Bound by Light

by Tracey Jane Jackson

“You will not.”

  “Thane, I have inherited a great deal of money from my parents, which I rarely get to spend. And once you and I combine our finances, it’ll be more money that either of us can spend in a lifetime, so a couple bottles of wine is no problem.”

  He pulled the car over to the side of the road and took her hand. “You’ll no’ be payin’ for the wine, Sydney. Yer me mate and it’s my job to pay for things now, ye ken? I’ll be hearin’ no argument from ye, lass.”

  Sydney bit the inside of her cheek in an attempt not to giggle. “Ye ken? What does ‘ye ken’ mean? Are you turning into Tarzan, mister movie star?”

  “Shite.” Thane took a deep breath and shook his head, her touch calming him. “Sorry, love.”

  She widened her eyes. “What was that?”

  “Remember when we talked about how mates take on attributes of each other after bonding?”

  Sydney nodded.

  “I think your passionate nature has become just as strong in me, and I’m feeling things I’m not used to feeling. It’s strange, really.” He squeezed her hand. “Intense. Overwhelming.”

  She giggled. “I get it. I’m sorry if I upset you.”

  “You didn’t upset me, love. I just don’t want you thinking you have to pay for things.”

  “But I really don’t mind. Although, I guess our money’s kind of each other’s anyway, right, so it’s silly of me to separate it. Chalk it up to not being used to having a partner.”

  “We’ll figure it out,” he promised.

  Sydney smiled and leaned over to kiss him. “This bottle of wine better be really good.”

  “Oh, ’tis, love.” He kissed her again. “It’s actually my favorite.”

  “Of course it is.”

  He chuckled as he pulled the car back onto the road.

  “Is ‘ye ken’ like a form of ‘you get me’?” She lowered her voice and waved a finger. “Like, big man hear me roar will be buying all things for you, little lady, do you get me?”

  Thane laughed. “Aye, lass.”

  “Well, you better get a handle on that one, buddy.” She let out a rather inelegant snort. “’Cause I’m no one’s little lady.”

  “You are most definitely mine, Sydney.”

  “Oh, yeah?”

  “Yeah.”

  “You are a ridiculous person,” she retorted.

  “Aye, but I’m your ridiculous person,” he said as he pulled up to Max and Grace’s home.

  “Well, there is that.”

  Thane grinned and shut off the engine, climbing out and rushing to Sydney’s side. After opening the door, he took the wine and kissed her once she’d climbed out of the car. “I love you, little woman.”

  “Suck it, big man.”

  “Oh, I plan to later.”

  She shivered. “Stop with the dirty talk or I’ll ask Grace to give us a room.”

  He grinned. “The gauntlet has been dropped, love.”

  And I plan to suck and lick all manner—

  “Oh my word, Thane Allen, if you start with the dirty mind talk while we’re in the middle of dinner, I will kill you in the face.”

  Thane gave a mock gasp. “I had no idea I’d bonded with someone so violent.”

  “Well, remember our emotions being all out of whack? Yours might manifest in a weird old world Scottish accent, but mine turns into murderous tendencies.”

  Thane dropped his head back and laughed. “Bloody hell, you’re adorable, lass.”

  “Murder’s adorable to you? Oy vey.”

  “Love you, sweetheart.”

  Sydney grinned and wrapped an arm around his waist. “Love you too.”

  He kissed her gently and they made their way to the front door.

  * * *

  Sydney heard the buzzing of her phone and groaned as she snuggled closer to Thane. Finally, the noise stopped, but not for long. Adding to the din was Thane’s generic ringtone, some annoying classical song that Sydney found grating. “Make it stop,” she begged, and he did... sort of.

  “Thane speaking.” She felt his emotion and sat up with a gasp. Thane pressed the speaker key and sat up as well. “Aye, Cary, we’re both here.”

  “Is everything okay, Uncle Cary?” Sydney asked.

  “No. Lucy’s been kidnapped.”

  “What?” Sydney grasped Thane’s arm. “How do you know?”

  Cary let out a ragged sigh. “The bastards sent a demand.”

