Forever Changed (The Mystic Wolves) Read online

  And, with Julian the father, there was no guarantee he’d stay gone.

  Chapter 3

  Silence surrounded us as Devlin’s last words sank in. I felt sick for him—for her—for what should’ve been a joyous occasion, now tainted by the abuse of someone she’d not only loved, but also trusted. I couldn’t even begin to imagine the kind of heartache that came with such a revelation. Not that she was having a baby; but that she would continue to live in fear that one day he might return. Just from what I’d heard, Julian didn’t sound like someone who gave up easily. He’d wanted Elynor for that reason alone.

  “So, did he come back?” I held my breath, praying for a different answer than the one I knew was coming. All Devlin did was nod and it was my turn to sag into the bench.

  “My father and I looked for him over the next few months. My father, so he could force Julian to face the law, and me . . . me, so I could kill him. I wasn’t a violent person by nature, but after sitting night after night holding Elynor in my arms as she relived the nightmares—wiping away her tears and listening to her fearful experience as his wife, I wanted to ensure he’d never have the chance to hurt her again. The terrified look in her eyes, the way she startled at the simplest of noises . . . it tore at my heart. I wanted a safer world for her and the baby. If it meant removing him permanently, so be it.”

  “The fact you’re still watching for him tells me you weren’t successful.” I turned so I could watch Devlin better. He still sat forward with his elbows resting on his knees, head down, as he studied his hands. Tears fell to the ground and he didn’t move to wipe them away.

  “He was elusive and, after a while, my family believed him gone. They stopped searching and decided to focus all their energies on helping Elynor heal and care for her unborn child.”

  “But you never gave up, did you?” I knew he hadn’t. That was one of the things about Devlin I admired.

  “Never. I made my queries privately and disguised my travels as business related. It became like an obsession—the cries of Elynor haunting me, even when I was awake. I couldn’t keep the memories of her frail and beaten body from the forefront of my mind. Every young girl I saw . . . I saw her. Confronting Julian became a necessity. I needed to purge him from my system, as well.”

  “So, when did he come back? I’m assuming he did.”

  Devlin nodded and finally gazed over to me. “The night Lucinda was born.”

  My eyes widened. “He didn’t . . .”

  “No, he didn’t take the baby. I’d suspected he’d try and was prepared. The moment Lucinda arrived, my mother whisked the baby away and placed her within a protective circle created by the coven. I didn’t always understand the magic my sister held, but I respected it. To this day, I’m positive it’s the reason why Julian didn’t get his wish. He arrived while Vivien and the local midwife were busy trying to staunch the blood loss. The entire room was frantically trying to keep Elynor from dying and he saw it as the perfect opportunity to claim his “salvation.” I can still remember the evil glint in his eye as he boasted about how my beautiful little niece would grow to be the perfect vessel for his power.”

  “He wanted to use her?” The story went from horrible to insane as it unfolded.

  “Yes,” Devlin spat, still angry. “He thought he was so smart, gloating to everyone about how he’d searched high and low for a woman whose magic rivaled his own. Julian claimed a seer had told him he’d father a powerful child who would grow to control those around them. He’d been so intrigued by the prophecy, he became hell-bent on seeing it fulfilled. What was even more sickening were his plans to then possess the adult body of his offspring . . . performing the dark rites necessary to grant him immortality.”

  “But . . .” I stammered. I just couldn’t grasp what I was hearing. It seemed to fantastical to be true. “But, surely that’s impossible. I’ve heard of magic prolonging life. I remember reading something about it in those books in your library. But they said it comes at a horrible price and true immortality isn’t plausible.”

  “Opening yourself up to such dark forces is extremely risky, to both the body and soul of the fool willing to brave it. That’s why it’s forbidden, and those who do attempt it never survive. It’s beyond taboo. Yes, there are those of us who live incredibly long lives that can be mistaken as living forever, but we also endure weaknesses that balance it all out. What Julian was hoping to obtain was immortality with nothing but pure strength. Could you imagine someone holding ultimate power with no way of killing them? Add to that the fact he was completely void of any moral compass, and it spelled disaster. We all learned as we listened to him thank my sister for their daughter, that magic runs stronger through the female line. He was going to take that precious little baby and corrupt her before removing her soul and replacing it with his.”

