Hunted By Firelight by Krista Street

Chapter 3

~ WYATT ~

Nicholas stood in the corner of Wes’s office, while my boss sat behind his large desk. Bright sunlight shone through the tall windows behind him. Bare trees were scattered along the Idaho hills, reminding me of skeletons and bones.

Wes steepled his fingers. “So it’s agreed. We’ll keep Avery in the fae lands until we learn more. Again, are you sure she’s not a danger to others?” he asked me.

“I don’t believe she is, sir.” I leaned forward, resting my forearms on my knees. “She seems more intent on protecting herself than harming anyone.”

Wes knew that the dome had magically shocked me, but it’d been in response to something I’d done. Avery hadn’t shown aggression for no reason. She’d been in pure defense mode.

Wes nodded. “That’s reassuring, but I still want you to take Farrah back with you. She can assess Avery and get a better understanding of the new power inside her. If she detects any instability, Avery will need to be moved to a safe house. We can’t risk any supernatural’s safety.”

“Understood, sir.” My palms itched as I sat on the edge of my seat. My wolf prowled in my belly. He’d been on edge ever since I’d left my mate. “Is there anything else?”

Wes angled himself toward Nicholas. “Have the gargoyles found anything new?”

“I believe they found a few more references to the comet, but I won’t know the details until I return to the libraries.” The vampire lounged against the wall, one foot crossed over the other as he occupied the small shaded area in the room that the sun didn’t touch. His blond hair brushed his shoulders, artfully tousled.

“Keep me posted. I’d like a full write-up by tomorrow.”

Nicholas inclined his head. “Of course, sir.”

Wes nodded toward the holographs glowing around us. The central large globe depicted earth, but the sphere next to it showed the fae lands’ planet. “Looks like Charlotte’s made progress.”

The holograph automatically zoomed in, showing the glowing dot on the sphere, indicating my former new recruit’s coordinates. She inched steadily toward the capital. Charlotte was on the move, which only meant one thing—she’d coaxed Avery out from under the dome.

“I noticed the same thing, sir.” I stood from my chair, no longer able to sit still. If Charlotte was moving toward the capital, she was taking my mate to the inn as her orders directed.

Wes dipped his head. “You’re dismissed, Major.”

I was already at the door, opening it before the last word left his mouth. I felt Nicholas’s gaze follow me. I’d barely spoken to the vampire since arriving back at headquarters. I knew that would soon change. If the gargoyles had indeed found new information, an imminent meeting with the vamp was in my near future.

“Safe travels, commander,” Nicholas called good-naturedly.

I dipped my head curtly. With any luck, I’d arrive in the fae lands shortly after my mate reached the Hogs’ Head Inn—a popular establishment in the capital for weary travelers. The SF often used it for business purposes—it was where I’d stayed during my recent month in the fae lands while on assignment. We also used the inn when moving prisoners or had to conduct short meetings with local fae and needed a private room to do so.

I texted Farrah, the SF’s healing center’s most prestigious healing witch, telling her to meet me at the SF garage. I didn’t give her much time to ready herself. I knew I should, but being so far from my mate was beginning to take its toll.

I needed to see Avery.

And I needed her to remember me.

∞     ∞     ∞

It was midafternoon by the time Farrah, and I stood at the capital’s gates. The sentries scanned us, then watched us pass, their humanoid faces blank and devoid of emotion.

Farrah carried her monitoring equipment in a large duffel bag. I’d offered to carry it, multiple times, but she’d declined.

We passed a vendor on the street just inside the capital. Kebabs of spicy meat hung from his stand. The heavy fragrance clung to the air like a perfume.

“Tell me more about Avery’s symptoms, Major,” Farrah said in a shrewd voice when we hopped onto the sidewalk. “Can she truly not remember anything?”

I shook my head. “She remembers language, but beyond that—no, I don’t think so. Although, she mostly refuses to speak to me. Maybe she remembers more than I realize.”

“But she doesn’t even know who she is? Not even her name?”

“No, not even her name as far as I’m aware.”

“Then your initial suspicion that she can’t remember anything is probably accurate. Knowledge of self is usually the last to go when someone’s mind is jeopardized.”

The street angled upward, and Farrah’s breathing increased. She began panting, and I held my hand out again for her bag, but she shook her head.

