Betrayed: Days of the Rogue by Nicky Charles
At the age of nine, the words had been thrilling, and Eve recalled waking each morning hoping that the gift—whatever it was—would make itself known. But years passed and nothing exciting or special ever occurred. She’d grown older and more practical, Gran succumbed to old age, and the stories had faded from her memory.
It wasn’t until she’d found a letter, from her long dead Gran, in the back of a dresser drawer that she recalled the prediction. Suddenly the vague headaches and strange ‘daydreams’ she’d recently begun to have all started to make sense.
‘When the awakening comes on you, you’ll know. You’ll need to nurture it, refine your skills, develop control. Learning to shield your mind will be important, as well as guarding your heart. Being Fae is a wondrous gift but you must use it wisely…’
Eve wasn’t exactly sure she believed in being Fae—extra sensory perception sounded a bit more scientific and practical by comparison—but, whatever name you put to it, the fact remained that Gran’s foretelling had come true. Inexplicable headaches, random feelings coming over her that had nothing to do with her own emotional state; it turned out they were all signs of the Awakening. She’d cancelled the doctor’s appointment she’d made, having thought some strange hormonal imbalance was turning her into an emotional seesaw, and began trying to learn how to live with this new twist in her life.
At first, it had been almost cool to know how others were feeling without them saying, sort of like a never ending party game. But constantly being inundated with other people’s emotions—some of which she’d really rather not be privy to—soon became exhausting. As a last resort, she’d moved to Grassy Hills, the plan being to learn control of her new abilities in a less populated area, and then returning to the city once she had a handle on things.
Unfortunately, developing any reliable amount of control was taking longer than she’d anticipated. It was hard to always be on guard, to keep a mental wall firmly in place all day long. So far, short trips into town were about all she could manage, and even that had resulted in some embarrassing revelations about how some of the residents felt about each other.
Still, there were advantages to living in Grassy Hills. An affinity for nature that she’d never had before was growing within her. At times, she was sure she could hear a faint whispering from the trees, even sense an underlying hum of contentment that spread over the entire woods and lapped at the edge of town. There was a distinct shift of feeling when she was surrounded by buildings rather than nature. She wondered how she’d never noticed it before, but perhaps being tuned into the natural world was all part of being Fae; enjoying the quiet pace of life, the fresh air and the scenery. And speaking of scenery… She flicked a glance towards the pictures of Rafe again; the man was gorgeous. Now, if she could only figure him out. Strangely enough, she couldn’t sense his emotions. Not that she wanted to, she assured herself, but it was...odd.
Pushing thoughts of the man out of the away, Eve collected her cup of tea. She paused for a moment and stared at the beverage suspiciously—the book she’d read last night had featured drugs slipped into a teacup as the murder weapon—but then shook her head. Things like that didn’t happen in real life and besides there were no murderers lurking in the area. Grabbing her new book—a nice steamy romance—she settled down on the couch. She’d been waiting ages for this book to be published; imaginary stalkers and hunky landlords would have to wait!
Twenty minutes later, Eve found herself with her chin cupped in her hand as she stared out the window, her book forgotten on the sofa beside her. For once the words of her favourite author had failed to hold her attention. Instead of reading, she watched the now light drizzle as it made rings in the puddles near the bottom of the porch steps. A lazy, rainy day—perfect for daydreams.
A flicker of movement in the shadows near the tree line drew her attention, and she narrowed her eyes wondering what creature had braved the weather. Yes, she saw it again. Something was definitely there, but it was much too big for a bird or even the pesky raccoon. Ever so slowly, she eased herself up onto her knees for a better look while still staying in the shadow of the curtains. One minute ticked by, then two. Her leg started to cramp, an itch developed on her nose, but still she didn’t move. More time passed, her cup of tea grew even colder. Had it been her imagination?
