I held myself together as the group continued to discuss the situation, deciding at last on another message being sent stating that we would come and negotiate for Garrett's release under a binding truce. It was decided that I would go, accompanied by Caelen, Aedus, Farrell, Keara and Brina. All five fae were close relatives of the queen, so it would be a group worthy of her attention. We decided not to mention Charlie in this note.
When the meeting ended, everyone left the room except for the four fae. Because Lord Caelen's absence had been conspicuous, I asked Aedus, "Is your father afraid that Charlie will side with Naberia?"
"The elders have expressed some concerns."
"That's not what I asked." Aedus arched a brow, his version of showing shock at my snippy tone. Well, too bad. I was way past any attempt at diplomacy. "I respect the opinions of the other elders, but I'd like to know what your father thinks."
"I can assure you that he does not believe you or Charles has any loyalty toward Naberia nor interest in her schemes."
"Well, that's something at least. I was kind of freaked out that he didn't attend the meeting today."
Aedus sighed. "Would you like the truth?" I nodded. "He feels betrayed by a friend. My father has done nothing to cause you to believe he would not or could not keep Charles safe, or worse, that he would consider sacrificing Charles to satisfy his sister's whims."
"That never occurred to me. Will he speak to me? I want to straighten this out."
"Yes, if you go to him. He will not come to you."
I was not above mending fences when necessary. Caelen and I had had many disagreements in the past, so this was familiar ground. "Please ask your father if I could meet with him in Cascade this evening."
"I will." His smile was warmer than it had been a few minutes ago. A moment later he added, "Father would be happy to speak with you tonight." Fae telepathy kinda rocked.
"Do you think there will be more deaths?" I asked.
"Our people in Cascade have long known that Fionna was a danger to our peace. All of the fae, except perhaps for Linn, are capable of protecting themselves. The first death was a surprise. We will not be surprised again."
When Kellie, Liam and Aedus bid me good day, Farrell stuck around. "What can I do for you?" he asked.
A familiar male voice answered from the front hallway. "You're off duty, kid. Go visit your girl." Sasha strode into the kitchen, his movements as catlike and silent as any feline shifter's.
"Kid?" Farrell eyes widened.
"You're younger than me." Sash shrugged. Farrell was one of the youngest of the fae, born only one hundred years ago. Sash, my troublemaking vampire friend, was over one hundred and forty.
Farrell grinned. "True, but at our ages, it's the level of maturity that matters most. I feel centuries older." Sash shook his head at the jibe. "You won't leave her?" Farrell asked giving me a scrutinizing gaze. "Jackie tends to disappear."
"Gorilla glue." Sash winked at me.
"I will return in three hours." Farrell beamed out in the fae way, leaving behind just the two of us.
Sash did his best to lighten the mood with a little gossip. "He's got it bad for a wolf in town. She's hot stuff."
I smiled. "You're up early."
"Didn't sleep."
"Are you able to feed?"
"Yes, in fact we're hungrier than normal. Could be 'cause he needs to..." He stopped himself. He was going to say it was a reaction to Garrett being starved. Garrett and his nest were connected on many levels.
"Do you want some aloe?" I asked. Sash's face had turned red from exposure to the sun on the way over from the vamp villa.
"Nah, but if you two are going to keep getting into trouble, you should consider digging a tunnel between the two houses," he teased.
The reminder made me blink back tears. I turned away so he wouldn't see, although I couldn't imagine that I looked anything like myself. Cut off from my family, I was an empty shell, just going through the motions involved with daily life like some kind of zombie. The only thing I could put my energy into was planning Garrett's rescue, and even that was in the hands of others.
I clenched my fist in frustration. "Did Aaron leave?" I asked.
"No. He's on the phone with Cathy. He wants to stick around." Sasha put out his hand to stop my pacing. I hadn't even realized I was doing it.
His voice turned soft. "There's a hole where he's supposed to be. Rick and I feel it. But he's not dead, Jackie. We'd know." He pointed at the lifemate symbol magically tattooed on my wrist and hand. "You'd know too."
