The Severed Thread (24 page)

“You want me to
walk
off my aggression?” I asked doubtfully as I approached the machine.  I climbed on as he reached over the front console and started to increase the incline and the speed. 

“No, you are going to run.”  He maxed out the incline and kept pressing on the up arrow for the speed until I was running so fast my arms and legs were blurs to my own eyes.  I was not sure how long I could sustain this pace, especially in my bare feet.

“How far?” I asked.

“Until I tell you to stop.” 
Nice.
  He brought me a towel and water before going off to work out himself. 

Forty-five minutes later I was about to drop but I was somehow still putting one foot in front of the other.  I had reduced the speed a little when he wasn’t looking but I was still moving at a good clip, sweat running into my eyes, my borrowed shirt and pants soaked.  I was waiting for Jonathan to tell me to stop.  I was unwilling to give in.

“I think you’ve had enough,” he appeared in front of me, pressing the controls, so I would have a five minute cool down.  “Once you’re done, grab a shower and then I will feed you.  We can discuss your education over dinner.”

Education?
  So he did want to be my dad.

The shower felt wonderful on my overheated skin and exhausted muscles.  I leaned my head against the tiles, letting the water run across my shoulders and down my back.  I never wanted to move from this spot.  After another few minutes though, I started to worry that someone might come looking for me.  The thought of being found nearly catatonic, while naked in the shower, motivated me to shut off the water and get dressed.  I availed myself of the hairdryer in the changing area, and redressed in my clothes from work, opting to carry my shoes.  I was hoping that dinner was not formal here because I didn’t think I could force my feet back into those heels after that run.  There was also nothing to be done about the makeup.  That was long gone – reduced to ugly black streaks on the towel that Jonathan had supplied for that hellish run.

Trevor was waiting for me just outside the changing area.  “I was sent down to bring you to dinner.” 

Trevor led me back up the stairs, continuing up past the landing that led to the garages and into the atrium.  The space was grand and I imagined that early in the day it would be filled with light from the wall of windows that ran along what I guessed was the back of the house.  Right now there was not much to see but inky darkness beyond the glass.

There were already several others seated at a long table when we arrived and there was a buffet dinner set-up on a large server located on the wall to the right.  Conversation halted as all eyes swiveled towards us, or should I say
me
.  Jonathan rose and indicated a seat to his left.  As I made my way over to my chair, I noticed Sampson was already at the table and that Trevor moved to take a seat beside him.  I smiled at him and he smiled back with a wink.  At lease there was a friendly face.

On the other side of the table sat an older blond woman that was obviously another relative of Trevor’s.  His mother maybe?  There was also a petite dark haired woman with a slightly Mediterranean look about her.  She was watching me curiously and did not return my polite smile.  There was always one in every crowd. 

To Jonathan’s right there was an empty seat that had an undisturbed place setting in front of it.  I wondered if someone else was joining us.

Jonathan made introductions.  I was right, the blond was Trevor’s mother and her name was Jeannette.  The petite woman I found out was named Serena.  She barely acknowledged the introduction before returning to her food.

Part of the way through dinner my phone started vibrating inside my purse.  I reached down to grab it and saw from the display that it was McCallister.  A surreptitious glance confirmed that Jonathan was watching me while taking a sip of his wine.  I smiled and put the phone in my lap without answering.  A minute later the phone started to vibrate again and I ignored it.  A minute later it started again.

“Aren’t you going to answer that?” Serena asked in irritation from across the table.

“Seemed rude,” I said with a shrug as the phone started to vibrate a fourth time.  “If you’ll excuse me,” I said in resignation, rising from my chair. 

“Hello?” I said as I walked around the table, heading towards the privacy of the hall.  All the while aware that everyone’s eyes were following my movements.

“Ms. Lassiter, so kind of you to take my call,” McCallister’s voice drawled sarcastically.  I was just passing Sampson’s chair and saw his head swivel around in surprise.  He clearly could make out McCallister’s voice and recognized it. 
Fabulous.
 

“I was trying to eat my dinner,” I said.

