Bijou's Cure: Zeke: Strygoi Witches & Vampires, #4

By Ysobel Black

Bijou has one mission — find and destroy the Obayifo who killed her mother. Zeke is a knight who has made Bijou his most important quest. Can they both get everything they want?

 

Twenty years ago, the Obayifo destroyed Bijou's family, leaving her with crushing guilt. She's spent two decades tracking the monster and training for the day of reckoning. It's coming soon, and she can't be distracted with fairy tale love — even by a man who would be her knight in shining armor. He even has the armor — and a warhorse.

 

Zeke has spent over a thousand years trying to reconcile the vampire inside him with the chivalrous knight he's always longed to be. His Dragă has a quest, and he knows something about those. But when she keeps slipping through his fingers, he might have to give in to his darker side to prove fairy tales can be real.

 

When Bijou finally finds her nemesis, she must make heart-wrenching choices, and Zeke can't help — saving his life is one of them.

 

This is a happily-ever-after, fade-to-black-scene soulmate novel with no cheating or cliffhangers. It's a fast-paced story that blends romance, mythology, humor, and adventure. While a little more of the Dragaverse is revealed as the series progresses, the romance in each novel focuses on one couple and can be read as a standalone.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ysobella Black
• Release date: May 5, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223181354

Ysobel Black

I love to travel, read, and think of ways to complicate my characters’ lives. I have two borrowed cats who take shameless advantage of my good nature. Hopefully you find my characters a lot more entertaining than I am. :) If you enjoyed this story, you may be interested to know that I write in several series. While each novel is written for one relationship, features unique mythologies, and can be read as standalone, a little more of that world is revealed and the overall arc of the series grows throughout. I also write two versions of most of my stories. For the sweet/clean versions, read stories by Ysobel Black. If you prefer naughty stories with no fade to black scenes, you'll want to read the versions by Ysobella Black. The best way to find out what’s going on with the series, and me, is to visit my website at https://www.ysobellablack.com. There, you can also check out the wikis and timelines for each series. Or, sign up for the newsletter. https://ysobellablack.com/newsletter/ I send out things like surveys, freebies, contests, and random news about things going on with me that may or may not be interesting.  I love hearing from my readers. Feel free to contact me via my website, or find me on social media. I admit, I don't keep up with posting constantly on one account, much less two, so I don't have separate accounts for my two pen names on most platforms. Twitter - @Ysobellablack Pinterest - ysobellablack Goodreads - ysobellablack or ysobelblack Instagram - @ysobellablackauthor TikTok - @ysobellablack Bookbub - ysobellablack or ysobelblack

Book preview

WORKS BY THE AUTHOR

All of my stories and series, except for Alix in Wonderland and Raven Chronicles, are a different aspect of my Dragaverse, but can be read and enjoyed as standalone.

Stories by Ysobel Black

(Nice/Sweet Versions)

Bakery Street Cozy Mysteries

Paranormal Cozy Mysteries

The Lyrical Lycanthrope

Druids of Bandrui

Immortal Druids search for their Maités

Druid of Oaks

Druid of Apples

Fairy Tales With a Twist

Retellings of fairy tales, myths, and stories you only thought you knew.

The Crimson Hood & the Alpha of Wolves

The Ice Maiden & the Princes of Diamonds

Holiday Hullabaloo

Love in Ashana can be tricky, but twelve days of chaos result in paranormal happily-ever-afters.

A Penghou in a Pine Tree

Two Tatzelwurms

Three French Bêtes

Four Ceffyl Dŵr

Five Golden Wings

Six Grootslangs Playing

Seven Spawns a-Swimming

Eight Maenads Mixing

Nine Lazy Dragons

Ten Swords a-Sneaking

Eleven Pixie Potions

Twelve Lovers Loving

Pohjola Maidens

The Maidens of Pohjola are free, heading for the human world, and looking for love.

Dream's Sleeper: Lemminki

Strygoi Witches & Vampires

Join an Ildum of vampires over 10,000 years of history and mythology as they find their Dragăs — witches who make their hearts beat and restore their souls.

Ember's Light: Stryx

Viktoria's Shadow: Jael

Myth's Legend: Norrix

Bijou's Cure: Zeke

Musette's Fate: Idris

Strygoi Witches & Vampires Companion Stories

Shadowy — Viktoria's prequel (companion novella)

Echo's Answer: Lachlan (companion novel)

COLLECTIONS/BOX SETS

Holiday Hullabaloo

DAYS 1-12

Strygoi Witches & Vampires

COLLECTION ONE, BOOKS 1-4

Stories by Ysobella Black

(Naughty/Steamy Versions)

Alix in Wonderland

A reverse harem (MFMMM) retelling of Alice in Wonderland.

