“Okay, but I need to send messages to my family. They need to know about the giant, and it might…” It might mean there’s a totem near. Sedge did say the tokens would cause unusual things to happen. Not that Kinley could guess which totem it was. But that was something she didn’t need to drag Ransom into. She pulled her computer onto her lap and opened her email.
“Is it because they’re Black Shamans?” Ransom sat at the foot of the bed. She glanced at him, and he nodded. “Yeah, I heard Sedge and Saskia arguing. Man, that woman can yell.”
He had no idea how loud her sister could get. Both of them. “Sedge is. Saskia is not, but she’s just as capable.”
“And so are you.”
Kinley snorted before she could stop herself. She covered the lower half of her face with her hand. Ransom was a flirt and a flatterer. She was nowhere near the warrior Saskia was. Heck, the word warrior couldn’t even be applied to her.
Ransom raised his brows. “Who is the one that refused to run away when a giant zombie was coming after her? You stayed, risking your life, for the sake of others.”
“Well, anyone—”
“No. Not everyone. You did. Don’t belittle it.”
She swallowed. “You stayed.”
“Only for you. I would’ve run otherwise.”
Only for her? Kinley found that difficult to believe. Did he take it seriously when Bert told him to watch over her? Maybe Bert threatened Ransom if he failed in his job. Bert was protective, and he was fond of her, but that was going a little too far. Though, really, it was the only thing that made sense.
Yes. It’s was all Bert’s influence. Ransom didn’t know her, and how could a woman like her interest him? He wanted a motorbike and a tropical vacation. She wouldn’t be caught on either.
She turned her attention back to her screen and began typing a message to her family.
“You can believe me or not.” Ransom stretched out on the bottom half of her bed. “I’ll convince you of it, though.”
Nope. She wasn’t going to look at him. While he probably could convince many people of several things, she was not as easily swayed. Not even the whispers which confirmed his sincerity would make her think otherwise.
Ransom fell asleep on her bed and stretched out, hogging over half of it. When her eyes started to droop, Kinley considered moving to her couch downstairs, but she didn’t want to try the stairs by herself. So for the first time in years, she slept beside a man.
She awoke close to noon with a loud knocking at her front door. Nudging Ransom with her elbow, he murmured something and snuggled closer to her.
He was beautiful in the peace of sleep. Another knock and Kinley started to slip out of bed.
Ransom snagged her arm, and she yelped. “Where do you think you’re going?”
“Someone’s at the door.” She could have sworn he was sound asleep.
He hopped out of bed and hurried down the stairs from her loft to answer it. Kinley stood, feeling less sore, and peered over the railing. The second the door was opened, Ametta pushed her way inside.
“Kin!” Ametta looked around and then up, shoved a brown bag into Ransom’s arms, and ran up the stairs. Her heels clicked all the way. She threw her arms around Kinley. “Oh my God. Are you okay?”
“As long as you don’t squeeze too hard.” Kinley patted her sister’s back. “A few bumps and bruises, but otherwise fine.”
Ametta let her go and put her hands on her hips. “You’ve got broken ribs. You’re not fine.”
“Who told you?” Kinley peeked over to the first floor at Ransom.
“Not me.” Ransom held up a hand and shook his head. He pointed to the bag. “Your sis brought Chinese. Hungry?”
“Of course she’s hungry. She’s wasting away.” Ametta snapped and looked back to Kinley. “You were too thin before and now your body is eating itself to heal. Tell your boyfriend to bring it all up here while I put you back in bed.”
Before Kinley could protest the boyfriend part and being too thin, Ametta walked over to prep her bed. “It was Bert who told me. Why did I have to hear how hurt you were from him?”
“I didn’t want to worry anyone. I mean, it’s enough with the giant. You got that email, right?” Kinley wrapped her arms lightly around herself. She wasn’t used to people fussing over her. She shifted from foot to foot.
“Yes. Sedge and Saskia both replied. Azarius is coming back as he can get here the fastest, but Saskia is staying up north one more day before the first big snow hits. Dad wants you to stay in bed. Don’t leave the house.” Ametta fluffed the pillows and motioned to the bed. “Flannel sheets, Kin? Where are the silk ones I got you last Christmas?”
