Jewel of Darkness, Book 3 The Gypsy Healer Series

Prologue

I can still feel her, though I can’t see her. I can still hear her voice, though she is far from me. I can still feel her skin beneath my lips, though her flesh is nowhere near me. The bond is still firmly intact and that is the only thing keeping me from burning the world to the ground and allowing myself to be engulfed in the flames. ~Dalton Black

Under different circumstances, Jewel might have liked waking up to the sight of a dozen half-naked men. As it was, however, the sight was more than a little disturbing since they were the men that Volcan intended to use for his twisted witch breeding program—the program that Jewell would be a broodmare for.

She was beginning to think that her bright idea of letting Volcan capture her in order to save the other healers was about as bright as the captain of the cheerleading squad. How bright is that you ask? Jill Sawyer, said captain, was so bright that she thought a civil war was one in which the two opposing parties fought in a manner that didn’t involve killing or violence of any kind, because it was, you know, civil. Insert annoying preppy voice.

When Jewel decided to let Volcan capture her, she hadn’t considered the thought that he might try passing her around to different men in order to build a witch army through the offspring of those couplings. Mostly, she just thought she would be fending off his advances and learning about magic. She mentally knocked some points off her IQ for her stupidity. She also hadn’t considered just how hard it would be to walk away from Dalton Black. She definitely deserved to be knocked out of the genius category for that choice. Seriously, she thought, who walks away from a man like that—a man who had said things to her that most women dreamed of hearing. Genius, apparently, she said answering her own question.

Jewel squeezed her eyes closed as the thoughts of Dalton flooded her mind. Their time together had been so short. Most of it had been spent with her unconscious and him talking to her and sitting by her side. She had only spent a few precious minutes with him while not in a coma, and yet those were the most amazing moments of her eighteen years. But even more vivid, than the good times with him, was the memory of the look on his face when Volcan had taken her. The usually stoic, always-in-control Dalton had shown a myriad of emotions across his masculine face. They ranged from anger to fear, desperation, love, need, and still others that Jewel wasn’t sure she could even interpret. She felt the deep seed of guilt plant itself in her gut. She’d left him after he’d claimed her and she him. She imagined that this was supposed to be done under much different circumstances and include emotions that didn’t involve all the ones that had made an appearance on Dalton’s face.

She had forever tainted something that she knew had to be sacred to his race. Essentially, she’d accepted his claim, his affection, and thrown it back in his face. Jewel hadn’t trusted him to protect her, provide for her, or even given him the chance to prove himself. From what she understood of Alpha males, that amounted to pretty much-repeated kicks to his man parts. If she made it through this in one piece, how would she face him again? How could she even expect him to want her? Perhaps, it would be easier to just accept her fate rather than return to a man she’d so thoroughly neutered.

For so long she’d dreamed of something as amazing as the love stories in the books she read and it had finally been within her grasp. She’d been accepted, even liked, for who she was. Jewel had seen adoration, desire, respect, and love in the eyes of another and those emotions were aimed at her.

You deserve whatever that power-hungry psycho plans to put you through, she muttered to herself under her breath as she sat up and directed her attention to the door and away from the men. She squared her shoulders and raised her chin, ready to face her captor.

The door opened and Volcan stepped in. Honey, we’re all home. He motioned to the males.

Jewel nearly rolled her eyes. Great, psycho is also a comedian. The only hope she had at that moment came in the form of her clumsiness. Perhaps, she would trip over her own feet, fall, crack her skull, and die. She could only imagine what the epitaph on the tombstone would be: Here lies Jewel Stone, the dumbest genius on earth.

