Spirit walker, p.7
Spirit Walker, page 7
“Did you touch her?” Vaun asks. “I think that’s how it happens.”
“No, I avoided that to be safe.”
“Good.” He seems to calm at this, and I hear him moving out of bed and the rustle of clothing. “What do you suggest we do now?” He questions me.
“Get closer to her, keep an eye on her. I’ll hit the system.” My mind is swirling as I walk to my car. “Oh, and Vaun... See if she will tell you what really happened. I think she is holding back.”
“On it, I’ll let you know,” He agrees hanging up.
I walk straight to my office when I arrive home. Tossing my phone on the desk, I open the ancient grimoire resting close by. Flipping through pages, pausing when running across the sketch, the portrait of her, Idunn. She was a striking woman. You can see the power in her eyes. Eyes as black as night, unlike the icy blue ones sat across from me not an hour ago. Same strength though, so fierce. I shake my head in disbelief, playing the meeting over and over in my mind.
It was hard not to grin at her when she first felt my calming fall over her. If I didn’t know better, I would guess she thought it was the chair. That makes me chuckle. She is refreshingly naïve. It also took me off guard how attracted I was to her. Luckily, I could escape behind my desk to hide my obvious excitement. The last time I felt such an instant attraction was Idunn. Exhaling heavily, I shake my head to dispel that image. Thankfully, she was blissfully unaware. What I wouldn’t give to touch her to see if that magnetism draws her back into my arms.
Closing the grimoire, my fingers smooth it idly, my mind lost in old memories. I can recall that first day as if it was yesterday.
I was a nobody. The wanderer they called me. One without roots. I traveled from village to village but nowhere ever seemed to hold me long. Until one day, I stopped at a tavern for a mead and warm dinner, the weather having turned into a wet blistering storm. All eyes swiveled to the door banging open and the woman trudging in, stomping the water from her fur covered boots. Laughing at a companion or family member as they pushed her in. She slipped, stumbling as she lost her balance falling. My instantaneous reaction was to reach out, catching her before she could hit the floor. And thus, all too quick she was in my arms, the world standing still as I took in her face, my gaze holding hers. I had never seen such a magnificent beauty. The spark in her eyes took my breath and wits in equal measure, me not even noticing she was speaking. She patted my shoulder as she spoke again, me not having heard her the first time, to the merriment of those observing.
“Ah, yah great oaf, you can let me up now,” she declared, her eyes dancing as she took me in.
I only nodded like an imbecile, setting her to rights.
Back on her feet, she flicks the rain off her coat, her eyes drawing me in, pinning me with her look.
“To whom do I have to be thankful for saving my life?” she questions as chortling breaks out through the room. I note we have become the evening’s entertainment.
I rise to my full height and smirk as the chuckles die down. I peer down upon this little woman standing boldly before me, unflinching, unlike the others in the room.
“Brakken is my name, skjaldmær” I gift her with my true name.
“Well, Brakken, I think we have much to do you and I,” She simply states, turning to head for an empty table. Glancing back, she beckons me to follow. My fate was sealed right then.
Shaking my head with an exhale and grabbing up the journal with some other papers, I head down the hallway to the treasure room. My mind overflowing with anticipation, unable to believe it was her, returned after all this time. I must assemble the needed elements for the rituals we will need to complete. The poor lass that was sitting in my office mere hours ago has no idea what awaits her. As always, no matter the situation, I will care for her at any cost. I flip to the back of the journal, re-reading the prophecy runes there. It’s too incredible to be believed.
Entering the treasure room, I always pause a moment to take everything in. We’ve stored here our most cherished treasures. Along one side of the room, our family armor drapes over various armor stands on full display, each cared for in immaculate condition over the years. Hanging in a row on the wall above the stored armor is, our many weapons. Some date back to the earliest times of our war days. Mace, axe, sword, throwing daggers, Carr has created them all in some time frame or another, now long lost to memory. Over the years, we have developed into well-trained warriors proficient in many styles of fighting, as well as our beasts.
