by Vella Day
“That’s really nice.” Izzy fingered it. “Did she say what this was used for over there?”
“I think it’s just a decorative piece. My folks collected stuff like that all the time. They have a green marble pyramid about four-inches tall that they purchased in Egypt, and a gold-rimmed stone they found in South Africa. They have no purpose except to look pretty.”
Heavy footsteps sounded down the hall. When she looked up, her breath caught at Kalan’s rugged good looks. His sandy colored hair was wet and he was clean-shaven, but perhaps it was the white T-shirt outlining his muscular body that instantly switched her from sad to glad.
“What do you have there?” Kalan strode over to her.
“It was a gift from my parents.”
He held out his hand. “May I see it?”
Izzy gave it to him. “It’s sardonyx,” Elana said.
“Nice and heavy.” Like Izzy, he ran his fingers across the surface, but his gaze seemed far away. “When did you get it from them?”
“Just a few hours before they were murdered.”
His brows pinched. “Did they always bring something back with them for you?”
“No, but maybe with them getting older they wanted a better relationship with me. I was hoping anyway.” She looked off to the side and threaded her fingers together. Just thinking that her parents might have wanted to mend things between them brought on fresh tears.
Kalan said nothing about her outburst as he flipped the sardonyx over then back again, for which she was thankful. Izzy handed her a tissue from her purse, and Elana dabbed her eyes. “Thanks.”
“There’s something about this that seems familiar. Do you mind if I keep it for a few days? I promise to give it back.”
As long as he returned it, she was good. “Sure.”
“Izzy, is Rye home?” Kalan asked.
“Yes.”
“Do you think Elana could stay with you for an hour or so? I have an errand to run.”
“No problem.” Izzy stood and looked down at her. “Come on.”
If Kalan hadn’t sounded so intense, she would have asked if she could come along with him. Guess she’d just have to trust him.
Because the day was so pleasant, Izzy had walked over, and they headed back the same way. Even though the houses weren’t too far apart, Elana couldn’t help but glance around, expecting someone to jump out at her.
“I think we should have an aura cleansing in your apartment,” Izzy said.
“What good will that do?”
“Didn’t you listen to anything Mom said while we were growing up?”
“Of course, but I don’t see how that will help if it was an attempted robbery.” Kalan said he was going to find someone to clean it up so she didn’t have to see everything they’d destroyed.
“I wish this hadn’t happened, but once Mom does her magic, it won’t feel creepy being in there.” Izzy opened the side door to Rye’s house and let them in.
Elana sighed. “Okay.”
Izzy smiled and gave her a nod, silently letting her know she would do anything to help her feel safe.
“You don’t lock your door?” Elana asked.
Izzy shook her head. “Rye’s here. Nothing can harm us.”
Perhaps werewolves had more powers than she realized. Rye came out of a back room and rushed over to her, gently gripping her shoulders as he looked into her face. “Kalan told me what happened. I’m so sorry.” Rye wrapped his arms around her, giving her a supportive hug. “How are you doing?”
“As well as can be expected, I guess.”
“How about some cookies to munch on?” Izzy asked.
Elana slipped from Rye’s grasp and followed Izzy into the kitchen. Her friend grabbed one of the two tins on the counter and opened it.
Izzy looked over to where Rye was seated. “Rye, did you eat all of the cookies?”
“Guilty, but there’s another tin. Eat those.”
Pink colored her face. “Well, crap.”
This wasn’t like Izzy. “What’s wrong?”
“Have a seat.” Elana plopped down on the stool in front of the island. “Remember when I took you to Ophelia to do a spell to rid Kalan from your head?”
“A lot of good that did.” Elana could think of nothing else now. If anything, her obsession had grown worse.
Izzy leaned her elbows on the counter. “About that. I really believed that you and Kalan would make a cute couple, and I wanted to give you two a chance to get to know one another.”
Elana lowered her chin. “Isadora Berta, what did you do?”
“I asked Ophelia to put a slightly different spell on you than what you asked for.”
“Izzy, spill it.”
“You are such an amazing person and I wanted to give you the gift of self-confidence around Kalan.”
Elana was speechless. Of late, she had been more comfortable around him and had been rather brazen in her thoughts. “A spell? How long is this spell supposed to last?”
“Maybe forty-eight hours, though it could be a week. I really don’t know.”
From her lack of eye contact, something else was going on. If they hadn’t grown up as close as sisters, she might not have recognized the signs. “What else did she do?”
Izzy blew out a breath. “You know how Kalan always seemed so out of sorts around you? Running into doors? Dropping things?”
Her wording almost made her laugh. “You mean how he always tried to run away from me?”
“I believe he was trying to come to grips with his intense desire for you.”
Elana threw up her hands. “Now you’re being ridiculous. I might believe he likes me, and maybe even cares for me, but desires me? No way.”
“Regardless of what you think, Ophelia gave me some herbs to put into some chocolate chip cookies I made for Kalan. It was supposed to make him less clumsy and nervous. It allowed him to be himself around you.”
“That was really sweet of you to try, but he still acts odd a lot of the time whenever I’m near. Is that what’s in these cookies?” She nodded to the second tin.
