wasn't a man. He was something else. She slid down the shelves, not caring about the splinters that embedded themselves in her back. Once on the floor, she pulled her knees up to her chest and let her head sink against them. Everything inside of her was going numb. Her mind reeled over all the possibilities. It made her flash back to some of the stories her Aunt Gabrielle had told her when she was a child. Her aunt used to tell her tales about fairies and creatures that went bump in the night. Jayd had never believed the fables about her aunt being able to pull fire from thin air. Then again, she was never sure about magic in general. To Jayd, it was all smoke and mirrors, something to be seen in a Las Vegas hotel where lions hovered over the audience and chimps appeared in the seat next to you. She never considered herself much of a believer in the supernatural. Even with the yarns Gabrielle had told her. There had been one story that Jayd had loved to hear. It was about a mysterious stranger who had rescued her aunt from three horrible men. Her aunt had told her the men were evil fairies pretending to be demons because she wanted to become more powerful, but she was young and didn't know any better. However, the man who had rescued her aunt was dark and carried a silver sword that had glinted in the firelight. Gabrielle didn't get a good look at him except to say he was tall, strong, and the fairies were afraid of him. After that, her aunt had always said that they both had a guardian angel, 82

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and Jayd didn't have to worry about anything bad coming to get her. Maybe Seth was that guardian angel. Jayd hugged her knees closer trying to curl herself up into a ball. She began to piece things together and draw conclusions she wasn't ready to accept. It was too much. This whole scenario and the current events made her brain go into overload. The stress of it was pushing her over the edge. It brought her back to another time where she was frightened and her life had been fragmented because her father came home angry. There had been a loud noise and then... The trauma of her current situation opened her to the memories of the night her father had come home and shot her mother. Jayd had been playing in her parents' room. Her mother was playing dress up with her. All of her makeup was spread out on the vanity. It was neat and orderly. Everything had its place in the house. Jayd was on her mother's lap. Her mother's face had never been clear in her mind, but now, when she gazed out through the eyes of a child, she saw her mother's face reflected in the mirror. Jayd had never realized she could have been her mother's sister they looked so much alike. They had the same curly, unruly blonde hair. Only hers was a shade darker than her mother's. Her mother's eyes were the same. Her mother had a rounder face and a more pointed chin, but other than that, they were identical. "Jayd, do you want to look like Mommy?" she heard her mother in her mind. Staring out through a child's eyes, she wanted to tell her mother how much she missed her. How much she wished she 83

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had never gone away and what her life had become, but her reply was, "Yes, Mommy." Her mother smiled and then picked up her lipstick and made her face into that of a fish. Jayd tried to mimic her, but she couldn't quite figure it out, and her mother started laughing. Jayd began giggling, too. Her laughter was clear and innocent. Finally, her mother took the lipstick and started putting it on Jayd's lips. Then, they moved on to the eye shadow. Jayd had wanted to be a princess. They never got that far. Once the first brushstroke of makeup touched her eyelid, the door burst open. It hit the wall hard enough that the door handle knocked a hole in the plaster. The scent of drywall stung Jayd's nose. She looked over and saw her father standing there. Something was wrong. His face was all red. In one hand, he clutched something black and shiny. The other held a piece of paper. Her mother slid Jayd off her lap. "Sweetie, why don't you go to your room?" Jayd nodded her head, but she couldn't make it past her father, who was blocking the door. "I thought you said this was going to stop, Margret!" he shouted. Jayd covered her ears from the yelling. It didn't drown out her father's voice. "Not in front of Jayd, Harold." Her father looked over and sneered. "Like that little whelp is mine! How many have you screwed? How many?" Jayd screamed. When her father slapped her, a sharp pain went across her face. She stumbled backward and hit the 84

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wall. Tears poured out of her eyes. She didn't understand why her parents were yelling and why her father had hit her. He'd never done that before. She looked at her mother, who got up and took her in her arms. Some of Jayd's pain went away from being in the comfort of her mother's embrace. She felt her mother's soft lips on the top of her hair. Her mother smiled and wiped away her tears. "Sweetie, go downstairs and play. Mommy and Daddy have to talk, okay?" She nodded and began chewing on her thumb. She walked out of the room and down the hall a little ways, but stayed behind to see what her mother was going to say to her father. "Harold, I admit I screwed up. It was one slip, but there is no reason to think that Jayd is not yours." "Are you so sure, since she looks a little bit like my brother?" "Whatever your drunken brother says about what he thinks happened between us isn't true. I can't believe you'd take his lying word over that of your wife. He's betrayed you all these years, and yet, you still defend him." Jayd listened to the words her mother and father were saying. They went back and forth, getting louder. She walked a little closer and peered through the crack in the door. Her father lifted the black metal thing he had in his hand. He pointed it at her mother. A loud bang came out of it and some sparks at the end. Her mother was standing before her one second, and the next, she was on the floor with a dot of red on her yellow shirt that was growing like she had spilled paint on her chest. If Jayd had done that, her mother would've been mad and punished her for making a mess. Jayd let out a 85

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shriek and waited for her mother to get up. Her mother didn't. She stared at Jayd with vacant eyes. She didn't understand that her mother was dead. Then, the door opened, and her father stood looming over her. Something triggered in her brain. Jayd didn't know what it was, but it seemed her mother was telling her to run. Her mother's voice was screaming for her to get out of the house and hide. Her father made a grab for her, but Jayd ducked and ran downstairs into the kitchen. She was too small to get the handle, but she was just right to fit through the doggy door. She squeezed through it and didn't see that her father was not trying to come after her. Jayd was so scared that she kept on running around to the side of the house where there was a crawl space. Her father told her never to go in because there were things inside of it that might hurt her. It was covered with wood, but she was able to pull the boards down because they weren't nailed on. She crawled underneath the house. When she did, she curled herself up into a ball, hoping her mother would come and get her when she got up from the bedroom floor. After a few minutes of waiting in the dark, Jayd heard another loud bang and then everything was silent from the house above her. She waited in the crawlspace for three days, going through the nights huddled up. Thankfully, it was warm, so she was okay, but she was hungry. Jayd didn't dare go back into the house in case her father was still there. Finally, a neighbor came over and heard her crying in the crawl space. Jayd recognized her because the neighbor was nice to her and always gave her a cookie when her mother 86

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went over to her house. But when the neighbor tried the door and found it was locked, she asked Jayd what happened. Jayd didn't know. She said that she was waiting for her mother. The neighbor called the police after that, and Jayd was brought to Gabrielle. My God. I can't believe I remembered that, Jayd thought when she looked up and wiped her eyes. Her muscles were cramped from sitting so long. She checked her watch, shaken at what had transpired. When she saw the time, her heart dropped. Four hours had passed, and she was still all alone. No one had come into the shop, and even if someone had, she wouldn't have heard the person. She was out of it. She had spaced, something she had never done before. God, what's happening to me? Am I losing it completely? All of this over Seth and some stories that Aunt Gabrielle told me. All of this has to have a rational explanation. She tried to wrap her mind around the sane side of the events. But there were no realistic thoughts at all. The shock of the situation had opened a can of worms in her mind. She had never felt so vulnerable in her life until now. "Who the hell are you, Seth? Are you the guardian angel Gabrielle told me about? Is that why you can't talk about what it is that you do when you're not here?" Jayd asked to no one in particular when she got up and stretched. Her legs ached from being stiff for so long, but she didn't care. It took a moment before her toes had feeling in them once again because they had fallen asleep. Moving the curtain aside, Jayd noticed that the sun sat on the horizon, casting long shadows on the sidewalk from what she could tell, because 87

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she was below street level. There was a chill in the shop that made her rub her hands over her arms to get her circulation going. Her mind traveled to Seth and how he had vanished. It seemed the shadows had swallowed him whole. If that was the case, and everything her aunt had told her was true, then there was another world that she didn't know about. Magic might be real. The concept was hard to grasp. Jayd wasn't sure since she had always based all of her actions in a world that she could taste and smell. Another thought crossed her mind. What if my stalker isn't human, either? The idea made her stop and investigate the shadows. They seemed bulkier than they had been before, but that was a trick of the light because it always got dark in the shop at this time. After the sun hit a certain point on the street, she lost its light. Jayd had never felt unsafe in her store until that teenage Goth boy had come in. With his appearance, everything in her world went topsy-turvy. She barely trusted her own judgment since she was hearing voices, but now, she realized that she wasn't crazy. Something was going on, and she was in the middle of it. Her fear from her stalker turned to anticipation almost because she wanted to confront him and see if he, too, was something extraordinary or if he was a normal human guy. But she still didn't want to face him alone. Jayd checked her watch again. It was near six. Seth, wherever you went, I hope you get back here in time. Jayd, hoping that he would appear out of nowhere, searched the empty space, but when he didn't, she didn't let her resolve vanish. She was going to be ready for her 88

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attacker whoever or whatever he was. If he was some kind of supernatural being, Jayd was going to find a way to ward him off. Hell, she owned a new age shop and had knowledge of the occult at her fingertips. Maybe it was time to learn a few things about the wares she peddled. [Back to Table of Contents]

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Chapter Eight Seth looked up from his kneeling position into the azure eyes of the Banshee Queen. Instead of looking haggard, and wizened, she appeared in her human form. Her hair fell down her back in long chocolate waves that shimmered in the candlelight of the throne room. Her throne was made of black onyx. All the walls were lined with mirrors frosted over with cobwebs that looked to be made out of gold. There was someone playing a piano in the far corner. It was one of the queen's banshees, in normal form, playing a tune on keys made of human finger bones. The floor was tiled with emerald marble veined with gold. The queen herself wore a dark green dress that clung to her mortal form. Seth had to admit, the queen was a beautiful woman and horrible when she was a banshee. Her nails were blood red to match her lipstick, and her skin was translucent, showing off the veins in her hands. "I have come as you insisted, Majesty." Seth tried to sound sincere. Betha turned her gaze from her court to him. He noticed in the reflection that there were specters dancing and twirling on formless feet along with the ethereal music continued. It reminded him of some macabre funhouse scene. "My, my, Seth, you've finally decided to grace me with your presence. Never in all my years with you Warriors have I been kept waiting so long. Now why is that? Are you too enamored with that mortal of yours? Am I going to lose you like I've lost two of my other Warriors?" 90

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Seth tried to rise. Betha waved her hand, and his muscles froze. He was locked in a kneeling position. He fought with all his strength, straining against the weight that held him down. No matter how much force he used, there was no way he could overcome the power of the Banshee Queen. She ruled him, and he was not able to go against her. The only ones who could were the ones who had been freed from the curse. "Mistress, please," he said through gritted teeth. "I am here. I was coming when you summoned me. However, I was making sure Jayd was safe. There is something after her, and I swore to protect her. You're not going to lose me, My Queen." He cast his eyes down and looked at her feet. A screech erupted from her human lips. It pierced his brain. It shattered his eardrums. Wetness began to trickle down his neck from the blood. He was deaf for a few minutes while his body repaired the damage. Sharp fingernails under his chin lifted his face to look at her. "Seth, you have been a devoted Raven Warrior since the day you were cursed. You have never disobeyed me. The charges I assign to you are always the first things on your mind. I applaud you for that. This ordinary mortal has no magickal blood in her. She is not a half-breed of any kind, nor does her fate dictate that she will one day come into some preternatural gifts. There is no reason for you to be watching her." Betha stabbed the points of her nails into his chin. He winced at the pain but did not let it escape his lips. He knew better than that. 91

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Seth narrowed his eyes. "Betha, I have honored you over the centuries I've been with the flock. I've done everything you have ever asked of me. However, I will not leave Jayd to be ravaged. No matter what you do to me, I will go back and protect Jayd. It doesn't matter what kind of abilities she does or does not have. You will not keep me away from her!" Seth felt the weight of her power descend on him again, trying to force him to look away from her, but she wasn't going to have the satisfaction. It took everything in him. Betha shrieked again in frustration and walked away. Her high heels clicked on the marble when she strolled back to her throne. The music and the dancing were still going on. The tune had grown darker and more dangerous, something that would accompany a dark and stormy night before a massacre. It fit the Banshee Queen's mood. He would have to tread carefully. The more he thought about it, the more he realized he didn't care anymore. In his heart, Seth knew that Jayd was his heartmate even if she didn't understand what was blooming between them yet. "Seth, you're becoming like all the others. Just like Tremain and Darius. You're so engrossed in this mortal bitch you're forgetting that you belong to me. You can't be with her. All she'll do is cause you pain and trouble in the end. Come back to me and do what I ask. I will send the Shadows to guard her if that's what you desire to keep her safe, but you have one assignment to do that doesn't include watching over this woman you're infatuated with." Betha sat in her throne and slung her feet over the arm. A low wail split her lips. A servant appeared next to the throne carrying a golden 92

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goblet. Her fingers, tipped with blood-red nails, wrapped around it, and she brought it to her lips. Seth watched when she downed the contents in one long swallow. When she put the goblet down on the tray again, he saw the unmistakable stain of blood lining her lips. It would only be human. His stomach turned in disgust. Seth understood that she had to drink it in order to retain a human appearance, but he thought killing innocent humans was a sin. That was one reason he despised vampires. He did not condone violence even if he was a Warrior. But if she was drinking more blood, then she planned on going to see Linnea and the children again. Something was going to happen, but he didn't know what. He wasn't a seer and could not predict the future. After twenty-five hundred years, his instincts told him that it was going to be bad. "Highness, what're you planning to do with Whitney? Tremain and Linnea must realize that you have a vested interest in their infant daughter when you never pay any attention to their son." The Banshee Queen turned her head to stare at him. It rotated slowly enough that he could hear the bones creaking in her neck. When she faced him, her human facade melted away, replaced with her normal visage ... a shriveled mummy that had been badly preserved. Her hair bleached to bone white with bugs and bits of dirt clinging to it. Her eyes disappeared altogether. Betha's skin grayed and began to flake off until all he saw was bone underneath. Her feet shriveled up and evaporated into wisps of smoke. Her dress became nothing more than tattered rags that had been put 93

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through a shredder one too many times. Her chest flattened, and her teeth grew all pointed and yellowed. A shiver of fright seized him. If a mortal saw her, death was imminent. If her lips touched you, death was instantaneous. Because he was immortal, it wouldn't matter. She rose from her throne and floated in front of him. "You dare question my authority when it comes to my Warriors and my intentions. What I do with the child is none of your business! You should be damned for what you are inferring. How could I ever replace my Maili? She was my life. Linnea and Tremain took her from me. There is only one course of action with those two." Seth knew what that was. Betha was not going to replace Maili with Whitney. She was going to kill the child. She was going to inflict the same kind of heartache she suffered on Tremain and Linnea. "You can't take her life! It would ruin Linnea and Tremain. How selfish can you be? Your daughter was insane!" Betha laughed in a high-pitched tone. When she did, he saw her expression turn maniacal. "My dearest, Seth. How quick of you to figure it out. Tremain defied me. I see the same insubordination in your eyes, Seth. Why don't I send one of my banshees to your little mortal? I can have her kissed. Once that happens, you won't have anything to worry about. Her soul will be Azrael's, and you'll be free to be my faithful Raven Warrior again. I will not lose any more of my Ravens to their mortal desires." "It's not your decision how destiny brings together two souls or how the human heart works. Maybe it's time that all 94

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of the Warriors are freed to make room for those souls that have to be punished. So many of us have spent decades, centuries repaying our sins against those whom we have wronged, or were never supposed to be here in the first place." Betha put her face right into his. "I control those I see fit. And even you are still under my control." Betha ran the back of her decaying hand along his cheek. He tried to suppress a shudder, but it enveloped his whole body when her lips touched his forehead. Once they did, his entire body erupted in agony. It was worse than the pain he felt when he had first been branded with the triple raven symbol on his shoulder. Nothing he could do would stop it. The power that held him in place was gone. He dropped to the floor. His sword fell, and the loud crash echoed through the entire hall. Through a distant tunnel, he heard the ghostly music stop playing, and the loud roar that had replaced it was coming from his own mouth. "Make it stop!" Seth screamed. Betha giggled like a child about to get an ice cream cone. "Oh no, Seth. You are going to do my bidding whether you like it or not. This is just to remind you that you're mine. Nothing can change that." She leaned down and whispered in his ear. "And there's nothing you can do to save Linnea's sweet little child. Thank you for keeping tabs on her for me. The girl would have grown up to be quite powerful, but now, well, we'll see. Maybe I'll make her into one of my servants. I wish your little human well. Whatever it was you were protecting her from will have a nice meal. Never go against 95

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me again, Seth. Learn from knowing your beloved mortal is going to die, and there's nothing you can do to stop it. This is the way it should be. Your heart's desire is human. We have nothing to do with the human race, or have you forgotten that?" With that, she was gone. The pain flowing through him intensified until it consumed his muscles and he writhed. It had been so long since Seth had felt anything except the occasional twinge of pain that his defenses were not expecting the onslaught from the Banshee Queen. He had never been put under Betha's scrutiny. What she was planning with Whitney was unthinkable. There was no way she could act out her revenge on an innocent when the Raven Warriors were all about protecting the innocent. He had to alert Tremain and Linnea. He had to warn Jayd. He had to get to Caleb and tell him what the queen was intending. Their leader was the only one who could stop her from doing anything rash. But Seth couldn't move and the agony kept coming in more intense waves. It seemed he was being tortured by having hot pokers all over his body or having boiling oil melting through his skin. He screamed again. Darkness loomed on the edge of his consciousness. Whatever she had done to him, it would not kill him. He knew that. He didn't know how long her torture would continue, but he had to fight through it. The dark was so inviting. He let the coolness of it take his consciousness away while his body was still convulsing in pain. His mind left his body behind, and he traveled back, back to a place he'd never forgotten, to a time he had hoped to forget. The day he was cursed. The day he 96

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was betrayed by the man he had thought to be a father. Back to the day where he lost his life, under the full blazing sun, losing the god he had worshiped most of his life. **** Seth opened his eyes to the sun streaming in his window. Today was the day. His father, or the man he called his father since he didn't remember his own, was going to initiate him into the full priesthood and mysteries of the great god Ra. Excitement boiled underneath his skin and his heart beat like the drums they used in their rituals. Few his age were granted the privilege of being a Senior Priest of Ra and of learning the deepest mysteries that went along with the office. All he knew was that there were times his mentor spent hours poring over scrolls so ancient that they were rumored to have come across a great sea from an island that had sunk beneath the waves. Nothing remained of the island anymore save the scrolls and a few legends. That was part of some of their ancient wisdom he did not know yet but wished to. Once his guide realized that Seth had taught himself to read the hieroglyphics, the priest had opened the vast knowledge that the other priests held to Seth. His mentor taught him Greek, Latin, and other languages. Seth was never able to speak them, but he could read and write them. The young priest loved knowledge and wanted to explore the world through any kind of scrolls or writing he could find. Seth often scoured the marketplace for new manuscripts that came in on the trade routes. Other times, he would walk through all the stalls and gain knowledge by watching people. 97

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That was another one of his pastimes. He loved to observe life and how humanity interacted together, no matter if they were young or old, slaves or freemen. Even some of the ladies from the highborn houses would come out and look for trinkets. All regarded him with some awe when they recognized him from the golden symbol he wore around his neck. The priests were revered in the city, but he had heard in other cities north of here that some of the priests were being slaughtered. He wondered why that was. Being a Priest of Ra didn't mean that they did human sacrifice. They burned incense and gave food to the great sun god. They left wealth and grains of the harvest to appease him, and Seth didn't understand why Ra's temples would be desecrated. Seth got out of bed and donned the new white robe he had been given to wear. He stared out the window at the people bustling in the courtyard. All of them were preparing for the great feast that would be happening all in his honor once the great sun reached its zenith. When the first rays of the noonday orb streamed into the temple, he would be initiated into the oldest mysteries of the sect. He would learn what his mentor had been searching long and hard for these past few years he spent in the dark and stuffy rooms underground with the ancient scrolls. Seth hated to go down into the rooms because he had to pass rows and rows of mummified priests. It gave him the creeps. He had gotten lost in the catacombs when he was a child and a slave. All he had seen were rows of the dead priests. He didn't want to end up one of them, but even now, being initiated, he knew that his body would eventually be mummified and his spirit would travel to the 98

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next world. He understood the ways of the dead now that he had been trained in some of the lesser mysteries of his cult. Seth absently watched the servants running around in the courtyard below. A soft knock on his door brought Seth out of his thoughts. "Come in," he called. Seth turned expecting to find his mentor, but instead, he found a servant girl. She looked at him once and then stared at his feet. She was a beautiful specimen. If he desired, he could have had his way with her. Some of the other priests took advantage of the slaves, but he thought that was degrading. The poor girl didn't have any say in what her master did to her. "Good morning, master. I have been sent to prepare you for the ceremony. Will you come with me?" A smile curled his lips. "Of course." She bowed low and then waited for him to lead. He heard the door close behind him and then Seth followed her through the maze of hallways until he came to the bathhouse. There he found three other girls waiting for him in a steaming pool filled with lotus blossoms. The water bubbled of its own accord warmed by a natural spring that came right up from the earth. Another gift from the gods that only the priests partook in. The serving girl undid the belt from around his waist and then removed his robe and folded it on a seat that had been carved out of the limestone. Seth felt himself stir staring at the beautiful serving women. Unfortunately, it was not for him to indulge in the ways of the flesh when he would have to pass the tests of Ra and needed all his facilities about him. 99

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"Come, sit in the sacred water and be reborn." Another serving girl motioned to the water. Seth realized that she wasn't a slave from the markings on her face and jewelry she wore. She was a priestess. He had never seen a priestess before in the temple of Ra. He knew the great god had female counterparts, but he had never met one. Maybe this was another perk that came with the office. Seth knew not to insult her, and stepped into the water, sitting on one of the natural seats that the water had carved into the stone over the years. When he did, its slight sulfur smell and the warmth of the water made him relax. He leaned his head back and let the water embrace his body while random bubbles tickled his flesh. Seth closed his eyes. Before he knew it, hands were traveling all over his body, washing him and playing with his hair. He was in heaven. He had never been pampered before. The perfume of the lotus blossoms, bolstered by the hot water, lulled him to another. Time passed slowly for him. When Seth opened his eyes again, his mentor was standing before him at the pool dressed in the robes of his office. "The hot springs are truly a gift from the gods, are they not?" Seth gave his mentor a wide grin because every muscle was loose. He'd been put under a spell and his body was not obeying his commands. "Yes, they are. Is it time?" "Yes, Seth. It is time." Seth nodded and got up slowly. His legs were wobbly. When he got out of the water, the servant girls toweled him off and then wrapped his robe back around him. The Priestess of Ra gave him a sly smile. He wondered if she knew many 100

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secrets and might tell him later. He didn't return the grin but gave her a slight nod. Once robed, he turned to his master and gave him a small bow. "Seth, you stopped having to do that for me ages ago. Please do not debase yourself in front of me. You are an Elder Priest of Ra now. You bow to no man. Not even if Pharaoh himself calls you to his court." Seth understood he didn't have to bow to his mentor, but if it weren't for him, Seth would still be a slave. Or worse, he might be dead. "I only wish to show you my thanks, Bes. If it weren't for you. I would still be serving. I..." Seth was at a loss for words. A surge of love and gratitude caressed his heart. He bowed even lower. Bes laughed and then clapped him on the shoulder. At that, Seth looked up into his mentor's face. Starting at him, Seth had not realized how old his friend had gotten. There were wrinkles around his dark eyes, and his hair was shot through with gray. His once-firm muscles were begging to sag. All the time in the catacombs reading those ancient scrolls had taken a toll on him. "Seth, you have nothing to thank me for. It is you I must thank. You have given me many years of happiness. Even though I'd be selfish in saying it, you have become the son I've never had. It is an honor to elevate you today. Now come, before we miss the great Ra rising to his zenith. You must be bathed in the first rays of the noonday sun." Seth smiled and followed after his mentor with Bes's words ringing in his ear. He thinks of me as a son. That warmed his heart and made him respect the priest even more. There was 101

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nothing he wouldn't do for the man. Through the halls, Seth passed stonecutters carving new designs into an expansion of the temple. Others were painting in the glyphs. The temple had been expanded by order of the great ruler of Egypt himself. When Seth walked through the hallowed halls, he had a sense that the temple would survive long after he and the other priests did. It would be a monument to the great god for centuries to come. In the inner temple, the heavy smoke of frankincense filled the room. All the elder priests were standing in a semicircle around the back of the altar and fanned out from there. The stone altar had been cleared of all its homage to the great god Ra. Seth thought that was odd because he was going to be elevated. He assumed the great god would want tribute to give him good luck if he was welcoming a new priest into his sect, but Seth was not there to question, and followed Bes to the front of the altar. "Kneel, Seth." Seth did and looked skyward. A singular round opening in the stone ceiling caught the sunlight. Right at the exact moment of high noon, the full rays of the sun would bathe him in its light. He could already feel the warmth of Ra basking him in his arms. His fingers tickled Seth's face. Seth knew he only had a few minutes. Seth smiled and then focused his attention on his mentor when he heard the other priests start to chant a hymn he'd never heard before. It was a mantra in a language different from that which he heard in the marketplace from all the visitors. It seemed more ancient. 102

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The words were laden with power, but he did not understand the meaning of them. "Seth, you come before us to pay homage to the great god Ra. Will you accept whatever fate He has intended for you?" Seth looked deep into his mentor's dark eyes and saw something there that didn't seem to be right. While the chanting continued, fear crawled around inside Seth's body and gripped his jaw. The ritual couldn't be stopped now. If it did, the priests had every right to kill him and declare him a defector. It was one of the tests. "Yes." "Will you never question His judgment? Will you be a loyal servant to Ra until the end of your days?" "Yes." "Will you guard the knowledge of all you have learned with your very soul?" "Yes." Seth felt the warmth of the sun on his flesh. The god was reaching down and caressing his face. It made him feel whole. Everything in his whole life, since Bes had taken him under his tutelage, was about this one moment. Seth took the oaths to heart. He was going to devote himself to Ra and do whatever it was he could for the god. The chanting of the other priests increased. Bes's hands touched the crown of Seth's head. He whispered something under his breath. Seth glanced up. The sun was almost at its peak. "Forgive me," Bes whispered close to his ear. Panic riddled Seth when he tried to rise. Something was wrong. He was trapped to the spot. He looked up at the sky. The sun was overhead. Bes raised his hands over his head 103

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summoning the sun into the temple. Seth had seen a similar ritual for years when a neophyte priest, but the words were different. Bes was not calling down the god Ra. He was calling down the death goddess, Nephthys. Seth tried to find his voice, but speech had been stolen from him, along with his movement. He was not able to do anything except listen to the ritual before him. "Great goddess, Nephthys, hear our plea. You, who are sister to Isis and wife to Set, grant the souls you have taken of our priests in other temples release from their torment. Stay your hand on our brothers. Show mercy. We give you this pure soul in sacrifice to serve in your flock of Warriors." Seth looked up and a chill raced down his back. The torches flickered in the breeze that had stirred through the inner temple, but the mortar between the stones made it impossible for that to happen. Seth felt a weight on his soul. He felt like he was being encased in the wrappings of a mummy. Seth saw darkness descending over the now full sun, but there was nothing he could do except listen to the ritual. How could Bes do this to him? How could the one man that he trusted sacrifice him to the death goddess to stop the killings of the other priests? Why him? Seth hadn't wanted this. He had trusted the man. Why? All these words settled on his tongue, but he couldn't say anything. Bes went on. "Great goddess who has gone by other names before your great and ancient legend came to our dry shores. Nephthys, I appeal to you and all your ancient wisdom. Accept our humble sacrifice and stay your hand on the priests who worship your brother the great sun." 104

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It all clicked with Seth. The killings had been going on for years. The other priests had started to be slaughtered in small numbers, but their temple had not been touched because they were the most revered by the pharaoh. However, the killings must have gotten worse. All those years in the catacombs, Bes must have been looking for something, anything that would appeal to the goddess to stop the killings. He must have found something among the ancient wisdom in the scrolls. The sun above was blotted out by a black disk, eclipsed by the moon. For a moment, Seth thought that the darkness was comprised of great black wings moving over the sun. The great goddess had spread her midnight wings swallowing the sun in them. It showed her awesome power, but he didn't think that any other god had more power than the god Ra who ruled over everything. It was at that moment that his voice was released. "Please, Bes. Why are you doing this?" Seth pleaded. His teacher, mentor, father, gave him a look of great sorrow but did not stop the ritual. "Great Nephthys, take him into your flock. Make him into one of your great Warriors so he can serve you and carry with him all the knowledge he has learned. Take my son to your life-giving breasts, and grant him all your gifts as he serves you." Seth saw the tears in his mentor's eyes and realized he hadn't wanted to give him up. It must have been a joint decision from the other priests. Before Seth could say another word, a ray of silvery light shot down from the now darkened sun and hit him. Its cold fire seared his left shoulder. His skin 105

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bubbled. He dropped to the stone floor and yelled in agony. This was not happening to him. Seth reached out to Bes, silently begging him to stop. However, when Seth looked at his arm, he saw his dark skin was being replaced with feathers the color of Anubis's flesh. His whole body contorted in agony when he felt himself shrinking. The silver light burned through his body. Before he could call out once more, the only thing he heard was the loud caw of a raven before he realized it was himself. The pain grew so much that Seth could do nothing but let the darkness consume him from the inside out. **** "Seth." The Raven Warrior heard his name. Slowly he opened his eyes, expecting to find himself back in Ancient Egypt when he was still human and the curse had never taken him. Maybe all of these years had been a bad dream. But when he opened his eyes, he saw Seneca staring down at him. The other Raven Warrior was a Native American, and he was one of his closest friends among his brethren. Seth saw the hand his brother offered and took it. When he did, he half expected his body to be riddled with pain once again. However, the torture that he thought would still be racking his body had been long over. The queen's power had worn off. He had no idea when it had stopped, but when he took stock of himself and his inner clock, he realized hours had passed. Fear captured Seth's heart when he realized that he had left Jayd vulnerable for hours. 106

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"Seth, are you okay?" His friend's dark eyes and mind searched Seth's, making sure there was nothing wrong with him. Seth didn't mind that his friend was in his mind, but it did stir him enough to throw up some walls and push Seneca out. "I'm fine, Seneca, but there are others who aren't. Why are you here?" Seneca took his friend's hand and Seth got up slowly. "I had a feeling you were troubled. What happened?" Seth shook his head. There was no real time to explain. He searched the links between his other brethren. They were all connected mentally, even Tremain and Darius. Even though they were no longer cursed, they were still part of the flock. He sensed Tremain's troubled thoughts. He closed his eyes and concentrated on his Raven brother. "Tremain." In his mind, he saw the Warrior look up into the night. "Seth? What is it?" "Have you checked on Linnea? On your children?" Seth asked. There was a pause while Tremain searched the thread between his heartmate and his twins. Seth felt his fear when Linnea did not answer. Seth himself was not connected to Linnea or the children because they were not cursed. Heartmates could only communicate between one another and were not joined to the web that the other Warriors were linked to. "Tremain!" Seth yelled to get his attention. When he did, a stab of pain near his heart caused him to double over. Something was happening to Jayd. He had to go. 107

