Bonded Spirits Page 3

  She moved her head from side to side and forced her eyes open. “If I’m going to die, at least find me some wine. I don’t want to die sober.”

  “You're not going to die.” I focused on her eyes. “This may hurt a little.” I grabbed my water bottle and poured the cool liquid over her wound, cleaning it the best I could.

  It was definitely a projectile wound of some sort, and as soon as I cleared away all the blood, I breathed a small sigh of relief. A piece of shrapnel had lodged itself into her ribcage, but not gone any further.

  I pulled out my knife and carefully made a small incision to help me remove it. As I used the knife to free the small piece of lead, she opened her eyes slowly and watched. She arched her back slightly as I worked, lifting her chest higher, her eyes locked on mine. “Hold on, I’ve almost got it.”

  It took every bit of willpower to remain focused on my task at hand and not her amazing body.

  Her breaths increased, and she moaned. It was almost as if she were enjoying the pain. After a few seconds, I freed the bullet and after a quick inspection I was confident I could remove all of it.

  She lowered her back down onto the ground, and her breaths slowed gradually. I looked down at her and gave her a small smile. “You were extremely lucky. Fortunately, the bullet stopped at your ribs. It could’ve been much worse.”

  She blinked slowly, her eyes locked on mine. “Thank you. I knew I shouldn’t have gone.” She paused for a moment and moaned quietly as she shifted. “I was out of options. Please say you’ll stay and help me.”

  I pulled my t-shirt up over my head and used my knife to cut it into several pieces. Her eyes scanned my chest and a small smile rose to her mouth, despite her obvious pain.

  I wanted to keep her wound from becoming infected, so I used the cleanest pieces first to dress it. I secured the makeshift bandage in place by wrapping my trail marker tape around it a couple of times.

  ]My eyes settled on her legs as I shifted her blood-soaked cloak out of the way. She wore a pair of short shorts that gave way to her two long, slender, and hair-covered legs.

  I took a deep breath and ran a hand down along one of her legs. The hair was incredibly soft and was not what I was expecting. I turned my head away from her legs slowly and met her eyes. “Don’t worry, I’m not going anywhere. We should probably get you to a hospital though.”

  “No! I need to stay here until I am healed. There is enough spirit here to help my healing, I already feel much better than I did when we were going through the tunnel. Besides, they will sense my injuries outside of this house.” Her eyes stretched wide, almost frantic.

  I shook my head. “It’s too big a risk, you’ll get an infection. I don’t have enough supplies with me to treat you if that happens.” I paused and looked around the house. “Okay, let’s calm down for a minute. How about we start with our names? I’m Logan.”

  “Gwen.” She shifted her legs slowly and stared at me curiously. “Why haven’t you run? Usually when humans see my legs, and...” She paused and shook her head free from her hood, revealing two small curved horns. “My horns.” She turned her gaze toward the floor as if she were expecting me to bolt or react with some sort of disgust.

  I stared at her horns for a few seconds and then lowered my eyes back down to her face. I lifted her chin gently, so she faced me once more. “My number one concern is that you’re okay. I’ll admit, I’ve never seen a woman quite like you before, but I’m not going anywhere.” I paused and ran my hand down her slender arm. “You can trust me. I’ll not let anyone else hurt you.”

  The look on her face went from embarrassment to complete lust as she reached up and pulled my head in close to hers, giving me another passionate kiss that I hadn’t realized I’d been longing for since the first one she gave me.

  I wasn't sure what was happening, but at that moment I wanted nothing more than to be with her. Nothing else mattered, and I was okay with that. It almost felt as if I were under a spell, or being guided toward her, but I refused to fight the feeling, giving into it instead.

  I remained focused on her eyes. She was the most beautiful woman I'd ever seen. I blinked a couple of times as my vision began to blur slightly, it almost felt as if I were actually intoxicated.

  She lowered her hand down along my shirtless side, her neatly manicured nails scratching lightly as she traced my abs and lowered down to the button of my pants.

