Eclipsed by Midnight (10 page)

As we follow him inside, the cavern lights up as Dominic flicks a switch on the earthen wall to reveal a very homey workspace with a roaring fire in the hearth. Where the hell is the fire shoot for that thing? How are there actual overhead lights down here under the mountain? My mind fights with the technicalities and possibilities of all that I am seeing, completely distracting me from another presence in the room.

“Long time no see, welcome.” A thick, Scottish voice brings my head around like a swivel.

Seated by the fire in a big, overstuffed wing back is a larger-than-life male, one that makes my skin crawl in recognition. In an instant, the figure moves toward me, and I panic, causing Etienne to step in front, heading off the imposing male.

“Right there will be fine,” Etienne warns the moving mass of muscle.

“Na need ta fret, ah just wantae thank ye.”

As I peek around Etienne’s large frame, I see the male has dropped to one knee before us and fisted his hand over his heart.

“Dear Priestess, how canae e’er repay wut ye did fur me?”

Pushing my fear aside so that my instincts can resume leading, I let my senses fall over the humbled figure and extract as much information as possible. Dominic patently observes off to the side with furrowed brows, reading more into what is taking place than he is letting on. Something about Dominic and this Scot’s demeanor has me on guard, although I still believe them both to be trustworthy.

“I’m not entirely sure what I did to help you, but please stand up.” I still can’t get used to that bowing crap. Yeah, it’s a sign of respect and I get that, but still. He quickly complies, yet waits expectantly, respectfully poised in front of my guarding mate.

“Sasha, this is Callum. I believe you have met before?” Dominic interjects.

“Yes, he attacked me in a dark alley,” I thoughtfully recite as I observe the brilliant eyes now boring into mine. Regret and shame fill his aura, yet his stance and expression remain unmoving. Etienne’s mind has also eased, feeling no threat but holding steady for my comfort.

“Ye have na idea how eternally sorry I am, Priestess.” Callum bows his head, and the blue of sadness overtakes him. His show of emotion is all that I need to chase away the last of my building fears.

Pushing by Etienne, I go to Callum and my hand reaches to cup his chin on its own accord. A shock of energy stems from the connection, causing us both to falter back. Interesting, I still don’t know why that happens with some vampires and not others.

“I see that you’ve changed, Callum. I’m not a hundred percent certain how, but I’m happy to see it.” My arms come back to cross over my chest as my essence pushes out to read him inside and out, still wanting assurance.

“It was wut ye did ta me that night that made the difference. Ye gave me a second chance at life anew.”

“It was quite interesting when he arrived here, Sasha. It was if he was returned to some sort of energetic, infantile state. He was still a grown male, of course, who could tend to most of what he needed with a small amount of help and reorientation, but his mind and thought processes were simplified and pure. Day by day, through gentle guidance, his evolution into the light took place.”

“I’m ashamed to think aboot who I was, but I am grateful for who I am now.”

Thinking back to what I had seen when I first performed the cleansing on him, I jolt at what lurked there. I also remember seeing hope for him at the time as the darkness was not all consuming. That is what probably made the difference in an otherwise hopeless case. Fondly going back over that whole ceremony, I momentarily relive it in the blink of an eye.

“Callum has made himself useful?” Etienne questions as he moves by the fire, visually vetting the area, always assessing.

“Oh yes, he and Dagan have proven quite useful around here. They provide guard as well as help with the day-to-day necessities so that Solana and I can work. They’ve more than earned their place here.”

“That is what I’ve heard,” Etienne replies as my skin pricks in the wake of Dagan’s name. I hadn’t thought it possible for that blood-hungry mongrel to rehab, not after what I had witnessed that one night in the hospital. Perhaps my skills were child’s play back then and left me in a less-honed state, by my instincts screamed otherwise. Needing his closeness as too many things to count shift through my mind, I shuffle around to stand near Etienne as Callum and Dominic take a seat.

“Is that why you wanted me to come down here?” As I run a hand over my thick sweater, my eyes wander over the space, tracing the furniture lines. It appeared more like someone’s home than an actual healer’s den.

“I wanted you to see the benefits of your work. Selfishly speaking, I wanted to allow Callum the opportunity to clear his conscious.”

“And Dagan?”