Chapter 1

"I ’m so very sick of stupid gypsy healers. For goodness sakes, if the Great Luna felt the need to bring back these women, couldn’t she have at least picked a few chicks with half an ounce of survival instincts and even just a pinch of non-dumbassness?" ~Peri

So, that was enlightening and also a bit annoying, Peri finally spoke up after their dismal conversation with Jewel’s mother. Dalton knew the woman was simply telling them what she knew, but he agreed with Peri. It was annoying. If he was going to be honest, it was more than annoying. It pissed him off to a level that was quickly surpassing the anger he’d felt at seeing Volcan with his hands on his mate and then disappearing with her. A growl rose in his throat and his hands began to shake as the memory filled his mind.

Beta. Dillon’s touched him on his shoulder and the Alpha’s voice kept him from losing it, barely. He nodded his head once letting his Alpha know that he wasn’t going to let the wolf take over, though the beast was fighting him at every opportunity. His eyes refocused and he saw that they stood out on the cracked sidewalk once again, surrounded by dilapidated old houses. It still frustrated him that this was where his little dove had grown up. He could have given her more, made her safer, and ensured that she had not been alone.

What’s the plan, oh fearless leader? Peri asked as she turned to face Dalton.

He knew that they were looking to him to find her because of their bond, but he’d been trying to reach her since the last time and still there was nothing. Dalton attempted again to reach through their bond, but there was nothing to grasp. She just wasn’t there. No matter how many times he mentally reached for her, he felt nothing. His wolf was snarling and throwing himself at Dalton’s mind attempting to take control. Dalton took deep breaths and focused on the image of Jewel’s face in his mind. He couldn’t let the wolf loose. Blood would drench his fur because the wolf would destroy anyone near them just to relieve the anger inside. If he couldn’t tear into Volcan, it would take substitutions until his foe was before him. No, he could not let his wolf out.

Do you have any idea where he could be? Dalton asked her. There was no emotion in his voice, only cool calculation. He hated to admit that he couldn’t find her, but swallowing his pride was a small thing if it meant he might find Jewel. Would the scum be in another realm, or would he stay here?

You can’t feel her, can you? Peri asked. Her eyes narrowed when he shook his head. Peri’s lips thinned, and had she been a wolf herself, she would have been snarling. I am so sick of twisted dickheads messing with my wolves and their mate bonds. You would think that one of them would come up with an original idea.

Perizada, do you know where he is? Lucian asked Dalton’s question again in his quiet, patient way. That was why they worked, Dalton thought. Peri was the poison and Lucian the antidote. They were two sides to the same coin—they balanced each other out. And one without the other would be devastating to them both. Dalton badly needed that balance himself.

He needed Jewel. He was a ticking time bomb and she was the only one who could find the correct wire to deactivate him. Dalton hadn’t realized that until she came into his life. He thought that he knew what true fear was, but all he’d been through was nothing compared to the possibility of losing his true mate. He was brought back from his thoughts when he heard Peri answer.

I think he was in another realm while he waited like the coward he is. But now that he’s got Jewel, and he’s ready to put his plan into action, he’s probably in the human realm. We just have to track him down.

Dalton clenched his jaw. It was the only emotion he let seep through his mask. How do we do that?

Peri shot him a look that clearly told him she thought he was an idiot. He didn’t care.

We go find some other evil scum that might know where he is. Given the right motivation, they’ll hand over their own mothers. We just need to put the fear of you three in them.

What about you? Dillon asked her.

The high fae shrugged. They already fear me. You fur balls are icing on my already awesome cake.

Dalton shifted restlessly, waiting for Peri to lead them to their next destination.

She held out her arms for them to once again grab so she could flash them to their destination. Hope you three don’t get sick at the sight of blood. It will only encourage them to make you as uncomfortable as possible.

Dillon spit out several curses. You’re kidding? Not the damned vampires, Peri.

It would be wise of you not to point out to them that they are indeed damned, she added.

I didn’t know any still existed, Lucian told her as he took her hand in his.

They don’t play nice in the sandbox. They tend to eat their playmates, so they’ve pretty much been driven into hiding. It’s been centuries since there has been any sight of them by a human.

And now you want to go disturb their nest? Dillon growled.

