Authors: Cyndi Friberg
“Did Willona survive the forced definition?”
His head came up, but his gaze remained clouded. “Yes. She
hated us and refused to shift. I’d never heard of anyone strong enough to
suppress their animal nature, but Willona was.”
“What happened to her? How did she die?”
“We were looking into ways to force a shift when she
realized she was pregnant.”
“That’s right. She gave birth to twins.” The two young women
he’d been so determined to find.
“Not technically twins.” His voice became a monotone drone,
but he answered without hesitation. “Ava is mine. Sam fathered Carissa.”
“I see.” She hadn’t realized multiple father…litters were
possible with Therians. They looked so human. It was easy to forget how truly
different they were. “Is Sam still alive?”
“No. Willona was starting to thaw toward him so I killed
him.”
Holy shit. Had he just admitted to murder without flinching?
She’d always sensed a darkness in Osric, but she hadn’t expected this. “And how
did Willona react to Sam’s death?”
“She contacted the Abolitionists and arranged to be
‘rescued’.” He sneered as he went on. “As if she could be rescued from her own
nature. I wouldn’t have bothered to track her, but she took the girls with her.
That was inexcusable.”
She was dying to ask him about the Abolitionists. Did he
know Nehema? But she didn’t want to lose her train of thought. “Only Ava is
your blood kin. Why were you searching for Carissa?”
“Both girls possess Maggie’s blood so either can be defined
with multiple animal natures.”
“Is that what Milliner was talking about when he said alpha
males from all over the State had showed up at the cat sanctuary?” A million
details were waiting to be filled in, but she hadn’t learned anything new and
she wasn’t sure how long the drugs’ effect would last.
“Carissa has been defined. I don’t know if the attempt was
successful, but Ava is my only hope now.”
“How did Willona die?”
“Car accident. I think it was arranged, but I haven’t been
able to prove it.”
He had admitted to murder without batting an eye. Maybe her
questions should be more direct. “Is it your intention to betray the backers?”
“I serve Zophiel. I cannot betray those who do not hold my
allegiance.”
Well, this was interesting. She wondered if the backers
would share his rationalization. “Who is Zophiel?”
“Spy of God. Angel of Devine Justice. Mistress of this
unworthy slave.”
Mistress? Angels tended to be asexual or male, but this was
clearly no ordinary angel. “Does Zophiel go by any other name?”
“That is not for you to know. Before you are worthy to bask
in her light, you must be cleansed by fire.”
That didn’t sound like fun. “What does she look like? I
don’t want to offend her if I happen upon her someday.”
“She has beauty beyond compare. Flowing blonde hair so light
it is nearly silver and crystal-blue eyes that shimmer like stars. Her features
are nothing short of perfection and her shape knows no equal. If you wandered
into her presence, you would tremble at the sight.”
The drugs were supposed to make it all but impossible to
lie, so Zophiel had to be imaginary. Didn’t she? “When did you last see your
Mistress in person?”
“Unbeliever! May Zophiel have mercy on your soul.” He folded
his knees beneath him and pressed his palms together as he rocked back and
forth, chanting in a soft, singsong language.
Apparently Zophiel’s influence had overridden the drugs’
effect. Roberto had warned her that she would have approximately half an hour
before Osric was overcome by the need for sleep. She’d learned more than she
ever hoped, so she decided not to push her luck.
She moved in front of him and pressed his face into the
valley between her breasts. “Let’s go to bed.” He remained stiff and
unresponsive for a long time then one of his hands skimmed up the back of her
leg and squeezed her bare behind.
Chapter Six
Something soft brushed against Ava’s cheek, drawing her back
from the most decadent dream of her life. She’d been making love with Kyle,
exploring his amazing body with her hands and her lips. And he’d returned every
caress, mirrored every lick and nibble. The images were so appealing she didn’t
want to open her eyes.
The featherlight caress danced along her jaw then teased her
upper lip. A rich, sweat scent filled her nose and she sighed. Rose.
She opened her eyes and found Kyle sitting on the edge of
the bed, brandishing a long-stemmed rose like a paint brush. “Good
afternoon
.”
