He laughed as he stood up. “Sorry. I’ll try harder to stifle the male part of me.”

  The man was wholly male and to her, that was a feat that would be impossible. “Yes. Try very hard.” Sighing, she looked at the clock. “We need to get to the boardroom.”

  6

  With her arms open, embracing nature she turned towards the quiet lake. Her midnight black hair, now released from its confines blew out around her. With the moonlight shining down upon her, she looked like a goddess offering herself to the elements.

  “You think that I lack the power to stop you, little sister?” Ella stepped up beside her, her red mane flying wildly around her.

  Alana turned and smiled. “How can you think to stop me as you do not know what it is I do?” She watched Ella’s face redden to a shade near her hair color Lifting her face to the sky she looked into the darkness. “We need you Teegan–seek me to aid you in the task ahead.”

  “Teegan.”

  A deep voice invaded her dream, the images shifting and fading. Lifting her head she looked into the dark eyes of Leland McKay, they were overflowing with worry. Moving, she realized she was on the couch in her office, slumped down, her lap covered in pages.

  “Is she all right?”

  Turning, she looked at Wes standing behind Leland. Bolting upright, she sent the pages scattering to the floor. “What time is it?” The room was dark. Her head still felt foggy. Reaching for the papers, her hands started to tremble.

  Leland knelt down in front of her. “It’s almost eight. We thought you’d gone home.”

  Shaking her head, she brushed the hair back from her face. “I wanted to get a schedule roughed out for when I’m not here, so everything still gets out on time.” Standing slowly, she accepted his hand to bring her to her feet. Glancing over his shoulder, she spotted the shattered light bulb on the floor. “You need to have maintenance check my light fixture Wes, I can’t have light bulbs flying all over the place. Someone could get hurt.”

  Wes cleared his throat. “I’ll get right on that.” He exchanged a brief look with Leland. “Did you drive today, Teeg?”

  Reaching through the fog still filling her mind, she frowned. “No. I’ll just get a cab home.”

  Leland took the pages from her hand and set them on the table. “I was just leaving. I’ll give you a ride.”

  “All right, I’ll get my things.”

  Leland nodded and turned towards the door. “I’ll be right back.”

  Wes stood there for a second watching him leave before he turned worried blue eyes on her. “Are you okay?”

  She sighed. ‘Yes. I feel silly for falling asleep here though.”

  “I’ve done it on more than one occasion.” He glanced back at the door. “I’m just going to grab my coat, I’ll walk you out.”

  Catching up to Leland, Wes looked over his shoulder to make sure no one else was there. “I thought you said you cast a bind so it wouldn’t happen here.”

  Leland darted into his office with long strides. “I did. I tried. The ancestors or at least one in particular aren’t having any of it.”

  Wes ran a hand through his already messed hair. “Okay, now I’m scared. If your cast didn’t hold, we are in deep.”

  Grabbing up his keys off the desk, Leland threw him an odd look over his shoulder. “Glad we’re on the same page now.” He moved quickly back towards him. “In all the years of studying, did it never occur to you that this was going to be a dangerous event when it came?”

  Wes shrugged. “Yes, I just hoped it wouldn’t be as bad as I imagined.”

  “And is it?”

  Shaking his head, he stepped out of the way. “It’s going to be.” He strode along beside him as they headed back to Teegan’s office. “Are you going to be able to handle it on your own when you take her there?”

  “I stand a better chance when we’re outside in the open. Gathering the elements while inside this building is hard to do.”

  “Right. You’re strongest with the elements.” Wes sighed loudly.

  “And your strength in spells, so I suggest you bone up on them because sooner, rather than later you are going to find out which one of these women you need to contain and aid. Teegan is going to need a teacher once she knows and it’s going to take both of us.”

  “I know. I’ll be ready.”

  Studying him for a long silent moment, Leland lowered his voice. “I’ll take care of her.”

  Wes nodded and looked down at the floor. “See that you do,” he mumbled just loud enough to be heard.

  Leland came to stand right in front of him. “Why don’t you get whatever is eating away at you off your chest, so we can focus on more important things.”

  Wes straightened so they stood eye to eye. “I see the looks... you have no idea how dangerous getting too close will be…”

  “Are you warning me off?” Leland sneered at him. “Is there a claim of proprietorship I should know about?”

  Wes snarled.

  “If you boys need a ruler to see which is the biggest, I have one in my desk.”

  They both turned to see Teegan standing in the hall grinning at them.

  Wes cleared his throat. “I don’t think we’ll need your ruler, but thanks.” He winked at her.

  Leland grinned and motioned towards the stairs. “Nope, we have our own.”

  Teegan sat there during the drive without speaking. Leland didn’t seem too interested in conversation either as he hadn’t said a word since they got in the car. Her head still felt foggy. Combined with the clenching of her stomach she wasn’t sure what to think. The last thing she needed at this point was to get the flu or something.

  “Are you all right?”

  Closing her eyes, she exhaled slowly before answering. “I’m not sure. I feel real off right now.”

  “In what way?” His voice was quiet, almost cautious.

