Twisted (Rogues Shifter Series Book 3) (20 page)

“When my sons are well and Kennet is in chains we will talk about all that has occur
red. Right now I must ask for your help. You need to rest." He looked at my bandages. "You've experienced...”

I interrupted, “Lord Caelen, I’ll stay
. I'll do everything I can to help them. I can sleep later.”

I saw relief flash in his eyes. “Thank you.
You must excuse me. I must meet with the Elders to organize a Hunt.”

An icy shiver froze my blood
as I understood his meaning.
A Wild Hunt
.

Another fae in a blue tunic took me to a room where I was able to quickly shower and change into clean clothes. Garrett arrived and I lost myself for a few minutes in his embrace and his sweet kisses. I reluctantly pushed myself away and asked, “Where’s Bridgett and Samson?”

“They’re sleeping in the room next door.” I turned away from him and moved toward the door. As fast as the wind he was in front of me, blocking it. “Where are you going? You can’t leave now. I’ve just gotten you back.” He smiled and ran his knuckles along my jaw and then stroked my cheek.

“Take a shower and feed, Garrett. I need to tend to Aedus and Liam.” He actually looked hurt, not because of what I’d said but because of the sharp way I’d said it. I leaned against
him. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I have so much inside of me. So much I have to tell you. I feel like I’m ready to explode. I just have to make sure that they’ll be okay. I love you so much. Don’t be hurt.”

I kissed him again much more deeply, letting him know that
I really wanted to stay. This time
he
broke away and whispered in my ear,“ Je t’aime, mon ange.  I’ll look for you later in one of their rooms.” He pulled off his shirt and headed toward the shower. It took a lot of will power to turn around and head out the door, but I managed it.

Liam was sleeping and recovering well. His mind felt healthy so I kissed his ch
eek and whispered. "Thank you." As I was about to reach for the door handle, it opened and Liam’s lovely red headed companion walked in. She smiled at me and bowed her head slightly, so I bowed back as a sign of respect. “I am Kellaine, Liam’s friend. I saw you at the Midsummer Ceremony, but did not have the opportunity to introduce myself.” She held out her hand and I shook it, surprised at the human gesture.

“I’m Jackie. It’s very nice to finally meet you. Liam has spoken of you.”

“And also of you, Jacqueline.”  She smiled and walked over to his bed to sit down and hold his hand. “He says he values your friendship greatly.”

“I feel the same way.
I'm going to Aedus’ room now.”

Her expression turned very serious and she nodded. “I hope that you can help him.”

“I'll do everything possible.”

As I walked in the direction of Aedus’ room I hear
d a loud noise. It was the rumble of a large instrument, perhaps a horn?  Its deep vibrations ripped through my body and made me shudder with dread. This had the sound of a death knell and my first horrified thought was that Aedus had died. Several fae rushed past me in the corridor so I followed them through the magical hallway of light and color to a scene out of a medieval play.

Lord Caelen sat atop a white Arabian steed,
handsome beyond description, his hair loose and his expression fierce. His solid gold eyes reflected the moon’s light and gave him an eerie appearance. There was nothing about his manner to remind me of the kind Elder who had visited me when I was ill or the gracious host who’d invited us to share dinner and the Midsummer Solstice Ceremony with him and his family. His face was a mask of grief and rage.

Su
rrounding him were other stern-looking fae on horseback, male and female. I saw the sisters, Brina and Kaera, Lord Argon and Lady Jorrenn as well as many others. They were all dressed alike in long black tunics, black cloaks and black leggings with high black leather boots. They carried swords and spears and looked like the devil’s own army. Another very tall figure, shrouded and hooded in black and sitting atop an enormous black steed, appeared on the road and waited for them, his huge horse snorting and pawing the ground. Caelen looked at the spectre on the huge steed and nodded with solemn respect. The stranger did not nod back. Huge black dogs with red eyes began to mill about the stranger’s horse, growling and nipping at each other.

