7 Chapter 7

The Ebony Dagger was truly a sight to behold. It was immaculate to say the least. A long ten inch blade that looked as if it were forged by some ancient being, sat perched on a handle that was as black as the darkest of night's. It was wrapped in black leather that had obviously seen many battles. Though you could tell the dagger was no stranger to bloodshed it still managed to look breath taking.

We admired it for only a moment though, Dumask quickly made easy work of removing all of Beliad's memories of the night. He then used a heavy sleeping charm when he started to awaken and out like a light he was again. The plan was to save Jaxon then after everything was over we would assemble at the dining table just like we had been before, we would go through a fake meeting and adjourn late into the night leaving many question's and planting many false ideas in Beliad's head, we would also plant a fake Ebony Dagger in his holster.

With any luck everything will work out and no-one will end up dead in a ditch somewhere...I hope. We fastened Beliad back into his chair so he couldn't escape, though Dumask was fairly certain the sleeping charm wouldn't wear off any time soon we still didn't want to take any chances. Just as we were finishing up with his ropes we heard the buzz of my intercom, someone was at the gate.

"That'll be Treya then. I'll go 'en let'er in." Hamesh said as he turned to leave. Trilla went with him. Funny, I wonder how long he's been secretly in love with her.

"From the looks of thing's I'd say he's loved her for a long, long time."

"I'm not sure I'll ever get used to your mental intrusions." I joked.

"Oh they're intrusions now? I seem to recall a certain someone, only moment's earlier tonight, "intruding" into my thought's."

"Well maybe you shouldn't think said thought's so...loudly."

He smiled and rolled his eye's at my lack of banter etiquette. He was so handsome and charming. I almost forgot there was a deranged psychopath hunting me down and putting bounties on my head all over the Black Forest.My smile faded as I looked up to see Hamesh, Trilla and Treya enter the room.

"Treya." I said as I nodded myacknowledgment.

"Redalia, Dumask." she replied.

"It's been a long time Treya, thank you for doing this." Dumask explained what we were about to do and Treya, as I had guessed she would, agreed to help.

"When that thing comes out of him it'll be on a sort of auto pilot. They aren't used to being forced out of their host's body. It'll go to whatever living thing is closest to it that has a dark spot on it's soul. So everyone will need to be inside the protection circle when it comes out to play. Got it?"

We nodded in unison. Conall and I lead everyone except Leona up stairs, she was to watch over Beliad until we had finished the deed. No matter how hard I try I don't think I'll ever be able to forget the feeling of absolute terror that came over me as we began our ascent up to the room Conall had locked Jaxon in. My heart beat so wild and fast I felt as if I'd have a heart attack before we ever made it to the room. Conall squeezed my hand reassuringly.

Sadly though, it didn't help much. I mean seriously, the last couple nights had been so friggin weird! I get attacked by a Bear Shifter, find out the legends are true and I'm the soul-mate to the true Wolf Prince, learn I have half of an ancient Healing Stone inside my heart that apparently is the reason Doran want's me dead so badly, and oh let's not forget the whole wanting to jump Conall's bones almost every ten minutes thanks to this crazy animal magnetism, attraction thing we have going on.

OH and lest we forget! My best friend and guardian has a friggin SHADE inhabiting his body!

"Mo Ghra, We'll get the Shade out and he'll be fine after some healing."

"Conall!"

"It's hard not to listen in when your practically screaming at yourself in your own mind Mo Chroi. You should really go easy on yourself. You didn't ask to be the Red Wolf Queen. It was thrust upon you before you were ever even born. It is our destiny to save our people, together."

I looked over and smiled slightly. He knew how to calm me, but now we were standing in front of the door to Jaxon. I stared at the door knob, willing my hand to raise and twist it. But it wouldn't, no matter how hard I tried I just couldn't bring myself to open the door. I closed my eye's, took a deep breath then opened them again.

"You are the Dearg Mac Tire Banrion! You have fought countless evil's before, and over come great odds to survive and be here today. Now straighten your back, grab that knob and start acting like the highly trained and skilled assassin you are!" I whispered to myself through gritted teeth.