  “You know the way you feel just before you get the flu? Achy, a bit foggy, like you’re not completely in your body...” Opening her eyes, she looked back out the window at the building going by. “Like that.”

  He didn’t say anything again until he pulled into her parking lot. When he turned off the car he finally looked at her. “Could it be something from your medication? Prescription drugs are famous for all their side effects.”

  “I suppose it’s possible.” Turning, she offered a smile, even if it was only a polite one. “Thank you for the ride home.” Opening the door she got out and before she could put her full weight on her legs they buckled almost sending her to the ground. Catching herself against the car, she stood there trying to breathe through the lightheaded feeling that seemed to have amplified in a matter of seconds.

  Leland was beside her quickly, “I think I’ll make sure you get inside.”

  Any other time she’d argue and say she was fine, but she didn’t feel fine. “Thank you.”

  The walk up the stairs into her apartment was a little fuzzy and it added to the anxious feeling. As she stepped through the door, she let out a shaky breath. “I really feel strange.”

  Leland steered her towards the couch and eased her down onto it. Kneeling in front of her, he searched her face. “When was the last time you ate?”

  “I had lunch…”

  “And probably burned off three times that amount of energy with your sprints through the office…” he stood up and pulled off his jacket. “How about I fix you something to eat and see if that doesn’t help?”

  Leaning her head back against the pillows, she closed her eyes. “Yes maybe.” She heard him walk out of the room, but didn’t open her eyes. What was wrong with her? Aside from feeling like she was yesterday’s leftovers, she was actually letting a strange man make her dinner. If all of this was because of that quack’s drugs, she was going to feed him his own medicine so he could relate to the complete and utter insanity she was going through. As if the dreams weren’t bad enough, she was going through all of this now for a prescription that hadn’t done a thing that was helpful.

  Her heart started hammering inside her chest, hard enough that she couldn’t catch her breath. Sweat broke out on her forehead as she sat there trying to take some deep breaths. Please make this stop.

  “Teegan? Are you all right?”

  She heard him come over with fast steps but didn’t dare open her eyes or try to speak.

  “You’re shaking.” She felt his warm hand on her brow. “I think I should take you to the emergency…”

  Her eyes flew open. “No.” Inhaling through her nose, she tried to draw enough air to speak. “I’ll be fine.” She took another breath. “Blood sugar is probably just low.” Huffing out a breath, she closed her eyes again.

  “Do you want to lie down? Take a bath?”

  She offered a weak smile to reassure him when she heard the worry in his voice. “I’ll just stretch out here for a few.” Lifting her head, she shifted on the cushions. He reached by her and picked up his coat. Panic filled her. “Can—can you stay for a bit?”

  Moving his coat over onto the chair he gave her a warm look. “I’m not going anywhere until you’re feeling more like yourself.”

  Inhaling deeply she let it out and closed her eyes. “Thank you.”

  7

  Lightening flashed in the dark night sky.

  “Teegan. Your time has come. We need you now.”

  The wind swirled leaves in a colorful funnel all around the dark-haired girl. She raised her arms and thunder echoed through the silence. “You must let it come to be, Teegan.”

  Sitting up, she jumped up off the couch and looked around. She was at home. Her heart was thumping like she’d just run a mile at full speed.

  “Teegan?”

  Spinning around, she saw Leland coming out of the kitchen. He took one look at her face and rushed over to her. “What’s wrong?” Gentle hands grasped her shoulders.

  “Another—just a dream again.” Holding her hand over her heart she tried to settle down.

  “Here, sit down.” He started to steer her towards the couch again.

  Pulling away from him, she went towards the kitchen, then stopped and turned back to face him. “I am so tired of these,” her voice shook. “If I’m losing my mind, I wished it would just hurry up and happen, I can’t take much more of this.”

  He raised one eyebrow at her, almost looking amused. “I’m sure you’re not losing your mind...”

  “Well, it seems to run in my family, so don’t be so sure.”

  Leland frowned and moved to stand in front of her. “What do you mean?”

  Teegan snorted. “My great grandmother and aunt both went a bit loopy and were kept away from everyone else for years.”

  “Loopy?” He smirked. “You may have to define that word. I don’t think I’m familiar with it.”

  Rolling her eyes at him, she realized it wasn’t exactly a descriptive word most adults used. “They went off the deep end. Rants about dreams and witches…” Sighing, she hugged her arms around her ribs. “I don’t know about the witch part, but the dreams seem to be my newest pastime.”

  Reaching out, he pulled her slowly into her arms. She didn’t want to feel weak, but the strength of this man calmed her. Resting her head against his shoulder, she let him hold her against his body. “I don’t want to be crazy, Leland.” It felt so good to be held.

  His breath brushed over her hair when he spoke. “You’re not crazy or even on your way to crazy, Teegan.” She felt his lips against the top of her head. “I promise.”

  For several minutes he stood there holding her against his firm body, his hands running in a soothing pattern up and down her spine. She wanted to stay right where she was, which worried her even more because this wasn’t normal for her. She wasn’t a weak female that needed coddling and comforting.

  “Listen,” he leaned back enough that he could look down at her. “If it’s all right with you I have a friend that is a doctor—of sorts. He’s helped many people with non-textbook problems. With your permission, I can describe to him what you’re going through and see if he has any suggestions.”

