Page 56 of Druid Dreams

The water was warm and welcoming as I floated on my back, gaining me the perfect view of the night sky above. Helios was stretched out beside Novak, to my surprise. He’s always been a sucker for an ear scratch though. The Vampire ran the fingers of his left hand through the dense reddish fur of Helios’ English Mastiff form in slow, even strokes as he looked out into the woods. “You make up with York yet, Trouble?” His whispered question had me flipping over to stand and look at him.

“Sort of,” I admitted. Was I still mad? A little. Was I getting over it? Yeah. I started wading through the water, feeling a strong urge to be closer to him. Helios huffed smoke at me, becoming irate when I interrupted Novak’s attention.

“I can hear some of your thoughts now, since he opened your bond back up.” Novak continued with his gently spoken words, never stopping his rhythmic motions as he petted the hellhound’s head. “Your chest is glowing,” he added, looking down at me where I stood in front of him and pointing with his right index finger.

He’s right. In between my breasts was a symbol I’d never noticed before. It was similar to a V, the usual straight lines bowed with the tops pointed out. A small, solid dot sat at the bottom and top left, almost touching the main symbol. It’s my mate mark. The mark of a Druid. As I stared down in awe at it, the glowing white light faded until it left a shimmering residue behind. The longer I looked on, the more that glittering effect paled. The color stayed with it after the glow left, making it look like an inch-long, white tattoo.

“I wonder where the rest of our marks will go when you get them,” Novak mused out loud.

“I wonder how we’ll even find a mark on you, or Briggs, with all those tattoos covering your skin.” I countered his musings with my own and he grinned at me.

“I guess you’ll have to search my body like an “ISpy” book,” he chuckled.

“I certainly wouldn’t mind that,” I confessed while eyeing his shirtless torso. “I haven’t really been able to get a good look at what’s going to be on your body for centuries,” I grimaced, faking disgust when I spoke. We both cackled, causing Helios to growl as he stood and walked away. He left scorch marks on the concrete around the pool with each step, and I shouted at him, “Don’t you dare burn my grass!” As soon as his paws touched the earth, little circles of fire appeared under them. All the way around the side of the house. That asshole!

I pushed myself up to sit on the edge of the pool beside Novak, and he laid his shirt down with such speed I nearly missed the movement. Instead of my bare ass hitting the rough surface, I ended up sitting on his worn, cotton t-shirt. It's thoughtful shit like this that keeps a bitch on her toes, you know?

I rested my head on his shoulder while he leaned his cheek against my wet hair. We sat, unmoving, and watched the sunrise begin to streak across the night sky. The navy backdrop, speckled with glistening stars, gave way to my favorite sight in the world. Twilight merged into purple, followed by fiery oranges, neon pinks, and brilliant reds. The sun peeked over the mountain landscape, slowly bringing light to the darkened woods around us.

“You never opened this.” Novak’s hypnotizing voice rang out loudly after all the chirping of the crickets had quieted. He casually handed me a crisp, white envelope with “Ms. King” handwritten on the front.

“What is it?” I examined the parcel as I inquired about its contents.

“It’s the letter that was left in the busted safe in David Preston’s office.” He glanced at me before returning his attention to the morphing sky.

“I don’t really want to open it,” I admitted reluctantly, “But I guess now’s as good a time as any.” I slid my nail along the seal, tearing the paper to expose the inside. With careful hands I pulled the letter from the envelope and gasped as a piece of gold fell onto my lap. Novak caught it before it tumbled into the pool. I could only stare wide eyed at it. Memories swirled around my mind with the single look I got. I know what it is, but I won’t get my hopes up.

“This belonged to your Mother,” the Vampire at my side stated.

“How do you know?” I fought to keep the panic I felt from rising. There’s no reason to freak out. Calm down, Sloane. You have to pencil freak outs into your schedule. You don’t have time for this kind of shit.

“I told you earlier,” he reiterated. “I can hear more of your thoughts. Before, I could only hear a word or two from time to time. But just then, I was able to get a glimpse of your memory,” he confirmed. “I saw you, as a little girl, staring at a picture of a woman who looks so much like you. She was wearing a necklace. The gold chain held this charm,” he unclamped his fingers and dropped the charm into my hand. “and three others.”

“She never took that necklace off.” I sucked in a breath and thought of Father’s current search. “It doesn’t change anything though. She could still be alive, or she could have been dead for many years. Whoever sent this could’ve been waiting for the right time to bait me. I can’t jump into anything blindly.” I rubbed my forehead with my free hand. “There’s so much going on and even more to do. I need to call Papi.”

“Read the letter first. Then we’ll call him.” He took the empty envelope and the charm from me, freeing up my hands. I unfolded the letter with a surgeon's precision, unsure if it held anything else.

Ms. King,

It seems that the Fates have decided our paths shall finally cross. I do look forward to meeting you, but I thought a friendly warning might serve you well.

You see, I have something that you're going to want. In return, I would’ve asked that you stop your investigation into my business endeavors.

We both have the Sight to see that won’t happen, so I’m giving you a deadline. If you want what I have then you’ll have to find me before the next new moon.

While you search tirelessly for me, I’ll enjoy watching you fail. Every move you make, I will have someone there to stop your best efforts. You will not win.

We’ve already had unprecedented success with eradicating shifters. I’m moving on to the next species. Catch me if you can, Little King.

Sincerely,

Mr. Moore

“What the fuck?” I angrily whispered to myself. Novak snatched the letter from my hand and read through the handwritten threat. The chicken-scratch writing was difficult — but not impossible — to read. Who the fuck does he think he’s talking to!? I’m Sloane motherfucking King. I do NOT lose.

“Calm yourself,” Novak chided, clearly hearing my current thought process. “There’s plenty to be learned from this letter, and there’s a possibility that Palmer can trace it.”

“Like what? That he’s proper because he signed it sincerely,” I fumed. I wasn’t mad enough to skip mocking the Fae accent when I said proper though.