“And you say that she physically died last night right before the alignment?” she asked between breaths. “But when the alignment occurred, she was abruptly brought back to life?”

My steps paused. Remembering that moment made my heart squeeze. Because seeing Avery pass away, right in front of me . . . I would never forget that.

“Major?”

I jerked upright and resumed my pace. “That’s right. She died right beforehand. I’m sure of it.”

I didn’t tell Farrah how I knew that. The mating bond Avery and I’d briefly shared had been snipped when she’d died, as though an entity had cut the thread which connected us. The only time that happened naturally was at the moment of a mate’s death, so I knew to the depth of my bones that Avery had physically died. I hadn’t mistaken that.

“But she’s different now. Not only did the alignment rob her of her memories, but she has a new power inside her too.” I described the tremendous power that had initially erupted in her, how her eyes had flashed violet, and how she’d created the dome to protect herself.

“And she maintained that dome for over twelve hours?” When I nodded, Farrah hoisted her bag higher up her shoulder. A light sheen of sweat now coated her brow, drawing attention to the graying hair on her head. “Interesting. I’ve never heard of such a thing.”

“That makes two of us.” I waved ahead. “The inn’s just up there. Not much longer.” I signaled for her to follow me around the corner to the inn’s street.

Farrah let out a grateful sigh.

A fae couple passed us on the sidewalk, their hands joined. They were all smiles and had eyes only for each other, but when they felt the energy radiating off me—alpha energy I was having a hard time controlling—they adjusted their path and crossed the street.

I was too tired to feel guilty even though my magic was affecting supernaturals around me. At least Farrah wasn’t complaining, although, given her job in which she commonly worked with male werewolves, she was probably used to it. That and something told me Farrah was not one prone to complaining.

She gritted her teeth when the sidewalk again angled upward, but at least the inn came into view in the distance.

Three blocks down, the small establishment rose two stories from street level but sat back from the road as a small fenced yard graced its front. Its typical fae thatched roof shone in the sun. Old boards that were painted a dark blue graced its outer walls, and a wooden sign hung suspended over the main door. A hog’s head emblem was carved into the siding, typical of establishments created around five hundred years ago.

Considering the capital had been around since ancient Egyptian times on earth, this establishment wasn’t considered a historical relic, but still, it had stood the test of time. More than a few wars in the past few hundred years could have destroyed it, but it was still standing.

“And what’s the plan regarding Ms. Meyers after I assess her?” Farrah asked after wiping the sweat from her brow.

“With any luck, the gargoyles will have more answers soon. Hopefully they’ll find a clue that will help rid Avery of her new magic and will help us find a way to restore her memories. Until then, we need to keep her safe.”

Farrah gave me a confused look. “Safe from whom? Herself? Or is she being threatened?”

I stiffened. It was a valid question. As far as I was aware, nobody was threatening my mate, but we also didn’t fully know what role Avery played in all that had happened to her.

Words from the ancient texts again filtered through my thoughts. For on the night of the heir’s conception, the great prophecy will begin. The stars will amass to twice their size, and the magic will be born in the fated starlight couple. And only when the Safrinite comet returns will the true prophecy occur. The magic will erupt in the heir destined to forge our path, creating the path for the gods to be born. Only then will we rise.

My hands curled into fists.

But who will rise? The new power inside her? Is that what it meant?

My thoughts drifted to the drawing of the alignment. A group of robed men had been depicted beneath it. We still hadn’t identified them.

We’d only become aware of the ancient tomes and scrolls in the past two days. All of that information was still so new, and we didn’t understand what all of it meant.

Nicholas and I had figured out that Avery’s parents were the starlight couple, and Avery was the heir, but beyond that, the only thing I knew was that the ancient promise was ominous.

“Right now, we don’t know,” I finally replied. “So our job is to keep her safe.”

“What about the new magic she possesses?” Farrah asked when we crossed the second block. “Do you believe others are safe to be around her?”

I sighed. It was the same concern Wes had voiced and was the entire reason Farrah accompanied me to the inn. “To be completely honest, I don’t know that either. I have a feeling we haven’t seen the half of what she’s capable of.”

That thought had been toying in the back of my mind all day. If Avery was capable of making the dome, she had incredibly strong power inside her, especially since she’d constructed that magical shield unconsciously. Imagine what she would be capable of if she actually tried to use her magic and controlled it.

