Timothy hugged his grandson and offered the man peace.
“I never thought I would get this chance to see you in a dream, Granddad. I know you’ve visited Elizabeth and dad, but I’ve wanted to talk to you again.”
The older Native man stared into his eyes. “I had to wait until the time is right. Now is when you were meant to see me, Callen.”
He watched as two chairs appeared out of the blue, and Timothy led him to them. “I love you, Granddad. I never thought this moment would come.”
“I love you too, Callen James. I have also seen your children, and I am proud of the father you have become.”
That touched him so much. On the day he was handed his daughter, he had made a silent prayer to the Great Spirit that he’d follow in Timothy’s footsteps, when it came to loving and raising children. Granddad and his brother were his shining examples.
“I am also proud of the husband you have become. I never expected you and your brother to follow in the footsteps of our ancestors and love one woman together. I should have known better that you two would do it your way. Whenever you came together, there was chaos. How my poor Elizabeth manages you two scoundrels is beyond me.”
Callen laughed. “I love her so much, Granddad. My heart is so full of emotion when it comes to her. She healed me and gave me a chance in life.”
“And now she’s in danger.”
“We’re so damn scared that we won’t be able to save her this time. It has Ethan on eggshells and ready to crack.”
Timothy understood.
“Elizabeth once said you came to her in a dream and told her how to solve the killings we were working on in Cypress Grove. Tell me who this maniac is and I’ll stop him from touching our woman.”
Timothy patted his shoulder. “My boy, if I could I would. I can only give you a direction. In life, we have to adhere to what is coming. Fate has control and we must accept that.”
Callen didn't want to hear that. “Tell me anything.”
A stick appeared in the man’s hand, and he began drawing in the dirt at their feet.
“You three are about to be tested, and if you stand true, you’re more than ready for what is to come. Let love lead the way.”
Callen didn't like the way that sounded at all. “I need something a little more than that, please!”
Timothy pointed at the ground and drew a five pointed star in the dirt. “Look for the star and the truth will be in the center.”
“What does that mean?”
He stood and waited for his youngest grandson to stand with him. “It means that you have the ability to solve this. Where there is weakness, you will need to be strength. Where normally you follow, you must be ready to lead.”
“Are you leaving me already?” he asked, grabbing the man’s hand tightly. He’d missed the feel of his skin and scent of his herbs that coated Timothy’s clothing.
He touched Callen’s cheek. “All of me lives inside you, my boy. You’re a good, kind, smart man, Callen James. You can do this. This is exactly where you’re supposed to be in life at this point.”
He grabbed his grandfather and tried to hold onto him. “Please stay with us!”
“Callen, we’re always here for you,” came the female voice, as she stepped out from behind Timothy.
“Grandma, please stay. I need you both. I’m not as strong as Ethan or intuitive as Elizabeth. I’m just Callen!”
They began moving backwards, as their time had come to leave. “You are going to need to be you, Callen, and not them. It’s not Elizabeth or Ethan that can figure this it out. It has to be you. All of this will be carried on your shoulders, before the day is done.”
“We love you, Callen,” Naomi said, linking her hands with her husband.
He noticed the wedding rings on their fingers, and stared down at his empty finger. “I love you both!” The dream wavered and reality came crashing back.
Timothy was gone.
It was only a dream.
Sitting up with a start, Callen listened to the silence of the room. Ethan was on his back and breathing deeply with Elizabeth curled into his side. He tried to rationalize his grandfather’s words as he moved towards his family in bed. He placed his larger frame against the back of Elizabeth and placed his arm over her body protectively. Resting his hand on his brother’s chest, he could feel the slow rhythmic beat of Ethan’s heart.
The only thing that went through his mind, the entire time, was that he prayed his grandfather was right.
That he would be enough.
His family’s life depended on it.
~ Chapter Seventeen ~
Sunday Morning
One day until Halloween
Elizabeth slowly opened her eyes. Sometime in the night, she had reversed her position and turned into Callen’s body. How she did it, she would never know, since she was sandwiched by two men and now a dog at her feet.
Callen was already awake and staring at the ceiling. The look on his face spoke volumes, and she hoped that it wasn’t going to set the tone for the day.
Out of the three of them, Callen had a harder time adjusting to certain things. It took a long time for him to believe and trust that his family wouldn’t be ripped out from beneath him. After having his kids, he had mellowed and believed life was finally on track. For a long time, Callen was always waiting for the bad to sneak back up and catch him off guard.
It all stemmed from his childhood and honestly, Elizabeth couldn’t blame him in the least. If her mother had been an addict and neglectful, she would probably be just as skittish too. Callen had survived and fought so hard to find peace, and he deserved it.
“What’s wrong?” she asked, playing with some of his hair that was wrapped around her arm.
“I finally had my granddad dream, and it really wasn’t what I expected, that’s all.”
Regardless, she was happy for him. Since Elizabeth and Wyler already had them, she knew he’d felt left out by not sharing in that moment. “Did you tell him I said hi?” she asked, smiling softly.
