Winter Solstice

Chapter One

The night air was bitter but the fresh blood pumping through Gordon O'Caha's body warmed him. His cheeks were even slightly flushed—something that didn't happen often. The man he'd fed from had been fat and jolly, stuffed in a Father Christmas suit and wreaking of whiskey. A second glance back at his "dinner" showed him the man was still slumped in the darkened alleyway. The man was propped haphazardly against an old building. Exactly where he'd left him after feeding from him.

Gordon adjusted the collar of his long, black leather coat and slipped on his gloves. He smoothed the front of his black Prada dress shirt. It matched his slacks. He had a thing for all black and cared not what others thought on the matter. He also had a taste for the finer things in life.

Freshly fallen snow crunched beneath his designer dress shoes as he stepped out from the alley. He worried not about his tracks. They'd never be linked to him.

The sounds of Christmas music, playing from loud speakers, carefully hidden away on lamp posts with wreaths, filled the air. With only a few days left until Christmas, the streets were busier than normal for this time of night. Last minute shoppers weaved paths past one another, each too absorbed in their own personal matters to notice that of any others.

A policeman stood waving several older women across the street. Gordon stared at the man, willing him to look in his direction. The man did. Once eye contact was made, Gordon simply drew upon the gifts of his kind, using nothing more than his mind, to instruct the man on how best to handle the situation of the drunken man in the alley.

The policeman would call for help. It would arrive. The drunken man would sober up in the hospital with a warm bed and food in his stomach. No one would remember the presence of the mysterious man—Gordon— because he simply willed it so. With a mix of ancient druid magik and the power of the blood drinkers running through him, he was a force to be reckoned with. None could deny him that much.

"Och, it's almost too easy," he muttered, partially under his breath as he strolled out and onto the busy sidewalk. Life lacked surprise anymore, not that what he did counted as living. He existed. Plain and simple. And this was his night. Yule. The longest night of the year. The day when the Celtic myths of old tell of the Oak King killing his brother the Holly King. All Gordon was fully sure of anymore was on this night he was afforded more darkness, allowing him greater freedoms.

His cell rang and he ignored it, already knowing who was calling. One of his cousins. Probably Coyle. The O'Cahas were fiercely loyal to their family and they alone, in the world of magiks, refused to abandon him to the darkness. After the attack, they tried their best to get him to see reason—to return with them and continue to fight the good fight, but he couldn't. He was no longer a good man. A full-blooded druid. Now he was tainted with the blood of demons.

His phone rang once more and he knew it was Coyle again. Coyle liked to try to reconnect with him during the holidays. The Winter Solstice was a favorite of his cousin's.

"I do nae need family. I need no one," Gordon said partially under his breath.

Something slammed into Gordon and suddenly liquid fire ignited against his groin, drawing with it a groan from him.

"By Dagda!" Blinking in surprise, he reached out quickly, catching hold of the pixie before him. The woman, coming only to his mid chest, was tiny in his arms. She wiggled, almost managing to break free of his barely there hold. Eyes as green as the grass near the bog at the base of the land he played on as a child stared up at him through a shroud of thick lashes. Long wisps of blonde, unruly, curly hair fought to be free of the clips holding it up. There was a bit of the old country in her. No doubt about it.

The darker side of him—the side that should be sated for weeks to come— thrummed with hunger. His ears pounded with the sound of her beating heart. The blood raced through her veins, taunting him. His resolve nearly broke as he focused in on her neck. For a split second, he was sure his fangs had exploded through his gums. A quick roll of his tongue over his teeth proved otherwise. He knew he should release her and flee or risk being her end, yet he couldn't get his fingers to unfurl from her upper arms.

With a sharp intake of breath, she stared at his groin. "Ohmygod, I'm so sorry."

Fog coated his mind, making it difficult to form a thought. He had to focus, harnessing both his manly urges and the darkness he harbored. The woman shouldn't have had that effect on him. Others hadn't in his hundreds upon hundreds of years roaming the earth. Why would this one prove different?

"Are you all right?" she asked, her voice as demure as she appeared to be.

Am I all right? I want to rip the clothes from her body, feed from her and fuck her into the otherworld, and she's wonderin' if I'm all right?