“But she’s never purposefully tried to hurt anybody since she woke up,” I added, thinking of the remorse I’d seen on her face when she hurt me. “And the Gods know, she now has the power to.”

Farrah nodded solemnly. “She was never an aggressive person before the Safrinite comet and planetary alignment from what I saw. Perhaps her good nature has stayed with her.”

Hearing that helped ease some of the tension coiling inside me. It wasn’t just the lilac scent around Avery that confirmed she was still the woman I knew. Her actions also supported that. Farrah was right. When Avery had felt threatened, she’d gone on the defense—creating the dome. She hadn’t lashed out at anyone. And the few times her dome’s magic had zapped me, she’d looked genuinely horrified, another reaction I would expect to see in my mate.

Because the Avery I knew would never willingly hurt somebody else unless she was threatened, and the fact that she hadn’t, despite all that had happened to her in the past twenty-four hours, only proved that she was still my mate. Still my Avery.

She just didn’t remember herself.

“You seem tense,” Farrah commented as our feet tapped along the golden walkway. We hopped off the sidewalk, crossing the final intersection to the inn.

“What makes you say that?”

“Other than the alpha power coming off you?” Farrah gave a pointed look to my hands.

My breath sucked in when I saw the dark hairs sprouting through my skin. Damn. I was losing it. Not only was my internal magic radiating off me like a poorly controlled furnace, but I’d also physically allowed my wolf to emerge without realizing it.

“I take it my eyes are glowing too?”

“Yep,” Farrah said as we approached the inn’s door. “They’re bright gold and have been since the SF garage.”

I curled my fingers into my palms, digging my nails into the skin. I took a few deep breaths until my wolf finally submitted to my suppression. “My wolf’s been a bit on edge.”

I didn’t mention that this was because I was away from my mate when she needed me most. Any male wolf would have a hard time controlling himself in a similar situation.

Farrah cocked her head, breathing heavily as we stopped at the inn’s front stoop in the shade. She studied my features. “Is this all because you’ve developed feelings for Ms. Meyers? Which I know you have, given what I’ve witnessed, so don’t even try to deny it.”

“I wasn’t going to.” Mostly because I no longer needed to. Avery wasn’t an SF member anymore. Her position had ended the day after her final test, right after we’d left for the Bulgarian libraries. I could freely date her with no consequences. “And yes, these reactions are because I’ve been away from her. It’s been hard to control my wolf.”

The healing witch plopped her hands on her hips. “You’re probably also having a hard time because you’re tired. Anyone with eyes can see that you haven’t been sleeping. When was the last time you slept, Major?”

My lip curled. “I don’t see how that is any of your concern.”

She cocked an eyebrow. “My orders were to ensure the health of all involved on this assignment. You fall under this assignment.”

I sighed since I knew she wasn’t going to let this go.

“Well?” she demanded. “How long has it been since you slept?”

“Two days.”

She muttered something under her breath, then awkwardly pulled her tablet out from one of her robe’s deep pockets. She began tapping on it.

I suppressed a growl. “What are you writing?”

“Just a reminder to give you a sleeping draft tonight. You won’t be helpful to anybody if you run yourself ragged.”

“I’m fine,” I snapped, but a rough growl erupted from me despite trying to stop it.

She rolled her eyes. “Clearly.”

A snarl again rose in my chest, but I managed to suppress that one. As much as I hated to admit it, Farrah was right. I did need to sleep, but sleep deprivation had never stopped me from doing my job in the past and it sure as hell wouldn’t stop me now. Besides, during commander training we were required to go a full week without sleep while still fully functioning. Two days compared to that was nothing.

Farrah rearranged her bag again and placed her hand on the inn’s golden metal door handle.

I pushed the door open for her, the hinges creaking, so she wouldn’t have to struggle with the door and her bag.

She grumbled a thanks, and I inclined my head, but as soon as the door opened further, a distant, subtle lilac scent hit me.

My head whipped up, my pulse racing. My wolf whined eagerly in my belly. My mate had been in this room recently, probably in the past hour.

Nostrils flaring, I pushed the door completely open and followed Farrah inside.