Ethan’s head appeared over her shoulder. “Or did you have to justify the sex?” he asked, laughing and trying to lighten his brother’s mood. Ethan saw the storm clouds brewing and knew what was on the horizon.
Callen didn't even laugh and that was very telling. “It wasn’t what I thought it would be. I asked him who was committing these crimes, and he told me that we had to figure that out and fate was in control. I don’t like fate. In my life, it generally ends badly.”
Elizabeth tried to not let those words hurt her personally. “I’m a product of fate for you, Callen. Do you view me that way too?” God, she hoped they weren’t going to revert back to his nervous months where she had to worry he was planning on bolting.
Ethan ran his hand down her hip in reassurance. He knew his brother was just stirred up. The man would lie in a pit of cobras to be part of Elizabeth’s life. There was no way in hell he would ever think that she was a mistake.
“No, angel. I just meant that I wanted a definitive answer and now it’s more confusing than ever. He was talking in riddles, and normally I wouldn’t care, but we all know ultimately what’s at stake here.”
Both men looked at her.
“Well, what did he say in the dream that has you this stirred up?”
Callen repeated it verbatim, “Look for the star, the truth is in the center.”
Elizabeth had to admit that she wasn’t big into the cryptic messages herself. When she had her dream, Timothy had been just as befuddling, but she’d eventually figured it out.
“I just feel like I’m on edge and can’t find my footing on this,” he admitted. It also didn't help that Timothy told him it was going to all come down to him carrying it. There was that fear he would fail them.
Ethan understood and placed his hand on his brother’s chest. “I’m with you, but we’ll figure it out. We always do.”
She placed her hand alongside Ethan’s, sharing that link with both men.
Callen wanted to change the subject. Placing his hand over theirs and connecting them more, he started talking shop. “What’s on our agenda for today?”
Elizabeth thought about it. “Well, we have the new information about the gym and need to interview Craig Decker first thing. After that, I figure I should stare at the white board until I have an epiphany of some sort.”
Ethan wanted to start looking at some data too. He knew Halloween was tomorrow night, and that the killer had every intention of having her in his hands by then. Ethan’s main goal was to keep her inside and away from the streets as much as possible. By putting the pressure on the killer, he hoped to make him screw up enough that they caught him.
When his phone began ringing, Elizabeth sighed. This was what she had dreaded all night. She may be the ultimate prize to the wackadoo, but there would be one more victim between them. This call meant that he was on schedule for tomorrow’s festivities.
Fate was a mean bitch.
Ethan got the information and slipped out of bed. He braced his elbows on his thighs and closed his eyes. Here was the last buffer between the killer and Elizabeth, and now it was gone.
She went to him and placed her body over his back as she wrapped her arms around his ribcage. “I’m safe. We’ll go do our thing, get the interview done and get back inside.” It was the least she could do for him. The killer needed to be caught, but both men were on the edge.
Callen moved to lean against her and mimicked her actions. He wasn’t going to let her get hurt. “We’ve got this,” he professed, remembering what his grandfather had said. He needed to be himself, and he would do it. Maybe something in him would be the catalyst to stopping the nutjob.
“Let’s go stand for the victim, boys. We owe her that much.”
They all stood and dressed in silence.
The battle was coming, and this was one war they couldn’t afford to lose.
Once more, they met an officer and were driven to the scene. They all knew that if he had his way, it would be Elizabeth they’d be finding next.
That horrified and pissed them both off.
She was first out of the Denali and chose to ignore the chief. The last thing that she needed was to hear what happened. For now, she needed to see who he had taken. Time was ticking and Elizabeth needed to make the most of every damn second.
As she approached, Chris was already there, working on her body. When he felt her coming, he glanced up. “We don’t have ID yet.”
Elizabeth stared down at her, in disgust at both the killer and herself. She should have kept her safe.
“Her name is Jenna Martin, or as she preferred to be called, Artemis LaFay.”
Chris stared openmouthed that she knew another of the victims. “Lyzee, I’m sorry,” he said softly.
Cyra moved to stand beside her. “Oh shit! He killed the priestess of the coven.”
“Yeah, that’s a mild term to describe what I was just thinking. It was a lot more colorful and with me directing them all at myself.”
Cyra took a chance and placed her hand on her boss’s shoulder. “I’ll do this notify if you want.”
Elizabeth glanced over at her. “I appreciate that, Cyra, but I need you here. We have to find everything. Christina’s going to need another set of eyes. You were a detective, and I know that’s more beneficial to her now.” Elizabeth placed her hand over the woman’s to thank her for the offer.
“I can give you all I have,” he said, knowing she was slotted to be next. “I’ll even guess at this point and take my chances.”
That surprised her. “Thank you, Chris.”
Both men came up behind her and stopped in their tracks. Neither was prepared for the woman on the altar.
