Samuel grasped her hand. “But you did save Rose,” he said. “You reacted in time.”
“I’ve…been too late before,” Abby said, remembering past failures wrenched her heart in two. “I got lucky with the queen.”
“I think I was the fortunate one.” Lady Rose laughed lightly before all traces of humor vanished, and her tone turned crisp with authority. “Abigail, you must understand we are not letting you go. We cannot.
“If discovered by an enemy of the region, you could be used against us. Last night was an attempted assassination.” Her voice softened. “I know you believe your magic is worthless, but Abigail…it is not. Far from it. So, for the time being, you are officially my new human aide. As my personal assistant, I will naturally want you near me. We can discuss your duties after you have settled in.”
“But the director—” Abby protested.
“Has no claim on an ESC citizen.”
Like that would stop him.
“And the other Na’fhuil?” she asked, voice reed thin.
“I plan on keeping your kind’s continued existence a secret as it benefits us all to do so…for now. But someone is trying to kill me, and I believe you have the power to help prevent that from happening if you will.”
“I’ll try my best.” And she would. Until she was too slow, and Lady Rose was killed. Or the facility came to take back what they believed was theirs. Or a rival faction stole her away.
Or Conlan found out.
Whichever came first.
Chapter 7
“She didn’t mention her brother,” Myles said after Abby left the office.
“No, she didn’t.” Samuel tossed the paring knife he’d pried from her hand onto the table.
“He is a designated Untouched.” The queen rose gracefully, retrieved the folder, and walked to her desk. “His rights as a human are protected under international law. There is no reason for Abigail to hide a carrier Na’fhuil sibling from us unless…”
“He isn’t just a carrier,” Samuel said, voicing the obvious. “A Jumper working for a covert agency would explain why the most recent photograph of Conlan MacCarthy I could find was in a high school football uniform. It was taken a few weeks before the fatal accident he and Abby walked away from without a scratch.”
“And just prior to the facility discovering her Sídhe heritage,” Myles said. “But why send a rare halfblood to the Middle East?”
“Political turmoil and economic instability are rampant in that part of the world,” Rose mused aloud. “I am sure the US has a vested interest in the leadership of those volatile countries.”
“You think Miss MacCarthy’s brother is guarding a reigning dictator or a more palatable usurper?” The prince’s cell phone buzzed in his pocket.
“I think it is possible.” Rose sat and tucked her legs underneath the antique desk. “Na’fhuils have been linked to the world’s wealthiest and most influential figures throughout history. We may have been mistaken as to how their magic works, but not why their kind was always in high demand.”
“Hunted,” Tucker said shortly, his beta insistent no one forget the important distinction.
“The limited supply of halfbloods makes it beyond reckless to endanger such a valuable resource.” Myles didn’t acknowledge Samuel’s low growl at the insinuation an entire race was nothing more than a marketable commodity.
“Perhaps the officials backing the facility are gambling that a Jumper’s unique abilities will keep him alive long enough to fulfill their political agenda.” She tapped a pen on the slim file absently. “But no matter how many active Na’fhuils this nameless director has found, it is ludicrous to assume he would let one go or that the vast resources of the US government could not locate Abigail after she escaped.”
“Maybe they did find her,” Noah suggested.
“The girl wasn’t lying to us.” Myles waved the idea away as a non-factor, ignoring his still vibrating phone.
Samuel agreed. Even without using his acute sense of smell, he’d known she was telling the truth. Abby hadn’t raised her voice during the meeting, but everything from heartbreaking sorrow to stark fear had crossed her lovely, expressive face. Her emotions were easily readable by anyone who cared to look. And he was looking.
“But what if they simply let her think she’d gotten away?” Noah’s voice was confident as he addressed the prince. Samuel was proud of him. Few people, Fae Touched or not, could maintain their composure in front of the formidable Dádhe.
“Why would they do that?” Rose seemed unconvinced.
“About to break,” Tucker said, succinct as always.
“Exactly. Abby hates her magic.” Noah stood, placing his hands inside his pockets. “I’m sure her brother, and the facility’s handlers saw how close she was to the edge. They knew she was going to run, or refuse to cooperate with them any longer.”
“Then they would have placed her on lockdown, not set her free. I cannot fathom why the director would risk losing Abigail to the Fae Touched, or anyone else, when her heritage was inevitably discovered.”
“The halfblood did manage to avoid discovery until now,” Myles stated wryly, finally pulling his phone from his suit jacket and swiping the screen.
“If she were my sister,” Noah said slowly, as though weighing the validity of his thoughts as he spoke them, “I would have done anything to protect her.”
“Conlan made a deal with the director so Abby could stop hurting,” Samuel said.
It made sense. If Abby’s magic caused unbearable physical pain, and a heavy dose of emotional anguish—as he was beginning to suspect—Conlan would have been desperate to keep her from using it. Desperate enough to give his sister a false sense of freedom by taking on jobs that risked his life? If he loved her enough, yes.
