At Risk

by Gayle Parness

He held out his hand. “Kitchen?”

  “Sounds good.”

  He pulled me up. After locating a servant, we were directed to the enormous kitchen. It was empty except for two staff members sipping some kind of hot drink in front of a large fireplace. We hung up our wet coats and they pointed to a steaming pot and covered dish. We helped ourselves to spiced cider and freshly baked nut loaf, then found seats at a small table in the corner.

  We kept our conversation mind to mind. “It’s time to visit Khent. He needs to get off his hairy ass and make an appearance in Faerie.” Isaiah drummed his fingers on the table. One of his nervous habits.

  “At the meeting at the Carmel villa, he promised to bring his army to the battle. I’m pretty sure he intends to show up when the fighting starts and not before.”

  “Yes, but you’re in charge of this shindig and you need him now. He agreed to follow you.”

  “I’ll wake Brina.” I rose.

  “Brina and Jay stay here.”

  “Oh, no. I’m never doing that again. I promised her.”

  “You have no choice. Khent—”

  “Then I don’t go.” I straightened in the chair and folded my arms. Mom called it my hardheaded pose. “I seem to recall you saying less than a minute ago that I am in charge.”

  “Charles…”

  I took a moment to form my argument. “I won’t leave Brina alone in the Demon Realm. Final word.”

  “Jay’s here with her.”

  “I’m not leaving him either.”

  “We’ll take them back to Crescent City first.”

  “No.”

  “Now who’s being unreasonable?” he snapped.

  “You can talk until winter turns to spring, but I’m not leaving them. Come up with another plan.”

  “Khent won’t like it if we show up en masse.”

  “Do you think I care? Mom and Dad need me in Faerie with some kind of show of force. I’m okay with popping in with a hoard of goblins or a clan of dragons, but it’s gotta be more than me coming back with my cheetah tail between my legs.”

  Isaiah huffed out a burst of air and switched to speaking out loud. “You’re just as annoying as your mother.”

  “Thank you.” I grinned. There’d been a time when I would’ve hated that comparison. No more. Mom was the bravest female in the three realms and her stubborn streak had saved her life and mine several times.

  “Get them up at dawn. We’ll leave after breakfast, if the giant lizards give us breakfast.”

  “Aren’t I supposed to hear their decision today?”

  “Dragons say they’ll get right back to you, but that’s after they discuss everything ad nauseum. They’re like freakin’ ents. Wyn will tell you at breakfast that they need more time. Trust me.”

  “Okay, Unc.” I took my coat off the hook, shrunk it back to normal size and shook it out. The demon servants at the other table gave me wide-eyed gazes.

  Isaiah rested a hand on my shoulder. “Get some sleep. You only have a few hours before dawn.”

  “I’ll give it a shot.” I tried to warm my hands and feet before crawling back into bed, but Brina’s eyes sprung open the minute I got close.

  “Oh! Did you journey to the arctic? Your feet are glacial.”

  “I was outside talking to Isaiah.”

  She leaned closer and took in a sharp breath. “You smell like cider.”

  “We ended up in the kitchen.”

  “And?”

  “We’re going to see Khent tomorrow.”

  “A good plan.” She placed her hand over my heart.

  “Try to sleep. We’re up at dawn.”

  “After I warm you up.” Her hand traveled to my abs.

  “You think you can?” I pushed aside her hair and nuzzled her neck.

  “I can make you burn.” She burrowed even closer, getting the reaction she wanted.

  “That goes both ways.”

  “Stop talking and start kissing me.”

  No male in their right mind would ever argue with that.

  10

  Jackie

  Garrett and I walked to the beach bringing the menagerie of canines along in the hopes they’d wear themselves out. The beach we chose was small and always quiet. An out of the way place I used to come to with Ethan, Kyle and Sinc, my first friends in Crescent City. Garrett had been our trainer, and I’d fallen for him harder and faster than a bag of bricks flung from a balcony.

  “Twenty-one years ago, you showed up on this very beach and brought me to your house for the first time,” I said.

  “You looked particularly enticing in your bikini.”