She was about to give up when a dark shape emerged and revealed a massive wolf as a black as midnight. It was noticeably thin, drops of water clinging to its fur, but it held its head high, an aura of power emanating from it. Unbidden, a gasp escaped her lips. Somehow the creature must have heard the soft sound for it suddenly turned its head and looked directly at her.
Despite its bedraggled appearance, the wolf exuded power and self-assuredness, and she had no doubt it would take on anyone who challenged its right to be there. She watched as its nostrils flared, and its sides moved with each steady breath it took. Silver eyes, striking against its dark fur, conveyed an almost human intelligence as it studied her with a slightly cocked head.
Their gazes locked and, despite the distance separating them, Eve was sure she could feel an instantaneous connection forming with the beast. It was like a low hum that slowly grew and expanded, encircling her mind and then pressing inward, as if the creature was reaching out, searching for a means of accessing her thoughts. She physically jerked back, suddenly afraid, and the slight movement appeared to break the connection. Without warning, the wolf melted into the shadows.
Eve let out the breath she wasn’t even aware she’d been holding and relaxed her tensed muscles, feeling strangely exhausted by the encounter. Sliding down into a seated position, she tucked her hair behind her ears and wished she understood more about this Fae business. She knew she could get a sense of an animal’s emotional state, but animals couldn’t communicate with her, could they? Her friend Aly’s dog had never given her the impression that is was trying to send her a message, though the old spaniel was likely too lazy to make the effort.
If only Gran were still alive, she’d have all the answers. Eve had tried questioning her father but he’d been no help. He’d admitted that the family history was spotty, some claims of witchery and even legends of being descended from the Fae were bandied about, but of course, no one believed that nonsense. Busy with his new job in Australia, he hadn’t seemed overly concerned when she tentatively suggested she might have inherited some of the long lost powers. A vague ‘that’s interesting’ had been murmured and then he’d launched into a discussion of the latest documentary he was filming.
She rubbed her temples as she recalled the almost ticklish feeling in her head when she’d been staring at the wolf. It hadn’t seemed at all surprised to find her here. There’d been no nervous twitching of its ears, no stepping back, no startled response at all; just calm acceptance of her presence. Had the beast had her under surveillance and not the mischievous raccoon or some crazed human as Caro had speculated? But if that was the case, why? Why was it watching her? Curiosity? Or was it sizing her up as its next meal?
Recalling the feeling of danger that had plagued her during her walk, she scurried about the small cabin, securing the windows and doors while telling herself she needed to remain calm. Surely if the wolf saw her as dinner it would have attacked while she’d been out walking earlier. And Rafe had said the woods were safe; he wouldn’t have mentioned that if it weren’t true. Having his renters eaten would be bad for business, right?
She worried her lip and considered calling Rafe to tell him what she’d seen. Would he believe her? Or would he think she was a foolish city girl like he had during her first month at the cabin? He’d almost lost patience with her after she’d called on him, all too often, for assistance with such unknowns as wood burning stoves and electrical generators.
Of course, she hadn’t contacted him recently. She was a quick study and had soon become relatively self-sufficient, able to handle most problems alone.
She twisted her fingers.
Alone.
A lean wolf that might very well be looking for its next meal. And what if the connection she’d felt to the beast was because he was envisioning her as dinner!
She grabbed the phone and dialled Rafe’s number.
“Hello?” His voice was deep and smooth, the kind that could wrap itself around you like a dark velvety blanket, and draw you into a trance as you listened to it rise and fall. She gave her head a little shake and responded.
“Rafe? It’s Eve.”
“Yes?” Was it her imagination, or did his voice chill upon hearing her name?
The ball of nerves, that always appeared when he was around, began to form in her stomach and she had to force herself to continue. “I...er...I saw a wolf today. It was right outside the cabin.”
“A wolf? Or a big dog?”
