Shadows of the Past Read online

  “Stop with your insane notions. We will have our true bodies again,” Izackarus screamed.

  And then he felt it, that twinge in his gut, calling to him. He closed his eyes and pivoted as his feet jerked into motion. He opened his eyes to find the other shadows running forward.

  Something was wrong with this urge. “Wait,” he called but only three stopped as they dropped to their knees panting, two Shadows left their host as they flowed forward to move faster. Ezale was among them, the very one who fought against Izackarus all along.

  Admittedly the urge to fly to the call was strong, but it wasn’t right. They had felt her close before but could not find her. Now it felt as if they were on the end of a rope being pulled to her.

  “Stay,” Izackarus commanded before he left his host to follow in his shadow form. He kept his distance and watched as Ezale made it to the group of warriors surrounding a mesmerizing blue haired beauty.

  Her smile was enchanting as she held out her arms. Ezale, the youngest of them all, rushed to her. Light exploded the second his essence touched her.

  Ezale’s agonized cry did not stop the second shadow from reaching Sapphire.

  One of the Shadows still in its host turned, to run back the way it came, but a crossbow bolt went clean through his head and a second into his heart, killing the host completely. The shadow flowed away from the warriors, but it was already fading as he had been in his the body far too long.

  The last Shadow fell to its knees in front of the nymph. She reached down to touch the face and that light exploded again, nearly blinding Izackarus.

  Once his vision cleared he moved closer to see the woman’s body where it lay limp at Sapphire’s feet. There was no sign of the shadow fae.

  Finally, he had found his pure nymph, but he knew he would need to find her unaware and vulnerable to have a chance to regain his original form.

  * * * *

  Sapphire fell against Toryn as he rushed to scoop her up. “Are you all right, Saph? You do not look well.”

  She tried to catch her breath as she stared up into his vibrant blue eyes. “I will be. I used a lot of energy to call them, even more to destroy them.” Her eyes fluttered shut. She needed a rest before they went on to Xenu’s home.

  The rough bark at her back jolted her awake as Toryn’s mouth closed over hers in a desperate kiss while his hands worked her skirt up around her waist.

  He entered her hard, his tongue caressing hers, and she drank in their shared pleasure, letting his passion rejuvenate her.

  “I could help,” Aeremaius called.

  There was a thump, and then Xenu snarled, “You will come with me, and leave Toryn to revive Sapphire.”

  She focused on the feel of Toryn moving deep inside her. It was hard and fast, but gave her the strength she’d lost while battling the Shadows.

  They found their release together, and Toryn held her pinned as his forehead lay against hers. “Don’t scare me like that, Saph.”

  Her hand came up to caress his face. “You, my dear, are the very best kind of friend. Though we should catch up to them before Xenu complains we are wasting time.”

  Toryn chuckled. “Let him. You are worth the wait.”

  “Mmm, my sweet. Come on, we should arrive at his home soon. I am sure he will let us have a stay at the inn before we leave again.”

  He licked his lips as he let her down and tucked himself back into his buckskin pants.

  * * * *

  Finally, Xenu’s home was in sight after two days of travel. He hurried up his steps and through his door. He found the love of his life in the old rocking chair next to the fireplace. She had a tiny bundle in her arms.

  Rowan smiled up at him. Her mahogany hair was tied up messily. She looked tired, but wore a radiant smile as her gaze locked with his.

  Before she could get up, he was in front of her and bent down for a quick kiss. “May I?” he asked as he smiled down at his little boy.

  “Of course. Hayden is your son, Xen.”

  He scooped his babe into his arms, and warm brown eyes found his. The boy was sturdy and solid, even as tiny as he was. His small hand wrapped around Xenu’s pinky and squeezed tight.

  “You will be a strong man one day. Won’t you, little one?”

  “Hello, Rowan,” Sapphire said as she walked in behind him. “I’m sorry to intrude, but if you wouldn’t mind, I have a gift for you and your son.”