  “C’mon. You didn’t even try to kiss me.”

  Garrett laughed softly. “I can’t begin to tell you how difficult that was.”

  I squeezed his arm and he wrapped it around my waist, his hand resting on my hip. Glancing up at the face I knew as well as my own, I smiled as his features drew me in. His single dimple, the lines that formed when he smiled, then grew deeper when he laughed. The straight nose that drove me crazy when he nuzzled my neck.

  Those sapphire shaded eyes that shined with love every time he looked at me.

  “I knew for sure that night,” I whispered.

  “What did you know, my love?”

  “That I could trust you with my heart.”

  “A precious gift.” He cradled my face in his large, graceful hands and kissed me with a passion I’d never grow tired of. “You’ve possessed mine for even longer.”

  “Let’s sit here.” We sat on the flat rock near the shore, holding hands. The dogs gathered around us. “Go chase some birds.” They stayed where they were, one of them whining softly.

  I gave up and snuggled closer to my mate, draping my arm over his body and clutching at his jacket. I’d brought Charlie to this beach when he was little.

  “He’ll be back soon, mon ange.”

  “I know. I do. But I hadn’t expected my mind to mind call not to go through.”

  I’d come up against some kind of interference I hadn’t recognized.

  Hercules rested his solid, furry head on my knee. Animals were so smart. The trio knew I was anxious about Charlie. I scratched Hercules, Samson and Delilah behind the ears, then tried to urge them away again. If they napped at our feet, the wearing them out idea would crash and burn.

  Another whine. “Okay, you can stay.” I gave up.

  “No canine crunchies if you aren’t quiet,” Garrett used a stern voice. As if he would ever deny them canine crunchies. Ha!

  The mutts took the threat seriously and settled on the blanket we brought in their usual tangle: Delilah and Samson, backs pressing together and legs outstretched, Hercules curling up with his head on one of their necks. This time it was Delilah’s.

  “What a group.” Garrett smiled and kissed my cheek. “I can’t wait to meet the next urchin you adopt. A cat perhaps?”

  “Cats don’t take orders.” I twisted my mouth into a crooked scowl. “Not that these three do.” I took a minute to think about it. “If a kitty showed up on my doorstep, I might make an exception.”

  “I would expect no less.”

  I leaned against Garrett’s shoulder and let the day’s worries disappear. Tension interfered with magic. “I’m going to try again.”

  “Do it.”

  As I pulled in ley line magic and sent a message to our son in the Demon Realm, Garrett’s body tightened beneath mine. I wasn’t the only one worrying. The white noise was weaker as Charlie’s shields stretched and gave in one small spot. “Are you safe?”

  “Mom! I’m good. We’re all fine.”

  “Don’t tell me anything specific about where you are. Are you gathering more allies? That’s what they’ll want to know.”

  “Yes. I’ve started negotiations and we’re discussing terms with their entire…uh…family. We’re making another stop today.” He hesitated when I didn’t speak. “He lives waaay out of town and he’s a bit eccentric. I spent a few months with him a
nd his family a couple of years ago.”

  “Oh.” He meant Khent. “Is that wise?”

  “We need him now.”

  “Yes. I understand. Brina, Jay, and Isaiah are with you?”

  “Yes.”

  “Good. Dad sends his love. And Kaera said to wish Brina well.”

  “I’ll tell her. Thanks.”

  “We’re seeing Kyle later. I’ll tell him Jay is okay.”

  “What’s happening in Faerie?”

  “Aedus and Caelen asked me where you were. Nothing else.” My interrogation hadn’t been friendly, but Charlie didn’t need that info. “I’m out with the dogs. Oh, and your father.”

  Charlie laughed. I loved that sound.

  “Rumors abound that Queen Aine might return to fight for Faerie. I figured I should know more about her so I’ve given that assignment to Winter,” I said.

  “Try not to be anywhere around if she shows up. Stay home. If she summons you, don’t go to Faerie,” Charlie warned.

  “I’ll take your advice. Thanks, sweetie.”

  “I love you, Ma. You too, Dad. I know you’re listening. You called a team meeting?”

