“I think a little bit of both,” Clinton replies. “The Morrigan was looking for a victim. I thought she was going to take her and I don’t think the enchantments would have held against her kiss of death. But our girl, she held strong. Conjured up her sword and beat both Hildi and the Darkness.”
Damien raises his eyebrows. “She beat the Darkness?”
“Yes.”
“And conjured her weapon?” I ask. The implications are huge. It may mean that Morgan is strong enough on her own to do this. She may even be strong enough to survive the spell she’s so determined to cast.
“Yes,” Clinton says again. “She’s weak, obviously. It took a lot out of her. But she made it off the mat in one piece and slayed the Valkyrie. The entire crowd was stunned.”
“So they know she’s here,” Bunny asks, pointing out something we’d all been avoiding. “Everyone in the community is aware that she’s alive and what that means.”
“I suspect they’ve known for a while,” I say. “Although now they’ll know for sure and not everyone will want the same outcome we do.”
The five of us stand over her bed, watching her sleep. Thing are going to get harder before they get better. I glace at Sam and say, “Stay with her,” knowing it’s likely she’ll need comfort and sustenance before the night is over.
Chapter Nine
Morgan
I wake, swaddled in warmth, achy and filled with a hunger that burns deep in the pit of my belly. The room is dark but I know it’s mine, the twinkly star lights I hung when I arrived blink over the window. I shift but the cocoon tightens and in my ear I hear, “Slow. You’re injured,” in Sam’s soft, comforting voice.
Eyes closed, I stay in my spot, knowing he’s right. The last thing I remember is killing Hildi, then Clinton’s face. I feel the ache in my cheek and down my ribs. There’s another sensation, the soft caress of fingers along my jaw and fussing in my hair.
I shift just a little, realizing I’m not in the clothes I left in. I feel the soft cotton of a nightgown from my drawer.
“Sue changed you.” It’s as though he’s read my mind. “And cleaned you up.” With my eyes still shut I sink into the sensation of his lips along my ear. “Is this okay?” he asks, gently wrapping an arm around my waist. We’re spooning. He’s the big and I’m the little and relief stretches and groans in my muscles.
“Yeah, that feels nice.”
Sam. Beautiful Sam. With the strong jaw and Jolly Rancher green eyes. With the gorgeous face and kind smile. My friend. The man who has fingers that make my blood boil. Whose kisses bring me peace.
I need him now.
I want him desperately.
I’m hungry.
I’m wounded.
I need everything that he can give me.
“I heard you slayed a Valkyrie,” he says. Some of the pain dissipates when his hands run over my skin.
“She made me mad.”
He laughs. “I bet.”
“And the Morrigan?” he asks.
“I told her to fuck off.” I push my backside closer to him and he snuggles in just the same. I feel the hard length pressing against my back and my belly screams with need.
He lifts my hair and peppers hot kisses along my neck. Each one sends a flare of energy through my body. I’m learning every day the connection between my health, magic, and sex. If I want to be strong I need to be with my Guardians. Right now I need to heal and I’m quite certain he’s aware of my condition.
His hands bunch the nightgown around my waist and his fingers wander down my stomach and between my legs. I reach behind me, feeling for him, and it’s not difficult to find his enlarged cock. He’s clothed and I fumble for the buttons, wanting his skin next to mine.
“I need you to get undressed,” I tell him. “And get back in the bed.”
“Yes, ma’am.” There’s a hint of amusement plus desire in his murmured reply.