Page 44 of No Harm No Howl

“I know. It goes against your nature. I get it. It’s hard for me to be in a room full of wolves, but here I am. I’m just trying to help. I promise. I wouldn’t do anything to hurt you or your mate.”

“Okay,” Gia said, sucking in one more calming breath before she closed her eyes and relaxed fully for whatever it was that Marina had to do.

“Here we go. I found your memories. It was a powerful witch who did this to you. Though, I’m not quite sure why,” Marina said. “I’m going to unblock those memories for you. Just give me one minute. I’m sorry, sweetie, but this is going to hurt. It’s the only way to force my way through her spell.”

“Just do it,” Gia said, bracing herself for the pain about to come.

“Sorry about this.” Marina started chanting.

“Ahhh!” she shouted. Pain instantly exploded in her head. Her skull felt like it was caving in, squashing her brain through her ears. It was intense and awful. All she wanted to do was black out so she didn’t have to feel any more of it.

Thankfully, the pain ended as quickly as it had started, and she cracked her eyes open, expecting the light to hurt her eyes when she did. Luckily, that didn’t happen. Gia looked up at Marina, wondering what the next step was.

“I want you to think back over that night now. You went to the restroom. What happened after that?” Marina asked.

Gia thought back over that night. She walked into the restroom and saw an older lady crying. Offering her support, the woman quickly turned on her and began a strange chant that ended with Gia curled up on the floor in a fetal position. The woman stood above her, laughing. “That should take care of you and keep Russ distracted,” the woman said.

“Oh, my God. She was trying to use me as a distraction to get to you,” Gia gasped.

“Can you tell me what she looked like?” Russ asked.

“She was tall … close to six feet with long brown hair with gray streaks. But it was her eyes that stood out. They were almost a bright gold. I’ve never seen anyone with eyes like that before.”

“It can’t be! Can it?” Gerri asked Russ.

“Sure sounds like her,” Russ replied.

“What are you guys talking about?” Gia asked, looking back and forth between Gerri and Russ.

“Her name is Lily. She used to work for WSI as well. She was also a part of the paranormal community. She was one of Damon’s best friends. She left on her own shortly after he was terminated. She said she was moving west to be with her ailing sister. To care for her,” Russ explained.

“And do you think she followed us back to Atlanta, or did this Damon dude just call in a favor? Perhaps knowing she was close by and could help with his plan?” Gia asked.

“I don’t sense Lily close by. When I jacked with her spell, I would have felt her power if she were anywhere near us,” Marina said.

“That’s good. One less person to worry about coming after us,” Gia said.

“We’re still not out of the woods when it comes to Damon. I don’t know how or when he will attack, but mark my words … he will.”

Just as Russ finished speaking, one of the security guards entered with a female by his side, along with another man who looked eerily similar to Russ.

“Stephen, glad to see you. This is Gia, my mate and wife. Gia, this is my brother Stephen.”

The woman stood back in the distance, looking like she’d grabbed an electric fence … her eyes wide and mouth hanging open.

Stephen pulled Gia into his arms, lifted her into the air, and spun her around in a circle. “Welcome to the family, love. I’m so happy my brother found you.”

Gia found herself giggling like a schoolgirl. How could she not when she was being spun around like a lithe little fairy by a hulking giant of a man who was simply happy for this brother?

“It’s nice to meet you, too, Stephen.” She laughed as he set her back on her feet.

“What’s going on? Why did you bring Julie with you?” Russ asked.

“She has something she needs to tell you … uh … confess to you,” Stephen said, motioning for her to come forward.

“What is this?” Russ asked her.

“I … I …” she stammered.

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