Caelen looked at me
with a dark intensity that made me automatically back up a couple of steps. “You have the right to come with us, Jacqueline. You have been greatly wronged by him.”

“I’ll stay here and do w
hat I can for Aedus. He risked his life for me.” I looked at Garrett who’d finished his shower and run upstairs, curious about the noise. “I’d like you to take Garrett and Samson with you if they’ll go.

I watched as conflic
ting emotions flicked across my mate's face and his eyes. He was afraid to leave me, yet he wanted very badly to bring in the monster who'd taken me. “I can’t leave you.”

Reaching out with my hand I tried to reassure him. “I’m with the f
ae in Faerie. Liam will be well soon. I need you to capture Kennet so that I don’t have to look for him in every dark corner for the rest of my life. Just come back safely and don’t try to be heroic.” I leaned in to whisper to him. “You’re already my hero.” I nuzzled his ear and then we kissed right there in front of the entire spooky Wild Hunt. Many of them laughed, but I didn’t care.

Farrell brought Garrett a horse, and like a pri
nce in a fairy tale, he leapt gracefully into the saddle and turned toward me, grinning. I laughed. “OK, that was pretty cool.” I tried to sound nonchalant but failed miserably. “Be careful, please?”

“Je t’adore ma petit guepard.  I’ll be back very soon.” His eyes twinkled and I felt a pleasant tingly sensation all over my body. It wouldn’t be soon enough for me.

Chapter Thirty-nine

Bridgett: 9:00 PM Friday

I woke up in a comfortable bed in a room I didn’t recognize
. My head hurt, a lot. I touched the sore spot and wasn’t surprised to feel a small lump. I remembered biting into Kennet and then flying through the air toward a tree. I guess the tree won because I didn’t remember anything else until just now. I had no idea where I was but I wasn’t worried. If Kennet had won, I wouldn’t be sleeping in a comfy bed.

I sat up slowly and moved my legs around to stand up. I wasn’t surpris
ed at all that I was naked. I'd been in cheetah form and must have shifted back while I slept. Nudity never bothered me anyway. Growing up around weres cured me of any sense of false modesty I might have possessed. They were so nonchalant about the whole thing when they transitioned, the males and the females, that I could never understand the human hang ups.

I noticed a small room to my right and happily discovered it was the bathroom. After using the facilities I jumped in the shower. Oh man
, it felt so good to get clean again. After my shower, I wrapped a towel around my body and looked around for something to wear. Nothing.  My pack wasn’t there and neither was anyone else’s . Apparently I was the only occupant of this room. There was no TV, no phone and not even a book to read. I walked to the door to turn the handle and guess what? I was locked in.

Okay
, so now I was pissed. I banged on the door. “Helloooooo. Is anyone there?” After a few seconds I heard footsteps and someone turned the handle. I backed up. Two fae females in green tunics came through the door, one carrying food and the other carrying clothes and my backpack. They both looked at me like I was pond scum.

The first one put down the tray of food on a small table and turned to speak to me. “Bridgett Brownlo
w, while you are here in Faerie you must stay in your room. You will only be allowed to leave this room under the orders of Lady Dinestri, or if your sister, Jacqueline Crawford, requests your presence. We will bring you whatever food you desire and will furnish you with books, paper and writing implements. You may not use your cell phone in Faerie. You may listen to your music.”

“Could you tell me what happened? Is Kennet
captured or dead?  Is Jackie okay and Garrett? Is Liam okay? And Aedus?

Her eyes glazed over for a second and then she spoke again. “Lady Dinestri will be here after you eat to speak to you about all that has happened.
“ She turned to leave.

I grabbed her arm. “Please just tell me that Jackie is ok
ay.”

The look she gave me was brutal. “Please remove your hand from my arm.” I did and backed away, stunned by her obvious contempt. “Your sister is fine and is doing all she can to heal
young Lord Aedus, who may not survive.” They both turned and left the room, closing and locking the door behind them.

