The Beltane Witch (Cloudburst Colorado) Read online

  “Right, Darius?” Tansy eyed him for confirmation.

  “The weapon does not make the warrior, Miss Tansy. Some choose to fight with tools other than steel.” He smiled at her frown.

  “You mean like the guy in Mom’s favorite TV show?”

  “What?” Darius had never kept up on the myriad forms of human entertainment.

  “You know, the show about that guy who saves the world with a paper clip, duct tape, and a pocketknife.” Sabrina winked at him in the rear-view mirror. “He generally doesn’t kill people and he finds creative solutions to problems using science and knowledge of the natural world. He thinks outside the box.”

  “Yeah, he’s so cool. I wanna be him when I grow up.”

  “Well, I wanna to be a warrior,” Holly said.

  “He is a warrior,” Tansy insisted.

  “No, he’s not.”

  “Yes, he is.”

  “Okay, ladies, let’s move on. We’re here.” Sabrina pulled the van into a large parking lot and found a place to stop. She twisted around and eyed them all with a patented “mommy look.” “Now, here’s the deal. We’re going in there, but you need to be on your best behavior or we’ll get back in the van and go home. Got it? No fighting. Are we clear?”

  “Yes, Mom.” Both girls nodded.

  “Good. Let’s go, then.”

  They piled out of the vehicle and Darius inhaled the crisp spring air. The temperature had warmed since he’d arrived, but spring hadn’t gotten a foothold yet. Tansy requested to hold his hand as they crossed the gravel lot to the front doors of the skating rink and warmth filled his heart. He’d never had a child interested in spending time with him and he liked the simple joy of it, especially with Sabrina’s children.

  The scents of fried food and popcorn hit his nose as soon as they stepped inside the large squat building. Laughter and high pitched squealing filled the spaces between the heavy beats of the music playing over the PA system and Sabrina directed them over to a table near a central area. Beyond some half-walls people of all ages swirled more or less gracefully over a flat, glossy wooden floor. All seemed to be wearing ugly heeled boots with a set of four wheels attached.

  “Okay, let’s go get our skates.” Sabrina helped the girls remove their coats and took Holly’s hand. “What size do you think you wear now, Holly?”

  “Seven.”

  “C’mon, Darius. I’ll show you how to skate.” Tansy grabbed his hand and pulled him toward a counter where a pimple-faced teen set out the tan wheeled boots. “What size are your feet?”

  “I’m afraid I don’t know, Miss Tansy.”

  “I bet they’re really, really big.”

  Sabrina looked over her shoulder at them and raised an eyebrow, but said nothing. Darius shrugged and followed them to the counter. While Sabrina paid their entry fee, he helped the girls choose their skates.

  Tansy seemed perfectly at ease with the wheeled monstrosities and quickly slipped her feet into them as Sabrina returned to them with an amused smile wreathing her lips. Holly promptly sat down on the floor and pulled off her shoes, but she had trouble keeping the skate close enough to get her foot into it.

  “Here, let me help you, Holly.”

  Sabrina crouched beside Darius as he eyed the plethora of roller skates lined up on the counter. His gut told him these were meant for fun, but they resembled torture devices and he couldn’t imagine a reason to wear them.

  “What is the purpose of these, pray tell?”

  Sabrina laughed. “It’s to go as fast as possible around in circles while trying to keep your balance.” She grinned. “You’re telling me you’ve never done this before?”

  “No.” He scowled.

  “Mommy, can you tie my skates, please?” Holly raised one foot.

  “Sure, honey.” Sabrina winked at Darius. “Just put the skates on your feet.”

  “They look ridiculous.”

  “Just wait until you’re rolling around in circles.” Sabrina laughed as he gaped at her in horror. “Don’t worry, I’ll be with you.”

  “I’m not sure—”

  “Oh, come on. I thought you were a warrior. Warriors accept any challenge.”

  “Not the stupid ones.” His shook his head.

  “Stupid warriors or stupid challenges?”

  “Challenges.”

