“I felt tainted, slimy,” Cassie added. “Like I had to get her out of me.”
“How did she incorporate herself into something like a mating bond?” Dani asked quietly.
“Blood and some fucked-up ritual,” Jace answered.
“Why? Do you feel something off about the pregnancy, Dani?” Cassie asked.
“Not other than an unnatural taste for bacon.” Dani’s brows furrowed, her gaze dropped to the tabletop. “But it’s so early yet.”
She glanced up to Mercury with a questioning look. He shuttered his face, unwilling to tell her what he’d felt earlier in front of Jace and Cassie.
“We’d better get going. I’ve gotta shadow Cassie while she’s working in case Sigma tries anything again,” Jace said, grabbing their food containers and to-go cups.
Even as the couple left, Dani didn’t look away from Mercury. She didn’t seem as fatigued and drawn as last night. Despite the nightmares, the food and rest did her good. And though it was a short night and early morning, a healthy glow lit her from within.
“What aren’t you telling me?” she asked.
“What aren’t you telling me?” he countered.
Setting her jaw, she looked down at her plate. “Do you think that madwoman has somehow tied herself to the baby?”
“It would be naïve not to think that.” Mercury took a deep breath. He didn’t feel like she was lying about this, she really didn’t know what Madame G could have done. “We connected outside and, yes, I felt something, faint, but dark. Something other than you and the young one.”
Blood drained from her face and she closed her eyes.
“What do we do?” she whispered.
“Tell Commander Fitzsimmons my suspicions.”
Nodding slightly, her intelligent dark eyes inspected Mercury’s face. He sat still under her perusal, sensing she was about to say something.
“Why do they say you’re weird, Mercury?”
His brows shot up, surprised at her blunt question. He took a short moment to savor his name rolling off her tongue before he answered.
“It’s how I was raised. The quintessential boy raised by wolves. Master Bellamy found me out in the wild, living with a pack of natural born wolves. I have no memory before the wolf pack took me in. Master Bellamy assumed my pack was destroyed as a young boy. I somehow survived and was taken in by a perceptive wolf pack that seemed to sense what I was.”
“But, wouldn’t you have been in human form until puberty?”
“Yes. After the first transition, I rarely went back to my human form. It was easier, then, living with them. I didn’t know what I was, just that I was different.”
“Is that how you feel now?” No pity, no derision, she seemed to want to understand him.
“Yep. Master Bellamy, at the time he was the commander, found me when he was out on a mission and realized I was not only a shifter, but born to be a Guardian.” Mercury remembered being absolutely fascinated, but threatened, by this man who could also take on two forms. And utterly perplexed that the master would pick the inferior of the two to remain in much of the time.
“He and his mate took me in,” Mercury continued. “Taught me to adjust to being mostly human with a beast inside, instead of the other way around. Taught me to fight in both forms and trained me to be a Guardian. Once I met Bennett and Fitzsimmons, I started learning how to interact as a human better. But it’s difficult. Our job keeps us busy, usually dealing with the shit of the species and, until the last few decades, we all tried to avoid modern society. I still don’t understand normal social interaction very well, even if it’s shifters in human form.”
Processing her astonishment of his life’s story, she considered what she heard.
“So…few possessions but books?”
“I never went to school, but Master Bellamy’s mate taught me to read. It helps me to have a reference with people when I can associate expressions with words that are said. I’m teaching myself the other subjects as time allows.”
It looked like more questions were lining up in her sharp, sexy brain but Mercury had to cut her off.
“It’s time to go talk with the commander.”
“I said I would tell you everything, just let me type it. It’d be faster.” Dani was beyond irritated. Were they really so not used to their prisoners confessing that they couldn’t hand over a damn pencil and paper? She was probably being recorded anyway. Enough with the questions already.
Commander Fitzsimmons pinned her with that unreadable look she was beginning to associate with him. He was such a serious dude, his smile muscles had probably atrophied.
