Scarred Protector(16)

             “We both have demons, Evie. Some real and some imagined. Please tell me why you tried to drown yourself and why you’ve tried to end your life in the past. Is it because of the darkness? This has happened so fast, and neither of us knows each other. It’s a lot to ask, but we mustn’t have any secrets if we are to survive this.”

She didn’t want to lose this wonderful man now she had found him. With Dad around, she had not been alone, but that was the past. She wanted to be tough, but it would be wonderful to have someone believe in you. The issue was: would he want her if he knew the truth?

“It’s back. I’m sorry, Heath, but I can’t live in that pit of darkness again. When it overwhelms me, I can’t see any way out. When you did that bonding thing, it felt like it was gone, like I was my old self again. Then earlier, when I was in the bath, the world became black again. It was seeping through the water into me. I thought you’d all be better off not having to fight the other guys if I was gone.”

She wanted him to wrap her in his arms again, but apart from their hands, he wasn’t touching her, even though their bodies were only inches apart.

“You’re not crazy, Evie. I can sense a presence in you.”

“When I first came out of hospital after the accident, I used to think I was schizophrenic and could hear voices telling me to do terrible things. Then I thought I was bipolar or even possessed. Funny how I’m talking to a guy with wings about trying to be rational. I even had a priest come to our house once. He said he couldn’t do anything. Another guy into paranormal stuff came around and said I was a fake and wasting his time. I wonder what he would think of all of you and your housemates.”



             Heath lifted his gaze to hers and she sensed hesitation. “The world cannot know about my kind. Once we remove this presence from you, I can take you to Pergor and you’ll be able to get a guardian once our bond is broken. Then I’ll need to clear your mind.” Heath kept her gaze.

“What if I don’t want you to make me forget you?”

“You should forget me.”

Evie shook her head. “I was just naked up against you after you saved my life. I think we’ve gone past ‘I don’t know you and I should forget you.’”

“I’d most likely kill you if I changed you. I wouldn’t risk that. These emotions we’re feeling are from the bonding, I believe.”



“I’m not daft. I know you don’t love me, we’ve only just met, but I’ve been alone a long time and would be prepared to risk it. We have a physical connection, if not a mental one. Is it because of Elizabeth?” Evie could see him stiffen at the mention of the name of the woman he had loved. She had never known love or been loved and wondered what it would feel like.

“I was going to bond with Elizabeth. She said she loved me but could not join with me. She would not give me a reason. I decided I would convince her, and on that day I went to her home and found her dead. She had cut her wrists and bled to death.”

“I’m so sorry.” Evie still felt the raw pain of her father’s death and knew Heath was still suffering from the sadness of Elizabeth’s.



             “It was long ago, but I would not wish to lose anyone like that again.”

“So where do we go from here?”

“I stay close to you until we can a get a healer here to see what this darkness is. For now, you need to rest.”

“You’ll still be here when I wake up, won’t you?”

“I promise.” Evie turned on her side as Heath moved in behind her and placed his arm around her midsection. It had been so long since she had felt the human touch of a body beside her as she drifted off to sleep. Then she remembered the wings and reminded herself he wasn’t human. At this moment, she didn’t care.





Chapter 9



Aunt Georgia



Heath knew this was a mistake to get close either mentally or physically with Evie, but he reckoned it was too late. He peered at her while she slept, just watching her breathe in and out. She held his hand against her chest, and he could feel her heartbeat. He was under no misconception that what he felt was love. He knew what that feeling had been like with Elizabeth.

His compulsion to want to protect Evie was undoubtable. To bond with her had been the only option. He would not kill her, though, by risking the change. Ridge might have changed Nicole, but others had tried since and failed. It seemed Nicole was one in a million. Someone knocked on the door and opened it. Marge walked in carrying a tray. Evie stretched, and for a second he could see the fear on her face as her eyes opened wide. Then she looked at him and smiled. That one look was his undoing. To be needed was a powerful drug.



“I brought you both some food.” Evie sat up and the tray was placed across her knees. Heath slung his legs over the edge of the bed as Marge picked up his shirt and coat. “Look at all the buttons ripped off and your jacket thrown on the floor. You slept in your pants as well. I don’t know how you can expect me to look after your clothes when you treat them like this.”



Heath walked over and kissed the top of Marge’s head, but she pushed him away. “Don’t you go trying to get round me? Now you eat up, young lady, and you look after her, you big fool. What I have to put up with living in this house with you lot. Should’ve stayed in Wales.” Marge left the room but gave them both a big smile before she went.



             “I’ll go and dress while you eat.” He made his way back to his room and got dressed. Walking over to his dresser, he noticed the picture of Elizabeth. He picked it up and stared at the face of the woman he had loved so long ago. His hand shook at the thought he was betraying her. He placed the picture back, wondering once again what the hell he thought he was doing. As he pulled on another shirt, the door to his room opened and Suzie walked in.

“Heard you spent the night with her. I don’t suppose I need to ask if you were a gentleman.”

Heath raised an eyebrow as he scowled at her and shook his head.



“The healer is on her way from London, but I also have some news. You asked us to keep an eye on Evie’s place, and it seems a Jamaican lady has turned up. Says she’s related to Evie. Luke tried to read her mind, but she blocked him. Not sure what’s going on there. She keeps coming back and said she won’t give up until she finds her.”

Heath was interested and suspicious of the timing of someone turning up just after Evie had left her home. “I suggest we go there now and find out.”

“What about Evie?”

“I think she would be safer here, but I’ve a feeling she won’t take no for an answer.” He was right. Evie was dressed when he returned to her room. His mind went back to when she had been naked the night before. She was a beautiful woman, and he had been alone for so long, just like her. It was a need he had to keep under control.

“I was going to ask you if we could go back. I want my clothes and phone and laptop. I also want some pictures and my snake.”



“Snake? I see, your pet I assume.” She nodded. “Do you not like the clothes we’ve provided for you?”



             “They’re beautiful, but they’re not me. You saw what kind of things I wear when you met me. I like tight jeans, big tops, and combat boots. In the past five years, I haven’t exactly had a reason to dress up.”

“If that is what you would like. I want you to feel comfortable here. I also want you safe, and I won’t be letting you out of my sight.” He stood with his arms across his chest, so she knew he meant business.

“I’m good with that.” She winked at him, and he shook his head.



“What can you tell us about the woman saying she’s your aunt?”

Evie sat down on the bed and took a deep breath. He had obviously touched a sensitive issue, but he needed information.

“I’m mixed race as you know. Mum’s family disowned her when she married Dad. They couldn’t deal with a black son-in-law. An old school friend said he had arranged a meeting with them to patch things up. She went there, and he and his friends attacked and raped her. Mum killed herself not long after that.”

“I’m so sorry, Evie.” Heath sat next to her and placed his arm around her shoulder.

“I was a baby and don’t remember anything. Dad’s family wasn’t there for him, and he rejected them. I’ve never heard from any of them since. I wondered if he had contacted them when he knew he was dying. I know you’re worried about me meeting her, but I have to take the chance.”

Heath looked her in the eyes and knew already he would have great difficulty denying her anything.

As they pulled up outside of Evie’s home, Suzie got off her motorbike. Tiny got out of the car to talk to Luke, who had stayed on watch over the place. Evie had said she didn’t know any of her father’s side of the family, so it was unlikely she would recognize her aunt. The others came back to say the house was clear with no sign of any Demonics. Heath opened the door and helped Evie out of the car and got her quickly through the front door. Evie went straight to her room and started to empty her drawers into a large bag she had pulled down from the wardrobe.