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“What’s the word?” she asked.
“Both Vojalie and Davido will join us at your house at full-dark. Sound good?”
Hannah finally breathed a sigh of relief. “Like the best possible
news.”
He stood up and took her gently by the shoulders. “Don’t worry. We’ll figure something out.”
Hannah wasn’t quite as hopeful as Jude appeared to be, but she nodded. “I really need my bed. How about you?”
“Yep.” He kissed her once, a brief warm kiss, after which she put her clothes back on and left the bunkroom. Jude needed his sleep as much as she did.
She returned to the communication center and made arrangements to have one of her workers, Greg, take over until Sandy arrived from her dental appointment.
When Greg had settled in, Hannah walked up the hill to her home, a climb that she usually enjoyed but which felt about a mile long given all that she’d been through.
By the time she fell into bed, sleep roared toward her and she embraced it with open arms.
~ ~ ~
Later that evening, after Hannah had shared wine with her guests, she invited Vojalie to join her on the roof deck that overlooked the Sound. In older days, this would have been called ‘the widow’s walk’. When the sun shined, Hannah often came here to lay out and try to pink up her very white, Pacific Northwest skin, usually without much success.
Vojalie had already admired the view and thanked her for the lovely Cabernet Sauvignon. She then asked Hannah to give her a brief history of the current situation with Jude and what appeared to be a strange realm gift that had come to her so unexpectedly.
Hannah quietly outlined the details, including how and when her interest in Jude had suddenly exploded. Vojalie even smiled at the supply closet scenario.
She explained as best she could about how she seemed to have some kind of power that had released as a wave of heat and killed a vampire.
Vojalie lifted her brows this time.
After Hannah was done, Vojalie remained looking out to sea for a long time, her forearms on the railing. Peace radiated from the beautiful fae woman who was probably the most powerful of her kind in the Nine Realms.
She wasn’t quite as tall as Hannah and had very fae features with a thin nose and a strong pointed chin. She wore a lavender headband holding back her long, dark brown hair. Her equally dark eyes glimmered with a mountain of compassion. Though she’d never seen it before, she knew that Vojalie’s eyes would turn silver when she enthralled someone, usually while seeking information.
She was definitely the woman to ask for help and counsel.
After a time, Vojalie turned toward her. “First, you have what is known as a fire-gift and it’s extremely rare. I haven’t seen it in centuries, in fact, but you have all the hallmarks. I would imagine you find cold water soothing.”
“Very. But what does this mean?”
Vojalie shrugged. “It’s no doubt connected to your being a blood rose, but I have a feeling its purpose is specific and will be made known to you within the next few days or weeks even. Although the fact that you saved Jude’s life is a hint all on its own.”
“So I’m a fiery blood rose.”
Vojalie smiled. “You could say that.” But her expression soon became serious as she continued, “All nine of the ruling mastyrs have carried an enormous load for centuries. And I’ve been hoping for a long time that something very realm would one day arrive to relieve their suffering. I just never thought it would be the blood rose phenomenon. It has occurred before in our history, but in such distant times that I actually had to look it up in the ancient documents. But these men … they’re so deserving.”
Hannah sighed. “Jude especially. He’s done so much for his realm, which is one reason I’m as upset as I am. Jude should have a blood rose in his life, just not me. And you know I love realm-folk. I’ve essentially grown up around them, and I’ve known Jude since I was a child.”
Hannah rubbed what she knew to be a frown between her brows. “What I’m trying to say, is that the way I feel has little to do with Jude and more to do with how much I’d be giving up.”
“You feel you’d have to give up the Gold Rush.”
“And my home, my friends, my entire way of life. I’m not ignorant of just how much each of the lives of the current bonded blood roses has changed.”
Vojalie cocked her head, her eyes narrowing slightly. “I’m wondering though, if there isn’t something more going on here. Is it possible your feelings are cloaked with events from the past? Bad experiences?”
Hannah could see that Vojalie’s eyes had turned silver, a sure sign of enthrallment, but it didn’t bother Hannah at all. Instead, she found herself telling Vojalie all about her ex, Mark Jackson, and his control issue. “And I know Jude likes things the way he likes them.”
