garnet-red hair around a dangerously beautiful masculine face with golden-brown eyes. If someone had crossed an angel with a tiger, Teague would have been their lovechild.
Did I mention he was maybe thirteen, fourteen years old at the most?
“It’s deep enough.” I turned to Kendric. “Can I get an older tester? He’s just started puberty.”
He smiled. “In my first life I served as Teague’s novice. He’s among the oldest of our kind.”
Druid crap like this always gave me a headache. “I promised the laird I wouldn’t use my power. As in ever again.”
Kendric raised his hands. “Only show Master Teague once, that he may take the measure of your gift.”
“You need to go, then.” I wasn’t going to have a repeat of the night I’d come into my power; every man in Dun Dorchas had fallen to their knees in front of me—including the laird. As soon as K-pop beat it I glared at Teague. “I’ll do it for five seconds. That’s all.”
He nodded.
I took a deep breath, and one by one let go of the chains and locks I’d mentally wrapped around my ability. A glow started to roll off my skin as my body shifted from ordinary Olivia to the thing I became with it. I’d done it once while I was alone by the loch, and watched the transformation. Honestly, I didn’t see any change.
The girls had described it as me going supernovamodel. Men couldn’t describe what they saw; they were too busy drooling and begging me to love them.
Teague didn’t take his eyes off me as he started to glow, too. “Come here, Olivia.”
I didn’t think as I walked right up to him. “You’re like me.”
“Aye.” He pressed his palm to my cheek, and the glow from our powers merged.
We stood in one of those weird druid trance moments with history rushing all around us. Those who possessed our ability were born only once every two or three millennia, and always lived solitary lives. The loneliness that came with the ability made them choose not to reincarnate—all except Teague.
The glow faded, and we stood there looking at each other. He was staring at my mouth. I wanted to rub my cheek against his hand (and the rest of him, for that matter.)
Since I hadn’t turned into a pedophile, I stepped back. “Why show me that?”
“The water demons cannae entrance us, nor we them,” Teague said. “We possess the same allure and shifting powers.” He ran his hand down my arm in what was most definitely a caress. “Gods, but you’re lovely.”
This just kept getting better and better. “Thanks. I’m going to go kill myself now.” I stalked off.
He caught up with me in the herb gardens outside the kitchens. “We’re no’ calpa, Olivia. The Gods gifted us to oppose them, so I swore I’d reincarnate until mortal kind needed me. Yet I never imagined I’d find a mate. Time ever separates the few with our powers.”
“We’re not mating,” I snapped. “And how do we fight the demons? By turning everyone else into our zombie love slaves before they do?”
“Our presence nulls the calpas’ allure powers.” He started glowing again, and it actually hurt me to look at him. “Why willnae you accept me? I feel your desire in every look.”
“Yes, I want you.” There, I’d admitted it. “Your soul may be a thousand years old, but right now you’re a kid, and I’m a grown woman. That makes it disgusting.”
He smiled a little. “I cannae shift nor mate until my body reaches manhood. We’ll wait, and take the time to ken each other. You’ve only to give up what parts us to feel easy with me.”
I frowned. “Explain.”
Teague did, and helped me manifest the rest of my power. When we walked back to the castle Kendric was waiting on us. As soon as he saw me he chuckled and shook his head.
“With all due respect, Master? Shut up.” I glanced down at my flat chest and skinny arms and legs before I met Teague’s gaze. Shifting my body from a woman’s to a girl’s had been a snap, but living like this was going to take some getting used to. “I don’t have to look thirteen for the whole six years, do I?”
Chapter 9
Grudge Match
Being the smallest, strongest girl on the Highland Angels made me the Frequent Flyer—as in I got to do all the scariest stunts. By the time I joined the squad I’d already spent fifteen years in gymnastics, so I had the training to