Prey (BookStrand Publishing Romance)

by Mary Lou George

  * * * *

  Early the next morning she woke when she felt the delicious caress of his fingertips. He could play her body like a musical instrument, and she loved the song he wrote. She cried out twice before he was done. Utterly spent, she sighed deeply. He spooned her tiny body from behind. Jade’s last conscious thought before falling asleep was how perfectly they fit together. With his lips against her ear he said, “Shhh.”

  * * * *

  She heard singing. Sam was making breakfast. The divine smell of pancakes cooking wafted into her bedroom. It amused her that he sang in the morning. He could definitely carry a tune. Was there anything he didn’t do well?

  She put her hand in the dent his head had left on the pillow next to hers. Bringing the pillow up to her face she breathed his lingering scent. Oh so much better than evergreens. Arching her back, she stretched like a cat. Reaching the limit her body could take, she stood up. She walked to her closet and pulled out one of her favorite robes. This wasn’t the run of the mill house coat. It was made of silk and floated around her tiny body like green mist. The color matched her eyes. She flushed when she caught a glimpse of her reflection in the mirror. My God, was that her? That confident woman with the sex mussed hair, could that be Jade Adams?

  In the kitchen, Sam’s face lit up when he caught sight of her. “How many more of those things do you have, because I’m not sure I can take it.”

  She giggled and shrugged. “It’s a weakness of mine.”

  “Honey, the weakness is all mine.” He slid her a predatory glance.

  She giggled again, opening the refrigerator door, she poured two glasses of orange juice and handed one to him. Surprisingly in sync they finished preparing breakfast together.

  They were almost finished eating when Sam’s cell phone rang. He looked at the call display. “It’s Travis, maybe they found something out at Maynard’s.”

  Jade watched as Sam’s face turned grey. She braced herself for what he would have to tell her after he’d finished his conversation with Travis.

  He said goodbye and hung up.

  “There’s been another attack, Jinx.” He took her hand.

  Flatly, she said, “It was supposed to be me.”

  * * * *

  “She’s alive but just barely.” Travis told them when they arrived at the scene. It was about two miles from Maynard’s. The team that Travis had searching the area for evidence of what Jade had described, found the woman and immediately called an ambulance.

  Travis said, “It looks like she’d got out of her car for some reason and was taken then. At least that’s what the tracks indicate. The car is owned by Kristen Sage. The driver’s license picture looks a little like the victim.” He shook his head sadly. “It’s kind of hard to tell. She was pretty torn up.”

  Sam nodded to an area about fifty yards away. Three deputies were gathered around something. “What did you find over there?”

  “It looks like the creature was interrupted. There are deer tracks and a trail of blood. I guess it’s willing to attack an animal if it interferes with its kill.” He ran a hand through his hair. “Sam, I’d like you to take a look and see what you think. The county medical examiner is just over there, but can you take samples too? He’s an outsider, he may not be willing to accept his findings if there’s anything out of the usual.” Sam inclined his head and walked toward the deputies.

  Alone with Travis, Jade watched as his breath turned to a mist in the cold air.

  She said, “You think a deer interrupted the attack?”

  “Yeah. It probably saved her life and may have lost its own in the process. There’s a lot of blood over there.” He shook his head sadly and wiped a hand across the stubble on his chin.

  “A deer so close to an attack like this? That’s unusual, don’t you think?”

  Travis looked away from her. “Everything about this case is unusual, Jade.”

  After leaving the crime scene, Jade drove to McCann House. Chase knew nothing of what had happened to her last night. Nor did he know about this new attack. She wasn’t looking forward to telling him.

  He wasn’t home. Reggie told her he was meeting with Jackie Blake, his literary agent.

  Reggie rolled her eyes. “She’s gorgeous, but I can’t hate her. I’m too happy to hate anybody right now.” She sobered when Jade didn’t respond. Narrowing her eyes she said, “Tell me.”

  Jade related what had occurred in the last twelve hours.

  Reggie was horrified. “Oh my God, that poor woman. Are you okay? Did you see the thing?”

