Warrior (Relentless #4)(169)

“Of course.” The sylph had stayed by Sara’s side, tirelessly taking care of her for the last week, and she had my deepest gratitude for that.

“Sara will require time and training before she can control her power like she used to. Eldeorin and I will work with her to speed along her recovery.”

“She’s fortunate to have you two to help her.”

Aine smiled and tucked a curl behind her ear. “I wanted to talk to you about the living arrangements here now that Sara is awake. In her current condition, she will have to stay in her room as long as you and your people are in the house. I believe it would help her progress if she could move freely around the house and grounds.”

“I didn’t think of that.” The last thing I wanted was for Sara to be confined to a single room just so I could be near her. I could talk to her on the phone from anywhere.

“We’re working on taking a house nearby. Until then, we’ll stay at a hotel in town.”

“Thank you. Her human uncle and the werewolves may stay. Her power will not harm them.”

“Good.” Sara would be glad for their company, and I was relieved to know she wouldn’t have to be alone with the faeries. They’d cared for her in her time of need, but I didn’t think I’d ever be able to trust them completely. Aine maybe, but not Eldeorin.

We ended up moving to the house next door that afternoon, thanks to Tristan pulling some strings and getting us the place with a six-month lease. I hoped it would only be a week or so before we could move back here, but we still needed the other house for our temporary command center.

I talked to Sara twice a day by phone. She was working long hours with Aine and Eldeorin, and each time I spoke to her she sounded tired and frustrated. I kept telling her she was doing great and reminded her that she’d learned to control her power on her own when she was just a little girl. She could do it now with the faeries’ help.

Roland and Peter came to visit us and to let me know how Sara was really doing.

“She’s getting better every day, but she’s working herself way too hard,” Roland told me. “And she’s not sleeping well.”

I understood her inability to sleep. It was an affliction I suffered from as well.

Christmas drew near, and I hated the thought of not being able to spend it with Sara. At our rented house, no one was in the holiday spirit.

Chris spent a few days in Los Angeles with the new teams working there. The vampire presence in California seemed to have doubled in the last two weeks, and we could all guess why. Word had gotten out there were two young Mohiri females in Los Angeles. Between the Master, Stefan Price’s followers, and every vampire hoping for a taste of young Mohiri blood, the city was swarming with them.

Two of the teams were coming here after New Year’s to set up our new command center. There wasn’t much to do around here until then. I itched to go out and hunt down a few vampires to work out some aggression, but I was reluctant to leave Sara so soon after her waking up.

Jordan moped around unhappily, and I tried to get her to tell me how she and Sara had managed to sneak away from Westhorne.

She shook her head. “I’m going to let Sara tell you that one.”

“Then tell me what you’ve been doing since you left home. Why were you in Salt Lake City?”

She pressed her lips together. “Sorry, can’t do that.”

“Why not?” I’d tried to get the story out of Roland and Peter, too, with no luck. “Is there something you don’t want me to know?”

“No. Just feels like betraying her trust, and I don’t do that.”

Tristan returned from Westhorne on Christmas Eve morning, saying he couldn’t bear the thought of spending the holiday without his granddaughter. I told him it was unlikely he’d get to see her even if he was here, but he said we had to have hope.

Late that afternoon, Aine came by unexpectedly to give us the news I’d been waiting for.

“Sara still struggles with using her magic, but she has regained control of it,” the sylph explained. “It’s safe for you to go to her now. I know she will be happy to see you.”

It was a short walk to Eldeorin’s house next door, and I felt Sara as I neared the house. I skirted the house and stopped at the edge of the back lawn.

Sara lay on a chaise lounge, her eyes closed and her face turned toward the sun. She wore a small smile and looked so peaceful I almost didn’t want to disturb her.

I stood there for a long moment, savoring the sight of her, before I walked across the grass. She didn’t stir as I approached or when I sat on my haunches beside the chair.

“Sara,” I said in a low voice.

“Hmm?” Her brows drew together, and she turned her face toward me. “Nikolas?” she murmured.

Her eyes opened and stared at me in sleepy confusion. I smiled at her, and the next thing I knew, I was lying on my back in the grass with her on top of me, her arms clinging to my neck.

She rose up on her elbows, her hair forming a curtain around us. Her green eyes moved over my face with a hunger that made pleasure curl in my stomach.

“Miss me?” I asked huskily.





Chapter 32





She made a small choked sound and lowered her head. I realized she was going to kiss me a second before her mouth descended. Her lips moved over mine, soft yet insistent as she boldly traced my mouth with her tongue, sending a jolt of desire through every part of me. My lips parted to let her in, and she answered the invitation with a slow exploring kiss that robbed me of all thoughts except one.