He crossed around a wide burnished oak desk and punched in a couple of keys on a large computer before gesturing Cara to the desk chair. She walked toward him and then gasped as Janie’s small face filled the computer screen.
“Hey Mama. How cool is this?” Janie grinned and his mate gasped again.
“You lost a tooth.” Cara’s voice lowered with the sound of tears.
“Yep.” The grin widened. “Can you believe it? And the tooth fairy gives a lot more here than at home.”
“Really?” Cara sat heavily in a padded leather chair as Talen wrapped a reassuring hand around the back of her neck. He hoped this was a good idea. “How much does she give for a tooth there?”
Janie leaned forward conspiratorially. “Fifty dollars, a new pocket game, and three dolls.” Talen wondered if that was too much. Maybe he should talk to his brothers.
“Geez,” Cara coughed out with an answering grin. “That’s a lot.”
Janie’s blue eyes all but glowed with happiness as she held a doll in one hand, though the several braids woven through her hair were lopsided and mismatched. “Um, honey, who has been doing your hair?”
Janie rolled her eyes. “First Uncle Jase but then he got frustrated cause his hands are too big and then Uncle Brack, but he can’t get them even. Uncle Dage did them the first day before he had to go and those were the best. Today Uncle Conn tried really hard but it was double damn hard for him.” She shook her braids sadly.
An embarrassed cough sounded as a broad face leaned into camera range. “Sorry about that. I’ll er, watch the language from now on.”
Cara nodded as Talen scowled at his brother. Conn’s metallic green eyes smiled his apology as he grinned at Cara.
“I’m Conn. Welcome to the family.” Then he dodged out of range.
Janie smiled in adoration off camera before turning back to her mother. “When will you be here?”
“Soon as I can,” Cara said softly. “Are you having fun?”
“Oh yeah. It’s really fun here in …” A large masculine hand over the microphone muffled the rest of her statement. Janie grinned. “Oops, I forgot I wasn’t supposed to say where we are. Anyway …” she rolled her eyes toward Conn, “I’m having lots of fun but miss you.”
“I miss you, too. Aren’t there any other kids around?”
Janie shook her head. “No.”
“Really?” Cara wondered. Janie nodded in affirmation before looking quizzically around Cara.
Talen leaned down so he could be seen by Janie. “Hi, sweetheart.”
“Hi.” The little girl smiled, her eyes lighting up even more. “I met all your brothers ’cept for Kane cause he’s across the ocean somewhere but I talked to him on the phone this morning, and they all said it was okay you’re my dad now.”
Talen grinned. “Thought they might.”
“Yeah.” Janie bounced happily. “And Uncle Conn even said you deserved me.”
“Did he now?”
“Yep. Somethin’ about wild days, whatever that means.”
“It means my perspective toward beautiful women has changed.”
“Why?” she asked with a wrinkled brow.
Talen shook his head. “Hard to explain, sweetheart.”
Now Cara rolled her eyes next to him. Talen gave her a few more minutes to talk to Janie before he said they had to wrap it up. As the screen went blank, Cara lifted watery eyes.
“We’ll get there as soon as we can, Cara.”
“I know.” She clasped his hand as they left the room. “When?”
“Soon.” He led her past the formidable stone fireplace of the great room and into a wide, expansive kitchen where Jordan stirred something in a large Crock-Pot.
Cara sighed. She guessed “soon” would have to be good enough. Then her stomach growled as the scent of fresh stew assaulted her senses.
“Stop messing with it,” Katie said from the nearby table with a glare.
“You always burn it,” came the dry reply. Then Jordan turned flecked brown eyes their way. “Your call was successful?”
“Yes, thank you,” Cara replied warmly as she moved to join Katie at the table. The young woman had showered and changed into faded jeans and a red shirt. “How’s your side?”
“Healed.” The grin was pure imp.
“Thanks for the clothes.”
“No problem.” Katie looked up as Jordan began dishing out fragrant bowls of stew before the men joined them at the table. Cara couldn’t help but notice that even in human form, a sense of wild danger clung to Jordan. No wonder he and Talen seemed such good friends.