“He still battles with moments of regression. I am not sure if what you performed on him was the same as Callum or not. He is down below for the time being.” It went without being said that my presence as well as my human children could prove to be too great of a trigger.

“It wasn’t the same; there wasn’t a lot of time when I helped him.” My nurturing ways inspire me to want to help him if there is even the slightest chance. If nothing else, for the sake of his twin, Dean.

“Perhaps you could—” Dominic’s hopeful, impending question is soon cut off by Etienne’s low growl. “Another time, perhaps. Would you like a tour of the facilities?” Dominic offers politely, fully retracting from us.

“There’s more?”

“Oh yes, these magical caverns and tunnels wind deep. We have different areas set up for healing, worship, studying, imprisoning—the whole bit. This is Callum’s quarters, and the first of the burrowed rooms as he stands as the main guard.” That explains the homey feel, far off from the environment I had become accustomed to with Damien.

Not wanting to be rude despite being bombarded with the past, I allow the two to guide us around the intricate and interconnected network of tunnels and caverns that were surprisingly modern and outfitted to suit all healers’ needs. There was even a steam room and hot spring back in the therapy room. Don’t ask me how—I have no clue. But one thing was evident through the tour; I was just beginning to scratch the surface on my knowledge in the realm of healing.

Damien tap-danced and eased me in with baby steps back in France. This was more like being submerged in all the possibilities all at once. The magic was right up in your face, bubbling about, seeping from every nook and cranny. Objects suspended from the ceiling in the herb room with no direct attachments, while other things that smelled funny bubbled over low burners in tubes on the workbench with no one attending to them. A few cats with eyes and auras that spoke of something beyond what a normal feline should be capable of, lazily lounged in the study hall. In that same space, a great white owl kept watch from a high, root-base perch embedded in the earthen wall. And don’t get me started on the random reptiles just chilling out in the open on their own, living naturally throughout the cavern rooms.

When I asked about the wildlife, Dominic simply shrugged it off as if it were the most natural occurrence, even though it isn’t. He said that Nannau provides the creatures with what they need to survive and they live down here by choice. The critters come and go as they please. They find their own way in and out, yet the current group of residents has been there a while. They show no signs of leaving, especially since Solana moved in permanently. Occasionally, they left him gifts for potions and spells, such the shedding of a snake. I shudder at the thought and wrap myself around a bemused Etienne when that tidbit comes up. After about an hour of touring, we emerge and head back up to the cabin.

Light poured from the cabin on an unnatural level as we approach, the sounds of laughter ringing clear. The jubilance that is radiating from inside pains me in a sense. That is a level of joy my sons have not experienced with me in a very long time yet I am happy that they get to have it now. Even Erik’s energy is lighter, less snarky as laughter fills the air once more. Immediately, I know the cause—Solana. Pure light and energy in a human form.

“Dominic, I don’t want to disrupt them. Etienne and I will wait in the car if you could please let them know we are waiting?” Suddenly, breaching that haven seems as if it will poison the moment, and I certainly don’t want to take that from them.

“Not a problem. Until next time, Priestess.” Dominic fists a hand over his heart and slightly bows before heading in.

“What was that about?” Etienne quirks a brow and wraps an arm around me.

“I seem to be a black cloud for them, and I don’t want to suck the light out of that room.”

“You couldn’t be more wrong, mon amour.” He leans into my side and pulls me close.

“Perhaps, but that human girl is giving them something they need, and I don’t want to intrude.”

“The witch?”

“She’s a witch?” I’ll be… they do exist.

“Yes, a child of the light. It’s rare; most humans turned their backs on that talent and evolved without it in pursuit of other types of gains, but they are still around.”

Etienne opens the back door for me. I pull him into the backseat and curl up on his lap as we await the rest of our party, who are now attempting goodbyes in the doorway.

“Lil, can vampires drink the blood of witches?” I curl deeper into his embrace, drawing jean-covered knees up to my chest as his strong arms pull me even closer.

“It is the same slippery slope as with humans, but witches can better protect themselves. Why do you ask?” His hand strums my thigh as his chin comes to rest atop my head.

“My mind is always racing, trying to see the possibilities. Surely, I am not the only one who can see that the three of them are quite… drawn to one another.”

“Yes, and Aiden is quite conflicted about it as well.”