Madness of the Hatter

Bakery Street Mysteries

Paranormal Cozy-ish Mysteries

The Lyrical Lycanthrope

Fairy Tales With a Kink

Retellings of fairy tales, myths, and stories you only thought you knew.

The Crimson Hood & the Alpha of Wolves

The Ice Maiden & the Princes of Diamonds

Grove of Bandrui

Immortal Druids search for their Maités.

Druid of Oaks

Druid of Apples

Harom & Aneja

Witches choose three men to form their Haroms as they become Aneja — Walkers in magic. Reverse Harem (MFMM) 

RealmWalker

BeastWalker

Magical Love in London

Regency London with a Paranormal twist

A Marriage of Inconvenience

Oubliette

Paranormal Short and Steamy Stories

Selkie

Merrow

Pohjola Passions

The Maidens of Pohjola are free, heading for the human world, and looking for love.

Dream’s Sleeper: Lemminki

Raven Chronicles: Phoenix Rising

An epic spanning generations — the battle for the Raven Throne is full of sex, intrigue, and betrayal.

First Generation

Souls Lost & Found

Under a Blue Moon, star-crossed lovers get a second chance for their love to shine.

The Egyptian

Utopia Pack Shifters

A pack of shifters find their Fateds.

Unyielding

Vampires & Strygoi Witches

Join an Ildum of vampires over 10,000 years of history and mythology as they find their Dragăs — witches who make their hearts beat and restore their souls.

Ember’s Light: Stryx

Viktoria’s Shadow: Jael

Myth’s Legend: Norrix

Bijou’s Cure: Zeke

Musette’s Fate: Idris

Vampires & Strygoi Witches Companion Stories

Shadowy — Viktoria's Prequel (Companion Novella)

Echo’s Answer: Lachlan (Companion Novel)

Xuterias: Xov & Xau

Enemies to Lovers Paranormal Romances

Poisoned Heart

Yuletide Yearnings

Short Paranormal Romances about finding love in mystical Ashana.

A Penghou in a Pine Tree

Two Tatzelwurms

Three French Bêtes

Four Ceffyl Dŵr

Five Golden Wings

Six Grootslangs Playing

Seven Spawns a-Swimming

Eight Maenads Mixing

Nine Lazy Dragons

Ten Swords a-Sneaking

Eleven Pixie Potions

Twelve Lovers Loving

12 Days of Chaos Box Set

COLLECTIONS/BOX SETS

Three First in a Series

FATED – Three Firsts

Ember's Light:Stryx

RealmWalker

Poisoned Heart

Five First in a Series

FATED – Five Firsts

Ember's Light:Stryx

The Crimson Hood & the Alpha of Wolves

RealmWalker

Dream's Sleeper: Lemminki

Poisoned Heart

Vampires & Strygoi Witches

COLLECTION ONE: BOOKS 1-4

Yuletide Yearnings

DAYS 1-12

https://ysobellablack.com/newsletter

THURSDAY,

DECEMBER 5

CHAPTER ONE

4 Zeke

ZEKE

ZEKE LINKED HIS HANDS over his head and stretched as he pondered whether not having a Dragă might be a blessing. If he hadn’t been equally as worried about Bolt, it would have been amusing to see Thunder, his black warhorse, who faced down armies and monsters without hesitation, so freaked out and helpless.

He watched Thunder and Bolt in the grassy paddock behind the stables at the Ildum’s compound. The golden mare was pregnant, and while she hadn’t seemed to be in pain, she’d paced in endless circles, head hung low, all day long. She was having twins, and those were always tricky with horses, especially with the heritage of their parents.

Thunder’s dam, Gullfaxi, a horse equally as fast on water or in the air as she was on land, and his sire, Longma, a scaled horse that was part dragon, would provide interesting genetics. Nevermind his granddam, a man-eating mare of Diomedes, and his grandsire, Bucephalus, born of a pegasus and the nuckelavee, who Zeke was sure was at least part demon.

Bolt was a mixture, too. Born of Balius, whose parents were a harpy and the Zephyrus wind, and Xanthus, whose parentage was a bit murky, but seemed to include two centaurs and the god Poseidon, in a triangle Zeke didn’t really want to think about too much. There was no way to tell what kind of babies Bolt and Thunder had cooked up, or how long this pregnancy would last.

Thunder tried to appease his mate by bringing her gifts — he pulled up flowers and presented them to her, dragged her favorite blanket out of the stable, dumped the bucket of grooming tools at Zeke’s feet, in a not-so-subtle hint to spoil Bolt, then pushed Zeke around until he gave in and cut up some apples, adding raisins, pumpkin, and some strawberries for a fruit salad.