In the back of her linen closet. “They’re in the wash. I think I need to take them to be specially laundered, right?”
“Yes. You do.” Ametta nodded, and apparently satisfied with her rearranging of the pillows, she motioned to Kinley. “Come get in bed. I’ll bring you some food. Do you need anything else?”
“I’ve got the food.” Ransom came into the loft with the boxes of Chinese, silverware, and drinks on a tray.
“Good. I’ve got a meeting this afternoon, but I can come back this evening if you want.” Ametta smoothed out her skirt.
“It’s—”
Ransom interrupted Kinley. “Don’t worry about your sister. I’m here to take care of her as long as she needs it. You staying for lunch?”
“No. I should get back to Anchorage. I just wanted to see Kin. Make sure she rests. I’ll call later.”
Kinley resisted the urge to yank on her hair. She was right there, and they were talking about her as if she wasn’t in the room. Or even worse, talking over her head as if she were a child.
Taking a deep breath, she pushed back her irritation. “Thanks for stopping by and bringing food, Mett. You don’t need to worry. I have everything I need. Just plan on having a Firefly marathon and sleeping for the next few days.”
Ametta hugged her once more, lighter this time. She squeezed her arms. “Good. Take care of yourself. Don’t ever scare me like that again.”
“I’m fine. Go on.” Kinley smiled and sat on the bed against the pile of pillows showing she was safe and sound.
“Okay. Talk to you later.” Ametta gave them a little wave and hurried down the stairs and out the front door.
Ransom set the tray down and settled back on the bed next to Kinley. “Your sister’s really worried about you.”
“Yes.” Kinley picked up a random box and popped it open. Beef and rice. A good start.
“No, seriously. Did you see how she was acting? She barely looked my way. And every woman stares at me.”
Kinley paused, cocked her head, and gaped at him. “So because she wasn’t gazing at your gorgeous body, something must have been wrong.”
“Well, yeah.” Ransom plucked a chicken ball from a box and put it into his mouth, chewing lazily.
She shook her head. “Of course she’s worried about me. She’s my sister. She doesn’t like seeing me hurt. If Saskia and my dad were here, they’d be even worse.”
Kinley had been a hovering nurse herself when her father was shot and then when Ametta had been hunted. They griped about it, but they complained more when she wasn’t there to get something for them. She was the caretaker, and she was fine in that role. Being taken care of, well, she didn’t want to be a burden on anyone.
Ransom swallowed. “There’s that, but there was more. She’s more scared it happened than she lets on.”
“It’s an undead giant. That’s pretty damn scary.”
“Yeah, that too. But there’s more. There’s something I’m missing. Care to fill me in?” He didn’t even use his magic smile when he asked.
Kinley picked up a fork and poked at the rice. What was it he wanted? Surely he couldn’t have any idea about the totems. But what else could he mean?
God, he was staring at her. Could he read her mind? No, that was silly. Why didn’t the whispers tell her mor
e about him? Actually, they hadn’t said much about him at all. Not that she was listening at the moment.
“I can almost see those gears whirling in your head.” There was that melt-worthy smile. “We don’t have to talk about it right now. When we get together with Bert later, we’ll talk more in depth about it.”
“What? I’m supposed to stay home.”
Ransom raised his brows. “Do you always do what your family tells you to do?”
Yes. No. Maybe. Okay, yes. Why wouldn’t she? She needed to rest. But she did want to talk to Bert. Maybe he knew something about the giant.
Wait a second. Ransom promised to take care of her and keep her at the house. It was her turn to raise her brows. He already had to have planned the meeting with Bert. “Are you always so sneaky?”
He laughed. “I didn’t lie. I said I’ll take care of you, and I will. No one wants to be cooped up inside all the time. Unless you’re serious about that Firefly marathon.”
“I never kid about Firefly.” Kinley grabbed the remote from her bedside table and flipped on the television.
