Blood Shift (The Charming Shifter Mysteries Book 3) Read online

  Hearing him affirm her lack of magical abilities felt like a blow to her belly. Chia ground her teeth together.

  “Do something,” the fairy child wailed. “They’re going to make me evil!”

  At her wit's end, with no ideas forming, Chia searched the sky, peering through the blur of ghosts.

  Drenched in the colors of sunset, the sky appeared far more colorful than such a moment warranted.

  High overhead, she could barely make out the shape of a Snowy Owl, hovering. “Grandfather?” she asked softly. “Is that you?” Without recourse, she dropped to her knees, clinging to the child.

  “You’ve given up, haven’t you?” the blue glowing fairy child said, her voice plaintive and small.

  “No, sweetie. I haven’t.” Chia had every intention of cajoling, manipulating—anything—to keep the fairy in her arms safe. “I just don’t know what to do, except beg for help.”

  Chapter 22

  Safety lay just beyond the runic wall, in her house, in her garage, in her yard—if only Chia could get past the magical barrier. On her knees before the shimmering rune wall, hugging the tiny fairy child to her chest, she pleaded with the owl flying above her.

  “Granddad, if that’s you, please let down the magic so we can get inside.”

  The evil Fae shadows battered against the ghosts surrounding her, seeking entrance. Then, they swirled around, appearing confused.

  Her ghosts hummed and buzzed and even made warped groans if Chia could believe her ears.

  “Thank you,” she whispered to her ghosts. “Thanks for finally helping.”

  The blurry image of the owl flew to the giant bronze sculpture of a bear at the end of the copper fence lining the stream. It landed on top of the bronze head and stared at her, unblinking.

  That owl must be my grandfather. Why else would he land on the sculpture he created?

  “Grandfather, please,” Chia pleaded. “Help me save this fairy child.”

  The fairy child sobbed. Her face began to take on a dark hue, making Chia wonder if one of the Fae shadows had slipped through her ghosts.

  Curling her hands into fists, her jaw clenched, she beat at the magic barrier with one hand. Her other arm kept the child close.

  “That’s not going to help, you know,” Hung called.

  “Got any better ideas?”

  “Maybe we slip underneath.” Picking up a stick, he dug at the ground. “Damn. This magic goes way deep.”

  She assumed an air of piety, like that, might help. Surely her grandfather, if he indeed watched over her, knew her foibles and weaknesses. “And if you help me, I promise to be a better person and not get into so much trouble.”

  A few yards away, Hung laughed. “Good one! I’d like to see that.” He kept on scanning the sparkling wall for entry, using his deft fingers to explore its surface. “Thank God you’re keeping the shadows busy. I’ve had my share of them.”

  “Yeah, you’re welcome by the way,” Chia said, “for saving your life.”

  “I already said thank you.”

  “No, you didn’t.”

  “Yes, I did.”

  “No…you didn’t”

  “Well, I thought it.”

  Chia scoffed. “Anyway, grandfather…”

  The owl blinked, then pivoted its head 270 degrees to look at something behind it.

  “Hey! Over here! Snowy Owl! Grandfather!”

  The owl’s head pivoted back.

  It didn’t look particularly wise, sitting on top of the bronze bear. In fact, as its head pivoted to and fro, it seemed to be a few trees short of a forest—either that or it suffered from A.D.D.

  The fairy child whimpered in a desperate, pleading cry that tugged at Chia’s heart.

  Her eyes began to drain of their exquisite silver-gold like one of the Fae shadows sucked the color out of her. “I’m becoming one of them. Don’t let them take me.”

  Chia scrambled to her feet—an accomplishment since the fairy child had turned into dead weight in her arms. “Goddam it! What do you want? What do you need? If you are my grandfather, why won’t you help me? I care for the house you built. I miss you and grandma all the time. So I get myself into messes all the time. This child shouldn’t have to pay for my ignorance.”

  The shimmering lights became translucent.

  Chia, clutching the fairy child, and Hung scurried through the runic wall, into the safety of her yard.

  It slammed shut, enclosing them in her protected world.