The sting of potent magic pummeled my skin when I stepped over the threshold. It felt as if I’d pushed through a heavy drape. Like most business establishments in the fae lands, a magical ward encircled the property, keeping out individuals with nefarious endeavors.

Inside, the low ceiling nearly brushed the top of my head. A cold, ancient-looking fireplace took up the far wall. Several old stuffed chairs, of various sizes to accommodate different supernatural and fairy species, sat in a semi-circle in front of it. And the carpet beneath our feet was so thin and threadbare that, not for the first time, I wondered if it was as old as the tilting, uneven walls of this half-millennium-old building.

A couple was in front of us, checking in, so Farrah and I hung back.

“May I help you?” the fairy working at the counter asked the couple. He stood no taller than four feet. Horns sprouted from the top of his head, curling like a ram’s, and hooves peeked out of the bottom of his navy trousers.

Farrah drifted closer to me, then said under her breath, “Is he a Silten fairy?”

“He is,” I replied quietly. “His name’s Filestaira. He’s been working here for a few years now.”

A smile curved her lips. “I’ve never seen one before since they usually avoid this continent. In fact, I’ve only ever met Nolus fairies. Have you met any of the other fae races?”

“A few, but like you, I’ve worked mostly with the Nolus.”

Farrah continued to watch in delight as the Silten fairy went through his routine while checking in the couple. He ran a gnarled finger down his open ledger, searching for the reservation. I studied him, inhaling his damp, earthy scent and subtle musk.

Farrah was right that it was unusual to see a Silten fairy in the capital—a species that normally only resided on the continent across the Adriastic sea. And since all of the fairies who worked for the SF were Nolus fae, I wasn’t surprised she hadn’t met a Silten before.

“I always wished that a Silten, Solis, or Lochen fairy would come work for the SF. I’d love to get to know those species.”

“Don’t hold your breath,” I whispered back.

She sighed. “Yes, yes, I know. If they never apply for any positions, it’s not like we can hire any.”

I chuckled. She had a point. None of those species worked for the SF, not because the SF was biased, but because the Silten fae—like the other fairy species in this realm—wanted nothing to do with earth.

It also didn’t help that most of the fae species kept to themselves and their corners of this realm. The fae races looked vastly different from one another, and they didn’t like to mix.

Unlike the Nolus fairies that resided in the capital and this continent, the Silten fae didn’t have various shades of hair color, pointy teeth, glowing skin, or otherworldly strength. Tails, hooves, scales, and horns were the common features of Silten fae.

Silten fae also lived differently and preferred more natural accommodations. They were often found in underground dens, hollow logs, and wooded forests. As far as I knew, none of them owned houses or had any interest in cities.

Unfortunately, it was those inherent differences that made Nolus fairies believe that the Silten fae were lower class, so I wasn’t surprised that few wanted to live here.

The couple finished checking in, so Farrah and I stepped forward.

Filestaira’s mouth twisted in a smile when he saw me. “Major Jamison. Checking in?”

“Yes, although the rest of my party should already be here.”

“Ah yes, they are.” The fairy checked his ledger, his strange accent lilting his words. “The other guests in your reservation checked in an hour ago. Now, if you’ll kindly place your hand here.”

He waved at the opaque sphere that looked like a glass ball at the end of the counter, and I placed my hand on it.

Magic enveloped my palm, its glittering bands holding me in place. The sphere glowed brightly. A second passed, and the magic released me just as luminescent words erupted across the ledger, as if being written out of thin air.

Once my name, address, and identifying information were fully written, the words dimmed until they resembled the other ink-spewed words written across the page.

“You’re all checked in, Major Jamison.” He turned to Farrah, then waved at the opaque ball. “Please do the same.”

Farrah also complied until her details magically appeared beneath mine on the ledger.

When finished, the fairy slid two keys across the wooden counter. “Is there anything else you need?” He smiled again, his square teeth like blocks in his slightly protruding mouth.

“No, thanks, Filestaira.” I pocketed my key. “Are the others in our party in their rooms?”

He cocked his head, his large eyes blinking. “I wouldn’t know, Major Jamison. We don’t keep tabs on our guests. All I know is that they checked in an hour ago.”

I grunted just as Farrah picked up her bag.

“Second floor, end of the hall!” Filestaira called as Farrah and I headed toward the stairs.

I waved a thanks and pushed open the door to the stairwell.