It would be nice if Bolt had inherited her father’s penchant for talking, so she could tell us what to do. Zeke had determined long ago that the safest route with females of any species was always just to do what they said. He debated calling the veterinarian, but couldn’t see how that would help. She knew about Other World creatures, but would likely make a wasted trip. 

Nothing settled the mare, and she trudged in endless circles throughout the day as Thunder alternatively paced and stopped to glare at Zeke.

Sorry, my friend. Zeke patted the warhorse’s shoulder. I had nothing to do with this situation. I feel confident in saying this is pretty much all on you.

Thunder snorted, gave Zeke another shove, and returned to pacing alongside Bolt.

Finally, as the sun set, Bolt lifted her head, nickered, and nuzzled Thunder. The warhorse let out a tremendous sigh and relaxed.

As the horses leaned against one another in the waning light of day, Zeke realized he’d been wrong. Having a Dragă would never be less than the best thing that happened to him. He touched his chest over his still heart. What would it feel like to have a heartbeat again? See colors while the sun was up? Feel human emotions? Share an eternal bond. For a thousand years, the vampires of the Ildum hadn’t thought it possible. The Dragă massacre had annihilated those chances.

Until yesterday, when Stryx, the Esag of their Ildum, found his Dragă. After an explosive battle with the traffickers who had kidnapped Ember, Stryx brought her home safe this afternoon. Ember was the first, and now Stryx and a few of the others were on a mission to rescue her twin, and likely the second Dragă, in two days. 

Zeke’s cell trilled. He slid a hand into his pocket to retrieve his phone. Hello, Hybrid.

Hello, Knight. Ciaran chewed and swallowed. A sandwich, no doubt. I have a quest for you.

Uh oh. Ciaran used quest because he knew Zeke couldn’t refuse one of those. What do you want?

Hey, you don’t have to sound so suspicious.

I wouldn’t be suspicious if you hadn’t said quest. You want me to do something that I will probably not want to do.

The thing is... Ember is leaving.

What? She’d only been with Stryx for a few hours. How had that gone so wrong already? Why?

Ciaran cleared his throat. Let’s just say she and Stryx don’t see eye to eye on a few things. Or most things. Or, well, anything, really. Selene told me to help Ember, so I showed her the garage. But you should follow her to make sure she’s okay. Whatever you do, do not approach her.

That sounded ominous. But... aren’t they bringing her sister back here?

Ember thinks she can find her twin on her own.

After she’d already been kidnapped by mages once. They’d be after her again, and if she went anywhere they were watching for her...

And you can’t do this because?

I’ve got some more assignments from Selene. Karov is online with the rescue party. Ember took one of Drake’s bikes, so I don’t think sending him to follow her is a good idea, and he doesn’t really do blending in all that well. Norrix is doing research. That leaves you.

Zeke sighed, and after a final look at the horses, began the hike across the lawn in front of the compound. Fine. I’ll follow her, but only until Stryx can take over. I don’t want to get my head ripped off. Figuratively or literally. 

Good. I gave her a Plan D. You know. Just in case.

That meant explosions. 

Why did Dragăs make nothing simple?

CHAPTER TWO

4 Bijou

BIJOU

DONE AT THE HOSPITAL for the day, Bijou slid into her Fiat 500, held the door open long enough for Seeri, the foot-tall, crimson-haired, red-winged fairy, to fly in, and tapped her fingers on the steering wheel. Catching sight of the scars on her hands and arms, light against her black skin, she pulled the sleeves of her sweater down to her fingers.

Where to go? There were four women, plus her friend Poppy, she had to figure out how to help at home. But the gang who'd kidnapped her friend, and put the others into their catatonic conditions, was still on the loose, and that didn’t sit well with her.

Yesterday, Poppy had escaped barefoot, wearing another woman’s clothes, and driving a stolen car full of unresponsive witches. She knew Bijou as a doctor in the emergency room, and that she tended to unusual medical cases, which is why she brought the witches to Bijou.

Bijou hadn't realized Poppy was missing. The Man, an administrator at the hospital, had put a note in the computer that Poppy was on leave. Things never ran quite the same when Poppy, Bijou’s favorite nurse, wasn’t around, so she’d checked. Poppy hadn't mentioned taking time off, and a kidnapping didn't allow people to prepare in advance, so how had The Man known to put that note about her in the system?

