Chapter 17
Flashes of color appeared in the sky overhead as Meagan sank into sleep. The sounds and sights of the shelter all came back in a rush. Laughter, loud and caustic mixed with the cries of the orphaned dogs. Meagan jerked her head around in time to see Carl racing after her as she fled the building. His burly hand reached out, snaring her. Meagan screamed.
“Meagan, come back to me now. It was a dream. You’re having a bad dream, Meagan. It’s all right. Wake up!” Dorran’s voice held an unusual sense of alarm.
Meagan opened her eyes to the dim light in the small space. She was still in the back room of Katie’s pharmacy. Light filtered in as the sun set through the one stingy window. More utility than aesthetics, the transom window hung next to the back door. Her mouth was chalk dry. Maybe some water, she mused.
“Here,” Dorran said from his spot next to her on the cot.
Relief rippled through her system as she recognized him. “You came.”
His brow furrowed at the statement. “Of course, I did. How do you feel?”
Taking careful examination, Meagan nodded. “I feel all right. Just a bad dream. A little shaky but pretty good.”
“Okay.” He glanced at the door to the front. “The sheriff’s here to see you if you feel up to it. If not, we’ll do it later.”
Meagan nodded and sipped the water he gave her. “No, I want to, I think.” She sought his eyes and fixed on his face. “He said he’d see me later. I can’t…” Her voice hitched.
Dorran pulled her close. “Hey, I’m not letting that creep near you again. Understand? “I’ll be right here,” he said.
Katie appeared in the doorway followed by the new sheriff of Cheniere Station. The old sheriff had retired following their last encounter with the Sultan. The members of Shadow Company had been about to launch an investigation against him. Something to do with malfeasance in office. Trying to remember the details brought back the headache, so she shoved it aside.
Sheriff Tabor stood with his hat in his hands, tall and official. “Meagan, I’m the new sheriff, Tabor’s the name.”
The large hand he extended was strong and dwarfed hers immediately. He was six-foot-four inches if he was an inch. His dark, close cropped hair framed a face of angles and plains. His mocha eyes focused on her sitting there and made her stomach churn. She shook his hand briefly before retreating to stare at the floor.
Ms. Tibideaux said you had some trouble at the shelter today. Would you tell me what happened?”
Meagan’s skin felt clammy. Her headache slid back into place, and her mouth went dry again. “Katie said I had to tell you.” Her voice hitched over the last of the sentence. She twisted her fingers together hoping for calm.
“Meagan, it’s okay. I’m right here. Tell him what happened.” Dorran’s warm hand slid over her shaky ones, warming them with his strength. She started to relax.
Glancing his way, the genuine concern she saw in his eyes gave her pause and fortitude. “I was in the back washing a new dog. Carl came in. The next thing I know he’s up behind me, pinning me against the tub with his … he was aroused.” The fact she had said the words were itself a small triumph. She felt a sense of resolve wash over her. “Then he called me sugar tits and groped my breasts.” Sheepish, she raised her eyes to the man in the uniform. “I ran.”
Sheriff Tabor stopped writing and examined her thoughtfully. “That’s what you should have done.”
Meagan sniffed and dropped her head again. The fact she was talking out loud about the incident was mortifying. Thank goodness Dorran was there.
“Was this the only time Carl’s assaulted you?” Tabor’s pen kept writing as he asked the question.
“Yes. No – well Carl’s been following me. He always follows me around the shelter. Making comments about my work. I don’t believe he thinks I’m capable.” She shrugged. “At least that’s what I thought. This was a shock. You see, I slipped and fell while we were securing a new dog – a wolfdog actually. The animal was fighting the capture pole, and I asked Carl to stop yanking the animal by the neck. The next thing I know, he jerked hard on the pole, and since I was between him and the dog, I fell. The pole broke my fall. The pole broke when Carl fell on top of me. He was so angry with me. He accused me of setting the dog free on purpose. It was an accident.”
