by Vella Day
“Can I speak with her?” Kalan asked.
“She’s still too weak. When she is feeling better, you can, though it’s not like she can give a statement.”
“No, I suppose not, especially if she became invisible, but she might be able to identify someone.”
“Let’s hope.”
“Did you call Missy?” Kalan asked.
“I plan to.”
“Good. Keep me in the loop,” Kalan said.
“Have you spoken with Connor?”
“I just did, but he knew nothing. I’ll call him back and let him know what you said.”
That worked for him. “Thanks.”
*
Vinea heard only one side of the conversation, but it was enough to know that she’d messed up, royally. Both of the men she’d shot might still be alive, which meant they could identify her—and Devon. Now they were both targets. Damn.
Once he hung up, she reached out her hand. “Devon?”
He tossed the cell on the bed and was by her side in a flash. “How are you feeling?”
“I feel like I’ve been bitten and clawed to death.”
His face paled. “Did a wolf attack you?”
Her smile came out weak. “No, but they attacked you. Don’t worry, I’ll live.” She squeezed his hand. “I’m sorry.”
“For what? You saved my life.”
This time. “Those men lived. They saw me.”
“We don’t know that. The man who ran away with the cash saw me before you even showed up, but why didn’t you remain invisible?”
“When I teleported there, I didn’t expect to find anyone behind the building. I aimed for the back of the restaurant, and when I appeared, there you were along with those men—or rather those two wolves.”
“My memory is a little faulty. Can you fill me in?”
She told him how she wanted to stop those wolves, but she didn’t know how. “My best option was to shoot them.”
“So that’s why one of the men collapsed. And the other one?”
“I shot him too. It was horrible. I didn’t want to pull the trigger, but I had to. You would have died.”
He nodded. “The bullet to my leg wouldn’t have been fatal, but sooner or later they would have torn out my throat.”
Her stomach nearly revolted. “Why did you put yourself in harm’s way like that?”
“This time, it wasn’t intentional.” He explained why he was there.
“So it was my fault. You were looking for me.”
“It wasn’t your fault,” he said.
She rested her head, and when she closed her eyes, it was clear fatigue was about to claim her again.
“I should have guessed they’d change their plans,” she said, her words slightly indistinct from exhaustion.
“Our team should have been prepared for that possibility.”
“Next time.”
Devon stroked his hand over her forehead and she sighed. “There won’t be a next time.”
Sleep claimed her before she could argue. No doubt they’d never agree on how to handle the Changelings.
*
Sometime during the night, in between bouts of waking, Vinea had made up her mind. Being around Devon was bad for his health. She had no doubt that the Changelings would come after her, and she didn’t want Devon to be caught in the middle of it.
When she finally returned to consciousness the next morning, light was streaming through the slit in the curtain and a pretty woman with long auburn hair was waving a hand over her. It was Missy, Zane’s mate.
“What are you doing here?” Vinea asked, her mouth dryer than sand.
“Devon asked that I give you a helping hand in healing.”
Vinea wet her lips. “Why would you want to help me? I tried to kill your mate.”
“But you didn’t. You stopped, remember?”
That was true, but everyone always assumed the worst of her. Had Devon finally convinced his family and friends that she could be trusted? “Thank you for putting aside your hatred.”
“I’m a healer. I don’t like to judge.”
What a wonderful woman. “How is Zane?”
Missy looked off and smiled as she patted her rather pregnant stomach. “Happy.”
What Vinea wouldn’t give to be carrying Devon’s child. “How is Zane adapting to this world?” Vinea hoped he was doing well, as there were many challenges. Having been asleep for one hundred years, he had a harder road than even she did.
“Things were tough for a while, but then out of the blue he received a birth certificate and social security card in the mail, which enabled him to get his driver’s license and apply for a job. Since then he’s thrived.”
Relief washed through her. “I’m glad they arrived and that they worked.”
Missy stopped her candle waving and sat on the edge of the bed. “What do you mean?”
“Did Devon tell you how he’d cleansed me at the lake right before I lured you to the cave?”
“Yes.”
“The cleansing took a while to take effect. The evil in me didn’t start to disappear until I held that knife in my hand and was ready to kill Zane. Somehow it hit me out of nowhere what evil I was about to inflict, and I stopped. Frightened and horrified, I ran away.”
“I’ve wondered why you didn’t follow through. While I was very confused, at the same time, I was quite grateful that you’d had a change of heart.”
“I didn’t think you’d ever forgive me. I mean, why should you?” Vinea waved a hand. “It doesn’t matter now. I wanted to make up for what I did—even if it was something small. I totally understood how necessary it is to have the proper paperwork, so I created a birth certificate and social security card for Zane.”
“You did that? How?”
She wasn’t proud of her actions, but it had to be done. “I paid someone to hack into a few different government offices and make the changes. I don’t like breaking the law, but I didn’t know how else to help.”
Missy leaned over and hugged her gently. “Thank you. We never knew.”