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"There is nothing there. Seth, what do you know? Where are they?" "Tremain, I don't have time to explain. Gather the council. I have to go. Please!" Seth cut his mental communication with the other Raven Warrior and focused back on himself. He doubled over again. Seneca held him up, but Seth shook his head. "What's the matter, brother?" asked Seneca. "I can't explain. Help Tremain. Please. He's the one who needs it most. Go. The queen has done something horrible. I only hope the council will listen to reason and help us." "Seth..." Seth ignored Seneca. He began to grow weak. The life was being sucked out of him. It wasn't him. He was feeling the effects of whatever Jayd was going through. Seth had to save her. He didn't care what the Banshee Queen had said. After he rescued Jayd, he would help Tremain. The Raven Warrior let the shadows engulf him. When they parted and he reappeared in the shop, the sight before him was horrifying. A scream escaped his lips, and dread swallowed his heart. [Back to Table of Contents]

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Chapter Nine Jayd stared at the bookshelves searching for anything she could find in regards to monsters that went bump in the night. Her stack of books was so high on the table she couldn't see over them when she sat down. It made her laugh when she thought about sitting there like Seth did. But when her thoughts turned to Seth, she kept focusing on two things. The kiss. And his disappearance. Both of those were things she wasn't sure she had experienced. Jayd had waited two years for Seth to kiss her. When he finally did, he vanished into thin air shortly after. She absently traced her lips with a finger scanning pages trying to find anything, something that would help keep out the boogeyman who was coming to get her. Even scouring the volumes, her thoughts drifted to the way Seth held her. It seemed he thought she was going to crumble in his arms. His body had been rock hard because his muscles were so tense. She had been anxious too, but everything inside of her wanted to melt into a puddle. Jayd knew she'd have needed a new pair of panties if he'd have kissed her longer. In the circle of Seth's arms, she felt safe. A spark had ignited between them. At first, she thought she'd imagined it, but now with him gone, she knew it wasn't her mind playing tricks on her. There was a pull between them that she couldn't deny. No matter what he was or that he'd 109

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disappeared. When he got back, she was going to confront him for answers and hopefully another kiss. Finally, Jayd pulled her mind from Seth and pored over the books. There wasn't much time. Darkness had all ready crept into the shop. She needed something for protection. Some of the books said that pentacles guarded against evil. Others said that you could use a cross, or that anything that she believed in would drive away monsters. Sprinkling sea salt around any doors or windows would repel demons. Burning white sage purified a space. The vibrations from a rung bell could expel unwanted fairies. She could burn candles or even spread holy water around the shop. There were so many different remedies that Jayd didn't know which one was best. Jayd got up, searched her herbal store, and found sage. Thankfully, she had some that was already bundled into a smudge stick. Behind a couple of bottles, she found a jar of sea salt. Jayd quickly checked her watch. She had been poring over the books for almost two hours. Night had come, and she hadn't realized it. Seth hadn't returned. Dread filled her. Uncertainty claimed her. Maybe he wasn't coming back. Maybe it had all been her imagination. No, I can't think that. I have to worry about me. Gabrielle always relied on herself and taught me to be independent. I've been that way ever since she died. Iron set in her jaw. She went to the desk, got her lighter, and set the smudge stick on fire. Jayd began spreading salt on the floor at the door threshold. She then waved the smudge stick over the doorway entrance to keep out the evil that was after her. Making her way to the back of the shop, 110

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she performed the same ritual on the back door. She even did the same thing in front of the two doors that entered into the private massage rooms. The whole place smelled of sage now. The aroma was so close to pot that she wondered if she was going to get a buzz from the lingering white smoke. The large granules of salt crunched underfoot when she walked over them. She looked at her handiwork and went over the same motions again with the sage just to be sure. The books were still high on the table, and Seth was nowhere in sight. She were on edge. Her stalker was coming. She didn't know when he'd appear. Jayd went behind the counter and started staring at the calendar. There was nothing she could do with it except flip through the next few months and see that Seth was scheduled, as usual, on the full moon. What are you really? Who are you really? She traced over the writing on the agenda. It was delicate and yet showed strength. God, I have to get off this. Here I am fantasizing about a guy when I should be thinking about the stalker. Where is my mind? "Your mind is not where it should be, my lovely Jayd." Jayd froze when she heard the other voice in the shop. It sounded familiar. It was from the boy who had come into the store three months ago. The same voice that whispered to her in the shadows. She had known he was the one who had been leaving her the notes and the gifts. He was her stalker. She looked up from the schedule to the table where she'd sat only minutes before. There was a window between the two stacks of books. Jayd tried willing her fingers over to grab the phone, but she wasn't able to make a move. The face that 111

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stared at her was pale and seemed older than their first encounter. Dark hair hung loose around her stalker's face. Jayd found it hard to draw in a breath, realizing that this guy, thing, whoever or whatever he was, had read her mind. His eyes were gray the color of a worn nickel, but they still held her transfixed and were the liveliest thing in his face. "H-How did you get in here?" He chuckled and flipped through one of her books. His eyes tracked over an entry she had dog-eared. He balanced the book in the palm of his hand. "I find your research refreshing, but it won't do you any good. The sage only stings my nose, and the sea salt, although a great thing to keep out evil spirits, won't work on my kind." Jayd's fingers moved an inch toward the phone. She was going to call the cops. This time they wouldn't be able to tell her that she was imagining things or that they couldn't do anything because the intruder was there in the flesh. Whatever, or whoever her trespasser was, he was real. He was not some kind of spirit or shadow that was eavesdropping on her. He was here talking to her. He put down the book gently on one of the stacks of other volumes and then rested his chin in his hands while his elbows rested on the table. Her fingers stopped when they reached the phone receiver. "What are you?" Jayd asked. The intruder smiled and got up slowly. Too slowly. It appeared his movements were exaggerated, like a he had to think about everything he did. When he stood, Jayd saw he wore the same black trench coat and baggy black jeans with 112

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chains and handcuffs dangling from the belt loops and the pockets. Underneath the jacket was a skintight black shirt that could have been a second skin. "What do you think I am, Jayd? Obviously you know I'm not a ghost since I'm not transparent. You've deduced I'm not human. But what am I exactly?" Jayd stared at him. He walked around the table with his arms wide open. When he did, the chains on his pants clinked together, and she wondered if he was going to use the handcuffs to restrain her. He smiled when she thought that and shook his head no. Jayd realized then that he truly could read her thoughts. When he stepped forward, Jayd knew there was nowhere she could go. He would find her. His note said so. Her vision blurred. A tear balanced on the rim of her eyes, waiting to spill over and run down her cheeks. Terror gripped her at what he was going to do to her. Panic started to take over her brain. "What am I, Jayd?" he asked again. This time his voice had a little more tone because he seemed to be getting annoyed that she was not answering him. Maybe he didn't think that she wasn't playing the game he had set up in his mind between them. "I-I don't know what you are. Why don't you tell me?" Her voice wavered. Her stalker threw his head back and laughed. The sound was deep from his chest, but didn't have the timbre that Seth's had. At that moment, Jayd wished Seth were here protecting her. He said that he would. When her attacker settled his gaze back on her again, she noticed that his gray 113

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eyes were now ringed with gold. His grin widened. Jayd saw the impossible. His upper canines grew longer, thinner, pointier than a cobra's readying to strike. Staring at him, Jayd knew what he was. Impossible. "No, Jayd. Not impossible. Only improbable. Like so many things in the mortal world. My kind lives in the shadows and in the myths of mortals. That's why we can exist, because we are only horror movies to the humans and in their darkest dreams. We are not real. Just like so many other creatures. Now you know that all the tales your aunt told you were true. There really are things that go bump in the night, and there's nothing you can do to stop them from coming." Her stalker advanced on her more, moving slowly. With her other hand, Jayd grasped for something under the counter that could be used as a weapon. She came away with the letter opener that she hardly used but always kept on hand. Her grip tightened on it when he stepped closer, still with his arms opened. Even when she tried to move out from behind the counter to get past him, her feet were frozen to the spot. She was a rabbit staring at a hawk swooping down, about ready to take it into its talons. Staring at him, she realized that this boy, creature, thing, whatever he was, had a name. He was a vampire, a creature written about for the past two centuries and made popular by an Irishman who had stumbled upon a legend. Maybe the man hadn't stumbled upon them. Maybe he had known a few things about the monsters he wrote about. Her stalker had said, they lived in the shadows and in the horror movies that mankind had made of them. But here, before her, was a real114

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life vampire. A real, living fiend dredged up from the darkest recesses of her mind. Now he was going to claim her for his next victim. "So you're a vampire," Jayd whispered, trying to keep her voice light while she forced her brain to try to think of a way out of this situation. The day's events were weighing on her, and her brain was having trouble processing her experiences. First, the man she has a huge crush on kisses her and disappears in front of her. Then, she remembers the day her father killed her mother. After all that, her stalker is not human, but some kind of Hollywood monster. What else was next? "Vampire. Yes, that's the normal term used for my kind. The name we were given by the humans. We call ourselves something else." "What?" she asked. "Ahh. I can't tell you that. Not until you join the family. Then you'll know instinctively. You'll be mine. You'll be my eternal Jayd and glow for me in the night when we sup together on human blood." Jayd nearly heaved at the thought of being turned into a monster. Drinking blood? There was no way she was going to let that happen. When he stepped forward, her focus snapped back. She had to escape. Her feet were unfrozen, and she made a dash for the back door. She only made it a few feet before she was tackled. Her face was pinned into the spines of several books. Her stalker had his fingers wrapped around her throat. The places on her neck where his flesh touched hers burned. They were so cold. They were sucking the 115

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warmth from her flesh. Tendrils of ice were already weaving around her neck and working their way into her brain, freezing it like she had too much ice cream in one bite. "That was a bad move, Jayd. I was hoping that you wouldn't make me angry." Jayd tried to struggle in his grip, but he pressed her face harder into the shelves. She realized then there was no way she was going to get away from him. He was too fast and too strong for her. She was a goner. Her fleeting hope was that Seth would return and make it in time to save her. He squeezed a little more on her neck. The blood pounded in her ears. Dark spots were starting to float in her vision. "Sorry," she forced out. The force was gone. Jayd was able to take a deep breath, and slowly turned around. When she did, she kept her hands behind her back, hoping he hadn't seen the letter opener in her hand or in her thoughts. She closed her eyes and swallowed because her throat was parched. Her whole body trembled. There was nowhere she could escape to even if she wanted to. She knew that now. This was the night she would face her death. Dread filled her. The understanding of what he had said drummed into her mind. He was going to make her into one of them. He said that they had a name for themselves, but he wouldn't tell her until she joined the family. God, what did his family look like? How many were there? What was going to happen to her? Was she going to be a monster? "It's okay, Jayd. Sometimes I forget how fragile humans are. It's been so long since I've been one." He reached out 116

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and ran a hand down her cheek. She watched his expression. It remained the same, but his eyes reflected that he cared for her. With his touch, all the heat had left her face and she'd been thrown out into the cold of a storm. He was stealing her warmth already and he was going to be stealing her life in a minute. She tried not to shudder from the touch, but she couldn't help it. A look of pity crossed his face then. "Who are you? Why me?" "Ahh, yes. Why all the notes? Why did I pick you? I do suppose you have a right to know, considering you're going to be my mate." She nodded. What more was there to say? Seth was not back yet. The longer she could buy time the better. Why not egg the vampire on so she could understand what she was dealing with when the books had told her nothing. She had read passages on vampires, but they all said that they were allergic to garlic, hated crosses, and couldn't cross running water. All the same things she'd seen in the scary movies she had watched. Here was one in the flesh. He had told her that whatever she had seen in the movies was nothing more than myth. His kind was immune to all the trappings played out through the books and films. He reached out for her hand. She jerked back and hid it behind her back. A dark look briefly crossed his face. When she hid her hands, she slid the letter opener into the back of her jeans and tugged her T-shirt over it. At least there he wouldn't find it. He reached for her hand again, and this time gently pulled it out from behind her back. Jayd was playing 117

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along because from his show before, she knew he could break every bone in her body. He brought her fingers to his lips and kissed every one of them. The gesture was something a lover would do. It was so tender that it made her wonder if, in his mind, he cared for her. It made her heart stutter to think that he'd already chosen her and she didn't know anything about him. "What's your name? Can you at least tell me that? I mean if we're going to ... or if..." She couldn't think of anything to say. She couldn't bring herself to say vampire. He laughed again. His expression softened when he pulled her closer. She saw that his lips were paler than bleached marble, and his face only a shade darker. His skin was smooth and had no blemishes. He didn't even have any stubble or shadow of it. Almost if he had been carved from pure stone. His free hand came under her chin and tilted it up to meet his lips. His eyes searched Jayd's. Her body responded to his. He had her under a spell. Right at that moment, she wanted him to kiss her again. Burning desire blossomed in the pit of her stomach the closer he got to her. Then, his lips were on hers. His kiss was almost chaste, and she realized he was letting her choose. Jayd didn't know what it was, but she pushed herself closer to him because her body was on fire with need of him. She was the blaze, and he was the iceberg. She pressed her lips against his harder, and the craving for him engulfed her. Her thoughts drifted away from Seth. It seemed he never existed. "So you still want to know my name?" 118

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She heard his voice in her mind. It made her pull back a little bit, but she didn't want to leave the comfort of his arms. "Yes," she whispered back. Laughter purred from his throat. "My name is Patrick." He moved a strand of hair away from her face and smiled. Jayd's insides melted. "Patrick, why are you doing this to me?" "Because, Jayd, you are the one for me. I've searched all over for you. And then I found you. My kind only has one mate in a lifetime. We can wait centuries to find them. I've waited so long to find you. When I came to this town, I felt the pull of your soul. I followed it back to your house. I watched you for months before I decided to come in here and show myself to you. I knew it would be a shock. How many times do you see a vampire stroll into your store? Not many, I know." He stopped and ran his hand through her hair. Jayd closed her eyes at the touch of his soft hands. Something inside of her registered what the vampire said. It sounded true. It felt true, but her heart didn't know what to make of it. She also knew that she had a spark with Seth. She didn't know either of them and part of her was afraid of this man, this monster. It was too complicated. She didn't know what to say or what to do. What would her aunt have done? "Why me? I don't even know you. You really don't know me. I don't believe in love at first sight or soul mates." Patrick laughed. "It doesn't matter what you believe in right now, Jayd. Once you are mine, you'll understand. Nothing else will matter. You'll feel me in the air that you 119

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breathe and in the blood pumping through your veins. My voice will whisper inside of you always. I'll be part of you. Don't you want that?" And when he held her, Jayd realized that she did want that. The longer she was in his arms, the more she desired him. Some kind of spell had been cast over her. The rational side of her knew it, but it was beyond her control. "Yes." She heard herself say to him. Patrick's smile widened. He showed her his fangs. He leaned in close to her ear. "Thank you, Jayd. Thank you, my beloved." Jayd was numb when he turned her head to the side, exposing her neck. His fingers trailed the curve of it. The longer he caressed her, the more she felt she was being comforted by the one man she loved. He was her soul mate. Jayd tried to move within his grip, but there was nothing she could do. Patrick leaned in and kissed her lightly on the lips. Then, his lips trailed down the side of her throat, claiming his territory. A soft moan lingered on her lips when she took in a breath. This was not happening. Her mind began screaming that she had to snap out of it. She had to keep him talking to give more time for Seth to get back. She had to stay alive. There was no way that she could let this guy bite and make her into some kind of monster. Whatever it was, she found a way to break his hold on her mind a little. Jayd moved her hand behind her back again and pulled the letter opener from the waistband of her jeans waistband. With her palm wrapped around the semi-sharp blade, the pain of it digging into her flesh made her mind 120

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snap back to normal. What the hell had she been thinking? The curtain of gossamer lifted from her thoughts, and she could think clearly again. The way his lips moved down her throat reminded her of a dead fish. Everywhere Patrick touched her was cold. Could she ever be warm again? He nipped at her neck. She had to control a hard tremor when it shimmied up her spine. She bit her tongue from moaning out in disgust, but he must have thought she was enjoying it so he bit her a little harder. The curve of his fang slid along her flesh. Jayd knew she didn't have much time left. Without thinking, she drove the point of the blade through the heavy fabric of his coat. It stuck squarely near his shoulder blade. Once it hit Patrick, he came up quick from her neck and howled in pain. His eyes burned in a cold night. His lips were peeled back in a grimace of pain. The two long, curved fangs that made him into what he was had drops of her blood on them. Jayd sprinted toward the back hallway to the back door. If she could make it out there, she might have a chance. Tears blurred her vision as she ran blindly through the hallway. Her fingers found the doorknob. Patrick's arms ensnared her waist. There was nothing she could do now. She was trapped. "Please." This time her tears ran freely down her cheeks. Jayd was not able to stop them or the fright that encompassed her soul. "I was going to make this painless for you, Jayd. Now you don't give me another choice. That little stunt you pulled back there really cost you, love." His hold on her tightened, and he began dragging her back the way she had run. Jayd slumped 121

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in his arms. She had tried to escape from him, but he had caught her. It was inevitable that he would find her and get her again if she tried to run. Where would she go? Seth was not coming back to help her out. Her faith in that was dwindling by the second. Patrick threw her down in the middle of the floor. Her fall was cushioned by one of the thick rugs she had on the tile floor. Her butt took most of the impact and moved up her spin so she was motionless for a second staring up at him. He still had the letter opener in his hand. The tip of it was stained crimson. Her stalker came over to her and straddled her. When he did, he put the blade of the letter opener to her throat. "I should use this to slit your throat, Jayd, but if I did that, it would all be over too quickly for you. And I so wanted you to enjoy this, Jayd. More than you know." He sliced the letter opened lightly across her throat and then moved it slowly down the front of her T-shirt between her breasts. "Don't you want to beg me for your life? Don't you want to plead with me not to do anything to you?" She shook her head. "No. Because no matter what I say or do you're going to do whatever it is you planned anyway." "Very perceptive. You'll make a magnificent night creature. You'll be mine. Just like I said before." He leaned over and kissed her cheek. Jayd turned her head away from him. Jayd closed her eyes when he pinned her with his weight. His lips moved down the side of her throat. She braced herself for the pain, but was unprepared for the sharpness of it when he pierced her vein. Her body's reaction was to jump, but he 122

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held her down. She tried to get him off of her with her hands, but he clutched both of her wrists and held them above her head with one hand. Once his teeth slipped into her flesh, he began to pull on the blood pumping from her wound. Her heart convulsed. It seemed all her veins were filled with liquid silver. She tried to get her breath, but that was hard. Patrick drew on her life sucking slowly so she could feel the blood leaving her body. Her mind she screamed but only whimpers passed her lips. "Please. Stop. I'll do anything. Please." She knew that this was what he wanted to hear. At this point, she didn't care if she played right into his hands. All she wanted to do was live. She didn't want to become a cold creature. Patrick stopped working on her neck and stared at her. Her blood gave his lips color. The crimson stain looked like paint against the paleness of his flesh. He smiled. "Shh, love. I know you're afraid. You poor heart is racing so fast. You'll die of fright before I finish my mission. I won't let that happen to you. You taste so wonderful, like cherries." "Let me go. Please. I don't want to be like you. I'm not anything special." Patrick smiled at her once again and then descended on her throat one more time. This time biting her anew. Jayd jumped again. A moan slipped over her lips. The fog descended on her brain one more time and she welcomed it. It helped to ease the pain of him pulling on her veins. Euphoria took hold of her, and she was okay with being his mate. It was a strange trance state that lasted. Her heart slowed and she was cold all over, but this time it wasn't from 123

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him touching her. She was tottering on the precipice of death. In her mind, in the distance, there was a dark figure standing and waiting for her. Jayd also saw the figure of her Aunt Gabrielle. She reached out, but her aunt shook her head and backed away. So did the other dark figure. Jayd had the feeling she was not going to be joining them even though she wanted to. "Drink, Jayd. Drink and live." She heard Patrick's voice in her mind calling her back to herself. She wanted to ignore it, but the pull she felt to him was unmistakable, and she would do anything he said. Jayd turned her back on the figures she saw and opened her eyes. When she did, Patrick was staring down at her and holding his wrist over her lips. She saw the sweet juice dangling from his twin wounds and let it fall into her mouth. Once it did, it burned going down. She raised her head a little and took his wrist to her mouth. Her rational side was screaming for her to spit it out and try to get away, but Jayd was entranced. The only way she was going to live was to drink his blood. "That's right. Take all of it, beautiful." Jayd drank swallow after swallow, not sure how much she could take, but wanting more with each intake of blood. Then she heard a sound. It was a caw and then the jingling of the chimes above the door. Her soul melted when she heard the cold hard voice of Seth. "Get the hell off her, bloodsucker." Jayd was free from Patrick's weight. He yanked his wrist away from her launching himself at Seth. She wanted to help, 124

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but darkness was dragging her under, and she had no choice but to heed its call. [Back to Table of Contents]

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Chapter Ten Seth could barely believe what he saw when he appeared back in the shop. A man dressed in a black coat bent over Jayd, straddling her chest, and she was drinking his blood if it was the finest thing in the world. Despair entered his heart. The Raven Warrior watched the scene for a moment while he emerged into the world. When he did, he demanded that the vampire get off of her. The thing turned slowly and then snarled at him. Seth scanned Jayd and heard her heart slowing. The leech's blood had already entered her system. Jayd still might have a chance to be human if she hadn't taken a lot of his blood. "Why do you interrupt me? This one was mine," Patrick hissed at him. Seth realized the vampire didn't know what type of being Seth was. He thought he was another vampire. That might be something I could use for my advantage. "Why is she yours? I've been watching her longer than you. By right, she should be mine!" Seth growled back at him. He held his power in check in case the vampire figured out that he wasn't the vampire he pretended to be. The Raven Warrior knew he had to dispose of the leech if he had any chance of saving Jayd. "I didn't smell your claim in her. If she were truly yours, then you would have bitten her and claimed her long ago. I've already bitten her and marked her with my blood. For that, 126

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she is mine. Now go away, night brother. I was not told that there would be another around her." Seth stepped farther into the room. His hand itched to hold his silver sword. Once he did that, he'd take the head of the vampire and whisk Jayd away. But he was taken aback by the statement. There was someone else involved! "Who told you there'd be no one else here?" The leech got up slowly from Jayd. When he did, he ran his hand over Jayd's cheek and Seth saw a look of compassion run over the vampire's face. Seth realized that somewhere in the leech's cold, dead heart he cared for Jayd. "My queen, of course. The ruler of my coven. I was told that Jayd was alone and that she would make an excellent addition to the coven, but when I saw her, I knew she was my mate. I couldn't believe it after all this time. I had finally found someone to share the night with." The warmth drained from Seth's body. This thing thought Jayd was his mate? That was impossible. Seth knew that Jayd was his soul mate, his heartmate, the one to break the curse that had held him in the night for so long. He didn't know if it was possible for one soul to be bonded to more than one person. Was it possible? Would the goddess do something that? The vampire had to be deluded. Jayd was Seth's even if she didn't know it yet. If the vampire loved her, he wouldn't have stalked her for months, left her strange messages, scaring her to death. Seth would show her the world and he would do everything in his power to make sure that Jayd was not going to turn into a vampire. She was not going cross the threshold of death. 127

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"Why would your leader single Jayd out? Doesn't she know there are other covens in the area and that maybe Jayd was earmarked for someone else?" The creature hissed and leaped at him. Seth sidestepped him and put himself between Jayd and the vampire. At the moment, this was the best thing for him to do. "My leader wouldn't make such a mistake. She knows all. She's been our leader for centuries. She chose Jayd for me, and I owe her everything. Now, if you don't mind, you've wasted enough time. I have to get Jayd back to the coven and get her fed. She will awake in a few hours, and her hunger will cause her to attack anyone she sees. You know this if you have young ones. I do not want to cause a scene in such a small town. Now let me pass with my bride." Seth ran his hand over his jaw. "I don't think so. Jayd is mine. Now why don't you tell me where your mistress is so I can dispose of her as well?" The vampire laughed. "You'll never find my coven. My mistress has it hidden well. If I do not return, she will come to find Jayd. She will come to find me. Now let me pass!" The leech bared his fangs and lunged at Seth again. Seth didn't see him move. He had underestimated the leech. The vampire took a swipe at him. Its claws got him in the side. The sudden pain surprised him. It had been so long since he'd been in a battle with an adversary who had hurt him. Not to say the vampire was a formidable opponent, because he wasn't. Seth was just taken off guard. He'd had enough of the vampire. Jayd's time was running out. Her heart was stuttering. He could hear it even now. 128

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The Raven Warrior closed his eyes and listened for the rustle of air when the vampire moved around him. Without a second thought, he summoned his sword, and in the mid-arc of his arm's down swing, the weight of it appeared in his hand. When his arm came down from the swing, the blade connected with flesh. When he opened his eyes, he saw that the blade had not missed its mark. Seth had been aiming for the vampire's neck. However, he had sliced the vampire in half through the torso. The two pieces separated in the shop, but the vampire wasn't dead. His top half was crawling over to his bottom half, trying to get back at him. Seth didn't wait and stood over it. The vampire put up a hand in surrender. "Please. Kill me, but don't hurt her!" It wheezed. Blood trailed over its lips. Seth's stomach turned in disgust. Seth didn't wait for the vampire to beg anymore and brought his sword through the leech's neck, severing it. Once that happened, he waved his hand over the remains, and they erupted in flame. It was the only way to get rid of the body. He sent his sword back to the other realm and bent down over Jayd. When he did, his heart broke staring at her. "I'm so sorry, Jayd. I tried to get back to you. I swear I did." Seth put a hand on Jayd's cheek. Already the ice of death had entered into her skin. Her heart had nearly stopped. "I won't let you die. I won't let you become one of those things." Seth closed his eyes and concentrated on the power that was inside of him. All Raven Warriors had the ability to heal. Since he was older than the other Ravens, his powers were more developed. The power of the moon above 129

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him flowed into his being, and the hot power of the sun joined it. The others didn't understand where their powers had come from, but Seth did. He had discussed it with Caleb during their long nights in Raven form. Caleb seemed to understand that they pulled their powers from the dark and from the light. Nephthys, their ruler, was a night goddess, but they needed balance. Everything did in the universe. And Seth, being a priest of Ra, still held the sun over the moon even though he was ruled over by a goddess. The power filtered into his hands and he felt a great weight on his heart. He was not going to lose Jayd. He lifted her in his arms and laid one hand over her heart and another on her forehead. She appeared to be a sleeping angel. Her lips were a slight shade of blue turning gray. Her breath was ragged. Her heart was barely beating to push the blood through her veins. In short, she was dying, and he could feel the life leaving her body. He closed his eyes and sent a silent prayer to Nephthys, begging her to bring Jayd back to him. When he opened his eyes, he let loose the power that had been gathering inside of him. Once it was unleashed, he saw the gold of his power flow over Jayd like lava. It warmed her skin. It arched her back, and she opened her eyes and moaned. She did not see Seth, though. Her eyes fluttered shut in another moment. The gold of his power touched her lips. But when he poured the power into her, he felt that even though it was battling the affects of the vampire blood, it was not going to be enough. It would take all of his strength to fight it, and he did not know if he had that kind of stamina. He pulled Jayd close to him and hugged her. When he did, tears 130

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streamed down his cheeks. It had been ages since he'd cried, but it still surprised and frightened him. The Raven Warrior had never felt this way about anyone. When he held her, focusing on trying to bring her back to life, he realized that there was only one person who might be able to help him. If not stop the transformation, at least halt it long enough for Seth to find a cure. He would not lose his heartmate to the darkness he fought against, that he protected other charges against. The alternative of taking her to Robyn, the Raven Warrior sorceress, chilled his heart. There was no other choice. He couldn't take Jayd to Betha because she was off with Linnea and the girl. Even now, when he focused beyond his own power, he heard the council calling him and his other brothers. He had told Tremain to get the council before he had come to Jayd. Now they were waiting on him. He didn't have much time and his power was waning. The vampire blood was trying to fight against his power. It was a virus in Jayd's system he couldn't conquer. Robyn was his only hope. He hadn't seen the sorceress in centuries. She lived by herself near the realm of fey, where she was not bothered by Raven Warriors, humans, or banshees. She was free of the curse because she had been given the gift of immortality to save her life. Seth had been the one to give her this gift. All because he thought he was doing the right thing at the time for saving her. Now he had avoided Robyn. The others knew of her, of course, but they stayed away from her also. Robyn hated all of the Warriors, especially Seth. Over the years, her mortal witch powers had grown, and by living in the other realm, she had learned much more and had been accepted by 131

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the fey. She hated banshees and stayed away from the council. Seth had given her the one gift he could to save her life. All Ravens were allowed to turn one mortal into a Raven. Normally, this gift was reserved for their heartmates but, if needed, could be used on anyone. Seth had used it on Robyn to save her life. Robyn hated him for it. It was unlikely she would do him any favors, but he at least had to try. "I can't leave you to die, Jayd. And I can't let the darkness claim you. Forgive me for what I'm about to do. Leaving you again." Seth wrapped the shadows around himself and Jayd. When he reappeared, he stood outside a neatly kept cottage. Ivy and roses grew on the outside. This should have been in the English countryside and not in the other realm. He did not see Robyn and hoped she was home. "Robyn!" There was silence all around them. Something groaned in the forest behind the cottage. Birds chirped and other things lurked in the darkness. He could feel the shadows were none too friendly in this place. They were reacting to Jayd's presence. They did not like the fact that she was infected. Seth searched with his mind, trying to find the link that connected him to the sorceress since he turned her into a Raven, but it was silent. Somehow, she had managed to cloak herself from him. "Robyn!" His voice echoed in the woods. Jayd began to mumble something in his arms. Seth listened with all his might and did not hear anything in the surrounding woods. "I heard you the first time. What do you want?" 132