She heard his barely concealed skepticism and, while it rankled to admit it, he did have grounds for his belief. When she’d first moved in she’d called him about a large black snake under the porch. Unfortunately, it had turned out to be an inner tube from an old tire. The memory of the look on his face as he’d held it up for her inspection still made her flush with embarrassment.
“Yes, a wolf. It was big with black fur, pointy ears and a bushy tail...” She paused and rolled her eyes. Those details could fit almost any family pet, but how else did you describe a wolf? After taking a deep breath, she restated her case with as much conviction as possible. “It was a wolf. Not a dog or even a fox, I’m positive.”
Rafe grunted then sighed. “All right. I’ll be by to check it out. Stay inside.” He hung up before she could reply, and she set the receiver down with a thunk. The man was more than a little bit rude.
The rain had stopped and the sun was shining by the time Rafe’s battered pickup truck came to a stop in front of Eve’s cabin. At one point in time the vehicle might have been red, but the colour was faded and a film of dirt gave it more of a tired orange hue. The hinges of the driver’s door squeaked as it opened and when it was slammed shut, the entire body of the truck shuddered. Eve was sure a tiny shower of rust fell from the undercarriage as well.
Through the living room window, she watched Rafe plant his hands on his hips and scan the trees around the cabin. His stance showed off his form in all its splendour from his wide shoulders to his narrow waist. Denim hugged his buttocks and powerful thighs while his thin t-shirt did little to disguise his muscular torso. Just looking at him made her heart begin to race, and she longed to run her hands over him to feel the strength and hardness of his body. Of course, she’d never have the nerve to do it, but in her mind…
She fanned her face with her book. Get a grip, she told herself. You’re a successful—well soon to be successful—artist and illustrator. There’s no need to turn into a sex-crazed bundle of nerves every time Rafe McRae appears. Straightening her t-shirt, she tucked her hair behind her ears and pasted a smile on her face before stepping outside to greet him.
Rafe was on the porch by then. His close proximity made Eve all too aware of his size. It felt as though he were looming over her, dominating the tiny space and making her feel small and helpless. The heat of his body caressed her skin and his scent—a combination of soap and nature—wrapped around her like a physical thing.
“Eve.” The deep rumble of his voice sent shivers through her and she struggled to hide the fact.
“Rafe.” She returned his greeting, pleased with the cool, polite tone she managed to achieve.
Flipping up his sunglasses, he looked down at her from his superior height. His eyes—a deep chocolate brown—seemed to draw her in, melting her defences and leaving her every thought and emotion exposed before him. She wanted to blink, to look away, but felt unable to move. He had her pinned in place by his gaze, open for whatever he wanted to do to her.
Her face grew warm, her breathing shallow, and a quivering sensation started in her belly. Finally, she managed to break away from his gaze, and then fought the urge to cross her arms over her chest in order to shield herself from him.
Peeved at her response to him, her lack of control, she tried to whip up some defensive anger. Of course, Rafe would have to ruin her attempt at being poised. Damn the man, he managed to do it every time they met. She should be used to it by now. Yet, within seconds of being in his presence, she was shifting from foot to foot feeling hot and flustered.
Inwardly scowling, she noted that she didn’t appear to have any effect on him at all. There was no expression on his face, save a muscle ticking in his jaw. He was stone-faced, completely unmoved, just like always. Silently, she cursed him again.
Wanting the encounter over, she began to step down off the porch. “I’ll show you where—”
“Don’t move.” The words were accompanied by a restraining hand being placed on her arm.
His grip was firm, the feel of his palm against her bare flesh enough to make her breath catch in her throat. For a moment she stared at his hand, noting the contrasting colour of their skin, the obvious strength in his wrist and forearm. Once again her fingers itched and she wanted to touch him, to run her hand up the length of his arm, to feel the slightly springy hair that grew there, to progress up to his broad shoulders…
It took a few seconds before his message finally sank in. The man had basically barked the order at her! A stubborn streak poked its way through the haze of awareness that had settled on her and had her jutting her chin, planning to move anyway, just to spite him.