A hot guy who loved Firefly. Surely he had to be a figment of her imagination. But there he was beside her, eating and laughing and saying some of the lines along with the characters. No one would believe her.
Hell, a giant and a hot guy in her bed in the same twenty-four hour period. She didn’t believe it herself. The missing totems must really be screwing up the world.
After some food, Firefly, and another nap, Kinley felt more like herself. Of course it helped to have good company. Someone who made her laugh so hard it hurt her ribs. Not that it was difficult to do at the moment. Who knew she’d feel this good after being hurt so bad?
At eight in the evening, she showered and dressed in loose black yoga pants and a baggy Doctor Who hoodie. Not exactly professional wear, but she wasn’t putting on her pantsuit with her sore body. Bert would understand. Hopefully. Sometimes vampires could be strange about things.
Ransom drove them in his truck, laying his arm across the back of the seat and toying with her hair. Such a simple thing and yet it sent zings all the way to her toes.
They arrived at Bert’s office where they were greeted at the door by the vampire himself. He escorted Kinley in and set her tenderly in a cushioned chair. He gestured to his assistant. “I have some tea brewing. Pour a cup for Miss Dorn.” Bert turned back to Kinley and clasped her hand. “I’m so sorry you had to endure this, my dear. The tea is a special herbal recipe my mother used to make. It will help you heal and nurture the blood.”
Kinley’s stomach tightened. She didn’t feel threatened, but to hear a vampire wanting to nurture one’s blood, it was a bit unnerving. “Thank you, but I’m fine.”
“Yes, I’m certain you are.” Bert took the cup and saucer from Ransom when he brought it over and handed it to Kinley. “Drink up, my dear. And when you’re ready, you can tell me what happened. Ransom told me his version, but I very much want to hear yours.”
Ransom sat on the edge of the desk. Casual and seemingly unconcerned, but his hands gripping the edge of the desktop said otherwise.
Kinley sipped the tea, pleased to find it tasting a bit like chamomile. She told Bert every detail she could remember. Starting with talking to Ian, then to the giant throwing her and trapping her under a rock. She didn’t make herself sound brave. In fact, saying it out loud, it sounded like she was a fool with a superhero complex running back to save the black bear.
By the time she was done, she had finished her tea and was breathing like normal. Some potent herbs there. Though likely more for dulling her pain.
“There aren’t any more giants in the world.” Bert’s lips thinned.
“This one apparently doesn’t know that.” Ransom snorted.
“But it was dead. It still is. Which brings forth the question: how did it rise from its grave?” Kinley tapped a finger on her chin. Though, really, it wouldn’t have a tomb. Bear and Raven burned the giants to ashes. If the tale was true. Sedge never said otherwise.
“Magic. Necromancy.” Ransom suggested.
Bert’s face hardened. He stared at her for a moment, supernaturally still, before he bared his teeth. “Detestable. And on my land.”
“Do you think it’s an attack specifically against you?” Kinley found herself craving another cup of tea. She stood and walked over to the pot, hand ready to pour another.
Bert’s hand caught hers and led her back to her chair. “One cup is enough, my dear. There was enough of my blood in it to heal you fully.”
Kinley’s guts roiled. Vampire blood? Oh no. That couldn’t be good. No matter that Bert was a nice guy, how well did she really know him? And what did it mean? Was she going to turn? Be his slave? Her heart hammered as she gripped the arms of the chair.
“Be at ease. It does nothing but heal you. Maybe perk up your senses for a little while until it runs through your system.”
Okay. Good. Still, vampire blood in her body. Such a weird thought.
“Yeah, it’s fun stuff. I’ve had it a few times.” Ransom winked at her.
“A few times?” Bert turned to look at the shifter. “I remember four. And one of the times was because you set yourself on fire.”
“I was making a movie. My brother said the rubber suit would protect me.” Ransom laughed. Laughed at setting himself on fire? Was the man crazy?!
“Your brother isn’t the brightest feline in the family.” Bert shook his head.
Kinley took an account of her senses. Nothing seemed different. Maybe it took a little while to take effect? Just as long as she didn’t turn into a mindless slave or something. Damn. She’d read too many vampire novels.