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Seth spun around and saw Robyn, unchanged. Right before his charge, convicted of heresy as well as witchcraft, was burned at the stake, he had been able to save her. He could not get to his charge before the guards dragged her off. He was still in Raven form, and with every cry of his charge's dying breath, he willed the sun to rise so he could try and save her. Even trying to call the Shadows could not be done because were too many people around. Having his charge disappear from the fire would've caused the rest of her coven more harm. The others were let go, and he turned into a man and saved Robyn while she tortured. Robyn was a short woman, in her mid-twenties when she had been mortal. Her hair was a russet red the color of a bleeding sunrise and her eyes a striking reflection of silver. He noticed some of her hair was shot through with silver when the light hit it. She was not old, but all the power she used must have been turning her hair and her eyes silver. Robyn had more of a round shape with gentle curves. He had forgotten how she looked, it had been so long. "My, my, Seth dear. What a surprise! What can I do for you, Raven Warrior?" "Robyn, I need your help." The sorceress laughed. Her chuckle was akin to a little child's. "Why should I help you? You helped me so much!" Seth didn't have time to argue with her. Jayd was slipping away. Even now, he felt it when he tried to keep a small trickle of his power going through him into her. Her heart was stealing away from him. He could feel Jayd getting colder. He looked at Robyn, hoping she would see his need. "Please, 133

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Robyn. I don't have time to quarrel with you. Jayd, she ... I can't help her. My power isn't helping her. Please," he begged her. When he looked at the sorceress, he realized that he was crying. Robyn looked at him and then looked at Jayd. She came close to him but did not touch him. She reached out and ran her hand across Jayd's forehead and then examined her. "She was bitten and marked by a vampire. Nothing can save her, Seth. You should have left her for the vampire. Or are you trying to rescue her like you helped me?" "Robyn, I don't have time. Can you help me or not? I have to go before the council. I can't stay with her. I can't heal her. Please, Robyn!" Seth saw the sorceress's face when she made her decision. She nodded toward the cottage. "Get her inside. I can't promise you anything, but I know a few things that might slow the venom down. But there's no way to cure vampirism. It is inevitable." Seth shook his head. "I won't accept that." Seth laid Jayd down on Robyn's bed and ran his hand over her cheek. His skin was fire against the ice of her flesh. "Seth, is there something you're not telling me about this one? Why does she matter to you so much?" Robyn put her hand on his shoulder. Seth turned and looked at the shorter woman deep in the eye. "I promised to protect her. Please help her. I have to go. I'll be back soon." Seth closed his eyes, and he heard the calls of the other Ravens. He didn't want to abandon Jayd, but he had no other 134

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choice. The Council was calling and getting impatient. The shadows embraced him, but his last thought was of Jayd. **** Seth let the shadows unwind from his form. His soul did not feel free from the burden he had by leaving Jayd. When the virus worked itself through Jayd's system, it was also affecting his. He wasn't sure if it was an echo infecting him too, but whatever it was, it was making him cold. It seemed his heart was getting icier by the second. Concentration was difficult. He'd never felt anything so excruciating in all the years of his existence. The breath stuck in his throat. It made him believe all the more that Jayd was his heartmate. Seth glanced around, examining all the Ravens. They were all brothers but from different times and cultures. Yet, they were all in the same position he was in. They were all cursed for their transgressions. His brothers stood in front of the empty Council table. All of them had come, even Caleb. Seth wasn't sure if their leader would appear, considering the things he was going to accuse Betha of. Seth had already confronted Caleb about the Banshee Queen. Caleb had called him a liar, not wanting to hear the accusations. The twelve other Raven Warriors were there—Tremain, Darius, Caleb, Jet, Seneca, Julius, Arik, Troy, Rayhan, Vaile, Myles, and Deacon. They stared at Seth, wondering what the sudden meeting was about. It was rare that they were all in one place at one time. This was during their furlough from being birds, and Seth hated to take that away from them, but they had to understand what was happening under their 135

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noses. Seth sensed Tremain's panic rising. Seth didn't want to send his brother off after Betha alone. Something had to be done about the queen. Confronting the Raven Council was the only action he could think of to be sure the queen could not act out whatever horrible plans she had for Linnea and the baby. "Why have you gathered us here?" Caleb asked. Seth heard the controlled anger in his leader's voice. Caleb's eyes glinted silver barely holding in his feelings. For eons, Caleb had maintained wonderful self-control, hardly raising his voice to any of them unless warranted. He never disciplined them, but lately, his emotions had been overtaking his judgment. A good example was when Seth had told their leader about the first time he assumed Betha was going to do something to the infants. "Tremain, tell them about Linnea and Whitney," Seth said to this other brother. All eyes turned to Tremain. "Linnea and my daughter are missing. I can't find them. Linnea would never take Whitney anywhere without letting me know. The link between us is being blocked. I..." Seth saw tears in his fellow brother's eyes. The others felt Tremain's worry and his alarm even though he tried to contain it. Tremain had always been the troublemaker of the flock and hated authority. He'd been on Betha's hate list for years until he found Linnea. Then, he turned around and did whatever was ordered, no questions asked. The love for Linnea Seth felt emanating from Tremain was overwhelming. It was a reflection for how Seth felt about Jayd. Nothing was 136

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going to happen to her. Once they found Betha and discovered where she had taken Tremain's family, Seth would race back to Jayd, hoping that Robyn had found a cure. Even now, his chest hurt from trying to draw breath, but he focused beyond the link, knowing Tremain was more important at the moment. The silence in the group blanketed the flock. Tremain was in no condition to continue. Seth drew in a painful inhale, feeling himself getting weaker because Jayd was dying. "What Tremain is not telling you is that Betha has kidnapped his heartmate and daughter. Since Tremain and Linnea took Maili away from Her Majesty, Betha decided to take away the things that mattered most to Tremain." "How do you know this?" Troy asked. He was the youngest of the Ravens and had been with them less than two centuries. Troy was still learning how to use his power and was still resentful for being with them. He hadn't found the peace within himself for looking after his charges and didn't trust half of the other Ravens. Seth hadn't had many run-ins with him. It always fell to Jet to train the new recruits. "I know because she summoned and tortured me for no apparent reason, and admitted her plans. Ever since the princess died, Betha hasn't been herself. She's insane. I did nothing to her..." Seth tried to recite his story before Caleb interrupted him. Caleb crossed the space between them. "Nothing!" He yelled. "You disobeyed her call for one thing! How dare you say such blasphemous things against the queen? You deserve 137

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to be cursed forever to stay in Raven form. If I had the power, you know I'd do it myself!" Seth felt power gathering in the air. Soon the atmosphere would spark. The Council was approaching. Seth didn't have much time. He looked around to the other Ravens. All of the flock had grim expressions on their faces. Many of them were caught between what they thought about what Seth had said and what Betha had done with Tremain's child. Had she kidnapped Linnea and the child or not? He walked around the small circle of the Raven Warriors meeting each of their gazes. They all had to be in decision here before they could go after the queen. Seth wanted to make sure they understood what it meant to threaten the one they loved. Some of them might have forgotten what they had human emotions, but one day they would be freed. He knew that because he had found his heartmate, even though she didn't know it yet. "Caleb, I didn't call the Brethren together only to discuss our glorious Banshee Queen. I also called them together so we can discuss you." Caleb turned back around and stared at Seth. "What did you say to me?" "Caleb, I'm not the only one who has been thinking the same thing. All of us have been wondering what the matter with you is. You've been acting irrationally lately. You are the only one who can calm Her Majesty down. She's been relying on you more than is natural. She is the one who rules over us. You are our leader, and lately, you seem to be forgetting that. Your job is to protect the innocent and kill anything that 138

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would hurt one of our charges. I think Tremain's family falls into the category. You seem to forget that of late. Am I the only one who feels this way?" There were nods among the group. All of the Raven Warriors agreed with him. Even Jet, who was Caleb's secondin-command and best friend. Seth looked over at Jet, and he wasn't even looking at their leader. Caleb stared at them and shook his head. Seth felt their leader's disbelief and anger because he was being singled out in front of the others. "What I do with the Queen is none of your business. She has been fragile since her daughter died, but her judgment is fine. She would never kidnap Linnea or your infant, Tremain. It's against her nature." "Then why is Linnea not answering me? Something is blocking her. The only ones who would do that are Morrigain and Betha. The goddess wouldn't keep me away from my heartmate or my child. I don't know what has happened to Betha. But she's been coming to our home. Appearing whenever she wishes and spends hours with Whitney, barely talking to Linnea or myself. I can understand she wants to wish them well, but even I was beginning to suspect that she was going insane. If she has kidnapped them or done anything, I will hold you personally responsible." Seth watched Tremain step up, grab Caleb by the shirt, and drag their leader a few inches across the white marble floor. Seth had never seen anyone treat the leader this way. Jet did not step up and try to stop Tremain. "They are my life, Caleb. Don't you even care they've gone missing? You were the one who fought against the council so my children would 139

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be born with the powers of both Linnea's and my lines. And now you would throw their lives away like they are nothing. Has your heart turned to ice? Have you become so jaded by power that you've forgotten to even be human?" Caleb shook his head. Seth sensed he was trying to stay calm. The muscles in his jaw were tight. Caleb grabbed Tremain's arms and shoved the Tremain off him. The silver in his eyes glinted in fury. Tremain landed on the hard floor. Darius reached out his hand to his fallen brother. Seth caught Darius's eye and nodded thanks in his direction. "Enough!" The shout came from the leader of the Raven Council, Caleb's father, Horat. All of the Raven Warriors looked over to the council. Sitting at the horseshoe table were Horat and four others who had all been freed from the curse. None of the others said anything. All of the Ravens bowed to the council except Caleb. He remained standing. Seth had only stood before the Raven Council a few times. None of those times was serious. "What is the meaning of this?" Horat asked. Seth glanced up recognized the question was directed at him and not Caleb. He took a deep breath, stared at Horat, and began to tell the leader of the council about what was happening, how Caleb had been acting lately and how Betha was reacting. Horat sighed and switched his gaze to his son. "I warned you this might happen, Caleb. Now you must take care of it! No matter what the cost." "I will not hurt her, Father!" Caleb said through gritted teeth. 140

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There was a mental mummer among the other Ravens. There was something between the Banshee Queen and their leader. Seth had suspected it, but he had never asked about it because it wasn't any of his business. Their personal lives were some of the only things they had left to themselves, and even though the Raven Warriors were connected mentally, they tried not to peer into each other's minds unless it was necessary. Horat sighed and put a hand on Caleb's shoulder. Seth took in the leader's face. He seemed old and tired all of a sudden. "Son, Betha has gone too far. What Seth has said is true. She has kidnapped Tremain's heartmate and daughter. You know that is blasphemy. You must find her before she harms them. She means to torture Linnea. Tremain will feel every inch of it. The child, I am still not sure what she will do with Whitney. If you do not remedy the situation, I will send the other Council members and they will take care of her. You have seen these things with your own eyes, how she has been acting. You just do not wish to look into your heart and acknowledge the truth. Your emotions have been clouding your judgment." Horat stepped away from his son and faced Tremain. Seth stayed silent and watched. He knew better than to interrupt. Besides, he had another question that he had to ask the council. "Tremain, we will find your heartmate and your daughter. Go with Caleb and the others. They will find her, I swear it." And the rest of the Ravens nodded when Horat walked around their semicircle and gave them specific instructions on 141

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what they were going to do. Seth could not hear what the council leader imparted to them. When Horat came to Seth, he stared the Raven Warrior deep in the eye. Power enshrouded him. Seth was unable to move. He knew better than to try and break the hold over him. Horat's actions were not Betha's. He wasn't going to torture him. Horat had something else for him. Seth watched when the other Raven Warriors were enfolded by the shadows and were gone, each disappearing one by one until he was the only one left. "Seth, do you know why I have kept you here?" "I can only imagine that you want to question me further about Betha. I know I should have come forward sooner. The queen has had me spying on Linnea..." Horat held up his hand to silence him. "I don't care about that. You were doing what was instructed of you. I kept you here because you have concerns about someone. I understand that Robyn is taking care of a human for you. Is this true? You brought a woman to our sorceress who is not even your charge? What is the meaning of this?" Horat went back around the table and sat back down in his chair. "She was the niece of my last charge. I promised Gabrielle that I'd watch over Jayd, which I have done in between my assignments that I have dutifully done for Betha, even if I think they were wrong." "Seth, we're not questioning your loyalty. We want to know why you have come before this council to ask us to keep her human." This question came from one of the other members of the council. 142

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Seth met each of the members' eyes. He was not going to lose Jayd. He would do whatever it took to make sure of that, even battle the Angel of Death himself, Azrael. "The human you're referring to is my heartmate. I cannot lose her. You, on the council, some of whom I knew when you were cursed, should understand that. How could I let her become one of the monsters that we've sworn to protect our charges from? How could I lose her to the night?" "Seth." Horat ran his hand through his white hair. "Did you ever think maybe she was destined to become a vampire? It's not your role to meddle with fate. We've recently been reminded of that with Tremain's twins. We cannot play god or goddess to humans who become entangled with us." Seth couldn't believe what he was hearing. The council was not going to help him. "You're going to leave her to become a monster? How is that possible? Am I to lose my one chance at happiness to break this blasted curse because you won't lift a finger and cure her?" Seth fumed. His fingers itched, and suddenly, his sword was in hand. He had never lifted a finger to the council members, but he was not going to lose the woman he loved all because they were unwilling to help. He moved forward summoning all his power. Seth brought the sword down in a graceful arc from many years of practice. He stopped the blade right at the tip of the council leader's throat. Horat didn't blink or move a muscle. His face remained set. Calmly he drew the blade away from his neck. "You are not the only one who has suffered pain about being in love. All of us, including the other Raven Warriors, 143

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suffer each day. Or do you forget that? Those lucky enough to find their heartmates have been freed from their curse and no longer are ruled by the queen, only by this Council and the goddess herself. We cannot alter the course of this human's life. Our ruling is final, Seth. It's up to you what you want to do next. You can try to kill me and suffer the consequences, or you can appeal to Morrigain. If you truly love this woman, then what does it matter what kind of creature she is? It should have no bearing on how you feel. Let me remind you, before your curse is truly broken, she has to accept you for all that you are. From what I deduced, she doesn't know your feelings for her. Even now, you stand at a crossroads. Go from this place and confront this mortal. If you truly adore her as you say you do, nothing will stand in your way to be with her. Trust me when I say this." Seth looked at the council. Each wore the same mask of finality. He was not going to get anywhere with them. In all the years of being a Raven Warrior, Seth never felt betrayed until now. He had accepted his curse, done everything the Raven Council, the goddess, and Betha demanded of him. Now they were unwilling to help him save an innocent. The one soul he loved. Seth looked at his sword, a symbol of his office. He glanced at the blank faces again of those on the council. When he thought about Jayd, his heart felt dead in his chest. His entire body had grown cold. He wasn't sure if her heart was beating anymore. It was almost if Jayd was no longer part of him. He couldn't feel her anymore. Would Robyn even keep her word? Would she try to halt the virus infiltrating Jayd's system? She has to do something to save 144

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Jayd from the poison taking my love away from me. Seth ran his hand over the sword one last time, caressing his old friend. It had seen him through many hard times. Then, without caring, he threw it on the marble floor. Its clash echoed in the pillared halls. "No more will I be your Warrior. I have done everything you asked of me and never once complained. If you can't help me with this one simple request, then screw the lot of you." Seth turned his back on the council and began to walk out. "Blasphemy," he heard one of the council members say. "No. Let him go," Horat responded. Seth didn't care what the repercussions were. He was done being one of their puppets. He would find a cure for Jayd, even if it killed him. [Back to Table of Contents]

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Chapter Eleven Jayd felt trapped in between a bonfire and an iceberg. Her whole body ached, and she was getting thirstier by the moment. All she wanted was something to quench her parched throat. She remembered Patrick looming over her, feeding her his blood, and then hearing Seth's voice before darkness swallowed her. Now her brain seemed a little muddled, but she was able to open her eyes. When she did, she didn't recognize any of her surroundings. Outside, she heard birds twittering and things scampering in the forest. Water was boiling from the sound of the whistle on the teakettle, and there was someone in the other room. Jayd thought she could hear breathing. How is that possible? Jayd inhaled deeply. She smelled honeysuckle, lavender, and something coppery. Jayd couldn't place it, but it made her lick her lips absently when the aroma made her mouth water. Her stomach growled at the reaction. She looked around and realized she was in a small bedroom lined with bookshelves on all available walls. This was a room she had dreamed about for her own house. Her dining room was lined with four bookcases and still she had run out of spaces for her books. All the shelves here were filled with books, plants, pottery, crystals, and other items she had never seen before. The walls of the cottage were white stucco over stone. The full moon poured through the open window. Jayd was drawn to the night. It was an odd feeling. When she stretched out her hand into the cool 146

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moonlight, it tingled up her arm. It seemed the night was ecstatic when it caressed her flesh. The night was accepting her into its world, and the cold rays of the moon were its arms surrounding her. Jayd wanted to run outside and join the darkness. She had a desire to strip off her clothes and run naked so the moon could kiss all of her flesh. Weird. I've never been afraid of the night, but now it's my friend. If I listen hard enough I can hear the moon singing. Jayd sat up a little. When she did, she realized she was not alone in the room. She looked over, and there was a short round woman standing in the doorway. "Well, you're awake. That's a good sign." Jayd stared at her. Her hair, strands of red and copper mixed with gold and gray, look like it was on fire the way it moved in the light. Her host's eyes were silver and danced in the candlelight Jayd noticed on one of the bookshelves. "Who are you, and where am I? Where's Seth?" The woman smiled. Her demeanor was warm and friendly, inviting. "My name is Robyn. You are at my cottage because Seth brought you here hoping to save your life and your immortal soul." Jayd laughed. "My immortal soul? Why would he be concerned with that?" Robyn, holding a mug of steaming liquid, came a little closer. She sat on the side of the bed and handed it to Jayd. "Drink this. It will taste vile, but it will slow the progression of the virus burning in your veins." Jayd took the cup. Dread hit her when she heard Robyn's statement. It was true. Everything Patrick had told her. 147

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Everything she had experienced was real and not some made-up nightmare she was trapped in. Her hand flew to her throat. When they did, her fingers brushed over the puncture wounds left behind by her vampire stalker. A twinge of pain enveloped her. The shock of the situation made the breath catch in her throat. Panic settled in her chest and knotted her heart. What am I going to do? I don't want to be a vampire! I never believed in the supernatural until I met Seth! Oh God, Seth. What happened to him? Is he okay? "You need to drink that, Jayd. Please," Robyn urged her again. Jayd barely heard her, but she was parched and getting drier by the second. Without saying anything, she brought the cup to her lips and took a sip of the liquid. Robyn was right. It tasted horrible if dirt was the main ingredient. When she swallowed it, the instant it hit her stomach, Jayd wanted to spit it out. "Try to keep it down, Jayd. Seth is trying to find a cure for you, but..." Jayd looked up into her alluring silver eyes. "But what?" Inside Jayd's heart, she already knew the answer, but she needed to hear it from someone else. Robyn tried to smile, but its warmth never touched her eyes and barely made it onto her lips. "There is no cure. The only way to stop being a vampire is to die. And I'm sure you don't want that." Jayd shook her head. Her hands trembled when she forced herself to take another long sip. Nausea made her stomach do flip-flops. The liquid settled into her system. She forced 148

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herself to keep it down. If this woman could stop it, she was sure going to do anything the woman wanted her to do. She took another sip and this time began to break down the different flavors in the concoction. There was garlic in it along with something with a harsher taste to it. Jayd couldn't quite place it, but it tasted metallic. "No, I don't want to die, but I never wanted to be an undead creature of the night either. I'm not much for a liquid diet. I love pizza too much. Then again, I never really believed in all of this until I saw Seth disappear into thin air. How do you know him?" Jayd was curious how her massage therapist, aka supernatural being, knew this woman. She hoped Robyn would give her some more insight into Seth's past and maybe more about him in general since Jayd hardly knew anything about him. He was always tight-lipped when he came into the shop. Seth hadn't even given her anything when she had tried to bribe him with french fries. Jayd saw a flash of anger move across Robyn's face. It was obvious there was some hostility there. "Seth and I go back about five centuries. He was my sister's guardian but couldn't do anything to save her while the guards dragged her away and then burned her at the stake." "Is that why you despise him?" Robyn smiled. "It's that obvious." Jayd nodded. "No that's not why I hate him. He gave me this life against my will. Seth thought he was doing it to save my life at the time. You see, my sister and I, along with the rest of her coven, had been accused of witchcraft during the Inquisition. 149

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My sister was killed first. Seth wasn't able to assume human form because it wasn't the full moon yet. That came the next night. Those damnable priests were torturing me on the rack. Don't let anyone fool you about the clergy of the day. I was near death. Seth wanted to save me from the horrors of the fire and from whatever else those crazy priests were going to do to me. However, Seth just assumed I wanted to live. He felt responsible and gave me the one gift he has with his curse. Some gift." Jayd was confused. How is it possible for Seth and this woman to be over five hundred years old? It's not logical. Nothing can live that long. Why is Seth cursed? Was that what he was trying to tell me when I begged him to stay? Now his schedule of only coming in on the three days and nights of the full moon made sense. But what was his curse? What had happened to him to be damned to whatever kind of life he led? "So he made you immortal and now you hate him?" "Drink your tea, Jayd. Ask Seth the details about what transpired between us." Robyn got up to leave. Jayd reached out and grabbed her arm not even realizing that she had. She hadn't wanted the other woman to leave, but didn't think her instincts were going to react so quickly. Robyn tried to pull away from her, but she was not able to break Jayd's hold. Both women stared at one another. When Jayd looked into the eyes of her host, she felt power gathering around her. It tickled the little hairs on her arms and made her skin tingle. Jayd also heard the blood rushing through Robyn's veins. The other woman's heart picked up 150

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speed. She was afraid. A sweet aroma permeated the air. Jayd licked her lips. Something shifted in her mouth. The sudden movement made her release Robyn and her hand flew to her mouth. Jayd bolted out of bed. The mug crashed to the floor, splashing its remaining liquid over the stones. She stared at herself in the mirror. When she did, she saw the beginnings of two points from her canine teeth sharpened. She touched one tentatively with her fingertip. When she did, tears welled into her eyes. This was not supposed to be happening. Marriage and children were in her future. Growing old with the man she loved and then dying at his side. Not some life where she turned into a monster. The reflection was not her. She didn't know who that was. Was she herself any longer? Her thoughts turned to Seth. Jayd had a terrible crush on him. Now she craved to have his arms around her comforting her. Robyn said Seth was trying to find a cure for me. That must mean that he cares. Maybe I was imagining it and the kiss didn't mean anything. Jayd shook her head. The kiss had to mean something. I felt a spark between us. I know he must have felt it, too. Would he want me now that I was becoming a creature of the night? Could he really care for me now that I'm becoming a cold, dead thing? Jayd turned to Robyn and tried to get her emotions back in check. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you if I did." Robyn picked up the pieces of the mug. Jayd inhaled deeply and realized that she had cut herself. That was what the coppery scent was before. It was Robyn's blood. With the intake of breath, something inside of Jayd fell away. It seemed her personality had split. She was looking at herself 151

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through different eyes. Hunger consumed her. The thirst was unbearable. Robyn was going to make it all better. Her host was going to be her next meal. It didn't matter that she was trying to take care of her. Jayd was hungry, like she hadn't eaten in weeks, and her body cried out for nourishment. Without having control of her body, Jayd threw Robyn down onto the bed and was on top of her before the other woman could even blink. Jayd's body was on automatic pilot. Her brain cried out for her to stop this nonsense, but she was disconnected from it. She grabbed Robyn's wrist. Jayd brought it to her nose and inhaled deeply. Her tongue stroked the flesh above the vein where she was going to bite. Jayd felt a rumble in her throat and realized she was purring. "Jayd, let me go. No matter what I promised Seth, I will kill you if you keep this up. Do you understand?" Jayd felt something sharp and cold against her throat. It didn't bother her. All she wanted was the blood. The woman below her was a harmless fly. She was only human after all. The blade pressed against her throat. "Does something in you remember Seth? If you care for him at all, then you'll get a hold of yourself." At the mention of Seth's name, something clicked in Jayd. Her mind recalled him. The kiss they had shared made her heart race even now. Something about the man made even her hunger stop and reconsider what she was doing. Something about the two of them was connected. Jayd closed her eyes and forced herself to reconnect with her body. This was not what she wanted. She was not a monster. She was not going to kill people. Fighting against her thirst, Jayd 152

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released Robyn, stepped away from her into the corner, and sank back against the wall. Her whole body was on fire. The stone wall was cool and felt good. Feeling tears of frustration, hunger, and disgust coursing down her cheeks, she slid down against the wall and curled into a ball. Jayd was still surprised that she could cry. She heard Robyn get up and close the door behind her. After a moment, she smelled the horrible tea again. Her host had left her another cup. It was supposed to halt her transformation. Jayd shuddered at the aroma of it, but took the mug and downed the contents. It tasted of dirt and moldy water now, but she drank it anyway. This time once it hit her system, instead of making her want to throw up, it sent blinding stabs of pain through her stomach. Her system was not taking lightly to it. She fell to the floor and doubled over. She clutched her abdomen, wondering if she had ever felt any kind of pain similar to this before, and was sure she hadn't. This is horrible. What did I do to deserve this? Why is this happening to me? Jayd wept pressing her forehead to the floor, hoping it would make her feel better, like hugging a toilet after a night of heavy drinking. It didn't help. Not knowing what to do, she tried to think of calming and happy things to take her mind off the agony. The only thing that kept coming back was the image of Seth. However, it wasn't the man she had come to know. He glared at her with loathing. He didn't want anything to do with her. The normal jovial smile that turned up his lips was gone, replaced by a look of revulsion. His eyes told her how he felt. They were cold and dead. There was nothing of the 153

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kindhearted man she cared about. Jayd reached out to him, but he shook his head, the charms in his hair jingling, except this time, they were not making happy chiming noises. They were ridiculing her. Taunting her. "Please don't leave me alone, Seth. Please don't go." Why would I want a monster like you? You're a murderer, Jayd. Nothing but a filthy creature of the night. Do you know what I do with vampires? I kill them. Her imaginary Seth smiled and laughed. A silver sword appeared in his hand, and he brought it to her throat. With one slice, the sword came barreling toward her neck. She put her hands up to stop it, but Seth and the sword disappeared. Taking his place was Patrick. You don't need anyone but me, Jayd. The blood in your veins is telling you that. Listen to it. Jayd shook her head. "No," she screamed. "I'm not like you! I'll never be like you!" Patrick squatted down and moved his hand across her forehead. It felt cool against her burning skin. But you are like me, pretty Jayd. Even if we're separated, I'm always going to be with you. It's my blood inside your veins. It's my voice that makes you hunger. Give into the thirst, Jayd. It's inevitable that you'll completely turn. No remedy concocted by a backwoods witch will be able to stop that. You're mine. Now and forever. Give into your hunger. I know you can smell her blood. It will taste sweet once you let your fangs slice into her throat. You know that. Part of you almost took her. Your instinct emerged and almost had her. If you don't want to 154

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listen to me, then at least listen to it. It might save your life one day. "Shut up! Get out of my head!" Jayd yelled at her imaginary visitor. Everything in her told her to heed Patrick's voice. If she did that, her pain would be eased. All she needed was blood. Then everything would be okay. Her body fought against the herbal concoction trying to keep her human, but Jayd could tell that it wasn't going to last. She would become a full vampire. When that happened, she didn't know if she could live with herself. Jayd glanced up at the window and saw the moon outside. It was sinking lower in the sky. Its silvery light was whispering good-bye to her. Soon, the sun would rise. Her chemistry would react to it. She knew that from the feeling in her gut and not from watching too many crazy vampire movies. If she stepped out in the bright rays, she would die. Sunlight would solve her problems. Jayd felt her will turn to iron. If Seth wasn't back by the first rays breaking on the horizon, she was going to do the only thing she could think of to save her soul. [Back to Table of Contents]

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Chapter Twelve Seth willed himself back to the clearing where the Raven Warriors trained. It was here Jet did his mediation, Darius fought with an invisible opponent, and the others spent some of their time. Surrounding it were thirteen small cabins. Each belonged to a different Raven Warrior. It was up to them if they wanted to use it. Seth barely used his. When he did, it was to store things. For now, he walked to his cabin feeling the burden. The council had refused to help him. Betha had kidnapped Tremain's heartmate. Caleb had turned his back on the rest of his Warriors. Now Jayd was going to suffer and become a night creature all because Seth didn't know what else to do. There had to be someone else he could appeal to. Seth slammed the door and threw himself down on his bed. It sagged underneath his weight. He didn't know the last time he had spent the night here. Even in human form, he'd remain human at night and just walk. Sure he got tired, but he didn't want to miss anything, and after surviving for twenty-five hundred years, a few days without sleep was not something he minded. The Raven Warrior hung his head in his hands and stared at the painting on the wall. It was a scene he had Arik paint ages ago that reminded him of his homeland. It had the ancient pyramids in the background, with a large marketplace where people strolled. Giant obelisks, nimble fingers worshipping whatever god they had been carved for, shot toward the sky. For years, Seth had worshipped the god Ra, but he stayed within the ranks of the 156

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Ravens, the more he realized that Ra didn't give a flying flip about him and that the only one who did was Nephthys. Seth sighed when he stared at the dark wings in the corner of the painting. Arik had put the representation of the goddess there on a whim so she would keep a watchful eye on him. Horat was right. The only person he could appeal to was Nephthys herself. She would be the only one to free Jayd of her curse. Without Jayd, he wouldn't be free, either. He squeezed his fists together and knew what he had to do. Seth pulled his legs up under him and sat crossed-legged on the bed. He mentally checked on the other Ravens. They were searching for Betha. They did not need him at the moment. He quieted his mind and thought of darkness and black wings. Nothing surrounded him except shadows and nightmares. This was where his goddess lived. Seth felt his body drop away, leaving his mind to wander the halls of her domain. He smelled incense, myrrh and jasmine. They were earthy scents. Her corridors echoed with the caws of ravens. The pillars that held up her temple were made of the blackest onyx and so polished he could see himself in them. There were thirteen pillars in all. Each of them inscribed with the runes for each Raven Warrior. At the end of the passageway, was Nephthys's dark throne carved from obsidian. He saw her dressed in a white silk shift, with a necklace boasting falcon wings, but he knew they were raven wings. Her face was pale. She appeared to be molded from white marble, and her black wig plaited so perfectly the gold circlet resting on it didn't even disturb it. The dark kohl accentuated her silver eyes. Her gaze held all the knowledge 157

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of the world. He approached her slowly and bent on one knee before her, waiting, hoping she would grant him an audience, praying she would hold the answer to releasing Jayd from her torment. "Seth, you have no need to kneel before me." Seth looked up into her wisdom-filled eyes. Warmth surrounded him like he was being caressed by a thousand wings. This was his goddess. This was how he saw the ruler of the Raven Warriors who went by a thousand different names. To him, she was Nephthys, the sister of Isis and ruler of the dead. "I have no other choice. What I come to beg of you, I don't know if you have the answer for." Her soft hand on his cheek urged him to look up at her. When he did, he came to his feet. "Seth, I know why you are here. You seek salvation for the human you have brought into the other realm. You do know that by doing so, you have broken one of our laws. I could punish you just for that." Seth's heart froze. After everything that happened, he half expected to be punished. If that were her wish, he would face an eternity in Raven form and forget his humanity, but not before Jayd was cured. He had promised Gabrielle he would watch over her niece, and Jayd was the woman that he had been searching for. "Please. Punish me if you must, but I can't lose her. There must be something that you can do." Nephthys shook her head. "Sadly, I can do nothing. I know you feel responsible for this human. Nothing I do will change her fate. Not even Azrael can modify her destiny, and he is the Angel of Death. Once Jayd's soul crossed the threshold of the dead, her fate was sealed and her humanity stripped. Can 158

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you not accept her for what she is? You can't save everyone, Raven Warrior. Look what happened the last time you tried. My understanding is that Robyn is still furious with you." Seth hung his head. He expected to hear this answer from the goddess, but he still had faith. Now that had been taken away from him when well. The light in his life had been eclipsed by darkness and would never reemerge to see the dawn once more. What Nephthys said about Robyn was true. He'd only been trying to do the right thing, but even when he did that, it never did seem to work out. Maybe he should stop trying on this one. No. I can't. I have to save her. "Isn't there anything?" Nephthys put up a hand and stopped him. "Seth, don't kill yourself over the past. There is nothing that you can do. You need to think about the present. You are on your own at the moment. You have raised the alarm on Betha and Caleb. The council has already shot you down in regards to Jayd. I don't suggest going to Azrael and asking him. He'll give you the same answer. What I want you to do is think about Jayd. You're running around trying to find a cure for her, when the one thing she desperately needs is you." "How can I go back to her when I promised to protect her? How can I go back to her empty handed? She's relying on me to find a cure for her. I swore to keep the demons away from her. How could I fail?" he asked himself more than the goddess. Seth felt ashamed that he was not able to keep his promise to Jayd.