“You’re going to write everything down? Just like that?” Disbelief obvious in his tone. Another thing she began to associate with him. He probably had a dry sense of humor, if he had one at all.
“You can’t protect me and this kid unless you know what you’re up against. Unless you’ve been in the compound before, it’d be faster if I drew diagrams and explained the rooms. Then I can describe the Agents and the training, what I know of it.”
Another long considering look. “Fine. We’ll cross reference it with what we already have on file. Mercury, stay with her.”
Dani wanted to breathe a sigh of relief with the commander gone. That was an intense man. The cloud of tension dissipated with his absence. Even more so after Mercury brought his concerns to him about the extra presence he felt when they connected outside.
The thought filled Dani with terror. Was a part of Madame G inside of her? Was it like a tracking device? Of course Sigma knew where she was, but they’d get lost wandering the woods with all the defenses around the lodge and land around the cabins. But the hope that Dani and her baby could mosey off, undetected, when they were both recovered and healthy, died a slow death.
Was she really Mercury’s mate or was that orchestrated by the evil bitch, too? That bothered Dani, for unknown reasons. She wasn’t ready to tie her life to him by any means, but it was undeniable that she felt something for him. Not just gratitude for rescuing her, or the care he’d taken of her, or the way his body felt on hers, his fingers inside of her.
Desire began to pool in her belly, Mercury inhaled sharply.
“We’d better get you drawing,” his deep voice rougher than normal.
The few bad shifters Sigma and its Agents took out did not make up for the pain and suffering the secret corporation and its most notorious chapter leader, Madame G, inflicted on both shifters and humans. And probably vampires, although Dani avoided them as much as possible. They made her feel like she was on the menu.
Two weeks passed in a relatively boring manner and Dani loved it. After her violent last few years, wondering if she’d survive and escape Sigma’s clutches, her future terribly uncertain, she reveled in the quiet days of research.
The Guardians were researching all the information and details she gave them on Sigma’s compound, the Agents, and their training program. Commander Fitzsimmons took their concerns of Madame G’s baby tampering seriously and was trying to get details of how, how badly, and how the hell to fix it.
Dani was currently combing through the latest pregnancy literature. Unfortunately, there was no manual for What to Expect When You’re Expecting a Different Species or What to Expect When Your Baby Might Be Possessed.
She was given limited access to the internet and her web trail was carefully monitored by the asshole Mason and his derogatory human comments. She gave the most ashamedly girly squeal when Mercury showed her his e-reader and the books he’d downloaded for it.
Mercury.
Even now watching him face-off in the training gym with Kaitlyn, whom she couldn’t help but soften toward, he made her heart flutter. Sweat dotted his brow and he was giving almost inaudible instructions to the female shifter during their sparring. The woman was fast and strong, but Mercury’s skills were completely “amazeballs,” using his own word. Dani suspected he loved messing with Bennett, picking up the trending vernacula
r and incorporating it into his daily language. The others probably thought it was part of the male’s troubles with socializing, but Dani suspected differently. He was painfully blunt at times, yes, but also subtly mischievous and more highly functioning than anyone gave him credit for, including himself.
Right now he had the female in a headlock that would have decapitated Dani. Kaitlyn was struggling, trying to maneuver her feet around his to yank them out from under him. No jealousy spiked at the contact and Dani was relieved. The rage-inducing jealously she experienced regarding Mercury’s past seemed to die away the more she got to know him.
It was obvious he took Kaitlyn’s training seriously, as did all the other Guardians, and like the rest, he didn’t treat her any differently. They all rotated training with each other, sometimes fighting two or three against one. They kept her from Master Bellamy’s training, not trusting her with their secrets, but it was all good. Dani picked up quite a few of her own survival tips to file away for any future hand-to-hand combat.
