The Tribe Boxed Set: A Shapeshifter Paranormal Romance

by Terra Wolf

  I looked into his eyes. “I’ll do whatever I can. I promise.”

  His hands dropped from my arms. “Where do we start?”

  The hollow pit receded. I felt like, for the first time all night, I could breathe. Suddenly, the danger I was in didn’t seem so threatening. He needed me. Jack needed me. Not the regular girl who wrote words for him, but the real me, Ivy the magix.

  Chapter Twelve

  I rummaged through the piles scattered on top of Jack’s desk. His workspace was tucked in the corner of his study. I needed paper and a pen. I spotted a legal pad buried under a stack of letters. I rolled back the pages, grabbed a pen, and pushed them into Jack’s hands.

  “Ok, just like at work, you take the notes, I’ll think through the story,” I directed.

  He sat in the leather chair and started making charts on the yellow-lined paper. I stood in front of the fire, forcing my brain to think harder, think through all of the details of that 1968 trip to Las Vegas.

  “Maybe you should retrace the steps of Vegas Star. What else did you see that you didn’t write? Is it possible someone did see you? Maybe you misunderstood what was going on with Helen and Simone. How do you know for sure you’re invisible when you travel? What if it faded?” he asked.

  Jack had more questions than I had answers. I could tell we might end up spending more time on deciphering the ins and outs of my magic than on figuring out who sent the letter. I had to be careful. I had already shared too much. There were consequences I would have to face.

  “I know it’s a lot to take in, but I can’t answer everything for you right now. I’ve already shown you and told you more than you can imagine. I’ll go over the story again, but this isn’t about my magic right now. It’s about finding these people before they get to our families.”

  I picked up the letter and traced the ink stains with my finger, swirling around each sentence, making a figure eight.

  “Is that…are you doing a spell right now?” Jack stopped making his chart and watched me intently.

  I glared at him.

  “No, never mind. Just keep going. I’ll make the chart.” He returned to his task.

  I focused on the letter. There was no spell I could perform on the writing to find its originator. I could only memorize every evil word that dripped from the page.

  Of course there was no signature, no return address, and no postmark on the manila package. The airline tickets and key were on the table. The flight was booked for tomorrow, and there was a ticket for Jack and one for me. I glared at the destination: Las Vegas.

  “Jot some of this down and we’ll piece it together.” I ran my fingers through my hair and piled it high on my head in a bun. “At the top of your columns write Helen, Simone, and Holden.” Those were the only three people I had followed in 1968.

  Jack wrote the names and bordered each one with a box. Details, details, I needed Jack to help me sift through the details.

  “Why don’t you tell me what you did after you saw Helen and Simone with the diamonds?” he suggested.

  “Oh. Ok.” I started walking a line in front of the fireplace. “They were still celebrating and I took off through Simone’s front door.”

  “Could they have seen you?”

  “No. I was still using my fade spell.” I twisted my lips together. “I flew back to the Starlight and straight to the seam. I traveled straight back.”

  “Then what? Did you stay in town for awhile?”

  I tried to retrace my steps two years ago. “I stayed almost a full week. I started researching Helen and Holden.”

  Jack looked at me expectantly. “And? Did you find anything?”

  I nodded. “Actually, I did.” I remembered the trip to the Las Vegas library. I had to dig through the microfilm archives to find articles from 1968. “There was a huge search for Holden Chadsworth. But his body was never found. His disappearance is a cold case.”

  “Hmm.” Jack made a few notes.

  “And Helen. Well she died in a plane crash. Actually the same morning I left 1968. She must have left Simone’s suite for the airport. The plane went down somewhere over Kansas.”

  “Wow,” Jack murmured. “Simone?”

  “Not any better. She died in a car accident six months after Helen died. Her car ran off the road in the Mojave Desert.” Nothing made sense. I had read every article on all three of them.

  “And this VonRue diamond collection? What about that?”