Startled by the implication, she looked at the blind-covered window and he
chuckled. “We were beginning to wonder if you’d ever wake up.”
“What time is it?” She pulled the sheet up and tucked it
under her arms. He was dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, which made her feel more
naked somehow.
“A little after one.” He stroked her shoulder with the rose
then ran the bloom down her arm and slipped the thorn-less stem into her hand.
“I hope you’re hungry.” She closed her fingers around the stem and raised the
flower to her nose, enjoying the fragrance as he set a large wooden tray across
her lap. “I wasn’t sure what you liked so we made a bit of everything.”
“We?”
“Enya was my sous chef. She knows the kitchen better than I
do.” He lifted the plate cover and set it aside.
Ava looked at the generous array of breakfast selections and
groaned. “You don’t expect me to eat all of this, do you?” Cheese melted into a
mound of scrambled eggs. French toast had been arranged beside a stack of
pancakes while bacon and sausage balanced out the plate.
“You saved my life. This is the least I could do.” His eyes
appeared particularly green as he poured her a cup of coffee. “How do you feel?
My control was pretty lacking last night.”
She spotted the empty vase and returned the rose to the
container. “You didn’t hurt me.” He held out the coffee mug and she was glad
for the distraction. His gaze was too perceptive, too penetrating. “I never
knew…never imagined that sex could be like that.”
Her confession seemed to please him, but his gaze was still
guarded as he looked into her eyes. “I know Enya told you that our bodies are
in sync. Do you understand what that means?”
Setting down the coffee mug, Ava picked up her fork and
started with the scrambled eggs. “I’m pretty sure I experienced the difference,
but I’m not sure I understand the details. Jake and Enya tried to explain it to
me, but I was pretty distracted last night.”
“I didn’t intentionally trigger the change, but I’m afraid I
am to blame. Our energy melded when I healed you and then again when I fed from
you on the mountain. The combination confused our bodies, made our animals
think we were trying to mate.”
Heat spread across her face and she was certain her cheeks
were bright red. “I understand how that could be confusing.”
“We didn’t form a mating bond, so this synchronization isn’t
permanent.”
For just an instant disappointment crept across her mind
then logic kick started her brain. Did she want the connection to be permanent?
She barely knew this man. “How long will we feel like this?”
“About three months. But it’s important that you understand
this doesn’t happen unless a couple is attracted to each other in the first
place. Our responses are amplified, our needs more intense, but the basic
appeal is natural.”
Her nipples tightened beneath the sheet and tension built
between her thighs as memories of the night before scrolled through her mind.
“Can we talk about something else?”
“Of course.” His smile was a little too knowing and his gaze
caressed her face. “I didn’t mean to embarrass you.”
She returned his smile then busied herself with breakfast.
“How long will it take to reach the cat sanctuary? I can’t wait to see Carissa
again.”
“They’re coming here instead.”
“Why the change of plans?” She didn’t really care where the
reunion took place as long as she saw her sister face-to-face. Her visions were
becoming more detailed and more frequent, but she wouldn’t be completely
convinced Carissa was safe and happy until they were in the same room.
“Your spontaneous teleportation.”
“What about it? You freaked me out and I overreacted.”
“Jake is convinced it was no random flash and I’m starting
to agree with him. Therian abilities tend to be specific. Like your visions.
You didn’t understand what you saw, but the images were detailed. Right?”
“I suppose.” She didn’t want to seem like a coward, but
she’d been looking forward to a place far away from danger, secluded and
secure. “I have no idea where we were. Does Jake?”
“He’s established a likely radius. We’re hoping Ian can
search the area and figure out where the guards came from.”
“Ian’s the raptor?” It was hard to imagine a bird with
human—no Therian intelligence, but that’s what Kyle’s suggestion implied. “How
much of you remains intact when you shift? How will a bird be able to search
for a covert facility?”
“Instincts are stronger, thoughts less cluttered by minor
details, but I’m still me. Ian will have no trouble remembering his mission
once he shifts into an eagle.”
She nodded and wrapped her hands around the warm enameled
mug. Her appetite had gradually faded as she realized the fight was far from
over. The past twenty-four hours had been a whirlwind of crisis and emotions.
