Stone Cold Seduction

Chapter Twenty-one

The trip back to Seattle could only be described as uneventful. Teryl dropped me off at my apartment with the offer to stay. I declined.

I wanted to be by myself. I now had five days to “tie up loose ends” and move back to my father’s house. I dumped my suitcase inside the front door and wandered down to my shop. There was a note from Cassie by the cash register. The store had done well and everything looked great. I’d have to give her a little bonus as a thank you.

Bottles and bars lined the full shelves. Cassie had even rearranged a few things, creating new displays. I loved it.

I’d created this place. It was my baby, and I couldn’t be prouder. How was I supposed to walk away from this? I loved the creative process of my soaps and lotions and such. I had notes and ideas about new product lines. I’d planned to expand and create a catalog and hire another full time employee and…

And nothing.

My father said I had to hand over day-to-day operations. I already knew I’d ask Cassie. I trusted her, and she’d do a great job for me. Teryl would help with the books.

Now I had to figure out the rest. My grand plan. I had a few days to decide what my stipulations would be. Where to start? How much should I push my father? My goals were simple: keep my friends safe and kill Jedren and Luke. Oh, and not get myself killed in the meantime. Easy. Ha!

In less than a week, I would move into the lion’s den. I would learn my father’s secrets. And I would kill him. The grand plan, in a nutshell. Sure, it sounded simple. And possibly suicidal. But I had an advantage. My father thought I was doing things on his terms, like I had in the past.

Not this time. I still didn’t know the extent of my abilities. Even better, neither did my father. I also had motivation. Luke had hurt me for the last time. Jedren had manipulated me for the last time.

But all that would have to wait. My brain felt foggy from the pain pills and the lingering exhaustion.

I walked over to the bath salts. A hot bath sounded fabulous. It would be my treat to myself, and a nice welcome home. Twenty minutes of indulgence and pretending things were okay. Forgetting about the violence to come. I snagged my favorite scent, “Serenity,” a lavender-vanilla blend that never failed to comfort me. God knew, I needed comfort right now. Revenge mission aside, I had a broken heart that needed some TLC.

I rubbed the back of my neck, and let my shoulders droop.

I’d managed to ignore the hole in my heart on the flight back. At least, I’d faked it. Looking around my shop, I could feel Jax. I could picture him moving boxes and preparing shipments. I was afraid there wasn’t enough TLC in the world to make my heart stop hurting.

“Hello, little gem.”

I closed my eyes. God, I could even hear his voice. Maybe I needed a glass of wine to go with my bath. Or a whole bottle. Instead of “Serenity,” I’d go for the ylang-ylang bath bomb. Anything to help me relax, sleep, and forget. At least for a night.

“Elle…”

I jumped with a startled squeak and whirled around. Jax stood a few feet away. “Were you…here the whole time?”

“I’ve been waiting for you. I didn’t get a chance to explain.”

“I think you did. I don’t—”

“No, I didn’t,” he interrupted, a flash of irritation sweeping across his normally solemn face. I noticed he was unshaven. His gorgeous gray eyes were tired. His hair was a mess. Jax looked as miserable as I felt.

Through the bond, I felt his sorrow. I wanted to hug him, then hit him, then kick him, then… I was such a sucker for those eyes. “Fine. Explain. I just got home and want to take a bath.”

His eyes melted to silver for a moment. “You are my life.”

Tears filled my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. “That’s not an explanation, Jax.”

“I told you I was under contract to your father. As a hunter. What I didn’t get a chance to say is, I didn’t have a choice. When my parents died, I was thirteen. Too young to be on my own. I lived with my grandparents for two years before they passed away.”

I refused to give in to sympathy. I crossed my arms in front of my chest and waited.

“Your father took me in.”

Generosity wasn’t in my father’s vocabulary. He didn’t do anything unless it benefited him. Which Jax confirmed a moment later.

“I was, in essence, your father’s hired servant. I paid my room and board through my work for him. I didn’t have any other family. I was out of options and took what he offered.”

“He took you in and made you his slave?”

