Emerald Fire (3 page)

He wasn’t sure yet if he would accept her help. Something about her comforted him and scared the shit out of him at the same time.

* * * *

Sarah stood outside the house and watched while Brock unraveled the magic woven around it. The demon fidgeted and paced, and on more than one occasion, she worried he would run from her. She hoped, once inside, he would be able to find peace. Something in her gut told her his jitters were not all due to the opening of old wounds. She realized she actually made him nervous. When she’d caught him admiring her assets, she’d been anything but angry. His roving eyes had sent moisture between her thighs and a longing that nearly had her shoving him to the floor to sate her desire. Hot, inviting, he made her mouth water. She wondered if he tasted anything like the spicy cinnamon scent she inhaled every time she got near him and decided she needed to find out. Would it be in poor taste to seduce him when he was at his weakest? For some reason, she didn’t care, and that was really out of character for her.

“Sarah?”

She looked up and met his dark, brown eyes, noting a twinkle of mischief in them.

“Find something you like?” he chuckled.

Shit.
She’d been caught staring at his ass. Well, it wasn’t her fault he filled out a pair of jeans like nobody’s business. Not to mention he was standing two steps up from her which put the muscular perfection right at eye level. She curled her lips upward. “As a matter of fact, yes. Yes, I did.” There, let him chew on that! She hoped he’d take it as a hint of her interest.

He tipped back his head in laughter. “Well, I guess I deserve that after I gawked at you.”

He pushed the door open, his features immediately schooled. Her heart ached for him and longed to see the sexy smile again. Her new goal was to get him through this and help him move on. She wanted to get to know the real Brock. The one who wasn’t in pain.

“I’ll go first just to make sure it’s safe.” He slipped past the threshold and disappeared. Sarah remained on the first step, waiting for him to give her the all clear. Minutes later, he stuck his head out, his face ashen. “You can come in.”

She made her way up the remaining steps and through the doorway, not sure what she would find inside and half expecting her senses to be assaulted. She took in a deep breath and found the air to be crisp and clean. She must have had a puzzled look on her face.

“The spell kept everything out so there’s no mildew or mold,” he stated matter of fact.

She glanced around the spacious kitchen and felt as if she’d stepped back in time. The white porcelain refrigerator and gas range with its side storage compartment were state of the art for the period when the house had been previously occupied. Everything glistened as if freshly cleaned, waiting for the museum patrons to walk through the time capsule. She noticed Brock no longer stood next to her so she moved across the linoleum floor to the beige carpeted living room. She found him standing in the center, staring down at the floor.

“Brock?” She walked up and stood next to him. He didn’t respond and almost seemed to be mesmerized except that his hands balled into fists then released, only to repeat the process. Her heart fractured. Clearly, this was where he had found his mate. She reached out to touch him but hesitated unsure how he would respond. “Brock, maybe this wasn’t a good idea. I think we should leave.”

He lifted his head and glanced around the room. “No. I need to face my ghosts. I guess I wasn’t expecting it to be this difficult.” He ran his fingers through his short, blond hair. “Hell, I’m not really sure what I was expecting.”

It was heartbreaking to see him so vulnerable. This time, she didn’t stop herself from placing a hand on his arm.

“Is this where…?” She couldn’t finish the question without her voice giving away her emotions.

Brock looked back to the ground. “Mina was here. Her heart removed.”

Sarah squeezed his arm. “Oh my god. I’m so sorry.” The pain of finding one’s mate dead was simply something she couldn’t comprehend. How he must have suffered.

“I couldn’t move. All I could do was stand here helplessly and yell. It was Damis who came to my aid. He led me away from here and took over the investigation.”

“Did they find who did it?” She kept her voice lowered to a soothing whisper.

“Yes.” He finally lifted his gaze to look at her. “Some organization that wanted to eradicate our kind. They feared our races mixing and producing freak children. Didn’t seem to matter much that Mina and I were mated with a child of our own. They hated all demons.”

She shook her head in disbelief. There had been so much hate and misunderstanding during that time. “How though…I mean your mate had to have been strong enough to fight them off with her magic.”

