In Fear's Embrace (The Hunters' Legacy - Book 2)

Chapter 4

            It has been already a month since he last saw her, and yet she did not leave his dreams. So beautiful, in a light summer dress, with her silky hair flowing down her back. He could hear her sweet voice and ringing sexy voice. The intoxicating scent of her skin was everywhere around him. He could feel the warmth of her velvet skin. He could taste her full, soft lips.

            This night she came to him again. Dressed in a black tight mini skirt, delicate turquoise blouse, black stockings and damn sexy high heels. He could feel the texture of the lace underwear under his fingertips. They made love in a forest clearing, bathed in the moonlight. He took her slowly, lazily, and she nestled in him, surrounding him with the subtle aroma of her skin. He tasted her lips, drunk every sigh from them, each moan of pleasure. Her quickened breath right next to his ear was exciting and intoxicating. She found the sweet spot on his neck, she licked it and then sucked it gently, driving him crazy.

            And then he heard her whisper. Sensual, filled with strange power. Words whispered in an unknown melodious language. He felt an odd wave of energy rising in him, like the rough waters of a raging sea. He stopped being gentle. He could feel the galloping pulse under his lips and wanted to taste her blood. He sank his teeth into a delicate, slender neck as they both climbed the summit of pleasure. With all his will he tried to stop himself from cutting her skin, but after a while a sweet, thick and hot liquid filled his mouth. It was running down his throat. And he wanted more.

            He jumped abruptly up from a sleep. He was still hot, as if the fever was consuming his body. His breath was quickened and torn, and he could taste blood in his mouth. Her blood. He slowly touched his wet lips and when he looked down on his fingers he saw they were crimson red. However, the most terrifying thing was that he did not have any cuts.

            He stood up and walked on shaky legs to the door leading to the terrace. The night was hot and stuffy. In the air he could feel the incoming storm. Across the sky drifted heavy clouds, through which the full moon waded. ‘Like that night.’ It crossed his mind. A strange shiver, a mixture of fear and passion, ran down his spine.

            He remembered that night as if it was yesterday. Though at that time he had the impression that he was in some strange trance, as if he was looking at everything from the side. Now he saw it clearly. The fear in her eyes, his own unrestrained lust, the taste of her blood, wild passion.

            And now it was all coming back! Now, after four long weeks spent on trying to find her trace. After so many days ended in failure. After countless rejected phone calls and unread messages. Now, that he decided to stop looking for her. That he agreed to accept the fact that she left him. When he finally understood that she will never come back to him.

            But he knew it was only his wishful thinking. Jay was his love. His heart. He will never accept his loss.

***

            The next day he did what he refused for so many years. He actually never thought that he should come here and ask any questions. ‘They took me my memories.’ He thought bitterly. But the last year opened his eyes. He wanted answers. He needed an explanation of what happened on Jay’s ninth birthday night. And most of all, he had to find out what was inside of him. Whose voice he heard?

            When he stood on the threshold of the lovely blue house, he was again in doubt. He hesitated if he should ask all the questions he had at the tip of his tongue. But on the other hand he knew that he could not wait any longer. He must know the truth. ‘There’s no turning back!’ He thought.

            He knocked. When no one answered, he pressed the door handle. The door gave away silently.

-          Hello! – He called uncertainly.

            He heard the soft sounds of music, so he went inside and followed its sweet tones. He reached the kitchen where a small CD player tirelessly played Chopin. The door leading to the porch were opened, so he approached them and looked out. She stood in the garden among the flowers. Extremely delicate, almost fragile in an airy summer dress and straw hat. She was barefoot.

            He watched her for a while. She was so absorbed in work that he did not want to interrupt her.

-          I was wondering when you would come to me. – She said without even turning to him.

-          How are you, Mrs. Callahan? – He was not surprised that she sensed him. She always did.

-          I’m fine, Bryan. – She finally looked at him. – But you didn’t come to me to talk about well-being or weather. – She slowly came to the porch, climbed the stairs, sat in the wicker chair and showed him the place opposite her. – Or maybe I’m wrong?

            He was intrigued that she could decipher people so easily. Or was it just about him? Or there was a grain of truth in the rumors? Maybe Isabela really was a witch? The strange ritual he witnessed could confirm that, but he had no other proofs. He will probably never know the truth.

-          No. – He said taking the indicated place. – I want to talk about something else.

-          I knew that this day would come. – She calmly poured the ice tea for them. There were two glasses on the table. Just as if she expected his visit. – So ask young man. But remember! – She warned. – You have to ask the right questions.

            He thought about her words for a moment. He tried to put his chaotic thoughts into words. He decided not to waste his time on subtlety.

-          When I was eleven, together with a group of friends I sneaked under your house. – He started carefully weighing his words.

-          Did you? – She asked amused.

-          It was on summer solstice. The next day Jason and Jaysabel were to celebrate their ninth birthday.

-          That’s quite accurate date. – Isabela noticed.

