Page 78 of Of Flame and Fate

I squeak when Gemini hauls me against his hard body, the passion surging within him stirring my own. I wrap my arms around his neck. I want to kiss him, but the fierceness he greets me with turns my caress more soothing than sexy.

“Taran,” he says, his tone severe. “I don’t like the Fate and I don’t trust him.”

I tilt my head. “Because you think he’s hitting on me, or because of something else?”

He turns his gaze in the direction we came from. “I’m not sure, maybe both. What worries me most is that your magic is different when you’re around him.” He looks at me then. “It clashes with his in one way, but in another, it seems to compliment it. I can’t explain it. All I can tell you is my wolves warn against it.”

Chapter Seventeen

I didn’t like what Gemini had to say about my magic and Johnny’s clashing. I didn’t like what he had to say about them complimenting each other either. It doesn’t seem right, considering we’re so different. Or maybe that’s what I want to believe.

I turn the wheel, gently guiding Gemini’s SUV along each curve in the road. I’m so lost in my thoughts, I don’t realize how close I am to Tahoe until the highway leading to Squaw Valley ends and the one running parallel to Tahoe begins.

My gaze flickers to my arm as the road evens out. There’s a definite pull when I’m around Johnny. I just didn’t attribute it the same way Gemini did.

I began sensing magic more strongly when we first moved to Tahoe, so as much as Johnny’s magic felt different, it didn’t surprise me to feel it once I realized what he was. What did surprise me was how easily he mesmerized me with his singing and power, and how the ache from his past stirred the ache I’ve tried too many times to forget. My sisters and I are immune to vampiric hypnoses and suggestions. None of us, however, seem immune to Johnny’s draw.

It wasn’t until Gem told me how unnerved his wolves were by Johnny’s mojo that I took more care to try to understand it. This isn’t simply my lover being jealous and protective. He’s leery, very much as he would be in the presence of another predator.

My right arm gives a shudder as I remember that surge of power that filled the foyer when we entered the dorm. In making himself bleed, maybe he also bled out an extra dose of his magic.

“Are you agreeing or disagreeing?” I ask Sparky when she twitches again.

She doesn’t respond, but I suppose that’s a good thing. I’m weird enough. The last thing I need is my hand turning into a talking sock puppet, minus the sock.

I rub the back of my neck, trying to ease some of the stress from the day. It’s close to dinner. Soon the sun will turn in and allow the moon to take charge. I never expected to arrive this late and planned to leave for home immediately following lunch. But then Johnny happened.

Spell-wielding or not, it was hard to find him as I did. I didn’t feel right taking off until the plane was secured and Johnny was escorted from the Den. I couldn’t abandon him, knowing how intimidated he is by the Pack. Being the odd guy out takes on a whole new meaning around beasts with fangs and claws just waiting for you to make one wrong move.

“Poor sap,” I mutter.

Despite the day, and the last few, my mood lifts when the sign for Dollar Point comes into view. I’m almost home. But as I catch my first sight of Tahoe, and how the swirls of orange and pink sky cast light along the lake’s gentle waves, my smile vanishes.

“Destiny isn’t well, T.” Those were Shayna’s exact words when I called to make sure it was okay to visit. “But it would mean the world to her if you came by.”

Jesus. How could I refuse?

I pull into my neighborhood, a small cul-de-sac with a few homes. Most of our neighbors are young professionals, here for the serenity the lake offers and the night life just a short drive away. Most things they’ve seen, they’ve been “encouraged” to forget through magic, for their safety, but more so for their sanity.

Two SUVs are parked directly in front of the house, and two more are stationed close to the path that leads to the lake. Mrs. Mancuso is sweeping her walkway. I nod in the direction of the stiff middle finger she waves at me. Oh, yes, it’s good to be home.

“Pace,” I say, whispering the word that allows me safe passage through the wards and into the garage. My body cools as I feel the wall of protection part. It’s only then do I hit the garage door opener and drive through.

The double wide door creaks open loudly, in the way it has since we first moved in. The sound brings me comfort and I’ll take all it gives me. This isn’t going to be a fun visit. I only hope that I can somehow offer comfort, and that I don’t yet have to say goodbye.

The door leading into the laundry room opens as I slip out of my ride and near the steps. A fewweresI don’t know pile out in human form.

“The mate,” the one in the lead tells the others.

They nod, understanding. “I’m Taran,” I clarify, offering a wave.

Their gazes shift to my arm and back to me. “We’ll be outside guarding the perimeter, mate to Gemini.”

Oh, yes,weresare all about the warm and fuzzies. “Thanks,” I say, beaming. “Glad we had this time to bond.”

I hop up the stairs. It’s warm in the laundry room with the dryer on, the clothes spinning gently as I step into the kitchen.

I’m surprised to find Bren there.

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