“If true, then she is under surveillance,” Rose said. “And it will not take long for someone to realize we have acquired her for our own purposes.”
“No time at all.” Myles tucked his phone away. “That was Mr. Jenkins. Ambassador Faraday is at the main gate and is requesting an immediate audience.”
“I want in on that meeting,” Samuel demanded.
Michael Faraday was the human diplomat assigned to the East and West South Central regions. Considered a friend of the magical community, he spread his time between an office in Washington DC and traveling to the small embassy-like demesnes ruled by the Fae Touched. He made sure the communication lines remained open between the Nine, their state consuls, and the US government. For the man to arrive this quickly and with no prior notice didn’t bode well.
“He might be responding to the assassination attempt.” Samuel took a deep breath, the tips of his fingers and the inside of his gums stinging. “But if he knows about Abby, we can’t allow her to leave our sovereign property.”
The possessive feelings that welled up when Abby declared herself a Walker were returning. He knew she hadn’t meant to associate the name with his Clan, but the visceral reaction to the declaration wasn’t imagined. The Alpha in him had placed her under his protection. Samuel wanted her in his bed. And his wolf…
Shit. He shouldn’t go there. He couldn’t go there. Not with the crushing weight of his responsibilities and not when Abby wanted nothing to do with the Fae Touched.
“You may stay,” the queen said, pulling him from thoughts of the future. He needed to concentrate on the present.
Tucker sprang to his feet, incredibly agile for a big male. He planted himself next to Samuel without saying a word, spreading his tree trunk legs and folding massive arms over his broad chest. An immovable mountain.
“Granted.” Myles answered the unspoken request with a dismissive wave.
“Noah.” He captured his nephew’s attention before the Dádhe could ask the unranked warrior to leave. “Watch over Abby. Her safety is your priority. I don’t want the ambassador or any of his people near her. Do you understand?”
“No one gets close.” Noah straightened his spine and
left the room with determined strides.
Zee announced the ambassador.
The US government’s representative was a distinguished-looking man in his mid-forties with a tall, slender frame. Perfect white teeth formed an ostensibly genuine smile as he moved with uncommon fluidity to the queen. Jenkins trailed Faraday into the room, shutting the doors securely behind them.
“Ambassador Faraday, it is delightful to see you again.” Rose welcomed him warmly but didn’t leave her position behind the desk. “We would have sent a car if informed you were coming.” The reprimand was subtle, but no one missed the jab at the breach of etiquette.
The ambassador’s smile remained in place. He didn’t venture around the desk to greet her informally since he hadn’t been given any encouragement to do so.
Samuel and Tucker flanked Rose while Myles occupied one of the guest chairs. He didn’t stand at the politician’s entrance.
Faraday ignored the prince’s slight. He bowed and lowered his prematurely white head to the queen in respect. “Forgive me, milady, for not adhering to protocol. I think you will understand why I needed to keep this visit low key once you hear what I have to say.”
Rose gestured for him to be seated.
He sat and clasped his hands loosely between his knees. “Can we talk freely?”
“Of course, we are all friends here.”
All signs of the affable statesman evaporated, revealing a man who seemed incredibly tired and deeply concerned. “I don’t need to remind anyone in this room how unstable the current climate is between our two species. There are several human factions who want the Accord repealed, and the land reverted to the US. It’s been suggested the vampire attack on the queen proves the Nine don’t have control of their people as was promised in the treaty. These groups are lobbying for either the radical segregation of all Fae Touched or deportation.”
“Deportation to where?” Rose shook her head. “The Dádhe were humans before Infusion. Witches were never taken to the Fae realm but were taught on Earth. None of the original Ferwyn brought from Faery are alive today. All shifter pups for generations have been born right here.
“And segregation? Surely, your government would not permit anything so extreme? It would lead to war.”
“I would like to believe it wouldn’t go that far, but the attack rubbed salt in an already open wound,” he said ominously. “The mood in Washington is unpredictable. Our embassies are flooded with complaints of transgressions committed against humanity and American jobs filled by foreign magic-users. Human rights organizations are calling for harsher laws for the Fae Touched when on American soil.”
“Crimes involving our kind are minimal and dealt with swiftly,” Samuel said, placing his fists on Rose’s desk, his muscular body looming. The position forced the ambassador to crane his neck to maintain eye contact, exposing his throat in a subconscious act of submission. “It’s my job to make sure of it. These accusations by the Untouched are false. I’m in regular communication with the commanders of the other eight regions, and not one has noted any increase in violence against your citizenship.”
The ambassador crossed his long legs. “Well, true or not…the perception is the same. I’m doing everything possible to relay the correct statistics for crime and employment to the public as rapidly and frequently as I can.”
“And we appreciate your efforts, Michael. But the renewed warning of our tenuous standings with our gracious neighbors could have waited for your next official visit. So, why are you here?”
“A captain from the MPD called my office last night.”
Samuel narrowed his eyes. “Anything involving the Fae Touched in this region is not their jurisdiction. It’s mine.”
