Kella (Black Jack's Curse Book 1)

  Black Jack's Curse: Kella

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  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

  Realm of the Fae

  “You'll never guess where I just came from.” Queen Kelsia didn't smile, even though her attempt at sounding happy was a success.

  “No clue. But I suppose you'll tell me.” Jackson took the seat that he'd known too well, for far too many years. He sat directly across from his queen in the small dining hall that was normally enjoyed by private parties at the queen's request, or for reprimanding any Fae in her realm for disrupting the otherwise peaceful world in which most enjoyed.

  “You'll show me respect, Jackson.” Her tone changed instantly, as did Jackson's posture. “I spent the better part of the morning with Shalan. Do you know the reason that I missed breakfast?” Jackson was suddenly quite interested in the wall behind his queen's head, but she wasn't amused. “What do you suppose we spoke about?” Jackson didn't respond, as anything he'd say would be deemed disrespectful.

  Shalan. Pretty eyes, thick hair, a plump..

  “Jackson!”

  The man never did seem to remember that his thoughts could be heard by the queen, one of her extra gifts that he wished he'd been bestowed, or perhaps his lack of concern for attempting to remember was the problem. His abilities were similar, yet he could only hear the thoughts of another if they were mentally speaking directly to him. His queen could hear all thoughts, and it was frightening to most Fae.

  “Yes, I spent some time with the woman. But I assure you, if she feels anything at all, it's satisfaction.” His smile could normally charm the flowers from any woman's hair, but not the queen. And certainly not that day.

  “Satisfaction? Is that what you believe?” She didn't give him a chance to answer before speaking for him. “Of course it is. It's what you always think, isn't it? You bed a woman, make her believe that she's special, and then you disappear? Tell me, what part of that scenario sounds like... satisfaction?” Jackson couldn't help but laugh, and he unfortunately missed the queen's delicate and powerful hand clench into a fist under the table. He also didn't know that Kelsia had to spend hours telling Shalan that she'd get over the man and how sorry she was for him hurting her.

  “Are you serious? Look at me?” Jackson's hands went from his chest to waist, showing his physique as if he were selling a used car. “And I've never promised anyone.. anything.” The queen could only stare at the man, wondering if he'd been born with any sense in his beautiful head.

  “Oh,” she stood slowly, “I see you. Tall. Muscular. Beautiful.” The queen had never seen a more handsome Fae, and she'd been to almost every realm. And it was his beauty that he believed would get him through life and save him from every mistake he made.

  His eyes were so bright green that it usually took the breath away from anyone who dared look in his direction. Those eyes, on a perfect face that was framed in the blackest hair of any Fae. Yes, she thought, she knew very well what the man looked like.

  “And I see what you do, Jackson. You find a woman, but not soon after, you convince yourself that there might be one better out there. No matter how kind, giving, beautiful, or caring she is... there's one better. Right?” Jackson felt as if Kelsia could see right into his soul, because that was exactly what he thought.

  “Yes.” He wouldn't lie. Not to his queen. “That's how I feel. I can't see myself settling down with a woman and then meeting the one of my dreams. That wouldn't be fair to anyone, would it?” Kelsia could only stare at him with curiosity as to how he'd lasted so long with so little sense. “I mean, love isn't something that I'd want to waste on someone who wasn't my soulmate.”

  “Love? Soulmate? Do you even know the meaning of the things you speak of?” Jackson could only shrug, as love wasn't something he cared about right then.

  “Yeah,” he smiled again, in a way that made her want to slap the humor from his brain, “love is finding the one that I'd actually want to have sex with all the time. You know, not get boring or make me wish I had someone else. So far,” his hands went up in surrender, “I haven't even come close to finding that.”

  “My dear,” she walked so close to his side that he could almost feel the stark white silk sleeve of her gown, “I'm not sure it's you who needs to find love.” Jackson nodded quickly. Finally, his queen was starting to understand. “I think,” she leaned down and her breath danced up and down his ear as she whispered sweetly, “that there are so many women in the world who need to find love. And you're going to help them.”

  Jackson's mouth opened as he tried to question her meaning, but his world moved too quickly. His hands went out to grab the thick ancient table in front of him, but it faded from existence before his eyes.

  Queen Kelsia walked slowly back to her chair before taking a look at the empty seat that Jackson no longer lounged upon. She had no idea that morning that she'd make such a big decision regarding one of her own, but she felt confident in what she'd done.

  “Humans call people like you... dogs. Well,” she smiled and raised her glass to Jackson's new role, “you might as well truly be one.”

  *****

  Jackson's eyes opened slowly. He'd been asleep, or unconscious, he wasn't sure which... and he most certainly didn't know where he was right then. His mouth opened, but no words were formed.

  What is wrong with me? Jackson also tried to stand, but he fell back to the soft grass as his legs seemed tangled within themselves. I can't walk! Kelsia! My queen! What have you done to me?! Jackson took a deep breath and tried to stand once again. That time, he got upright and wobbled violently until he could stand his ground. My legs? What's wrong with my legs?! Jackson looked down and horror would have overtaken his features if it had been possible.

