Braden flipped his hand up and a gleaming gold stream shot back and caught the red stream. Sparks flew everywhere.
“So, you’ve used the flame drug. Sorry, but it won’t be enough.”
He didn’t bother to respond. Instead, while keeping his killing energy at full-bore, he moved toward her one careful, determined step at a time. Maeve, you there?
Barely.
We’ll need to do this together. Focus on your wolf, not your witch. You need your physical strength right now to escape the spell and Veyda’s not counting on that. But don’t move until you can leap to your feet and start firing. We can do this together.
I’m with you and I’m feeling it. My wolf wants to howl.
Good.
The whole time, Braden kept inching toward Veyda. Sparks still flew as he kept her distracted. The witch had miscalculated one thing in this equation, his trust in Maeve and that they’d journeyed almost to the point of mating.
He held his power steady and wasn’t surprised to watch Veyda taking a step backward then another. He saw sweat bead on her forehead.
She flicked her right hand in his direction.
The spell touched him, then fell away. Ironically, emerald flame had protected him.
But Veyda fought hard. She increased the stream of her power. This time, he was forced back several steps. Maeve was to the right of them both. He could feel her strength rising.
I’m ready, Braden. Tell me what to do.
She’ll try to use her spell on you again, so keep your wolf in the dominant position. Also, try to stay a step behind me. But when you rise from the furs, get as close to me as you can and start firing.
Say when.
Braden smiled at Veyda. “Time to die, Bitch.” Okay, Maeve, when!
From his peripheral, he watched her jump to her feet, a seamless move combined with wolf precision. She let loose with her fierce killing power at the exact same moment so that now two golden, glimmering streams of power flowed toward Veyda.
The dark witch’s eyes went wide as she started backing up. But the space was small in Maeve’s burrow and the stone wall of the cave stopped her.
Sweat poured down her face as she tried to counter both their killing streams at once. When she lifted her right hand to throw another spell toward Maeve, Braden adjusted the flow of his power and pinned her arm to the wall.
She started to scream. Her arm withered then simply disappeared.
The flow of her power began to ebb. Both he and Maeve moved toward her.
Braden knew they had her now. “You deserve worse than this, Veyda, for all the suffering you’ve caused.”
Unlike her, he had no interest in torture. So, instead of prolonging the moment, he added a boost of wolf power. The flow of his killing stream finished hers off. Without her killing power to protect her, his gold stream broke through to her chest then pierced her all the way through.
She threw her head back as if to scream, but she had no lungs left to deliver the air.
With her mouth wide open and her neck arched, she slid down the wall to the floor. Her chest was a gaping, smoking hole.
He lowered his arm. Maeve did the same. She held her nose. “The smell.”
“Rancid. Just like the woman.”
He took her arm and wheeled her out of the burrow. “I’ll get my wolves to take care of her carcass. I don’t want you near her.”
“Your wolves? You mean in Savage?”
“No. Greg and his crew.”
Once in the spellroom, he closed the door.
His wolves.
Funny how life could change so quickly. He hadn’t mean his Savage wolves at all. He’d meant his wolves at the Landing.
He still didn’t want Maeve anywhere near the witch’s remains. So, he guided her up the stairs and back to her living room.
He got on his phone and called Greg to let him know the witch was dead and that he needed the pack’s help to remove the body.
Greg gave a shout, then started to howl in celebration.
“We’re on our way.” He could hear the other wolves join in as well. He took Maeve’s arm and piloted her up the second set of spiral stone steps.
By the time he stepped across the purple protection spell, he saw the wolves as a pack coming toward the building. They were still howling and carrying on.
Maeve tugged on his arm. He glanced at her then watched as she got rid of her security spell. “They’ll need access to the stairs.”
“Good thinking.”
As the howling wolves drew closer, Braden threw his own head back and released a long howl punctuated with yips. The wolves joined him. The hallway beyond soon flooded with the rest of the Landing residents.
Word got out and there was more applause and cheers than he’d heard in a long time.
Maeve kept throwing her head back. He understood. “You should howl with us. It’ll feel good. Real good.”
He slid his hand down her arm and slapped his palm against hers, then held on.
She glanced at their clasped hands. But Braden…
We’ll sort things out. Right now, damn, we’re going to celebrate. The witch is dead.
During a lull in the howls, Braden shouted at the top of his lungs, “Veyda is dead!”
A renewed cheering and howling commenced. Maeve joined in, a sound that sent joy piercing Braden’s heart. He understood everything now and he saw his future as clearly as any path he’d ever taken.
The wolves lifted him up onto their shoulders then Maeve. They were fortunate the ceiling was so tall.
More howling, then Greg led the party outside.
After ordering two of his men to take care of Veyda’s remains, Greg shouted for the rest to light the bonfires.
Once on their feet, Braden took Maeve’s hand again and didn’t let go. He wanted her to know he was with her, no matter what.
She had one of her assistants inform Carmen of the good news then to beg for platters of raw meat and buckets of ice cold beer. Greg was already firing up the grills.
He felt Maeve squeeze his hand. He glanced at her and saw that though tears once more touched her eyes, she was smiling.
