Spirit Judgement

  Spirit Sorceress Series: Book 4

  Author: D. L. Harrison

  Copyright 2017. This is a work of fiction. Names, Characters, Places and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales or persons living or dead, is entirely coincidental. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without permission.

  Table of Contents:

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Epilogue

  Afterword:

  About the Author

  Other books by D. L. Harrison:

  Book Description

  Chapter One

  The scents and sounds of the people around me as I shopped were a bit overwhelming. Normally I was more than fine with that kind of thing, but I hadn’t had blood since Sunday morning and it was almost noon on Tuesday.

  The thirst was a constant presence, and I decided I needed to take care of it before getting back to my shopping expedition.

  I was at the mall, alone, since Reah the pack’s mystic, was in college classes. Lisa should be guarding the third floor of the coven, and my mate Jared was on another construction project already. It was just the day after the full moon, and the pack ally bond was still new to me. The way I could feel the general health of the pack, and feel Jared specifically as the alpha, still amazed me at times.

  I wouldn’t admit it to anyone, but it was also nice to know he was safe, I felt him with me all the time now. So far, I hadn’t minded or felt smothered by it. I also knew if someone in the pack got themselves into any trouble, I would feel that too.

  Regardless, I’d decided to buy all new outfits and clothes for the pack house in Jared’s and my shared room. I figured it was better that way, if I ever needed to stay overnight at the coven, it would be handy to still have clothes, toiletries, and other stuff there. Money wasn’t an issue anymore either, so I felt no guilt as I rang up a fairly large bill that morning for a new wardrobe and a new cache of personal care products.

  The trunk of the car was stuffed full of clothes in a very short time, for all occasions, along with boots, shoes, and all that other stuff. I didn’t like shopping so I did it very quickly.

  I almost licked my lips as I saw a likely meal, I locked eyes with a young man who seemed to be alone, and led him toward an alcove. I knew no one would give us a second look, and even look away from the perceived public display of affection.

  As usual, when I sunk my teeth into his neck, and his blood washed over my lips and tongue, the taste and pleasure at feeding overcame my senses for a short while. I managed to stay more aware this time, and when I felt my meal’s hands start to wander my body I pinned them gently, but firmly, to the wall behind him. I licked his neck as the wound closed, cleaning up the small droplets I’d missed, and ignored his body’s arousal response as I stepped away from him.

  “Thank you, forget this happened, and go on with your day.”

  As I turned I saw an older woman giving me a look of disapproval, as she no doubt assumed we’d just been necking inappropriately. I almost laughed at the flash of confusion in her eyes, when my meal and I split up and walked in opposite directions.

  I realized almost immediately as the deep thirst faded, that I needed to be more careful than that in the future, humans weren’t stupid. The thirst had blurred my own judgement. I should have found somewhere more private. I’d gotten away with it yes, none of the souls around me thought vampire as I skimmed them quickly as I would while bartending.

  A few of the women did think I was a slut though, and a few of the men were considering their own chances. That wasn’t true, and I wasn’t happy about it, but on balance that was a lot better than them thinking the truth.

  I had a lot of time right now, and while I shopped I considered that maybe I was premature to limit my bartending schedule to weekend nights. I no longer had to sit in the office at Legends all day, and right now rogue activity seemed minimal. At least, Ceara hadn’t asked anything of me since the day we took down the rogue air sorcerer.

  I felt goosebumps as I shivered at that thought, I was still getting over it.

  In short, I was busy today with shopping, but it looked like I would have a lot of spare time. I decided though, that it was inevitable that the clubs would be damaged again, and that Ceara would request my help, so I’d take advantage of the times it was slow.

  Outside of bartending on the weekends, my jobs were either crazy, or quiet, and that was okay. No one else was stressed that I wasn’t working all the time, and some even felt what I did was still too much, even after I’d cut back, so I decided not to worry about it either. Even if I did feel like a slacker.

  If the boredom became too much for me, maybe I’d take a small job with the pack? The trick was it would have to be a job that wouldn’t be overly affected by immediate and perhaps extended absences, so nothing critical.

  I was mated to the alpha, and now bonded to the pack, but I was still feeling my way as to my responsibilities and where I would fit in, not only in both worlds, but just the pack itself. Outside of playing it by ear using common sense, and adjusting when I ran into problems, I wasn’t sure there was anything else I could really do to make things go more smoothly.

  As for Ted, I wasn’t sure if the bond would help there or not, since no one in the pack had seen him since yesterday morning. No one was too worried though, Jared told me he could still feel his bond, and that he was out in the forest in wolf form.

  I hoped that meant he was doing some soul searching, as opposed to plotting.

  I finished picking up the last few things I’d need, a spare charger for both my phone and laptop, and then a few accents from the candle shop that I thought would go with Jared’s and my current décor in our shared rooms.