Gordon shook his head slightly and cleared his throat, following her gaze. His eyes widened as he found the front of his black slacks covered in a large wet spot.

I've embarrassed myself?

Nae.

He looked again.

Aye.

"I, well, I…" he stammered, only then noting the crushed paper cup and plastic lid laying near his feet in the snow. Brown liquid was splattered on the ground around them.

"That coco was scalding hot," she said, reaching for him. "Did it burn you?"

Her delicate fingers connected with the front of his crotch and Gordon knew then he'd not yet come in his pants. If she kept touching him, he would. Grabbing her wrist gently, he eased her fingers from him, instantly mourning the loss of her touch. CHELSY RILEY STARED in horror at the large wet spot on the man in front of her. She'd been so wrapped up in thoughts about errands that she'd never seen him there. She'd careened into him, spilling her cup of steaming hot coco all over him. The strange way he watched her made her wonder if he was in shock. Something as hot as the liquid all over his groin had to be painful.

Her gaze flickered to his pants once more. She tipped her head, her mouth forming an "O" as she took note of the size of his erection pressed firmly against the wet material. Men didn't come packaged like that. It had to be a sock or something other than his cock. If it was the real deal, the man was carrying around a battering ram in his pants.

Pink stained her upper chest as she realized she was checking him out. She ripped her gaze from his groin, drawing it up his broad chest. Sadly, that did nothing in the way of breaking her wanton thoughts of him. If the man was half as built as she was guessing he was under all those layers, he was amazing. She chewed at her lower lip, hoping to keep from moaning.

When her gaze met his dark blue one, she took another tiny step back. He was at least six and a half feet tall. Had there been any sun out, he'd have surely eclipsed it. As it stood, he already did a fine number of blocking out the moon's pale light. Long jet black hair hung past his shoulders. Pieces of it were braided in tiny braids, the ends secured with black bands. The rest lay about his shoulders, untouched. There was a fierceness about him. It was as if he were out of place. Like he belonged somewhere else. In another time perhaps.

"Lass, can you nae see? How is it you can miss one such as me?" he snapped, his brogue evident. "I'm hardly a small man."

No. Small certainly wasn't the word she'd use to describe him.

It was then she pictured him standing in a field of heather, somewhere in Scotland, dressed in full Highlander regal. The image was so vivid she had to force herself away from it.

Her lips turned upwards. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to spill my coco on you."

"Well, you did," he said harshly, his hands tightening on her forearms.

She hissed and pulled, trying to get loose. "You're hurting me."

His eyes widened and he released her at once. His gaze locked upon her arms and he reached out tentatively. She flinched and his hardened expression softened in an instant. "I'll nae harm you. I only wish to assure yer well. My strength got away from me, lass."

Genuine concern rode not only his voice but his face as well. Chelsy had no choice but to drop her guard somewhat. "I'm fine. How about you?" She motioned to his groin. "How badly are you burned?"

Before he could respond, sirens sounded throughout the night, piercing the Christmas music. The man in front of her never bothered to so much as glance at the ambulance that sped to a stop just behind them. Nor did he pay any mind to the commotion as what appeared to be a homeless man dressed in a Santa suit was brought out on a stretcher. The only thing the man seemed concerned with was her.

She gulped. With a shaky finger, she pointed towards the paramedics. "Look. They have Santa. I wonder what happened to the man. I hope he's okay."

"Father Christmas is fine," the man said, stepping closer. "And you do nae see him."

Confused, she lifted a brow, still pointing. "But I do see him. He's right there."

A stunned expression came over the handsome stranger. "Did you nae hear me? I said, you do nae see him."

Again, she remained in place. "Are you mental or something, mister?"

"The name is Gordon O'Caha and I'm nae touched in the head, though you seem to be resistant to such a thing."

His words were odd, as was the man, but there was something about him that drew her in. She lowered her arm and settled slightly when the hustle and bustle on the street began to clear. The ambulance pulled away and everything seemed to go back to normal or as normal as it could be in the height of the Christmas happenings.

"Well, Gordon, I'm Chelsy. My shop is just up the street here. If you want, I have some paper towels and a sink you can use to clean up in."

He watched her for what felt like forever before finally responding. "Aye. I'd like that verra much."