They dug in as if starved.
Halfway through the meal Jordan excused himself to take a phone call, only to return to the comfortable kitchen with a serious expression on his hard face. “We go in thirty minutes.”
Talen’s eyes narrowed. “I thought the raid was set for tomorrow night.”
“It was. We’ve lost contact with Dr. Bigsby. We can’t take the chance they’re preparing for us.”
Talen nodded and pushed to his feet.
“Wait a minute.” Cara put out a hand in protest. “What raid? Who’s Bigsby?”
“I’ll give you a minute,” Jordan said to Talen as he turned from the room.
“Wait, Jordan,” Katie called after him as she jumped up and hurried from the room. Cara couldn’t hear what Katie said, but she did hear Jordan’s sharp reply of, “Absolutely no fucking way,” as their footsteps retreated through the great room.
She turned inquisitive eyes on Talen as he sat at the round oak table. His burnished eyes shone a serious pure gold with no green. “I’m not sure where to start. The Realm was at war with the Kurjus for several hundreds of years until we both suffered so many losses we created a treaty to protect us and the humans—about three hundred years ago.”
“The Realm?”
“Oh, yeah.” Talen frowned. “That’s us. It’s like your United Nations; there’s us, several shape shifting clans, friendly wiccans, and some others.”
“No faeries?” Cara asked dryly.
Talen shrugged. “They don’t align with anybody. We’ve fought with them, against them, you never really quite know.”
“Seriously?” Cara had been joking.
“Oh yeah. The faeries are kind of like Switzerland with a big stick.” He gave an exaggerated shudder with a grin.
Cara shook her head in amazement. “So the Kurjans have broken the treaty by coming after Janie and me?”
“Yes. Plus, they violated the agreement by conducting research at various facilities to alter their DNA so they can withstand sunlight. We’ve had allies in different places around the world to keep an eye on things.”
The scientist in her took notice. “How is it possible to alter DNA?”
Talen shrugged. “Believe me, I am not the scientific one in my family.” He grinned. “I guess you are.”
“I’d love to see the research,” she said thoughtfully.
“You will. We’re raiding one of their Springfield facilities in about fifteen minutes. I’ll bring you what I can.”
“Maybe I should come. I’d know better what to look for.” Her mind spun with the scientific results that could be reached. If such an alteration of DNA were really possible, most human genetic diseases could be cured before they started. Her mind boggled.
“No.” Green flecks appeared throughout the gold in his eyes.
“But Talen, this could be bigger than any of us.”
“I said no, Cara.”
Her temper rankled. “I don’t think that’s your call, Talen.”
His flash of teeth was anything but a smile as he ran a finger along the twin puncture marks on her pale neck. “I disagree.”
“Then we’re at an impasse.”
This time he chuckled. “Not really. We’re going on foot, it’s much faster than using vehicles. Even as stubborn as you are, there’s no way you’d keep up.”
Cara let out an irritated huff. He was r
ight. His speed matched that of the lions, and even on her best day she wasn’t very fast, even for a human. “This sucks.”
Talen stood from the table. “Look at the bright side. At least I don’t have to tie you to the bed to ensure you stay here.”
“Funny.”
“I’m not joking.” His face showed he wasn’t.
“Humph.” It wasn’t the most intelligent response but it would have to do.
He rolled his eyes before stalking from the room, and she barely repressed the urge to stick her tongue out at his retreating back. Huffing with irritation, she focused back on her dinner, no longer hungry. Maybe she’d just do the dishes.
She just about had the kitchen spotless when he returned dressed in black cargo pants, shirt, vest, and flack boots. All soldier, all purpose. All pure, hot male. Her body responded instantly, her nipples pebbling and a slow skittering sliding through her belly.
Talen sniffed the air and gave her a grin. “I won’t be gone long, mate.”
Ass. She threw the dish towel into the sink. “Be careful.” The words rose unbidden from somewhere she refused to acknowledge.