We did it, Maeve. We did it together.
She nodded. Yes, we did.
~ ~ ~
Maeve celebrated with the wolves and all the residents of the Landing. Chef and her staff kept preparing food and sending it to the communal outdoor area. Nearly everyone in the complex, including Kiara, now bundled up in a wheelchair, enjoyed the fires that lit up the large patio.
The space had expanded over the months. Maeve had bought up more property from her booming candle business to accommodate how the shifters enjoyed celebrating life. Their enthusiasm was infectious. Even the somber vampires could be caught smiling and laughing.
More than once, the wolves hoisted her on their shoulders and spun her around. She might have used levitation to keep from falling more than once since a lot of beer was being imbibed. But she loved it.
As soon as they would put her down, they’d pick up Braden again. She’d never seen him look so happy.
Knowing that Veyda could never hurt anyone again, kept her spirits floating. She felt tremendous relief that the woman who’d killed Frank and Laura was now dead.
Her gaze often went to Braden. He stuck close to the wolves and howled until he was hoarse. She was surrounded by many of her rescues who shouted often, no matter the alter species. The demise of such an evil force in Five Bridges would be long remembered.
Braden broke away from the pack often just to come to her. He even kissed her a few times, which made her think either he was drunk and had forgotten the terrible thing she’d done, or somewhere in the past hour or so, he’d forgiven her.
She wasn’t counting on the latter. She fully expected him to come down from the high of victory, and remember the truth. He’d promised vengeance on everyone involved in his wife’s murder.
She saw Kiara sitting quietly apart from the group near the l
ow stone sitting wall. Alfonso was nearby in case Kiara needed him.
The recent victim of Veyda’s vile torture had a peaceful smile on her lips. With Braden howling anew near the grills, she joined her friend and mentor.
She leaned down and kissed Kiara on the cheek, then sat on the wide stone edge of the low wall, near her mentor’s wheelchair. She told Alfonso she’d see to Kiara and to take a few minutes to enjoy himself.
When he joined the others, Maeve extended her hand to Kiara. She took it readily and gave a squeeze. “Your wolves are ecstatic.”
“No less so than myself. She’s dead, Kiara. The woman who tortured you can’t hurt you or anyone else ever again.”
“I know and my heart is so full of joy and we owe it all to your vigilance and dedication. You’ve accomplished many good things here, Maeve. Amazing things. From the time you arrived in Five Bridges, you’ve done nothing but make our world a better place. Thank you.”
Maeve felt her cheeks warm up. She didn’t know how to respond to the sincere compliment. She hadn’t set out to be a world-changer. She’d only done what needed doing. She was practical in that way. “I suppose I could say ‘you’re welcome’, but it doesn’t seem right somehow.”
“You’re not one for compliments.”
“No, I guess I’m not. So, how are you doing?”
Kiara took a deep breath. “I don’t know. I intend to book some time with your resident therapist. Some serious time. I think all the women you brought out of that place will need help recovering.”
“I’ll see what I can do to add to my staff for the time-being.”
“Hey. I didn’t mean to complicate your to-do list.”
Maeve turned and met her gaze dead on. “You, and the women we rescued, are not part of a to-do list. Ever. You’re people I care about. You’re my priority.”
Kiara smiled but tears filled her eyes. She shifted her gaze to the throng of revelers. “Speaking of priorities, is Braden now yours as well?”
Maeve glanced sideways at him. He’d shaken up a bottle of beer and sprayed it over Greg. The latter set to howling anew. Two of the shifters had gone full-on fur and were racing around the large patio. Maeve knew she would never shift, not like a true wolf, but she felt the instincts inside her now, a result of being with Braden and of having alpha capacity. “I suspect he’s headed back to Savage now that he’s fulfilled his mission.”
“Somehow, I doubt that. The Landing wolves are about an inch away from bonding with him.”
She turned back to Kiara. “Do you think so?”
“I do.”
“So, you’re saying you think he’s not going back.”
“I would be surprised if he did. No, I’d be shocked. There’s something else you should know. Laura was here tonight. In my hospital room.”
A shiver traveled over Maeve, head-to-toe, and a gasp left her throat. “She was?”
“Braden was there when she appeared. She talked to him, telepathically, but she included me in the conversation. She said something I think you should know. She told Braden that when you took her life, her spirit had already gone to the other side. The poison had entered her bones as well as her blood-stream. She still had to endure the physical separation, but nothing could have saved her. You did the right thing and Braden knows it.”
At that, Maeve leaned forward and planted her elbow on her thigh, then her forehead in her hand. “I had no memory of what I’d done until tonight. I remembered it all when I was talking to you in your hospital room.” She told Kiara about using the poison paste on Braden so he would have some understanding of what Laura had endured.
“That was smart. Very smart. He would never have accepted what happened otherwise.”
“But can he forgive me? No, that’s not even the right question. How can he ever forgive me? I was the instrument that separated him forever from the woman who meant the world to him.”
“You know, I don’t think this is about Braden at all. You have a very different question to answer: Can you forgive yourself?”
