Impassable Force: Force of Nature Series (13 page)

“
Yes, well, real women, and I include your wife in this, are women who know when something is wrong and do something about it. And she did. But I think you’ll be surprised by her statement, your mate’s, I mean. She was under the impression that you not only were partners with Carter, but had suggested that he kill off his wife before the divorce were to go through. You can’t imagine how terrified she was that you’d do the same to her. Anyway, I digress. She stated that you told Carter that he would be better off with some young wife he could control instead of one that listened to her sister.” Randy handed him a copy of his wife’s statement and watched as he read it over quickly. When he tossed it to the floor, Randy knew that he was nervous now.

“All lies. You made her sign this. She’d not turn in her mate. It’s not allowed.” Randy went to get the book that Tristian had given him.
Molly had marked all the sections he’d need for today. In it was a section about testifying against your mate. “You can show that to me, but I know that it’s for wolves only. I’m not a wolf in the event you didn’t know that already, pup.”

“Actually, it’s not.
A book for wolves. This one was written for all paranormal.” He opened the book, careful of the pages. “This book was written long before I was born, and if I don’t miss my guess, before you were born as well. It’s a book of laws. Simply called
Abide by Them
.” He looked at Shawn when he made a coughing noise. “I can see by your face you’ve heard of this book. But that’s not all, is it? You know a great deal about it.”

“It was lost. Long ago, someone said it had been destroyed.”
Randy showed him the book, again careful of it. He wasn’t going to give anyone the chance to even touch a single page. “How do I know you didn’t just make that up and now are going to spout laws that you’ve made up to suit yourself?”

“Give it to me.”
They all turned to Rob, mate to Hope, when he stood up. “I’m the historian to all supernaturals, and I can tell whether or not a book is a fake. If you’d be so kind as to trust me with it for just a moment, I’ll tell everyone whether or not it’s the real thing.”

Randy looked at Tristian who actually owned the book. At his nod
, he took it to Rob, and wasn’t surprised to see him pull on a pair of white gloves before opening the book. It took Rob several minutes to scan some of the pages and the entire time, it stayed the book that he’d needed. Twice more it had changed its appearance since he’d had it, and he…. He decided he’d think about the images of him with seven children later. Right now he had to finish this so he could go home.

Randy watched Shawn
as it was being tested. Gone was the confident man. Shawn was suddenly very nervous. He kept shifting on his seat and looking around the room as if he were looking for an escape route. When Rob said he was finished with the book, he handed it back. He then looked around the room.

“The book is authentic. It was written by the first of us all.
A vampire, a wolf, and a dragon. They used their own blood as ink to put the laws and rules here. And when they were done, they took it to each clan of other supernaturals and had them sign it. The blood of us all make this book real, its laws within are true.” Rob turned to him. “You will allow me to read this when this is finished? I would so enjoy it. I promise to be very careful with it.”

Randy
looked at Tristian again and was happy to see that he agreed. Then he turned when he heard a low growl. The sight before him was so surreal that he nearly dropped the book. He did take a step back when Molly broke Shawn’s neck. Hope fell to the floor on her knees as her breath returned to her body. Shawn had held the older vampire in his grip until that moment.

“He tried to kill me.”
Hope spoke while rubbing her bruised throat. A silver blade skittered across the floor as Molly kicked it from behind Hope. “I never saw him move. He was sitting there one moment, and the next….”

Everyone looked at Molly. She was holding a long blade now that had been handed to her by someone at the council.
He was talking to her in low tones, but whatever he was saying, Molly didn’t want to do. Randy started for her when Reid stepped in front of him.

“She has to finish him.”
Randy looked at his brother. “It’s her right to end him. And she must. It’s her duty to the council. And to Hope.”

“Duty? What the fuck are you talking about?” When he tried to walk around him, Reid stopped him again.
“Let me go to her.”

“
Randy, he tried to kill Hope. All Molly did was harm him when she broke his neck, and we both know it. If she doesn’t end his life soon, then he’ll be set free to stand trial again. This one for touching Hope. He’ll go free after that. There is no death penalty for touching her.” He looked at Molly, then at his brother, who nodded. Randy moved around him and went to Molly. She looked at him pleadingly, and he felt his heart ache for her.

“Kill him.” She shook her head
, and he leaned to her ear to speak to her. He could hear Shawn’s heart starting to pump again and was fearful it might be too late. “He will go free if you don’t. You’ve read the rules, love. You know as well as I do that he’ll never see another cell so long as he lives. The trial here will be put on the backburner so that he can be put on trial for harming one of the council. But he’ll be free then, and do you think anyone will ever see him again? He’ll flee and never stand trial for your sister’s death.”

“But he’s dead. I broke his neck.” He told her to listen
, and when she heard it, the faint heartbeat, he knew she would do it. “Stand back.”