In response, he grasped her arm and tugged her closer, lowering his mouth. He took his time, tasting her, tempting her with raw heat and dangerous promise. She moaned and pressed into him, her hands splaying out against the rough material of the vest covering his broad chest.
The marking on her hip began to burn.
Jordan cleared his throat from the doorway, and Cara jumped back. What the heck was she thinking? She pushed her hair off her face and ignored the lion’s smirk, as well as Talen’s chuckle. He gave her a quick peck on the forehead, then they were gone.
She finished the kitchen and told Katie she wanted to get some rest. The young woman nodded, fully engrossed in shoe shopping on the Internet.
Once in her room, Cara locked the door. Taking a deep breath for courage, she sat on the bed, grabbed the phone, and dialed the right number. Her sister answered before the first ring had finished.
“Cara?”
“Em!” She should’ve known Emma would be prepared for the call. Breath she hadn’t realized she’d held whooshed out in relief.
“Where are you? Are you okay? Where’s Janie?” Footsteps pattered together across the line, as if Emma were rushing toward the door.
“We’re both fine.” Cara sighed. “I just needed to make sure you were keeping this low key.” She plucked at a loose thread on the luxurious comforter.
“Low key!” Emma’s voice rose to the point that Cara winced. “Are you kidding me? Some freaking marshal tells me you’ve been relocated because of some gang hit? What the hell’s going on?”
Cara ran a trembling hand through her hair. “Okay, just calm down.” Yeah right. “Janie and I are safe for now—and you can’t make waves. Just for a bit, Emma. Or we’ll all be in danger.”
“But—”
“Emma! Do you trust me?” Cara waited after playing the trump card. She had to keep Em safe, it was her turn.
“Yes.”
“Then, listen to me. We’re safe. For now, if you don’t make waves.” She hoped. The last thing she needed was Emma making enough of a ruckus to alert the Kurjans. If they found out how gifted she was … “No, you don’t understand. God. You need to trust me. We’re all in danger, and it’s my fault.” Emma’s voice lowered. “Where are you? We need to run.”
Run? “Emma. What—”
“The marshals can’t keep us safe from these guys, Cara. Now where the hell are you?” The echo of a door slamming shut pounded over the line. “I’m in my car. I have a safe place to hide.” The ignition flared to life across the phone.
Cara froze, goose bumps ripping through her skin to cause a shiver. “These guys? You mean the Kurjans?” How in the hell did Emma know about the devils?
Dead silence slid across the line for a moment before Emma spoke. “You know about the Kurjans? Tell me you’re not with them.”
That answered that. Dread began to slither below Cara’s skin. “We’re not with them. Um, do you know about the vampires?”
“You’re with the vampires?” Tires squealed across the line.
“Yes. Tell me they’re the good guys, Em.” Considering one had just branded Cara’s ass.
“Well, they’re not the bad guys, anyway.” Emma exhaled on a loud sigh. “I don’t think so—I mean, I just found out about them yesterday. Okay. You’re relatively safe for now. Probably.”
Probably? Crap. “We need to meet up.” Her sister would probably try to take the Kurjans down all by herself. Fear exploded through Cara’s mind.
“We will. I’ve been working in one of the Kurjan research facilities—”
“What?” Cara gasped.
“I didn’t know it was owned by them. Anyway, I found out what was going on and hid some of my data—I need to retrieve it, then I’ll contact you.” A horn blared loud and clear. “Damn it. Where do these people learn to drive?” Another horn blasted. “Okay. I have to toss this phone. You need to find out if the phone you’re calling from is secured, which I’m assuming it is.”
Secured? Holy crap. She may have just led the Kurjans to Jordan’s ranch. What was this, a spy movie?
“I’m sure you’re fine, Cara. Also, I set up new e-mail accounts with an online provider using false names, so it can’t be traced. Check yours every few days, and I’ll try to keep in touch. You’re
[email protected] I love you.”
“I love you too.”
The line went dead.
