Authors: Zerlina Valinski
“We’re what…connected?” She studied him.
“Nothing.” He shook his head. “What do you want me to know?”
He touched her hair and another current made its way up the strands of hair to her scalp making it tingle. Feeling odd, she chuckled softly at the sensation.
“Do you like my touch?” He smiled. It was evident he had a hard time keeping his hands to himself.
“
Yes.” She nodded. “I’ve never…had an encounter like this before.”
“
One so fantastic?” He winked.
“
Yes, and I’ve only had sex with a boyfriend. One boyfriend. My old boyfriend. We’ve been broken up for almost three years. We had planned to get married, but I changed my mind at the last minute.” She felt her face heat up.
“
I see. Bad for him, good for me.” His hand strayed down her side resting on her hip. It was as if energy was constantly flowing between them. It was not anything she could identify. It made her hunger for him.
“
I’m sort of embarrassed by my wanton behavior. I am not one to meet a guy and have sex with him like we did.”
“
Don’t be embarrassed.” His voice was so soft. “You weren’t wanton; you’re as passionate for me as I am for you. Our link is strong so we can’t deny it. We shouldn’t be ashamed of anything we’ve done. In truth, I’ve never experienced such passion. I’m struggling to see you leave me tonight. I want to keep you here with me.” He put his hand under her chin lifting her gaze to his. “We’ll talk more tomorrow. But, I want you to know, I deeply cherish what we enjoyed.”
“
Me too.” She smiled.
“
I can imagine you have questions about me. I’m sure you realize what happened wasn’t typical.”
“Yes, I do have questions.” She nodded. “You’re different. You grew inside me, like a knot. Should I be running from you, like prey from a wolf?” She smiled.
“Please don’t. I’m not a wolf. Not entirely. But I do have many similarities.” He grinned.
“What
are
you?” Suddenly she felt like she could not breathe. She swallowed hard.
“
Don’t be afraid. I sense you’re fearful, uneasy. Don’t be. I’d never hurt you. Your special senses should tell you that I would not harm you.”
Her body flashed hotter. Goose bumps broke out on her arms. He rubbed her arm tenderly.
For a moment she did not know what to say and they stared at each other.
My special senses… does he know?
“
What do you mean? I wasn’t serious about you being a wolf. At least, I didn’t think I was.” Brow furrowing, she glanced back at the bed.
“
We can talk about this tomorrow.” He pushed her hair back out of her face.
“
No, I want to know now what you’re saying. What
did
happen? I’m not complaining. It was…wonderful. But, it wasn’t…normal. I don’t like that word, but what else can I use?” She watched him carefully.
“
Ragen, do you believe there are some things which are not commonly known? Things which are supernatural?”
“
Maybe.” She shrugged. “My mother is into
hocus pocus
and the paranormal. But I’m a woman of science.”
“
Yes, I know, you’re a vet. You’ve probably always been good with helping others back to health?” He grinned. Then he sat back down on the edge of the bed.
“
Yes.” She nodded. “It is a gift I have.”
“
Has your gift gotten stronger lately?”
She looked away. “Maybe. I’ve experienced some things lately which have seemed odd.”
“You feel the magic racing through you, don’t you? It has flowed between us too.” He watched her closely. “Did you feel it? Your magic is exceptionally strong.”
“
I mean, I felt something. I don’t know if I’d call it magic.”
“
The supernatural lives alongside the human world. The magic in this human realm is stronger as of late. So, those like us feel it more.”
“
Those, like us?”
“
Yes, it’s a long story.” He closed his eyes. “I hear such lovely music when I’m with you.” He smiled.
“
You do?”
“
Oh yes.” He opened his eyes. “You’re so special to me.” He reached for her hand and pulled her to him. “Humans are typically blind, deaf and clueless to the magic around them. But you have mixed blood. Your magical genetics are far stronger than your human ones.”
“
Mixed blood? Magical genetics?”
“
Yes.” He nodded.
“
Me?”
“
Yes, and I don’t think you are so very shocked with what I am telling you, are you?”
She was quiet for some time. Then she exhaled slowly. “I can’t describe what I am feeling.”
“You’ve lived as a human, but you’re a magical being with strong powers.” His eyes were iridescent gold, his pupils dark and enormous. The truth of what he was telling her was staring her in the face. “Your magic is innate. It dwells within you. Right now, it is helping you accept what I am telling you. Because what you already truly know is written on your soul. Deep down you know you’re different, as am I, and you know the world is not limited to what you have been told. You’re pre-programed to recognize and accept the magical or the paranormal, as humans say. Magical beings are attracted to each other.”
“
I’m human. I’m nothing special, just a human woman.”
“
If you were only human, you certainly would still be special.” His smile was dazzling. Her body ached for him to take her again. “However, you’re much more than a mere human.”
“
This all sounds crazy.”
“
Is it? Have you healed an injured or sick animal or even a person with just a touch?”
She looked down at her hands and did not answer.
“Have you?”
“
Yes,” she answered softly. “I can hardly believe it when it happens. It has happened more lately.”
“
Yes, the wall between this realm and the magical realms are weakening. If you can heal, you are very special. In this realm, we call your kind Earth Witches. I thought I recognized your magic when it touched me.” He pulled her into his lap. “Always follow your instincts.”