He moved to stand near Hope
, who much to his amazement was sobbing. He would have sworn the woman didn’t have any tear ducts, but she was proving him wrong. When he handed her his handkerchief, she took it and smiled at him. It hit him then—she was faking it. Good Christ, he had a moment to realize that she’d planned this whole thing.

“You old bat.” She kissed his cheek and smiled again. “I’m going to tell your son you’re a pushover. To think that you’re doing this to get attention.
And my poor Molly is going to be really pissed at you as well when she finds out.”

“
Then we’ll just have to make sure that she never does. Won’t we, dear boy? I’d hate to have to tell her about some of the things I know you did as a child.” He shook his head as she continued. “I’m doing this so that she does what she needs to do.” They both watched as the sword swung around, and just as it touched Shawn’s neck, he opened his eyes. Randy stared him in the face as his head was removed from his shoulders.

Molly stood there looking at Shawn’s body as it slumped forward.
Randy moved two steps toward her when she looked at him. The look in her eyes told him two things. She was terrified and was relieved at the same time. He took the last two steps toward her just as Hope moved behind her table again.

“She was coming to me.”
He looked at Molly as Hope spoke to the room in general. He was holding her as she stood stiffly, still holding the sword. “Mrs. Campbell was coming to me because I had the names of the people who had signed the book. Two of them are still alive and here today. I thought she’d need them. One of them is a panther like Shawn is…was.”

Randy looked around not really caring about the book at the moment.
He held onto Molly as she started back to her seat. He was stopped when one of the bailiffs said Molly’s name. “The mistress would like to speak to you. If you’d be so kind as to follow me, my lady, she will meet you in one of the offices just here.”

“I need to help her to her chair first.”
The man shook his head, and that’s when he realized he was talking about Molly. “I don’t think now is a good time. She’s just been…I think she needs to have a seat.”

“I would like to thank you on behalf of all the council.”
He and Molly both turned to the table as Hope spoke again. “Today you saved my life. And as such, we have agreed to grant you a gift. One that we rarely bestow on anyone as young as you.”

“No thanks.”
Molly sat down and stood up again when Hope quirked a brow at her. “I’m sorry, but you’ll have to forgive me. I don’t want any more gifts. I think I’ve had enough given to me for a while now. In fact, if I could figure out how to get rid of a few that I have now, I’d gladly give them up. So whatever you think I deserve, please just…why don’t you give it to Austin? I have a feeling he could use a little help.”

Several people laughed and Hope moved around the table
. This time she was followed by the other members of the council, including Austin. Randy didn’t like the look in his face. It said something he was going to learn from was going to come his way and with it a little pain. He’d given him that look when he’d been a young pup.

“You really don’t have a choice.
And as such, you’re going to have to take it.” Molly took a step back when Hope put out her hand. “I’m sorry, love, but it will only hurt for a moment.”

The pain was incredible. And it surged through his body as if Hope had touched him. He tried to hang onto consciousness but felt it slipping away.
The sound of the dropping sword had him looking to Molly just as she was caught up by Reid. He thought he might get mad at him later about it, but right now he was pitching forward too. The blackness took him, and he could have sworn he heard Austin laughing.

Chapter 1
2

The entire pack was there. Nancy knew that they’d have a good turnout this full moon and had had extra people helping out with food. Tonight her son gave up half his pack, and she thought that the two groups were going to be better for it. She looked up when CJ said her name.

“She’s throwing up again.”
Nancy had to hide her smile. Poor Molly. She wasn’t dealing well with all the attention. “I tried to tell her it wasn’t that bad, but she won’t hear of it. I think she’s going to be too weak to shift if she does it much more. Who knew a person could throw up so much without eating a damned thing?”

“She’ll be fine.”
Nancy tightened her fist again and tried her best to ignore the pain in her chest. She knew that she was dying. But she was pretty sure she’d hidden it well enough all these weeks. But now…she was sure that there would be no more hiding it after tonight. The only person who had suspected a thing was Reid, and she’d convinced him that she was going to be fine. She knew for sure that she was far from it.

The food started from the pack kitchen to make its way to the tables that had been set up.
Nancy worried for a few minutes whether or not they had enough tables, but then one of the other women, Sarah she thought her name was, started directing the younger pups into setting up more. Nancy thought she might work well with Molly when this was done. She looked at CJ and Alexis as they moved along the tables putting spoons and serving forks into some of the dishes. It was going to be a good meal.

“Is that Sarah Westinghouse?”
They both looked to where she’d pointed. CJ nodded. “I thought so. You should have her go and help Molly. She’s going to need a full-blood to help her with her daily activities after tonight. Perhaps she can even help her with the set-up of their meetings, too. She’ll need someone of her own to ease her into being a good alpha person.”

