starting to get the picture of what I chased. Harpy. These bird-women had leathery skin, beak-like noses, and a penchant for war and violence. What the hell was she doing near Stratford? Actually, what was she doing on Earth? I’d never seen one in the human realm – especially not outside of the prison system. They mostly stayed in Faerie where their unusual looks and vicious nature was less noticeable. Jessa and Braxton had had a recent run in with them, and I knew if my brother caught up with this demi-fey first, she probably wouldn’t make it to Vanguard.
The figure hunched over further before ducking beneath some small bushes. There was no easy way for me to follow that path, but I could see where those bushes ended. I dashed around the side just as she darted out, and grabbed the back of her cloak.
The material was smooth, silky even. Not what I’d expected from the coarse-looking thread. Definitely a Faerie garment, which made it that much easier to slip through my fingers.
“Shit!”
My curse had her speeding up again. This was not my day. I needed about a hundred hours to sleep, feed, and time to catch up with my family and appreciate the gift of Mischa and the child she carried. I also had to look into this Cardia fake mate and fake dragon marked thing. I did not need a goddamn harpy leading me on a chase through the wilderness.
A twinge of unease crept along my spine then, and almost in the same instant I felt the spiciness of Braxton’s worry in my blood. Surely he hadn’t run into any trouble with his prey? Not even worth worrying about, which meant his concern was … Jessa. There was no other explanation.
We’d left Mischa and Jessa back in the clearing, secure in the knowledge that the four of us had our pursuers on the run. But what if we’d missed one? What if this was all a trap to leave the girls vulnerable?
Braxton. Are the girls okay? He had me locked from his mind now; my footsteps slowed as I waited for his reply. The harpy was disappearing again, but that was the least of my worries. Braxton’s deep tones came back at me hard. Maximus, fall back. Jess is blocked from me.
I didn’t hear anything more, I was already gone. The world blurred around me as I ran; the entire time I prayed to the gods, to the fey, to anyone who would listen. I could not just find out about the pregnancy only to lose Mischa and my child so soon.
I could feel my brothers close behind but I was going to get to the clearing first. Breaking free from the trees, I zeroed in on where we’d left the girls. It was empty. As I ground to a halt, I forced myself to slow my breathing. I needed to get my shit together so my senses could work to their full potential. As the blood pounding in my veins eased, I was able to scent the path the girls had taken. The trail was strong; they’d only just recently left.
I charged into the forest, Braxton right behind me. He was in human form, the forest too dense in places for his dragon. There was an odd thrashing sound in the direction we were heading, almost like a tropical storm, but it was still clear skies above us.
“Can you feel Jessa?” I asked when Braxton reached my side.
“Yes,” he said, that one word brimming with fury. “She’s worried. She hasn’t actually called for me yet, but I can tell she’s in trouble.”
Whomever had touched them was going to die. Plenty of places to hide a body out here. Wouldn’t be a problem. “I’ve got their trail. No time to wait for the others, they can catch up.”
Braxton didn’t say any more. Locked on with laser focus, both of us crashed through the shrubbery and dense foliage. The light, foresty scent of Jessa was strong. She always reminded me of new life, swirling winds, and the strength of nature. It was almost as if her scent were part mother nature, part sexy nymph. Mischa, on the other hand, had some elements of Jessa’s earthiness, but with a slightly sweeter undertone – floral even. Hers was the real
The figure hunched over further before ducking beneath some small bushes. There was no easy way for me to follow that path, but I could see where those bushes ended. I dashed around the side just as she darted out, and grabbed the back of her cloak.
The material was smooth, silky even. Not what I’d expected from the coarse-looking thread. Definitely a Faerie garment, which made it that much easier to slip through my fingers.
“Shit!”
My curse had her speeding up again. This was not my day. I needed about a hundred hours to sleep, feed, and time to catch up with my family and appreciate the gift of Mischa and the child she carried. I also had to look into this Cardia fake mate and fake dragon marked thing. I did not need a goddamn harpy leading me on a chase through the wilderness.
A twinge of unease crept along my spine then, and almost in the same instant I felt the spiciness of Braxton’s worry in my blood. Surely he hadn’t run into any trouble with his prey? Not even worth worrying about, which meant his concern was … Jessa. There was no other explanation.
We’d left Mischa and Jessa back in the clearing, secure in the knowledge that the four of us had our pursuers on the run. But what if we’d missed one? What if this was all a trap to leave the girls vulnerable?
Braxton. Are the girls okay? He had me locked from his mind now; my footsteps slowed as I waited for his reply. The harpy was disappearing again, but that was the least of my worries. Braxton’s deep tones came back at me hard. Maximus, fall back. Jess is blocked from me.
I didn’t hear anything more, I was already gone. The world blurred around me as I ran; the entire time I prayed to the gods, to the fey, to anyone who would listen. I could not just find out about the pregnancy only to lose Mischa and my child so soon.
I could feel my brothers close behind but I was going to get to the clearing first. Breaking free from the trees, I zeroed in on where we’d left the girls. It was empty. As I ground to a halt, I forced myself to slow my breathing. I needed to get my shit together so my senses could work to their full potential. As the blood pounding in my veins eased, I was able to scent the path the girls had taken. The trail was strong; they’d only just recently left.
I charged into the forest, Braxton right behind me. He was in human form, the forest too dense in places for his dragon. There was an odd thrashing sound in the direction we were heading, almost like a tropical storm, but it was still clear skies above us.
“Can you feel Jessa?” I asked when Braxton reached my side.
“Yes,” he said, that one word brimming with fury. “She’s worried. She hasn’t actually called for me yet, but I can tell she’s in trouble.”
Whomever had touched them was going to die. Plenty of places to hide a body out here. Wouldn’t be a problem. “I’ve got their trail. No time to wait for the others, they can catch up.”
Braxton didn’t say any more. Locked on with laser focus, both of us crashed through the shrubbery and dense foliage. The light, foresty scent of Jessa was strong. She always reminded me of new life, swirling winds, and the strength of nature. It was almost as if her scent were part mother nature, part sexy nymph. Mischa, on the other hand, had some elements of Jessa’s earthiness, but with a slightly sweeter undertone – floral even. Hers was the real
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