Seduced by Pain (13 page)

Out of this wood do not desire to go.

—William Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night's Dream

"I’M SO SORRY
, Derek." Rose's sad eyes begged for forgiveness, but she needed none.

"It's not your fault. You aren't responsible for what other people do." I stuffed clothes into my bag while she ransacked the bathroom in her haste to pack.

"But it's my coven, my family, who took your sister."

"But it wasn't you. You're my family now, understand? You'll be an O'Conner soon enough, unless you want to keep your maiden name." As much as I loathed her family, and the name that went with it, it was also hers, and I couldn't force her to take my name.

Her small arms wrapped around my waist, and she pressed her breasts against my chest, bringing back memories of our lovemaking. I'd never expected her to have such a wild side, and the wolf inside of me craved the passion that she brought out.

"Of course I want your name. I wish we could marry right now and I could forget I was ever a Wintersong."

I kissed her lightly, tasting toothpaste. "Soon, love. But in my heart, you're already an O'Conner, and my wife."

Ocean knocked, then opened the door without waiting for a response. "Ready to go? Or did you two want a quickie before leaving?"

My cock hardened at the thought of being inside her again, but my sister needed us. We didn't have time for fun.

We grabbed our bags and piled them in the trunk, then went to make our goodbyes.

Drake, Sam and Father Patrick met us by our cars. Drake and Rose exchanged a few private words, and a small twinge of jealousy flared, but I stamped it down. I trusted Rose, and it was clear that Drake only had eyes for Sam.

I didn't want to be one of those jealous oafs who controlled his wife.

Father Patrick hugged Rose, and she blushed furiously. I couldn't imagine what that was about.

Sam and I shook hands. "Take care," she said. "I hope we'll see you and Rose again soon when things resolve."

"Thanks. Me too."

Drake and Sam switched places and more goodbyes were said. "Be careful, man. I'm not Seeing clearly, but something doesn't feel right about what you're about to walk into."

"I'll do my best. Call me if you get a stronger hit."

Drake nodded. "Will do."

Serena, the little girl we'd met when we got here, ran to us and hugged Rose, who teared up at the sight of the girl.

"Rose, you feel less broken. I think you'll get better soon," Serena said.

Rose kissed the top of her head, and she ran off to play with her friends.

A few of the kids I'd given some training to came by to see us off. I realized that I'd miss them when I left, and that surprised me. For a man who didn't like attachments, I was making quite a few of them lately.

I promised the kids I'd be back to teach them more, and I meant it. Rose and I both had found a place here where we belonged, and I had a feeling we'd be seeing a lot more of these kids once our business with the witches was over.

The drive home was a quiet affair, as Rose and I worried over Tammy's safety. I knew Rose had to be dealing with a lot of mixed emotions about her family doing something like this, but she wasn't ready to talk about it, and I didn't push. She'd share when she was ready.

I held her hand in a silent reminder that I was here with her no matter what.

Mom and Dad sat in the living room when we arrived. This was the first time Rose would meet my family. What a rotten way to make introductions.

Despite evident worry and sadness on my mother's face, she smiled when Rose walked in and greeted her with a hug. "Welcome to your new home, Rose. And welcome to our family. You have made Derek so happy, and that makes us happy as well. I'm sorry we couldn't meet in better circumstances, but when we get Tammy back, we'll plan an engagement party for the two of you to give you a proper welcome. There are a lot of people excited to meet you."

I loved my mother more than ever in that moment, especially when I saw the effect her speech had on Rose. I'd lost so many years with my family due to stubbornness and pride. I looked forward to making up for that lost time now that I knew what I wanted in my life.

Rose pulled Ocean into our circle. "This is my best friend, Ocean."

My mom hugged her as well. "You're family too now, my dear. Our home is your home."

Ocean smiled. "Thank you, Mrs. O'Conner. That means more to me than you might imagine."

"Oh, please, call me Lauren, both of you."