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The goddess shook her head and rose from her throne. "Men. They never see what's right in front of them. How the world is ruled by them, I will never understand it." "Mistress?" Seth questioned. She shook her head. "Never mind. Look." The goddess waved her hand, and in the space between the Raven Warrior and herself formed a reflecting pool. The pool did not show Seth or the being in front of him. It showed Jayd. She was curled into a ball in the corner of the room. She was rocking back and forth, gripping her jeans tightly. Seth saw bloodstains. The fabric was shredded and bloody. Her nails were longer and bloody. He couldn't see her face because her hair obscured it, but when he watched her, he felt the echo of her pain stabbing his heart and soul. Then he could hear her through the portal. "He will come back. I know he will. He will come back." Jayd kept repeating that to herself over and over again. It was the only thing that she had to keep herself sane. Seth's heart dropped when he heard that. Her words echoed in his mind as the litany kept tumbling from her lips. He looked at the vision and saw it change. Jayd was outside. She had escaped from Robyn. The sun was about to break over the horizon. He felt its prickling rays on her skin. He was being bitten by thousands of fire ants, it stung so badly. But he was going to face it. She was going to face it. The light was blinding. The heat was causing her skin to burn. But Jayd kept herself focused. She was not going to give up when every instinct in her body demanded she run and hide in the shadows were it was safe. Where she could survive. Her thirst 160

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was ransacking her body, shredding the edges of her sanity. It took all her willpower to focus on her actions. The bright orange sun was coming slowly over the horizon, unwrapping itself from twilight. When it did, Seth saw and felt Jayd catching on fire. First, it was the fine hairs on her arms and then her skin. The blood began to boil inside of her heart. Seth clutched his chest and could barely breathe. He wanted the agony to stop. He wanted to yell to Jayd to get out of the light, but he couldn't find his voice. He was on his knees now, consumed by the flames. All the while, his heartmate never once turned away from the sun, and her last thought before her soul was snuffed out was of him. Then there was nothing. "She can't! She wouldn't!" Seth looked up at the goddess. "Would she really do that? Would she rather face death than existing?" "What I showed you is a possible future and what she plans if you don't return to her. By staying here, you waste precious time. The only thing that holds her to sanity is you. You promised to go back to her. To be there for her. When each minute passes, the virus consumes her system more and more. The remedy that Robyn gave her has only stalled the process maybe a few hours, but nothing more. If Jayd survives, by nightfall, she will be a vampire, and there's nothing you can do about it." "But I don't want her to be condemned. I don't want her to have to suffer. Being a vampire would be like a death sentence to her. Leeches are horrible creatures. How could she survive like that? How could I be destined to be with a bloodsucker? Is that what you want for me?" 161

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Nephthys passed through the portal she had created. It dissolved into smoke. She pushed her face right into his. "She is already in torment. If you say she's your heartmate, Seth, then go to her while there is still time. Worry about the Betha later. There are things you must deal with. Other things that are looming underneath the surface. Do you really think it was all coincidence that Jayd was chosen to be turned into vampire? There are other forces at work. If you love her then what does it matter what creature that she is? Love transcends all things. It can bring people back from death. It can move mountains. Time is running out. Already the sun is cresting over the horizon. Time is different here than it is in the astral. There, it runs parallel to Earth time, but here, it is faster. You should know that. "Now go, Raven Warrior. And the next time you decide to throw down your sword, make sure you do it in front of me. This time I'll give you a free pass due to your emotional distress. But do not underestimate me again. Is that understood?" Seth nodded. He understood. He was being given one more chance. Nephthys was showing him compassion and leniency. One statement the goddess made which troubled him the most was that someone had been behind Jayd's becoming a vampire. The goddess would not lie to him. The events of Jayd's turning went deeper than he imagined. He had to get to the bottom of it, but first he had to get to Jayd. The words of Nephthys rang in his ears. Did it really matter how much he hated vampires? He loved Jayd. Sharing her pain and losing her was not something he could fathom. 162

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Something turned in him. No. It did not matter that she was a leech. He would love her no matter what she became. Seth refused to give up on her. His power wrapped around him tighter than air and he let it take him away. The light was already warming his skin, even when he was in the shadows. His eyes adjusted from the Grey to the real world. Jayd stood off in the distance staring at the horizon, awaiting her death. If he could already feel the heat of the dawn, then she must have been boiling. He stepped out of the shadows and materialized a cloak that he wore at times. That was another thing with his magick. He could make anything that he wanted appear out of thin air. He took the cloak and ran. The night was about to break its hold on the world and release the sun. Jayd wasn't on fire, yet, but she was close. He threw the material over Jayd. She began to struggle, but he grabbed her, yanking her back into the shadows and whisking her away to his cottage at the same time. There, he locked the door and pulled the cloak from her form. Jayd started shaking when she saw Seth. When he looked at her, warmth captured his heart. It didn't matter what she was. She was his. Looking at her face was like staring into the face of joy. Seth ran his fingers along her cheek and smiled. "Hey, beautiful." Jayd stared deep into his eyes and beamed. When she did, his insides started to melt, but before he could admire her silent beauty any longer, she fainted back into his arms. Seth caught her. Her flesh was ice cold. Seth lifted her, gently laying her on the bed. Seth realized that with the sun freed 163

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from the night, she must have fallen asleep. Vampires slept during the day. The Raven Warrior felt content and kissed her lightly on the forehead. Seth, realizing how tired he was, slumped to the floor next to the bed. He would watch over Jayd until the sun was captured by twilight and he could talk to her again. Seth relaxed. For the first time in a long time, he sensed that things were going to work themselves out. His eyes fluttered shut, and before he realized it, he was asleep. The next thing he heard was banging on the door. He opened his eyes reluctantly and checked on Jayd. She was sleeping deeply. Enough so he didn't even see her chest rising and falling like a normal human. His heartmate was still so beautiful, and he couldn't wait until she woke. "Seth, I know you're in there. Come out!" Seth heard Robyn banging on the front door. He groaned but knew that he had to get the door. He owed the sorceress an explanation about Jayd. He shut the bedroom door to make sure no daylight would sneak in. When he opened the front door, Robyn was fuming. Her hair was red as her temper, and in the sunlight, he could see the silver reflected in the strands. "Robyn, what a nice surprise. What are you doing here?" Seth asked. He made the grin on his lips wider than it really was. It didn't bother Robyn, who stormed in and slammed the door behind her. Seth was afraid it would wake Jayd, but he didn't hear her stirring in the other room. Before he knew what hit him, Seth felt a sharp sting across his cheek. He worked his jaw after Robyn slapped him, but still didn't melt the smile from his lips. 164

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"Don't give me that, Seth! You asked me to help Jayd, which I did, but I never volunteered to almost be lunch for her!" "Did Jayd bite you?" Seth asked calmly. Robyn shook her head. "No, but she came close. I think the threat of self-preservation made her see the light. A sliver blade to her throat made her think twice." Seth was shocked. He didn't realize that the sorceress has access to the blades or any of the Raven Warriors' weapons. But then again, she was a Raven in every sense except for the curse. "Where did you get the dagger?" Robyn crossed her arms over her chest. "I've befriended a few of the Elves who smith your weapons. They've made quite a number of things for me over the years. Not to mention many a dagger." Seth felt the blood drain from his face. Enchanted silver daggers were hard to come by, and if they were dipped in poison, the specific poison used to kill his brothers, then they could be fatal. The dagger alone would do damage and cause pain, but the Ravens would heal from the wounds eventually. It would be human slow instead of the rapid rate they normally mended. "Robyn, how could you ask the Elves to smith those? You know what can happen if they fall into the wrong hands? Darius and Tremain have both fallen victim to the wounds of those knives. What were you thinking?" Robyn's mouth spread into a wide grin. "I was thinking about survival. Do you know how hard it is to be alone in this world with no one at your side? My existence has been hell. The other Warriors only come to see me when they want 165

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something. The same as you. Those who have been freed have heartmates to spend their eternity with. You never even gave me a second thought, Seth. You never come to say hello. I'm your responsibility. Your creation. And you want nothing to do with me. All you care about is that monster that's in your bedroom." Seth was taken aback. Was Robyn saying? No, she can't be. "Robyn, look I'm sorry if you think I neglected you all these years, but you made it perfectly clear to me that you wanted nothing to do with me after we tried to be—" Robyn cut him off. "When we did try to get together, you turned back into a bird. Yeah, I remember the moment quite well. That doesn't mean that I stopped caring for you, Seth, or that I stopped loving you. I figured over time you could love me back and maybe we could try again, and this time you wouldn't change back." Robyn stepped forward and leaned up on tiptoes. She caught Seth off guard when her lips mashed against his. The Raven Warrior felt nothing for Robyn. It broke his heart that he could not comfort her, but his soul was sleeping in the other room. When he did not respond, the sorceress pulled away. There were tears in her eyes. He saw then that she still loved him. Seth had tried for the first hundred years or so to love Robyn after he'd given her his gift to turn one person into a Raven. Seth had used his gift to save Robyn from the rack. However, when Seth and Robyn had tried to make love, Seth had turned back into Raven form. Right there, that proved the sorceress was not his heartmate. It was one of the reasons he had stayed away from Robyn. That and the guilt 166

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of helping her when she never wanted his assistance in the first place. It had plagued his soul for centuries. At first, he thought he was doing the same with Jayd, with trying to help her, but he knew deep in his soul that Jayd was his other half, the one to break him free of his curse. "Robyn, I'm not sure what else you want me to say. I don't love you. I tried for a century. Nothing came of it. We both know it." "Yeah, you can't love me, but you can love that thing in there! What are you doing to do when she needs to feed? Isn't she like one of the creatures that you Warriors try and save your charges from? You couldn't save my sister and you did a bang-up job with me." Seth put up his hands in defeat. This was not an argument he was going to win and he knew that. "Robyn, I stopped living in the past a long time ago. Sure, we all have issues about what happened. I was sacrificed into this life. I never wronged a woman. Nor did I end up embracing my fate with an option for it at death. We all have different stories. I have lived my life. There are things in my past I wish I could change, but I can't. If I could rewind time, I'd have left you on the rack to suffer and die. I assume now that's what you wanted. If you don't enjoy this existence, then go to the goddess and ask her to end your life. Go to Azrael and ask him to take your soul. I did the only thing I thought was possible at the time. I have accepted what I am. Have you?" From her expression, Robyn hadn't expected him to react the way he did. It seemed everything in her was defeated. Seth has always known her to be stubborn, and now she had 167

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folded in on herself. He wished he could ease her pain, but he could do nothing for her. She laughed and wiped her eyes. "Next time you need a favor, don't come to me to watch a neophyte vampire. The answer will be no. I don't feel like having my throat ripped out. If you truly love her, Seth, then you have to watch your back. Newborns are hungry all the time. They can't go out in the sun. Only their older counterparts can." "How do you know so much about vampires?" Seth walked Robyn to the door. She turned and gave him a knowing smile. "A girl has to survive in this day and age. I don't care who comes knocking at my door. Compensated it is all I care about. For you, we'll call it even. Next time you want something from me, you had better bring something I want. Deal?" Seth nodded. He didn't like the sound of that, but he doubted that he was going to have to go to Robyn again. If she was using her skills to survive in the world, he wondered how many of the silver daggers had been passed around. How many had gotten into the mortal realm over the past five hundred years? The silver was enchanted by the Elves that made the daggers. Any ordinary silver dagger that cut a Raven Warrior wouldn't do any harm. Seth shook his head. There was no time to think about what was going on with Robyn and how she was making her living. He had to worry about Jayd. And Seth had a lot of questions. How would he feed Jayd? He didn't want her to kill. It was their duty to protect the innocent. If Jayd did get out of hand, Betha or the council might send him after her. Seth had to 168

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make sure Jayd was not going to hurt any innocents. Now that she was a vampire, was she even capable of love? Did vampires even have a soul? For the briefest second, when he had unwrapped his heartmate from his cloak, he had stared into her eyes and saw himself reflected there with all the sorrow now buried inside her heart. Jayd had never wanted to be a leech. The goddess had said it was no coincidence she was singled out by the vampire coven. That meant one of two things. Someone wanted Jayd out of the way for something. Someone knew that he was watching Jayd and wanted to get back at him for something. There was also the possibility that what the leech had said was true. With him gone, the rest of the coven would search for Jayd and claim her for their own. Seth was not going to let her go no matter what happened. Robyn left and he locked the door. He was weary. The Raven Warrior sighed and sank in the chair beside the door. He closed his eyes. When he did, banshee screams erupted in the back of his mind. For a moment, he followed the web connecting him to all the Raven Warriors. He used a little of his power and sent himself to where the rest of the flock was. Tremain was standing over Betha with his sword at her throat. Linnea had Whitney huddled close to her chest. Tremain's anger seethed right through Seth and he shared it. Linnea was bruised and cut. It appeared Betha had tortured her or had begun to. The baby was unharmed. The other Warriors had Caleb trapped in a cage of sword points. They 169

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were waiting on the council to come and take Betha away. Seth nodded to himself. We got this brother. Take care of your heart for now. We'll fill you in on all the details later, Seneca whispered in his mind. Seth pulled himself away from the flock and focused on sleep. It had been a long day and he didn't know the last time he had fallen asleep in his cabin. Right now, he didn't care where he was. Jayd was safe. [Back to Table of Contents]

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Chapter Thirteen Jayd knew she was asleep and dreaming, but it was a different kind of dream that she'd never experienced before. Instead of dreaming about random things, she found herself standing in a meadow with nothing but rolling hills of green grass. The sky above her showed a full moon glowing against the blackness of the sky. There were no stars. There was a slight chill to the air. Somehow she knew she should've been a lot colder, but she wasn't. She was fine. There was no one else around her, but someone was watching her. "Hello?" It echoed in the forlorn landscape. No one answered her so she began to walk. It was endless, this walking. Jayd had no knowledge of the passage of time until, after walking through the grass, she came to a place where the meadow ended. Someone had torn it from the fabric of space and time, and the only thing before her was blackness. In the distance, she saw twinkling dots that could have been stars. "Hello." This time her call didn't echo. It was absorbed by the darkness. After a few moments, Jayd felt something coming. Whatever it was, was powerful. The weight of the power already weighed on her skin. She backed away from the darkness when she saw a shape emerge from it. The figure was the most beautiful being she'd ever seen. He was pale like the moon above, with hair coal dark, dressed all in black, and wings of black feathers reminding her of raven wings. 171

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He was an angel. What would an angel want with me now that my soul is damned? The figure laughed. He stepped forward and held out his hands, showing her that he was not about to hurt her. "Who are you?" He stopped a few inches from her. The being reached out and touched her cheek lightly. His touch made her shiver in a good way. The only other person to make her feel that way had been Seth. "My name is Azrael, Jayd. I am the Angel of Death." "So I'm dead? Is that why I'm here? Is this limbo or something? Did the sun really burn me alive because..." He smiled, and she saw his pointed canine teeth. "No, you're not dead. Seth saved you before the sun could claim you. This is a limbo. It is a place between life and death. A place where you can summon me. A place where you can be free to wander in your dreams. You are not a condemned soul, Jayd. Becoming a vampire doesn't mean your soul goes to hell. Changing your being only means whatever you want it to. The only way you will be condemned is if you let yourself be. It's your choice, really." Jayd heard his words and considered them. They made sense. But there was something about the angel she couldn't put her finger on. She felt akin to the angel in a strange way. "You're a vampire, aren't you?" She blurted out her words before she realized she had said them. Azrael laughed. It was a rich and hearty sound. Staring at him, she could find herself falling in love with this creature. It didn't matter that he was an angel. He was beautiful and 172

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kindhearted. "I'll let you in on a little secret, but you must promise not to tell anyone." "Swear." Jayd stepped a little closer and realized he smelled of Easter lilies, of rich earth and decay, of everything that reminded her of death and holy places. "Good. Did you know that Seth is worried about you?" he whispered in her ear. That was not the secret she expected to learn. Hearing Seth's name made her heart ache. "It was really him that pulled me out of the sun? He came back for me?" Jayd asked Azrael. Her voice dropped to a whisper. The angel nodded. "He did. Now he sleeps, wondering if you're the other half of his soul. Do you love him, Jayd?" Jayd found her fingers were twirling around one of the taller strands of grass. Did she love him? She had a huge crush on him, but that wasn't the same thing. Seth had promised to come back for her. Even though he hadn't stopped Patrick from biting her, Seth still had tried to help her. Her heart was unsure of how she felt. "I don't know." Death stared deep into her eyes. She felt his ominous power surrounding her. "That's an honest answer. Only you can know your heart, Jayd. Just don't lead him on. You are very special to him." "How?" "Ahh." Azrael smiled. "I can't tell you that. There are some things I can't get involved with. Some events have to unfold for themselves. But I can tell you there's no going back. Seth tried to intervene with your condition, but he was shot down 173

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on the highest level. What was done to you is permanent. Don't hold it against him. Even if he hurts you. Okay?" Jayd nodded, not sure of what the angel meant. What had Seth done or tried to do for her? Seth would never hurt her. He wasn't capable of it. "There's no way I can be human again?" She felt the statement was true. She knew that her heart was no longer beating in her chest. "Don't look so sad, Jayd. You will be able to do many things with your life. Just because you passed over the threshold of death doesn't mean that you have to give up. You won't become a fiend. Being a vampire isn't that bad." "And how do you know?" She turned away from the angel and stared up at the moon. Here, it was flat, a cardboard cutout of the real thing. Jayd hugged herself and felt all alone in the expanse. Deep down, she knew she had entered into a new kind of life, a new existence, but here, she didn't feel any different. The hunger she had felt when she nearly attacked Robyn was not churning her veins. It wasn't even a whisper. She could think clearly almost if she were her old self. Her thoughts turned to Seth, and she was grateful to him for saving her. The Angel of Death stood before her. "I know because I've gone through what you're going through. My soul mate has gone through the same thing. Only it took me forever to realize she was my equal and she's a vampire. But we are a breed apart from what you are." "Is that possible? To have to different strains of vampires? I thought there would be only one type of vampire. Hell, 174

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before this, I never believed in magic, the boogeyman, or angels. Now I guess I have to rethink that whole idea." Azrael chuckled. He was an odd being, but Jayd found that she liked him. She wondered what kind of a creature would be the soul mate for Death. How was it possible for an angel to also be a vampire? Wasn't there a conflict of interests, being a heavenly creature and drinking blood at the same time? "I can't give away all my secrets, Jayd. That would be cheating. But I'll answer a couple. Yes, it's possible to have more than one strain of vampire surviving on the planet. My kind doesn't even know yours exists. You would be invisible to them, as a vampire at least. My mate is a woman who's been to hell and back. You would get along with her. Maybe one day I will introduce you two." "Why are you being so nice to me? Why are you here anyway?" Jayd blurted out. The Angel bowed. "I thought you could use some comfort. You didn't choose this life, and I wanted to lend an ear. If you ever need me, I'll always be here for you. You have part of me inside of you now because your kiss will bring death. Therefore, I will always be around you. Take care, beautiful Jayd." The angel picked up her hand and kissed the back of her hand. A zing of ice went through her skin at the contact from his lips. She was enveloped in cold. It was enough that it stole her breath. When she exhaled there was vapor. The angel was gone and she was left all alone. **** 175

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Jayd opened her eyes slowly. When she did, she realized that she was awake. None of the fog of sleep clung to her brain. Everything was clear. Instinctively, she knew that it was night. She could feel the change in the temperature outside and there wasn't that much weight on her skin as there had been in the morning. Her body was still cold from Azrael's power flowing through her. Jayd had never expected to meet the Angel of Death, but she had never thought she'd be a vampire, either. Jayd shook her head and inspected the room. In front of her was a painting that looked it was of Egypt. Ancient Egypt from the look of the buildings and the pyramids. So that's why he likes to read about Egypt. He was from there. She glanced around the rest of the room. It was spartan. Other decorations showed he was from Egypt. There were urns with hieroglyphics. Even a mummy mask hung on the wall. A necklace with a large pendent that appeared to be the Eye of Horus was on the wall. Jayd was intrigued by the contents of his room. It reflected some of his personality. Beside the bed, there was one other chair and shelves on the wall. There was no other furniture. Nothing to hold clothes. Jayd looked at the black cloak that had covered her. She ran her hands over the material. It was the softest thing she had ever felt. Maybe it'd been woven from the fabric of the universe itself. It was warm too, but light. Jayd lifted it to her nose and inhaled. When she did, she smelled Seth, but more so than she ever had. He had a deep musky aroma that reminded her of wet earth mixed with a dry scent she didn't have a name for. Sand maybe. She smiled when she thought about him. Azrael asked me if I loved him. Jayd still didn't 176

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know the answer to that, but she was grateful to him for pulling her from the sun. Hope had evaporated from her heart when the light grew in the sky. Her aspirations of Seth returning had begun to fall away. Maybe he had forgotten about her. She didn't blame him for her being attacked. At the last moment, Seth had shown up. She had wished that would have been sooner, and if that had been the case, then she wouldn't be a vampire. Then again, she might be dead all together. I have to stop thinking like that, she reminded herself. Gabrielle would want me to face the situation and march forward. She'd want me to embrace my fate as she always had when bad circumstances faced her. She made the best of her life. Jayd had been through a lot in her life. She had seen her mother die, and she had gotten through it. It was a dark spot in her childhood, and now, she was in a dark space in her adult life. But she would get through it. Gabrielle had given her that strength. She sighed and ran her hand through her hair. When she did, she noticed that it was still curly, but it was longer. So were her nails. They were sharper too. When she searched the room, she noticed she saw the grain in the wood from across the room. All her senses had sharpened. She had read that in vampire novels before that all five senses were enhanced when anyone was turned, and she assumed that was what had happened to her. When she listened, she realized the annoying thumping sound she heard in the back of her mind, was Seth's heart. Jayd licked her lips absently. The thought of food made her hunger flare to life. Great pain 177

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seized her whole body, worse than what she had been the day before when she wanted to attack Robyn. Now she wanted to sink her fangs into Seth and drink him dry. "No. I will not let this rule me!" Azrael said that she would not be a fiend. Her nature was not going to get the better of her. Jayd doubled over on the bed. Her fingers dug into the cloak, and her nails shredded the fabric. Her teeth sprang to their full length in her mouth. She nearly sliced her tongue on them. The door slammed into the wall, making Jayd glance up briefly. She bit her lip to keep the pain at bay. Seth was in the doorway with his silver sword in hand. Her heart melted at the sight. He was ready to defend her honor since she had screamed. "What's the matter?" "Nothing. It was me. You can put your sword away, Seth." Jayd forced out. Seth threw it into the air. It disappeared before it hit the ground. He crossed the room in only a couple of steps and knelt beside her. Seth took her arms and pulled them away from her face so he could search her eyes. His power prickled against her mind. She didn't know what to do to block him, but a wall went up in her mind on instinct when she tried to keep him out of her thoughts. He realized that, withdrew, and ran his hand down the side of her cheek. His touch burned against her cold skin. Jayd realized then that her heart was no longer beating and her entire body was ice cold. She tried to pull away from him so he would not see her as a monster, but he was not letting her go. 178

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"No, Jayd. You're not a monster. You're so beautiful even being what you are. Please don't turn away from me." Either Seth read her mind or he saw her expression and her fears written all over his face. "Tell me what was the matter? Are you hungry?" Jayd nodded slowly. She turned her face to him and let him caress the side of her cheek. His touch felt good. His flesh felt good, and the blood singing through his veins had its own tune that she wanted to memorize and taste on the back of her tongue. "Yes. The pain is too much. I don't know what to do." He kissed the side of her face lightly. His lips blazed against her skin. "Drink from me, love. I'll feed your hunger until you can tame it." Seth didn't lose her gaze. Shock bolted through Jayd. She never expected Seth to offer himself to her. "I can't let you offer yourself up for dinner. Oh God, Seth. I could kill you. I don't want to hurt you. No." She shook her head, pulled herself away from him, and huddled into the corner. His heart thundered in her ears. The rhythm was like a bass drum at a concert, and she was too close to the speaker. Her head was clouding from the noise. The agony crawling into her veins slithered through them. Jayd took in a breath and smelled something else wafting from Seth, another scent that hadn't been there before. It was sweet. It made her mouth water. She didn't know what it was, but he was breathing heavier. His heart was pounding faster in his chest. Maybe it was adrenaline. Maybe she smelled his passion. Jayd shook her head. It was 179

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impossible for anyone to smell emotion. It was not humanly possible. But you're not human any more. She heard Azrael's voice in the back of her mind. He doesn't see you as a monster. He loves you, Jayd, from the depths of his soul. Trust him. "I can't. He'll die," Jayd whispered to the voice in her mind. She didn't know if it was another hallucination. "Love, I can't die. I'm immortal. Practically. Trust me. Let me ease your pain. Please, Jayd. It's killing me. I don't know your hunger, but the echo of your suffering is twisting me in knots." Seth begged her to come to him. Jayd glanced up and peered into Seth's eyes. He was serious. He reached out and traced the back of her hand up her arm with his finger. Jayd bite her lip and shivered from the contact. The only way to be free of the ache was to feed. Her throat was parched. She closed her eyes and nodded, giving up. Seth smiled and climbed up on the bed next to her, but still kept his distance so they weren't even touching. He was silent, waiting for her to make a move. Without saying anything, Jayd, crawled over to him. She ran her palm over his cheek. His skin was silky, polished ebony. She watched when he trembled from her touch. Seth didn't have any stubble and she didn't feel any. Seth observed her every move. She bit her lip and brushed his dreadlocks over his shoulder. The charms in his hair chimed together. She brought her lips to his neck, but before she bit down she whispered. "Thank you." Jayd opened her mouth wide. Her tongue rested on the pulsating of his jugular. His skin tasted even better than what 180

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he smelled. It was spicy. She ran her tongue along the river flowing below his flesh keeping time to a melody. She scraped her fangs along his skin before she drew blood. Seth quaked against her, and a small moan loosed from him. Jayd's breathing increased, and she couldn't take the anticipation anymore. She let her fangs pierce his flesh. Once they did, hot liquid plunged down her throat and forced her to swallow. One arm wrapped around Seth neck holding him place, pulling him even closer to her. She felt Seth weave his fingers through her free hand. Her lips worked against his neck, sucking on his blood. "Oh, God." Seth moaned. Jayd felt him stiffen while she drank. He held onto her fingers. Seth moved himself closer to her. Jayd didn't bother to pay attention to him. All she focused on was the blood coming into her mouth. Then images began to follow. She realized she was seeing Seth's memories. She was back in Ancient Egypt next a stone altar. Someone was chanting. The moon blocked out the sun above, and he was being cursed. She looked up and saw great black wings above her, enfolding her. Raven Warrior. The name whispered through her thoughts. Welcome to the flock. She heard a woman's voice move through her mind as it had moved through Seth's ages ago. But the pain was easing in her stomach, and her veins didn't feel if they were threaded with barbs anymore. Her thirst was quenched. Seth's heart was beat was slowing. Fear gripped her. She wasn't going to kill Seth. She didn't have to drink him dry, even though it was enticing. The 181

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agony was gone from her now and everything in her felt renewed. Jayd pulled herself away from the fount he offered. When she did, she looked up shyly at Seth. He returned her look with a smile so wide that it captured her heart and froze the breath in her chest. [Back to Table of Contents]

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Chapter Fourteen Once Jayd's fangs slipped into his throat, ecstasy entered Seth's body from her feeding. He wasn't sure if it was a chemical in her fangs that induced it, or if it was something he was experiencing. He had never had a vampire feed from him before. However, he did feel Jayd's mind wind through his. The Raven Warrior could have blocked her out, but he didn't want to raise his power and frighten her. Jayd's arm wrapped around his neck and molded his body against hers. He wound the fingers of his free hand through her fingers only to feel her more. Her lips worked on his neck when she swallowed, and with each one, the rapture he felt brought him higher. While Jayd fed, Seth felt her skin warming. Seth wanted to capture her lips and make love to her. The close proximity of her body pressed against him, made him hunger for her. He grew hard from her feeding. His mind began to wonder about how Jayd and he would move together. He didn't enjoy that she was a vampire, but he could not lose her. She was his whole world and he would do anything for her. Seth felt his mind change at that moment. The goddess had told him love was an amazing gift, and he realized that he could not lose Jayd. He would not see her starve. Seth would feed her forever if that was what she wanted so she would not have to kill. He could take it. He was going to die or turn into a vampire from her bite. The goddess was not going to relinquish her hold on him anytime soon. 183