Peri turned to Dalton. Do you have a problem with visiting the bloodsuckers?

Will it help us find my mate? he asked in return.

It’s a possibility.

Then shut up and go.

*****

Okay, just for the record, we suck at this, Heather announced, not for the first time. Anna had to agree but she didn’t think that would be appreciated by the other annoyed members of their group. She wondered if the other girls were struggling as much as she was with the growing ache and discomfort inside and if that struggle was what was causing their inability to come up with any ideas on how to outsmart Volcan. They’d talked about it briefly, but like Anna, Stella and Heather seemed reluctant to give much acknowledgment to the feelings because to name it made it real. And real meant they each had a mate—a werewolf mate.

How many times do we have to record that? Crina practically growled. And that just proved to Anna that she was correct in choosing to hold her tongue.

Until we stop sucking. Heather rubbed her face and rolled her shoulders back.

The stress of their assignment was wearing on them and they’d only been working on it for twenty-four hours. But as Anna watched Stella press a hand to her chest, and then Heather do the same thing, she had a feeling it was more than the assignment causing their distress. Peri had tasked them with coming up with a war plan that somehow influenced Volcan to destroy himself. That didn’t seem impossible at all, Anna mentally snorted.

It might help if she would come back and give us a little more to go on, Stella pointed out.

Sorin chuckled, No, I think you’d still suck at it.

Anna decided holding her tongue was overrated. Not to be rude or anything but—

By all means be rude, Heather interrupted. It will help Stella and me not look like such jerks.

Stella tossed a small rock at Heather hitting her in the shin. Hey! Heather snapped. No throwing crap at the blind chick. Or at least give me a warning like, hey blind chick, I’m about to throw something at you. And kick a skunk! Could someone please make this tightening in my chest go away! I keep thinking it has to be heartburn. Please, someone, tell me it’s heartburn.

If it’s heartburn, then it’s contagious heartburn, Stella spoke up. She turned to Anna. What about you? Do you have heartburn ―she made quotations in the air as she said it― as well? And as Heather said, by all means, be rude. The native New Yorker shot her a wink as she continued to rub her chest.

Anna cleared her throat. The heartburn... She paused. She didn’t know if hers even qualified as heartburn. What she felt had slowly begun to turn into a whole-body burn. But she wasn’t ready to admit just how bad it had gotten, not yet at least. The heartburn is definitely contagious. She left it at that and then continued."

Would you two shut up so Anna can speak? Do not make me shut your mouths for you, Elle growled.

Can you do that? Can she do that? Stella and Heather asked at the same time.

Crina smacked her forehead. I thought my other pack mates were bad, but I think you two would give even them a run for their money.

Anna cleared her throat. So, what I was saying was, why is this so difficult when we have you three? She motioned to Elle, Adam, and Sorin. Aren’t you guys like really old or something? Haven’t you been through a few battles?

Older than dirt, Heather added. They are older than dirt.

Sorin leaned forward with his arms resting on his knees. He, like everyone else, was planted on a log so that he didn’t have to sit on the ground. We have been through more battles than any of us care to remember. But regardless of the number, each one is different, and this one more different than them all. Peri wants us to wage a war on a mental battlefield. She wants us to beat Volcan at his own game. That is nothing like formulating a battle plan over physical terrain. On a real field of battle, we at least know the lay of the land. We can then strategize as to best place our forces. And, of course, we would also know what our weapons are. But the battlefield of the mind can change in the blink of an eye.

Where is our genius when we need her? Stella whined. Jewel would have some crazy facts about physical combat versus mental combat and all sorts of other mumbo jumbo that probably wouldn’t really help us.

Wait, Anna said holding up her hands. Maybe all we need to do is do what Jewel would do.

And that would be to spout off information that only the world wide web should know, Heather quipped.

