1 Chapter 1. (2/2)

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”Hold on a sec.”

I held my breath as he told the others what had happened.

”Red we'll clean up the bar don't worry, then we'll be right over Ok. You just get to the manor. Once you're inside the gate you'll be protected. I'll be there soon.”

”Ok...uh Jax, there's something else you should know.”

”What?”

”There was something else there tonight. Besides the bear.”

”What do you mean something else?”

”A wolf was there. A massive wolf, and I think...I think he spoke to me...in my head. I'm not crazy I swear.”

He was quiet for a long time, I checked to see if I had dropped the call, but I had full service. Finally, he spoke again. A steel like tone sharpened his voice.

”Redalia get home and wait for me there. Lock the door's let no one inside until I get there. I'll bring Doc to check your wound's. Stay inside you hear me?!”

”Yea I got it. I'll see you soon.”

I hung up, now I was definitely curious and a little weirded out. What a night! Geez, and it had barely gotten started. I pulled onto my long driveway a mere 10 minute's later. Living so close to the bar had it's perk's I thought as I rolled down the gravels. As I neared the gate it began to open.

I roared through and once inside, it closed itself immediately. (Magic can be super helpful sometimes) I slammed the charger in park and rushed to the other side. Wolfy was looking a bit pale and very, very bloody. (My new leather upholstery!! No time to mourn, life to save here.)

Throwing his arm over my neck again I hoisted him up and out of the car. My footsteps were light and swift as I rushed through the front door. Making my way into the dining room I laid him out on the large dark cherry table and began to access the damage.

His shoulder was torn, left torso torn to pieces, fractured or broken ribs on the same side, and his arm was shredded. I ran to the pantry and gathered as many towels as I could hold. Then off I went to the bathroom for hot water after I retrieved a large bowl from under the kitchen sink.Alcohol and peroxide were next along with bandages, tape, and a couple Ace wraps. I could kick myself for not keeping up and re-ordering on my supply of antibiotic's and antiseptics. Oh well, nothing to be done now. I heated the already hot water up to a boil on the stove then took it to the table. Wolfy lay very still and appeared to be barely alive.

I took his temp, 104.7 that's not good. I ran to the freezer for a cold pack. On my way back a thought struck me, Why in the hell am I trying to save a Dark Reaper? In the same breath I answered aloud.

”Because he's not a Dark Reaper, you idiot he saved your life. Dark Reaper's don't save, they kill. Still....something's....weird.”

I shook it off. I mean if it hadn't been for him I might be dead right now. That bear had immense strength, even for a shifter. He should have gone down after I stabbed him then dug my blade into his throat. Dark magic was the only explanation as to how he was able to continue on with such ferocity.

I placed the cold pack on Wolfy's head in an attempt to cool his fever. I found myself tracing lines on his face and chest with my finger tip.

”So many scar's, so much pain inflicted. Could you really be a Wolven?Why are you here? I thought....well....I thought all Wolven had become Dark Reapers, so why did you save me? Oh great, now I'm talking to a naked, unconscious man on my dining room table....wait.....OH CRAP! You're still naked! Hold on I think I have some of Jaxon's old stuff here in the hallway closet.”

I dashed to the closet and found Jaxon's old clothes. He, being my guardian, had of course stayed over on many nights and in fact had even lived with me up until a few year's ago when I made him move out so he could have a normal life. He didn't want to but after a while he agreed to move, right next door of all places.

Although I can't complain, since moving out he actually found a girlfriend. A nice one too, I knew her from my childhood! I'm so happy he's happy! I pulled myself from my thought's of my bestie and quickly made my way back into the dining room where I saw a very livid looking Jaxon surrounded by about 5 other members of the ELITE starring down at my Wolf, MY wolf...where'd that come from? Oh well, no time to ponder.

”Hey!” I said as I walked to the other side of Wolfy.

”Redalia living room. NOW!”

The thunder in his voice matched that of the thunder that had just began outside. I knew it was gonna rain. What a craptastic night! I laid the pant's I'd picked out down beside Wolf-Man. I couldn't help myself and brushed his hand as I walked past his body. Something just kept pulling me towards him, when I walked away it was like a piece of me was missing.

I followed Jaxon into the living room, fully prepared to get a thorough tongue lashing.

”Redalia what the hell were you thinking?!”

I opened my mouth but was cut off.