My lower lip trembled, so I bit down and tightened my jaw. I'd managed to keep my head on straight all day yesterday and also at today's meeting, but looking at my mating mark just now had hit me hard. I could lose Garrett for good.
Seeing my distress, Sash pulled me onto the couch then wrapped his arms around me and stroked my hair. The scent of sweet cherries and vampire filled my nostrils, comforting me like an old friend. "Go ahead and cry. It's just me. I solemnly promise never to tease you about it."
The dam burst and I sobbed, wailing with fury and frustration and fear. I cried so hard I got the hiccups, choking on grief as I buried my head against his shoulder. My hands clutched at his shirt as I visualized strangling that bitch, Fionna.
All the while, Sash, a vampire who under Eleanor had tortured and been tortured alongside my mate, stroked my back with a gentle hand, giving me the desperately-needed shelter of his friendship.
"Shh. He'll be home with you soon. Charlie is safe. You've done everything you can for both of them. Caelen will know what to do next."
When I'd gone through half a box of tissues and could talk again, he got me a glass of water to stop the hiccups and smiled with mischief as I drank it down. "Not a-(hic)-word." I threatened.
"No, Mistress. This is only between us." He tried to keep from smiling, not wanting to embarrass me. A wash of gratitude came over me as I rose on tip toes to kiss his cheek.
"Thank you for being here." I squeezed his hand. "Have you fed yet today?" I asked. His body temp was cooler than usual.
"I'll go out when Farrell comes back."
I ran tense fingers through my hair. "Fionna might not be letting him feed. What's it like to need blood for more than a day?" I'd started to pace.
"If he can access his magic, he's okay."
"If not?"
"Hurts like hell. Definitely not fun, but it doesn't kill you. At least not for a few months."
I halted by the window. "You can starve for months and still survive?"
"Yes." His expression was grim.
I growled even though I wasn't in cheetah form, then took a look at his soggy, wrinkled shirt, ripped where my claws had made a sudden appearance during my crying jag. I offered up a sheepish smile. "I messed up your shirt. Sorry. I've done that to Garrett a few times."
"No problem." He looked down at his chest and grinned."I have a closet full of them."
I saw a red stain widening on his upper arm. "You're bleeding?" I was horrified.
"Stop worrying about me. It's already healing. Tell me what happened at the meeting." I filled him in on what was discussed with the others, and he seemed pleased with the decisions we made. "It makes sense to bring as many fae warriors as you can. Rick and I'd like to help but..."
He knew the queen wouldn't let him anywhere near the court, but I wanted him to know that I understood how much he wanted to be there. "It would be great, but you two bad boys would go all nuclear and probably start a war."
He fisted his hands, the muscles under the remains of his skin-tight shirt bunching up in that hunky hero way. He followed it up with the patented don't-mess-with-me-asshole grin. Sasha had made much larger males pee their pants and run for their lives, not that they got far with his vamp powered speed. Sasha was definitely a force of nature. A really, really pretty one. "Yeah, I hate that bitch for what she did to Will," he hissed through gritted teeth.
I nodded. "That makes two of us."
/> "A word of advice: don't appear weak. I lived with Eleanor for over a hundred years. She and the queen are the same type."
"If she cuts me off from my magic, I might lose my shields. That's my major worry, especially with Kennet there."
"If you're there under a flag of truce, she can't attack any of you."
"Even so, Isaiah and I have been working on expanding the amount of magic my healer can hold without access to the ley lines. It saved me when I was imprisoned by Kennet."
"Smart girl. Guess your annoying demon has some uses after all," he teased.
"Isaiah is the most annoying creature on the planet, but also one of the brightest when it comes to using magic. And he's on my side, mine and Charlie's."
"Let's hope everything goes smoothly and your magic won't be needed." Even accompanied by Lord Caelen, Fionna's twin, we had very little chance at victory if a battle ensued.
"I'm going to contact Marie so she can tell Charlie what's going on." Sash made himself comfortable in Garrett's usual chair. "Don't you have something better to do?"
"I told Farrell I'd keep an eye on you. I'm not leaving."