It was impossible to hold back a smile. The way the man phrased things and his accent was too much for her. She stepped past him, her body brushing against his. Fire ignited within her, and she undid the three buttons that held her long, thick wool sweater duster together in the front.

Gordon invaded her space, his powerful body making contact with her once more. "Lass, you look warm. Somethin' a matter?"

Yeah, I'm suffering from hormone overload.

"N-no, I'm good," she said, straightening her shoulders and heading in the direction of her shop. If she kept staring at him, she might very well beg the man to do naughty things to her and she wasn't that type of girl. Her grandmother had raised her better than that.

• • • GORDON FOLLOWED CLOSELY BEHIND CHELSY. Her bottom was rounded. Not too plump and not too skinny. Just the way he liked them. So many women in this day and age prided themselves on being skin and bones. A man had to have something to grab hold of at night. Something to pound into. It was his job to be hard and the woman's job to be soft and welcoming. Chelsy looked like she was precisely that.

Soft.

Warm.

Welcoming.

His cock throbbed with need. He adjusted it, taking a moment to palm his erection as he thought about sinking between the globes of her ass. There was a certain fire about her. Her will was strong. So strong that he'd been unable to compel her with his voice. Humans always obeyed his will be it spoken or not. Having one who so easily stood in opposition to his influence was refreshing. He'd see where she led him and then use her to sate the burning in his loins. Already he felt the need to feed his bloodlust once more and she'd do nicely for that as well. He'd be careful about how he fed from her though as to not alert her it was occurring.

I'll get in, fuck her, drink and then go.

He huffed.

Okay, mayhap I'll fuck, drink from her and then stick around a wee bit longer to fuck her again.

A large iron sign hung outside a tiny corner store.

The Cobbler's Bookstore.

He arched a brow. Someone did shoe repair and sold books?

Chelsy turned, a grin on her face. "Used to be a shoe repair shop before my grandmother bought it and made it a used bookstore."

"Ah, I see." Or so he claimed until he entered the store and noted the abundance of books on druids and magiks scattered about, displayed in various ways. What was odd was some of the books looked to be ancient, and while she had them within glass cases, she had them all the same. They were to be passed down within druid lines, never for public consumption. Sadly, history firmly believed little to no written accounts of druids existed when in reality many did, but they remained within the druid lines, never to be shared with the general public. Seeing them on display set his teeth on edge.

He strolled to the case that had first caught his eye and touched the glass. Power pulsed through the air, from the book to his fingers and then back again. He drew in a sharp breath but kept a straight face. "This one. How much for it?"

"Sorry, not for sale," Chelsy replied. "Display only. All the ones in that case are the same. Just there for looks. Not for purchase."

He eyed her closely. Was she aware of how special they were? He'd not sensed any magikal gifts upon her. Well, if he wasn't counting her ability to make his cock rock hard in an instant a magikal gift.

"Money is nae an issue for me, lass," he said. "Name yer price."

She joined him near the case and seemed lost in thought for a moment. "The books were my grandmother's and her father's before her and his before that. Blah, blah, blah. Since they've been in my family for like ever, I couldn't ever part with them. They were too interesting to keep locked away in my grandmother's storage room, so I dusted them off and brought them out here for others to be able to enjoy their beauty as well." She inched closer. "Are you a book collector?"

"This subject interests me," he offered, still eyeing the books and then her. Why was it he didn't sense the druid on her when the books were evident it was in her blood line?

The text currently making itself known to him was one that spoke of how to handle a practitioner of the dark arts. Its title roughly translated to Darkness Through Light. He couldn't tear his gaze from it, wondering what it would recommend one do to handle him. Since the attack that left him what he was today—one with both the blood drinkers and the druids—he was often labeled as a dark druid and hunted by those he'd once called brothers. It didn't help that the longer he'd spent on his own, the more he'd convinced himself he was indeed a great darkness. Before long, he was actually living up to the reputation that preceded him.

He slinked his fingers over the smooth glass, hungry for the knowledge within the text. It wasn't until Chelsy's tiny hand touched his forearm that he was able to draw back from the pull of power. She stared up at him curiously.

"Gordon?"

"Aye."

