Lev cleared his throat. "If I want to hear gossip, where's the best place to go?"
"Inez at the grocery store," Rikki and Blythe said simultaneously. They looked at each other and laughed.
"Everyone talks to her. She knows everyone and sooner or later, everyone spills their guts to her," Rikki added.
"But I don't want to paint her as just a gossip," Blythe clarified. "She's not like that. She's genuinely interested in people's lives and cares about them. She doesn't disclose anything confidential and she protects the people in the village. The Drakes, one of our most prominent families, are very close to her. Joley is a star in the music industry and Hannah was a supermodel. Kate writes novels and they're bestsellers, so often, reporters come into the village, especially for those tatty little gossip rags."
"Blythe is a first cousin to the Drakes," Rikki volunteered. "Her mother's name is Blythe as well. It's a huge family. I swear, there're so many cousins they could take over the town."
Blythe nodded, her gaze fixed on Lev. "We probably could. And recently there was quite a wedding."
"Your family sounds interesting. I didn't have any siblings so I've always wondered what it would be like to have a large family."
"Noisy," Blythe said. "And happy. I have a lot of cousins, but no siblings. My mother managed to have me, but no others. She had six sisters. She was third to the oldest and quite talented in her way. I could never lie to her." She laughed softly. "It wasn't so easy during my teenage years, but all the get-togethers with my cousins were fun. Holidays were the best"
"So you're close to your cousins?"
She nodded. "I see them often. That's why I came here, to be close to family. I found this great piece of property. Most of the farm was already developed."
"Why didn't your family go in with you on it?" Lev asked.
Her expression closed down. "I didn't ask them. I felt it was very necessary to be on my own." She indicated Rikki with her chin. "I'm glad I did. I never had younger sisters and this farm has allowed me to have a big family of my own."
Rikki smiled. "And I'm very glad you did as well."
Blythe studied Lev's face. She seemed to be staring at his eyes. He knew his facial hair hid a great deal. He had scars on his arms and hands, and he was certain she'd noticed them but she hadn't asked any questions.
"You remind me of Joley's husband just a little bit. Something around the eyes, or maybe it's the way you watch people. You're very still like he is. He's Russian and worked for some sort of government agency. I'm not really certain which. His last name is Prakenskii."
Prakenskii. He didn't even blink. Survival took over. His body remained relaxed and he appeared mildly interested, no more. Had someone taken his pulse, it would have been rock steady.
Do not look at me, Rikki.
Rikki rocked gently in her chair and idly picked up the handheld kaleidoscope Judith had made especially for her. Lev could see it was beautiful, the exterior blues and aquas shimmered as if one was underwater looking up toward the surface to palm trees overlooking the ocean.
Keep looking into your kaleidoscope. She is fishing and we can give nothing away. It would put her life in danger.
Aloud, he spoke to Blythe, not even glancing at Rikki to see if she understood. He had to trust her to handle this inquiry without hesitation.
Lev looked Blythe straight in the eye and gave a casual shrug. "Must be my Russian mother. Well, half Russian. Her mother married a contractor who had consulted with a huge building project there. She was a translator. Maybe she gave me Russian eyes."
"Were you aware," Blythe asked, "that although the yacht that went down was a Greek vessel, one of those lost aboard was a Russian? I've heard someone's been in Inez's store asking around about survivors, particularly the Russian."
Rikki took a breath and held out the kaleidoscope, as if the conversation was an idle one and didn't concern her in the least. "You have to look at this, Levi."
"Really?" he said to Blythe as he took the proffered scope. "I thought it was confirmed that everyone was dead. I haven't been keeping up with the news."
Blythe nodded. "Judith told me he showed her a picture of the man he was looking for. He was about your height and weight."
Lev smiled at her. "I suppose you're implying that I might be this man?"
"It's plausible. You turned up around the same time."