She sniffed and eyed the sheriff defiantly. “I am glad the dog escaped though. He didn’t deserve that kind of treatment.” She noted the tissue she had shredded in her lap. Her lips curved in a weak smile when she saw the dog in her mind’s eye. “He was magnificent.” Glancing up at Dorran, she found the look in his eyes baffling. The idea he might be the same wolf hound had crossed her mind, she mused.
“All right. I’ll take this into the office and file a report. Then, I’m going out to the shelter and have a talk with Carl. Let him know there’s been a complaint filed against him. Are you pressing charges?”
Meagan’s eyes grew wide. The breath caught in her throat. “Charges?” Glancing from the sheriff to Dorran and back, she stammered over the answer. “It’s not necessary. Things will blow over if we let them, won’t they?”
Sheriff Tabor closed his pad and examined her carefully. “The best thing to do is press charges to get Carl off the streets. We can’t hold him for long, but it will give him time to think about what he’s done and how it could affect his life. You’ll have to testify. Are you able to do that, Meagan?”
Numb, she felt numb. What was she supposed to do? “I guess so.”
Dorran squeezed her hand. “Sheriff Tabor, can we talk about this some more before deciding our next step? Meagan’s been through a lot today, and she needs some rest. We’ll come by tomorrow and let you know, okay?”
“Okay. I’ll be in touch, Meagan. Thank you for speaking out. The only way we can stop someone is with a victim’s testimony.” Tipping his hat, he left the room.
Meagan could hear Katie in the front speaking in low tones and wondered what wild ride she’d gotten on. She wanted off – now.
“Come here.” Dorran pulled her into his chest. Meagan leaned her head on his shoulder. “Better?”
“Better.” She wanted to question him about why he hadn’t answered her calls and text but decided it didn’t matter. He was here now. “Thanks for coming.”
***
She looked pale. Her hands were like ice in Dorran’s on the seat. He made the turn to the house with one hand because the truth was, she wouldn’t let go of him. “I’ll run you a bath with bubbles if you like.” Hoping something brought her back, he waited. “Meagan?”
“Yes…”
“Honey, talk to me.” He had shut off the engine and turned to fully face her. “Tell me what you’re thinking. I want to help.”
Those warm brown eyes darted in his direction. “It’s strange. I guess it all happened so fast I didn’t believe what I saw.”
“What did you see?”
“Fire…I saw fire leaping from my fingertips.” Her head swiveled on her shoulders like a bobble-head doll. “No, it was more like lightning.” The laughter came out so fast, she shook with the effort. “I must be going crazy, right?”
Her eyes had grown huge in her head as she came to that conclusion. “No, listen to me.” He waited until she had stopped laughing to brush away tears. “Oh baby, listen, I know all of this is weird, and you’re scared. That’s normal. The good news is you managed to fight off your attacker. Spooked him good, am I right?”
Sniffling still, she nodded. “I don’t understand. How?”
Dorran pulled her into his chest. The effort cost him some of his resolve, but he had to take care of her. She needed him. “Let’s go inside. I have something for you.”
Nodding she opened the door.
Rather than allow her to walk, he scooped her up in his arms, cradling her to his chest.
“I can walk you know.” She rubbed her nose.
The soft verbiage reminded him of a pup who had lost his way. “I know you can. L
et me, though.”
Katie had given him something for the nerves and a holistic anti-depressant with instructions to use it no matter what. She had also explained they would give them the time they needed tonight before showing up tomorrow. So they had tonight. Dorran accepted the reality of one night alone with her. Would it be enough?
He went straight to the bed with the meds. “Lie back. Close your eyes, and I’ll be right back.”
Her eyelids fluttered before relaxing over her eyes. Meagan reminded him of a limp rag doll that had been tossed around too much. Her color was still chalky, and dark circles had formed under her eyes.
Getting her a glass of water he came back and sat beside her. The notion he had one chance to make this right scored his insides. Dorran forced the fear back with the only thing he had left – saving Meagan. “Meagan, here, drink this.”
She took a swallow and her nose wrinkled up at the taste. “Oh, that’s bad. Did Katie send this?”
The chuckle loosened some of the tension in his throat. “Yeah, she did with instructions for you to drink it all. Now, be a good girl and do what the pharmacist said.”