  Xenu’s head snapped up, worried that Rowan may assume the worst.

  Rowan embraced Sapphire as she did everyone welcomed into their home. “I need no gift. You’ve seen that my spouse has come home alive and well.”

  Sapphire dipped her head. “I will do everything in my power to see him in your arms again, but our mission is not yet done.”

  “If your first success is any indication, then I trust he is in safe hands.”

  “Please, I insist on blessing your family.” Sapphire smiled and held out her hands. “I will need both of you close.” She looked up at Xenu and then back to Rowan who wound her arm around his waist, and leaned into his side.

  Sapphire took Rowan’s hand, placing it over Xenu’s heart. He felt the nymph’s magic flow through him, grasping onto his love as she wound it around both his spouse and their tiny babe. He heard the words she chanted, but he did not know the water language. It felt as if Sapphire wove he and Rowan’s love tight, binding them even further to each other and their son.

  Sapphire stepped away and Toryn took her hand as they left quietly.

  Rowan took a deep breath and slowly opened her eyes. “Why do I feel as if nothing can harm me?”

  “Her gifts are healing and protection. You and Hayden will be safe from the Shadow’s corruption.” He kissed her head.

  “And you?” She asked softly.

  “She is not worried about me, love. She wanted to protect you and our boy. Is that not enough?” He felt it was.

  “I still believe you to be the strongest fae alive, so I trust you will find your way back to me. Come, I have missed you.” She pulled him toward the kitchen where he knew she would feed him, and later, once their boy was asleep, he would have her.

  * * * *

  Weeks had passed, and the Shadow Fae had lost another to the nymph’s call. Izackarus was furious. He had a new host, a young wilding fae. In the event he failed, her body was hidden in a cave before he flowed as a shadow to where Sapphire swam all alone. The last three of his kind followed.

  The last of the Shadows were with him, hovering in the air just beyond, looking for any trace of anyone else. They swooped in as Sapphire floated to the surface with her eyes closed.

  She was a vision of beauty in the water. Her mesmerizing sparkling eyes opened as all three shadows dove for her. They couldn’t penetrate the spell but Izackarus took every last ounce of his strength to materialize. He dragged her body to his as she took a knife and tried to slash out at him. He was faster and twisted it free, plunging it into her chest as she jerked away. He missed her heart by inches.

  The most brilliant light exploded, blinding him as she cried a spell. It felt as if his essence was being torn asunder as he was cast from the realm of Faerie with the last remaining Shadows.

  “I am Izackarus, Sapphire, and I vow to destroy your bloodline,” he screamed as he was torn from Faerie.

  He found himself in utter darkness with no taste of anything living, not even his fellow Shadows. There was only the bond to his one last living blood relative in Faerie. The line was spawned when the Shadows still had the power to alter a host enough to reproduce. Each jump to a new body took a tiny piece of their strength. They had lost the ability to produce offspring eons before. There were only a few living fae with any trace of Shadow Fae blood.

  The child only had a trace of his blood, but Izackarus could see through his eyes, and even alter his actions from his new prison. He swore to use his descendants to learn how to escape his prison of solitude and find nymph as pure as Sapphire. One day he would be w
hole again.

  * * * *

  Xenu and Toryn were hunting when they heard Sapphire’s scream which was followed by horrific primal screams. They both turned on their heel and ran to the lake where they saw a swirl of shadow in the midst of a brilliant light. Toryn didn’t hesitate as he splashed into the water.

  The light faded as the screams died down. Sapphire lay floating in the lake, surrounded by blood. They were too late. He watched as Toryn scooped Sapphire into his arms.

  “Surely you can help her again,” Xenu pleaded.

  A tear slipped down Toryn’s pale cheek as he brushed his fingers over Sapphire’s eyelids. “There is nothing to be done. Her light has faded.”

  “Just like that? She takes the Shadows from our world at the cost of her own life?” Xenu felt the loss deeply. As much as he’d mistrusted her in the beginning, they had become friends these last few weeks.

