Call of the Wylde Read online

  When the glow faded, Finn turned to Owain. “We must finish the ritual.” Together they spoke the closing words and thanks. As they spoke the last words, both men collapsed on the ground, their breathing coming in short breaths. Even with the psychic energy they expended, dealing with all those emotions and more, the cost was high.

  Owain felt a wrist at his mouth. “Drink, deárthaír. You need sustenance after what you’ve done.”

  “But Donal—“

  “But nothing, drink dammit.” Donal placed his wrist against Owain’s mouth again. “I trust you won’t bleed me to death.”

  Reluctantly, Owain bit into the wrist, letting the blood well up in his mouth. Tasting the warmth, the infusion of heat and life, he suckled a bit more, savoring the taste of magickal blood. Swallowing a few mouthfuls of the nourishing blood, he licked the marks he created in Donal’s wrist. Pushing his brother’s hand away, Owain sat up, feeling strength flow into his body. “Go raibh maith agat, mo dheartháir.”

  “Anytime and no thanks are necessary. You’d have done the same for me,” Donal said, sitting next to him. “What more can I do to help you?”

  “Nothing. How’s Finn?”

  “Sin ulle, I’m fine,” Finn responded, pushing Shane away. “The question is how real is your injury now we’re out of the Otherworld embrace?”

  Owain patted where the dagger went in his chest. “It’s feeling like shite. So, yes, it’s real here and it’s left a mark, dammit. Does anyone know what time it is?”

  “After midnight, boyo.” Shane looked. “We should be heading back. You’re leaving soon, right?”

  “Yeah, that’s the plan. Now with the new information, I need to make some plans for my new assistant.”

  Shane snorted while the other two looked at Owain. “I sincerely doubt that she’s going to just let you up and go without her, Owain,” Shane commented. “Yes, we could hear some of what was said, but not as clear as you both probably did.”

  Donal nodded, helping bandage his brother up with the portable medic kit. “She seemed quite pissed at first. Why is she so determined not to let you find out the origins of vampires?”

  “Because the origins are shrouded a lot more than anyone realizes. Plus, something happened that changed things.”

  Donal stopped. “That sounds ominous.”

  “Yeah. I need to rethink a few things before I make a mad dash to Mexico.” Owain stood uncertainly on his feet. “Who’s driving me to the hotel?”

  “I will. Finn, will you be all right? Shane, you take care of Finn. I’ll call you tomorrow, big brother,” Donal said with a nod.

  Carefully, Owain and Donal made their way down the trail and towards the Powerscourt house. Once there, they negotiated past the Bamberg gate, Owain stopped and leaned against the stone edifice. “Hold on, Donal.”

  “Your wound hurting you?” Donal’s eyes were full of concern. Owain knew this was his time to be more ghostly, so walking the terrain had been easier for Donal than for him, but they had covered it

  fairly quickly with Donal leading the way.

  “Just a bit. I’m not bad though. I’m worried about Colette and how this might affect her.”

  “Your wound or the warning?”

  “The warning.”

  Both men remained quiet as the night surrounded them completely. Donal laid his hand on Owain’s shoulder. “Do you love her?”

  “Does it matter?” Owain asked, his voice harsh with emotion. “The curse doesn’t specify that, it specifies she has to love me unconditionally. Something I don’t know.”

  The blonde haired brother nodded. “You’re in love with her. Tuigim. So, do you tell her what Morrigu warned or do you leave her behind?”

  “I’m not sure, Donal. Dar leat, which would be better? Telling her what could happen and facing the fact she might die or leaving her behind and knowing I might never have her love that way either?”

  “I don’t envy you the choice, Owain. I really don’t. As it is, I know what it’s like to hope. In my case, it’s a useless proposition since the likelihood of meeting anyone who has the mark of The Morrigan, but there was a woman…”

  “Pretty?”

  “I’m not sure, but I’d say yes. I met her briefly at a Yuletide party in London. There was something very special about her, but I’m not putting hope to trust in it being real. I just wish I could find her and figure out why she got to me that night.” Donal looked at the night sky, filled with stars only as the new moon was at its zenith.