“Not at home because I’m here and you are not,” he accused.  “Oddly there are two Lenape wolves lurking about.”  I finally made it into the hallway, walking away from the doorway several yards to allow for privacy.  I knew they could still hear my end of the conversation but hopefully not his side as well.

“You’re at my house?” I asked a little startled.  Why would he be at my house?

“I came to discuss the arrangements for Penelope’s outing tomorrow.” 
In person
?

“We can discuss that now, over the phone if you like.”

“I wouldn’t want to interrupt your dinner,” he said sarcastically.  Which explains why he called repeatedly until I picked up, right? 

“Not a problem,” I replied, pretending not to hear his sarcasm.  “Are we a go for tomorrow?”

“I’m prepared to approve the arrangements you have made for the play-date.  Penelope is about to burst with excitement,” he said the latter like it was a foreign thing to him.  I guess his childhood was so far in the past that it might just be an alien concept.  “There will be two wolves accompanying you to provide security,” he said the word ‘wolves’ with distaste.  I wondered again that they were able to work together at all.  

It was common practice for the local Were pack to supply daytime security to the vampires living in the same region.  It was good business for the Weres and it benefitted the vampires who were more vulnerable during the day.  In this case though, Jonathan and McCallister seemed to have a personal issue.  I wondered what it was all about, or if McCallister was just a bigot.

“That’s fine.”  The added security did not seem unreasonable to me.  He was the local clan master after all.  “I thought I could come get her around eleven, take her to the park and have a picnic there with Marsha and her kids.  I should have her back by two-thirty or so.  Does that work?”

“I prefer that my security drive you.  They can pick you up and take you to the park.”  I thought about that a moment.  I wanted Penny to feel like I had come to get her to take her on an outing, not the other way around.

“I’m fine with them driving but I would like to come to her.  I think it will seem more like I’m taking her on the adventure that way,”
and less like you are controlling everything, as usual.
  I’m happy to report that I did not say that last part out loud.  There was silence on the line for a moment.  Liam McCallister was not used to anyone pushing back at his edicts.

“Agreed,” he finally said, surprising me.  I was sure he had been about to balk.  Not because the request was unreasonable, but because he could. 

“Alright, I will be there at eleven.”  The line was quiet again.

“I will contact you later this evening about the other arrangements we need to discuss.”  I assumed he meant the Sapphire shipment.  “And Abigail,” he said my name like he was tasting it.  I shivered.  “Don’t enjoy your dinner with the wolf too much,” he said before the line went dead. 

How in the hell did he know I was having dinner with Jonathan?  I shivered again, instinctively looking at the windows at the far end of the hall.  I kept thinking about that blackness beyond the glass. 
Shit, shit, shit! 
I needed to listen to Samantha and Corbin more.  Being mixed up in McCallister’s personal life was adding a stressful dimension to my life that was definitely not needed.

I looked at my phone, dreading the walk back to my seat.  It felt like the walk of shame.  I straightened my blouse and ran my palms down my slacks before re-entering the dining room.  Five sets of curious eyes followed me as I made my way to my seat.  I stubbornly refused to look at Jonathan but I knew he was watching me.  I finally looked up after taking my seat to find his eyes narrowed as he observed me. 

“Is it possible that the vampires are watching your home?” I asked nonchalantly.  Jonathan tensed but otherwise did not react.  Not everyone was so calm about my inquiry.  A fork clattered to a plate and I heard a growl come from the end of the table.  I looked, it was Sampson.

“Yes, I would think that was possible,” Jonathan responded as he went back to eating.  “Why?  Did McCallister imply that he was watching just now?”  So he did know that was who was on the phone.  Either his hearing was extraordinary, even for a wolf, or Sampson had told him.

“I didn’t get the impression that
he
specifically was watching but I got the feeling someone is or was,” I explained.  “Either that or he made several assumptions because of the wolves you have watching my house.”  I looked at what remained of my food on my plate.  It looked cold and unappealing.  Putting my head in my hands, I leaned on the table.  I was so tired and I needed to get home.  McCallister was calling later and I had to squeeze meditation and sleep in somewhere.  A hand appeared and slipped my cold plate of food off the table and put a fresh one in its place.  I looked up.  It was Sampson.