  I smiled. “The diamonds are still on tour. They seemed to have survived. Although, they must be fakes. I saw Helen and Simone with them, but I never found an article on a break-in or missing collection. That would have been huge. A collection that famous would have made headlines.”

  “True.” His brow furrowed in concentration. “What else do you know about them?” he asked.

  I shrugged. “Not much. Only they were in Helen’s family. She inherited them when her parents died. It was the largest private collection in the United States. However, when she married Holden, she lost the rights to the diamonds. Idiotic marriage laws,” I muttered. “Anyway, Holden used the collection as collateral for the Starlight, which must be why she stole them back. She wasn’t happy he put them up to pay his debt.”

  “How did she and the mistress do it? It doesn’t seem possible. Even in 1968.”

  “They were smarter than I realized. They had to switch out some of the stones, but not all of them. That’s my guess. They didn’t have cameras at the Starlight. They must have been planning it for a long time.”

  He reached for the letter. “But the threat doesn’t make any sense. If the diamonds are on tour, what does this asshole want us to do about it?”

  I snatched the letter from his hands. “The remaining diamonds,” I whispered. “It could be someone knows part of the collection was swapped.”

  “True. But if that’s the case, where do you fall into it?”

  I glanced at the clock hanging over his mantle and saw both hands pointing to two. I rubbed my eyes and yawned. Jack and I had been going over the information for hours and had made little headway.

  “I don’t know. I don’t understand any of it.” I felt like we were back at the beginning.

  “So, let me get this straight.” Jack stood and rolled his shoulders. We were both stiff from our positions. “Helen and Simone stole half of a billion dollar diamond collection, and had the man they were both involved with murdered?”

  “Yes, yes, yes. That’s all in the book. And movie.” I added. Of course I had changed the names and the timeline, but essentially it was the plot of my novel.

  My eyelids were growing heavier.

  “The letter had to come from someone who knew Helen and Simone.” He looked at me through bloodshot eyes. “Obviously, it’s someone involved in the murder and the diamond heist. Someone who knows the same back story you do. Are you forgetting someone? Is there anyone you saw in 1968 you forgot to mention? Maybe another magix or someone like that?”

  “It doesn’t matter who I forgot. Helen, Holden, and Simone didn’t make it past 1968. They’re all dead!” I blurted out. “Sorry. I’m sorry. But I think we need to call it a night. We aren’t getting anywhere. We keep rehashing the same things. I’ll come back in the morning and we’ll start again. We have time. Our flight isn’t until noon.”

  I headed toward the door and slid one arm into my leather jacket. I regretted snapping at him.

  Jack followed me. His voice was heavy and thick. “I think you need to stay here tonight.”

  The words sent chills across my shoulders and tingles down my back, the good kind, the kind I wanted from Jack. Even in my sleepy fog, my body started waking up. Did he just ask me to spend the night?

  “I’ll sleep on the couch and you can have my room. We can get a lot more accomplished if you just stay,” he urged. “We have to figure out who sent the letter before we fly to Vegas.”

  My runaway daydreaming started as I thought about us making breakfast together and me
walking around his kitchen in one of his white button-up shirts, but barely buttoned. He would slowly unbutton the last one as I stirred pancake batter, and then he’d slip the shirt down to the floor, pull me in his arms, and kiss me.

  “Ivy?”

  “Yeah?” I answered. I was tired and exhausted enough to concoct a crazy fantasy at 2 a.m.

  Jack was right. We could get more done if I stayed, but I had left Cooper long enough. I needed to sort through my thoughts away from Jack. Away from those eyes. Away from those arms and that body.

  “Come on. You need to stay.” He was starting to convince me. “We have to be close to cracking it. Don’t go now.”

  “I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

  He hung his head. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have gotten so angry with you earlier.” He ran his hand through his hair.

  “It’s ok.”

  “No, it’s not.”

  My hand landed on his arm. “Jack, you were scared. We both are. It’s ok. I know you. Remember?”

