Lured (The Brazil Werewolf Series Book 4) (5 page)

              Garridan’s growl reached my ears as she rolled her eyes, “So dramatic, Garridan.”

              “What do you want?” He asked as she turned to me.  She moved toward me and I inhaled as Tamas pulled me against him. 

              “You must be Nadia,” She said and laughed, “We’ve met before though I’m sure you don’t recognize me.”

              I frowned and shook my head sure that she was lying, “No, we haven’t,” I said. 

              She grinned, “That’s funny,” she said as she gripped me pulling me from Tamas’ grip before ripping my dress down the shoulder.  The mark the werewolf gave me was exposed and I worked desperately to cover it up as she released me.

              “That’s my mark,” she said and laughed at my humiliation.  I stood there shocked as she leaned forward and whispered, “Your little sister’s blood tasted so sweet.”

              I inhaled sharply as the enormity of what she claimed passed through me.  A tremble slid from my head to my feet as I felt Tamas beside me pulling me to him once again.  Still, his presence wasn’t enough.  I wanted her to suffer.  I wanted her to die. 

              “You killed her?” I said in a whisper but a moment later I repeated it but louder.  My mother’s cry caused my hatred of this woman to rise a notch further as I lunged at her.  Tamas caught me as I screamed and screamed. 

              Eva backed away laughing as she turned to Sophia and Gavriel, “You’ve been wanting to know who has taken the lead as alpha of the Grey Wolves,” she said and grinned, “It’s me and I’m not as nice as my brother.  No one…Not even my dear nieces will stop me from doing whatever I want to do to you.”

              She turned to me and grinned, “I expect to see you again, Nadia,” she said and laughed, “And I expect it to be soon.”

              Then, she was gone leaving me screaming for her death.

              My screams died along with Eva’s presence and somehow, I found myself swept off of my feet and cradled against Tamas’ strong chest.  I had a vague memory where he carried me to my home while his heart beat a hypnotic rhythm in my ears and laid me on my bed.  My mother’s voice whispered something I couldn’t quite make out as I slipped into a deep sleep that only brought me nightmares of Jaelle’s face as she was pulled from the window but in the dream, I knew who the attacker was. I saw her with her taunting grin and blood soaked mouth.  I wanted her to die.  I wanted to torture her before killing her. 

              I awoke with a gasp as I shook with the force of the dream.  I found my mother sitting in the chair across from me.  My father sat near her, glancing from her to me with pain covering his face.  Pesha had curled up next to me, looking for comfort from something that he didn’t understand.  His proximity to the window where Jaelle had been taken frightened me. 

              I rose, picking him up and taking him to his bed where he was safe.  I stared down into his angel face, worried he would be next.  I reached down and let my fingertips glide across his face trying to memorize each curve before returning to the couch.

              “Don’t let him sleep here,” I whispered, “Never let him sleep here.  Promise me you won’t.”

              My mother frowned as she tilted her head, studying me with an intensity that caused me to squirm, “Why do you sleep there?” She asked and I sucked in a breath.  The reason was something I held close to me, never able to tell a soul.  I was sure they wouldn’t understand.  It was my fault Jaelle had been taken and sometimes, I wished they take me too.  If they did, it would take away the nightmares and the guilt that I lived when she didn’t.

              My father stood and moved toward me.  He knelt down in front of me and stared deep into my eyes.  His quiet silence gave me strength but it was also unnerving. 

              When he spoke, his words were laced with regret, “The worst mistake that I have ever made was the night that Jaelle died,” he said, swallowing, “I shouldn’t have asked you to protect her.  You were too young.  I should have done it instead of transitioning. You and your sister should have been hidden before we tried to fight. I won’t make that mistake again,” he said, staring deep into my eyes before glancing toward where Pesha slept.  He sighed and turned back to me, “You shouldn’t wish for them to take you like they took her.  You shouldn’t be the one to carry that guilt.  It should be me or your mother…Not you.”

              Tears fell down his cheeks as he began to sob out all of the guilt that had plagued him for ten years. I grabbed him, wanting to take away all of the pain that Jaelle’s death had caused.  I held him close until his tears were spent while my mother cried with silent tears in the chair near me.  The realization that my father had felt the pain of guilt and my mother too, slammed through my mind taking away any hope of sleep.

**********

              My parent’s had gone to bed and I sat outside, staring at the moon as the wind whipped past me.  I was by myself even though I had been forbidden to be.  Still, I wasn’t able to make myself care.  I narrowed my eyes as my gaze moved toward the place where Eva had left earlier that night.  The Grey Wolves must live in that direction. 