  “De bharr that you felt something for her?”

  “Yes, on all accounts. We merged in a daydream while I kissed her. There is something about her that pulls me.”

  “If you know anything about her or can find out about her, see about finding her when you get some time.” Owain sighed. “It’s time we get going. Colette will either be sleeping and waiting for me or up and waiting for me.”

  Silently, they both headed to Donal’s car. The only thing that made any noise during the drive back to Dublin was the radio playing traditional Celtic music. Any conversation was aborted due to their own private and personal feelings about the evening’s happenings. On some level, Owain wanted to doubt it happened, but knew it was real. There was no way to deny what had happened, not with his healing injury. What he worried about most was how Colette would react to the information. Donal pulled up to the front area of the Alexander Hotel. Both brothers embraced. “Buíochas, Donal.”

  “No reason to thank me for helping out my brother. Go get some rest and in the morning, you can tell Colette what you feel is necessary. I think though, she might surprise you.”

  “Perhaps. Oiche mhaith, mo dheartháir.”

  Donal waved. “Sleep well yourself. Take care.” With those parting words, he sped off into the night. Owain stood there for a moment, inhaling the night air, shivering at the chilliness that now seemed to envelop him. With a heavy sigh, he went inside, nodded at the night clerk, then headed up to his room.

  Unlocking the door, he stepped inside the dimly lit room. The light from the bathroom shone softly in the room, highlighting Colette’s sleeping countenance. His heart constricted seeing her so at peace. He didn’t want anything to mar their relationship but it might not be an option the way events were shaping up.

  Carefully Owain undressed, then crawled into the huge bed, snuggling closer to Colette. In her sleep, she reached out to him and he enveloped her in his embrace. “Mionnaigh mé, Col. We’ll get through this somehow and not lose what we mean to each other.” His lips brushed her forehead causing her to tighten her grip around his waist. With a sigh, Owain slid into an uneasy sleep, hoping that come morning, things would be better.

  Chapter Nine

  >“And you think you can just dismiss me because of what might happen? Are you that fucking stupid?” Colette yelled at Owain two nights later.

  Owain looked impassively at her, no emotion showing. For the past two days, he had wooed her, made her, no…convinced her that there was such a thing as white knights, and now, now he had the nerve to tell her he wasn’t bringing her to Mexico in order to protect her from what might be there. She knew he was hiding something else besides Morrigu’s warning, but nothing she did made him open his mouth about what it was.

  Her heart ached inside. The past two days had shown her that it was okay to trust and let herself feel deeply for this man. Part of her knew she was already in love with him, but there was the whole thing of the curse, the requirements to break it, and the truth about whether or not she could honestly accept him as a vampire. It was a lot to ask of a woman to be the one to completely trust and accept him for what he was. What if he wasn’t accepting of her and her life? Wasn’t that just as bad? How much was it worth to be the one to break the curse? Was it really worth it?

  “Well?” Her voice broke with emotion.

  “I figured it was a rhetorical question considering you’ve been ranting at me for the last hour. Are you done with your tirade so I can expl
ain what I was hoping to do, since I don’t want to risk your life?”

  “Tirade? You think that was a tirade? You’ve not seen tirade, buddy!”

  Owain jerked her against him, tilted up her chin and hoarsely whispered. “Don’t you get how fucking precious you are to me? Don’t you get that the thought of you dead and beyond my reach terrifies me beyond anything I could ever endure? Don’t you get that I would keep my fucking curse to make sure you’re safe?” With that, his lips crushed against hers while his hands touched her back, her breasts, between her thighs, touching, stroking, demonstrating his feelings, even though he might not show them on his face.

  Colette couldn’t help but respond to the passion in his touch. Her fingers undid his shirt, caressing his warm flesh, gently touching the wound he took defending his position against the goddess he and she both served. Her mouth slid over his chin, her tongue tasting his salty skin, roughened by his stubble. “Oh, Owain, don’t you realize I’ll worry just as much for your safety?”

  Her lips suckled his neck, her hands undoing his pants, shoving them down over his hips. “My Celtic warrior, the things you do to me.”

