Chapter 7

CHAPTER 7

T hornshade's threat hung in the air and sent a chill down my spine. That wasn't subtle at all. And it made me wonder what dangers lay hidden within the depths of the forest. "We understand." My hand went to my stomach to quell the apprehension that gnawed at my insides. "And we mean you no harm. But we had no other choice. We need your help."

Thornshade sipped her tea as her anger still simmered beneath the surface. "Very well," she said. "I will do what I can to assist you. What is it you need?" Her piercing gaze fixed on each of us in turn. Her silver hair cascaded around her shoulders like a cloak. There was an air of ancient wisdom about her and a sense of power that seemed to radiate from every pore.

"We seek your expertise as a necromancer," Eve said before I could. "One of Nishi's hunters, Shannon, had her soul stolen by Miletus. I've done what I can. I put her in a stasis spell. But I don't have the knowledge to find her soul or reintegrate it. I know better than to cast spells and hope for the best where a person's spirit is concerned. We believe you're our best chance at saving her."

Thornshade's smirk faded and was replaced by a look of genuine interest. "It's been a long time since anyone has come to me with a problem like this," she mused. Her tone was more contemplative now. "It's no small thing to deal with a stolen soul."

I nodded, trying to suppress the sense of urgency that threatened to overwhelm me. "Yes, and time is of the essence. Shannon's life hangs in the balance, and we need to stop Miletus from completing his ritual."

Thornshade regarded us with a calculating gaze as her fingers drummed thoughtfully against the worn wooden table. "I suppose I could lend you my assistance. But you must understand, necromancy is not to be taken lightly. There are risks involved."

I exchanged a wary glance with the others. That didn't sound good. If Shannon's life wasn't at stake, I might not go through with this. When you got a warning like that from a supernatural, it was never a good thing and we were willing to do whatever it took to save her.

"We understand," I replied. My voice was steady despite the uncertainty that gnawed at my insides. "We'll do whatever it takes to bring Shannon back."

Thornshade inclined her head, and her expression turned serious. "Souls are delicate things. And easily influenced by outside forces when they are yanked from their bodies."

Faith's jaw dropped open. "Are you saying she can be turned?"

"Yes," Thornshade said simply. "Untethered souls are at particular risk from certain forces."

Eve raised an eyebrow. "What kind of forces?" she asked.

Thornshade's lips curled into a sardonic smile. "Oh, you know," she replied cryptically. "Dark magic, malevolent spirits, that sort of thing."

I exchanged a glance with the others. They realized the same things I did with that comment. Shannon could already be irrevocably changed. And dealing with Thornshade would be no easy task. We had to pull details out of the woman .

"As for integrating a soul," Thornshade continued, "there are rules. Rules that must be followed if you want to avoid catastrophe."

"Rules?" Faith's eyes widened in surprise. "What kind of rules?"

Thornshade's gaze flickered with amusement. "First and foremost," she began, "when a soul is taken out, it must go into another vessel. Normally, that would be another being."

"So, Miletus couldn't push Shannon's soul out of his body and use it in a ritual?" Eve's voice trembled with fear as she voiced the question that lingered in all our minds.

Thornshade shook her head, her expression grim. "No," she replied firmly. "Once a soul has been taken into another body there is no getting it back out. The second time around, it's a one-way trip."

Tegan shot me a horrified look. "We could already be too late."

Eve shook her head. "Miletus had that crystal. I bet that's where he put her soul. He needs to use it, remember?"

My mind stopped mid-spiral. "Could he have used the crystal to contain Shannon's soul?" I asked, my voice trembling with dread.

Thornshade regarded me with a solemn expression. "An artifact like that could indeed be used to imprison a soul," she confirmed. Her words were like a lifeline on rough seas. "And if that's the case, you'll need to find it before it's too late."

"So, let me get this straight," I interjected. "We can't just pop Shannon's soul back into her body? Now that it's been taken out, there is no going back?"

Thornshade's next words offered a ray of hope amidst the darkness that threatened to engulf us. "That principle does not apply to the original vessel," she continued, her voice softer now, infused with a note of reassurance. That was unexpected coming from her. "A soul wants to reunite with its body. And seeing as you have kept Shannon's vessel alive you will be able to reunify the two."

A wave of relief washed over me, mingling with the uncertainty that lingered in the air. We still had no way of knowing how to find the soul. Eve nodded in acknowledgment and said, "Now we just need to find that elusive crystal." She hesitated and looked back at Thornshade. "How do we put her soul back? Do I cast a spell?"

Thornshade stared at us for several seconds before she set her teacup down and headed for the shelves at the side of the kitchen. "There is a way," she offered cryptically but said nothing more.

Eve walked closer to Thornshade. "How? What do we do?"

The necromancer picked up a clear piece of quartz. "This crystal is designed to hold and return a soul. All you need to do is get close to the crystal holding the soul and this one will suck it inside."

Eve's excitement was palpable as she absorbed Thornshade's words. "That's brilliant!" she exclaimed. Her voice was filled with anticipation. "But how do we go about putting it back in after that? Is it the same as retrieving the soul?"

