by Rivi Jacks
“Everyone—except for you,” he adds, looking at me steadily.
So I am some kind of freak. “Diane picked up on some of that too!”
“She did, but perhaps she sensed it through you instead of picking it up directly.”
I lean back. This is unreal. This whole other world is going on in the middle of the world we know and most of us never sense or see any of it.
“Ezra is involved with the Kihn and has been for years.” Lucas continues to watch me.
“So why the magic? If it weren’t a legitimate job opportunity, what was going on?”
“The magic was so everyone present would believe what they were being told to believe, and not ask questions. It was a legitimate job hiring—just not the type of job advertised. Your friend Diane wasn’t far off about their questionable hiring techniques.”
An unwelcome thought comes to me. “Were they hiring them to work with the Kihn?” By his expression, I know they were. “But—something needs to be done!” I sit forward, ready to jump up.
Lucas holds up a hand. “It was taken care of.”
“What?” I search his face. He always seems so calm and self-assured. Now that I think about it, the only time I ever see him... disconcerted is at me. “How?” I ask softly.
His laugh is smug. “The Zelts put a kink in his manipulations.”
“You know Lucian and Estella Zelt?”
Lucas smiles. It’s the smile I like best, where only one side of his sensuous mouth lifts up. “Yes, I know the Zelts.”
“Are they powerful? I mean, are they as strong as Ezra?”
“Stronger. Together, they are one of the strongest forces in the supernatural world.”
“Why don’t they stop him before he does harm?”
“They frequently do, but it’s a matter of picking their battles. He would succeed at many more misdeeds if it were not for the Zelts.” He gives me another half-smile. “And don’t let Brit fool you. That one’s scary.”
I give him a disbelieving look. I’m sure he is teasing me. “I don’t believe you,” I say lightly.
“You’d better.” There’s nothing teasing about his voice. “I’m going to fix another drink. Would you care for something?”
“No, thank you.” I stand and step to the window facing the arena building. He’s given me a lot to think about and consider. “What happened to Cardwell?”
I hear Lucas grunt. I turn, and he’s looking down at his glass. “Cardwell is on his way to hell.”
My breath comes out in a rush. “You killed him?”
Lucas’ gaze slashes to mine. “What?” He gives a short bark of laughter. “I should have. I’m sure I’ll be sorry I didn’t.” He raises his glass to his lips. I give him a look that causes him to laugh again. He moves to stand in front of the fireplace, watching the flames.
I have something else to ask him, and it’s hard for me.
As if he senses this, he turns. “Ask,” he orders, sounding impatient.
I take a deep breath. “What is Taylor?”
I wait, not sure he’s going to answer. I start to get uncomfortable under his glare when he responds, “Don’t you think you should be asking Taylor?”
“I’m... asking you,” I reply softly.
Again with the pensive look. “So you are.” He takes a sip of his drink and stares down at the glass. “You know what Taylor is,” he says at last. When I don’t say anything, he glances up.
“A werewolf,” I whisper. Lucas studies his drink again. “Are you?” I ask softly.
Lucas’ eyes flash to mine. “Am I a werewolf?”
“Yes.” My voice is barely audible.
His beautiful mouth turns up at the corners. “No. I am not a werewolf.”
My mouth is dry. I wish I’d accepted his offer of a drink. I have a feeling I’m going to need one. “What are you then?”
Lucas sets his glass on the marble fireplace mantel. He moves to my side, reaching out to skim his knuckles across my cheekbone. I stare into his beautiful green eyes. I try to project trust and acceptance in mine. I see a flicker of something cross his expression.
“I am… a hunter of the Kihn.”
I search his expression, trying to discern what I saw there briefly. “But you... I mean, you have special talents, right?”
His lips twitch. “I guess you could say that.”
“What did Max—how did he help Arilla and Sheena?” One thing I am certain of... Lucas and Max are the same.
“You don’t miss much, do you?” I squirm under his contemplation. He gives me an uneasy smile. “Max was able to make them—forget.” He speaks slowly, watching me. “Forget what they saw and experienced last night.”
