“I’m sorry. You wanted to speak with me now, so I came as quickly as I could.” He trailed one finger along her thigh, knowing it left a trail of pleasure in its wake.
“Stop that too.” She pushed his hand away.
He took her fingers and linked them with his. “I like your friend very much. She’s quite insightful.” He smiled and stroked the pad of his thumb along the inside of her palm, which sent little zaps of lightning over her skin.
“Most men do.” Jealousy rose involuntarily inside of her.
“That’s not what I meant, and you know it.” He turned her face so he could look into her eyes. “She is your friend and means a great deal to you. Therefore, she means a great deal to me.”
“You can’t tell me that you don’t think she’s beautiful?”
“She’s quite attractive. But you are beautiful.” He brushed his lips ever so lightly along her knuckles. Her breath hitched in her throat and her mouth went dry.
“There is no one else for me, Samantha.” His eyes shifted and locked on hers. “Ever.”
She licked her lips and tried to maintain self-control. She closed her eyes and reluctantly removed her hand from Malcolm’s. “Do you even know why I shut my mind to you today?” She got out of the car, needing to put some space between them.
“Yes,” he said, his voice dropping to almost a whisper. “I invaded your space. I’m sorry, Samantha. It’s just that I am so eager to get to know everything I can about you that I suppose I get a little…overzealous.” He met her outside the car and took her bags from the trunk.
“Overbearing is more like it.” She closed the trunk. “And what’s with having that Amoveo fox watching me too? I thought your uncle called off those guys anyway.” She took one of the bags from Malcolm, his brow now wrinkled in concern.
“A fox?” A shadow passed over his face. “Are you certain it was an Amoveo and not just a regular fox?”
“Oh no, this was definitely not a normal fox.” She led him into Nonie’s house. “First of all, it was huge. Second, it was watching us. I mean, really watching us, and then when I went to point it out to Kerry, it was gone. Poof. Not even the grasses moved. It was like it just vanished…sound familiar?”
“Yes.”
The look on his face betrayed his concern. She also felt it in little waves that made her catch her breath. She wasn’t sure if she’d ever get used to having shared emotions; it definitely threw her off balance. They brought her bags into the house and set them down by the stairs.
“Samantha, I need to go speak with my cousin, Dante. I am quite sure he was who you saw today, but I’m unclear as to why he would be here. I’m sure everything is fine, but I would feel much better if I heard that from him.” He moved closer, his body just inches from hers. “Would you still like to join me this evening?”
Sam smiled because this time he asked her if she wanted to come over; he didn’t assume. “Well.” She looked around to see if Nonie was in earshot. “You do still owe me a lesson in shapeshifting, if I’m not mistaken.” She looked up at him with a suggestive smile.
“Yes, mia piccola lupa, I believe I do,” he whispered against her lips and swept her up in one of his devastating, knee-weakening kisses. Her body melded easily against his. She wrapped her arms around his neck, and desire for him warmed her entire body.
He pulled back slowly and placed one last little kiss at the corner of her mouth. “I won’t be gone long. I’ll see you at seven.”
“Oh wait. I almost forgot. Kerry wants to go out tomorrow night so she can meet you. Are you game?” She flashed a mischievous grin.
“I imagine that would be very nice. Will it just be the three of us?” He held her around her waist with one hand and stroked her cheek with the other.
“No.” Sam savored the gentle caress. “Her cousin AJ is coming too. He’s living there this summer while he works at the aquarium in Mystic,” she whispered as he trailed kisses down her neck.
“Whatever you wish,” he spoke softly.
Delicious shivers fluttered down her spine. She pulled him closer, wanting to feel his body press against hers.
“Well, don’t mind me.” Nonie’s singsong voice broke the moment like a bucket of water on a fire.
They jumped apart, and Sam wiped at her lips.
“I was just leaving.” Malcolm cleared his throat. “Nice to see you again, Nonie.”
“Mmm hmm. Good day, Mr. Drew.” Nonie brushed past them into the kitchen.
Malcolm went out the door and whispered teasingly to Sam. I think you’re in trouble. She looks pretty upset with you.