  I was pretty happy to get out of the mall, and be on my way home to the pack house. There was plenty to worry over, and figure out, but there were also many things I was thankful for…

  When I reached a mile from the pack house, Jared’s soul came within reach of my magic, and I wondered what he was doing home instead of being out at the new job site. I turned off the road and onto the extended driveway, and found him waiting for me, with an angry scowl on his face, and his arms were crossed in a way that I knew I was in trouble for some reason. The ally bond itself showed none of his apparent agitation, and it occurred to me he must be suppressing it.

  I opened the car door and got out, “Jared, what’s…”

  He interrupted me in a commanding voice that made my body tingle, it really wasn’t fair how much I liked it, it made it hard to argue.

  “You are my mate, you will feed from me, and only from me from now on. Is that clear Miku?”

  My mouth literally watered at the thought, as I remembered that first and only third day between feedings. When the scent of his blood was so attractive, and I’d been practically panting for it. I don’t just mean the blood either. I could imagine just what would happen if I fed from Jared, when I felt the usual attendant pleasure, but with no need to hold back or even control myself.

  I was also immediately disappointed it wouldn’t be until Thursday before I had to feed again.

  I blushed scarlet, as I finally realized what must have happened, and why Jared was here demanding this of me right now instead of at the job site supervising. He’d probably been working when I’d fed for the very first time after the ally bond was created last night, and I’d probably flooded the whole pack with my feelings of intense euphoric bliss and sexual desire.

  Oops.

  It was rather obvious now why he was agitated, I think I’d be even more angry than he was if I’d felt his sexual desire when I wasn’t around. Still, a part of me bristled at the ordering tone of his voice, but I pushed that down.

  I’d decided it was foolish to argue about his tone when he gave orders, since he wasn’t going to change. Plus, there was a part of me that really liked it, a primitive part behind the modern woman I was that wanted him to claim me. I’d decided to only argue or ignore his commands, if I really disagreed with him, and not for some ridiculous stand. In other words, I’d pick my battles carefully, and asking a werewolf not to be possessive wasn’t a battle I’d ever win.

  I had no desire to argue this time, I really enjoyed the thought of him being both my mate, and my blood snack.

  “Umm,” I licked my lips which were suddenly dry, “I can do that love. I just… didn’t think of it, since when I feed I generally distance myself from the person by thinking of them as a snack. Which… doesn’t at all fit how I think of you.”

  I didn’t really view humans that way, it had just been a way to push back the desires when I drank blood, but apparently, that wouldn’t be necessary anymore. I couldn’t wait actually.

  Jared peered at me a moment, “Then why are you so flustered.”

  I bit my lip, and I couldn’t help when my eyes moved to the pulse point in his neck. My voice was rushed and breathless.

  “Because I really can’t wait to try it.”

  Dear Inari, the man turned me into such a tramp.

  My mind was in the gutter right then, and he smiled smugly as soon as he realized the truth of my blushing stance. It seemed the only time I was confident enough to tease and seduce him was inside his dreams, although I still wasn’t completely sure why I lacked that boldness in the real world. Though honestly, I loved it when he chased and caught me, and I really adored what came after the catching.

  He moved forward, and kissed me. I sighed in pleasure, and felt him pick me up and start carrying me toward the house, and to his bed. Our bed, I corrected myself. I smiled in satisfaction into his neck, and then I nibbled it. It was nice to know I had a similar effect on him as well.

  I supposed all the stuff in the trunk could be unpacked later…

  Chapter Two

  I did eventually get my stuff out of the trunk and put away, once Jared left to go back to the job site that is.

  “Need help Miku?”

  I looked over toward the door and smiled at Gina, and then looked at the bed which was covered in clothes.

  Gina was the pack omega, which was the least dominant werewolf in the pack. I didn’t know that much about her, but she always seemed to be around, and helping everyone in the pack. At least, by my limited knowledge. She was short, just five foot two, and had light brown hair, wide brown eyes, and looked sincere.

  “I wouldn’t mind the company.”

  She nodded and came inside the room. She started to put my clothes on hangars and hand them to me for me to hang up. It sped things up a great deal actually.

  “I’m curious, what do you do for the pack? I understand you’re the least dominant but I don’t know what that actually means as far as the pack.”

  She shrugged, “It means I am most protected, every other pack member will protect me. We, the pack omegas, are also referred to sometimes as the heart of the pack. I don’t have to play dominance games. Me specifically? I run the household, bills, food, all that sort of thing?”

  She seemed nice as we talked, and hung up my new clothes. I decided to trust her and ask some questions I’d had about myself, being mate to the alpha.

  “So, what exactly is expected of me, as the alpha’s mate I mean.”

  She tilted her head, “You could ask Jared…” she trailed off.

  I blushed, “I do have to play dominance games, I just thought his answers might be shaded by his desire to protect me? I’m just not sure where I fit in yet.”