It wasn't there now, but Bijou had taken a photo of the screen. She had proof she wasn't crazy. The Man gave her an uneasy feeling. Had since the first day she’d started at the hospital. Always skulking around and watching everyone. She couldn’t figure out what he actually did, other than complain about her wasting resources.

She should head home, but Uwa and Uba were there, and her parents were capable of dealing with the witches as they recovered from their ordeals. Uba would call if he needed help. Poppy had pointed out on a map where she'd been held in the warehouse district. There could be hints as to how the gang chose victims or something that could lead her to where the women were supposed to be sent. The area needed checking out — and possibly burning to the ground.

Normally, Bijou contented herself with leaving humans to humans. The police could deal with them. But this group had made it personal. Staying out of human crime went out the window when these men kidnapped her friend. Now, Bijou was making it her business to shut them down.

So, while Uwa and Uba took care of the guests at home, Bijou would track the traffickers. And this coincided with her side job of hunting monsters. Although, after ten years, Bijou was at a dead end tracking the Obayifo. These kidnappers and traffickers could stand in until she unearthed a new lead. The only one she had at the moment was underground grave, which didn’t narrow anything down since practically all graves were underground.

She also couldn’t be sure how dependable her source was. Crow had suffered at the hands of a mage, and while he’d survived the physical torture, there were some mental deficits he lived with.

When she’d found him on her search for the Obayifo, he’d introduced her to a network of Other Worlders who tried to prevent kidnappings and abuse. Their group was an unlikely coalition, to be sure. Crow, a boy infected with the blood of hungry things. A dream walker no one had ever actually seen. An incubus, some other assorted demons and male witches, a banshee, herself, and Allister — the son of a mage.

Working with them was logical, since the Obayifo took and fed on children. The collaboration would let her know if children went missing. While abductions of witches had gone up, kidnappings of children had gone down. Still, the group did worthwhile work, even though she was no closer to the Obayifo.

What do you think, Seeri? Do you want to go home, or see what trouble we can find?

Seeri had accompanied Bijou’s father from their home in Africa when Bijou began hunting for the Obayifo. One of the red Mmoatia fairies, she loved causing mischief, and it was a toss up whether or not she’d actually help on any given hunt. Cherry gum, her favorite reward, and the flavor she’d been named for, usually bought her cooperation.

The fairy flew to the glove compartment, opened it, and extracted the all black outfit and weapons she liked to wear on their hunts for monsters.

Bijou laughed, hitting the button to pop the trunk and retrieve her hunting clothes. Trouble, it is.

Pulled to the side of the road, Bijou watched several trucks pass through the open, black metal gates. Poppy was right. Beyond the fence, it was like a city of warehouses, all lined up in neat rows and columns for as far as Bijou could see. Poppy had said the place was dead — but today the area bustled.

No one inspected the vehicles or talked to the drivers. A car drove out, the driver and passenger both women who appeared to be in no danger. They left unimpeded. Seemed like business as usual.

Seeri stood, backwards-facing feet braced on the armrest, and peered out of the passenger window. She glanced over her shoulder, pointed at the gate, and nodded.

The fairy could sense magic. If she thought it was okay to enter, it probably was.

Bijou put the car in gear and drove in, taking turns at random. Three miles long, a mile deep. Where to start? While Poppy had pinpointed the warehouses, she wasn’t sure which one she’d been held in.

When they neared the center of the warehouse city, Seeri offered directions until they arrived near one warehouse with a group of people gathered outside. The windows lacked glass, and several charred holes gaped in the roof. Bullet holes riddled the walls and metal roll-up door. What happened here? Poppy hadn’t mentioned explosions or a war in the streets.

Attracting attention wasn't the idea. Bijou kept her speed slow but constant and passed by, turning at the next corner. She drove a few rows away, parked, and walked back, Seeri flying overhead.

She chose a building with upper level windows that offered a view of the damaged structure. The padlock and chain on the door were hardly a challenge. Inside, she handed the lock and chain to Seeri, who flew out the window Bijou opened to rehang them so they looked undisturbed.

This place hadn't been used in months. Maybe years. A layer of dust covered the floor and abandoned machinery. Windows filtered sunlight through thick grime. Seeri returned and flew next to Bijou as she climbed to the second floor and entered the office. A file cabinet, desk, and single chair. Windows overlooking the floor below and the damaged building. Curiosity drew her to the outside windows. What had happened? Had the women left behind done that after Poppy drove the stolen get-away car?

The crowd milled around, not in any hurry to disperse. Some were curious, talking and gesticulating animatedly at the warehouse, but a few of the men had the empty eyes she’d seen far too often on her hunts. If they were interested, maybe they were some of the gang who’d kidnapped Poppy and the others. Bijou wouldn’t mind introducing herself to them, but this was about information gathering at the moment, and she wouldn’t be able to nose around until they left.

