Shadows from the Past - Book 2 of To Be Claimed By Her

Chapter 9

North

The house had been eerily quiet without Gabe and Loki around. Queen wandered the halls, as if in a fog most days. Brandon and I got the idea to plan a relaxing picnic to lighten her spirits.

"Come on Firecracker, the water isn't that cold," Brandon said as she hesitated on the edge of the small creek that ran through the trees. He was already in the middle and up to his waist in water. It wasn't deep, just enough to splash around in and have fun. Orria told us the location didn't even exist until about a hundred years ago as if the land knew it would be needed. The fact that Faire is a living thing, not just a place still amazed me at times.

Queen dipped her toes in the water and squealed, "It is too cold, mo spréach!" I laughed as I came up behind her, grabbing her around her waist. "North, don't you..." Too late. I'd already crashed into the shallow waters with her in my arms, splashing as much as possible. She gave me a harsh look, but with the amount of water on her, she looked more like a pissed-off kitten. "North Benjamin Taylor, I'm going to get you," she growled as Brandon and I laughed.

"Sorry, Queen, but it was too good to pass up," I chuckled as she still clung to my arms. "And so is this," I grinned as I lowered us both into the water. Her squeals filled the air as I made sure she got soaked. She was sputtering and slapping at my chest but also had a huge grin on her face. "I've missed that smile," I told her as I pressed my lips to hers.

Brandon came closer as we caged her between us and began covering her pale skin in kisses. Her fingertips grazed over our bodies, touching, squeezing as if she were trying to memorize us. She tensed, moaning loudly as Brandon thrust inside of her. I watched them for a few moments, lost in their beauty. No matter how many years passed, I was still madly in love with both of them. His blue eyes met mine and he grinned, crooking his finger at me. I returned his grin and began to guide my cock inside her core alongside him. She gripped our arms and moaned against my chest as we began to thrust faster.

"Please," she begged, "mo spréach, mo chosantóir, I need to cum."

"Mmm, cum for us, beautiful," Brandon moaned as I felt him begin to tighten as well. Our cries filled the air as she clamped around us, sending us over the edge with her. We stood, panting for a few moments, then slid out of her warmth and carried her to the blanket we had set out earlier. He placed kisses on her face and laughed, "I think Luke's right, Firecracker. Dessert should be enjoyed before dinner." Her cheeks flamed as she playfully swatted at his arm.

We spent the remainder of the afternoon, sipping wine, eating, and allowing ourselves a few moments of happiness.

Eveleen

"Sean, can you come look at North? Something isn't right," I asked as I tugged at his arm. He followed me to the bedroom where Brandon sat cradling North's head in his lap. My protector looked pale and sweaty as Brandon stroked his dark hair. His breathing seemed labored as well.

Sean started looking over him, his hands glowing. "How long has this been going on?" he asked.

"I...it started yesterday morning," North rasped.

"I think we need to get Nyx or Jace," Sean said with a worried tone. "I can't find anything wrong, but then again, he isn't really living so my magic may not work properly."

"Well, you heard him!" I screamed, "Get your damn asses here now!"

The room darkened as Nyx appeared, "What are you screaming about Eveleen?" Without a word, I pointed to North. A panicked expression instantly covered her face.

"When did he ingest the blood?" she demanded.

"He drank from Brandon and me both a couple of days ago. Is that what you mean?" I asked.

She held her hand to his head, then began looking over his entire body, "No, not your blood, the dead blood. When did he drink it?"

Brandon and I looked at her in confusion. "Nyx, what are you talking about?" he asked her.

Nyx ripped North's shirt open to show dark spidery tendrils like the ones Erebus had given me running along his body, getting closer to his heart. "He's been poisoned with dead blood. Vampires need blood from a living host to survive. Somehow, he drank dead blood, and if it reaches his heart..." Her words dropped off.

"Wait, you said he was immortal? Surely he can survive this," Sean asked.

She frowned, "Yes he can, but there's a cost." She looked at me with regret. "I need to take him away, to the Void. Time stops there. It will give Jace and me a chance to cleanse his system of the dead blood before it reaches his heart."

"Why, why can't you do that now?" My voice shook as I asked, afraid of the answer.

"A poisoning like this can take centuries to heal, Eveleen. I'm sorry. If he's in the Void, it will help speed up the process hopefully." She took my hand in hers. "Say your goodbyes quickly. Time is of the essence."

My hands were shaking as I sat next to Brandon. "The others are already coming, Firecracker," he whispered to me. Soon all of them were in the room as Luke sat next to us, with Silas at the foot of the bed.

North gave us a weak smile, "Hey, no tears. I'll be back soon, my loves."

Brandon and I pressed kisses to his face as I tried to stop my sobs when Nyx placed a protective shield over him and chanted. A loud pop sounded as they vanished and I screamed when I saw the mask where his body had been.

Luke snatched it up and growled as he read it, "Stars shine, stars fade, even Northstars." He ripped the mask in half and threw his head back letting out a mournful howl as my eyes fell to mine and Brandon's marks. Just like Victor's - North's mark was now gone.

Author's Notes:  Fourth one taken, but only the second one they've realized so far.  Who do you think is next?