I think about that. That would be an amazing ability to have. “But how?” I watch his face and I don’t think I imagine the tension, the tightness around his eyes.
His voice is soft, cautious. “He—compelled them.”
I frown slightly. “Compelled? You mean like... bewitch or hypnotize?”
Lucas nods slowly. “I mean exactly that.”
“Wow. That—” Unbidden, a recollection comes to me. I glance into Lucas’ eyes. His beautiful eyes that, at times, make me want to fall into them. I frown and feel my whole body tense. “Can you... do that?” My heart starts to beat erratically.
His gaze caresses my face. “Yes,” he says quietly.
I contemplate the more-than-normal attraction I have for him—so much more. “You son of a bitch!” I breathe.
“Sofie—” He holds out his hand to me.
I step back, exhaling sharply, and my breath comes in gasps as I try to control the rage filling me. I dig my nails into my palms as I clench my fists.
“Sofie,” Lucas chuckles softly, “you cannot be compelled.” I look at him in confusion. “For some reason, it does not work on you.”
“But you tried,” I accuse.
He hesitates. “Yes.” His expression is utterly inscrutable.
I draw in a shuddering breath. I want to slug him. “You immoral bastard!”
“Sofie!” Lucas says with amusement. He runs his hands through his hair, and closes his eyes. “That’s twice now you’ve insulted my mother.” He looks at me and adds, “You have to stop.”
My blood boils. “Does immoral asshole work for y—”
Lucas presses his hand over my mouth. His arm encircles my waist as he walk-pushes me up against the wall, none too gently. He leaves his hand over my mouth and places his other hand against the wall by my head. “That’s enough!” He enunciates each word, his features rigid.
I’m breathing hard from my anger, and I try to move, but he pushes against me. His body is lean and solid. I feel the first flutter of desire curl low in my belly.
“I told you—I was going to have you. You would be mine—and you are,” his voice rasps out each word. “I never said I would play fairly.” He pulls back slowly, making sure I don’t try to pull away again. He looks down into my face, and I glare into his.
He removes his hand from my mouth. “You barely spoke to or looked at me. I tried to compel you, so I’d at least get that from you.”
“I spoke to you,” I say with tears in my voice. “I definitely looked at you.”
His face softens a little. “At the party, remember when I told you, you were full of surprises?”
“I told you to leave me alone,” I say softly.
“I was surprised. That’s one more thing about you that pleases me.”
Thinking about it makes me mad again. “You still tried. You always try to control me! You’re trying to control me now by making me stay here.”
Lucas leans further back with a frown on his handsome face. He gives a thorough sigh and looks away before bringing his gaze back to mine. “I’m making you stay here to protect you. Everyone else can see that. Why can’t you?” His eyes search mine. “Sofie, why is it someone as sensible as you can’t seem to understand the situation?” The look he gives me is too searching, as
if he wants to see into my soul.
“There’s nothing to understand. I don’t want to stay here with you.” I push against his chest. His hands settle on my upper arms, and he pushes me back against the wall.
“Well, that may be, but stay you will,” he snaps.
“Please let go of me,” I whimper, not looking at him.
He releases me and steps back, but he puts his arm out to stop me when I move to step away. “Sofie, I understand you are upset. And knowing you, you will do all you can to provoke me.” He tips my chin up, making me look at him. His voice becomes stern once more, his eyes like hard, cold silver. “But, do not ever—speak to me again as you just did,” he orders hoarsely.
My mouth and throat are as dry as sawdust. My throat muscles constrict and I can barely swallow, alarmed by the underlying threat. He looks at me steadily, moving the pad of his thumb over my bottom lip. Then he turns away. I hurry for the kitchen, needing to get away from him. I stop in the doorway and look back. Lucas stands at the fireplace, looking at the flames.
I find Max putting groceries away.
“Hi.” I know I sound startled. I didn’t realize he was here, and I wonder how much he’s overheard. “Do... do you need any help?”
He smiles. “No, thank you, I’m just finishing.”
I step to the back door. “Is... it okay... if I slip on one of the coats hanging on the porch? I’d like to go outside.” Please, please, please let me get outside before I cry.