I didn’t try to help Farrah with her bag again, since I knew she would deny my assistance, and despite telling myself to wait for her, my pace picked up.

Avery’s scent grew stronger with every step I took. I bounded up the stairs three at a time, the wood beneath my soles creaking in protest.

When I reached the second floor, I hurried to the end of the hall, knocked once on the door, before inserting the key and opening it.

Avery startled when I stepped over the threshold, a soft yelp escaping her.

A shimmer of magic erupted around her, not forming into the dome again, but electric sparks abruptly sizzled in the air, and her eyes flashed violet for the merest second.

For a moment, I couldn’t move. I soaked up her presence, inhaling her surprise, which smelled like rainwater, and then trailed my gaze over every inch of her.

She wore the same clothes from last night, the ones Ihad dressed her in after we’d made love and she’d fallen into a deathly sleep. Dark shadows rimmed the bottoms of her eyes. Disheveled hair fluttered down her back, which wasn’t surprising since Charlotte had them travel here on an enchanted carpet. The wind on those could be brutal.

But it was the immediate guarded look in her features that stopped all excitement from racing through me.

As before, an apprehensive scent crept into the lilacs, replacing the brief rainwater one.

Charlotte pushed away from the wall, the picture of SF perfection in her military getup. “Major Jamison, it’s good to see you again, sir.” She stood straighter, coming to attention.

I dipped my head. “Corporal Morris.”

Panting came from the hallway, then Farrah appeared at the door a second later. Her chest heaved, and she dropped her heavy bag the second she stepped into the room. “Well, I have to say, I’ve never attempted to run up two flights of stairs while carrying equipment. I can’t say I’ll do it again.”

“I did offer to carry it,” I reminded her.

Avery’s wide eyes turned to Farrah, but upon seeing the healing witch, some of the apprehension in her scent dimmed. So she didn’t feel skittish around Farrah.

I smothered the scowl that wanted to etch onto my face. Considering Avery’s parents sat on the bed just behind her, she wasn’t afraid of Bryce or Danielle either.

In other words, so far, she was only afraid of me.

My fingers again curled into my palms. I resisted the urge to punch a hole through the wall, because something told me that wouldn’t put my mate at ease.

“Avery.” Farrah dipped her head toward my mate. “It’s nice to see you again, although, I’m guessing you don’t remember me.”

Avery shook her head, making her dark hair sway. “No, I don’t.”

“This is Farrah Cumberland,” I said more gruffly than I intended. “She’s one of the healing witches that works for the Supernatural Forces. She’s been meeting with you daily for nearly two weeks.” I searched my mate’s face for a flicker of recognition or a flare of awareness, but . . . nothing. A dash of ice filled my belly. “Do you recognize anything about her?”

Avery frowned, her gaze sweeping over the healing witch. Lines appeared around Avery’s mouth when her lips pursed.

She shook her head. “No, I don’t remember any of you.”

Bryce and Danielle shifted on the bed behind her. They shared an anxious look, then her mother reached forward, placing a comforting hand on Avery’s shoulder.

Surprisingly, Avery didn’t jump. A swell of envy rushed through me. So other people could touch my mate, but I couldn’t.

But then that worried look returned to Avery’s face. “Why can’t I remember anything?”

She abruptly stood and moved to the corner of the room. Magic zapped in the air around her. She hadn’t erected the domed barrier . . . yet.

Shit.

But just when I lifted my foot to rush toward her, intent on calming the panic coating her scent, Charlotte whistled, a grin spreading across her face as she sauntered toward her.

“Babe, seriously, your magic is the shit. But as much as I love it, I also think you need to cool it. Your memories will probably return in time, and everybody in this room is someone you already know, and is only here to help you. Promise.” Without a moment’s hesitation, Charlotte reached for Avery’s hand. She threaded her fingers through Avery’s, then squeezed.

Silence descended over the room as everyone held their breath.

When a small, embarrassed smile tilted Avery’s lips up, a collective release of breaths followed. Score one for Corporal Morris, the newest member to the SF who just proved how worthy she was of being a numbered squad member.

Charlotte laughed and pulled Avery into a hug. Avery tentatively returned it.

My chest heaved as I took in the obvious affection between the two women. For whatever reason, Charlotte’s blasé, down-to-earth attitude resonated with my mate; it comforted her in a way I hadn’t been able to in the sixteen hours since the alignment.