“Yeah, and add a notify to the list of shit to do today,” Elizabeth stated as she refused to look over at them. If she did, she would break. There was so much guilt flooding her that Elizabeth didn't know if she’d ever get free of it. They never even considered that Artemis would be the next one. In fact, they were so tied up over Elizabeth being a victim, that they never gave number five a thought.
This was more proof in her life that personal fouled up professional each and every time. Now, she’d bear this burden for years to come as a stain on her soul.
It was one more death that she would carry on her shoulders.
Deep down, she wanted to believe that it had been Ares who did this to his wife out of anger, hate, and maybe more, but she’d seen his face yesterday. Heard the pain in his voice and knew that no matter what, he loved her and wouldn’t destroy his wife because of an indiscretion with another woman.
“When do you want to do this?” Ethan asked, now more determined than ever to not leave her side.
She scanned the area as her team began to work. “Cal, you need to stay. We have to have you manage this while we do the notify. I know you’re going to argue and want to play second body guard, but if this is our last victim, we need everything run perfectly here. Chris is going to need all the help he can get.”
Waiting for the fight, she braced for it.
Ethan stared over at his brother, waiting to see if there’d be an issue. Technically, they were his bosses and she’d just asked him to do something.
Callen weighed his options and wasn’t willing to cause drama that divided their attention. There could be no safer place than with Ethan. Leaning over, he kissed her on the cheek. If he was going to make a concession, he’d ask for one in return.
Knowing his answer, she offered that little piece of calm back to him. Her hand went reassuringly to his cheek.
When he pulled away, there wasn’t fear in his eyes, but love. “I adore you with everything in me.”
Her heart skipped. “Thank you for this.”
Hugging her to his large frame, he took a deep breath of the spicy scent of her shampoo. He didn't want to dwell on it, but he took this one last moment, just in case.
Finally, Elizabeth pulled away and headed for the Denali. “Watch your back team. I’m done doing notifies,” she yelled over her shoulder.
Callen watched them drive off as the dog stood beside him, guarding the crime scene. He prayed that he saw them again. “Doc, what do you need me to do?”
Watching their moment was touching, and now that he’d found love, he too understood the pain that they were feeling.
“It’s time for you to glove up, my friend. You’re going to be my tag team body partner.”
Callen took a pair of gloves from a tech and obeyed.
Feeling the tension, Chris wanted to help him out. “Do you like football?” he asked to help him focus on something other than Elizabeth and the dead victim.
“Yeah, I love it.”
“I happen to have luxury box seats at the stadium. Do you want to double date? There’s beer, a great view and you can make out with a girl up there and no one will see it.”
Callen glanced up and grinned at the chance for that to happen. Don’t get him wrong, he loved beer and a game, but Elizabeth in his lap with her lips on his body? That was heaven. “Can I leave Ethan at home to make him jealous?” he teased.
“I wouldn’t bet on that,” Chris replied, laughing.
Despite what he was feeling, he tried to stay positive. “Hey, I had to try.”
The ride to the notify was quiet. She wasn’t really in the mood to have a conversation. Finding out it was Artemis was brutal, but what was about to come was going to be horrific.
“You want me to do this alone?” he asked. Even though Ethan was afraid to leave her by herself, he was willing to do it to save her heart.
“No, I’m a big girl and this is part of my job, whether I like it or not. I just feel bad for him. Here, he finds out his wife cheated and now we get to tell him that she’d dead. That’s a really heart wrenching thing.”
“He’ll hurt and then time will heal,” he answered, not even believing that for a single second. If he were in the man’s place, it would kill him.
She didn't know what he had planned, but he looked overwhelmed and that didn't bode well. “Sure thing, handsome,” she offered, watching him take a side street to a park. When he pulled in, he turned off the engine and stared straight ahead. “I love you, and if you leave me tomorrow, I’m going to die inside. So promise me that no matter what happens, you’ll fight hard to stay with me. If for some reason, he gets you, I need you to not give up and to try and get away.”
She touched his cheek, forcing him to look into her eyes. “Ethan my darling, I promise,” she replied, unbuckling her seatbelt and pulling his mouth to hers. The kiss was a promise and a vow to him for all eternity.
His heart thudded as her mouth moved over his silkily. She dove in to offer him peace and all the things that would always live between them. There was heat and fire, along with calming emotion too.
When he pulled away, she had his lower lip between her teeth. It pulled a moan from his chest. “I want you so bad, Elizabeth. Every second of the day my heart just needs more and more of you. There will never be enough, even if I lived ten million years.”
She knew what he meant. “I’m here, Ethan. If you want me, you only need to take what’s offered.”
He was torn. Ethan wanted a moment that could just be theirs, but duty called. “We don’t have time to go to the hotel,” he stated, wishing that they did.
She grinned wickedly at him. “Want to live on the edge, Director Blackhawk?”
Ethan stared at her, knowing where this was heading. “Elizabeth…”
She climbed into the back and waited for him. Her poor, sweet Ethan wasn’t one to break the rules, and she could see the battle brewing between right and wrong and overwhelming desire.
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