  “I will bring the news to her family. I promised Paavo I would.” Toryn placed a chaste kiss on her cheek before he strode out of the water, and murmured, “I shall miss you, dear friend.”

  Xenu was sure Toryn referred to Sapphire.

  Chapter 1

  Flashing lights swirled her headache to new heights as the siren drilled into her throbbing skull. Perfect, just what I need after driving all flipping day.

  Amethyst Lakes had just reached Edenton, so being pulled over just added to the layers of crap she was already shoveling. Trouble was the last thing she wanted to deal with, especially after the mess with her ex-boyfriend and her stay with the Silver Council.

  Maybe moving all the way to Edenton wasn’t the best decision, but Amethyst needed a change. Everything in San Francisco reminded her of Carl, and that just made her sick to her stomach. Her mother had been on her case to do the one thing she couldn’t stand to do, and when she finally did, it all went wrong.

  She still couldn’t believe he’d committed suicide. It just didn’t make sense. He was never in love with her.

  A burly mountain of a man climbed out of the police SUV, and she just knew he was going to give her grief. Menace poured off of him, and he hadn’t even managed to make it to her door.

  Lovely. Little towns are notorious for dickhead cops with a power complex.

  Hopefully Fallon was right, and her being Other wouldn’t be a big deal. The town was supposed to be 90% anything but human, with a little of everything calling the town home. She wouldn’t have to hide what she was.

  Pretending to be human was laughable. Her purple hair couldn’t be dyed, and no human she had ever met had violet eyes. As a full blooded nymph, she had no glamour. Public school had been a nightmare because she never fit in.

  The cop was almost to the window. She took a deep breath and hid all emotion before reaching toward to the glove box.

  Amethyst nearly jumped out of her skin when his big meat hook of a fist pounded on the glass, making it shudder.

  Right, probably should have opened that first. She immediately rolled down the window and smiled up at the cop.

  “Evening officer.” She didn’t bother lying with calling it good.

  His feral energy rolled through the car, nearly suffocating her. She couldn’t help watching the throbbing vein in his head that looked ready to explode. To top it off, the big brute was a werewolf, and he looked like he was about to lose control of his beast.

  “Do you realize you were going eighty in a forty?” His jaw clenched and she heard his teeth grind.

  What was this guy’s problem anyway? She wasn’t arguing. She was even being nice. So, why did he have to scowl at her like that?

  And okay, she was doing twice the legal limit. She nodded and plastered a semblance of a pleasant expression on her face. “I’m sorry. It’s been a really long day, and I wasn’t paying attention. I can get my registration and proof of insurance. They are in the glove box. My ID is right here.” At least her voice was calm and cool, even if she would have loved to slap the cop for the way he glared at her. His eyes searched her face, seeming to focus on her eyebrow ring and purple hair.

  “Why were you reaching for the glove box, ma’am?” he snarled his question as if he was ready for her to attack, and she noticed his hand was hovering above his gun on his hip.

  Checking his badge, she smiled wider and squashed any thought of using her natural gifts to get out of the ticket. “Officer Simons, I was just reaching for my papers.”

  “Out of the car,” he barked.

  What? Really? She bit back her irritated groan and climbed out of her Jeep with her hands open and out. “If you want the registration and proof of insurance, it’s in the glove box.”

  “Why are you being difficult?” he snapped, getting right in her face as he towered over her.

  She wasn’t afraid yet. If she needed to she would push right back, but not until he gave her a really darned good reason. For now, she would cooperate. Maybe he would chill out before things went that far.

  She raised one eyebrow. “How so?”

  He leaned over her with a scowl. “I’m bringing you in for questioning. You’re awfully fucking difficult.” He spun her around, and shoved her against the vehicle to cuff her. Then he reached in to her Jeep, grabbing her keys.

  Okay, maybe she shouldn’t have been so calm, because most of her options just took a hike with those blasted cuffs. There was enough iron content to subdue most of her powers and blister her wrists if left on too long.

