Finding Hawk (Branches of Emrys Book 3) Page 16

  She climbed up the rock with ease and he joined her.

  Jacinda took his hand. “Where do you want to set up that picnic?”

  Maybe he could get inside her before they went under the falls. He wasn’t even sure that was possible. He couldn’t fathom an approach. No one in the tribe had.

  “That log we sat at.”

  She nodded. “Good choice.”

  * * * *

  As she took her last bite, Chatan asked, “How did you like your first day at the nursery?”

  “A hundred times better than I expected.”

  “How so?” He leaned closer.

  Jacinda turned toward him, a smile on her lips. “I was nervous I’d be horrible. You’re a great teacher.”

  “You’re an excellent student.” He nodded to the waterfall. “So what’s your plan?”

  “How about I show you?” She didn’t think she could explain it well.

  Chatan nodded. “All right.”

  She hopped up and he followed as she walked toward the cliff wall. “Don’t freak out. Everything will be fine.”

  “Okay,” he answered.

  She placed her hands on the wall of the cliff, five feet from the water, and channeled her energy to create a magical tunnel from the rock wall, stretched out about five feet to give them room to walk. She scooted down the tunnel, keeping her hands against the wall as she continued to chant to keep the shield going.

  Chatan followed close behind.

  The cave was a few feet from the water level. She adjusted the floor of the shield so she was able to step into the small cave, only big enough for her. Chatan leaned in close to see what he could.

  Right in the center of the back wall were five glowing symbols. Those same ones Chatan taught her. Then more symbols in the other languages in rings around those.

  She knew the spell. It was the same one her father always sang. She let the song flow through her and the lights flickered and brightened, then the wall cracked and a tiny dove flew out. The white bird circled her head before landing next to the hawk on the necklace and shifted into ivory.

  Chatan caught her as she slipped. Then he scooped her up as the ground shook. He hurried back to the shore.

  The spell collapsed as he made it to solid ground, the waterfall going back to normal. She fought for consciousness for a few seconds, and when she was sure she’d keep it, she scrambled out of his hold, determined not to pass out again.

  That would only fuel his concern, which she felt like a lead wall closing in on her. She needed to nip that in the bud.

  He caught her shoulders, studying her face for a moment. “You okay?”

  She nodded. “It was wet in there. Only slipped. The shield would have caught me.”

  Uh-huh, that was what she told herself. If she landed badly, she could have dropped the spell, but she would have been able to recover. Still, it would have been messy.

  He didn’t need to know that. Better if he believed she had it under control.

  “You sure?” he prodded.

  “Very.”

  Letting out a sigh, he pulled her into his arms. “What did you do in there? That spell? What is it?”

  She pulled him back to their log and sat down on the blanket, facing the water.

  “I’m not one hundred percent sure, but what I can figure, it’s a gateway, or maybe a pocket of space between realms. A place where things that don’t quite exist do. That doesn’t make sense, does it?”

  “Not really.” He smiled, though, taking her hand. “But you were able to reach Dove and pull her into this realm through this gateway?” His attention caught on the necklace and he lifted the redwood hawk next to the ivory dove. The birds stayed together without any fastening. “You did it.”

  “I just hope this doesn’t turn everyone against me.”

  He brought her chin back to peer into her eyes. “Neither Dove, nor Hawk belong to anyone. They choose who to help. I believe they chose you.”

  She looked back at the waterfall. “I opened the way.” Jacinda lifted the necklace. “Hawk has Dove back.” But she was no closer to figuring out what she was supposed to do now that she found the bracelet and dove.

  * * * *

  Chatan wasn’t sure he believed her when she said she was fine. He was worried, he couldn’t help it. She looked like she was ready to pass out. And now, she was acting like nothing happened.

  Although, she had impressed him. Her magic washed through him, into the cave, and the engraved glowing etchings had danced with light as the tiny dove broke free.

  And had there been an earthquake?

