"It's his." Aedus was his usual calm self, showing little emotion.
I was infuriated by his coldness. Garrett was his friend. "How...how can you...why aren't you angry? He's been...been mutilated." I stood and moved closer, but his expression stayed frozen.
Enraged, I hit him, slamming my fists into his chest, trying to get him to react, to do something, but he remained perfectly still, his arms hanging loosely by his sides. "Why aren't we there, now, bringing him home?" He reached out to draw me in, but I stepped back, unwilling to be comforted.
"Don't touch me!" Samson whined and crawled into his doggie bed in the corner. Some help he was. "I don't need a hug. I need a fucking fae to take me to court. We need to go now. Right now." I slapped him in the chest with both hands, hoping to get him moving. "He needs to feed. Look at all the blood he's lost. Take me there. I have to go. We have to help him."
I was shaking, my nerves strung so tight, I knew that when the adrenalin rush ended my legs wouldn't hold me up. Farrell came up behind me and rested his hands gently on my shoulders.
"Leave her." Aedus' command left no room for argument. Farrell stepped back.
Crap just kept spewing out of my mouth, unchecked. "This is your family's fault. Fionna shouldn't have been allowed to rule."
When I hauled back to hit him again Aedus grabbed my wrists. "Jacqueline, I will get him back safely or I will die in the attempt."
I jerked away from him as hard as I could. He released me but remained close, his expression wary. My voice rose in volume. "That's a fucking ridiculous thing to say, Aedus. 'Die in the attempt'...pfft. You may be a big shot fae warrior, but you have Philly and Linn to think about. You can't make statements like that anymore. They need you as much as I need Garrett. And Garrett doesn't need your proclamations of loyalty. He needs you to help get him home."
His eyes had widened in shock. Turning away, I began to pace. I wasn't making any friends here, but shit, I wasn't going to sit around drinking coke while Fionna, Bitch Queen of the Faerie Folk, carved up my mate.
"You fae strike your bargains and think everything is fine," I rambled on. "Everyone in Faerie is honorable, right, so why worry? Then the shit hits the fan and you work on the problem at a leisurely pace. I mean, hey, you've got five thousand years to mess around with. Well, Garrett's only got eleven pints of blood and nine more fingers, so you'd better get your asses in gear 'cause I'm going to find a way to go there tonight at sunset, with or without you."
Because I was too shaky to stand any longer, I lowered myself quickly and crossed my arms for emphasis. Unfortunately, the chair I was aiming for was at an odd angle and I ended up sprawled on the floor in an undignified position. Farrell moved to help me up, but I refused his help, managing to pull myself into the chair without too much effort. Feeling my face heat up, I lifted my chin and scowled at the two males who'd taken my verbal tirade and even my physical attack with more class and understanding than I deserved. They hadn't even laughed when I fell.
I looked at their concerned faces and groaned, burying my head in my hands. "I'm sorry," I mumbled. "That was awful. I take it all back. Except the part about going tonight. Don't hate me."
They sat on either side of me, each of them taking a hand. Aedus lifted my chin so I'd meet his gaze. "You defended your mate in a spectacular fashion. Except for the falling on your ass part, you were magnificent."
I choked on a laugh, then a sob, then the guys started laughing, which at least got me to smile.
"You're going to have a bruise," Farrell teased.
"No kidding." I rubbed my rear end. "Good thing I'm a healer."
Aedus attempted to look at me sternly. "I was tempted to send you out in the garden to dig a hole, but..."
"Some kid on the beach already dug it," Farrell chuckled.
I pouted, then crossed my arms. "I wasn't kidding. I'm going tonight."
"We're going tonight. My father and I, Farrell, the sisters, and you. We're getting him back. Brina and I have an idea that could work."
"Please tell me."
In the quiet of the late morning, Aedus described the plan.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
Reylan arrived mere seconds after my summons went out.
"You've done well, captain." He nodded, the glint of pride evident in his gaze. Last night, the look of yearning he'd cast in Elle's direction had opened my eyes to his situation. I'd decided to restore some of his access to magic as a reward for his excellent service. If the queen complained, I would deal with her in the usual way.