“Yes. I wouldn’t chance eating them if I were you.” Izzy tossed them in the trash.
Just as well. She didn’t need anything else to mess with her head.
Izzy leaned her elbows on the counter. “All I ask is that you keep an open mind.”
Now her friend was talking nonsense. “About what? The fact that he might like me?”
“About everything.”
Now what the hell did that mean?
Chapter Eleven
‡
Happy to get out of the house, Kalan headed directly toward James’s cabin on the other side of Silver Lake. Being with Elana was causing his bear to revolt. He wanted her bad. Even when he was in the bedroom changing out of his uniform, he yearned to mate with her.
Shit. This was so hard. Elana didn’t have any idea his kind existed. Wolves, maybe, bears no. What would she think of him when she found out he’d omitted the fact that he was a shifter? But damn, he was protecting her from the harsh reality of life. Somehow, he sensed she wouldn’t see it that way.
Forcing his bear to retreat, he focused on what was in his pocket. From the moment he touched that stone, Kalan had an uneasy feeling that it was somehow connected to what was happening in Elana’s life.
James had been able to provide guidance and good intel when Izzy had been captured by that horrid Changeling, and Kalan hoped the immortal could provide some answers about this stone too.
With an unsettled feeling lodged deep in his gut and the sardonyx in hand, Kalan knocked on James’s door. He probably should have asked his Alpha to join him, but he needed him to watch Elana. While the rose quartz at the bottom of the lake would dilute the Changelings’ powers if they came around, he didn’t trust them not to attempt to overpower the girls should they not sense Rye close by.
The door opened, and James motioned him in, acting as if he knew what Kalan was going to ask him. His A
lpha claimed the man was creepy like that. No one knew for sure the extent of his powers, but since he was married to a goddess, he might possess a lot.
“What can I do for you?” James ushered him into the stark living area where an unlit fireplace dominated the stone home. Facing the hearth were several pieces of furniture that looked handcrafted from some very large trees, probably carved during the last century. Worn cushions were on the seats of the sofa and chairs.
Kalan was too agitated to sit. “Did you hear about the Stanley murders?”
“A real shame. How is Elana holding up?”
He knew her? “As well as can be expected. Do you know why her parents were murdered?” Rye seemed to think James was omniscient, and Kalan wanted to test that theory.
“No.”
Whether he was telling the truth or not was anyone’s guess. Kalan retrieved Elana’s parents’ gift from his pants pocket. “Do you know anything about this stone?” He’d heard that the Changelings valued it highly, though he didn’t know why.
“Where did you get this?” James lifted the gift from Kalan’s fingers and examined it.
“The Stanleys brought it home for their daughter. They gave her the present hours before their death.”
As if James were hundreds of years old, he edged over to one of the chairs and dropped down. He motioned Kalan to do the same. Not wanting to inhibit the flow of conversation, Kalan obeyed.
“I’ve been hearing rumors that the Changelings powers are slowly diminishing.”
Kalan sat up straighter, his pulse erratic. “What exactly does that mean?”
“I’m not sure. Their ability to shift won’t be affected, but several of the members have powers similar to the Wendayans—at least for a short while.”
His gut twisted in half. “I’ve heard they can take the form of another human if they come in contact with them around the red moon, but that’s all.” Dear goddess, if they could control fire, wind, water, and other elements, no telling what havoc they could wreak.
“I’ve heard otherwise,” James said. Kalan waited for him to explain but instead of continuing, he stood and returned the stone. “Do you think this was what the murderer was after?” James asked.
“I have no idea.”
“There’s a Changeling by the name of Chris Darden who might know. My sources overheard mention of Chris purchasing some special sardonyx from the Stanleys. This type of stone is rare. See the light streaks through it? It’s the density of the colors that affects its availability.”
“What exactly would the Changelings want with the stone?”
“To restore their powers, of course.”
Of course? Who else knew about this? “Which powers?”
James shrugged and pressed his lips together as if nothing could pry them apart. Perhaps Chris would be more forthcoming with information.
“Here’s Chris’s home address,” James said, pulling a piece of paper from his pocket and then standing.
Something fishy was going on, but Kalan wasn’t in a position to demand answers. “Thank you.”
James escorted him back to the front. As Kalan pulled open the heavy wooden door, James lifted a finger. “Elana is still in danger, so protect her at all cost.”
His pulse soared. “From whom?”
“I suspect the killers.”
James knew more than he was sharing. “Then what can you tell me about Brian Stanley, Elana’s long lost brother?”
“Nothing.” James waved a hand, acting as if her brother wasn’t a threat, but Kalan wasn’t convinced.
He’d had enough of this evasive bullshit. “Why are you hiding things from me?”
“Me? Why would you say that?”
“Because you had already written down this Chris person’s address before I even arrived. Why can’t you tell me what you know?”
James blew out a breath. “Fine. Come sit down again and let me explain something to you.”
He wanted to return to Elana, but at the same time, he needed to find out what James knew. Kalan stopped in the middle of the living room and crossed his arms over his chest. “Tell me.”
