Her Lycan Lover (30 page)

“He knows a man. Ron Appelbaum. A surgeon.”

“Okay.” Quinn continued to kneel next to Sherry, holding her hand, his heart pounding. “Baby, help is on the way.”

Sonya came over, leaned down, and squeezed Sherry’s fingers. “Don’t worry. Help is on the way. You’re strong. You can do this, hon. Remember our pep talk.”

“Thanks. I’ll try.”

Sonya cradled Sherry’s hand. “Quinn, need anything?”

His clothes were torn. He knelt next to Sherry naked. “Can you see if there are some clothes around?”

“There’s a closet. I’ll find something.”

Quinn lifted the cloth; it was soaked in blood. Sherry coughed and pulled at his hand. “I’m not sorry,” she whispered. “I love you.”

Those three words tore open his chest. “Hush, darling. Focus on me. I love you and you’ll be fine.” He pressed his mouth to hers, feeling her lips tremble. He lifted his head. Her breath was coming out in spasms. Her eyelids fluttered. “No! Stay with me, Sher.” Quinn’s voice broke.

She grimaced. “I’m so tired.”

“Love, a few more minutes.” Her eyes began to roll back and her lids drifted closed His wolf heart howled inside him. Quinn picked up Sherry, hugging her body. They were both unclothed, and he pressed her face against his, inhaling her skin. His Lycan scent rose from her body now. They were mated—it hadn’t been his imagination. Their bond nearly complete, if not already done. Gently, Quinn placed her on the sofa. Lifting a throw draped over the arm of the sofa, he carefully wrapped her before he resumed pressing the material on her wounded side.

Sonya came in carrying a pile of clothing. “There’s got to be something here.”

“Can you keep pressure on her side?” Trading places with Sonya, he put on a pair of gym shorts, his mind racing on what he could do to help Sherry. Their Lycan love was eternal. She was ‘shifter now. A rare Cairo—a Midnight Lycanthrope from her appearance, but her injury wasn’t healing rapid enough. He floundered, knowing that her Lycan recovery should begin immediately, with signs of progress evident at once. Immortality came with the ability to shift into a Lycan…except during the mating cycle.

Gazing down at Sherry, his chest constricted painfully by bands of fear. His wolf instincts howled. Hell no, he refused to accept this. There were powerful forces in the universe, ones that spellcasters were privy to. He’d seen healing work once before. How could he get her into the realm she spoke about, where lifelines existed? There had to be a way. Quinn reached for his cell on the floor and dialed Jeremy.

His friend answered. “Hey. I’m back home. Hope this isn’t about your sudden desire to swing both ways.”

“Jeremy, I need your help. Right now.”

“Shoot, bud. Anything.”

“That healer. The one in the mountains.”

“Yeah. Lettie. She’s got guests. Your people.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Alpha leopardess from Denver. Ring a bell? They’re out back, visiting today.”

He exhaled. “Makes sense. She’s a healer, but also some sort of a spellcaster, isn’t she?”

“I don’t know if she goes by that title. She dropped out from being connected to them.”

“I need her services again. But don’t think I can get… my mate to her in time.”

“Mate? Fuck. When…? Doesn’t matter.”

“This is serious,” Quinn said.

“Tell me what you need.”

“Sherry. She’s been hurt. If Lettie can tap into the realm they seem to know about, she can help save Sherry’s life.”

“Give me a few minutes. I’ll be in touch.”

Quinn moved back to the sofa. Sonya stood up. “The bleeding isn’t stopping. Tell me, what can we do?”

Quinn turned to Nina. “You’re going to open a doorway into the energy realm. I know you don’t have a tenth of the power that Sherry possesses, but you better show what the fuck you do know.”

“Let’s go, asshole.” Sonya moved across the room and hauled Nina upright.

Nina flinched. “I have no idea. I don’t do that sort of spelling.”

“This is the only warning you’ll get. Better find a way, and find it fast. I saw Sherry’s capability. How is it done?” he thundered.

Nina’s eyes widened. “It’s true. I don’t know. It’s not what I do. Only lower levels are involved in the circle formation.”

“Fucking fake. I’ll carve the casting circle and you better come up with the words required. Consider this your challenge question. One chance to get it right.”

The color drained from Nina’s greyish face. “I need time to think.”

“You’d better hurry.” He raked his gaze over her, holding back from throttling her in frustration.