  I wanted to throw up. If this was who Devlin was protecting me from, I could understand why he kept it a secret for so long. “What happened next?” I asked.

  “Elynor tried to curse him, but he easily deflected it. He stood there mocking her feeble attempts to stop him. Julian laughed, cruelly whipping her with his words, telling her how much he’d enjoyed the vile things he’d done to her. He thought by bringing it up we’d be disgusted with her; but, if anything, it only fueled my rage. I left her side, crossing the room so I could kill him once and for all. I’d never felt such bloodthirsty need for vengeance before; even later, after I became a vampire. In that moment, all I could see was the man who’d betrayed my sister and threatened my family. He didn’t even flinch as I roared toward him. He simply blasted me with his magic, throwing me up into the air and then slamming me into the far wall. I crumpled to the ground, something inside my body breaking from the impact. I watched in horror as he approached my sister. Vivien began to chant, but Julian froze her with his powers. We were utterly defenseless against him. He was going to take Elynor again, hold her ransom for Lucinda, and I couldn’t do a damn thing to stop him.”

  “Devlin, you don’t need to say any more. Please, just stop.” Resting my hand on his arm, I couldn’t bear hearing the heartache in his voice a second longer.

  “No, you need to hear this.” Devlin took hold of my hand and covered it with both of his. “To this day, I don’t know how she did it. Even Vivien said the kind of magic Elynor performed required more strength than she had. It was the type that could have only been possible if the entire coven had been there, chanting with her. Struggling to sit up, Elynor began talking as energy filled the room. She was drawing on the four elements, begging them to aid her spell . . . the last one she’d ever execute. The walls and floor shook and wind whipped through her hair as she transformed before us. Gone was her ghostly-white appearance and, in its place, Elynor looked every inch the glorious goddess she worshipped. Strength vibrated through her as she pointed her finger at Julian and thwarted his plans. Sensing what she was doing, he desperately tried to stop her, but it was too late. Elynor banished the power held within her newborn child and sent it forward into the future. Lucinda would now grow up without the threat of losing her soul to her evil father. By removing the seer’s prophecy, she believed Julian wouldn’t live long enough to meet the heir he could use. With the spell complete, Julian thundered his fury, cursing my sister to never hold her daughter and promised that no matter what, he would find a way to undo her magic. His last words were that he hoped she would enjoy an endless torment, knowing she hadn’t really stopped him, but had merely prolonged the inevitable. He escaped through the window and this time I didn’t follow after him. I couldn’t. One glance at the bed and my heart broke. Elynor was dying, the curse already in full effect.”

  “Oh, Devlin,” I whispered, tears falling down my own cheeks. “I’m so sorry.”

  “We only had a few minutes left, but she explained what she’d done. That’s when I made a blood oath with her, promising that until I knew Julian was dead, I would guard Lucinda and any child from her line, as long as I lived. She didn’
t want me to take on such a burden, but I wouldn’t listen. I hadn’t been able to stop him from destroying my sister, but I would be relentless in keeping future generations from being harmed. She died shortly after that, her last breath asking me to kiss Lucinda for her. That’s been one of my greatest regrets . . . not being able to prove Julian wrong. There wasn’t enough time to bring Lucinda back, and so Elynor never did get to hold her baby.”

  Devlin stopped talking and cradled his head in his hands, as his body shook with fresh sobs. I gently patted his back, hoping somehow I could give him the comfort he needed. This was such a terrible thing to have carried for so long; a burden too much for one person and I desperately wished for a way I could remove it from him. There were so many things I wanted to ask; but instead, I kept my questions to myself. After all this time, Devlin still grieved deeply. He needed this chance to let a little of it go.

  “It was all my fault, Darcy,” Devlin confessed, finally sitting up. “If I’d been more diligent, aired my mistrust louder, maybe she could’ve been spared.”

