Blood Twist (The Erris Coven Series)

6



BRADEN





The midday sun was radiant as it spilled warmth upon Braden’s skin. He had always cherished sunlight and the pleasurable sensation of it bathing his skin. Now, he wished he could bask in it forever.

With his family gathered around him, Braden’s damphyr senses were alive. His vision drank in the beauty of the foliage, fabrics, and flowers that created the backyard’s palette. The rhythm of voices mingled with the life of the forest behind them, producing a song only his kind could hear. He breathed in the rich aromas around him, absorbing the fragrances of the gardens, bountiful food platters, and Liz’s sweet fragrance.

With the magic of her bond to Torin, Lexie no longer had the same aroma as her sister and friend. Instead, the petite brunette smelled like family. Liz, however, had a savory scent and it wasn’t just her vanilla infused perfume. Her scent was alluring and when it carried on the breeze, he relished in it as it passed.

Liz was speaking animatedly to Lexie at the end of the long banquet table. With her varied facial expressions and active body language, he had never encountered a being with so much spunk.

It must be exhausting.

Her pale skin stood in contrast to the raven hair that fell in cascades down her shoulders. Even from a distance, her gentle bone structure made a lovely profile. Her face was almost pixie like with her small nose and dimpled chin. In Ireland, one would wonder if she belonged to the gentle people, until she spoke.

It wasn’t that her voice was horrible; on the contrary, it had a pleasing quality. But Braden wasn’t accustomed to the forceful manner in which Liz expressed herself.

She speaks first, thinks later.

First, she insisted in front of Lexie and Torin that she would accompany him to locate the cure when she first arrived in Erris. Then last night, she did it again when he was talking to Teagan on the patio. Both times, she didn’t ask him if he wanted her company, she just stared at him adamantly with her lash swept hazel eyes. When Liz looked at him like that, his mind blanked until he forgot what he was supposed to say.

The teen was beautiful, but she bewildered and frustrated him. He knew her intentions were good, but there was no way she could go with him without discovering what had to be done. She would be put in danger and that was one thing he didn’t want on conscious.

As it was, he made a deal to appear alone without another damphyr if he wanted to be given the cure. He just hoped they would make good on their promise to deliver the antidote before ending his life.

Braden tried to keep a calm expression despite feeling the constant pull of anxiety. What he wanted to do was take a long run in the woods around Eagle Lake. Maybe even clear his thoughts and have one last hunt. Instead, he forced a smile while standing around like it was any other September day in Maine.

“I see you’re not watching Liz again,” Torin said.

Braden looked away from her and back to his cousins. They were all smirking at his expense.

Teagan sat balancing his chair precariously on two hind legs, his face bright with amusement. “You need to practice being a bit smoother with that one. She’ll chew you up and spit you out.”

Braden shrugged off his friends, “I’m not checking her out.”

“You’ve been caught bro. Take it like a man,” Cian added, giving Braden a playful punch in the shoulder.

“You’re a bunch of girls. You know that, don’t you?” his face was reddening.

Teagan peered at him from over his cheeseburger, “I think you know she’ll just want me anyway, so you’re sparing yourself the heartache.” He took a dramatic bite of his sandwich, and chomped loudly.

“Now you’ve done it,” Torin said grinning. “They’re heading over.”

As Liz and Lexie approached, Braden shoved his hands in his pockets, in a vain attempt to appear aloof. If he admired Liz’s beauty now, it would give his cousins more ammunition for torturing him. He knew they loved harassing him, but he didn’t have the heart for it today.

Lexie automatically went to Torin’s outstretched arms. She hobbled in her walking cast, but it didn’t prevent her from smiling. The two of them glowed in each other’s presence.

Liz stood right next to him, her own soft hands fixed at her sides. Braden breathed in her captivating scent, perplexed that her smell could send such a pleasing ripple through his body.

It wasn’t her blood. She didn’t tempt him to feed. It was something else he couldn’t explain. Embarrassment flamed his cheeks, if his cousins were mind readers, they would show no mercy.

“Did you really locate the cure for my mom?” Lexie asked. The hope in her voice matched the look on her face.

Liz turned her head towards him and for a moment their eyes met. Hers had flecks of gold, the color of the sun streaming through the forest. Averting his gaze, he focused on her friend.

“I’m leaving tomorrow. I may be gone for a while, but I plan on sending the antidote through overnight mail,” he swallowed dryly. “I’m hoping it will do the trick.”

“Have you told the elders?” Cian seemed surprised.

“Actually,” Braden explained, “I’m meeting a friend of my fathers. You know how painful it is for them when he’s brought up in conversation. I’d rather we keep this between us. Besides, if the plans for locating it fall through, at least they’ll still be searching.”

“I can come with you,” Cian offered.

“Braden and I talked about it earlier,” Torin said, shaking his head. “We don’t know if the youngest Serov will be back. I really need you and Teagan here with me to keep an eye on things.”

Braden nodded to Cian. “You should keep an extra eye on Brooke and Theo – they could be targeted since they are friends of Lexie’s.”

With a huff, Ella stood abruptly, knocking her lawn chair over. “So that’s how it is. He’s nothing but a threat to any of you.” Tears rolled from her dark eyes. “You can spare yourselves the concern. He’s not coming back.” Her voice quivered as she turned her back on them.

Braden watched Ella with concern. “If the werewolf comes back, he might be looking to take her with him.”

“What about me?” Liz interjected.

Pretending to barely notice her, Braden glanced over. “You won’t want to make such a long trip.”

Teagan chuckled, “Maybe she would.”

“Liz is a good travel buddy,” Lexie added, rubbing Torin’s shoulder as she sat on his lap. “We went to Disney together.”

“Having Liz as a companion will make the flight go quicker,” Torin looked directly at him, with a crooked grin, he was clearly entertained.

Braden realized where this conversation was going. He needed to redirect it. “I’m leaving the country, she would need a passport.”

“I never leave home without it,” Liz insisted. “The Captain is a Navy man. I’ve flown all over the world visiting him at different bases.”

Teagan brushed the crumbs from his shirt and gave Braden a playful grin. “Since we have to stay, I’ll feel better if Liz travels with you. Unless you want one of the elders to keep you company. My father likes flying; I don’t mind asking him for you.”

Feeling backed into a corner, Braden stared up at the sky and wished it would open up and swallow him. He knew his cousins were having fun razzing him about Liz, but he didn’t want to put her in danger.

“Alright,” he said, surprising even himself, “but be ready to leave by dawn.”

Blowing out a deflated breath, Braden knew it was time to drop the subject. If he continued to refuse her, his cousins just might tell the elders about his trip. Seamus and Donovan wouldn’t accept his generalized explanation and Patrick would demand to come with him. Even though they weren’t his parents, Braden always showed them respect. It was bad enough lying to his cousins in order to keep them safe, he couldn’t do the same to the men his father called brothers.

Perhaps, Liz’s presence wouldn’t be so bad. Having her company during his final hours would help keep his mind off the inevitable. Even now while she stood only inches away, the surface of his skin excited in response to her nearness. He would just have to send her home on a return flight as soon as they landed. Rather than leaving a good-bye letter in his room, he would ask her to hand deliver the note.

By the time she gets back, everything will be said and done. At least Ruby will live.