Healing His Soul's Mate (4 page)

“He’s very protective of her, isn’t he?” Ashlynn watched him carry her into the resort. Rekkus had wanted to leave earlier. Although he never pushed, he had made his feelings known. She put her concerns to the back of her mind. He took care of his pregnant wife when Dana had shown signs of not being able to move another step. So why did his manner of control concern Ashlynn?

“You have no idea,” Cyrus said with a chuckle. “We here on the island, those who know him best, are still getting used to the softer side of Rekkus.”

“Softer?” This was soft? Other than the care he took when he cradled Dana in his arms, Ashlynn had not witnessed a degree of softness in her brother-in-law. Even then she’d seen overprotectiveness, not softness.

“Yeah, softer. Come along. Let’s get you settled in.” Cyrus waved her toward the Haus.

Tinges of pain edged her brain. Rubbing her temples, she prayed they could get to her room in time. Where had she packed her meds? “I think I need to lie down. I am not feeling so well.”

As they entered the lobby, Cyrus pointed to the line at check-in and winked. “Stay here. I’ll be right back.”

She didn’t have the energy to argue. Cyrus walked behind the receptionist desk, said something to the woman there, and grabbed a key. Placing his hand on the small of her back, he led her to the elevators. “Remember, you must use elevator three. The others won’t work for you, or at least they won’t go to your floor.”

Inside the empty elevator, he pressed the single button. As they rode up, he went through some of the other rules, like never miss dinner. Partway down the hallway to her room, he stopped and cupped her chin. “Trust us and we’ll do our best to manage your pain but, without trust, we can do nothing.”

“I’ll try.” Reaching the last room of the hall, he slid the key into the lock, opening the door wide.

“This was your sister’s room. It helped in her healing, and I hope it will yours. Get comfortable. I’ll find my sister Sage. I think you need her more than any of her other guests do.”

“No need.” A soft melodic voice filled the room. Around the corner came a small blonde woman, a light to Cyrus’ dark. She bore a great resemblance to Cemil. But the eyes would have told her they were siblings. “Cyrus, can you help me pull those curtains? We’ve had light-reducing drapes added to your windows, Ashlynn, to keep the room dark as you might like it.”

Sage moved through the room, plunging it into forgiving darkness. She appeared to float. Her steps as light as a butterflies wings, she made no sounds, one with her environment. “I’m Sage, but I think you figured that out already. It is such a pleasure to meet Dana’s sister.”

Ashlynn forced herself not to cringe. She sensed no hostility from the other woman. “I can’t imagine she said many good things about me.”

“Dana has never spoken a word about you, except to say you existed.” Sage approached. “Now, let me examine you.”

A wave of pain not associated with her head washed over her. It would have hurt less to have her sister bitch about her than to be thrown into the category of “she lives, but I have nothing else to say about her.”

“Do you need more light?”

“No, this is fine. May I touch you?”

Ashlynn nodded, and even the small movement sent shards of agony rippling up her spine. The trigger signs of a killer migraine sent her into a state of nervousness. She had no idea where her meds were and her bags hadn’t arrived in her room yet. Stay on top of the pain, her nurse had advised. The darkness of the room helped by easing the sharp stabbing behind her eyes and sudden exhaustion filled her. “May I lie down first?”

“Of course you may.”

She braced herself for the prodding and the poking she associated with doctors and nurses. Pleasant surprise filled her at the light brush of fingertips. There was no pain, well, no extra pain. She closed her eyes and allowed Sage to knead her way over her scalp.

“You’ve been using some of my cream.”

“Jessie brought me some in the hospital. I hope you don’t mind.”

“Don’t be silly, I’m happy for you to use it. I’ll make some more for you and remind me to make some for Jessie as well. There is little more I can do for your scars, you understand. I’ll focus on these headaches. You have one forming, don’t you?”

“Can I be of assistance?” Cemil’s voice filled the room. Ashlynn hadn’t been aware he even entered.

“Perfect timing.” Sage patted the bed. “Cemil is going to hold your hand. I want you to relax.” Sage’s fingers moved from her neck up and over her head. She heard Cemil grunt in conjunction with the tender spots Sage touched. Odd. Only once did the pain get so bad Ashlynn gasped.