  If there was and anyone felt it, he’d hear about it soon.

  Chatan focused on her necklace. “Amazing. I’ve never seen anything like this.”

  She looked down and tipped her head. “I never imagined I’d find this. Of all the things my father talked about in the journal, this wasn’t it.”

  “What did he say?” Chatan asked.

  “He was cryptic. So maybe, I don’t know. I feel like a failure because I can’t decode it. And maybe it’s nonsense like my mother says.”

  “Maybe she’s afraid of whatever he thought you were going to find.”

  “Possible, but she’s convinced…” She trailed off, staring at the falls.

  “Don’t want to share?”

  “You wouldn’t understand. Or you’d think I was crazy. Either way, it doesn’t matter.”

  “I want to understand.”

  “Just like I want to understand your secrets, but you told me you needed to keep them. Same damned thing.” She hopped up and marched back toward the truck. Only he had a feeling she’d walk if given the opportunity.

  His phone rang and he pulled it out as he gathered the picnic basket. “What?”

  “Did you feel that earthquake?” Loval asked.

  “Yeah, look, I’m busy. I need to go catch up with Jacinda before she tries to disappear.”

  “What? You think she had something to do with it?”

  “I got to go.” He hung up and hurried down the trail. She made good time because he caught her arm ten feet past the damned truck. “Hey, please listen, Jace.”

  She turned to glare at him. “Then stop pushing for answers.”

  “It was a gentle prod, and all you had to do was say you weren’t sharing. I would have left it at that.”

  “Right.” She pulled free. “I don’t need the prodding or prying. Okay? I’ve got enough on my mind that the last thing I want to deal with is someone breathing down my neck, expecting the world of me.”

  “I don’t want the world. I just want you with me. That’s all. I don’t need to know your secrets. I promise.”

  His phone rang again. He reached into his pocket and flipped it off.

  Her brow arched. “You’re not answering?”

  “I care about exactly one person right now. Can you guess who?”

  One corner of her mouth twitched, but her eyes narrowed, even as they softened. She crossed her arms over her chest. “Why do you care so damn much?”

  “I’m falling for you. You see that, don’t you? I know you don’t have much experience, but it’s pretty damned obvious I’m head over heels for you.”

  Her eyes slid closed as her shoulders rose and fell. “I’m falling for you too.”

  He nudged her chin up. “Just tell me to shut up if I push too much. I’m stupid. I don’t always think before I speak. Give me a chance. Please.”

  “I am. I just needed to move. You get up in my business, trying to figure me out, and I can’t give you everything, just like you can’t give me everything.”

  “It’s give and take, Jace. You tell me and I’ll tell you everything.”

  She shook her head. “Stop. We’re not doing this.”

  “All right.” He lifted his hands in surrender. “When you share everything, I will too. That’s how it has to be.”

  “Fine. Let’s go.”

  She was still mad, and he didn’t know what to s
ay to make it better. There weren’t words to fix it all. Keeping secrets sucked. He wasn’t good at it. He’d rather tell her the pieces he hadn’t shared, but until he knew she wouldn’t run when things got tough, he was going to keep quiet.

  He dropped his shoulders and nodded. “Dinner?”

  “Yeah, dinner.” She turned back for the truck.

  “This was not how I imagined our afternoon going.”

  “Yeah, how did you imagine it?”

  “Well, I never would have guessed you could do what you did to get under the falls. But I wanted to make love to you back there, by that log, under the sun.”

  Her face scrunched up. “Then why did you have to get all weird on me?”

  “You worried me. Would you rather I lie and never admit when I’m worried?”

  “No, of course not, and you’re right, it must have looked bad when I slipped. I’m sorry.”

  He smiled slightly. “Does that mean I’m forgiven?”

  “Maybe,” she answered, her eyes sparkling.

  He leaned down to capture her sweet lips. “I want to do something special tonight.”

  “Like what?”