My eyes move, unseeing over it all as I stride to the 8-foot-tall stone on prominent display in the heart of the room, highlighted by a light shining down from above. Idunn’s stone. Reaching out, I trace my fingertip along the embedded runes traveling the length of it. They tell the tale of Idunn’s life, love and death. On the opposite side is the prophecy she carved with her own hand. From the center of the room as I look out, Fenmore’s artwork depicting Idunn’s life covers the walls. His attempt to keep her alive in his own way. Some days I come down here just to take in his vision of her so lifelike it takes my breath away. Walking around the stone, I move to the wall behind it, laying my palm on the scanner to open the security door. The wall opens with a soft hiss-click. Passing through, I stride down the corridor to the door at the end, my computer room. As I enter, my computers come alive, six screens lighting up, standing by for my command.
I’ll need to locate the elements required to perform the bonding ceremony again to complete the circle. It will take me time to source the elements and be ready for when she accepts us. I won’t let myself be the reason for any delay.
As I get busy making a list, my mind shifts to Vaun and how lucky he is to have felt her already.
~ Andie ~
Returning home after my fun little chat with Brakken, I can’t stop thinking. My mind races, flitting from one thought to another. I want to call Val and see what she thinks, but she’s at work now. I pace my little apartment, chewing on a nail. Fucking ghost, you have got to be shitting me runs over and over through my mind, getting me nowhere.
I jump, my pacing forgotten when there’s a solid knock on my door. Frowning, uncertain who could be knocking, I move to squint through the peephole. Vaun is standing back, leaning against the railing looking hot in tight jeans with a black T-shirt, his arms exposed, biceps thick, holding a white bag with Sam’s logo printed on it. I let out a low groan as I glance at my reflection in the hall mirror.
“Just a minute,” I yell through the door, breathless, patting my hair down, taking in my flushed face and glowing eyes. What the hell am I doing? I never act like this for a guy. A frown now firmly set in place, I spin, yanking the door open. He takes a step-in surprise, his eyes meeting mine as he picks up on my flushed face and heavy breathing.
“Are you okay? I wanted to stop by to check on you.” His face fills with concern, eyes flashing gold.
“How did you get my address?” I scowl at him. Damn man has no right to look so perfect. I just want to lick him all over. Licking my lips, I feel my nipples harden, horror washing over me causing me to cross my arms. My face must flame even more than it already is, as I feel like I’ve been lit on fire, which just pisses me off more.
“Val gave it to me after I mentioned what happened yesterday and wanting to check on you.” He hesitates. “She asked if I wouldn’t mind dropping this off when I was picking up my dinner.” He holds up the bag in his hand. A waft of hamburger and french fries reaches my nose making my stomach grumble loud. He glances at my stomach, a grin forming, his twinkling eyes finding mine. “Val said you would be hungry.” He teasingly shakes the bag, waiting for my reply.
“Fine,” I growl, snatching the bag from him, spinning to go to my couch, leaving the door open. I wonder what’s going on with me. My emotions are all over the place. My eyes dart to him still standing on the porch. I scold myself. He’s just being nice and look at those abs.
My eyes do exactly that, flitting down to his abs, on full display with his form-fitting T-shirt hugging each delicious curve.
“Well, don’t just stand there. Come in,” I snap, waving my hand at him. He cautiously steps in, looking uneasy. “Sit,” I order, digging through the bag, laying food out on my coffee table. “I’m sorry, I’m not normally so grouchy. It’s been a weird few days.” I let out a long-suffering sigh.
He nods, closing the door, moving to take the seat across from me. Noticing no drinks, I bounce up to move to the kitchen, a cheeky grin lighting my lips as he startles back as if I’m a wild animal. “What do you want to drink?” I chuckle. “I have beer, coke, or sparkling water?”
“Water is fine, thanks.” He settles back in the chair, uneasiness riding his shoulders as he watches me return.
Shrugging, I grab two waters, returning to hand him one, along with a paper plate, as I sit back on the couch. He sits forward, grabbing a burger and taking a bite in silence, his eyes following my every move. Lifting an eyebrow at him, wondering what he’s thinking as he watches me, I shrug, taking a bite of my burger. I chug some water, washing it down, biding time, questions forming in my mind as we eat in silence, watching each other. I don’t want to just blurt it out and scare him off. I need answers.