              My nostrils flared as I stood, itching to walk toward them…Toward her.  I ran my tongue across my teeth wanting to taste blood as I took another step.

              “It’s not worth it,” Tamas said, behind me and I turned startled that he was there.  His arms were crossed over his chest and his brow was raised as he studied me.  I pursed my lips as I glanced back at the forest and turned back to him.

              “Oh, it is,” I said, glancing back toward the woods before taking my place back on the top of a picnic table near my motor home.  I sighed because I realized that he would never let me leave and even if he did, he would follow.

              He blew out a breath as he took the seat beside me and took my hand.  I sensed his eyes on me even though I didn’t turn toward him. 

              “Tell me about her,” he said in a hoarse voice, “I want to know about your sister.”

              I blinked surprised.  Since her death everyone avoided the subject of her and it hurt.  It was like they wanted to wipe her from existence but she was still in my mind. Her memory was still everywhere.

              I met his eyes and nodded, “She was three years old and kind,” I said as a tear rolled down my cheek, “She had my heart from the moment she was born, just like Pesha.  She had so much energy and she would play and sing in this sweet, baby voice.  She gave the best hugs and played the best jokes.  I couldn’t ask for a better sister.  I loved her then and I still do.  Eva may have killed her but she could never kill that.  My love for her won’t ever die.”

              Tamas nodded as he stood and stared out toward the forest.  The wind blew his hair and I watched it mesmerized, “What do you want to do to Eva?” He asked before facing me again.

              I winced at the question and stood as absolute hatred filled me.  I crossed my arms over my chest as my heart rate quickened, “I want her dead but I want her to suffer first,” I said as my bottom lip trembled, “She should pay for what she did.  She should suffer and die.”

              Tamas stepped forward and cupped my cheeks as he stared down into my eyes.  He nodded once, “I’ll help you do that,” he said, “Just promise me that you won’t leave here by yourself.  Just don’t ever leave me behind.  Promise me that.”

              My breath caught in my throat at his words and my anger cooled.  His gaze was intense as I took a deep, shuddering breath, “I won’t leave,” I whispered as tears filled my eyes and spilled over flowing down my cheeks to his hands, “I promise.”

              He nodded as his face hardened, “I promise that Eva will die for what she has done to you and your family,” Tamas said, rubbing my tears away with his thumbs, “I will help you.  I will always help you.”

              “Thank you,” I whispered in a broken voice. 

              He stared at me tortured as he caressed my cheek once more.  He pulled me to him and pressed his lips against mine.  He deepened the kiss pulling every bit of sadness and anger from me as his promise settled into my soul.

              “Get up!” Mirella whispered too close to my ear.  I winced as I forced open one eye and groaned. 

              “Why are you here?” I asked, yawning widely as I tried to snuggle deeper into my blankets by covering my face. 

              She pulled the blanket away and grinned, “It’s shopping time,” she said, nudging me again, “We’re getting your dress today.  You want a beautiful dress to wear to your wedding, don’t you?”

              I yawned again, “I’m too tired,” I said as I opened both of my eyes to peer at my future sister-in-law with annoyance. 

              “So was Aurora but she went and she doesn’t even like shopping,” Mirella said, laughing at my reaction before standing straight and crossing her arms over her chest.  She raised one eyebrow, “I won’t leave you alone until you get up.”

              I sighed and sat up realizing that she wasn’t lying.  Whether I wanted to or not, I was getting out of bed, “Fine,” I said, wrinkling my nose in disgust.

              Mirella clapped.  I rolled my eyes.  She was too happy first thing in the morning, “We get to go shopping,” she said, laughing as my mother yawned in the kitchen.

              “What time is it?” I asked, frowning as I glanced out of the window.  The sky was still a shade of dark gray that screamed that it was early. 

              “Seven,” she said as a knock sounded at the door.  I stared at it, surprised.  I suppose Mirella wasn’t the only one who woke early in the Brazil family. 

              My mother answered the door and Lilly stepped in with a big grin.  She raised her brows, “She’s not up yet?” She asked and laughed, “You’re losing your touch, Mirella.” 

              “What do you mean?” I asked frowning as I glanced between them. 

              “Don’t expect to sleep in when there is a shopping trip or a wedding,” Lilly said with a snicker, “Mirella will wake you up and she won’t leave you alone until you get out of bed. Usually, she has the bride-to-be up long before I arrive.”

              “I haven’t lost my touch.  I had to wake up Aurora,” Mirella said, narrowing her eyes, “She wasn’t nice.  I thought she was a lady but you should hear the things she said to me.”

              “She’s never nice in the morning,” Lilly said and then, glanced at me, “You should get a shower.  Aurora will take a while.” 