  “No, the things you do to me, mé grá.” Owain’s hands tugged at her now opened shirt, sliding it off her arms, leaving only her lacy bra. His eyes seemed filled with a desperation she shared.

  “No more words, O. Just love me, please.”

  As Evanescence played on the music video show in the background, Colette dropped to her knees, her mouth caressing the way down Owain’s belly. “Save me from the dark,” she sang softly as her lips wrapped around his hard cock. Taking him in deeply, she savored his taste, his essence. Her tongue swirled around him, their moans joining as one. Without stopping, her free hand cupped his scrotum, gently squeezing and teasing.

  Owain’s fingers fisted in Colette’s dark hair, guiding her to what pleased him most. When her teeth gently scraped the underside of his cock, he shuddered in ecstasy. “Oh gods, Col, you’re more than enough woman for a man.”

  “But I only need one man, O. You,” she whispered back, her mouth going down on him once more. I love you, Owain Maraigh, more than I can ever reveal. I’d give my soul for yours easily to free you from the curse, to give us a chance, but please don’t ask me to stay behind. Please don’t.

  As the song faded and another began, Colette slowly rose up, her body sliding against Owain’s. “Come to bed, O.” Her hand slid possessively over his cock, guiding him to the bed, laying him down. She stripped off the rest of her clothes and positioned herself over him. Her fingers guided her and slowly she sank on his length. “Owain…. oh gods, yes,” she hissed in pleasure.

  Slowly they rocked together, their bodies moving in an ancient rhythm perfected once and never having to be rethought. His mouth claimed one of her nipples as his hands massaged her breasts. “Mé póg tá brionn because it’s beautiful, so luscious, so delightful. Your nipple taitníonn le, pléisiúrs me with it’s tightness,” he moaned as their bodies continued the slow, languid pace.

  “Stay with me, my dearest Owain,” Colette panted, her body rocking, hips grinding as their pleasure built to a higher crescendo. She ran her fingers through his hair lovingly. Her smile held a hint of sadness. “Love me, mé droi grá.”

  Owain released her breasts, wrapping his arms around her waist, then suddenly rolled over so he was on top of her. “Damn straight I’m going to love you, Colette Wylde,” he growled. His mouth crushed hers, his hands stroking her cheeks.

  His mouth slid over her breasts, each lovingly caressed as his cock filled her with slow, long thrusts. Then he slid lower, his cock sliding out of her and against her thigh. She whimpered with need.

  Her eyes were barely open, but she saw the wicked look on Owain’s face.

  “O?”

  “Scream for me, my Col. Come for me,” he purred as his mouth captured her clit, his teeth gently rasping the sensitive nub.

  “Owain!” Her body bucked as he continued the assault on her clitoris, his fingers sliding into her wet, dripping pussy. Senses were overwhelmed as his breath tingled over her sensitive folds and his fingers explored, thrust, and caressed her inner muscles. “Please, oh gods, please Owain, now,” she gasped, her hands fisting on the bed sheets.

  His fingers slid into her pussy hard as his mouth suckled on her clit tossing her beyond the edge of reason. Her hands released the bed sheets, grabbing at him while her eyes closed as her climax rolled through her body, taking her heart with it. “Owain, Owain, Owain, O, O!” she screamed as her body bowed under his touch.

  Owain kept stroking her body, not letting the climax end too suddenly. When her body finally stopped shuddering in pleasure, his tongue licked her slit slowly, deeply, taking in her precious juices. Carefully, he slid her legs up over his shoulders as he leaned forward, his body grinding against hers. With one hand, he guided the head of his cock to her wet core, then slid home once again. A low moan tore through the room as he moved with slow deliberate strokes. Out almost all the way, then back in with one long, hard thrust. Slowly pull out, then back in. Finally, his body demanded that he finish it.

  His pace increased as sweat sheened on their skin, and their breaths became shallow with their bodies joining together so intimately. He loved this woman beneath him. He would do anything to keep her safe, anything to make sure that she was happy. Anything but bring her with him when he went to Chichen Itza.