  “Tell me everything.” Thane set the phone on the nightstand and slid from the bed.

  “They want to speak with Sydney. Face-to-face and alone.”

  “That’s not bloody well going to happen, Cary,” Thane ground out as he pulled on clothing.

  “I understand. I’m just telling you what the demand is.” Sydney’s uncle sighed. “They know you’re in Inverness and have given a deadline of tomorrow morning, five a.m.”

  “Shite.”

  “They’re going to kill my little girl.” Uncle Cary’s composure slipped. “Just a moment.”

  The phone went silent and Sydney jumped off the bed and rushed around grabbing things to wear. “We have to go, Thane.”

  “I’m not putting you in danger, Sydney.”

  “You’ll be there.”

  “He said alone, love.”

  Sydney pulled on a pair of jeans and then a T-shirt. “Well, we’ll make it look like I’m alone. I have skills now, honey. Cauld—”

  “Sid,” Thane hissed, and pressed what she assumed was the mute button on his phone.

  “Sorry,” she said. “But let’s think about this logically. I have Cauld Ane skills.”

  “And if he or they decide to meet you someplace that’s too hot for you?”

  She bit her lip. “I didn’t think of that.”

  Now that she had gone through the conversion, she couldn’t be anywhere over sixty-eight degrees. If she was, her body would begin to break down and blister, and she would die if the temperature rose much past that.

  “Right. It’s not going to happen.”

  “It’s winter, Thane. How hot could it possibly get?”

  “Thane?” Uncle Cary cut in.

  He tapped his phone again. “Aye, we’re here.”

  “We’ve set up a central control situation at my office downtown.”

  “We’ll be there in less than two hours,” Thane said, and hung up.

  “How are we going to get to Uncle Cary’s London office in less than two hours?” Sydney challenged. “We have to buy tickets, get to the airport, and then traffic—”

  “Private plane, Sydney.”

  “You have a plane?” she squeaked.

  “Max and Niall do.”

  “Oh, that makes sense.” She sat down and pulled on her boots. “They won’t mind us using it?”

  “No, love.” He smiled and grabbed his phone, raising it to his ear. “Nye? We’ve got an emergency and wondered if the plane’s available. Aye. Wonderful. Thank you, brother. I’ll fill you in when we’re in the air. Aye. All right. ’Bye.” He hung up and nodded. “All set.”

  “You have very useful friends,” Sydney said.

  Thane chuckled. “Aye, lass, I do.”

  They finished dressing, left word with one of the house staff of their departure, and headed to the private air strip. Niall had obviously called ahead, because the plane was waiting for them, along with pilot, copilot, and two flight attendants.

  “Mr. and Mrs. Allen, welcome,” a pretty blonde woman in dark blue uniform said as they walked onto the plane. “I’m Nell, should you need anything.” She turned to her left. “This is Zara.”

  “Lovely to meet you both,” Thane said, and settled his hand on Sydney’s lower back. “If we could have breakfast and coffee as soon as possible, we’d appreciate it.”

  “Of course, sir,” Zara said.

  Thane guided Sydney further into the plane and she took in the space. It looked like a comfortable living room more than a plane. A huge sectional that was bolted to the floor too
k up most of the middle of the plane, and there were side tables secured for takeoff and landing, but that could be pulled out and moved as needed. A wet-bar and fridge ran along part of the west side of the plane with cabinets above.

  There were twelve seats with seat belts in the main part, and fold-up seats against the back wall, similar to flight attendant seats, if there were extra passengers.

  “Wow,” Sydney whispered as she sat in one of the window seats.

  Thane sat next to her. “It’s lovely, eh?”

  “Yes, but you know if I get used to this, it’ll be the only way I’ll want to travel.”

  He chuckled. “I’m with you on that, love.”

  Zara arrived with two cups of coffee, cream, and sugar, and Sydney almost kissed her. “Thank you.”

  “My pleasure, ma’am.” She smiled. “We’ll serve breakfast after takeoff, but I do have some pastries if you don’t think you can wait.”

  “Yes, please,” she and Thane said in unison, and then laughed.

