by Tl Reeve
Leora had already plugged the code into the door for us, allowing me to step inside without hesitation. I deposited Haley on the couch then knelt in front of her. Her eyes were glazed over. Her bottom lip trembled and was swollen and bloody. What did you do, kid?
“Haley.” I said her name a dozen times before she blinked. She came out of her stunned state and stared at me in perplexity.
If I didn’t know better, I’d have sworn she was having a conversation with someone. I’d seen the dazed and confused look a couple of times after Keeley initiated a conversation through a telepathic link she’d made with the new kids in order to calm them and reassure them they were safe.
So, it begged the question, if Haley was using a telepathic link, who the fuck had she been talking to? I wanted to ask her, but the guarded glint in her eyes told me she wouldn’t tell me even if I did.
Instead, I went with something easy. “Are you okay?”
“Okay is an understatement, don’t you think?” Haley replied.
I didn’t miss the underlying tone of sarcasm in her voice. It meant whatever state she had been in, in the vehicle, slowly fell away, leaving her exposed and a bit raw.
I snorted in response.
“Are you mad at me?” Haley swiped at the tears on her cheeks, leaving a dirt track in their wake.
My mate was way better at this shit than I was. Give me a defiant snarky teen Haley, and I had no problem dealing with her. I could handle the attitude. Those tears, though. Jesus, they ripped my heart to shreds.
I wanted Haley to be happy and carefree. Like a girl her age was supposed to be. Her biggest worry should be about school and if her crush would end up asking her out on a date or, more importantly, prom. Not trying to get her to safety or questioning if I was mad at her for saving our asses.
“Not mad, Haley. Grateful.” Her eyes widened, and I continued. “Leora and...”
Fuck I wanted to call her my daughter. Claim her, right here and now. I couldn’t. Nature had been kind to me, giving me my other half. It was no longer just me, dealing in a singular daily life. I had a mate and the possibility of another child growing in Leora’s womb. This was a conversation we had to have together—even if I suspected my sweet Leora felt the exact same way I did. I wouldn’t know, though, until we had the chance to discuss it. I tucked a wayward strand of Haley’s hair behind her ear and gave her a small smile of reassurance.
“If you hadn’t stepped in, I could’ve lost you both. I’m not cool with those odds. You both matter to me. So yes, I’ve told you on numerous occasions to stand down and allow me to handle it. Each time, you’ve stepped in and saved me. I’m grateful, kid. Not mad,” I said, trying to ease her fragile ego.
Haley whispered, “You matter to me, too.”
I grinned like a loon. Couldn’t help myself. For the second time in less than twenty-four hours, I felt my heart expand with love for the young girl in front of me.
If Leora agreed with me, we’d claim Haley once we arrived in Window Rock. Heck, I was already technically her father. I had the paperwork to prove it. However, a job and a permanent position weren’t one in the same. I knew it wouldn’t always be roses and sugar-coated kisses. We’d have good and bad days with Haley, and she with us. She’d dealt with too much bad to readily accept the good. It’d be worth it in the long run, though.
“If you two are done being girls,” Leora said. “We all need to eat, especially Haley. Then we need to get the hell out of Dodge before we draw any unwanted attention.”
I rolled my eyes. Both of these women were going to be the death of me. I held my hand out to Haley. “Come on, kiddo.” I pulled her upright off of the couch. “Let’s go eat before Ms. Bossy Pants gets all riled up.”
Haley giggled.
Once we were done eating and had cleaned up a bit, we gathered everything from the truck to put it into our new vehicle sitting inside the garage—a primer-black Enforcer, one I’d been drooling over since we arrived. They were a specialized vehicle used only in Police Departments across the country. Apparently, Kalkin was done with us fucking around.
They protected officers in the line of fire thanks to being bulletproof. It also housed a massive amount of firepower along with tech not readily available to those outside of law enforcement. They were given the name Enforcers for the simple fact when officers rolled up in them, they automatically enforced the law and demanded peace.
