Judith's gaze jumped to hers. "You're testing me, to see if I'm certain of him. I am, Blythe. I've steered clear of the bad-boy gene pool and I'm absolutely certain he's the genuine deal. His aura is difficult for me to read, but that isn't entirely unusual. Gifted people often have mixed auras."
"Gifted?" Blythe prompted, one eyebrow shooting up.
Judith found herself blushing for no reason. She'd felt his spirit rising to meet hers. To be physically and intellectually attracted to someone was difficult enough, but to have her spirit reaching to embrace his, rushing to absorb and be absorbed--frankly it had never happened to her before, and she felt like a giddy teen with a crush on a rock star.
She nodded. "He's definitely gifted in some way."
Blythe shook her head. "That doesn't worry you even a little bit?"
"I refuse to be worried." She threw herself onto the bed beside Blythe and caught her hands. "Be happy with me. Let me have this. More than likely tomorrow I'll realize it was all me and he really was feeling my emotions amplified a million times over."
"And if that isn't the case?"
"I'll cross that bridge when I come to it."
"I'm calling Jonas."
Judith shrugged. "I'm fine with that. He isn't going to find anything."
"And you'll have to tell Levi and Rikki," Blythe cautioned.
"Levi can make himself scarce," Judith said. "It's only for a couple of hours. I won't take Thomas anywhere near their house or Lexi's."
Blythe raised her eyebrow. "You don't really understand Levi, do you, Judith? He isn't the kind of man to make himself scarce. He's going to worry about Rikki and you as well. He'll be around and he'll be watching, probably with a rifle on your Thomas the entire time."
Judith sighed. "Life certainly can get complicated fast. I just want to spend a little time with him, maybe feel like this a time or two more, even if it isn't really reciprocated." Her dark eyes met Blythe's. "Wouldn't you want to feel this way again? You had it once."
There was a small silence. Blythe turned away from her, pacing across the floor on long legs, her shoulders and back stiff. Shame washed over Judith. She followed her oldest sister across the room and laid a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"I'm sorry, Blythe. I didn't mean that the way it came out. I wasn't trying to attack you. I just meant that feeling again, waking up as a woman is amazing, and I know you felt this way at least once. This is my time. Maybe my only time."
She studied Blythe's averted face and made her confession in a little rush. "I was such an innocent when I met Jean-Claude, so silly, mistaking his lifestyle and strength for the real thing. I was so impressed with him and I thought the sun rose and set with him. I didn't pay attention to what he really was, just with what I thought he was, building a fantasy man in my head that didn't exist. I didn't even understand what love was back then."
Blythe turned her head and Judith could see her face was streaked with tears. "It's okay, Judith. I always fall apart around this time of year. It really has nothing to do with you."
"I'm just so embarrassed that I let a man like Jean-Claude into my life when I should have known better. All the warning signs were there, they were, Blythe. I didn't want to see them. I heard whispers and I ignored them. I saw the look on some people's faces and alarms would go off in my head, but I didn't stop. I just kept on with my ridiculous fantasy. And when it all came crumbling down, that precious princess in her golden tower dream, I couldn't even handle it myself."
Judith sank back down onto the bed and gripped the intricate footboard. "I made such a mess out of so many people's lives and got my brother murdered in the process. That should have been me, not him. I guess I don't deserve to feel this way, do I?"
"Judith!" Blythe swung around. "Don't you ever say that again. Do you think Rikki doesn't deserve happiness with Levi?"
"She was innocent. She didn't start the fires that killed her parents and her fiance."
"And you aren't any more responsible for your brother's death, or even what happened to any of the others involved."
Judith gripped the footboard tighter. "Really? Do you really believe that, Blythe? It was my emotions swinging so far out of control that provoked all those people."
"You had no idea you were a spirit element. You'd never even heard the term before, let alone known what it was or how it worked. You didn't know anything about psychic gifts or how to contain or use them properly. Of course your emotions were intense. Your brother was tortured and murdered in front of you. Did you think you'd be gentle Judith, smiling sweetly at the men who had committed such an atrocity? That isn't even reasonable."