Rolling her eyes, she smirked. “Okay.” With the last of the medicine taken, she handed him the glass. “Happy?”
“Very. Stay here while I run that bath for you. It won’t take long.”
She nodded and glanced about the room. “Thanks for bringing me here.”
He stilled. “Where else would I take you?”
Meagan shook her head. “Nowhere.” Then laced her fingers in her lap and studied them.
The fact she was so shaky disturbed Dorran more than he wanted to believe. The bastard must have done a number on her for her to be so subdued. This wasn’t the spitfire of a girl with more sass than he’d ever seen before. He wanted her back. Funny to find he didn’t have a clue as to how to go about it.
When he returned from drawing the bath, he found her asleep. A good thing considering. He pulled up the rocker from the corner, removed her boots and covered her with the throw. Then he sat down to watch. Despite the fact he didn’t want to admit it to himself or anyone else, Meagan was the one. She was the Chosen One. That little display of magic back at the shelter confirmed what he had feared. The prophecy spoke of a woman-child who held the power but understood nothing of her gift. Dorran whispered her name in reverence. “Meagan, I’m here for you.”
Chapter 18
A fallen angel lay before her. Meagan wondered at the irony of that description of Dorran. He was good and kind and loyal. Of all the places to be, he wanted nothing more than to remain with her wherever that might be. Meagan knew that. How she knew she didn’t understand. Things were happening, and they were freaking her out. She needed answers. The sad fact was, she wasn’t going to find them here. He slept. More questions popped into her brain about the facts and how he was part of her world now, for better or worse. Yet, she couldn’t let him take all the responsibility for what she was about to do. She didn’t want to hurt him, but this was something she had to do on her own. Slipping out of bed, she tip-toed out of the room and found her boots sitting neatly by the back door. Such a military man, she mused. Without a sound, Meagan slid open the door and went out closing the door behind her. The note she left read simply: I must know. Love, Meagan.
Wedging her way into the barn without completely opening the weathered door tested her skills at the deployment of her plan. “Easy boy, come on.” Traveler obeyed without protest. He expected a meal, but that wasn’t happening. They had miles to go and little time to get there.
The two of them made it to Katie’s pharmacy in what Meagan considered record time. Of course, she had no idea how long it took to get from the house to the pharmacy but less than double the time was good. The mop bucket in the back room became a horse trough, and she scrounged up some cat food Katie kept on hand for strays to stave off Traveler’s hunger pains until Katie arrived.
The things she needed were housed in a locked cabinet. Meagan was the only one who knew Katie kept a spare key for the narcotics box under a file cabinet top. All she had to do was open the file, pull out the drawer, and peel the key off the inside metal top. If she guessed right, she would need two shots of sodium phenethyl. The third shot she filled with horse tranquilizer just in case. Shoving them in the front zippered pocket of her duffle bag, she got ready to go. Her truck parked outside still had the keys in the ignition – small towns – go figure.
On the drive to the shelter, she reviewed the events of the day before. Things became clearer as she considered the behavior Carl displayed. He was after her – true. But to what purpose? Mrs. Abernathy had warned her to avoid him completely. She said she didn’t know how, but Carl was involved in what had happened to her and Sally. Then there was Sue. The older woman had told Meagan the days she would drop by to visit or bring donations, Sue was always on the computer. Mrs. Abernathy admitted that once when Sue stepped away from her desk, she had looked at what she had on the screen. There were dozens and dozens of bookmarked pages, all Facebook profiles of young women. Meagan remembered her exact words were – they’re just teenagers. The old woman had been bewildered at what she saw but began to put two and two together after her transformation.
Meagan parked and got out of the truck at the shelter’s front gate. The time was early, but that was no comfort. How was she supposed to handle Carl if he showed up? She shook her head to clear her jumbled thoughts. Worry only brought trouble. She needed to focus. Lucky again, she remembered where the staff kept a spare key for the weekend crew and after-hours emergencies. She skirted the building and stretched to feel for the key on top of the window sill. Not very imaginative – true. Again, small towns.