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Jayd pulled away. When she did, she looked down at the bed demurely like she was a sweet creature rather than a dangerous monster who was his heartmate. There was blood on her lips. His blood. Her gaze met his and she gave him the widest smile he had ever seen. It tugged on the edges of his heart and tightened his groin. He half expected for his spine to start bowing and his feathers to begin sprouting through his skin. That had happened the last time he had tried to be with Robyn, but they didn't. His human form remained. It proved the point that he and Jayd were supposed to be together. "Thank you, Seth," she whispered. Seth saw tears in her eyes. He reached out and wiped them away with his thumb. Her skin was hot now, almost if she had a fever, but he knew it was the blood working in her system. The remedy Robyn had given Jayd had failed. She was a full vampire now. He could do nothing to change her back. "Oh, Jayd, you don't have to thank me." His voice fell to a heady whisper. He wound his fingers through her curly locks. They were silky against his palm. The individual strands tickled his flesh. Seth wanted to feel them against his mouth. He drew her into him and met her lips. The tang of his blood made him deepen the kiss. It took a moment for Jayd to respond. She was rigid and then began to melt from the heat sparking between them. He heard the crackling of static electricity. The pull between them was ten times stronger than it had been. His hand barely touched Jayd's flesh and the prickling of their auras made him shudder. Her mouth was velvety soft. Seth 184

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let the tip of his tongue trace the opening of her lips. The hardness of her fangs pressed against his tongue. Seth wanted to feel them in his flesh, too. Jayd was shaking. Her body was taut with passion. He ran his free hand along the line of her jaw, down her neck, and over her T-shirt before cupping the curve of her breast. She was so ripe and waiting for him to take her. Nothing had to be said between them. Seth let his lips slip along her cheek to the other side of her neck. Nipping her flesh gently, he dared a small passion bite. It drew the reaction that he hoped it would. A sigh escaped Jayd lips. Her back arched. It encouraged him. Seth applied a little more pressure on her breast, feeling the nipple harden through the cloth against his palm. The Raven Warrior drew his fingers down over her shirt until he came to the end of it. He licked her neck lightly before pulling away, savoring the vanilla flavor of her flesh. Then Seth forced himself to pull away from Jayd and meet her eyes. Her pupils were wide. In them reflected acceptance. Seth felt Jayd's yearning. Without wasting another moment, he pulled off his black shirt and waited to see what Jayd would do. He was not going to push her. For a brief second, she stared at him. The silence spread between them. It was covering them in a blanket enough that they could hear a pin drop. Then Jayd tentatively reached out her hand. It was trembling. She brushed her fingers across Seth's pecs. Seth held in a shiver when her she tickled her way down his chest and over his abs. Her nails left burning scratches along his skin that healed over quickly. Already, he could feel himself getting hard. The anticipation was killing him. It'd been so long since he'd been 185

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with anyone. He didn't know if he missed the act more or the feeling of closeness of being with another person and not having to worry about turning back into a bird. His soul was alive now that he had found his heartmate. Jayd leaned in and kissed the little hollow below his Adam's apple feeling the brush of wings against his throat. He kept his hands at his side balled in fists when her tongue traced his chest muscles and went around his nipple. It hardened at her light touch. A bolt of pleasurable agony hit him hard. His back arched. A groan flew from his lips. Jayd's teeth bit down a little. The curve of her fang caught the edge of his flesh. A stab of pain made him jump. Her tongue lapped at the blood. Seth couldn't hold himself in any longer. He wrapped an arm around her, molding her body to his. His power reached out, entwining them. It was strange in a way. The pull he felt to Jayd was unlike anything he'd ever experienced before, but there was also an alienness around her. She was removed from life. Yet, here she was before him. Seth couldn't stand it anymore. His free hand drew her lips back up to his. They met, and Seth knew Jayd would be everything he ever desired. Everything about her was hungry for him. Her lips were incessant when they pressed against his, mashing together. Their tongues met and danced. Jayd's arms wrapped around Seth's neck, and she pulled him closer to her, almost if she wanted their bodies to meld. Her lips left his and began to move down his neck again. Seth slipped his hand under Jayd's shirt. There, he used his ability to manipulate energy and ran the line of her back. His heartmate groaned and bit down with her regular teeth on his 186

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neck. Seth drew in a breath and dug his nails into her flesh. It was taking all of his concentration not to throw her down on the bed and magick her clothes away so he could slide against her naked flesh. Jayd bit him harder. "Jayd, don't stop," Seth breathed. Jayd put a hand on his chest at that moment. Seth looked at her, puzzled. "What's the matter, Jayd?" Her flesh was flushed. Her breathing was heavy. She shook her head. When she opened her eyes, he saw that her pupils were wider and black as Betha's throne. "I can't do this, Seth. I want to, but it ... it's too much right now. Everything is whirling inside of me. You smell too good. And the aroma of your desire and whatever it is you're doing to me. It makes me hunger. I can't. I..." She hung her head and pulled herself back to the other side of the bed. Seth's heart fell into his stomach. His hands ached to run over her smooth skin. The Raven Warrior resisted the urge when his heart broke from seeing her so torn up with fighting her hunger. "What can I do?" Seth asked. Jayd laughed, which turned into a hiccup. Her eyes had returned to normal. "Nothing. Everything. God, you must hate me for leading you on. I'm sorry!" Seth slid across the bed and pulled her reluctantly into his embrace. Jayd didn't try to fight him, but he could sense her unwillingness to be close to him. Her muscles were hard, but she was letting him manipulate her. After a few heartbeats passed, she relaxed and settled against his naked chest. He held her close so he could guard her from whatever monsters 187

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she had to deal with. He wished to protect her from her own inner demons, but she had to find the strength to do that. Seth knew that Jayd had that strength. She had overcome some horrible events in the past and now she was stronger for it. "I don't hate you, Jayd. On the contrary, I love you more than I can even fathom. I've been waiting such a long time for you. You don't know how much my soul has needed you. You are my universe. My curse has held me captive for so long that I never thought I'd have a chance at happiness. Then the others started finding their heartmates, and I realized that one day, I would, too. I never thought it would be you. Not from the first moment I saw you arrive at your aunt's house. You weren't magickal. All of my brothers' mates have been human in some way. Darius's mate is a werewolf and an empath. None of us ever conceived he would fall in love. He treated women so badly over the years, but even he, the most hardheaded of us all, found love." Seth hugged her to him. Her mind was open, but he did not look inside of it to find the answers he so desperately sought. He would not violate her when she had not given herself to him yet. Not until their bond was stronger. Not until she trusted him. Seth took in a breath and was calmed by Jayd's presence. He rested his head on top of hers. Not to feeling her heart beating under his hands was strange, but he did not complain. The pulsation of her aura against his made up for it. "What are you really, Seth? I've wondered about things. Seen things, been told things by the Angel of Death, but I 188

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want to hear it from your lips. What are you really?" Jayd asked. Seth drew in a breath. He was not supposed to say what he was. It was part of the curse. However, he didn't care anymore. Jayd had a right to know what he was. "I used to be an ordinary human. However, I was tricked, and instead of being elevated to an Elder Priest of Ra, I was sacrificed to the goddess Nephthys so the slaughtering of the other priests in our sect would be stopped. I was welcomed into her flock to guard and protect those charges who were magickally inclined or supernatural in a way. There are or were thirteen of us. Thirteen condemned souls who are given raven wings for twenty-eight days of the month and human form on the three days of the full moon and the high pagan holidays. I've been a Raven for twenty-five hundred years. It's been a long time to be without someone." Jayd looked up at him. "What do you mean?" Seth felt her fingertips absently sliding over his hand. He swallowed hard because it took a lot of his self-control not to kiss her again. She was teasing him, flaunting herself in front of him, but he knew that she wasn't doing it on purpose. "Every time I'd try to be intimate with a woman, I'd start to sprout feathers. When I became aroused, my back would bow and my body would begin to shrink, so I would turn back into a Raven. It was part of our curse." "So that's why you never wanted to work on women at the shop. For the longest time I thought you were gay. So why aren't you turning into a bird with me?" 189

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Seth laughed. He thought her statement was ridiculous. There was no way he was attracted to men. He didn't think any of the Warriors were. "No, I'm not gay, Jayd. The only reason I can be human with you, and with anyone now I think, is that you are my other half, my heartmate. Humans call us soul mates. I know you feel it too. Don't you sense the pull between us? Can't you feel the heat and see the sparks?" Seth turned her in his arms so he could see her face. He needed to know if she felt the same way about him. I know she's attracted to me. I felt it the first time I kissed her. It's inside her soul, but she just has to realize that. Jayd's brow creased when she thought about it. Seth didn't like the look on her face. She pondered it too much. Her world had been thrown out of whack, but he was not going to lead her to any conclusions. And if he had to wait for her, then so be it. "Seth, I know you like me. And I feel the attraction between us. Not that it wasn't obvious a few minutes ago. Honestly, I've had a crush on you since the first time you walked into the shop. I've fantasized about the many things I've wanted to do to you, but you never made a move until yesterday. I understand now why you didn't because you thought you'd get all feathery again, but I can't just fall in love over night. Patrick said something to me before he bit me. He said I was his soul mate, but I didn't really believe it. He only had me under a spell. I know that now. But now that he is gone, I feel empty without him and..."

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"How do you know he's gone?" He didn't want to think there were any more connections between her and the vampire he had slain, but there was. She shrugged. "I don't know. I can feel him and the others in my mind. But where he's supposed to be, there is an empty space. It's vacant." "Do you know how many more there are in the coven?" Seth asked. Jayd got a blank expression on her face and stared at the wall. Seth sensed she was following the links in her mind. "There are twelve of them. And the leader. And..." Jayd's body contorted in pain. A shrill scream escaped her lips that reminded him of a banshee's. He held her to him. "What's the matter, Jayd? What are they doing to you?" "She's asking me about Patrick. She thinks I killed him. She doesn't believe me. She's summoning me. I have to go. Let me go, Seth! Let me go!" Jayd begged him, but he wasn't letting her go. He didn't know what would happen if she left him. He figured the Coven Queen would train Jayd to be a coldblooded killer similar to the rest of them. He might lose her forever. If he ever did find her, what would be left of the woman that he loved? She would always be the other half of his soul, and he couldn't fathom losing her. Seth grabbed Jayd's head and forced her to look at him. When he did, he called upon all his power and enfolded it around Jayd. Hear only my voice, Jayd. They do not have a hold on you. You are safe with me. No one is going to hurt you. She does not rule you. You are not part of the coven. You are my life. 191

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Feel my heart beat and let it warm you. Share my life, Jayd. I can't give you back your humanity, but I can share some of mine with you. Jayd's panic enveloped him when he heard the summons of the Coven Queen, something similar to the call of Betha beckoning him to her side. Seth felt the echo of it burning through Jayd's veins and eating away at her. He gritted his teeth against it when he yanked his heartmate's attention away from the coven and back to him. He pulled his aura around himself and settled all of it over his chest where his heart beat. Then, he envisioned a link between himself and Jayd at the heart. It wasn't that hard to do anyway because he worshipped the ground she walked on. Jayd's fear began to lessen as did the pain and the calling from the coven. He had never done anything like this before. The longer he concentrated on their link, the more the coldness of her being entered his heart, sucking the warmth from his body. Their energies were merging. He was melding their souls. Color returned to Jayd's cheeks. Only a hint of a blush. Her skin grew warm again and he heard her heat beating slowly. Inside of him, her hunger was born. A consuming beast settled in his soul. It would not consume him. He fought it with all his might. It reared its head and filled him with ice. He had been touched by death, but the hunger was losing strength because he was not undead and it could not live in a human body. That and his curse battled against it because the goddess was not going to lose him easily. Seth's jaw hardened and shifted. Teeth burst from his gums and cut into his lip. He closed his mouth, but cried out when the hunger 192

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raged inside of him. Without thinking, he brushed back her hair and plunged his fangs deep inside her veins. She moaned. The blood that hit the back of his throat resembled the taste of earth. He had never experienced anything so primal. The hunger was its own entity. He drank a swallow, and then Jayd struggled in his arms. Seth came back to himself, no longer frenzied by the beast inside of him. When he regained control, he realized what he had done. Horror filled him. Seth had assaulted Jayd. She broke the hold of his arms and shot across the room. Through the bond he had forged, he sensed her disgust. Whatever he had done, the joining of his energy to hers was holding and she wasn't so much a vampire anymore. Her hunger was no longer a beast. Her hand flew to her throat. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" Seth stood up. "Jayd, it was an accident. I swear. I don't know what happened. Please, it was a mistake!" Seth watched when Jayd shook her head. Confusion peppered her thoughts. He could see the black cloud hanging over her head. She held out her hand to ward him off. "Stay back, Seth. I thought you swore to protect me. Whatever you are, cursed or not, you're just as bad as Patrick. You want me for your own whims. I'll take my chances with the coven if they come calling again!" Jayd cried out. Seth felt the energy spike in the room. It was coming from Jayd. Darkness wrapped around her. Her power had a tinge of green to it. One second she was there and the next the space was empty between them. Seth hung his head in his hands knowing he had screwed up. Pain and the echo of the hunger 193

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that she felt stabbed at his heart. He tried to calm his emotions. When he was a priest, he had been taught to go inward. However something had changed about him. Whatever bond he now shared with Jayd had transformed the makeup of his soul. He had taken some of her curse inside of him, some of the hunger, and had given Jayd a part of himself, a part of his soul. Seth shook his head and tried to follow the link that bound the two of them together, but even though it was stronger now, Jayd was blocking him. Frustration ripped through Seth. When he went to try again, he heard the calling of the flock. The Raven Warriors needed him. They were now before the council, and Nephthys was there too. Seth sighed. He had to go. Jayd would have to wait. He waved his hand and was dressed again with his sword belted at his side. Without another thought, he let the shadows capture him and bring him back to Council Chambers. [Back to Table of Contents]

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Chapter Fifteen Jayd reappeared in her house. She didn't know how she got there, except she was there. One minute, she had been thinking about going home, and the next, she was. However, getting there had left her weary. She slumped down on the couch and realized that she felt different. She had ever since Seth had bitten her. Her hand flew to her throat. The wound was healed, but she expected to come away with blood anyway. There was none. Deep down, she didn't feel hungry, and when she listened, she heard a faint thumping sound. It took her a moment to realize that her heart was beating. Her skin wasn't any longer. Seth had done something to her. His power had ripped through her mind and severed the call of the Coven Queen. The leader hadn't believed that she didn't kill Patrick. That was when the pain started, when the other vampire scourged her mind with fire. After Seth had surrounded her with his power, Jayd only heard his voice in her mind. "My, my, what a surprise? Running home is always the first instinct when newborns feel threatened." Jayd heard a voice in the shadows. It was the same female voice she'd heard summoning her to the coven. Fear wound its way into her heart. Her eyes scoured the darkness clinging to her furniture and every conceivable nook and cranny in the living room. The moon was a backlight that couldn't even penetrate the darkness that had spread in the room. "Who are you? Where are you?" 195

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There was laughter in the darkness. "I'm your master now that Patrick is dead. You were supposed to be his mate, but you killed him. For that you have to pay. It is against the Nightbreed's laws to kill your master, Jayd." "But I didn't kill him. There was someone else with me." Pain erupted all around her. Her limbs were on fire. She heard rustling in the shadows. "Why would another vampire kill its own kind? We refrain from doing that unless punishment is being doled out. I went to the shop and smelled another who was not of our coven. Is that the one who killed Patrick?" Jayd writhed on the floor. "Yes. Please. I didn't kill anyone." "She's telling the truth. She didn't slay Patrick." There was a softer voice in the shadows. Jayd had never heard it before, but she knew it was another one of the coven. She could feel the link between them. It was not strong anymore, but she could still feel them. Whatever he had done to her, it had changed her. Hopefully the queen wasn't able to sense it. The pain ceased. Jayd breathed a sigh of relief. She got up slowly, looking around her when the shadows began to dissolve into people shapes. The only ones in the room were the Coven Queen and another man. Jayd didn't dare meet the queen's eyes, but her curiosity got the better of her. Soon, her eyes traveled the length of her beige carpet and pink sectional sofa. She saw a green broomstick skirt, a flat stomach, and a black tube top covering an ample chest. The vampire queen could have fallen over from the weight of her breasts. When Jayd got to 196

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her eyes, they were two different colors. One was silver and the other was gold. Jayd couldn't believe it. "Aubrey?" The vampire queen smiled. When she did, Jayd saw her two long teeth extend from her gums. They were the color of old ivory. "Pretty cool, hmm? Just think, I've been working for you and now you're my slave. I think that works out quite well." Jayd stepped forward, not caring now if the creature in front of her was her queen or that her instincts said that she should be bowing at her feet. The independent streak she always had reared its head. "What the hell is going on? If you're a vampire, how come I've seen you out in the daylight? And what's up with all those shakes you were drinking? I take it they weren't granola and wheat grass?" Aubrey played with the silver chain around her neck. Jayd couldn't see the pendent because it was snuggled between her ample bosom. Aubrey snorted. "God, no. Those were blood. The older you get, the more tolerance you have to the sun. You get dehydrated, though. It's a real bitch. But since you're so new, the sun will kill you. Give it a century or two and you might be able to withstand an hour or so. Now, Jayd, since you didn't kill Patrick, tell me what other vampire did. I'm dying to know. Patrick was my favorite. You were going to make him a good mate. Also, do you know where Seth is? He wasn't at the shop this morning when I went to make sure everything was okay." Jayd stood stupefied. She had never thought that Aubrey was a vampire. The granola-crunching, tree-hugging, doesn'tshave-her-legs girl is one of the undead, and to boot, she's 197

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my leader. Now I'm obligated to obey her! I don't think so. When Jayd thought about it, she didn't feel much loyalty to the queen. Seth definitely did something to me. I can feel him in the back of my mind. She didn't know where he was, but when his heart beat, so did hers. Tears moistened her eyes. He had given her back a heartbeat. He had given her back some of the warmth she had lost. She was still undead, but she wasn't a complete vampire. Seth and she had meshed, and had come away with a little of one another. It dawned on Jayd that was what had happened when he'd bitten her. He had taken away a little bit of her hunger. And to contain it, he had grown fangs. He hadn't hurt her intentionally. The conversation between Azrael and her came back to haunt her. Azrael had told Jayd not to blame Seth for hurting her. Now she understood what he meant. "Oh God, what have I done?" "What, indeed? Tell me where Seth is, Jayd. You should know I can smell him on you." "What do you care about Seth?" Jayd asked. Aubrey ran her fingers over the top of her breasts. "You were supposed to have Patrick and I was going to get Seth. I had to get you out of the picture so Seth would see me and not you." Shock hit Jayd. She had been in the way! Aubrey wanted Seth for herself. "Why get me out of the way now? Seth has been there for two years." Aubrey looked at her companion. Jayd just noticed him. He was shorter than she. He looked similar to Patrick except his hair was white. He could have been Patrick's twin. He bowed 198

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his head and the shadows swallowed him whole. However, Jayd still sensed he was around even though she couldn't see him. Aubrey sat in the chair across from Jayd. She smoothed her skirt out around her and then looked back at Jayd. "I'm not stupid, Jayd, dear. I've seen the way you and he have been looking at one another. For two years, I've listened to you whining about how you wanted him in your thoughts. I knew it was only a matter of time. That was why I had Patrick stalk you. It was so much fun watching you squirm. But then these past couple of nights you fell off my radar. I felt you once Patrick's blood hit your system, but after that, something happened to you. Even now, you smell differently. What happened? You don't smell like a newborn." "Aubrey, I don't know what you're talking about. You think that I wanted this? I don't know where Seth is." Aubrey laughed. "You're lying. I can smell it. Don't make me mad, Jayd. You think my hurting you was a display of my power. You haven't seen anything yet. I've survived for over a thousand years. I've been staked, set on fire twice, and left out in the sun to burn. And here I stand." Jayd growled, feeling her teeth grow. She got right in Aubrey's face. "I don't know where he is. And you'll never get him, either." "Tsk-tsk. Seth is a wonderful specimen of the male species. He will be my mate. Now tell me where he is! Don't you think I haven't tried his usual haunts? Where does he live? I'm sure that's where you have been. What town? What city?" 199

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"I don't know." Jayd called upon her power and felt it wrapping around her. However, hands caught her before she could disappear. She felt fangs plunge into her throat. A jolt of pain raged through her veins. The white-haired vampire had her in his grasp. Aubrey got up and strutted forward. She brushed her nails under Jayd's chin and made her look at her. "You should tell me where he is. It will save you the torture. I'll get it out of you sooner or later. I'm sure he's confided in you by now where his apartment is. He is a strange one, that Seth, but he will be yummy." Jayd felt Aubrey's power encompass her mind and then she saw a look of confusion go over her face. The grip on her chin tightened. "You have a heartbeat. How is that possible? You're Nightbreed, one of the undead. It's not possible for you to have a heartbeat. To be warm." Pain shot up her chin when she heard the bones crack. Immediately, it tingled. It was starting to heal. "Go to hell, Aubrey." "Oh, no. You don't know what hell is I promise you will, though. Take her back to the lair. Show her what it's real pain feels like." Aubrey smiled and patted Jayd on the cheek. "You'll soon learn that you do not disobey the queen. You'll tell me who killed Patrick, and then you'll tell me where Seth is. He will be my mate. Whatever human affiliations you have for him will soon die away. I will find out what you did to make yourself warm. Take her away." Dismissing Jayd and the other vampire, Aubrey waved her hand. 200

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Jayd felt the cold of the darkness take hold, and try as she might, she was not able to break away from her captor. No matter what happened, she was not going to give Seth away. Aubrey didn't know that Seth was another supernatural being or the one who had killed Patrick. She was not going to tell her, either. Jayd let her mind wander thinking of them on the bed together. She had so wanted to make love to Seth, but when her passions stirred, they also riled her hunger. Fear gripped her. So did her thirst. But it was true what she had told Seth. She didn't know if she loved him. Now she didn't know if she'd ever have the chance to. [Back to Table of Contents]

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Chapter Sixteen Seth stared at the horseshoe table. All of the Warriors were kneeling before the council. An extra chair had been added to accommodate Morrigain-Nephthys. All the Warriors saw the goddess as their own individual goddess. Her ancient name was Morrigain, but in every culture, there was a death goddess. All of the Raven Warriors were dressed in their Raven Warrior garb, all in black, with their swords. Seth surveyed the group. Caleb was absent. He did not question it and waited until the goddess sat. Her awesome power blanketed the room as she caressed each one of them. Seth felt the hem of her cloak on his cheek and the love she had for them all. They were her children. "Tremain, rise before this council." His brother rose. His waist-length black hair was pulled back in a ponytail. He had always kept it long. "You and the rest of the flock discovered treachery from your queen, Betha, ruler of the Banshees." "Yes, Morrigain. She kidnapped my heartmate and my daughter. Betha tortured my wife and meant to kill her along with my child. Something had to be done." Seth felt the fury stirring Tremain's veins once more. He wanted Betha dead. Some of the others only wanted her punished. Others agreed with Tremain. Seth wanted Betha destroyed. With a wave of her hand, Betha and Caleb appeared before the table. Each was cuffed in heavy silver chains. They 202

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appeared to be the same metal their swords were fashioned of. There was no way either of them was getting free. Seth watched while Caleb stared at the council and then at Betha. The Banshee Queen had a blank expression on her face. Her blue eyes were whiting over, and her skin had begun to gray. She was starting to lose her human appearance. "Caleb and Betha, you have both been accused of treason against this council, my flock of Warriors, and me. Oh, Caleb, why do you bring yourself before me? You knew what was happening to her!" Seth was surprised how compassionate the goddess sounded. Caleb had been the first of them. He originated from the legendary island of Atlantis. None knew his story, how he had been cursed or why, just that Horat had condemned his own son and somehow had been appointed to watch over him. Now Horat sat in silence at the council table. Seth thought he saw sadness in Horat's eyes, but wasn't sure if it was a reflection from the torches. Caleb stepped forward and addressed Nephthys. "You should know why I did it. Someone has to protect Betha from herself. Ever since she kissed Maili and killed her, Betha has blamed Tremain and his heartmate for her death. Ever since the death, she has been more human. Her emotions have awakened, and I don't know how to stop them. I'm the only one who can calm her. She's been remembering things. Things she doesn't understand from before. Betha is..." The Banshee Queen started laughing hysterically. Her giggles alternated between deep throaty ones and shrill cries. Each wail made Seth wince. The younger Warriors had to 203

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cover their ears from the sound. "I'm what, Caleb. Insane? I don't know what I'm doing? I never asked for your protection, Raven Warrior. I am Queen of the Banshees. I need no other protection than my guards." Betha opened her mouth, and a long shrill howl came out of her throat. It was enough to shatter a human's brain, but it did nothing to the council. Betha gave each of the council members a wicked smile while she waited for her rescue, but after a few moments of waiting, there were no guards. She was alone. The Queen slumped to the ground. Caleb caught her. Seth watched the exchange with interest. He had never seen his leader act this way toward the queen. It was more than loyalty the Raven Leader displayed. "Caleb, where am I?" Seth heard Betha whisper. Intrigued, Seth watched. So did the other Warriors. their leader smiled at her and stroked her chestnut hair, which was beginning to fall out since she hadn't had any human blood. Seth almost felt sorry for the queen. He wondered what had happened between her and Caleb. There was some backstory there. All the other Warriors were wondering the same thing. Even Tremain, who had hardened his heart to the Banshee Queen. But what did she matter to him? He was no longer under her beck and call. "Hush. It will be all right." Caleb helped Betha to her feet and then addressed the council and the goddess. "Please don't punish her. You see how she is. You can't ... Father, please." For a few moments, there was silence in the council chambers, and Seth knew they were all talking among themselves. Horat did not break his stoic appearance. Caleb 204

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hung his head, and Betha let out a wail that was more filled with terror than anything else. It was so human. "You can't do that to her!" Caleb protested to Nephthys. The goddess rose from her throne. Her face darkened from anger. The room trembled with each step she took toward Caleb. No one told a goddess what she could and could not do. Seth had found that out firsthand. However, she had given him more leniency, and he knew never to go against her again. "You dare, Caleb? You are my Warrior. Remember the oath you first made to me! You swore to me in blood. Do you want me to take back everything I have given you?" Her eyes went to Betha and it seemed to Seth that his leader got the message. What had happened between the two of them? What had happened so that all of their souls were cursed? "You wouldn't." Caleb's whisper echoed in the hollow chambers. Seth watched when the other council members rose from the table, bowed to the goddess, and then disappeared into the shadows. "She has broken sacred laws, Caleb. Insane or not. Banshee or not. She was going to kill an innocent. One who is kin to you! Your Warriors no longer have confidence in your ability. Maybe it's time you step down as leader. What would you give me to spare her?" Nephthys asked. His leader's humiliation came off him in waves. But he also saw tears tumbling down Caleb's cheeks. He had never seen his leader this emotional. Normally, Caleb was even-keeled with everyone and about everything. Now Seth's interest was piqued. Seth felt Nephthys 's power sweep over everyone. She issued a mental command. She wished the other Ravens 205

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to depart and go on their way. Tremain and Seth were told to stay. With a silent brush of wings, the other Warriors vanished. "Seth and Tremain, I have asked you to stay because you, out of all the Warriors, are more involved in this. Tremain, I know you wish to see Betha dead. However, I am not going to kill her." "Thank you, Morrigain." Caleb fell to his knees before the goddess. She didn't even look at him. "I am going to assign Caleb to watch over her until she's better. She will be imprisoned in her castle and no longer be able to summon you. Jet will lead the Warriors for now, and the council or myself will assign you charges." "She should be wiped off the face of existence," Tremain mumbled. "No one deserves to go through what Linnea did. Betha..." Seth saw Tremain shake his head, and there were tears in his eyes. He caught a glimpse of all the pain Linnea had suffered at the hand of the Banshee queen. It wasn't just physical torture, but more mental that had scarred the witch for her existence. She might not ever get over it. Nephthys smiled sadly and placed a hand on Tremain's shoulder. "I know, Tremain. Linnea will have some healing to do. But, I promise, she will recover and be stronger for it. I have my reasons for doing what I am doing. Remember, just a little over a year ago, you were a raven for a month and I took pity on you. Everyone deserves a second chance. That was what you told Caleb, what Linnea told him. The situation 206

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is more complicated than me just killing Betha or Caleb. Understand?" Seth saw Tremain nod. The goddess walked over to him. "Seth, I have kept you here because of what you have done. I know that you bound yourself to Jayd. I don't think you did it intentionally, taking on some of her vampire characteristics. When your heart beats, so does hers now. You meshed your very souls together. You are still my Warrior, no matter what you have done. Is that understood?" Seth bowed his head. "Yes, Mistress. Does this mean I am to be punished for what I have done? I only wanted to protect Jayd. I was not trying to free myself of your curse." Nephthys laughed. "No, Seth. I'm not going to punish you. You did what you did out of love. That is the greatest gift in the world. You have found your heartmate, but do not assume because you are bound to her, that she will automatically fall into your arms." Seth knew the goddess was giving him advice. He did not say anything, but bowed his head and then watched when she approached the two prisoners still in the middle of the room. "Caleb, you are stripped of your humanity in any realm for three months' time. You will only be a Raven in this existence and before the queen. You are stripped of your leadership until further notice so that maybe you will learn what your Warriors need in a leader. I have not sealed your fate, but I could, so don't piss me off," Nephthys growled. Seth watched Caleb bow before the goddess. When he did, he shrank and became a Raven. Seth knew that was a steep 207

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sentence. Hopefully, it would give their leader a different perspective. The goddess picked up Caleb and rested him on her arm. The Warrior clapped his beak at her and fluffed his wings, but nothing else. In the light of the torches, Seth saw that Caleb's feathers were mostly all silver now. The goddess walked over to Betha. "You will behave. He will tell me if you don't. Don't even try to get around any of my decrees. Remember who gave you your existence." Betha said nothing and held her head up to the goddess. She was not afraid of Nephthys. After a moment, the goddess waved her hand and the Banshee Queen disappeared along with the Raven on her arm. The goddess looked between Tremain and Seth, and then with a smile, she spread her arms and was gone. Seth nearly melted on the floor from the tension that had grown in the air. He looked over at Tremain who was staring at the empty space of the council table. "It's not fair. They both should have been punished more!" Tremain grumbled. Seth felt the same way, but it was not his place to question what the goddess had ruled. At least she was not going to punish him for what he had done with Jayd. He put a hand on Tremain's shoulder. "Brother, it will all work out. We of all creatures should know that. When we find love, it is a miracle. Nephthys knows what she's doing. Now, I am sure you wish to go back to Linnea and your children. I..." Suddenly, Seth doubled over in pain. His stomach was on fire. It was not the hunger he had felt before but an echo of what Jayd was experiencing. His skin was being burned. His 208