  Chia glanced over her shoulder. “The shadow shifters didn’t make it through. Thank God.”

  Her ghosts tumbled from their ectoplasm blur, clinging to her like wet clay as if exhausted from their ordeal.

  For once, Chia didn’t mind. “Thanks, guys,” she said, as she raced across the yard.

  “Your ghosts really came through for you,” Hung said.

  “Yeah. Go figure. Most of the time they’re useless.” Panting, she shuffle-jogged toward the house. The fairy child still hung listlessly in her arms, making movement difficult.

  “We’re safe, Chia. Slow down,” Hung panted.

  “I can’t. We have to get her in the house.”

  Hung put his hand on her shoulder. “Give her to me.” He held out his arms.

  For a second, the potent arousal she felt earlier roared to the surface, like someone had poured gasoline over her and used a blow torch to ignite it.

  “Hung,” she said, mouth parted. She knew he felt it, too, if the bulge forming in his jeans was any indication.

  “I know,” he said, his eyes dark with desire. “But not like this…not on vampire.”

  He said it softly. No sharp edge laced his words. No venom. He seemed almost…understanding.

  The child stirred and made a mewling sound.

  Hung gave her a soft, blue and gold gaze, that touched Chia’s core. “Give her to me…please. We’re safe in here. We don’t need your ghosts to blur you.”

  Chia made the exchange, her fingers brushing Hung’s warm torso in the process. She closed her eyes briefly at the touch.

  “Chia…”

  Her eyelids fluttered open.

  Hung looked like she felt—torn. “Let’s get her inside.”

  Reluctantly, she turned and followed him and the fairy child to her house.

  As the climbed the front steps, Chia noted soft lights coming through the living room window. D’Raynged? He never entertains here. That’s roommate rule number one.

  She stopped at the Loggers Welcome mat, her still super-sharp hearing catching noise in the house. “Um, you take her into my bedroom. I need to turn out the lights in the living room.”

  “Got it,” Hung said.

  She cracked open the door, listening hard. Nothing. Maybe I made it up.

  “I’ll be right there,” she said, a little too loud.

  “I said I got it.” Hung looked at her, his eyebrows stitched together in a quizzical look. He shook his head and then disappeared down the hall to the right.

  Chia turned in the opposite direction and stepped into her living room. Her still enhanced vision let her see the naked butt of her roommate, his body going to town on the female beneath him—on her couch.

  “What the hell are you doing? In my living room.”

  “Enjoying myself,” D’Raynged said, grunting, not slowing his thrusts. “Only not with you.”

  “This violates the rules of our roommate agreement,” Chia said, her boots striking the wood floor like hammers as she made her way toward him.

  “Oh, honey, all rules flew out the window when you started using me and not taking me to completion. I had to do something.” He nodded toward the breathtaking blonde beneath him.

  The blonde looked to be in ecstasy, her eyes rolled back in her head.

  Chia stood over the woman.

  D’Raynged’s head turned. He looked at her with lusty eyes.

  A jolt of arousal shot through her.

  His eyes narrowed. “See what you’re m
issing?”

  Licking her lips, she eyed D’s fangs, still wet with blood.

  He turned away, putting his attention back on the blonde. His hips hammered into the woman.

  She fingered the puncture wounds in the woman’s neck. “You know he’s going to kill you, right?”

  “Who are you?” the woman moaned in a trance-like voice. “And what are you doing on my trip?”

  “You’re in my house.” Chia planted her hands on her hips.

  “Funny.” The woman let out a laugh that echoed like it came from down a long hall. “He said he was bringing me to the house of paradise. You must be one of his servants, right?”

  Chia’s lips grew stiff. “Yeah. That’s right. I serve him chocolates so he can do this—” She swept her hand in an agitated movement. “—with you.”

  The blonde giggled. “This is so funny.”

  D’Raynged put his hand over her mouth. “Quiet, sweetheart, or I’ll have to do what she said and kill you.” He jerked his head toward Chia. “As for you, Madame Landlady, think of this as retribution…mild retribution. I’m getting tired of running around with blue balls the size of Mexico.”