I grabbed the knob and twisted. As the door opened and our sight was cast upon Jaxon, I gasped and nearly fell backwards. Jaxon's body was covered in cut's. Some were deep gashes that gave way to flowing rivers of red whilst others were more like harsh cat scratches that were just bad enough to make him bleed a little.

I ran inside the room and tried to stop the bleeding from the worst of the gashes. Conall was right behind me followed by Dumask then everyone else. Dumask recited and incantation and Jaxon's wounds began to heal. Suddenly he lifted his head and looked me straight in the eye.

"Red? Red help me! Please help me. He said he was going to kill me when he came back. Please untie me! We have to go!"

"What? Who said they would kill you?"

"The Shade, he's gone to report back to Doran. He said he'd be back before the night was out though, come on we have to hurry!"

"Mo Chori, I don't trust this."

"What do you know?! You don't even know her! We've been together most of our lives! Remember when I saved you down by the river when you fell in? You were 10 remember? I jumped in and saved your life, I caught pneumonia because of that! I'm telling you Red it's me! It's your Jax!"

"Redalia, Shade's have the power to see into the host's memories." Dumask reminded me.

"Treya, you know Shade's the best. Can they leave their host's by choice?" He asked.

"It is rare, very rare, BUT it is possible."

"There you see..." Jaxon spat.

"HOWEVER..." she continued. "...we have a sure fire way of telling if the Shade still inhabits him."

A dark smile slowly crept across her face as she moved to stand directly in front of my guardian. He eyed her suspiciously as she retrieved a dagger from it's holster on he back. She brought it around to face him, twirling it with ease before bringing it to a halt directly in front of him. She then turned it so that he could see the side of the long, Elven shaped blade. His eyes widened for only a second but I caught it. He was scared all of a sudden. He took to the defensive.

"You mean to kill me just to prove I still have a Shade inside me?! What kinda shit is that?!"

"I'm not going to kill you. This blade was made by the great Elven Smith of the Black Forrest before his death. Upon it's sides you will notice it is inscribed with the ancient Elven runes that not only extract.....but also eradicate. All I must do is simply touch Jaxon's skin over his heart and the Shade will be pulled from his body like the leech it is. Granted we will not be able to question it afterwards, what with it being annihilated and all but I say it's a small price to pay. Ultimately the decision rests with you, Mo bhanríon."

It made no sense, I was lead to believe there was no other way to draw out a shade then to kill the host. I stood, all eye's on me. I couldn't help but feel like something wasn't right. Then it hit me! DUH, she's lying! She's trying to get him to talk! Had I payed attention I would have noticed those aren't the REAL runes for extraction and eradication! I chanced a second glance at her blade, she shifted her hand ever so slightly so as to give me a better look. I had learned ancient Elven when I was only a child, I loved to read in the big library at THE ELITE H.Q.

No one else saw it but I knew in that moment she knew I had caught on to the play. I gave a nod, barely noticeable by any except Conall. Of course he noticed. (EXTREMELY perceptive, that one.) Before I had a chance to reach out to him I began to feel his voice warmly slipping into my head. It always felt so nice and comforting when he was inside my noggin.

"Care to let me in on the game? I know for a fact those runes do not mean what she claims they mean."

"Hey, how do you know ancient Forest Elven?"

"Ahh Mo Chori how quickly you forget, I'm a prince. I know much about the world and it's languages."

I made a mental note to pick his brain later about a few phrases in the ancient tongue I was curious about.

"She is making him believe if she touches him with that blade he'll die a horrible death. What I'm worried about is, what if he tries to test her? What if he's just all like, Go ahead bitches. What then?"

"What do you propose we do then my dear?"

Ohhh I love when the shivers run up my spine every time he call's me pet names. RED FOCUS!! I mentally slap myself, he apparently noticed that last little comment because I heard the faint gruff of a chuckle in my head.

"Ok, I have a plan just roll with me and whatever you do don't mention the Ebony Dagger."

"Whatever you say Mo Ghra."

"No." I said in a low voice.

Theimmense look of relief on Jaxon's face was enough to tell me the Shade was still inside him. I lowered my eye's and began my best "sniffling" and "sobbing" routine. Then I straightened my back and moved to stand beside Treya. I placed one hand on her blade an gently helped her lower it as I placed my free hand upon her shoulder and gave it a firm squeeze as I looked her in the eye.

