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Because he had hold of her arm, she couldn’t use the time-path. The physical connection would have brought him with her and he could still do as much harm in the continuum as in real-time.
She thought about contacting Devyn, but she didn’t want to do that. This was her life now. She was going to have to deal with her blood rose condition no matter what came her way.
Once outside, she saw two shifters heading in the direction of the Wild Boar. She knew wolves loved a good fight and she recognized them as powerful members of the Tannisford Shifter Brigade. She called for help and the men came running.
But the man was a Mastyr vampire and more powerful than she could possibly have known. He revved up his battle energy and let it fly. Both shifters got struck hard and were knocked to the sidewalk several feet. Each leaped to his feet immediately, but couldn’t retaliate since Emily had become the mastyr’s shield.
He moved her backward along the street, never letting his grip lessen. She knew then he understood her time-pathing ability. As long as he had hold of her, he could control her.
One of the wolves appeared to be concentrating, as in pathing with more of his fellow
warriors. A moment later, three more shifters flew swiftly from the Wild Boar. A fifth roared in on his Harley and laid it down on the cobbles to join the fray.
The vampire had six shifters now, all coming at him. When he rose in the air, dragging Emily with him, the shifters rose as well.
Emily levitated to keep her balance and to prevent her arm from being pulled from the socket.
He kept aiming his battle energy at the shifters, trying to hold them off. But these men had seen a lot of war against the Invictus over the years. Each was a seasoned fighter.
When two of the shifters whipped behind the vampire, the mastyr finally let go of her and she saw her chance.
In that split-second, she slid into the time-path.
Once there, she moved swiftly back to her home. She was safe, for the moment. She just didn’t know for how long and she was shaking badly.
She drew her phone from her pocket and contacted one of the shifters who’d fought the mastyr. “Hey, Brim. Wanted to let you know that I’m safe. I’m going to contact Vojalie next to get some protection. She’ll know what to do. Were you able to capture the mastyr?”
When Brim responded that he’d vanished just like she did and by the way how had she done that, she lied. She told him it was a trick Vojalie had taught her. Brim would believe that, Vojalie being as powerful as she was.
Brim let her know to call if she needed any of the Brigade men again then signed off.
Emily could breathe now. It had helped just to hear Brim’s voice.
But who was this scarred mastyr who carried the stench of a dark fae? Had he been watching for her? Had he known she would be at the store? Worse, did he know where she lived?
Time to contact Vojalie.
Emily had already told Vojalie about her newly arrived blood rose abilities. She’d shared with her how she’d saved Devyn’s life because she’d fed him. She’d also relayed what happened after Devyn defeated the strange, powerful wraith, how he’d taken her back to his house. She might not have shared the intimate details, but she’d spoken of Devyn’s guilt about Kyle.
Vojalie had counseled her to be patient where Devyn was concerned. He was still grieving. Yet now, with an evil mastyr after her, Emily wondered if patience was even an option. A vampire like this one could no doubt force a bond with her. She shuddered thinking about it.
Vojalie said she would come to Emily right away, she just needed to arrange a sitter for her toddler, Bernice.
As Emily waited for Vojalie, she stood in her sitting room, her gaze fixed to the backyard. Her cottage was situated near a stream and a well-cared for woodland that ran several miles in both directions east and west. A number of houses had been built next to the woods forming a loose community of artistic fae and elves, even a few trolls.
Vojalie’s voice was suddenly in her head. Are you ready for me, my dear?
I am. Emily was grateful for the warning.
Vojalie, who could both teleport and make use of the time-path, appeared a few feet in front of her. She greeted Emily warmly by taking both her hands then kissing Emily on each cheek. “Are you okay?”
Emily nodded briskly. “I am now, but it was frightening at the time.”
“Be well and don’t worry. You and I will figure something out.” Vojalie turned in a slow circle. “I’ve always loved your home. It’s romantic and artistic. It suits you. Has Mastyr Devyn been here?”
“Yes, a few times, but not since Kyle’s death.”
Vojalie looked up. “Oh, and these windows. Look at all the stars.”