Turning away, she opened the top drawer of the file cabinet and extracted a handful of folders. Not that she expected the gang to leave a handy spreadsheet outlining the entire network and their contacts in neat lines and graphs laying out. She took photos of company names and addresses. Even though the information wasn’t exactly current, maybe something could be learned from possible connections.

CHAPTER THREE

4 Zeke

ZEKE

THE TRUCK HE LOVED to drive, a six-wheeled, armor-plated behemoth, didn’t exactly blend, so Zeke resigned himself to one of the ubiquitous black SUVs the Ildum owned. Ember never looked behind herself, but she could be watching in her side mirrors. He varied the distance between them, turning off and back onto the road. He didn’t have to keep her in visual range. All their cars and bikes were equipped with tracking. He just needed to be close in case she got into trouble.

At least the sun had gone down fully, so it was less likely he would accidentally get murdered if there was trouble.

Which seemed likely, based on the fact that she was driving straight to the warehouses where she’d been held prisoner yesterday. Why did she think her twin was here? After Stryx and Idris left to track Ember last night, Zeke had stayed behind and driven the length and width of the warehouses in case there were others in need of rescue. There hadn’t been any other heartbeats. Everyone they’d left behind was dead.

Once through the gates, he dropped back farther, relying on the device to track Ember with fewer cars to hide his presence. The motorcycle headed in seemingly random directions, then headed toward the exit and stopped. Zeke turned around to follow, but a figure in black and wearing a motorcycle helmet sprinted past him.

What was she doing? Rather than be obvious, Zeke drove by Ember and parked, then left the vehicle to follow her on foot.

Ember approached a black SUV and opened the back door. Was she going to get in and hope they took her to her sister? The faint sound of a second heartbeat carried to him, and a glimpse of a face exactly like hers. Her twin. Stryx and the others were on a wild goose chase. Ember closed the car door and crept into the warehouse, motorcycle helmet in hand.

Zeke walked forward, memorizing the license plate out of habit.

You! Wait! I'm not — a man pleaded.

A crack echoed through the air. Ember ran out, lacking her helmet. She locked the warehouse door with a chain, tossed something under the SUV, and dove into the driver's seat. Tires screeching, she backed up, crushing whatever she’d tossed under the car, and sped away.

What the hell?

He dashed toward the warehouse. Maybe Karov could get data off the crushed phone. Another SUV pulled into the driveway, diverting Zeke. He kept his rapid pace, but adjusted his trajectory so he went around the side of the building.

A big, white-haired man got out of the car. His swollen face and blackening eyes said he'd likely been on the losing end of a fight.

Dmitri. It had to be him. The man who'd kidnapped Musette and Ember. He'd found himself on the wrong side of her temper and fists.

Zeke called Karov. Ninja, Ember abandoned Drake's bike and is driving a stolen SUV. I just saw Dmitri. Here’s the information for his car. He listed the license plate numbers, makes and models. Ember’s got her sister, and is heading north out of the warehouses.

Karov whistled. Ciaran said she'd left. Stryx is going to lose his mind. I'm on it.

Dmitri hurried out of the building, got behind the wheel of his car, and drove in the opposite direction Ember had taken.

With her twin in the car, Ember would head for safety as quickly as possible, and she had a head-start. Dmitri was a known threat, headed in the wrong direction, and Karov was on him. There were still three heartbeats inside that warehouse. Who had Dmitri been meeting with? Better to stay and find out.

CHAPTER FOUR

4 Bijou

BIJOU

HER PHONE VIBRATED in her pocket. Bijou pulled it out. The number wasn't familiar, but that didn't mean anything. Her work with an underground movement to protect and hide those who needed help often meant unpredictable calls from unknown numbers. Hello?

Doc. Allister was a boy far too young to be playing games with dangerous men. I need your help.

What's wrong? Please don’t let him be hurt.

I have a witch with me. She's one of the witches we... took yesterday. Something isn't right. I think the Spider Mage did something to her. I'm supposed to take her to the Wolf Mage, but can you take a look at her?

Where are you?

At the warehouses.

Me too. I'm in 5-4865.

You — Bijou! It's dangerous here!

She was more prepared than Allister for danger, but he didn't want to hear that. Well, that's where I am. Can you get to me?

Allister blew out a breath. Yes. I’ll be there in a minute.

When an engine rumbled outside. Bijou paused her rifling of the papers in the file cabinet and went to the stairs.

The door opened, and Allister entered. He raised a hand to Bijou, but turned as the door opened behind him.