”Rhetorical!”

Jaxon snapped.

”You could have been killed tonight, and what do you do? You bring the damned threat home with you! He's a Dark Reaper Redalia! His soul purpose in life is to serve Doran and kill the Dearg Mac Tire Banrion!”

”Jaxon if you'll just let me explain!”

”What could you possibly say Redalia? Please do enlighten me!”

He was practically fuming, but sadly for him I have a temper to match that of a pissed off Queen!

”Jaxon Taylor Sauder!”

His head snapped up to look me square in the eye.

Well that seems to have gotten his attention!

”I am Redalia Ashling Hood, I am the Dearg Mac Tire Banrion and you will NOT speak to me as if I were some child in need of reprimanding! You have been my life-long guardian and friend and I love you Jax, but please calm down and listen.”

As my voice grew softer so did his burning gaze. Finally, he rubbed his eye's and pinched the bridge of his nose then looked down at me and smiled.

”Red you sure are a firecracker and a half! The Goddess definitely chose the right woman to be our Dearg Mac Tire Banrion. Am I right boys?

Laugh's and murmured agreements went all around the room as Jaxon and I took a seat on my large and very comfy (if I do say so myself) sectional. Just then Doc came through the hallway.

”Sorry I'm late everyone. Jaxon, how are you this evening?”

”I've been better Doc.” he exclaimed, not even trying to hide his disdain.

”Red my girl how are you? Feeling alright? Jaxon said I was to hurry right over, but you look fine. Well except the cut's and gashes, my god were you in a fight?”

”Never mind me, there's a man on my dining room table in need of your help.”

”Right! I'll get to it, then, young lady I want to take a look at those cut's.”

He winked as he took off to the dining room. I then turned back to Jaxon and the men and offered everyone a seat. Once they were seated I began the retelling of the night's previous events. When I finally ended my tail a strange feeling of sickness washed over me. My stomach began to turn a bit. I figured it was because I hadn't eaten so I brushed it off.

Jaxon began to lecture me on the consequences of my action's in bringing the wolf home with me but I couldn't hear a word he was saying. My hearing started going in and out along with my vision. I snapped to my feet when the same male voice as before rang in my head again.

”Red your hurt. Come to me I can heal you.”

”Wha..?”

I wavered on my feet and felt faint suddenly. Jaxon shot to his feet to catch me.

”Redalia you've been poisoned. Quickly come to me I can heal you, you'll die if I don't.”

”Who....How do you know...?”

My knees gave way, the floor came up to greet me and all went black.

”Redalia, Redalia do not give in. Come back! Come back to me! I've searched the very fabric of time for you, I won't lose you now! Come back to me Mo Chroi (uh-KHREE)”

I suddenly sat bolt upright. I was surrounded by my brethren from THE ELITE, each looking at me then looking away quickly. It was only after a very chilly draft did I realize my shirt had been torn to the point that I was showing a bit more of my chest then I wanted too. I quickly covered myself with the tattered fabric and immediately regretted the movement.

Jaxon rushed to my side, taking my face in his palm's he kissed my forehead.

”Oh thank the Goddess you're alive! Red....I thought I'd lost you!”

Tears threatened to fall from his beautiful amber eyes. Jaxon was a very handsome man. Standing at 6 feet 3 inches, year round tan skin, well defined muscles, thick wavy blonde hair, square jaw with a hint of stubble, and hand's that were mad for holding a woman. Yep, my bestie was drop dead sexy! Alexandria was a lucky lady indeed!

I laid my hand on his cheek and closed my eyes as I pressed my forehead against his.

”Red, do you remember what happened?”

”I remember cold, cold and dark, and a voice...the male voice I'd been hearing all night. He brought me back.”

”What are you talking about sweetheart? What voice?”

”It was a man, a man brought me back. I think it was the wolf. OH MY GODDESS!! The wolf! Jax where is he?!”

”Shhhh calm down darlin' he's still alive. When you fainted no one could wake you, you turned blue and cold. Suddenly, he was beside you. Naturally, I didn't exactly approve but before I could say or do anything he took you from me and held you to his chest. Then he glowed, like legit, he glowed! It was some kinda bright blue light and then you glowed. Then your color came back and he fell backwards a bit and went back out of it.

I had Doc look him over again and then the boys took him upstairs. Which is exactly where you're going.”