Thornshade shook her head. "Not at all. You will need to activate the crystal over Shannon's body on the full moon," she instructed, her tone leaving no room for doubt. "And you activate it with a simple chant. Normally, I would not recommend anyone other than a necromancer trying it, but you're no normal witch are you?"

Eve's eyes widened and she shook her head. "Not anymore. I'm not sure I'm anything special. All I can say is that I've survived things I shouldn't have."

I snorted and nudged my best friend. "Like having a warlock siphon your power for over twenty years and being kicked out of your coven? You're something special, Eve. And it's time you owned how badass you are. "

Eve's chuckle died out when Thornshade moved closer to her and touched a finger to the center of her forehead. "You've brushed death and sent him fleeing. You have no idea what you are truly capable of." The necromancer went quiet for several seconds as she stared at Eve. Something gave her the answer she wanted because she nodded and said, "You return the soul by saying, anima redux corpus recepta ."

"Thank you," I replied, pouring all my gratitude into the words. "Now all we need to do is find her soul."

Faith growled. "The problem is, Miletus is far too adept at concealing relics." I echoed her frustration, but we couldn't give up now.

Thornshade held her hands up. "I cannot help with that. The only way to find a soul is to have a necromancer on the case. And I will not be leaving my forest, so you are on your own with that unless you can find a soul compass."

My shoulders slumped. I wanted to argue and try to convince her to help, but she'd already done more than I thought she would. She could have killed us with her poison flowers.

Tegan smiled at us. "I think there was a Soul Compass in the vault. Thank you, Thornshade."

We echoed her gratitude and left the small cabin and made our way back to the fae palace. We talked about how Tegan could locate the compass as we made the return trip. I didn't pay close attention because my fatigue and hunger were battering me from all sides. I couldn't wait to get some food and then sleep.

Alex shut the door to his room and cupped my cheeks. "Do you want a shower before we get some sleep?"

"That sounds like heaven." I pressed a kiss to his lips and sauntered into his massive bathroom, shedding clothes as I went. Part of me was bone tired, but the other part wanted this man. At his growl, I shot a playful smirk over my shoulder. "See something you like?"

The heat in his eyes ignited my arousal. "I see something I love but you'd better be careful. I know you need sleep."

I flipped the water on in his shower and stepped over the lip of the tray. "Do I?" I ran my hands down the front of my body, caressing my breasts as I did.

His clothes vanished and he was in front of me faster than he ever had before. He walked me back and I tipped my head when the hot water splashed against our bodies. It caused his hands to slide over my skin. My gaze snapped down when he tweaked my wet nipple. I groaned as it hardened under his ministrations. My mouth went dry, demanding he do more.

As if he'd heard me, he lowered his head to latch on to the puckered area. He sucked the tip and pulled. "Yes, don't stop," I panted and gripped his hair. I barely stopped myself from shoving more flesh into his greedy mouth.

Alex moved to the other side and sucked and nibbled that nipple. His cock kicked against my stomach, reminding me I could tease him as well. Reaching down, I wrapped my fingers around his girth and stroked his long length.

He squeezed my ass and pulled me against him. Wanting to feel him, I removed my hand and arched my hips. My core reached his hard length, and the friction took the edge of the need that had become painful. I hiked a leg around his hip and his hand slid through the crease of my ass. He continued his touch further south until he ended up between my legs and my dripping core. His mouth left my breast and traveled up, kissing a trail until he reached my ear.

"You're so wet for me, Yūki-Onna ," he whispered and bit my earlobe.

He groaned when my hand slid from his neck and down his chest. I rocked my hips, making my clit rub over his erection. " And you are very hard," I purred, gazing at him seductively as I thrust my hips.

His cock jerked in agreement, and I responded with a wicked smile. His hands moved to my hips and increased the pressure and momentum. I moaned my pleasure and ground against him, all the while keeping eye contact. Sexy. As. Hell.

"I want to see your rapture," he demanded and moved us so that I could rest my back against the shower wall.

Alex palmed my breast and at the same time, slid a finger inside me. I arched my back, and my muscles clamped down. "More," I gasped.

Instead of complying, Alex pulled his hips away, taking his cock with him. "I want to watch. Show me what you need." He inserted another finger even as he said that. It wasn't enough. I wanted him to shove me against the tile wall and take me. Wanting to explore new territory with him, I lifted one hand to a breast and the other slowly traveled down my stomach. I didn't stop until it reached the small thatch of hair between my legs. I swirled a finger against my clit and moaned, keeping my eyes locked on his.

The need went nuclear in his eyes. My heart pounded a drumbeat against my chest thinking about how much he liked this. "Yes, that's it, touch yourself," he encouraged as he slid his fingers in and out of my body.

"I'm so close," I panted, rubbing faster.

He pushed my hand aside and took over. "You're beautiful when you climax," he said right as my orgasm washed over me.

I grabbed his face, pulling his lips to mine. The kiss was feverish as our tongues and teeth collided. My body tingled from the top of my head to the tips of my painted toenails. Every orgasm was like that with him. And it left me wanting more.