His eyes widened in shock as I released Fionna's block on his magic. "A gift for your service and for your loyalty over many years, Reylan." The scars disappeared first, then his figure transformed, gaining muscle tone and strength. Unfortunately, emotional pain could not be blotted out so easily and I was not a healer. Time would do its work toward that end, or like me, he would cling to his internal scars, finding relief in the pain of others.
Because I had access to his mind, I felt his gratitude before he spoke of it. "Thank you. lor...thank you, Kennet." I arched an eyebrow at his choice, allowing it this once in lieu of our long acquaintance. His voice had cracked with emotion, his breathing quickening as his hands rose to his face, tracing paths across his smooth, perfect skin. Neither Reylan nor I were the sort to smile easily, however the grin that painted his features brought a smile to mine.
I cleared my throat and he straightened. "I have more work for you. Break your fast, then search for four strong assistants. If their loyalty to me surpasses their loyalty to Fionna, I will partially restore their magic as I have yours." I had not allowed Reylan to block access to his mind, nor would I allow anyone that privilege, even when I became their king.
"I know the very males."
"Excellent. You'll need to locate chains of the strongest iron. Perhaps the dwarves would be helpful. Return at mid-day and bring your associates." He nodded. "One more thing, captain. Word of your renewal must not be discussed. Hide your recovery and be discreet with your magic until the time is right."
"Yes, lord." He bowed and left.
I stretched out on the bed that I would soon share with my lady, hoping to relieve my discomfort. I'd tried to heal my knees and had succeeded only to a small degree. Isaiah's magic had wormed its way into my cells causing spasms that pained me when I stood for more than a short span of time. I closed my eyes, having passed a fitful night.
This morning I dreamt of Jacqueline, taking her mouth and her body with mine, then of entering the throne room and seating myself in father's throne, placing her beside me. When I woke, Fionna was in the room.
"Sister, you might choose to knock. I'm not at my best when I rest."
She ignored my comment. "You've taken the finger, yet the vampire has not agreed to send for Charles." Her eyes flashed with gold, the glowing amethyst gown whipping from side to side as she shifted direction.
"I know this, my queen. However, I am also certain that Jacqueline will bring my son no matter what the vampire believes. Her so-called mate is suffering and she will not be able to resist."
"You know her so well?"
"I do."
"Will she come tonight?" Fionna asked, hope flaring in her eyes.
"I believe she will, along with Caelen, Aedus and perhaps the sisters." I was growing tired of this constant game of between us. Pats on the back did not come naturally to me.
"Both sisters?"
I turned away so she wouldn't see my smirk. "That situation will be remedied shortly."
Fionna smiled as she touched my shoulder to turn me back around. My breath caught in my throat as I took in her beauty. Only her mother, the former queen, was ever this lovely. Fionna could rule the universe if she'd been blessed with the mind to match. "You will be rewarded, Kennet. What do you want?" she asked with sincerity. I was touched.
"I want only what I have earned. I will keep the cheetah as my own and we will raise our son together here at court. She will bind with me befo
re all of our people."
"Bind? You cannot be serious." She stared at me open-mouthed, aghast that I would lower myself so. "Without fae blood, she is not even of mongrel status. Keep her as your lover, but I will not agree to anything more."
"You will allow me this, Fionna, and I will ask for nothing else." It took only a breath of time before I was in her mind. "You will treat her and Charles as full-bloods and order every other fae to do the same, on pain of death." This was not the first time I'd used magical Influence on Fionna, but it was perhaps the most important. She must not put a stop to my plans.
I'd been strengthening my shields in the eventuality that I might one day displease her enough to attack me. My older sister was born of the powerful union between the former king and queen. She and her twin brother, Caelen, were thought to be the most powerful creatures in Faerie. However, my specific gift allowed me to slip in unnoticed. It was not something I could use to control an army, but if needed, a mongrel could be convinced to slip poison into a monarch's wine, or a soldier to slit a lord's throat without those action ever being traced back to me.