This was not good. I was a prisoner in Faerie. I dressed in the breeches and shirt they’d brought me and then looked at the food laid out on the table. Any appetite I’d had before had gone the way of my good mood.  I picked up my bag, fished out my iPod and crawled back onto the bed, scanning through to one of my favorite songs. When it came on I closed my eyes and imagined William next to me with his arms around me.

I must have dozed off because I felt someone shaking me gently. “Bridgett, wake up.” I pulled the earplugs out of my ears and sat up, rubbing my eyes. There was a very lovely Fae woman standing by my bed smiling at me, so I hesitantly smiled back at her. “I’m Lady Dinestri, one of the Fae Council of Elders. Will you please try to eat something? I know that you’ve been through much over the past week, but you need to be strong for Jackie and Garrett.”

I did what she said, although I still didn’t have much of an
appetite. As I picked at the fresh bread, cheese and fruit, I asked her, “Would you tell me what happened, Lady Dinestri?”

She t
old me everything that she could about what happened in the woods. I was so relieved to know that Jackie and Garrett hadn’t been injured, but concerned for Aedus and Liam. When she told me about the Wild Hunt I was shocked, but happy that Kennet was going to get what was coming to him. It would've been way cool to see them ride off after him. Will would have liked it too.

I thought about the attitude of the other two fae and decided to ask Lady Dinestri about what I’d discussed with Liam. “Lady Dinestri, L
iam mentioned to me that there's a ritual or a ceremony for a formal apology. I’d like to personally apologize to the Fae that my father imprisoned, if they’ll agree to it.”

This time
she
looked shocked. “Do you know what the ritual entails?” I shook my head. “You apologize to the group in your own words, and then they have the right to respond individually. Some may accept your apology but others may not. They are able to take out some of their aggression on you. Although they may not use magic, they may curse at you, hit you, or spit on you. They may not touch your face  or cause you any serious or permanent injury. You may not retaliate in any way. The ritual would be held in front of everyone who wishes to watch and I’m sure you would have quite an audience. Are you certain that you want this?”

“I was told by Liam,
that afterward I would be more accepted by the fae community. I know that you’ll be calling on me for my two years of service soon. I just thought that we might be able to work together better if people saw that I was sorry.”

“What he says is very true. Even the fae who don’t accept your apology, will treat you with respect, because it takes a great deal of courage to do what you suggest, particularly for a non fae. I will m
ake the arrangements.” She watched me carefully and then smiled. “You have much in common with your sister.”

“
I wish." She looked at me curiously. "Sorry, I mean thank you. Do you think I could see Jackie? I know she’s okay, but I haven’t spoken to her since before she was kidnapped.”

“Come with me, Bridgett. She’s working, so you must be very
quiet and not speak to her. I’ll allow you to sit with her for an hour.” I stood up right away, anxious to see Jackie again.

Chapter Forty

Jackie: 8:00 PM Friday

I was relieved to see that Aedus' wounds were beginning to heal, but his skin had turned an unnatural gray tone and his heart was beating in an erratic rhythm. His mother sat silently by his bedside, his hand resting gently in hers, her face resigned and not hopeful. She lifted her deep purple eyes and I saw—anger. To her, I was the cause of his impending death. I was a shifter—someone not worthy of his sacrifice. She was probably right, but it was too late to feel guilt. I sat across from her and took his right hand in mine. She almost told me to get out, I could see her lips start to move in anger, but she must have seen the determination in my eyes. His father had asked me to help Aedus, and I would do all that I could.

Liam was the only fae with ex
ceptional healing abilities among their faerie sidhe, and right now, Liam wasn’t conscious. His body was healing and would take whatever amount of time necessary to finish the job. When I’d checked on him, I'd found his mind at peace and his healing energy strong.

Healers were not valued here in Faerie
as they were elsewhere because the fae were rarely injured to the point of needing medical attention. They could usually heal themselves instantly, or if the physical injuries were serious, over a period of a few days at the most. Because the fae were able to put up powerful shields to protect their minds, injuries of the mental variety were so rare that few had ever seen their effects.