Sort of, Anna pointed at her, not paying attention to the fact that Heather couldn’t see her. We need to find the information that Jewel would already know. Obviously, none of us here are a genius, so we haven’t absorbed everything we’ve read.

Or anything for that matter, Stella interjected.

Okay, I get what you’re saying, Elle told her as she stood up and began pacing. Now we just have to figure out how to get that information without breaking Peri’s rules. It’s not like these pixies are going to have a library with the stuff we need.

Heather chuckled, If they did, it would be a little tiny one with little tiny books. So not helpful. She paused and then added. Y'all are all looking at me like I’m on crack, aren’t you?

Is dog crap toxic? Crina asked. Because I think you’ve sniffed it one too many times.

Do you really want me to enter that door you just opened? Heather laughed. You aren’t really the one who should be talking about dog crap.

I totally ran headfirst into that one, Crina muttered.

Adam wrapped an arm around his mate and pulled her close. It was a valiant effort, babe.

Anna watched the exchange between Crina and Adam and felt the pain increase another notch. They were so natural together, even their movements were in sync. If Adam shifted, Crina moved with him so that she stayed close. If Crina changed position, Adam moved so that he was where he could quickly get in front of her to protect her if danger suddenly arose.

What would it be like to be that in tune with someone? she wondered. And when Adam brushed his fingers down Crina’s side and the she-wolf shuddered, Anna wondered what it would be like to be touched in such a way that it caused her to quake in her own skin. Could she allow herself to be that close to someone? For most of her life, she’d kept everyone at arm’s length. She had a gypsy mother who, once Anna was old enough to make her own food, popped in and out as her spirit lead her. And when she wasn’t around, Anna had to step up and take care of the store and their little apartment. She had friends at school but she never let them too close. Anna kept a low profile, not ever wanting to draw attention to herself for fear that someone would realize just how much her mother left her alone. Her mother wasn’t a bad mom. She was just a product of her own raising. Anna’s mother had grown up in a gypsy caravan. They traveled all over, it was all she knew. But Anna knew that the state would not see it that way. They would see it as neglect and possibly take her away from her mom. If she had a true mate, would she be able to tell him about her childhood, about the lonely nights doing homework alone, and about eating TV dinners? Would he think her pathetic for not insisting her mother stay and actually be a mom?

Anna glanced back at Adam and Crina and then over to Elle and Sorin. In theory, she wanted what they had. In reality, it scared the crap out of her to think of being so laid bare before someone else. Though Anna had wanted her mother to be around more, she hadn’t really needed her, not the way a normal child needs a parent. Anna had grown self-sufficient very quickly. After all, who else was going to make her dinner? What she had needed from her mom was the love and affection she saw her classmates receive when she’d been younger―kids being dropped off at school, their mother or father hugging them and bidding them a good day. Those were the simple things Anna had needed. Did she even need them anymore? She wondered now if she might have gone so long without affection that she wouldn’t even welcome it if she received it. She suddenly felt like she needed some space. The air around her was growing thick and it was becoming difficult to breathe. Anna wasn’t sure if it was watching the mated pair and beginning to feel like she was drowning in her own need, doubts, and fears or if it was the stress of all the changes that had happened to her over the past couple of months. Whatever it was, she just knew she needed to walk, to get rid of some of the nervous energy.

She stood and brushed off her clothes. Anna glanced at the others as she started to step away. Um, I’m just ―she pointed behind her― going to go for a walk.

Want some company? Heather asked.

Anna didn’t want to be rude, but she wanted to be alone more than she didn’t want to be rude. I’d rather go by myself. Just need to think.

Just don’t let any of those pixie men molest you. It wouldn’t be hard with those easy access skirts you wear, Stella tossed out. There was no hint of joking in her words.

Says the stripper, Heather smirked.

Good advice, Anna told her with a smile, thanks.