Having felt my magic, Fionna's expression seemed puzzled. "On pain of death," she repeated. "Yes." She smiled, looking as lovely as ever. "I will do this for you, brother. You are one of the few I can trust. With Jacqueline by your side, you will finally find happiness."
"That is my greatest wish." That, along with taking the crown so I can restore Faerie to health.
"Charles will protect us from Naberia." She clapped her hands like a schoolgirl.
"Yes, my queen."
Thankfully, Fionna dissolved out of the room. I sank into my favorite chair by the window, exhausted by the effort to control her mind. I summoned a servant and asked for wine, then rested my head against the backrest and closed my eyes.
Jacqueline came to me, her graceful body moving closer with each silent step. When she reached my chair, she offered me her hand, the magical binding mark having disappeared from her flesh.
"Kiss me, lord." she whispered.
I pulled her down into my lap and she melted against me the way I'd always imagined, our heartbeats quickening. She tasted of honey wine and strawberries, I conjured fangs, feeling my eyes prickle with gold. Taking blood was usually an intimate act between mates, one I'd dreamed of sharing with Jacqueline. She smiled then tilted her head so I would have full access to her blood.
But when I took in the first draw, I knew that something was wrong. The female in my lap was not Jacqueline, but the new mongrel that I'd ordered to service me, She cried out when I ripped into her throat, this time in anger. She would do. For now.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
The blood dripping from the hand where my index finger used to reside created the only cadence in the room, one more regular in its rhythm than I'd have preferred. Because I'd lost quite a lot of blood, I'd stopped breathing to conserve energy. This also meant I wasn't moaning or cursing out loud, although there was plenty of that going on in my mind. The steady drip was a constant companion, the need to feed exacerbated greatly by the blood loss.
I was fortunate that Fionna hadn't shown up to feed on my flesh. The siblings must have decided that my blood and flesh was off limits, at least if they ever wanted to see my son, so I was spared that degradation. When I'd seen Fionna's fangs, I couldn't help but remember William and what he'd endured when she'd ended his life as a vampire.
If I survived my time at court and was able to feed normally, the finger would eventually re-grow. How the gruesome gift would be delivered concerned me. because it would be sent directly to Jackie and not to Caelen. Kennet and Fionna would try to shock her into bringing Charlie, but they didn't know her as I did. My mate would dig in her heels and do what she thought was best no matter what the consequences. I was certain that Caelen must have given her a hard time over her plan to send Charlie to the DR. Liam and Farrell must have supported her. Aedus, perhaps not.
Denied immediate gratification, Fionna had enlisted Kennet to take violent action, his specialty no doubt. If it doesn't work to bring Charlie, as it won't, she might decide to attack Jackie directly.
Was my love safe in the DR with Isaiah, or was she home and unprotected? I didn't for a moment believe she'd be in Faerie, since she was smart enough to know that Faerie, even Cascade, was the heart of Fionna's power.
Still hanging from silver chains that burned through my skin, I allowed myself a few minutes, well, maybe more than a few minutes, to visualize how I'd get my revenge on the queen and her brother. After imagining multiple satisfying scenarios, I closed my eyes and tried to rest, ignoring the pain and calling up a memory.
"Have to?" Charlie asked.
We were in the woods, Charlie in his cheetah form for only the second time since he'd first shifted three days ago. Hunting was something essential for a shifter to learn, and Charlie was no exception to that rule. You never knew when staying in cheetah form, possibly to hide from an enemy, would be necessary for your survival. This was a lesson I'd learned as a teen and now I was passing it on.
"Yes. Important," I answered. As cheetahs, our ability to speak mind-to-mind was greatly reduced, yet still manageable.
Jackie had sent the two of us off on our own, hinting that we needed some father/son bonding time. She and I had been working long hours on a case, so I was feeling like I'd neglected him over the last couple of weeks. This was a perfect opportunity to reconnect.
Plus Jackie and Charlie had been butting heads, so I figured she could use some alone time.