  “It starts in an hour. A southern Oregon town has been trying to fend off a nest of rogue vampires. A few leopards were murdered and the local sheriff isn’t interested in investigating.

  “I wish I could help.” His worried tone bled through.

  “We’ll be fine. You make sure to stay off the archdemon’s radar.” I tried to keep my voice steady.

  “We will. Love you back.”

  When I pulled out of the message, I rested in Garrett’s embrace. He stroked my hair and offered me a handkerchief.

  “He’ll be fine.”

  “I know.” Only things weren’t looking good in any realm.

  * * *

  The gang started arriving at six thirty. Our closest fae friends, Liam and Farrell, were first. They came bearing food because Liam loved to cook and shifters and wolves loved to eat with a capital E. They ate three times more than humans and burned calories at incredible rates.

  Kyle was next. Kyle was one of my first friends. A brainiac, his inventions had saved lives, human and supernatural, but his snarky, witty banter had made him a favorite of mine.

  Kyle greeted my fae guests with a huge grin. “Thank the gods Liam has arrived. I’m starving.”

  “I’m surprised Jackie and Garrett still allow you in their home after so many rude comments regarding her cooking skills,” Farrell said. “I enjoy eating spaghetti.”

  “Uh huh. Al dente doesn’t mean crunchy.”

  “And leopards should know how to keep their mouths shut.”

  Kyle growled and Farrell pretended to be frightened.

  “No worries,” I said, smiling. “My inability to cook a decent meal has made headlines across the continents. No hiding it now.” Everyone laughed which was all I cared about.

  “I don’t mean to be rude,” Kyle snapped at Farrell.

  “I know. You can’t help yourself.” I patted his head.

  Garrett’s cousin Aaron arrived in his truck a few minutes later. Aaron was the head alpha of several successful werewolf packs in Oregon and since Aaron was in the area for another reason, Garrett had invited him. Ethan, a cougar shifter and close friend from the original team, was in the passenger seat of Aaron’s truck.

  Aaron greeted me with an enthusiastic hug. “Cathy and I’ve missed you. Come up for Christmas Eve. Sinc and the pack will welcome you with open arms. She misses everyone. Kyle and Peter have already accepted and I’m still working on Ethan and Hana.”

  Ethan gave me a peck on the cheek. “Hana’s due to deliver in early March. We’ll have to see what the doctor says. How are you, speedy?”

  Ethan had encouraged me to shift for the first time, been my rock when I floundered, held my hand when I thought I couldn’t go on. He’d gone through some bad times before he met Hana, but she and her adorable five-year-old daughter had brought him back to life, back to the Ethan I remembered. He’d adopted little Tani and now Hana was pregnant. I’d never seen him happier.

  I kissed him back, avoiding the beard and aiming for his cheekbone. “I’m good. It’s wonderful to see you. You came with Aaron?”

  “He brought us baby furniture and baby clothes from Cathy.”

  “We’ve got an attic full of stuff just sitting there,” Aaron said. “No more children on the immediate horizon.”

  “But you want more.”

  “Yeah, we both do. But it’s great to have a chance to catch our breath.”

  To everyone’s surprise, Kaera appeared on the patio. Liam opened the sliding glass door. “I would like to stand in for Brina, if you agree.” Kaera bowed to Garrett.

  Garrett bowed back. “We’re honored to have you. Come and eat.”

  “Thank you.” She glanced at the table where Liam had conjured some appetizers to start off. “Thank you for feeding me, cousin.” She nodded to Liam first, then Farrell. The fae weren’t big on showing affection.

  “It will disappear faster than you can imagine,” Liam said.

  “I remember.” Kaera smiled. She and Brina had accompanied the team on several missions.

  “I’m so glad you’re here.” I squeezed both her hands. I would have hugged Brina, but Kaera was more reserved and might have felt uncomfortable.

  “Thank you. I am also pleased.”

  Sasha and Heinrich strolled through the patio doors just as we were finishing dinner. Rick stared at Ethan for a moment. Ethan laughed and scooted over, making room so Rick could sit beside Kaera. She tried to ignore him, but the male was gigantic and adorable at the same time.