Quinn picked up Sherry’s dagger lying on the floor, recalling the steps of what Sherry had done. “Sonya, get salt. A lot of salt, from the kitchen.” She nodded and disappeared.

He returned to check on Sherry. She gazed up at him as he tenderly picked up her hand and kissed her palm, praying that this worked. “My blade came off when I shifted,” she whispered.

He stroked her precious fingers. “I called a healer. She’s coming to help.”

“Promise me you won’t stay alone.”

“I won’t. You’re going to keep me company for a long time, doll.” Convinced, he stared into her shimmering eyes, then pressed his mouth to her lips. Soft and sweet. He rose, gripping the lightweight dagger.

Moving an area rug aside, he then began carving a circular pattern into the wooden floor bearing similar markings that Sherry etched for the spirit, air, water, earth, and fire. He traced the pattern with the salt Sonya brought him, filling in the grooves. Afterward he returned to Sherry. Her chest hardly rose and her skin was cool to his touch. Much too cool. She’d lost a tremendous amount of blood. His phone rang and Sonya handed it over to him.

“Jeremy, did you find her?”

“Yes. Right here. Hold on.”

“Hello, Quinn, this is Lettie. How can I help?”

“It’s my mate. Sherry Delacroix. She’s been wounded. Can you help me get her into the energy realm? I know you have special powers… something with her life line? She talked about life forces when she did some sort of work in the realms to keep the Fae from crossing over. So far, I’ve drawn the casting circle, but need help. We have the so-called High Priestess here and she claims not to know.”

“Quinn, the Delacroix are some of the strongest casters known to exist. They have capabilities no one understands. I can meet you and Sherry inside the realm. You’ve got to get the portal to open. I’ll find you on the Denver ley line. Can you get inside?”

“How?”

“You have the head of the Sisterhood there?” Lettie’s tone sounded bitter.

Quinn swung his gaze over to Nina who held onto her wounded arm. “Yes.”

“Did you make the mark of the sacred symbols inside the circle?”

“All five.”

“We need a sacrifice. Cut Nina’s flesh and let her tainted blood drip on the left side of the inscribed elements in the circle. I’ll find you by that mark. I’ve wanted to catch up to her for some time because of what she’s done to conjurers.”

She hung up and Quinn rose, facing Nina. “You’re coming over here,” he said.

“Why? What are you going to do?”

“Your turn to help. And you will cooperate. Refuse and I’ll put you out of your misery. I need some blood. Yours.”

“No. You can’t kill me. I’m the head of the spellcasters.”

“You’re Fae. I promise to do whatever is necessary to save Sherry. Without an inkling of guilt. Understood?”

Sonya took hold of Nina’s uninjured arm and propelled the woman over to the circle where Quinn waited. Nina stopped in front of him. She reached out and he stepped back as she said, “We could escape. You’d have strength and wealth beyond your dreams. Join with the Fae and we’d have such power. Anything you’d want. Why do you refuse me?”

“Shut your revolting mouth. The Fae will squish you like the insect you are. When this is over, I’ll make certain they know where to find you.”

He pulled her sleeve up, revealing greying skin, and remembering all too well Simon’s party when she’d come onto him. The nausea of her Fae nearness had rendered him incapable of doing more than drinking himself into a drunken stupor before he’d disappeared into his dream.

“Sonya, can you hold onto her?”

“Do you want me to slash her other arm?”

“I’ve got it.” He used Sherry’s blade to cut Nina’s finger and pressed droplets of grey blood on the side of each of the crude symbols he’d carved. “Now, you’d better start reciting the words to open the passage.”

She swallowed. “First to bless the circle.”

“Wait.” He retreated to the sofa and tenderly picked up Sherry. She moaned, but did not stir. He held her close to his chest as he stepped back into the circle. “Begin reciting the spell.”

Nina started to speak, asking for assistance from the elements and gods. He listened closely and from what he remembered it sounded similar. He hugged Sherry, pressing his forehead against hers, and wishing she could absorb his life force. All of it. If only he knew what to do. It was nearly dark outside, and the dimly lit room became colder. Throughout Nina’s incantation, none of the brilliant flashes occurred as had happened when Sherry had recited the spell.

“That’s it,” Nina said. Nothing happened.

Sonya put her arm around Nina’s throat. “I’ll choke you into eternity if you hold back on the magick.”

