Raven winced at the glimmer of hope on his face, knowing what she said next was going to destroy it. She waved a hand toward Laura, who stood stiffly off to the side, alone and forgotten. On the ground next to her was the trash can full of the gems Raven had collected, the only hope for their future discarded so casually. “Those men wore a piece of jewelry infused with magic. Enough magic to feed your creature and keep it alive.”
“We really were expendable.” The commander’s face hardened to granite.
“He manipulated you to get what he wanted.” She refused to feel pity for them. They signed up for this, unlike the many sifters who died in the process. “He’s been doing it for years.”
“And he wanted you—”
“For my abilities. He believed my blood would help him create his perfect creature.”
Something dark and dangerous flickered in his eyes. “Is your blood the cure?”
His blunt question took her aback. “The magic in our blood dissipates as soon as it leaves our bodies.” Raven wished she could give them better news. “Your survival rests on the magic of those gems or the mercy of the alphas.”
The commander didn’t look convinced.
“You’re thinking about a transfusion?” Donaldson grimaced. “Your beasts are fully formed. You would be introducing a more dominant blood strain. It will immediately kill off your creature, and in turn kill you. If by some miracle you survive, your bodies aren’t equipped to shift—you didn’t go through a true transition—you would be ripped to shreds from the inside out when your beast demanded to be let free.”
The commander grunted, as if he’d already suspected the truth. “If the humans learn that they could be infected, people will panic. Then there are the stupid fools who crave the power that comes with the change. We need to destroy the rest of the serum and any evidence. We have enough explosives to take down the building, but…”
He glanced at her questioningly, and she nodded in understanding. “You need all traces eradicated, not just buried.”
He wanted her to use her powers to bring down the building. But it was more than that. He was asking for proof of her power. He wanted to see the extent of her destructive force. If she didn’t comply, they would always doubt, always wonder if they could’ve defeated the paranormals and would continue their own search for a cure. “You’re sure the lower floors are cleared?”
“Yes.” His eyes were hard and troubled.
“Very well, tell your people to get back.” It wasn’t long before everyone was hauled a safe distance away.
“You don’t have to do this. You have nothing to prove.” Durant caught up with her, then edged in front of her, stopping her short.
The other guys followed, Taggert and London unconcerned, Jackson and Rylan siding with Durant when they went to stand next to him.
“Shifting for the first time is very taxing.” Jackson reached out carefully, as if uncertain of his welcome, and tipped up her chin. “If you push yourself too hard, you could shut down.”
“And if I don’t, everyone here will always wonder and question my abilities.” She grabbed his hand and squeezed. “If I don’t do this, they will never stop coming for us...and I want an us.”
His eyes darkened at the future she painted, and he gave an abrupt, jerky nod and stepped aside.
Rylan stared at her hard, taking in every aspect of her appearance, then boldly stalked toward her until his spicy scent surrounded her. “Are you sure you’re strong enough?”
Very gently, she placed her hand on his abdomen, right where the stake had entered. She could still feel the ridges of scars beneath his shirt. In a few days even those, too, would be gone, but not her memory of watching him die in front of her. “I can do this. For us.”
He leaned forward, very gently kissing her forehead, and joined the rest of the pack, leaving her to face Durant alone. “You know I’m right.”
“I don’t like it.” He scowled at her. She was tempted to say he was pouting, but the fear in his eyes was very real. “I waited a lifetime to find you. We’ve been through too much to lose you now.”
Raven swallowed, her throat painful with tears, and couldn’t make herself keep her distance. She sauntered up to him, placed her hands on his chest, then trailed them up to his shoulders, marveling at the way his muscles flexed under her touch. When she stretched up on her tiptoes, he automatically leaned down, as if unable to keep from offering himself, and she brushed her lips against his, breathing deeply of his leather scent.
“Trust me?” She couldn’t stop her fingers from ghosting over his skin, enjoying the way he shivered when tiny sparks crackled between them.
They were always electric together.
“With my life,” he replied without hesitation, and her heart stuttered.
Raven eased away, releasing a deep breath, waiting for him to retreat before reaching for the power that brewed overhead. Lightning forked through the sky at her call, and she reached out her hand, gritting her teeth when it struck her palm.
The darkness around her swirled, forming shadows as her dragon woke again, eager to be free. When the shadows collided with the blue cords of electricity, flames erupted in the air. Without thought, she sent them soaring toward the building.
The shadowy figure took shape above her, looking like a fire breathing dragon. The flames hit the building and exploded outward. Heat ate away the stone like acid, spreading like napalm on top of water until the whole front of the building was engulfed.
Then the flames roared louder, and the shadowy dragon bellowed in triumph.
Raven funneled more power, feeling the pull of energy drain out of her. Cinders from the flames floated in the air as the building began to crumple in on itself. The rock dribbled down in great globs of lava. Pockets of air inside the building exploded when the heat hit them. Like a dead spider, the building began to curl in on itself until only a pile of unidentifiable rubble remained.
She strode toward the building, drawn to the destruction as the ground opened up and swallowed the molten stone. Lava bubbled up from the ground, pockets caving in as the flames reached for the sky.