“You are spying on them?” I cheekily ask, and his hand travels around to the inside of my thigh.

“And you thought I wasn’t?” he smarts back.

“Don’t you ever get tired of always having that on?” I playfully tap the side of his head, the soft waves of his hair beckoning my fingers to tangle through it.

“It’s become second nature. The only break I get is with you, and it is odd.” He looks thoughtfully at me.

“Odd? Now that’s not what a girl expects to hear.”

“And what does a girl, exactly, expect to hear?” he tempts, his voice deepening as his hand travels higher.

“Certainly not that her presence is odd in any way.” My breath catches. “More so that her presence is second to none and the only place you want to be.”

“I thought that was a given.” He purrs in my ear as his nose travels back into my hair.

“I can’t read your brain, you know,” I attempt to joke, but one play nip behind the ear from him and my chest juts forward in pleasure, nipples straining. Of course, that’s when our entourage decides to leisurely make their way back to the car. Slapping Etienne’s hands away, I scoot into the seat next to him as the car doors open and Eric, Ethan, and Aiden happily plop down. Surprisingly, this has been a very pleasant evening. All parties involved seemed to enjoy themselves, even Etienne toward the end, but still.

Chapter 6

“Defeat is a state of mind; no one is ever defeated until defeat has been accepted as reality.” ~Bruce Lee

Sasha

Sitting at the edge of our mated bed, I contemplate whether to at least call Ang and give her a heads-up to where I am headed. Someone should know—but that would be pointless because she is off with her family in Japan and I don’t want to disturb them. Or worry her. I have a decision to make.

Today is Halloween; the boys have been well enough aside for the minor body aches to beg us for the last two days straight to join their old high school buddies for a night out. Etienne smartly left the choice up to me even if his opinion was overwhelmingly obvious. He’d keep the boys under lock and key until they not only turned, but had also safely been through blood-lust training and proven themselves safe. He also knew how important I felt it was that they have some normalcy in their lives during this tumultuous time. Etienne has always known who he was from day one—us vamp mutts had no clue. The transition between worlds is a difficult one, especially for young men just coming into their own and who continue to have the mentality of young boys at times. I do have to say, Ethan has done quite well after the initial shock. He’s always been an easygoing, loving kid. Aiden is coming around, but that trace of darkness and defiance that lurks scares the bejeezus out of me.

The sun peaked a few hours ago. Etienne flew out of bed shortly after, muttered something about the office, and promptly left. He thinks I have no clue as to why, nor has he cared to talk to me about what has been making him toss and turn at night. As if I wasn’t bonded to the asshole and couldn’t tell. The course of our relationship has proven time and time again that there is severe room for improvement in the communication department. I suppose we have a lifetime to work on that, as it will continue to be ever evolving. Perhaps the lack of actually verbalizing for the minute details is a default in the wake of our inherited and constant communication between our spirits. Who am I kidding? That’s not entirely it.

Etienne doesn’t think that he has to answer to anyone and does as he pleases in the name of what is quote “right.” Well, now it is time I surpass my mate’s desire to keep me safe under lock and key in the name of what’s right.
Time to go find a fucking cup that has this whole side of the world in a tizzy.
Steeling my resolve, I launch myself off the bed, taking one last look around before ascending the stairs. Tristan is hovering in the kitchen, happy to be on site as newly appointed guard for the boys on their night out. This vamp has been chomping at the bit to be brought in closer and he also loves the women, so a frat party is right up his alley. Antoine and his happy-go-lucky attitude will be joining them from the shadows, as man-to-man coverage is the only suitable option for a pair of twins looking to cut loose before impending lock down.

“And where do you think you are going?” Erik’s voice surprises me, catching me off guard as my hand hovers on the heavy, wooden front door. Damn it, in all of my powers, I still haven’t learned to not let people throw me off when my daydreaming takes over.

“Out for a run,” I reply automatically, thanking the goddess my workout attire is well in place for this mission.

“You seem to be missing a jacket. It is rather cold out, Nintuah.” Erik narrows his eyes at me, assessing.

Fuck
. These guys are always calculating every damn detail, waiting, watching.

“You know I hate wearing clothes as it is, bare minimum,” I challenge, hand on hip.

He sighs heavily, rocking back on his heels. “You do realize what my job is?” His indifferent tone a contradiction to his expression.