Devon entered the room, unshaven and with dark shadows under his eyes. Despite his weary appearance, he still got her motor revving.
“How are you feeling?” He glanced over at Missy and then back at her.
“Doing better. I should be back to work in a day or two.” Vinea didn’t want him to worry. He had enough on his mind.
Missy stood. “Vinea is healing rather well, but if you see a turn for the worse, call me.”
“Thank you,” she said to Missy. “I know it had to have been hard to treat me—someone who you believed was your enemy.”
“You aren’t my enemy or even Zane’s enemy, at least not any longer. Devon vouched for you, and that’s good enough for us.”
Vinea could feel the tears well up, and she had to fight to keep them from falling. Missy’s words meant the world to her. Once the healer gathered her gear, Devon escorted her out and then returned.
“I’ve been thinking,” he said. “I think you should move into the safe house at McKinnon and Associates. Your trailer is not secure. You’re too vulnerable there.”
If Vinea had had more energy, she’d have laughed. “While Lexi seemed to do okay holed up there, that’s not who I am. It would drive me crazy being confined.”
He dropped down onto the bed. “I don’t think you understand. There aren’t many five foot-ten women in Silver Lake who are curvy and gorgeous. You’ll be easy to spot, and no telling what the Changelings will do when they find you.”
She raised her brows, trying to act nonchalant. “Let them try. I do have my powers.”
“Yes, you can disappear, but can you shift into a wolf or a bear and fight them?”
He was being protective, and it warmed her heart. “No, but if you recall, I was able to pick up a gun and shoot it, even in my invisible form. Since the gun disappeared as soon as I touched it, the Changelings didn’t know who was responsible.”
&
nbsp; “I thought you didn’t like to kill.”
“I don’t, but if my life is threatened—or yours—I will take action.”
Devon stabbed a hand through his hair. “Is there anything I can say that will convince you to at least not go to work? Brother Jacob and John Ernst eat there—at least they did that one time.”
Poor Devon. Her presence was causing him added stress. “No. Now stop worrying.”
“Then how about moving in here with me? For good?”
Really? She smiled. “Now that I’d agree to.”
Chapter Seventeen
‡
“What did you learn?” Devon asked Kalan.
Because of the sensitive nature of the robbery, and the fact the store owner might have witnessed some strange happenings in the form of humans shifting into wolves, Kalan suggested they once more return to one of the department’s interrogation rooms to have their conversation in private.
“Other than blood, nothing was left behind at the scene, and we’ve yet to locate the money. We figure either the men shifted back and grabbed their stuff, or the first man came back for them and cleaned up. We may never know if the men lived or died.”
“Vinea said that she held the gun to the one wolf’s neck and pulled the trigger.”
Kalan lifted one shoulder. “She might have killed him then.”
Wounds to the neck were often fatal. “It really shook her up.” Devon had been surprised by how much.
Kalan’s brows rose. “After hundreds of years being evil?”
“Apparently, the cleansing has really changed her.”
“That’s good to know.”
“Here’s what has me really worried,” Devon said. “If either of the wolves lived, they’ll be able to identify her. And if one of the men died, the Changelings will be out for revenge.”
“What are you going to do? I doubt you can keep her cooped up for the rest of her life.”
He chuckled, but it held little mirth. “I suggested that, but she refuses to quit her job or keep a low profile. She did however agree to stay with me. At least at night, she’ll be safe.”
“What about your Pittsburgh office. Do you think she’d be willing to relocate?”
Devon would have to return at some point. “I’m hoping, but we need more time together before she’s ready to say yes.”
“I understand.” Kalan leaned back in his seat. “I can’t say I blame her for not wanting to hide. If everyone who feared for their life quit their job in order to stay safe, there would be no sheriff’s department.”
“True, but it doesn’t mean I have to like it. She says she can stay safe by disappearing, but I can smell trouble coming.”
“How about asking Finn to keep an ear out for any rumors about either a sardonyx sale or someone buying one of the local stores?” Kalan asked.
“I can do that, but I doubt a Changeling would be stupid enough to mention something like that.”
“I know, but short of bugging the Changelings’ headquarters, I have no other ideas.”
“Hell, maybe you should do that!” Devon said.
“The only person or people capable of not getting caught are Vinea or Ainsley. Even then, there is a risk.”
“I agree. Besides, Brother Jacob is probably paranoid enough to have the place swept on a regular basis.” Devon blew out a breath. “So now what do we do?”
Kalan tossed down the pen he was holding. “Dalton volunteered to snoop around their compound since he’s capable of taking down two or three wolves at a time, but I don’t want to chance him getting caught. Other than pissing off the Changelings, I don’t see how we can learn anything more.”
“Then our only option is to wait for their next move.”
*
When Devon returned home that night, the fire was going and Vinea was in the kitchen. He rushed up to her. “What are you doing up?”
She spun around and placed her hands on his shoulders. “I’m fine. Missy is a miracle worker.”
“You’re the miracle worker.” He ran his gaze up and down her body, detecting no ill effects.