This giant of a man sitting across from me, casually sharing a meal captures my attention. His golden blond hair falls in waves around his shoulders. My fingers flex, the desire to run my fingers through his hair strong. His shoulders rise a little with each breath he takes. His arm has a line of symbols tattooed running up from his wrist, like writing, but I can’t tell from here what it says. I pause a moment, getting lost in the thought of where it trails off to under his shirt. His arm flexes, drawing my attention as he moves to grab his water, taking a swig to wash down his bite, his throat bobbing with the action, my eyes firmly set on that very lick-able area. Everything about this man lights me on fire.
After a moment, the silence breaks through my inspection, my eyes darting to his as I realize I’ve been caught checking him out, again. In a panic, I blurt out, “Do you know anything about that area you found me in?”
“People get lost there... a lot.” He shrugs.
“Has anyone ever gotten covered in that blue dust?” I take another bite, watching him.
He wipes his mouth with a napkin. “I think that blue dust was phosphorescent powder, created over time from Europium being ground to dust.”
“Say what?” I laugh.
He quirks an eyebrow and grins, all super sexy “Dust, just dust.” Winking.
I nod, thinking to myself. As the room goes quiet, my stomach plummets.
“What if I ate some or like...inhaled some?” I stammer out.
“Don’t worry. It’s harmless.” He reaches out, taking my hand in his in a comforting gesture. A warm tingle builds, moving swiftly up my arm across my chest, settling low in my stomach. It’s like I can feel him, his soul. His concern for me is written all over his face as an overwhelming sense of how deeply he cares warms my veins.
As I take in his face, our eyes meeting, a deep comfort washes over me. I’m also very confused right now and a sudden zing of panic causes me to pull my hand back, mumbling “Thank you” before I get a chance to see another animal outline forming around him. Working up the nerve to ask him, figuring I don’t have anything to lose at this point, I decide to tell him about my meeting.
“So, I met with your friend Brakken at the college today.”
Vaun glances up at me, his chewing slowing.
“He thinks I fell into a cairn” I blurt out my nerves skyrocketing as that’s probably the weirdest thing I’ve ever said to a guy. Hi, I’m the girl who fell in a tomb of blue dust, remember me? I gulp, tamping down my nerves as I carry on with reckless abandon.
“Oh, really?” his head tilts to the side as he takes another bite of his burger.
“So, um, what happens if a person is struck by lightning?” I blurt out. Way to dive off into left field woman. I sigh, giving up.
Vaun swallows, confusion crossing his features, drawing his brows into a frown. He hesitates and swallows, but I cut him off before he can say anything.
“Look, this is going to sound crazy, but I really need help and well, you were there so you saw ...so maybe you won’t think I am making this stuff up or something…” I ramble, my fingers playing with the hem of my t-shirt as I fidget under his gaze.
“Andi, it’s okay.” He leans forward taking my hand in his. My brain fizzles right out at the tingle that zips up my arm and I have a half-second to think wow it’s getting faster before I refocus on him “It was a traumatic experience, many people feel shock days later even.” My hand is tingling, drawing my attention, making it hard to concentrate on what he’s saying. I glance up, licking my lips as I take in the smoky outline of a giant bear rising around him.
“Do those people see stuff after?” I whisper, fear and awe filling me, my eyes never leaving the growing smoke-filled bear.
“What kind of stuff?” his curiosity clear as his brows shoot up in question.
I gaze into his eyes nodding slowly. “Right now, looking at you, I see an outline of a giant bear in blue smoke-flames surrounding you.” I tilt my head, squinting as I focus on it thinking of ways to better describe what’s happening to me. Vaun wrenches his hand out of mine like I just burnt him, breaking the connection, my head clears as I watch the smoky bear dissipate in the air.
“Hrm, I think it fades when I am not touching you,” I mutter tamping down my embarrassment at him pulling away as I try to figure this out. My brows draw together, a frown forming as my mind works out what this means. He gives a slight nod, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he gulps, giving me time to work it out.