Sam narrowed her eyes and shot back, Coward. She shook her head, smiling after him. Then she took a deep breath and went into the kitchen to receive a good, old-fashioned lecture. She found Nonie rinsing out her teacup in the kitchen sink. “So, go ahead. Let me have it.” Sam pulled out the chair and sat at the table, her hands folded.
“I don’t know what you mean, dear.” Nonie put her cup in the dishwasher, loaded it up with detergent, and set it running.
“You don’t having anything to say about what you just saw or the fact that I stayed at Malcolm’s last night?”
Nonie turned slowly and leaned against the edge of the sink. She didn’t say anything at first, just looked down at her hands as though she was looking for exactly the right thing to say. “You are an adult, Samantha. Next time you plan on staying out all night, it would be nice if you let me know. That’s all.” Her eyes betrayed her sadness.
Sam could feel how upset Nonie was, it was actually making her stomach hurt. “Nonie, why are you so sad? And don’t try to tell me you’re not. I can sense how upset you are.”
Nonie’s eyes welled up with tears, and she hurried out of the kitchen.
Her tears hit Sam like a shock wave. When she stood to follow, she got an enormous head rush. She shut her eyes and steadied herself, leaning on the back of the chair. Malcolm’s voice came like a soothing balm into her soul.
Are you all right?
She could hear the twinge of concern, and it made her smile in spite of how she felt. Yes. Nonie is upset, and it’s making me feel sick. She tried to keep panic from welling up inside of her.
Focus on your breathing, and it will pass. Your body will learn to be more accepting of other people’s emotions and will adjust. I promise, mia piccola lupa.
As his words drifted through her mind, her body instantly relaxed. Sam steadied her breathing, and the unpleasant sensation began to subside. She let out a deep breath and whispered back to him in their intimate telepathy. Thank you, Malcolm.
Sam found Nonie out on the deck, staring at the rough waters below. Her small body was bundled up in a huge blue sweater, her arms crossed tightly across her chest. She was only a few feet away, but Sam had never felt so far from her. The wind was picking up, and long strands of her silver hair were whipping around her head. “Looks like a storm is coming. You know the sea always picks up like this before a big one.” Sam walked over and stood next to Nonie at the railing.
“That’s what I’m afraid of.” Nonie turned to look at Samantha. “I already lost your mother. I can’t lose you as well.” Tears filled her eyes.
“Nonie, you’re not going to lose me.”
Nonie shook her head and turned back out to the ocean. “That’s what your mother told me too.” Nonie wiped tears away with the back of her time-worn hand. “You’re moving awfully fast, Samantha. Do you even know him? I mean, do you know what kind of man he is?”
“Actually, Nonie, I know him better than I’ve ever known anyone in my life.” Sam wrapped her arms around her grandmother.
“Did he tell you what it really means to be with him?”
She turned Nonie gently so they were face-to-face. Sam looked at her through narrowed eyes, searching for the truth. “What do you mean, Nonie?” Samantha felt Nonie’s apprehension rising in unison with her own.
“I—” Nonie was interrupted by the shrill ring of Samantha�
�s cell phone in the front hall.
Sam growled in frustration at being interrupted. They stood there, eyes locked in silence, as the phone continued to ring.
“You’d better get that.” Nonie turned back to look out on the sea.
Sam miraculously found her phone on the first dive into her bag. The caller ID confirmed it was Kerry. “Hey, can I call you back? I’m in the middle of something with Nonie.” Sam watched her grandmother come back in the house and brush past her to the kitchen.
“I really need to see you,” Kerry said through a strained voice. Kerry never cried.
“Hey? What’s going on? You sound like you’ve been crying.” An all too familiar wave of nausea came over Sam. Focus, Sam, and steady breathing, just like Malcolm said. She held her belly and squeezed her eyes shut. Gratefully, the sensation slowly subsided.
“I can’t talk about it on the phone,” Kerry said abruptly. “I’m so sorry, but Sam, you have to come over.”