You! Wait! I'm not —

A figure in black rushed at Allister, a sickening crack echoed through the warehouse, and he dropped to the floor.

Had someone figured out he wasn't who he was pretending to be? Bijou raced down the stairs as the door slammed, the chain rattled, and the lock clicked. Outside, the engine revved and faded as Allister’s car drove away.

Bijou knelt next to Allister and carefully palpated his head. Pieces of his skull shifted under her fingers.

Seeri landed on Allister's chest, wings fluttering in agitation. The fairy had a soft spot for the man who always snuck treats to her.

Oh, Allister. There wasn't time to take him anywhere or wait for an ambulance. She couldn't let him die like this. Seeri, can you do anything for him?

The fairy nodded and unzipped a pocket. She extracted a tiny bag and placed a bit of root into Allister’s mouth.

Bijou knew enough about what the fairy did to recognize that would help with the pain, but not much to fix his skull. She closed her eyes and reached deep inside herself for the tiny bit of magic she'd inherited from her father. It was unreliable, and she'd never been able to channel the energy nearly as well as Uba, no matter how he'd tried to teach her.

Please, please, please.

An image of a beautiful black-skinned woman with wild hair and a huge green snake draped over her shoulders appeared in Bijou’s mind. Her hands glowed a faint green and she pressed them to Allister's head. Beneath her fingers, the bones moved as they reset themselves. The woman in Bijou’s mind gave her a haughty look.

Thank you, Bijou murmured.

A key snicked in the lock.

Help... Allister groaned.

Allister? a gruff voice called.

Don’t move, Bijou whispered. No way to tell how many of them there were. Better to take them by surprise. She and Seeri dashed for the stairs and made it into the office, watching through the windows.

Allister let out a pained sound.

Get away from the door. The door slammed open.

A white-haired man entered and knelt. Allister, where is the gold witch? When he didn’t get a response, he pressed a hand to Allister’s head. White mage magic tinged with the faintest of green glowed for a few seconds.

Was he trying to heal Allister? That didn’t seem like something a man with mage magic would do.

Allister turned on his side and vomited. Thank you. He wiped his mouth. I thought I was going to die.

What happened? the man demanded.

The red witch...

The mage’s man sat straight up. How long ago?

Not sure. Allister’s words slurred. Few minutes?

A white glow suffused the man’s arm. I’ll be back. He rushed out.

Bijou darted down the stairs. Allister’s head lolled. He looked like death. Allister, open your eyes.

Bijou? Allister blinked. There are so many of you.

It's me. Blurred vision is normal after a wound like yours.

It was a pretty spectacular injury. Bijou wanted to be angry, but how could she? If someone kidnapped her, she'd smash skulls in, too. This red witch had only treated Allister as the kind of man he was pretending to be.

Allister touched his head and winced.

I couldn't repair all the damage. Doesn’t look like that white magic helped much. You're going to have a headache for a while, and some bruising.

The gold witch? He sat up like someone had yanked a puppet string too hard, and moaned, closing his eyes.

Don’t move so suddenly. Bijou supported his back. The woman who hit you took your car.

The gold witch isn’t well. She needs help. I have to find them. The car can be tracked.

I can drop you off somewhere.

Allister started to shake his head, but thought better of it. The gang mustn’t see you. I have another car parked outside the property. In case I had to make a getaway.

You shouldn't be driving after that blow to your head. Your vision is blurry. You might pass out.

I can stay awake. I have to help them. I helped kidnap them, Bijou. His voice broke. What am I turning into?

She wrapped his arms around him. Allister was not cut out for this. They were already marked to be taken. By the time you found out, you couldn’t have prevented it.

I tried to stop Dmitri. Keep him away from them. He pushed to his knees and rose shakily to his feet. I’ve got to get out of here and find him.

Let me drive you to your car. Bijou stood. We can wait until you feel up to driving.

No time. Dmitri will go after them. He has a thing for the red witch. Ever since she beat him, he’s obsessed with her, and if he catches her again...

Bijou wouldn’t wish that fate on anyone. Do you have some way to contact the others?

He nodded slowly. She took my phone, but I have a radio.

Bijou blew out a breath. All right. Radio them and say you've seen an intruder and were assaulted or something to make them suspicious. Direct them to me. You take my car. You're in no condition to fight. If you take another blow to the head right now, you could die. Do you understand me? This is not a time to be macho. Get out of here. I'll leave on foot and retrieve my car later.

I’ll leave it outside the north gate. You'll be okay? You promise?

She offered him a cocky grin. They're no match for me and Seeri.

The fairy blew a red bubble and popped it with thorns she drew from her thigh holsters.