He lifted his lip into a snarl. “She trusted them. They called themselves our friends. They were our neighbors. I can only imagine they used our son to get her to comply. She would have done anything for him.”

Sarah’s stomach lurched, and she had to swallow to keep from tossing her breakfast. If she correctly recalled the stories, the baby, only nine months old, had been found in his crib. Dead. “What can I do to help you?”

He let out a long breath. “Tell me where to start. I guess I should get some boxes and pack up their belongings. Or maybe I should just torch the fucking place.”

She wanted to pull him to her and make everything all right, except she couldn’t. Only time would ease his pain, and it looked as if not even that had worked for him. “Burning the house down will not make things better. Did Mina have any favorite charities? Maybe, you could donate it in her honor.”

For the first time since they crossed the threshold of this time capsule, she saw hope spring into his eyes.

“That’s a great idea. She loved animals, and I’m sure the local rescue could use the money.” He pulled her close and kissed her cheek. “Thank you.” His gaze softened. “For the first time since I started this quest, I’m actually excited. Mina would be happy to have her and our son’s memory honored this way.” Brock released her. “Shit, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.”

Her cheek still burned where he’d pressed his lips. She wanted more. Wanted him to pull her to his hard, lean body and claim her mouth. “It’s okay. I didn’t mind.”
Other than I want you to throw me to the floor and fuck the hell out of me now. No, I didn’t mind at all.
“I also think it would be a good idea to box up anything you want to keep. Everything else can stay with the house. The rescue can host an auction and make extra funds.”

Brock nodded. “I guess we should get started.”

Chapter Three

Sarah worked downstairs cleaning out the kitchen. Sorting dishes and boxing them up to make things easier at auction time. Brock stared at the closed doors on his bedroom closet. They mocked him, telling him to run far away and never come back. He let out a sigh and took a step forward.

“I can beat this,” he whispered under his breath. He reminded himself Sarah was downstairs. He only needed call to her, and she would come.

He reached for the handle but jerked his hand back. Anger reached in his gut, grabbed his intestines and twisted. “For fucks sake, get a grip on yourself.” He wiped sweat from his brow. “Mina, I feel like such a damn pussy.”

“If you were human, this would be easier.”

His muscles bunched at the sound of Sarah’s voice. Embarrassment flushed hot across his cheeks, but she was right. Demons mated for life and losing one’s loved one was like having part of the soul ripped away. Some never recovered, but Brock was determined not to be a casualty anymore. Mina would not have wanted that for him.

“You’re right of course.” He turned and looked into Sarah’s compassionate, blue eyes. He’d just met this woman and already she’d offered to help him with so much.

“Fuck it.” He marched back to the closet, flung open the doors and was greeted with Mina’s clothes. Her favorite black gown, the one she’d worn when they’d attended the inauguration of the mayor. He ripped it from its hanger and held it out in front of him as if it were a poisonous snake.

“Do you suppose anyone would want a dress this old?” He steadied his voice, holding back the emotions that flooded him.

Sarah fondled the sequined material. “Absolutely. Vintage clothing is making a comeback, you know.”

No, he didn’t know that, but he’d take her word for it. “Fine. We’ll box up this stuff up and send it to the local thrift shop.” He grabbed a carton from the corner, unfolded it and ran tape across the bottom then tossed the dress inside.

Sarah touched his arm. “Here, let me help.” She reached inside the box and retrieved the crumpled garment. She folded it into a neat little package then smiled at him. “You have to treat it with care.”

Brock rubbed his palm across his face. “I guess it requires a woman’s touch.” Guilt wrapped around him that this stranger was taking time out of her life to help him. He owed her, and an idea popped into his head. “Listen. I’m grateful beyond words for your help. Let me repay you by making you dinner.”

Sarah finished packing the first box and sealed it before she looked up at him. “You don’t have to do that. I mean it’s a nice gesture, but I’m happy to help and I like the company.”