Jax crossed and uncrossed his arms, probably the most nervous thing I’d ever seen him do. “At the time, it didn’t seem that way. Now, I suppose so, yes. I know what your father is capable of. And over the last few years, I’ve seen proof of his depravity. But as a fifteen-year-old, being offered a position with the king of the shadow elves was almost unheard of. Many considered it an honor. At the time, I did, too.

“It’s…your father is powerful. Many people hate and fear him. A select few love him. But everyone respects him and the power he wields. Being sought out by him sealed my career as a hunter.”

Wow. That was the most I’d ever heard him say at one time. I walked back to the break room. I had to sit for this. “So, why are you still working for him?”

Jax followed and sat across from me at the little table. “I was foolish enough to sign a contract.”

“Get an attorney and break it.”

He sighed and folded his arms on the table. “It doesn’t work like that. I wish it were so simple.”

“It happens all the time.”

His voice was low. “Not in our world. A contract is magically binding when signed in blood. It ends when both parties have fulfilled their contractual obligations.”

Oh, ick. “And what’s your obligation to him?”

He didn’t answer.

After a moment passed, I raised my eyebrows in expectation.

“There were many sections to the contract. Some involved protection for Jedren at various functions. I also retrieved a few stolen pieces of art. Things like that. But the one thing I have yet to fulfill is my obligation to kill you.”

My heart, my breath, shuddered to a halt. Then I laughed, and the sound was nervous and shrill. “Good one, Jax.” Please say you’re joking, I thought miserably.

“I’m not joking, Elle.”

Well, hell. I felt the blood drain from my face. I snuck a peek at the door. If I distracted him, I could run and—

“Little gem.” He interrupted the frantic thoughts racing through my head. “I refused. Obviously.”

I struggled to find my voice. “I thought you said you knew I was your mate. I thought you’ve known for a long time. How could you…I mean why would you…” What do you say when your mate tells you he was hired to kill you?

“When the contract was drawn up, I knew my mate’s name was Elleodora Fredricks. Jedren’s contract specified the death of his daughter. He did not specifically name you. I suspect he knew my fate and purposefully kept the contract vague, yet ironclad. By the time I put two and two together, it was too late.”

Not sure what to do, I stood and walked to the coffee maker. I needed the simple routine. “Why didn’t you kill me?”

“You’re my mate,” he said. “Your life comes before mine. Always. I could no more kill you than I could kill our children.”

Oh, not fair. Mentioning children was hitting below the belt. I carefully spooned coffee into the filter. I poured in water and flipped the switch on. I waited for the smell of steaming coffee to scent the air before I turned around. “That didn’t stop you from lying to me.”

Pain flickered across his face. “And that’s my biggest regret. I had no idea how to tell you. How would you have responded if I’d told you your father had contracted me to kill you?”

“We’ll never know. You didn’t give the opportunity to respond. Instead, you led me right to him. And Luke.” My voice cracked, and he surged to his feet.

“Elle, please. I had no idea they were there. I wanted to help you find your fate. I never…I didn’t know your history with Luke. I didn’t know they were in Scotland.” His hands cupped my face.

I pulled away. I believed him, but I needed space. I poured myself a cup of coffee and sat down. I fiddled with the handle of the coffee mug while I thought about what to say. “I’m moving back to my father’s.”

“I know. I heard what he asked of you.”

“I have to do it.”

“Do you really believe that?”

His soft question brought tears to my eyes. “What I believe is that he’s a ruthless bastard who will kill anyone and everything I love.” I paused to take a breath. “He’ll push the marriage with MacLean. Fate or no fate.”

The wood chair Jax sat in cracked as he shifted to stone. A low growl reverberated from his chest. “No. You are my mate.”

“My fate says…”

“Fates be damned!” he roared, standing up.

“Concussion,” I whispered, as I held my aching head.

“I’m sorry. I won’t let you go. You are my mate. I will not stand by as you marry the phoenix. You are not meant for him.” His voice was lower, but it still echoed in deep waves.

I stood up with a grimace. “I’m going to grab a pain pill and my fate. It’s upstairs and I want you to read it.”

Three minutes later, I handed him the parchment. Gargoyle Jax was gone, shirtless Jax was back. The streaks of silver told me to tread carefully. My head ached as I waited.