"I was talking to you but it was like you were in a trance or something," she said softly, her hand still on him, making his arms heat. "I think you might be in shock from the burns. We better get you out of those pants fast." Instantly, her cheeks stained with color. "I mean, well, it's just… the restroom is that way."

"Lass, if it's my trews you'd be wantin' off, I'd be happy to oblige."

Her eyes widened and he winked, causing infectious laughter to break free from her. He joined in, his hand finding its way over hers in an oddly protective manner. The book pulsed with power once more. At first, his instincts were to shield Chelsy from it, assuming it was going to lash out at him for the darkness he carried. In the last second, before he would have moved her, he sensed something else.

A warning.

And not about him but rather to him.

Danger comes… for her.

With no concern for himself, Gordon spun around, putting his body between Chelsy's and the entrance. He spotted them then, dark mages walking among the shoppers outside, blending in to anyone who didn't possess magik. They were searching for something, or if the book was correct, someone.

Chelsy.

Chapter Two

Chelsy wasn't sure how to react. One second she was standing next to Gordon near her register and the next he was racing about the tiny bookstore, pulling the blinds and locking the door.

She gulped, her gaze shooting towards the back exit. He was big and fast but there was a chance she could make it. Being locked in with a man she didn't know who was acting past the point of strange wasn't an option. She had no interest in being the lead story on the eleven o'clock news broadcast.

"Lass," he said, his tone warning. "I know what yer thinking. You can attempt to flee, but you will nae make it verra far afore yer dead."

"Before I'm what?" she squeaked. "Ohmygod, I'm sorry about the hot chocolate."

His brow lifted. "What?"

"I didn't mean to dump it on you. It was an accident. Please don't hurt me."

His eyes widened. "You think I'd hurt you?"

She hiccupped. "Y-you said you'd kill me if I try to run."

He swayed, touching his stomach as if it was churning. "Och, I said no such thing!" He thumbed towards the entrance. "The others comin' for you will be doin' the killin' if you do nae stay close to me."

She looked past him, at the closed blinds. "Someone is coming to try to rob my shop?"

"Lass, are you touched in the head?" he asked calmly. "Where do you get these ideas from?"

"Gee," she snapped back. "I wonder."

He took a deep breath and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Lass, I'm gonna ask you a question and you need to answer me honestly."

"Okay."

"Can you wield magik?"

Chelsy tipped her head, hoping that by leaning in, what he asked would make more sense. "I'm sorry but did you just ask me if I can do magik?"

"Aye."

She laughed. When he didn't, her jaw dropped. "You're serious?"

"I am."

Covering her eyes with her hands, she shook her head. "Great, he's hot and insane. I bet he's an escaped mental patient or something. Sure, Chelsy, drag the crazies home with you."

A strange warmth and light caught her attention. She lowered her hands to find glowing yellow orbs of light spinning around Gordon. He had his arms out, palms up and an unreadable look upon his face. The lights danced towards her and she yelped.

"They'll nae hurt you, lass."

Reaching out, she came just shy of touching one. "You're… magik."

He chuckled. "Aye, I suppose I am. The term yer lookin' for is druid."

She glanced towards the books on display and back to him. "Real live magik druids are real? They're not a myth? They're real?"

He looked to the orbs as if that was answer enough.

She went to touch one again but stopped. "Promise they won't hurt me."

"Aye."

She made contact with it and a tingly feeling swept up her arm, making her giggle. Almost instantly, the orb turned into a white dove of light, spreading its wings wide, flying about the room. She clapped her hands together and spun, watching it, her eyes full of wonder. "Gordon, it's beautiful!"

Suddenly, he was directly behind her, his hands on her shoulders. "Lass, that's nae my doing."

"What?" she asked. "Of course it is. Who else would be doing it?"

He ran his large hands down her arms and lifted her wrists. His hands slid over hers and his warm breath skated over her neck. "Lass, you touched what I'd created and the bird came about."

She stared at their joined hands, unable to focus. Her entire body warmed and she rubbed almost catlike against him. Never had she wanted a man more. She should be screaming, running in terror from her shop and the man who could wield magik, but she felt safe with him. And she wanted him, in ways she shouldn't.

Gordon's erection dug into her lower back. "Careful, lass. I may be immortal and able to wield magik, but in the end, I'm just a man."