  Thick black fur covered his legs, both sets to his dismay, and he fell once again. That time, it was shock and fear that took his balance. Your Majesty! Please! I'm sorry! His queen didn't respond, and a part of him knew that she wouldn't right then.

  He curled up as small as he could before looking into the field that surrounded him. The grass felt stiff, and the color was off, even though he wasn't sure what was so different about it. Where am I? Right then, a familiar voice broke into his mind without warning.

  You're in the human realm. Find a woman. Her name is, Kella Broling. She shouldn't be far. Find love for her, Jackson. True love. And then we'll discuss the terms of which will bring you home.

  Chapter One

  Human realm? You've sent me to deal with humans?! I demand to be sent home! You can't do this! Jackson tried to yell, to let his queen hear how angry and betrayed he felt, but the sound that came from his mouth was like nothing he'd ever heard.

  A growl that rumbled within his tremendous chest escape through jaws that clenched tightly.

  Quite impressive, Jackson. Have a look. The queen's voice answered before a haze of light blue mist swirled before him. It came together in a small square and resembled a mirror, yet with less clarity than the looking glass that he normally used to admire himself. Now, you can be yourself in every way. Find the woman.

  Jackson stared at the imag
e but he wouldn't accept what was before him. He moved his head down, growling again at the trick that his queen must have played, but the image mocked his every move. His foot lifted from the grass, as did the monster that reflected. There was nothing he could process or accept outside of the clear and unimaginable truth that it was, in fact, him.

  I'm... a... dog!

  I don't mean to split dog hairs, but no, you're part wolf... part dog. You're a wolf-dog. It's not always safe in the human realm and sadly for you, your looks won't save you. Nor will your powers. But you'll have speed, size, and strength on your side. You're on your own, Black Jack.

  My name.. is not... Black Jack!

  It is now. It even says so on your dog tag. Run along, dog, you have a woman to help.

  Jackson could hear the smile on her lips, even through their mental conversation, and he heard his own displeasure from his chest once again. He lunged forward, breaking the reflection of the mist and ran with with all of his might.

  His feet no longer tangled, his body didn't shrink and coil. Jackson conquered every bit of his new furry vessel in an instant as he moved with staggering speed.

  The ground began to slope forward which gave him even more strength, and the only thing that slowed his run of rage was the fact that the soft padding under his paws would be replaced with pavement within a few more short strides.

  A small shopping center was directly in front of him, with lights just starting to come on as the sun was less visible. There, he stopped. He stared at his fate, stuck in a hell of a small town that smelled of popcorn and pickle juice. What had his queen done to him? He had the answer right in front of him, but he most certainly wasn't willing to accept it right then.

  “Hi sweet boy! Aren't you a big fella!” The voice of a woman made his head snap to the right, and the woman watched as Black Jack's lips curled just enough to see a mouthful of sharp and very angry teeth. “It's.. okay..,” she backed away slowly, making sure to keep her eyes on him as she nearly moon walked to her car. “I won't hurt you... as if I even could...that's good, stay where you are.” Jackson knew the woman was afraid, but he didn't care right then.

  He had no intentions of staying, and if he had to keep every human away from him until he got back home, then so be it. For the first time, he growled with intent, and the reverberation was impressive. If he could laugh, he would have, because the woman dropped a bag of popcorn and ran to her car without looking back.

  Now.. I need to find a way out of this place. He sniffed the sidewalk but all he could pick up was more of the sour scent from pickles and dirty shoes. There has to be a portal here.

  Yes, there is a portal. But you won't be able to come through. I forbid it. Magically.. and morally. And way to go with Kella, nice first impression. May I suggest that you try again? Jackson ran from the voice in his head, but the laughter grew so loud that he had to stop.

  I beg of you, my queen. Bring me back. Please.

  Queen Kelsia lounged in her bed with a fresh cup of ale as she watched Jackson through a special mirror of her own. It wasn't her intention to watch his every move, in fact, she wanted to be free of keeping tabs on the one Fae that couldn't be controlled, but she had to at least guide him through the transition.

  How many women have begged you for mercy, Jackson? Begged for just an explanation as to why you refused to speak to them? You took what you wanted and you walked away. There is no mercy for you. Now go after Kella. We'll speak tomorrow.

  Jackson felt and heard his mind go quiet. He hadn't realized the ever so slight buzz that had been there since he arrived in the field, but right then it was gone. His queen had actually broken contact and he was truly, and utterly, alone.

  His gaze moved slowly to the narrow street that was littered with paper and bright orange plastic cups, all of which sickened him. In his view, humans were barely a step above animals, and he stood in the proof of his theory. It was only when he heard several people approaching that he moved from the sidewalk and hid between two buildings. Shockingly, the herd of ten people were walking through the area and picking up trash and dropping it all in large bags that were tied to their belts. It didn't make sense, but a part of him felt relief that at least some of the humans cared about their environment.