  “I’ll be right back.” Zara walked away and returned seconds later with fresh blueberry muffins.

  “Thank you,” Sydney said.

  Thane only smiled, considering he already had a mouthful of muffin.

  “Hungry?” Sydney asked with a giggle.

  “Starving,” he admitted, once he swallowed.

  Sydney ate a little slower, but no less enthusiastically. It was the best muffin she’d ever had, but that brought worry as to what Lucy was doing. Was she eating? Thane laid a hand on her knee just as Zara collected their trash, and then it was time for takeoff. Sydney didn’t mind flying so long as she didn’t look out the window, but takeoff was a little nerve wracking, so she gripped Thane’s hand until the plane was in the air.

  Once they leveled off and the captain said they could remove their seatbelts, Thane suggested they watch a movie and they settled themselves on the sofa. But before they did that, he called her uncle, who still didn’t have an update. Thane promised they’d be there well before the deadline. He then called Niall and filled him in, all the while keeping contact with Sydney.

  It was surreal “hanging out” on a plane. Sydney really did think she’d be ruined for commercial flights going forward, but for the moment, she was content to snuggle up against her mate and relax while the pilot flew them to London.

  By the time the instruction to take their seats in preparation for landing came, Sydney was a little bit shocked. “Is it really time to land?”

  Thane chuckled as they made their way to the window. “Aye, love.”

  “Can we keep going? Maybe to Fiji?”

  “If you want to go on a vacation, baby, I’ll take you,” he promised.

  “In this plane?” she asked hopefully.

  Thane laughed. “I’m sure we can talk to Max and Niall about it.”

  She clapped her hands. “Awesome.”

  “But not Fiji.”

  “Oh, right. Crap.” Her face brightened. “Alaska?”

  “Perfect.”

  Worry hit her full in the chest and Thane reached for her again, but she moved away. “Oh my word, Thane, you did that! You’ve been doing it the whole time,” she accused, realizing he’d not let go of her since they’d gotten to the plane, and she’d essentially forgotten about Lucy for the entire length of their flight.

  “Aye, lass, I wanted you to feel peace.”

  “So, you block my worry enough that I’m planning some romantic rendezvous instead of being concerned about the fact my cousin has been kidnapped?” she snapped. “You’re an ass.”

  “I’m an ass because I don’t want you to worry?”

  “Yes. I need to be focused on her, Thane. Praying for her, not forgetting she’s in trouble and probably scared out of her mind.”

  He sighed, holding his hand out to her. “I’m sorry, love. I just hate when you’re in pain. I will tone it down.”

  “Tone it down, how?”

  “You won’t forget the situation, but I can take some of the heartache away.”

  She stared at him for several seconds, before linking her fingers with his again and leaning against him. “Do you think we’ll find Lucy?”

  “Aye, love, I think we will.”

  “What if we don’t?”

  He reached across to cup her cheek. “We will.”

  She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. Promise?

  Promise, love.

  The plane landed and Sydney followed Thane down the stairs, climbing into an SUV waiting on the tarmac.

  Sydney wouldn’t let Thane comfort her on the way to Cary’s office. She’d rather worry herself into a migraine than forget for a second that her cousin was in trouble. Lucy must be terrified, and since they didn’t know who or what the threat was, it was even more dangerous.

  “Enough,” Thane snapped, and Sydney jumped. He reached for her hand, holding strong even when she tried to pull away. “I’ll no’ have you this wound up, love.”

  “She would have to be if it was me in her situation.”

  “And if she were bound to a Cauld Ane, her mate would insist on calming her as well.”

  Sydney tried to pull away again, but he shook his head and she scowled. “Thane.”

  “No, Sydney, I’ll no’ budge on this.”

  “Bossy, alpha-male, kilt-wearing—”

  “Careful, lass,” he interrupted. “You complain once about the kilt, you’ll no’ be seeing me in one again, and I know how much you like it.”

  She forced herself not to smile. “Suck it.”

  “We’re going to find her, Sydney.”

  “I hope so.” She kept hold of his hand, but turned to look out the window, forcing her thoughts to stay focused on her cousin, at least enough to send up a prayer.