“But back to the subject at hand.” Bert tapped his fingers on his desk. “I need to see the giant for myself.”
“What?” Kinley burst out of the chair as Ransom stood, gaping at Bert.
“I’ve seen several undead creatures in my long life. Of course, the vampire is superior to them, and so there is nothing for me to fear. If the giant is indeed as you described, I should be able to dispatch it with little trouble.”
Bert was so matter of fact about it. This was no shambling zombie or possessed corpse. No slingshot could take down that Goliath. Not that she expected Bert to be wielding one. Maybe a sword or a big ax. That would be something to see.
No. It was idiotic. “Mr. Ellsworth, you can’t—”
“I’m afraid I’m going to require your presence, Miss Dorn.” Bert clasped his hands behind his back.
“No.” She shook her head and took a step back. Bert was more insane than Ransom.
“I will make certain you stay safe, but all the stories seem to agree on one point: the giant was focused on you.”
Shit. “Maybe it was because my fur is white. The giant’s vision could be bad. Or maybe because I was the largest of the shifters and thus the biggest threat. That would make the most sense.”
Reaching, grabbing at anything. Kinley didn’t want to go back. She wasn’t equipped to fight such a monster. Maybe Bert could do it or Sedge. Even Azarius had more experience. Could she get Bert to wait until Azarius arrived? A Black Shaman would turn the odds in their favor. From next to nothing to slim.
Ransom rested a hand on the small of her back. “I’ll be with you. I won’t let anything happen to you.”
She turned to glare at him. He was going along with this madness? Yes, of course he was. Let’s take Kinley and dangle her in front of the giant so Bert can chop the beast’s head off. Did either of them stop to think about this? They knew nothing about the giant except that it was strong, undead, and could disappear like a ninja.
Seriously, this was a bad idea. Why wasn’t she screaming that at them?
Oh, maybe this was why Bert had her drink his blood. So she would have to do as he said. Though, she felt no urge to do so. In fact, she did not want to go.
Kinley sat down and folded her arms. She had control over her self. No one was going to make her do so
mething stupid. “We need to think this through and come up with a plan. One of the Black Shamans is on his way now. He might even be here tomorrow night. I say we wait—”
“The Black Shamans are trained to deal with rogue shifters. Not to demean their impressive skills, but I am the one with experience in dealing with the undead.” Bert remained in the same spot, unmoving and unmoved by her fear. “I assure you I know what I’m doing.”
He never met a giant. How could he know what he was doing? Kinley’s nails dug into her arms.
“You know, I think we can draw it out ourselves.” Ransom walked around the desk and picked up Bert’s coat. “Let’s not put Kinley through the trauma of seeing the monster again. Clearly she isn’t ready for it. And if something does go wrong, at least it will only be you and me at the site. No one else will get hurt.”
Bert silently regarded his assistant for a moment and then dipped his head. “Yes, I believe that is the best way to go.” He took his coat and slipped it on. “Miss Dorn, you may stay here if you like or fetch a cab home. I will, of course, pay for it.”
They weren’t serious. It was as if they were preparing for a business meeting!
Her breathing quickened. They were going to fight the giant just like that. What if something happened to them? Her stomach twisted.
Go with them.
Kinley jerked and nearly fell out of the chair. Never before had any whisper been so loud and clear. It was almost as if there was someone standing behind her speaking right by her ear. So this was the sense that became amplified by Bert’s blood.
It was a fool’s quest.
Go.
Dammit! The whispers sounded insistent. Never before had she not listened to them. They wouldn’t lead her wrong, right?
Sighing, she stood and marched to the door. “Let’s do this.”
Ametta called while they were on their way to the site, and guilt settled heavily on Kinley’s shoulders when she had to swiftly cut off their chat. All her sister knew was that they were doing some work at the site, and Bert and Ransom were with her. What if something happened and no one knew if they were alive or dead? But if she told Ametta what they were doing, her sister would rush out there or send everybody they knew to their rescue. Probably both.
Silent Whispers (Totem Book 2) Page 4