"Thank you." To be honest, I was grateful that I had someone within shouting distance. My nerves were on edge.
Marie appeared, looking so much stronger than she had when I'd first met her sixteen years ago. Her clothes had been carefully mended and cleaned, various trims and colorful patches covering a lot of the original rips that had made her look like a refugee. Most importantly, she seemed truly happy these days. Although she was always connected to me if I needed her, Isaiah had helped her find a way to visit her family in Louisiana. They couldn't see her when she was there, but she enjoyed watching the antics of her many times great-grandchildren and also seeing her mate, Harrison's, happiness with his new wife. Marie didn't have a jealous bone in her sweet ghostly body.
"Marie. You look so well."
"I am feeling splendid, Jacqueline."
She was upset when I explained what had happened to Garrett, but then seemed pleased to be able to help. She disappeared as soon as I told her where Charlie was and what message she should deliver. Time moved differently in the DR, so I wasn't exactly sure when she'd arrive.
"Isaiah will keep him safe." I said out loud, more to reassure myself than Sash.
Sash grunted. "The demon's an asshole, but you did the right thing taking the kid there."
"Yes...well...let's hope."
I caught a scent I barely recognized, then turned to see Simon standing in the doorway. "May I join you?"
"Yes, of course." I'd forgotten that he was still here, my mind distracted by so much craziness. Simon looked warily toward Sasha, who was giving my birth father the evil eye, his anger palpable. "Sash, it's okay."
"No it isn't. He doesn't belong here. He made his choice to side with Naberia and now he can go home and stay there. At least until the war breaks out, because then his ass is mine."
"He didn't side with my grandmother. He supported Bridgett, his daughter."
"Same difference. And you're his daughter too."
"Jacqueline is fortunate to have such loyal friends." Simon lowered himself onto the couch, never taking his gaze away from Sasha. Smart male.
"She doesn't need your help." Sasha hissed.
"Do you think I could have a few minutes alone with my...with Simon?"
Sash scowled. "Fine, but I'll be in the kitchen if you need me."
"Thank you."
My birth father and I stared at each other for several heartbeats. "What can I do to bring down this wall between us?" he asked.
"You built it."
"Yes, that's true. And I regret every stone."
"You do?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Partly because I feel I've let Adele down. Deep inside I believe she would have wanted me to support you. When Bridgett was killed, I imagined it was because of some enemy fae, wolf or blood witch. I never dreamed you might have been responsible. When you sat me down to explain, I did you a terrible disservice by refusing to listen. All I could think about was that I'd lost more of Adele. I held you responsible and couldn't see past my anger."
Even though William had struck the final blow, I accepted the truth. "I am responsible for her death. Every day I regret what I had to do, but I'd do it again, Simon. My mate and my child were in terrible danger. Nothing is more important to me than they are."
Simon nodded. "Through my own stubbornness, I've lost the only family I'll ever know. Will you accept my apology? Will you forgive me? I'd like to help you. Even if you can't accept me into your life, I'd still like to help get him home."
"Can you stay until he's safe?"
"Yes." He looked pleased. "I took a sabbatical, just in case."
"Take either room upstairs on the right. I'd love to have another set of eyes and ears. As for the rest, it might take time. I'm not...I'm not a vindictive person. I'd love to have you in our lives, but trust takes its own time."
"I understand."
"Stay and talk with me and Sash. He's really a teddy bear."
"I heard that." Sasha was in the doorway.
"Have you heard from Charles?" Simon asked.
"No. Marie will bring me news."
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
"Watch your back. Concentrate."
I jumped out of the way of Isaiah's swipe, then thrust out my leg, hoping to trip him up. No good. Instead he yanked on my hair and threw me against the wall.
"Ow."
"Tie it up next time. Or better yet, cut it off." Isaiah snapped.
"Yours is long." I panted out, rubbing my sore scalp.
"Have I let you get anywhere near it?" Isaiah tossed his hair from side to side in a kind of "dare ya" gesture. He frowned at me. "No eye rolling in my house."