  With a quick flick of her wrist, she undid the button and plunged her hand inside, finding my already rock-hard member and squeezing it tightly in her hand.

  I leaned in and kissed her again, savoring her taste. Our tongues explored each other’s mouths hungrily as she stroked my manhood. I pushed back and focused on her eyes. "Are you sure? You're injured."

  Her voice rose in my mind, blocking out all of my other thoughts. "Your core is so strong. Take me."

  I glanced down at her wounds across her chest and they were glimmering as if some sort of magical energy was running through them.

  Her voice rose in my mind again as she pulled me down for another kiss. "Take me, now. I want you. Your core... it's so strong. I need you."

  Danger flashed through my mind, but was soon replaced by calm. I felt something strong coursing through my body. Something powerful weaving its way through from my feet to my head. I pulled back again and stared into her beautiful pale blue eyes. I wanted her too, and something inside of me needed her.

  Within seconds I was completely naked and worked on her clothes, urgently, but careful not to hurt her. She pumped my length faster while reaching down inside her shorts with her free hand, moving her fingers quickly up and down, prompting a fresh round of loud moans.

  She pulled her hand out of her pants, her fingers glistening and moist as she brought them down and wrapped them underneath her other hand, using both now. She pulled me close as I removed her remaining clothing.

  Her pale blue eyes almost glowed now as she stared intently into mine. Her hands never stopped pumping steadily and making me harder than I’d ever been in my life.

  I shifted my attention down to her perky breasts. I spent time with each nipple to make them harden with anticipation.

  She bit down on my neck without breaking the skin and released my member. She removed my pants and brought her hands up to my back and pulled me down on top of her. She whispered in my ear. “Take me. Take me now. I need you inside of me.”

  I kissed her again, more passionately. Her back arched and her dripping slit rubbed against my cock as if willing it inside.

  I returned my attention to her firm breasts, nibbling and sucking, while she continued to grind her hips up to meet my hardness.

  Gwen gasped and moaned as I bit down into her flesh. I was drunk on her sweet scent and wanted nothing in this world but her, everything else didn’t matter.

  I reached down between her legs, parting her soft, wet folds and stared into her eyes. Her gaze remained locked on mine as I pressed my throbbing tip inside of her soft opening.

  Her eyes rolled back and an enormous smile rose across her face as I moved inside of her, taking my time as her body accepted each inch. “Wow, you’re fucking huge!”

  She wrapped her legs around my waist and pulled me forward, slamming as much of my girth inside of her tight opening as she could take.

  I worked my hips back and forth with a slow and steady rhythm at first, which gave way to more urgent, powerful thrusts. She screamed out as she pulled me deeper. “I’m... oh… feels so... good!” Pleasure wracked her body, sending shivers through her as she came. She bit her lip to prevent herself from yelling out as she convulsed in ecstasy. “Logan!”

  Her pulsing channel sent me over the edge as I slammed forward several more times before one last surge and emptied my hot seed deep inside of her.

  She moaned as her climax intensified, grinding her hips on my girth before falling limp with exhaustion underneath me.

  Overwhelming energy rose from within and surrounded me. My mu
scles tensed and my mind cleared. When I looked down at Gwen, I could see... inside of her.

  Her thoughts came into my mind as clear as if she were speaking them to me. I felt stronger than I’d ever been and thrust my length inside of her one last time before collapsing on the floor next to her.

  She turned and pulled me close to her face. “Thank you for saving me.” She gave me a small smirk before one last passionate kiss.

  As exhaustion took over, I held her tightly, and she fell asleep in my embrace.

  Chapter Four

  I woke early and grabbed my clothes. Gwen remained sleeping peacefully. I knew she needed some rest after what she’d been through yesterday.

  I took in her beauty for a few seconds before walking toward the rear of the house. I still couldn’t shake the feeling that I’d been under some sort of spell. That feeling of intoxication was unmistakable, yet I knew it wasn’t possible.