              I nodded as I rose and walked to the bathroom.  Only a knock at the front door made me pause before getting into the shower.  Tamas’ voice came to me causing my stomach to flip. 

              “Don’t leave her alone for a moment while at the shops,” he said, sternly, “I do not put it past Eli to kidnap her.  He tried it with Lilly and Garridan tried it with Aurora.  Keep her safe.”

              “You already like her, don’t you?” Mirella said with a teasing lilt to her voice. 

              I held my breath as I waited for his answer, “I do,” he said quietly, “I really do.” 

              I smiled to myself as he continued, “Keep her safe,” he said before giving a pregnant pause before he spoke again, “If something happens to her, you will have to answer to me.”

              “I’m not afraid of you,” Mirella said, laughing, “But she’ll be safe.”

              “She better be,” He said in a voice that threatened danger.

              Then, the door closed and Mirella, Lilly and my mother broke out into giggles.  I smiled as I got into the shower, suddenly wide awake and ready for my day of shopping.

*********

              It turned out that Tamas had no reason to worry.  No one attacked me or tried to kidnap me while we shopped.  We never saw a Grey wolf or even sensed them near.  Still, I was not left alone even to change. Perhaps that had something to do with it.  There was no opportunity to take me especially with Mirella as my constant companion.  By the time we finished, I was exhausted but happy and still safe. 

              The dress I chose was ivory with a lace covered bodice.  Bands of lace were the only sleeves and they fell off of my shoulders. The top layer of fabric draped over the belled skirt and was also made of lace but opened in the front to display the satin beneath.  It was beautiful and made me feel beautiful.  As a bonus, it also covered the scar that Eva had given me.  I wanted no memory of her on my wedding day. 

              I was still daydreaming of the dress on the way home when Mirella tensed beside me.  An audible gasp escaped Aurora’s lips as Sophia stopped the car so quick I jolted forward and was only saved from hitting my face on the seat in front of me by the seatbelt.  I glanced out of the windshield as my eyes widened.  A girl stood in front of the car supporting a woman who didn’t weigh more than a hundred pounds.  Her blonde hair was thin and stringy and her eyes were a dull blue.

              “Momma,” Aurora said as she reached to open the door.  Sophia stopped her by grabbing her arm.

              “It could be a trap,” Sophia said, frowning as she glanced out of the windshield at the woman who was her friend.

              Tears flowed down Aurora’s cheeks, “I don’t care.”

              Sophia frowned, “It’s not just you in this car, Aurora,” she said, in a stern voice, “It’s your sister and Mary Jane who are both pregnant as well as Mirella, Nadia and myself.  We’re your family too.”             

              Aurora’s hand moved from the handle as she stared at Sophia with tears streaming down her face, “But my mother,” she said and glanced at her again.

              Sophia pulled out her cellphone and dialed a number, “I’m calling Ion,” she said, “He’ll make sure she’s safe.”

              I turned back to the girl and the woman I now understood to be Fiona.  My focus trained on the girl and I frowned as familiarity swamped me.  The girl appeared to be about thirteen with long, flowing black hair that curled at the ends.  Her eyes met mine and her bowed mouth pursed.  Her silver eyes widened and that’s when it hit me…The memory of Jaelle being ripped from my arms.  Her silver eyes widened in fear. 

              “Oh my God,” I said as I continued to stare at the girl unable to speak.  I swallowed as tears filled my eyes.

              Sophia turned to me, alarmed, “What is it?”

              “That girl,” I said in awe, “She’s Jaelle.”

              Sophia turned back to her, “But she died,” she whispered. 

“We never found her body,” I said, blinking, “We just assumed because of the blood.” 

A moment later, Ion and Garridan ran through the entrance.  My eyes widened as I met the girl’s gaze pleading that she stay where she was but she ran as soon as Tamas opened the van door.  I stumbled out, tripping over my own feet desperate to get to the girl.   I ran toward her and screamed as loud as I could.

              “Jaelle!” She turned with wide eyes.  She pursed her lips as if confused.  For a moment, it seemed as if she would come back to speak to me but then, she shook her head and turned to disappear into the woods, leaving Fiona behind.  Aurora ran to her mother, cradling her against her chest as I stared at the woods.  My heart hammered in my chest as I studied the dark green foliage of the forest sure that Jaelle hadn’t died.  Instead, she had lived as a Grey wolf.  I turned searching for answers as my eyes landed on the two men who could give them to me…Garridan and Ion.  They had been members of the Grey Wolves before they had come to the Brazils and had lived among them.  One of them had to know about the girl and whether or not she was my sister.