Allister smiled, just a little. He accepted the car key and stumbled away, talking into his radio. Bijou waited for a few seconds and slipped out the window with Seeri. It wouldn’t do to make things too easy for the guys coming after her. She chanced a quick peek around the corner to see if they were coming.

A big blond man approached the warehouse. His t-shirt stretched over a broad chest and thick biceps. He stopped, cocked his head to the side, and stared into the warehouse like he had x-ray vision. His eyes skipped to where she stood and caught her in a golden-brown gaze.

Something in Bijou opened — a door she'd shut and bolted years ago, behind which she’d locked her happily ever after. A future she'd refused to let herself imagine or dream of played out in her mind. A partner. A family. The grandkids her mother always wanted.

No. This was no good. She did not have time for this. Her father's side of the family had magic. They always knew when they met the person meant for them. No way could she let Uwa know about this development. Her demands for grandkids would skyrocket.

Seeri! Bijou hissed. Get back here!

The fairy ignored her and shot across the street to buzz around the big man. What was wrong with the crazy creature? Fortunately, humans didn't see fairies. When Seeri tired of her game, she'd come back.

But he saw her. He held out his hand, and the flighty fairy landed on his upturned palm.

Not human, then.

As long as he maintained his human guise, there were too many options for what he could be. Uwa would know if she was here. Her mother could tell at a glance what kind of monsters hid beneath their camouflage.

When Seeri returned a few moments later, she clasped tiny hands next to her cheek, tilted her head to one side, and heaved a huge sigh as she batted her eyes.

Bijou scowled. Not one word, do you hear me? Not to Uba, and especially not to Uwa, or there will be no more gum of any flavor for you ever again. Got it?

The fairy froze, mouth open, eyes wide in disbelief, horror, and hurt feelings. She whistled in an angry tirade.

Guilt stabbed at Bijou. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. I know you can keep a secret. It was a matter of if Seeri would keep quiet. Annoying the fairy would only invite retribution. Bijou held up a piece of cherry gum as a peace offering.

Seeri accepted it, and perched on Bijou’s shoulder, hurt feelings forgotten. Thank goodness the fairy was easy to placate.

Without thinking about it, Bijou directed her gaze back toward the big blond. He’d closed half the distance between them without making a sound.

Then there was no time to think about him, as the results of Allister’s radio call rushed toward her.

CHAPTER FIVE

4 Zeke

ZEKE

ALLISTER LEFT THE WAREHOUSE, clutching his head. He must be the one Ember hit with her helmet. Zeke winced. She didn’t know he was working with the Ildum. Not that Zeke blamed her. Allister had helped kidnap her and Musette.

Zeke felt eyes on him. Not a threat, but the prickle on the back of his neck told him someone was studying him.

He stared at the warehouse. There were still two heartbeats heading toward the back. Who had Allister been meeting? An ally for his double-agent work? Traffickers? Mage minions?

Someone peered around the side of the warehouse. A figure wearing a hood blended with the shadow so well he couldn’t make out gender or features. A flutter in his chest sent his hand to press over his heart. That was odd. His heart didn’t beat, and wouldn’t, until he met his Dragă.

A small red shape flew toward him and flitted around his head, little wings buffeting the air near his face. He held out a hand, palm up. The fairy landed on his fingers. About a foot tall, she had bright red hair, a curved nose, yellow skin, and backwards facing feet. Red wings jutted from her back through holes in a black shirt that matched her leather pants and boots.

Armed with two green thorns in thigh holsters, a vine lasso, several sharpened sticks in a quiver between her wings on her back, and who knew what else in her multitude of zippered pockets, she was the most adorable commando he’d ever seen.

Hello. What's a nice fairy like you doing in a place like this? 

The fairy's jaws moved rapidly, but no words came out. Instead, a bright red bubble formed on her lips and grew larger. It popped, wafting Zeke with the scent of cherries. He chuckled as the fairy took off to buzz around him again, then darted toward the figure in shadow.

Friend of yours, huh?

Must be part of Allister’s double-agent work. A delicate creature like a fairy wouldn’t last long among mage-touched men who craved magic.

Zeke found himself halfway to the mysterious figure when he stopped. A slew of heartbeats raced toward the fairy and her friend.

It wasn’t often he fought with his fists nowadays, but he’d left his sword at home. Using vampire speed, he closed the remaining distance and sped past her to throw himself into battle.

An uppercut lifted the first man off his feet. Zeke seized a second man by the arm and swung him into the path of a third. It was too hard to keep track of individuals. The only ones not his foes were the woman in black and her fairy.