-          I remember that it was calm, warm June night. Full moon. The whole garden was bathed in its light. – He immersed in memories and she let him. - I remember you. And Isabo. You were wearing flimsy white ankle-length dresses. You were singing. I couldn’t understand the words, but they had strange, hypnotic power. – He paused and with the old custom, he ran his fingers through his hair. – And then she appeared. She stood in the circle you outlined and a song flowed from her lips. Jay couldn’t speak that language! – He said in a fit of rebellion. – For many years I thought it was just a dream. But now it comes back to me. I can see this scene clearly and I know that it really happened. I can hear her scream in my mind. She suffered! – He looked Isabela in the eye with determination. – I want to know what happened then! – He demanded.

            She did not interrupt him. She knew memories would come back to life one day. That the spell cast by Isabo would not last forever and Bryan will finally remember everything. She drank her tea calmly.

-          I expected that this day will come. – She started slowly. – Are you ready to know the whole truth? To face the pasts, the present and the future? Because if you know the truth now, your future will change forever. – She warned him.

-          I have to know! – Determination was heard in his voice.

-          So let it be. – She took a deep breath. - It all started with your ancestor, Marcel. As you probably know, he was one of the founders of Purple Creek.

-          I already know that. – He cut in a bit irritated.

-          But did you know that he was a werewolf? – She asked.

-          What? – He was shocked. – That’s impossible! We’re ordinary people!

-          Are you sure about that? – She asked. Marcel was one of the originals. The born shape-shifter.

-          Let’s say I believe you. – He did not want to upset her. – What does that mean he was the original one. – He asked, curious.

-          First of all, his transformation didn’t depend on the full moon. Because most shape-shifters change their form only once a month. – She explained.

-          But there’s something more. – He noticed.

-          Yes. – She admitted calmly. – Born shape-shifters can undergo complete transformation, meanwhile others shift only to some degree.

-          I think I understand. – Bryan said. – But if Marcel was a werewolf, then how to explain that we’re not. – He asked.

-          And that’s the right question! – She told him about Issa and how the next generation received gift of freedom thanks to witches from her family. – Your mother decided you wouldn’t know the truth about your origin. Since she could free you from your heritage, she didn’t see any reason why you should have the knowledge of it. That night, when you sneaked near our house, Jay performed the ritual. She has imprisoned your beasts so that you don’t have to undergo transformation and live burdened with legacy.

-          But why? – He asked rebelliously. – Who gave them right to decide for us?! – His eyes darkened with anger. – How could they hide the truth from us?!

-          They did it for your sake. – She was ready for disbelief and denial. But she did not expect anger and regret.

-          For our good?! – He stood up and circled the porch nervously. – At Jay’s expense?!

-          Unfortunately, yes. – She admitted without losing her composure.

-          Did it hurt? – He asked quietly. – I remember her scream. It haunts me.

-          The ritual is associated with pain. – Isabela said bluntly. - And Jaysabel had to e*****e five beasts at once. She felt like she was enclosing wolves in her body. Wolves that don’t want to be trapped. – According to her, he deserved to know the whole truth. - You get the impression that the beasts want to tear you apart. You feel pain with ever single nerve. With every cell of your body. – She explained.

-          Good God! – He could only imagine the enormity of the pain suffered by the nine-year-old girl. – And later? What happened next? – He asked.

-          She can’t remember that. – She assured him. – And even if, those are just pieces, scraps of memories that don’t make up. She doesn’t remember the pain.

            That information brought him some kind of relief. It was hard for him to know that he was the cause of her suffering. If she were to go through it over and over again, he would never forgive himself. But still, the mere fact that she had to take so much pain on her was unbearable.

-          But I have the impression that this is not the only question you wanted to ask me. – Isabela interrupted his thoughts.

-          No. – He admitted. – This is not the only question that bothers me. But now I want to know one thing. – He sat down opposite her again and looked into her blue eyes. – Was that the reason for her leaving?

-          You know how to ask the right questions. – She said satisfied. – The fact that Jaysabel cursed your beast gives her some power over it.

-          What does it mean? – He felt an unpleasant shiver.

-          It means she can wake up the wolf sleeping in you. And he in turn is dangerous for you.

-          Why’s that? – He asked frantically.

-          You should have gone through your first transformation at the age of thirteen. – She explained. - And above all you should have been prepared for it. Otherwise the beast can kill you.

-          But Jay wouldn’t have removed the spell! – Bryan objected.

-          From what she told me, I concluded that your beast, though dormant, affects her wolf. Subconsciously her witch nature can release your gift, and because your beasts are bonded, her wolf will also want to break free. And this may end tragically for her.

-           I’d be able to control my own wolf! – He assured eagerly. – I would never hurt Jay! – He stressed every single word.

-          Consciously, no. – She stopped him from further arguing. – But it’s not just about you young man. The beasts hidden in both of you are guided by their own needs and desires. If they want to join, nothing will stop them.

-          But I can’t live without her! – He cut in. – She’s everything to me! – He looked her in the eye. – There must be some way!

-          What do you mean? – Isabela asked intrigued.

-          Some spell or ritual. – Bryan explained. – One that’ll let me go through the transformation and will keep her safe at the same time.

-          As far as I know, this spell can be taken back only by the same witch. – She said. – But you may try to find the solution. I won’t stop you.

-          So you won’t help me. – He stated.

-          I won’t risk my granddaughter’s life. – She answered with an icy look.