Even though it had nondescript New Jersey license plates on it, they were all registered to the sheriff’s department in Window Rock, Arizona. Why the fuck Kalkin picked the Garden State, I had no clue. No way I’d ask either. The SUV was cherry, and I couldn’t wait to get behind the wheel of this beast.
Haley got into the back after loading a few bags from the house. Her eyes were wide as she checked out everything around her. “This is badass. Remind me to thank your boss if we make it.”
We’d make it. With this vehicle, no way in hell we’d be stopped now. “You’ll get your chance, kid. Trust me.”
Leora sauntered up beside me after closing the rear hatch. She leaned in close and murmured, “Is the hard-on you’re sporting for me or the vehicle.”
I looked down at her before admitting, “In this case, it’s all for the vehicle. Heard about them, even seen them in Window Rock. Never thought I’d get to ride in one, let alone drive it.”
Leora smirked. “Guess this means I’m not driving?”
“Fuck, no,” I answered before opening the passenger door for her.
I didn’t miss the eye roll she gave me either. Sweet Leora would pay for it later, while I was fucking us both into oblivion.
I got in behind the wheel, and I knew before I even pulled the heavy door closed this bitch was brand new. The scent of leather and the distinct smell of new car filled my senses. Fuck if I was giving this up when we returned to Window Rock.
A fob rested on the center console. It allowed the user to activate the vehicle through remote access while outside of it. No need for a key or push button start on this bad-ass all-terrain SUV. Enforcers were spec’d out with every bell and whistle known to man.
It started only after a retinal scan which required you to look forward while the scanner, housed under the review mirror, initiated it. Since this beauty was brand new, I calibrated it for both Lorena and me. The beast rumbled to life once it was done, and a moan of excitement slipped passed my lips. Shit. I adjusted myself, before dropping the vehicle into gear. I’ve had a fascination with cars since I was a kid, especially American made muscle cars. The bigger the engine, the bigger the thrill. But this... this was cherry.
“What’s his problem?” Haley asked.
Leora turned in her seat, facing the younger girl. “Learn early, kiddo. Give a man keys to an automobile like this, and they become little boys without the ability to focus.”
That was the nicer way of putting it.
I rubbed my hands around the steering wheel, enjoying the soft leather against my palms. Oh, yeah. The last leg of our trip, in my mind, would be cake. Rumor also had it, these damn things could withstand an RPG—a rocket-propelled grenade.
“You want us to get out, so you know, you can be alone with her?” Leora’s tone had a mildly sarcastic hint to it. “Or maybe you can have your time with the Enforcer once we get to Oklahoma.”
Haley laughed.
I had a feeling this was my mate’s way of telling me to pull my head out of my ass and get a move on. I eased back the minute the garage door began to rise. A wrecker and crew waited as we pulled out. Then began the arduous task of getting Leora’s truck loaded up.
When I pulled away from the house, a GPS map along with turn by turn instructions came up laying a see-through grid on the windshield, another little handy built-in feature. “We’ll be at our next safe house by eight. Once we’re settled in and have eaten, Haley and I are going to take a little flight together.”
“It can wait one more day, Midnight. It’ll be safer when we’re in Wind
ow Rock,” Leora stated.
My mate had a point. We had promised to drive straight through, but some things needed to take priority, like this. After everything Haley had been through in the last forty-eight hours, she needed to connect with her raven. She needed to gain her balance and some self-confidence. Shifting would allow her to slag off some of her worries and fear. Delaying wouldn’t help anyone.
“Ten minutes is all she needs for now. I’ll be with her the entire time. She has to do it.”
Leora sighed. “Maybe we should let Haley decide.”
My gaze went to the rearview mirror. So, did Haley’s, and she didn’t hide her emotions. I could see the anticipation mingle with the fear.
“I’ll help you shift, kiddo. If you can call up fire from your body and project it, you can shift and fly,” I promised. “You don’t want to do it, we won’t. Just think about it.”
Haley nodded before gazing out the passenger window.
“Thank you,” Leora mumbled.