My dad walked over. "And call me David. We don't stand on formalities here."

He shook hands with Ocean and Rose, though I knew he'd be hugging them soon enough. They were big on hugging, my parents.

"I wish we could spend more time getting to know each other, but we all know there are bigger issues at play." My dad's words brought a solemnness back to the group. "A text came in telling us that Tammy has been taken. They are demanding the rose bush in exchange for her life."

My wolf raged in me, eyes turning, but I kept my calm. "Did they give a meet-up location?"

"Yes. Tonight at the abandoned hotel downtown." He showed me the text.

"Then let's give them the rose bush and get Tammy back. We can't let them hurt her." I wanted to pace the room, let out my anger, but I didn't want to let go of Rose's hand.

My dad put his hand on my arm. "Son, as much as I would give anything to protect you kids, we can't let them have that power. They wouldn't stop at kidnapping. They want to destroy us, and without the power of the roses, we're weak—vulnerable. The roses carry ancient secrets to unlock doors to other planes. One of our jobs is to make sure that doesn't happen. I fear the witches won't be as vigilant of that task."

"Can the power from the roses help us get Tammy back?" Rose asked.

"It doesn't work that way. The roses give us added strength and abilities and can infuse things like creams and salves with healing properties, but it's not a force that can be set free by itself. It has to work through something or someone," I told her. "Do you or Ocean have any magical abilities that could help?"

"I can only do the one thing, and I don't think that will help us right now," Rose said.

Ocean shrugged. "I have water magic. Is the meeting place near a body of water?"

My dad shook his head. "No, it's inland."

"Derek and I could go after her," Rose said. "They're probably keeping her in the hotel. Between the two of us, we could handle any guard. I know the coven, and no one there could go up against a Druid Shifter… or me, if I used my power. You all can stay here and protect the roses."

"Where's the rest of our pack?" I asked. I was surprised that our cousins and aunts and uncles hadn't shown up in droves when they heard about Tammy.

"We sent them to the garden to stand watch. Some are using their other gifts to track and watch the witches' property," Mom said.

I looked down at Rose, an unspoken question in my eyes. Was she really ready to use her powers if it came down to it?

She nodded, and I pulled her into a side hug. "I like Rose's plan. We can go get Tammy while you make preparations here. Once she's out of their control, they'll lose the upper hand."

We had no idea what to expect, or who to expect when we pulled up in the parking lot of the old hotel. They'd asked us to show up at night, which would have given this place a Bates Motel feel. By day, it just looked sad. The dilapidated building stunk of wine and nicotine and had clearly been used by the homeless on more than one occasion. For a moment I feared a random act of violence against my sister more than the witches' wrath.

They must have done something to her to keep her locked up. She had Shifter power and strength and could have escaped in wolf form.

My hand tightened into a ball, and I vowed death on each of them if anything had happened to Tammy.

Using my wolf sense of smell, I tracked her scent with Rose following. Smells overwhelmed me, bodies and odors and something dead, but only one scent of a body still on the premises. I traced it to a room on the second level and kicked in the door, ready to shift into wolf form should anyone attack.

I would do anything I could to keep Rose from having to use her powers, even on someone who deserved it. I knew what it cost her, especially now that she knew the consequences.

Tammy lay on the bed, gagged, unconscious and tied up.

Rose and I freed her, and I carried her to the car as she slowly woke. Her eyes darted around in panic. "Derek. No. It's a trap. They're attacking our home."

I mentally punched myself as I broke every speed limit racing back to the house. Rose called my mom, my dad, Father Patrick and every other number in my phone, but no one answered.

Cursing, I passed a car going too slow and sped up again, burning my tires on the asphalt as I turned corners and pulled into my long driveway.

The energy of the attack slammed into me, and I shifted into wolf form and howled into the woods, tracking the scent of my family toward the rose bush.

Rose and Tammy couldn't keep up, but I knew they weren't in danger. All of our enemies were ahead of me.