The heat called to her, luring her closer. Her shirt became so singed, it fell away in tatters. The light sparked off the silver dragon etched on her skin, the burn of sparks turning to pleasure, making her want to play with the fire and watch the world burn.
“Raven, you have to let it go.”
She hesitated at the sound of that voice, something about it pulling at a memory. She crouched, reaching down into the ground, swirling her fingers in the hot magma.
“Raven.”
This voice was different but no less alluring. She pulled back and lifted her head, searching for the ones who called to her.
Her gaze locked on a small group of men standing some distance away.
She stood and took a step toward them. Instead of trembling in fear, they smiled and opened their arms. The need to rend the world apart and revel in the destruction faded, the men’s calm easing the near-ravenous need until it faded to a forgotten memory, and she took another step toward them.
The ground sizzled beneath her feet, leaving scorched footprints of smoke and fire etched into the earth wherever she trod.
The world cooled around her, the storm stopped swirling overhead, and the cinders drifted harmlessly from the sky to pile up around them, coating everything in ash.
“You have to let it go. You have to come back to us.” The one who smelled like her knight and champion strode forward boldly, holding out his arm.
Something about him was familiar.
Comforting and fiercely protective.
He was hers.
The shadows around her hunkered lower, swirling and wrapping around her until the dragon seeped beneath her skin again. Heat faded and the fire dimmed, as if the fuel had been completely consumed, leaving behind a perfectly etched tattoo wrapped around her side to crawl up her back.
She reached out, and the instan
t their fingers touched, the spark was snuffed out and the world turned black, but not before she felt herself being wrapped in Taggert’s warm embrace.
She was home.
Chapter Twenty-eight
DAY SIX – MORNING – FINALLY HOME
The gentle sway of the car roused Raven. She was stretched across the back seat, lying across the laps of Durant, Rylan and Taggert. To her shock, London was behind the wheel—she’d always assumed he didn’t know how to drive under seventy miles an hour. Instead of skidding to a stop, the vehicle gently rolled to a halt, as if he was transporting precious cargo.
When she tried to sit, her body protested, her muscles locking up tight. She felt like one giant ache, her skin tight, like she’d stood too close to a bonfire for too many hours. Durant scooped her up in his arms and deposited her on his lap. Out the front windshield was a perfect view of the manor. She expected to find the place in shambles, but it looked completely undisturbed.
“What happened?”
Jackson turned in the front seat, his chest completely bare. When she glanced down, she wasn’t surprised to find herself wearing the scrubs he wore earlier. His whisky brown eyes were warm as he scanned her face. Only when he seemed satisfied with what he saw, did he speak. “Apparently the house defended itself. As soon as they entered the property, they were electrocuted. The longer they remained on the property, the higher the voltage. Those who weren’t quick enough to leave won’t ever get up again.”
Raven mentally reached out, and the house responded sluggishly with a little hum of welcome. She’d always believed the house being alive was her imagination, but now she wondered. “Where is everyone?”
London opened the door and climbed out, the rest of the guys following his lead. Durant lifted her out of the vehicle, placing her feet on the ground, then Rylan was there to steady her when her legs wobbled alarmingly. He tugged her into his arms, and Raven didn’t have the heart to protest.
“The others remained behind to help with cleanup and settle the soldiers. They don’t know how to survive living as shifters, and they’ll need help. The few rogues patrolling the grounds are keeping their distance to give us some privacy.”
“And Talons?” Raven turned her head, resting it against Rylan’s chest, reassured by his steady heartbeat, then glancing a little hesitantly at Durant. She couldn’t imagine how he would react to losing his home.
“Still standing.” Durant appeared completely unconcerned, and she was flabbergasted. He saw her gape at him and shrugged. “Part of the council and a number of supernaturals defended the place. It took a few hits, we lost a number of people, but it can be rebuilt.”
He said nothing more as he surveyed the grounds, indifferent to the destruction of everything he worked so hard to achieve.
“And that’s it?”
He swung around, his full attention landing on her, his eyes molten. “Priorities change. I never intended for Talons to become my life. I was just marking time, waiting…for you.”
Raven opened her mouth, then closed it, and that seemed to satisfy him.
“Come.” Rylan nudged her forward. “Let’s get you settled.”
While his tone was gentle, his ominous words sent ice snaking down her spine. “Settled?”
When she tried to pull away to study their faces, Taggert grabbed her hand and guided her toward the house, not giving her a chance to pull away. Jackson was at her back, refusing to allow her to dawdle. “Tell me what he meant.”
It wasn’t a question.
London beat them to the house and opened the door. Instead of heading toward the library, they led her up the stairs, directly to her room. “You two get her comfortable. I’ll get food. You two fix this room.”
Taggert and Jackson nudged her toward the bathroom while the other three left on their errands, and she watched them, completely bemused. “What—?”
“We almost lost you. Again. Allow us a few moments to reassure ourselves that you’re all right.” Jackson closed the bathroom door behind them, turning her to face him, leaving Taggert at her back. “Let us pamper you. The questions can wait ‘til later.”