She’d never felt so helpless and yet so protected at the same time. These
Therian males possessed the most intriguing combination of ferocity and
tenderness. It felt wonderful to have someone at her back for a change.
“Are you done?” After quickly refilling her coffee mug, she
raised her arms so he could remove the tray. “You look sort of spooked. That
wasn’t my intention.” He scooted closer and reached for her free hand. “You
don’t need to be afraid, Ava. You’re not alone. We won’t let anything happen to
you.”
His fingers were warm and strong, his grip firm yet careful.
“I feel like I’ve been running my entire life. Even after we settled in
Breckenridge, I never felt safe. I knew someone was out there, watching me,
waiting for some sort of signal I didn’t understand.”
“Knowledge is power. I won’t pretend the danger is gone, but
you know who’s behind it and you’re much more prepared to deal with it now.”
His thumb caressed her knuckles and awareness arced between them, making the
air sizzle with anticipation.
He took the mug from her hand and leaned in to kiss her when
hurried footfalls sounded on the stairs. They turned to the half-open doorway
as Enya stepped into the room.
“We’ve got big trouble. Throw yourself together and get
downstairs.” With no further explanation, she handed Kyle a stack of clothes
and hustled back the way she’d come.
Ava threw back the sheet and crawled out of bed. Kyle handed
her the clean clothes and said, “I’ll find out what’s going on. Take the
fastest shower of your life then join us downstairs.”
Accepting the bundle, she nodded and headed for the
bathroom. Ava quickly showered and dressed. She ran a comb through her hair and
rinsed out her mouth with toothpaste then rushed downstairs. Jake was pacing
the floor in the railed entryway between the bar and restaurant. His expression
was thunderous as he talked to someone on a cell phone. Enya and Kyle stood off
to one side, watching Jake with obvious concern.
“What’s going on?” Ava whispered as she pressed in close to
Kyle.
“Someone snatched three of our females,” Enya replied.
“One’s our sister. The two little ones are our nieces.”
Jake ended the call and shoved the phone into one of his
pockets as he pulled keys out of another. He looked at his sister as he said,
“They’ve been gone for hours. They could be anywhere by now.”
“Why did Liz wait so long to call us?” Enya crossed her arms
over her chest, looking every bit as upset as Jake.
“She didn’t. Cheyenne agreed to take the girls so Liz and
David could have a night to themselves. Liz went to Cheyenne’s about an hour
ago to pick up the girls and found an empty apartment. All three of them were
gone. Chey’s pretty sure they were taken some time last night, but she has no
idea who or why.”
Apparently Liz and Cheyenne were two of Jake’s sisters and
the “little ones” belonged to Liz. “What can we do?” Ava asked.
“We can’t be sure this isn’t a ploy to scatter our forces,”
Jake warned. He looked at Kyle as he went on. “Take Ava to my place. Have Ian
meet you there. I’ll organize the search while you and Ian investigate our
theory about the teleportation.”
Kyle caught the keys Jake tossed him and said, “Got it.”
“What about me?” Enya asked. “Do you want me to join the
hunt?”
Jake shook his head. “You need to go calm down Liz. She
might be able to sense the girls if she can get her emotions under control.”
“I’m on it.” Enya departed without a backward glance.
“Be careful,” Jake stressed. “This has trap written all over
it.”
* * * * *
While Osric was sleeping soundly in her bed, Carly rushed to
the conference room and called the backers. She’d been thrilled when she was
given the security code to the conference room. It was the only room in the
complex from which outgoing calls were possible. Her excitement fizzled soon
after as she realized she had no one in the outside world who gave a damn about
her. She’d always been an outcast, isolated by her ambition and intelligence.
Her lack of family and friends was likely one of the reasons she’d been
recruited for this project.
Any one of the three backers could respond to her page.
Tonight Roberto came online. He wore a silk robe and his dark hair was tousled
as if he’d just crawled out of bed.
“I’m sorry to bother you, sir.” If he lived in Italy, as she
suspected, it was likely about nine o’clock at night. “I just finished
questioning Osric.”