He put the kaleidoscope to his eye and looked down the tube. The liquid-filled cell captured the image and feel of being both in the water and under the water simultaneously. Judith was clearly remarkable when it came to design. The kaleidoscope was perfect for Rikki--the effect, calm and soothing, gave one the feeling of being at home in the sea. The cell contained a variety of ocean colors--aqua, turquoise, various shades of greens, coral, natural shell colors, pearly finishes, cool silvers and warm golds. Inside he found many objects including fish, shells, sea horses, kelp forms, bubbles, wave shapes and crystals that suggested the sparkle of the sun on the water.
"This is beautiful, Rikki," he said, his voice tender, handing the scope back to her and brushing a kiss on top of her head. "Your Judith is a genius." He turned his attention once more to Blythe, giving her an easy smile as only Levi Hammond could do. "If you're worried that I might be this lost Russian, it's easy enough to check me out. I'm sure you know people."
She kept her eyes on his. "There are quite a few people in law enforcement in the family."
Rikki put down the kaleidoscope and frowned at Blythe. "Are you accusing Levi of something, Blythe? What's wrong with you? I thought we were past that."
Lev could have kissed her. She had the right touch of outrage, her eyes accusing. When he touched her mind, he realized she wasn't playing a part. As far as she was concerned, her family had indicated they accepted Lev, so their loyalty should extend to him.
It doesn't work that way, Rikki. She loves you not only as a sister, but as the child she never had. Whatever she heard made her feel the need to protect you, and we are, in fact, lying to her. It's possible she senses that and it makes her uneasy.
Blythe looked uncomfortable. "The Russian said things that were frightening. He said the man who was on that yacht was an assassin, that he was extremely dangerous and anyone he befriended he was only using. He claimed he would find a woman, make her fall in love with him, use her to hide him, and in the end he would kill her to keep his identity safe."
There it was. The truth and yet a lie. He didn't dare look at Rikki. What if she believed Blythe? The information was impossible to ignore. Rikki reached over and took his hand, her thumb pressing deep into the center of his palm. She stroked a caress there and filled his mind with warmth, with love.
You forget, Lev, I am in your head at times. Blythe doesn't have that ability. I know your feelings for me are genuine. I'm not always certain they make sense, or that one day you won't wake up and realize that bump on the head interfered with your intelligence, but I'll take that risk.
The relief was immediate, and physical, his legs were a little shaky, his heart clenched tightly in his chest. He knew how much he'd invested in Rikki--everything. Without her, he would be back in the cold, but this time on the run.
I'm not going anywhere, Rikki.
"I know this is difficult for you, Blythe. You don't know me. I just showed up with Rikki one day and moved in. Of course you want to protect her. I can only give you my word, which I've never broken, that I will never intentionally hurt or harm Rikki. I want to marry her and live out my life with her." He held up his hand to forestall her protest. "I also realize this relationship happened fast. Rikki and I fit. It isn't just about physical attraction. She's my miracle. I can't explain it better than that. I'm not used to explaining to anyone, but you matter to her. You're her family and she loves you. I want you to accept me into your family as well."
Blythe pressed her trembling lips together as if she might be close to tears. "I want to believe you."
"All I'm asking for is a c
hance."
Outside the house, there was a flutter of wings and something heavy brushed against the screen door. An owl screeched. Another echoed it.
Rikki jumped, her fingers clutching at the kaleidoscope. "He's here," she said, her voice low, scared.
Lev dropped a hand on her shoulder. "Stay in the house. I mean it, Rikki. Blythe keep her inside. Watch the doors just in case."
He moved fast, before either of them could protest. He'd deliberately donned a dark-colored shirt and he went out through the bedroom window, already reaching for his spies. One owl circled above the house while another sat in the high branches of a tree just up on the ridge. Both were agitated.
Lev swore under his breath and glanced at the sky. There were clouds, some dark and heavy, which might be a good thing. He started up the ridge and the owl circling screeched a warning. He let his mind expand. He hadn't wanted to take possession and see through the owl's eyes because it weakened him, but he had no choice. The frantic cries of the bird indicated trouble elsewhere. He circled the house, coming in under the cover of a small terraced section of rhododendrons.