  Jade shook her head. “I’m fine. Someone else took my place as prey. I saw nothing, but I knew it was out there. It was so quiet, so still. The wild animals of the forest were silent. It was like a warning to me. That told me something was wrong. I could hear the thing coming after me, and I ran as fast as I could. Had I not hollered and drawn attention to myself I don’t think I’d be sitting here right now.” Jade leaned back on the couch. “It was willing to attack me close to Maynards, but it didn’t want to be seen by a crowd of people and backed off. I guess we may not be safe in pairs, but groups are okay.” She took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

  “Thank God you thought to make a ruckus. I can’t bear to think what would have happened if you hadn’t.”

  “That’s no mystery, just visit Kristen Sage in the hospital. She’s barely alive and badly torn up.” Jade spoke flatly. She sat in Reggie’s living room, in front of the fireplace. Even in the daylight, the Christmas tree gleamed brightly. There was Christmas music playing in the background and distractedly Jade said, “Ottis Redding’s “Merry Christmas, Baby”. This is one of my favorites.” She moved to the music.

  “I think Chase just wanted to get away from me and my singing.” Reggie laughed tentatively, trying to distract her friend. “This time of year is particularly conducive to breaking into song. Since you have to stay until Chase comes home, I’ll refrain while you’re here.”

  “I appreciate the thought.” Jade smiled at her sister-in-law. “But don’t hold back on my account. I just might join you. I need the distraction.”

  Reggie’s singing voice really was a train wreck. She butchered every song she sang. On the high note in “O Holy Night”, Jade feared the windows would break. But she joined Reggie with enthusiasm. They sung without restraint, and Jade felt a little better.

  Chapter 21

  Chase said, “You kept your head…so to speak…”

  Reggie punched him in the arm. “That was so lame even I don’t know what to say.”

  Chase had the good grace to look sheepish. “Sorry, Jade.”

  Jade just laughed and shook her head. The singing had helped to cheer her.

  He said, “So that thing is afraid of crowds is it? I guess it’s not invulnerable after all. But it looks like it might have it in for you, Jade. Ernestine suggested as much.”

  “What did I do?”

  “You’re different from the rest of us. You can talk to animals. That makes me think they may hold the key to finding this thing.”

  Jade shrugged. “Makes sense. But it means I have to figure out what they know and soon. Where do I start?” She frowned. “We are trying to capture this thing, right? We’re not at the stage where it’s wanted dead or alive?”

  It was Chase’s turn to shrug. “I gotta tell you, Jade, if a bullet in the brain is the only thing that will stop it, I’ll gladly pull the trigger.”

  Wincing, Jade disagreed. “I think you’re wrong. We know nothing of this creature. We can’t kill it just because we don’t understand it. Have we humans learned nothing from past mistakes?”

  “Yeah, but you’d be safe.” It sounded like he liked that idea very much.

  “I appreciate the concern, believe me. If I’d had a gun last night I may have used it. I was scared enough. But I don’t think we should mount a posse and kill the thing on sight.”

  “We can’t take any chances, Jade. It’s tearing people apart. I think we e
rr on the side of caution. That has to be the policy on this one, and I think Travis and Sam would agree.”

  Jade turned to Reggie. “What do you think?”

  “Sorry, Jade, but I’m with my husband. It would be one thing if the creature responsible was one of Mother Nature’s creations, but it’s not. You’ve said it yourself. This thing is wrong.” Reggie looked at Jade with regret.

  Chase said, “Ernestine would agree with us I’m sure.”

  “Has she been able to shed any light on any of this? Has anyone?” Jade was beginning to feel defeated.

  “Well, so far we have a vague description of the thing. We know it can run faster than any creature known to man using two or four legs. It drinks its victim’s blood and eats their flesh. It hunts only humans and kills quickly and efficiently.” Chase summed it up.

  Reggie took up where he left off. “It’s highly intelligent, stalks its victims and isn’t finished yet. Since Ernestine thinks you hold the key to the thing, Jade, maybe the animals know more than they’re telling you.”

