Sea Haven 02 - Spirit Bound

nature so much that she thought about death, about ways to keep others she loved safe. She was so afraid that her darker emotions, as natural as they might be, would contribute to the pain and suffering of others she loved.
    Stefan shook his head. He was not about to let her go. He knew he had the capability to fill every shadowed space inside of her with his own spirit, merge so deeply that she would never feel the burden alone again. His gifts somehow intertwined with hers, allowing him such intimate closeness that he knew he could shield not only Judith, but others around them until she had full understanding and control of her gift.
    He had to leave this place of sorrow and revenge before the emotions trapped inside became too overwhelming even for his strength. Unlike Judith, he didn’t have that bright spirit prevailing over every dark emotion. He had shields, but the power in the room was overwhelming even to him.
    Very carefully he replaced the ultraviolet light and the cells for the kaleidoscope and covered it, ensuring the cloth lay in the exact position he’d found it. Stefan took one last look around the studio to make certain that everything was exactly as he’d found it and there was no evidence that anyone had discovered Judith’s secret. The drapes were put back in place and he secured both locks before sitting down on the patio and taking in great gulps of fresh air.
    He dropped his head into his hands, oblivious of the rain coming down. It was a gentle shower, very light, and he welcomed the clean, fresh droplets of water on his burning skin. The rain felt like tears on his face when he looked up to watch the water fall from the sky. Judith needed him and he was eternally grateful for that revelation. He had thought she would be his salvation, but it was entirely possible he was bringing something to their union as well.
    She needed to accept herself as she was, incapable of harming others. She had to realize everyone had dark thoughts, including her brother, but he would not want his sister to spend her life looking for revenge. If Paul loved her as much as she’d loved him—and that was evident, from everything he’d seen—the last thing he would want would be for Judith to waste her talent by fearing it. She was powerful in her creativity, and equally as passionate in her spirit and that included all emotions, not just the gentler ones.
    Stefan stood up slowly, stretching out his muscles, aware just how tense the dark studio had made him. Fighting against the assault every moment had taken its toll. He felt wrung out, exhausted and in need of a safe place to retreat to. Not the hotel where Thomas Vincent was staying—that was out of the question. If Ivanov wasn’t hurt as bad as Stefan suspected, then he’d come hunting. Already, there might be a trap in the hotel room and he was too damned tired to deal with it. Tired men made mistakes.
    He was trained to keep going no matter the toll on his body, his will simply kicked in to provide the necessary impetuous to keep going until his mission was complete. He was used to working through fatigue, through wounds, through days without food or sleep, but the toll on him from the battering of emotions was the worst he’d ever experienced. He was left too drained from the battle to shield the bombardment of such intense destructive energy.
    Stefan began to weave his way through the tall grasses and bushes, edging back toward the side of the house where Judith’s bedroom faced. He half hoped she’d gone to bed, but the rain was still too directed and someone was conducting the symphony, each element contributing, but Judith amplifying the power of each. If he was honest with himself, he just wanted to see her once more to make certain she was all right. Now that he’d found her, he was reluctant to be away from her.
    Out of the corner of his eye he caught something large coming at him from above his head as he rounded the corner of the two-story structure. Ducking low, he spun to face the creature coming in fast for the attack. The owl dove silently, talons extended, intending to rake his eyes and at the last moment recognized Lev’s visual guide and tried to pull up, the great wings beating hard, in an effort to stop the rapid descent. Talons streaked across his face, under his left eye and then bird was gone, taking to the sky, heading for the nearest tree.
    Stefan touched his face, a streak of fire burning like a brand. He’d been