“Of course,” he answers.
I leave before he can say anything else. I have to get out. It’s still snowing and bitterly cold as I head toward the stables. The path, covered in snow, makes for difficult walking, but I manage to put some distance between Lucas and me.
As I let myself into the warm, cozy building, I seem to be the only person there. I notice the sweet scent of fresh hay and horses. Muted light comes from the skylights overhead, and I know that on a clearer day, the barn would be alive with sunshine. A double row of stalls go down the center of the barn, and about a dozen horses look out to see who has entered their domain. Several of them nicker softly. I walk to the end of the building, stopping to pet the ones that want a pat. Wolf comes out of one of the end stalls.
“Wolf! I’ve wondered where you’ve been.” I squat down and rub the spot behind his ear I know he likes scratched. He licks my face and whines. For some reason, this show of affection pushes me over the edge. I sink to my knees, my arm around Wolf’s neck, and the floodgates open. Wolf whines a time or two and licks my cheek repeatedly until the well finally runs dry.
“I don’t know what to do,” I say out loud, and Wolf whines. If I stay, it will just be that much harder when Lucas leaves—or he tells me to. Whether my feelings for him are compulsion influenced or not, I think I’m in love with him, and I’m terrified. I built a wall long ago and only let a chosen few in, the people I felt confident wouldn’t break my heart. Or leave me. That’s the real heart of the matter. Now, I’ve given that heart to Lucas, and he will probably leave, taking it with him. What will I do then? I won’t be able to survive his abandonment as I learned to survive my parents’. No. I will never survive the loss of Lucas Santiago. I stand, deciding there’s nothing I can do about it now. I knew I should have stayed away from him.
“You want to go outside with me?” I ask Wolf.
I head toward the door, and Wolf runs ahead, bounding out a dog door. Snowflakes quickly cling to my hair and eyelashes and onto Wolf’s back. The wind is getting up, blowing the lacy crystals sideways. I can only stay out about twenty minutes before I can’t take the cold any longer, but I’m in much better spirits. It’s hard to stay glum with the hilarity Wolf provides. He loves snow and he leaps into the middle of snowdrifts until I’m breathless from laughing. I return to the house, and as I open the back door, Andy and Cal follow me in.
“Sofie!” Andy greets me cheerfully. “It’s a little cold for you to be out here running around.”
“I know.” I laugh. I shrug out of the coat I borrowed and hang it up. My shoes are soaked, and I kick them off.
“Miss Sofie,” Cal says, “we’re going to play poker later. You’re welcome to join us.”
“Thanks, I will.” It’s so weird when they tack Miss on my name. No matter how many times I ask them not to, they continue.
I don’t see Lucas as I move through the house, which suits me just dandy. My bag is in his bedroom on a small table by the bathroom door. I pick out an old pair of well-worn jeans and a short-waisted black sweater with a V-neck. I feel fortified and relaxed after a shower, and I resolve to set things right with Lucas. I decide to find him and apologize for the names I called him earlier.
As I head to the kitchen, I notice the dining room table is set for a meal. All I’ve eaten today is the sandwich Lucas fixed for me, and I’m starving. Max is tossing a salad, and I see a couple of steaks on the counter, waiting to go on the Jenn-Air grill. My stomach makes a gurgling noise that I hope he doesn’t hear.
“Can I help?” I take a glass from the cupboard and fill it with cold water.
“Thank you, but it’s all ready. As soon as Lucas gets back, I’ll throw the steaks on.”
Lucas is gone? I wonder where he needed to go in this storm. “I hope you’re not doing anything for dinner you don’t normally do just because I’m here,” I remark. “I’m not sure I’m comfortable with you waiting on me.”
“It’s no trouble, and it’s my job.” His smile is indulgent.
“Oh... sorry and... thanks,” I quickly add.
He looks up, smiling. “You are welcome.” He pauses before adding, “We want you to feel comfortable and think of this as your home.”
“Thank you.” I’m touched by his words.
Max retrieves a piece of paper from a pad by the phone and hands it to me. “I apologize for not giving you this first thing.”