  Chase said, “Maybe Sam’s inside guy at Daniels Pharmaceuticals has something we can use. He’s been given enough financial incentive.”

  Reggie shook her head. “That’s a long shot, and we’re running out of time. Gillian’s having trouble sleeping. The tension in this town is getting to her.”

  Jade asked, “How’s Allan Simpson’s family doing?”

  Chase shook his head. “It’s been so hard for them. Ernestine is there every day. Allan didn’t want a funeral, but I think Iris needed some closure. Sometimes the funeral is for the ones left behind and not the deceased.” Jade could understand. She’d faced the very same dilemma not long ago. She’d decided not to have a service for her father, but there was no one left behind who would have grieved at his passing. Allan Simpson was a different story all together.

  “What about the two girls attacked, Delia Brady and Julie Hanson? Will their families hold funerals here?” Jade asked.

  Chase said, “They’re not from this county. Apparently, the women were in town Christmas shopping on Main Street and stopped for a drink at Kally’s. That decision cost them their lives.” He shook his head sadly. “Ernestine has made contact with their families and offered her support and so has Gillian.”

  Jade nodded. “Of course being outsiders they wouldn’t understand the kind of comfort Ernestine and Gillian can provide. To them, it would be like talking to complete strangers, but it would help them to talk to two Guardians. Let’s hope they do.”

  Reggie said, “We’re all going to the funerals. Maybe we can help the families that way.”

  Jade hated feeling so impotent. “I doubt there’s anything that will help.” She sighed and a thought struck her as she spied Pita on the back of Chase’s chair.

  “Pita might be able to help. Do you mind if I have a little chat with him?”

  Chase looked behind him at the huge cat. “Be our guest. We’ll leave you alone.” He started to stand up, but Jade put out her hand to stop him.

  “No, don’t leave. Chase, this cat has bonded to you. It’s you he wants to communicate with. Maybe he’ll be more forthcoming if you’re right here with me and I act as translator.”

  Reggie smiled. “Why don’t I just go call the United Nations? There’s a new translator in town.” She stood up.

  Jade said, “You don’t have to leave.”

  “That’s okay. I’m hungry anyway. You do your stuff.” She left the room and headed for the kitchen

  Pita understood what they wanted to do and jumped from the back of Chase’s chair and on to the couch. Jade sat next to him and looked into his green eyes. Fleetingly, it occurred to her that they were almost the same color as hers were. He really was part of the family.

  Pita thought her comparison was stretching it a bit and didn’t hesitate to tell her so. Cats could be so critical. They didn’t have a lot of patience for human shortcomings. Jade told him that she was grateful he was willing to talk to her. The cat nodded almost imperceptibly. Jade proceeded to question the wise feline.

  As usual, she had no idea of how long she’d spent communicating with Pita. Their conversation came to an end when the cat stood up, jumped down off the couch and trotted into the kitchen. He could smell crab. Reggie was making lunch, and she was always generous.

  Chase was impatient to know what Jade had learned from his cat. “Spill, sis. The cat’s positively sphinx-like.”

  Jade laughed. “You’re an enigma to him too.”

  Chase looked puzzled and waited for Jade to explain.

  “Cats can be precocious and Pita’s got the market cornered in that respect. He’d like to learn to swim, and he wants you to teach him. He wanted to make sure I told you that.” Jade giggled at her brother’s expression.

  “How do I teach a cat to swim?” Chase was baffled.

  “You could start in the bath tub getting him used to water and being wet,” Jade suggested, a little bemused herself.

  “Uh…okay…I’ll let you know how that goes. Am I being Punk’d…Ashton?” He looked over his shoulder. “This isn’t a joke, right? Because it would be a pretty good one, I wouldn’t blame you for being tempted.”

  Jade laughed. “You’re right it would be a great joke to play on you, but I’d never do that to poor Pita. He’s serious. That cat wants to swim.”

  Chase was hesitant. “Okay. What else did he say? It’s still so weird to ask that question about a cat.”