I dropped my gaze to Alex's erection when he stepped under the spray. He offered me a hand. I slid a wet palm into his and joined him. I ran my hands up his chest and over his shoulders. Leaning forward, my tongue snaked out and licked his flat nipple. He shuddered when I nipped the hard nub. His cock jerked, and he growled, "Fucking hell, you're killing me."

I chuckled and continued. His deep groan vibrated against my body. "But what a way to die," I replied as I looked up at him.

"I can't think of anything better," he agreed and wrapped his arms around my back. His pelvis thrust against my lower stomach. I wanted to arch into it but didn't want to stop teasing him. When I persisted, he gave me a look right before he twisted my nipple. I bit his flesh harder when it made the aftershocks of my climax ripple faster.

I had to lift my head because I was panting now. "How did you do that? Have you been hiding your fae powers from me?" My words were breathy and made me sound like a sex kitten. Not something I'd ever been before.

He smirked and then his lips fused to mine. Alex was the best kisser known to man. His tongue teased mine for several seconds before he sucked on my lower lip. Between the hot water and his kisses, my head got fuzzy, and it felt like I was floating on a cloud of sexual bliss. "I'm drunk off you," I muttered against his mouth.

"I could say the same thing ," Alex moaned as he grabbed my ass and rubbed his length through my folds.

"I think I'm addicted to you. I can't get enough," I panted. My heartbeat echoed in my ears, and I struggled to catch my breath.

"I guarantee I'm the addict. I'm going to explode if I don't get inside you," he groaned as his hips rocked back and forth, coating his length in my juices.

"Then what are you waiting for?" I asked and then yelped when I felt the spongy tip press against my opening.

"Is that better?" Alex asked as he picked me up.

I wrapped my legs around his hips, and he thrust into me to the hilt. It was jarring and sent a hint of pain shooting through me. It was quickly replaced by desire when his hand slipped between our bodies and across my clit. That magnetic pull to him was in high gear and swept me away. Everything around us disappeared. All I knew was him pounding into my welcoming body as his lips paid homage to my breasts.

Lavender eyes penetrated my soul as he glided in and out of my body. I sucked in a breath when his shaft pulsed and throbbed inside me. His finger pressed on my clit as well. He slid out and then back inside, deeper than before. He elicited a feral sound from me with that move. Holding my gaze, he wrapped a fist around my hair and reclaimed my mouth. His kiss was so passionate I was on the verge of another orgasm in seconds.

I broke away when I had to catch my breath. His lips never left my skin as he nibbled my neck and shoulder. His thrusts were that perfect mix of hard and soft. This man knew how to make me feel good. His eyes were on fire as he looked at me. It was my only warning before he started using his fae powers.

Something in his groin turned his shaft into the best vibrator on the market. He tugged my hair as his thrusts intensified. I gave myself to him completely. That was all it took to make me shatter around him. He followed me a second later. I loved how he always held my gaze and bared his teeth as his seed left him in an explosive rush.

As my arousal faded, my body went boneless, and I laid my head on his shoulder. "I'm too tired to move."

Chuckling, he set me down. "I've got you," he said.

His hands were rubbing soap into my hair before I managed to open my eyes. I let him wash and condition my hair and then my body. I stood under the rain showerhead while he soaped himself and got clean. I could have fallen asleep on my feet if he hadn't dried me off and tugged me to his big bed.

The second he had the covers back, I crawled onto the soft mattress. Alex spooned me from behind and murmured, "Go to sleep. You can find Shannon's soul tomorrow."

"I know," I said and twined my fingers with his over my stomach .

I closed my eyes, expecting to go right to sleep. That didn't happen. Alex was out within a few minutes, but I sat there thinking everything through. My mind still buzzed from our intimacy which led to worrying about Shannon. I was in the middle of praying the Soul Compass would be easy to find when a sudden vision washed over me like a tidal wave crashing against the shore.

If these visions were going to be a regular thing, I needed a better transition from what I was doing to them. In the haze of my mind's eye, I saw Artemis. She was no longer being tormented by Apollo's cruel hand. Instead, she was trapped somewhere. I couldn't see much in the room except what looked like wooden walls. When I tried to see more my view moved outside.

My sarcasm bubbled up within me. It left a bitter taste lingering on my tongue as I grappled with the absurdity of the situation. Of course, even in my most vulnerable moments, the universe saw fit to throw me a curveball. It just had to remind me that the path to victory was never straightforward.

Artemis, the fierce and untamed goddess was reduced to a prisoner. It shouldn't have even been possible. It had to have taken someone powerful to make her this vulnerable. And yet, there was a sense of inevitability to it all. As if the threads of fate had woven themselves into an inescapable web, ensnaring us all in its intricate design.

If Artemis was trapped, then it was up to us to set her free. No matter the cost or the obstacles in our path. It was a drive I couldn't ignore. There was nothing I could do until I got some rest, so I snugged into Alex. His presence was a comforting anchor in the storm of uncertainty. He and my friends would help with this new hurdle.