Edna picked up a small scalpel. “Let’s see what we can see. We’ll start with a shallow cut and go from there.” She leveled a stern gaze at Randall. “I’d like for this session to go smoother than last one.”
Cray walked behind Randall, smacking the back of his head before freeing one of his arms. “You heard the lady. Screw this up again and I’ll twist the head off one of those kids.”
Randall’s eyes grew as hard and cold as the ice they resembled. Cray took a step back as Randall’s stare bored holes through him. “If one child is harmed, there won’t be enough left of you for people to mourn over. Do you understand me?”
Cray turned pale and fear clouded his eyes. He started to nod when Edna shoved him toward the end of the machine.
“Enough of this,” she snapped. “Let’s begin.”
Edna drew the scalpel down Randall’s arm in a shallow cut. “Surface skin heals almost instantaneously. I’m making a cut about a half an inch deeper.”
Edna pushed the blade deeper into his arm. Randall’s cheek twitched at the pain, but he made no sound. Cray stood across from him, smiling at his discomfort as he held his arm in a tight grip.
Edna stared into the scope as she made a two inch slice. “Amazing. The cut is still fresh, but the blood flow has already slowed. This is absolutely remarkable.” She turned to the instrument tray behind her and selected a scalpel with a longer blade. “Let’s try a little deeper. Cray, hold him securely for this one. And turn his arm over. I need a fresh area.”
Karen watched as Cray turned Randall’s arm so his palm was facing up. Blood still seeped from the cut on the other side, pooling under his elbow. Movement from the house caught her eye. Bradford marched toward the stable, his cell phone pressed to his ear and he was shouting at the person on the other end.
He flung open the office door, heading straight for Randall, backhanding him. “Your northeast clan just destroyed one of my research labs,” he shouted.
Blood trickled from the corner of Randall’s mouth. “So why take it out on me?” he growled, his voice shaking with pain and rage. “Go find the clan and tell them how displeased you are with them retaliating when you harm those close to them.”
Bradford hit him again. “Because you’re all I’ve got.” He turned to Edna. “Are you making any progress with him?”
“I’m mapping the process his skin undergoes during regeneration.” Edna handed him the clipboard. “This is just from today. I have to compile all my data, but things look very good. I should have the shape-shifter serum in another couple of weeks, the regeneration formula before that. I may have to dissect some of the children in different stages of the change so I can see how the internals work.” She nodded in Randall’s direction. “We should be done with him in another week.”
Bradford nodded. “I agree. Use the older brats.” He glared at Randall. “Getting rid of you will be a pleasure.”
“And to think I believed we had nothing in common,” Randall growled.
Edna jotted some notes on the clipboard. “I need to make one last deep cut on him to record how the muscle tissue knits together and then I’m done.”
“Troyington, listen to me,” Randall said, needing to say something, anything to stop them from hurting his charges. “If you kill any of the children, the pack won’t care any more. They’ll descend on you. They’ll rip you apart.” Randall bared his teeth at his captor as his voice dropped to a deep rumble. “And if they don’t, I will.”
Bradford turned back to Edna. He picked up the longest blade she had, studying it in the bright sunlight filtering in through the window. “You need to make one more cut? Let me help.”
He drove the scalpel straight down through Randall’s arm so it scratched the table underneath, smiling as Randall cried out. “Don’t threaten me, Guardian. I’m seriously considering letting none of you live.”
Blood splashed over the table, as Randall’s fingers twitched and veins stood out on his neck. Troyington pushed the scalpel in deeper, then yanked it out. Randall’s arm jerked as he tried to pull it out of Cray’s grip.
“Not yet, boy. The doctor’s still studying you,” the handyman said, squeezing his arm harder, making him cry out again.
Karen closed her eyes as she turned away, unable to stand watching them torture him any longer.
“I’m done,” she heard Edna say. “Get him out of here before his blood ruins my equipment.”