"We can't take the chance the Shade will escape after being pulled free of Jaxon. He wouldn't be able to live with himself if we all died because of him. I'll take care of this."

I winked, the turned around to face Jaxon. I called upon the ancient powers inside me.

"Dumask, the circle please. Everyone get inside it once he has it done."

A moment later Dumask has the circle drawn and the incantation spoken. Conall comes to stand beside me, he takes my hand as he stares at Jaxon and suddenly I feel a surge of power unlike any I've ever felt before. I knew in that instance it was the ancient power of the Wolven. It was deeply rooted in Earth Magic.

My arms and hands began to crackle with blue electricity, I glanced over to Conall and to my surprise he too is crackling with power. Thin, blue, lightning bolts are coursing all over his skin as he stares straight ahead, never averting his eye's from Jaxon's now terror stricken face. I look deep into Jaxon's eyes but all I see is black. Suddenly the warm silk returns to my brain.

"Now what my love?"

"Now...we scare the hell outta him! Think you can amp it up?"

"Oh, Mo Ghra...this is not even a fraction of my power. Hold tight love, this is going to get bright and loud."

Before I knew it his grip on my hand tightened and the power that hit me all at once took my breath away. I quickly composed myself and let the waves wash over me. It felt so amazing, so rejuvenating and freeing to have all that power just pulsing through me!

For a moment I almost forgot what we were doing, but a quick look at my surrounding's reminded me and in an instant I was back into my role of distraught bff. I looked down on Jaxon with as much sorrow in my gaze as I could muster.

"The real Jaxon wouldn't want to go on living with a Shade inside him. Conall, we have to end him."

"Yes, I agree. Though I didn't know him well I believe he cared for you and would want you to do what you feel is best. Shall I do it for you?"

"No, I'll do it. Since Jaxon can no longer feel, the pain we inflict will only phase the Shade. Thankfully they can not leave the host body unless the host dies. I knew he was lying earlier, he thought I was an idiot but it look's like the joke is on you Shade."

Jaxon's face twisted up in disgust and fear.

"Be ready with the Ebony Blade, when it leaves his body plunge it into Jaxon's heart. It'll lock him outta his body. Treya will catch him as he tries to escape."

"Got it!"

"You idiot's! I'm no more ted to this pathetic meat bag as the wind is tied to the tree's. I move between humans and beasts as though I'm changing clothes! You will all die after Doran find's out about you two!" he spat at Conall and myself.

With that Jaxon's body convulsed towards the ceiling, his back arched, his eye's rolled, the Shade was emerging. I recited the protection incantation as Conall lunged forward with the Ebony Dagger. As soon as the Shade had pulled free of Jaxon, Conall plunged the dagger into his heart. I quickly grabbed Conall and jerked him inside the barrier Dumask had created.

The Shade gave out a horrific shriek as he realized he had been duped. He tried to enter Jaxon but failed, then he turned on us and charged the barrier but it held fast. Seeing he had no other option he opted to flee but Treya quickly threw her bag to the floor and released the contents onto the floor behind a large luggage crate. The Shade was growing frantic now, desperate to escape. He spied movement in the corner and smiled wickedly.

"You're all going to die once I get back to my master!"

Then he dove towards the corner of the room. Treya was ready, the rat she had released from her bag had been bound by a rope of twine. She jerked it back towards her and grabbed the flailing creature. Quickly she covered it's face in a cloth and snapped it's neck while Dumask recited a binding spell. Once we were al sure it was safe, Dumask lowered the barrier. I ran to Jaxon's body and quickly pulled the dagger from his chest, as I waited for him to breathe I heard Dumask and Treya behind me.

"You must keep the face covered. He is bound inside the body but should the face become uncovered he will escape. You must cut each limb from the rats body and burn each piece separately. All except the head. It must be blessed in a spring running off the mountain then plunged in oil and burned. Can you handle that?"