We didn’t talk the rest of the drive. Occasionally, either Haley or Leora would request a pit stop. Those were quick. We’d use the facilities then grab a drink or snack. We’d be done in under fifteen minutes and back on the road in no time. At eight-thirty on the nose, we pulled into the driveway of our last safe house before arriving at Window Rock, sometime tomorrow.
And, we had made good time.
Once we unloaded the vehicle and put everything inside the house, if Haley wanted to shift, we could. I snagged the fob from the console before getting out of the vehicle. Haley and Leora followed behind me, dragging ass.
Haley called out my name, and I turned, hoping she would say yes to going on a short flight.
“What’s up, kiddo.”
Her hands were clasped in front of her. I could see the white of her knuckles. She was nervous. Hell, scared even. I could smell it coming off her in waves. It made my stomach sour in distaste.
“Can... ahh... can we try to fly?” Her voice wobbled with anxious energy.
I needed to convince my ward it was no big thing. If we weren’t successful tonight, we’d try again later. “Sure, kiddo. It’s no biggie if it doesn’t happen. We’ll keep trying till it does.”
She nodded.
When we got to the front door, I entered the code before opening the door then proceeded to sweep the house before I even allowed the girls to come in.
“Be safe, you two,” Leora said, her voice thick with concern.
I’d noticed my mate tended to worry like a mother hen. It was cute, and I got off on it. “We will, mom.” I gave her a saucy wink before turning my attention to Haley.
“Backyard is our safest bet.” I motioned to the sliding glass doors which when opened gave way to a medium-sized backyard.
The blazing yellows and reds of the night sky gave way to the purples and blues of night. In the east, the first stars of twilight twinkled to life. It was a perfect time to shift and take a short flight.
There were two things all shifters did after a fight that had expounded so much energy and adrenaline. Fuck, or in Haley’s case, fly. It would expel the last of the rush from our bodies and our minds. Add in the special fact she was a gifted pyro, well I had a feeling she had a lot of pent up power.
Haley stood beside me, wringing her hands. “What... ah... what do I do?”
“Undress.”
Most shifters destroyed their clothing with the shift. Ravens didn’t since when we changed, we were actually smaller than our human form. Clothes just ended up getting in my way, holding my wings down and making it harder for me to get into the sky. So, I’d gotten into the habit of taking everything off.
Unfortunately, Haley hadn’t grown up around our kind, and she might not be as comfortable with nudity or just getting naked. I might have to rethink this.
I rubbed my chin. I could keep my boxer briefs on when I shifted, allowing me to not expose myself to my ward. “Just keep your t-shirt on. I’ll help you out of it after the shift.”
“This is so weird...” She kicked off her shoes and mumbled to herself, “What did you do today, Haley? Oh, blew up some shit. Got naked-ish with this guy who’s supposed to be my adopted dad. You know... the usual.”
I removed most of my clothes, as did Haley, while trying not to laugh. It was a peculiar situation. One I’d never been in either. The slightly cooler night air had goose pimples forming on Haley’s skin and on mine.
She was uncomfortable. It radiated from her pores. Her shoulders were stiff, her back ramrod straight. “What do I do now?”
I positioned myself in front of her and tipped her chin up. Ah, there you are. The dark eyes of her raven peeked out at me. “I’d suggest taking a couple deep breaths, like me, and try to relax.” I took deep even breaths in and out, showing her what I meant.
Slowly the tension began to ease from her shoulders, and the frown on her face eased.
“Good girl,” I said. “Your Raven, if you allow it, will control the shift. You just need to trust it and let it happen.”
Her bottom lip trembled. “Will it hurt?”
I shook my head. “Does it hurt when you use your ability and hold fire in your hand?”
Her gaze dropped to her hand. A small ball of fire formed on her palm. She rolled it back and forth, playing with it before releasing it to dissipate into the air.
“No. It’s actually comforting to me when I do it,” she admitted.
“And how, exactly, do you do it?”
“Don’t know. It just happens,” she replied, her voice soft and sure.