Kaitlyn’s face was turning a nasty shade of blue, her efforts dwindling. Dani stopped beating at the punching bag she was half-assing to watch the scene unfold, her heart in her throat. Finally, with one final exertion, Kaitlyn managed to drop Mercury before she passed out. It bothered Dani every time she witnessed their comebacks. Was it because they trained that hard that they nearly killed each other? Or was it because if it was her, she’d be dead and stay dead? Yes and yes. Unless she mated Mercury, then it would take decapitation or silver to end her life.
The male still didn’t trust her. Hadn’t touched her since that morning after she arrived. She was in the most sexually frustrated state she ever thought possible, having to see him every day, all day, with little to no physical contact. Each night she went to bed alone, while he slept on the porch with his back to the door. And each morning he was on the front steps, his arms resting on his knees waiting for her to wake up.
After she’d confessed everything she was willing to, she was informed Mercury would be her keeper until further notice. It only took one day of shadowing him until she started making demands: reading and exercise, at the minimum. She would have volunteered to take a shift cooking, but knew better than to ask, as they’d fear her poisoning the food. Laundry duty was even forbidden to her and at this point, Mercury’s cabin was as clean as it could possibly be.
He watched her. She bet he thought she didn’t notice. Cassie had brought back workout clothes galore, from form fitting to loose and comfy. Leaving loose and comfy for the later trimesters, Dani ran in a running bra and capri leggings. The daily laps around the lodge were getting pretty tedious, but she wasn’t allowed anywhere else. Mercury trailed her and she felt the burn like Superman’s laser vision going right into her ass. Maybe she shook it just a little extra on the straight stretches.
Her most satisfying moment to date as a young, single, attractive female was one day in front of the cabin when she busted out the yoga mat she borrowed from the training gym. Sliding effortlessly through remembered vinyasa sequences, enjoying the stretch of muscles she hadn’t felt in years, she became acutely aware of Mercury’s sudden stillness. He’d decided to clean gear while babysitting her sudden urge for yoga, but she hit the first downward dog and he was done. With no movement, his eyes swept her body as she flowed from position to position.
Now she did yoga every damn day.
“Daniella?” A voice interrupted her musings, causing her to jump. Then a shiver ran through her, like it always did when she heard her full name spoken by that deep voice.
Kaitlyn had already left the gym and Mercury had removed his sweat-soaked shirt. Dani was almost afraid to look, afraid she wouldn’t quit ogling his chest, afraid she’d start tracing his muscles with her fingertips and get bolder from there.
“Ready?” Mercury interrupted her musings again.
“Yep.” Her thoughts returned to the present moment to take off the boxing gloves they let her use and follow him through the lodge back to the cabin.
It was early evening but the gathering clouds made it seem later.
“It’s going to storm?” she asked him.
Mercury nodded and answered without a pause. “It’ll last all night.”
Dani found she wasn’t surprised by the information. She suspected the little peanut in her body gave her intuition a boost. With normal human senses, she could tell a storm was building, but had no way to tell the duration or severity without special training. Shifters just knew what the weather was going to do, they were so attuned to nature.
Deciding to make notes of the unusual feelings and occurrences that had happened in the last month of pregnancy, Dani would add “better weather radar” to the list, along with her two wishes that came true, and homicidal rage and jealousy regarding the tall, heavily muscled male walking in front of her.
Holding the door to the cabin open for her, he said, “I’m just going to clean up before I turn in.”
That was her cue to hang out in the kitchen while Mercury used the bathroom and dressed. This was their standard routine—awkwardly waiting while the other cleaned up. She knew they both felt the drive to join the other in the shower, and not bothering to towel off before making their way to the bed together.
Maybe she’d have to note “increased sexual frustration” on her list. Her breasts were tender, probably a first trimester issue, but she longed for Mercury’s calloused hands to massage them. Not struggling much with nausea or fatigue since Mercury made sure she got as much rest as she needed, the only major pregnancy symptom Dani noted was the monster craving for bacon. The absence of common expectant mom woes left her body open to desire. A lot of desire. For the naked male in the shower.