"Trilla and Hamesh can do it. She knows the blessings and he can help. Hamesh, Trilla, do as Treya has instructed. Do not falter or we may release the evil back into the world and he would surly find his way back to his master. Now, once Redalia has Jaxon squared away I want him taken home. Then we have to follow the plan as before. Do not forget the snake that sits below our very feet. We must put on a good show for him."

Just then Jaxon inhaled sharply. He blinked several times then looked up at me. His smile was weak.

"Well hey Red. Whats shaken, aside from my intestines."

"Oh you big idiot. Are you ok? You had a pretty damn rough night."

"Yeah, yeah I know all about it."

I looked at Conall in shock. Everyone became very silent and still. We looked on at Jaxon. He stared back at up quizzically.

"What?"

"How do you know what happened? We were lead to believe you were dormant inside your own mind."

"Oh, yeah I was, at least for a little while. I came too earlier while you had me locked in here alone. I saw a black shadow looking thing pacing the floor in front of me. I kept my head low and stayed quiet until I could figure a way outta this mess, then I heard him talking to himself. He was scared, he didn't know what Doran would do to him if he failed in his mission. He wanted to leave but kept complaining about not being able to actually leave my body for very long. Eventually he'd have had to of gone back inside me. Apparently..." Treya cut him off.

"Shade's can go outside the host body but they can't actually leave it for too long. I'd heard tales....but never thought they were more than that." she rubbed the back of her neck.

"Jaxon, are you alright? Really?" I asked.

"Yeah Red, I'm Ok. I really need a shower and something to eat though, and if you could untie me that'd be just swell." he laughed.

"Oh, yeah! Sooo about that.....it's not exactly rope that we bound you with."

".....What?"

"Yeah, it's just that...well, tape is what I had on hand."

"Tape?! As in Duct Tape? Oh damn it Red!"

"I'm sorry! But normal people don't have rope just lying around all willy nilly."

"WHAT about us is normal Redalia?! Ugh....ok just rip it off...like a band-aide."

"Ok, Ok sheesh. You don't have to be such a grump."

"Really? Really Red?"....riiiiiip..."OOOOWWWWWW WHAT THE...."

"Only about 1000 more to go!" I smiled at him.

I quickly set to work with Conall, un-taping Jaxon from the chair. After getting him up and walking he decided he could drive home by himself. He swore he'd have Alexandria text me to let me know he was Ok. I let him leave only after he looked me in the eyes and swore, again, to have her text me, then he kissed my head, shook Conall's hand whilst uttering something I'm guessing only Conall could hear based on his facial expression, then he left.

We quickly set about cleaning up and replacing ourselves at the dining room table as if nothing had happened. Dumask snapped Beliad awake with a quick flick of his wrist and we proceeded about our plan for the rest of the evening. Doing just as we had agreed upon, we laid the seed's of deception in Beliad's mind as well as a false Ebony Dagger in his sheath.

Treya had forged the fake dagger using some old magic from her Earth Elf Powers. After a very long evening we finally bid goodnight to everyone and ended the meeting. When we were in the clear and everyone was gone Conall and I made quick work of the dishes via the dishwasher and practically bolted upstairs to see who could get the first hot shower before bed.

He beat me up the stairs but I maneuvered the hallway better and ended up inside the threshold of my bedroom only a fraction of a second before him. I sauntered off to the bathroom, pride swelling my ego with every step. I could hear him muttering something about me being a dirty cheat under his breath and abruptly did an about face! His head swung towards me then a smile inched it's way across his beautiful features.

He knew I'd heard him. I slanted my eyes at him then turned and walked inside the bathroom, turned on the water in the shower and waltzed back to the door where I leaned against the door frame. Conall's smile never faltered as he began to remove his jacket, shirt and then his pant's and socks. His peck's were taut and bulging as he moved. He then stretched upwards and laid himself back on my king size bed.

He laced his fingers behind his head and raised an eyebrow at me. I glared at him, then decided two could play at thatgame. I turned slowly and crossed my arms in front of me as I very slowly slid the dress up my body. Once I was free of its constraints I tossed it on top of the chair closest to my bathroom door. I watched his reflection in the mirror as his eye's roved all over me. I relished in the fact he was so drawn to me.