The scent of gasoline was strong. A wide swath of brush and grass had been soaked in a large circle surrounding the house. He could just make out a dark shadow moving fast for the ridge. He gave pursuit, drawing his weapon and racing over the uneven ground. The shadow turned and what looked like a gun was attached to a hose that led to a pack on his back.
Flames shot from the gun and spread across the ground until a dozen fires flared up. The man used his hose as a fireman might, and all along the wide circle more fires blazed red and orange. Hungry tongues licked at the fuel and rolled over the ground to connect like the bright dots of the tail of a fiery comet.
Energy sang in the air, a large powerful force, dark with hatred and a determination to destroy. The man had gained the ridge where he could watch his creation take shape. As he directed the flames to flow together to close any possibility of escape, Lev attacked, using the owls, calling them down, talons extended, eyes and ears sharp.
Rikki! Get on the porch. Call the rain down. Do it now and do it fast!
Lev had complete faith in her. If there was water in those heavy clouds, she would bring them pouring over the flames. Sprinting, he skirted around the edge of the circle of fire. As he started up the terrace, a bullet whined next to his ear. The arsonist had a gun of his own.
Attack, Lev ordered the birds.
He dropped flat, counted to five and took off running again. The owls dove at the fire starter, dropping out of the sky like bombers. Birds of prey were predators first, and they went for the face and eyes. The man screamed horribly and threw his arms up to protect his head as he stumbled, running for his truck.
Lev didn't have a clear shot at him, but the arsonist fired three more times, presumably at the owls diving at him. The truck took off, fishtailing down the road.
Follow him, Lev ordered.
The owls circled and took off in a straight line, wings flapping hard, silent predators stalking prey. The clouds burst open and water poured down, drenching the farm, the house, the grounds surrounding the house and the trees and plants. Smoke billowed into the air and the fire hissed in protest. Rikki walked toward the fire, her hands that of a conductor. He could hear her voice in the distance now, a song of love, rising with the ferocity of the rain, pounding the fire with a deluge fit for a waterfall.
The fire was no match for Rikki's concerto, no longer fed by a fire element, no longer pushed by a dark force, it ceased roaring, tried snarling and then succumbed with a few more hisses to the onslaught of the downpour.
He stood admiring her, with her face upturned to the rain, walking unafraid toward her worst enemy. He loved her more in that moment--with the dark clouds rolling and thunder cracking, Rikki stood unflinching as she directed her symphony. She calmly circled the burned grass, unhurried, taking her time to make certain there was no stray ember working its way beneath the layers of pine needles and vegetation to erupt when least expected. She ruthlessly soaked the area, until the water stood in deep puddles. Only then did the torrent ease.
Lev looked past her to Blythe, who stood on the porch, one hand pressed to her heart, her expression awed as she watched Rikki. He felt the same way, shocking admiration and wonder, overpowering respect at her ability to manipulate water. He was used to psychic gifts, but an element--that was true power.
There was no point in trying to track the arsonist. The owls would do a better job and in any case, he would need medical attention for the artwork on his face caused by the slashing talons. His time was definitely running out.
Lev walked back much more slowly to Rikki. She was drenched from the downpour, but she didn't seem to notice or care. She walked the entire circle around her house twice, allowing the rain to distribute much more evenly, so the water had a chance to soak into the ground. The wide swath of blackened ground was now mud, a large moat circling her home.
When she looked as if she might start a third time around, he dropped his arm around her shoulders. "It's out, Rikki. Come back to the house."
She looked up at him, her eyes as drenched as her clothes, a dark pool of relief, of horror. "I didn't start those fires, Lev--Levi. Someone killed my parents and Daniel. It wasn't me and now I know for certain."
A small sob, somewhere between joy and sorrow escaped. "All these years of not knowing ..." She trailed off, her shoulders shaking.