“I’m so sorry I had to touch you to assess the damage.” More to herself than to Ashlynn, Sage spoke a series of mental notes. “I think we need some butterbur, perhaps willow mixed with a touch of valerian. Yes, that might do it.” She returned her attention to Ashlynn. “Your shakes will have peppermint with a good dose of caffeine. I have some candles I think will do the trick, for now, but I have to work up some different soaps and sachets. Okay, to bed you go. I want you to drink the shake I’m leaving you. Take your medicine. It’s policy to remove all medications from our guests, but, until I have the right mixture of herbs, I don’t want to eliminate your pain relief. I promise the shake tastes better than it looks.”

“I can’t find my pills,” Ashlynn murmured eyes closed, rubbing the bridge of her nose. No sooner were the words out of her mouth than two pills were dropped into her other palm. “Where?”

“Your nightstand,” Sage whispered, indicting the orange containers sitting in plain sight.

Ashlynn’s stomach protested the thick, ash-colored substance. Then she heard Cyrus’ voice whisper trust. So she took a deep breath and gulped. Surprisingly, the shake tasted rather sweet and smooth. She finished it and allowed the two siblings to help tuck her into bed. Her lids grew heavy. Maybe she could rest for a few minutes.

Shadedor, or Shade as his friends called him, hated these damned portals. He loathed the way they made his insides churn like they were being pulled through his nose. The feeling of having no control and flying though an immense space, the claustrophobia. Each person dealt with them in their own way, and the few times he had talked with others about what they experienced going through them indicated each species had its own issues. Shifters who weren’t as powerful could be forced to shift and arrive a tangled mess of animal in human clothing; witches had been known to lose all short-term memory for sometimes days, and his people experienced a sensation of having their souls ripped from them. But portals were a necessary evil and the one way onto the island, at least for him. Due to his paranormal status, he could not ride the ferry without special permission from the Rowan siblings themselves, and, according to the council, he didn’t have time to go another route.

Taking a step from the abyss, he walked into the light of the Wiccan Haus. He was somewhat surprised not to find Rekkus guarding the portal. The anonymous security guard greeted him without checking his reservation. Something to broach with Rekkus once they had a moment to chat. Security had been beefed up since a recent breach. All portals to the island had been permanently closed except for the one from Lochmage, the capital city. Even then, those scheduled to travel at unusual times received special charms. Without them, a being would be lost in the abyss until the portal opened back up at sunrise or sunset the next day.

The Syndicate had a handful of charms in their possession for occasions like he found himself in now. The three council members were concerned about the pending labor of Rekkus’ mate. With his being the last of his streak and the uncrowned prime of his people, a great deal rode on the babies Dana now carried.

Something big must have happened for Rekkus to be absent from the portal on arrival night. He was not known for delegating where the safety of the Rowans was concerned.

Myron, his favorite gypsy card reader, sat at the reception desk throwing down cards while directing the paranormal group before her to their accommodations. Her hand stopped mid throw as their gaze met.

Violet eyes widened then filled with joy. “Now, you I wasn’t expecting. Get over here.”

He walked around the long reception desk and into her open arms for a warm hug of welcome. “A kind soul as always.” She pulled back as he chuckled. “So you are ‘Delphina’ now?”

“What? It’s the first badge I picked up this morning. So, tell me, what is a soulpath, who doesn’t have a reservation, doing here?”

Shade retrieved a letter from the outside pocket of the linen duster he wore and handed it to Myron. It stated by order of the Syndicate he would be allowed on the island for however long as deemed necessary. He’d be given free rein and any other information and all of the assistance he could possibly need…blah, blah, blah.

“Huh?” Myron said, picking up her cards.

He placed his hand on hers, stilling her movement. “No need for you to consult your cards, my friend. It’s no secret. I’m here to read Dana and Rekkus’ cubs to make sure they are safe and sound. We need to ensure Dana’s safety through the last few weeks or days of her pregnancy.”

“They send the soul reader?”