  She looked over her shoulder as Reggie came back in the room carrying a tray.

  “I made some lunch. Pita came sniffing around so I figured you were done.” She put the tray on the coffee table and sat down. “So what did you learn from Pita?”

  “He wants me to teach him how to swim.”

  Reggie burst. Amusement got the best of her. “Good luck with that.”

  He looked resigned but anything but happy. “I’m going to need all the help I can get.”

  Smiling, Jade tried to get back on topic at hand. “Okay, okay. Pita told me something that we didn’t know.”

  Reggie and Chase stopped laughing and waited.

  “It’s not just about senseless violence. This creature wants to mate. It feels a biological imperative. It doesn’t drink its victim’s blood and eat their flesh for sustenance, but rather, to ease its sexual hunger.” She shivered with revulsion.

  Reggie spoke the words out loud. “And it wants to mate with you?”

  Jade winced. “I don’t even want to think about it.”

  “That’s it, sis. I’m sending you away. How about Florence? Would you like to go to Italy?” Chase was serious.

  Jade smiled at him. “Yes, I’d love to visit Florence, but not right now. You can’t get rid of me that easily. I’ve just found my way back home. I’m not going anywhere.”

  “I was afraid you were going to say that.”

  “I’ll be very careful. I’ll keep Rags with me at all times. He can catch the creature’s scent, and I can get to safety.” The whole thing gave Jade the creeps, but she knew she had to stay in New Crescent. Running away wouldn’t solve anything. Ernestine was right. Jade had to figure this thing out. It was her destiny.

  * * * *

  Feeling guilty for ignoring her responsibilities at the clinic earlier that morning, Jade ate a quick salad with Reggie and Chase then she and Rags drove to work. Dodger was there. Rags was happy to see him and performed the obligatory dog smelling ritual.

  Jade walked out to the stables. Tamarra and Erick the donkey were very comfortable in their new home. The story of what had happened to them after Jade had left all those years ago wasn’t a happy one. They’d been separated. After being retired from the racing circuit, Tamarra was shuffled from owner to owner. The life of a Standard Bred race horse is not an easy one. There was no green pasture for Tamarra in her retirement. She’d performed well and had many offspring for her owners, but they didn’t understand the meaning of the word loyalty. She was torn away from the
little donkey and sold for what paltry price an ex-race horse could fetch. Sadly, no one wanted Erick and after too much time with too little care, he’d ended up in a rescue facility.

  Tammara and Erick had never stopped missing each other. Their reunion was sweet. Jade could feel the joy being together again brought them. The old friends finally had a happily ever after, thanks to Sam.

  Jade was in a unique position to know that animals formed bonds with each other that were often much stronger than those forged by many humans. They understood the value of loyalty, constancy and nobility. Tammara and Erick were the perfect example.

  Jade asked them if they wanted to go for a walk with her, Rags, Dodger and Petra. They accepted the invitation with enthusiasm. Before she could open their stall, Erick did it for her. She’d forgotten that about the little donkey. He was an escape artist. There wasn’t a stall created that he couldn’t get out of.

  Standing in the middle of her stall, Tamarra was proud of her little friend. Years ago she may have taken advantage of Erick’s talent and slipped away, but here in this barn, she was happy and had no desire to escape.

  Jade burst out laughing when Erick opened Petra’s stall as well. Damn that donkey was smart. She made a note to tell Sam about Erick’s predilections.

  They made an amusing little group, the tiny woman walking along the trail with two dogs, two horses and a donkey. Only in New Crescent. It was a very pleasant little outing despite the cold. Jade and her companions drank in what Mother Nature offered them. Their breath turned to a smoky mist as Jade increased the pace.

  On the way back to the barn she caught sight of Sam watching them. He was smiling broadly.

  He called out. “You’re a sight, Jinx.” He tried to lean on the paddock fence but missed and had to make an athletic recovery.

  Jade laughed at his awkwardness. “You better watch what you’re doing instead of taking in the sights” She called back to him.

  He shrugged helplessly. “You Jinx me.”