“Eat,” he said.  “Then we will get you home.”

Everyone else was finished and the room started to clear.  Jonathan, Sampson and I were the only ones still in the room when I finally finished my meal.  Jonathan had been brooding at the end of the table, watching me eat.  I couldn’t hope to guess what he was thinking.

“Alright miss, I will take you home now,” Sampson said.

“I will take her,” Jonathan said as he stood.

“I don’t think that is such a good idea,” a deep, masculine voice said from the other end of the room.  I looked up to see a tall muscular man with the brawny look of a fighter and the scow to match standing in the doorway.  The large scar running from under his left eye down to and across his chin was impressive.  There were only two things that I knew of that could do damage like that to a Were.  Silver was one thing and a vindictive vampire was another.  Vampires had the ability to produce an enzyme on their nails and teeth that inhibited healing.  Such malicious behavior came at a cost to the vampire, so it was usually reserved for mortal combat. 

Jonathan appeared surprised at his words.  “Now why would you think that?” he asked.

“Because you are flirting with danger, bro.”  That’s when I noticed it; they had the same piercing green eyes.  This must be Jonathan’s brother Alexander.  Samantha had mentioned him before, he was Jonathan’s second in command.  I was guessing he was also likely to be the person for whom the extra place was set at the table.  “That vamp is probably sitting outside her house right now spoiling for a fight.  You go there alone and it’s just you and him.”

“You don’t think I can handle Liam McCallister?” Jonathan bristled, I felt his power building again but it was subtle. 

“I think you can handle him,” he said.  “The question is – do you want to?”  He looked over at me and then back at his brother.  “Is this one worth starting a war over?”  Well, obviously someone had a low opinion of me.  I glanced to Jonathan, his face was a blank mask but the increasing pressure of his dominant energy in the room implied swelling anger.  I imagined there were few that had the nerve to question him so openly.

“I don’t think we are quite at that point.”

“You don’t?” Alexander asked slyly.  “You brought her back to the Den.  She’s an elf for christsake!”

“Come closer little brother,” Jonathan said quietly.  “See what your wolf tells you.”

I stiffened as Alexander approached, his nostrils flaring when he got within two yards of me.  “Corbin Greenbranch marked her as his mate?” he said incredulously.  “What the fuck?”

“Not as mate,” Jonathan corrected.  “As Pack.”

“He cannot do that,” he said stubbornly.  “She’s not a wolf.”

“It’s done.”

“You can undo it,” he asserted.  Well that was news to me I thought looking between the two.

“I am not prepared to do that at the moment.  But I will think on it.   Right now, I’m taking her home.”

Alexander opened his mouth to protest again but apparently Jonathan had heard enough.  His dominant energy lashed out like a physical blow that nearly staggered me.  I had to put my hand on the nearest chair back for support.  His brother rocked back under the assault and shut his mouth, no further opposition offered.  Sampson was holding onto the table, looking a bit green.

“Abigail,” Jonathan said.  “Are you ready to go?”

“Definitely,” I said dryly.  

The ride home was quiet.   Both of us lost in our own thoughts.  At some point I must have drifted off because Jonathan’s hand on my shoulder gently woke me when we finally arrived at my house. 

A dark shape separated from the shadows to the left of the drive as we got out of the car.  The shape turned out to be a sleek sable wolf that trotted up and rubbed his muzzle on Jonathan’s hand before disappearing around the side of the house.  Another pack member in human form waved the all clear from his position to the right of my front door.   I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding.  It looked like Alexander’s predictions were wrong – McCallister was not waiting in the bushes to jump anyone.

“I will leave two wolves here in shifts.  It will irk McCallister but he will get over it.”

“I’m sure I’m fine.”

“You are obviously not familiar with Andrei and Luca.  They will be back,” he said grimly as his power began throbbing around him.

“You might want to consider some meditation yourself,” I said with a laugh.  “You dominance can pack a punch when your temper gets away from you.