“This isn’t something you can just do.” Nina began to tremble. “Let me try again. Give me your cell. I’d better phone a friend.”

“Dammit,” Quinn growled, extending his phone toward her outstretched hand.

Shaking, Nina tapped the screen and then spoke into the phone. “Holly, I need the incantation for the doorway into the realm. Don’t question me, just give me the blasted thing! Yes. I’m waiting!” After Nina hung up, she reached for Sherry.

Quinn quickly retreated. “What the hell are you doing?” he demanded.

“Bitch. Watch it.” Sonya grabbed for Nina.

“This is the part that was missing,” Nina whined. “We all must be connected. I’ve got to hold onto her.” She jerked her chin over to Sherry.

“Just her fingers,” he said sharply, watching Nina take hold of Sherry’s hand.

Nina repeated what the person on the phone must have said, with a brief stop at each turn of the four elements, and ending at the symbol for spirit. Vibrations began to take hold of Quinn’s body. The hairs on his skin stood up, charged as it had been when Sherry invoked the passage into the realm. Before him a shimmering doorway appeared, unlike the time when he had watched Sherry’s body move and sway within the circle.

He walked toward the opening, unsure if this was the right course to take. He heard a loud knock on the apartment door and the forms in the room flickered. He continued forward, stepping into the portal. All around him there was darkness and he made the mistake of looking down into vast, unending darkness.

His stomach lurched. It was as though the entire world dropped away. He cautiously walked forward, expecting to take a tumble into oblivion. Once inside, a feeling of joy bathed him. Wonder swam in his bloodstream.

Sherry stirred in his arms. “Darling, almost there,” he whispered.

Quinn progressed farther inside and another doorway came into view. He moved through the entry and it was as though he and Sherry ceased to exist as tangible figures. Their bodies transformed into energy, emitting sparks. Together he and Sherry were connected by colorful, flowing lines of energy woven together, linking their essences.

Another energetic being approached them, warm and glowing. The form connected to their energy lines and instinctively he knew it was Lettie as she existed in this realm. He followed her pull, drawing Sherry’s being along a passage. They moved deeper into the interior of the space. All around them were lines of light. Twinkling. Shimmering surges, and sometimes bursting flares.

It made no sense to him. He lacked a way to frame the experience. He felt movement and they changed direction, gliding into another passage, different somehow, and yet he couldn’t formulate the idea of how. They came to a bright hallway. The light was all-encompassing—it filled him. Final. Total.

The light swam over Sherry’s essence, hovering and sweeping in between him and his mate, little by little pulling them apart. The energy increased in power, tugging at him, and nearly separating Sherry from his energetic form. They were still connected, only now by slender golden energy lines. The light began lifting her away from him, and he struggled to keep hold of his mate’s energetic being.

She’s mine!
His mind echoed it. He surged forward only to be stopped, held back by an invisible force. Lettie’s energy swirled around him, attempting to keep him in place. There were brilliant ripples of light from the passage where Sherry’s energetic form had gone.

Piercing pain stabbed at his being. He pulled back on the tendrils of golden energy as jagged spikes of sorrow impaled him. The feeling of loss rained down on him, drowning him. His being shuddered, beseeching
something
to have Sherry returned to him. His wolf spirit howled from the depth of his core. A fierce, protective sound wrenched from his soul. Baleful and reverberating from him. He howled again, refusing to accept she was gone.

His nature to protect her thrashed, refusing to back down. He moved along the passage, searching for a way to follow, but at each point of entry an invisible shield prevented him from following Sherry. The wolf in him pummeled the barrier, snarling in desperation to follow his mate. A growl tore from his being. Quinn hurled his energetic form against the invisible wall, over and over, until a breeze blew past, snaring his attention. The achingly familiar scent was warm and settling to his spirit. His mate’s scent.

Sparks flew up around him, and then Sherry’s energy form reconnected with his. Laugher erupted from deep within his being. Flashing arcs burst along the glimmering line of energy connecting them. Her essence swam within him while the sound of her whispering voice captivated him. Their life lines rewove, merging.
Sherry-mine
.

Lettie’s energy beam flickered over them before unfurling, and then jetted away. He and Sherry were moving again, rocketing faster and faster away from the light and into a narrow passage. They glided through a doorway and returned to the corporeal realm. The force released them and he found himself staring down into topaz-colored eyes.