Her voice was desperate and scared, which made Sam very nervous. Kerry never let that kind of emotion out…ever. She always used smartass humor to cover it all up. “Okay. I’ll be right there,” Sam said. The line went dead before she got all the words out. She hung up and heard Nonie going upstairs. “Nonie,” Sam called after her. “Kerry is pretty upset and needs me to come over. I’ve never heard her like this before. I’m worried.” She was feeling torn in two directions. She really wanted to find out what Nonie was insinuating, but the fear in Kerry’s voice was too alarming to ignore. “I’d really like to continue our conversation when I get back.”
“That’s fine, dear,” Nonie said in a weary voice. She gave a small wave of her hand. “I’m going to lie down for a while.” At the top of the stairs, Nonie looked down at Samantha. “You know I love you, Samantha…no matter what.” Then she disappeared around the corner to her room.
***
Malcolm worked in his office and tried many times to reach out to Dante. However, each attempt resulted in silence. His frustration at the lack of contact with Dante grew with every passing moment. Why was he watching Sam if the hunter had been caught? He struggled to concentrate on the tedious emails that glared at him from the harsh light of the computer screen. Moments later his mind was happily flooded with Samantha’s melodious voice.
I am going over to Kerry’s house. She’s very upset and needs to see me.
When she established their intimate mental link, his body was immediately drenched with warmth. An easy smile replaced a look of focused concentration. Does this mean you’ll be late for our lesson this evening? He put a suggestive emphasis on the word lesson.
Well, probably, but I’m also going to cut you off, so to speak.
His instinct was to fight her on this decision. However, he knew she was looking for privacy, which was so dear to her. As you wish, he whispered back. Every fiber of his being cried out against this action, yet he relented. It pained him to be cut off from her mentally, but he needed to prove that he could respect her wishes.
Thank you, Malcolm. She let out a great sigh of relief and made her way down the beach steps. I think it’s going to be an old-fashioned girl talk with lots of tears and probably some ice cream. If I didn’t close my mind to you, then I’d feel like I was betraying her confidence. You know, letting you in on her secrets, which aren’t mine to tell. Do you understand? She nibbled on her bottom lip.
His next words fluttered across her heart like featherlight kisses.
Promise me that as soon as you’re done with your…female bonding…you’ll connect with me right away.
Sam laughed softly, and his heart felt a small, unexpected squeeze. Absolutely…I’ll see you soon, she purred.
Samantha severed their mental link, and he was left with a growing void. As the inevitable feeling of dread began to creep over him, he shook his head and shifted his focus to his work. He reminded himself that Uncle Brendan had the Caedo hunter, and any imminent danger was gone. He repeated it over and over to himself, but couldn’t escape the feeling that darkness was coming.
***
When she shut her mind to Malcolm, a black hole was left in its wake. Sam shuddered and pulled her black sweater closer around her. The winds had picked up considerably. She squinted to avoid the tiny grains of sand caught in the salty gales. She was always amazed at how quickly the weather changed on the ocean. The sky had darkened ominously, which mirrored the shadowy, roiling sea as it crashed onto the deserted shores.
Sam quickly climbed the steps to Kerry’s house and was surprised to see the sliding glass doors wide open. As she stepped onto the deck, she was hit with a shock wave of intense emotion. It slammed into her mind violently, like someone drove a spike into her brain. She clasped her head, and stars burst behind her eyes. The crushing pain dropped her to her knees. She knelt there, desperately trying to catch her breath and squelch the panic rising inside of her. Her instinct was to reach out to Malcolm, but she needed to cope with these emotional onslaughts. She refused to be weak. She had to prove that she was able to handle her Amoveo abilities without running to him all the time like a child.
Samantha drew in slow, steady breaths and focused on filtering out the emotion as Malcolm had taught her. Eventually, the crushing pain began to diminish. Shaking, she rose to her feet. She wiped the tears away and steadied her balance on the railing. Something was dreadfully wrong. She had not experienced ferocious emotion like that before. It felt evil. She took a few tentative steps toward the open door. “Kerry?” There was no answer. Sam clutched her sweater around her shaking body. She peered hesitantly into the open doorway and called for her friend again. “Kerry?” To her horror, the entire living room had been ransacked. It looked like someone had fought a war inside the house. Chairs and tables were overturned, lamps shattered on the floor, books and smashed picture frames were strewn about. She was about to run, but a low moaning from behind the couch caught her attention. She quickly climbed over the debris and found a bleeding man. She could tell right away that he was Amoveo. She didn’t know how, she just knew.