“I was thinking the same thing.”
She loved CJ with all her heart and started to tell her that when another pain gripped her. The small moan had both women coming toward her.

“I’m fine. Just a little tired.”
Neither one looked as if they believed her, and she wanted to kiss them both. But she had to distract them somehow. “Did I tell you that there will be a new shop opening in town? It’s supposed to cater to small children. A bookstore that will need a boost if she’s to make a go of it. I understand from her that she’s going to pledge to Phil tonight. Her mate was killed some time ago and she’s raising her young child on her own.”

“I met her the other day. She’s half vampire like Phil and had the abilities to be a day walker. They talked a great deal about what she’d have to do.” Holly sat beside her and touched her forehead as she continued speaking.
“You okay, Mom? You look a little pale. You’re not doing too much, are you?”

“I most certainly am not.” But she had been
, and they all knew it. When she stood up, she pretended to be engrossed in a bowl of green beans as the pain subsided. She just needed to get through tonight and she could go to bed and rest. She knew it was close but needed to make sure all her children were safe first. Her mate, he’d come for her twice now.

“I’ve got to make sure they will be well loved.”
He’d clicked his tongue at her, something he’d done when he’d been alive.
“They will need each other when I go.”

“They have each other. You just wish to make me wait as you’ve always done. Do you ever get ready when you say you will?”
He’d moved so close to her that night that she would swear she could feel his breath.
“I’ve missed you, love. Come to me.”

“Soon.”
She’d watched him fade away with a promise that he’d be back. It was going to be tonight. And they both knew it.

Nancy moved toward her sons
, needing them in a way she’d never thought she would before…all them, including the ones that she’d fallen for when they were brought to her to heal. Myles kissed her cheek as she hugged him to her. This man had done so much that she would miss him a great deal. Next, she hugged Connor to her. Her baby.

“I’ve a good mind to beat your bottom again.” He looked at her
, shocked, and she just knew that he was trying to think what she’d found out. Nancy laughed. “You’re a good boy. And you’ll be fine. I was just thinking how many times you’d get me distracted with one tale or another as a child and I’d forget what I was about. You were very good at that.”

“
I still am. I don’t always get around it with Lou. I think she is more focused than you were at times. But I will be great. Lou keeps me in line well enough. And our children make me glad that I found her.” Nancy patted his cheek and looked at Phil. He was looking at her as if he knew and she was pretty sure he did. Nothing escaped the man’s notice she’d come to realize.

“You’ll be fine then? It’s not too late
, you know. I can still give you what you denied me all these years.” She shook her head at his question as he pulled her to him for a hug. “I’ve lost a good many friends over the centuries. But I shall miss you most of all, I think. You’re like a second mother to me.”

Her heart swelled with love
, and she couldn’t talk. Nodding once at him, she was let go from the hug, but he held her. They’d talked long ago about her living well past her time to be with them just a bit longer. Phil had kept his word all these years and had not given her the life-giving magic that he had the rest of the family. Phil would hold them together and would be the best person for this family in the coming weeks.

Dallas was next.

“Did you know that Stacey told me that you were expecting again?” He grinned at her, and she wanted to stay to see the child that would be born to them. But she had to go. If she stayed for this birth, she’d stay for another and another until it was too long. She wanted to rest. Her mate needed her as much as she did him. She really was very tired.

“We found out today that it
’s twins. Boys, they said. They didn’t tell us if they’re identical yet, but I’m betting they are. Stacey said she thinks so, too.” Twin boys like hers. She nodded at him and hugged him. She would miss him so much. “Stacey is hoping you’ll come stay with us when they come. She seems to think that I’m going to be spoiling them rotten as I did the others. I don’t think so.”

“
You’ll spoil them no matter if I’m there or not. But as for staying, we’ll see.” She moved to her other son and knew a great and profound love. Gordon was her favorite, though if anyone asked, she’d tell them they were insane. She knew it was because he reminded her so much of her own love. Not in looks so much but in temperament. He was truly his father’s son.

“You’ve outdone yourself again.” Gordon kissed her forehead as he held her to him.
“I think you enjoy this as much as you do watching the children. They both bring you such joy. I’m thinking we need to start hiring you out to other packs so they can get as organized as you always seem to be. We’ll be rich beyond our wildest dreams.”

Tears clouded her vision as another pain took her breath. She was glad now that Gordon held her
, and when he looked down at her with a frown, she waved him off. Let him think it was happiness when the pain was taking her away from them all.

After talking with her children for a bit longer
, she made her way back to the women. Each of them were seated in chairs of honor being waited on by the younger pups. These women were all like her own children. Sitting down, she reached for Molly’s hand and held it. She only hoped that she’d forgive her someday. This girl, so new to the family, was going to be the strength that held them together when things were at their worst. The girl had no idea what her talent was going to do for them all. Not even her.