”But, when he spoke to me in my head he said I was...”

”No Red, no one is speaking to you in your head. You've had a long day and you need rest. Now come on I'm taking you to bed.”

Before I could protest he scooped me up and off we went. He stopped at the foot of the staircase and turned to one of the other men. His second in command would be my guess.

”I'm stayin with Red tonight. Take shifts on the outer perimeter, close in throughout the night. She must be protected!”

”Agreed!”

They all chimed in unison, then bowed. Didn't they care that it was pouring the rain outside? They'll all be sick! I have to put a stop to this.

”Jax I'm Ok., I can go to bed by myself.”

”I'm not risking you getting light headed again and falling down the stairs. Now hush I'll carry you.”

After trying and then failing to wiggle free from his iron grip I finally sighed and gave in to his foolishness.

”Fine.”

I said, with all the exasperation I could muster.

”Hey, remember when you were young and I was a teen and you used to fake being asleep so I would have to carry you up the stairs to bed?” he said playfully.

I couldn't help but smile at the memory.

”Yea, (I giggled) I loved it, I always felt safe with you Jax.”

”You are safe with me Red. Forever.”

”Jax...”

”Hm?”

”You need a normal life, you and I aren't the same. You can have a love and a family. I want you to have these thing's.”

We were at my door before he spoke again.

”Red I took an oath to protect you. I'm your guardian and your friend. All I NEED is you and for you to be healthy and happy.”

He pulled back my thick jersey knit blanket (I love this thing!) and placed me under it.

”I want you to have a normal life, Jax. You should want that too. This life of servitude is bullshit. You shouldn't have to be tied to me for the rest of your life!”

”Hush now Red I'll not hear another word. Your tired and you've had a terrible night. Do you want me to lay down with you?”

I opened my mouth to answer but stopped short.

”Send him away Mo Chori.”

It was the voice again. He doesn't want Jax here. Hmm, maybe this is my chance to get to talk to him.

”No, I'll be Ok, I'll holler if I need you though. Will you be here? You know you can go home. I can call if I need you.”

”I'll be here, downstairs in fact.”

”Send him home Mo Chori. We need to talk.”

”Jaxon, go home.”

”Red..”

”NO!, Jax you need sleep too. Alexandria will hate me! Go home!”

I gave him my best smile. Fighting the sickness in me I bit back the urge to faint again until he shook his head and kissed mine then left quietly. Once I heard his truck start up and roll out of the driveway I breathed a sigh of relief. Though it wasn't an easy breath. Suddenly it became very hard to breathe.

I began to panic then quickly composed myself and slowed my breathing, then I placed one leg off the edge of the bed and laid my foot flat on the ground to reset my balance and stop the room from spinning. ( This trick also works when you're drunk * wink*)

A gentle hand slowly caressed my face, Oddly I wasn't shocked or scared. In fact, I was very, very calm. The hand made it's way to my left shoulder and very carefully rolled me onto my right side, pulling my leg back up onto the bed as he did so.

”Mo Stor (uh-stohr)you have been poisoned. The bear left a tainted claw embedded in your back beneath the shoulder blade. I can take it out but the pain...will be terrible.”

Keeping my eye's closed I steeled my nerves. Where the hell was Doc when you needed him.

”Get it out.”

He caressed my arm again. His touch was so feather light and yet it held so much feeling in it. I became over whelmed with the calming sensation. A moment of sanity returned only long enough for me to form a rational question before it wafted away again.

”Why do I feel this way?”

”The calming effect you're experiencing is the bond we share. When we are together we balance each other. Creating a zen-like calm. I'm going to remove the claw now Mo Stor , brace yourself.”

I squeezed my eye's shut as I felt him re-open the still fresh wound. White hot dagger's pierced my shoulder as he pushed his hand through the now gaping wound. Tears threatened to fall, I almost lost consciousness once or twice as well but still I hung on to the light.

To the sound of his voice. I could feel his emotions as if they were my own. It was killing him, putting me through this torture. (I'd gladly trade him places at this point!) When I felt as if I could take no more he pulled his hand free.

”Got it Mo Chori, lie still I'll seal the wound. Our bond can do many great things.”

I was feeling better already. The sickness had left and was replaced with joy and just a hint of that searing, morbid pain. But that damned darkness was rearing its ugly head again and this time, I gave in willingly.