“Of course they did,” Cemil said in a voice full of goodness and cheer. “Shade, what a wonderful and welcome surprise. I think even Rekkus might relax once he sees you. Well, as much as the man knows how to.”

“That is unlikely.”

Cemil frowned. He could read anybody’s feelings, even if they didn’t want him to. One of the most powerful empaths the Syndicate had on record, his powers were at present unrivaled. But Shade had long passed the age where he felt anything. Occasional joy at seeing an old friend, genuine happiness when a new baby came into the world, but true feelings and deep emotions eluded him. He did his job, read his books, and continued living as his people had all done through the centuries. “If you have information you think might upset the tiger, I’m not sure this is the week to share it with him.”

“And certainly not the day,” Myron said with a nod to Sarka’s closed office door.

Interest piqued, he thought to ask more but he would find out the rest later. “I’m here to read the souls. If, as we suspect, one’s an alpha male, there is concern with the full moon approaching.”

“Sage has the same concern. Rekkus and Cyrus are working with the teen shifters who arrived moments before you did. They are setting them up in the barracks. I can walk you down there. But it’s bound to be chaos. We have two alphas these two weeks. One wolf and one bear.”

“What kind of bear?”

“Polar.”

“Double the trouble.”

“Perhaps we should get you set up in a room first.” Myron cleared her desk.

“May I request something away from the Haus? Cleanse my paths without the overwhelming sadness I sense here getting in the way. I also sense something else—something sinister.”

“Mrs. Stone.” Cemil cringed as he rolled his eyes. Even the most patient of men had their breaking point. “Myron, is the cottage on the west coast open?”

“Would you prefer the one on the cliff or on the water?” Myron asked.

“Is there a great deal of active sea life in the area?” He doubted he needed to go into more detail about whether he meant real sea life or were sea life.

“Only Serena, our resident mermaid. But as her husband is here to assist Cyrus and Rekkus during the full moon, she tends to remain close to her harbor except to do her regular checks. Their cottage is next to Rekkus’s, so when you see her, explain your needs. She will keep a wide berth and tell others to do the same.”

Cemil led Shade to one of the four golf carts used by guests who stayed farther than walking distance from the Haus.

“You’ve done great things since my last visit.”

“What can I say? Helping others is food for the soul.”

“Yours seems to be at peace. I hope to meet up with Cyrus. Perhaps I can ease his a little, too.”

Cemil’s open demeanor closed. “I sense he is pulling away from us at times, but then he is hurt when he is excluded, like today. He has become far better at masking his emotions, making it harder for me to read him. I think he is healing, but I worry he will never be whole.”

“Time will tell. If I can help you in any way this week, use me. I sense some tough souls in the Haus.” He sensed something strange, not bad or good but new. He couldn’t remember the last time anything new came his way.

“You being here is enough. I wish we could send all of our guests packing until after the full moon or, better yet, after the cubs come, but Dana said it would be silly. Perhaps she is right.” He shrugged.

“Doesn’t take an empath or soulpath to see the whole island is bristling with both excitement and a good dose of concern.”

Cemil chuckled then fell silent again for a few moments before saying, “Rekkus’ emotions are all over the spectrum and they are strong. His usual ability to keep his emotions in check is absent. I am ill equipped to guard myself against his feelings of anger and concern. Can be somewhat draining.”

“It is understandable he can’t control them at present, but it is also understandable you are fighting the surge of such powerful emotions.” Shade should have come sooner to assist his friend.

“If it was Rekkus alone it would be hard enough, but then there’s Dana and her hormones as well. Have you ever dealt with a pregnant woman’s hormones? You would think Dana’s were affecting everyone.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Perhaps they are.”

“It sounds like you might need to move out of the Haus. Your soul could use a cleanse, my friend.” Shade was reading Cemil’s soul, and it was concerned.

“You would think it would be easy for me to stay away a night or two, but I can’t. We have some unexpected and somewhat-unwelcome guests. I have dealt with worse and survived.” Cemil gave a weak smile as he rubbed at his neck.

“Let me cleanse my soul tonight then tomorrow you take this cottage and cleanse yours. We can switch back and forth. There is only so much soul-searching I can do with the twins not yet born, no matter how old their souls might be.”