Loving Lucius (Werescape) (15 page)

The hairs on my arms prickled to chilly attention.

Probably trying to make me listen to myself.

Yes. Marcus would never be Lucius. I slid my gaze across the hard-packed ground outside the bathing lodge and tried to find something to study.

To make me look preoccupied. Anything to forget about Marcus' scrutinizing blue gaze.

The bath's door whined.

At long last. I turned.

Tacitus stepped from through the doorway, leading Sherry. Her long red hair hung wet, combed and left to dry untangled.

My sister's gaze settled on mine, widening, then narrowing.

She bathed with Tacitus present? Or worse. Risked having babies with an ungodly amount of alien DNA.

My heart leapt.

We are in so much danger. When the first baby pops into this world…Life will never be the same.

Tacitus and Sherry passed me, drawing Sherry's stare away, to saunter off, closely, not touching though, until they disappeared around the corner of a log cabin.

"You okay, Elise?" Marcus asked.

No. My whole being is quaking. Everything keeps falling apart more and more each day. And to think I found a Shifter touchable. I'd have been as guilty as Sherry for mating with a Shifter. At least I hadn't mated myself. I'd have to blow my brains out from guilt after seeing what Sherry had done. Knowing she risked our safety. But Sherry didn't know. Couldn't guess she'd done anything wrong. No, nobody could be blamed because they didn't know about our alien father.

I have to find a way to take Violet some place else before Sherry gave this outpost a clue of our heritage in Tacitus' child.

If only I could shape shift. Tear out of here on a two-day race through the woods. Forget about my troubles. But I'm not a Shifter. I'm not Lucius nor my Guardian. "I'm alright." I kept my gaze on the ground, stepping onto the wooden plank leading up to the bath's plank floor, and closed the door behind me.

To take a bath. To wait for the inevitable falling into my hands in nine months with Sherry's love child. To shut Marcus out.

****

Sherry didn't return to our room that evening. Maybe she feared I'd ask questions. Or the big Shifter promised Sherry the security that nothing else could. I can't worry because she's safe with Tacitus. At least, for nine months. Safe the way I'd give anything to be. Maybe I should just accept Marcus? Allow him to show me what it's like to have a Guardian around every second of the day? Even though he's nothing like Lucius. Maybe Marcus would prove himself to be as strong and commanding. But Violet kept asking questions. Kept pushing me back to the underlying problem that we can't hide were hybrids indefinitely.

Violet pulled a comb through the ends of a section of my hair as I sat in a chair at the table. "Where does Sherry go all day?"

You can't tell a child the truth. She probably knows about sex though. But I don't want to discuss the subject now. "With the women. She helps around the outpost."

"Sherry? She hates work. That doesn't make sense."

Leave it to the ten year old to point out the obvious. I smiled at her straight-lipped frown in the mirror Lucius left. Lucius. Why did I think about him? I'd just think about Sherry. "Don't worry. Sherry is safe. Tacitus takes her everywhere."

Violet pressed the teeth of the comb into the top of my scalp and dragged the prongs through my hair again, smiling as she stared where her hands moved. "I like him. He tells me jokes."

When? I studied her smile. "I haven't heard any of these jokes."

"It's when he and Sherry bump into me during the day. He's funny."

What are those two doing all day? "You should tell Tacitus to make Sherry help out and do some work then."

"He always tells me she's very busy doing her share. Pulling her weight. That's when Sherry grins at him. I don't understand it, Elise. Sherry hates work."

Why did my little sister have to be so smart at ten? Joy. We'll never hide the alien DNA we carry. But Sherry was definitely doing her share of work under Tacitus' helpful supervision. "I don't know. I'll ask next time I see one of them."

"I'm glad we came here," Violet said out of the blue.

My heart sank.

I can't begrudge her happiness. But why did she have to say that one thing? We needed to leave. Find a place to live before Sherry gave birth to the harrowing truth of our lineage.

Her hands stilled in my hair. "You don't like it here?"

Looking at her meant she could see my expression reflected in the mirror. I gently placed the mirror on the table. "I do. It's just--"

"Lucius is scary?"

He had started acting wild and uncontrollable. But if I could be honest, if I could just confess, there'd be no reason for anyone to act crazy. "It's just me." I turned and pulled her wrist to where she stood before me. "Lucius and Marcus are fighting over which one of them gets me."

Her eyes grew round and twinkled with firelight. "Oh, that's what's wrong! Elise, pick Lucius. I feel sorry for him. And he's the cute one."

No. He'd hound me to the end. Insist I confess. And if he can't control himself now, what about when he learns what I am? "Listen." I gave her wrist a tug to reiterate the importance of my point. "Not one word about that. To anyone. Anywhere. Do you hear me? It's bad enough you talk about aliens. But making everyone here uncomfortable about Lucius and Marcus will only cause us lots of trouble."

"I don't want any trouble. I like the other kids." She blinked thoughtfully.

Well, I'd use that against her. "Then, say nothing of this. Ever. Or we'll have to leave. I doubt we'll be as lucky as we were to find so many children you like here somewhere else."

Violet blinked again and nodded. "I understand."

If so, that would be a miracle. I could really use a miracle right now.