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grip hardened on Tremain's shoulder and he cried out. The Raven Warrior was feeling the same torture that Jayd was enduring. He tried to follow the bond between them, but the agony blinded him. Even before the burning sensation faded from his stomach, he felt claws raking down his arms. Cuts across his face with a sharp blade. He felt the pain of it happening to him. "Seth, what's the matter?" Tremain asked with genuine concern on his face. "It's Jayd. She's being tortured. I don't know why, but ... Ahh!" he howled again. This time it felt like he was being whipped, and the flesh was being torn from his back. "I have to go to her." "Seth, if you're feeling what they are doing to her, then you're in no shape to go. Who is Jayd?" The pain stopped for a moment so he could catch his breath. "She's my heartmate, and she's a vampire." "Vampire? How can you be bonded to a vampire? They're inhuman." Seth shook his head. "No. She isn't like the others. Somehow, I used my power on her and our souls combined. It's why I have changed as well. I carry her hunger as much as she does. Wouldn't you do anything to protect Linnea?" Tremain sighed. "You've got a point. I'm glad that you found someone, brother. Let me go with you. To repay you for what you did for me in regards to Betha." "Seth!" The shout rocketed through his mind. His head shot up. Jayd was in pain. That was the only reason why she was 209

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calling out to him. He felt bad for attacking her before. He had to go. "No, Tremain. Thank you. Let's call it a rain check, as the humans say." Seth called his power and let the shadows encompass him. When he did, he locked onto Jayd. Their link hummed to life in his thoughts. He felt her agony, suffering, and her deep need for him. "I'm coming, love. Hold on." [Back to Table of Contents]

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Chapter Seventeen The other vampires had clasped Jayd's wrists in manacles suspended from the ceiling. She tried to free herself, but the chains were too strong. There was darkness all around her except for the fireplace and the flames illuminating the room. Shadows filled the space. Pokers and other metal objects were glowing red in the hearth. Jayd could feel the other coven members there in the darkness with her, like waiting nightmares ready to terrorize her. However, only one came forward. The one with the white hair from before. He looked at her stoically, his expression never wavering when he first took the hot poker from the fire and laid it ever so gently against her T-shirt. The fabric went up in flames, which also caught her flesh and her hair. Then, the hot metal seared her skin. Jayd tried to weather the pain. Aubrey wanted her to cry out. The rest of the coven desired her cries. She was not going to give them the satisfaction. She would rough it out. She had been through worse. But the arms of the pain consumed her and wrung a whimper of agony out of her sore throat. The smell of burned hair and flesh perfumed the room, but the only thing she was able to do was writhe in pain. She grabbed onto the shackles to hold on, but after the crescendo of the scream hit the room, the other vampires hissed. They were feeding off her hurt. Blackness threatened to consume her. The flames died down on her hair and her flesh. Her skin was already repairing itself and the tingling of new hair was already 211

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pressing against her scalp. Next came a long, thin knife that her torturer ran down her arms, cutting through skin and muscle ever so slowly. "Please stop this," she whispered into the darkness knowing full well Aubrey was sitting on some kind of a throne watching the performance. "I told you my requests, Jayd. Tell me where Seth is. Tell me and I'll release you. Swear loyalty to me and I'll give you back your shop. Tell me how you stayed warm and have a heartbeat and I'll make you my second in command." "Mistress," Jayd heard someone hiss in the shadows. Jayd nearly laughed at the statement. She didn't think that Aubrey would make her second in command. Aubrey wanted Seth, and torturing Jayd was the only way she was going to get the information. However, she was not going to call him. There was no way she was going to put him in danger. "Go to hell, Aubrey." She heard the dark laughter of her former masseuse in the darkness. This was the Coven Queen and the woman who she was supposed to bow down to and to wait on hand and foot. The rest of the coven was afraid of her, but Jayd was not. They might torture her, but she was never going to fear her. She heard a whip crack in the background. Pain exploded across her back when the lash sliced her flesh. There were spikes on the whip. It ripped the skin from her back. Jayd was hit over and over again. The more she has hit the more blood she lost. She was weakening because the hunger was starting to take over her body. Jayd was trying to hold on. But it was so hard. The pain fogged her brain and awoke the beast deep 212

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inside of her. Her heartbeat stopped, and she grew colder than the grave. She had to feed. The whip kept coming. Her body was having trouble healing her wounds. "Seth!" Jayd yelled. She didn't know where he was, but she knew that he would come to her. It had been a mistake to leave. He had to come. He had to. She felt a glimmer of response in the back of her mind. And when she did, she bit her lip and tried to calm herself in preparation of the coming lashes, but they stopped. She opened her eyes, and before her was the white-haired vampire again. This time he was holding thin, red-hot needles. He was holding them before her eyes. A bolt of terror ran through her when she realized what he was going to do. It wasn't possible. There was no way that Aubrey would be so cruel. "No," she whispered, more to herself than anyone else. Aubrey got up. Her steps were soundless with the darkness unwound around her. "Jayd." Aubrey touched her cheek lightly. "Just tell me where Seth is and this little show can end. All I want is an address. A phone number even. All of that and I'll let you go. Now tell me. Where is Seth?" Jayd looked up. When she did, she saw the outline of dark wings. It was Seth. He was still within with the shadows. They were protecting him for now. She wondered if he knew that she knew that he was there. "Yes." The answer vibrated along the bond he had forged between them. "You want to know where Seth is?" Aubrey, thinking she had broken Jayd, nodded and smiled. "Yes, sweetie. Tell me and I'll let you down." 213

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Jayd returned the smile. "He's right behind you." Aubrey laughed. "Very funny, Jayd. No human would ever make it in here without me knowing about it." Seth reached out of the darkness when his cloak fell away. Seth tapped Aubrey on the shoulder. "I understand that you're looking for me." Aubrey turned around slowly. The smile dropped from her face when she did. A knot of tension unwound in Jayd's gut. He had come to rescue her. The beat of his heart was already lulling her back to sanity. "Where did you come from?" Aubrey asked. Seth crossed his arms over his chest. If he was surprised to see that Aubrey was a vampire, he didn't show it. Jayd had never realized how well built Seth was until she had seen him without his shirt. Now, he towered over Aubrey, and with him not hiding his power, he was a formidable enemy. With him standing there, Jayd realized he would do anything for her. Seth had meant what he said when they were alone together. He worshipped her. His dark eyes locked with hers. The outpouring of love and concern washing over her from him was enough to drown her. She did feel something for him. She just didn't know what. "Where I came from is none of your business. I'm here. I think I heard that you would let Jayd down if she gave you some information on my whereabouts. Well, here I be, now let her go." Seth stepped forward and growled at Aubrey. Aubrey didn't flinch. She snapped her fingers, and Jayd was free of the chains. She collapsed to her knees, her legs unable to hold her weight. Not yet. Her hunger raged inside of 214

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her. Jayd had to concentrate on her slow-beating heart to keep herself in check and not jump Seth because he was the nearest warm body. Jayd watched when Aubrey ran her hand over Seth's chest. He didn't move a muscle. The Coven Queen purred, stood on tiptoes, and kissed him on the lips. "You'll make a wonderful vampire, Seth. You'll be my mate." Seth uncrossed his arms and slowly moved Aubrey away from him. Through their connection Jayd felt Anger slice through the Coven Queen's mind. She didn't enjoy being put aside. "I'll never be your anything, Aubrey," said Seth. "I don't know what crazy fantasy you've concocted, but I'll never be a part of it. Neither will Jayd." "Are you all right?" Jayd heard Seth's voice in her thoughts. Jayd realized she was trembling from the hunger and digging her sharpened nails into the flesh of her palms. "Not really," she answered back. Aubrey hissed but didn't do anything. She looked between Jayd and Seth. Jayd figured that she guessed something was going on between the two of them. "Seth, tell me where you came from. I really want to know. Maybe I'll turn you and let you play with Jayd." Seth chuckled. "Aubrey, I must say that you did catch me off guard by being a vampire. I never thought your granolacrunching, no-ass self would be a leech. I've seen some sexy vamps in my time and you, dearest, have nothing on them. So if you don't mind, Jayd is coming with me." 215

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The vampire queen stepped forward and laughed. What Seth had said hadn't fazed her at all. However, Jayd felt the rage seething from the vampire. The whole coven was ready to come after Seth. No one spoke to the queen that way. The only thing holding the coven back was Aubrey's will. Jayd felt Aubrey's pull more and more the longer her body went without blood. She was trying to focus on Seth and what he was saying, on the heartbeat that she shared with him, but it was getting harder and harder with the minutes ticking by. The blood she had drunk from him only a few hours before had been used up during the trauma she had undergone. "Seth, just go and leave me," Jayd whispered. The look of shock she saw on Seth's face was heart shattering. "No, Jayd. I'm not leaving you alone in this den. Aubrey, play nice now and I won't have to kill you. Leave Jayd alone, quit the store, and forget whatever crazy fascination you have with me. It would never have happened between us, anyway. You're really not my type." Aubrey laughed. "Seth, you're really starting to piss me off. Now why don't you look deep into my eyes, and let me kiss you. Then things will be all better." Jayd saw Aubrey motion with her hand by her side. She was summoning the rest of the coven. "Seth, look out," Jayd shouted. At that moment, Aubrey whipped around if she heard the warning. She hissed at Jayd, but didn't do anything. Jayd watched when Seth's sword materialized in his hand. He swung it in a graceful arc. Jayd swore she heard the silver blade sing when it connected with the heads of two of the 216

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coven members. The aroma of blood made her nostrils flare, and it drove her hunger to the forefront. Her teeth shifted. Suddenly, Jayd was standing outside of herself again. Everything she was doing was beyond her control. Jayd watched when her body launched itself at Aubrey. She fell down hard on the floor. Even standing outside of herself, Jayd felt the hard impact of the stone floor and heard something break. Her arm was broken, but it didn't stop her. Aubrey was struck dumb. She had never thought Jayd would attack her. It went against everything that the coven believed, that all vampires listened to their master or the coven leader. Jayd watched when Seth turned and battled with several other members of the coven, hacking and slashing at them with his sword. "You dare try to challenge my ruling of the coven?" Aubrey asked Jayd. Jayd didn't say anything, but hissed at her. Standing outside of herself, she felt an odd detachment, but was still part of her body. The hunger, whatever beast was inside of her, was in control, and she was not even taking part. Her teeth were extended, and her fingers had grown some, becoming hardened weapons. Jayd could not feel her heartbeat at all. It seemed she were a complete monster in that aspect. Her body was cold and strong. "I don't care about the coven. Rule it all you want, bitch. You will not harm the man I love." Jayd was surprised to hear herself say that. She didn't know if that was a true statement, but there was no way she could not deny that she felt something for Seth. Aubrey didn't 217

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reply, but pushed Jayd off, When Jayd landed hard against the hearth so she could feel the heat of the flames in the fire place starting to char and blister her skin. Jayd tried to get back into her body, but she wasn't sure how she had gotten out of it. When she concentrated on her flesh, there was a block. Her hunger, the vampire, or whatever was in control was not letting her back in. She saw her eyes dart to where she was standing. "It's for your own good. You're not strong enough to handle her." Was the mental reply she got from herself? Jayd was not going to argue, so she focused her attention on Seth. At the moment, four vampires had him pinned down. One was on his back like a child getting a piggyback ride. Another had its fangs sunk into his neck from the front. Another had his right arm so he was not able to swing his sword. The fourth tackled him. That brought Seth to his knees. His sword clattered to the floor. It echoed in the room. She heard him cry out in pain. The white-haired vampire knocked him over the head with the fire poker. Jayd felt a stab of pain in her stomach and was pulled back into her body. When she opened her eyes, she was staring at the two different colored eyes of Aubrey, who was smiling down at her. Her grin was wide enough to eat a horse in one bite. Pain erupted through Jayd because her whole body was on fire. She jerked her arm away from the flames when her skin blackened and oozed from the heat. Her body was not able to heal it because she needed to feed. The snakes of hunger had returned and were clouding her brain. She could feel the thirst. It had its own 218

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personality. The snakes were slithering along her whole body now. She wanted to hold onto consciousness. She was unable to. [Back to Table of Contents]

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Chapter Eighteen Seth opened his eyes to face an enormous headache. It took his vision a few minutes to clear before he was able to focus on the face in front of him. He tried moving his hands and realized that he was in shackles. He yanked against them and found they were secured firmly in the wall. Before him was Aubrey, staring at him with her oddly colored eyes. He had never suspected her to be a vampire. No energy signature around her signaled she was supernatural. He only thought her to be a little strange for a human, being a hippie. She smiled at him. She had changed her clothing into that of the sultry vampire, donning a red dress that hugged every noncurve of her body and stretched the fabric so tight across her chest, it was in danger of ripping. Already he thought he heard the seams yelping because they were close to tearing. Her hand ran down his cheek. Her flesh was cold, reminding him of a dead clam. It took all his self-control not to shiver. He searched the room for Jayd, but there was no one else with them. The room was lit by a few scant candles. Shadows danced along the walls, creating a primal dance, hiding whatever was in the darkness with them. However, his eyes pierced the pitch and he was able to see that nothing awaited him. They were all alone. His other senses told him. He just had to be sure. "Seth, I'm glad that you're awake. There's much I wanted to discuss with you." 220

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"Go to hell, Aubrey," Seth muttered. He wasn't in the mood to discuss anything with her. He had to find Jayd and make sure she was okay. She had warned him about the approaching coven. He had been able to take out four of them. Their blood was still drying on his clothes and his skin. It smelled like old, used oil, a gritty smell. He was grateful for the warning, but the other members had overwhelmed him. He should have taken Tremain's offer to have the other Raven Warrior help him with the coven. Then the two of them could have eradicated the vampires, and he would be with Jayd. Not that it mattered because the manacles could not hold him. They were not enchanted silver, but he didn't want to let the vampire know that. The Raven Warrior was going to play along first. He tried searching for Jayd in his mind, but he was not able to find her. Something was blocking him. That made him angry. Aubrey was not disturbed by his comment. "Seth, tell me why it is you smell like a vampire and yet you taste like a human. No human could ever have gotten the drop on me like that. I give you credit on that one." Seth gave her a small grin, trying to play the game. "What I am is none of your business, leech. I've killed your kind before and know how to handle you. Now tell me where Jayd is. I might let you live if you haven't hurt her!" He kept his voice low and sickly sweet. Aubrey's grin only widened. She ran her fingers up and down his neck. Then she grabbed his hair and yanked his head back, exposing the expanse of his throat. 221

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"You will tell me or your little precious stone will find herself staked out in the sun!" Aubrey sank her fangs into Seth's throat, not bothering to be gentle. Her fangs tore down his jugular. He bit his lip against the pain. He was not going to let her get the benefit of hearing him cry out. Her lips fastened on the wound, and she began to pull the blood from his body. Seth felt every vein in him collapsing. When she sucked on him, Seth began to feel the burn deep inside of him from the hunger that he shared with Jayd. He was not going to let it win. He began to struggle against her. Aubrey could not see the hunger in his eyes or the fangs he had gained. She would not understand. It was bad enough that every time she drank from him, she pulled memories from his brain. After another swallow, the vampire queen let him be and chuckled low in her throat, sounding like a panther's contented purr. His blood was dark on her lips. "You taste so good, Seth. I see from your memories it was you that gave Jayd back her warmth and her heartbeat. I can't tell how you did it, but I want you to perform your magick on me and then I'll let the two of you go." Seth chuckled. "So you don't want me for a mate after all? Am I suddenly too good for you?" "Seth, trying to make me angry won't help Jayd. Right now, she's in the other room, nearly begging for blood. Her body was badly damaged and needs sustenance. Newborns are like that though. They burn through blood quickly. It's interesting to watch them getting control of their hunger. With one word, I can have my child take her head and you will have nothing. You would make a wonderful mate, but you 222

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would be too much trouble for your own good. So you'll stay human or whatever it is you are. Your memories are fuzzy, but I understand that you are not wholly human anymore. I never would have guessed in the two years we worked side by side. You do have great hands, though. We all keep secrets, it seems." "Let Jayd and me go, Aubrey, and I promise to let you and the rest of your coven live. You have no idea what I am." Seth leaned forward and got right in her face. He saw some of the shadows shift and fill when her coven members appeared and waited for her to give the word. She lifted her hand and the shadows were once flat again. "Seth, you don't have the knowledge or the talent to take on my whole coven." "And you don't have the know-how to kill me. Not many vampires do. And the last nest I came across, we eradicated. So don't piss me off." The color drained from her already-pale face. Seth watched when her gums receded a little and showed him her fangs. She started quivering. Her eyes shone in the light. "You killed other vampires? When?" Her fingers had curled into fists at her side trying to contain her power. Seth could see it gathering and could hear it crackling around her head if she wore an electrified halo. Obviously, Seth had hit a soft spot with Aubrey. Maybe he could use it to his advantage. "About five hundred years ago, give or take a few decades. Did you really think I hadn't been around? I'm older than you and much more powerful. Who do you think it was who killed your lovely Patrick? Jayd told me 223

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about him. Because of your order, you took the woman I love away from me!" Aubrey's emotions were getting the better of her. Her eyes were barely hollow sockets. "Patrick was my favorite. He kept me company for three hundred years. Five hundred years ago, my family was murdered. I swore then that I would make whoever had killed them pay. The only thing I found left behind was a silver trinket. It didn't mean anything to me, but I've kept it all these years, and now it makes sense." Aubrey pulled out a silver chain from around her neck. Seth had seen it there in the past, but had never bothered to ask her what it was and had never seen the charm. It was a finely worked circle with the Raven Warrior symbol pounded into it. It was the three ravens touching beak to tail and joined at the foot. Seneca had given it to him eons ago, but he had lost it. All doubt fell away when Seth realized that Aubrey must have been part of the coven he and Arik had annihilated over five centuries ago. "This symbol. I saw it when I was drinking from you. It's in your mind. It's on your body." Aubrey turned him, ripped the sleeve off his left arm, and exposed his back. She traced the brand lightly. When she did, the brand burned and seemed to come to life on his back. "What does this mean? What are you?" Aubrey grabbed him around the throat and tried to squeeze the life out of him. "Why did you kill my family?" Seth opened his mind and let his power fill him. When he did, he felt it settle in his eyes, then over his heart. His whole body was ablaze with it. But he held onto it, and when he opened his eyes, Seth had never felt more powerful than at 224

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that moment. The wound at his throat healed, and the throbbing headache at the back of his head disappeared. Seth wouldn't have been surprised, either, if all the blood Aubrey had taken from him had been replaced, too. Night would soon be over, and the sun would be rising. He was at his full power during the night with the moon overhead because the goddess ruled him, but the variance was not that much different. When he opened his eyes, a smile curled on his lips. Seth leaned forward in the manacles and let his flesh pass through the metal. Aubrey's eyes widened when he became a transparent ghost. With a glimmer of his power, he called his sword to him and blanketed the room with an invisible wall so no one could enter. "I killed your family because I was told to. One of them was after one of my charges. So we exterminated all the leeches we could find. What I am is none of your concern." "How did you do that?" Aubrey whispered while backing away from him. Seth could tell she was looking for a weapon to use against him. There was nothing. Aubrey summoned a fire poker with her mind. The Raven Warrior waved his hand, and it clattered to the floor. He rarely used all of his power, and when he did, it was in dire situations. He had always felt that the more power he used, the less human he would be. That was why he barely had any silver in his hair or why his eyes hadn't changed color. Unlike Robyn, who traded skills for survival, but he couldn't think about her at the moment. He had to focus on Jayd. 225

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"How I did it is unimportant. So is the fact that what you know about me will soon be gone. Aubrey, you have endangered humanity. You've preyed on upon the weak and the hopeless. Just like your predecessors. I bring my judgment upon you, leech. You will die for your crimes." Seth raised his sword and began his arc toward the vampire's neck. Aubrey held up her hands. "Wait!" Seth stopped centimeters from her throat. A thin line of blood trailed down her pale flesh. Seth gritted his teeth. His power sparked around him. "What?" he growled. His teeth shifted. His anger spurred on his hunger. "If you kill me, then you wipe out any hope of Jayd ever being human again." Seth laughed. Aubrey was only trying to buy time. Jayd could no more be human than he could again. That was his curse. Even if he was freed of his wings, he could never be a true human male again because his soul had been given to Nephthys. It was that way with Tremain and Darius and the others on the council. They were only human to a point because they had become Raven Warriors. "Aubrey, you can stall all you want, but Jayd can never be human again. There is no cure for vampirism. I went to the top, and Jayd is supposed to be as she is, even if I don't like it." Seth could feel Aubrey trying to summon the other vampires, but she was not able to get them to come through the wall of his power. He was glad about that. He drew his sword back and sliced it through the air, this time moving through nothing. Aubrey had ducked, anticipating the strike this time. Seth 226

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spun around when he heard laughter in the shadows. She was only stalling to buy time. "If you hate me so much, then what will happen to poor Jayd when she kills an innocent for the first time? Will you take her head too?" "Jayd will never be a cold-blooded killer like you. Already she hates being one of you. If you think you ruined her soul, then take another guess. She'll never be a soulless creature." Seth growled when he searched the shadows with his other senses. There was nothing. Aubrey had become invisible to his eyes. The shadows had swallowed her whole. Dealing with her was almost as bad as dealing with the Banshee Queen. Both creatures needed blood to survive, and he wondered if Jayd would be able to handle an eternity of being cold. But then again, she was different from the rest of them. She had his heartbeat, and he had her hunger. They shared equal parts of one another. Suddenly Seth felt a sharp swipe across his face and a brush of air. Aubrey had clawed his right cheek. Seth spun around, listening to the tinkling laughter of his onetime coworker. "Do you really think you can save her, mighty Warrior? Even now, she's feasting on an innocent soul. Once she consumes the life of the child, she'll be mine. There'll be nothing that you can do about it." "I don't believe you!" Seth felt his grip on his sword falter. When he did, he was swiped again, from behind this time. Aubrey had run a deep gash into his back, nearly getting the bone. Seth opened his senses further. He heard the wind stirring around him. Aubrey's presence resided in the far 227

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corner of the room. He smiled. This time he had her. The Raven Warrior heard her faint step on the brick floor. When she was by him, he closed his eyes, turned, and brought the sword over his head with a downward swing. The sword connected with flesh and bone. Something wet sprayed on his face. At the smell of it, it was blood. The pain of the vampire hunger gripped him, and he opened his mouth to catch the last of the spray, and licked the rest from his lips. When he opened his eyes, Aubrey had been sliced in half at an angle. Her arms were still flailing and there was life in her eyes. Seth had missed her heart. Her head was still attached to her body. Her fangs protruded over her lips when she tried to get herself back to her severed legs. Seth could see her spinal cord wiggling in all the blood. "You still won't have her. She's mine!" Seth raised his sword again and sliced it through Aubrey's neck. For an extra message, he stabbed her heart, knowing full well this time the vampire was dead. She was not going to be making any more massage appointments. Seth waved his hand over the body. It erupted in flames and began to burn down to ash. With his task completed, he let his power collapse in on itself to save his energy in case he had to go up against any of the other vampires. Nowhere around him did he feel Jayd. He quieted his mind. The coven was in a panic once they realized that their queen was dead. They didn't know what to do now that she was gone. She had been their life. Among the confusion that had exploded, Seth was able to hear Jayd. She was only a couple of rooms away from him. She battled the hunger with all her might. Aubrey hadn't lied 228

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when she said there was a child with her. There was. The poor thing was frightened and only about ten years old. I will not touch her. I will not kill. I will not touch her. I will not kill. Seth heard Jayd's mantra over and over again in his head. He reached out his mind to her and felt the hunger consuming her from the inside. To ease her burden, he tried to take on some of it himself, but it was too overwhelming. He had to block Jayd out in order to stay focused. Once Seth had her, he could spirit her away and she would be safe where she could feed on him. Seth let the power of the shadows surround him. When they did, he was an insubstantial phantasm. He could walk through walls no matter how thick they were. Following Jayd's link, he came to her cell. Inside he found the little girl huddled in the corner. Her dress was torn, and her face a mess. She had been there for a while. Her face and hands were bruised, and there were fresh cuts on them. He looked over and saw Jayd turned in the corner rocking back and forth. She didn't even know that he was there because her hunger was such a nightmare to her. But she was holding on only by a shredded thread. He didn't know how, but she was doing it. "Hey there," Seth said to the little girl. She looked up at him. There were tears in her eyes. He saw fang marks on her neck. She tried to back away farther into the wall. "I'm not going to hurt you. I can take you home to your mom and dad if you want. Does that sound good?" 229

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Her blue eyes captured his heart. They were so wide he could have seen into her soul. She didn't say anything to him, but nod. Seth held his arms out to her. She wrapped her small arms around his neck. He looked back to Jayd. He couldn't help her at the moment. This little girl had to get home before someone decided to make her into his or her next meal. But he would be quick about it. The shadows swallowed him and felt cool against his flesh when he reappeared in the little girl's bedroom. He sat her on the bed and took her hand. She smiled and he gave her a wide grin back. Her little hand squeezed his when he let his power flow between the two of them. The little girl was encompassed in a golden glow. All of her wounds healed, at least the physical ones. Once he was finished, he tucked her under her blankets and willed her to sleep. He let her hold onto the memory of him. Deep inside of her, he felt the stirrings of magick. One day she would need someone to watch her. He would mention it to the goddess when he was settled. Then, without another thought, he returned to Jayd. Kneeling before her, Seth realized how lost she was to the hunger. It was eating her alive. He could feel two separate beings inside of her. Her thirst was starting to fracture her personality. He had never heard of a vampire doing that before. Maybe it was something that he had done when they had merged their natures. Seth realized now he had shared his soul with Jayd's and vice versa. That might have been the one thread holding Jayd to her sanity. "Jayd." 230

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It took her a moment before she looked up at him. Her captivating eyes were now consumed by blackness. Her gums had receded so he could see her long dangerous fangs. Her skin had grayed, and she was cold to the touch. However, her heart was still beating. It was slow, but he could hear it. A cold smile turned on her lips when she stared at him. Her tongue caressed her lips. "Jayd's not here right now." Seth didn't back away. He wasn't afraid of the vampire inside her body. "I know that's not true. I know she's in there. I can hear her." Jayd growled and snapped at his finger when Seth brought it close to brush a stray strand of hair out of her face. He pulled the digit back. He was more amused than afraid. "You should stay away from us, Raven Warrior. We're not good enough for you. You do not want us." Seth ran a hand through his dreads. His fingers caught on one of the charms. He thought about the one Aubrey had around her neck. With a quick movement of his hand, Seth called it into his palm. He held out the trinket to Jayd. "I'm not going to argue with you right now. Take this trinket and realize that I'm not going anywhere. The Coven Queen is dead. You are free of her. No one will come looking for you." With hardened and sharp nails, Jayd reached out and snatched the triple raven charm from his hand. He didn't expect anything from her at the moment. He wanted to talk to Jayd and not the vampire inside her. "It's a pretty thing. But what does it all mean in the scheme of things. Do you know what you did to us? Do you realize now I will be an outcast among the other vampires?" 231

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Seth realized she was talking about the blending of their natures. "You know I only did it to protect you. I didn't know it would cause you to fracture the way you did. I gave you back some of your humanity and you gave me some of your hunger. Please, Jayd, come back to me." Seth leaned in, brushed his lips over Jayd's, and pulled away. He wanted to show the other inside of her that he loved all of her, no matter what she was. Seth watched when Jayd closed her eyes and gripped her fists together. When she did, her eyes opened. They were back to their normal color, but he could feel the hunger waiting in the wings. Seth wrapped her arms around his heartmate and felt the coolness of her flesh. "I thought the worst. She was only protecting me. She doesn't mean it." Seth kissed Jayd lightly on the forehead. "I know, love. She's only part of you. I don't hate you for what you are. Aubrey is dead and won't come after you. The coven has scattered, and we need to get you fed." Jayd shook her head against him. "No. I can't go with you, Seth. I'm a monster. I attacked that little girl. They put me in here to test me. She smelled so good. Her blood was so sweet. I couldn't help myself. I'm a soulless monster. You have to kill me." Seth hugged her to him. "You're not a monster, Jayd. You didn't kill the girl. She was hurt, but I healed her and brought her back to her parents. Please come with me. I'm not about to leave you in the godforsaken place. If you stay, then so do I. You're my heartmate, remember. You're my other half. What would I do without you?" 232

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Jayd didn't say anything but held onto Seth. He summoned his power once again and whisked them away back to the astral plane, back to his small cabin. When he did, the bond between them strengthened, but Jayd was still suffering from hunger. Being so close to him was not helping. She needed blood soon. Her body needed it to replace all the blood she had lost while being tortured. He hoped one of his brothers did not mind donating a pint or two. [Back to Table of Contents]

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Chapter Nineteen Safe at least in Seth's arms, her inner hunger raged that it needed blood. Jayd knew that and so did Seth. She could feel him in her mind along with the coven. The coven was in such disarray. They were waiting for anyone to step up and take control. She didn't care. Not even her hunger had cared. Seth's energy was strong. So was his heartbeat that she shared with him, that kept her warm. That alone made her different from other vampires. She knew that. If any of them ever found out about what she was, they would want to know. They would never stop coming after her. Seth would be her white knight if she let him. No matter how much he loved her, she could not put that burden on him. And she was still undecided on how she felt about him in her heart. He had been so wonderful to her. He had rescued her, had shared part of himself with her, but deep down, her heart was still locked away. She didn't know why. Maybe it was the aspect of her still not dealing with the way her parents died. Or maybe it was that she wasn't ready to jump into a relationship and wanted all the romantic stuff that went with it. Jayd didn't know. Now at Seth's cabin, he had left her by herself while he went to find one of his other Raven Warrior brethren. Seth had figured that with the amount of blood she needed, she might want to feed on more than one person, and he didn't want her to feel uncomfortable about feeding on him. She could tell from their link that he wanted to be the only one to 234

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feed her. Seth had enjoyed the last encounter they had together. Her hunger grumbled while she waited patiently. However, it was getting harder and harder to hold on to sanity while her body needed sustenance. Her heart hammered in her chest. She needed something to eat. When she had bitten into the child, her blood had been so sweet at first that Jayd hadn't realized what she was doing. It tasted like ice cream. However, once the little girl's memories started to register in Jayd's mind, she knew what she was doing. Disgust had wrapped around her being. The fount of blood called to her, but she had used every ounce of selfcontrol and pulled away. Her captors were not happy. The white-haired vampire had slashed at her a few times so that the blood she had taken went to repair those wounds. Then, her hunger had started to rave once again. The one thing she had latched on to was her heartbeat. It was so slow, but it reminded her that some part of her was human. Some part of her was connected to Seth. She had tried reaching out with her powers, but there was nothing there except an echo. Jayd guessed that someone had to have been blocking her. But the waves of hunger started hitting her, eroding away at her control, slowly wearing away her foundation. When Seth found her, she was nearing the point where it didn't matter that Seth was her anchor or not. She would have attacked the poor innocent sooner or later. The instinct to survive was more powerful than the feelings she had for Seth. That was another thing that had frightened her. He said that he would accept her no matter what she was or what she did. Could Seth look at her with love in his eyes 235