Randall hit the ground at the stable entrance and Karen ran to him. Casting a nervous glance over her shoulder, she yanked him to his feet and pulled him into the woods.
She eased him down next to a small, gurgling stream. Sunlight streamed through the trees, shining on the water. A bird’s call sounded, and she spared it a quick look before focusing on Randall. “How could they do that to you?”
“It’s what they do,” he said, cradling his bleeding arm. The pain in his voice made his drawl sound thicker than usual. Blood smeared his pants. “Damn it, this is my best pair of jeans.”
“Can I do anything?” She made herself sit there instead of running back to hurt them as badly as they’d hurt him. She wiped her eyes, cursing the tears that blurred her vision. She could feel her emotions breaking out of the internal bottle she’d stuffed them into.
“I’ve got it covered.” He dipped his fingers into the clear water. “Brek, I could use your help.” He angled his head to look at Karen. “Are you crying?”
She ignored him, choosing to inspect his arm instead. “That blade went all the way through, but the blood’s almost stopped.” The first cut Edna had made was already fading. “Regeneration, huh?”
He sat back, staring at the stream as the water began to swirl and bubble. “Yeah. It’s how my race has lived so long.” He turned her head to him, brushing a tear away with his thumb. “Don’t cry. It’s not as bad as it seems.” He gave a snort of laughter. “They’ve done worse to me.”
Karen just nodded. She’d wanted to save him, save them both, but she’d just watched. A cold hand clamped around her heart. Feeling powerless was new to her and she didn’t like it.
Randall started to speak when a beautiful woman rose out of the stream. “How can I be of service to you, my friend?” Her body, her hair, even her dress were all made from the stream she floated in.
He held his arm out for her to see. “They stuck a scalpel in me, Brek. Strathmore was studying my regeneration, then she had me thrown in the dirt. Can you clean it out?” He brushed away some of the dust, crying out when he hit the cut.
She gently held his arm. “Of course. Hold still.” She held her hands above and below the wounds, water pouring from her fingers as she washed out the cuts.
He sucked air through his teeth. “Damn, that hurts.”
She laughed, the sound reminding Karen of fast running rivers or a small waterfall. “You’ve had a knife stuck through your arm. It’s supposed to hurt. The cold water will help with the pain. If it’s possible, keep it clean. I know how you are. Sometimes I think you are more child than man.”
Randall grinned. “You just say that because you’re hundreds of years older than me.” He flexed his arm, making blood ooze out.
“Yes, I am, and I would wish for a little more respect from you.” She turned her attention to Karen. “She’s the one we felt?”
Randall nodded, taking Karen’s hand. “Karen, this is Brek. She’s a water nixie. Brek, this is Karen.”
The nixie stretched herself out to surround Karen, looking at her from all angles. She flowed back to the steam, satisfied by what she found. “She’s a lovely person, inside and out. I approve.”
He watched Karen walk away, her shaking shoulders telling him she was crying. “What’s wrong?”
Karen kept her back to them. “How can the two of you treat this so lightly?” She glanced over her shoulder. “Randall, they tortured you. You’ve been stabbed and I just stood there. I’m as bad as they are.” She turned and stared at them.
She wiped at h
er face with her hands. “Every time I’ve fought someone or helped with a rescue operation, I’ve always known what to do. This time, nothing. I stood there and watched and did nothing.”
He pulled her into his arms, raising her face to his. “Listen to me. Anything you could’ve done or tried to do, would’ve gotten you caught or killed and made things worse for me.”
She stared at the ground. “When Harmon came out with the boy, I wanted to follow him, but I couldn’t leave you. I sent Dayla after them instead.”
“Karen, look at me.” He gazed tenderly at her, smiling when she finally raised her eyes to his. “That was the best thing you could’ve done. Dayla is Raesheen’s chief tracker.” He wiped her tears away, gently caressing her face. “See? You knew exactly what to do.”
“Oh?” Karen’s voice trembled.
His power rose around them, pouring into her. “Yes. If you’d gone after Harmon, then this wouldn’t have happened.”