  “How can you think that? You already told me how devoted you were and everything you did to try and keep her safe. No one blames you for what happened, least of all Elynor. I promise you, she would be so proud at how you’ve kept your oath. I’m alive, aren’t I?” He didn’t answer, wiping his eyes with the back of his hands. I couldn’t tell what he was thinking, but judging by the way his body tensed, his thoughts must’ve been heavy. “So, is this why you became a vampire? To honor the blood oath?”

  He nodded. “Yes. Using forbidden magic seemed abhorrent to Vivien and me after everything Elynor had endured. I wanted nothing to do with the evil forces Julian had embraced. After searching for possible ways to extend my life, I decided vampirism was the best way. It would give me the time I needed and the strength for when I would face Julian again. That’s one thing I never doubted . . . sooner or later, I would find him and make him pay.”

  “And you think he’s after me?” It was the last bit of the puzzle I needed in order to understand the entire picture better.

  “After we buried my sister, Vivien brought me to her home to discuss the future. The magic Elynor had performed on her deathbed had worked, freeing Lucinda from the horrible curse. Then, the problem became identifying which of my future family members would become the fulfillment of the prophecy. We consulted other coven leaders and decided to place a second spell, this one designed to manifest signs when the foretold child was born. I agreed to make sure I was present at the births, in some way or another, so I could witness if the signs appeared.

  “Once I became a vampire, Vivien swore to help in this effort and that’s when I began giving her my blood. That way she could help shoulder the responsibility and I could have access to her power, if needed.”

  “And those signs happened when I was born?” As far as I could remember, no one had ever mentioned strange things occurring.

  “Yes, the moment you took a breath, the stars blazed in the sky before hundreds of them shot across the galaxy. People, worldwide, stood in amazement at the spontaneous meteor shower, but we knew differently. For three days afterward, your body held a soft glow and a mark that gradually disappeared, gracing your right shoulder blade. Knowing you were also part witch, Vivien quickly bound your powers, adding the condition that once you were fully mated, the seal would be broken. We believed by then you’d be safe enough, because your new husband would then join us in protecting you.”

  Devlin brushed his finger down the side of my cheek. “I never wanted to keep secrets from you, Darcy. I promise. Everything happened so quickly and once I knew you were the one I’d sworn to guard, all that mattered was keeping you hidden. That’s why you’ve always lived around the vortex, its power adding to your insulation. I knew the day would come when we’d need to have this talk. I just hope you can forgive me. Believe me . . . my intentions have always been honorable.”

  I did believe him. After hearing his story and how it all came about, there was no way I couldn’t. Devlin had always been honest with me, even when the truth hurt. In everything he’d done for me throughout my life, his actions had proven his love and that I could always trust him. Now, even with that faith shaken, I didn’t have to dig too deeply into my heart to find how I truly felt.

  “I know; and I love you for it. I’m not going to lie and say it doesn’t hurt. It still stings a little to find out after all this time you weren’t just my best friend, but also my uncle. All those times growing up, I could’ve found comfort in that; but, instead, you kept it from me. I understand why and part of me is grateful you let me have a normal childhood. I have no idea what kinds of danger you kept me from, both you and Vivien. You allowed me the freedom to breathe and enjoy my innocence. So, thank you for that.”

  “But?” he asked, tensing as if he was waiting for the other shoe to drop.

  “There is no ‘but’. We can’t change the past and I understand you did the best you could with the choices available. Just promise me this, okay? No more secrets. I’m a big girl now, and a lot tougher than you and even Mason think. Whatever decisions need to be made from here on out, let’s make them together.”

  “I’ve spent most of my existence protecting you, in some form or another. All I can do is try. I’m never going to like you putting yourself in harm’s way.”

  Neither will I, Mason added, letting me know what I’d already suspected. Even though he’d gone for a run with Daniel, he’d been listening in on my conversation with Devlin. Shaking my head, I couldn’t stop from softly smiling.

  “Mason?” Devlin asked, recognizing the sign that my husband was talking inside my head.

  “Yeah. He agrees with you. He doesn’t want me getting hurt, either.”