I laughed. "Mom must've loved that." She'd never outgrown that habit. When Mom and I'd argue, Dad said he felt like a single parent. Both of us acted like surly teens. At least I had an excuse.
"Back to work, young demon."
I was bleeding, bruised and more charged up than I'd felt in months. Using my demon magic like this, my body flared with energy, the adrenalin-fueled endorphins making me feel like a freakin' god. The blood, the cuts and the large purple patches on my arms and stomach should have reminded me that I was totally mortal, but I didn't care. Today I was invulnerable. Almost.
This practice session rocked, although I couldn't let Isaiah see how much fun I was having. He might dream up something horrible as punishment, like watering the enormous lawn that looked as big as a football field.
As we stalked each other, daggers held ready and orange gazes locked, Isaiah smiled. Man he could be creepy sometimes. This wasn't a good job, nephew, you learn quickly, kind of smile. This one was a come closer little rabbit and I'll suck out your innards and eat the rest of you for dessert smile. I was gonna practice that one in the mirror later.
And that was the point, right? I'd be fighting demon enemies who'd stare at me the same creepy way. Some wouldn't even look remotely human. Ugh. Hope I didn't have to fight one of those green goop guys.
Isaiah coughed to get my attention. Time to focus.
I faked left, moved right, flipped the blade into my left hand and got in a shallow slash across his bare chest. He grinned at me as the small wound immediately healed, leaving no scar. "Good one. But don't start in with the victory dance just yet."
I scowled, then threw him magically against the same wall he'd slammed me into earlier.
"Not playing anymore?" Isaiah asked with a smirk, wiping dust from the cracked wall out of his hair. "About time."
We began a mutually violent volley of thrusts and swipes with the blade, punches with our free hands and kicks to our already abused bodies. The thing was, he was holding back. Big time. I'd worked out with Sasha, Kyle enough to know when they were pulling hits. I wasn't complaining. Isaiah could crack me in half with one good punch.
Not that I was a total loser whe
n it came to fighting with my blade. Because Kennet had taught me the basic moves as a child, my form and balance in a knife fight were good, but Isaiah's methods made the battle real. Never flashy, his moves were subtle and deadly. This was street fighting. Dirty and sneaky. I caught on fast, searing each new move into my memory circuits.
He held up a hand. "Stop."
"Had enough?" I croaked, panting so hard my lungs felt like they were seizing up. I groaned when I straightened, every muscle screaming. If I wasn't able to heal myself I'd be walking around with bruises and cuts for weeks, and here it was only the first day.
Isaiah wasn't even breathing hard. I caught myself before I rolled my eyes, instead grunting in frustration as I pushed my sweaty hair out of my face.
"Drink." He pointed to the bench where my water flask sat untouched, then took a sip of his as we surveyed each other's injuries. Isaiah was bruised and cut in a few places, but my slimmer, shirtless body looked way worse. As my heartbeat returned to normal, I reached for my healer and connected without a hitch, saying a silent prayer of thanks to the shifter spirits or whoever decided I'd be able to heal myself here in the DR. It would sure make spending time with Isaiah a lot easier.
"Clean your weapon and lock it in the cabinet. We're taking a break."
Following orders, I wiped my dagger with a damp cloth, then buffed it with a dry one. Before I locked it away I spent a few seconds checking out the etchings on the hilt and blade that took on the gold, green and orange shades of my aura. I never got tired of watching the three colors snaking around each other, but never quite touching. Sorta like how the different races of supes usually avoided contact.
My family were the opposite. Living in my house was like camping out in the main hall of the United Nations, the difference being everyone there could kick the butts of every human dictator, general or king without even lifting a finger. A claw might be involved, but probably not a finger. It was a good thing most humans had no clue who they shared the planet with. They wouldn't take it well.
Still in my hand, the arcane dagger buzzed slightly as my body finished healing. It was one of three given to the seelie fae, while Isaiah's dagger was one of three given to demonkind. According to him all were crafted by the same smith, including a set of three for the unseelie clans. During an actual battle, the blades would've sharpened into shark's teeth, but today, understanding that only minor injuries were allowed during our practice session, they'd dulled themselves.
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