He read it. Then read it again. “You were meant for me.”

I met those silver-gray eyes straight on. “How do I know that? It says I was fated for two, meant for one. How do I know who that is?”

“My fate specified you.”

I couldn’t miss the sincerity in his tone.

“So did mine.”

I jerked at the unexpected male voice, sloshing coffee on my hand and the table. “Damn! MacLean, what are you doing here? And why do you always sneak up on me when I’m holding hot coffee?”

MacLean didn’t answer. I noticed his copper eyes were streaked with flame.

“Guys, can we tone it down? Please? Can we have one conversation where no one loses a shirt, is on fire, turns to stone, or growls uncontrollably?”

MacLean walked all the way into the break room, but stayed standing. He wore clean, black slacks and a white oxford shirt. Auburn hair brushed the edges of his collar, like usual. Business casual looked great on him.

“The front door was unlocked,” he said. “I came to check on you. I wanted to make sure you had everything you needed, and that you were okay.”

“So did I,” Jax said, his deep voice a little less of a growl, but no less menacing.

“I’m fine, thanks. We were talking about the fates.” I doubted redirection would work, but I tried.

“My fate specified you,” MacLean said.

“As a mate?” Jax challenged.

MacLean didn’t answer Jax. He watched me instead. I took a deep breath. There are women who enjoy men fighting over them. I would never be one of them. In fact, I was losing my temper. Fast.

“Guys, I have five days to wrap up the life I’ve created for myself before I step into the role of daughter to the devil himself. I do not need this right now. Let me lay it out for you.

“I have no idea who I am. In the last week, I found out I’m a shadow elf, daughter of a demigod, granddaughter to a god, a ward thief, and I can manipulate minds and flame. I saw a dead woman, was hunted and kidnapped, and then beaten and stabbed by a psychopath. All while traveling around the world. I got my fate, which was a glorified riddle that provided more questions than answers, and now I’m expected to choose between the man I loved ten years ago and the man I love now, while you two fight.”

Oops. I slapped a hand over my mouth. They both went eerily still at my unintended declaration.

Crap, crap, crap. I’d wanted to keep that information to myself. I hadn’t said those three little words to anyone in the last ten years. I’d always felt they needed to be meaningful and special and damn it…this was all wrong.

Tears welled as my emotions spilled over. I took a deep breath as I stepped onto the emotional landmine I’d created. “Okay, let me back track. I need space. I don’t know what to do.”

I looked at Jax. “I believe you. And I know we have a bond.”

I turned to MacLean. “I know the marriage contract can be reinstated, and it seems as if my father will push it forward. Do I have a say in it?”

“Yes,” MacLean said in a rough voice. “I would never force you to marry me.”

“But my father would.”

MacLean hesitated. “I think you’re right, yes.”

“I won’t let you have her. She’s mine. She’s always been mine. The bond is there.” The anguish and determination in Jax’s voice hurt my heart. So did the pain in MacLean’s eyes.

It was bad enough that I had to walk away from my shop, even temporarily, and cater to my father. But having these two so miserable and not knowing what to do was worse.

“Why is my father doing this? Why now?” I rubbed my wrist where the new ward tattoo was etched into my skin. They’d all take some getting used to.

My cell phone rang. The number came up as “unknown.”

“Hello?” I answered, equally pissed and relieved at the distraction.

“Elleodora?” The female voice had a Scottish accent and sounded familiar. “It’s Gwen.”

“Gwen? Oh, hi. How are you doing?” Lame, lame question to ask someone who just lost her mother.

Her words were clipped. “I found something for you.”

I held the phone with both hands, nervous. “Oh, thanks. I already got my fate.”

“It’s not your fate.” Static crackled across the line, but her words were clear.

I didn’t want to know. I didn’t want anything else. I…

“Hello? Are you there?”

I sighed, “Yes, I’m here, sorry. What is it?”

“A journal. From my mother.”

“Oh.” I didn’t know what to say.

“It contains information you will need soon. I sent it via airmail. It will arrive tomorrow, twelve o’clock your time. And Elleodora?”

I swallowed and licked my lips, which were suddenly dry. “Yes?”