“I’m making us some dinner. I hope you like it.”
“Where did you get the food?” His heart raced. “You didn’t go out, did you?”
She chuckled. “No. I could have changed my appearance and hoped for the best, but instead I asked one of the servers at work if she wouldn’t mind picking up a few things for me. I told her I was sick.”
“That was good thinking, but make sure you remain vigilant.”
Vinea stroked his arms. “You have to stop worrying about me. I’m not going to put my life on hold because of a threat. Hell, if I did that, I’d never go out.”
She was stubborn, yet brave at the same time. “I have an idea, assuming the dinner won’t burn.”
“It’s ready now. How about we eat first, and then have some fun?”
He laughed. Her idea of fun would involve having wild sex, but before they did, he wanted to be convinced that she could handle herself. “Deal.”
Together they served up the baked chicken, green beans, and a salad. “I hope you’ll like this,” she said. “I really don’t know what you like to eat.”
Vinea was trying so hard to please him, and his heart squeezed while his wolf yipped with joy.
You love her! his wolf howled with happiness.
Love? Devon wasn’t sure he would recognize the feeling if it bit him in the ass, but he knew he had this intense need to protect her. And hold her. And make love with her.
“Devon?”
“Oh, I eat almost everything. This looks amazing.”
She gave him a sly smile as if she could read his mind. If she possessed the ability to know his thoughts, he’d be in real trouble.
“Did you learn anything more about the robbery?” she asked.
“No. The owner hasn’t regained consciousness, and Kalan has no leads.”
“So he doesn’t know if I killed those wolves?”
“No.”
She let out a breath, as if relieved he didn’t have confirmation. “What about the owner? If he wakes up, what will he say?”
Devon shook his head. “I don’t know. The owner was shot and then collapsed just as I arrived on the scene. He might not have seen much of anything. At least I hope that’s true.”
“Bottom line, my lead about the robbery backfired.” Vinea looked off to the side, and Devon’s heart went out to her.
“No, it didn’t. At least I saw the three robbers—kind of. If I ran into either of the wolves I fought with again, I’d recognize them.”
Light returned to her eyes. “I hope you never see them.”
Once they finished their meal, he pushed back his chair. “I want you to do something for me.”
“What is it?”
He held out his hands. “Come here.”
Vinea pushed back her chair and stepped in between his outstretched arms. “Make love with you?”
He laughed. “Behave. No, at least not yet. I want you to show me how you could defend against an attack.”
Her brows scrunched. “What do you mean?”
“Let’s say I attacked you. What would you do?”
“Disappear.”
“Show me, but don’t do anything too drastic.”
She smiled. “Okay, I’ll play along.”
“I’ll pretend to kidnap you, and then you do your thing.”
She nodded. Devon reached out and grabbed her arm. A second later she was nowhere to be seen. Devon twisted around and held up his hands in a protective stance. The kitchen drawer that held the knives opened. “I said nothing drastic. Don’t cut me, okay?”
She might have answered, but he couldn’t hear her. Without warning, she pressed a sharp knife against his throat. Even though he believed she wouldn’t harm him, he needed to fend her off. Besides, Devon wanted to understand what she was capable of. He reached out to where he thought her wrist might be, but all he found was air. Dang. She just
might be able to do a sneak attack on the Changelings.
He held up his hands. “Okay, that was good.”
Vinea appeared in front of him with a grin on her face, waving the knife. “See?”
“Got any other talents I should know about? I will admit the ability to strangle, cut, shoot, or hit someone when they can’t see you, is good.”
“Hmm.” She paced in front of him. “I used to be able to freeze time.”
“Freeze time? I don’t understand.”
Vinea set down the knife on the dining room table and returned. “Come at me,” she said, holding up her hands in a mock boxer’s pose.
Without asking what she planned to do, he ran toward her, but he wasn’t able to reach her somehow. How was that possible? Even though Devon was totally aware of his thoughts, the world seemed to have stopped. Then as if she’d flipped a switch, he was moving again, only Vinea wasn’t there.
“Over here,” she said waving and smiling.
“That was the strangest thing that has ever happened to me.”
She clapped. “I can’t believe I did that. I wasn’t even sure I could anymore.”
“You really stopped time?”
“Yes!”
“For how long?” His mind spun.
“Five seconds, maybe? It’s really hard to do. I have to keep focused on everything around me.”
“There have to be consequences.” Even if she’d stopped time during the fight with those two wolves, he wasn’t sure how much time it would have gained him.
She shrugged. “I can’t say as I haven’t tried it in years. I honestly didn’t think I had the power anymore.”
“Did everyone in the world lose those few seconds?”
“No. Just those I focus on.”
He wanted to understand the scope of her talent. “So if two people are next to each other, could you stop time for one and not the other?”
“I don’t know, but if they were right next to each other, probably not.”
“Regardless of your accuracy, I have to say I’m impressed.” Devon was quite satisfied that Vinea would be safe against the Changelings.