"I guess none of us are very reasonable when it comes to our own lives. I say that very same thing to you, Blythe, yet you still take responsibility for your stepfather and mother's deaths." Judith flashed a wan smile. "But of course, for you, that's different."
Blythe sent an answering smile back. "Of course. Every time I think we've all come so far, this time of year rolls around and throws you--and me--right back into a depression, wallowing in guilt and sorrow."
"And then I have to meet Thomas Vincent. Poor innocent man, walks into the big mess of our lives. I guess we're all just holding it together by a thread. Inviting a stranger into our lives even for an afternoon probably isn't very fair. I didn't think it through." She bit down on her lower lip. "Maybe I should I call him."
Blythe shook her head. "I think we can accommodate Mr. Vincent. Lexi won't mind. She's been saying she wanted to take a day off to read up on the temperatures needed in the greenhouse for some exotic plant she wants to grow."
Judith couldn't help but laugh. "That's our Lexi. She doesn't have enough plants or enough forest to play in, she has to bring the jungle to Sea Haven."
"I love her so much," Blythe said. "I ache for her sometimes."
Judith nodded. "Me too. I think we all do. She's thriving here though."
"She hides from the world," Blythe pointed out.
Judith laid a comforting hand on Blythe's shoulder. "We're all hiding from the world, Blythe," she said gently. "Those gates make us feel safe here and none of us wants to venture too far out of our comfort zone."
Blythe frowned. "You're so right, Judith. No wonder I had such a reaction to you bringing a man here, I wanted our safe little world to remain intact. That's the same reason we were all upset when Rikki found Levi."
It was Judith's turn to frown. "Not exactly. We all tend to protect Rikki."
"We protect ourselves as well as each other. Bring him. We all need to be shaken up a little. It isn't good for any of us to hide away. Maybe at first we needed a sanctuary, but it isn't living--not really."
"I'll call Lexi right now," Judith said.
"She'll be very understanding," Blythe assured.
"So will Rikki."
Blythe nodded. "That's true, but Levi, not so much. We think Jonas is bad, but Levi has a protective streak a mile wide and it's extended from a wide circle around Rikki to the rest of us. He'll be watching out for you, Judith."
"I'm not certain Levi's way of watching for us is something we want to look too closely at," Judith admitted.
They exchanged a small smile of understanding.
6
HIGHWAY 1 was beautiful, the ocean lapping at the cliffs on one side, the other with forests spreading up the mountains and ribbons of silvery water cascading over rocks through the variety of trees. Stefan had never really appreciated the beauty of his surroundings as he did in this particular place. He loved the color, vivid greens in various shades and splashes of bright flowers vying for space on the rising mountains. In spite of the bruising across his chest and the thin knife wounds on his arms, he felt surprisingly good. Ivanov wouldn't be in any shape to follow him and he could have this one day with Judith to himself.
He shook his head at the absolute absurdity of what he was doing. Spending time with Judith Henderson was far more dangerous than chasing Petr Ivanov in the dark of the night
but the need was too strong to resist. He'd never for one moment dreamt of meeting a woman like her. Falling in love was a fairy tale. He hadn't believed in such things, and certainly didn't believe he was capable of falling under a woman's spell. He was not a man who put aside who and what he was to indulge himself. For him, this peculiar behavior was just one more sign that he'd been in the business too long.
In the end, all the recriminations in the world didn't matter. He'd lain awake most of the night and thought about her, all the while rubbing his left palm along his thigh. Strangely, his palm had itched most of the night and this morning there was a strange burning. He knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that the weird problem with his palm had something to do with Judith. Part of him hoped that when he saw Judith again, the terrible longing in him would subside and he would realize the momentary madness was over.
The moment he turned onto the road leading to the farm, a shadow passed over his car. Out of the corner of his eye he caught sight of a bird in flight, performing a lazy circle above him, glittering eyes watching his every movement. His heart jumped and then settled to a normal rhythm. The bird watching him didn't mean Lev was alive. He knew his brother had many gifts, and one of those gifts allowed him to use the animals as spies.