  Standing there Teegan felt captivated looking up into his dark eyes. The look he was giving her was gentle and understanding, there was something else in the depth of his eyes, but she didn’t want to delve any deeper to try and figure it out right now. “Okay. The prescription and my present doctor don’t seem to be helping.”

  Smiling, he kissed her forehead lightly. “I’m sure there is a reasonable explanation for all of it, probably something so simple everyone else is overlooking it.”

  Inhaling, she took his pure masculine scent into her; she really liked the way he made her feel at this moment. “And my crazy relatives with their dreams were just misunderstood?” His smile blinded her and caused her pulse to pick up again.

  “Maybe.”

  The look in his eyes changed without warning and gone was the sweetness of it replaced by an intense expression. She knew she should move away from him, but other than a small part of her brain no other part seemed to want to do any such thing.

  Her heart skipped a few beats when his lips moved over hers, barely connecting, but burning her all the same. With a sigh she leaned into him, lightly grasping the front of his shirt. His eyes flared with heat as he lowered his mouth to hers again. This time there was no gentle tasting, no hesitance. His mouth took over hers and erased all thoughts of anything but him. She could feel his strong hands pressing her body into his, feel each muscle against her. Moaning into his mouth, she felt his body respond as his mouth kissed her with a passion she’d never felt in her life.

  With a growl, he lifted his mouth from hers and leaned his forehead against hers. He was as out of breath as she was and stood there without releasing her until he could speak again. “I would apologize, but I don’t think it would be sincere.” He stroked a hand down her hair, causing a tingling to shoot through her body. “Truth be told, I have never had this problem with controlling myself around a woman in my life. You’re ruining me.”

  Teegan smiled at the whining tone in his voice. “I’m not doing anything.”

  With a big sigh, he leaned back to put some space between their bodies. “It seems you don’t have to do a damn thing but exist.” Brushing his thumb over her bottom lip, he looked at her with longing. “I will, however, attempt to keep my hands to myself. I know you don’t need to be dealing with some man panting after you right now…”

  “A man that happens to be my boss...”

  Stepping back, he smirked at her. “I was going to leave that detail unspoken.” He jammed his hands in his pockets with a strained look on his face, like he had to or he was going to grab her. “I don’t consider myself your boss, per se, we’re on equal levels as far as work goes.”

  Raising her eyebrows she studied him for a second. “I don’t suppose you’d put that in writing.”

  A sexy smile appeared on his face. “You’d suppose right.” Reaching out, he moved the hair out of her face and tucked it behind her ear. With a jerky movement, he pulled his hand away again. “Okay.” Blowing out a breath, he backed up several feet. “Here’s the plan. I’m going to go back to the kitchen and finish with the food.” His eyes moved down her body slowly. “And try not to think about taking a bite out of you...” She laughed. “Then we’ll eat and if after that you think you’ll feel okay alone I will leave.” He pursed his lips together a paused, his jaw working as his eyes moved over her once again. “Right—if not, I will stay and keep an eye on you… from the other side of the room.” Running his hands through his hair he groaned. “Teegan, please just... go change into the ugliest thing you can find.”

  It hit her suddenly and she laughed. He was serious, he was really having a hard time keeping his distance. She wanted him to, mostly. “Go to the kitchen, Leland. I’ll go change.” She moved by him and headed to her bedroom. Smiling when she heard the groan behind her.

  Leland stood there until he heard the water start in the shower. Shaking his head, he went into the kitchen, dialing his cell phone as he went. He was in deep here and he needed help. Now.

  Brother Kale answered on the first ring. “Leland? I didn’t expect to hear from you so soon. Is everything all right?”

  Groaning inside his head he wanted to shout, no! “As far as her descending, it’s progressing quickly.”

  “And?”

  Looking back out the door, he fought the pull he felt of hanging up and going to join her in the shower. “And—I’m having...” What? He didn’t know how to say it. “I’ve never...” Running a hand through his hair he took a deep breath. “I’m very attracted to Teegan.” Understatement.

  Kale chuckled. “After seeing the photos, I’m sure any breathing male feels attracted to Miss Jacobs, she’s beautiful.”

  Something close to jealously flared through him. “It goes beyond that, Kale,” he growled.

  There was a long pause. “Oh. I see.” He cleared his throat. “If I’m not mistaken that would be your magic feeling hers.”

  “I’ve been around others with magic my whole life, Kale. I’ve never felt like this.”

  “Oh. That’s not good.”

  His muscles tensed. “Why exactly?”

  Kale made some sort of humming sound for a second. “Magic is a part of your heart and soul, Leland, it knows when it’s found the one…”

  “The one?” Leland looked quickly towards the hallway Teegan had gone down. “Meaning what? My soul mate?” He snorted.

  “For lack of a better term, yes.”

  Leland closed his eyes and leaned back against the counter. “You’re serious?”

  “Deadly.”

  Exhaling, he straightened away from the counter and went and stood in the doorway. “So, what does this mean exactly?”

  Again another long pause. “You know how two like people can choose to share their magic while being intimate?”

 

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