  “But you’re doing it in my house…my house.”

  “Yes, and I might do it on your kitchen table, near your little candy wrappers and the smeared chocolate on your oak island.” His bucking hips grew more insistent. “Fueled by the arousal that only I can give you. Me. No one else.” He thrust hard into the woman beneath him. “Now if you want to watch, I don’t mind. But I’m…” Thrust. “About…” Thrust. “To…”

  Chia pressed her hands over her ears. “Don’t say it. I got it. I’m going. But we’re so not done with this matter.” She scurried from the room, turning once to glance over her shoulder. Where did he go? The couch made dents in all the right place—dents that bowed and filled; bowed and filled. But no vampire and his booty call could be seen.

  “You’re welcome for opening the rune wall for you,” he said from whatever dimension he currently occupied.

  “You what?” Chia slowly turned. She stared at the place where he should be, but still, the couch appeared empty. The cushions kept denting and refreshing, though. Then, they stilled, like he’d collapsed on top of the blonde, spent. She blinked, shook her head, and then hurried away from the living room to her bedroom.

  “Everything okay?” Hung peered at her from his perch at the edge of her bed.

  “I have no idea,” Chia said, suddenly exhausted.

  The fairy child lay tucked under the fluffy, fat red, gold, and white comforter, and soft sheets. Her eyes were closed, and she breathed the breath of the innocent.

  “How did you get her to calm down?” Chia trudged to the other side of the bed and sat on it, reaching across to stroke the girl’s silky silvery hair.

  “I sang to her, what do you think?” He smiled at her.

  “I didn’t know you sang to children.” Chia lifted her legs and placed them, boots and all, on the comfy bed. Her head fell back into the pillow. “So somehow Red or his minions turned the Fae spirits into evil.”

  “So, it seems. I have no idea how we’re going to fight them—the shadow shifters. When I was sucked into their lair, it was like fighting an evil wind.” He pursed his lips and blew out a lungful of air. “Anyway, someone got the Fae spirits to the world between the worlds. Then, Red’s minion shadows must have snagged them and did whatever horrible thing Red does before their souls could be redeemed. It was like they lay in wait.” Hung stroked the girl’s gossamer hair. “Or, maybe it was Red himself. I have no idea what he’s capable of. The shadow shifters have hidden for centuries, so we don’t know what they’re capable of doing.”

  “How do you know this?” Chia adjusted her pillow, positioning it just so beneath her head. She turned her head so she could see Hung’s face.

  “Oh, that vampire high allowed me to sense things I don’t usually sense. Don’t ever do that to me again, by the way.” His mouth set in a firm line when he said this, his eyes locking with hers.

  “I’d do in in a heartbeat if it meant saving you.” Chia gave him a level, steady gaze.

  For a few seconds, neither of them said a word—volumes were spoken, however, with their regard of one another. To Chia, the moment seemed to capsulize all the hurt, love, and longing that now earmarked their relationship. Tears filled her eyes.

  Hung turned away and the moment vanished. “A fucking squirrel told me what went down if you can believe it. He said he saw the whole thing go down. That vampire blood…” He shook his head. “Anyway, the varmint said some magical being consecrated the ground and released the Fae spirits. I don’t suppose you were responsible for getting them to that place, were you?”

  “Why would you say that?” Chia stared at the ceiling, watching the ghosts circle overhead. “I’m not magic in the least.”

  Except when I make the blood offering with D’Raynged.

  “Just a hunch. And I think there’s more going on inside that luscious soul of yours than meets the eyes. You’re far greater than you think you are.”

  Chia blushed, still watching the ghosts. “I see.” She said nothing for a few seconds, then redirected with, “Where are you sleeping tonight? We should probably get some rest. I’m exhausted.”

  Please say here.

  “Oh, I should probably head back to my cabin. But first, lift your legs. Let’s get these boots off you.”

  She brought her knees to her chest.

  Hung removed each boot and tossed them on the floor where they fell with a solid clunk. Then, he laid down next to the fairy child. “I think it’s best, don’t you?”