“Put on the necklace. It would have protected you. Don’t be foolish a second time.” And then the line went dead.

I carefully set my phone on the table, heart pounding.

“That was Gwen?” MacLean asked.

I nodded. “Yeah, she…ah…has a journal for me. From Carys. She says it will arrive tomorrow.”

“What else did she say?” Jax asked.

“She told me to put the necklace on. She said it would have protected me.”

“Where is it?” MacLean asked. “Gwen is a strong fate reader in her own right. You need to put it on.”

“I’m not sure. I put it on the table in Inverness and then…” And then everything went to hell.

“It should be in your suitcase. I packed it before we left for the Library,” Jax said.

“I…I’ll go check.”

Upstairs, with both guys in tow, I found it right where Jax had said it would be. Tucked underneath my packed clothes, still in the small, wooden box.

I pulled the box out with shaking fingers. Popping open the latch, I stared down at the necklace. The cluster of pink stones glittered at me. I picked it up and fumbled with the clasp until Jax took it. He swept my hair aside and gently set the chain around my neck. After it was fastened, I closed my eyes.

I felt the now familiar tingle that I normally associated with a ward. Energy consumed my body. This time was different. Heat and light surrounded me. Stars exploded behind my closed eyelids, and I cried out as hundreds of chanting voices filled my mind. The sensations overwhelmed me. Dimly aware of Jax and MacLean calling my name, I couldn’t respond.

Every cell in my body felt electrified. The sensations nearly bowled me over. It wasn’t painful, but uncomfortable. Like my body and mind crawled with energy.

A minute, then two, passed. Gradually, the voices and energy flow ebbed. I collapsed on the floor in a grateful heap. I could breathe.

“Elle?” Jax knelt beside me, face taut with concern. He put one arm behind my back in an attempt to support my head and shoulders.

MacLean was on my other side, checking my arms and legs for injuries. “Did you hurt anything when you fell?”

“I need a second, but it’s okay. I’m okay.” Each man took an arm, and helped me to my feet. I pushed back the tangle of hair that obscured my sight. “I’m better than okay.”

They wore twin expressions of confusion and concern.

“What happened? Was there a ward attached to it?” MacLean asked, holding onto my arm as if he expected me to topple over again.

“No, it wasn’t a ward. You can let go, guys. I’m okay now.” MacLean released my arm, but stayed close.

Jax refused to let go. “You’re sure you’re okay? If it wasn’t a ward, what happened? Here, maybe you should sit down. I can get you a chair, and you can—”

“Jax, stop. I’m okay,” I repeated, putting my hand over his before I gently shook loose and stepped away from his grasp. “It wasn’t a ward. Not exactly.”

How to explain it? A door had opened. A thousand secrets had tumbled through. The necklace was a connection to who I was, who I came from. And who I would be. Well, it hinted at who I would be. My fate had yet to play out. Relief flooded me and I felt, dare I say it, hopeful. “I know what my fate means now. Parts of it.”

Jax hovered close to my side. “My gem, that’s wonderful, but I think you should sit while you tell us what happened.”

I held the stones between my thumb and forefinger. “I don’t want to sit. This wasn’t from my grandfather. My mother left it for me.” I couldn’t explain it, but somehow, I felt her.

MacLean shifted on his feet. He hid his anxiety only marginally better than Jax. “You’re okay, though? You’re sure?”

“Yes, I’m sure. I’m better than okay,” I repeated, and then sighed, feeling my shoulders relax for the first time in days.

“What does your fate mean?” MacLean’s copper eyes flickered with small, expectant flames.

Jax asked what they both really wanted to know. “Did it name your true mate?”

The two men stood close enough to highlight the sharp contrast between them. The tall, fiery-eyed phoenix. The big, dark-haired gargoyle. Both had a piece of my heart, but only one was my true mate.

The last week had been hell. In spite of it all, relief tipped up the corners of my mouth. I now had a fighting chance against my father, along with new abilities and knowledge. The pendant warmed against my skin, lending a supportive energy to my thoughts. For the first time in a long time, I knew I had a chance at so many things. I no longer felt powerless.

“That’s the best part. You two are going to have to learn to get along for a little while, because I just found out I have a choice.”