I don’t miss the stares from other patrons when I walk back to the table. I give smiles and waves, and they give them in return. I love that everyone seems so nice and excited to meet me. I mean I know a lot of it is my destiny and my mating with Merick, but it’s still nice to be somewhere where I am not invisible. Living in the city did that, a lot.
My plate of food is waiting for me when I sit down. I got the turkey, swiss, and avocado panini, and homemade chips. Rowan has a huge sandwich piled high with steak, onions, peppers, and...are those french fries?
A queasy feeling settles over me and I quickly look away as she takes a huge bite. It must be nice to eat whatever you want and not gain any weight. Of course, she burns lots of calories all the time.
I pick up my sandwich and take a bite, moaning at the delicious flavor as it explodes on my tongue.
“Is Merick taking good care of you?” Amelia asks with a mischievous smile.
I choke on my sandwich. Rowan slaps my back and I hold my hand up. “I’m okay,” I croak only triggering them both to laugh a little more.
We finish our lunch and they refuse to let me pay. They take me around to all of the little shops introducing me to lots and lots of people. To be honest it’s all making my head spin a bit.
“That’s her.” I look around to see who said it but I don’t see anyone...weird.
“She’s shorter than I expected “
“Why couldn’t I be Merick’s mate?”
I shake my head. What is happening? Amelia and Rowan are looking at dresses on the other side of the store. Both completely oblivious it seems to all those whispering around us.
I make my way outside taking a deep breath. I look around and have no clue what I’m looking for—an explanation...maybe.
“She needs to die before she gives birth to that baby.”
My blood turns cold, my hands tremble, and a fine sheen of sweat covers my brow. Marissa’s little shop is right across the street. I can’t explain it but the closer I get to the front door the safer I feel. It’s like my body knows she’s safe and able to protect me.
I push the door open and find the storefront empty. “M-Marissa? Are you here?” I walk toward the counter, my knees feel weak and I grip the edge of it to hold myself upright. The buzzing starts again.
“I’ll be right there, dear...” The woman is very old, but she certainly doesn’t sound or look it.
I get out my phone and pull up Merick’s number.
“Ahhh!” I cover my ears, but it doesn’t block out the ear-piercing scream. I drop to my knees.
“Shut up, shut up, shut up!” I scream. Someone grabbed me, but I jerked away covering my face with my arms.
I hear a panicked shout echo through the storefront. “Call Merick, get him over here.” That’s the last thing I hear before I pass out.
Merick
Standing from my seated position behind my desk I finally feel as though I have accomplished something. It’s been difficult concentrating, unless it involved Taryn and the two of us wrapped together in a mess of silk sheets, her body has consumed my mind. Unfortunately, today I decided it was time to get caught up on all the work I’ve let go.
I gather my files and turn to place them into the filing cabinet behind me when my cell phone begins to ring. I look down, seeing a number that I don’t recognize. I don’t rush to answer. Most likely it's a business call, and they’ll leave a message. The last thing I want at the moment is to get wrapped up with another client.
What I really want to do is go find my woman and bring her back here with me.
The ringing stops and I place the last file in the drawer before pushing it shut. That's when I hear my phone begin to ring all over again.
Swiping my finger over the screen I don’t even get the word hello out of my mouth before the person on the opposite end of the line speaks. My blood immediately runs cold. “There’s something wrong with Taryn.”
The phone hits the floor, I run for the door and the second my feet hit the grass I take off toward the trees. If I cut through the forest I could get there in half the time of driving.
Something is wrong with Taryn.
I pick up speed, the sounds of my feet pounding against the ground, my ears picking up the sounds from town. The closer I get I begin to slow looking for a place to regain my composure. Not everyone here is aware of my gift. Many believe that they live in a small, quiet, and quaint space. They have no idea of the magic here.
I can feel her before I even spot her. Rowan, standing outside of Marissa’s shop watching me approach.
“Where is she?” I search the area ready to push past her when she places her hand on my arm and ensures I am looking directly at her. “What?” I don’t have time for this, I need to get to Taryn.
“It’s happened,” something passes between us and I want to ask more but when I hear my name being whispered from inside I don’t have to. The second I see Taryn I know. It was in the air, that feeling of fierceness. Possessive desperation like I’ve never felt. A tie, so strong, so binding that it is as if my body is moving toward her before my mind can register it.
And I just know.
“I don’t know what’s happening,” she says, the fear in her eyes is almost too much to take. “I hear them all around me, but I can’t—”
“Wait.” I slide in closer to Taryn and sit at her side. “You hear who?”
“Whispers,” tears fill her