We followed a raccoon for awhile, but I could tell Charlie's heart wasn't really in it. I growled with impatience when he let it escape.
"Movies instead?" he asked.
"No." I answered.
Swiveling his spotted body to the north, his nostrils flared. "What's that?"
"Elk. Too big." I growled again when he ignored me and ran off. His legs were just as long as mine so he was fast. Fortunately, I'd learned a handy skill as a vampire that I could also employ as a cheetah. I appeared ten feet in front of him and he screeched to a halt. The elk had heard us and was long gone.
"Dad." He growled as he turned away, angry and frustrated.
I didn't get angry. A growl was a warning sound, kind of like a "you'd better watch yourself, buddy", but it wasn't disrespectful. He was an animal and growls were a normal way of communicating.
"No elk. Smaller first."
He sat, then stretched out on the ground, resting his head on his front paws. "Tired."
Was I this stubborn as a teen? He must have inherited it from Jackie.
I huffed out a quick breath. By refusing to budge, he was testing limits. There were two ways to play this. Get angry and force him, or wait until he got hungry, which for a teen male was every sixteen minutes. I stretched out beside him and closed my eyes. "We can wait."
"We go home."
"After."
"Dad..."
"Shhh. Listen." This time the growl hadn't come from either of us, but overhead, so we twisted our necks to look up at the same time. Perched on a branch was a cougar—a real one—who'd probably been tracking that same elk. It was a female, but still quite a bit larger and heavier than we were.
"Stand slowly." Charlie didn't hesitate, scooting slightly behind me since he knew I had a much better chance at getting us out of this potentially dangerous situation.
She leapt down, then gave us a curious sniff, backing up a few paces when we didn't smell quite like anything she'd encountered before. Her tail flicked in agitation, and I wondered if she had young nearby. That could put us in deep trouble.
The current situation became secondary when all three sets of feline ears took in the click of a rifle being primed to fire. I sent to Charlie, "Behind the rock," and he obeyed instantly getting himself out of harm's way. Meanwhile, I flashed to where I'd caught a glimpse of a hunter's camouflage suit, pushing the human down and standing on his chest. The gun flew out of his hands but fortunately didn't go off
. However the man started to scream.
I transitioned to my normal form, watching his eyes widen as I let my fangs extend. "What the fuck? Don't kill me." he pleaded.
"Cougars are protected in California, asshole."
"I was hunting an elk, but when I saw the cheetah, I was gonna shoot it instead. No one will believe it unless I bring back the body."
"Wrong answer." I was so furious I almost bit him, not to kill him or even drink from him, but just to teach him a lesson. However, when I saw his terrified expression, my common sense kicked in. "Are you alone?" He nodded, panting in fright. "Where are you parked?" He told me. I flashed him back to his car and then glamoured him into taking a nap in his SUV and forgetting the whole experience.
When I flashed back, the cougar had returned to her branch and Charlie was still behind the rock. Seeing that the danger had passed, she hopped down like before and yawned, cool as a cucumber, displaying her enormous teeth. With a soft growl, maybe in thanks or maybe just to warn us not to follow, she flicked her tail and took off in the direction the elk had fled.
"Movie?" I asked.
"I pick." he answered.
Later when Jackie asked how he'd done, we laughed and confessed that all he'd managed to slay was an enormous tub of buttered popcorn and a 20 ounce soda. Still, it had turned into a good afternoon for Charlie and me, the two of us making fun of the latest horror flick and then, on the ride home, planning another trip to the mountains, this time with Jackie and maybe Jay along. Charlie's friend Jay was a grizzly bear, and had been hunting in animal form for over two years.
The three of us joked about our unsuccessful hunt late into the evening, all of us hoping that the sleek female cougar had found her elk and that the hunter had forgotten about his adventure and gotten home safely. An ambush by a cheetah and then a naked vampire in the redwood forests of Northern California could traumatize even the strongest of human souls.
Something tickled my ear, setting me to shaking my head and breathing again. I smelled demi-fey, then worried that I might have scared the poor creature into flying away.
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