Immortal?

Gasping, she glanced over her shoulder at him. "You'll live forever?"

"So long as I keep my heart and head and avoid sunlight."

"Sunlight?"

He winked. "Related to something else, but, aye."

She smiled. "Neat."

He laughed. "I was expecting you to scream or maybe shout and try to run from me. I was nae expecting a neat from you."

She couldn't look away. He bent his head, his lips hovering near hers. Chelsy's lips separated slightly and the next thing she knew, Gordon kissed her. His tongue darted into her mouth, spearing her lips sweetly. He moaned and dragged her around to face him, their tongues laced.

Never had a man been so bold with her and she liked it. Liked how in charge he seemed to be. Their kiss increased and she went to her tiptoes, trying to compensate for the difference in height. She nicked her tongue on something sharp and blood welled quickly. She tried to draw back from Gordon but he held tighter, lifting her, almost eating at her mouth in a seductive manner. Her toes curled and her belly tightened in anticipation. BLOOD.

Warm, rich, coppery and full of power and light.

She was like liquid gold in his mouth, coating his tongue.

Gordon swallowed, continuing to kiss her. His cock pushed at his jeans, wanting free, wanting her. He knew he should release her and keep his distance but he couldn't. He lifted her higher and much to his surprise she wrapped her legs around his waist. He wanted to take what she was offering, but the book of darkness pulsed power at him once more, warning him of danger to her. It was the only reason he composed himself.

Setting her down gently, he groaned. "Chelsy, something evil is comin'."

"I know," she whispered, touching her swollen lips.

"Listen closely, lass," he said, doing his best to ignore his raging hard on. "Do you have any mistletoe, holly, ivy or evergreens?"

"Um, why?"

"I can use them to help block negative energy. To help hide what I am and possibly give us the upper hand."

Chelsy took a calming breath before leaning forward. She smiled. "So what you're saying is that you need Christmas decorations to help save you from the ultimate evil?"

"Och, lass," Gordon said, running his hand through his hair. "Do nae make it out to be so simple. And they're nae decorations. They're used to help honor the triple goddess at Yule time."

"The triple who?"

He sighed. "Did yer grandmere never explain this all to you? It's clear she had knowledge of the druids and Celtic ways. She had to explain it was a marking of rebirth of…"

Chelsy clicked her fingers and pointed to him. "Yes. Well, no, but kind of."

He looked tired.

"See, she used to always say this time of year meant out with the old and in with the new, rebirth of everything."

He perked.

"I sort of assumed she was slightly crazy and eccentric, so I pretty much dismissed everything she said."

He rolled his eyes. "'Tis no wonder she summoned me to you."

"She did what?"

"The coco, lass. I do nae believe it was an accident."

She huffed. "I already said I didn't do it on purpose."

His lips pulled upwards, a slight smile forming. "I know. What I'm saying is yer grandmere reached from the otherworld to assure we met. I think her magik remains and that she knew I could protect you." He looked down at her. "If, and only if, you stop asking me so many questions." CHELSY OPENED HER MOUTH, additional questions on the tip of her tongue, but she snapped it shut fast.

Gordon laughed, deep and from the gut, the sound moving over her, setting her mind at ease. He put his hand out to her. "Lass, I need for you to trust in me. Can you do that?"

She nodded, placing her hand in his. "Yes."

"Guid," he said, drawing her close.

She pressed her body to his and listened, wondering if she'd hear anything out of the ordinary. She believed him, something bad was coming. She could almost feel it. Being close to him helped to lessen the worry somewhat. He touched her back, caressing it lightly.

"Lass, I'm going to ask you to hide behind the counter and to nae come out, regardless of what you see or hear," he said. "Can you do it? Can you obey me?"

She lifted her head, her gaze meeting his. "Yes."

"Guid girl, now go," he said, nudging her in the direction of the counter. "Stay low and do nae make a sound."

"Wait, Gordon?"

"Aye?"

"Will you be all right? I don't want you hurt on account of me."

He seemed surprised by her concern for him. "I'll be fine, lass. Now go."