  This was the same man I debated Hemingway with, and ordered pineapple pizza with. He was the one who read my first drafts, and told me how much he loved my words. I trusted him completely. Tonight had been a shock. For both of us. I wasn’t going to hold his actions against him.

  He exhaled. “Just stay. We can make a pot of coffee. I might even have food.”

  I smiled. God, he was sweet and sexy. If he only knew how many times I wanted him to ask me to stay over.

  I knew one way to dissuade him. “Look, I have an idea. I can do something to help your sister before we leave tomorrow. She needs a protection spell. I know someone who can cast one for her that should last a few days, at least until we get back. Why don’t I go work on that? I’ll let Cooper out, pack my bag, and I’ll meet you back here. Deal?”

  “Protection spell? How does that work exactly?” I could hear the sliver of hope rising in his voice.

  “I can’t get into it, but it’s a good one. It will keep her safe. I promise. It takes a special magix, but I know it can be done. Do we have a deal?” I handed the notepad to him. “Just write her address down and I’ll make sure Emily is ok.”

  He took the paper, but paused before he filled in the street number. “If I let you go, you’re not going to run are you? You’ll come back?”

  The entire night I had felt as if I were Jack’s prisoner in the house. A prisoner to the contents of that letter. A prisoner to all of the questions he had. Imprisoned by my identity. Imprisoned by my feelings for him.

  But looking in his eyes, I realized he was really the prisoner. He was trapped in a new world he didn’t understand, with no way to navigate through to the safety of his only family.

  “Will you promise, Ivy?”

  I wanted to reach for him and let the back of my hand touch his cheek. I wanted to throw my arms around his neck. I wanted to feel his heart beat against my chest. But I powered through the impulses.

  Jack didn’t know what he meant to me. He didn’t know he was the reason my heart had healed. He didn’t know I would do anything for him.

  “I promise I’ll be here in the morning.” I picked up my jacket and bag and walked out the door.

  Chapter Thirteen

  I inhaled the cool air and regained my thoughts. The nearness of Jack and my lack of sleep were definitely clouding my judgment. I pulled out my phone. This call wasn’t going to go well, but I needed that protection spell done tonight. Emily needed all the help she could get against our unknown enemy.

  Instead of calling, I decided to send a text. Texting was easier. I’d hear enough about my mistakes later.

  Emergency. Meet me asap

  My phone vibrated back.

  Ok. Where?

  I thought about a neutral place where we could talk.

  Oaks Park

  On my way

  I put the car in reverse and steered toward Oaks Park through the vacant streets. It was well after 2:30 a.m., and most bar patrons had already found their way home by now. In this sleepy city, there wasn’t much happening after two. Except for an abandoned car, the park was empty. The swings swayed back and forth.

  I clutched the paper in my pocket with Jack’s sister’s address written on it. Emily Coleman, 2122 Birch Ave., Atlanta. I scanned the street behind me in the rearview mirror, looking for headlights. I looked at his text. He said he would be here. Where was he? I stepped out of the car to wait.

  I couldn’t believe it had come to this. Just when I thought my heart was finally mended, I reached out to him. I told myself the wall I had built around it was completely Finn-proof. There were no cracks wide enough to let him back in.

  I heard the revolving swish, swish, swish as he landed with a slight thud behind one of the trees. My stomach turned in knots and my heart raced. I tucked my hair behind my ear, tilted my head, trying to muster my best Ivy smile.

  How long had it been since I last saw him? What was the last thing he had said? Why was he the one I needed again?

  “Hey, gorgeous, you need me?” the smooth voice called from behind the oak.

  In my mind I could picture his face in the shadows—half smirking, half unconcerned, but with crystal blue eyes and the longest eyelashes I had ever seen.

  As if pulled by a magnet, I ran toward the shadows. Toward Finn. Toward my only chance to help Jack.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Sullen’s Grove, Three Years Ago

  Finn had won my heart, body, and most dangerously, my soul the first time I met him.