After removing everything down to my birthday suit I sauntered over to the shower and slowly stepped under the waterfall of heat. Every muscle in my body ached for Conall to touch it, after a moment I thought I'd have to switch to a cold shower just to calm myself down but thought better of it. I quickly washed my hair and scrubbed my body until I was covered from head to toe in a pink sheer.

I turned off the water, grabbed my towel from the rack and stepped out onto my lush bath mat. Once I was fairly dry and had my towel dried hair pinned up on my head I wrapped myself in the fluffy, black, cotton robe that hung on the back of my door and exited the bathroom. Moonlight shown through the window as I made my way to the bed. Conall immediately jumped up and headed for the bathroom.

"Any body wash that doesn't smell like a woman?"

"Nope, sorry Jaxon didn't leave any after his last visit."

"Well, why don't you try making me some?"

I looked at him and cocked an eyebrow. Well that's a strange request. He chuckled at my attempt to look offended.

"Think of a scent you'd like me to smell like. Concentrate on it, see the bottle clearly in your mind. Got it?"

I thought of a scent I really, really liked, mmm Kilo by Axe or wait...maybe that one with the polo guy on the front of the box. Oh it smelled soooo good. I'd stumbled upon this particular scent while shopping for Jaxon's Christmas present at the mall last year. I focused in on the scent I wanted then flicked my fingers at the bathroom wall. I felt the bottle materialize instantly.

"Now there is." I said ecstatically!

I could get used to this new power!

"How'd I do that?"

"It's because we fused our powers together, you now have some of mine and I have some of yours. We share them as one. I can see your Aura now. It's a magnificent shade of violet trimmed in gold and neon blue."

I smiled at him as he turned and went back inside the bathroom to shower. I liked being able to flick my finger's and have whatever I wanted just appear. I heard the shower burst to life and a second later I heard Conall's deep Irish voice reciting what I could only figure was an ancient Celtic tune. I took the opportunity to blow dry my unruly hair.

I used to think having kinky curly hair was a curse but as I grew older and learned how to manage it, it became a blessing in disguise. Men seemed to be very attracted to curly haired vixens with Violet eyes and they would pay big bucks to sit and talk to me all night at my bar. I became overwhelmed with the memories of some of the stories those men had told me.

Such sadness lay inside most of them. Broken hearts or broken homes, all over the very poison I so willingly provided to them. But in all honesty, that was my job. It takes money to survive in this world. Though it was my job to sell them the alcohol and liquor, I sometimes couldn't help but send out a calming aura to a few particularly sad patron's. My thought's were interrupted when a strong hand wrapped itself around my face and turned me towards the opposite side of my bed.

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"Mind if I interrupt?"

I smiled. "You, can always interrupt."

"You look sad Mo Ghra, are you alright? I know today was very challenging. If you wish it, I'd be happy to simply hold you while we slept."

I could tell he meant what he said, but I was wound tighter than a fiddle string and was in desperate need of some release. I smiled coyly at him as I turned and gathered myself on all fours before plopping down with my legs tucked under me. I proceeded to slide the robe off my shoulders slowly. I let it free fall only to gather in a pool around my waist. I lowered my eyes so he couldn't read my intimidation and frankly, my nervousness.

I felt the gentleness of his hand caress my cheek before it pulled my face up to look directly into his almost glowing, emerald eyes.

"Redalia, never be nervous when you are with me. Your love is the only reason my heart beats, your beauty is unsurpassed by any, to me. Your laugh, your smile, your heart....You are the only woman I will ever love, the only one I will ever be with from this day forward. We are two....." I finished his sentence without even thinking about what I was doing.

"...that make one." I said as I lifted my gaze to meet his.

"I love you, Redalia. One day, I know you will be able to truly love me in return."

I stared into his eyes, searching for any sign of false intentions, any glimmer of a lie, but none were to be found. This man who sits before me genuinely loved me. His aura shone brightly to me now. It was an array of intertwined colors. Pinks and greens danced and swam with blues and golds and purples. He was truly in love, not lust but possibly REAL love and it was all for me.

I had known from the moment I saw him in the parking lot of my bar, The Dark Horse, he was the man I was meant to be with. Covered in blood, half unconscious, but still there was something that kept drawing me to him. From the moment my hand had touched his fur as he brushed passed me in his wolf form to the moment he saved my life by nearly ending his own to remove a poisoned claw from my back, I knew we were meant to be.