  “A surprise. You, me, alone.”

  “Where?”

  “You’ll see.”

  “All right.”

  He opened the truck door, then thought better off it. He pulled her close, his mouth covering hers. She pressed into him, her hands trailing up his chest, into his hair.

  A soft growl left his lips as he slipped his hands into her back pockets, pulling her against him to show her how much he needed her.

  Chatan needed to find the words to make her understand what they were for each other. This need was never going to dampen. The love growing wasn’t either.

  His phone rang again.

  She pushed him back, breaking the kiss. “Get it. Must be important.”

  He dipped his head and let her climb into the truck as he walked a few steps away. “What?”

  “I’m going to need you to work my shift tonight.” Loretta continued, “I’ve been asked to look into the Monvoisins’ habits of late, and I’ll need time to dig deeper.”

  “Be careful, but you know I’ll do it.”

  “Jacinda can stay with you in the office, if you’d like.”

  He smiled. “I’ll see what she says.”

  “Be careful, though. I suspect we’ll be hearing from the Saint Morton boys tonight.”

  “Yeah, I got a feeling this is far from over. We need to find a way to shut them down. I’m glad you’re digging. I hope you find what you’re looking for.”

  Chapter 24

  Excitement bubbled, nearly overflowing through Josephine. Her cousin and her husband were coming from across the country. The cousin was powerful but shunned her own magic. The husband was a friend of Josephine’s.

  Orlando was as cunning as he was gorgeous. And he wanted to be rid of a wife who was unwilling to use her power for her own gain. He struck a deal with Josephine. Maxine would die, freeing him of the bond, and Orlando would restore her essence so she wouldn’t have to rely on feeding, though she’d still be able to take new powers.

  She would rid of him of the angelic wife in a way that would break their bond if he would help her find a solution to her constant need for magical essence.

  He had an idea of how to accomplish her goals, or so he claimed. He could prove it to her shortly.

  Mason turned toward Josephine. “Think she’ll suspect?”

  “No, she’s naïve. She thinks everyone is as good and pure as she is. Such a fool. Her husband, if she only knew how truly dark he was, she’d have a heart attack.”

  “He wants her dead?” Mason asked, doubt on his face.

  Her pet had grown a conscience. And if he wasn’t such an asset, always striving to please, she’d get rid of him. But perhaps, after he took some magic, she could take it back from him if he ever became too much of a problem.

  For now, she liked the attention. His only goal was to please her. Not status, not power. Both of which Butch craved. No, Mason wanted her love and affection.

  Sighing, she took a look at her watch. She was hoping Maxine would call soon. She wanted to grant Mason some power to help him capture the redhead.

  Finally, her phone rang. She answered. “Hello, Maxine. Are you heading for the arrival doors?”

  “Josie, it’s so good to hear your voice. Yes, we’ll be at the doors momentarily.”

  * * * *

  Jacinda looked over at Chatan as he parked. “Why the lake?” she asked softly.

  He captured her hand. “I have to work tonight. I wanted to spend a good portion of our evening here, at the gazebo. I figured we could have a few uninterrupted hours together.”

  “Most of our time has been uninterrupted.”

  He looked forward and parked. “Am I monopolizing too much of your time?”

  “No.” She took his hand. “I told you, I’m not used to being with someone. I’m coming to crave the constant closeness, which isn’t something that’s easy for me to admit.” No, she wanted to remain aloof, but that proved impossible with Chatan.

  “That doesn’t go away,” he murmured. “And it seems like I have a lot of time away from you.”

  She laughed softly. “You can’t have me every second of the day. You have a life too. And you’re working at the motel tonight?”

  Nodding, he climbed out of the truck and came around to her. The door opened and she turned toward him. His hands landed on either side of her hips as he moved closer. “You can hang out with me in the office, make the time pass faster, at least until you need to sleep.”