At that, Maeve rose to a sitting position. “I didn’t mind killing those witches, not after the torture they’d put Laura through. But I hate that my hands took her life, even though I know it was necessary.”
“Well, tell you what. When you add to your staff, set up a few appointments with a therapist yourself. Otherwise, you’ll never get over this.”
“I will do just that.” After a moment, she said, “You know what’s funny?”
“What?”
“How much I complained about all the little things before I became an alter witch. If the day was too hot or too cold. Or if I didn’t like the meal I just ate. I fretted about my weight and worried about what other people thought of me. I worked hard to make money, but never paid the smallest attention to those in need in my community.
“Coming to live here didn’t just change my life. It’s changed my view of life. I would be a different person now, if I could return magically to the human world.”
“We all would. Ah, here comes Braden.” She was silent and Maeve could tell she was communicating telepathically with someone, probably Alfonso since he left the group he was chatting with and headed back to her as well.
Kiara turned to Maeve. “I’m ready for my bed and you need some time with Braden.”
Kiara caught her hand then sent the words straight into Maeve’s mind. Don’t let him go. You need each other and you’re good for each other.
At the same moment Braden drew close to Maeve, Alfonso slid behind Kiara’s wheelchair and started to push. Kiara caught Braden’s hand as well. “Good job tonight.”
“Thanks. Get some rest.”
“I will.”
Maeve turned toward him uncertain what to expect. His eyes were alive with celebration and rimmed with a golden light. “How many beers have you had?”
He chuckled. “Not nearly enough. I plan to keep celebrating for at least the next year.”
He settled beside her on the heavy top stones of the low garden wall. He pushed his shoulder against hers. “How you doin’? Are you recovered from the battle?”
She rubbed her left hand. “I’m not too bad, really. My fingers tingle and twitch, but that’s to be expected.” She glanced at his hand. “And you have killing power too, now.”
“That I do. Or maybe I do if I can recreate the same potion.”
“You used emerald flame.”
“Three grains. I’d do it again, too, if it meant ridding our world of another monster like Veyda. Name the time and place and I’m there.”
He heaved a sigh and grew quiet. His gaze shifted about.
She felt the need to address the tough issue between them. “Kiara told me Laura was here tonight.”
At that, he met her gaze. His beautiful green eyes bore a shard of pain she understood extremely well. “She was. She wore her favorite outfit.”
“Remember earlier when I called you into the shower?”
“Uh-huh.”
“Frank had just visited me. I mean I didn’t see him like you saw Laura. But his voice was in my head, though he sounded like he spoke from a great distance. He told me I needed to move on.”
Braden spoke quietly. “Do you think you can?”
She tried to smile but failed. “I think so. But I’m going to need some time to get over all that’s happened.”
He slid his arm around her and she leaned her head against his shoulder. He switched to telepathy. I love you, Maeve.
She drew a deep breath. I love you, too.
He squeezed her shoulders. Aloud, he said, “I never thought I’d say this, but I don’t want to leave the Landing. Not ever. How would you feel if I stuck around?”
At that, she drew back and stared at him. Though she’d shifted position, he still kept his arm around her. “Really? I’d love it. But when did things change?”
He smiled then kissed her forehead. “I don’t know how it happened, or when. I think it was a gradual process from
the time I woke up from my coma. But it looks like I’ve found a new home here.”
“What about your pack in Savage? You love them. You’re bonded to them.”
“I know. I don’t even know how this is going to work exactly. But I’ll talk to Jeremy and Alpha Warren. We’ll figure it out. Yet, somehow, I don’t think it’s going to be a problem.
“Five Bridges isn’t like the human world. We’ve got forces working for us. Laura brought me here for you. I know that now. She knew you’d need me and that I’d fall in love with you.”
Maeve’s throat grew really tight. “But, Braden—” She let the words hang once more.
At that, he shifted toward her and caught her chin with his free hand. “You ended her suffering, at her pleading, and Laura knew what it was going to cost you. That’s why she stuck around, to make sure you were okay.
“I know it won’t be easy for you to get over what happened. I’ll have my own impossible days as well. But it will never be about recrimination. Do you understand? There’s nothing to forgive here. I have only gratitude for your courage in the face of an impossible situation.”
His words and his sincerity brought a wave of peace flowing through her.
Nothing to forgive.
When he leaned in and kissed her, she accepted his lips without reservation. She had a man in her life, a partner, a lover. And he wasn’t going away.
Her heart opened wide in that moment. Frank had helped her to get past her grief. She would always miss him. But Braden had become her present and as long as they both lived, he would be her future.
The celebration continued until shortly before dawn.
Even then, as Braden walked her back to her burrow apartment, she could hear several plaintive howls draw the night to a close.
~ ~ ~
Braden wanted to bond with Maeve, but he wasn’t sure if the timing was right. Laura’s appearance earlier and her words to him, had cemented his determination to do right by Maeve, no matter what. The critical part she’d played in Laura’s death had changed his view of the situation. Instead of rage, he felt nothing but relief that she’d saved Laura from hours of unimaginable pain and torment.