“I’d like to tell you something. Each of you.”
Holly looked concerned, but Nancy waved her off much like she had her son. “I’m going to be fine. Just fine. But I would like to do something I’ve been thinking about doing for a long time. And tonight is the night. It’s the passing of the spoon.”

“Oh for heaven’s sake. We all know you have more than one of those things.
Are you giving us each one?” CJ laughed, as did the rest of them. Nancy did as well and shook her head when they calmed.

“I’ve a stash of them, yes
, but I’m talking about the one that my mother gave to me when I met my mate. She said that it would come to mean a great deal to everyone as it had to her. She said that the wooden spoon that she gave me would be passed from her generation to mine and so on. She had been the fourth one to receive it in a long line of wolf women. And as the fifth one, I need to pass it on now that all of my children are happy.”

Nancy pulled the spoon from her pocket and held it out. Even after all these years the spoon still looked new.
It was nothing like the one she used on their stubborn heads most of the time, but it was close. She ran her fingers over the smoothed out surface from many hands using it as her own mother had done when she’d been handing it to her. She supposed it was the magic that held it as so. She looked at the women around her and smiled.

“When I was given this spoon
, I was told that it would keep my children in line, bring new blood to the family, and would forever be the one thing that all would remember. I never really understood that until you ladies came into my life.” She looked at Holly. “Even you, my dear. You’ve all seen me use it on the boys. I’ve even used it on you once or twice, but you’ve never seen it being used for what it’s for. The spoon holds magic that heals like nothing else can. It’s filled with magic that only the person who receives it can use.”

“You use it to make the broth that you’ve given each of us when we’ve been ill.”
She turned to Molly, knowing that she’d be the one to understand. “The day I was in the clinic, when I’d first come here. Someone told me that you’d made the broth and that you made it so special that everyone got better because of it. The spoon is what you stirred it with and it made me better quicker. Is that what you mean?”

“It is.” She rubbed her fingers over the smooth wood and pulled it to her heart as another pain held her.
She looked down at the spoon, knowing that it was working its magic even now, giving her the time that she needed to do this. It was taking away some of the pain so that they’d not notice what was going on. “I’ve come to a decision, and I know who would carry it along to hand to the next generation. I hope that—”

“Molly.”
They all looked at CJ when she spoke. “It’s her, isn’t it? She’ll be the one to keep us in line after you’re gone. I, for one, think it’s a wonderful idea.”

Nancy looked around the circle and could see the other
s nodding their heads. Molly was the only one who was shaking her head. The girl could be too stubborn.

“You should give it to your daughter. I don’t think I’m the one who should have it.” The others started to talk
, but Holly stood up and knelt before Molly. “I don’t want to take your heritage. I’m nothing more than an addition to this family, you’ve all been here…all of you have so much more to give than I do. Holly should have it.”

“Take my heritage?
Oh, Molly love, we’re all family here. You’re taking nothing from me, but preserving what the rest of us will need in the future.” Holly looked at her and Nancy knew her daughter was aware of what she was doing and why. Giving her the spoon was her last deed on this earth, and Holly was helping her make it right. “My mother has been holding it for you and only you. Haven’t you, Mom?”

“I have.” Nancy handed her the spoon and with trembling fingers she took it.
The magic passed from her to Molly in a small curl of white magic, and she felt it immediately. She’d done the right thing, and the person who would use it as she’d done would know just what to do. And maybe she’d hit a few empty heads while she was at it. Nancy watched the woman tease poor Molly about her lack of cooking skills and smiled at her face. She’d learn to cook, Nancy knew, if it was the last thing she did.

Standing up when the meeting was called to order, Nancy slipped into the house to find a place to rest. She found Tristian there
, waiting for her it seemed. The man had dressed up for the meeting, it appeared to her, but when he nodded toward her and bowed, she knew that he’d done it for her.

“I would be honored to help you to your room.” She didn’t ask him what he meant
. She was suddenly too weak to play any more games. “Shall I carry you?”

“Not if you don’t want me to hurt you.” He laughed and she did as well. They moved to the staircase and stood looking at it. So many memories here
, and now she was going to leave them all behind.

“No
, you shan’t.” She looked at him. “As much as I’d like to say I read your mind, I didn’t. You spoke aloud. All the memories you have of your family will follow you on your road. Some of them will bring a mist to your eyes, but there will be enough good ones that you’ll never want for things to make you smile. You have loved well and hard, my lady, and I envy you in this. I shall miss you greatly.”

“I’ll miss them.”
They started up the stairs. “All of them and even you, you old buzzard. I’ll miss you too.”

She was nearly halfway up when another pain hit her
, this one so powerful that she was sure she was going to die on the stairs instead of the bedroom she’d come to love. She’d made it her own special place, a place she could die like she had lived, with her family around her. Nancy needed to be there when she passed. However would her beloved find her?