Stella shrugged. I don’t know many things, but I know men. Doesn’t matter what size they are or where their junk is. Most of them talk with their hands and think with their—

Okay, thank you, Stella, for that very enlightening discussion, Elle interrupted her. Anna knew that most people who heard Stella talk like that would think she was just being sarcastic. Those who knew her knew that she was speaking from way too much experience for a nineteen-year-old.

Go on, Anna, Elle told her. Ainsel won’t let anything happen to you. He’s too afraid of Peri turning him into wolf kibble.

Anna hurried off before anyone else could give her helpful advice or snarky comments. She didn’t know where she was going. It wasn’t like she knew her way around the pixie realm. So, she just walked. There was no path through the forest, but she didn’t have a problem finding places to put her feet. The foliage wasn’t too thick and the ground was firm beneath her feet. One step after another took her farther away from the clearing where the others sat discussing war, strategies, and the like, but that wasn’t what was on Anna’s mind.

*****

Stella watched as Anna disappeared into the forest. She had a feeling she knew why Anna needed to take a walk, but she hadn’t wanted to call her out on it. They’d already addressed the elephant in the room, i.e., the discomfort that each of them was feeling, apparently, due to the fact that they had a true mate. Stella herself wouldn’t mind a good brisk run, but she knew that she would just attempt to outrun the inevitable. And from what she had seen with Sally and Costin, there was no outrunning it. There was a man, a werewolf out there, that had been created to be her counterpart—her mate. She didn’t know how she felt about it. With her past, being in a relationship was something that she knew would take patience on the part of both parties. Would a dominant werewolf be able to be patient with her? To go as slowly as she knew he would have to go? She shook her head, pushing the anxiety causing thoughts away. There was nothing she could do about it at that moment, and so there was no sense in stressing over it, not when there were already enough things to stress over. So, she pushed the pain and discomfort aside and shoved it into a compartment, just like she had with all of her other pain, and locked it up tight.

*****

Heather’s head pounded, the rhythm of her headache in perfect sync with the heart in her tight chest. What had started as an annoying discomfort was quickly becoming a pain that couldn’t be ignored. It was as if the more she tried to push it away, the stronger the building anguish grew. She knew the other girls were feeling something similar, but she didn’t know if they were having the problems with their mind, that she was. Not only did she have a horrible headache but she was also having bright flashes reverberate inside her head. At least that was the only way she knew to describe it because it was the complete opposite of the life of darkness she’d always known. Heather wasn’t ready to explore what it meant. She had heard Peri and Sally say that they could ‘see’ what was in their mate’s mind. But Heather wasn’t yet ready to hope for something like that. To actually see anything, even something through the eyes of another, was a bit more than she could deal with right now. She didn’t dare dream of the possibility that she would be able to use his eyes, because if that wasn’t the case, she didn’t want to feel as though the world had been handed to her and then ripped from her grasp. So, she’d endure the pain, like Stella and Anna, quietly, for as long as she could and hope that her head didn’t explode. She would hate for her brains to get all over Stella. Heather chuckled at the thought.

What’s funny? Stella asked her.

Would you be ticked off if my head exploded and I got my brains all over you? Heather asked. A lot of girls would have given a girly, ewww, but not Stella.

If I wanted to wear brains, I would make sure to add them to my wardrobe. Since there aren’t any brains currently sitting in my closet, then I’m going to say that I would be slightly perturbed. Stella paused and then asked, Why are you asking me about your head exploding and brains splattering all over me?

Heather shrugged. It’s one of those things we should know about each other. I need to know how you will handle gross situations. I can’t claim you as a friend if you squeal like a girl.

Stella laughed. I don’t think I have ever squealed in my life.

Perfect, Heather smiled. You don’t want to be a squealer. One of the wolves might mistake you for a pig and pounce on you.

The others laughed but Elle added, Oh, he’ll pounce on you, but it won’t be because he mistakes you for a pig.

Heather heard a low growl from Sorin. We’re wolves, not cats. We don’t pounce.