Taggert didn’t wait for her response, instead using his claws to slice through her scrubs. The remains of the clothes fluttered to the ground, leaving her standing between them, naked. Warmth flooded her cheeks at their close perusal, but then she had no more time to think when Taggert scooped her up in his arms and walked them both into the mini pool Durant liked to call a tub.
The water felt cool against her skin, though she knew the temperatures were well above normal. Taggert gently deposited her sideways on the outer seats, claiming the spot next to her, keeping his touch impersonal. He tipped her head back, gently wetting her hair, then picked up a bottle of shampoo. When he began to massage the soap into the strands, the starch went out of her spine, her back coming to rest against his naked chest.
Her eyes had just begun to drift shut when Jackson began to strip out of his clothes. He was a bit banged up, but when he moved, his muscles were loose and mouthwatering to watch. Without a hint of modesty, he stood in front of her completely naked, allowing her to look her fill before he stalked toward her like his beastly counterpart.
He slipped into the water, and she watched it lap low on his hips. When he kneeled at her feet, her breath caught at the gorgeous sight. He cupped her calf, put her foot on his thigh, then began to message her muscles, working his way down to her feet, and Raven groaned, unable to stop her eyelids from closing with pleasure.
Taggert rinsed her hair, then conditioned the mass, combing his fingers through the strands. Only after he was satisfied did he allow his hands to wander and begin massaging her neck. Being sandwiched between two men should’ve been sexual, but their touch had reduced her to nothing more than a totally relaxed puddle of goo.
Thumps echoed from the other room, mixed with muted cursing, and her eyes popped open, but neither Jackson nor Taggert seemed concerned. With a reluctant sigh, Raven pulled away and sat.
She couldn’t remain ignorant forever about what they were keeping from her.
They weren’t known for being subtle, so whatever they had to say couldn’t be good.
One thing she knew for sure…whatever it was, they would deal with it together.
When she stood, Taggert picked her up and gently deposited her onto the floor next to the tub.
Jackson was already out and holding a towel. He knelt once more and began to dry her feet. Taggert grabbed another and worked his way down her back.
Not a spot of her was missed, both of them very thorough in their attentions. By the time they stepped away, she was dry and more than a little disgruntled when their hands never once strayed. Hunger curled through her, craving more of their touch…but they had successfully managed to distract her from whatever they were hiding.
When someone knocked, she wrapped herself in the towel Taggert offered, the hem barely covering her bits. When she opened the door, London stood there, holding out one of his shirts. But instead of handing it over when she reached for it, he pulled back, slipping the material over her head, and she allowed the towel to slither down her body to pool at her feet.
Taggert and Jackson didn’t bother to dress completely, only pulling on a clean pair of jeans. London looked like he’d literally just run through the shower, his skin still wet. When she walked into her room, it was to find that the couch in the corner had been removed. In its place, a second bed had been set up next to the old one, the two beds taking up one entire corner of the room from the balcony door to the wall.
The mattresses were pushed together, the massive bed covered with blankets and pillows, proof that they’d been planning this for a while. In the center of the bed waited an assortment of foods, enough to feed an army, and she couldn’t stop smiling at their thoughtfulness.
“Since you seem to get into trouble without us, we decided it’s time to solve the problem.” Durant was smug, not an ounce of repentance about taking
over another of her rooms. The others watched her carefully, content to let the tiger take the blame.
Durant was smiling, but something was bothering him…something he was keeping from her. But instead of confronting them, she decided to let them take the lead. They’d tell her when they were ready.
Raven tilted her head, pretending to study the changes, suppressing her smile as the men stood around the room in what were supposed to be relaxed poses, avidly waiting for her reaction. She should be embarrassed by the giant bed, but she’d come too far to let any of them go.
She needed their closeness…they needed it too.
She nodded as if coming to a decision. “It will do.”
The guys beamed, and the tension in the room vanished.
“Are you hungry?” London didn’t wait for an answer, deciding for her by lifting her by the waist and setting her to stand on the bed.
Without missing a beat, she walked toward the center, then sat, surveying the food, trying to decide what to eat first. Her stomach gurgled, and she realized she was ravenous. When the others didn’t move, possibly waiting for a sign from her, she raised her brow and shoved a sandwich in her mouth.
They didn’t need any further prompting.
Taggert reached her first, and claimed his spot on her right. Durant didn’t hesitate, and slipped in behind her, so close she could taste his leather scent, the heat of him begging her to lean against him, and she gave in to the urge.
Rylan stretched out to the left of her feet, content to sweep his fingers up and down her bare legs. Jackson took a seat opposite her, London taking the last spot next to him, leaving her in the center of the group.
London chose the most delectable bites and lifted them to her mouth, patiently waiting for her to lean forward to take the food. After a beat, she did as he silently urged, struck by the knowledge that he would wait for her forever if that’s what it took to win her over. As she chewed, his fingers brushed against her jaw, the touch lasting only a second, as if he was gentling her like a wild animal, before he chose another bite. After eating her fill, Raven leaned back against Durant and surveyed each of them, once again very aware of the tension they couldn’t hide.
Electric series- Raven Investigations BoxSet Page 88