Inside, Meagan headed straight for the pen containing the dog named Sally. The mutt’s demeanor upon seeing her broke her heart. She jumped at the fence, barking wildly before a fit of tail wagging ensued. “Mrs. Abernathy, are you in there?”
“Yes, dear. Oh, it’s so good to see you. Are you, all right? You look pale.”
Meagan nodded. The weak smile was for show. No need in bringing the woman’s spirits down any further. “I’m fine. I need to get you out of here.” Unlatching the door, she stepped back.
Mrs. Abernathy hesitated only a few seconds before dashing for freedom. “Thank you, dear. This is most unexpected but appreciated.”
Meagan forced a smile. “I need your help.” She walked toward the front as she talked. Glancing up, she noted the security camera blinking green. Probably not a well-planned move on her part, but she had bigger fish to fry than worrying about who watched her help one of the dogs to escape.
“Meagan, wait.” Mrs. Abernathy called from behind her. “We need to free these girls.”
Stalling out, Meagan turned. Her mind wasted time catching up. Glancing around, she frowned. “What girls?”
“These.” Mrs. Abernathy crossed to the runs and took her paws scratching at the gate. “You remember Pauline from the diner, don’t you?”
The weirdness grew Meagan decided. “You’re telling me there are others?” Alarm shot holes in her fortitude about that moment.
Mrs. Abernathy nodded and lay down in front of Run 345. “I don’t expect you to understand. There isn’t time. I’ll explain everything later. Now we just have to get them out.
Meagan nodded and unlatched the door. Pauline sheepishly met her eyes.
“Thank you,” she said in a whisper.
There weren’t any words. Meagan nodded and glanced at Mrs. Abernathy who was settling in front of another run. All total six dogs followed her out of the front doors. The rest of the dogs she released behind the shelter to run free from the danger of ever encountering what the survivors had.
“We’ve got to get to the farm and share this with Shadow Company. They’ll know what to do.”
“Good thinking, dear. I want you to tell Shadow Company how the dogs’ souls are eliminated to make room for the kidnapped women. If it weren’t so horrific, it would be in
genious really.”
Meagan’s eyes filled. “Eliminated? You mean killed, don’t you?”
“Yes, I’m afraid so. The man and woman running the shelter – I believe I told you about Carl and Sue. They are actually working for the Sultan.” She shook her head and scratched at a flea. “I’ve only seen him once, but that was enough. He has no soul, Meagan. It’s in his eyes.”
Meagan nodded. My family – Shadow Company has told me that many times. Said he steals others’ souls so he can move among humans.”
“I’m afraid they are right. Now, the Sultan has come up with the talent to kill off the soul of the host dog and implant the victim’s reanimating the dog. In transport, no one knows the crates aren’t filled with more than poor, helpless dogs in route to god knows where.” She shook her head. Though her eyes were those of a canine, Mrs. Abernathy’s pain was transparent. Meagan reached out and took her paw in her hand and just held it there until they turned in the drive to Aubrie and Logan’s.
Dorran bolted from the door the minute she topped the hill. His blood was up as he met her at the truck door. The grip on her arm wasn’t gentle. “What do you think you’re doing? We were about to go out looking for you. What were you thinking, woman? Or were you thinking at all?”
Steam rolled off him in waves, Meagan decided. He was nothing if not Irish to the core. It was captivating. Her hand on his fell into a grip when she slid from the truck seat and landed on the gravel. Rather than cause a scene, she inclined her head. “We have things to share.” Taking a step back she glanced into the truck. “Look.”
Inside, the dogs came to attention and wagged their tales. Mrs. Abernathy stood up on the seat. “Hello, Dorran,” she said. “It’s so good to finally meet you. I’ve heard so much about you.”
For a moment he was without words. “This is the dog…ugh…woman you told me about. Mrs. Abernathy?”
“Yes, and these are some of her friends.”
In unison, the dogs greeted him.
Stunned, he stood very still while he let the idea sink in. “More than one. How many really, and why?”
Blood Born Page 15