“Well, if you like the company, join me. My boat is docked over in Swansboro, and I have everything on board to whip us up a nice dinner.” It took him a second to realize he held his breath. For some reason, he found himself wanting her to say yes. The thought of spending time with this beautiful woman made his heart race.

“You have a boat?”

He lifted a shoulder. “Yeah. Well, some would call her a yacht. I call her Sea Demon.”

Her eyes widened and sparkled with mischief. “I’ve never been on a yacht before. Okay, it sounds like fun.”

“Good. Let’s finish up these couple rooms here then we can call it quits for the day.” He cast a glance toward the door. “If you don’t mind cleaning out the closet, I’ll go across the hall.”

Sarah rubbed her arms as if she had a chill. “All right, but are you sure you want to go in there? I can come with you.”

He raised his hand to stop her. “I need to do this. Alone.”

She nodded. “I understand, but I’ll be here if you change your mind.”

God, he hoped he didn’t. At some point, he really needed to grow a pair. Refusing to allow himself to think, he turned and walked out of the room before he lost all courage. He marched into the other bedroom and closed the door behind him. Time stood still. He moved toward the crib, his hands closed around the wooden rail. He cast his gaze at the blue blanket covered with floppy-eared puppies. His grip tightened, causing the crib to crack under the pressure. His heart beat against his chest so hard he feared it might bruise. Was that even possible? He doubted it since it was already broken into a million tiny fragments. He closed his eyes and tried to push back the emotions that flooded him.

Just let them come.

“But I don’t want to feel.”

It’s time to let go.

“Oh Mina, I’m so sorry. I failed miserably.” Something warm rolled down his cheek, and he realized it was tears. Tears he hadn’t shed since the night he’d found his family murdered. “I don’t know how to let go.”

He hadn’t realized how empty his life had become until he’d walked into this house. The need to board his vessel and sail away took hold of him, but he’d done that already. Going back to his homeland hadn’t helped either. The emptiness followed him, always mocking him.

You need to love again.

He shook his head, trying to free the nagging voice. Did his dead mate really talk to him, or had he finally gone completely mad? He picked up the stuffed teddy bear still sitting in the corner of the crib and squeezed it to his chest. “I don’t think I can love again, even if I did find another mate.” The thought of losing her or their children made his pulse race.

“Then you are a fool.”

Brock spun and dropped the bear to the floor. Mina’s pale form stood on the other side of the room. He blinked, clamping his palms over his scalp. “I really have gone insane.”

“No, love, you are not crazy, only heartbroken.”

Her soft-spoken voice sounded exactly as it had the morning he kissed her and said he’d be back in a few days. He dropped to his knees. Seeing her made his chest ache. He couldn’t breathe. “Mina, you shouldn’t be here,” he whispered.

“No, I shouldn’t. You have to let me go and forgive yourself.”

He stared at his dead mate and buried his fingers in the carpet fibers. His jaw tightened. “I don’t know how to let you go.”

Through his tears, he noticed she wore the golden gown he’d selected for her when she’d been cremated. Her red hair curled past her shoulders, and her green eyes were vibrant even though she was transparent.

“How did you come back here?” She should have moved on to another plane of existence. It was rare to hear of one of his people coming back to this realm once passed.

“I never left. I’ve watched over you, watched you suffer in silence.” She moved closer to him, her form floating inches off the floor. “Brock, you have let yourself weaken to a human state.”

Shame crept over him. He had kept his mate, the love of his life from moving on simply because he refused to. She was also right about him being mortal. He’d used up his power and could tell by the tone of her voice this displeased her more than anything else did. Sex fueled their magic, which was why their species had a reputation in the human world. “I should have fucked those two women then?”

“It was a stupid choice not to.”

He dropped his head forward and stared at the carpet.
I’ve failed the woman I love. Again.

“Look at me.”

He didn’t want to but obeyed, once again raising his gaze to meet hers.

“You have another opportunity. Even better. Ten humans couldn’t bring you the power that the demon in the next room can.”

He stood and stared into her green pools. “Sarah’s a nice girl. I couldn’t use her like that.”