  Sabrina sighed. “Look at it this way. It’s an exercise in balance and dexterity. Warriors need practice, right? Think of it like fighting on ice. Your feet will be unstable. Can you keep your balance while rolling, or sliding?” She held up a pair of skates to Darius.

  He took the awful beige, heeled shoes and fit them to his feet, trying to ignore the goad to his pride. Scuffs and scars marred the stiff leather. He took better care of his fine leather boots. With the boots laced tight, he stood, testing his balance. His left foot shot out to the right, and his right foot zipped backwards until he damn near dropped to his knees.

  “Whoa!” Sabrina grabbed his wrist and provided a steady anchor. “Easy, there, Skippy. I’ll help you.” She, too, wore skates, and far more effortlessly than he did.

  “How are you able to remain still?”

  “See the toe rest on the skates?” She tilted one foot up. “I just point my toe down and it keeps me from rolling.”

  Darius tipped his own foot forward and found he’d stopped rolling. “At least there’s something useful.”

  “See? So let’s go have some fun with the kids.”

  Sabrina pushed off and gently rolled a little way on the muffling carpet. He followed after her, stumbling and skidding with the uneven footing. Ahead, on the smooth wooden floor, children of all ages slid by in smooth glides. Surely if they can do this, I can.

  “Look, Mom! I’m flying.” Sabrina’s oldest daughter flew by, her arms extended before her.

  “I think you need a cape, Tansy,” Sabrina called with smile.

  Tansy twirled gracefully, her hands on her hips and skated backwards. “I don’t need to have a cape. I already have wings. See?” She flapped her arms up and down as she rolled along.

  “You’re as fleet as a falcon, Miss Tansy,” Darius said. Sabrina arched her brow and smiled at him. “What?”

  “That was kindly done.” She offered him her hand as she stepped onto the floor.

  “She has a strong spirit. Much like you, Sabrina.” Surprised pleasure flashed through her expression before she turned her face away. Satisfaction filled his chest when her fingers tightened on his.

  ****

  Skating turned out to be a comedy of errors and Darius found it easiest to watch Sabrina and her children from the edges of the rink. He took pleasure in exchanging the hideous skates for his comfortable boots. Bloody awful things. Holly and Tansy were masters at the sport and Darius grudgingly admitted admiration for their coordination. Sabrina floated like an angel across the wooden floor and he caught himself gaping like a fool.

  Sabrina’s mahogany brown hair waved behind her in a silken tail, a few wisps escaping the band holding it at the nape of her neck. He knew the softness of those tresses and his fingers ached to trail through them again. When had she become more beautiful than most of the Fae lasses with whom he’d dallied? She didn’t have their willowy physique, her beauty more grounded in an earthy solidity he preferred. He liked her strength and resourcefulness as well as her unwillingness to bow to every one of his wishes. She represented a challenge and it interested him far more than a biddable female.

  Watching her laugh with her children struck a chord in his chest and he rubbed a hand over his heart with a groan. An odd mixture of yearning and hope bloomed inside, followed swiftly by fear and despair. When had he started wanting a family? Why did this little witch affect him so strongly? Her very humanity made it impossible for them to be together. He’d outlive her by centuries—he already had—and he had his duty to the Sidhe Summer Court. He couldn’t set it all aside for one human witch.

  But the yearning refused to abate when Sabrina and her
daughters rolled off the rink’s floor, laughing and chattering about how fast they could go. Sabrina’s eyes sparkled with love and joy for her children, and Darius wished she’d look at him with such emotions.

  Like she did in my dream. He kept strong control over his wayward cock and hoped his expression remained relaxed and pleasant.

  “Mom, can we get some hot cocoa and cinnamon buns afterwards?” Tansy looked up hopefully as she worked on removing her skates.

  “I don’t know.”

  “Pleeeese?” Holly piped up. She tried to jump up and down, but her skates shot her feet out from under her and she toppled backwards with a frightened squeak.

  “Steady, Miss Holly.” Darius caught her and cradled her in his arms. A sudden protective instinct gripped him and he squeezed her gently. “It seems wiser to take your skates off first then you may jump.”