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while knowing she had killed people or might kill people some time down the line? Jayd got up and sighed. She felt cooped up. Her teeth ached for a drink. She stared at the mural on the wall and noticed there was a raven sitting on top of one of the obelisks in the foreground of the painting. Staring at it, the bird moved. I'm seeing things. I'm so hungry now that I'm starting to hallucinate. The vampire jumped back a little bit. She reached out her finger and was about to touch the painting when the bird hopped off the top of the stone monument and started flying toward her. Its wings got bigger and bigger until she could see the dark, beady eyes and the little spaces between the raven's wings. This was not normal. Then again, the past couple of days had not been normal at all. Jayd walked around the bed. The raven bent the wood of the wall. Its head came out and looked at her. Huge wings followed. When they did, the raven landed in the middle of the floor with its head bowed and its wings folded in front of it. A surge of power crept up her back, chasing her hunger away. It was a welcome relief even though the hunger was not completely gone, just put on hold. Whatever this creature was, it was more powerful than Seth. Shivers seized Jayd when she tried not to let fear get the better of her. The vampire watched the raven lift its head slowly to stare at her. The beak melted away, feathers fell to the floor disappearing in smoke. Spindly feet gave way to sandaled ones and a black downy belly straightened to reveal the most beautiful woman Jayd had ever seen. She was staring at an angel. Her eyes 236

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were clear and silver like the surface of a smooth star. Her hair was blue-black, and she was dressed in a gray gown with a matching cloak. "Hello, Jayd." Jayd instinctively stepped back, not sure if she should be in awe or fear of this woman. She swallowed hard and realized her teeth had retracted. "H-hello." The woman laughed. "You don't have to be afraid of me. I know all about you, Jayd." "Who are you?" The woman stepped closer. There was no malice in her nature or in her gesture. "Seth calls me Nephthys, the Egyptian goddess of death. You can call me Morrigain. I am the ruler over the ragtag bunch of Raven Warriors you have been introduced to." Jayd was flabbergasted. A goddess was standing before her! How was that possible? As possible as talking with the Angel of Death, she reminded herself. Jayd remembered that conversation rather well. Azrael had been quite clear that she was not alive anymore, but that if she needed him, she could always go back to the clearing and talk to him. Now she was speaking with a goddess. "Wow. A goddess. So does that mean you're going to pass judgment on me for being a vampire and seducing one of your Warriors?" "What? No, dear child. I'm here to see if I can ease some of the burden that you feel. I know how much you love Seth and he loves you. It would be a shame for you to have to go through an eternity being a vampire." 237

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"It's true that Seth loves me. I can see it in his eyes whenever he looks at me and feel it in his caresses when he touches me, but..." Jayd stopped and shook her head. She closed her eyes and searched her heart. She did not feel the same devotion that he did to her. "But you're not sure if you can open your heart to him?" Jayd nodded. Morrigain opened her arms to Jayd. After a moment of brief hesitation, Jayd stepped into them and relaxed. She felt like she was home being in the goddess's embrace. She felt safe. She wanted to wind back the clock and be able to tell her mother to get out of the house because her father was coming home to shoot her. But Jayd didn't have that kind of power Her heart pounded in her chest. She wanted to cry, but no tears came to her eyes. She had lost that ability when she had crossed over the threshold of death. "Hush now, Jayd. I didn't realize that you were undecided about Seth. But no matter how you feel about him, I came here with an alternative offer. Something to help you deal a little bit better with your new existence. Or maybe a choice you will take me up on. It's up to you, of course." Unsure what the goddess what talking about, Jayd pulled away from her arms. The goddess seemed surprised that she didn't have her heart set on Seth. The vampire shook it off. Maybe she can't get into my head or something because I'm a vampire. I don't know. I wonder what she has to offer. "What can you do to help me deal with being a vampire? You can't make me human again. Unless you're that powerful. No offense." 238

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A wide smile spread on her lips. "Well, actually, I can make you human again, Jayd." Shock and surprise bolted through her. How was that possible? Could she be mortal again? Could she be able to walk in the sun without the thought of it hurting her? Could she eat regular food once again? Or was this all a bluff to get her to do something? "Look, I appreciate the offer and all, but Azrael said that I can't go back. It was my destiny to be a vampire. Once I crossed the threshold of death, there was no way for me to be mortal again. Even Seth tried and he wasn't able to get anywhere. How can you make me human again?" Morrigain waved her hand at Jayd. "Such a silly thing about angels is that they have too many clouds in their brains. Seriously, do you know how much time they sit up there observing what's going on with mortals? To them humans are pawns they can move about. Azrael only told you that because he didn't want you to be human again. He's the Angel of Death. If you messed around with his domain, then he'd be out of a spot on cloud nine plucking his harp. I swear to you, Jayd, I can make you mortal once more. You can live a normal lifespan, have children, grow old, and not have this awful thirst tugging at the back of your mind all the time. Don't you want that? You have to choose quickly, though, because this is a onetime proposition." Jayd stared at her and then at the floor. She hated being a vampire, but did she want to grow old? She had always desired children and instinctively she knew that she was no longer able to have them. If Seth was her mate, did he want them? She could never give him that. This woman was giving 239

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her a one-shot deal to give her back her dreams. Closing her eyes, she knew her decision. "I want to be warm again. I want my own heartbeat. I don't want this life. I never did. If you can give me back my humanity, I'll do anything." Jayd didn't dare look the goddess in the eye. She heard Seth's voice outside with another that she recognized from before, from her shop. It was Seth's friend Arik. The faint tinkling of the chimes in Seth's dreads made her happy. Now his friend was not needed because Jayd didn't need to appease her hunger. She would be human once again. "I thought you would say that." Jayd's head shot up when she heard the difference in the tone of the goddess's voice. Standing before her was Robyn, the sorceress who had tried to help her before. In her hand was a long, pointed, wooden stake. Before Jayd had time to react, she felt the stake plunge into her chest and pierce her heart. The pain was worse than her hunger. A garbled shriek left her lips. Robyn bent over her and whispered something in her ear. "That is what he gets for loving you instead of me. I was meant for him. Not you, bitch." Jayd looked over to the door to see Seth's feet. She felt a rush of air when Robyn disappeared. Her vision grew dark. She tried to hold on, but her body didn't have enough blood to fix the wound. Stakes were lethal to vampires. Beheading was too. Jayd reached out her hand to Seth and felt the barest touch of his flesh against her own. "Don't leave me, Jayd. I can't be alone again." 240

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Jayd heard him shout inside her mind, but she was unable to answer him. **** It was dark when Jayd opened her eyes. There was no moon above her. The sky was vacant. A blanket of darkness had been thrown over the silver orb to block out everything. The grass was soft beneath her hands and smelled sweet. She didn't feel any pain, and there was no sign of her hunger. She got up slowly and recognized where she was. It might have been pitch, but she could see if it was a bright day. This time, she had awakened right on the edge of the clearing where there was a void and then grass. Before her, the dark expanse stretched endlessly, and she felt a cool breeze blowing from it. Wanting to be sure she was seeing everything right, Jayd rubbed her eyes. She tried to stretch her mind out and feel Seth, but even he was cut off from her. Losing him made a part of her sad. She began to understand that she did love him. Jayd desired to be with him. She wanted it so badly that it hurt, but every time they got close, something happened. Jayd was not good for him, no matter how much she felt for him. He was lost to her. "You just can't stay away from me, can you?" Jayd looked up at the voice and realized it was Azrael. He leaned on the expanse like it was a wall. To him it appears to be solid. Even without the absence of light with her new senses she could make out the outline of his wings was blue against the darkness. She smiled slightly. The angel was a mystery to her. She understood that he was a vampire, but 241

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there was something else about him she couldn't place. It seemed that he was not all there. He was listening to her, but not all of him was in the meadow with her. "And right you are. It's not. I'm collecting souls while I am talking to you. Now I am here to collect yours." Jayd realized he had heard her thoughts. She did not like his answer. He was going to be taking her soul? She was dead. "You can't. I have to go back. It can't be my time to die." Azrael uncrossed his arms and knelt down next to her. "I'm sorry, Jayd. I know it's not what you wanted. You were just getting used to the idea of being a vampire. Now it's your time to be embraced by me. Seth loves you. He'll find you again. I can promise you that. Next time, you will be human." Jayd's cheeks were wet. She was crying. She laughed. Now that she was dead, she could cry. "How can I be human again? I'll be dead." "You'll be reborn as a mortal. From there, Seth will be able to find you once more. The course of your life from there I cannot say, but I bet you Seth will stop at nothing to be sure that he has found you once again. He loves you." "Great, I'll be a two-year-old and the love of my life will be however old Seth is. I don't believe in reincarnation. I never have." Azrael drew himself up. "You should. You'll be meeting your Aunt Gabrielle pretty soon. She wanted to come back as quickly as she could so she would be able to be there for you. You're both slated to come back together. You'll be sisters 242

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this time around, but that's all I can tell you about your upcoming destiny." The Angel of Death reached out his hand. Jayd stared at it for a moment and then slowly wrapped her fingers around his while he helped her to her feet. Sadness enveloped her. This was the only course of action. She closed her eyes before looking over her shoulder. "Bye, Seth." Jayd turned back to the Angel of Death. She could tell that he sympathized with her. His feelings washed over her when his wings brushed the side of her cheek. She pretended it was Seth wishing her good-bye. She clutched Azrael's hand and let herself be led through the threshold of death. [Back to Table of Contents]

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Chapter Twenty Seth pulled the stake from Jayd's chest. It came out with a horrible sucking sound that stopped his heart and crushed his soul. Blood pooled around her. The wood had plunged all the way through her back and she was pinned to the floor. He threw the stake aside and lifted Jayd carefully in his arms, trying not to hurt her more. He opened himself up to all his power. It covered her in a golden blanket of light, settling over the grievous wound. His power healed her, but when her flesh was smooth, her heart did not start beating again. He tried again, he called out inside his mind, but the link between them was no more. There was only silence on the other end, a large, endless void that he had before he had known that Jayd was his heartmate. Why now when they had come through hardships was she supposed to be taken from him? "Seth, brother. She's gone. There is nothing you can do for her," Arik whispered. Seth looked at his brother and shook his head. There must be something that I can do? There just has to be. This is not our destiny. Jayd is supposed to be with me in this lifetime. They were not supposed to be separated. He had waited all these years, and now his love had been ripped from his arms. Seth closed his eyes. There was only one person who could have done this to him. He hugged Jayd close to him and then laid her gently on his bed. "Will you sit with her just in case?" he asked Arik, looking over his shoulder. 244

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Arik laid a hand on his back. "Of course, Seth. But where are you going?" Seth called his sword to his hand. "To the one who took her away from me. She is going to pay!" Before Seth could hear Arik's protests, Seth had the shadows around him so thick that no air could get between him and where they stopped. He was a shadow himself. He had perfected this skill over hundreds of centuries, and now he was going to put it to good use. The Raven Warrior knew where he was going, and he was not going to let anyone stop him. Not even the goddess herself. This time he would not bow down to her. He would dispose of Robyn and all her troublemaking. Then he would throw down his sword for good at the feet of Nephthys. This was going to be the last time something good given to him would be taken away. It was not fair. It was not right. His destiny should have been with Jayd. Now she was beyond his reach. Seth appeared inside of Robyn's cottage. The sun was breaking on the horizon, signaling only one more day that he and his other brothers could be in human form. By the time this day was ended, the sorceress would be dead, and his source of grief for the past five hundred years would be gone. He had given his one gift to Robyn to save her from the Inquisition. All this time she had wanted him for herself, and when it came time to face the fact that Seth didn't love her, she couldn't handle it and had to punish him the way she had been punished all those years ago. If Seth could do everything over, he would have left Robyn on the rack to rot. "Robyn, where the hell are you?" he shouted. 245

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"Right behind you. There is no need to yell." Seth swung around only to find the sorceress in the doorway. She was dressed in a simple gray dress handwoven from wool. Her hair was down around her shoulders and accentuated her round face. She looked weary. She knew that her time was up and he was going to come for her. Seth leveled his sword at her neck. One slice and her hateful eternity would be over. She would get what she had been moaning about for the past few hundred years. Robyn did not flinch when the cold of the blade touched her flesh. "You took the one person that mattered most to me. Now it's your turn to pay." "Good. Now you know how I feel. Make your strike clean, Seth. I'm tired of this life. I'm tired of being alone. Just get it over with. There will be no guilt on your conscious." Robyn closed her eyes while she waited for the sword to connect with her flesh. Seth drew back his hand. The hatred he had for this woman boiled his veins. He was surprised that the silver of his sword was not blazing red from the heat emanating from him. His heart was dead. The hunger he had inherited from Jayd was still there, but it was a whisper of what it once was. At least he had something of hers to hold on to. The Raven Warrior stepped back to strike, but something caught his blade. He turned around, and there was Nephthys with a scowl on her face. He turned to confront the goddess. When he did, the whole room changed. He was no longer in the cottage. Now he stood before the horseshoe council table with Horat sitting at the head, Nephthys stood behind Horat, 246

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Robyn to his left, and Azrael leaning against one of the silver columns inscribed with the triple raven sigil the rest of the flock had. "Why have you brought us here?" Seth asked, feeling the venom in his voice. He looked over at Robyn who opened her eyes and was taking in the change in scenery. "Why did you make him stop?" the sorceress whined. "It's what I wanted. I've craved death for centuries, and now you stop him from taking my life. Why?" Seth saw Azrael look at Horat and then at Nephthys. Both of them nodded. Seth saw Azrael pull back his lips in a sneer and saw the angel's pointed canine teeth that signaled he was not a perfect angel. He was something else. Seth had guessed the angel was a vampire or had been a vampire in a former incarnation and somehow had gotten elevated to his position. How or why that happened he had never asked the angel and never expected to. The only thing he wanted to do now was beg him to bring Jayd back and to silence Robyn once and for all. "You want to know why you're here instead of in the other realm with me. You're soul is tainted, Robyn. I wouldn't touch it with a ten-foot pole. I would take a worm over you. Seth gave up the one gift he's given with his curse and imparted it to you. You have done nothing but take advantage of that for centuries. Just because I am Death doesn't mean that I don't know what you've done with your time. You've traded daggers that have brought two of the Ravens and their heartmates to my door. You should be punished more than what you have in store for you. Even when it does come time 247

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for you to cross over, you'll never be mortal again. There's only one place for your kind to go." Azrael's eyes grew black. His fangs got longer. His fists were balled at his side. Without warning, he pounded one of them against the marble column by Robyn's head. The sorceress cringed at the impact. A chunk of marble fell to the floor. Seth had never seen the angel in such a state. Seth kept quiet and watched when Azrael bowed before Nephthys. "Forgive me. I must go elsewhere. What you wish will be done." Seth caught the sidelong glance from the Angel of Death, and without another word, he was gone. But then again, that was the way of angels. Seth never had much interaction with them except when it came to Azrael. Raven Warriors were reserved the right when they died to be escorted to the other realm by the angel himself. Nephthys said nothing but let go of Seth's sword and walked between him and Robyn. Seth waited for his judgment. It was obvious that the goddess was not happy with him trying to kill the sorceress. He expected to be stuck in Raven form for the rest of his eternal life. If that were the case, he would try his hardest to keep Jayd's memory alive. Without her, he was nothing. Without her, there was no cause for him to exist. "Seth, you have attacked one of your own. The one to whom you gave your only gift of immortality. For that, you should be punished..." Nephthys began. The Raven Warrior fell to his knees before the goddess. He waited for the pain to start, for her wrath to fall upon him, but there was nothing. 248

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"But under the circumstances, the council understands your reasons. Morrigain and I have come to some conclusions about what's going to be done with you, Robyn," Horat finished the goddess's sentence. Seth looked over at the leader of the Raven Council. He stood up and walked around the empty chairs. What are they going to do to me? Just get it over with so I can face my punishment in peace. If I can't have Jayd, then there is no point in me living. Whatever they are going to do to Robyn won't be enough. Horat stood before them in a long white robe belted at the waist with gold cord. Around his neck, he wore something similar to the Egyptian Eye of Horus, but instead of the eye being a circle, it was their symbol, the triple ravens. At this point, Seth was reminded of the day he became a Raven, of the day he was sacrificed to the goddess. Nothing had come of his sacrifice. The Priests of Ra still had been killed, and their religion had been buried in the sand along with the rest of Egypt. Horat was from Atlantis. All Seth knew of him was that he was one of the leaders there before it crashed beneath the waves. Right now, his white hair reminded him of ocean foam clinging to Horat's head. Seth could see the strength in the man, even though he had never challenged him before. Whatever Caleb had done to start the flock must have pissed off his father. Caleb had told Seth that Horat had the council for the past five thousand years. I wonder if he misses his family. Does he even have the privilege of being able to see them or communicate with them? 249

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"Robyn, for half a millennium, the council has stood by and let you do what you will. We have not stepped in to tell you what you can and cannot do. We had hoped at first that you would prove to be Seth's heartmate, but after your tries to get along, it was apparent that you and he weren't compatible. Now we are going to have to step in because you give us no choice." Robyn laughed. Seth saw a scowl cross Horat's face. Nephthys did not react at all. Robyn spread her arms out to the both of them. "What're you going to do to me that is worse than this? Put me back on the rack and torture me until the sun burns out? Please. Who will take my place? I have helped in the past." "Your knowledge will not be lost. We have already discussed this with Tremain and his heartmate. Linnea is a powerful witch. By his gift to her, she is now immortal and counted among our numbers. She will take the place of the Raven Warriors' sorceress. All your power and all your spells will pass to her." "You're going to give a mortal witch my power? You can't do that! I was born a witch. I have earned my place here. I will not give it up without a fight." Nephthys stepped forward. "You have no power here, Robyn. All those who come here are at my whim or the council's. It's rare that I intervene on such a major basis with what the council decides, but with the events of the past couple of days with the Banshee Queen and with you, I have taken over ruling this Council, with Horat's input of course, but you're not worthy of the powers with which you were 250

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born. For ages, you have abused them, trading our secrets to those who had the highest prices, trading enchanted daggers to those who would use them to harm my Ravens. Who knows how many are still out in the mortal world? For all of your deeds, you ask me what is worse than the existence that you are living now. I'll tell you. From this point forward, you will don wings for twenty-eight days of the month. You'll be assigned to those humans who need protecting. All your witchy powers are stripped from you forthwith. If you step one talon out of line, you will be confined to Raven form until I see fit for you to regain human form." "Y-You can't do that to me! There's never been a female Raven. That's not what the curse is made for. I ... you..." Hearing the punishment for Robyn, he knew the council and Nephthys had not made the decision lightly. It would kill the sorceress to be a Raven Warrior. He did think it was a good idea for Linnea to replace her. Tremain's heartmate was a confident and powerful woman who would make a good sorceress for the Warriors. However, the bell of doom was tolling in his head. If they had given this severe a punishment to Robyn, then what were they going to rain down on him? "I can do whatever I want, Robyn. I created the Warriors, and I can destroy them with one thought. Be glad that I let you live. Maybe now you will learn some humility." Nephthys wrapped her hands around the sorceress's neck. Seth saw that her fingers had become black talons. He had never seen the goddess this angry. After a moment, she took a breath and released the sorceress. "Go fly somewhere else. I'm done 251

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with you." The goddess waved her hand and Robyn was no longer there. Seth looked between Horat and Nephthys. He waited for his sentence. It would be severe. He only hoped he would get to see Jayd again in her next life, if he lived that long. Could he exist that long until she was reborn to humanity? Seth felt his heart cracking and turning to ice at the possibility of being alone again. The years would stretch out before him, and he would have to make do. He doubted that even flying the skies would give him peace of mind. How could it when the other half of himself was no longer in his grasp? "What are you going to do with me?" Seth asked, not daring to look up. He kept his tone even and his gaze at the marble floor. He had never noticed the designs etched into it. In one block were symbols from different religions, hieroglyphics, runes, and others that told a story. Instead of an answer, he felt the tip of his sword pressed against his throat. He swallowed and tried not to show any fear. Maybe this was another test he had to pass, but he could not help it. Inside, he was crumbling from the past couple of days. Everything he had held dear to him was blowing away if it were ash. All his ideals of being a Raven Warrior meant nothing now that Jayd was not there to share it with him. He had planned on killing Robyn, then go before the goddess, throw down his sword, and wait for her judgment. It was obvious now that she had beaten him to it. The tip of the blade hit his chin. "Get up, Seth. You're not going to be the martyr here," Horat said. 252

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Seth watching the council Leader handling his sword. It seemed to fit right in his. He did not know if Horat even had a sword or if he could transform into a bird. He had never inquired about the council leader's abilities. Seth watched Nephthys take the sword from Horat. "Seth, we acknowledge that five hundred years ago you took pity on the sister of your charge. You thought you could right a wrong by at least saving Robyn. You never anticipated the repercussions of your gift by bringing her into this life. If you had never turned her into a Raven, none of this would be necessary. You would have been able to give Jayd your gift and save her from Azrael. Since the tapestry of fate was woven differently, we've had to make some arrangements to put things right." Seth's heart skipped a beat. What had they done? "What arrangements?" "We both realize how much you love Jayd. However, she has already died. Azrael has taken her soul into the other realm where she'll be slated to reincarnate as a human being once more and relive her life. After some discussion with Azrael, we have all reached an agreement. Since we have now cursed Robyn to be a Raven Warrior like you, your gift for giving one soul, of making one person into a Raven, has been restored to you." Joy erupted in Seth's heart. He had never heard of the council coming to a decision this dramatic. It was against the principles of the Raven Warriors. Why now were they changing their minds? Was he going to be able to get Jayd back? Would she still be a vampire? It didn't matter either 253

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way. He was able to hold her in his arms once more. "What does that mean?" "It means that Jayd will be restored to her body, if she wishes to come back. Once she accepts you, then you will be free of your curse. Until then, you are bound just as the rest of your brethren are." "You're going to bring her back from the dead? Will she be human?" Nephthys gave him a sad look. "No. What damage was done to her body even I cannot fix. You and she will share the same characteristics that you did before. You merged part of yourself with her and gave her a human heartbeat. That part of her hunger will always be with you. But there is a stipulation that we have put on both of you being together. Because Jayd is a vampire, only you will be allowed to feed her. She must not attack any innocent humans. If she does go feral, it will be up to you to put her down. We will not change our stance on this. Is that clear?" Seth didn't say anything. He stared dumbfounded at the two beings in front of him. He was going to be able to get Jayd back. The Raven Warrior was going to be able to comfort her and hold her in his arms. Of course he would feed her. It was his duty to be able to care for his heartmate no matter what she needed. He would walk through fire to get to her. He would face demons and the pits of hell to get to her if it meant that she would be alive again. He found himself nodding. "Of course. Yes. Whatever you want. Just tell me what I have to do and I'll make sure that it happens." 254

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Nephthys took the blade and drew it across Seth's arm. He didn't say anything when blood appeared on his ebony skin. It dripped onto the floor, staining it. Nephthys took the blade and sliced it across her palm. She didn't wince or show any sign that she was hurt. The goddess placed her hand over his wound. Seth watched when her blood, red ripe raspberries, dripped onto his wound. "With my blood, I grant you the power to once again bring one person into the flock and find shelter under my wings." A zing ran through Seth and then warmth settled in his soul. Nephthys passed her hand over the wound and the blood and cut were gone. The goddess handed him back his sword. "Use my gift wisely this time, Seth." Seth didn't say anything, but took the sword and slipped it into its sheath. He launched himself into Nephthys's arms and gave her a hug. He felt if he was still human. He felt like the day he did when he was going to be initiated into the priesthood of Ra. His insides were all knotted and his brow was sweaty. Even his hands were moist. There was nothing they could do to him now. He had his life back. He had his soul back. All he had to do was go back to her. He hoped that Jayd wanted to come back to her life with him. He kissed the goddess, who was giggling, on the cheek. "Thank you. For everything, Great Goddess. If this was your plan all along, forgive me for ever trying to make you angry." Seth knelt before her, picked up the hem of her dress, and kissed it. He didn't know how else to show his gratitude. "Seth, get up. You're embarrassing me, and that's really hard 255

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to do. Go to her. Arik is thinking maybe you've gotten into some kind of trouble." Seth didn't bother to get up and let the shadows wrap around him. He did so with a renewed sense of his restored destiny. Maybe this was the path he was supposed to walk in the first place. Maybe he was supposed to have originally changed Robyn. Either way, he had Jayd back again. Seth felt the darkness lift, unfurling around him like wings. When he appeared, Arik went for his sword. After he realized it was Seth, he relaxed. Arik got up. "There has been no change. Is everything all right, brother?" Seth smiled from ear to ear. He clapped Arik on the back. "Oh, yes. More than better. Wonderful. I can't talk about it right now. Thank you for watching her. Will you excuse me?" Arik was going to say something, but he didn't. He returned Seth's smile and then walked out of the room, leaving Seth alone with Jayd. The Raven Warrior walked over to the bed and gazed down at her. She was an angel in his eyes. Nothing had changed about her in the hours he'd been gone. Outside the sun had risen, he could feel it burning his skin even though he was inside. He figured this was part of sharing Jayd's nature with her. He sat down next to her and brushed his hand along her cold cheek. "Will you come back to me, my love?" Seth couldn't wait any longer. He called his power and bent over Jayd. He pressed his lips to hers, feeling the warmth flowing from him to her. This time, instead of being covered in golden energy, she was blanketed in silver because the power of the moon 256

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cursed them, the moon goddess, Nephthys, who ruled over them. Jayd's lips were cold against his. He let the power flow out of him and into her, watching for any changes, feeling for any changes with the link they shared. Seth searched her face and her chest. There was nothing. No heartbeat. No breathing. She was still dead. He picked up her hand and brought it to his cheek. When he did, the wetness from his eyes fell onto their entwined fingertips. "Please come back to me, Jayd. You're everything I've ever wanted." After another moment, Seth saw Jayd's chest rise, and she take in a large breath. She rose off the bed, and her eyes snapped open. She looked around frantically and tried to pull out of his grasp. The look in her eyes was wild. Seth figured it was the sudden shock of coming back to her body. But he held her, and after a few moments, she seemed to be calming down. "Seth?" "Yes." He kissed her fingertips. Her heart was beating slowly, but she was here with him. The hunger bloomed inside of him again, and he knew she must be feeling the effects of it also. "How..." "Does it matter? You're here with me. I can feel your hunger, love. Feed and then we can talk." He brushed his hair aside and drew Jayd to his neck. She didn't argue with him, and her fangs pierced his throat. Seth let out a sigh when she locked onto his neck. He couldn't help the feelings of love and contentment rolling off of him to her through the link that had 257

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been rekindled between them. When he tried to search her mind for the same feelings, there were none. Jayd still had blocks up around her emotions. She still didn't know her feelings about him. That was when it hit him with what Nephthys had said in Council Chambers. Jayd had to accept him before he would be free of his curse. He didn't dwell on it. He would stay a Raven until he won Jayd's heart. He wasn't going to push her. She withdrew from his neck. He was left feeling dizzy and lightheaded, but he didn't let it show. "Did you take enough?" Jayd nodded and looked away. Seth caught her chin and forced her to look at him. "Hey. You have nothing to be embarrassed about. I'm here for you. Whatever you need or want." He felt her guilt for feeding on him, but he also knew her joy for being alive again and with him. Seth knew that she had feelings for him. Jayd just wasn't letting herself be open to them. Not yet. "Seth, I don't deserve you." He laughed. "I say differently. I don't deserve you." Jayd smiled and leaned in and kissed him on the cheek. She looked away from him and then got up. At that moment, Seth felt a rift between them. She resurrected a wall to block him. He thought she wanted nothing to do with him. It hurt a little, but he tried to understand what she'd been through. He wanted to take her in his arms and make love to her, but he knew better. Right now he didn't want Jayd to feel that he was crowding her. For now, Seth sat on the bed and waited. [Back to Table of Contents] 258

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Chapter Twenty-One Jayd's heart pounded against her chest. Her hand rested over it absently. She tried to piece everything together that had happened to her in the past few hours. The last thing she remembered was Azrael leading her through the void after she landed in the meadow. She hadn't wanted to die, but she didn't have any other choice. Her hand traveled over her chest to where Robyn had stabbed her. Her flesh was whole. Things after going into the void were a little hazy. She remembered talking with Azrael about making a choice. Jayd figured now that choice was coming back to life or not. She must have chosen yes. Here she was. She was standing in Seth's cabin. Her heart was beating slowly. She was breathing and her thirst had been slacked all thanks to Seth. He had a bigger role to play in her resurrection. She was sure. Jayd felt different somehow than she had before. She was still a vampire, but there was something else. She felt more powerful, and something itched on her shoulder. She concentrated on it and realized her flesh was moving. She tore at the cloth and tried to see what it was. However, she couldn't and could only trace it with her fingers. Whatever it was, it was slightly raised and circular. There was a design in it. She didn't know what that was. Seth was still on the bed, waiting for her to acknowledge him. His mind hovered on the outskirts of her thoughts, but she wasn't ready to deal with him yet. When she had first awakened, his outpouring of affection had nearly seared her 259

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mind. Jayd hadn't been able to deal with it. Even drinking his blood, through their link, he broadcasted how grateful he was to have her back that he wanted to be with her forever. Jayd still didn't know if she was ready for that. If she would ever be ready for that. There was so much to sort through. She was in a whirlwind. She craved for the darkness to wrap around her and take her away from all of this. However, even with that ability in her grasp, she had to stay and face her emotions. She couldn't hide or repress her emotions. Her memories of the past were easily accessible now she had returned from the dead. If she thought about it, she recalled the way her mother smelled. She could remember what her aunt was mumbling on her deathbed. Jayd shook her head. She didn't have time to rehash the past. Right now, she had to think about the future. All of it was a jumble inside her mind. She knew what Seth wanted from her, but she still couldn't give that to him. She wanted to. Part of her did. Another part wanted to tear down her walls and give him everything he had ever wanted. That part wanted him to save her from herself. It wanted him to rescue her from her hunger. He had shown his devotion by bringing her back from the dead. She turned around and looked at him. He was a pillar of strength sitting on the bed, holding her up, if that was what she desired. Aunt Gabrielle had always taken care to instill in her about being independent and finding herself. Her aunt had said that she had never needed a man to get her through life. Jayd could be the same way. Jayd wished she could talk to her aunt right 260