“Mastermind and all-seeing eye? Controlling asshole assistant to the controlling asshole?” I smirk.

“And then some.” He arches a fine, blond brow and his face transforms into something sinister that makes my flesh crawl. Geesh, these eren are a tough crowd!

“Erik, go play with Marguerite. I will be back well before you are done—promise.” His warrior face suddenly falls, causing me to falter. “Shit, what’s wrong?” Suddenly, all my attention is on him, probing and looking for answers.

“Things aren’t going so well there.” He shuts down, not wanting to talk.

I step forward, lifting his chin to meet his eyes. The pain there makes me gasp.

“Sasha, now is not the time. Please go back downstairs and don’t make me chain you up.” Erik’s face ages under the stress before my eyes.

“Not until you tell me what’s wrong.”

“We aren’t getting along. She wants more than I can give, so she left and went back overseas.” His tone is too clipped.

“And you can’t get over yourself to give her more?”
Typical
.

“I’m not ready for all that. I broke it off completely.”

Hauling back, I slap him hard in the face, my hand immediately retracting in excruciating pain. He continues to look back at me, unfazed. “You are a real idiot, brother mine,” is all I say as I turn for the door. Overkill? Possibly, but that’s just how our relationship works and he needed it. Plus, it was an attempt at a distraction.

“Do not make me get the chains.” Erik’s voice drops low into a growl, patience wearing thin.

“To do what?”

“You are not allowed to leave, Nintuah.”

“Since when?” My voice hits the ceiling, pissed beyond belief at this declaration.

“Since now, not until your mate gets back.”

“You are really going to try to stop me?” Tristan and Antoine choose that moment to stroll in and flank Erik, with silent promises to back him up should he need it.

“Jesus H. Christ. Please don’t make me hog-tie you to keep you here, Nintuah. I’ve told you once and I will tell you again, I am entirely more afraid of him than you.”

It is then I sense Gabriel’s presence on the other side of the door that my hand is poised to open, attempting to seal my fate. Do the four of them really think they can keep me here against my will?

Anger rips through me, but I quickly quell it and focus my energy. They are all faster than me. I totally lost in the vamp genetic mash-up in that department. What to do—what to do? Etienne picked up on my behavior and called in the reinforcements.

“Why did the boss man put you up to keeping me under lock and key all of a sudden?” I question, and they begin to avert their steely gazes as if I could will the truth from them with one green-eyed glare.

“Why are you insisting on leaving right now for a run?” Erik pushes back.

“I run almost every day at this time.”

“No, you usually sleep a few more hours first, gorge yourself on breakfast… and then pitch a fit as you ready to go out.” Erik calls my bluff.

“I do not gorge on food. I am a lady, ya know.” I feign offense. They all chuckle in rebuttal, knowing my habits entirely too well.

If I retreat to the basement and attempt to escape from there, chances are they have already booby-trapped everything, anticipating my moves. My only chance is overpowering them here. If I am not careful, I will hurt them or bring down Etienne’s house in the process, a house I love and wouldn’t want to damage on that level. How do I temporarily apprehend four big-ass males long enough to escape, then cloak myself well enough to get far away from them? They will trail me, undoubtedly. Etienne, Gabriel, and Roman have had my blood, which is like a homing device, yet only one of them is here.

Wait, I can use my power to bend the fabric of time to travel just like when the urge hit me to get to my sons when we stepped off the plane. Shit, I don’t know how I did that. At the time, my instincts and desires drove the boat. But even if I could figure out that mode of transportation again, how do I escape this current pickle without hurting anyone and leaving a trail?

Yes! That’s it! The lightbulb goes off in my head and Erik sighs heavily as he reaches quickly into his pocket for something. Reaching out with my power to spy, I can tell it is a spelled item he is going for. Shit, they knew my powers are too strong to physically overpower me, so they planned to use a little assistance. Calling the elements on instinct to protect myself from bindings, I subconsciously tap into that bottomless well of universal power surrounding every living being. In the next beat of my heart, I channel the elements into all four eren at once, rendering them helpless and in a trance-like state.