  “Absolutely. Keep to your space while we sort things out,” Chia said, her heart heavy. She rolled to her side, breathing in the strange, sweet smell of the child, her eyes closed so he couldn’t see her disappointment. “Did you tell her to remain here? No wandering outside the wall?” She placed her palm on top of the girl’s sternum, sniffling a little.

  “Yes, I made it very clear that she isn’t to leave.” His hand landed on top of hers.

  Chia let out a sigh.

  The fairy child let out a sigh.

  Hung’s sigh was the deepest.

  That’s the last thing Chia remembered, before falling into a dreamless sleep, not eager in the least to face the next day.

  Chapter 23

  The next morning, at dawn’s insistence, Chia awoke, her hand floating a few inches higher than the mattress as if it rested on something—or someone. “Fairy girl?”

  Only a whispering tinkle of sound met her ears.

  Her eyes popped open. No fairy child could be seen. Indeed, her hand was floating, but it felt like it was resting on something warm, pulsating with energy.

  Hung was nowhere to be found.

  “Promise you’ll stay put today, little one,” Chia said. She patted the pulsating space where the fairy child should be.

  Again came the whispering tinkling, like tiny distant bells.

  “I hope that’s a yes. We intend to keep you safe.” Her attention shifted to the window. Shimmering lights and shapes appeared and disappeared, pulsing before her eyes as if the vampire high still lingered. I wonder why this one lasted so long? She shivered, thinking of D’Raynged and then, Hung…She could have easily jumped either of their bones last night. Only I’d have regretted doing anything with that damn vampire. Who happened to violate my roommate rule. Her jaw set tight. “We’re going to have to have a little talk.”

  But later.

  Still sleepy, she closed her eyes, drifting off for a few more minutes…or thirty. When she awoke again, her hand rested on the comforter, and no lights appeared anywhere

  Well, not counting the blazing sun pouring through my window.

  She yawned and sniffed the air. Mmm, coffee. After rolling out of bed, she tugged her pink satin robe over her shoulders, jammed her feet in her wooly slippers, and shuffled down the hallway to the kitchen.

  Hung, apparently showe
red and shaved from the looks of it, smiled warmly at her. “Coffee?”

  “Sure, thanks.”

  “Is the fairy child okay?” he asked.

  “I think so. I can no longer see her. I told her to stay put until we figure things out. I heard a little tinkly laugh, so I hope that meant she understood me.” She scanned his jeans and blue t-shirt clad body, from tip to bare feet. Pangs of longing filled her heart, knowing the clothes came from her drawer—left here from when things were good between them. And, her lower body weighed in, too, as whirls and swirls of excitement shot through her belly. Damn, he’s sexy.

  Hung’s eyes met hers. “Omelet? It’s my one claim to fame in the cooking department. That, and pancakes.”

  She frowned, lifting her head to meet his gaze. “Uh, sure. Why are you so nice to me?”

  “Because, even though you drive me crazy sometimes, you and your ghosts did a remarkable thing last night. You saved the little fairy. And…” He looked away, blowing his breath between pursed lips. “You and I share some strange destiny. I want to let go of you. I try. But I keep coming back.” He turned and faced her, his expression somber. “Which one of us is the junkie?”

  “Does that mean we can…?” Chia’s insides stirred to life, sans vamp blood.

  “I don’t know. Not yet. I…I have a few issues to sort out.”

  Chia seized the opening like a lifeline. “What issues? Tell me.”

  He shook his head. “Breakfast coming right up,” he said, turning to the fridge.

  “Oh, no,” she said, stepping to his side. “You can’t change the topic on me. We both want it. Why not give into it?” She traced hearts on his shirt-clad back.

  He pivoted to face her, holding a carton of eggs, and let out a deep sigh. After setting the eggs on the counter, his warm hands landed on either side of her face. His lips parted, then paused, as if choosing his words carefully instead of kissing her long and hard.

  He moved his hands to her shoulders. “Maybe there’s a good reason you don’t see the magical world without the aid of a vampire. Have you ever thought of that?”