The farm was a perfect place to hide. Judith had five sisters. Men like Lev looked for a woman who stayed below the radar--women such as those residing on the large farm. He would have to ask Judith about each of the women and make a guess as to which one his brother might choose to shelter him while he laid low and built a new cover for himself, one that permitted him to remain dead to his past life.
Was his brother close by? Was it possible he lived near Judith, that she actually knew him? He didn't dare question her about a man, she'd close down. Lev would have made it understood that someone was hunting him and a woman like Judith would protect him. A slow exhale of anger shocked him.
He slowed his car and looked around, contemplating his reaction to his logical conclusions. Why would it make him angry that Lev would use one of these women--one of Judith's sisters? Survival was paramount and any means used was considered justified. But was it? He had no real answers, or maybe he did, but he didn't want to look too closely at what he was doing.
His gut knotted as several birds settled in the trees lining the drive as he went through the open, very ornate gate that guarded the farm. The moment his body actually came parallel to the metalwork of the gate, he felt the shift in energy and power around him. The energy field was tremendous, the power coming in waves and spreading throughout the acreage. He could actually feel his body responding, the pull was that strong. His own talents leapt toward that energy, met and absorbed it until his body vibrated with the need for action.
Without a doubt, the people on this farm were elements--strong elements. He hadn't been wrong about Judith. It was no wonder he had reacted so strongly to her. Intellectually she would be compatible, someone who would keep up with his fast processing, his body certainly craved hers, but now he understood the full extent of the danger both of them were in. Whatever her element was, his psychic talents responded with tremendous power.
Stefan let his breath out more slowly and studied the birds. The shiny eyes were definitely watching him, adding to his conviction that his brother was somewhere in the vicinity. He had six brothers, and all of them were psychically gifted. Lev held dominion over animals. If he was here, where were the dogs? He would add to his security, using more normal animal means. That, again, would only be logical, so did that mean he was off base about the birds? He took another slow, careful look. There were several species, not one, and all were looking at him, giving him a slightly eerie feeling.
"So you're here, then, Lev," he murmured aloud.
Judith had really thrown him. Instead of being elated at being so close to finding his brother, Stefan had genuine misgivings. He didn't want Lev using Judith. As I am doing, he reminded himself. Thomas Vincent was visiting her, not Stefan Prakenskii, no matter how much he wished it were so.
With the pad of his thumb, he touched the small scratch along his jaw Ivanov had given him the night before, a short, thin line that still burned. He was crazy for coming to this place. He shouldn't have hope spreading through him like the warmth of the sun. There shouldn't be this need building, or anticipation.
He wanted to blame it on Sea Haven. The sun shone on the water so that it sparkled like diamonds. The wind teased the leaves on the trees and birds played in the thermals, creating a lazy, inviting atmosphere. Storms came in fast and furious, giving free rein to a wild abandoned passion that couldn't be matched. And there was an incredible woman who made him feel alive.
Swearing, he put his foot down firmly on the gas pedal. He should turn around, but he wasn't going to. He was going to see her again and if there was a God, he'd better be helping both of them, because Stefan Prakenskii was about to fuck up his life very, very badly.
JUDITH'S house was much larger than he expected. Gardens surrounded the two-story structure, brilliantly colored plants that appealed to the hidden artist him. He'd locked that part of himself away a long time ago, using it only as a tool of his trade, but for some reason, Judith had brought it crashing to the front, demanding release. His world needed to be a dull, emotionless place, yet all around him, colors were vivid and he couldn't possibly deny the rush of heat infusing his veins as he parked and stepped out of the car.
His gaze swept her home, taking it all in, the fire equipment everywhere, hoses and sprinklers, as if she was obsessed with fire prevention. Was that part of her need to hide the intensity of the passion in her? There was a security system, and, although he wasn't close enough, it appeared to be state-of-the-art. Was that because she feared a visit from Jean-Claude?