  Ian’s department hosted a swanky fundraiser at the Sullen’s Grove Museum to help fund missing children’s cases. My parents were in attendance, and my mother had helped organize the entire event from the themed invitations, to the flower displays, to the elegant food selections. She opted for a masked ball. The guests wore masks, and the largest donors were signified with a red rosebud fastened to their lapels or waists.

  One room displayed rows of silent auction items. I wavered between placing a bid on a pair of Jimmy Choo shoes or a spa package—both were much needed. Ian insisted I attend, and Mama wouldn’t take no for an answer. Admittedly, I’m not the type of girl who likes to turn down the chance to wear an evening gown or spend a night in a room full of hot detectives in tuxedos.

  I chose a black gown with a plunging V-neck that was rivaled by an even deeper plunge in the back. My five-inch sparkling shoes peeped past the hem when I walked.

  My mother was happily looped on my father’s arm, chatting with their friends. Ian traded jokes with his buddies on the force, so I stepped to the bar to refill my champagne glass. I turned to take in the scene, admire my mother’s handiwork, and absently nodded a thank you as a glass was placed in my hand.

  “Really, that’s all you have to say?” The voice was calm.

  Shocked a server at such a high-dollar event would be so reproachful, I turned to cast a stern eye. I caught my breath.

  Through the mask, brilliant blue eyes drank in my dress, my face, and my breasts. He had dark blond hair that was styled with an edgy cut. He was taller than I was and I could tell he was lean and fit underneath all of those tux layers.

  I giggled. “So sorry. I thought you were a waiter and you sounded a tad bit upset.” I made a little pinching gesture with my thumb and finger.

  “No, not a waiter. Just a detective.” He held out his hand. “Detective Delano. But I’m ok with you calling me Finn.”

  I thought I saw him wink through the mask. I wanted to see his face, but I guess that’s part of the allure of masquerades—mystery. It was working.

  “Ivy.” When I reached for his hand, he took mine to his lips, pressing a kiss near my knuckles. I felt tingles run under my skin.

  He smiled. “Wait, you’re Ian’s sister, right?” He still hadn’t let go of my hand, and I was starting to feel warmth in my fingertips.

  “Yes, I am. Has Ian been talking about me at work?” I asked.

  I was only slightly worried as I looked at this go
rgeous man. Ian would never reveal much about me. We guarded our identities closely. I heard the big band start up again, and the brass blared.

  “He mentioned something about a sister.” He spoke louder.

  By the way he smiled I thought there had to be more to it than that.

  “Do you work missing persons cases too?” I sipped the champagne, enjoying the sweet taste. I had to step closer so he could hear me.

  “I’ve moved around so much I don’t have a permanent department yet. I’m still the new guy at work.”

  “What?” The band had kicked up the volume.

  “Come on.”

  Before I had a chance to ask if he considered Sullen’s Grove a place he’d like to stay, he motioned for me to follow him. The way he grabbed my hand and held it close against his back felt familiar and protective. He navigated through the crowd, pulling me close and led me to the stairwell exit. We climbed two flights of stairs and emerged on the rooftop.

  The stars were out in full force and the summer air engulfed us. I could hear the slight bass thumping from several floors below, but it was quiet on the roof.

  “Ok. I think we can hear each other now.” His voice was cool and clear away from the band.

  “Wow, it’s beautiful up here. Have you been up here before?” I peeked over the side of the building.

  “I was saving it for a special occasion.” His grin was devilish. “And I think I found it.”

  I’d met charming men before, but I wasn’t sure Finn even fit in that category. He was confident as if we had known each other for years, but flirty like he wanted to impress me for the first time.

  “Let’s have a toast. To summer nights, strangers at masquerade balls, and beautiful women.” He took a quick swig of the champagne.

  I laughed. “I’m not sure about the beautiful women part, but I’ll toast to good-looking men.” I downed the rest of the champagne and handed him my glass. I thought maybe some of his cockiness had rubbed off on me.