  “Then we’ll make sure it never happens.” Devlin sounded like himself again, confident that whatever he said was truth. “Just how mad is he?”

  I paused for a second to judge the mood of my mate. “He’s not as nuclear as he was before, but I’m thinking you both still have things to work through.” I didn’t add that Mason was imagining ways to knock Devlin on his ass.

  “I figured as much. I guess there’s no postponing it, huh?” He stood, dusting the back of his pants off, and extended his hand to pull me to my feet.

  “I wouldn’t suggest it. It’s better to face a werewolf head-on when they believe an injustice has been made. The sooner you two can work through it, the stronger your friendship will be,” I confessed.

  Holding his arms out, I walked into Devlin’s embrace and returned his hug. “You’re right,” he murmured softly. “I should go find him so we can settle this. We still need to figure out what’s happening with your powers and see if there’s a way to re-bind them.” My powers. I’d forgotten that I was now part witch with magic that randomly exploded.

  “No need to look. Here I am.” Quickly letting go of Devlin, I turned around to find Mason standing behind us. He hadn’t bothered putting a shirt on, his low-riding jeans fitting snugly to his hips. He looked delicious. “You ready?” His question was aimed at Devlin.

  “Is there any chance I can convince you to do this another way?”

  “No.” Not moving from where he stood, I recognized the stance of a wolf preparing to attack. Even though he’d fight in human form, Mason was just as lethal and ferocious.

  “So be it,” Devlin answered, his face now serious and businesslike.

  Stepping back until I joined Daniel, who’d arrived with Mason, I offered a silent prayer that it wouldn’t take long.

  This wouldn’t be good. Not at all.

  But, if a little blood had to be spilt for them to remain friends, I wasn’t going to stop them.

  Chapter 4

  Devlin tugged on the bottom of his shirt, pulling it over his head before tossing it to the side. His focus never strayed from Mason, who continued to stand still, watching and waiting for Devlin to be ready. Even though he was pissed off, Mason gave him the courtesy of preparing. It
wasn’t something he always granted.

  “Are you challenging me, Mason O’Connor?” Devlin asked, his neck cracking as he stretched out his body.

  “No. This is simply a good old fashioned brawl.”

  I couldn’t keep from gasping over the question. If Mason had said yes, they would have fought to the death; the ultimate penalty for the betrayal Mason felt Devlin had shown. I knew he was furious at being kept in the dark for so long, but after hearing why, I didn’t think death was warranted. I sighed with relief, knowing Mason believed the same. This was about getting some kind of justice, of honoring the instincts warring inside him and releasing the aggression the run hadn’t alleviated. It was a testament to the bond between the two men, that their respect had set boundaries. There would be bloodshed, but it wouldn’t be fatal. Once this display was over, hopefully they would both put this behind them and focus on the real threat—Julian.

  “What are the conditions?”

  “We stop when I’m satisfied you’ve learned your lesson.” Mason’s lips curled into a smirk. Damn if he wasn’t going to enjoy this.

  “And you’re going to play the role of my teacher, are you?” I could sense Devlin’s own bloodthirstiness rising. He felt terrible for keeping secrets, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he wasn’t a little excited to go toe-to-toe with Mason. They were both lethal predators in their prime—more than evenly matched.

  “Hell, yeah. You ready to be schooled?” Tension filled the air as Mason shifted his weight back and forth between his feet.

  “Bring it.” Answering with his own cocky grin, Devlin gestured for his friend to try.

  With my heart racing wildly, they both rushed forward, their bodies crashing mid-air, as brute strength met in a spectacular explosion. Muscles rippled and flexed, tight forms grappling for advantage over the other. Mason’s fist was the first to make contact causing Devlin’s head to snap back with such a force that the sound echoed through the garden. Had a human received the same blow, it would’ve broken his neck instantly. Wide eyed, I watched as Devlin shook it off and prepared for his own assault. Snarling low and baring his sharp fangs, he swiped his leg forward, hoping to trip Mason; but my mate saw it coming. He easily jumped in the air and landed a few feet away.