“You are so impatient and demanding. That’s not a good trait for a Beta.”
Tough shit. The woman he was falling in love with was in danger, and James was not cooperating. “I’ll deal.”
Did he just say love? His bear must have put those thoughts in his head.
“Please don’t think I don’t want to help you. I do, but I am held accountable to those higher up.” He glanced at the ceiling.
Kalan stilled. “You were told not to help mortals?”
“I didn’t say that. I’m allowed to give you a little nudge now and again until you get on your feet, so to speak. Like when that Scottish Changeling kidnapped Izzy, I pulled some strings to find out what happened.”
“You saved her life.”
“I’m glad. You want your mate to be free of danger too, so I’ve provided you with a name that should lead you to the killer. You’ll have to do the rest.”
Now Kalan felt like he was eight again when his parents had punished him for shifting into his bear form and running through the house, breaking some furniture. “I appreciate all your help.”
“Talk to your dad and Rye’s father. They went through the same learning curve. I provided some much needed help at first until they learned to help themselves.”
Kalan stuck out his hand and shook James’s hand. “I will.”
Halfway back to his house, he suddenly recalled James’s words. He’d said Elana was his mate. So it was true. Or was it another lie? No. Whenever he was near her, he wanted her worse than anything. His denial at first had caused him to run away, but his need to protect her now was so fierce it had to be true. Even if he were willing to mate with her, he still needed Elana’s consent and he doubted that would come easily.
Kalan’s cell rang, jarring him. It was his partner, Dalton. “What’s up?”
“You won’t believe what happened.”
“What?” Elana was safe and that was all that really mattered.
“Someone broke into Brian Stanley’s hotel room and trashed the place.”
Oh, shit. “I’ll be right there.” He disconnected and immediately called his dad. “Where’s Brian?”
“Whoa. Slow down, son. Brian’s at McKinnon’s Pub.”
He had to assume it was the real Brian if his dad was tailing him. It would be curious to see what Finn thought of this man as opposed to the one who had come to the bar drunk the night of the murder. “Dalton called and said Brian’s motel room was trashed.”
“Well, damn. I usually go home for lunch to check the camera feed because Brian pretty much stays in his room. When he left and came to McKinnon’s Pub I decided to have lunch here to keep an eye on him.”
“So you have a camera in his room.”
“Guilty.”
As much as he wanted to rant at his dad, he was now grateful his father had set up surveillance in the room. It might provide the possible identity of the killers. “I’m heading over to the hotel now. While I’m checking it out, how about looking at those tapes and let me know right away?”
“You want me to leave Brian?”
If Brian’s room was trashed, it helped exonerate him from the murders. “Yes.”
“I’m on my way. I’ll get back to you.” His dad disconnected.
Kalan immediately called Rye. He would have used telepathy, but Rye might have had some difficulty explaining to Elana he knew something when his phone hadn’t even rung. “Elana’s brother’s room was vandalized. I’m heading over there now. Please tell Elana I’ll be back when I can.”
“I’ll keep her safe.”
“You better.”
*
“That was Kalan,” Rye said, stepping over to the kitchen island. “Apparently, someone broke into Brian’s hotel room and trashed the place.”
Acid burned her stomach. “Is he okay?”
Rye lifted one sh
oulder. “Kalan didn’t say, but he would have mentioned it if Brian had been there.”
Her quickened heart rate slowed. She might never have met her brother—at least that she remembered—but she didn’t want something bad to happen to him before she did. “That’s good. Does that mean Kalan wants me to stay here?” If so, perhaps Rye could walk her back to retrieve her gear.
“I don’t think he plans to be long. He just asked that I make sure you stay safe.”
Part of her was thrilled Kalan was taking such good care of her, but another part was shaking. If he needed Rye to watch over her, Kalan must suspect the killer planned to come after her.
Izzy closed the lid on the now empty cookie tin. “I think we need to make some more. You want to help, Elana?”
“I’d love to.” Anything to keep her mind off what was happening.
As if Izzy had lived in Rye’s home for months, she located all the pots and pans and set out the ingredients with efficiency. “I really do love the powers that I have, but if I could wave a hand and create a scrumptious meal, life would be so much easier.”
Elana laughed. As kids, they used to talk about their fantasies—and boys, of course. “I want to wave my hands and have my shop squeaky clean.”
Izzy pointed a finger at her. “Now you’re talking.”
For the next hour, they mixed the batter, baked the cookies, and then waited for them to cool before sampling each batch. Elana’s hands were in the soapy water cleaning up when Kalan walked in. His gaze latched onto her as if he was impaling her with a beam of sexual energy.
She quickly glanced over at Izzy, wondering if her friend had slipped in some of that secret ingredient Ophelia had given her into the cookies.
“How did it go?” she asked, working hard to keep her voice from cracking.
Kalan dropped down onto the center island stool. “I could use a cookie or two if you can spare some. I’m starving.”
She didn’t like that he’d avoided answering her question. “You are such a man.”
He grinned, but it appeared as if that took some effort. “I try.”
Izzy handed her a plate, and she filled it up with at least a dozen chocolate chip cookies and placed it in front of him. “Here you go.”