  “Okay. Thank you.” Holly’s politeness always surprised him. He’d never encountered such good-natured children.

  We were never so polite until after Father left.

  The old anger tried to rise again, but he stuffed it away. Holly’s and Tansy’s father had run out on them as well and he’d be damned before he left them in the lurch.

  What am I thinking? I won’t be here past Beltane. But he wanted to stay for more than just their mother’s hot body. He wanted to stay to teach them about… What? What do you know more than Courtly intrigue and manipulation? He shoved the snarky voice away. He wanted to stay with Sabrina and help her raise her children. He had no idea where the certainty came from, but it left a warm spot in his chest and he smiled as he helped Holly sit down. “Would you like some help with your laces?”

  “Yes, please.”

  “Very well. Have you learned to tie them yet?”

  “No. Mommy ties them for me ’cause I don’t know how.”

  “Would you like to learn?”

  Holly looked at him for a long moment then nodded. “Okay.”

  “Let’s do it using your shoes. Are you right-handed or left?”

  “Right.” Holly waved her little palm at him.

  “Very well. Sit before me and I shall show you how to tie your shoes.”

  Holly settled between his legs as he leaned around her and showed her how to make a loop and wrap it with the other lace. She focused on his hands and practiced a few times, making messy but functional bows.

  “Look, Mommy, I can tie my shoes!” Holly jumped up and pointed her toes at her mother.

  “That’s wonderful, Holly.”

  “Darius showed me how.” The triumph in Holly’s voice delighted him almost as much as the surprised pleasure on Sabrina’s face. “Thanks, Darius. I’m gonna get my coat.”

  He climbed to his feet and brushed off his trousers as Sabrina watched her daughter run off to the table. He liked helping her family, and an fantastic idea took hold in his chest. He wanted to help them more than just for these few days.

  Mayhap I should look into the abandoned mine site and see if there’s a way to purchase it.

  “Thank you.”

  Darius blinked in surprise. Had she heard his thoughts? “Sorry?”

  Sabrina gestured at Holly chattering with her sister as they zipped up their coats. “For teaching Holly how to tie her shoes. I really appreciate it, and so does she. So, thank you.”

  “My pleasure, Lady Foxglove.” Not quite as pleasurable as her gratitude, but close. “I’m happy to help.”

  She smiled and his heart swelled again, but he resisted the urge to rub his chest. “I’m going to go warm up the car for the drive home.”

  “Do you wish me to come with you?” He hoped to have more time alone with her.

  “No, I can do it. Please watch over the girls. I’ll be right back.”

  “We shall be waiting.”

  Her grin filled him with satisfaction and he hoped he wouldn’t miss it when he left.

  Chapter Eight

  Sabrina’s breath puffed out in front of her as she hurried across the parking lot. The sun had set while they skated and the air had turned chill. Pleasure and excitement kept the cold at bay as she paused to pull out her keys. Darius’s simple acts of kindness were slowly winning her over.

  It could all be a ruse.

  True, but she’d seen him with the girls when he didn’t know she watched and he’d been so attentive and kind. Now if only he could be so real with me…

  The parking lot echoed with voices of people walking to the skating rink and cars creeping across the gravel. Sabrina misjudged the distance to the door of her van and knocked the keys out of her hand. Grumbling, she crouched to retrieve them then screamed as something crashed into the door above her head. She dropped to the ground and scrambled backwards, bruising her hands on the gravel.

  A dark shape spun and lunged after her, tackling her legs. Sabrina shrieked and kicked with all her strength, but whoever held her only tightened his grip. Fear mixed with fury swelled in her gut and she swung one fist at her assailant’s head.

  He must have seen it coming because he ducked and it bounced harmlessly off his shoulder.

  “Let go of me!” Where were all the people she’d heard? Hadn’t anyone seen him grab her? “Help! Help!”

  “Shut up, you stupid slut.” The man slapped her across the face in an effort to quiet her, but she screamed even louder while dizziness made the world wobble.