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now. It would make life so much easier with someone to talk to. "Jayd, what's troubling you?" Seth asked. Jayd met his eyes. They were dark holes that reminded her of the void of blackness she had walked into with Azrael. However, Seth's showed so much more feeling. "Seth, God ... I don't even know where to start." He chuckled and got up from the bed. He reached out and captured both of her hands. He brought one to his lips. His eyes never left hers. He kissed each one of her fingertips gently. Seth's lips burned against her flesh. He didn't try to intrude on her mind. His desires were clear to her, even through the block she had put between them. She had read them in the images she received from his blood. He wanted to feel her body crushed against him, to wrap his mind around hers and get lost together. But he stayed at bay. Jayd watched when he turned her palm over and kissed the middle of it. With each kiss, her desire for him rose. It wasn't her vampire hunger that enveloped her, but a human one. The same one she had the first time he had kissed her. It was making her legs weak and her knees shake. It gathered in her stomach and made her cold body hot. Seth drew her closer, working his lips up her arm, stopping at her wrist and biting the sensitive flesh there. A little moan tickled her lips. Her wanting almost had her, but Jayd did not want to go into their budding relationship with too many doubts, fears, and questions. Okay, at least I know I want a relationship with him. 261

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Gently she put her hand on his chest. He stiffened under her touch. It made her sad, but she was doing the right thing for herself and for them in the long run. She did not want to give Seth any false pretenses. "You don't want me, do you?" Seth asked her in the softest, most despair laden voice she had ever heard. The tone cleaved her heart. She hated tugging his heartstrings. Jayd couldn't think of what to do, so she leaned in and pressed her lips to his. He didn't respond. She took his hand and turned her cheek into his palm. "I want you, Seth." Jayd's voice cracked. She hadn't realized how hard this would be. "I-I just need some time to figure things out. You have to realize that all of this ... you, me, vampires, coming back from the dead ... it's all a little overwhelming. A lot of changes have happened to me over the past couple of days. I need to process it. More than what would normally happen to me. I don't want to lead you on. I don't want to jump into bed with you and then tell you that I need time to be alone and figure out my new life. I care about you. I know you had a hand in bringing me back to life. I'm sure there's a lot that you have to tell me. I see how much you care for me. I see it in your eyes and in your thoughts. But I want to be fair to you. Trust me, you don't know how long I've lusted after you, watching you in the shop these past two years. I don't want to give you the wrong signals. Can you understand that?" Seth nodded, but removed his hand from hers. Jayd felt the absence of his warmth. Now she wished that she'd kept her mouth shut. She wanted to cry again. But there was no 262

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way for her to express her sadness. Seth stepped back from her and stared at her. "I understand, Jayd. And I'll give you the time you need. I've spent this long waiting for you. I can wait. You're right. I did have a hand in you coming back. There are rules that we'll both have to follow." Jayd felt terror crawl up her spine. Rules? What kind of rules? "Like what?" "You can't kill or feed off an innocent. If you do, it would be my job to take your head. When I kissed you, I marked you as a Raven Warrior. You have our powers now, but are not cursed like I am." "Wait, if I'm like you, then why am I still a vampire? What does it mean that you marked me?" Seth put up his hand and Jayd knew she shouldn't have interrupted. "When I kissed you, I marked you for my heartmate, Jayd. I gave you the one gift that comes with my curse. You're still a vampire because that damage had already been done to you and imprinted on your soul. Because I shared part of me with you, I share your hunger when you share my heart beat. You will feed on me alone. If you don't, then I have it within my power to take your head. Please don't make me have to do that." Jayd began to shake, realizing what Seth said. Her hunger hinged on him. Her existence hinged on him. "What if you're not there and I need to feed? I don't want to hurt anyone." "My curse only allows me to be mortal in your realm on the three days of the full moon and the eight Pagan holidays. In this realm, if you need me, I will be human for you. I will 263

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watch out for you to make sure that you do not harm anyone. But you have to trust me and have an open mind so I can communicate with you. Jayd, there is much that I want to show you and tell you, but I will not have you hurting anyone." Jayd took in what Seth said. She nodded. It made her feel somewhat better that there was someone watching out for her so she did not have to keep a constant eye on herself when it came to monitoring her hunger. She did not know how long it would be until she would have to feed again. Right now, she needed time to figure things out. Seeing the rift between them made her wonder if she was doing the right thing. Should she jump into a relationship with him? Jayd took a step forward and reached out to Seth. He took a step back and shook his head. The look on his face cut her to the quick and shook her soul. She bowed her head and wanted to let the imprisoned tears flow from behind her lids. However, they were not about to be shed. For now, she needed to go and escape. In doing that, she felt the coldness of the darkness take her. She didn't care where she went. She wanted to be somewhere Seth was not. She wanted somewhere light could not penetrate, where no notion of love existed, or where her heart was going to be able to sort everything out. The darkness was all she desired. The air moved around her, and when she opened her eyes once again, she was surrounded by the scent of mold and mildew. She realized that she was in her cellar. Perfect, Jayd thought. When she realized it, she was tired. She looked up at one of the cellar windows. Through the dirt caked glass she 264

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saw the sun was up and felt her body was slowing down. She had to sleep. She might have died, but instinct told her that the sun was danger. So she settled into the corner, curled in a ball, and felt somewhat like she had when she was a child and her father was coming to kill her. Jayd shivered and let the darkness over take her mind and when it did, she heard her heart whisper in the darkness, crying out for Seth. **** The next time Jayd opened her eyes, it was night. She sensed the sun had set. When she thought about it, she was no longer hungry. It was quiet now. Whatever personality she had in her was not squawking at her to feed. The house was silent above her. She didn't feel Seth nearby. She was grateful of that. That he was giving her the space that she had asked for. However, it felt empty. That was what she had wanted. He was giving her everything she had asked for. He said that he would, and it made her feel all the worse. Jayd got up and stretched. Around her, the night extended. It seemed the moon was talking to her. She wasn't sure what it was saying, but she knew there was much for her to experience. For now, it dampened thoughts of Seth, and she was able to go upstairs and experience the darkness for what it was. Jayd opened the door to her cellar and looked around the kitchen. This was her home, but it didn't resemble the person she had become. It belonged to someone else. This is ridiculous. This is my home. There is nothing wrong with it. Jayd nodded to herself and decided that she was going to 265

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take a shower. After everything that had happened to her, she felt dirty. She walked upstairs, but when she did, she caught something sitting on her kitchen table. It was another red envelope. Her hands started shaking. I can handle this. Patrick is dead. My stalker is dead. I don't have to worry about anyone coming to get me anymore. The coven is in shambles and Aubrey is dead. Still Jayd approached it with caution. She reached out and took the envelope. She slid her finger under the slit and pulled out the letter inside. It read, Welcome to the night. Listen to the whispers in the dark and you'll hear me. Jayd crumpled the paper and threw it across the room. No one was going to rule her, even if the person were dead. But she found that when she did close her eyes and listen to the night, just to see, there was nothing in the night save the hum of the moon. She couldn't hear Patrick. I'm truly free of him. Jayd turned and headed upstairs to take a shower. When she got into the bathroom, her reflection shocked her. She didn't know if that was even her staring back. Jayd tentatively reached out and touched the mirror. Movies said that vampires didn't have souls and therefore should not have reflections. She did. Her unruly blonde hair was longer and not so unruly. It didn't curl any more, but was wavy. Her eyes had changed color, too, and they were now a deep jade green to match the darkest stone she had ever seen sold in her shop. My God. I don't even look like myself anymore. I look like something out of a movie. I'm not even me anymore. Jayd turned away from the mirror thinking about the perfection of what she had seen in the mirror. Was that her, 266

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or something that she'd been made into? Did she feel something like her old self? Jayd stripped her dirty and bloody clothing. She dropped it on the floor and climbed under the hot shower. Sharp needles of water fell against skin, but the drops didn't stab her flesh. In a way, they made her feel lonelier. In her mind, the web from the coven had fallen away, and she couldn't hear their whispers anymore. It wasn't that she wanted them there in the first place, but she wasn't alone. Having Seth in her mind had made her feel not alone, but she had shut him out. That was what I had wanted, and he is giving me exactly that. Jayd rested her head against the cool tiles and shut the water off. The shower hadn't made her feel any cleaner. She slammed her hand into the wall, hearing it crack. She looked up and saw that she had put a hole in her shower wall. Jayd sighed. This was no way to live. She ran her hand through her hair, got out of the shower, and threw on some clean clothes. The weave of the fabric pricked her skin and dug into it. She got in her car and went over to the shop. The lights were off, and the closed sign was on the door. Her longing for her aunt came back. She wanted Gabrielle in her life at that moment. Jayd went inside. The aroma of incense was overwhelming. She could smell the scent of must setting in. She could hear the spiders spinning their webs in the corners because she hadn't gotten a chance to sweep them away. Jayd stood in the middle of the store. This was home. It didn't feel foreign. It was still her place. Jayd looked at the hours written on the calendar. She could still make a living at what she was doing. Aubrey had 267

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existed in the daylight. She would have to have more blood to do it. Somehow, Jayd didn't think that was something she could work on at the moment. First, she needed to get the shop back open. Jayd looked around her and realized that the moon was a spotlight in the sky and that outside on the telephone pole was the largest black raven she had ever seen. It was Seth watching out for her. Her thoughts almost reached out to him, but she reined them in at the last second. Jayd turned away and focused on the store. Her life might have changed, but she was going to make it into something useful. She nodded to herself. It was time to live her life again. **** The days passed, and Jayd found that even though her store was open a little bit later, she found that her business was busier. When two weeks passed, her other masseurs returned from Vegas, and when someone asked about Aubrey, Jayd told them that she quit. Jayd began to get into a routine and was managing quite well. Even her hunger was playing along and keeping itself at bay. She found that when the shop was crowded, she was able to concentrate on something else. The sounds of the heartbeats slipped to the back of her mind. By the third week, being around the mortals was excruciating. She wanted, no needed, to feed, but she was holding herself together. Jayd could appeal to Seth and meet him at his cabin, but she didn't. She kept an eye on the calendar and found herself counting down to the full moon. Then she would see Seth. 268

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Every day the stabbing hunger grew worse. One night when she woke, she doubled over with hunger. When she opened her eyes, it was the full moon, she could tell from the cold spotlight shining down on top of her. The hunger in her belly was ripe to be plucked, but when she rose from her bed, she felt another presence in the room. Her teeth grew and she snarled. When she turned, there, sitting on the bed, was Seth. He looked. "God, you scared me," Jayd murmured. "It wasn't my intention." His voice was flat. His face a marble mask. Jayd hated to see him suffering. He didn't do anything except arch his neck and move aside his dreadlocks. Jayd licked her lips absently and reached out to touch his smooth skin. Seth didn't stir. Jayd let her fangs slide into his neck and tasted his warm heavy blood. Once it hit the back of her throat, she swallowed and pulled with all her might. She let her fingers crawl over the bed and settle on top of Seth's hand. She tried to entwine her fingers with his, but he would not comply. The wall between them had been strengthened by him. It made her sad and brought back the loneliness of the past month. Her heart beat slightly faster than it had before, and she was warmer. Finally, she pulled away and looked up at Seth. Emotions swirled inside of Jayd's heart. "Seth, I..." Jayd raised her hand to try and touch his cheek, but he grabbed her hand and held it at bay. "No, Jayd. That was not what you wanted." Jayd felt a lump rise in her throat. He was right. It was not what she asked for. She hung her head. "I know." 269

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Seth rose and then he bowed. "Then I bid you good-bye, lovely Jayd." The shadows collected him, and Jayd was alone. When Seth left, Jayd felt the emptiness in her heart growing. Every night when she awoke, he was there watching over her. Her life continued. The shop was doing well and she was getting new shipments. Jayd felt seminormal when she was organizing. It made time go by faster. It took her mind off her growing hunger, which she soon began to find that the rhythm of it was similar to getting PMS. First, she got restless. Next, she got irritable. Then, she was in pain. By that time, Seth was there waiting to feed her. He was chivalrous and treated her as a gentleman would the second time he appeared at her house. Jayd wasn't surprised to see him this time. She was expecting him. This time, things between them seemed sterile. He didn't say anything to her, only arched his neck so she could have a clean shot at it. Her heart stilled at that and it was hard to swallow. If she hadn't been in so much pain, she wouldn't have accepted it. She would have said something to him. But he held her life in his veins, and she needed him. So she bit into his throat and drew on his blood. Jayd had tried to wind her thoughts around his, to find some opening in his mind, but there was no loose mortar. There was nothing she could do. She withdrew. Seth bowed and then left her alone. Now it was the third month. Jayd had reorganized the books in her bedroom three times to try to keep her mind off Seth. But when the month had progressed from her last feeding, Jayd had begun to realize that her loneliness was not because she was living her life like she had done in the past. 270

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It was because she missed Seth. Her heart called out to him every night. She didn't know how to tell him. Jayd loved him. Whatever walls had been around her heart had crumbled. Jayd had to set her heart straight. She had to talk to him. A smile crossed her lips when an idea came over her. She knew one way to get him. The night Jayd woke up, her mind was made up. Tonight was the night. Her hunger had started to creep into her system biting at her insides. She could hold it off for a little while longer. Jayd stopped at the pizza place and got the biggest order of french fries with everything on them, including chili. They smelled great, but she didn't dare try to eat them. It would make her stomach sour. She set them on the table and made sure that the closed sign was turned over. She didn't need the light, but she did light a few candles. "Seth," she whispered. Jayd waited, listening, but didn't hear anything. She waited a little bit longer and still there was nothing, "Seth, I know you can hear me. Please come out. I have french fries. I thought you might be craving them." With that, she heard a laugher in the darkness. "And what makes you think that you can entice me with those?" Jayd sighed and sat down in the empty chair. Her head fell between her hands. She opened her mind, dropping the walls between her and Seth. His were still there. She couldn't lie to herself any more than she could lie to Seth. For the past two months, her loneliness had grown, and she longed to feel Seth's warm arms around her. She wanted him to hold her when she drank from him rather than only having his blood 271

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flowing through her veins. She wanted to smell his scent next to her and to feel his hair twining between her fingers. She yearned to feel the ecstasy of his thoughts blending with hers. Her body started wracking with silent sobs. "Because. I ... I..." She didn't look up. He was still in the shadows, observing her doing his duty. She had gotten used to his presence being there, but there had been no closeness. Her heart had come to the point where she realized that she needed Seth there. "Because you what, Jayd? You haven't fed yet. Is your offering only something to fatten me up?" Now his voice was cold. "I know your hunger. I can feel it throbbing in you like a second heartbeat. It's consuming you. Do you want to take an innocent life? Is that it?" She felt his breath hot on her skin. "You're not some juice box, Seth. I need you." "Of course you do." Seth stepped from the shadows and knelt before Jayd. "Whenever you're ready." Jayd looked up. His eyes were shut. His head was cocked to the side. The same way it was the past two times she'd fed from him. It was sterile, like he was being used. She didn't want him to think this was a procedure. Her teeth shifted, but she pushed that aside and focused on Seth. Each of his eyelashes were perfect. There was a lot more silver in his hair than there had been before. She didn't know why she hadn't seen it before. He was lovely. Jayd got to her knees too and kissed the side of his neck lightly. She let her tongue slide along his pulsating vein. She ran a hand over his chest. Jayd looked back at his face. Seth opened his eyes and they 272

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flashed silver. Jayd felt his anger and his passion. His emotions were an open wound that hadn't healed. She was making it wider. He grabbed her wrist and pushed it away. A small growl escaped him. Jayd searched his eyes, but didn't move. She leaned in a little closer, touching her lips to his and kissing his lightly. Silently begging him to accept her, her mind twittered on the edge of his. She wanted him to understand how much of a fool she had been. Of course Jayd desired Seth. She had always wanted him. She had never let her guard down enough for her heart to see it. Being alone made her understand what her needs were. Now she longed for him to understand that her heart was open. "Don't toy with me, Jayd." Seth snarled. "I'm giving you what you want. No amount of french fries can make you change that. You set the rules, remember? Now let's get this over with so I can enjoy the rest of my night." Jayd felt defeat creep into her heart. There had to be a different way to approach him. Jayd let her hunger take her. She opened her mouth and bit deep into his neck. Seth jumped and groaned. Jayd felt an opening in his armor. She took the opportunity and slipped inside his mind, winding images of them together through his thoughts. She heard his breath quicken when she put her wanting into his mind. His blood surged into her mouth when she heard him moan. He began to pull away from her. "Stop this," Seth whispered. Desire dripped from his voice. "No," Jayd responded and nipped his ear. "I need you, Seth." 273

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This time, he grabbed her and yanked her away from his neck. Jayd saw that he was nearly panting. His eyes had gone from silver to black, and he had small points of fangs. "You don't want this! You don't want me!" The anger in his thoughts seared her mind. She fought through the rage. It hurt her soul to see how much she had wounded him. Jayd leaned in, stopping centimeters from his lips. "Yes. I do." In that moment, Seth pounced on her, knocking her to the floor. He stared at her, breathless. His eyes searched hers. His thoughts scorched hers. He waited again for her to hit the punch line and push him away again. The surge of joy rushing through her was amazing and took her breath away. There was electricity between them. Seth pressed his lips to hers. His mind opened and their link hummed to life. The instant he touched her mind, she felt that side of her that was so lonely was instantly completed. His power wrapped around the both of them. Suddenly she was placed on something soft. He was above her looking down. His hand was running through her hair. "Do you accept me? Do you really want me?" he asked. Jayd smiled. "I've been a fool. Of course I want you. I'm so sorry for putting you through hell. I never meant to. I had to figure things out. I had to work all of this out. You have my heart. All of it. Do you forgive me?" Seth didn't respond, but captured her lips and made good use of them. Her insides melted. Her heart was released from its loneliness and she was in heaven. He stole her breath away as if he were feeding on it. Jayd had to pull away to be 274

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sure that she could breathe. She put a hand on his chest and gave him a smile. His brow was furrowed. "What's the matter?" There was a cold bite to his voice. Jayd laughed. "Nothing, Seth. I just needed to breathe. That's all. I swear." Seth cupped her cheek. "You still need to feed. I can feel you hunger. It throbs inside my heart. Drink, Jayd." Seth craned his neck to the side. Jayd leaned in, but didn't bite. "My hunger for blood can wait, Seth. I need other things right now." "Oh, yeah. What?" Jayd smiled. "Let's find out!" [Back to Table of Contents]

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Chapter Twenty-Two Seth felt his heart breaking into a million pieces when he heard the words he had wanted to hear slip from Jayd's lips. He had been waiting for three months for her to tell him that he was wanted instead of being used. He didn't mind that she fed from him. The Raven Warrior looked forward to seeing her every full moon. It shattered his soul to be so cold to her, but he was only doing what she wanted. Jayd had requested that she needed some space and he had given her that. He had watched over her day and night. He would have done anyway no matter what. She was his heartmate. There was no way of changing that now. He had brought her back to life. Jayd had chosen him over death. It had taken this long for her to realize that she needed him and he needed her. "Jayd, you have to feed or you'll die," he whispered. He sat up against the pillows and looked around, realizing that he had folded them in the darkness back to her house. There were more pillows on her bed than he had remembered. They were covered in silk and velvet. She leaned over him and began unbuttoning his shirt. The sweep of her fingers on his flesh made him shudder. Jayd took her time when she undid each one. He loved how she bit her lip in concentration when she tried to get one button, but it was stuck. Seth let his fingers slide under her T-shirt to feel her skin. Since she had some blood, her flesh was warm and her heart throttled against her chest. Her desire for him hummed in his head along the link that they shared. Seth 276

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understood from their connection that Jayd had been struggling with her feelings for the past couple of months. It had sunk in that Jayd loved him with all her heart. That realization made him feel complete. "I need you, Jayd," Seth whispered. He kissed her chin. Jayd didn't respond, but got to the last button and had his shirt open. The cool air on his flesh made him chilly. Jayd didn't wait when she lowered her mouth to his chest, taking one of his nipples between her teeth biting it lightly. Her tongue circled around it and then sucked it between her lips. Seth let his back arch. He wound his hands through her blond hair. It was softer than he imagined it. He brought a strand to his nose and smelled it. The scent of the french fries she had ordered for him was trapped in her hair. Seth chuckled to himself, but was unprepared for when Jayd's mouth wrapped around his hard member. A low moan rumbled in his chest. It had been eons since he had felt this way. Her velvet lips tickled the soft flesh and his hips rose up uncontrollably. He didn't know if he could hold onto himself. "Jayd, love. I appreciate your eagerness, but ahh, God, woman. Do you know what you're doing to me?" Seth asked when he felt the amusement in her in thoughts. She knew what she was doing. Her tongue worked around his length while her free hand ran the expanse of his chest. He was laid out flat on the bed. Her nails were sharp when she scraped the skin. The pain was delicious. Seth needed to feel all of her. It was unfair that she was still dressed. He released his hold on her hair and let his fingers dig into her shoulders. Seth felt Jayd's teeth slide into place. The extra 277

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friction against the soft flesh of his member made him harder. He pushed up against her, feeling Jayd take all of him into her mouth. He was going to come soon. His stomach muscles were clenched. The tightness was spreading down to his groin. He struggled to keep himself in check. Seth closed his eyes and envisioned the link between him and Jayd. Two could play at this game. He imagined his fingers stroking up the sides of her stomach, tickling her lightly, and stopping when he made the curve of her breasts. His thumbs played with the knobs of her nipples when he turned them counterclockwise. They were hard against his fingertips. He brought his mouth to one and held it between his teeth, biting down on it gently. The other he kept his hand on, squeezing the mound of her flesh. He felt Jayd stop her assault on his member. A moan came from her lips. "What're you doing to me?" Seth opened his eyes, but kept his mental assault going. Through their bond, he could feel her body still responding to him. Jayd's nipples jutted out against her T-shirt. Her breathing became erratic. Seth could smell her desire. Her green eyes searched his wondering what kind of power he had over her. Seth chuckled. "I'm doing exactly what you wanted me to. Besides, I had to figure out a way to get you to stop. We have all the time in the world to explore one another, Jayd. I want to make this memorable between us." Jayd got up from the bed. Once her weight was off Seth, he was able to pull his shirt and pants the rest of the way off. Jayd didn't say a word, but he caught her looking at him. He crossed over to her and held her face between his hands. 278

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Seth stared at her, amazed that such a wonderful beauty was his. Jayd smiled, but didn't try to break away from his hold. From her mind he gleaned that she was trying to figure out what he was doing. Seth kissed her forehead gently and then each of her eyes. Her skin was soft. And she smelled of peaches. Then he brought his mouth down to hers and sucked it between his lips. Tasting her. It was all that he wanted to do. He wanted to sample all of her. He licked her lips and let his tongue slide between them. He lifted it against one of her curved fangs. He pricked himself on purpose so that she could taste his blood and he could entice her hunger. If it throbbed dully in him, it was pounding inside of her. Jayd had to finish feeding, but her desire was taming her hunger at the moment. Jayd moaned when she tasted his blood. He withdrew from her lips and then stared at her for a moment. He sensed her confusion. "What?" Jayd asked. He smiled. "Nothing. It's just that you're so beautiful. And you're mine. Do you know how long I've wanted you? I've waited so long." His slipped over the fabric of her T-shirt and cupped her breasts lightly, brushing his thumbs over them. "Seth, I didn't mean to make you wait." He looked up and smiled, running his thumb over her lips. "I didn't mean that. I mean that I've been a Raven for twenty-five hundred years and you were the one that was brought to me. I don't care that you're a vampire or if you had three heads and twelve fingers. You're mine. Will you let me have you?" Seth needed to know. Jayd had to accept him so his curse would be broken. 279

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Jayd lifted her shirt and pulled it off. Her hair tumbled around her and she pushed it off her face. Her fang caught her lip. She wondered what Seth would think of her. Her mind was an open book to him now that their link had been cemented. She wasn't blocking him. Seth ran his hand over one breast. It stood captured in its black silk prison. Lace around the edge of it showed the swell of her mounds, and he desired to feel their weight in his hand. Jayd reached around and undid the clasp. Seth watched when she let the bra slip to the floor and then she undid her jeans and daintily shimmed out of them. Then off came her panties, and she was naked Jayd reached out and wrapped her arms around his neck. Her body was colder than it had been before. Even a few minutes ago. She had to feed, but Seth could tell that Jayd wasn't worried about that. She pressed her flesh against his. He was taller than her, but every curve fit to his body just right. Her desire flared through his mind. Jayd looked up and stared into his eyes. He brought his up and traced the brand that was on her left shoulder. It was the twin to his own. "I'll have you, Seth," Jayd whispered against his lips. He drew her into him in a large hug that he thought would crush her, but Seth could hear her thoughts whispering to him. "I want you Seth. More than you know. I'm yours." He took her lips and claimed them as his own. When he did, a surge of power moved down his back. It was stronger and an electric shock. It bowed his back and deepened his kiss. Seth could tell Jayd felt the same thing because she 280

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moaned into his mouth. He focused on their mental bond and felt it tightening, weaving together, and making them stronger. Jayd's heart skipped a beat. So did Seth's. Seth pulled away when the energy subsided. "What was that?" Jayd asked. Seth rested his forehead against hers. "It means I'm free." [Back to Table of Contents]

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Epilogue Seth watched while Jayd held Whitney. The infant cooed in her arms and wound her chubby hands through his heartmate's hair. Seth chuckled and shook his head. It would be nice for he and Jayd to have children, but after three months of them being together, he knew that wasn't possible. When she became a vampire, that ability was taken away. However, he knew that something would present itself to them when the time was right. Right now, he had suggested to Jayd that she might want to meet the other Raven Warriors and their heartmates. Tremain had been a little cautious at first, considering Jayd was a vampire and his brother thought that Jayd might snack on the babies. Seth had assured him that Jayd would not harm the children or Linnea. Then again, Tremain had been more protective of his heartmate and their twins after Betha had kidnapped Linnea and Whitney. "So how are you adjusting?" Alena asked. Seth glanced at Darius's heartmate. Alena was a werewolf and had tamed Darius when no one thought that he could be. "It's wonderful. Being human all the time." Alena shook her head. "No, that's not what I meant. I mean not being under Caleb or Betha's rule anymore." Seth was surprised that Alena was talking about Caleb's punishment. Their leader ... former leader ... had been stuck in Raven form watching over Betha who had been wild in her castle. None the Warriors were connected to her any longer, 282

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but Seth could still hear the queen in the back of his mind raging. Now he ignored it. It was nice to be able to do that and not have her screeches shredding his brain. Jet had been instilled as their leader for now. So far so good. Nephthys had not assigned Seth a charge yet, but he assumed that she would soon. Tremain had a new one that kept him busy and Darius was still assigned to the boy that he'd been watching since birth. Both of them were at the same table. Darius was holding Nicholas and looking green. Seth guessed he wasn't sure what to do with the baby. "It's a change. But I think for the best. Something had to be done. I only hope that Caleb can overcome whatever hardships are ahead of him." "Please, the one that's insane is the Banshee Queen herself. After Maili died, she was nuts. We've all witnessed it," Darius chimed in. Seth nodded absently. He enjoyed watching how the moonlight reflected off of Jayd's flesh. Her heart was beating faster. She enjoyed the cooing of the baby. She fed from him almost weekly, a few sips here and there to keep her hunger in check, and she had proved that she could go a month without feeding. They both knew that he loved it when she bit him. And she loved it when he bit into her. Seth had found that by indulging in the hunger he shared with her, it brought them closer together than what they already were. He shared her thoughts and felt what she felt. Jayd's eyes flicked over to him when Seth thought about her. She smiled and sent him a few images of what she wanted to do to him later. "You are evil," Seth messaged back. 283

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"I'm a vamp, and don't you forget it." Jayd giggled. "Will you two quit it?" Tremain asked. Seth looked at the other four sitting at the table. Linnea had her eyes focused on the table. Alena was trying not to laugh, and Darius was a shade of red that matched his hair. "Quit what?" Jayd asked innocently, when she met Seth's eyes. He burst into laughter, realizing that every one of them had gotten the gist of what they'd sent to one another. He could tell that Jayd liked the other two women. He was getting to know the other two freed Warriors better. Seth had never taken the time to find out what Tremain and Darius were all about before he was freed from his curse. "I think we're embarrassing Darius. I bet a big Warrior like him has never done—" "Seth, you had better stop right there," Darius interrupted him. Darius sent him a mental image of him and Alena engaged in something similar to what he wanted to do with Jayd. Without another word, all of them burst into laughter. Seth held up his hands. "All right. I give. I don't need to know what you guys do." "Good," Tremain said. "So what now? Do we all get together for supernatural tea parties of something?" Alena asked. "I can see it now. A witch, a werewolf, and a vampire walk into a bar." "So what's the punch line?" Jayd asked. Seth got up from the table when Jayd handed the baby off to Linnea. "I think the punch line is whatever you want to 284

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make it. Ladies, I'll promise I'll bring her back soon. Maybe you can do a shopping trip." Linnea groaned. "Jayd is welcome here any time. The children love her." Seth kissed Jayd on the cheek and wrapped his arms around her. In a moment, the shadows took hold of them both. Darkness deposited them back at her house on the soft pillows he had come to love. Jayd embraced him from behind. "Thank you." Jayd kissed his neck lightly. Seth held in a shiver, but once her teeth slide into his throat, he moaned. He was glad that the others got along with her. Seth enjoyed the sensation of her pulling on his blood. When she did, he couldn't help feeling that there were changes on the horizon. Not just for those who had been freed, but for the others who were still cursed. Something was stirring. Something was whispering to him the dark. He couldn't make out the message yet. No matter what it was, he would face it, and Jayd would be by his side. The End [Back to Table of Contents]

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About the Author Crymsyn Hart's worlds are filled with luscious vampires, gorgeous gods, quirky witches, and brooding shifters. Crymsyn is a crafty witch and psychic who, for many years, worked in Boston while attending Emerson College. She graduated with a degree in creative writing. When she gets bored, she sneaks away to local cemeteries and coffee shops to find peace and quiet. Graveyards might be a great place for the dead, but she still has to listen to their chattering. It can get annoying when all you want to do is write, but she can tell you quite a ghost story. Crymsyn shares her life with a small zoo including a playful puppy and her hubby Mark. If you come after dark, you're more than likely to find her snuggled up with a gory horror movie or a bloody vampire movie.

If you are connected to the Internet, take a moment to rate this eBook by going back to your bookshelf at www.fictionwise.com.

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