Ripping open the front door, I am met with a frozen Gabriel, his face ready to do battle. I knew that face well. He wore it every time in the ring when we sparred. Sidestepping his bulk, I send my essence out in search of the direction in which I need to go. Ripping the hair tie off my wrist, I quickly twist my long, auburn waves back into a bun and secure it as my conscious searches for the northern region I am being called to. Crap, this is taking longer than anticipated. Damien said it would call me—that we’d be drawn to one another.

A brief arctic chill sweeps down and around me. I rub my hands up and down my arms under the onslaught. Raising my consciousness to the next level while channeling the wind, I listen intently for the clues. Something of such significance would also channel elemental power and emit its own beacon of light for those meant to receive such transmissions. Damn it, if only I had some of Etienne’s blood, I could strengthen my reach. Wait, I do, in a sense. Closing my eyes, I inhale the earthy scents around me as my tongue traces my fangs in memory of this morning’s feeding. A thrill of pleasure runs from the tips, down to my thighs, as I focus on Etienne’s life essence flowing through my veins. Drawing on my power once more, I push outwards and summon the wind in search of my course. Like a metaphysical mapping system elevated beyond most cognizant abilities, I find it and lock on tight. Sensing the four brooding males behind me beginning to push severely against my bonds, threatening my hold, I hurry to envision the folds of time and space needed to speed my slow ass up.

Spying Gabriel’s jacket in his hand, I nab it before taking off like a bullet from a gun. And not a moment too soon. Erik broke through first, and Gabriel soon followed. The other two remained subdued, probably because they are quite a bit younger. Multitasking is hard stuff and definitely weakens my abilities. Especially once my focus shifts gears, which is the other reason the first two broke through so fast.

After about thirty minutes of travel, exhaustion has me slowing as I reach Yellow Stone. Slowing to a brisk walk, my breath becomes strained as the adrenaline rush sputters out, leaving my muscles an achy, twitchy mess. As my hands come to rest on my belly, I double over and dry heave. That form of travel will take forever to get used to. Finding a boulder to perch on, I quickly clamber up the cool and rough surface to lie down. The sky blankly stares back, beginning to pulsate unnaturally as my breathing struggles to relax. The air comes in and out of my lungs in short, labored spurts, and I feel my blood supply running oddly low already for someone who just fed.

And now here I am, all alone in the middle of nowhere, cloaked from those set on protecting me, about to pass out, and not even halfway on my journey. Tears of pain and frustration suddenly break through my tough-girl act as the physical distance from my mate mingles with the overwhelming truths circulating around my very existence. Everyone I love is suffering in some sense it seems, all struggling with related and unrelated battles they each are destined to face. And here I am, on a rock, puking and falling apart, while on a death mission to find a fucking cup that may not even be real—all in order to protect the balance of life instead of being there in person for those who need me most. My body trembles as cold sweats break out and another wave threatens my clenched stomach.

Rolling over into the fetal position, I fight the wave and bring my knees to my chest.
Get it together, Sasha. Put on your big-girl panties, get up, and carry on.
No matter how much I scold myself, my body continues to shake and threaten to fall apart. Pain rips through me as the longing for my mate becomes all consuming.
No! Stop it! That’s going to send a direct homing beacon to him!
I reprimand myself once more and begin to look around the surrounding wilderness for anything else to focus on. Sunset begins to graze the surrounding rugged terrain as the wind gently reaches down in a caress. The light breeze chases away the dampness on my brow and allows me to take a deep breath. My attention is quickly drawn up by the cry of a red tail hawk, sounding in the distance.

As the hawk rides a warm wave of air, suspended in the current for a single, peaceful moment before resuming his hunt. I am reminded that we, too, have the ability to commune with positivity and light before resuming our daily battles. Watching the glorious creature reminds me that in this moment, I need to embrace my inner warrior. The goddess will always give us what we need to push on. Abundance is all around.

Steadying myself as I slowly rise, while trying to ignore my body revolting, I slip down the bolder and gracefully come to a landing on my ass, on the not-so-forgiving, frozen ground. Shaking my head back and forth, tears drip down and mingle with snot before slightly freezing on my face, the temperature continually dropping with each passing second. Scraping shaky hands across my mug, I lean forward and attempt to dig my hands into the solid earth. The red tail’s cry echoes again, serving in warning as well as guidance as they’ve been known to do per the Native American’s oral tales of spirit guides.