It’s a message from Murphy. He called to tell me not to worry about working tomorrow, and he’ll call later about the rest of the week. I sigh inwardly. I guess I’m stuck here with no reprieve. I hear laughter from the family room. That must be where Andy and Cal have disappeared. The phone rings, and Max indicates for me to answer it.
It’s Sawyer. He teases me about the snow, knowing how much I love it. We make plans for him to pick me up in the morning to help with feeding. I barely hang up the phone before it rings again. This time it’s Jake.
“Hey, kid, you gonna help in the morning?”
“Yeah, Sawyer is picking me up.”
“Good, we need your help. Did Murphy call you? He called here, and I told him what was going on.”
“He did. Thanks, Jake.”
“Are you still mad at me?”
I smile. “No, I’m not mad at you.”
“Sofie, I’m glad you’re safe. I miss you and the house seems too quiet, but it’s good to know you’re somewhere they can’t reach you.” He pauses. “I’m late to pick Diane up, so I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
“Okay, tell her I said hi. I love you.”
“Love you too, kid.”
I hang up and head back to Lucas’ bedroom. I didn’t realize Jake was so worried. My family all think I’ll be safe here, but what if I’m not? Maybe the Kihn can’t reach me physically, but what if I have to endure the nightmares again? I’m not sure I can handle that. When I return to the kitchen, Max is hanging up the phone. Geez, the phone’s ringing off the hook.
“That was Lucas.” My heart does a little flip-flop. Max smiles as he opens the fridge door. “He won’t be home until quite late.”
“Oh. Okay.” I can’t believe my disappointment.
I pick up the plates from the dining room table and bring them into the kitchen. I eat at the center island. About the time I finish the excellent meal Max has prepared, more of the Guard comes in to play poker.
I notice they come and go as they like, but they stay at this end of the house, venturing no further than the kitchen. Taylor told me they spend a lot of t
heir free time in a rec room in the basement.
“Sofie?” I look up from my musings to smile at Andy. “Do you want to join us?”
“I think I’ll sit this one out.” I have too many things on my mind to concentrate on cards.
“Aw, come on,” he wheedles good-naturedly.
“Miss Sofie, we’ll take it easy on you,” Cal offers.
I laugh. Our attention turns to the back door when we hear someone banging on it. Fisher goes to see who is making such a racket and comes back in with Sawyer.
“Sawyer! What are you doing out in this weather?” I am so happy to see him. I need a Sawyer fix. He must feel the same way because he gives me a bear hug.
“I’m here to take everyone’s money.”
There are several good-natured responses to that. He keeps me close, and at one point, when we discuss getting out and tending to the livestock the next morning, Andy offers to help. The others quickly echo his offer.
Around eight, Diane calls. She’s stuck at Jake’s, and her parents aren’t too happy about it. “I don’t know why they’re so upset. I know they don’t want us sliding into a ditch trying to get me home.”
“Well—maybe when the winter weather advisories were warning how bad it would get, you should have gone home then,” I tease. There’s total silence on the line.
“Okay, I’m helping you guys in the morning,” she says, totally ignoring me. There’s sudden laughter and yelling over at the kitchen table when one of the guys wins a sizeable pot. “Are you having a party?”
“Poker and Sawyer’s here,” I tell her. I hear her say something to Jake.
“We’ll be right there,” she says.
“Okay, be careful,” I tell her, laughing.
When Andy hears they’re coming, he has me call to ask if they’ll pick up Emma Rae. Stevie comes in right after that with a couple of bottles of liquor, and the night goes from playing poker to an all-out party. Everyone stays until the wee hours. My family declines Max’s offer to spend the night.
I’m incredibly tired as I pull on my flannels and crawl into bed. I’m starting to relish this comfortable bed in a room that’s always warm and cozy. I do have to admit that it’s not quite as warm and cozy as normal. I’ve tried not to think of Lucas all evening, but in the quiet darkness, I can’t help but wonder where he is. I’m feeling guilty. Did he leave because of me? I remember the names I called him earlier, and I’m ashamed. He certainly can push my buttons like no one else. Evidently, I can push his too.