This made the group laugh even louder, and for a brief moment, the pain that radiated in her mind eased. Heather took the tiny reprieve for what it was but prepared herself for the pain to return. She tried hard not to acknowledge the little voice in the back of her mind that whispered, maybe with the pain, the light will come also.

*****

Her mind was consumed with something she didn’t understand. Her hands shook so she crossed her arms in front of her chest. Sweat broke out on her forehead and trailed down her back though it wasn’t hot enough to cause sweating. Anna’s heart rate continued to increase and the pounding was nearly painful. Those things were not the most disturbing, however. The most disturbing was the fact that her own feelings weren’t the only ones she was feeling. She was distinctly aware of the feelings of another rolling through her mind.

Anna had no idea how long she’d been walking or how far she had gone. She just kept placing one foot in front of the other until she suddenly collapsed. Her knees hit the ground and pain shot up her legs as she fell forward catching herself with her hands before she could completely face plant. She was panting as though she’d been running and the sweating had increased to the point that she knew she must look like she’d taken a jump in a lake. After taking several deep breaths, Anna brushed her hands off and attempted to stand. But when she fell back to the earth she grunted in pain—a pain unlike any she’d ever felt.

Suddenly, a howl―long, deep, and powerful―filled the sky causing her to tremble. It was a call. And somehow, she knew deep in her gut it was for her. She closed her eyes and shook her head attempting to calm her churning insides. Unfortunately, it wasn’t helping. Oh, crap. Crap, crap, crap.

Are you just going to sit there twitching like a scared rabbit? A sharp voice stabbed at her.

Anna raised her head and met the eyes staring back at her from a stern, but not unkind face. A pixie woman, about fifteen inches tall, stood five feet away from her. Anna must have looked completely confused, but she couldn’t stop her head from tilting ever so slightly as she took in the small woman.

If you keep staring at me stupidly with your mouth hanging open like that as if you’re just waiting on a bug to make a home in it, I’m not going to feel sorry for you when he catches you.

Anna’s forehead scrunched up as she pursed her lips. She asked the question she wasn’t sure she really wanted to know the answer to, no matter how curious she’d been or how filled with longing. When who catches me?

The pixie woman huffed. Your mate.

*****

I am not asking you to accompany me, Gustavo told Costin. He’d sought out the only male left in their group that was already mated. The only other wolf he’d talked to about his frustration had been his Beta, but regardless of his place in his pack, he was still an unmated male.

Peri will kill me, not to mention what my mate will do to me. Costin paced back and forth in the clearing they’d run to when Gustavo had requested an audience. Gustavo watched as the Beta ran his fingers through his hair, obviously agitated over his request.

You have to know I would not ask if I did not feel like she needed me. He almost felt guilty when he asked, What would you do if it were you in my position and you were sure you knew where your mate was?

Costin’s eyes shot up and glared at him. That’s a low blow and you know it.

Gustavo shrugged. Perhaps, but it is a fair question, compañero.

Even if you don’t want me to come with you, I’d still have to lead you to the correct forest, Costin pointed out. Then he asked, Why aren’t you taking your Beta?

Gustavo shrugged as he straightened the cuffs of his perfectly pressed dress shirt. He is unmated.

I forgot what a pain you unmated males are, Costin muttered under his breath.

Gustavo watched as the young Beta continued to consider his request. He realized there would be repercussions for his actions, but Gustavo didn’t care. There was a gnawing emptiness mixed with need inside of him and these emotions did not belong to him. He was feeling her emotions, those of his true mate. Whether or not she knew that she was broadcasting that loudly to him, he wasn’t sure, but he knew that he had to heed her call. She needed him, even if she wasn’t aware of it herself. And he needed her just as much, if not more.

Costin suddenly stopped his pacing as his head snapped up. He was looking in the direction of Peri’s home. His eyes narrowed dangerously.

Qué es? Gustavo asked as he followed Costin’s line of sight.

"My mate