Zeke head-butted an assailant, blocked a punch, and lifted his leg in a front kick that sent more attackers flying. He took a fist to the cheek and a foot to his knee, ducked a knife thrust at his face, and sent a left hook into a stomach. Everything became a mix of fists, feet, and blades. He spun and threw a sidekick in one direction and an elbow in another. His back fist smashed into a nose with a crunch.

More men ran around a warehouse.

Then she was with him.

CHAPTER SIX

4 Bijou

BIJOU

HER BLOND BLURRED PAST. Her blond? She had to stop that sort of thinking. Definitely not human. He didn’t pull a weapon as he waded into the crowd of men coming to get her. So, it was to be fisticuffs. The muscles of his arms bulged nicely as he fought. She watched him work until more men appeared around a corner.

Come on, Seeri! Bijou laughed and ran into the fight.

An enormous hand reached out from the side and closed around her neck. She sent an elbow under his arm into his chin, snapping his head back. Spinning away, she blocked a punch with her forearm, lashing out with a front kick. 

Bijou barely managed to rein in her joy and the full-throated war cry she’d learned from her aunt. A roundhouse kick took down one attacker. She ducked a punch and tucked into a forward roll, coming up between two more assailants. Back kick, punch to the solar plexus. She ducked a wild swing and dodged a knife swipe.

A man rushed her like she was a quarterback. She grabbed his shirt and fell onto her back, curling her legs between them and tossing him over her when she hit the ground.

Seeri’s vine lasso hit eyes and fingers as she darted overhead. One man leapt and slashed at her with his knife, sending the fairy higher with a scolding squeak. She unzipped one of her many pockets and pulled out a red bag.

Uh oh.

Bijou sent another kick flying, and grabbed her blond’s arm as he pulled it back to throw a punch, yanking him from his fight. He resisted at first, but she pointed up. He took in Seeri’s furious expression and her hand in the bag she held.

Wisely, he let Bijou tug him away.

A red powder so fine it was almost mist swirled from Seeri’s hand, twisting through the air to surround the attackers left on their feet. They screamed as the grains landed on their skin. They would feel a burn before the powder put them into an unnatural sleep. One by one, they fell.

The battle was over, but Bijou’s blood still ran hot. She couldn't deny her attraction to this man. With their enemies down and out for a while, she fixed on him as her next target. The possibility more enemies might show up at any moment made it even better.

His golden-brown eyes seemed a couple of shades darker now. He reached for her, but she put a hand on his chest. He froze, then backed up as she pushed on him and advanced. His back hit a wall. She pressed herself against his front and ran her hands up his t-shirt.

It wouldn’t hurt to give in one time, would it?

She stretched her arms around his neck and pulled him to her, kissing his throat and, on impulse, biting the side of his neck. He growled, a sound that should have frightened her, but instead made heat coil within her. She lifted her head and met his lips with hers.

Slow at first, her exploration of his mouth quickened into a bruising possession. He met her demands, then took more, stealing her breath, and she wondered if maybe she was playing with fire that burned a little hotter than she expected.

He whirled, pressing her to the wall as he kissed her. The rolling strokes of his tongue along hers spread warmth through her, and with each breath, the pressure of his lips firmed. The kisses grew harder, deeper, and his hands stroked down her back, pulling her closer.

Bijou allowed his aggression for a few moments, then placed one of her feet behind his ankle. He let her push him away, as she'd known he would. Bijou didn't stop, overbalancing him and he went down. Eyes on him, she widened her stance and walked up his body, her feet outside his legs. He inhaled deep.

He was Other World. He likely had an enhanced olfactory sense. Could he smell how ready she was? When she reached his waist, she dropped to her knees and ran her hands over his abdomen. So many intriguing ridges and bumps there. He lifted his hands, but she shook her head, and he replaced them on the ground.

Bijou leaned forward and kissed him again. She could do that for hours.

The earth shook, and an explosion lit up the night.

She jerked back and whipped her head around. Smoke trailed into the air a few roads from them.

Seeri flew in agitated circles, gesturing animatedly, pointing for them to get out of the area.

Ears ringing, Bijou leapt to her feet.

The man rose to his feet faster than he should have been able to.

Okay... that’s... Be — His lips moved, but the words were intermittent through the ringing in her ears. He waved at the smoke. Plan, Be. He held out his hand.

What? She backed away, trying to interpret his words, and came up with. It’s okay, that's the plan, Be.

Be. As in the first half of her name. How did he know her name? Did he know who she was? Had this been some sort of setup? How closely were they watching Allister? Maybe this man was like that incubus she worked with and that’s what this attraction was. Not real. She hated to