He made a simple decision. Before he left the Landing, he would bed Maeve. By his best guess, based on the almost tangible drifts of her womanly lemon-lavender scent, she’d welcome his attentions.
In the meantime, he had some strength to renew.
He closed his eyes and before he knew it, he fell asleep.
When he awoke, he felt better than he had in a long time. He sat up, then slid his legs over the side of the bed. He checked his wolf’s time sensor. He’d slept another eight hours. Nothing like a blood-rare steak to restore him to health. In April, in Arizona, it was maybe an hour or two before dawn.
He stood up and stretched. He was fully naked and alone. His shifter nose caught the scent of bath wipes coming off his skin. He didn’t dare lift his arm to check his odor. He knew what he’d find.
Recalling the small table and fresh flowers, he quickly rounded the bed. Nothing sounded better right now than hot water hitting his body hard.
Once inside the bathroom, he saw that one of his long-sleeved t-shirts, boxers and jeans sat folded up on the sink. His boots and a pair of sock were tucked under a vanity area below the counter.
A note offered an explanation. ‘A couple of my shifters knew where you were staying and fetched some things for you. Enjoy your shower. M.’
For a moment, he forgot everything except what he owed this woman. She’d cared for him for four days and even held his hands when he was delirious.
His throat tightened. She’d gone the distance. That’s who this woman was, would always be. He trusted her and he owed her a debt. He’d been married to Laura for years before they’d both come to Five Bridges. He knew what a relationship took and that setting out fresh clothes was no small thing. It told him a lot about Maeve.
He’d find some way to make it up to her.
Already, he could feel his need to get back to his investigation. For whatever reason, he could not rest until he’d brought every last one of his wife’s murderers to justice. His wolf instincts told him the job had greater ramifications than mere revenge.
He turned the water on, stepped in and gave a groan of pleasure. He didn’t hurry, either. He soaped up three times before his sensitive wolf’s nose told him he was clean.
When he was done, he’d planned on getting dressed and exploring Maeve’s apartment. Instead, the bed called to him once more. He needed to heal the rest of the way before he could resume his life.
~ ~ ~
An hour before dawn and with her satchel in hand, Maeve stood near a rundown strip center off what used to be Shea Blvd. The buildings had once been a medium brown but thirty years of decay had left them looking like they’d been fire-bombed.
Kiara wasn’t far.
If she continued up the sidewalk without invoking her own spell she knew what would happen. Veyda’s security spell would hit her, she’d experience profound confusion then end up a mile away without a clue how she’d gotten there. She knew quite well just how close she could get to Veyda’s compound before the spell kicked in.
She held a pouch in her hands that contained what she hoped was a stronger spell reversal powder than the last time. It should help Maeve pierce then travel more easily through Veyda’s spell. At least, she hoped so.
Taking a series of deep breaths, she slowed her heartrate. She needed to be calm for her witch abilities to work at their best. She opened the pouch and took a small pinch of the herbal-based powder then flicked it into the air. As before, a wood gate emerged. She pushed it open and saw the familiar stone path most of which was cloaked in a swirl of purple and black clouds, physical evidence of Veyda’s witchcraft.
She walked carefully along the path, one slow step at a time, until the purple and black clouds began to touch her. Using another pinch of the herbs, she flicked them again into the air again. When the clouds wouldn’t leave her, she forced herself to breathe again and to calm her heart. For whatever reason, a calm spirit made a huge difference.
She shot another pinch into the air and this time, though slowly, the clouds rolled away and more of the path emerged. This new version of her spell powder was working better.
She could see the side of the building now all the way to the end. The row of barred windows was now visible. As before, she heard at least one of the women weeping. It took phenomenal effort to keep her rage from overwhelming her. But she feared if she lost it, she’d end up either doing damage or getting confused and finding herself a mile from the compound once more.
She focused on Kiara instead. When the purple and black swirls encroached yet again, she repeated the herb-flicking process until she reached the last cell.
She spoke softly. “Kiara, are you there?”
A long gasp. “Maeve. I’m so glad you’re back. You’ve given me hope.” She coughed after these softly whispered words.
Maeve didn’t like the sound of it. “What’s wrong? What did she do to you?”
“More of the same, except this time, she burned my neck.”
“Oh, God.” Veyda tortured her captives with an acid-like paste that ate through the flesh and caused unimaginable pain.
“We’ve got to get you out of here, Kiara. But I don’t know what else I can do. I’ve tried conjuring a hundred different potions and powders but nothing impacts this hiding spell of Veyda’s except these ridiculous herbs I flick.”
