The Weaver's Source

Chapter 93

"Remus and Wilson have returned." He informed me quietly, his deep voice purring over me sensually. "I'm going to hunt for Rhye while Remus sleeps. I'm leaving you in charge."

When I didn't respond, he hunkered down next to me and surrounded me with his scent. His eyes glittered with interest, as if he was utterly absorbed in me, attentive and dark. It made my heart swell with warmth.

"Lyra. Are you well?" Grigore reached up to touch my face, brushing his fingers against my chin.

"I'm fine, just tired." I replied quietly.

He hummed deeply. "You've had little sleep recently." He agreed. "And I know I didn't help you last night."

Instantly my skin was on fire and my pulse quickened as I unintentionally sang to him for a moment, my magic reaching for him and filling him briefly. I felt him stiffen, his muscles locking and his desire stirring, making me realise just what I was doing and quickly retreat with a stammered apology. He only smiled wolfishly at me, his gaze glittering with renewed craving.

"I'll be back in the morning." He growled, brushing his thumb over my lower lip. "I'll wake you when I do."

He kissed me briefly and rose to leave only to stop when my fingers snatched at his. He paused instantly, his attention flicking to me inquisitively. I felt the question on my mouth, burning for me to say it, to ask if he loved me as I thought he did, but I couldn't. When Lorry stirred, mumuring in her sleep, I let him go.

"Come back safe." I said instead.

His magic brushed over me soothingly. "I will." He promised deeply then took himself from the room almost reluctantly.

I sat there, watching over Lynda with a sense of stupidity, feeling I was being daft about it all. I shouldn't need to hear Grigore say those words, not after he had pledged himself to me in almost every way, but I couldn't shake it as little doubts clustered, whispering to me there was no reason for him to love me, it was all a show the magic had created.

I wasn't sure when I fell asleep but I woke to someone shaking me hard. I looked up, startled, only to find Remus looking down at me. His eyes were bloodshot and his mouth firm and the distinct smell of vodka was wafting from him, making my nose wrinkle.

"Lyra. I need your help." Remus said in a rare pleading tone.

I glanced at Lynda, making sure she was okay, before committing myself to him and slipping out into the kitchen, following Remus' huge body. I noticed he was stumbling slightly. Just how much had he drunk?

"What is it?" I asked as he sat heavily at the kitchen table, his song heavy and angry.

"I need your help in finding the male wolf. I have this plan but I need you."

"Why?"

"Your magic can sense the vampires. It knows when they're close. It's become more sensitive to you and its surroundings, grown stronger. Grigore told me." He paused and his eyes narrowed. "This is true, isn't it?"

I remembered how connected I felt to the magic after the premonition, how it had guided me to Nanat. That was new. It had never been able to do that before. "I guess so. It helped me find Nanat."

"Then come with me. If I take you to where you found Nanat, would you be able to try seek them out from there?"

I wanted to say yes, it was instinctive, but I swallowed my words swiftly as I recalled my promise. "Not without Grigore. I've upset him enough by putting myself in danger."

"You're safe enough with me." Remus insisted.

But I didn't feel I was. I could see the pain and alcohol in his eyes, how it was clouding his mind.

"I'll call Grigore. He can hear your plan and we can help you, but I can't go without him. I promised him I'd stay put."

I very much intended to do as he asked this time. I was upsetting him too much running headlong into trouble, no matter how good my intentions were. I saw him do it so many times it was beginning to rub off on me I realised. I was forgetting how fragile I was compared to him, inexperienced. It made me frustrated. I wanted to hunt like he could and hoped maybe I could one day. I hated sitting aside, watching him and others get hurt.

Remus brow snapped down in fury. "My family is in danger. Three of my nieces are dead!" He snarled with slurred words. "Grigore won't do what needs to be done to protect them!"

My throat thickened as guilt shifted in me. "I know." I whispered but I whirled, striding across the kitchen to fuss with the kettle. "I'll sober you up. You're drunk right now and we need you alert. Once Grigore is here, we'll form a plan. I won't let him try hide me or lock me up if you need me to summon them."

I poured water into the kettle and hauled it over the stove, lighting it swiftly, and flung out my threads, seeking out Grigore, stroking his attention which snapped to me like a wolf. Even just feeling his magic respond to me was enough to send my heart flying, remembering his kiss, his possession and hunger. How I was now his.

I forgot, for a moment, Remus was there. I was still, my heart fluttering and cheeks flaming, Grigore's taste on my tongue and memories of the pleasure of him ruling, until my magic screamed.

I flinched, confused and stiffening swiftly with the response to fight. How was there a threat?

But it wasn't a monster or a vampire coming for me, instead it was Remus' hand that swept over my eyes, a blue ward flickering as he commanded I sleep.

That was the first time my magic ever warned me of a threat to me and it was too late for me to realise as Remus' large arms wrapped about me, urging I sleep.

I had no choice. Even as the magic warbled with worry and the thread leading to Grigore snapped with fury, darkness swamped for me and swallowed me whole.