He had several swollen bruises on his face. A huge silver arrow protruded from a bloody wound in his massive chest. Based on his auburn hair, it was likely that this was the Fox she had seen earlier. Malcolm’s cousin, Dante, was a Fox…wasn’t he? The man stirred slightly. Sam looked him over quickly and saw he was injured badly. Based on the dark stain on the rug beneath him, he’d lost an enormous amount of blood.
“Dante?” she whispered as she brushed hair away from his face. “What happened? Where’s Kerry?”
He moved slightly and groaned in response.
“It’s okay. Everything’s going to be all right,” she said more for her own reassurance, trying to keep her fear under control. “I’m going to call Malcolm.”
From behind her came a sinister, but slightly familiar voice. “I don’t think so.”
Something smashed the back of her head, and her entire world went dark.
Chapter 19
Nonie woke from her nightmare with a start. She sat straight up in bed. Her heart raced, and she was covered in sweat. Like so many times in her life, this had been more than just a bad dream. She looked out the window at the stormy sky and knew that Samantha was in grave danger. Memories of when she lost her beloved Jane came flooding back and practically paralyzed her. That night she’d been helpless, unable to save her daughter. This time would be different. It had to be. She knew that the one person who could help her granddaughter was Malcolm.
She picked up the phone to call him and was met with a deafening silence. Frantic, she hung it up, silently cursing herself for not getting a cell phone as Samantha had told her to. As quickly as her old body would allow, she made her way downstairs and out into the turbulent night. The wind lashed against her relentlessly, testing her strength with every step down the staircase to the beach. The sands whipped up, stinging her face, but she kept going. After what felt like an eternity, she reached the enormous wooden steps to Malc
olm’s home.
***
Malcolm was seated in his living room, glancing at his watch for the tenth time. It was after eight o’clock, and Samantha was an hour overdue for their date. The inability to touch his mind to hers was torturous. He wanted to reach out and reconnect, but he’d promised her privacy. He wondered how much longer this girl talk was going to take. He looked at his watch yet again and cursed silently under his breath as he stalked over to the enormous glass doors. His attention was immediately caught by an intense current of emotion undulating in the air. He went very still, his heightened senses at full attention. His eyes shifted and swiftly scanned the area outside.
Within moments, he spotted Nonie struggling to reach the top of the beach steps. She was exhausted and tremendously distressed. Malcolm dashed out into the whipping wind and rain. When he reached her, she collapsed against him. Her weathered hands clutched his arms as she gasped for air. Malcolm scooped up her frail body and uttered the ancient language. In a flash, they were back in his living room. She was ice cold, drenched, and shaking. With a wave of his hand, a roaring fire appeared in the fireplace, and a dry blanket materialized around her. He wrapped her up. “Davis! Come in here quickly!” He rubbed Nonie’s arms gently in an effort to help warm her. “Helen? What’s happened?” he asked with pleading eyes.
“I’m not sure,” she said through a tearful voice. “I had one of my dreams. Just like the night her mother died. Malcolm, please, you have to go to her. I can’t lose her like I lost Jane.”
Davis shuffled into the room and came directly to her side.
“Helen? What’s happened?”
“It’s Samantha.” Malcolm helped Nonie sit down. “Did you call Kerry’s house or her cell?” He tried to keep his voice calm. He struggled to dampen the dread rising inside of him.
She shook her head as Davis sat next to her and placed a soothing arm around her shaking shoulders. “The phone lines are down, probably due to the storm.” She sniffled. “I don’t have a cell phone. Samantha’s been after me to get one.” She gave a teary smile. “Why don’t you just reach out to her Malcolm,” she whispered with downcast eyes.
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