She trembled as he lowered his mouth to hers.
Chapter Ten
Electricity shot through her entire body, tingling her nerves and sending her soul soaring. Blood raced through her veins as his power poured into her and moved around her, caressing her. And her blood wasn’t just singing, it was belting out the “Hallelujah Chorus.” She felt his heart thump against her breasts as hers began to pound in time to his rhythm. She could smell the wild magic that filled him even as she tasted it on her lips.
She twined her arms around his neck, reveling in the hardness of his chest and arms as he held her. Her skin flamed everywhere he touched her. She sighed into his mouth as he pulled her closer, deepening the kiss they finally shared.
“Randall, no!” Raesheen dashed into the clearing, grabbing Randall by his hair and yanking his head back.
“Ow! Raesheen, cut it out!” He pried the dryad off his scalp, setting her on the ground.
“How could you?” she screamed. “You promised me you’d wait. Do you realize what you’ve done?”
Randall’s eyes hardened as he glared at his friend. “Yes, I do. You approved of her. I’ve got the High Mother’s blessing and the Oracle said it was to be. What’s the problem?”
“The problem?” she shouted. “You have the nerve to ask me that?”
Karen moved in between the two of them, wondering if they were going to come to blows. “I don’t understand. What’s going on?”
“I’ll tell you the problem and everything else.” Raesheen stalked toward her, stabbing her finger at Randall. “This idiot has just bound himself to you. He’s not only shared love’s first kiss, but he shared his power. He promised me he’d wait until this situation was settled.”
She frowned. “I still don’t get it.”
“Be calm,” Brek said, her gaze darting back and forth between them. “She’s still learning our ways.”
Raesheen squeezed her eyes shut and stomped her foot. “I am calm!”
She pulled Karen out of Randall’s embrace, yanking her arm hard enough to make her sit on the hard ground. “If he’s dumb enough to get himself killed before you two consummate your relationship, the power he just gave you will rip you apart. You won’t have a chance to die of a broken heart because his power will consume you until there’s nothing left.”
The dryad stalked back over to him, kicking him squarely in the shins. “That’s why he promised me he’d wait!”
Randall leaned down, rubbing his leg. “Do you have to wear combat boots?”
“Yes. They serve an extremely practical purpose for kicking you.” She folded her arms and turned her back to him. “And I like the sound they make when they connect with your anatomy.”
Randall sat next to Karen and pulled her into his arms. “I’m sorry. I should’ve waited like Raesheen said. I’ve put you in danger.”
She shrugged, smiling slightly. “No more than I usually am. Of course, the thought of death by power consumption isn’t doing anything for me.” She ran her hands down his chest to the waistband of his jeans. “We can fix that, you know.”
“I know.” He leaned closer to her, intent on another soul searing kiss.
“Enough.” Raesheen pushed them apart. “Please have some consideration for the rest of us. Karen, you must get back to the house. Troyington will be looking for you soon. Aren’t you two supposed to spend the day together?”
“Yes, we are.” She caressed Randall’s face, not wanting to leave his embrace. “You won’t be dumb enough to get yourself killed, will you?”
“Of course not. I promise.” He grinned. Her cheeks turned pink as she gazed into his eyes. “Remind me to smile at you more.”
“Focus!” the dryad screamed.
“I’m sorry.” Karen looked at Randall. “I think I’m distracting you. I’d better get back. Bradford might be looking for me by now.”
“You must be careful,” the dryad said. She grasped Karen’s arm. “You must act the same as you did before that fool over there ruined everything.”
Karen winked at Raesheen. “But he’s a cute fool.”
The dryad snorted. “Why do you think I’ve let him live this long?”
Karen chuckled before covering Raesheen’s hand with her own. “I’ll remember all you told me. My friend has already told me the consequences of what Troyington will do us if he finds out Randall and I are soul mates.”
