The Monhagan Chronicles: Prelude

Chapter 10

Dean

I walked through the doors of my office feeling a sense of foreboding. I didn’t like leaving her alone with those two. While I had complete confidence in Mime’s words Bain made me uneasy. I trusted him less than a politician. No one should have that much power, or be that secretive. 

I rounded the corner into the session room, taking in the faces of my clients. 

“I’m sorry I am late. I had a situation at home.” I grabbed the notebook off my desk and sat in the leather chair across from them. My appointment today was with the local Alpha and one of his young weres. She was a teenager not much past her first change. She had been abducted by some loan wolves and tormented for a handful of months before escaping. I was helping her work through the trauma.

“Lane how have you been feeling lately?” I asked her.

She looked to her Alpha through her long dark hair. He nodded in encouragement. 

“I’m still having the dreams.” She whispered.

“And when you wake up?” I asked, hoping she was utilizing the coping techniques we had talked about last time.

My job was difficult to say the least. After my experiences I had spent my time learning. I got a degree in psychology and now am a therapist to other supernatural beings that need it. I specialize in trauma and PTSD, among other things. Some sessions can get violent, it’s in our nature. I can happily say that I have had quite a few success stories. I was desperately hoping that Lane would be one of those.

The unfortunate thing about Lane’s case was that after her escape her attackers had moved locations and taken several more victims with them. Liam, her alpha had reported the situation to the council. Eventually they would get their comeuppance. Closure would definitely help Lane in healing. As it is she spends every waking moment in fear that they will return for her. 

“And have you continued with your nightly routine?” I asked. Her nightly routine was supposed to give her reassurance, it involved locking doors, checking windows, and turning on the security alarm. “Your physical and mental health is our top priority. If you feel unsafe here we could look into relocation. I’m sure we could make the transition as easy on you and your family as possible. However, I really feel like you are making progress, even if it seems slow. These things take time. It's hard and I understand. I’m only here to help you.”

Our session continued on much the same as always. I listened, giving appropriate comments and different techniques for coping with any new issues. She never revisited the idea of relocation. She loved the pack she was in now and didn’t want to leave. I understood. She needed a solid support system in place and she had that here. As they stood to leave Liam stepped up to me. 

“I just wanted to thank you for all that you’ve done for Lane. Everyone appreciates what you do. I’ve never seen someone be so gentle with the victims.”

I scoffed. Me, gentle? But I supposed I could see where he was coming from. It was so much easier to be gentle with someone that was broken. Someone who I understood so well. But it was also a clinical situation. The only connection I had with my clients was purely professional. If they displeased me I would be disappointed, not angry. I would be disappointed that they weren’t following the plan of care, but it was their life to do with as they pleased and I didn’t have to deal with it on a daily basis. I was only here to help them if they let me. 

A personal relationship is something quite different. There is so much more at stake. The emotions attached to a committed relationship can be volatile. Not to mention the fact I was unsure if I was even capable of feeling said emotions. Why was I even thinking about that kind of relationship?

I shook my head to dispel those thoughts. I shook Liam's hand and walked him to the door. I wasted no time getting to my car. I was becoming more and more nervous about Audrey the longer she was alone with those two. All the possibilities of what they could have done to her in my absence, not that I could have done much if I was there, clouded my mind. I had already been gone for the hour and a half I had allotted. 

The house seemed quiet as I entered. I wasn’t sure if that was a good or bad sign. What if they had taken her? How could I possibly get her back? As I walked toward the stairs I heard angry whispers. They were still here. What were they doing upstairs? I followed the sounds of the hushed argument to Audrey’s door. Upstairs and in her room? My mind went to all the unsavory things that could be happening. I had seen the way women looked at the two men, understood the meaning behind those looks. I became enraged. How dare they try to take what is mine?

With a growl I threw open the door. I had been expecting to see something explicit. I had been so concerned that I was walking into an affair, though I knew how irrational it was to call it that. What I hadn’t expected was to be confronted by something so much worse. Audrey lay on her bed motionless. Her face was pale, eyes closed. The two men I had been so concerned about pacing at the far side of the room, looking angry. All of my anger at the perceived threat vanished to be replaced by fear. Fear so strong it sapped my strength. 

I stumbled my way over to the bed. My hand traced her cheek as if it had a mind of its own. Her cheek was cold to my touch, her eyes held dark circles around them. 

“What have you done?” I demanded.

“Call down, don’t get your panties in a twist.” Bain said cooly.

“She will wake.” Mime said quietly, pinching his bottom lip.

“What did you DO!?” I roared.

Bain laughed but there was no amusement in the sound. He stalked over to me, eyes dark. If I hadn’t been so angry I might have been afraid of the look he gave me. He put his hands on my shoulder, spinning me around and pushing me down on the bed next to Audrey.

“You listen to me and you listen good. I have not nor will I ever endanger this girl. This little bird of yours is much more important in the grand scheme of things than you. If you can not keep your temper in check I will spirit her away to a place you will never find and if you so much as think about getting in my way I will end you in the most painful way imaginable. You will beg for your end much sooner than it will come. Are we clear?” Bain's tone left no room for argument.

I seethed. It wasn’t smart. My rational mind had flown out the window. I wanted so badly to rage against his words. Wanted more than anything to deny his power to keep her away from me. But my rage had always been the worst part of me. It had been the thing I held the tightest leash on. A warm hand rested on the back of my neck. It was as if a refreshing wave ran through me completely eliminating my rage.

In a much calmer voice I asked, “What happened?”

Bain and Mime shared a knowing look. In that look an entire conversation took place. I could almost see the push and pull between them. I could almost feel the moment an agreement settled between them. It was like the sudden silencing of a radio filled with static. They turned to me at the same time, with the same motion. Their movements so in sync they could have been one being instead of two.