  “Who are you? Leave me alone.” Had anyone heard her? Please, Goddess, send someone.

  “Quiet, bitch! You should be home minding your children.”

  Something about the voice seemed familiar. She swung her hand at his face again. He dodged and she swept his hat off, exposing his head. The meager street light cast enough of a glow to identify her attacker.

  “Marty? What the hell are you doing? Leave me alone, dammit.”

  Another blow to her head caught her broadside. “Your mouth needs to be beaten out of you by your husband. I’m looking forward to doing the job.”

  “What are you talking about?” The dizziness had gotten worse and she couldn’t find much coordination, but she struggled and shoved at him even as her strength waned. “I don’t need a husband.”

  “Yes, you do. A husband could make sure you’re home safe where you belong.” He pushed her down to the ground with one hand and tore at her jacket with the other. “You should be looking after the children and taking care of the house, not out flaunting your body like a common harlot.”

  “Flaunting my body? Are you insane? I just took the kids rollerskating!” She shook her head but the dizziness only worsened. “I don’t need a husband.” She tried to sit up.

  “Yes, you do.” Marty slammed her back down just before he found the waistband of her jeans and yanked on them.

  “Mommy!”

  Tansy’s voice made Marty pause and look up, and Sabrina’s stomach sank. Her children stood wide-eyed a few feet away and she groaned, trying to get up. A furious roar filled the parking lot and another dark shape slammed into Marty, lifting him up and away. Sabrina lay on the ground, the cold, damp gravel seeping into her head, back, and hips, and tried to make sense of what she heard. Marty cried out in cadence to the meaty thuds as someone beat the living daylights out of him, but she didn’t have the energy to look.

  “Mommy, Mommy! Wake up, Mommy.”

  Sabrina opened her eyes to look at her daughters. Both their faces held fear and she tried to smile.

  “I’m okay, ladies. Just a little bruised and dizzy.” She sat up slowly, hoping the world would stop spinning, and gathered her daughters into her arms. Both started to cry and wrapped their arms around her. “Shh, shh, it’s okay. I’m right here.” She wished someone could tell her everything would be all right as she squeezed her girls.

  May Marty Robinson rot in hell for what he did.

  Sabrina tried to look for the bastard, but the cars blocked most of her view beyond her daughters’ heads. The dizziness made it difficult to keep her eyes open and she closed them, rocking h
er children gently. Angry and stern voices sounded off in the background, but she just murmured nonsense to her frightened children, and tried to will away some of the developing pain in her head.

  Please, Goddess, just get us home safe.

  She jumped as another body wrapped itself around her and the girls, and she struggled a little until Darius’s familiar scent reached her addled mind.

  “Easy, Sabrina, it’s me, Darius.” He cradled them all in his embrace. “Are you all right?”

  Sabrina opened her eyes, but had a hard time focusing. “I’m fine.” His lips pursed and she knew she hadn’t convinced him, but he didn’t gainsay her. “I’m just a little battered and bruised, and I really want to go home.”

  “Then home we shall go.”

  “He hit her.” Holly’s voice held tears and anger.

  “Yes, I know, Miss Holly, but I made him stop.”

  “Why did he do that?” Tansy wiped her tears with the back of her hands.

  “It doesn’t matter. He won’t be doing it ever again.”

  The fury in Darius’s voice made Sabrina shiver. “Did you kill him?”

  The rumbling chuckle held no humor. “No, but I wanted to. Lt. Fitzroy of the Cloudburst Police arrested him and put him in his car after I subdued him. He will not be seeing you for a long time.”

  “Good. Never seeing him again would be too soon.” She squeezed her daughters once more. “Help me get up and let’s go home. I’m done being social.”

  “Do you need to go to the doctor, Mommy?” Tansy’s lower lip trembled, but no more tears fell.

  “No, no, honey, I just need to get home.”

  “Maybe she’s right. We could always—”

  “No!” Sabrina almost shook her head, but the pain stopped her. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to snap. I just really want to get home where we’ll all be safe.”