“I didn’t mean to imply otherwise.” His tone was placating, but his light blue eyes shone with triumph. “No doubt the local police just misunderstood the situation.”
“What situation would that be, ambassador?” Carter Jenkins spoke for the first time.
The queen’s head of race relations and all-around spin doctor appeared to be in his mid-thirties and reached no more than five-foot-eight. He sported a trim goatee and had brown hair tied into what Samuel thought of as a man bun. He was a powerful battle witch with white tattoos covering a significant portion of his wiry frame. Anyone underestimating him because of his smaller stature would be making a grave mistake.
“There was a human girl hurt during the assassination attempt.” Faraday dropped his gaze and brushed at nonexistent lint on his slacks. “I need to speak with her.”
The tendons in Samuel’s neck tensed, his hands balling. Kicking his forebrain into high gear, he spoke one word through clenched teeth. “No.”
“Abigail is still recovering, but I have offered her employment as my personal assistant, and she has accepted.” Rose glanced at her short, chartreuse dress and neon pink shoes. “I am told my wardrobe could benefit from her services.”
“Yes, well…the police captain had a complaint issued by an officer at the scene. Claimed your people took her without consent and against medical advice. I need to be assured she is indeed healthy and not being held against her will.”
“Are you suggesting we’ve kidnapped Miss Barnes?” The prince went inhumanly still, green eyes glinting a tinge of red.
“Not at all,” Faraday said, his smile strained. “But if I can talk with her for a moment it’ll put the concerns of the local authorities and the earnest young policeman to rest.”
“That will not be possible.” Rose stood. The meeting was over. “As I said, she is still recuperating from her ordeal and has not been cleared for visitors. You are free to check on her prognosis with our healer, if you like. Hopefully, that will put your mind and everyone else’s at ease.” She rounded the desk and held out her hand. He automatically accepted it. She squeezed once and disengaged, dismissing him.
“I’ll walk you out.” Jenkins gestured toward the exit. “After you, ambassador.”
“Queen Rose.” Faraday appeared flustered for the first time since entering the room. Samuel breathed in the man’s scent while he spoke. The natural salt and coppery notes of humanity were muted. The unpleasant peppery smell of anxiety was either absent or disguised by his strong cologne. “I’m sorry, but I really must insist on seeing Miss Barnes before I leave.”
“Not happening,” Samuel said, unable to remain silent or control his protective instincts when it came to the halfblood. “We’ll contact you when Abby is available for an interview. Until then, you’re going to have to trust she’s being cared for well.”
“This is highly irregular. The girl is a citizen of the United States.” Faraday’s usually affable countenance was harsh with barely concealed anger. “I think you’re making a mistake. Tension between our species won’t improve if the wrong people get wind of your reticence.”
“We have given Abby a place to live. The queen has offered her a well-paying job. Unless you are withholding pertinent information concerning the incident at La Bella, I don’t see how either warrants suspicion.”
“Commander Walker, I urge you to reconsider—”
“And since the island is still considered sovereign ground, I’m going to ask you to leave. Our business here is done.”
Chapter 8
“The best men are like your daddy: strong, sweet, and southern.”
Bridget MacCarthy
Samuel turned the golf cart sharply to the left. Abby grabbed the bar above her head and held on as they headed away from the center of Mud Island’s fittingly named, Queenstown.
In the three days since the meeting with Lady Rose, the commander visited twice to check on her health, bringing her something to eat both times. But requesting the return of her cellphone always resulted in a noncommittal grunt and the Alpha’s hasty exit.
Abby had moved beyond frustration and right into full-on desperation after missing her scheduled call with Conlan yesterday. If she didn’t contact him soon, her brother would come looking.
<
br /> Samuel returned again that morning, pushed a supersize yogurt smoothie into her hand, and dragged her outside for a tour of the island.
In under an hour, her unlikely escort had dutifully pointed out Queenstown’s twenty-room inn featuring stellar views of the Mississippi River, a five-star restaurant, and a full-service spa. The hotel’s perks were available to island residents, approved guests, and visiting dignitaries. He drove them down Main Street, passing the local eatery, a bakery, a bar, several cute boutiques, and a small grocery store. A nondenominational chapel and the island’s state-of-the-art medical clinic were farther outside the town square but still within walking distance. Everything a girl could ever want or need was at her fingertips.
Everything except her blessed phone!
“Mud Island wasn’t one of the original safe havens.” Samuel was in total guide mode. “New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Detroit were the most heavily populated cities in the late 1920s and the first to have zones labeled solely for housing the Fae Touched,” he told her, referring to the government refuges created for the protection of nonhumans immediately following the turbulent introduction of shifters to the world. The Ferwyn were the last of the three known races to reveal themselves publicly.
“But you considered the shelters little more than thinly veiled prisons.” Abby studied the commander’s profile covertly. The roof of the open-air vehicle shading them from the sun cast his face in shadow and turned his sandy hair a dark blond.
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