****

The next morning didn't deliver a miracle or Sherry. My sister is gone now. Mated. Must be. Or Tacitus lost control and ripped her annoying head off. I doubt I could be that lucky with the shortage of women of child-bearing age on Earth. And Violet left bright and early, giddy as heck. I'd lost the battle. I'd have to find a way to survive here. A way to blend in. A little coffee would help. I used an old shirt to grab the pot's handle from where it sat next to the embers in the fireplace, right inside the hearth, and poured a cup of dark liquid.

Steam billowed upward to warm my cheek with a kiss.

Marcus had provided sugar after spotting the pot and coffee. So, I choked down a lump of guilt and used the gift from him. It's not like he'd know. Or that I'd have to reciprocate the gift with a visit where I had to look him in the eye and smile. Pretend I favored him.

Or I need to accept Marcus for what he is. An acceptable mate who could protect me in a Shifter community. Maybe time would make that easier. Maybe, just maybe, I could crawl into his bed one day and let him touch my skin.

My gut twisted.

Against me. The traitor. But Marcus isn't Lucius. Touchable. I placed the pot back on the hearth and stirred my coffee.

A knock rapped.

Not Marcus this early. He had to know I wouldn't bathe two days in a row. Outpost rules forbade that waste of water.

Men out to please women. He probably wanted to convince me I could do whatever I wanted. Just to please me. I placed the cup on the table, tossed my long braid over my shoulder on the way to the door, and quickly counted the buttons working to ensure my heavy shirt concealed as much of my skin as possible.

Nobody waited outside. But a backpack leaned against the side of the wooden step. Marcus would have been there, grinning, claiming the glory for a gift. The pack had to be from Lucius.

But he'd left it.

Again. More gifts. Bribes. Why so many things to win a moment to speak with me? To lure me into a confession. The man truly protected his relations and intended on sniffing out my secret. Forcing my admission. How will I avoid the inevitable? But this torture didn't discount I had a bag of loot at my feet. Whatever he brought this time could make my life easier until I had to escape.

That's it. I'll leave as soon as Violet is as comfortable as Sherry.

What hid inside the leather? I stared at the bulging bag.

Wishing I had vision that could analyze the contents like Wolf vision could see at night. Would it be wrong to take another offering? And would I hate myself tomorrow for passing up a pile of treasure that can improve life in The Wild? My life could use a little improving. Of course, he owed me anyway. As Father's men would say, what the hell. I peeked left then right.

Just well-worn path and log masonry. I pulled the door wide and stepped into warm sunlight.

Two steps took me to the edge of the long plank step and the backpack. The cold stiff leather hadn't been touched much if at all in ages. Probably one left when the aliens harvested most of the human population. Especially by the tiny equidistant machine-laid stitches. But the leather hadn't turned brittle through the years. I slipped an arm through a stiff strap and rose, turning.

To a tall form.

I jumped out of my skin.

Lucius. So tall. Wearing only blue jeans. His broad tanned chest bare now. Muscles bulging in every direction. There stood a person who could overpower me. In a heartbeat. I clutched the backpack to my chest and gaped at the sight of him.

Perfection. Too perfect in how he could alienate me. Funny word--alienate. I needed to lock my damn door and leave him outside. Would he stop me? I studied his brown hiking boots.

Did I dare make a dash for the door? I'd have to turn, slam it shut, grab the two-by-four beside the doorframe, and drop it in place. How could I manage all that? He's huge. Fast. I'd watched him move back on the trail with a fluidity that stole my breath away. And if he shifts…

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle you." His words were low, carefully spoken. " I just wanted to knock again in case you didn't hear me the first time."

Did he speak that way to warn me? Or to keep from alerting Augustus's acute hearing? I had to bar myself behind the door.

God. Why had I come outside? I'm stupid. This is what I deserve.

"Please, Elise, look at me," he gently begged.

Why? So he can gloat when he sees the fear in my eyes?

"Listen to my voice. Augustus says it's the tone that shows people your intent. I'm not angry. I'm not here to scare you. I just need to talk. For a few minutes. Inside. We can't be out here if Marcus comes along. My Wolf is pissed at him. That would be bad. Very bad."

What about how he's pissed at me? But if I talked to him, he'd be finished with me. And Augustus said he'd sent him to speak with me. Okay. Would Lucius go away afterward? Please go away then. "If I do," I rolled my gaze up his long stretch of thick denim-cloaked legs, to where his tanned skin etched out each rib, over the bulging muscle of his breast, to his pleading blue gaze.

Tilted down a bit. Just enough to show he tried to peer into my eyes because I wouldn't look directly at him.

Maybe he isn't here to harass me. Maybe. Not. "If I do, will you leave me alone then?"

He shrugged. "Maybe I'll keep bringing you gifts. Things to make me feel better because of my heartless actions."

Well, at least he seemed honest. The liar. Once inside, I might be able to slam the door shut and lock it. What a plan. I stepped into the shade of my lodge.

But the bloody door hung wide open. So open I couldn't reach the edge without moving fast. Looking obvious. Could I manage to slam the door in his face?

The floor's planking creaked behind me.

Too late. No chance to jump for the door. I stepped toward the fireplace's stone surround.

What would he do?

Would it matter if I screamed for help? Could anyone hear me?

Where's Marcus when I need him? I found myself staring at the wooden planking.