“
What are you?” She turned her head to look up into his face. When their eyes met, she felt pulled by something unknown. The exchange was getting stronger by the minute.
“
Let me show you.” His face distorted a bit. It shifted between human and beast. Ragen gasped, pulling from him. He held her firmly in his lap. “No, don’t pull away. I don’t want you to be afraid.” His voice was coarser. “I’m merely showing you what you asked of me. A visual demonstration works best for most. I’d never hurt you. I want to give you pleasure.” He rubbed his face against her neck, growling softly. She could not help stiffening a bit. “Zephra, be at ease, my beautiful.”
“
Zephra?”
“
Yes, it means you are especially dear to me.” He kissed her neck.
“
I still don’t know what you are. Are you a monster?” Her heart beat so hard in her chest it almost hurt.
“
I would not call myself a monster. However, I suppose some may. I’m what’s called a Zepharlin.”
“
A Zep…harlin? You’re magical?”
“
Yes, I’m a member of a supernatural warrior race created by a Celtic Goddess. I can tell you more tomorrow. You’d better find your friend. It’s really getting late. She’s probably worried about you.” He nodded toward the door. “Still need to go to my office to write down your number.”
“
No way.” She shook her head wildly. “You can’t just say nutty stuff like you’re a magical Zepharlin and not offer more explanation.” She pulled away from him to stand up. He remained seated on the edge of the bed.
“
You are so beautiful.” He smiled. “It’s complicated to explain in only a few minutes.”
“
I’m also smart. Tell me right now.” She put her hands on her hips.
“
All right. Do you know what a shape shifter is, or perhaps a werewolf? The popular media exploits these terms, bending them to their imaginations.”
“
Yes, of course.” She nodded. “Even though, I’ve never believed they existed. Nor do I believe in vampires for that matter.”
“
Well, forget what you’ve believed. They all exist and so much more.”
“
Okay.” She inhaled slowly to keep calm. “So what exactly are you?” She poked his shoulder.
“
I was created by the Celtic Goddess Morrigan. The Goddess of shape shifters and war.”
“
War?” Ragen hiccupped. “Shape shifters?”
“
Yes.” Liam nodded. “Zepharlins were created to be magical warriors. We fight any enemy we’re assigned or perceive as enemy to ourselves or to our deities. There are no other warriors like us. We’re efficient and lethal like none other. In fact, we never fail in our task to destroy the enemy.”
“
You sound very proud of all of that.”
“
I am.” He nodded.
“
So…you’re…a shape shifter?”
“
Yes, I can take the form of a wolf or anything else I choose. I prefer the form of a wolf if I’m not in this, my primary form. ” He looked up at the ceiling. “I’ve called this place, my club, Urban Wolf. It’s named after me.” He grinned. “While here, I’m the ‘urban wolf.’
“
This form, this you.” She pointed at his chest. “Is this your primary form?”
“
Yes, this humanoid form is my primary form.” He smiled. “Shall I continue?”
She nodded.
“I was created as a superior Zepharlin. I’m an Alpha. It means I’m a leader of a legion of warriors. A high general of sorts. I was created especially to be a leader of my kind. I’m the most powerful warrior every created in any realm. And I was created, not born.” He paused watching her. “I think that about tells you everything. The basics anyway.” He caressed her arm.
“
The basics?” She laughed, and it sounded strained. “You have no mother or father?”
“
No. But some of my kind
do
have parents. I was the first created. One moment I wasn’t, the next I was.”
“
You’re the first?”
“
Yes, I’m very old. Ancient.” He grinned. “I hope you like older men?” His teeth were sparkling white and perfect, especially for such an ancient man.
“
I’ve lived in this realm for over a thousand years.”
“
I see. All of this is a joke?”
“
Ragen, you know better. But if you like, I can show you some more proof, if that is what you need.”
“
No. I’ve seen some already. I am just confused.” She put her head in her hands. “Should I be afraid of what other things are
out there
?”
“
No, you are safe with me.” He tugged her closer to him, his warmth instantly comforting. “I have remarkable powers that make me a cunning and strong warrior. Even some of the Gods fear me and my kind. However, I’m loyal to those Gods and Goddesses I have given my allegiance to. But I will not allow anyone to hurt you.”
“
Why are you here? Why are you in this realm, this place?”
“
I was sent here nearly a millennia ago. I became trapped here when the doorways between the realms closed after humans stopped believing and worshiping the Gods and Goddesses. But recently, that’s been changing and the doorways are reopening. That’s why you feel magic more. Your abilities are growing. A magical ancestor of yours was trapped here too--”
“
Do you have a thousand children too?” She frowned.
“
No.” He shook his head laughing. “I sense some possessiveness in your statement. I like that. But in order to have children, a Zepharlin must mate. Mating is more than sexual intercourse. It’s a deeper, a more magical connection.”
Ragen backed away from him and he allowed her to. She sat down on a chair across from the bed. “This is too fantastic to believe. I have so many questions. Like why here, why this place?” She looked around. “In Tennessee?”
He shrugged. “For different reasons we come to be in different places. But one thing, I love the mountains and the forests, they remind me of my true home.” The brightness in his eyes seemed to dim a bit.
“
Do you miss you home?”
“
I do.”
“
Maybe one day you will be able to return.”
“
Hm.” He shrugged. “Perhaps for the first time in ages I can hope.”