“Remember, Troyington senses magic. Hold Randall’s power tight inside you and if you’re lucky, Troyington won’t detect it. Keep your wits, and he’ll never suspect you’ve lost your heart.” She glanced over her shoulder at Randall. “We have work to do. Good luck.”
“Same to you.” With a last look at the group behind her, Karen headed for the mansion, hoping she could pull off the biggest charade of her life.
****
“I’ve been looking for you,” Bradford said as he entered the library. “I’m finally caught up on everything I need to be.”
Karen rose out of the leather wingback chair, holding up a book. “I wandered around outside for a bit then came in here. I borrowed this book. Do you mind?”
He took her hands and kissed her cheek. “Of course not. What would you like to do today?”
After what she’d overheard that morning, she felt he was studying her, paying closer attention than usual to what she’d say. “Let’s go to that little town down the hill from here.”
He smiled. “That’s a great idea. I haven’t taken an afternoon off in ages. Get your things and I’ll pull the car around front.”
“I’ll be down in just a minute.”
Karen ran to her room. “Dayla, are you here?”
“Always,” said the fairy, appearing on her pillow.
Karen stuffed things into her purse. “Did you find out where Harmon took the boy?”
“He put him in the back of a closed truck.” Dayla hung her head. “He drove so fast, I lost him. I alerted the rest of the Court to try to pick up his trail. I tracked him as far as I could and he led me away from the hills, not toward them.”
Karen chewed her lip. “That must mean the cabin they plan on using isn’t ready yet. I don’t think we’re going to be able to rescue the kids until they’re in place. Edna is close to completing her serum for Bradford.” She grabbed her jacket from the closet doorknob. “We’ve got a week, maybe two, to wrap this up.”
Dayla stood ramrod straight and saluted. “I will report all of this to Raesheen at once.”
“When you get to the wood folk, tell them I’m getting Bradford out of the house for a few hours. They might be able to get into his private office while we’re gone.” Karen stuffed her arms in her jacket sleeves, glancing toward the door. “I’ve got to run. Be careful.”
“You too, miss.”
She grabbed her purse and made her way to the car waiting for her outside.
****
The stores in the town were all on the single main road running through the center. Karen thought this was the cleanest town she’d ever been in. The sid
ewalks looked swept, no grass in the cracks; the road had no potholes or big dips or bumps. She watched as people bustled in and out of the shops and drove by them, hurrying off to where they needed to be. It appeared to be a normal, small town. So why does it feel like I’ve just stepped into the Twilight Zone?
Bradford kept Karen’s hand in his as they strolled through the little town’s shopping district. He called out greetings, waving to everyone they met. He pointed out various important buildings, sounding proud of the town hall.
Karen watched him wave to another couple passing them on the street. “Do you know everyone?”
“I helped the people here when I first moved in,” he said. “The town was on the verge of drying up. I moved in some companies, built a few new businesses, created some jobs, and now it’s a prosperous place to live.”
She watched the people walk by. “That was awfully nice of you to help out complete strangers.”
He shrugged. “It was pure selfishness on my part. The next town is over twenty miles away. I didn’t want to have to go that far.”
“I don’t blame you. It’d be murder in the winter.” Karen looked at the streets. “The roads are so narrow.”
Bradford turned to speak with a woman who approached them. She looked at Karen like she wasn’t good enough to breathe the same air as the man with her. As Karen gazed at the other locals, she got the same sort of reaction. She could feel the hair on the back of her neck rise.
The wood folk hadn’t made her feel like this when she met them. They’d welcomed her as one of their own even though the only tie she had with them was through Randall. She shoved the thought down, making herself think of anything but Randall. If she kept thinking like that, she’d tip her hand. She smiled at him when he glanced at her.
She waited until the woman moved off. “They certainly think a lot of you here. I think they resent me being with you.”
Bradford tightened his grip on her hand. “They never think anyone is good enough for me. They put me on a pedestal even though I tell them I’m just a regular citizen like them.”
Night Angel (Angel Haven) Page 10