Audrey

I looked into the abyss and the abyss looked back. I was floating in a sea of clouds. My body left somewhere behind. Instead of darkness there was nothing but light. It enveloped me, comforted me, held me safe and secure. My mind didn’t fight the sensations around me. It was as if my heart, my soul, my entire being was finally coming together as it should. I really should write this down.

As I felt myself coming back into my body I became aware of my senses. I could hear heartbeats and breathing. The odd sigh here and there. A clock was ticking somewhere in the distance. I could smell sandalwood, frankincense, and something else. Something dark, a biting scent that put me on edge. I felt my brows pull down. That was good, being able to feel my body’s movements again. My fingers twitched. I wanted to rub the strange scent from my nose. 

My head rolled to one side while a soft whimper escaped my lips. I wanted nothing more than to open my eyes. I really tried, but it was as if they were glued shut. A hand stroked my cheek. I nuzzled into it, sighing in relief as the smell of sandalwood grew stronger.

I heard a voice from across the room. “Welcome back, little bird.”

Goosebumps immediately spread across my flesh as I remember the events leading up to my current predicament. I would never look at Bain the same way again. The darkness had not been evil, it had not sought to hurt me. It had shown me his despair, his disgust at who and what he is. I had seen his soul. I had seen the shadow of his guilt as it towered over everything. He was in turmoil. The younger part of my brain decided he needed a hug. If I could just get my eyes open I would give him one. Or ten. I hadn’t decided.

My arms finally began to move at my insistence. But my damn stubborn eyelids refused to budge. I managed to roll onto my side but couldn’t find the strength to push myself up into a sitting position. My entire body was heavy. I was sinking into the bed. Bed? How did I get here? Last I remembered we were in the theater.

“Audrey?” Dean was the one sitting next to me on the bed. He really did smell so very good.

“Give her time. It can be disorienting.” Mime was on the other side of the bed.

Knowing their positions I could almost see the room in my mind. I assumed I was in my bed which put Bain next to my bathroom door and Mime at the window. The head of the bed was against a wall so Dean was on the side of the bed closest to the door. I wasn’t sure how knowing this could help but at least it was something. Like having a life vest in a hurricane, not much use but made you feel like you weren’t drowning.

“Mmrglr.” I tried and failed to speak. The garbled noise that escaped my lips didn’t even remotely resemble ‘I’m fine’.

“Easy, love. Try not to talk just yet.” Dean said, brushing a strand of hair from my face.

“She’ll be ravenous. Bain do you think you could…”

“He is not touching her again!” Dean shouted.

“What did I tell you about that temper of yours child?” Bain all but growled.

As Bain and Dean argued I noticed the weight lifting from my eyes. Slowly but surely my eyelids fluttered open. I was indeed in my room. I took a few deep breaths to steady myself. Then I pushed myself up on the bed. I was able to scoot enough to recline on the many pillows so that I could face the room and the men in it.

“I’m fine.” I croaked.

Dean paused in his argument with Bain and turned to me. “We have very different definitions of that word.”

“Really, I am fine, just a little tired is all.”

“You need sustenance. Don’t need you going feral on us.” Bain gave me a crooked smile and took a step toward me. Dean stepped into his path.

“She is not drinking from you.” He said it with thinly veiled anger.

“She doesn’t have to. I can give it to her with just a touch.”

“You’ve touched her enough for a lifetime.” Dean ground out through his teeth.

“Then how do you suppose she is going to get it? You’re almost on empty and by the time you get a doner here she’ll be feral.” Bain’s tone sent a chill through me. I wouldn’t want to be the person arguing with him right now.

He looked at Mime then back to Dean. “Fine.” With that he reached up and poked a finger into Dean’s forehead.

It was a quick jab, his finger barely touching Dean, but apparently that is all it took. As quickly as it happened Dean stiffened and gasped. With his back to me I couldn’t see his face but I’m sure if I had he would have been sporting a look of shock.

“Take care of her, we’ll be in the study.” Then Bain vanished. Mime gave me an apologetic look then walked out the door. 

As the door shut I reached for Dean. He hadn’t moved since Bain touched him. I had to scoot closer to the edge of the bed to make contact. As soon as my hand touched his arm he spun toward me. His eyes were wide and there was a wild gleam to them. He didn’t look shocked, he looked frantic. His hands began opening and closing into fists and every so often his left eye twitched.

“Are you okay?” I asked in concern.

“I think so? It feels as if I put my finger in a light socket.”

My hand moved up to cover my mouth in an attempt to contain the laughter bubbling up inside me. I shouldn’t have worried about it escaping. As soon as the urge hit it was wiped clean by the worst abdominal cramps I had ever felt in my life. It felt as if my internal organs were simultaneously twisting and eating each other. I gasped then groaned loudly.

It seemed that sound was enough to  push Dean into action. He reached one arm under my knees and the other behind my back lifting me effortlessly. He then sat on my bed positioning me in his lap. He scooted further into the bed, twisting so that he was leaning back against the headboard and pillows. Dean unbuttoned the top few buttons on his shirt and slid it away exposing his neck and shoulder just as he had in his car. All this happened in the blink of an eye. He adjusted me again so I was straddling his lap.

“Come, love. You need to hurry.” His voice was strong and confident, easing the fear that was trying to grip me.

The pain became so intense I couldn’t concentrate. A flash of unease came and went so fast I wasn’t sure if it had even happened let alone why. There was no thinking, only hunger. My gums were burning. All rational thought escaped me. I could only feel the hunger, could only feel the power that trickled beneath his skin. My strike was fast and unplanned in my current state. In my frenzy my fangs and mouth latched onto his neck.