Page 83 of Spiritwarrior

“I’m more concerned with you tonight than what could happen tomorrow.”

Fynn dropped his eyes to his. “Why are you worried about me?”

“We are here for you, Fynn. If your gifts are making you unhappy, stop using them, ignore them.”

Fynn gave him a wry smile. “How am I supposed to stop?”

“Stop looking to the stars. You don’t use your gifts when you go to school; just do the same here. Eventually, it’ll become second nature.”

Fynn continued to look at him. Then his eyes moved to their brothers, who were listening. Each of them had made the same decision that Fynn needed to make.

“You don’t need to make the decision tonight. Think it over. You said you lost your soul mate, that she’s no longer there. I think she is, or Dad wouldn’t have put her on your chart. Mother made sure we can’t see our future, and as much as I complain about it, I see why. She is our ruler, and she wants our loyalty, regardless of what we would prefer to do. Yet, as queen, she is also our Mother and seeks to protect us. She may show you parts of the future, but the future can change at any time by ouractions. She set us on a path where she can watch and care for us. Until we break from that path, she cannot protect us if we’re not supposed to be there in the first place.”

“Then why are you going to town tomorrow?”

“I am loyal to my queen, but I have a duty to protect my woman.”

Jody stayed an hour, planning where each of them would be stationed on the property in case the unexpected happened and the death the bloody star was forewarning about could take place on the mountain. Here, they were given free rein to use their powers, unless it involved healing physical wounds of someone meant to be taken.

Saying good night to his brothers, he made his way to his trailer. She wouldn’t be happy to see him again tonight, but he was going to have to convince her to let him stay.

Despite being confident he could protect Sophie from what was going to happen tomorrow, he had a feeling of dread, as if the electrical currents flowing through the earth were warning him.

Sophie answered the door on his first knock. “Why am I not surprised?”

Jody grinned at her sarcastic expression. “I couldn’t sleep.”

“Call Ginny and ask her to borrow one of Leah’s teddy bears.”

“Are you going to make me sleep with Jacob? His snoring keeps me up all night.”

“Will you sleep on the couch?”

“I’d rather sleep with you.” Jody reached out, sliding his hand around the back of her neck. “I can sleep on the couch if you make me. How about if I promise just to hold you, would that work?” Letting his fingers caress her skin, he stared at her soulfully. “I need you tonight, baby. Any way I can get you, I’ll be content.”

Conflicting emotions crossed her face before she opened the door. Once he was inside, she locked the door after him.

“What were you doing?”

“I was going to bed.”

Jody looked at the couch unhappily. “Where am I sleeping?”

“On the couch. You know where the blankets are. Good night.”

He gave her a pouting face as she went to the bedroom, then moved to the small chest against the wall, where he kept extra blankets and pillows for when one of his brothers spent the night.

After placing the pillow and blanket on the couch, he went to the wall to turn off the overhead light. He sat down and removed his shoes and clothes before lying down on the couch in his underwear, pulling the blanket over him. Rolling over to face the bedroom door, he closed his eyes.

He was almost asleep when he heard the bedroom door click open. He opened his eyes and saw Sophie’s shadow crossing the floor toward him to stand over him.

“I hate myself.” Self-loathing filled her voice.

“Why?”

“I shouldn’t want you, but I can’t make myself stop wanting you.”

He made no move to rise from the couch. “You shouldn’t hate something that isn’t in your control,” he told her as if they were discussing an everyday topic. “You can’t fight what’s between us, because it’s not your conscious mind or body you’re fighting against. Our souls are two parts of a whole. I have half; you have the other half. They were meant to be together.

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