And while I was happy that somebody had connected with Avery since her life had been turned upside down, I would also be lying to myself if I said I wasn’t jealous as fuck.

Because in only a few short hours, Charlotte had earned Avery’s trust—something I hadn’t been able to do in sixteen hours despite coveting it more than anything.

My wolf snarled, his hackles rising. He didn’t like it any more than I did.

Granted, Charlotte was a woman, the same age as my mate, and a friend, so it wasn’t overly surprising that the two had connected, but I wanted my mate to turn to me for help and comfort.

Even though most humans would have cringed at my possessive nature, amongst wolves, it was considered normal. Everybody in the supernatural world knew that a mated werewolf male would do anything to protect his mate. Whether that be to shelter her, comfort her, or be whoever she needed him to be in whatever moment—a male considered it his job to do so. Satiating that need soothed our instincts. It was in our nature to be the missing piece to our mate’s puzzle.

Yet I couldn’t even manage the simplest provisions that my mate needed right now. I plowed a hand through my hair.

The movement seemed to catch Avery’s attention. She darted a glance my way, her tongue slipping out to lick her lips uneasily.

My hand fell. Fucking hell. I couldn’t even show my displeasure right.

A subtle push of alpha magic escaped me. Charlotte grimaced when it hit her. Avery, however, showed no outward reaction to it, and her parents were so consumed with watching their daughter that I doubted they even noticed that I’d once again lost control.

Farrah, however, gave me a pointed look. I could practically read her unspoken message—that I needed to take a step back, get some decent sleep, and get my head back in the game.

If only it were that easy.

Farrah hoisted her bag onto the bed, then unzipped it. “I brought several of my scanners along, Avery. I’d like to run a few tests right now, if that’s all right?”

“Tests?” Avery’s hands twisted. She shot a worried look toward Charlotte.

Her friend merely shrugged. “She’s not gonna hurt you if that’s what you’re worried about. I think you should let her run the tests. The sooner we figure out what happened to you, the sooner we can fix your memory.”

Avery nodded, and her twisting fingers loosened. “You’re sure?”

Charlotte crossed her arms and leaned against the wall. “Girl, I’ll never steer you wrong.”

Some of the frown lines puckering Avery’s forehead smoothed.

“Okay, that’s fine.” Avery’s gaze darted to me again. “What do you need me to do?” she asked Farrah.

“Lie down on the bed so I can apply some probes.”

“Do I need to undress?”

Farrah eyed Avery’s loose T-shirt. “No, I can slip everything on under your clothing.”

Avery’s attention slid my way again, her scent so potent it took on a bitter taste, like dandelion greens. Her hands fiddled at her sides, before she locked them together in front of her. She shuffled her feet, the anxiety pouring off her in waves so strong I could’ve smelled the emotion two blocks away.

My wolf began pacing inside me, and I was two seconds away from doing the same in this room.

“Does he need to be here for this?” Avery asked Charlotte under her breath.

I stilled. My mate’s whispered comment was like a punch to my gut.

Charlotte cast me a veiled look of pity.

“I can step out if you prefer,” I told Avery.

She nodded quickly, then shuffled her feet again.

I walked stiffly to the door, my footsteps silent. I wrenched it open and was just about to leave when a loud growl came from Avery’s stomach.

Spinning around, I scowled. “Has she not eaten?” I snapped at Charlotte.

My former new recruit shrugged apologetically. “I ordered food an hour ago, sir. It’s still not here.”

I stormed back to the door. “I’ll get it. Just get the damned tests done,” I barked at Farrah.

The door slammed behind me before any of them could respond, the sting of my mate’s rejection biting me like a venomous snake. It wasn’t lost on me that Avery had allowed everybody else to stay in that room except me.

I knew I was losing it again. Letting my temper get the best of me was no way for a commander to be acting, so I stopped halfway down the hall and forced myself to take deep steadying breaths until I reined in my anger.

But dammit, apparently the only thing I was good for anymore was fetching food for my mate. Fuck knew I’d failed at everything else that I’d tried.

Grumbling, I headed toward the stairs again, cursing the Safrinite comet and whatever sick joke the universe was playing on me and my mate. But if she wanted food, then dammit, I was bringing her food.