Several states away Janie snuggled down in her girly bed with Uncle Jase relaxing on the couch outside her room watching basketball on TV. She knew she was safe, and her Mama would be here soon. Cuddling her blankie and Mr. Mullet closer, she slid into the murky world between dreams and reality and sighed as she looked around for her friend.
“Hi, Zane,” she smiled and flashed the dimples she knew he liked. Her dream world was her favorite place to be.
“Hi, Janie Belle.” Zane emerged from the mist with a smile on his broad face, the sharp angles already hinting at the warrior he would become. He had given her the nickname the first time she had invaded his dreams, declaring Janet Isabella too grown up for her. “Are you somewhere safe now?”
“Yes,” Janie said with a smile. “I’m finally with my new family, so stop worrying.”
“Good. My father received word last night of your safety, so I stopped my preparations to come after you.”
“You were coming after me?” Her four-year-old heart warmed at the thought. The transformers were cool, but Zane was a real-life hero. Hers.
“Of course.” Although she was six years younger, she was Zane’s best friend. And even in his youth, he would die to protect her. In fact, he knew deep down someday he would be called upon to do so, which was the reason he trained longer and harder than any other. His father proudly thought Zane prepared to take his place someday as their leader, which in a sense he guessed he was. But the fight to come would be for Janie. And he intended to win.
They played for a while with Janie showing him mental pictures of her new ponies. An awareness tickled along the back of his neck, and he glanced toward the tree line.
“What?” Janie asked, changing the leaves from green to white and the sky to yellow.
Zane shrugged. “Dunno. I felt something.”
She followed his gaze. “I can keep the bad guys out, Zane. It’s my dream.”
Flashing green eyes shifted to her. “Bad guys? You feel something?”
Janie copied his shrug.
“Janie?” Zane’s jaw tightened.
She fought the urge to stomp her foot. When was everybody going to learn she was strong? “Yeah. I can feel something, somebody wanting in. He’s tried it before.” And she didn’t let him. It was her dream. Well, their dreams, anyway.
Zane stood. So much taller than her. He moved toward the trees.
She sighed, dropping her pictures to the now peach-colored ground. “He?
??s not in the trees, Zane. He’s outside the dream.”
Zane stopped with his back to her, the new muscles in his arms bunching. She liked that he’d grown his black hair out to his shoulders. “He?”
She waited until Zane turned back to face her. “Yeah. I think so. It feels like a he.”
Putting his hands on his hips, Zane frowned. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
Darn it. She didn’t want Zane mad at her, and she didn’t want his feelings hurt. “I didn’t want you to go.”
“You’re in my dream—how could I go?”
She shrugged. “You could. We both have our dreams, and we opened them to each other.” He didn’t know he could close his dreams to her. If Zane left her she’d never talk to him again. Never-ever.
“So,” he rubbed his chin, “someone else is dreaming? Someone else is trying to get in our dreams?”
Janie nodded. “I think so. But if we don’t let him in, he can’t get in.” Right now, anyway. She’d learned that practice always helped with stuff like this.
Zane took a deep breath and focused. “Do you know anything about him, Janie? I get the sense he’s not one of us.”
Janie shook her head, even as a name whispered across her mind. Kalin. She wasn’t going to tell Zane anything else. He’d go for sure.
Then, peace settled across the tiny meadow. “He’s gone,” Janie said with a smile.
Zane raised an eyebrow, reminding her of Talen. “Promise me you won’t keep any more secrets like this from me.”
She thought about it. “Okay, Zane.” There weren’t many secrets like this, really.
“Okay. I’ll see you soon.” He gave her the smile that always warmed her heart.
“Do you have to go already?” she asked, almost whining.
“I do.” His dark green eyes turned serious. “I have training with my brothers in half an hour. You know how important that is.”
“I know. Do you think we’ll always be friends, Zane?” Sadness swept through her with the thought of life without him.
“Of course.” He winked at her before turning to go. “Always, Janie Belle.”
Janie giggled at the nickname before falling deeper into a calm sleep.