  I glanced out the back window and watched a few birds fly up across the tall pines that surrounded us. The house was small but comfortable. There was the primary room with the giant fireplace and upstairs there were three bedrooms, one large master bedroom and two smaller rooms.

  Off the primary room, toward the back of the house, was a large kitchen, and a single gigantic bathroom with a custom-built walk-in bath.

  I knew I could use a quick cleanup, and I was sure Gwen would appreciate it if I didn’t smell like a sexed-up mountain man. Maybe she would. I chuckled to myself and walked over to the bath. I turned the handle for the water, but nothing came out. Well, there goes that idea.

  I exited the bathroom and stared out the back window at the small lake. A tall and beautiful waterfall emptied into it, sending calm ripples across the glassy face of the water.

  Today was opening day. I don’t think I’m going to get much hunting done today. I unlocked the back door and stepped outside.

  The air was crisp and cool but had a different feel to it. I sat on a log outside the back door and stared out at the crystal clear water as it rushed over the waterfall. All I was missing was some fresh coffee.

  When I looked up, Gwen was standing in front of me, in all of her naked glory. “Good morning, Logan.”

  I gave her a friendly smile and realized I was still naked as well, my member already at half-mast just from her presence. “How are you feeling this morning?” I asked.

  “Oh, much better.” She lowered her hand down to the wound on her ribs and lifted the makeshift bandage that I’d attached.

  I stepped closer and inspected the wound. “You almost can’t even see where you were hit. That is amazing.”

  She smiled and shrugged. “I suppose so. You saved my life. If you wouldn’t have brought me back here when you did and removed that shrapnel, I fear I would’ve died. Satyrs are relatively fast healers, although...” She paused and ran her hand along her side and down to her naked mound. “I appreciate your... healing touch.”

  I could tell from the mischievous grin she shot me she wasn’t just alluding to my removing the shrapnel. My eyes remained locked on her midsection.

  Her fur started about halfway down her thigh, ending in two very strong-looking hooves. I hadn’t even noticed how pronounced they actually were last night. “I’m happy I was in the right place at the right time.” I cocked my head and eyed her curiously. “Now that we’re not being shot at, you want to tell me what the hell is going on?”

  She straightened and grabbed my arm, pulling me toward the lake. “Of course, I’ll tell you as much as I can, but first I must wash you.”

  I chuckled slightly as she led me to the water. “I appreciate the help, but I’m pretty sure I’m capable of washing myself.”

  She dropped her hand from my arm and ran it down my flat stomach, down to my now completely hardened staff. She wrapped her hand around its circumference and craned her neck back slightly. “Are you sure about that?”

  I followed her into the lake, and we took turns bathing each other. Something about the satyr was irresistible to me. Although, I didn’t want to resist her. It took every ounce of self-control I had not to take her again right here. “So, Gwen, what happened yesterday?”

  She cupped a handful of water and let it fall down my back and traced it with her finger as it fell. “I was searching for help. I didn’t have any other options. My sisters are in danger, and I knew I couldn’t rely on anyone around here to help me.”

  “Your sisters?” I looked around as if half expecting them to appear. “How did you end up in the middle of Roosevelt National Forest? I thought I was the only one crazy enough to go that deep in the forest.”

  “Roosevelt National Forest?” She furrowed her brow in confusion. “Oh, you must mean where I found you in the Otherworld.”

  “Otherworld?”

  “Yes, the other side of the portal from Aurilon. Like I said, I was desperate.” She smiled widely and ran her slender hand down along the side of my face. “Although, I believe I found what I was looking for. You will save them.” She twirled happily and hummed as she moved in a small circle around me.

  I took a step back, surprised by her directness and calm nature about our current situation. “I will save them? Your sisters?”

  She poured another handful of water down along my back. “Yes. I believe that even more now that we’re bonded.”

  I craned my neck back to look into her eyes. “Bonded?”