Getting a yogurt and thinking she’d kill for a greasy burger, Dani sat and waited. The sky opened up, dumping large, fat droplets of rain on the cabin. Was he still going to sleep out on the porch in this weather? The rain was steadily increasing and peals of thunder in the distance could be heard. This was the first overnight storm since she arrived and she wondered if the sleeping arrangements would change. She hoped they would.
Mercury came around the corner wearing nothing but athletic shorts. No lights were on yet and shadows cast through the room from the flashes of lightning outside gave him a dark menacing air as silver flashed through his features.
“Goodnight, Daniella.” He reached for the door.
“Wait!” Dani abandoned her yogurt and stood. “You aren’t going to sleep out in that, are you?”
“It’s not so bad. I’ll sleep a little closer to the building, but there’s a big overhang. Even if it rains on me,” he shrugged, “it’s not a big deal. I’ve slept in worse.”
She closed the distance to stand in front of him. “But you don’t have to. Why don’t you stay in here?”
Lightning highlighted his features again. Silver swirled in his eyes, his jaw was clenched as he considered her, his hand tight on the door handle.
“That wouldn’t be a good idea.”
She moved even closer, looking up at him. He was so still, she wondered if he was even breathing.
“Why not?”
“Because I need the door between us to remind me to stay away from you.” His voice sounded strangled. She saw the conflict raging within. His body, judging from the heat radiating from him, wanted to stay. His brain was telling him to go out as fast as he could and let the rain cool him off.
Putting her hands on his chest, he sucked in a breath, she stood on her tiptoes, her lips inches from his. She shouldn’t do this, shouldn’t tempt this beast that was her mate. But she wanted him, her body burned for him.
“Stay with me tonight, Mercury.”
The growl rumbled through her fingertips and he captured her mouth. Dani leaned into the kiss and wrapped her arms around his thick neck, pressing her body against the length of him, twining her tongue around his. At last. For weeks, she felt empty, bereft, though he was always with her. Her body needed him.
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Mercury skated his hands down her body, lifted her against him, and walked to the bed. Not needing to open his eyes or break contact with her mouth, he sat on the edge of the bed with Dani straddling him. His hard arousal pressed into her, its heat teasing her body where she wanted him most.
Dani wasn’t like this, chalk it up to pregnancy hormones. For years, she hadn’t dated—not even kissed during her quest for vengeance. Before that, she was gladly what one would call a tease, only granting a few the status of boyfriend, but always they were the pursuer and she’d made them work for it. Life had been lived on her terms, the privileged daughter of a doting father and a super intelligent mother.
But this? This was different. And there were too many clothes in the way. Her shirt had to go. Wishing she could rip it off so she didn’t have to break contact with her male, she quickly pulled it over her head. Mercury stilled, his eyes roaming her torso, the silver gleam didn’t need to be highlighted by flashes of lightning, reflecting instead like a predator locked onto his prey.
“Beautiful.”
She barely heard the word float the short distance to her. She gave him a small smile, almost shy now under his wondrous perusal.
“But this has to go.” Running his fingers under the straps of her bra, they skimmed the tops of her breasts. Willing herself to be patient, soon she would have his hands on her, cupping and massaging her tender swells, she let him explore.
His fingers burned a trail over her sensitized skin around to her back and attempted to undo the clasp. A crease formed on his brow as he concentrated on his task. A low, frustrated growl rumbled through him as his fingers fumbled with the hooks. Dani let out a burst of laughter.
“Here, let me.” Reaching back, she had her bra unhooked and off in less than two seconds. Letting it fall to the ground, she watched his reaction.
He let out a whoosh of air, the silver fire swirling through his dark eyes, focused on her breasts. His hands around her ribcage slid up to cup her tender breasts. Moaning she arched into him, the heat of his hands easing the tenderness. His thumb and forefinger caressed her taut nipples and she let out a little moan. At last.
The Sigma Menace Collection Page 24