“What else do you feel?” He asks leaning toward me as he takes my hand again. His eyes dance and his whole focus is on me. “Concentrate,” he orders a rumble filling the air.
I nod and for some reason, I want to find out as well, so I go with his experiment. The tingling is quick to build again, coming faster each time, like it’s learning. A warm flush flows over my body, making me pant, but I hold on to his hand rather than pull away.
“I have missed you, elskan mín” I say, my voice going husky with sudden desire. Yet I frown. Something’s not right as I shake my head attempting to clear that thought. What did I just say?
Vaun freezes, his eyes going wide as he questions me, “What did you just say?”
I jerk my hand back, suddenly afraid of whatever it is that’s happening right now. Running my hands through my hair, biting my bottom lip, I turn from his gaze, smoothing my palms down my pants leg. But he won’t let it be. He snags my hand again. And this time I’m instantly turned on as the shiver runs up my arm and down to churn my stomach with butterflies. Heat dumps to my core as the magic builds and I press my thighs together because it’s too much. I’ve never felt this turned on… ever. I feel like I could float away on an orgasm if I even take a breath. I swallow, struggling to calm myself. I wiggle, trying to ease the ache that’s now building.
Vaun nods, the merest hint of a smile appearing on his beautiful lips. His entire face transforms into something that takes my breath away. His eyes flash golden sparks and he oozes raw sex appeal that lights me on fire. I squirm even more under his heated gaze.
“Tell me what you're feeling ástin mín.” He begs as his thumb rubs my palm. Whatever he just called me sets me on fire.
“I feel...” I pause, questioning my sanity right now, “incredibly turned on.” I finally meet his eyes and grin.
He blinks at me dazedly. “Really?”
Nodding, I stand to sit on my coffee table in front of him. He leans back now in the chair, eying me warily. Still holding his hand, I settle it on my thigh. When the warmth of his skin brushes mine, I give a little moan. A shudder washes through me at the pleasure such a simple touch brings. His eyes fly in surprise to his hand now rubbing on my thigh as I give a wiggle, trying to get him to move. Please, please run your hand up, see how turned on I am. I groan, glancing from his hand to his face and back again. “I ache… so bad…” I clench my thighs around his big, warm palm as I wiggle to inch his hand higher.
His worried gaze climbs to my face.
“Andie…” He pleads. Almost as if in pain.
Impatient, I stand before him to nudge him back in the chair as I straddle him. He lets out a softly rumbling growl when I settle my core against the bulge in his jeans. I take his hands and place them on my hips as I start to grind against him. Anything to ease this ache I have burning through me. I move his hand to cup my swollen breast.
“Touch me Vaun” I beg. What the hell am I doing? I tremble. This is not like me.
Vaun, caught off guard, groans as I rock against him. I can feel the hard length of him hitting my core and I moan with a throaty hum. His hand moves to the base of my neck to pull me in for a kiss. He pauses a heart-stopping moment before our lips touch. Then he’s plunging into my mouth in a heated rush that steals my breath. I rock against his hardness as I pull his shirt up, eager to get my hands on his silky skin.
With a groan, he whips his shirt off, tossing it aside as he bucks his hips against me. My tongue twines with his as I surrender myself to the pleasure. He groans and I am not sure if it’s from pleasure or pain as I grind down, feeling how very swollen he is. He kisses along my neck, placing little nips and licks along my collarbone as he works his way to my breast. He shoves my shirt up and pops my breast out to suck my hard nipple into his mouth, causing me to fall back crying out at the zing going straight to my clit.
As I lean back, my legs fall open in silent invitation. He runs his hand down my side to dip his fingers into the waistband of my leggings. Ever so gradually he works his hand down to my crotch, letting his finger finally slide along my slit.
I begin to ride his hand as he slips a finger, then another inside me. I am making little whimper moaning sighs as he expertly fingers me, his thumb brushing my clit. I can feel the hard, hot length of him so close to my core and it is driving me insane. Suddenly he drives a third finger into me and quirks them just so, and I am falling over the edge as I shudder and gasp in his lap.