  She smiled, “I think I understand. The alpha’s mate is an honored position in the pack, but without any intrinsic authority. If it was another werewolf in the pack, they would still fall in the hierarchy based on their dominance, not because of who they are mated to. As an ally of the pack, you are outside of that hierarchy.”

  “So… no one will try to order me around, because I’m honored as the alpha’s mate, but I shouldn’t order people around either, which is more than fine with me.”

  She replied, “Exactly. Alphas with mates are more stable as well, so you’ll be honored and valued for that too. As far as between you and him, you’ll have to work that out for yourself.”

  I snickered, “Fair enough.”

  We continued to chat as we finished hanging up the clothes, and arranging my additions to the sitting room, bedroom, and bathroom which made the place look more like a couple lived there, instead of a bachelor.

  Reah got home from college a while later and joined us in the kitchen. I felt a bit lazy just sitting around and chatting the day away, but it was also nice as I got to know them both a little better…

  Gina cleared her throat nervously, “So you like to drive fast?”

  Reah giggled, and I looked down at my speed, she didn’t seem to mind my driving.

  “I’m only going ninety-five or so.”

  I supposed it was a vampire thing. I’d never know for sure though, I’d never driven, or even been in a car before I was turned. We were headed into Seattle, to meet with Jared, Bob, the twins, and a few others after their work day. I wouldn’t recommend a human going so fast, but it was fairly safe for me, between vampire reflexes, and my spirit magic seeing everyone a mile out, there was really no way I’d hit anyone if I paid attention.

  I had to slow down, as we got on the main interstate and ran into afternoon traffic. I tried not to laugh when Gina sighed with relief.

  “How often does the pack eat out?”

  Gina said, “A few times a week. Though only the guys doing construction do it consistently, the rest of us just join them once or twice a week.”

  Leah scrunched her nose, “Fire?”

  Gina tilted her head, sniffed, and then I had to hit the brakes as the traffic in front of us came to a stop.

  Gina frowned, “Accident maybe?”

  Then it started to drizzle, rain, and then pour. We couldn’t see more than fifty feet ahead of us, if that.

  I sighed, and the car inched forward.

  “Do you think there was an accident?”

  Leah nodded, “I’m sure I got a whiff of fire, before the rain and wind started anyway.”

  I started to skim the souls ahead of us for information.

  “Yeah, there was a fire by the side of the road, no idea what set it, and some moron stared at it instead of where he was going. The right lane is blocked ahead. Good news, I don’t think anyone died, and the rain should put that fire out.”

  Gina snickered, as the pouring rain just turned off, like someone had closed the spigot.

  We inched forward.

  Leah asked, “Does anyone need help?”

  I frowned, and skimmed some more.

  I shook my head, “I don’t think so, at least twenty people called nine one one, and the three cars in the accident aren’t on fire. I think one guy has a broken arm, and a woman has a minor concussion. It’s better to leave it to the responders.”

  We inched forward.

  There was a loud sound of screeching metal behind us, and we all jumped. Damned enhanced hearing could be startling at times. Screeching tires a hundred yards away sounded just feet away. My guess was the flash rain storm lifted the oils in the road, and someone couldn’t stop for the traffic jam.

  I skimmed back behind us this time, as we inched forward.

  Gina asked, “What was that?”

  “Umm, looks like a car spun out of control, and went under a trailer.”

  I winced, “There were three in the car, baby, young boy, and a mother. The baby and boy in the back seat are fine, if completely panicked. The mother is unconscious, and it looks like the car is crushing her. She’s having trouble breathing.”

  Leah asked, “Is there any way to help her?”

  We inched forward.

  I frowned, “I’m not sure she’ll make it, by the time they cut her out of there she might suffocate from the pressure. There are a lot of witnesses though.”

  Leah asked in a determined voice, “Can’t you bamboozle them? We should help if we can.”

  Now she’d done it, asked me for help.

  “I don’t know, I’d have to look into each of their eyes. There might be a way to help without giving away our… natures. Most of the damage is on the driver’s side, we might be able to get in on the passenger side.”

  Gina asked, “How will that get her loose.”

  I frowned and skimmed the people checking out the scene, “She’s unconscious, all we really need to do is recline her seat and it will take the pressure off of her chest. She’s kind of lucky, if the car had been crushed another inch or two she’d be dead already.”

  Leah asked, “What are you waiting for?”

  I pulled over to the side of the road, and onto the grass, and the three of us got out and walked back the fifty yards as quickly as we could without drawing attention. I winced as I took in the scene, it looked like she must have hydroplaned, and the front left of the car went under the trailer first, and the driver’s side of the small car crushed like a tin can.

  I fed the woman’s soul some spirit energy to promote healing and try and stabilize her, but the important thing was to get her enough room to breathe, without all the people recording on their cell phones and calling nine one one seeing anything supernatural.

  Leah gasped, and we moved forward. Leah grabbed the passenger door, and pulled. Of course, the damned thing was locked. Safety feature no doubt.

 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10