  Her fingers raked his ass cheeks as her body tightened in warning. Knowing she was close to coming with him, Owain let himself go. “Come with me, Colette. I beg you,” he whispered into her ear.

  Together they hit the pinnacle, their bodies and souls joined in that moment. The love both felt, but wouldn’t speak of, was there without any more barriers. Slowly, they both started to return to their own bodies. Owain was the first to catch his breath, sliding off of her, and cuddling her in his arms, his lips kissing her cheek. “You mean so much to me.”

  “And you to me, Owain.” Her hand stroked back his hair from his face. “Sleep, we’ll talk more in the morning.”

  Owain nodded, his eyes closing. He would fight for this woman; he would keep her safe. Perhaps one day he’d realize he wasn’t doing it just for himself, but for her. He loved her enough to walk alone, but he also loved her enough to hope that one day she’d see what cost it would’ve been to them both if he took her along.

  The television played in the background as Colette curled against Owain’s warmth. Her heart pounded still after their lovemaking. Beyond that, she knew it thrummed with what she was going to do. But honestly, what choice did she have? Her lips brushed against his and her eyes filled with tears.

  “I love you, Owain. Totally, unconditionally, but I need you to need me just as much as I need you. To know I’d protect you just like you’re trying to protect me. Together we’re stronger than if we were alone.” Her words were so low; she knew he wasn’t hearing them.

  She snuggled with him until he fell asleep. She dozed on and off for a while, then carefully roused herself from her meditative sleep.

  Carefully, she moved herself out of the bed. Colette quickly washed up and dressed, careful not to wake Owain. Her heart ached for what she was about to do, but she could see no other way. The past two nights they had made love and she knew Owain had barely slept. The things he had kept from her had eaten at him, keeping him from sleep. Now, he was sleeping deep and it would help for what she was going to do.

  Grabbing her pack and one small suitcase filled with only clothing essentials, Colette stealthily left the room. Dialing Eileen, she explained the need for swiftness. Once that call was done, she made two more, the final one being to a friend of a friend.

  “Kymaera? This is Colette Wylde, I’m a friend of Riana’s and Cylene’s.”

  “What can I do for you, Helsinger friend?”

  “I need a place to stay near Chichen Itza. Preferably not a hotel, if you understand my meaning.” Colette hated to ask for help, but if Owain was e
ven partially correct, she needed to be circumspect and avoid the hotels for now.

  “When will you arrive? I’m near there right now, heading out of town in a couple of weeks.”

  “I’m on my way to the airport to get on the first available flight. I’ll probably be landing at Mexico City.”

  “So, we’re looking at an ETA of tomorrow sometime, late afternoon. Do you know how to get to Chichen Itza?”

  “I’ve got maps and directions from Mexico City to there. Why?”

  “When you arrive, go straight to the parking lot, pay the fee, and go into the area. Make your way to either Kulkulan’s pyramid or to the ball field. I’ll find you there.”

  “You don’t need to do that, Kymaera. I know that as head of your house, you’re damn busy.”

  “Exactly. But somehow I doubt you’re coming here for pleasure. As a courtesy between our roles and for the Council, let me at least give you hospitality.” The voice was pleasant, soothing, and convincing with the slight lilt. Colette thought about how much she knew of Kymaera, head of the vampire House of Sekhmet. There was no choice.

  “Okay. I appreciate this. I’ll call you when I land at Mexico City.”

  “Sounds like a plan, catch ya later then. Adios!”

  Colette stepped outside the hotel and Eileen pulled up in her car.

  “Hop in, I take it there’s a reason for this single flight out of Ireland?” Eileen gave Colette a once over look.

  “I don’t want to talk about it.”

  “Well, if you don’t, I’ll call Riana. She’ll set you straight.”

  “Fuck no. She’ll make my life a living hell.” Colette stiffly explained about what had happened, the fight, her thoughts, and her plan to be met by the head of Sekhmet once she was at the Mayan ancient city.

  Eileen said nothing as she made her way through downtown. Only when they were close to their destination did she respond. “Personally, I do get why you’re going this part alone, but I have a real bad feeling about it. How much can we really trust Kymaera?”