  When dinner was over and Liam had magicked the remains away, Garrett asked Sasha to describe the report from the Oregon town. When Sash finished, Garrett opened the meeting up for comments.

  “Do we go in openly in the hopes of driving them off or do we attack when they’re not expecting it?” Kyle asked.

  “I’m thinking Ethan will run surveillance for a couple of days, then we’ll make a determination based on his data.”

  “Do we know where their base of operations is?” Liam asked.

  “They’ve rented a house on the outskirts of town, close to a thickly forested area.”

  “That works well for my wolves. How large is the nest?” Aaron asked.

  “Sixteen vampires. Half are at least my age or older.”

  Garrett had checked with his sources and discovered the nest had followed the correct protocol. They’d notified the North American Vampire Association, or NAVA, of their location, and still had a week before they had to contact the area master. Garrett held the territory to the south, but the Oregon and Washington state Area Master hadn’t checked in for the last two months. NAVA asked Garrett to assume the role of temporary supervisor until the actual master could be located.

  “That’s a powerful nest.” Aaron shook his head, his brow wrinkling. The older the vampire, the more likely he was to be a difficult opponent.

  “Who contacted us regarding these attacks?” Farrell asked.

  “Two anonymous leopard shifter families who sounded legit,” Sash answered.

  Garrett refreshed the team’s drinks as he spoke. “I called the sheriff a few hours ago to confirm the four deaths. He wasn’t forthcoming at all regarding cause or time of death. Maybe you’ve heard of him, cuz? The town isn’t far from your territory. Sheriff Webber.”

  “I’ve heard the name. He’s new and doesn’t have the best reputation. Thinks he’s a real tough guy. Manhandles the males he arrests. Not friendly with any shifters who aren’t cougars. Has even given a few of my young wolves a hard time when they were enjoying a couple of beers and a game of pool.”

  Garrett raked a hand through his hair. When he cut it, the hair grew back in about ten days to the same length it was when he was transformed. Too long by his standards. “I don’t like the idea that rogue vamps and a rogue sheriff may be working together. First things first. Aa
ron, will you check with your packs? See if anyone knows anything about the deaths or the vampires.” Aaron gave Garrett a thumbs up. Garrett shifted his gaze. “Kaera, do you want in on this?”

  “If you mean would I like to work with the team on this mission, then yes.”

  “I’d like you to go with Ethan.”

  Rick nodded. “Good plan, boss. Kaera is as sharp as her sister.”

  Kaera huffed. “Sharper.”

  Smiling, Garrett turned to Ethan. “I know you like to work alone, but...”

  “It’s okay. I can use the help. Vampires are a level up for me.”

  “I have a large safe house in the area,” Aaron said. “Perfect for the team. Elizabeth warded it two years ago.”

  “No confrontations unless they attack. Got it?” Garrett warned.

  Ethan and Kaera nodded.

  “Good. Kaera, can you take Ethan home so he can get his gear? I’ll have Aaron bring you the information you need. I want you at the safe house tonight.”

  Ethan stood. “I’ll call Hana so she won’t freak when we show up.”

  “Keep us updated, Ethan. You’re on lead.”

  “Thanks.” Ethan walked through the open doors to the patio so he’d have some privacy.

  Rick stood. “I’ll walk you out while he chats with his spooky mate.”

  “That is not necessary.” Kaera turned toward Garrett as Rick sat again. “I will enjoy working with the kitty.” She seemed pleased when we laughed.

  “It’s a remote area. Ethan won’t need to rely on his truck or hike too far on his own with you there. You’ll be a great asset when it comes to surveillance as well.”

  “Thank you, Garrett.”

  “Ethan’s a master at this.” Garrett reassured her. “Trust his instincts as much as you trust your own. And he has the final word.”

  “Understood.” She nodded in the fae fashion right before Ethan gestured for her to follow him. They disappeared a few seconds later.

  Garrett took his seat again and grasped my hand. “Will you try to get in touch with one of the shifter families who called? See if we can pay them a quiet visit when we arrive. Maybe other families who’ve witnessed incidents will open up.”