  “We’ll see how everything goes. I may try to piece the rest of the puzzle together. I still don’t have a clue what to do with the bracelet. And it’s missing a piece.”

  He nodded, but a smile lit his face. “I have an idea about that. Let’s go to the gazebo.”

  “Okay,” she answered slowly. “Why?”

  “Please, Jace, trust me.”

  “Sure.” She let him wrap his hands around her waist and lifted her out of the truck.

  “You want to shift our clothes for this?” Chatan asked.

  Blushing, she nodded. Reaching under her clothes, she changed the bra and panties as he took his shirt off, then kicked his shoes off. She removed her clothes. He opened his pants and she took the hem of his underwear, shifting them as he pushed his pants down with a grin.

  “I’d go skinny dipping with you, but there’s no guarantee we’d be alone over here. That’s why I want to take you to the island.”

  “Then let’s go.” She pushed him toward the water, then darted past him.

  He closed in and threw her over his shoulder as he ran into the water. “Got you now.”

  Giggling, she swatted him on the butt and he dove in the water with her. Gulping in a breath, she pushed free and swam for the island.

  He caught up but stayed by her side as she did her best to push her speed. On the shore, he pulled her close and whispered in her ear, “Do you like me chasing you?”

  Turning to face him, she licked her lips. “I do.” She shouldn’t. She didn’t want to be falling so hard, but she couldn’t help it. If she wasn’t terrified he’d freak out about Thanatos, she’d tell him everything. That or he’d follow her when she left. She couldn’t have that.

  * * * *

  Chatan climbed onto shore behind Jacinda. It was hell trying to keep his hands to himself. She rushed past the towels, to the gazebo, not bothering to wrap up. When she turned back he caught her around the waist and pulled her close, then captured her lips.

  Her hands slid up his torso, a happy sigh escaping her sweet lips.

  As long as they were on the island, they’d have no interruptions. No calls. Nothing but the two of them.

  “Good plan,” she murmured against his lips.

  After lifting her, he sat her on the rail. Her legs opened and he stepped closer, trailing his fingertips over her soft skin. She sh
ivered under his touch. He followed freckles up her arms, over her shoulders. “Should have laid you down to explore you, but we didn’t bring the towels to use as a pillow.”

  She laughed softly. “Don’t need that. Just want you.”

  He reached around to untie the bikini top, then trailed his fingers over her freckles as the wet fabric fell. “So pretty. I close my eyes and see you there.”

  She combed her fingers into his hair, bringing his eyes to hers. “You are the most beautiful man I’ve ever laid eyes on, Chatan. I never expected you.”

  “I’ve been searching for someone to make me feel this.”

  She blinked, her mouth opening and closing.

  “Don’t say anything. I know I’m going too fast, but I can’t help it. You’re everything I want.” His mouth closed over hers, keeping her silent. She wasn’t ready for words.

  She pushed him back. “You too,” she whispered, her eyes searching his.

  He cupped her breast, thumbing her nipple.

  Her eyes closed with the moan that escaped her lush lips.

  Chatan took another kiss as he touched her. She responded to every caress. He kissed down her neck and collarbone, then licked her other tight peak.

  Her nails trailed down his neck and shoulders, then over his nipples. His dick jerked at the sensation. She kept moving down, slipping one hand under his waistband as the other pushed his shorts down.

  Gulping, she sat back, watching his face, clearly nervous.

  “That’s good,” he whispered against her ear as he slid her bottoms to the side. “Ready for me?”

  “Mmhmm. Please.” She guided him to her core.

  He pulled her hand away as he pushed into her, taking his time. She was so wet, so tight, but he still managed. “Love the feel of you.”

  “Nothing feels like this.”

  He sucked her earlobe, one arm wrapped around her body, the other gripping the rail. Her legs wrapped around him, her body undulating.

  He gripped her ass and moved her against the column, pinning her as he made love to her. She held on to his shoulders, her forehead pressed to his as she stared into his eyes.