“You trust in it. It’s the same thing,” I advised.
The shy smile that Haley flashed me earlier was now a full-fledged one. Confidence radiated in her pale eyes. “Okay. I think I’ve got it.”
“Trust me?”
Haley nodded.
“Let the Raven free, kiddo. I’ll shift as soon as you do, and we’ll fly together.”
She closed her eyes, and a bright-white light filled the area. In seconds, Haley was gone, and where she’d been standing, sat a petite raven, half covered by her shirt.
I tossed the offending article of clothing off of her allowing her to spread her wings. I didn’t need to instruct Haley how to fly, her raven, even being latent for such a long period of time would know how. I did, of course, give her a healthy warning. “Stay close. I’ll be right behind you.”
Haley squawked, throwing her head back and full of attitude.
I chuckled. “Glad to see your ‘tude is the same in shifter or human form.”
Not wanting to waste any more time, I let my shift happen. After freeing myself from my underwear, I spread my wings to take flight, craving the feel of the wind rippling through my feathers as I flew higher in the sky.
Haley flew above me, making circles around the yard. I wanted to push her, take her higher and further, yet I knew she had to lead this time. She’d gain confidence the more she did this. Flying was the ultimate high, and I knew she’d start to crave it as I did.
We stayed out longer than ten minutes. I hated the idea of taking the kid away from something she so desperately needed. But, when Leora stepped into the backyard, I knew it was time to return. Tomorrow, once we were in Window Rock, we’d take our time.
Haley landed first, and after she dressed, with help from my mate, they entered the house, leaving me to do the same. With a flash of white light, my human form returned. All the tension for the day was gone, and in its place, the need for my mate.
My dick was rock hard, my balls heavy and aching. Leora had a bird’s eye view from where she stood. She licked her lips in anticipation. I’d bet money, I was getting the blowjob she told me would never happen. My dick throbbed. A drop of precum pooled at the tip.
Fuck.
“Haley’s bedtime can’t come soon enough,” I informed her before snagging my briefs. The thought of pulling the snug jeans over my raging hard-on had me wincing. I was going to need a minute, or ten, before stepping back inside
the house.
Leora cleared her throat. The sweet scent of her arousal hit my nose. I inhaled deeply, holding her scent in as long as I could. At least, I wasn’t alone in my need.
“I just made sandwiches. Haley is eating now,” she said. “It’s been a long day. I suggested a hot shower and then bed for her.”
“Good idea. The shift will most likely exhaust her.” My voice was rough, dark, and it held the promise of the night ahead for my sweet mate and myself.
Chapter Eleven
Leora
The temptation of my mate burned through me the moment I saw him take flight with Haley. I tried to quail the need building within me, however I failed. He smelled my arousal the minute he stepped into the house after I helped Haley get dressed and had gotten her something to eat.
The poor girl was exhausted—bone weary from everything she’d experienced today. She practically fell asleep at the table while eating her sandwich. I hadn’t expected her to help us as she had, but still a welling of pride built within me. Sometimes, these kids needed the perfect opportunity to stand up for themselves. Sure, I would have loved to have seen it in a less deadly situation. Nevertheless, she made her mark. She took back control of her life, and I would be eternally grateful for it.
I had a feeling, from today on, she’d have a sense of confidence she had lacked two days ago, or most assuredly, her entire life. In the end, for me, it was all I cared about—making sure she saw her worth in this crazy messed-up world.
Today also had me pondering a few other truths. Like, did I really want to let go of this kid? Of course, the thought had been circling in my brain for a while now, yet after our experience on the freeway, it seemed like an incessant gnat, flying around my head. I’d seen so much of me in her. I liked her. Sure, she had a smart mouth and sarcasm, in Haley’s form, which had become a second language for her. Those were her endearing qualities to me. I also saw a frightened little girl as well, which pulled at my heart. Unfortunately, until I worked up the muster to talk to Midnight about it, all of my hopes of keeping her with us, were just that; hopes.