His cell phone rang and he lifted it. He opened it quickly. "Coyle, I do nae have time for yer bonds of family foolishness. I'll call you back." He huffed. "'Tis a wonder I answer at all with the snash runnin' from yer mouth. And do nae think I do nae hear Korey's chattel in the background. Goodbye." He hung up and tossed his phone to the side.

Chelsy did as instructed, rushing behind the counter and going to her knees, her head just high enough to peek around, through the glass of the adjacent display case. Gordon headed towards her but stopped on the other side of the case. He grabbed a book on tourism, leaned against the glass case and began leafing through it.

The locks to the shop door disengaged and her eyes widened. No one but her had a key. No one but her should be able to unlock the door that quickly. Three men filed in, one after the other each looking as big as Gordon. Their gaze swept over the shop entrance way before landing upon him.

"The owner?"

"You're talkin' to him," Gordon said evenly, still flipping through the book. "Can I interest you in a book on travel? Seems to me, you should be anywhere but here."

Chelsy remained in place.

The lead man, with hair as dark as Gordon's, stepped forth. "Who are you?"

"I'd be the man of the house," Gordon replied unhurried.

"Is that so?" the lead man asked, grinning.

"Aye, that'd be so."

The men exchanged glances.

The dark haired one motioned to the bald one. "Check the back for her."

"For who?" Gordon asked, almost smirking at them.

"Don't play with us, druid."

Gordon laughed. "Do nae worry. I do nae enjoy playing with my food."

"You've no business in this, druid," the dark haired one said. "Go and we'll overlook you stepping in our way. All we want is the girl."

Chelsy stiffened.

Gordon snickered again, reaching down and blatantly adjusting himself. "Funny, all I want is the lass as well though I'm thinkin' she'd much rather prefer me doin' what I want to do to her than you lot."

Nodding, Chelsy stayed low. Of course she'd pick Gordon over them. Heck, she'd pick Gordon over any man. She couldn't help but glance at his rock hard ass, pressed against the glass case. Even in the face of danger, the man managed to turn her on.

The lead man lifted his arm and Gordon did the same. "Listen," Gordon said. "I do nae know if yer aware of this or not, but yer nae the only one here with magik."

"Yeah but there are three of us and one of you," the man replied. "Now, give us the young witch and we'll be on our way."

"No can do," Gordon answered. "I plan to keep her for myself. She's clumsy, talks too much, is on the short side, but oddly I'm findin' those qualities to my liking more and more."

She smiled.

They seemed to take forever before the lead one spoke again. "Very well, for now, we'll leave matters be but, druid, you should know we'll be back."

"I'd expect nothing less from you lot," Gordon replied. "But, you should know, I'll be here."

The men left quickly and Gordon moved around the counter with a speed that shocked her. He lifted her to her feet and held onto her shoulders. "Lass, yer nae to be alone. Do you understand me? Let's get you to a friend or family member and I'll do what I can to lead the dark mages far from you."

She stared up at him. "I don't have any family left and I've not been in town long enough to make any friends. It's just me and I live in the apartment above the shop here."

"Unacceptable," he answered.

She blinked. "Excuse me."

"Are you deaf as well as daft? You cannae stay by yerself."

With a snort, she stomped on his foot. "I'll have you know I'm very smart. I get that I can't stay by myself, but I have nowhere to go and no one to go to. So if you're done being all gruff and grumpy, I'd like to take a moment to absorb the fact that magik is real and bad men are after me." She looked to the side. "Wait, what do they want with me?"

"My guess, they're wanting to use you in a timed ritual and sacrifice you to their gods. It's a verra dark mage thing to do. All the rage." He rolled his eyes and waved a hand in the air absently.

She assumed he was joking. When he didn't smile or laugh, her eyes widened. "You're serious!"

"Aye."

She grabbed hold of his hands. "If you even think of leaving me I'll…I'll…"

He grinned. "You'll what, lass?"

Chelsy tried to think of something grand but came up blank. Gordon chuckled again and bent his head, his lips coming right for hers once more. The kiss was packed with passion yet chaste. When he released her, he pointed towards the back. "Go directly upstairs. I need to do some things down here to protect you and then I'll come up."

She touched his chest. "Promise me you won't just leave me."

"Och, lass, do nae think you'll be gettin' rid of me that easy," he said with a grin. "I'll be up soon. Now off with you."