I fought it this whole time, only half letting myself believe the stories and prophecies, trying to brush off the need that burned inside me whenever he was around, yet here we are. Sitting on my bed nearly naked and all he can do is care about my needs and whether or not I know how he feels about me. I know how he feel's now it's time I told him how I feel.

"Conall from the first moment you brushed my hand at the bar I felt....something. At first I was unsure, but as we spent more time together the feeling began to grow and blossom. I know what it is. I've known all along. But.....I'm scared, Conall, and I don't scare easy. I can hold my own in any situation, except situations of the heart. I want to tell you something."

He nodded and gave a small encouraging smile as he sat up and turned his body to mirror mine.

"Conall, I....that is I....uhh..well...." Why is this so hard to admit?!

"Redalia, you don't have to..."

"I think I love you."

It was as if a great weight had lifted off of my shoulder's. I felt light as a feather as I smiled up at Conall's beaming face. He grabbed me and pulled me into a bear hug as he flopped backwards onto his back the rolled on top of me. We both laid there just laughing and smiling. Suddenly I felt the slight dampness of a tear slide down beside my eye and into my hairline above my ear. Conall gently wiped it away and chuckled.

Then he lowered his head and kissed me. The kiss started off slow and sweet but the longer his lips lingered the more I wanted them. Like a starved dog at Thanksgiving dinner. I began running my hands along his taut, muscled body. He deepened the kiss then. I tangled my fingers in his thick, chocolate hair and pulled him into me. One hand braced beneath us while his other slid beneath what remained of the robe around my waist. His expert fingers found their target.

I began to moan slightly as he rubbed the mound just beneath the flesh between my thighs. As he quickened his pace I began to arch my back and gyrate with him. I could feel his erection against my leg, I released his mouth to suck in a deep breath of air. He took the freedom from my lips in stride as he quickly latched on to my pink, tight little nipple. I moaned again and threw my head back as he licked and sucked then licked and nipped at the sensitive peak.

Just when I thought I could take no more he threw my robe to the ground , along with his. He pulled back the thick comforter and placed us both beneath it. Then he settled himself on top of me, his eyes bore holes deep into my soul as he readied himself for penetration. I opened my legs to him and welcomed all of him inside me.

He slowly began thrusting, trying to ease himself inside. He moaned and stopped once or twice but then picked right back up where he left off. Not even missing a beat. I was stretched to my limit but I didn't care. I wanted all of him. I slid my hands down his body until I reached his tight ass, I gripped each cheek firmly and helped him thrust even harder.

He moaned in my hair and kissed my neck as he started pumping faster and harder. He grabbed handful's of my hair and pulled my head backwards, exposing my neck to him. He grunted and moaned again and again, it only heightened my experience. He was so big and hard I could barely stand it, I thought I'd lose my mind for sure before the end of our love making. I never wanted it to end. Then I heard him whisper in my ear.

"Redalia...*grunt*...I can't hold out for much longer...."

"Bite me...."

"Mo Ghra, are you sure? You know what that means."

"Oh Conall....Do it! Bite me please. Make me yours and only yours."

"Forever, A stor...."

I felt the bite but what I thought was going to be painful, was actually painless. In fact it was quite....pleasurable! I closed my eyes as I leapt off the edge of my constraints and allowed myself to let go. I clawed at my lovers back as I moaned in a breathless voice that I was climaxing.

I begged Conall to thrust harder and deeper then faster and harder again. A sudden jolt of pure ecstasy flooded my body as I found my release and climaxed. Conall followed suit and did the same. We lay, tangled and dirty once more. Only this time he had bitten me. I was now his and his alone, I was now marked by the Wolf Prince. Breathing heavy and completely at ease and exhausted I ran a lazy hand through Conall's mane. He moved slightly beneath my fingers, then pulled himself up on to his shoulder and smiled at me. I smiled back, then leaned in and let him kiss me.

"You are now and forever will be, Mo shíorghrá."

"Mmm, what's that one mean?" I asked half asleep.

"It means My Eternal Love. We belong to each other now."