He simply lifted her, cradling her to his chest, striding back across the rain-soaked ground to the porch. Blythe had rushed back into the house and she emerged with a large, thick towel. He set Rikki on the porch and dried her off gently.
"Of course it wasn't you. We all told you that."
"I know." She sounded a little shell-shocked. "But not for certain. There was this little part of me that still was afraid."
She went into his arms and he held her close. "You're soaked, Rikki. Go take a warm shower."
"You're wet too."
He kissed her forehead. "We'll spare your sister this time. You know what happens when we shower together." He pressed his body close so she could feel how aroused her performance with the rain had made him.
Rikki tilted her head, a small smile breaking through. "You can have the towel."
He took it, more to cover up than to get dry. He watched her as she moved into the house. The fluid, easy step was gone and she walked a little awkwardly, as if, back on land, without the water, she was out of her world.
"Did you know she could do that?" Blythe asked. "My cousins can do things, but that was pretty darned incredible."
He rubbed at his dripping hair. "She's pretty darned incredible."
17
RIKKI returned, showered and warm in a soft pair of sweats, and snuggled down into her favorite chair beneath her weighted blanket. Clearly, she still was in a state of shock, although her color looked better.
Blythe pushed a cup of coffee into her hands and picked up her teacup, looking at both of them with cool, steady eyes. "We have to call Jonas," she announced into the silence.
Rikki gasped, nearly spilled her coffee, and put down the cup, shaking her head. "No. No, Blythe. We can't do that. You can't do that. He's the sheriff." She began to twirl her fingers in agitation, rocking back and forth.
Lev put a hand on her shoulder to calm her, but she continued to grow more agitated. He lifted his eyebrow at Blythe, warning her off. Rikki had been through enough. Pushing her any more would only cause her to retreat into herself, in his estimation.
"Exactly," Blythe said, ignoring Lev. She leaned toward Rikki. "Honey, not everyone with a badge won't listen. I've known Jonas since he was a boy, and he's a good man."
Rikki bit her lip. "I know that he thinks I started those fires, Blythe. I can see it when he looks at me."
"We have proof that you didn't," Blythe said calmly.
"I know he thinks I did," Rikki insisted, "and I don't want him here. I don't trust him."
Rikki turned dark, haunted eyes on her. "Jonas is the kind of man who would investigate anyone who came near his family. And you're family to him whether you like to think so or not. He's looked into my background and all of our other sisters."
Blythe sighed. "That may be true, but it doesn't negate the fact that he won't automatically think you're guilty because investigators speculated that you were. And now we have irrefutable proof that you're not guilty."
Rikki continued to rock, her fingers twirling in her lap. Her eyes went a little wild, her gaze darting around the room as if looking for an escape. She kept shaking her head. "I don't want him here, Blythe. I can't have him here looking at me like he does."
Lev crouched down in front of her, putting his hand over hers. "We don't have to have him here, Rikki."
Blythe glared at him. "Rikki, think about Jonas, not the other police officers you've been around. Every time he's been near you, how has he treated you? How has he looked at you? Don't superimpose the past on a man who isn't like that. He doesn't have preconceived notions about anyone. Jonas is his own man and he weighs the facts before he makes up his mind. He believes in giving people chances, and if you're honest with yourself, Rikki, you'll admit I'm right about him."
Lev caught Rikki's chin in his palm. "Look at me, laskovaya moya." His voice was tender, his gaze loving. "I'm right here with you. Blythe, Judith and all the others know you didn't start those fires. I know you didn't. Does anyone else really matter? We're you're family. We'll stand by you. I'm not wild about bringing the sheriff into this, and if you really don't want him, I can handle this for us."
"No!" Blythe was adamant. "Think about what you're asking him to do just because you're afraid, Rikki. Levi wants to stay here with you. If violence occurs, he might have to go, and somehow--and I'm not psychic--I think he'll protect you with every means at his disposal. No matter what either of you say, I believe he is the Russian missing from that yacht. And if he doesn't want anyone to know, then there's a pretty good reason."
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