  Stunned, she blinked a few times, but she managed to keep her voice calm, even if the steel burned. “Why are you doing this? I haven’t done anything wrong. I’ve been patient and cooperative, and you’re just bringing me in?”

  “Yes,” he snarled, and literally dragged her to the SUV, her feet barely touched the ground. He stuffed her into the backseat and slammed the door before climbing in and doing the same to his.

  He was seriously stomping all over her rights, and he hadn’t even buckled her in. What a creep. Hopefully the rest of the cops in this tiny town weren’t such jerkwads.

  Amethyst desperately tried to brainstorm a way out of the situation before Fallon found out she had been pulled over and carted off to jail. She could just see the druid, who was her best friend and like a big sister, storming into the station to bust her out.

  Taking a deep breath, she calmly told him, “You can’t do this. Besides speeding, what did I do to you? I plan to pay the ticket, and I am cooperating. You didn’t even read me my rights.”

  “You aren’t under arrest—yet.”

  “Then why am I in cuffs?” At least she held back her snort, but now she was pissed.

  “Just shut up,” he bellowed, making her eardrums hurt.

  She slumped back in the seat and tried to remain calm.

  It was a short trip to the station. He radiated rage and hate. He must have been having one crappy day. Officer Jackhole screeched into the parking lot and slammed on the brakes, which sent her face first into the partition, and it hurt.

  While she was still stunned, he yanked the door open and dragged her out of the vehicle.

  This time she snapped at him. “Can you just take my arm and let me walk before you hurt me? I’m not resisting, I’m not fighting, I’m just trying to figure out what you think I did.” There was only a thread of anger in her voice, but as a wolf, he was going to smell that on her anyway, so there was no point in hiding it.

  He was almost two feet taller than her, and obviously liked having superhuman strength, because he didn’t let her walk. He grabbed her around the upper arm and half carried, half dragged her inside. She knew his iron grip would leave a bruise.

  Then the officer slammed her into a chair as another big man stormed out of his office. She felt a slight rumble through the floor, and the air seemed to grow dense as he scowled at Officer Simons.

  Great, more testosterone and more rage. At least this one didn’t seem to be pissed at her.

  * * * *

  “Simons, what the fuck are you doing to this little lady?
” Sheriff Hayden Hunter demanded as he crossed the main room in the station. The most unusual woman sat in the seat next to Kevin Simons’ desk.

  She was put there by the big werewolf who towered over her menacingly. Thankfully, she mostly seemed confused and slightly angry. He did sense her distress and pain, even though she hid it quite well.

  He took another look at the curvy little woman. She was around five foot one. Long purple hair tumbled around her shoulders in soft waves with natural highlights and lowlights you couldn’t get out of a bottle. Violet eyebrows arched perfectly over eyes that sparkled like amethysts. Her lush mouth was also tinged with lavender without a trace of makeup on her lovely face.

  In a word, she was breathtaking.

  Even her piercings were enchanting. There was a ring in her eyebrow, a tiny amethyst stud in her nose, and another placed near her lip like a beauty mark. There were little rings all the way up both ears. He was willing to bet there were more interesting piercings hidden under her clothes which.

  Normally, piercings would have turned him off. They only managed to enhance her delicate features.

  Her coloring was that of the water fae. Either nymph or siren, but siren had glamour and most wouldn’t flaunt their differences on Earth, so nymph made more sense.

  Being a nymph would also explain the pain because they had a strong reaction to certain metals. At least steel was better than iron, but he was going to resolve that issue as quickly as he could without making it obvious that she had a weakness.

  Hayden had a feeling this little nymph was the one Slater and Brody had already told him about. Neither of them seemed real sure as to which flavor of fae she was, and neither Fallon nor Jess offered a hint.

  Simons seethed rage. Ever since he’d caught his wife cheating, his calm and peaceful façade had fallen away, leaving the hulking, raging beast. His gaze cut down to her, but her eyes were trained on the far corner of the room.