  “We did great! I think Kella said that we raked in over three thousand dollars.” Wyatt's voice squeaked as if he were a dog's chew toy and someone gave it a good squeeze. The other men wanted to laugh but memories of their own puberty stricken days had kept them from making fun of him.

  “Yeah, we did good kid.” Parker gave the boy a slap to the back and reminded him that they still had the rest of the street and both sidewalks left to clean. “If we stick to it, we should be done within the hour.”

  One man walked slowly behind the group, and Jackson watched him closely. He didn't like the guy, and there was no reason for it outside of the possibility that Jackson's mood was a hundred notches beyond foul. Jackson heard the others call him by name. Blake.

  Not a fan, Blake. Keep walking. Jackson's head lowered as he took another step back, hiding completely in the shadows of two old brick buildings. He kept his gaze fixed on Blake, but still managed to keep tabs on the entire crowd.

  He didn't need to question his instincts for long as the reality of who and what he was at the time brought him answers to questions he hadn't even asked. Most dogs of any breed could detect someone of poor character so he was well aware of the reason that the fur at his neck had started to rise of its own discretion. You're a dick. Got it.

  The men kept cleaning and Jackson heard enough from their conversation to know that a festival of some kind had been held on that street, and the money was to help Kella with something that was needed. Obviously, all of the men had volunteered to clean after the event, which Jackson was happy to see, but a few of them didn't seem too thrilled about their evening job.

  Jackson wasn't shocked when he saw Blake duck down a small alley on the other side of the street and leave the other men to finish the job. Laziness was not something that Jackson had ever admired, and it gave him even more reason to dislike the guy.

  I should bite your worthless ass. Jackson started to relax when the men were far enough away that he could leave his hiding place. It was the first time since arriving in the realm that he could truly be alone with his thoughts. She isn't going to let me come back.

  He knew that his queen wasn't easily swayed, in fact, he couldn't think of a time that she'd ever changed her mind regarding punishment. Still, he had hoped that he would be the exception. A dog. I'm a fucking dog. And now I have to find the woman that I scared the piss out of and help her fall in love with another human. This is really going to suck.

  Jackson crept slowly down the sidewalk and hated every second of his life right then. He could be home, spending time with a beautiful woman and crawling into bed right about that time. No, he thought, he had to find the Kella woman and get her in bed with a man so that he could leave. Fine. That shouldn't be hard to do. He breathed in the night air and could still only pick up popcorn. He was more than familiar with the standard treat of humans as it was something that was brought to his realm years ago. It was her! She had a bag in her hand. And pickles? Who eats pickles and popcorn?

  He continued following the scent, and he had no issue with staying on track. Obviously, she drove slowly and with luck, wasn't far from the tiny town center.

  Kella sat in her car long after opening her garage door. Boxes of left over supplies from the festival had already been brought to her house, leaving her no room for her small car. “Well.. I did say to bring it over if it didn't fit in the clinic's office.” All she could do was shut off her car and take a deep breath. The festival had been a success, and that's all that mattered right then. “I need a shower.” She yawned quietly as her hand moved to the back seat and blindly took hold of her bag.

  Jackson barely hid his over sized frame behind two bushes across the street from Kel
la's home. It was easy to find her, and he was right, she only lived a mile from where they first met. He watched her as she opened her trunk and took hold of a box, also noticing that it was quite heavy as she struggled to carry it to the door. If Jackson was anything, it was helpful, and it killed him that he couldn't take the burden from her hands. Just as he thought to walk forward and show himself, the box crashed to the concrete walkway that led to her front porch. “No!”

  Pickles.

  An entire case of jumbo pickles crashed to the ground and shattered every jar at her feet. Jackson had to turn his entire body to guard from the scented assault that he knew was coming. She was the pickle person, even if it was just from toting around the massive jars.

  “Need some help?” The enemy, Blake, was walking from the left and was heading straight for Kella.

  Go away, asshole.

  “I.. yeah. I think I do.” Kella laughed and moved back, letting Blake help to pick up the large shards of glass. She smiled wide, not knowing why the first man she'd taken an interest in since arriving in Comfort, Texas was giving her attention. She only wished that the air wasn't thick with pickle juice during their first real conversation.

  “I'll get Wyatt to come by, he's always happy to help the beautiful.. Kella.” He actually bowed as if she were royalty, and Jackson wasn't impressed. He was supposed to kiss her hand, with her permission, and it was shocking that the crude manners had never been taught to the man.

  “Oh.. okay.” Kella continued collecting glass, to Jackson's shock, as Blake stood above her to stare down the front of her shirt. For that, Jackson couldn't blame the guy, Kella was a handsome woman in his opinion. However, staring at her wasn't what the man should have done right then.

  You're not even going to help her. Yeah, I'm going to need to bite you at some point.