  She laughed. “Yes, we were bonded last night, and I gave you my special gift. I didn’t know it was even possible for me to bond with a human, but I knew you were special when I saw you.”

  “So when we, well, did what we did last night, we became bonded? Is that what that bright light was?”

  “Of course, although you must cultivate it in order to increase its effectiveness, but it’s within you all the same. When you bond with one, you share your gifts. I felt it immediately with you last night. You opened my core wider so I’m now able to accept more spirit and rank my skills more effectively.”

  I tried to stop my mind from reeling. It was all so much to take in. As I looked at the woman though, I knew one thing was for certain; I was in love. Not just a crush or infatuation. This was deeper. “Gwen, I don’t exactly know what to think about all of this core stuff, but is it normal to have abnormally strong feelings for someone you just bonded with?”

  She blushed and smiled. “Yes, I hear that’s completely normal.” She paused and her face turned serious. “I am yours now. My life and everything I am is yours. I love you.”

  If I were back home, I would’ve run as fast as possible in the opposite direction. I didn’t need a one-night stand catching feelings. Hell, I hadn’t told a girl I’d loved her since I told my stepmom back when I was probably eight. I refocused on Gwen’s beautiful pale blue eyes and the words came out so effortlessly that I surprised myself. “I love you too.” I stared at her beautiful body for a few seconds before I continued. “So, tell me more about this bonding. I expanded your core, right? Exactly what gift did you give me? And was I drunk?”

  She laughed and shrugged. “Drunk? Hmm, I suppose I’ve been known to have that effect on some. A little satyr secret. Anyway, I... ” she stopped and corrected herself. “I mean we have the gift of Sight. All satyrs have this gift, some have it stronger than others. My Sight is at Master rank, which is the fourth rank on the ladder. There are eleven ranks in all starting at Acolyte and going to God.” She paused and laughed again as she looked at my face.

  I knew I had to look as confused as I felt. She continued. “You know, like Practitioner, for example, is what level your Sight is right now, which is impressive because that is the second rank after Acolyte. Once you cultivate enough spirit and achieve a higher rank, you’ll progress from Practitioner to Specialist, and then to Master like me. After that it goes to Grand Master, King, Expert, Honored, Saint, Deity, and finally God. Although don’t expect to be hitting that rank in this lifetime.”

  “I’m sorry, but I have no idea what the fuck
you are talking about.” I rubbed my temples and looked into her eyes.

  “Don’t worry, I’ll help you through questions.” She leaned forward and kissed me. “I could tell when I met you in the Otherworld, that you didn’t mean me harm. I could see that you wanted to protect me.” She held out a hand and pressed it to my chest, directly over the triangle-shaped scar I’d had ever since I was a baby. “And I could feel your core. It’s the strongest I’ve ever felt, and when we were bonded, it only confirmed it for me.” She paused and smiled. “You’re special, Logan. You just don’t realize how special you are yet.”

  I took a deep breath and stared into her eyes. “So you’re a Satyr. And we’re no longer on Earth but in someplace called Aur... Aurilon instead? And you gave me the gift of Sight that I can cultivate?”

  “Exactly.” She smiled. “See, I knew it would make sense to you right away.”

  I sat down in the shallow water and rested my arms on my knees as I focused on the waterfall across the lake. “Alright then. So how do I use this gift, and how do I save your sisters? And when do I wake up?”

  Gwen laughed and splashed me with some water. “Oh trust me, you’re awake.” She walked through the shallows and sat next to me. “Now, the secret to all of your power is within you.” She traced a finger up and down along my thigh before responding. “You must strengthen your core and cultivate spirit to increase not only your Sight skill but the skills you already possess.”

  “So, I have some other skills besides Sight?”

  “Yes, of course. You’re a hunter, right? So you most likely have a rank in tracking already. If you have strengthened your body…” She paused and moved her eyes up and down to inspect me. “As you obviously have, then you probably have ranks in stamina, climbing, and a few other skills related to those.”

  I eyed her for a moment. “How about you? What skills do you have?”