Dark Flame (Flame 3)

Ready when you are, Juliet. Even telepathically, his voice sounded resonant and had a husky edge she knew extremely well.

She looked away from him, leaning her head against his shoulder. She closed her eyes and began her descent. From years of practice, it didn’t take long to arrive in the dreamglide. At the same time, she felt herself falling physically. As Brannick had promised, he caught her up in his powerful arms and now cradled her.

But the moment she entered the dreamglide, Brannick’s voice was suddenly in her head. Juliet, hold up. I’m getting something. I can feel that I’m supposed to be with you. I’m going to sit on the floor and join you. Fergus will stand guard.

Okay.

Because the dreamglide for the present occupied the same space behind the row of planters, she watched Brannick sit down against the wall and arrange her body to lean against him. Fergus moved to stand at Brannick’s feet his Glock in his hand.

The moment he closed his eyes, however, he appeared right next to her in the dreamglide.

She actually jumped. You’re here?

I am.

Juliet had never been more stunned. What was happening between herself and Brannick that he could be in a place only the most powerful fae could achieve?

When he turned toward her, however, she realized this wasn’t the Brannick in a half-conscious state sitting on the floor. Instead, this was the man who had been her lover for months.

He held out his arms to her. Come to me, Juliet. I’m sorry my conscious self is being such a pain. I’m doing my best to work through my shit, but right now I’m here, nothing held back.

She gave a cry and within the dreamglide leaped into his arms. He held her tight, then kissed her, a thorough, familiar exploration of her mouth that had her writhing against him, her arms encircling his neck.

He kissed her chin and her neck, suckling lightly on her throat. Her heart swelled about twice its size. Brann, I’ve missed this. And you really don’t like me to call you by that name.

He kept kissing her throat and her neck. I’m an idiot, what can I say.

She had so many questions, though. She drew back, but couldn’t quite bring herself to let go of him.

Now that he was in the dreamglide with her, they could talk, really talk, voices and all. His face took on a familiar affectionate expression, and he smiled as he looked at her hair. “I love your curls. Have I told you that?”

“Yes, many times.”

He played with one of the tendrils close to her face, then met her gaze. “Again, I’m sorry my conscious self is so resistant.”

“I think I get it. The dreamglide is a safe place for me as much as it is for you. The real world isn’t. But your ability to be here with me so easily is stunning. How are you here?”

“It’s the sharing of powers and something more. I bring my vampire strength to everything that’s fae.”

He glanced around and released his hold on her. She could feel his sudden tension. “What is it, Brann?”

“Roche. I can feel him moving at the edge of our dreamglide. He knows we’re in the Village now, so we need to get a move on. The thing is, I’m not sure I can create the dreamglide. I can be here, right now, with you, but what we do is up to you, at least for now.”

“I think I understand.” She let her fae energy flow. “I’ll focus on Mary.”

Brannick nodded as she created an image of Mary within her mind. The fae female wasn’t hard to locate. She called to her and because Mary had a lot of ability as well, she quickly entered Juliet’s dreamglide.

Mary, wearing a loose, beige smock, hugged her. “You found me. Oh, thank God.”

Mary released her then offered her hand to Brannick. “And you’ve come as well, Officer Brannick. Thank you so much, though I won’t pretend I can understand how you’re here.”

Mary was tall and quite beautiful, a blond with light brown eyes. She could have been a model in her human form; instead, she’d been a veterinarian. Even in Five Bridges, she’d had a thriving practice. She also owned several cats and birds, most of them rescues. She didn’t care for alter wolves, though. As a part-human, part-animal form, she thought them disgusting.

Brannick said, “Roche tried to trade you for Juliet. We’re here to get you out.”

Mary’s lips compressed. “He’s every vile thing that’s wrong with Five Bridges, and I loathe him.”

What Juliet noticed right away were the dark teal flame marks on her throat and cheeks as well as the dull light in her eyes. “You won’t be able to rescue me,” Mary added. “I’m in a heavily guarded jail cell. Roche has dozens of security personnel.”