She was on the front porch, just standing there looking at him, her dark eyes serious and a little afraid, but shining with the same anticipation he couldn't stop in himself. Her long hair was down, straight as a ruler, falling below her waist. She wore slim jeans and a thin pink tee. He could tell she was in her comfortable clothes, the ones she wore around her family. This was similar to the outfit she wore in the picture he carried of her.
That same expanse of smooth, inviting skin peaked out at him. A thin gold chain glittered against her flat belly, the links gleaming and polished, drawing his attention to the skin that looked softer than any rose petals. His mouth went dry. She was completely motionless, just waiting, like some pagan goddess, an offering. Her small, tucked in waist served to emphasize the fullness of her high, curving breasts, molded by the tee. But it was her exotic eyes that drew him in completely. She watched him from under long, feathery lashes, her dark eyes tempting him with a mixture of innocence and sensuality.
In spite of his determination, his heart rate accelerated and his body tightened. The impact of her watchful stare sank deep into his bones. A brand. Her brand. She left it on him so easily. He felt--home, whatever the hell that meant. Judith. Her name moved through his mind. The tenderness he felt shocked him. He hadn't known there was such a thing in his makeup. He was in trouble--such trouble--and judging by that deer-caught-in-the-headlights look on her face, so was she.
She took a breath before starting down the stairs. He noted she was just as shaken as he was by the strange, compelling pull between them. He was damned glad he wasn't the only one mired in quicksand. Her gaze never left his as she moved so gracefully down the steps, reminding him of a princess descending a throne.
"You came."
Her voice wrapped him up in silk and satin. He studied her face. The need grew in her just as sharply as it did in him. She fought it, but she didn't try to hide it from him.
"I couldn't stay away."
The stark raw truth stood between them. He felt the wind on his face like the promise of a kiss, like the touch of her fingers, the caress of her hair.
Judith stepped closer to him, her dark gaze drifting over his face, touching on the fresh scratch. Her fingertip br
ushed over that small wound so gently he felt his heart move.
"What happened?"
He didn't want to lie to her. "Better if you don't ask."
He couldn't help himself, he caught her wrist and tugged her a little closer, until he could feel the beckoning warmth of her body, unwilling--or unable--to let go of her. "I brought lunch."
A small smile tugged at her mouth, lit the dark sobriety of her eyes. "Did you make it yourself?"
He almost denied the truth to give her a Thomas Vincent answer, but the truth slipped out. "Yes. I'm a good cook."
Her eyebrow went up, and a small dimple appeared in her right cheek. He couldn't help brushing his thumb across that little dent. Her breath caught in her throat.
"So it's real."
He didn't have to ask what she meant; he knew. He nodded his head, holding on to her gaze, unwilling to let this moment between them slip away. "I didn't think it was possible for me after all this time." That too was a Stefan Prakenskii truth.
His heart clenched unexpectedly. Never in a million years had he thought it possible to feel the way he was. The euphoria should have gone away. The need inside him should have dissipated, not grown--and it was still growing. Being with her was like being caught in a dream world, a wild, impossible fantasy.
"What are we going to do, Thomas? Because this can't happen."
The little hitch in her voice, that innocent trust in him, the belief in her eyes that he was a good man, shook him as nothing else could have. She looked at him as if he could find a way to save them. There it was again, the need to be her white knight. His armor was tarnished a long time ago and he acknowledged to himself that he had no idea what he was going to do about their situation, but he wouldn't walk away from her.
His fingers curled around the nape of her neck and he pulled her another step closer. Thomas Vincent was long gone and Stefan Prakenskii was not about to give up this woman, not here, not now.
"I'm going to kiss you."
She blinked rapidly. Those long feathery lashes knotted his gut and tightened his groin. His physical reaction to her remained terrifying and exhilarating, even stronger than the night before. This woman had a hold on him that was unbreakable. He was already lost, craving the genuine emotions she brought out in him. She opened floodgates. His needs poured out of him around her.