She cast a defiant look his way and began to step down again, but something about his steady gaze kept her feet glued in place. Angry at herself, she pulled her arm free and glared. “Why?”
“Because I like looking at you standing there?” His deadpan expression belied his words.
Eve rolled her eyes.
“Can’t take a compliment?” He quirked a brow.
Well, that was something. At least she knew his face wasn’t frozen in place. However, she didn’t want him to think she was pushover. She narrowed her eyes and put her hands on her hips. “It sounded more like an order to me.”
He shrugged. “Take it whichever way you want. The fact is you think you saw a wolf, so you shouldn’t be wandering around outside by yourself. Stay here and I’ll check the area.”
“Let me get this right. You can wander around by yourself but I can’t even leave the porch?” She didn’t try to hide the sarcasm in her voice.
“That’s right.” The cool implacable look he gave her caused any comeback she might have wanted to make to get stuck in her throat. He waited a second and, when he seemed sure she was going to do as she was told, he nodded. “Good girl. I’ll be back in about half an hour. Stay inside.” And, without waiting for her reply, he stepped off the porch and disappeared around the corner of the cabin.
Eve blinked, surprised by his sudden departure. Then she hurried inside and peered out the windows but he was lost from sight. For a big guy, he sure moved fast.
Chapter 2
Rafe stood in the dark shadows of the thick pines and watched Eve’s cabin. A minute passed and then another. Finally he gave a brief nod and deemed it safe to move, satisfied that Eve was going to follow orders and stay inside. The woman might appear delicate and biddable, but she had an independent streak that could easily land her in trouble. Only someone with a lot of gumption would move from a downtown Calgary apartment to a fishing cabin, where the nearest neighbour was miles away and the electricity intermittent at best. He hadn’t thought she’d last beyond the first week but she’d proven him wrong.
He hadn’t wanted to rent her the cabin, some instinct telling him she’d be trouble. Whether it was her white blonde hair and her delicate frame or her big blue eyes and kissable, pink lips, something about Eve had immediately called to him. It brought out his protective instincts, urging him to get closer to her. He’d wanted to cup her face and taste her lips then trail his hands over her lithe curves.
His body hardened at the thoug
Unfortunately, what he did need was money, having sunk most of his savings into buying this property. A run-down set of fishing cabins seemed perfect for his plans. All that was needed was a few repairs—well, make that a lot of repairs—and they’d provide a viable income. At the moment though, only his place and Eve’s were in a liveable condition. No renters meant no income to offset repair costs. That was why he’d put his reservations aside and rented the cabin to Eve for six months. He told himself it wasn’t that long, that he could deny the dictates of his libido and avoid her as much as possible.
Of course, that hadn’t gone as planned. At first she’d been a pain in the ass, calling for help with one thing after another. Straight from the city, she’d had no idea about using a generator or priming a pump and each encounter had twisted the need inside him tighter and tighter. Just the sound of her voice had him painfully erect and filled his mind with images of her sprawled on his bed, begging for him to take her.
Thank God, after the first month she’d seemed to have gotten the hang of things. Now their paths seldom crossed. It wasn’t often that she went into town and if he saw her in the store, he simply rearranged what he had to do in order to avoid her. A casual wave as their vehicles passed on the road, an aloof nod if they were both hiking the same trail; it had allowed him to regain some control. It didn’t mean he’d forgotten about her—erotic dreams still plagued his sleep—but he’d begun to think the arrangement might work out.
Now this had to happen.
There was an intruder on his land. He’d been aware of the fact the minute he stepped out of his truck, the creature’s scent still lingering in the damp air. That knowledge had caused him to slam the door of his vehicle more forcefully than usual and he’d barely held back the growl that rumbled in his throat. Professional responsibilities—assessing the progress of a former patient—had necessitated that he was away most of the past week. In fact, he’d only returned home late last night and during that short absence someone had moved in.