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  SYDNEY’S HEART RACED for approximately one point two seconds as the car drove into an underground parking garage. “Thane, stop it.”

  “No.”

  She tugged at her hand, but it did nothing. She tried to counteract his Xanex mind tricks, but she was still too new to her abilities and, quite frankly, didn’t know how to do it. She intended to find out though, and then he’d be sorry.

  “No, you won’t.”

  “Get out of my brain!” she snapped.

  The car came to a stop outside a bay of elevators and Sydney reached for the door handle.

  “Wait,” Thane said, squeezing her hand.

  “Why?”

  He didn’t answer as he stared down at his phone.

  “Thane?” she prodded.

  “I’m waiting for your uncle to give the okay.”

  “Screw that,” she snapped, dragging her hand from his while he was distracted and pushing open the door.

  “Damn it, Sid,” he growled, and followed her. He grabbed her around the waist as she hit the elevator button and pulled her back toward the car. “If you ever do that again, I will take you over my knee.”

  She forced away the delicious shiver his threat produced and blustered, “You ever try that, and I’ll cut you.”

  “Bloody hell. I’m no’ havin’ this fight with you right now, Sydney. You’ll do as I say, or I’ll bloody well tie you to a damn chair.”

  “You wouldn’t!”

  “I would. In a heartbeat.” His eyes burned red and Sydney’s mouth dropped open.

  “I hate you,” she rasped.

  He held her tighter. “I’m fine with you hatin’ me, lass, so long as you’re bloody well alive.”

  She crossed her arms and refused to look at him. Thane stood rigid beside her, his heart racing and his arms tight.

  “Now, Wallace,” he said.

  “Aye, sir.”

  Wallace led them into the elevator, then stepped in front of them. Sydney didn’t struggle—there would be no point, but she did keep her arms locked and her emotions in their appropriate compartments.

  Thane loosened his hold as they arrived at her uncle’s floor and he stood waiting for them in the lobb
y. “Come with me,” he said, and turned toward his office.

  Thane laid his hand on Sydney’s lower back and they followed Uncle Cary down the hall. Entering the office, Sydney noticed two of her uncle’s top security men, Mathew and Nigel, standing by his desk. Once the door was closed, Thane released Sydney and she put distance between them, sitting in one of the chairs by the window.

  “What do you have?” Wallace asked.

  “We have one demand so far,” Nigel said. “You’re two hours early, so we’re waiting for further instruction. He doesn’t stay on the line long enough to trace him.”

  “So it’s a man?” Sydney asked.

  “The one who calls is, but we don’t know if there’s anyone else involved.”

  “Any indication as to where she might be?” Thane asked.

  Nigel looked at Mathew, who shook his head.

  “What are you doing right there?” Sydney demanded. “You better not be keeping stuff from us.”

  Sydney, settle.

  I swear to Buddha, Thane, if you try to “handle” me, I will make you suffer.

  Thane frowned, stepping to her and lifting her chin. Do we need to take this outside? Because we have to find your cousin, and I get that you’re angry with me, but we don’t have time to hash it out, so you either stow that anger, or we take it outside.

  She pulled away from his hand and Thane turned back to the men. “So, do you know where she is?”

  “No,” Mathew said. “We heard something in the background, but we haven’t been able to determine what it is.

  “Can I have a listen?” Thane asked.

  “Come with me,” Nigel said, but before they left, Thane knelt in front of Sydney.

  “We’re going to find her.”

  Sydney rubbed her temples, the pain almost unbearable as she blinked back tears and nodded. A green haze hovered in her peripheral vision and she shook her head and blinked again.

  “Take a few deep breaths, love, yer eyes are green.” Thane took her hands and kissed her palms, easing her pain.

  “What do you mean, they’re green?” Despite the relief, she still scowled at him.

  Your eyes are green. I think one of your gifts is manifesting.

  “What gift turns your eyes green?” she snapped in a whisper.

  I don’t know, love, but we’ll sort it out when this is over. He rose to his feet. I love you, Sydney.